Friday, July 1, 2011

RanDom THouGHtS about the beginning of a rAnDOm SuMMEr!

Seems like it's been forever since my last post...I almost let my goal of "post at least once a month" slip past me..as it is technically July1..so here goes June's...


The definition for "random" is lacking any definite plan or order or purpose...and I like my summers that way!
Smiley face pizzas for lunch!
Living room camp out

Random Thought #1 - One would think our home is neater and more organized during the summer months. After all, I have a "school" job and am off at least two months of the year.  However, I have a totally different philosophy about staying at home during the summer break..."let it be"!  I spend a majority of my time during the working months planning, scheduling, organizing, delegating, preparing, etc...so during the days I have at home I refuse!  I do what needs to get done, but the rest is dedicated to my family and my hobbies that I don't have time for when working a 40+ hour week.  I have to do those things when I'm working to survive and get us going everyday, therefore, my time off is just that..time off!  So if you come visit with us this summer, we will have fun and enjoy your company, but please don't judge because I have "quit" for the summer.
Hallway stays like this for days....you should see the kitchen! Yikes!  Not to mention the laundry!









Random Thought #2 -
It feels good to do what you love! 
Back in February, one of my best friends of all time, Misty Otis, (actually 29 years to be exact) asked me to take some pictures at her first event (She had recently started an event planning business and inflatables business...A Fabulous Affair & Jumping Jimmyz Inflatables...check her out!)  Now I have taken pictures forever and each year I get a little more into it....just ask my friends..."Old Time Photos anyone?" I enjoy everything about them.  I have boxes upon boxes of pictures from years past lined up in my closet..thank goodness I went digital for there is very little room left.  I have taken photography classes in my "take my summer's to learn something new" era, I sit and look at photos for hours, I scrapbook and now, thanks to that call in February, I am starting to sell my photographs to others.  So far I have done two small, intimate weddings, and a few shoots with families I know, but I'm hoping to do more! Competition is tough I know, but as Garett says, "I'm obsessed with pictures." and most of all it is a great release for me to do what I love! Thanks Misty for the encouragement and confidence to go out and try something new! I love ya!

Random Thought #3 -
Mr. Disney,
Your team really let me down with the sequel to CARS  :( 
Sorry..I just had to say it.  
The Hagers had been looking forward to the debut of CARS 2 for months...maybe even since the 1st one was seen...and finally it arrived...June 24th...pre-paid tickets..check...new t-shirts....check.....Mater teeth for the family...check....planning of a follow-up Drive In showing...check...and many more movie merchandise purchases too numerous to admit to...check....
Then we get there and the movie is all about knocking off Lightning McQueen? Are you serious Walt? Here I try to teach my boys that you solve your problems with words, empathy, and compromise and you negate all of those lessons with, "it won't be Ka-Chow, it will be Ka-Boom!" Don't get me wrong..it was entertaining and my 5 year old was on the edge of his seat through the whole thing, but he also missed the "message" of the movie to be yourself because he was so impressed with the explosives that were used to plot the death of his favorite Disney character.  I may be over reacting and getting too "counselor like" for some of you..but am I wrong that the first CARS had nothing near the sort of violence that was exhibited in the second and it still was a hit?  I can overlook the name calling in the movies and the occasional adult humor, but the focus on killing and hurting others was too much...
Now that I'm finished ranting...I sadly know that it won't stop us from seeing it again, buying more merchandise, or playing out all of the scenes that were shown..I guess I just want it to be known that I think CARS 3 (if they are planning out the story line while basking in all of the money made on CARS 2) needs to make it right again....

Me and the boys at the movies to see CARS 2...I had high hopes :)


Braydon thought it was the best movie ever!


Gullable parents....complain about the movie, but still give in..1st step is awareness right?
All Braydon wants me to do since seeing the flick is tie up Finn McMissle like in the movie...
Random Thought #4  - 

 I'm "Potty"istively Proud of Rhett!  On June 9th Rhett said he was "done with diapeys!" and he has been ever since!  I don't remember Braydon being extremely difficult to train, but I don't remember him being as easy either.  As a matter of fact, I panicked a little when Ms. Vicki, our sitter of four years told us she was retiring  due to the fact that #1 I didn't know at that moment who we could trust with Rhett for the rest of his pre-school years? and #2 How will I potty train Rhett without her help?  Turns out Rhett could do it himself!  Yeah Rhett!  He definitely has a strong will..we have known that since day one, but it turns out that it can be a positive trait because once he has set his mind to it that is the way it's gonna be!  No diapeys, no pull-ups, ....Rhett is a big boy now!  as a matter of fact every time he goes to the potty Braydon and I sing that to him..so much in fact he now sings it himself after every visit :)
Rhett in his big boy "underwears'.. these are my favorite pair! What is it that is so cute about little guys in their first undies?


