Addictions

As the rain continued to fall last night and throughout the day today, I couldn't help but think it was a sign from God for us to just slow down. Although school is out and our schedules aren't quite as hectic, the "busy"ness of life is still ever present in our home.  It was nice to have a day to be trapped in the house and regroup.  It was strange that we went from having so many different places to go and things to do, but we ended up not doing anything that was originally planned.  We ended our lazy day by attending mass at St. Joseph in Gulfport. The priest really brought home what I think God was trying to tell me this morning by rerouting our day.  He spoke about how everyone has their own form of an addiction.  It might be an intense addiction like drugs or alcohol, or a less severe addiction like work, but we need to make our relationship with Christ our one true addiction.  I've never thought about it in this manner, but it is so true.  How awesome would it be to have the type of relationship with Christ that you can't wait to spread his word or share his love.  The priest was so passionate that I could truly see he was "addicted".  Personally, I get addicted to routine.  I like to be home from work by a certain time, dinner done by 6:30, baths during "Wheel of Fortune", bedtime prayers, etc. My mornings feel out of whack if someone can't find a shoe or has to change their clothes at the last minute. I am such a creature of habit that I don't feel comfortable doing things spontaneously - which I'm pretty sure drives my husband crazy, but we balance eachother out.  So, I encourage everyone (myself included) to rethink your addictions in life.  I am always inspired by the David Crowder Band song How He Loves. Now we just need to reverse the lyrics and be "jealous for Him".

Hook

So my baby brother is always wondering when I'm going to post something about him.  Well, this one is for you, Corry Borry. I can't put into words how happy I am for you and your newest endeavor.  I always knew you would do great things in life.  I'm glad that your dream is finally coming to fruition.  I have always believed that good things come to those who wait.  You have been patient and the time has come for you to be rewarded.  I pray that your new restaurant will be successful and that the ups and downs of running a business will come easy.  Never give up and always know that you have great friends and family on your side.  You and Laura and such a blessing to our family!  Now ... after all of those kind words, I expect to see our name on an appetizer or something!  :)  We love you and are so proud of you!

To everybody out there reading this, come support my little brother.  Coming this April, get hooked on HOOK, located on Davis Ave. in Pass Christian.

On a side note ... I'm also proud of my BIG brother for an awesome job on Corry's logo.  What talented brothers I have!

Update on 2012

So, it is quite obvious by the amount of blogs (or lack thereof) that I truly AM a busy mom! I had great intentions of documenting my days, but "life" happened and I only got four complete. I'm not going to give up though because I would love for my children to have these blogs to read one day. They are growing so fast and I can't seem to keep up with all of their milestones. So a quick overview of the past few months ... this is for you, kiddos!

Mackenzie, age 8
We are so blessed with such a kind-hearted and spirit-filled little girl.  She is such a great big sister and is always willing to help.  However, I am already noticing some of the "tweeny" behaviors that are yet to come.  I didn't think I would already need to be having heated conversations about her wardrobe or convincing her of the benefits of studying.  She is such a joy though, and I know she will grow up to do great things.  We are blessed by her beautiful smile everyday!

Peyton, age 6
Seriously, how many teeth can one child lose in a year?  I think we are at four since Christmas, but I might have lost count.  How can you not love this toothless smile though?  Our little man is growing up to be quite the scholar.  He is doing so well in school and actually enjoys it.  He absolutely adores his little sister and is so protective of her.  He got a skateboard for his birthday and spends every waking moment, rain or shine, in the drive way trying to learn tricks.  It's only a matter of time before he loses a tooth or two on accident! :)

Mia Clare, 21 months                                        This smile lights up our life! Our Mia Clare has grown out of the baby phase and is a full out toddler!  She is obsessed with being outside and loves to torment Lucy (aka "Oocy").  She loves her Mickey Mouse (aka "Ickey") and wants to do everything that she sees her big brother and sister doing.  Although she is quickly growing out of the baby phase, she still loves her nunu, blankie, and crib.  It isn't often, but she occasionally lets us rock her to sleep.  I cherish those nights as I know they will soon be gone.  I always thought I only wanted two children, but it is so clear to me now that our family was incomplete without her.

Growing Pains

We have had a busy past couple of weeks in the Lacy household. Mackenzie celebrated her First Holy Communion last weekend, Mackenzie and Peyton finished school, and Mia Clare had her first birthday this weekend. Between planning two parties, state testing, and closing out the school year, this mama is tired. However, when I lay my head down at night, all I can do is think about how fast the time is flying by. It seems like just yesterday I brought Mackenzie home from the hospital, clueless about what it was going to take to be a great mom. Seeing her lead the congregation in the opening song dressed in her first communion gown was almost surreal. It was as if I could picture her standing there on her wedding day, because that too will be here before I know it. Peyton completed his first year of school and will soon be a big first-grader. I can't hardly believe that he went from Pre-K to first grade so quickly. Watching him mature, physically and academically, has been such a joy. And then today, singing "Happy Birthday" to Mia Clare just brought tears to my eyes. It wasn't long ago that she was a fussy infant battling the infamous acid reflux. I used to pray for those days to pass as quickly as possible, and now that they have, I wish I could go back. (Well, maybe not THAT far back, but you get the point!) For any new moms out there, heed my warning, you're going to miss these days. My mom used to always tell me, "This too shall pass." Funny how at the time I wished they would, and now I'm sad that they have. However, time must go on and change must take place. As it does, I will live for the moments that are going to pass by all too quickly. I hope that you all will do the same.

