Family Christmas

So this is how I picture my family at Christmas. All my little children (they are actually 15, 16 & 17) standing around the Christmas tree we just cut down (or tried to buy at Lou's, but had to go to Chillicothe because Lou's did not have any) and we would all decorate the tree with a roaring fire in the living room (we don't have a fireplace) while Christmas carols softly play in the background (still trying to find out if snoop dog recorded a Christmas album, nothing says Christmas like rap carols).

Wait a minute.....................Sorry I dozed off there for a minute and came back to reality. So I got this tree which is wayyy to short for my tastes, climbed up in the attic and brought down all the Christmas tree ornaments, lights and garland by myself, put all the lights on the tree myself as Shelby was at a basketball game, Rodney was on the couch complaining about a migraine and Chase was downstairs on facebook with his headphones in. I decorated the entire tree myself and put all the mess away. Ahhh Christmas memories!

Step Son

I am amazed at the number of people who have step kids but dont really like them. I have won the step son lottery by having in my life for almost 18 years now an awesome young man who I love to be around. Brandon has been in my life since the day he was born. I changed his diaper, gave him bottles, potty trained him, hugged him, kissed him, yelled at him, put him in time out, and was there when he got his first car! He is smart, caring, and I swear he is a 50 year old man in disguise! He is such an old soul, and I really miss him when he is not around. I know I am not biologically his mother, but I love him and hope I had a part in making him into the man he has become. Thanks for being such a great son.

Oh how I love my knitting group! I am paying homage to all the knitters of the world. Its the first thing I have ever done that I really love and am getting really good at. I just wish I had more time to knit and then I would find true happiness.

Thank you to all my sister knitters in Morton!

Driver's License Day

October 21, 2010 a day that will go down in infamy, ok maybe not that exciting, but today my 16 year old son was granted the right by the State of Illinois to drive a car and hit the road. Right, wrong or indifferent my nine months of driving with him is over. My second 9 month stint with him! This one so far is much less painful! Please watch out if you see him coming down the road. I would like to officially change the driving age in Illinois to 17. I wonder if other parents would agree with me. Good luck Chase, be safe and no texting!!!!

So today was a great fall day and I wish I could duplicate it tomorrow instead of going to work :(

Shelby spent time with Kathleen which I think they both needed. Its hard to keep a friend when you go to different schools.

Chase lost his girlfriend tonight. He says as soon as they go out for a month that's it! Her loss. No problem he will have his license is 4 days and all will be well in his world.

I am still attempting to complete my first pair of knitted socks. Yes I know they sell them in the store, but its a challenge now and I plan to conquer........

Driving Ms. Daisy

Dear Chase:

Next Thursday October 21, 2010, you will have had your permit for 9 months, and its time for you to get your driver's license. I have mixed feelings about this, but its a rite of passage for every kid. I can only hope you keep in mind everything I taught you and that those 50 hours we drove together were not lost on you. God knows I have the extra gray hairs for all the 50 hours I drove with you. Please be safe and be respectful of other drivers and I will say a little prayer every time you drive away from me.

Mom

April, 1997

This was taken at Jubilee State Park when Chase was 3 and Shelby was 2. We used to make a point of taking the whole family to the park for a cookout once a year. I am not sure why we stopped doing this, I guess it got too hard with job schedules to work around, school functions to go to, boyfriends and girlfriends to see....... I miss this.