January 2012

 

School Update

 

I finally logged onto my School Portal. the site we get to see just how amazingly smart we are and how much they charge us to tell us how smart we are. I am smart still! 4.0 (I knew that I made all A’s but I never checked)

I have computers with the teacher that I had last quarter for psychology.. My thoughts will stay in my head for this one. or you can listen to me in person share how I feel about this class. She called me out in class last week. Said she had a few nerds in class but she wasn’t going to say their names. Then she paused, looked at me, and said my name.  ??  Ok.. Then she proceeds to tell me being a nerd is a good thing and I made straight A’s on every graded assignment/test in her class. No one else did that. well, thanks. I don’t mind being a nerd if it helps me graduate with a 4.0 in 6 more quarters. Not that I am counting down or anything.

Today, after learning the history of a pc and what a keyboard is.. (yea.. intro to computers is amazing let me tell you) We played a Jeopardy game. My ground had 3 people in it.. we were the last ones to finish BUT, we got the most points of course so we are the only people that will have 5 extra credit points for the end of the quarter. Yea, I’d like to take credit for winning the game since I know the teacher is thinking that we won because I was in the group but honestly. . . I didn’t listen to a word she said. After searching the computer for the games (that usually come on a computer.. like solitaire) and coming up empty.. I found the paint program. During the power point/lecture.. I made circles in class. Very pretty ones though, and I painted them different colors. Then I scribbled all over them and made a very artistic picture. I should have saved it, maybe printed it off.. So, Thank you girl that sits next to me with the cute purse. Although you did not listen either (yes, I saw you typing your homework for your other classes) you nailed the questions worth the most points. OH, and thank you dude that was in our group for knowing what all the abbreviations meant!

Dental Science is interesting. Preventive Dentistry is interesting as well. I have learned a ton of stuff so far. Common since that I already knew but didn’t understand what when why or how.. now, I know!

 

Just a few facts that you need to know if you have teeth and want to keep them..

1. Always brush at night. Floss first and then brush

2. If you are a mouth breather, you will have buildup on your teeth faster

3. Rinse your mouth with water after lunch and snacks if you do not have a toothbrush with you

4. Always brush in a circular motion for a minimum of 2 mins. Your gums are the most important part of your mouth. Without healthy gums, you will not have healthy teeth. Circular motion cleans your gums. Always stimulate your gums. Pink is the perfect gum color, red is not

5. Posture effects everything. Your big toe could hurt because you don’t sit up straight. Chest lifted, butt out, spine straight. It can effect everything you do for the rest of your life

Good thing I do all this anyways!

and so she says

 

As she begins to cry because she wants something and isn’t getting her way. . .

She looks at me with this confused crying face and says

“Mommy.. my.. my.. my tears.. there isn’t any tears coming out of my eyes”

It made me laugh out loud

I told her it was because what she was crying over was not worth it and it was a fake cry. So, she cried harder rubbing her eyes until she had tears..

I left her in her room to cry alone and when she was done crying she came to find me and said

“Maybe I didn’t have tears because I wasn’t supposed to cry OR maybe the tears didn’t come because I didn’t cry hard enough, Next time.. Ill cry harder”

The joys of a sensitive child 

Crossing My Fingers, but left in God’s Hands

 

Being a new mom is always interesting. It takes you out of your comfort zone, makes you nervous, and piles responsibilities on you that you never realized existed. I say I am a new mom still because there are new things I am having to do right now that I have never done. It is all new to me.

How about decided where your children will go to school? What if you live in a city that doesn’t have the best public schools, or at least your not zoned for the best public schools. What if you know your child will excel better in a private school and the experiences and opportunities will be grater at the private school than at a public school. What if the public school you want your child at is in a part of town that you really don’t want to live in. (aka.. on top of a mtn hill)

How do you decide where to send your child. This is a big deal. This is the education/future of your child. This is a decision I had made before it was time to make it. Like I said, I would send her to a public school but I would have to live on the mtn to do so. I do not live on the mtn and really don’t want to. I actually wouldn’t mind raising her on the mtn, I just don’t want to drive up and down it everyday. Maybe I should think again about it though. Maybe living on the mtn wouldn’t be so bad? I want her in private school Everyone I know that went to a private school succeeded more than the people I know that I went to public school with. This is a true statement for the people I know in our city. Private schools cost money, lots of money, but paying for educations just doesn’t seem like a bad choice. It isn’t like buying a yacht or anything.

