Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock, Tick...

As my 38th birthday is creeping up on me with great speed, I can't help but put my life into perspective....that I am on that downward slope and my life is, theoretically, at its halfway point. As I look back at who I have become, I've concluded that I am who I am...and it feels pretty damn good being me. I've made a million mistakes in my life and if I could do some things differently I would do so with reckless abandon as, despite the consequences, the end result would be more favorable than the current in many situations. I think the most valuable lesson that I have learned is this:  I can control no one except myself.  I can not make anyone do anything, change their behavior, or make them feel a certain way unless it is what they want and trying to do so is a complete waste of time, energy, and emotional trauma. I've learned to focus on changing myself and turning the focus and power back into my own hands as many days, this is all any of us have. With that being said, I think I'll raise a glass to lack of control...cheers!

Put Them Back Together

Driving home from picking Eve up from school, she was staring at my hands on the steering wheel. I wasn't sure what to think when she said, "You need to fix your nail." Puzzled, I asked her what she meant. "You need to put them back together. You need to go to the nail shop and make them look pretty." My 4 year old diva...she's going to make sure Mama gets a full set this weekend!

6 + 1 = Hatten Six Pack and a Double Deuce

It's been quite a while since my last post, and the irony is that we took that puppy back to the pound, made baby number five, and now we are The Hatten Six Pack and a Double Deuce with the addition of our final ( yes, I mean it this time) baby, Little Jon, aka Lil Man. I still have a heart for animals so we had to get another dog, Keesha, from the Humane Society so my animal instincts are still alive and kicking. I'm the program co-coordinator for Special Olympics Coastal Georgia and LOVE working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. More to come...and I promise not to birth another child in between posts.

Puppy Love

Well, reality has set in and I think it's safe to say that we aren't going to have any more children. Baby fever has left, but I had to find something to fill the gap, so meet the newest member of our family--Jack-Jack. Here's a picture of Eve taking him for a ride--isn't he the cutest!!!

The Fever...

This summer, our youngest child, Eve, will turn three years old. Pictured here, she was by far the most joyful and pleasant baby we have had the pleasure of parenting. Don't get me wrong--our three other children were fabulous babies as well, but as an infant, Eve was the easiest and most flexible child to take places, regardless if the travels interrupted her nap time. She was a precious, precious, precious baby. Now that she has grown and is in the depths of toddlerhood, I can honestly say that she has transformed into an energetic ball of fire that frequently needs to be hosed down in order to maintain order. Nevertheless, she still holds the Baby of the Year award in our book.

Due to the age of our four children, our family is at a stage in our lives where we have much more adaptability and can go places that the whole family can enjoy. We have, again, reached that point in our lives in which Jon and I can leave the children with a babysitter and I can actually enjoy myself instead of texting the caregiver every five minutes in order to be assured that the children are safe. We are at a perfect time in our lives that we can give our children the time they need and truly enjoy one another. With that being said, I can't help but to feel overcome with the fever. Ladies, you know what I am talking about...baby fever.

With four children ranging in ages from 10 to 2, most women would say that I have completely lost my mind, but I can't help but feel this way. I have been blessed with four healthy, exceptional, caring children yet I still feel this gaping hole in my life for one more child. I am 35 years old which, nowadays, is not "old" for having a baby, but combined with the fact that I have four other children to care for, it is an issue that requires attention. Perhaps it is the desire to birth a child for Jon to carry on his name or it's the simple fact that I cherish the experience of feeling life living inside me, being able to feel the tiny kicks of the life that God has blessed me with, and the pinnacle of holding that gift for the very first time knowing that I have just experienced a miracle. Whatever the reason, I can't get this thought out of my head, no matter how hard I try...

Bless Me Father, For I Have Sinned...

It has been over a year since my last blog post and since that time I have gotten a year older, a little bit grayer, quite a bit chunkier (although I do have to say that I wear the fluff quite well), a helluva lot more beautiful, and oodles sassier. In all seriousness, it has been a LONG time. While I am sure no one will read this since my loyal four followers have probably thought I got lost in blogland, some things that have gone on in the past year are as follows: I finished my Master's degree, taught a wonderful class of middle school MOID students, made connections with people I love, and have grown to accept differences in others in a way that I never thought I could. I am at a point in my life where I am completely grateful for my family and cherish each and every day I am given to experience life. With that being said, I leave you with this point to ponder-- who put the bomp in the bomp-a bomp-a bomp? Now that's deep...

Man's Best Friend

I mentioned in an earlier post that we have a new member to the family--Pedro. I have always been an animal lover and as my mother can attest I have been known for bringing home strays that we just had to keep. I have always been amazed at the ability animals have to calm and relax their human caretakers. Sometimes after a stressful day, I hop in the bed and my cat, Amber, will climb up beside me and rub her head on my hand so that she can be stroked. What she doesn't realize is that her presence and lack of words calms me as well.

Pedro is no exception to this rule. He is a fun-loving, young chocolate lab that has become not just a family pet--he's become another son to Jon. When I say that he goes everywhere with Jon, I am not exaggerating...he goes EVERYWHERE. He goes to the golf course to work with Jon everyday and rides in the floorboard of the golf cart as Jon does his work. On occasions where Jon has to leave him in his office in order to handle situations, Pedro jumps on Jon's desk and hops on the window ledge to watch for Jon to get back. It's a pairing like I've never seen before! If Jon runs to the corner store, Pedro jumps in the back of the truck and rides with Jon and patiently waits for him to return.

While many people may think we're just silly, I am quite thankful that God created these creatures for us to enjoy. They bring about a contentment and happiness that adds to the beauty of this precious life we are so fortunate to live. Thank you, God, for our furry friends!