18 AND AMAZING!

Today we took our 18-year-old daughter to interview for a presidential scholarship at her soon to be collegiate home. She was nervous, although she played it cool. As we stood there waiting for the student ambassador to escort her to the interview, I just enjoyed basking in the light of her glory. At 18 she is just amazing. She is bright, dedicated, disciplined, and like the perfect corner brownie she is a little bit hard around the edges, but oh so warm and gooey on the inside. I feel so blessed to be in her life and cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.

FATHERS BE GOOD TO YOUR DAUGHTERS

So.....I'm sitting here watching VH1 STORYTELLERS. John Mayer is singing his songs acoustically and telling where they came from. I never really considered myself to be a John Mayer fan, but I LOVE this song. Have you ever heard it? The lyrics basically say: Fathers be good to your daughters. Daughters will love like you do. Girls become lovers, who turn into mothers. So mothers be good to your daughters, too.

He said this song was written when he desperately loved a girl that couldn't trust him enough to love him back. Turns out her trust issues stemmed from an unstable relationship with her father.

I just wanted to thank my girls' Dad, because above all he loves his girls---and tells them often. He is at their dance competitions....soccer games...baptisms...confirmation...softball games...Father Daughter Bowling...Easter egg hunts... Bowling...supper ...breakfast...lunch...recitals...Saturday afternoons...Prom...Coronation...college road trips...Scrabble games...vacations...bedtime stories...decorating the Christmas tree...making Christmas cookies...

My girls and I are lucky to have him.

INTERESTING SHOW AND TELL

Three is such a wonderful age. Remember our friend Davey? He took his dead hamster for show and tell today in his Dollywood Lunch Box. Before you panic, I should also tell you his hamster is imaginary, but I'm fairly certain his teacher thought it was an "interesting" show and tell. Mom reports that he has TONS of imaginary pets lately that he carries around in (imaginary) cages, dog carriers, etc, but this was the first time one died. While I am sad for Davey, I think this is a brilliant plan. Imaginary and stuffed...the two easiest animals to care for.

UH-OH

This story is not cute, adorable or warm and fuzzy. It is horrifying, awful and unbelievable. I just can't stop thinking about it. It's just crazy....I totally forgot to pick up my very wonderful friend's daughter today after school. Today our kids had a half day of school, so she asked me several days ago---I said, "Sure!" This morning she reminded me. I said, "Absolutely. Not a problem."

So, my husband and I take our youngest out to lunch at a local buffet. About 25 minutes into lunch it suddenly hits me.....OH MY GOODNESS!!! I forgot to pick up Madelyn. I called her mom to beg forgiveness. She did answer my call, so I think she forgives me. I LOVE YOU---and your beautiful stranded daughter--Denise! I'm SO SORRY!

I'M YOUR SUNSHINE

Last night after listening to country music, my little 3-yr-old friend Davey told his mom: "Mom, I'm the sunshine in your hair." So....We now know the secret to that gorgeous "shampoo commercial hair".

Earlier in the day Mom caught Davey praying and he was saying (all on his own) "God bwess Bwitty, and God bwess Mommy, and God bwess Daddy. and God bwess Kevin and God bwess Emma." Is there anything sweeter?

PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON

Let me tell you about my little handsome 3-year-old friend Davey. He definitely has an aversion to nudity and hates being naked. He hates it when anyone is naked...he shields his eyes and says "put your clothes on!"

The other day he told his mom: "Mommy you pwetty."
Then, he paused and decided to specify what he meant. "You pwetty with your clothes on. You not pwetty with your clothes off!"

Mom could have been pretty insulted, but she chose to laugh!

INSIDE RECESS

With temperatures in the 20's,our kids are unable to have outside recess at school. We teachers tend to cringe when those two words are announced over the PA system: INSIDE RECESS. While the students may find this fun and exciting, inside recess usually ends with broken toys, missing puzzle/game pieces, injuries, bickering, and, more times than not, bad behavior.


Always creative and diplomatic, second-grade teacher Denise held a class meeting with her children. They brainstormed ways to make inside recess better. At the end of the exercise, she had students write the one thing they would pick to do at recess. Her favorite response...HOT TUB PARTY.

OUT SMARTED BY A 5 YEAR OLD

Five-year-old Carter wanted his dad to help him build something. Dad really wasn't into it, until....

Carter: Dad, will you help me build something?
Dad: I'm not very good at building things. My Dad always built my stuff.
Carter: But...YOU are my Dad.
Dad: OH.....I guess you're right.

