My Child, My World....

I am writing this in response to a very popular blog post that I saw posted on Facebook recently, http://themetzfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-my-kids-are-not-center-of-my-world.html. I felt like something needed to be said. I don't want this to come across the wrong way, as I am sure it might. I do not doubt that this mother loves her children more than the entire world, as I am SURE she does. 

I felt a bit uneasy after reading this blog post though, almost like it was a slap in the face to mothers who feel differently. See, although I agree with some of the points that she makes in her post, and I actually see a lot of truth in it.....MY CHILDREN ARE MY WORLD. The day starts and ends with them on my mind, my world DOES revolve around them. I guess my point is, even so, I do NOT agree that I am enabling them to become a problem to society further down the line. Just because my children are MY WORLD, does not mean I won't teach them discipline, or how to respect authority. 

As a matter of fact, because they ARE MY WORLD I will do just that. I have to admit, that I WILL pick them up when they cry, and I will put "sunshine" on all of their ouchies...well, at least until they are old enough to push me away anyway. If my little man wants to play with toy guns, I will let him. I will let them figure out some of life's hard lessons on their own, and I will be there if it all falls through. I will be their safety net in this harsh world, a place where they can always come for TRUTH and love. I won't shelter them from the fact that our world is not a pretty place sometimes, most of the time actually. But you can bet that I will be there when that world turns its back, I WILL be there to run to.

I WILL teach my kids that they should be kind to everyone despite their race, social status, abilities, etc... and I will rep-remand  them if I find out that they are behaving in ways that signal out and hurt another individual. "Bullying" as it's being called now-a-days is NEVER ok, and it's not wrong for me to teach them that. I will show them how to stand up for themselves and how to deal with "bullying" if it ever surfaces on their end. They will know how to deal with rejection and pain, as I did as a teenager. I won't sugar coat it, but I will be there if it happens to help them get through it. My parents were there for me when I was signaled out in High-school, when I felt like I did not have a friend in the world who understood what I was going through. My parents were there for me, they saved me. I will save my children. They ARE MY WORLD. 

I WILL NOT ignore my children when they use bad manners, instead, I will teach them the correct way to behave. I will be strong and consistent, so they do not get mixed signals as to what is acceptable behavior and what is not. I will not ignore my children. 

We see a lot of negative things these days. We see schools being shot up by students, we see the places we  used to believe safe, becoming places we no longer want to take our families. We see a lot of children and adults who have been neglected having no where to turn, turning to violence. My children will ALWAYS be able to turn to me. I won't always be able to protect them, and I won't always give them all the answers....they will need to figure out a lot of that on their own.  My children will be problem solvers, and self thinkers.....but they will always have their Mom and Dad when there is no one else, why? Because THEY WILL ALWAYS BE OUR WORLD.

Ok, I'm done now.   

October Excitement

This month was full of excitement. We started the month by announcing our news that we are going to be parents yet again! Our due date for this new bundle is April 22, 2014. We could not be more delighted. It was a bit unexpected, but the reality of it is amazing. Our God continues to show us how faithful he is. 

The first trimester was kind of tough, I had quite a bit of morning sickness (all day sickness) and I was super sleepy all the time. That just doesn't mix well with an almost 1 year old. I am however feeling much better now and have even been able to exercise a bit, which feels amazing. It was something I struggled a lot with when I was pregnant with Joey. 

Along with the news of a new little one, we ushered in Joey's 1st Birthday with a bang! It was wonderful. He was very social and loved all of the attention. Both sets of Grandparents were able to make it out to Colorado for the festivities. We were so blessed with love.  While everyone was in town we got to explore the pumpkin patch and enjoy the beautiful Colorado fall weather.

I was also very fortunate to witness the birth of my new niece, Charlotte Reese Clifton. She was born on October 25th, at 7:28 pm after 24 hours of completely natural labor. My sister was a pillar of strength. It was such an amazing experience to witness such a miracle. She is super cute and looks just like her auntie.....lol. j/k, she does look just like her mommy with that thick pretty blonde hair. 