So, we have chosen two private schools. One I know she will get into and the other I am crossing my fingers about. (Actually I pray about it and leave it in God’s hands) but I do want her in that school. I fell in love with it. It is hard to get into though. They have to actually do evaluations on the children and applications to get in. This is where I come to being a new mom. These are things I have never done or thought about. Getting in applications for a school, filling out the right paper works, getting the teacher recommendations and so on.

It is kind of overwhelming and intimidating. I am not worried about if she doesn’t get in because plan #2 is just as wonderful to me. (school #2) but I am nervous about the evaluations. They have a play day where they evaluate the social habits. She is a shy child. She isn't going to just go up to a kid and be best friends with them, especially in a place she has never been, BUT, she is excited about going to a new school for the day to meet people and play. I won’t be in the class during the play day so I think she will do fine honestly. Then they have a education evaluation. This is where I am worried. She is smart, super super smart. She doesn’t like to talk to strangers. If a stranger (or even a person she knows) ask her a question, she will stare at them or shrug her shoulders. I am not sure what the school is looking for but I hope that they have had other shy students. Surly they would rather have a shy student then an out of control student.. right?

Like I said, I am putting it in God’s hands and will happy either way. I just want what is best for her educationally. Who knows, maybe it is God’s plan for us to move on the mtn when it is time for school. Guess we will find out come March.

Thoughts and prayers are welcome though! Her play day (social evaluation) is on V-day. {Feb. 14th} and a month later is the educational evaluation. March 31st we find out if she is accepted.

What’s going on!?

 

We are over half way done reading Charlotte’s Web. She is loving it. I am enjoying reading a chapter book to her instead of a short picture book and I am considering this a book on my Book Challenge with Good Reads (I have never read Charlotte’s Web myself)

I went looking for my chica, I found her hiding under the table to surprise Daddy with a cupcake. (Look at the hair.. it gets cut for the first time tomorrow)

This wasn’t this week but I forgot to show it. It was the first snow this winter at our house. Other parts of town have had snow but we never got any. It wasn’t big and didn’t stick but school did close in case the roads were icy. You got to love TN for closing school when there is a possibility of snow!

Last weekend we had a playdate with the BFFS. I love my Goddaughter!

She decided to have a dark party (she couldn’t wait for her birthday) and she made me in invitation except she wanted it to say coming instead of invited. She is a little demanding, I'm not going to lie.

Her Aunt Daris picked her up for Church on Sunday. Isn’t she cute? Again, the hair is being cut tomorrow!

She went and got cupcakes with her Aunt Kayla and her NuNu. She was wound up on some sugar that night!

and yes, I took a picture without makeup, uncombed hair, and right when I woke up. This is what my lucky husband wakes up to everyday. 

I’m still hungry

 

All I hear, every day, is I’m still hungry. How much can one child eat? I mean geez.. she is only 42 inches tall, she weighs only 43 pounds, she is only 4 years old. She eats like a cave man who isn’t sure if the next meal will be on the table.

For example: This is typical of what she eats ever morning..

Breakfast usually consist of: 2 bowls of cereal (her bowls are not the size of adult bowls) 6 to 12 grapes, a cuties orange, green peppers, and some cheese. Followed by, IM STILL HUNGRY

Breakfast this morning; 5 mini pancakes, 1 whole grain normal size pancake, full sized organic carrot, half a grapefruit, strawberries, and peanut butter toast.