Out smarted by a five year old.

HOW BLESSED ARE WE?

Our dancing queen is a senior on her highschool dance team. All you soccer moms, hockey moms, baseball moms, dance moms.....you will understand when I say I CRY AT LEAST ONCE during every competition. Lately her Dad has even been tearing up. She is just so amazing when she's out on the floor.

Remember baby Corrine? She is now 12 days old. Her mom was so worried, because she just cries when she looks at Corrine. I reassured her that it's only the beginning. We moms cry when our babies are born, sleep like angels, go to kindergarten, get their first hit in t-ball, tell us they love us, tell us they hate us, have their hearts broken, make scary choices, go to the prom, go off to college........

It's just the nature of the beast. Yes, I use my fair share of tissue. Yes, my kids always stare to see how long it will take me to cry during the Disney movie. Yes, it's a guaranteed water works when the kids sing at church. That's okay....how blessed are we?!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE

Today's circle time activity in the Pre-K classroom was WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. The boys and girls worked with a partner. Each pair was given a picture that wasn't quite right, and they had to work together to figure out what was wrong with their picture. For example, one picture was a tricycle that didn't have a seat. Another picture was a parrot with tail feathers made out of colored pencils. Get the idea?
Each pair stands up in the circle one at a time. One partner shows the picture to the class while the other tells what's wrong with the picture. So, the kids are doing an amazing job. They are really getting into their work. They found penguins driving a car, two cats in a fully stocked refridgerator, the head of a lion on a quarter, and even a tiger in a kangaroo's pouch. Next up is little Bob and his partner. While the partner is showing the picture Bob steps up to share:
Well...its a lot of sheep showing their butts to an ostrich.
What's wrong with that picture?
P.S. I must confess I did laugh. Little Bob was just so serious and so proud he found what was wrong with the picture.

KISSING AND STUFF

Here's a story fresh off the phone lines from my friend Jen. I love the fact that she prefaced her story with I don't know if it's blog worthy, but...

Her first-grade son read a bed time story about a prince. One of the comprehension questions at the back of the book was the following: WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PRINCE? WHY OR WHY NOT? So..here is their conversation:


Jen: Would you like to be a prince?
Aiden: No
Jen: Why?
Aiden: A prince has to do all that kissing and stuff....and Mama, I'm just not that romantic.

I FORGIVE YOU

My wonderful friend Denise encouraged me to work out with her today. I recently received a free 2-month membership to her gym, so she was eager to show me all the equipment. To make a very long and painful story short....I survived! Denise is very aware of the benefits of eating healthy and exercising. Me, well I am also aware of the benefits, I just choose to ignore them. My philosophy is as follows: Working out can be painful and, dare I say, dangerous. (And I'm not even talking about falling off the tread mill!)

Just a few days ago Denise was home working out on her WII FIT and watching the biggest loser simultaneously. She was steppin'---which is basically just stepping up onto the WII FIT platform and stepping off over and over and over. Sadly, at one point, she stepped off the WII FIT and right onto her five-year-old's head.

I must admit, her reaction was the same as mine would have been. It went something like this: Carter, what are you doing down there? Then, when she figured out that a foot coming down on his head probably did hurt a little bit, she gave him some TLC and told him sorry. His response: I forgive you mom.

STOP, DROP, AND ROLL

During Fire Prevention Week last fall I was teaching in a pre-k classroom. On the final day we visited the local fire station. A fireman, dressed in all his gear, greeted us when we walked in. He helped the boys and girls understand that firemen are not scary. They are our friends. Also, we practiced what to do in case of fire. (Say it with me...) STOP...DROP...and ROLL!

So....we make it back to the classroom. We have snack. Then, the final activity of the day is to sing a rockin' rendition of a STOP, DROP, and ROLL song with Sesame Street characters as the students actually STOP...DROP...and ROLL during circle time.

As their "tickets home", students must come up one at a time and whisper in my ear the answer to this question: What do you do if you catch on fire? One after another, the boys and girls come up, whisper STOP, DROP, and ROLL in my ear, and pack up to go home. I'll admit it---at this point I'm feeling a bit cocky. It's been an extremely productive day, and I'm very confident that every student in the class will know what to do in case of emergency.

Only one student left-- Peyton. She bounces up to me with a bright, shiny face...just bursting with excitement. I can tell...My girl knows the answer to the all important question that one day could save her life.


