To My Husband

I think I've shared with you before that I'm not very good with words.  I feel deeply, but have a hard time expressing those feelings.  These last few weeks I have been flooded with emotions as I get ready to leave my nest and head back into the workforce.  I have mostly been excited....but also nervous and anxious.  However,  the feeling that overpowers them all and is at the forefront of my mind and heart is extreme gratitude for my husband.  This afternoon during lunch I finally decided it was a good time to tell him how I was feeling.  I debated about putting this on my blog...but in the end, I decided it's the reason I have a blog in the first place.  I want some of my memories and feelings recorded and I also want Brady to know what it meant to me to be a stay at home mom and the very reason I was able to do so.

Eric,

-I know our plan was for me to be off work for one year after we had our little boy.  Thank you for never reminding me or mentioning that one year plan ever again after Brady was born.  One year turned into 9 1/2 years.

-Thank you for carrying the weight of our finances on your shoulders.  I know how heavy that weight must have been for you.  Even though we struggled at times and could have used the extra income, you never once suggested I get a job.

-Thank you for telling me often that you appreciate all the things I do at home.  And, thank you for never making me feel like all those things were solely my responsibility.

-Thank you for always understanding that just because I didn't work outside our home, didn't mean I didn't need a break sometimes.

-Thank you for telling me the reason you believe Brady is so confident and secure is because of ME being home with him.  It's one of the best compliments you have ever given me.

-Thank you for allowing me to stay at home once Brady started school.  Because of you, I was able to volunteer, go on field trips and be a room mom.   

-Thank you for always being so proud of me and making me feel like my job was an important one. It is because of YOU, I had the confidence to apply for this teaching position.

-Thank you for never questioning what I did with my time during the day.  Ever.

-Thank you for always being so happy when Brady and I got to do something fun.  You never made me feel guilty that you were missing out.  Instead, you were excited for us.

-Thank you for letting me be there for all of those early milestones in Brady's life.  I know so many moms aren't as lucky. 

So, after being home now for 9 1/2 years, it's time for me to get my butt back to work!  I am excited and ready. I look forward to being a working mom!  Thanks for being the most excited for me- times a hundred!  And it's not because you're excited about a little extra income...rather, you are genuinely happy for me.
 I will forever be grateful to you for all this time you have allowed me to be home.  I love you so much.

Kerri

xxoo

PS. I will miss our weekly lunch dates!



Summer Wrap Up

We went to see the movie The Odd Life of Timothy Green this past weekend.

It was a good family movie and we all enjoyed it.  It was a little far fetched....but also sad and cute and funny.  Brady grabbed my hand and said to me in the middle of the movie, "Mom, you're so emotional." 





 

 

Brady and I went back to school shopping one day this week.   I love that each year we make a day of this.   I always worry beforehand because I know he's not crazy about shopping....but we always end of having a good time...I better knock on wood!    This year he was really into picking out his school supplies.  He also chose to eat at KFC....I tried to talk  him into anything  something else, but it's what he really wanted.  We also went to a fro yo...Brady decided afterwards that chocolate ice cream and nerds is not a good combination.

 



 

We start back to school on Monday.  Although I am super excited to start my new job...I'm sad that summer is already over.  It went so fast.    I wonder if we did enough this summer.  I know that's ridiculous because as I look back over the pictures that I took, I know that we did plenty.  Still, I wonder if it's a summer to remember.  Brady did exactly what he wanted to do this summer, and that's play tennis. 

 

We did our best to mix in some other activities along the way.

 

 

Brady is really excited to start back to school.  If we could take away the schedules, homework, early bedtime and the morning routine....I might be a little more excited too!

 

Good bye summer 2012!

 

 

 

 

An Easy Thank You Gift

 



 Most of you know my favorite gift to give is food.  I think this simple basket filled with veggies makes a nice thank you.  Vegetables do not get any cheaper around here than they are in the summer.  I bought cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, hot house tomatoes, jalapenos, carrots, romaine lettuce, red peppers and corn on the cob....all for just under ten dollars.  I already had the basket.  

So simple and colorful and healthy.  Who wouldn't love a basket of vegetables?!

I'd love to know what your favorite gift to give is?!





Today Was A Good Day

 



Brady and I haven't had a lot of good days this summer.  I really hate saying that...but it's true.  I have talked to several friends who also have 9 year olds and they are having some of the same issues-  talking back, negativity, eye rolling and laziness.  In that regard, it's nice to know I'm not alone and that there's probably nothing seriously wrong with my child.  However, it still hurts my heart.  He can be so sweet at times, but those little glimpses of sweetness have been few and far between lately.    I do not tolerate disrespect and so Brady and I have done a lot of head butting this summer.  Oooops, this wasn't the direction I wanted to go in.  I want to keep this positive today!

Today was a really good day.  Brady asked if we could read outside under the tree together.  He was nice and loving.  He wanted to be close.  He rubbed my arm and we talked about what a pretty day it was.  We read our books and snuggled.  

Today was a good day.  Probably my favorite day this summer.

Today I am reminded that we can do all kinds of fun and exciting things...but sometimes the sweetest moments in time are the most simple ones.



1st Sleepover

 

Brady had his first "friends" sleepover one day last week.

I tried not to take too many pictures...I didn't want the boys to be annoyed with me!

So, I took just a few to capture the memories...







We spent the afternoon at the pool.  I thought this would make the boys more tired...but not so much!

