Archive for the ‘family’ Category

I hope your New Year brings you good health and happiness.

2010 Will be a good year!  I’ll have my first grandchild, my youngest will graduate high school in June and my recruit son will be graduating from USMC Basic Training.  There are many good things happening this year!  I’m excited!

Happy New Year Friends!  I’m off to blog hop!

I have a little bit of time to write.  Amazing!

On December 7th, my eldest son – middle child – went into USMC Boot Camp.  Sunday, December 6th I dropped him off at the recruiter’s office and that’s the last I’ve seen of my boy.  That’s a key word – “Boy”.  You see, once he graduations and becomes a Marine – he will forever be lost as a boy.  Sound harsh?  Maybe – but it’s true.  The come home men.  Parent’s girls who leave for Parris Island come back Women.  It’s inevitable.

I’ve been lucky to have found Recruit Parents Forums within the Marine Parents website.  There are parents, girlfriends, wives, etc. that are going through the same thing I am and with the same platoon as my son.  It’s a very good form of relasing I guess you would say.  The USMC is the longest Basic Training of all of the military basic’s.  My son will be gone for 13 weeks and I’ll be able to go to his graduation on March 5th.  Ofcourse, the drop out rate is high for Marines I’m sure – so I’m going to assume my son will make it through.  Of that, I have no doubt.

The emotions I’m going through are plenty.  In no certain order:

• Pride
• Sadness
• Loneliness
• Happiness
• Fear
• Excitement
• Loss
• Frightened

In all of that, Pride tops the list.  To be a USMC Recruit Mother – there are few of us as there are few Marines.  I’ll let you know what it means to be a USMC Mother when that happens.

For those interested – the link for the Marine Parents Site is:  MarineParents.com

It’s Christmas – and I miss my son.  My daughter and my youngest son are at her Grandma’s house for Christmas day.  It’s just me and Daniel for the night.

I feel so lost.  For the last 21 years all I’ve ever done is be a mom.  What the heck happens when that’s not a full time plus job anymore?  Who am I?

Love and Light to all of you ~ I am blessed to have made connections with you.

~Monica~

It’s been since June that I’ve regularly posted.  I miss my blog friends, and thank you so much for dropping in.

Work ~ it got a bit crazy.  Busy that is.  In these days and times in California I find myself feeling very greatful for my employment I’ll tell you that!  I miss being on my own with my own business though.  But that’s okay – the firm I work for is truly a wonderful place to work.

Personal ~ A ton going on here.  I think I was verging on a nervous breakdown for a bit, okay not really – but it’s been rough.  I do have some news!  You ready?

My daughter is expecting ~ just though.  She will be due about May 2010.  So, that means Grandma for me!  Whoot!

42 and a Grandma.  What the heck?!  Oh well – I did the same thing to my mom.  hee hee

OH!  I saw the scariest flippin’ movie EVER – and I’m a definite scary movie buff!  Check out the trailer!!!

Funny thing is ~ there were actually people that came into the theater to just watch the audience.  I’m serious people were lined up at the walls watching us, not the movie.  The scariest part was going to bed after watching the movie.  Wholley Molley!

Well, the next one I wanna see is Zombieland!

Oh yeah!

My favorite holiday is coming!  Halloween!  Whoot!

Okay, there ya go…. stuff happening!  I miss ya all!

Jim leaves on the 12th.

That’s… 12 days.

12 More days.

A big 1 and 2.

12. Days.

I’m doing okay.

The party is on this Saturday.

Oh who am I kiddin…

For those that don’t know – I have a child that has gone through depression, attempted suicide, told he was Bi-Polar – yadda yadda.  He leads a rough life at times.  But he’s not alone.  There are family members that each have to deal with their portion of his difficulties – mom, brothers, sister… etc.  We all deal with it in ways that are perfect for each of us.

We aren’t alone either, there are many many kids and their families that go through tough spots in life.  The families are sometimes the only ones standing strong for these kids because we know their true beauty and goodness inside.  Others, we find, steer clear because they don’t know how to deal with it.

I am asking that everyone Stumble this post if you do enjoy it – it is the wish of the teen that wrote this that others that may be in the same situation get some reality that they aren’t alone!

The following is a wonderful (tear jerker for me) poem that a teen wrote about his own experience as a brother (a twin brother no less) of a young man that is going through something very close to what my Stephen endures.

The following was given to many just to read, and those that could find themselves in his shoes have been praising the writing.  If you wouldn’t mind getting this out there for this young man (I will not name him unless his mother approves).  He wants others to know they aren’t alone!

It is okay to copy this to give to others, but you cannot copy and use it as your own.  Simply refer back to this post as the originator and that is fine.  Do not publish this unless you receive permission (just email me, I will ask the mother and the boy for you) through this site.

Again, please Stumble this or whatever way you can if you enjoy it.  This deserves to find it’s way to those that will benefit.

