Again.... we are back in 1993 (can you tell this is how far I have gotten in my LOM photo organization,lol) anyway, thats my sister, and my boys... hanging out waiting to go trick or treating...

This Halloween, in 2008 we are all doing our own thing. Joel is in Tempe... going to a party that I am pretty sure I want to know nothing aobut.Josh is going to a party with his girlfriend ( and to be honest... they both do not need costumes) so today, after telling me yesterday that "costumes are gay" we had to go on an emergency shopping expedition in our small town,lol. He is a "zombie doctor" whatever that is. They are attending a party at her church.

I had a few different things to choose from. I am going on a dinner date, and then to karaoke... at least... at 5 pm... thats what I think I am gonna do..

Anyway... Happy Halloweenie to all....
lisa

advice

I don't know if this is advice exactly... It is something I said to someone last week, and for some reason has been weighing on my mind a lot today...

Marriage is hard...Divorce is hard...Life is hard...

Not sure why its on my mind today. Maybe I am supposed to remember that as I go to work today, or maybe I need to remember it at my own house...

Today I am going to do my best to be as kind to people as I possibly can... everyone is having a hard time.

Lisa

Max

This is Mischievous Max. He isn't really,lol but that look on his face almost has me convinced otherwise.

I had my sons at 22 and 23 yrs old. I had been married 4 years when we had our first-Joel. Josh came 18 months later, and although at the time I was one tired mama... I wouldn't change a minute of it. I am still tired,lol much older but it has been a great ride. Joel is now 19, Josh is 17.5.

As with most people without children... my sister knew she was a way better parent than I am. For 16 years I stood by... doing my best, however imperfect it was... listening to how I was doin it wrong. Its only fair... I taught for 8 years before I had Joel, and while I would like to think I was not as judgemental as my sister... I am sure I thought at least once that I could do it much better. Karma.... lol.

Joel was so intense from birth. He cried loud and hard and knew what he wanted. As he got to be 2... His temper tantrums were as intense. So was his joy... but no one ever faults a parent for that,lol. Josh was more easygoing... which was great then, cuz Joel was about enough...

Max at 2 is very different from either of my kids. My sister is a much older first time mom than I was... 36 at the time of his birth. She parents very differently than I did. Not wrong.. goodness knows I have learned never to say that... but different. Maybe Max is different because she is different... or she is different because Max is... who knows.

That boy adores my dad- which is pretty cool to see. My kiddos were closer to their dad's dad... and me. Max is able to sit in a highchair for what seems like forever to me. Joel was one of those kids who had to be walked around outside until the food came. Max is quiet. Really quiet. Joel was... well not quiet. Josh was quieter, I think, but not too sure since Joel was making so much noise. Joel and Josh both were very confident kids- not shy... talk to anyone/everyone...and wanted to do everything themselves. We had many a meltdown if I opened the doorknob instead of checking who's turn it really was,for example. Max does not talk much at all... is very shy and doesn't seem to be as insistant at "doing it himself" and looks at my dad before he makes a move to do anything.It is really interesting to see.

Now that my sister has had him... she realizes it isn't easy as it looks... I am hearing through my mom that my sister thinks her assessment of me may have been too harsh. Like I said... Karma.

Have a good one... and lets try to be uplifting to all parents out there!

the desert

This photo was taken over 15 yrs ago,lol, in the dead of summer.It pretty much always looks like this here... what everyone has heard about us not having seasons. We have hot and hotter,ya know?


I am liking my new schedule... it is more "normal" than I have been working most of the last 2 years. Weekends off.. and working swing shift. I can sleep in every day... woo hoo!

Paintball season is going strong again... Josh has been busy w/ that... and I have been busy shuffling him everywhere he needs to be,lol.

Joel is doing well at school... I hardly see him anymore... sniff sniff.

I have become an absolute IPOD freak. I embarrass myself,lol but I love it. I have accessories now too... I spend hours adjusting playlists... it is almost becoming a hobby... must stop...

I decided to try to loose weight again. I was successful last time... and at some point kinda gave up... I haven't really gained any back.. but I would like to keep going... with my new schedule I think I am going to try to start walking... My motto is no pain... no pain... so I will never be a runner or big into fitness,lol but I think I could walk a little bit.

And... I went back to church last week... something else I have not had the opportunity to do in the past 2 years. It felt great... I am going to continue that.

me a-z

A. Attached or single? Single

B. Best friend? I don't have one

C. Cake or pie? Pie

D. Day of choice? Love Sundays

E. Essential item? I dunno- water and medication I guess,lol.

F. Favorite color? navy blue

G. Gummy bears or worms? worms

H. Hometown? Phoenix Az

I. Indulgence? Sonic Drinks, scrapbooking supplies

J. January or July? July

K. Kids? Two

L. Life isn’t complete without? my kids, of course

M. Marriage date? eh who cares,lol

N. Number of brothers & sisters? 1 sister

O. Oranges or apples? I'm picky. Green apples

P. Phobias? change/chaos/disorder

Q. Quotes? Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start over and make a brand new ending. ( Thank God for this, huh?)

R. Reasons to smile? happy healthy kids, a good job, everything we need

S. Season of choice? az really doesn't have seasons but I don't like the cold

T. Truth or dare?? Truth.... always

U. Unknown fact about me? I do not like any raw vegetables

V. Vegetable? sweet potato

W. Worst habits? I worry waay too much.If I am not worried, I start worrying that I am forgetting what I am supposed to be worried about... working on it,lol.

X. X-ray or ultrasound? I've had both.

Y. Your favorite food? pizza

Z. Zodiac sign? I'm a Virgo