The lashing may now begin!

OK...OK...I have been a bad blogger! Let the beatings now begin!



I admit it...I let my blog fall to the wayside this summer.



Well, I have to say that in the big scheme of things, that while I sometimes have a lot to share, it is often hard to find the time (and sometimes energy) to get online and post.



UPDATE:



We are in the backend of summer here. It has been a lot of fun for me. I have saved up a bit of vacation and sick days, and cashed those puppies in for some extra time with my kids so we could spend more time together. The old saying is true, and you really have to appreciate the time with your kids while they are still young. I have gotten to spend some great times with the kids this summer (and HEY! My kid with ASD is talking so much more! God...I can not be happier to have been there when THAT started happening!!)

My oldest: He has gotten into the full fledged independent thing and wants to "hang out with the guys" all the time. The guys being a bunch of other boys that all like to go to the pool, dig up various creatures and bugs and use them for pranks (the Princess has been the unhappy victim to more than one creepy-crawly) and also to play ball and Xbox. You can imagine that he has been happier than a pig in S&%t with having all this time this summer! Awww...to be young!

My middle: Wow...what can I say...it is AMAZING to hear your kid talk when you wait SO long for it! He is actually putting some words together and getting his wants and needs across and the look of pride on his face when WE understand HIM...WOW!! I know some parents of "normal" kids may not get this, but this has been an amazing thing. I have spent MANY hours this summer working on his words with him and to see it pay off... well, there is no amount of money in the world that can replace that!

The Princess: Well, she has actually wanted MORE time with Dad this summer. She is my little sidekick and wants me to do everything with her. I must admit that I have been in attendence at more than one Tea Party and played with dolls this summer (and have to admit....it was fun!) It amazes me how nurturing girls are at such a young age. It makes me believe that it really is a built in system.

The Ex: Well, we got past the issues about Disney and time off of school...etc. I think we both harbor some resentment towards eachother but the other problem is that (without getting too far into it) we both ended things because we had drifted apart but there was still love there. This is hard for me to admit, because let's face it, it is easier to just say you hate the old ball and chain, but I must admit that I still loved her and did not allow myself to feel it (it was easier to convince myself that it was dead and gone) and I have wondered, on more than one occasion if we had not been so rash about the decision to divorce, if I had not left, if I had fought to try, IF we would have worked it out. *SIGH* I guess we will never know. Regrets suck!

ANYWAY... as I said... I took extra time off this summer and have just filled it to the brim with my kids. I will NEVER forget this summer. I will never forget the laughs, the picnics, the trips to fun places, and the hugs at the end of the days. God...I am going to miss those when we go back to the school year schedule. I could not make it without seeing my kids! They are growing and changing so fast and I can not imagine missing any more than I already do! (Ok...I know...too schmaltzy...but it is true.)

I will admit one thing I will NOT miss.... SAND IN LAUNDRY!! LOL! These kids get sand in clothes that you never find until it is a mess in the laundry room! Ok...so I have one thing I will gladly see go at the end of summer! There ya go!