You Have To Be His Brother To Understand

What is it like to feel anger, broken-heartedness, and love at the same time?
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to watch your brother constantly hurt your mom,
And feel no remorse,
Because he hardly understands what he’s doing at the time?
what is it like to have to sit there, and remain silent,
All while you witness both people suffering?
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to see someone close to you,
Having already flown as high as they can get
Or so it seems?
Professionals say he can’t go any further,
But you pray to God he can.
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to witness someone you love,
Hurt to the point of tears because he feels he can’t make it?
What is it like to feel so much pain your body, heart, and mind,
Can hardly take it because you see your own brother’s life in shambles?
What is it like to hear people call your brother stupid?
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to be the privileged brother,
Yet you watch his life spiral downward,
All as teachers have given up on him,
Saying he won’t amount to anything in this world,
Because he has trouble reading?
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to have many true friends,
But your brother has next to none,
So he feels alone, even though you share yours,
But he knows that, he knows they’re yours,
It kills you because it’s killing him?
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to love your brother,
With such a sense of protecting him because of his delicacy,
That your friends call you wrong because, you get angered at the
Slightest thing anyone says about your brother, at the times when
People laugh at him, you want to punch people’s lights out?
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to see him depressed as he’s cycling through meds,
And most psychiatrists can’t help him because
they refuse to push aside their pride,
and so you watch him suffer because of their idiotic mistakes,
and it makes you so sad to see this situation unfold before your eyes?
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to have the desire to tell him he’ll be o.k.,
He’ll make it no matter what anyone tells him,
He’ll spread his wings and fly much higher than anyone ever anticipated,
He’s always loved and prayed for by many people,
Yet you can’t muster up the courage to tell him because you’re afraid he’ll reject this statement of love?
You have to be his brother to understand.

What is it like to feel anger, broken-heartedness, and love at the same time?
You have to be his brother to understand.

I told you all I’d update you when Stephen started blogging! He’s got a little blog started, and I thought I’d ask if you all could maybe just take a look?

He’s been HEAVY into learning PhotoShop lately – and has been writing again.

So here’s his Blog: Xairai’s Shadow

Let him know what you think! He’s hoping folks will come through and maybe read a bit. It’s new, so he’ll be adding as he goes.

Thanks all!

My hubby turned 41 just 8 days after me! It’s tough being an older woman. LOL Even if by 8 days! He doesn’t let me live it down!

My son, Stephen, is out of the hospital and home – he’s on Lithium and I’m not at ALL happy about it. To be quite honest I would like to take him off of it all! He’s got tremors so badly and now headaches. I’m calling the doc tomorrow. This is not acceptable! His mood is good… he’s happy to be home!

My son, James, is driving! He got his license and the insurance wasn’t all that bad! So…. I don’t see him much! hee hee – oh to be young again!

My daughter, Jessica, came over this weekend… ahhhhh… I love having my baby girl around – although she’ll be 20 on March 21st! ARGH! She’s getting older… not me!

My son, Daniel J, is going through some struggles right now. He’ll be okay… in time. Seems some restrictions at home are getting to him… you know, regular teen stuff! Rules at one house, rules at another.

I am doing wonderfully actually.  Just juggling all of the life that comes at me.  Work is wonderful – the folks I work with are absolutely awesome.  Seriously I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with.  Kudos to my wonderful employer!

I’m so tired though… so so tired. Time for a weekend out! Somewhere!

Bless you all – Love and Light My Beautiful Friends

My son has his permit – even though he’s 18 – he waited. My brother gave him a 2004 Ford Escape and he’s taking his driving test tomorrow for his CA driver’s license. Whoot!

Wish the boy luck! And momma for the insurance! It’s only a short time though…. he’s in the USMC training in June!

My handsome boy is home.  This momma is happy.  Albiet a bit nervous, but hey – who wouldn’t be?  He’s doing very well and very happy to come home.

I had a surprise party on my Birthday.  I will tell you all about it when I get the photos.  It’s amazing what my hubby can do getting it all together and I had no idea!

I’m finding myself really enjoying going to work.  I enjoy those I work with and the work I do.  Very nice.

I just saw the movie “Eagle Eye”. Has anyone seen that? Oh my goodness! Fun! So I thought I’d give a few vids of things I enjoy!

By the way – this is a movie I’m DYING for! hee hee

This is one of my most favorite songs, and what better than for it to be a tribute to our heroes. While my son James only has a few more months before going into the USMC – this proud momma wants to give tribute to our heroes. My brother is a police officer and deserves my tribute as well.

Top Left – My son, Stephen | Top Right – My brother Tim | Bottom Left – My daughter’s guy – Joseph | Bottom Middle – My daughter – Jessica | Bottom Right – My son, James

Bless you all.

This is Alabama – Angels Among Us