I'm an ATM or at least it feels that way....

Well, the long days of summer have started.  How I wish I had a summer break!!  Yet, it's to work I go as I drop Bella off at daycare while Caitlin & Gabby have different activities for the summer.  Those different activities all come with a dollar sign.  Plus, seeing what the boys are up to for the summer too.

We had a big milestone.  Bradley graduated high school.  Still can't believe that possible.  I still see the cute, freckle face little kid that I met when his Dad & I got together.  Now, he's a hard working young man who already has his own place & his own life.  Sniff!  He needs to come visit more.

Yes, that's Bradley (as seen from the nosebleed section).

We have the cheerleader who lives & breathes cheer aka Gabby.  She will be a High School cheerleader this year so that's a whole new ball game.  Mom needs a money tree in the back yard to help. LOL!  Honestly, it's not that bad, it just feels like it sometimes.  It's, "hey, mom, I need a new sports bra", "mom, I have to get a buddy gift", "Mom, I need sheets for camp".  Geez!! Not only am I an ATM, I need to be a time traveler.  There is never enough time in the day to run the errands, work full-time, be a Mom, & be sane.  So, I've decided insanity works for me. :)

My cheerleader

Next, we have the teenager that is more comfortable with her cell phone, the TV, the Kindle Fire, or a book than she is with leaving the house.  We have 30 hours of parent assisted driving to attend to before she can get her license.  Is it weird to say that I REALLY want her to get her license?  Then, someone else can run some errands. ;)  Honestly, Caitlin is my dreamer & doesn't rock the boat much.  She hasn't asked for much except the money for summer basketball league.  Next, it will probably be for some new basketball shorts or shoes but that's o.k.

Caitlin with her best friend

Mikey is an active young man.  He's usually busy with his friends when he doesn't come to visit us.  When he is with us, he always wants to be doing something.  He loves basketball, football, & swimming.  At least we almost have the pool ready at the house now.

Mikey

Bella-boo is a new adventure every day.  She likes to bounce & I don't mean on her hiney.  I guess that means it's time for a new baby toy.  One that she can play & bounce at the same time & not while Mommy's trying to hold her. Now if we can master sitting up by ourselves & possibly getting the belly off the floor to crawl we will be on a roll.  No, I don't want her to grow up too fast because these little moments are the best to enjoy.

Bella

No matter how much they pull me different directions, I truly cherish every minute with all of my kids.  I don't want to miss a thing & honestly, I wish I was an ATM so that I could give them what they want (within moderation).  So, I will continue to work & spend every chance I can with them.

All the kids after Bradley's graduation

Gabby, Caitlin, Bradley, & Mikey

Insanity is the way my world turns

For those parents out there that have teenagers living in their homes, I feel for you!  I understand the grey hair & the hair loss!!!  How about teenagers & then babies?  Another cause for hair loss (or at least a check for loss of sanity).  I'm just kidding!  I absolutely LOVE being a Mom & grandma.  Even when I am running several different places for things for the kids, working a crazy full-time job, trying to clean house, going to church, spending time with ALL of the family, or just staying home.  I know that in so many ways God has truly blessed my life.

There are two teenage girls in my house & they make things interesting.  Needless to say, I now know how much of a saint my mother was to put up with my sister, my brother, & I as we were growing up.  Though I don't think bombing my sister with stuffed animals is as bad as the wrestling matches that my 14 year old & 16 year old sometimes have in the kitchen for "fun".  There are days when I wish the house fairy would come to our house & not only clean it (PLEASE) but make an extra bedroom so that my girls wouldn't have to share anymore.

Do you know what it's like when you have teenage girls with different personalities & habits sharing a living space??  This is the stuff of world wars, people!  One daughter is laid back & easy going.  She doesn't care if her stuff is wrinkled, piled in a corner (to the dismay & dislike of her Mom).  The other daughter likes organization & making a statement.  Sometimes wish that statement wasn't "Mom, I'm going to kill her!" or "Mom, I can't wait till she moves out!!"  Believe me, there is a long conversation about how in the end all you have is family yet, there is still the belief that hey, maybe they were switched at birth.  

I know that my daughters love each other yet they still want to kill each other.  Thank goodness their baby sister hasn't shown any reason for wanting to kill anyone or to invoke wishes of death to her.  Instead it's more that they want to kiss her & hug her to death.  I guess God decided I had enough drama with the first two that He decided the baby would be so sweet & mild mannered to give me a break. :)  

Honestly, I would go to the ends of the earth for any of my kids (ANY).  Now, pass the wine & the hair dye so I can sleep to face another day!!!  LOL!