Life With a Teenage Daughter

Feeling tired...yet creative

2007-04-26T11:08:00.000-05:00

It's been MONTHS since I last posted. My kids keep me so busy, I barely have time to reply to my emails. Having a 2-year-old is a lot of work. :)

Well, my doctor has put me on Ambien CR because I can't sleep at night. Two nights of restful sleep...whew! But today I'm still feeling tired. I don't think it's the medicine...I just feel back to myself. I'd get a good night sleep, but still feel so tired in the morning...like wanting a nap before noon. So, for the last 2 mornings, I've taken some excedrin to "wake up." I'm sick of feeling like this.

I have this burst of creativity going on, but this tiredness is keeping me from doing anything. Plus, once I get started, it's really hard for me to stop & if I'm interrupted, I'm not very happy. I have to go back to the orthopedic doctor today to get the MRI results from my knee. It's been bothering me for a while & really hurting when I drive. It's so weird. And since I have to leave soon, the creativity will have to wait!

My daughter turned 15 today. WOW....did I just say that?! I have a FIFTEEN year old daughter. Wasn't it just yesterday I was only 25?! LOL. School is almost over, therefore she will be on the "SR High" team next year. I am dumbfounded. Where have all the years gone?! My baby has turned into a beautiful young lady. I am so proud of her and all her accomplishments. She is taking French & 4 AP classes this year. She wants to graduate with Honors!! I don't know what I will do when I'm sitting in the audience watching my daughter graduate high school. It's only three short years away and it will be here and gone before I know it. To my dearest Shelby, I love you sweetie!!!!

For Tonda

2006-11-30T14:51:00.000-06:00

Well, I did it! I found my friend a new puppy! This is Teddy. Short for Teddy Bear! He is a yorkie and he's so precious! I almost kept him for myself. He's Abby's half brother. Brayden got way too attached to him & cried when I was leaving to bring him to Tonda. It was so sad! (He's over it now...we just have to go visit him.) I tied a blue bow around his neck & put him in an Arbonne box. I told the kids to stay in the other room as Shelby & I gave him to her. I told her right off the bat that if she didn't want "it," it was ok. When she opened the box, her face & reaction was priceless. The kids couldn't handle it & came into the kitchen. It was so sweet! I am so thankful for everything she has done for me...even though she'll probably think it's not a lot, it is. She is my mentor. The one I can trust when I need someone to talk to about 'teenage' issues. She's a single mom (with 2 kids) and she's the one I go to for advice. She's just awesome & I don't think she knows how much she means to me! So, Tonda - Thank you for everything...for being there, for listening, for sharing, for caring, for loving us unconditionally, for not judging, but most of all - thanks for being You. I love ya girl!

Flower Pot & Graduation

2006-09-25T11:17:00.000-05:00

This is a Flower Pot I made for Shelby's best friend, "Nelly." Her room is brown & turquiose, so I tried to match it as much as possible. The photo in the back is printed turquoise and white (like black and white) and the girls have those little plastic barretts in their hair...so I made them both a different color and made them stand out. I love it! It was so much fun putting it together, but a pain in the rear as well b/c I was trying to hurry so I could give it to her the night of their high school open house. I put "Friends Forever" on the base of the pot. The flowers are scrapbook paper - designed by my friend Janna. She's living her dream designing for Junkitz - a scrapbook company. Anyway, I hope you like it.

The weather here is starting to turn "weird." It's cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon, cool at night.....it's FALL - my favorite season! I can't complain - I love it. Oh, I'm still working on organizing my kitchen!!! This is my 6th day of doing it! I'm soooo ready to get it finished - I'm sick of doing it.

Update: I took Abby to the vet the other day to get her shots - they also had to give her THREE stitches where those idiots cut her (at the grooming place). It cost me $50! I took the bill to them & they said they'd bring a check to me the next day - it's been 4 days since then. They told me that if it ever happens again, they have a charge account at a local vets office for incidents like this --- tell me, what kind of groomer has a charge acct. at a vets office?!?! And why in the world would they ever think I'd bring her back after that?! I have heard horror stories about this place! I heard they killed a dog & that they told the owner it ran off...

My brother graduates from Basic Training October 6. I really want to go, but I can't get the kids situated for me to be able to. He really wants me to be there - and I REALLY want to go! I am so proud of him and this accomplishment. He's had a blast (more fun than he thought, he actually loves it) & we are all so proud of him. He basically went from living on the streets, doing drugs & drinking to becoming a responsible man. (OK, so I can't really give him credit just yet, but it's a start!) He's 27 and it's about time he grew up! He has 5 weeks of AIT after this - they'll leave shortly after graduation for Missouri. Then he'll be home to do his '1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year.' He got a $20,000 sign on bonus. I think that's what encouraged him to join! (I'm glad cause he owes me $1,000! - haha!) If I get some pictures of graduation, I'll post them. I've been trying for over three hours to post this picture - whats up with blogger?! Here's one of the 2 of us together the night before he left... I was being a nerd, but enjoying myself! :)

Organization

2006-09-20T18:27:00.000-05:00

I love organization, however I'm the most unorganized person I know. (With the exception of my mother and her mother...) I have started in my kitchen "fall" cleaning. I've thrown away 2 garbage bags of trash & I've only cleaned out 4 cabinets. (I have 6 more to go, 6 plus drawers.) It's time - I'm in the mood - and it needs to be done. I watched the season premier of "Super Nanny" this week - with the pirates...good grief - anyway, one of the wives does organizational stuff & her 3 questions were...
1. Do you need it?
2. Do you love it?
3. Will it make you money?
If you can't answer 'yes' to any of these questions, get rid of it! I've even thrown stuff away that I could sell in a yard sale, but who has time! I don't even want to store it until I have time to take it to the salvation army...it will only collect dust & probably never get done. So, away it goes. Can you believe I have 9 casserole dishes? Where did they come from?! Who needs NINE of them?! I'm sending two to my mother in law & one to my mom. I have a few pans I'm giving to my grandmother as well. Who knows what else I might find! I'm anxious to get it done so I can start on my bedroom...including the horrid closet! I'm going to get rid of clothing after clothing! Who knows where it will end up! Probably a 'lot' on ebay, knowing me!
So, my dog got butchered this weekend! I took a picture to the groomer and told them, "This is what I want her to look like. I don't want her shaved..." Well, they shaved her legs, her belly, her booty & her eyes & nose. They did not touch her back, head or neck. PLUS, they CUT her! Her little leg looks like it needs stitches! I'm so pissed. (Excuse the harshness, but I am...) I'm thinking about calling or writing them and getting my money back. Oh, YES, I paid for it!!! I'll post a picture when I can.

Do you have a second grader? Or have you? Is school a little tougher for them this year or what? Brady is an "A" student at all times. He might've brought home 2 or 3 D's all last year & he's brought home 3, I think, so far this year. The teacher said she's having a hard time getting them to listen to her for some reason...it's not just him. He's in the top level & she's only there 3 days a week, so who knows. Hopefully it will get better.

Mason got a hold of my orange sharpie marker this morning & colored his left leg...his pajamas...my tile...who knows what I haven't found yet. This is the story of my life. :)

In Memory of Alfie...

2006-09-08T10:05:00.000-05:00

I posted a precious picture of Abby with her big brother Alfie last week and Tonda called me yesterday telling me that Alfie had died. He'd been a little sick, but was getting over it. She went home after work to get him so she could bring him with her to pick the kids up from school. Tanner (her son) was so attached to Alfie (all of them were)....I just know he's going to have a really hard time with it. They were the only boys in the family!!! She has a daughter & 3 other GIRL dogs. Please say a little prayer for them. She was devastated when she found him. I called the man we got them from to see if he might have anymore. He has a few that are about to deliver, but he wants an arm and a leg for them! We were very fortunate to get these pups at a great price! As small as Abby is, I could sell her for $2,000. BUT - they have legs that don't work like they should. Instead of them bending at the knee, they are straight. Alfie hopped around like a bunny ... both his back legs were this way...it was so cute! When Abby gets to running fast, she'll pull her right leg up to the side (it's the only one like that). The vets say it's just like a kid being born with a deformality. It's not a big deal. Neither are bothered by it. There's no way to replace little Alfie, but if I could afford to buy her another baby, I would!!! You don't know how bad I wish I could find one right now & bring it to her. She stayed home today. She's probably still asleep. I called & got no answer. They told me at work she was sick. My heart goes out to her.

NEW BABY!

2006-08-31T14:06:00.000-05:00

Meet the newest addition in our family!!! That's Abby (on the left) and her 'big' brother, Alfie. He belongs to one of my dearest friends. Can you believe the difference in size?! She weighs about 2 pounds & he looks 3 times as big, but only in size, not weight. They love playing together! They don't get to that often, but when they do, it's hilarious. It took me forever to get a picture of them both looking at me!

