Every Mom Makes Mistakes (right?)

Dawn gave me this Mom of the Year Award (thanks Dawn!)

and it could not have come at a better time.

One of the rules of the award is that you have to post a bad-mom moment, and I had to laugh because I recently had not one, but two.

Our two little ones are playing Upward basketball. With such activities, you always have picture day. And picture day always seems to mess with my head. You have to be there early, looking decent and have $ ready to shell out.

Two Saturdays ago, Ellie had a one o'clock basketball game. I was at lunch with my mom and sister and my dad was planning to take Ellie to her game, me to come later. My cell phone rings as I am enjoying a leisurely lunch and it is Ellie's coach. "Hey," he says in an even voice, "we are all here getting ready to take team pictures. Are you all coming?" Oh man, my heart sinks and my face turns red. I didn't want to tell him that actually, NO, I had totally forgotten, that I was stuffing my face full of chips and salsa, and that Ellie wasn't even with me, so I said, "well, my dad is bringing her, but I didn't tell them about pictures. Just take pictures without us. Sorry." I feel horrible, but we go on with lunch. The phone rings again, "We don't want a picture without Ellie in it. We're going to rearrange and take the picture afterwards." Ok that is soooo nice, but I feel like a heel. Everyone knows that it is me, Loser-mom, who has inconvenienced everyone. I know it doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but one thing I may not have told you about myself is that I HATE making mistakes. I'm not a perfectionsist per se, but making mistakes, forgetting something, especially in front of other just makes me feel like dirt.

Fast forward one week. Luke had a 9 AM basketball game. I thought I was doing great to have all the kids up and ready by 8:30. Tom was out of town, and you know how hard that can be flying solo. However, there was no fighting, everyone was wearing the correct uniform and I was feeling like Supermom. Phone rings. It's Luke's coach this time: "Uh... we're here waiting for you all... trying to get our team pictures taken." CRUD. My heart sinks again. I sigh as I say to him, "well, I'm so sorry. You'll have to take them without us." I get off the phone, but it rings again. Get here as fast as you can. We don't want a picture without Luke. Wow. That is so great... as I stand there in my robe with no makeup on. So, I jump into clothes and we take out there like madmen. It took us a full 15 minutes to get there, and I am so mad at myself the whole flying way. As we walk in, I begin apologizing to the coach. But guess who is there? Of all people? Ellie's coach. His son is having pictures at the same time.

oh my.

So on to the next rule and that is this: to list 7 things your love about your kids, doing with your kids or that your kids love about you.

1) I love to hold their warm, little and sometimes grubby hands.
2) I love to hear them laugh.
3) I love to enjoy each of their very different and distinct characteristics.
4) I love to hear the funny things they say.
5) I love to discover a quality in them that I do not possess.
6) I love to hear them express their faith in God through simple ways.
7) I love to see them interact with family - their dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

I surely LOVE being a mom, bad-mom days and all.

And who to pass this out to?
I'll try some of my dear out-of-town friends:
Shannon @ IA Pilot Wife
Kim @ KimNOW
Roxanne @ Roxanne Kristina
Rena @ Insert Grace Now
Kathleen @ Treasured Chapters

Here are the official rules:

1) Admit that ONE thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are NO LONGER allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

2) To remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list SEVEN things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself of EVERY DAY that you rock!

3) Send this to FIVE other Moms of the Year that deserve forgiveness and a reminder that they, too, are the best moms they can be!!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you!"

The Blogosphere

When I started blogging 2 1/2 years ago, it was out of desperation.

Scrapbooking was my hobby, but it was out of hand. 3 kids, 3 years of pictures, an unorganized and endless supply of scrapbooking stuff, plus a stack of wonderful (but bulky) albums (where to store em?).

I would go on a weekend retreat and come home with only 10 new layouts. I enjoyed the time with friends, but when it comes down to it, I am too much of a I've-got-to-get-something-done-today kind of girl that it drove me crazy.

In August 2006, my brilliant friend Kelly Stocksen (am I a Kelly Stocksen commercial or what?) introduced me to blogging as a way to record the moments of our lives. I was immediately hooked. Click here to see my very first post.

I went on for a couple years just blogging for myself and the occasional family member or friend who would check in and comment.

But then, a few months ago, I got connected with some other bloggers who shared my interests... some I knew personally and some I didn't. But because of their blogs, I began to know them through their written word. And this past Friday, we all came together at the "Okie Hoe-Down" and met in real life.

