Single Mom

I've learned alot about dating as a single Mom, I also know that I have a whole lot more to learn.
It's not easy to date at 33 after marriage, kids and 'life'. Dating is NOT the same as it was when I was 21. I know I will not meet a man in a bar...nor do I want to at this age! There is texting and emailing and camera phone 'pics'. It's insane!! Talking on the phone is pretty non-exsistent. Which actually suits me okay. The boys seem to always find trouble when the phone is on my ear. But the strangest thing happens whenever I end a conversation...they disappear. I mean, the voices are gone, they are in their room loving on one another being each other's best friend. It's uncanny how that happens! ;o)
Speaking of the boys in regards to dating...I've learned this.
1. I will never again wait until I am in an extremely exclusive relationship to introduce the boys to the man. I did that and when it ended they were heartbroken. Heartbroken!
2. I will not introduce them to every Tom, Dick & Harry on the street. They are my babies and it's my job to protect them. I'll leave that one up to their Dad who introduces them to women left and right(though he has been with the current girlfriend for a few months now)
3. I make sure that the man I am dating is genuinely interested in them. Not just acting it to get closer to me. They are impressionable young boys....
4. I will never date a man of low values. He has to be equally yoked with me and my core values. See the last sentence of #3

Ultimately I leave it all to God. It is His will as to who and when I date. Yes, there is a person or two I'm interested in now. But it's just that....dating. I will not get into a strict relationship until God shows it in my heart to me. Only He knows when I am ready for that.

Prayer requests

Please pray for my co-workers daughter in-law. She had a biopsy done 2 days ago. They called her yesterday...breast cancer. She goes in next Wednesday to a surgeon. She is 34 years old, 2 young, very beautiful daughters.
My co-worker has already had a rough year as it is. She lost her Father earlier this spring.

Trust

Some of you may know that I have a HUGE issue with trust. I've been burned by two men who I loved deeply. When I say burned...that it saying it lightly. It has hit to my inner core. I fear everything now. I want to love and be loved, but I am terrified. Simply terrified. I do not want to allow myself to get close to anyone. Why should I? To be hurt again?

It's not bitterness that makes me feel this way. I've forgiven these two men. They did what they did and they are the ones who have to stand before God one day. It is fear of history that makes me feel this way.

I get wonderful devotions in my in box daily from this website. Today I received an amazing one. I know that there is only One whom I can trust. This devotion sent me into tears today. To know that He loves me unconditionally...we have an awesome God!!

MIA!

I've been MIA for a few days. My boys have been on a week long vacation with their Dad in Wisconsin. Don't get me wrong. I adore my children. But, as a single Mom there are times when I need my own mini vacation!!

It has been a good week. I've been able to have grown up talk on the phone, with out being interrupted. I've been able to sit and have some adult beverages with my girlfriends(and a cutie-pie!). I've been able to keep up with my running without worry. I was able to sleep in on Saturday!!

In the same sense...I've missed the hugs. I've missed the kisses. I've missed the smiles I get for just being Mom. I've missed our dinner talks. We do 'high/low' & 'Question of the dinner'. Those make my evenings. The three of us get very involved with each other discussing the bad and good parts of the day. Our questions range from the deep (What do you think heaven will be like?) to the absolutely silly(If you had a superpower what would it be?)!!

I love my boys. As much as I've enjoyed have time alone, they complete me. They make me who I am. It is truly amazing what two munchkins can do to your life. How they can complete who you are as a person. I loved my before-kids life....but I completely ADORE my kid-life!!

WV Pictures

An epic battle of the Jedi's Logan and Uncle Ian!!



My sister Angie(who is due in October!), Aunt Jean, Mom & myself


This is my sister Angie, my Dad, stepMom Diana & myself. We just played a mean game of croquet! We always played this game growing up!

West Virginia

Just spent the holiday weekend in my hometown. My entire family, minus my Mom, lives there. Small town West Virginia. It was such a nice mini vacation.

I had an awesome surprise while there. My Mom, who lives in GA, came up for a visit. We had NO idea. It was so good to see her! I miss her so much!!!

The boys enjoy it there so much. My Dad has a farm and I don't leave it when I go! It's peaceful and quiet. We spend all of our time outside and just enjoying each other. My sister and her husband who are expecting their first child in October ,were there. My (step)brother and his wife was there. The boys love seeing their aunts & uncles and their cousins. Playing with the horses and the dogs..lighting fireworks. It's all fun to them and me!

Every time I leave I can't wait to head back. As much as I love it, I don't think I could ever move back there though. I'm a city gal. Not the small town girl. Hard on my family though. Especially after my divorce they wanted me to move back. I thought about it. I've thought about it several times. But our home is here.

I'll post some pictures in another day or two...I'm off to do laundry!!

And I ran...

So I'm training for my first ever 5k. It's the 4th Annual Molly Marine Run/Walk at Parris Island SC. Yes, the place where Marines are Born.
I joined the Marine Corps on a very hot summer day. June 6, 1995 was my first day at Parris Island. In true Marine Corps fashion we arrived at zero dark thirty in the morning. After a few hurdles I graduated September 22, 1995. It was, other than the days my boys were born, the proudest day of my life. I accomplished something that very few do. Very few women also. I joined an elite crowd. It was something that still amazes me to this day. I look back...wow...I did that!
I enjoyed my time in the Marine Corps so much. Yes, there were days that I wondered what the heck I was doing. Why did I ever do this? Why do I have to give 120% every minute just to prove myself in a 'man's world'? Why? But more times than not, I thought...'this is some pretty cool stuff'. I have memories to last a lifetime!! I have bonds that will make it through time. I have a connection to other Marines even if we never served together. It's that bond that makes the Marine Corps special.

Back to my running. :) This run I am doing is with a group of Marines that I don't know. We chatted online on our web site for awhile now. Most of us don't know each other, but we are doing this together. We have a big 'carb' dinner the night before at a fellow Marine's home. Then after the race we will be headed out to celebrate. The race & my birthday!

So I've been back to training. 5K is nothing. 3.2 miles. Used to run that and more before the sun was up!! But 10 years older ~ training is NOT as easy as it used to be. I'm working..and I'm running.