I tried to post yesterday, but I went to highlight my post so I could change the font & the color & dear little Mason came up and hit the keyboard, erasing EVERYTHING I had written. I was so mad. Doesn't blogger have something to fix that....like "UNDO!" They should add it somewhere!

Things are better with Shelby, a little. She apologized to Eric and me Sunday night. She called her dad to see if he could come over because "an apology means more in person." I had to do a double take & wonder where in the world my daughter had gone b/c this was not something she said! Her attitude is a little better, but it has to be b/c she has no "cool" clothes to wear. She has to earn them back, along with everything else in her room!! She has a bed & a dresser & that's it! I didn't go as drastic as the last time - I took her curtains down!!! (I was mad, ok?!)

She likes this junior now. I emailed a friend of mine who's son runs around with this boy & she "highly" recommended him. He's a 4.0 student, attends church, but goes to youth at a different church, wants to be an engineer, wonderful kid with great parents. OK, I'm happy with this one!! I've never met him & have no clue what he looks like. But at least he's a positive influence (in those areas) to my daughter. Honestly, I can't wait to meet him & I can't wait to hear if he likes her! :)

O Lord, may Shelby walk before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and do what is good in your eyes.

Thank You Jesus!

2006-08-28T14:15:00.000-05:00

"It's raining, it's pouring..." Praise God! We need the rain so bad, it's unreal. My mom said they were going to have to split up the kids in her town & send them to the next 2 towns because the rivers & lakes were almost dried up & they have no water. Luckily, she has a well, but ------- YUM...

We survived the first week of high school. OK, so we almost did. Nothing major with school, but we've had quite a ride this weekend. Let's just put it in terms like this - I found some notes written tomy daughter & a note written from my daugther that I wasn't real proud of. Her father was involved, along with both step-parents. But the details need to be left within the family. Nothing is wrong - everything is fine. She's not in trouble, just a 'thing' we took care of. BUT - please continue to pray for her. She is so vulnerable right now. She's one of those kids that don't just need attention, she requires it. This weekend was pure hell. I can't believe I'm dealing with some of the stuff I'm dealing with. I will be meeting with a counselor/psychatrist next week, then we'll schedule an appt. for her. I've even called the local Christian School for information to transfer her. The military school I checked into was in another state - AND $22,000 a year! I'm physically & emotionally exhausted. I take 'diet' pills for the metabolism boost - to stay awake (they don't work for losing weight) & I just can't function right now. I'm seriously about to pass out, but it's almost time for me to leave & go get the kids at school. If I fall asleep, I'm liable not to wake up in time. Also, please pray for me - that God gives me the strength to deal with this & get through it. I will be honest - it's tearing my marriage apart. I don't know what to do or how to deal with it...how to deal with any of it. I just know that God won't put anything in my life that I can't handle - but right now, I'm wondering. I am sick at my stomach, I don't want to eat, I have no energy - and I really have no desire to pick her up at school because it's just easier not to have to put up with her crap. -----OK, so does that make me a horrible mother?!

Well, on that note, I completely forgot that I was going to clean out her room today, so I guess I should go do that so she'll have a "surprise" waiting for her at home.

Our 3rd Day Alone...

2006-08-23T15:19:00.000-05:00

The 1st day of school for the kids was great. As soon as Eric got home, he was asking Brayden how his day went. Of course for a 2nd grader, it's not much, "Fine," he said. So I said, "He thinks his teacher is pretty." Eric then said, "You do? You think your teacher is pretty?" Brayden, not saying words like this, said, "Yeah. She was *beautiful* today." My heart just melted. It was so cute. He has a crush on his teacher!!! And you can bet I walked him in the 2nd day just so I could tell her that!

Later at dinner, I asked him if he had a girlfriend (that's something we don't push b/c we think he's too young to have a girlfriend), but he said - several times - "Mom, I don't want to talk about it." So finally Eric said, "Brayden, just tell your mom her name so she'll quit nagging." (That's his favorite word for me - nagging.) He looked at me and said, "Mom, I told you I don't want to talk about Sara." Oh yes...we still like Sara - and we have for quite some time. She is a cutie (and lives on the same road we do)! You can go here to view her picture... http://www.junkitz.com/designers/blog/images/Sara%20first%20day1.jpg

Shelby had a great 1st day of HIGH SCHOOL. She was telling me about it before she even got the door opened when I picked her up. She is taking 4 AP (advanced placement) classes and French I. She loves French. She said she enjoys most of her classes. However, she doesn't have lunch with her best friend & she's not happy about that. She said there are only about 5 freshman that have B lunch. But she does have it with Tyler...he lives down the road (about 6 houses down) & he's my friends son. They've actually gotten pretty close over the summer. He's in 10th grade...a super sweetheart (and CUTE at that). So she hangs out with him at lunch and after school.

She hasn't said too much about any of the older boys. Only that she found out the name of one guy she thought was "Hot." But I can't think of it. I think she's really enjoying the high school life. I'm just waiting for my life to turn to pure hell - life with a teenage daughter - when all the older boys start calling; start asking her out; possibly ask her to prom. OOOOOHHHH what will I do?! Eric has a great questionaire that he's going to ask each boy that enters our home. She thinks it's hilarious! I'll be anxious to see if he really uses it & what their answers will be. If I can find it, I'll post some of it on here.

Mason is napping. He's been quite a handful today. Into everything as usual. I've had to duct tape my pantry shut b/c he's gotten everything out - baby food, hot roll mix, cookies, etc. and thrown them in the trash. I need a Nanny! I'm listening to one of my new fav. songs. "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder. I honestly don't know why I like it. It goes against everything I believe (unfaithfullness) and I'm not too sure about the band. I've never heard of them, but I still love the song. When I watch the video, well, I think I'll keep that comment to myself. You can see it for yourself & probably get the gist of what I was thinking. www.hinderonline.com (click to enter - then in the center, click under New Video, Lips of an Angel)

I have a ton of errands to do, but it rained for 2 staright hours this morning & by the time it slacked up, it was lunch & nap time for little May-Mo. (That's one of his nicknames) So, I've been inside all day long. I needed to go to Tracy's house today to get my business supplies for Arbonne. Yep, signed up to sell it. I'm pretty anxious about getting started & I hope that it turns out well for me. I'd really like to get to where they provide that Mercedes-Benz for me, so I don't have to buy it! :) Yes, I know - I don't want much! Maybe one day. Eric got a new black Mustang GT last year & yesterday got his company vehicle - a black 2007 Chevy Avalanche. Yep, we love black vehicles. Although mine is charcoal. It's the mom-mobile...and Expedition. So with 2 new cars in a year, I'm really wanting a new one. A black Expedition Limited or Lincoln Navigator. I keep begging for my Merc. GL series, but I don't see it happening ANY time soon.

I guess I should get my kitchen cleaned so I can start my dishwasher soon. I really need to plan dinner tonight too. We've been eating whatever I throw together. Last night it was Macaroni & meat with some corn. Yum, huh?! It's simple, fast & easy. (Just what I like.)

There She Goes...

2006-08-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

Yes, there she goes. My baby is crossing the street for the first time and about to enter HIGH SCHOOL. I can't believe it. Time sure flies, doesn't it?! It just seems like yesterday that *I* was in high school and now I'm dropping Shelby off ... OOOOHHHH, I'm dropping her off to all those older BOYS! My heart aches. My body hurts. I'm so sad. Does this make me old?! How can I be old? I'm not even 32 yet. To top it off, my dear friend Christy just reminded me that all the older boys will be scoping out the new freshmen. Wasn't that nice of her?! :)

This is a picture of Shelby (in black) with her friend Cody & best friend, Danielle. Yeah, I hear it every now and then about how HOT Cody is. He's a sweet boy, but I do have to remember he's a teenager with raging hormones. Danielle called as I was dropping Shelby off & made us come across the street so they could "walk in together." I remember the first day of 9th grade. My best friend, Brandi and I dressed alike. She wore a black and neon orange outfit & I had the exact same thing, except mine was neon green. Lordy, what were we thinking?! I wish I had a picture of that!!! It would give us a good laugh for today!

Brayden started 2nd grade. He was pretty excited about it. He asked me to bring my camera in b/c he wanted a picture of him with his teacher. Isn't she a doll?! I've known her pretty much my entire life. I was best friends with her step-sister growing up, so I was around her a lot. She just had a baby 9 weeks ago. I don't know how she left her! Anyway, Mason was a nightmare while we were there. I chased him all over the school. It's a wonder I'm not 100 pounds! Not only that, I can't even get off 5 pounds chasing him! haha

Brayden is such a quiet person until he gets used to his surroundings, so I'm sure he won't give his teacher any trouble. I just can't believe he's the "old" one in his school now. (It's K-2). He'll be starting a new school next year...but let's not get that far yet. Here he is at his desk! You can see the little nightmare in the background (Mason) - he thinks he's big enough for school! But I couldn't talk Brayden's teacher into letting him stay!