Me: Peyton, what will you do if you catch on fire?
Peyton: (In a not-so-quiet whisper) STOP, ROCK, and ROLL!!!

MLK DAY

Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. I asked my eight-year-old daughter to share three facts with me about MLK. (She is the family historian.) This is what she came up with:

1. His first crib was a drawer.
2. MLK was shot while he was trying to get equal pay for garbagemen workers.
3. He liked to play pranks with his brother.

While I haven't checked these facts for accuracy, I'm fairly certain they are true. Her love of biographies is something I greatly admire in her.

THAT'S A WEIRD NAME

Ever have one of those conversations with a kid that just cracks you up, because they misunderstood what you said? This is one such occassion. I guarantee that after you read the below conversation, it will crack you up too---maybe even for days to come!

Here's the set up: Mama and her kids--driving down the highway--stopped at a red light by a gas station.

Passing car: HONK! HONK!
Son: Why is he honking at us?
Mama: He isn't honking at us, Honey. He is honking at his friend pumping gas.
Son: HMMM.....Pumpin' Gas...that's a wierd name.
True story!

WOW, MAMA!

As most parents know, getting the kids ready for school in the morning can be crazy and hectic. On one such morning, my friend Jen drove her kids to school. By the time she actually got them loaded in the car with their shoes and backpacks on, they were running extremely late. On the twenty minute drive she checked her watch frequently.
She began to list off each move the kids made---or in some cases didn't make--that put them behind schedule. Having ended her "mommy speech", she took one final glance at her watch. When she saw the time--and knew they would never make it---she said in frustration: Well....just great. The warning bell is ringing. We will never make it in time.....Oblivious to his mom's frustration, Five-year-old Aiden exclaimed in a very impressed voice: WOW, Mama!....You have GREAT EARS!

WHAT WILL BE YOUR LEGACY?

Today was a day filled with some sorrow, shared laughter, lots of emotion, and love. This evening visitation was held for Aunt Gladys. While we didn't have the opportunity to spend a great deal of time together, my mother has shared many fond memories of their times together. I delight in the stories Mom tells of the fun-loving, silly gal who liked to have fun back in the day. Mostly, I remember the amazing heart-shaped, jumbo sugar-cookies she would bake, decorate, and bring to our house on Valentine's Day. As luck would have it, her sugar-cookie recipe was recently found and passed down. Aunt Glady's cookie recipe and the heart-shaped cookie cutter Uncle Kenny hand-made especially for me will be a wonderful way to keep their memory alive with my own children and grandchildren each Valentine's Day.

Earlier today I attended the funeral of my very dear friend Deanna's mother. I adore the fact that while she mourned the loss of her mother, she will continue to celebrate the love they shared each and every day with her own children. She is taking all those warm, fuzzy, crazy moments she experienced with her mom that make her the woman she is today and passing all that love on to her own three children....because her mother was a stable, giving, loving, warm and nurturing woman that loved life, my friend is able to pass those same gifts on to her own children. What a wonderful legacy.

Deanna has three children. Her two older children are warm, loving and creative children that are more serious in nature. While the girls and I were visiting with her today she shared that her 3 year-old daughter Julia was a blessing during the very stressful days of Grandma's illness, because her bubbly personality brought a lot of joy and laughter that was desperately needed during this stressful time.

Case in point: Upon entering the funeral home with Mommy and Daddy-- who were making arrangements for her Grandma--Julia grabbed the funeral director's hand and exclaimed in a friendly voice, "Let's play hide and seek!" What a stress reliever!

This post is dedicated to Aunt Gladys and Deanna's mom--Mary. For what they brought to my life, I am grateful and my life is enriched for having known them.

GRAMMAR LESSON

Five-year-old Carter was at our local library during the weekly Reading Club. When his mom came into the room he proudly exclaimed Look(at my project)Mom! I even wrote my school name (on it), "Carter E dot"..."Dot" being the five-year-old explaination for a period.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE....LOVE (AND MANNERS) IS ALL YOU NEED

When a baby is born, Mommy and Daddy count fingers and toes, listen to the APGAR score, swaddle/swaddle/swaddle, and then they wait..... wait to hear the first amazing words come out of those sweet lips.

Will it be "Mama"? Will it be "Dada"? That's really what they want to know. What word will be recorded in the baby book next to first word? With every "goo" and "ga" they check with each other to see if they really heard what they thought they did.

