duct tape, happy people, and baby kisses

my oldest son is now 12... almost a teenager... it scares me to death, but i suppose ill get through it.. we get on him alot about being annoying making stupid sounds constantly, and of course the ongoing issue of his messy room...which yes it is dissorderly, but it could be alot worse... but since ive been thinking more about making the most of my kids childhood- since they wont be little forever- and he is not so little anymore...ive come to realize that it isnt so important to constantly be on him about it... its his room, why does it bother me so badly. now- im not going to let it get too out of hand. because he needs to have some responsibility in life for his belongings. but the crap he has in his room gets on my nerves, and i dont think it should... for example, he is in this mode of wanting to make stuff with duct tape...where my husband and i think it is ridiculous and stupid, i am trying to be sensitive to his feelings, and not roll my eyes too much in front of him...and im about to break down and buy him a roll of it just because...i have to keep reminding myself, and my husband that things that are stupid to us, are not so stupid to a 12 yr. old... i remember collecting gum wrappers, to make chains- a collection that served no real purpose and i thought it was pretty cool... im sure my mom thought it was dumb too...

    i really think that if i not let the little things get to me like stressing over junky stuff in jakes room, it will help me be happier in general and make the days a little happier for my kids too.

since jacob has started middle school, he also gets to start going to youth group at church... i actually got out of bed and got the kids ready to go to church this morning! we havent been there since like mothers day...mostly because i tend to be a night owl since mike works nights, and i am lazy and dont want to get up in the mornings.  but when i do go, i feel so much better afterwards... and i truly enjoy seeing people that go to my church... especially the happy ones...lol   you know those people that always seem happy, and just being around them tends to brighten your day...that is how the youth group leaders are...dave and mandy are so super nice, and always seem happy, greeting you with smiles and friendly faces... then there is my friend diane, she always makes me smile... it is so true a statement that if you surround yourself with happy people, you will be happier too.  they are the kind of people that i strive to be like. thought it really saddened me to hear that my always happy friend diane had been feeling blue lately, i never imagined it possible...and the people pleaser in me came busting out pulling out a little cheer me up kind of book for her... so why cant i do that for myself when i feel depressed?   depression really stinks... i am completely unmotivated to do anything, i cant seem to make decisions easily, and everything seems to get onmy nerves... all i want to do is sleep...   then is when i need the crotchety old woman to jump out of me and smack me in the face and tell me that im wasting away the blessings i have in my life... i need to implement one of gretchens rules... act the way i want to feel! 

back to my blue friend for a second... i gave her a book that i have had since college... it was 10,000 things to be happy about... basically it is pages and pages of little things, simple things, to be happy about...(some things wont apply to everyone, but others will) like- the smell of fresh cut grass, or bright colored kites in a bright blue sky, or making snow angels... just a few examples...  i had highlighted different random things in it but i havent read it in years... so i think im going to start my own list, some of which im sure are in that book somewhere, but these are things i think ill start listing at the end of my posts- things that have popped into my head sometime during that day for any reason- today for some reason, i just couldnt get enough of masons baby kisses... of course at 5 months he cant really kiss, but he opens his little slobbery mouth and smooshes it on my cheek...they are so sweet, and he gets so tickled! it makes me smile just thinking about it...

my happy list:

• baby kisses
• gumballs in a machine- like a miniature ball pit!
• my button basket- hundreds of buttons in a basket for crafting, love running my fingers through it
• satin ribbon
• farmers markets

i wish i had a record button for all the random thoughts that shoot through my head during the day, because i never remember everything i want to blog. oh well- be thankful, your boredom would last forever! lol...
till i ramble again...goodnight!