Wow! Another One!

Ok. So this one might be one I've given myself. *shrug* I'm not really sure, and honestly... if I waited for my kids to do it, it would probably be awarded posthumously.

However, everyone else is allowed to vote. Sort of. I think. This might be more along the lines of driving traffic. BUT... if you click on the Top Momma button up there, and from there click on the picture of the two boys and the dog, it gets me votes in some sort of popularity contest. I mean.... it keeps my blog in the rotation for lots of exposure. ;)

Its also a great way to find more blogs to read. I know, I know. Some of you are a bit apprehensive about Mommy Blogs. But I'm tellin' ya... we're not all about bragging on our kids. At least, quite a few of us aren't. In fact, there is a large contingent of Mommy bloggers out there that have begun looking at our offspring more like blog fodder than anything else. Honestly, its like we're all raising the next generations of comic relief. Or politicians. Could be the same thing, though. :)

And today is Veteran's Day. You're all off work and looking for something to do. While I know that traditionally (and rightfully so, so please don't take offense at my next words... because I know I've mentioned in here that I come from a military family --dad: Marine Corps; Rodeo Cowboy, a.k.a. JD: Army; The Baby Brother: Navy-- and so you all know that I have total respect and love for our Armed Forces and all that they have done and continue to do for our country.) this holiday is set aside for honoring our Armed Forces, I would like to point out that all moms are Veterans, too.

When our children are babies, we fight the wars against the worst diapers and gas imaginable.

When toddlers, the war is against the constant stream of snot that never seems to stop running out of their noses.

When small children, our battles then are against the monsters in the closets and under the beds.

Once they reach school age, often our battles are internal. How many do we allow them to fight on their own before we step in?

Teenagers.... these battles are often the fiercest, hardest fought, and hardest won. The war on drugs? Begins in our own homes. The battle to convince your teenager that sex at that age really isn't everything its cracked up to be? Fought on a daily basis. This particular stage of the siege is almost always the one with the least rewards and recognition, too. Being a parent to a teenager is a very under appreciated position.

I haven't yet gotten to the next level. I have no idea how it feels to be a parent to an adult child. Or a grandparent. I can tell you, though, that having survived being a parent to a teenager, these parents deserve some awesome respect!

So, to wrap this up and tie it all together nicely.....

Its Veteran's Day. I'm a mama who's been actively fighting battles for the last 14 years. Go honor my veteran status and vote for me as a Top Momma!

Please? Pretty please? With cream and sugar on top? Maybe even a cherry?