As time goes by and Baby grows, Mommy and Daddy wait to hear those three precious words---I LOVE YOU! Sometimes when that historic moment comes, it's not all it was cracked up to be.

Little Ms. Julia is the perfect example.

Daddy: I love you, Julia.
Julia: I love you too, Daddy.
Mommy: I love you, Julia.
Julia: Thank you.

OH BABY

As I held 1 day old Corrine in my arms a brilliant idea occurred to me. There should be a mandatory law--world wide--that every government official must be holding a baby while making decisions that will impact people's lives. If that were the case, what a different world we would live in.

When you hold a baby in your arms, all is right with the world...just a thought!

P.S. Congratulations Tricia and Marc on your beautiful and smart new baby girl. She is truly a blessing to us all!

BOY GENIUS

Have you ever wandered what the mommies of Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, or Eli Whitney did when these budding boy geniuses did "experiments" around the house? I read this FB post of a dear friend a few weeks ago. She is in a quandary about what to do with her 9 year old son. I'm sure she would love any advice---especially if you are the parent of a boy genius. I just had to share.

The problem is that he isn't being "bad", he just needs to learn to think things through. For example, he duct taped his pajamas to the wall so that he could see if he could jump into them -- of course, the duct tape took the paint off the wall. He poured soda into the automatic ice maker in the freezer to make soda ice cubes and made a big mess. He tore up one of little sister's toys today to see how it worked. He never seems to do the same things twice -- he just does experiments and doesn't seem to realize how destructive he is. I try to see things from his point of view, but I also want him to think things through and learn to take care of our home and the other things that God has entrusted to us.
I have a feeling that twenty years from now we will be seeing GREAT THINGS from Isaac. He is one ingenious little boy!

BABY

As I sit here , I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a baby. NO, not my own. Sadly, those days are over. But...my childhood friend and her hubby are on their way to the hospital right this minute.

We have been friends for over 30 years and I am SO EXCITED for her--and her hubby whom I absolutely adore. Like most new parents, they are anxious, nervous and excited. While they may be nervous, I have NO DOUBT they will be AMAZING parents!

Here is one of MANY stories she shared during the pregnancy---
While shopping for the crib, the sales lady attempts to sell them a top of the line matress to go with their beautiful new crib. Without missing a beat, future Daddy Marc replies: Well, Jesus slept on hay and he turned out okay. What else have you got to show us? Is that a good dad, or what?

Happy Birthday

My 8-year-old daughter and I were at the store picking out the birthday gift for our little friend Max. In case you are wondering, this is the same Max with the "bossy Mama". Just to clarify, I (and thousands of others) do not believe Jen to be nearly as bossy as Max claims. After we found the gift we headed to the gift wrap aisle. I must admit, we were in a bit of a hurry, because Max's party was starting in 5 minutes. Am I the ONLY ONE this happens to?

My girl: (picks out a camouflage bag)
Me: I don't know if camo is a good idea for a two year old.
My girl: Well, he's not a baby anymore. Out of the pumpkin seat and into a car seat. He's a man.

P.S. Mr. Max loved his Elmo in the camo bag!

DON'T STOP BELIEVING...continued

4-year old Brayden with his heart-felt rendition of JOURNEY's "Don't Stop Believing"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY5mIu3OYss

DON'T STOP BELIEVING

Sometimes as we get older and face life's disappointments, it's easy to turn bitter, lose faith, or just have a bad attitude (I'm guilty, too!). One of the most endearing qualities children can have is the abaility to BELIEVE in themselves and the future and... to hold on to that feeling.

JOURNEY'S "Don't Stop Believing" has turned into a theme song for our 14-year-old son and his friends. They just love this song! Jarrod even used it as the theme for a class project in 8th Grade. (Of course, his dad and I think it's pretty cool he likes a song we actually know the words too!) In a time when the media seems to focus on all the negatives, it's a refreshing change to believe in the future and eachother.

4-year old Breden sums it up with his heart-felt performance of JOURNEY's "Don't Stop Believing" ---TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY...stay tuned for the video

BOSSY!

The call came in early this morning.

Her: Do you want to hear what my one-year-old just said to me?

Me: Sure

Her: "Mama, you bossy?"

Me: (giggle, giggle, giggle)

Her: I couldn't believe it, so I asked him, "Max, did you just call me bossy"

Max: "Yep, you bossy!"

Me: Well, that makes the blog!

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What's the funniest thing your toddler ever said to you?

