A to Z Blogging Challenge

I have met and surpassed my blog goals for this week.  Setting up this blog has fulfilled one of my life goals but has also introduced me to the awesomeness of blogging.  Previously, I was hesitant to start a blog because I was afraid I’d run out of things to write about soon after I started. 

However, this week has proven to me that I was sorely mistaken.  Instead of running out of my ideas, I have found myself awake late at night with thousands of possibilities in my mind.  In fact, I haven’t written this freely in years and haven’t ever felt so alive and optimistic.

Because of this newfound enthusiasm and creativity, I have decided to sign up and participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge, which starts April 1.  During the month of April, I will attempted to create posts with topics that will cover every letter from A to Z.  As a new blogger, I know this may prove especially difficult, but I am ready to take the challenge!  I’d appreciate some comment love and support this month as I try to made it all the way to Z.  And to all my fellow bloggers attempting the A-Z Blogging Challenge, I wish you luck and happy writing!

The Importance of Childhood Dreams

A Double Rainbow

Recently, my 6-year-old son had a school assignment that asked him to imagine what he might want to be when he grows up.  At first, he was extremely uncooperative, insisting that he didn’t know.  After I pressed him further, he got more shielded and claimed that he didn’t need to know because he was never going to grow up!

At that point, I decided it would be best for us to take a break.  Watching him and his sister play “restaurant” from across the room, I tried to take myself back to the day when it was me and my younger brother having little squabbles over which plate goes where and what pretend meals to cook.  Was I once that hesitant to share my dreams with my own mother?  Did I even have any dreams of the future at all?  Or was I too busy being a kid and enjoying the simple things in life to realize the possibilities?

Mac 'N' Cheese? I.D. Please!

This week I received a humorous reminder of how quirky child logic truly can be.  My wonderful fiancé cooked us a delicious dinner, which included homemade macaroni and cheese.  My 6-year-old son enjoys trying new things and has never been a picky eater.  My daughter (soon to be 5), however, has always been particular and is quite the mac ‘n’ cheese connoisseur.  In the end, the meal was a hit with the entire household . . . save my in-house food critic.

The next day, as I sat enjoying the leftovers for lunch, I curiously asked her why she hadn’t liked the macaroni and cheese (which I found mouthwatering and irresistible).  Her tiny little eyebrows lowered a little, and she nibbled on her lower lip as she thought my question over.  I could almost hear her mind hard at work, trying desperately to come up with an explanation.  Finally, she blinked her beautiful brown eyes, and declared, “It’s because I’m not old enough yet, Mommy.”

Introduction to My Blog

Whether you are a new parent, a veteran, or a grandparent, you know first hand that once children enter our lives, we are never the same again.  Children bring laughter, love, joy, and innocence into our world.  Their hugs, their smiles, their ideas, their accomplishments bring a comfort and pride that we often never experienced before.  In them, we rediscover ourselves and redefine ourselves, becoming better individuals with each passing day.  Truly, nothing compares to the wonders of parenthood.

However, every parent knows that although children are a blessing, the parenting process can sometimes be chaotic and outright bizarre!  As parents, we put everything we have--and then some--into our children, hoping to raise them right and to give them a future better than our own.  But who among us hasn’t experienced at least one incident that makes us cringe?  And who doesn’t have a truck load of memories that make us chuckle and shake our heads in utter disbelief?

I am creating this blog to celebrate the wonderful relationship between parent and child.  Not only do I want to explore with you the heart-melting joys, but I want to embrace the crazy mischief , as well, which makes each and every day of parenting an exciting adventure.  Join me as we share that which sends parents repeatedly back and forth from shocking AAAH! to exhausted (but happy) Zzz‘s!