Being a Tough Girl

Well this weekend was absolutely wonderful!

My one weekend a month started out getting a pay raise that I wasn't expecting. Woo Hoo! But the list in my head of things to do didn't completely get accomplished but good things were completed none the less.

Cassie's best friend, Heather, whom she met in boot camp and went on to join her in Florida for schooling, was stationed in Oklahoma City at Tinker AFB. She turned down a chance at being stationed in Hawaii to be near Cassie. So the least I could do was go pick her up and show her a better side of Oklahoma before she wondered "What was I thinking?"

She's a sweet girl, we had lunch, went shopping, then off to my house to meet Bambi and go walk in the woods. She seemed to really like it and LOVED Bambi (how could she not?) then Amber and Camaron came later to pick her up and take her to his house to hang out and enjoy the hot tub, etc...

They'll be taking her back this evening on their way back to his job and place nearby for the next workweek.

Meanwhile....back at the ranch... :)~

Back to my original subject.. being a tough girl. I'm always bragging about my kids...ALL of them... I wish I would have done HALF the things my kids have done but, no, I've opted to stand back and be the supportive one.

It was a big wake up call when my son went off to the Army. I was not going to have a "man around the house" anymore. Okay, fine...the shock and realization that I was really on my own really hit home then. That was dealt with and going to see him with the girls on that fantastic road trip was like a revelation that, "Oh yeah, us girls will do just fine!"

"Chicks Rule!" is what the little magnet on the refrigerator says..

Amber has already proven herself, going off to a university and earning her degree in business. Her carrying Randy and me through the hard time years of divorce was something I will never forget. I'm so glad she's back at home, being the strong one like she's been since she showed signs of being the "other mother" as a toddler.

Seeing how strong my kids can be... and so proud of the fact that I had a hand in them turning out so well...

I wonder, sometimes... how the hell I came to be such a not so tough girl?

The things they've done, the amazingly strong people they've come across and learned from... (and at times, the people they've learned NOT to attach themselves to.) Then, in their strength, learned to grow from that experience...

My kids, all three of them, have turned out to be the most respected and admired individuals in my lifetime that I can possibly revere. I cannot possibly attain the accomplishments my kids have achieved.

I might try to portray a "tough girl" image at times, but in my heart I know I'm no where near being what my kids have become. That's really good enough for me though.

But sometimes... I don't feel like such a tough girl...

A nice hug from Bambi sure makes me feel good though....

And knowing the kids are all set in the place they need to be at the moment is a good feeling..

Sandy