And last, but not least, just a photo of the kids on their 1st day of school. (Brayden is weighted down with school supplies - that's why he's standing so funny - b/c I forgot to bring them to open house! It was at 6pm last week & I thought it was at 7 - I found the paper 15 minutes before we had to be there!!) Shelby got her bag at American Eagle. No more backpacks for this high schooler! Yeah, she's too old for that kind of stuff now. Danielle has the same one, just in khaki.

Now on to other things... Eric and I celebrated our 8th anniversary a week ago. I can't believe we've been married that long - and we've been together 10 1/2 years! WOW! He was 29 years old when I met him...and in January, he'll be 40! I was 21 at the time & will be 32 in November. Shelby was only 3 1/2! We've had quite a ride & I look forward to the rest! He bought me a new kitchen table for our anniversary (I got it a month early) and he took me to eat at a wonderful restaurant Saturday night. We then went to the mall to pick up his suit that he bought the previous weekend & walked around for a little while. I got the Nickelback CD at Target. It was really nice to get away together without the kids hounding us every 2 seconds. I can't wait for him to put that suit on - he's already HOT & Sexy as it is... :) He dresses up every day, but when he puts that suit on, it's another story!!!

Well, this YOUNG mom with OLD kids is signing out for today....

CONCERT - Soul II Soul Tour

2006-07-31T14:38:00.000-05:00

Hey all... I know I haven't posted in a few months. I just don't really have the time to do it anymore. When I have free time, I'm usually playing with the kids or working on my photos from Yellowstone. (We went earlier this month.) And majority of the time, I don't get to do that because the kids are at my feet wanting or needing something. Shelby has cheer practice in the mornings at 9am-11:30, then volleyball practice from 11:30 to 1pm (at different schools). So I'm usually running around like a crazy woman. It really puts a damper on things - since Mason usually takes a nap at 11:30 or 12. So, as I said - when I have free time, it's usually enjoying my kidos, or cleaning this house!!!

I wanted to share my pictures from the concert I just attended....Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - their Soul II Soul Tour. That was the best concert! Of course, I'm the biggest Faith Hill fan ever. I adore & admire her so much. She is just awesome. The show was awesome. My tickets/seats were awesome. I had lower level seating, row 6, which ended up being more like row 3. (And I only bought the tickets 3 days before the show!) As you can see, she's really close to us & she even touched my hand. My husband thinks I'm nuts & wonders how old I really am. It's just the little things like this that excite me. I know it's crazy...

She started the concert on my side - Tim was across the way. (They came up through the bottom of the stage.) I think I might've gotten teary-eyed as they sang their first duet. Yes, they started the show together, ended her segment together & then ended the show together - singing 2-3 duets. I was in awe!!! They are my all time favorite LOVE couple. I would be devastated if anything ever happened to them! They are truly an inspiration!! I know no one has the perfect marriage, but they show the true meaning of 'love.'

The show started about 8:30 and ended a little after 11pm. (We got back home around 2am...the boys were with my mom; Shelby was with her dad at her grandpas.) It was just a dream come true for me. I had a blast with my hubby & you can bet if they come back this way, I'll be there - hopefully in the same seats!! I think I'll try to bring my kids with me though - they tend to capture the attention of Tim & Faith a lot more than the adults! :) Well, I hope you enjoy the photos...I sure do!

Later!

TODAY...

2006-05-25T16:09:00.000-05:00

I am much better. I've been fighting off a sore throat (possibly strep) and I have a Beijo purse party tomorrow night. If I'm still not up to par, Shelby is going to host it for me! I have no idea who will be here and who won't.

The past 3 weeks have been tough. I got the stomach virus, but thankfully it only lasted 6 hours. The next Saturday we went hiking & Eric got it. Late Sat. night, Brayden got it. He threw up less than a foot from the bathroom - and I had the carpets cleaned the week before! Oh my, was it gross. He was fine on Monday, his birthday, but that night while he was asleep in my bed, he threw up again. I was oh-so-happy that he did it on my pillow...that's now in the trash. That same evening, Mason got it, so I was up all night with him while Eric was on the couch. I didn't sleep a wink because I was afraid he'd throw up and I wouldn't hear him. He was fine the next day. Eric was down for a couple of days, but got better right before his trip to CA. He called me at one point and said, "Brooke Shields and Jennifer Anniston are at our hotel eating lunch..." He called another day and said he was about 20 feet away from Janet Jackson. After that, I told him not to call me anymore. :) He was home for a day & then off to Portland. I've had more stuff going on while he's been gone...juggling all these kids and their activities - all overlapping with me running around with my head cut off. Oh, I don't have hair anymore - I pulled it all out this week. HAHA!!! j/k

So anyway, Tuesday I woke up with a sore throat & felt icky all day (one of those, run-around-all-day-trying-to-figure-out-how-you're-going-to-get-your-other-kid-where-they-need-to-be, days). Shelby had a dental appt at 4, Brayden had to be at his game at 5, it was over at 7 & Shelby had to be at the clinic for a physical at 6:45....see what I mean?! I was in bed by 7:30! (She had a friend bring her home) The next day I was so achy, it was unreal. I guess I had a slight case of strep....I'm better today, but tired & the sore throat is still lingering.

Oh yeah - my dear friend Christy is having a baby!!! She's been trying for over 6 years to get pregnant & she found out this week. She is soooo happy, but I think I might be just as happy as her! I can't put it in words how ecstatic I am! Heck, she's already looking at bedding & I'm telling her we can paint the nursery. I'm having baby fever again, so I guess that's part of the reason I'm so excited. Three kids is enough for me! AND my friend Amber is about to pop any day. The photographer I used to work for had his baby yesterday & my life-long friend, Lynn is having her baby June 9. Guess I have lots of little ones to spoil (and get my fix from)!

OK, so the latest on Shelby - you know, life with a teenage daughter --- I found on her myspace account where she was talking to guys from CA & GA & posting on others how "hot" they were...telling some where she was from (city and state). The boy from GA said something about his "dick" and how he masterbated in front of his webcam. I went off. She is no longer allowed to use the computer. No internet for sure. The 2 'blogs' she has will be deleted, she can't I.M. (which is really important to her) and she can't check her email (unless I'm over her shoulder). It's been a huge ordeal. I swear these teenagers have NO idea what they're getting themselves (and their families) involved in. They post WAY too much info for anyone to see. Internet predators are out there...and I'm not going to allow them to find my daughter! (You frequenters, you can see I've taken off a lot of not-so-common info from my blog...just in case!) Keep praying for me, for Shelby and for my sanity. I'm not sure I can deal with this much longer. She keeps pushing my buttons & they're about to explode!

I...

2006-05-15T14:05:00.000-05:00

I want...to be a better Christian, better mother, better wife, better friend.
I wish...for peace - no war.
I hate...mushrooms.
I am...a wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, niece --- happy, satisfied, content.
I miss...my great grandmother.
I hear...the television in the other room.
I wonder...what Heaven will be like.
I regret...2 things - marrying Shelby's dad (forced to) & not telling my great-grandmother I love her before she died.
I can't imagine...life without my husband, my kids, Jesus.
I am not...going to take crap off anyone!!
I dance...all the time. It's great exercise for me - and to aggrivate my kids, mostly Shelby.
I sing...all the time (alone). I love singing, I just don't have the voice. (I wish I did!)
I cry...at the drop of a hat.
I am not always...on the go - sometimes I relax & stay home. :)
I do have...a lot to be thankful for!!!
I would...love to be a morning person.
I make...my daughter laugh at my silliness.
I write...very seldom. I don't have much time for the computer anymore.
I confuse...myself!
I know...my husband loves me.
I should...keep a cleaner house, but who has time...I have 3 kids to do things with!
I start...writing emails & never finish them or send them.
I finish...dinner...that's about it. lol

For All My Favorite Mothers...

2006-05-14T17:45:00.000-05:00

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.
This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.
This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up Right away.
This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated!
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway?
Is it patience?
Compassion?
Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?
Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...
And mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them.
And pray.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

2006-05-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

That's me! Busy! I have had so much going on lately that I can't even function. Yesterday I made myself stay home. I only got out to bring the kids to school & pick them up. I cleaned ALL day and still didn't get to my bedroom! I had my carpets cleaned last week & majority of the stuff was still piled up, so I had to sort through it & get it organized - especially in my scrapbook room! The house looks nice, but still not as clean as I want it. My goal today is to START my bedroom & hope to finish it. And away a bunch of crap goes! I'm trashing it all!

