Perfect Moment

I am participating this week in Perfect Moment Monday. You can check out other perfect moments over at Write Mind Open Heart.

You know that feeling you get when you drop your kids off for school on the first day. It always feels like a milestone to me and I ALWAYS get emotional to some extent.

I sometimes get that same feeling in other situations, like when I drop Alex off for orchestra or student council. I always watch him walk all the way up to the door of the school and don't drive away until he is safely inside. I always feel a certain pride at his independence. It was completely his idea and choice to join student council and orchestra. It's just interesting to watch them grow and make choices all of their own.

This morning he got out of the car with his back pack and violin. He had is hands full. I watched him make his way to the front door of the school, ring the buzzer and wait. I noticed another student, an older girl walk up behind him. I didn't even think he noticed but when the door unlocked he reached to open it and then, slowly opened it, stepping aside, opening it wider to let the girl in first.

I know it sounds like such a little thing but it really touched me. For me it was a perfect moment because it is the little things, the little kindnesses and considerations we show to others that make all the differences in the world.

I am always proud of Alex but this little gesture made my mommy heart swell with pride.

Perfect Moment Monday - Kenny Chesney (a little late)

Check out more perfect moments captured at Weebles Wobblog.

Sometimes a perfect moment is hearing a favorite song or hearing just the right song at just the perfect moment. That is what happened to me driving down the road the other day. I was feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and this song came on the radio. It really calmed me and somehow put everything into perspective. It also made me think of a friend who is going through a really tough time... so this goes out to you also (you know who you are).

Perfect Moment Monday

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

Check out more Perfect Moment Mondays over at Weebles Wobblog.

Connor was invited to a birthday party this weekend. Specifically Saturday. He was going to go do "Paintball" with a group of boys in the afternoon and then go back to their house and have pizza and cake. I have to admit I was nervous about him doing the paintball thing. He and I went over the website together. I explained and pointed out that he must wear lots of padding and it really does "sting" when you get hit. Connor is pretty adventurous and is always willing to try anything once. At the risk of sounding like an overprotective mom I was concerned. I know my boy pretty well and I really didn't think he was going to like it. I was worried about him getting too hot (it's indoors and you dress in layers). He dehydrates easily...and so on and so on. I was so consumed with worrying about the paintball it didn't even occur to me until he was about to leave that he wouldn't be home Easter morning! That has never happened. We always have eggs to hunt and Easter baskets to sort through first thing in the morning. I was a little bummed and honestly I think he was too when I mentioned it to him. He didn't show it too much though. I told him that I would just pick him up at 9am and we would do Easter then.

So here is my perfect moment...
It's 11pm Saturday night. We are all in bed. Mark nudges me and says "I think I just heard the doorbell." I hopped out of bed and went to the door. There was my son peeking in the window with an apologetic look on his face. He was so sorry to wake us but he was really tired and just wanted to come home. (The Mom of the boy he was sleeping over with was kind enough to bring him home). Between you and me I guess Easter morning is still important to him. I was thrilled to have him home. This morning I woke up and told Mark I was glad he came home. Mark said "I was just thinking the same thing."

Perfect Moment Monday

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

Check out other perfect moments at Weebles Wobblog.

I was driving home from somewhere the other day and my Dad called. I was chatting with him and he asked what I was doing. I had driven to the mailbox as we were talking so I told him I was getting the mail. He said "Well, I sent you something" and sure enough there was a big envelope from him. As I got back into my car, still chatting with him, I opened the envelope and found this picture. He said he had been going through old pictures and he came across this one of me. He thought it was special so he had it enlarged.

My dad used to say that when I was a little girl I would always know when he was a little down and I would touch his arm and say "I love you". Well, my Daddy always seems to know when I'm a little down too and he knows just the right thing to do or say. This was just what I needed.

This is what he wrote on the back...

Bonnie,
I walked out to take your picture and you came toddling away from a fence that had grapes on it. About the time I started to snap your picture, our dog "Sky" walked up real gentle and took the grapes out of your hand and stepped back a couple of steps. Look how you are looking at him. haha I think Sky was protecting you because he didn't offer to eat them. This picture was the last place we lived in California. Hope you enjoy it.

Just seeing his handwriting was a comfort. Have you ever noticed how personal hand writing is? I haven't seen my Dad in awhile and seeing his handwriting was comforting.

My Dad sharing a special memory with me so long ago was a perfect moment just when I needed it!