We picked up pizza on the way back to our house.  The noise level in the van was a little high to say the least...but I enjoyed listening to their funny conversation.  One of the boys commented on how much "larger" his head was compared to the other two.  They decided that a bigger head must mean you have a bigger brain in there.  They were laughing and carrying on the whole ride home. 



The boys had pizza and then played outside.  It was not Brady's idea to play tennis...just so you know!

The boys were in and out of the house....running around like chickens with their heads cut off...going from one activity to the next.  I think they were a little excited!  Or, maybe I gave them too much sugar?!



Eric made a campfire for the boys and they made s'mores.   We kept it short, I started to get a little nervous with the boys around the fire with their sticks and fireballs marshmallows.  Later the boys all camped out in the livingroom and watched  Journey 2 the Mysterious Island.  During the movie Brady reminded me about the ice cream and toppings we had bought for his sleepover.  So, there we all were making sundaes at 10 o'clock....no wonder the boys couldn't fall asleep!  Good times.  The first of many sleepovers I'm sure!



Ten on Ten:: August



Ten pictures in ten hours on the tenth of the month...trying to capture the

beauty in our ordinary moments of the day.

Our van was in the garage today getting work done, so Brady and I were stuck at home.

Nothing too exciting going on around here as far as pictures go...but we had a good day nonetheless.   I hope you did too!

To check out all the other ten on tens head over to Rebecca's blog!

Can you believe it's the 10th of August already?!

Summer just went too fast!



The Lazy Days Of Summer...

....has not applied to us this season.
Sometimes things just aren't the way you'd like them to be.
I miss our summers of going to the pool, laying under a tree and reading together,
playing in the sprinkler, having cookouts and just taking it easy.
I feel like I work hard to bring other things to Brady's life besides tennis.
Brady had a friend over for a couple of hours to play, we had a campfire,
 Eric and Brady went fishing one evening, Brady and I went to the pool one day.
But it's tiring when tennis seems to always win out over the other fun things.
Brady does not often ask to do other things besides tennis.
We are often traveling to and from tournaments on the weekends.
I think family and friends are often frustrated with us that we are not around much.
Brady goes to camps, and clinics, and match nights.
He gets invited to other school's tennis programs.
He hits for hours by himself with a ball machine.
He gets lessons from his dad.
Last week he was at tennis camp 7hrs. each day.
It wasn't enough for him.  He wishes he could do that everyday.
The new USTA rankings came out the other day.
Our division consists of Pennsylvania and four other states.
Brady is the top ranked 9 year old in our division.
I know to be good at something you have to put time into it....I just never
expected it to be this much time.
Brady was in his last tournament of the month yesterday.
:)
No more tournaments until September....I put my foot down.
Brady will still play tennis in the evenings...but during the day, he is mine.
I will NOT be taking him to the tennis courts.
We've been watching the olympics every evening.
Gymnastics, swimming, diving and beach volleyball are my favorites.
I think the stories behind many of the olympians are what make it even more special.
I recently watched a special on moms of olympians and I cried through it all.
It made me sad.  One of the gymnast moved 3,000 miles away from
her family at the age of 14 to get better trainning. 
It was her dream...and her family supported her.
Well, not this mom! 
I would have to sleep in a tent next to the training center...that would be the only way!
Anyway, many of the stories made me sad. 
And, I'm not saying I think my son will be an olympic tennis player...just that when those
moms were describing their kids at a young age they used words like unbelievable drive, determination and desire.  Those parents weren't the ones forcing their children to play sports. 
Howerver, without their parent's support...it wouldn't have been possible for them.
Okay...moving on!

Today is one of our first days this summer we are home without any plans.
Eric came home for lunch and I suprised him by making fajitas.
It's the only meal I have cooked in almost 2 weeks.
They were good.  I love eating out...but even I have had enough lately!

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In other news, I interviewed a few weeks ago for a teaching position at Brady's school and...
I got the job!
I'm so excited!
I have been waiting for this position to come open.
I will be teaching reading and math to kids who need extra support.
My first full time job in almost 10 years!
It's going to be a big change....but I am ready.
I am thrilled to get to be at Brady's school with him for two years before he heads
to middle school.  Brady is excited for me to be there too.
Brady says he would like to ride to and from school with me instead of going on the bus.
He has always loved the bus...so I will have to see it to believe it!
I start on Aug. 27th.

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Brady has been bugging asking me if he could start a tennis blog to record his memories.  I have to admit I wasn't very excited about this.  I knew he would need lots of help...and frankly I don't even have the time or energy to keep up with my own blog.  He was relentless and I gave in.   The other day I showed him how to make a header.  He picked out pictures and wanted it to look just like mine.  I have a feeling it won't take him long to get through the steps and before long he will be posting all on his own.  Which scares me ALOT!  I tried to influence his first post...but he knew what he wanted to say and didn't want my suggestions.  I wanted his blog to be private....and then he starts talking about how he can't wait until he gets some "fans".  Oh brother.  I told him that I will wait to share his blog with my friends once I know he is going to do a good job with it.  He wasn't too happy about that and said he wanted to go "public" right away!  Since I'm the mom, and I'm in charge around here....we're going to wait.  It should be interesting to see what he writes about.  Remember, he is 9....it's going to be hard for my type A personality to not want to correct everything.  I guess we'll see how it goes.  I'm sure once school starts he'll forget all about his blog!

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We're meeting these guys at the swimming pool tomorrow and then the boys are coming back
to our house for a sleepover.  Brady is really excited!
It's the first time he's ever had a friend sleepover at our house.
I have tears in my eyes I'm so excited for him.
To me, this is what summer is all about.