From Brady's baseball practice & games, Shelby's end of the year functions, birthday's coming & going, Mother's Day, Eric's softball, etc. I'm swamped. I honestly don't think I've been home all day (during the week) all month, except for yesterday! Heck, I even have TWO dental appts. today! I'm exhausted.

I was sick this weekend & missed church Sunday. Shelby & I went shopping Saturday & my stomach had been hurting, but I figured it was because I'd had a cup of coffee on an empty stomach & possibly because of some pills I took. All of a sudden, I got that horrible taste in my mouth (cottonmouth) & said, "It's time to go!" We made it home, I changed clothes, looked at a car on Ebay with Eric, then went to lay down. Within an hour or so, I was throwing up & it didn't stop until about 1230am! I was never really sick. I never got the chills, fever, anything. Just pains in my stomach. I don't know if it was something I ate or a bug.... Guess I'll never know. I'm much better now, but -- ugh!

Shelby's fundraiser is officially over. I turned everything in today & she made about $295 for cheerleading! WOW! The cost this year is about $500, so that really helps me! The candles and stuff should be here next Friday. :)

On another note: Shelby had her birthday on the 26th & her dad never called to wish her a happy birthday! He did call about a week later & told her he had a card for her, but didn't mail it because he figured I wouldn't give it to her. That is such a crock! And the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I seriously doubt he even has a card, but needed to tell her something to cover his stupidity & make himself look good. I spoke with him the next day & told him about the cutting & suicidal thoughts. He blamed everything on me & told me that she was crazy because of me & b/c she lived with me. I told him he needed to make an appt. with her counselor to see who was at fault (him) b/c she saw her almost on a daily basis. He shut up quickly after that!!! Anyway, he called wanting Shelby to go with him to his dad's house this weekend but she can't b/c she has a field trip Saturday. He asked her to lunch last weekend, but guess what?! He never called back to come get her! It's his loss...I have her to myself now & have for about 8 months!

Well, gotta get back to cleaning my room. Have a beautiful day!

Super Freak!

2006-04-27T16:33:00.000-05:00

I wasn't technically tagged, but Christy wanted to know my 6 wierd things about me, so here goes...

1. I have a pant fetish! I love any type of pants...jeans, slacks, capris, pj's, sweats, work-out pants, etc. I own over 60 pair! I counted about 43 hanging in my closet & that's not counting the ones that were dirty or already clean, but hadn't been hung! I know it's crazy! I just bought 3 more pair this weekend! And I can't stand for the pockets on the back to be far away from the seam that goes down your booty crack - the further the pockets are away from it, the wider your booty looks! (And I hate shorts!)

2. I have to sleep in tight shirts (I can't stand to get tangled up in my clothes), with my hair completely off my face and neck. I can feel it even if one strand of hair is on me. It drives me in sane. I have to lay a certain way to go to sleep - on my right side, with my arm under my pillow, hand cupping the corner of the mattress, with an air pocket for me to breathe - I hate having covers on my face or feeling myself breathing. And I have to have my hubby play with my hair every night before I go to sleep. If he doesn't, I think he's mad...

3. I am such a germ freak! I hate public restrooms. I roll my paper towels down BEFORE I wash my hands, I scrub them, then I turn the water off with the towel. I also open the door with the towel too, then toss it in the trash. If there are no towels, I use my sleeve. Oh, and I hate to use hotel showers. It drives me crazy putting my feet into a tub where someone else's feet have been...who knows how clean they really are! Something else that bugs me is walking into a public restroom with no shoes on. That is so disgusting...I saw some MAN do that at the races in April. I was - oh, do I have to say it...

4. I cannot stand it when people do not tip at restaurants. If the service is bad, that's one thing. But come on... I always tip more than 20%. I know gratuity is only 15%, but I know how much those people get paid an hour, plus they do everything I ask and they clean up after me (and my kids) - don't you think it's worth 20%?! And if I eat lunch for $4.00, I tip at least $2-$3. They work just as hard as those who work at night, ya know?!

5. I can't stand open dresser drawers. Even slight cracks...a huge pet peeve of mine. Seriously, it drives me crazy! I know that's really wierd & I shouldn't sweat the small stuff, but I can't help it.

6. I hate wet socks. I rarely ever wear my shoes around the house (don't like shoe prints in the carpet) & when I step in something wet with my socks on, it really makes me mad! If Mason steps in something or I notice his socks are wet, off they come!!!

Some other things I've found on other blogs about being SUPER FREAKY that I can relate to ---
I get along better with men than women. I don't know why...but I do. If I had to choose between a room full of men or a room full of women (both of which I barely know), I'd go for the men.
I check my sheets at my hotels for creepy crawlies...
I have to sleep on the same side of the bed no matter where I am.
I mix my food - corn and mashed potatoes are my favorites.
I love organization, but I'm the most unorganized person I know!
I grind my teeth at night.
I hate change. The only "change" I like is rearranging my rooms or painting them a different color. I'm comfortable in the shoes I'm in...no need to change. I even have to park on the same side of our church every time!
I hate rides...even the merry-go-round. Brayden got me on Goofy's roller coaster in Disney World in December & I literally couldn't get off of it fast enough. I hummed to myself the entire time. I was terrified!
I'm terrified of heights too - even standing on the kitchen chair, I freak out about getting down! (I am getting better tho)

Tuesday's Treasure

2006-04-25T11:33:00.000-05:00

I said I'd post my 6 weirds today, but it's "Treasure" day and today I am going to write about my hubby.

We met at work in 1996 at a trucking company (where he's still employeed). He worked in Risk Management & I was a 'peon' in H.R. He had a strict policy that he didn't date anyone at work. Obviously he made an exception! We "hid" our dating for over a year (but people weren't stupid). I quit in 1997 - he proposed in March of 1998, we were married in August '98 and had Brayden 9 months & 1 day later! :) You know they say not to drink the water in Mexico...

I must say that he is my soulmate.
I love his eyes.
I love that he is so strong-minded and intelligent.
I love that we don't fight - but we agree to disagree.
I love his arms.
I love that he works out all the time.
I love that he loves to travel.
I love that he puts his family first...that he'd rather be home with us than playing golf (or anything of the sort).
I love the fact that he's so generous (he let me give a good friend of mine $300 today b/c times are hard in her life).
I love it that he wants to be a dad and that he is.
I love it when he wants to stay home with the kids when I do something with my friends & he doesn't think he's "babysitting."
I totally respect him.
I love his laugh...I love to hear him laugh.
He is my treasure.
He has given me more than I've ever dreamed of.
Without him...oh, I have no idea what I'd do.
Only God knows the love I have for him.

In the midst of --- Monday's Madness

2006-04-24T13:45:00.000-05:00

I don't have much to write about today...and if I did, it would be to complain about life & the trying times I'm having. So instead, I thought we could all be reminded of how simple life can be - if we allow it. But also why our world has become what it has......I hope you enjoy this - in the midst of Monday's Madness.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, December 18, 2005.

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?

I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (shewas murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Are you laughing?

As I said in the beginning, we tend to wonder why our world has become the way it has. Think about what it says above. We have allowed our system to remove GOD from our lives, our schools, our children. Where will it end? But when GOD allows something 'horrible' to happen to our world, we want to blame Him because He's not supposed to allow it to happen. But who said WE were allowed to remove Him? Why is it so easy to forget Him until something like Katrina happens? He is showing us He is still in control, but we continue to blame Him and push Him out of our lives - because after all, how could He let that happen? Think about it. Is your life headed in the direction you want it to? If not, WHY? Who is in control? It's not you!!!

It's the Mood!

2006-04-20T13:25:00.000-05:00

Today I am blah. I don't know if it's the weather - or just me. I have days like this here and there, but not that often. Shelby had a band concert contest this morning & I got to go! Mason is at the sitters. When I got home, that "mood" hit. ugh! I wanted to scrapbook today - possibly put the finishing touches on Mason's "DIRTY" layout, but I haven't touched it. I get inspired and discouraged when I look at a friends' stuff... Janna is awesome! She truly is an inspiration to me & I told her forever ago that she'd make it big one day --- and she has. She designs for junkitz, teaches at CKU's around the US, etc. I am so envious of her because she followed her dreams. I guess the 'discouragement' comes from the mood & the fact that I'm not as good as that. It would be a dream for me just to be published in a scrapbooking magazine, but they are soooo picky! So, I just give up. (Great attitude, huh?!) Again, it's the mood... I skim through my "Creative Sketches" magazine and wonder why in the world my layouts weren't picked for publishing. The ones they pick are sometimes so busy & they totally take away from the subject. All you see is paper...and I ask myself "Where are the pictures?!" I think to myself how my layouts were just as good, but still.........totally discouraging!

