The Uncommon Compliment

This past weekend I attended the wedding of my brother-in-law and I got to visit with Sarah, his and the hubs' cousin: someone that over the years I've gotten to know pretty well and would even go so far as to call her a friend (not just one of those people I have to make nice with while at family gatherings).  We both have two beautiful blond boys, with our respective spouses, and having the growing pains that go along with watching our respective spawn grow in common is certainly one of the reasons we've become close.

While at the reception she came up to me and said, "Cassie, there are three things I remember about your and Michael's wedding" (almost seven years ago).  "#1: You told me I was gorgeous, and no other woman has ever told me that.  It put me on Cloud 9; it made me feel so good!"  #2 & #3 aren't really pertinent to this post, and somewhat personal so I won't go into them...none ya!

And as most weddings are one expensive blur (at least if you're doing them right), I have no recollection of telling Sarah she was gorgeous, or really even speaking to her for that matter... 

But, clearly such a small gesture made during a haze of alcohol and random people giving me a hug (oh the uncomfortableness!) and telling me "Congrats" or "You look so beautiful" (I really wanted to ask the majority of them if they'd ever tell a bride she was not beautiful - I'm aware you "have" to say that, but really you don't...I'm sexy and I know it!) made a lasting impression on her.

For those of you that know me, know I'm pretty much straightforward, not too "girly"; some have even gone so far as to say that I should have been a dude (thanks Dad!).  Ya, I don't hand out too many compliments, because well if you're doing something right or well, that's how you should be doing it (don't ever attach your name to something unless you're proud of it!)...if you're wearing a cute outfit, well, you need to be dressing how you want people to see you (classy of course!).  I know this about myself, is it a flaw?  Hmm, maybe to those sensitive types, I don't know... poTAYto, poTAHto...I am who I am, and I try not to make too many excuses for it.  But at the same time, I do get a "lift" myself when I get complimented for dawning a cute pair of shoes or outfit, or a job well done...ahh, finally to point of the post ...

Some have told me that when they do receive one of my rare compliments, they know it's completely sincere because the compliments are just that... so rare: I don't divvy them out to everyone for every little thing...

 Sarah's comments got me to thinking, should I start making a better effort to actually articulate my thoughts when I do see someone wearing a cute pair of shoes or a doing a certain task well?  Would it really make that big of difference?  It did to Sarah.  Or should I keep my compliments uncommon and reserve them for those EXTRA SPECIAL circumstances?

The little one's future is so bright....

OOOhh, look at me: it's been less than week (I think!) and I'm back at the blogpost gettin' my type on!!  

My last post was gushing about the midget, and since there are two Hs, I try my darnedest to make sure everything is equitable.  Of course the midget has almost a three-year head start compared to the little one, so he's always going to have more pictures, more new toys, more new clothes, etc.... but moving forward everything for the HBros is as equal as possible!

So here's a blog post dedicated to the little one...and his new obsession: SUNGLASSES!!!  These particular sunglasses were a party favor the HBros received from attending a friend's luau-themed birthday party a couple of weeks ago - and since then, the little one has worn them pretty much everywhere he goes! 

During snack time!

During outings!

Whilst brushing his teeth!

Whilst checking out some fire trucks!

At the pool...(I mean, sunglasses are expected here!)

The little one is such a funny little dude: he marches to the beat of his own drum, and makes no excuses for it.  He's not even two yet, and he's already got a personality that is unrivaled, his own style (that clearly incorporates shades), and a temper that is unmatched!  His favorite words are "lovie", "mine", and "NO"!  To say that he is the "proverbial second child" would be an understatement!  All that said, he does love to snuggle and still isn't "too big" to divvy out kisses to Mama (I'll take those as long as he'll give 'em!).

While the little one certainly keeps us on our toes, we do enjoy the "challenge" and can't image our life without him!  He's destined for great things just like his big brother: his future is so bright, he's got to wear sunglasses 24/7!!

MARVELOUS MIDGET: Tony Hawk to Michael Phelps

Well hey there y'all!!!  Been awhile, wouldn't you say?  Ya, I'm still uncertain if the blog life is for me...mainly because every time I go back and read a posted blog (ya, ya, 1 of the now 3) I find something I want to change: grammar, a better word, sentence structure and well, ain't no body got time for that!  But I did have to take time out to gush and brag (although it ain't braggin' if it's the truth!) on my midget (H1)!  This weekend he reminded me just how awesome of a little guy he is and incredibly lucky I am to be his mother:  #1 He's a fantastic big brother: not only did he share his precious 4-wheeler with the lil one (H2), but he actually took the time to PATIENTLY try and demonstrate how to drive it!  Hell, my parents weren't that patient OR nice when giving me driving lessons at 15!

#2 He's an incredible athlete!  At some point on Saturday he caught a portion of the Xgames on television...so Sunday morning he got his midget skateboard and immediately started doing midget skate tricks...I mean c'mon he's not even 5 and just picks this stuff up by watching professionals on television for a few minutes (here's a football midget, now let me introduce you to some guys named Brady and Manning)?!?

And then if that wasn't impressive enough he just took off swimming a few hours later while on a quick trip to the neighborhood pool...seriously who does that?  Ya, sure he's had swim lessons (LAST summer and the one prior) graciously and patiently given by his G-Mama, but the last lesson was over a year ago (essentially a quarter of his of life...I'm **cough, cough,** 32, **cough, cough**...I don't know that I could just pick up and do a skill that someone showed me 8 years ago...could you?).  The hubs and I were in the "big pool" and I happen to notice the midget zipping from side to side of the midget pool and got out to make sure he wasn't you know...drowning, and holy hell he was SWIMMING from side to side!  

"Hey, uh midget, do you know you're SUH-WIMMING?!?" 

From Tony Hawk to Michael Phelps all in a span of a few hours?  The midget is certainly destined for great things, now if the hubs and I can just be patient enough and have sense enough to guide and foster his talents... So often we as parents worry about our kids fitting into some "mold" that social media, blogs (pot calling the kettle black?), internet, etc. have created that we lose sight of our midgets being simply AMAZING just the way they are!! And, while they're not perfect, they don't have to be!

Until next time (I promise I'll try and post something a lil sooner than 2.5 months from now...someone please hold me to that!)...Keep it Classy!