This was a year of a lot of firsts, one of them being Joey's 1st time trick-or-treating. He loved it. He enjoyed grabbing candy out of the baskets and putting it into his bucket, or hanging onto it until the next house where he would deposit it into the people's candy tray. lol. What a stinker. Mara was a trooper too, she insisted on walking the entire block and carrying her pumpkin pale the whole time. Even when the pale got heavy with candy, she dragged it behind her and would not let anyone help. Miss independent. 

Over all October was a busy, fun and beautiful month. I for one, am glad it's over though, so I can get on with Christmas and of course my birthday month. ha ha. Lots and lots of pictures this month...Enjoy!

Play time!

Movie time with Mara

Aiden's 1st Birthday Party, Joey's good friend

Box time with "Judgie"

Go Broncos!

Movie Star Mara, "Do you think they will know it's me momma?"

Two Preggo Sids

Together again!

The ladies

Happy 1st Birthday Joey!! 10/14/13

Mimi and Papa time

I love Granny

Birthday Boy

"Are you sure I can eat this treat??!!"

"Oh Yum"

Messy Man

Engrossed in Literature

Peak-a-boo Aunt Sessi

Air Plane ride!

Uncle Gigi and Mara 

Mimi and Mara

I love uncle Justin

The Whole Fam

Little Monster

Pumpkin Patch!!!!

Yummy???

Momma and me

Can I have one Mara?

Pics in the Hay

Scared of horsey

Cuties

I love Fall.

1st time standing alone!

Check out my new ride

Happy Halloween

Hi Charlotte! Welcome Earthside :)

Happy Family

September Fun

"Today I'm going to take chances. I'm going to take fewer things seriously. I will dare to make mistakes and even risk being silly. I will experience special moments, one after another, instead of living many years ahead of today. 

I will not be one of those people who never leave home without a thermometer, water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. I am going to relax and limber up my senses. Today I will climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and eat more ice cream and less spinach.

I will experiment with taking risks that I have never taken before. After living so sensibly hour after hour, I deserve a day of great expectations. After experiencing a day like this, I may have more actual problems, but I'll have less imaginary ones."



September came and went like a fast train. The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. My baby is almost one year old! Wow. It's hard to believe that a year ago I was getting ready to bring life into this world for the first time. Time flies. 

We watched as the floods came through Colorado, we were very blessed to have not been affected. Just north of us by 15 mins was washed away, and just south of us by 30 mins endured so much damage. Our hearts go out to our fellow Coloradians, and neighbors who are starting to rebuild after so much destruction. Not only will it be a huge financial struggle for some, it will be an emotional struggle for all. God Bless. 

We had a great month here. Gary and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary over labor day weekend. We had a very romantic and low key evening. We went to the melting pot for dinner while Jenna and Justin watched the little man for us. 

I started a new babysitting job, part time. I watch a 5 year old little girl from the time she gets home from kindergarten until her parents get home, I'm averaging about 12 hours/week. Joey loves it, because they have a huge playroom with lots of new toys. Mommy likes it cause it gives us a little extra cash. 

Gary went on his big hunting trip this month. He, Todd and Justin spent a week in the mountains near Gunnison, CO.  Gary shot a mule deer the first night they were up there, and Justin ended up with a cow elk. They saw a lot of activity and learned a lot for the next time. Overall the trip was a success. We have a ton of meat in our freezer now. 

Last night, Gary, Joey and I participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Light the Night". Thank you to all of you who continue to support us in wiping out this cancer for good. Raya, the 2 year old whom we were honoring, was there. She was an inspiration to us. She showed up with her little mickey mouse and donald duck face mask and never complained once. Her parents were pillars of strength. God bless them.

We are getting ready to throw a little diaper/book shower for Jenna and Justin's new little girl. She is due October 26th. (Joey was due on October 29th last year). They will be exactly a year apart in age. 

Life is good here. Counting our blessings every single day.

11 months old 09/14/13

Playing with my best bud Aiden

Dada's Deer

Not feeling so good today :(

Ravioli Face

YUMMY

At Light the Night

Team Whiting. Light the Night

Today

"Sunny days seem to hurt the most, I wear the pain like a heavy coat....
The only thing that gives me hope, is I know, I'll see you again someday."