My house is a wreck. You can't even get through my bedroom for all the crap in the floor. I have so much stuff in that room, it's unreal. Clothes need to be hung, they need to be washed, stuff needs to be tossed & I just let it keep getting worse. I've got to turn on some upbeat music and get with it today. Blah is not me! But I can't get motivated at all today.

OK, so now you know I'm not perfect either. I have my moods, I have my days....we are entitled to them, right - we are women. I just need to snap out of it. But how?! I just roll my eyes at my frustration. Sometimes I wonder what my journey here on earth is... I have no career, I have no college education. God blessed me with creativity, but obviously not enough for some people. I'm not the greatest mom in the world, nor the greatest wife, so one can only wonder... Amanda said it perfectly on her blog..."God has a plan for your life" and I know he does, I just have to be patient. :)

Tuesday's Treasure...Who's Your Daddy

2006-04-18T17:31:00.000-05:00

Tuesday's Treasure is a little different today, but I hope you enjoy it!

Who's Your Daddy?
A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, "I hope he doesn't come over here." But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.
"Where are you folks from?" he asked in a friendly voice.
"Oklahoma," they answered.
"Great to have you here in Tennessee," the stranger said. "What do you do for a living?"
"I teach at a seminary," the professor replied.
"Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you."
And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.
The professor groaned and thought to himself, "Great ... Just what I need... another preacher story!"
The man started, "See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to anunwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'
He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad.
"When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?' But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.
Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, "Son, who's your daddy?"
The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy?'
This new preacher, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy ... "Wait a minute! I know who you are. I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God."
With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, "Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it."
With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God.'
The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, "Isn't that agreat story?"
The professor responded that it really was a great story! As the man turned to leave, he said, "You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!" And he walked away.
The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over & asked her, "Do you know who that man was who just left that was sitting at our table?"
The waitress grinned and said, "Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper. He's the former governor of Tennessee!"

So, Who's YOUR Daddy?

Easter

2006-04-17T13:47:00.000-05:00

Easter was so fun this year. Mason was such a hoot. Coloring eggs was an experience for him. He refused to wear the glove once he got ahold of an egg...so he just got a plain white egg! I have no idea what he is doing in the picture with his hand on his chin - just being silly, I guess. He wanted to lick & eat the egg too. ugh! During the easter egg 'painting,' we made Easter Story Cookies. That was a lot of fun. I think we all learned a little bit more about Easter. I didn't know they gave Jesus vinegar to drink while he was on the cross! Check it out: http://solidgospel.com/subpage.asp?StationId=SolGos&PageNo=89 (if you don't like nuts, substitute chocolate chips for the pecans - that's what we'll do next year!)
Mason got a huge Spongebob stuffed toy & his basket was full of SB stuff! When he saw it all on the couch, he did this little dance while he was walking towards it. It was so cute. Brayden got a new General Greivious (from Star Wars) & the expression on his face was priceless. (I'm so good at getting those shots too!) Shelby got 2 new shirts from American Eagle (good thing we'd gone shopping the week before cause she's so picky), tanning stuff & an AC/DC CD. She's into all the old stuff I listened to growing up. (Even Aerosmith & Bon Jovi!) She was thrilled.

We went to church (it was packed in the 2nd service - Eric even had to get up & get more chairs for people) We then came home & my aunt and uncle came down to watch the boys find eggs. That's them in the picture (with the kids). About 1pm, we headed up to Eric's parents for Easter "ham"burgers! :)

We tried to get my annual Easter pictures, but as you can see, no one wanted to cooperate. Brayden was mad (in the bottom picture) for some reason, Mason couldn't sit still & poor Shelby was trying to control him, all while her hair was all over the place. This is the best picture & Mason is blurry! Oh well - it's a story for their scrapbooks! The top pciture is a little blurry too - but at least they were both half smiling. Like their matching shirts?!

Last but not least, a pic of me and my dear hubby. We never get our picture made together, so I try every chance I get. Shelby took a few for us & this was the best one. If the pics are too small to see, click on them & they should come up larger. I hope you had a blessed Easter!

Oh, I almost forgot! Mason went to the doctor today for his 18 month check up. He didn't gain much weight at all (since 15 months - maybe 3 oz.) - in the 25%, but he took a huge growth spurt. He grew 4 inches in 3 months - in the 90%. He's doing great & she's so happy he's such a talker. (I may beg to differ at times! haha)

Texas Motor Speedway...

2006-04-12T19:12:00.000-05:00

Kasey Kahne won the race at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend!

We had a great weekend. We left Saturday morning at 8:30 and arrived at the track a little after 12. We did some shopping at the trailers (I got a new Dale Jr. shirt), then watched the Busch race. It was ok...not my cup of tea - I like the big boys (Nextel Cup). We checked in at the hotel & stayed for about an hour and a half before heading to Dallas (the West End) to eat at the Spaghetti Warehouse, then we went to Gator's for the boys to have a beer. A little after 10pm, we were headed back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.

Up at 6am to head to the track - for the race at 1. Yep, that's right. We were there a little after 8...after a stop to Starbuck's & Krispy Kreme. OH MY! I've never had a hot & fresh glazed donut from there. I think I could've eaten a dozen without thinking twice. I'm so glad we don't have one close to here!! It would ruin my diet for sure. The race was awesome. I tend to get a little loud when I attend these events. I haven't liked Jimmie Johnson since he won at Daytona with his arrogant speech afterwards, so when I saw him walking, I yelled "48 sucks" as loud as I could. He wasn't too far from us, so I'm sure he heard. You wouldn't believe the attentiont that got...and how many people clapped! Boy, there are all kinds at a Nascar race. You've got the guys who don't wear shirts (that need to), you've got girls who barely wear shirts, the guys in the stands that hold up signs that say "Show me yer tits" and the girls in the in-field that show them (yes, they do!), those with money, those without (and wonder how they even got in), those in between, the rednecks, man - I could go on! We left with about 80 laps left in the race, but listened to it on the radio...we wanted to beat the traffic. The first year it opened, we were there and it took over 2 hours just ot get out of the track. I slept the whole time, so it didn't matter to me. Jeff Burton won that race. We've been to 4 different tracks. We've had good seats (this weekend), we've had bad seats and we've had a private suite (Bristol). That was awesome.

Anyway, things have settled down here for the most part. I've been busy with my aunt since she got in town last week. Tuesday we went shopping in NWA, Wednesday in the Fort. I had to get the boys matching shirts for Easter & Brayden hates them b/c they have pink in them. It's a Tommy polo style shirt with navy, white & pink stripes. It was really the only thing I could find in both sizes, but it's cute & they will be adorable.

Last night I colored the top of Shelby's hair (the bottom part is dark brown & the top is blonde). Well, needless to say, she looks like Cruella now. It's not blonde - it's WHITE! I laughed my rear off last night when she came in to show me. She was so mad (as you can see in the picture) & telling me to shut up. :) But I couldn't help it. It was hilarious!!! We're going to have it fixed tomorrow!! I can't ruin my Easter pictures! She had to wear it up in a ponytail today, but everyone still noticed! :)

I hope you have a great weekend. I will try to post tomorrow. Brayden has practice in 20 minutes & I'm always late...so I better go.

GOD BLESS!

Nascar here we come!!

2006-04-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of us in Ponca (where we had our family reunion a few weeks ago). Mason was enjoying playing with Shelby's hair! :) This is also the picture I have on my checks now!

We are off to Dallas tomorrow morning. I'm so anxious, but dread the drive. I know it's only 5 hours, but I hate riding in a vehicle. Eric wants to take the mustang - I'm not sure about that. It will be an experience. But I'm so happy we are taking a weekend off - away from everything to spend together. Even tho he has 2 co-workers going (one with a wife & one with a cousin - b/c his wife, my friend, didn't want to go). I think it will be a blessing. We've needed some time alone for a LONG time! The last time we tried (just to go to dinner) was when Shelby was going through the attitude thing & she all of a sudden didn't feel well (as we were about to leave). It broke my heart that I couldn't spend 3 hours alone with him. I guess there was a reason we weren't supposed to go.....????