Random Thought #5 -   I should call my parents more often....
A recent message from my Dad spurred some bad dreams letting me know that I really need to call them daily...was it my mind telling me in my sleep what I felt guilty of ? or just something I ate before bed working against me?..who knows?..but it really isn't a bad goal.  Since that day I have called every day to just give the daily report (okay..it's only been two days and today when I called he said I was late).  I usually don't call anyone everyday...my sister is the closest I come,  but after listening to his message (that was a little hateful I might add) I realized that when I am in his shoes I will be totally offended if my children take days to return a call (however, in my defense we were out of area on a camping trip and after hearing his message I was being a bit spiteful, but I'm over it now :0).  Some things we just never get until we are parents ourselves.....

Random Thought #6 -
I'm so glad I make the effort to take my kids to church.
I am not a religious guru by any means..but I was raised in church and I value the word of God.  From high school graduation until I had children of my own I really didn't go much at all..as a matter of fact, I'm kind of surprised that my home church even allowed me to get married there after not coming for so long. And anyone that knows me at all knows that I am far from perfect, but, once I had children I felt  compelled to find a church to attend.  Luckily, about two years ago now..a friend of mine invited me to attend her church and I went and really liked it.  Ironically it had the same name as the church I grew up in and got married in...Bethel Christian.  I felt welcomed and the messages were clear and I have been attending ever since, but tonight after a week at vacation bible school I over heard Braydon tell Rhett while working a puzzle together, "If we have a problem and we don't know what to do..just keep our eye on Jesus and he will pull us through!" How sweet!  It was evidently, according to the tune, a song he had learned this week, but the fact that he was using it as a way to encourage his little brother made me take notice.  I do admit that I often gripe at Garett that I go to church alone with the boys and have even been known to make comments like, "I hope it's worth it!" when I'm struggling to get them ready on Sunday mornings, but comments like that let me know it is and no matter where life leads them, hopefully, even if they stray, they will be led back to God at some point in their life.  Thank you Bethel Christian for making us feel at home!

Random Thought #7
As I write this and hear Rookie running on his treadmill in the next room...I miss my Byron dog!  Nothing against ya Rookie, but Byron would be snuggled up right beside me right about now..enough said...

Random Thought #8
I don't want to turn 35!
I know it seems young..but once your 35 doesn't it just go downhill? Your children get older..your chances for having anymore (or mine anyway according to Garett) get slimmer, you start to earn more gray hair, wrinkles and fat, you start to sound like your parents,your known only as "Braydon and Rhett's mom", you watch your wedding video of eleven years ago and you can count more than 10 people you knew that are now in heaven, and you get told you need BI-FOCALS! 
Yep..went to the eye doctor with Braydon ..his kindergarten exam and my 1st check-up since Rhett was born..Braydon walks out with 20/20 vision and I walk out with a prescription for bi-focal (no-line) lenses, contacts because my new glasses will evidently be noticeably thicker, and the suggestion to go pick up some reading glasses for support with the contacts! I know it's minor, but it's major to me..especially when I wasn't expecting it and especially a month before I turn 35 (which to me is turning out to be way more traumatic than 30)!


Random Thought #9
I need to see some of my long lost girl friends...you know who you are!  so if you are reading this..it's time to make a plan!  Especially after reading "Random Thought #8" ....being with those that know you best makes it all better :)
On a serious note..I am blessed with some great friends...and even though we don't get to see each other everyday..I know that the next time we talk we will pick up right where we left off :) I am one of the guiltiest..see the random thought about not even calling my parents ;/
I'm looking forward to it!

Random Thought #10

Do others think as randomly as I do? I'm sure they do and I know this is a drop in the bucket to what really goes on between my ears....basically June was full of randoms...random get togethers (thanks to my sister especially for getting the family together for Father's Day), quirky little things that make our day to day interesting, seeing folks that we rarely get to spend time with during what I call my "go" time of year, random, spur of the moment trips, like our spur of the moment boat ride on Lake Herrington or our little camping trip to Levi Jackson State Park (even though Garett didn't get to camp as much as the rest of us),  and random bed times and wake up times (as I look at the clock to realize that I am waaayyyy past the norm).  I am thankful for random moments!