Lunches mac and cheese, 12ish grapes, 10ish olives, yogurt. FOLLOWED BY CAN I HAVE A SNACK CAUSE IM STILL HUNGRY

Now, she is not over eating so don’t worry. When she is full, she is full. She wont eat another bite and I don’t make her. I am not a mom that makes her finish the food on her plate. If she doesn’t eat it, I save it until she is hungry again. This technique (I like to call it) keeps her from saying she is hungry just to get something other than what is on her plate. I don’t believe in making a child to eat the food on her plate because a child's stomach knows when it is full. By forcing a child to eat with they are full, it causes them to loose the since of being full, which is then followed by….. yes you got it….. being over weight.

Some days she eats like a bottomless pit, all day long.. Other days she doesn’t eat much at all. She eats healthy though (other than the yummy cereal pbjs) We do not have little debbies in my house, we do not have chips in my house, if we are out at a restaurant.. she does not order french fries (with me or Zak at least)

She loves fruit, she loves cheese, she loves peppers..

I usually cut them in slices but she has decided she likes them whole.

so she says.. part 2 today

 

When bedtime came, we started with the same routine we have followed since she was about 2 years old. Potty, brush your teeth, read books, and go to sleep. Well, at the age of 4.. my chica has decided that she doesn’t want to follow the every night routine. She wants to decide when she goes to bed but that is just not how it will work in out house.. So, tonight went as follows:

Mady, it is bed time. Go potty. She shuns me and hides under the pillow. Mady, please go potty. She doesn’t move. Mady I am going to ask you one more time nice and if you do not say yes mam, you will go to time out. So, will you please go potty and get ready for bed. Nothing. ok, time out..

Of course she cried as the world crumbles underneath her. Then Zak sits her down and explains to her that she is in timeout for not being a good listener and that doing what I say. Then she starts to respond. {while she is crying} but I am just a kid. Kids forget. It was an accident. I .. I.. I am just a kid.. and I love my toys. they are fun. It was an accident daddy. He begins to finish his talk with her:

{video coming in the a.m. .. this is the first video I have gotten of her crying while in trouble.. it might not be nice for me to video it but I have been wanting to for sometime now.. I just got the tail end of the video but here it is"}

Notice in the video she says “my mind is blocked” I have no idea where she got that from! It took everything for me not to laugh at that comment.. You probably see the the video shaking from me laughing.

Then, when she was done with time out, she went to Zak to say sorry. They had another little talk about being a good listener and she starts to explain to him that “I let Ozwald (her stuffed octopus) do what he wants to do. I am going to let my kids to what they want to do. I am just a kid Daddy”

She said sorry, then she found me and said sorry and she would try harder next time to be a big girl and do what I ask her to do. She is happy now, singing about the sunshine while she is brushing her teeth (yes, she sings even while she brushes her teeth)

These timeout have turned into such interesting conversations. She is so smart and says things that are so true.. but yet.. she is just a kid. ha.. she makes me laugh even when she is in trouble.

 

Just today.. so she says

 

Today my chica has said a lot. She always says a lot but today, I felt they all needed to be written out so I could share with you. She is a silly, creative, interesting, beautiful little girl! I love her conversations and thought process.

Recently, my chica discovered how cool it is to turn all the lights off in the entire house and walk around with flashlights. This has been going on for about a week or so. Today, her and Zak were running around in the dark and she says “It would be cool to have a dark party and if you don’t bring your own flashlight, you can’t come in” Then she runs to me and ask me if she can have a dark party for her next birthday party.. Note to family and friends.. this might just be a go.. start gathering your flashlights and glow in the dark paint!

I have to take credit for her brain when it comes to inventing. I have all kind of inventions built up in my head, in a book, told to my husband..friends..family.. I swear if I could figure out how to get these things going we would be rich and Zak would never have to work a day in his life again. Well, today Mady made her own creation. As she was trying to smell her breath {she loves tick tacks and mints} she says we need to make a “breath smeller” {she even is gifted in the naming the invention too} She says there will be a tube that you breath into and then you can smell your breath. It has to stand on its own so we don’t have to hold it and it needs wheels to roll it around with us. I think this really might sell because some people have some stanky breath!