It was kind of a surreal moment.. especially when Flat Baloney showed up (check out her blog to understand), but it was genuinely fun and interesting to get to know some Oklahoma bloggers. * * *all the bloggers who came to the Hoe Down (except Georgie!) * * *


* * * * * * Chere (A Day in the Life) and me and Flat Baloney * * * * * * *


* Me with Dawn of Dawn's Diversions and Michelle of Froggy Bottom Blog*


Speaking of Oklahoma bloggers, I recently found out that my blog was nominated for an Okie Blog Award. What? How? Me? I was nominated in the Family Blog category. Surprising and flattering and if you haven't already voted, you can vote for me by clicking on this link (but you have to be an Oklahoma blogger to vote.)There were some other nominees in attendance...

Jen @ 6 Happy Hearts has been nominated for Best Inspirational Blog

Annie @ Having a Ball has been nominated for Best Family Blog

Melinda @ Bloggin' it from the 'Burbs has been nominated for Best Family Blog

Dawn @ Dawn's Diversions has been nominated for Best Family Blog

Georgie @ Decisionally Challenged has been nominated for Best Humor Blog

Maggie @ Maggie's Mind as been nominated for Best Looking Blog

Flat Baloney @ That's Baloney has been nominated for Best Unusual Blog

Marie @ A Piece of my Mind has been nominated for Best Writing Blog

Check out their blogs on the Okie Award website!

And finally, I have a little plea for you... I have a lovely blogging friend in Louisiana who is pre-cious and is "Desperately Seeking Blog Makeover." She is so c-ute and a great dream interpreter. Won't you visit her and give her a little love and much needed help! Poor thing! ;-)

Post Note:
I am a proud grandma to several blogs that have been born. I feel since this is a blogosphere post, I must make mention of them! I played some kind of role in helping them come to life... sometimes tiny, but hey, I'll take the credit anyway! :-)

Keith Family
A Day in the Life
Something Singapore
The Next Big Event
Kim NOW
Iowa Pilot Wife
and a NEW ONE being born tonight!!!!! congrats L!!!

Giving Thanks Where Thanks Is Due

I couldn't let this day slip away without making a record of what I am so very thankful for in this year of our Lord 2008.

I'm going to make it simple.

Could write at length on each of these, but they are what they are.

No sense expounding too much.

In no particular order:

~Church. I am so deeply thankful and glad that we have finally found a new church home. We have not "joined," but it is pretty obvious that Fellowship Bible Church is where we should be. And that feels so good. Finally.

~Basketball. Tom's job is hard to love. But God gives me great peace and thankfulness for the way He has directed our steps. I even love his job sometimes. And that is nothing but a Godsend.

~Husband. Tom is not hard to love. He is a solid man who God put me with to balance out my wacky emotions. He anchors me, and there are no words for my thankfulness for T.

~Blogging. Blogging is my friend. When I am sad, blog listens. And when I am feeling happy, blog proclaims my happiness to the world. I am thankful for this fun, creative outlet that allows me to write and express my feelings. Thanks Dawn, for the award! I've passed the award on to some people at the end of this entry.

~Children. My kiddos and their varied personalities. They are so all stinkin' different, and we absolutely love it. We derive such immeasurable joy from watching them interact with the world around them, in such different yet wonderful ways. I am fall-on-the-ground thankful for my children.

~My kids' school. I find myself just thanking Him for where he has put us. It is not a perfect school, but it is where He wants us. And I take great comfort in that.

~Family & Friends. They bless the heck out of me. The thankfulness in my heart for these wonderful people flows like a river all the day long.

~Hot water. I love hot water to make tea with and hot water to take a bath in. Hot water is one of my most soothing things that I crave and love and am thankful for.

~Pics. Pictures make my heart sing with joy. I love taking pictures and am thankful for the opportunity to do so.

~Creative Juices. Not much makes me feel more alive than bein' crafty. I just love it. I am convinced that in heaven I am going to be chief craft creator for His heavenly kingdom. I may not be as talented as some, but I feel blessed by using my mind and hands.



And my awards will go to....
Ellen for a beautiful blog with GREAT pics!
Audra for the tireless pursuit of excellence!
Ashley for being so fab.u.lous!
Amanda for being such a faithful blogger!
Roxanne Kristina for her hard-hitting posts!
Amber for being so crafty and having such cute girls!
Katy for her homeschooling passion and sweet words!

Katie for her heart-felt and always scriptural entries!
Baloney because she's funny, something I have no talent for!
Rena for precious words and an awesome heart!
There are so many more of you! I could list many more, but I will save all of you for the next award that (might!) come my way.

Blessings!