Saturday we will go to the Busch race. (I'd rather be shopping, but I don't know my way around & will, for sure, get lost.) I'm not really a Busch girl, I like my Nextel Cup guys. However, I don't really have a favorite this year. I still like Dale Jr. (8) and cutie Carl Edwards (99). Eric's favorite (and has been forever) is Mark Martin (6). I personally cannot stand Kevin Harvick (29) or Jimmie Johnson (48)...they are whiners. I used to be a big ANTI-Gordon (24) & Stewart (20), but they've calmed their attitudes down & aren't so arrogant anymore. It's actually nice watching them race - and I don't even mind if they win. We get to watch them race on Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. My mom is keeping all 3 kids, so it will be an experience for her - since she's never kept Mason. She's going to do her thing with them during the day & bring them back to our house to sleep. She thinks they will do much better here --- I think she just doesn't have the room for them at home. :)

Things have been going a lot better with Shelby. After Eric and I talked with her about "cutting" and "suicide," she seems to be doing well. Her attitude has changed somewhat & I've now given her clothes, make-up, bed & door back to her. (Can't remember if I mentioned that or not.) Oh, don't worry, the 'cutting' she was doing was with scissors & they were small scratches - almost looked like a cat scratched her. They weren't serious. But the 'suicide' thing, I took seriously - whether she was or not. Personally, I think she was doing it for the attention. She is seeking counselling at school & I was told that if I need to get her further help, they would inform me (if they thought she was actually serious). Needless to say, I haven't heard anything. And with all this stress, that's why I haven't been on here posting. I think somewhat, I've taken it out on a dear friend of mine (she knows who she is) and I'm sorry. I sometimes feel like everyone is out to get me, when in fact, it's the devil doing his part. This past month has been a long, hard battle for me. And as strong as I may seem on the outside, it's tearing me up on the inside. I don't tend to show my feelings that often!

On another note....The weather here is gorgeous today - after all the storms we've had the past 2 days. (Christy's blog tells you how it was.) I slept right through it last night. I've been sick - and since we'll be headed out tomorrow, I wanted to get some rest to fight it off. I dozed....oh, I mean I slept hard from about 6pm to 8:30 when Shelby came running in the Family Room (after hearing the tornado sirens) to kiss me & tell me she loves me. (She's such a hoot sometimes...and so dramatic.) Then I went to be at 9:20 & slept until 7 this morning. I dozed a little this afternoon, but not for long! I feel much better.

OH....Just thought I'd share with you that I'm soooooo happy my aunt is home! These 6 months will fly by & the 6 months she's in Arizona will drag!! She came down today to play with Mason. He cried when she left. Well, you know that little 'please don't go - and feel sorry for me' cry. He was really cute. Dispite him not feeling well. He has his very 1st ear infection! Yep, at almost 18 months, he's never had one before.

Well, it's almost time for me to get my kidos at school. It will be Monday before I try to post again. I hope you have a blessed weekend! Oh - and don't forget to look for God! He'll be the one standing right by your side!

Tuesday's Treasure

2006-04-04T20:42:00.000-05:00

OK...here's the deal. I've been on here 3 times trying to work on my post...and the computer has messed up once & I had to shut it down the 2nd time....... So all you get today is Tuesday's Treasure. I'll try to post tomorrow.

tell me 2 things no one knows about you
I hate the smell of fresh cut grass
I graduated Salutatorian of modeling class
tell me 1 thing you wish you could change
Marrying Shelby's father - big mistake!
tell me 1 thing you wish for
peace, happiness, prosperity
And to meet Faith Hill!!!

My MAMAW...

2006-03-28T13:03:00.000-06:00

18 years ago yesterday, I heard my great-grandmother tell me "I love you" for the last time. It didn't even look like her laying in that bed...and I barely understood her...and I remember every little detail about that night. Early the next morning (March 28), she passed away from cancer. I was only 13 years old. I didn't tell her that I love her...I don't know if it was because of my age and being embarrassed or if somehow I knew that it would be the last time. Maybe if I didn't say it, she wouldn't die. My great-grandfather had passed away 6 weeks before her at the age of 97. She once said, "I dont know if I'll ever shed a tear..." He was the reason she fought so hard & once he passed, she allowed that horrible disease to take over so she could be with him. She was the love of my life, I was her treasure - her favorite. (That's her & my great-grandfather, Mace -the one my son, Mason, is named after- and ME in the picture.)
Today I went to WM to get some flowers to take to the cemetery. I haven't been there in years. When I drive by, I always look, but can't bring myself to stop. It actually took me a few minutes to find the headstone...it's a flat one that lays on the ground. I hate it & I want them to have a big one - because they deserve it! And one day I'm going to replace it! My mom had a basket of fake flowers up, so I just put the fresh flowers in with them. I didn't stay long...I pulled a few weeds around the stone and wiped it off. When I couldn't see anymore for the tears, I knew it was time to go. Even after 18 years, I still have a hard time with it. I don't know that it ever gets easier. Sometimes I think it gets harder...especially when I look at my kids & know how much joy they would've brought to her life. She died at the young age of 79. (In Dec. 06, she would've been 98.) It's weird...she was 79, he was 97 - numbers reversed. The last 4 digits of their phone number was 1428 - he died Feb. 14, she died March 28. Someone once told me (when I told them this) that only I could come up with that! :)
I have so many wonderful memories of her. I even remember the night they took my Papaw to the nursing home. I was at her house every chance I got. I think I would've lived there if I could've! She taught me how to cook an egg omelet at 10 years old - or younger...; I burned her recliner one time when I took an omelet in to ask if it was done...she said every time she rubbed the arm of the chair, she thought of me; she had the most beautiful tulips in her garden & never once griped because I'd pick every single one of them and bring them to her; tulips are one of my favorite flowers; she got me hooked on Days of Our Lives - and I still watch it to this day; I remember seeing her fall down her steps one time; I remember her giving up her bed for guests; I remember burning my foot on her floor furnace; I remember her clearing her throat all the time - and when I do it, my family says, "OK Florence..." - that was her name, & I just grin; I remember sleeping with her & how she said I kicked her all the time; I remember aggrivating my brother just to get a rise out of her - I even have it recorded on a cassette tape!; I remember my little red rocking chair; I remember her last Christmas...she wanted to do something special for us so we'd remember it...so she had my grandma tie $5 bills together to make $50 & she put them in a box...there was a tag that read something like, "pull slowly" & here came a long tail of $5 bills - that was the coolest! I have so many memories that I'll never forget.
This is a picture of her cookie jar (don't look too close cause you'll see all the dust) - and yes, it always had cookies in it too! My aunt got it when Mamaw died and for my house warming gift (almost 7 years ago), she gave it to me...along with a card I'll treasure forever too. It was really hard to open a gift such as this...knowing that I was going to have to be responsible for it, but it IS my most treasured item I have. Whenever someone asks what I'd save in a fire, it's always 'my Mamaw's cookie jar' with no hesitation. I honestly cannot tell you how important it is to me. As I re-read my post, I am welled up with tears - I miss her so much and I wish I could go back to that day 18 years & 1 day ago to tell her how much I love her.......

--- In loving memory ---

Florence E. Schlegel ~ December 3, 1908 to March 28, 1988.

Weekend

2006-03-23T22:57:00.000-06:00

We are leaving tomorrow for Ponca. It's supposed to be a family reunion, but my mother-in-laws sister (Lucy) and her family aren't going to be able to make it. They found out that Lucy has an anurisim (not sure on spelling) in her stomach and doesn't need to be out in the woods if something were to happen. She is supposed to have surgery on the 13th. We haven't seen this side of the family since Lucy's husband died about 1-2 years ago. We used to have family reunions every year & stopped the year before their mother died (2002 or 3). It's so nice getting everyone together....such a HUGE family (for only 2 daughters). We reserved a dining room for 50 people! My husband is one of 5 kids.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I'll be gone for a few days. Please pray for Lucy --- and for me, as I just found something disturbing my daughter and some boy were writing back and forth about via email (and she barely knows him...he lives in another city close to us). Oh yeah, a mothers worst nightmare - at THIRTEEN! That 3 letter "s" word we all cringed at hearing our parents speak of...and that we cringe having to speak to our children about. UGH! She stresses me out to no end.

When Godly People Do Ungodly Things...

2006-03-22T19:50:00.000-06:00

by Beth Moore...
I had to share this with you...it's something in my workbook from a bible study I've been doing (title). Monday night was our last week...
Pursue and practice the sincere and sanctified life in the world.
This means behaving consistently whether we're in the world or in church. Believers experience much guilt from practicing the chameleon life of environmental adaptation. We only find relief when we ask God to invade our life and personality so fully that we become the same person at the shopping mall or restaurant that we are in church.
Stated another way, something is wrong if our coworkers would be shocked to learn that we go to church. Most believers don't work in environments where preaching to coworkers is part of their job description, but would coworkers find our behavior inconsistent with our professed belief system at church? Consistency is a tremendous relief and a vital component in a clean conscience.
The reason I write this is because I was once like this - 2 different people. I am slowly, but surely getting there. It has been a long road for me, but God is getting me where I need to be spiritually - for myself, my children & my husband. It's amazing watching (learning) the process. I hope that each of you that read this will allow it to sink in....then ask yourself the question "Do I behave consistantly in the world as I do in church?" If you do not attend church ask yourself this - would your friends by surprised to know that you pray daily?

