The Eighth and Final Square

I have not made a New Year’s resolution in many years. Why? Well, I didn’t like being stuck to rules, not even self-imposed ones. However, I have decided this year that will change (at least for this year), and for a very important reason. So without further ado, here is my New Year’s resolution: I resolve to be selfish. Yup. For way too many years, the concept of “being selfish” was ingrained in me as A Bad Thing. Anything that […]

Five years ago today, I declared my independence. I’d had enough of the sheltering and smothering and abuse from my folks. Leaving was the only way to keep my sanity. “So what are you going to do? This is your last chance,” I was told. I was terrified. I was afraid that something very bad would happen if I said I was leaving (would he hit me?); I was afraid I would take my life if I stayed. After half […]

Ari just turned three, in December. By the time I was three, my parents had three kids (me, 3, Ben, 1, and Joe, newborn). I can’t imagine having three children all Ari’s age or younger! I think about all the quality time I have with Ari, and it makes me so happy that I can do that. By the time Ruth was the age I am currently, they had seven kids (see the photo on the right). Today, Ari and […]

Ari started her birthday off with her morning nummies. She was reaching for the camera (as usual) LOL Yeah her lip goes funky when she nurses but it doesn’t hurt, promise! Next, she read her Elmo book. She loves books! And then more nummies. I LOVE her chubby little fingers!! Then we went downstairs and she played with her ring stacker toy. Her chubby wittle baby feetsies are to DIE for!! Playing with the ring stacker! Playing with the baby […]

I’ve had so much to post about and so little time with two hands anymore! (It’s a lot harder for me to get my thoughts out with one hand!) So this post is probably going to be a fairly random post. Fair warning! Ari/Mothering Mama & Daughter Ari’s doing really good…Sunday the 4th she turned 3 months old! Hard to believe she’s that old already, in some ways, and in others it seems the time has flown by. It’s been […]

Happy Father’s Day to two of my favorite people in the world who are both new fathers…Joe and Scottie!! I’m sure they’re both gonna be great fathers! And happy father’s day to my father in law, other fathers, etc. And single moms. 😉 *** Children are smart. There, I said it. My dad would totally disagree. But seriously, how does a 2 year old learn the word ‘delicious’ and know how to use it properly? Nobody tried to teach her, […]

“You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” If I’m being honest with myself, I have to admit that right now I’m angry at my parents, my dad especially. (I still haven’t come to grips with the mom-enabler thing yet, when I do I’ll probably be angry at her too.) And I don’t think it’s a bad thing: I’ve had way to many years of having to bottle up all the anger […]

I can’t say I don’t love my mom, because I do. I’ve got a card to send her, even though I was given specific instructions to NOT contact them. But besides the ‘real’ mothers, I’ve decided to celebrate US…the second mothers. The ones who took care of many of our siblings, often underappreciated and unrecognized. In some cases, besides birthing, we have done more for our siblings than our moms have. My sister HAS raised my second youngest sister. Abby […]