Crystal Clear...sort of.

I frequently will have moments in my life that make me stand back and realize exactly where I am and how great things are. I have recently had one of those moments. I wish I felt free enough to elaborate completely here about the details that made me open my eyes this time. But I don't.

I will say that it made me hug my kids tighter and tell them all how simply amazing I think they are. It made me remind my husband just how great that I think he is and how very much I appreciate him, because I sometimes get so caught up in all that I am doing everywhere else to do that.

These moments always get me refocused and re energized. At this moment, it was exactly what I needed.

Because If I don't, I will certainly explode

Tonight, we receive a phone call from the president of our association. He tells us that there is someone in the community that has complained about where a guest of ours has parked his vehicle for the past two days. It is parked street side, just off the grass at the front of our home. According to our DOC book, this is where we are allowed to park. The ONLY place that we can park aside from our driveway. Not blocking sidewalks, not parking on the grass. That is where the truck is. But..we are being asked to move it because someone in our neighborhood complained. WE got asked to move. WE are not violating any of our rules. WE have been parking guest vehicles in the same spot since February when we moved in. Now, it is an issue. We are following the rules. I will say it one more time: WE ARE FOLLOWING THE RULES.

So, I ask our lovely president where we are supposed to park and do ya know what he told me? Park in the grass. Yes. In the grass. Where our DOC books says we are not allowed to park. Then he tells me that he is just giving me a "heads up" because the guy who complained also sent photos of the truck parked in this spot and mentioned the calling the police because we are blocking the road. So again...WE were asked to move the truck.

Our President, who we were under the impression was our friend, told said complainer that he would get us to move the truck. US. Who were following the rules. The same ones who have been busting their asses to try to help this community. The same ones who are paying all of our damn dues on time each month. The same ones who caught up the fucking dues from the past owner when their lives fell to hell and they had to vacate the house. The same ones who have been trying to get people involved in and caring for our lovely little community. US! Rather than growing a set of balls and explaining to the complainer that we were indeed not doing a damn thing wrong, he tossed us right under the damn bus. Then showed up here telling me that I shouldn't be upset because we were "friends".

Friends have each others backs. Friends stand up for each other.

So...today, I resigned from the violations committee. I also told him that we weren't hosting any more community meetings or events. Nor would we be attending the meetings, or supporting this community the way we have been. Because ya know, apparently, I don't have as many friends here as I thought. It's just a spot to keep my house. Not a neighborhood full of family like I thought it was. I get it now.

Wow, it really is all just politics.

Come in Normalcy

It has come to my attention lately that my hub and I are the only normal parents that we know. Really. We actually spend time with our kids. We don't bitch about that like it's an unforgivable sin that we are "stuck with these damn kids". We LIKE ours. We don't pawn ours off on others. If we can't take them with us to a function, or leave them safely at home for a little smidge of time, we just don't go. We don't take turns with the parenting duties. I don't resent my hub nor do I tell him that it's his turn because raising responsible and loving kids is a joint effort...a 24/7 joint effort. Although I do sometimes require a time out so I don't blow a gasket...these are few and far between for me.

I plan my days around doing things with the kids and I try really hard to make sure that the three of them know how absolutely cool that I think they are. My kids are appreciated and loved...and they know that. I don't bitch about what a huge burden they are to me. It was my choice and privilege to become a Mom and I am kinda digging that job. In all of its ups and downs.

I know people who "can't cope" with their kids so they "take breaks" from them.(Ie: ship them off to family and friends to deal with) What does that say to your kids? I think it screams "I don't want to put in efforts for you nor am I willing to stick by you for the hard stuff". Yeah. Feel that love.

I protect them at all costs...even if that means letting them learn tough lessons. Only I stand next to them while they learn those lessons. I am honest with my kids and I am open with them about all that life is tossing around.

My issue lately is...as i slowly realize how insane some of the families around us are...its getting kinda lonely. Would an ad on Craigslist be out of the question?

Adventurous Mom of teens and pre teens looking for other fwk (families with kids) to hang out and otherwise befriend. Kids must possess an innate sense of humor, a brain and the ability to laugh without being a big, fat crybaby. Whining is not tolerated in any circumstance. Couple must be supportive of each other, not mind PDA's of others and not spend their time explaining what a worthless piece of shit your partner is. Sexual orientation not a factor. Values and morals are a must.