On another note...here's the scrapbook box I made. I ended up doing it for Shelby and her friends. It's really cute in person! It's a 4.5x.4.5 box (with lid) that has white paper (covered in prints and solids) that zig zag into the box! I bought the box at WM for 67 cents and added everything to it myself!

Scrapping Day!

2006-03-22T08:59:00.000-06:00

That's right, I've got a friend coming over so I can get caught up on some scrapbooking. Who knows what I'm going to do! I have no pictures developed, so I guess I'll just fiddle around. I'm hoping to make a scrapbook box & if I do, I'll post it for y'all to see.
Shelby got her braces on Monday...just on the top (and they don't go all the way back). Pink rubber bands...imagine that! I don't know why her face is so swollen in the "after" picture!! Can you tell? I think she likes them tho. She's having a hard time getting used to them - she can't eat anything! But hey - at least it might tone down that smart mouth a little for fear I might pop her in the mouth. HAHA!!! (Wishful thinking, right?!) She had a friend spend the night last night; Brayden went to a friends & Eric is in Pennsylvania looking at land (for work). Oh, he's gotten over his mood thing. Hopefully we won't see anymore of those for a month (you know, PMS time) - lol.

Sorry it's been a few days since I've posted. I've been swamped with stuff. I got my house really clean Monday - well, the front rooms anyway - and it looked good. (I despise cleaning!) I have some more organizational stuff to do tomorrow - like move dishes so my hubby doesn't have a fit. His grandmother's dishes are on my bottom shelf in my pantry & he's afraid Mason will break them! (Me too!) For now, he can't open the cabinet - but you never know when that day might come. He's into everything & doing new things every day. It's so amazing. I told him 2 nights ago to stop growing. I totally miss my little baby...you know, the one you can hold in your arms and rock...and he won't try to squirm out of your lap. But he's just so darn cute...I do love this age too. To all you "moms" out there....Thanks for all you do! You are amazing women and God put these children in your lives because he knew you'd raise them right. Even tho sometimes we wonder what we're doing, we are doing HIS work. Keep it up!

Have a great day!

Stress

2006-03-19T15:43:00.000-06:00

Today has been one of those days. My dear hubby has been in a "mood" for the past few days and it's driving me insane. I swear I think they suffer PMS. We exchanged some 'not so nice' words on Friday night - all over my hair being in his sink!! geez! But by Sat. a.m., he was fine. Mood swing!!! Another day like that today. He must have some stress at work - who knows.

Today, Pastor Wes spoke about "Sexual Purity" - it was awesome. Our youth pastor and his wife gave their testimony. It's awesome to see someone like that give a testimony...you think, "Wow - they were actually like that?!" because they are such godly people. Each person spoke about the "man" - but I do know that we as women are at fault too! (Yes, I have always been faithful to my husband!) The men aren't always the ones that cheat........or lust after women (which is a sin too). Anyway, Our pastor has been in our church for about 5 years now. I'm Methodist (raised Baptist) and if you know the Methodist religion, you know they change pastors every 2 years. I must say, he is the best!! It's only obvious.

I just got finished cleaning up my scrapbook room. I still have a few things to do, but it's pretty organized. I'll see when I sit down to work - we'll see how long it takes me to find what I'm looking for. I have 2 friends coming over Wed. to scrap, so we'll see how functional this room is! My hubby bought me a new desk this weekend...it's really nice! I also got a new organizational system last week & I just got all my stuff in it. (I got 3 of them - check it out at www.stickerstadium.com) They are great for everything.

I guess I better get back to it. My house is a wreck...my bedroom is a disaster! It's storing all of Shelby's stuff until she straightens up! Speaking of, I've told her 3 times today to get busy in here - to get the house clean and she just screws around. "I'll do it tomorrow." Oh no she won't! She's getting braces tomorrow & I know it won't get done. I swear...these teenagers - I think God puts them in our lives to test our patience! lol

Have a great Sunday.

OFFICIAL....

2006-03-17T19:57:00.000-06:00

She made it! Shelby is now a 9th grade cheerleader!! wooo hooo!!!!!!! YOU GO GIRL.

2006-03-17T09:53:00.000-06:00

It's official - the painting is finished!! Like it? A little too orange for me, but oh well. I guess you could say it's a bright terracotta. The name of it is BROWN CLAY...??? Now for the hard part -- moving heavy furniture with sore muscles! It's almost there, with a little faith, I'll have it finished in about 30 minutes, then I'm going to organize all my scrapbook stuff. Wish me luck, because I hate organizing...however, it will look SO much better afterwards. I just organized my laundry room yesterday - put all my OTC meds in one basket, my RX meds in another & my laundry stuff in another...all on a shelf. You can actually see the top of my dryer now. For those that know me, it's always a mess ... usually hard to push the start button - cause I can't find it! lol

Tryouts are today! Shelby is nervous, I think. We worked on her dance this morning & I made her put some groove in those hips. She's really good. I don't have any doubt she won't make it...they need her as a flyer! But, she could get out there and blow it. The good thing is - there's no set limit as to how many cheerleaders they can have. 19 are trying out, 8 could make it or they all could. I think 22 are trying out for 8th grade. On another note, she didn't do Mock tryouts yesterday...lied to me about it - when I knew better. I was told she threw a fit & started crying and just refused to do it. Come to find out, there were about 50 people in the room. Heck, I'd throw a fit myself...I hate stuff like that!!! So, no biggie really. The person that told me was just concerned that she may not want to do it at all. I wonder myself sometimes...

Gotta get back to work. I'll let you know tonight if she makes it! Have a glorious day!

Painting Day!!!

2006-03-16T13:55:00.000-06:00

Here's Mason blowing bubbles on Sunday - this is what got his allergies going!! But he's so stinkin' cute!!!!!

Well, I'm 1/2 way done with my 2nd coat of paint. Once everything dries, I need to move my computer and a curio to finish painting 1/4 of a wall & about 2/3 of another one. I have to get some spackle today to fill some holes. My hubby wouldn't allow me to use toothpaste...guess I shouldn't have called him for advice. Oh well. I had to take a break for a while. My hand is killing me. The color I got isn't what I thought it was going to be. I wanted a terracotta, but it's more orangey, I guess. It's ok, just not what I wanted. And I'm not going to repaint! ugh...what a pain. Hubby was rushing me that day to pick a color, so I'll blame it on him!

Shelby has cheerleading tryouts tomorrow. Mock tryouts are today. She didn't want to do that, but she is! I found something last night that showed she sent a picture of me to some kid she barely knows so his DAD can see what I look like -- because he wanted to! I was furious! I also found *more* stuff showing how she continually goes behind my back doing things she's been told not to. Like I.M.ing her boyfriend while I was gone - when she wasn't supposed to be on the computer! Heck, I can't trust her with anything. I know, I know - that's small - don't sweat the small stuff, but it's the point. I'm seriously thinking about taking the cable modum when I leave so I know she can't get on. Report cards come out today, so we'll see if she's still grounded. With the crap she keeps pulling, it will be hard to give her these things back. I told her night before last that she needed to settle down when she had friends over. She tries way too hard to show off in front of them (that drives me insane). Then a friend came home with her yesterday & she's smarting her mouth off like crazy. I was ready to slap her! The friend even said something to her!! I think I'm going to have a nervous breakdown before too long. haha!

Gotta get back to painting. Tomorrow is TGIF!!! :}

2006-03-15T09:07:00.000-06:00

Today I've got to get my house organized so I can paint my scrapbook room tomorrow while Mason is at the sitters. After that, I'll only have 1 more big room to paint...my hallway...and the front bath. I've got to get someone to take down the wallpaper border though. I *hate* wallpaper....I can't believe I put it in my house! Yeah, I picked it out too.

I've been writing. It's not something I normally do. I wrote 3 childrens books about 4 or 5 years ago. They're still in my computer...no they are on a yellow sheet of paper somewhere. I never did anything with them. I guess because I don't know what to do! They were "The Adventures of Brayden Bear" for my son, Brayden. I wanted to start something about "Mason Monkey" but never did. Instead, I'm writing about 'teenagers' and things they go through. I'm on Chapter 5 - I had Shelby sit down last night and read it. She was talking about Ch 1 and how she wanted to know what was wrong with this particular girl...but it ended and she told me I needed to finish it. Later in the story she found out...then she couldn't stop reading. She said, "Mom, I was like - WHAT?! I had to go back and read it again." It was kind of funny - but made me feel good. I don't know that I will ever do anything with it, but it's meditation for me, I guess. It keeps my mind off my daily stresses (ha) and keeps me focused on these 'kids' in the book...and what they'll do next. I'm already thinking about the 2nd one.... That's really weird for me to concentrate on something like that. If I think it's good enough - and it keeps Shelby's attention (which is sometimes hard to do), I might send it off, but it's not in my plans right now. As I said - it keeps me focused on something else.