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Everyday is Mothers' Day!

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If I haven't said it lately, let me say it again, Thank God for my mother! I couldn't do half the things I do, or be half the person I am, if it were not for my mother. She is the epitome of a "super-mom" and although I know I probably never will, I hope to be just like her some day. I have always said that I never realized just how much my mother loved me until I became a mother myself. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our mothers are the easiest ones to take for granted. I guess it's because we know they will be there when life slows down. However, no matter how busy life gets, I hope that not a day goes by that she doesn't know how much I adore and cherish her and our relationship.
I love you, Mom!

Twelve Kids and Counting ....

Yes, I said TWELVE kids!  Can you believe that my three best friends and I have 12 children between us? (And we all have full time jobs!)  If you ask any of us we will all say that the way we make it through the trials and tribulations of motherhood, husbands, jobs, etc. is by having great friends.

We are all blessed with husbands that support and appreciate us.  Each of them, in their own way, realizes the importance of us getting together.  For the past few years, we have started a Mother's Day tradition of treating ourselves at the spa.  It is one day out of the year that we don't make ourselves feel bad about spending more than $25 on something for just us. Normally, we would rush down to a casino for an afternoon massage and try to relax in the fluffy robes, while deep inside we all feel guilty that our husbands are home alone with the children.  This year, we got smart.  We planned in advance, made some contacts, and booked a room at the Beau for the entire night. 

The evening began with massages for most of us, followed by the four of us gathered around one mirror while applying each other's make-up, just like old times. We wore the cutest tops we own (you know, the ones without the spit-up stains) and the finest blue jeans that the Gap clearance rack has to offer.  After deciding that $30 per person was just too expensive for dinner (because we do this so often), we ended up at the Coast pub for burgers, fajitas and pizza, listening to basketball on the big screens and talking about the NFL draft. (Go figure!)  By the second cranberry and vodka, we were feeling like college students again! We just knew that because we had a hotel room upstairs and no one to answer to, we would be partying it up until the wee hours of the morning.  (Unlike our usual return home by 9:30 at night.)  We should have known that just because you have all of those things, the body of a 30 year old mother still thinks that when the nightly news is on, you should be in bed watching it. We know each other well enough to know what we were all thinking: we would rather be in the bed just catching up than feeding a slot machine money that really needed to be spent on formula and diapers. Needless to say, we were ready for bed and taking silly pictures by 10:30. The following morning was spent at a breakfast buffet and laying out by the pool watching families with their children.  We wrapped it up by 11:30 with the thought that we better get back home and put the house back together.  Overall, we had a fabulous time doing exactly what we sought out to do.  The reality of it is, once you become a mother, there really is no place you would rather be, other than with your children. However, in about a year, we will all be ready to challenge that theory once again!



From left to right: Ava's rear end, Morgan, Peyton, Mackenzie,
Mia Clare, Kaleigh, Baby Myles, Alexander, Ashlyn,
the back of Sophie's head, Charlie, & Sammy



Hard Work (x2)

I'm so excited that I have finally gotten around to learning how to blog.  Thanks to my cousin, Katie, I have been inspired to put it all out there. There is something very therapeutical about putting your thoughts into words, and if you haven't noticed by my blog title, I am in need of any type of therapy I can get!

I'm a mother of 3 precious children and a lead teacher at a local elementary school. Both of these titles come with great responsibility and obligations.  I often find myself thinking, "Should I quit my job, sacrifice the nice things we have, and stay home with my babies?" Then summer rolls around and I am acutely aware of why I choose to work.  I find that I can be a better mother when I am not with my children 24 hours a day.  In  some aspects I am very career-centered -- thanks to my fabulous father who has retired from the Navy, is working a civilian job on base, and runs two businesses out of his home office .... love that man!  But then I portray other characteristics that deem me as family-centered -- all thanks to my marvelous mother who is content as can be when she is bunkered down in her house with her family cooking, cleaning, making costumes, babysitting, or doing one of the thousand other super-mom things she is so good at.

I have just recently joined the techology world of Facebook.  I'm still not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I enjoy seeing what other people are up to, but on the flip side, I feel like such a slacker mom when I see week to week photos of babies, or other activities that stay at home moms (or SHM) are able to do with their children. Especially since baby #3 (who will turn one next month) still doesn't have a completed baby book.  Being a working mother is HARD WORK!  Giving 110% from 7:00-4:00 and then coming home to the motherly and wifely duties can wear a woman down real quick. I thank God every day for my mother, who keeps Mia Clare at my house and tidies up while I'm at work.  Nine times out of ten, I come home to laundry done, dishwasher unloaded, coupons clipped, etc.  (She's my hero!)  But I realize there are other mothers out there that do not have this luxury. 

So....long story short .. this is my sad attempt to reach out to all of those mothers that can't, or choose not to, stay at home. More importantly, this is my way of journaling my days because who has time to pick up a pen and paper anymore!  My goal for my blog is to write letters to my children, share my thoughts about the woes working mothers (and mothers in general) face, and just vent.  We can all use a good ear every now and then.  For the time being, mine will continue to be my mother, fabulous friends, and my Dell.  Feel free to follow along.  And thanks to everyone else that has posted blogs and gotten me motivated.  (We'll see how long it lasts!) 

As it is now 10:00 and I've spent 3 hours messing with all of the features my blog has to offer, I need to call it a day. For tomorrow will be another day in paradise!