CHRISTMAS IS OFFICALLY OVER

Last night we packed up the last of the Christmas decorations and stored them away for another year. Special thanks to my hubby, who took all the ornaments off the tree, layered them into the ornament tub--breaking not a one--and shoved the tree back into the box. Why is it that no matter how hard you try the tree NEVER fits back into the box? For that matter, why do all the Christmas decorations NEVER seem to fit quite right going back into the tubs they were so lovingly taken out just one short month ago??????????????

One final Christmas memory to share...
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Six-year-old Aiden had a solo for the Christmas program at his church. In the weeks leading up to the program, the children practiced their songs religiously (pun intended!). It was finally Aiden's turn to rehearse his solo--"Go Tell It On The Mountain". In a loud, enthusiastic voice he began, "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go!" Gotta love him!

I JUST MADE HISTORY

I get a text from my eight-year-old daughter on New Year's Eve: I JUST MADE HISTORY. Hmmmmmmmmm....What does that mean? I must stop at this point to give a little background. First, and most importantly, I feel the need to make the disclaimer that big sister bought little sister a cell phone for Christmas---NOT Mom. I still believe eight is a wee bit young for a cell phone. Second, our youngest is a history buff. Her favorite activity this past summer was a trip to Lincoln's Museum...her favorite spot at the library is the Biography Section. Third, she was texting from a local FIRST NIGHT(creative environment).

So...Does that mean she broke some world record? Did she accomplish some feat previously unreached by any other? Did she win some trivia contest? Is she the youngest person to perform an amazing trick?

Turns out she literally "made history". With clay, plastic army men, popsicle sticks and beads my baby recreated THE BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR.

As we move into a new deacade (can you BELIEVE that?), I am reminded that things are not always what they seem. There is always more than one way to explain a situation. AND.... kids are ALWAYS full of surprises!

How Do You Know When It's Love?

There are many ways to tell if someone loves you, but sometimes we just miss the signs. It could be a little love note, a hug, a kiss, a fountain SPRITE brought home to you unexpectedly......You just have to look for the signs.

5-year-old Carter explained to his mom why she should never doubt his love: "You know I love you, because I always mention it to you."
That's love.

Have a little "Man Time"

Date night went well. We made it approximately 3 1/2 hours into GONE WITH THE WIND before the first phone call came: "What did you have for supper?" the whispery voice asked.
No...it was not some prank call. It was our youngest calling in from Grandma's house, where she was spending the night in luxury. We talked for about 2-3 minutes and then we hung up with an agreement to see each other first thing tomorrow, which is today.


GWTW continues...Baby Bonnie has just died in the horse back riding accident when in comes phone call number two: "I miss you." While I love for my kids to miss, love, and appreciate me, this did not bode well for date night. The whispery voice on the other line was now a little weepy. "Do you want me to come and get you?" I offered. "No, I will stay," came the brave little reply.

We snuggle back up on the couch. More drama with GWTW. Melly is on her death bed...Scarlet is saying her good byes...in comes call number three. (heavy breathing)...and then, "Will you stay with me?". I offer to just come and see her for a little bit. So...at 11:38 I bundle up and head out into the 12 degree weather to change snuggle partners. Upon my arrival I snuggle with her and watch TV. She wants me to stay. I tell her, "Dad will be lonely." Her reply, "So...he can have some 'man time'." I stayed.

Welcome!

Here's the deal....Two of my best friends in the entire world called me. Two seperate phone calls. Two seperate days. Both with the same idea..... "YOU NEED TO START A BLOG" After watching JULIE AND JULIA (not even with each other)they both KNEW that's what I needed to do.

Did I mention that 8 short years ago I "retired" from my teaching job to be a stay at home mom and write children's books? Having much success with the cooking, cleaning, laundry, homework, cheering, shoe-finding, taxiing, tear-wiping, germ-fighting, American-Girl-Doll-party-hosting, I decided it was time to get serious about the writing!!!

So...in true we-love-you-and-we-will-get-you-motivated fashion my girls are giving me the kick I need.

So....Welcome to my blog! Whether it's a GOD THING or a friend thing it's my new thing and I'm glad you're here. I have to go, because my hubby and I are having a rare date night and GONE WITH THE WIND is calling...but let me leave you with one of my favorite KID stories.

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Aiden approaches the alter with his momma for communion.
He looks to the left.
He looks to the right.
He announces in a happy voice, "Well, hope everyone is hungry!"