Mason's allergies are getting the best of him - for the past 3 days. He looks horrible. His eyes are puffy, watery, tired. His nose is red. My little angel doesn't feel good! But he's such a sport. He's playing Brayden's drums right now as I'm writing this. I can barely see him over them.

I'm hoping to post some pictures laster if I get time...

Have a tremendously blessed day!

Brilliant

2006-03-13T14:08:00.000-06:00

Today was so busy. I had so many errands to run & still didn't get them finished. I dropped off Laura's ice chest, went to the dentist, chiropractor, the hospital to see my grandpa, the salvation army (we cleaned out the garage!), the cleaners & I still have 3 more on my list for tomorrow! I had to get home b/c Mason's allergies were bugging him & he wasn't feeling too well. He was more than ready for a nap! Brayden tried his best this morning to tell me he wasn't feeling well so he could skip school. He went anyway! Shelby has cheer clinic this week & tryouts on Friday. (Keep her in your thoughts!) I think she's nervous...she has her back-handspring down, but doesn't have the confidence to do it alone. Anyway, I'm off to try to rest for 45 minutes....before Mason gets up & I have to be at school. I'm exhausted!

my laughter is contagious. my life is an adventure. because i am ... brilliant.

my beauty is natural. my outlook is sunny. because i am ... fresh.

my strength is loyalty. my friendship is genuine. because i am ... true.

my charm is effortless. my desire is romance. because i am ... captivating.

(taken from jcp flyer, introducing new product 'because i am' - an invitation to express the beauty that's exclusively yours. Sometimes we forget about ourselves & today I just wanted to remind you that you are brilliant, fresh, true & captivating.)

Sunday

2006-03-12T09:51:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm missing church again because of my back. I have no idea what I have done, but it hurts so bad! Friday night, I took 4 muscle relaxers in 3 hours. (Don't worry, they were all natural...and it was ok to do that) I went to bed & got some sleep. About 4am, I was up again. I went to get on the couch & took 2 tylenol with codeine. I finally went back to sleep, but when I moved, I hurt so bad. It's in a funny spot...right between my shoulder blades by my spine - going up into my neck. I was going to get up Saturday and run over to see the chiropractor, but I slept until after 9 & my nephew's birthday party was at 11. I also had to work a shift at the school carnival at 12:30, but Shelby did that for me. Later, Eric and I went to Lowes to get some curtains for our back doors...our blinds are broken - thanks to 2 little boys. :) I also got some paint in hopes to paint my dining room (aka my scrapbook room) this weekend...it's kind of a light terracotta. But I guess it will have to wait until this week. Maybe I can just prep the room... We watched the 4th Harry Potter & the entire time I was on a heating pad - on high. I got some sleep last night, but today it's hurting again. I can hold Mason - but picking him up from the floor is a little tough...I just do it slowly. Eric took the other 2 to church & I'm going to try to clean the kitchen - against his wishes. (But it will never get done if I don't!)

test

2006-03-10T18:32:00.000-06:00

testing

T.G.I.F.

2006-03-10T14:41:00.000-06:00

Oh, I felt it coming...I couldn't get to the medicine cabinet fast enough...the pain, it's throbbing, Oh Lord, please make it go away! That's right..I felt that great MIGRAINE coming! The pills didn't work fast enough --- or I didn't take them in time, cause I sent the boys to their room to watch some TV - I turned mine off & took a small cat nap on the couch. (Brayden is home from school today.) Finally...it's gone! Back to cleaning!! I mopped my kitchen today. We've lived here almost 7 years & I think I might've mopped my floor 5 times. Eric does it!! Along with the laundry.

Ok, so Shelby's tired of having these "conversations" - but she won't quit doing the stupid stuff. I found a note from this 'ex' boyfriend last night...something about breaking up, so I asked her when she broke up with him..."Three days ago," she said. I made her break up with him over 2 weeks ago...??? I said something about that & she said, "Well you knew about it...you said people told you." Yeah, but she denied every bit of it! (Even tho I knew better.) If she's tired of having conversations such as these, why does she keep doing these things? I keep asking myself and her that, but neither of us have an answer.

Thanks to my new buds - Gwen, mighty minnie & newmommy4god for your encouraging words! I'm so blessed to have met you!

So Christy's coming over to help me with my blog. I guess I'll go - I may write later, but the HOGS are playing, so who knows. TTFN.

I'm free today!!!

2006-03-09T14:16:00.000-06:00

My kidos...Brayden, Shelby & Mason...

Today my baby went to the babysitters for the 1st time. She has kept him before for a few hours while I went to the dentist, but he's staying all day. AND - it's storming really bad here. Sirens were going off, a building up the road has a roof blown off & 2x4's through walls...I'm here alone & my baby is elsewhere. Now, talk about feeling horrible! The hubby is on his way home from Dallas - I'm sure having the time of his life flying in this junk. ugh!

I had a dental appt. this morning at 9:30 - got outta there at 12:30!!! (I took them homemade cinnamon rolls & sourdough bread. They loved it!) Then I went to inventory my scrapbook stuff at our local coffee shop...made $126 - not bad for a days work. ha! I've got some other stuff to bring over, but I gotta find the time to do it. I came home afterwards to meet hubby, but he's not here yet. His flight was supposed to get here at 1:46 --- about 40 minutes ago and his phone is still turned off.

Last night, Shelby and I had another nice conversation about life... What is it about teenagers -- they think they know it all & we're complete idiots! Yeah, I know, I felt the same way about my mom. But come on, they have to give in at some point. She's mad at me b/c I made her break up with her boyfriend - whom I heard from the school nurse is a loser & a junky. She sees nothing wrong with that & thinks I "judge" her friends & boyfriends. I'm her mom & I want the best for her -- am I not supposed to be picky about who she runs with? She got in-school suspension about 2 weeks ago for skipping class. That is SO not my daughter. She's gone from a straight A student to 2 D's & 1 F on her mid-nine week report. She's brought the grades up & she says that she just didn't turn the work in. If that's so, what the heck is she doing in class?? I think our teachers are a little too leanient (not sure on the spelling). Her rebellious stage is stimulating from her 'oh-so-wonderful' father. He's in and out of her life all the time. He's on his 3rd marriage - ok, so maybe his 3rd divorce, who knows anymore... She doesn't like it when he calls his daughter, so he just doesn't do it until it's convenient for him. He is tearing her apart & he doesn't even care. And she takes it out on ME! I guess it's ok at times, but boy have I ever been stressed these past 2 weeks. I have wiped **everything** out of her room. I even took the door off it's hinges! She's such a great kid, I just don't understand this. I know it's a phase & it's gotta get worse before it gets better. We just need lots of prayer! That's the only way it's going to work. I've given the issues to God (even tho I still try to sort through them myself) and I know in time He will prevail.

My 1st Post

2006-03-08T22:31:00.000-06:00

OK...so here I am. I can't believe I've done this! I set up a blog...something I swore I'd never do. I'm a very personal & private person & the last thing I want is to post my life on the internet, but a couple of friends talked me into it...said it would help me deal with my daughter (and life in general) & vent the frustrations I may have. AND - possibly meet a few new friends - and get some advice from other mom's with teenage girls! Let's hope we can share stories & advice with each other. Lord knows we all need it at some point in our lives...especially when things seem to be turned upside down.

I had a fairly decent day today. I went shopping for a little while - for a Brighton purse, but no luck. I got a cute black shirt at Talbots instead. Then little Mason and I came home (for his nap), I watched my soap, ate a salad & cleaned a little in my kitchen. This evening (with hubby gone), I made homemade cinnamon rolls for us in the a.m. and for my dentist & his associates for my appt. tomorrow. Maybe with the goodies, he'll go easy on me! :)

It's fairly late for me, so I'll get off here & hopefully find some time to write more tomorrow... Oh, that's me and my hubby in the picture!! :)
Have a great evening & sleep well.

Life With a Teenage Daughter

Feeling tired...yet creative

For Tonda

Flower Pot & Graduation

Organization

In Memory of Alfie...

NEW BABY!

Thank You Jesus!

Our 3rd Day Alone...

There She Goes...

CONCERT - Soul II Soul Tour

TODAY...

I...

For All My Favorite Mothers...

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

Super Freak!

Tuesday's Treasure

In the midst of --- Monday's Madness

More from my previous post...

It's the Mood!

Tuesday's Treasure...Who's Your Daddy

Easter

Texas Motor Speedway...

Nascar here we come!!

Tuesday's Treasure

My MAMAW...

Weekend

When Godly People Do Ungodly Things...

Scrapping Day!

Stress

OFFICIAL....

Painting Day!!!

Brilliant

Sunday

test

T.G.I.F.

I'm free today!!!

My 1st Post