Just a few days ago Cullen (9) and this girl Victoria were arch enemies fighting at the pool. Tonight Cullen laid down the law to her at the begining he told her no being mean or spitting. She agreed to his rules.

They played rather nicely. She kept winning him in races but he was a gracefull loser.

When we were walking to the locker room he told me how he thinks she is kind of nice. In fact he said he likes her as a girlfriend.

Now here is the catch he wants ME to tell her. I told him he has to tell her as I can not always be there for him.

He said he was shy. I suggested a letter which he said would not be a good idea. So he says he will try to get up the courage to tell her on Sunday as she said she will be at the pool.

Oh the soap opera continues...... if I know my son he will forget all about his sudden amore for this girl by then.

Boys got to love them.

Miss Neva's birthday is tomorrow.. I can't believe she will be 1 all ready.

I was in my glory going to the store for her present. All though money is tight it is not as tight as it was when I first dreaded her approaching birthday so for that I am thankful.

There is something magical about being a Mom shopping for her daughter. Now I could buy all the girlie things that I once only dreamed of.

In fact when each of the boys were young I did buy them a baby doll or a stroller as well. I used the excuse that I did not want them to be boxed in with stereotypes which may have been true but the truth was I wanted to buy the little girl stuff.

I bought her the cutest little mommy stroller and doll that was as close to looking like her as I could get. Then a little musical thing with a hammer.

I CAN NOT WAIT until tomorrow. She has no idea but Mommy is so excited. It has always been exciting for me to see how my kids will react to the cake at their first birthday.

I will be sure to take lots of pics for you guys as I am sure she is going to get down and dirty.

Yesterday the boys blessed me with their presence at family swim. It made me happy that they joines me after a week of just the girls. To me there is nothing better then being together.

Isaiah (4) has been trusting me more and more at the pool. I try not to overwhelm him so that he can begin to have a trust of himself. Finaly last night he requested one of those floating noodles as he saw other kids using them. He had a hold of the noodle and a floatie on his back. He then took off kicking his legs and arms.

I will never forget that proud look in his face that he had acheived his own independence on his own time. It was great!

Darian (13) used the pool for a short time then asked to go work out for a while. It makes me giggle as he shows off his 'six packs'.

Cullen (9) had two girls from school there at the pool. Now they seemed so sweet and innocent but let me tell you they terrorized the poor boy. Pulling on him... spittting water in his face. He told me they were mean but I truly had no idea until I saw them in action.

It was hard for me to sit back and allow him to resolve his own conflict as I did not think he would favor me getting involved. Then he said Mom and I pulled him close the girls started laughing at him calling him a Mama's boy. He looked at me and planted a great big kiss on my lips. I beamed with joy that he is proud of the love he has for me no matter who says differently.

Then I gave those two girls a bit of advice...... the way a boy treats his Mom is usualy the way he will treat you so in this case you want to make a Mama's boy a husband or a boyfriend. I don't think they paid attention but it was worth saying.

Geneva (11 1/2 months) embraced her new found freedom in the wading pool as she walked on her own. As the water got deeper I would make her hold my hands and she would push back at me trying to release my grip. It's starting the I can do it all by myself mode.

There are times when I am so tired... I just want to take a little nap or maybe watch some TV... but that mother in me gets me up and out.

Yesterday I took all the kids fishing at a park a few towns over. There are nice paths to walk in the woods. We had fun trying to find 'just the right' fishing hole.

They did not catch anything this time but it was so nice to go out as a family. That is what I cherish the most.

It's times like those that I sit in awe of the children God blessed me with. Sure they drive me nuts at times but what child doesn't but when there is one moment of peace... one moment  of quiet... I look at all four of my angels and thank God that I have them.

They have taught me so much about love... life... they have completed me. I know what it is to truly love someone. To go above and beyond to make them smile.

The great thing about my children is they do cherish the little things. They would much rather go fishing or to the beach then to an amusement park or some other money depleting scheme.

Hands on mothering is tiring but it is oh so rewarding

When Mom and I went to Nonnie's grave yesterday she pointed out the graves of my Great Grandmother Geneva (whom my daughter is named after), Great Grandfather Julius then my Great Great Grandmother Margaret and Great Great Grandfather Harrison.

I asked my Mom questions about them and the whole family dynamics. It fasicnates me to hear about family members who are very much apart of me yet I never met them.

A light bulb went off in my head when my Mom started to explain how Geneva and Julius met... I finaly was able to see where I got my mind set when it comes to love and how it crosses all lines... from my Great Grandmother Geneva.

She met my Great Grandfather Julius at the pier in Plymouth when he just stepped off the boat straight from Italy. She taught him english and from that part on they were together... despite the fact that her wealthy family disowned her for falling in love with an immigrant.

I beamed from ear to ear as I heard this story as this is just how I have felt with fighting with my Mom since I was a teen whenI would date out of my race. Luckily she finaly gave up and still accepts me.

It makes me proud to know I named my daughter after such a strong, loving, proud woman.

I cleaned her headstone as well as the other relatives but as I cleaned hers I felt a connection to someone I had never met yet who had a piece of her inside of me that would someday perhaps be carried through to my own great grandchildren.