Today, August 28th, we remember Joey, on his birthday. Today we take a few moments to recall all the joy you brought to our lives while you were here, and all the good memories we made with you. We remember you today, like we do everyday, but today is a special day, it is your birthday. The day that you were brought into this world and the day you made Gary a big brother. He misses you every day, and especially today. 

Our hope remains that we will see you in Heaven someday. We pray that you continue to shine down on us and put a good word in for us. :) Your smile and giving heart are how we remember you today, Joey. Thank you for being such a great part of so many of our lives. We will never forget you, and we will always love you. 

Gods love to you dear brother. We wish you a very happy birthday in Heaven. We love you, forever. 

Until we meet again. <3

xo

Summers End

Lately, I feel as if life is on a fast track. We are so busy these days and it all feels like a whirlwind. I simply can not believe that our little man is 10 months old already and I am starting to plan his 1st birthday party (tear). Summer is nearly over and fall is quickly approaching. Life just moves too fast sometimes, which got me thinking that I had better start enjoying every single crazy minute of it. 

August was a blast, we had Mimi (grandma) out for a long weekend. While Mimi visited, we got to enjoy Joey's first trip to the zoo. He and Mara had a great time. Mimi even bought them a drawing of their cute little faces while we were there. Mara loved the Polar Bear, and Joey seemed to really take to the giraffes (or fraffs as Mara calls them). It was sad when Mimi left, but we know we will see her again for Joey's birthday party, which makes those goodbye's a little bit easier. 

For Gary's birthday last March, I had bought him a 2 day fly fishing training class from Living Social. So he decided to do it this month. The place he needed to go was over an hour drive, so we used our Marriott rewards points, and got a hotel for the weekend. When Gary was fishing, Joey and I got real familiar with the local mall :) We also went to a kids play place called "Monkey Bizness". He loved it and so did mommy.

Gary and I took Joey to his first museum in Denver. We saw an IMAX show on the Galapagos Islands, which was very neat. We also went to the planetarium, and Joey seemed to LOVE that even more. He was very intrigued by the dinosaur bones, especially the t-rex!  He kept reaching for them and making loud noises. 

In my quest to "get out more" while home with him during the day, my friend Stacy and I are trying out a "mommy and me" yoga class in Boulder, so far it's been a lot of fun. Good for the mommies and the kiddo's. We also met up with another mommy and checked out the Denver Children's Museum. The kids loved that as well. There was lots to see and do, not to mention they get to interact with lots of other children. 

My dad's cousin Keith and his son, Kyle were traveling through Denver so we met up with them for breakfast this morning. It's always so much fun when we get to see family and friends. I am really starting to miss having family and friends around. They say "it takes a village" to raise a child, and our village is rather small here, so it can get very overwhelming at times. We miss all of our family and friends so much. So if you ever feel like a visit to Colorado, just say the word and you have a place to stay! I mean it. 

Jenna is getting ready to pop out that new little baby girl this October! We are super excited for the arrival of another cousin. This new baby and our little Joey could possibly share a birthday. I think that would be so very cool. 

Aside from all the fun stuff, Gary has been traveling a bit more than I would like, but hopefully that will slow down this fall. He is off to do some elk scouting this weekend for his big trip in September. He better bring home an elk this year :)  

We miss everyone so much.
Hugs and love from CO....

Gary, Julie and Joey

p.s.... here are some pics from August, enjoy!

My silly man

peanut butter and jelly massacre

dinner plans??? ;)

At the Denver Zoo

Loving "Mimi Time"

"Fraffs"

Mimi and Dada

I hate the slide momma!

chillin in my cool ride at the Mall with mama

Swimming in the hotel pool with dada

Playing at Monkey Bizness

my happy baby

10 months old today 8/14/13

sound asleep after my bottle

just a regular day at the Lawson's house

Ready for my 1st IMAX movie

More time with Mimi

look at those eyes!!!

silly face

Lunch with dada at his office

practicing to be a fireman like my uncle Joe

enjoying play time at the Denver Children's Museum

loving the laser light room at the museum