Schools back from Summer! Schools Back forEVER!

Sometimes it's hard to get the motivation to write here. However, it usually has nothing to do with a motivation thing, it's more of a time to myself thing.

But, now that school is back in session, I may have a little more here and there to enjoy to myself.

We have had a super busy summer.

My little sister got married! When Jessica was younger, I used to write her little notes, sometimes they would be really fancy. She was my little buddy. She was probably the only sister that got away with hanging out with my friends. I would do anything to help her out. She is a peacemaker. She has a big heart. She is an amazing woman. Aaron is a lucky man to have her. (Who am I kidding, what a lucky man to have been brought into our family!) I'm so excited for her to be starting out on this adventure in her life. I can't wait to see what exciting things life has in store for her and her new husband. Congratulations, little sister! I love you!
So the majority of our summer was spent planning, and preparing for Jessica's and Aaron's wedding and reception. It was beautiful. And heck, so were we!

Check out my cute little family. My children are getting so big. So old! I love being a mom. I think I can even now claim that i love being a single mom. Don't get me wrong, there are things that I miss about being married and just having a partner in general. I miss things being easier financially and I miss having my own space. (No, we never got that dream home!) But even when you are married or living with a significant other, finances are still tight. And I can just pick up and go. Wherever and whenever most of the time. I don't have to plan around someone elses schedule. I can watch that one episode on the Big Bang Theory as many times as I want. Or if I'm feeling a more bloody sort of mood, I can turn on Dexter. I don't have to fight over the controls. (after the kids are asleep of course!) I LOVE being a single mom.

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself. ~Joyce Maynard

As a single mom, the kisses and hugs, Yeah, they are ALL MINE! (well, mostly)
Alright, Wesley is just a little tease! (That beautiful blond is my sister Christy.)

The smiles. Yep. They are all mine, too!
Oh, and all of the groundings, too....

I grounded Christy one morning for being a naughty little girl. And she left this note for Grandma and I. Naughty Grandma and Mommy. :-)

As summer came to a close, I became a mother to a FIRST GRADER! When did this happen? I'm still trying to figure this out. She picked this outfit out for her first day. She loves the color orange. Purple. Pink. Well, she loves colors.
She is in a Chinese Immersion Program. She is so proud of it. She can count in Chinese and sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Mandarin Chinese. Amazing!
Not that I'm biased or anything, but my Christy Ann has quite the amazing little voice.

I am so proud of my kids. I get to see them be on their best and at their worst. Some days, I think to myself how will I ever get through this day. Or, "ugh, why me?" But most day, I am so grateful that God has put so much faith in me to be their mom. Even with all the trials that we face it's worth it.