I am sitting at the computer looking at my NEW OBSESSION when I hear Mady tell Zak..  I have a picture of a Zebra eating and pooping at the same time {yes, we are in the stage of pooping is funny and interesting..I can not wait to get out of this stage because I personally don’t think the word poop is as funny as she does} Anyways. So she says.. “I have a picture of a Zebra eating and pooping at the same time” Zak: you do? where did you get that picture? Mady: “Africa. I went there and took it. It was sooo funny”

Today my mom and sister took her to the cupcake store. Of course she comes back with a cupcake full of frosting. The child eats just the frosting off the top the first sit down. Then after we get back home for the 2nd time, she eats again.. This time eating frostings (all of it) and then the cake. She starts running around and says “Daddy.. where are you? {runs to him} GAH.. I am just like wide awake. Really.. I am like WIDE AWAKE” and starts running around and around. He tells her it is because of all the sugar she ate. The cupcake has tons of sugar and she probably should eat anymore. She says “Your silly daddy. Don’t you just want me to be awake? I have to be awake to play with you”

New Obsession

This is my new obsession!

http://www.houzz.com/

I have always been interested in houses. Looking at them, figuring out what I would do different to them. Inside them, outside them, even around them. I just can't help dreaming and building, decorating and creating. I want to knock down walls and build secret rooms. I want every type of bedroom, the perfect kitchen, and the pool is going to need about an acre or so to sit on.

When I checked this website out (Thanks Andrea!) I fell in love. This is exactly what I do on pinterest. I look at houses! This is what I do on the mls listings. I look at houses.. ALL HOUSES.. and say what I would do, what I want, and really what I feel I need.

This is pinterest with just houses. Inside and out. OMG.. Zak thought I had my house built on Pinterest.. he has NO IDEA what is about to happen!

Check it out people! CHECK IT OUT!

Know your Genders!

 

 

So Mady is dead set on if things are a boy or a girl. She takes it serious and seems a little toooo dramatic about the situations. This is what I mean..

We were playing the came Cooties. She had a pink little caterpillar thing and wanted me to make it talk. I called it a boy. The world ended. She had a melt down. Telling me I ruined it. It is a girl and I called it a boy. omg, how dare I say the wrong gender..

Tonight, she asked me if I knew where “kisses” was. (a bear she has from NuNu) When I told her no but I would look for him.. She burst into tears. I thought this was because I did not know where he was. Little did I know that he was a SHE.  As she is crying (and I still have no idea why) I tell her to ask me like a big girl to look and I will try to look for him. She looks at me dead serious with huge tears rolling down her face and says “MOMMY.. Kisses is a GIRL! and you called her a him” omg, how dare I say the wrong gender.. again..

Note to self and to all you who are around her.. KNOW YOUR GENDERS! This is no playing with this. No teasing.. as silly as it sounds about her crying over something so.. soo.. soooo silly? It isn’t worth it although I do find it humors. mean, I might be, but sometimes.. I just find her crying funny. I don’t laugh in front of her face but I do hold the laughter back or turn away so she doesn’t see the instant smile. I want her to know it is ok to express your feelings but also, some feelings.. they just are not worth it {I wonder where she gets this from? I mean, who else cries over silly things? Please, someone tell me where my child gets this from?? ::smile::}

I just want to be normal

 

We are still having tummy issues and it has been exactly one week. I can not tell if her tummy actually hurts or is just uncomfortable. I can tell you that it doesn’t feel great although she is fine. She does complain about her tummy almost every time she eats. I decided on Tuesday I would take her off Dairy products and see what happens. Not knowing why her tummy hurts, if she is constipated, or is dairy just isn’t settling with her. I thought about dairy because she eats a lot of dairy. A LOT. Milk, yogurt, cheese, yogurt, milk, and more cheese. Eggs (even though eggs are not actually dairy) Then she eats milk based products also. Dairy and Fruit are what I say her food intake is mostly made of. So, since Tuesday she has had only one serving of dairy. That was a quesadilla with cheese on it.

