Where does time go, and can it please slow down?

 I started my blog with the best of intentions, but before I knew it 6 months had passed without a word typed or otherwise. Thinking back there is so much that could have been written, so much that could have been related to others and to my future self. Now, it is all but distant memories. Ideas and moments that seem so trivial now.  I can not allow my life to go by so quickly. I need to take time to really live, to really reflect, to really enjoy the life I am living. I hate to use the term "stopping to smell the roses," but it is so true. How often do we just go about our every day lives without really thinking about the bigger picture? I don't want to forget those memories and blogging seems to be the best way to remember the little things everyday. So, even if I only have time for a quick paragraph. It needs to be done. It has to be done.

Here is today's:

When I got home today, my happy little boy yelled through the house "Mommy's home! Daddy, Mommy's home!" What a wonderful welcome. These are the moments I want to remember and cherish for the rest of my life.

Camping in the Great...Backyard

Several years ago I was inspired by a well-known reality tv family who decided to take their numerous kids camping in their very own backyard. I thought to myself "what a great way to introduce the concept of camping to young children," plus as a mom who has never really been camping before it seemed like a safe alternative to the woods. Our son at the time was too young to really appreciate the experience, so we waited for the right moment. Throughout winter, my husband, Brian, and I discussed camping out this coming spring, so he started looking at tents, air matresses and the essentials for camping out. Mardi Gras, a south Louisiana holiday, seemed like the perfect time to try our expedition. My husband bought the necessary supplies, and we talked it up to Brennen, who was excited at sleeping in his tent. So, Monday night the temperature was perfect, no rain in the forecast, and we didn't have to work the next day. We cooked hotdogs on the grill and had homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert (in our tent of course). We left all our electronic devices in the house and at nine o'clock settled down in our tent. My son drifts off to sleep first cozied up to his dad. Then, I hear the gentle snoring of my husband. I am left wide awake listening to all the night sounds. Before I go any further, let me explain our exact location. We live on an acre of land outside of the city limits. We have one close neighbor who lives on several acres. There are houses on our country road; you can see them but I wouldn't say they are exactly our neighbors. Mostly there are fields with crops growing to the front of our property and to the back of our property and cows to our left, or right, depending on your perspective. Inside my home, I hear very little noise at night. Our bedroom is at the back of our house, so we usually have a quiet, restful sleep. I had no clue how noisey the country really is at night. As I laid in the tent, I heard dogs barking; I saw lights from passing cars. Worst of all, the grass was rustling from some unknown creatures outside the tent. Two hours later, I quietly asked my husband if we could go inside. I just could not take it anymore. He didn't mind because he wasn't getting much sleep either. So, he carried our son back into the house; I carried the blankets and pillows, and we spent the rest of the night in our comfy bed. This will not be my last attempt. I think I will be better prepared next time and know what to expect. Plus, I fully intend to bring a night light. :)

A (relatively) short and (maybe not always) sweet introduction to my life.

I became a mom to a beautiful baby boy on May 12, 2007, which happened to be the day before Mother's Day in this particular year. He arrived a month early according to the doctors, but according to me and my calculations, just two weeks early. Due to jaundice, he was readmitted into the hospital three days after he was born, a very scary time for new parents. We stayed with him in the hospital (my husband and I sharing a twin bed to sleep) for over four days and then were happily released again on the Friday. A week later, we were called by our pediatrician at around 5 o'clock in the afternoon because there were irregularities in his bloodwork, and could we please come down to the office right now. It turns out my son, who we named Brennen, tested positve for isovaleric acidemia, a rare disorder in which the body is unable to process certain proteins properly. After countless tests and more bloodwork (by this time we had renamed the phlebotomists vampires), we learned he does not have the disorder, but we did have a rather sleepless week. Luckily for me, I did not have to return to work six weeks after Brennen was born because I had the entire summer to bond with my son. It was a blissful and wonderful time, and I reluctantly left him in my mom's (Gram's) capable hands come August. Now, I will fast forward to the present. Brennen is now a 3 1/2 year old active little boy who keeps his parents on his toes, which is why I am starting this blog to relate the sometimes "Interesting and Crazy Life of a Working Mom." And in case you might be wondering, we have not added any more children to our family, and there is no plan to add any in the future. Brennen keeps us entertained and laughing (sometimes crying) constantly. If you have come upon my blog and are asking yourself its purpose, it is this to let others have a little chuckle (maybe a big guffaw) at our crazy but wonderful, happy life.