Perfect Moment Monday

The other night we went shopping for football gear. Yes, it's time to rev up for football. I have to admit I'm having some anxiety about it. It's quite a commitment.. several practices a week and both boys are doing it! Also Connor will be starting middle school the same day football starts. Well, anyway, the boys were so excited to get their football equipment. We did a little shopping and ended up at at Play it again sports. It's a place that sells used sports equipment. We ended up getting used helmets and pads for the price we would have paid for one helmet retail. We were pretty elated and the boys didn't mind at all. They were so excited that even though it was late and dark outside when we got home they had to try on their gear and run around the back yard!

It was perfect because the boys were so genuinely happy with their equipment and we were happy to get it at such a great price!

Perfect Moment Monday

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

Sharing a blanket

My perfect moment came this week when I happened to stop and take notice of the boys sharing a blanket and just relaxing together. I tend to focus on the times when they are not getting along but when I noticed this I realized they have an abundance of times when they DO get along.

I thought about how they are fortunate to have one another. They may not realize it yet but as they get older I believe they will. They have logged in so many hours of laughing, playing and sharing together. They do almost everything together. They've even taken to sleeping together. As you may have read in some of my prior posts, Alex does not like to sleep alone. There have been weeks where he sleeps in a sleeping bag at the foot of our bed. We recently changed Connor's bed from twin to full and Alex loves to sleep with him. Sometimes Connor will moan and groan about it but we always tell him it's up to him and he will smile at Alex and say something like "ok but you owe me". I think Connor secretly likes having him there even though he may be a cover steeler!

We all have perfect moments. It's all about taking the time to notice and appreciate them so if you'd like to see more, you can hop over to Weeble's Wobblog.

*************If you didn't see the Check this out post, please check it out HERE. I heard from Mark (The songwriter) this weekend and he thanked everyone for their support and leaving comments. I have one more favor to ask. If you liked the song and artist it would be great if you could go back to the website Headline Country, click on contact us and leave a comment about the artist (Chris Hanners) and song (It's My Lie, let me live it). If there is enough interest it may be possible for him to be featured on the GAC Headline show.

Thank you for your support. I know they appreciate it very much!

Perfect Moment Monday

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

Click on the button above to view Weebles Wobbles for more Perfect Moments posts.

Maybe this one should be titled PERFECT MOMENT SUNDAY....

My perfect moment was yesterday. It was Sunday morning and we were having a very nice relaxing one. I thought to myself "I love Sunday mornings like this". I decided as I was taking it all in and enjoying it I would take a few pictures.

It got me to thinking about Sunday mornings in my childhood. My Sundays were without fail about getting up and around and going to church/Sunday school. I remember never really wanting to get up and get going but I always felt happy once I did. We all got dressed up (back then we dressed for church). My Mom looked so pretty and my Dad very handsome is his Sunday best. We almost always came home to a Roast my Mom had put in the oven before we left (I don't think she ever owned a crock pot). It was always kind of hustle bustle after church. Coming home, putting on our comfy clothes.. setting the table, scurrying around because everyone was really hungry. Sitting down enjoying our meal, maybe discussing (maybe gossiping a little) about the Church events. Then everyone was relaxed and full. Mom and Dad would usually take a nap, I'm not sure what my brother or sister did I was probably in my own little world. Back then (and through most of my childhood) we didn't own a television or radio so I would usually settle in with a good book. That's probably where my love for reading started. It was my main form of entertainment at home. Sometimes Mom and Dad would settle in with a book also. For us Sundays were always about being together as a family and resting up. As my Dad would say "Sunday is a day of rest" :)

So I would be curious to hear what your Sundays are like now and how they were when you were growing up?

Alex and Skylar relaxing by the fire

From Sundays

Doesn't she look comfy? and NO Grandma, that's not the blanket you gave us :0

From Sundays

Connor snoozing in the recliner...

From Sundays

Wish I could eat some of this, but I will be good and just enjoy the smell :)

From Sundays

I can't take credit for these beautiful eggs.. it's all Mark :)

From Sundays

Alex and Connor enjoying their breakfast and chatting with us

From Sundays

STTRREETTCCHHHHHHHHHH

From Sundays

Perfect Moment Monday

I CapturePerfect Moments.

Click on the above button to see more perfect moments over at Lori's Weebles Wobblog.

I owe thank you's to so many of you who have helped me this week. I hesitate to name names because I may leave someone out. Oh well.. here goes. Thank you Julie for bringing dinner on Monday. I'm sure it was delicious and the boys really enjoyed it! They actually had the leftovers a couple of times so it covered more than one meal! Thank you Helen for adopting Alex for the week. He has spent so much time at your house I've almost forgotten what he looks like.. almost. Also thank you for taking the boys to the movie. It helped us regroup and poor Mark to have a little break. Thank you Jennifer for the beautiful fresh flowers... and one of my perfect moments of the week was THIS showing up at my front door!!!







