The McMahon Family

Yep, another birthday came for me.  And I made out in the present department!

My beautiful flowers from my boys.

I have been wanting this gorgeous giraffe to sit on the table in my entry way.  Shannon has been not so enthusiastic about it.  But he loves me something awful and even wrapped it up pretty like for me.

Mom spoiled me with both of the Cub gnomes I wanted.

Front yard gnome

Backyard gnome

Then, the moment came when my age hit.  Even a year ago, if you had given me a plant for my birthday, I would have enjoyed its beauty but not been too overjoyed.  This year, Uncle Denny  and Aunt Nancy dropped off my present and it was a gorgeous patio planter!  I was so thrilled to see the gorgeous flowers that matched my potted flowers Mom and I put out this season.  I’m officially old that plants and flowers excite me as a present!!

We celebrated my birthday and mom’s birthday with dinner out.  I got our picture that we missed at Mother’s Day!

It was a super birthday and I had so much fun!

Of course, May was 90’s and now that we’re on summer vacation, the highs are in the 70’s.  Oh well.  We’re still having fun! Here is just a taste of what we’ve been up to.

Hanging out with cousins.

Cousin sleepovers.

Lots of fire pit evening dates.

TRYING to watch the cars arrive for the car show. Didn't turn out so well.

And riding on the new tire swing at Grandma and Grandpa's.

June is off to a good start. 🙂

As a rule, I don’t listen to secular radio stations in the car with the kids (this does not mean they don’t listen to secular music, just not radio stations where I can’t control what is said and played!)  So the other day, I was alone flipping through the stations with the radio cranked (Holly, I totally relate right now!) when a song came on that took me back to high school days when I was footloose and fancy free.  All of the sudden I was back at Bradley’s watching everyone line dancing (even attempting it as I could still somewhat balance then).  And it hit me.  I don’t know what kind of music I like anymore.  I used to listen exclusively to country.  But that was so long ago.  These days I don’t usually tune in as the new stuff is so strange.  Nothing like the days of old country that I loved so much.  I do have a lot of current favorite rock songs, but even that music I find myself not listening to due to the language or message (and trust me, I love a good love song!).  But as a rule, I don’t know what my ‘favorite’ music is and that made me feel old.

Remember when we were young?  We KNEW what we liked.  I could spout off for you what I liked or preferred in every area of my life.  I could give you advice on how to live your life and what decisions to make because I knew it all.  Now? I know nothing.  I’m floundering with how to be the perfect parent.  How to be the perfect spouse.  How to be the perfect sister.  I’m not miserable.  Quite the opposite.  I’m very happy with my life.  I’m just…old and floundering with my identity.  I’m buried in my duties.  When did I get a job with a lot of pressure, two kids, a mortgage, car payments?  How did I get here?   Who am I?

I started wrestling with this the last couple of weeks.  Then God answered.  You’re mine, Daughter.  Just live and enjoy.  It was truly freeing and comforting to hear those words (and it was almost an audible answer!)  So that’s what I’m doing. 🙂

Today, Mac started his baseball career.  He was so excited all day knowing that his first t-ball game was in the evening.  To honor the momentous day, he requested playing Go, Cubs, Go over and over at full volume in the car.  They both sang along whole heartedly, until I got the camera going.  Then it got quiet.  So, here’s a snippit of what I could get.

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We showed up at the field for a great night.  They started a game after warm ups and throwing practice.  Then they had to stop the game and teach the team where to run once they hit the ball! Hilarious!

He started at first base.

He was assigned first base along with this girl.  They made quite a team taking turns covering the bag.  During this inning, the coaches noticed the kids didn’t know where to run, so they stopped the game and had them all run the bases together…

Then each kid individually. Mac was first!

Then on to batting.  While he was waiting to bat, he said, “I hope I hit a home run!!”

Mac on deck.

Mac was the last batter, so he got to run all the bases straight through.  His homerun!

Then to DQ for a post game snack.

Me: What did you have for lunch?

Patrick: I ate all my chicken timbers!

hehe