Amanda and the Hendersons

Sometimes the mountain you've been climbing seems unbearable........... But when you look back to see how far you've come......it doesn't hurt quite so bad. Sometimes in life you have no choice but to hang on for dear life, and pray that you make it through the day.   Sometimes in life, someone notices your struggles....a stranger, and gives words of encouragement to lift you up. Sometimes in life, you realize that you have no control of anything....... Sometimes in life, you come to find that "normal" is overrated and your own "normal" suits you fine. Sometimes in life, you are forced to make difficult decisions........... Sometimes in life, you make the wrong ones,  Every now and then you may choose the right path...... Sometimes in life, you can be extra thankful that this earth is not your permanent home, that there is something wonderful and completely perfect awaiting you. Sometimes in life you feel defeated, Sometimes in life y

This morning was the boy's dentist appointment....not something that we, in this household, dread.  I have made a point of making the dentist a good thing and not scary.  My boys get some good teeth brushing....(you know they say that your kids shouldn't brush on their own until AFTER age seven).....so "we" brush, first mom and then them.  We floss too....  Combine all that with the fact that my kids don't get much sugar and the dentist tends to be pretty painless.  Today, that was not the case.    The office staff was hugely impressed with Parklen's ability to sit still and cooperate with the x-ray's...even taking more than planned because he was being so good.  He sat so still like a big boy and said in his tiny voice..."mom, are ya proud of me?"  As if I could be anything other than.    Paysen checked out great, even for a five year old who has already lost TWO teeth, and another ready to go.   I could tell that the dentist had something

Today I watched as my little baby boy took a huge leap from the land of babies straight into big boy land....... There were no tears before surgery this morning.  There are usually a billion shed.  He was upset because he was hungry and hadn't eaten, however he expressed with his words and not with his tears.  I have been talking to Parklen about this procedure for a month now, going over each step time and time again..... When the time came for me to carry him back to surgery, I suited up and prepared for the fit.....it never came.  I held him as we walked back to the Operating Room.  When we got in, I squeezed his guts and he mine....I laid him on the table and he tightened his grip on my hand.  He laid right down.....He looked at me and smiled as they put the mask over his tiny little face.  I braced myself then...I knew when he smelled the gas he would lose it.....I was wrong...I was taken away through his gaze....staring deep into his eyes, mine filled with tears....he was

Life goes by so quickly sometimes.....I promise I blink and a month has passed.  I am patiently (actually impatiently) awaiting the letter confirming the school in which Paysen will attend Kindergarten...I don't do well with the waiting game. Unfortunately...I have no choice.  I am still trying to convince Paysen that staying home with his mom is a much better option than growing up and attending SCHOOL.  He doesn't buy it. I realized the other day that in just two short months Parklen will be turning four.  This is crazy.  How did this happen.....One moment he is my baby, I am holding and rocking and nursing him....the next he is a big boy.  Each night at dinner he reminds me, "mom, I'm almost big..." Yeah Parky...thanks for reminding me.  Its one of the strangest things, being a mother.  The most amazing, tender and wonderful gift...blended with the continuous sadness of letting go.  Every day you are watching them need you just a little less.  When Parklen