THANK YOU TERRA!

What a sight for a sore... abdomen. It was delivered on Friday. I opened the door and there was the delivery man and 3 kids peeking behind him. They had been sledding in the front yard when he arrived and they were very curious.. also wanted to sample it of course. It really hit the spot. I haven't been able to eat much so this was just the ticket.. fresh fruit! It was such a pretty arrangement.. so colorful and fresh. We are still enjoying it. You can't really see it in the picture but there were chocolate covered pineapple bunnies!

Also thank you to everyone for all the phone calls and emails checking in. It really means a lot. I'm doing pretty well. I get tired really easy and still haven't figured out what I can eat.. but all in all doing good.

Perfect Moment Monday

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

My Perfect moment this week was during our "reading time". A few weeks ago I talked to Mark and we decided to implement a 20 minute a night reading time. This is in addition to my 8 yr olds required 15 minutes of reading for homework that he reads outloud to Mark or I. It seems with two boys, our house is often filled with jumping, yelling, banging, running in and out, phone ringing.. etc. That is fine but I thought wouldn't it be nice if we had at least 20 minutes each evening to just have quiet and it would be good for the boys to sit down and read. They have lots of good books they haven't read because they just aren't the type of kids who love to sit down and read. I also go to the library at least once a week so the choices are unlimited.

Anyway there was a little grumbling at first and I'm sure a little of just staring at the page and not really reading. I decided not to say much and just see if it sparks something. Well a couple of days ago we were all sitting in our favorite comfy spots in the living room reading. I looked around and Connor was reading a book he had gotten for Christmas..something about Colorado ghosts and he was really into it! He was actually turning pages. Then I looked at Alex and he is intently reading one of his "Tacky the Penguin" books (which is a very cute book if you want to check it out)and actually smiling at what he was reading... mmmmmmmmmmmm Mommy's heart was happy. I love reading and love to see them get the enjoyment I do out of it.

And last but not least. My hubby is not a reader. He never sits down long enough unless it's something factual that he needs to know. Well he's been reading " Mike Nelson's Weather Almanac" and actually reading not just skimming. He has told me more than once thank you for coming up with the idea because he is actually enjoying it very much and learning to like reading.. :)

I am reading a book called Hold Tight. You can read a review on it and other books over at my friend Terra's book review blog, Tales From the Nightstand.

I have to give credit where credit is due. My friend Terra actual planted a seed when she told me about our friend Paige who does this with her family..

For more Perfect Moment Monday stories.. check out Lori's Weebles Wobblog

Perfect Moment Monday

My Perfect Moment..

I CapturePerfect Moments.

Last week I was pretty sick for several days. I was in bed for most of two days. As I was laying there feeling miserable, the boys would come in ever so often and ask if I was okay and say they hoped I felt better soon, or just give me a little hug. They were genuinely concerned. It shouldn't surprise me but I was a little surprised. I guess we all go through our days sometimes not realizing how much we are loved and appreciated. Mark took over everything, which is no surprise to those of you who know him, but it was a relief just to be able to rest and get over being sick and not having to worry about anything.



Thank you honey, Connor and Alex. You showed with your actions just how much you love me! I don't want to be sick again anytime soon but it was a perfect moment realizing how much you care.

Perfect Moment Monday

I'm getting my perfect moment Monday in just under the wire.

My son (who will be 11 in about a week) was sick today. Without going into too many details (in case I embarrass him) He has been a little moody lately. I know it's his age and the beginning of you know what so I'm trying to be patient and loving. Anyway I've been feeling a little distance with him and not too sound needy but less needed by him shall I say. Already starting to miss him feeling him growing up and away.

Anyway my perfect moment came today. Unforturnately he was sick today and ended up on a pallet on our bedroom floor.. it's where he wanted to be (near the bathroom). So I was in and out every few minutes as well as daddy. After a while (and here's my perfect moment) he said "Mom can you just stay in here with me, I feel better when you're with me?" Of course it stopped me in my tracks. I got my own pillow and blanket and propped myself up beside him. We spent most of the day like that. I don't need to tell you over 40 people how much harder a floor feels at our age. But, I didn't care, I loved every minute of it (except for him being sick of course). We watched several episodes of one of our favorite shows.. Cash Cab on Discovery. Even though he had his eyes closed he was keeping track of how many right answers we got. We did spend some time on ESPN Sports Center (that's when I pulled out my Jennifer Weiner book) Thank you Terra for mentioning this author on your blog, I like her.

He's feeling a little better tonight. It's nice to know he still needs me sometimes... :)

I CapturePerfect Moments.

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