She seems to be ok not having dairy but she also has her moments. Like the time she looked at me and said “I just.. I just.. I just LOOVVEE chocolate milk”

Like the time she said “I will never eat too much cheese again. I will only eat 1 piece instead of 3 pieces”

Then there was the time she said “Mommy, I don’t like it when my tummy hurts. I just want to be normal again”

Oh, and the time she said “Mommy, why can’t I be like you and drink milk all day?” I said “I don’t drink milk all day, I drink water” She said “well, you love milk like I love milk and it makes my tummy hurt. I just need to poop”

or the time (tonight) that she said “I belly really hurts. I just need miralax. I don’t like it when it hurts. I just cant wait for it to not hurt anymore and I can eat food. I just love the food I love”

Yes, all these (and more) have come from her in the past week. I do not know why she is having tummy issues, I do not know what to do, all I know is she is not running a fever, she is silly and happy, and she is not throwing up. Her tummy hurt only when she eats food.. and it seems to be any food. She complains more when she is with me but I can see it in her eyes that she is not playing me. (unless she has learned “how” to play me) but she is to honest to actually do that I think.

Guess it is a waiting game?!

When she is in trouble.

 

At the age of 4, I still have yet to spank my child. I can not say that I will never spank her but I can say that I do not believe that spanking my 4 year old is in her best interest. Time out works just perfectly. Her world comes to a crashing end when she goes to time out and her crocodile tears are enough to be convinced.

Last night, when she ended up in time out, she is sitting at her door while I am telling her why she is in time out. {Yes, I use super nanny tactics all the way…  4 mins in time out, explain to her why she is in time out, get on her lever always, expect an “I'm sorry, and I love you” followed by a hug} This works for us. Always has and I pray it always will.

Back to last night. I am on her lever explaining why we she is in time out. Tears are running down her face, she grabs my hand, and says “but mommy, I just love you” I tell her I love her too, even though I am upset with her and she is in time out. I continue my sentence from before about why she is in trouble and she say “but mommy, you are my favorite” holding my hand again. I explain that she is my favorite, but once again.. she is still in time out. So I leave her to time out. When I walk by, I notice she has a picture of NuNu, Grandbob, Reb, and Josh from a few weekends ago. I tell her she needs to put it down because in timeout we don’t have toys or anything. Then the tears come again “I need it. I just need to think about her” Think about who? “I just love her. I need to think about NuNu and it is my favorite picture eeevveerr” as I take the picture away, she is drawing out the last sentence about it being her favorite picture. This is followed by a second more of crying, her sitting in time out, and then apologizing for every reason she was in time out.

It made me smile that while her world is ending.. while I am the bad guy who is putting her in timeout and ending her world (per say) She still loves me and I am still her favorite. Little does she truly understand how much I love her and how much of a favorite she is to me while she is in timeout. One day, when she has kids.. {I pray she has kids} she will know how I feel!

It once was lost, and now it is found

A few post ago I was telling you how I misplace everything... well, all is found now!

Including the gift card that I was for sure I dropped in public and the sweater that made me want to cry when it went missing..

2012 is nothing but Good Luck so far!!

{I did not take this photo although I wish I did, I have never found a 4 leaf clover}

maybe I should play the lotto?

A day with the Besties

 

K and I have been friends since 2003. By each other’s side from the moment we met second moment we met. I have my chica in 2007, she had her chica in 2008. (Neither planned) So, now I have a best friend and my chica has a best friend. We don’t go very often without seeing each other but the past for months have been busy. We realized it had almost been 1 month since we saw each other. That is crazy and unusual. With being out of town, the holidays, and school.. life just didn’t intend on leaving room for the other.

Thank goodness for Martin L. Jr! Because of this wonderful Holiday, no one had school.. we had time for each other! The entire day was spend at K’s house, just us 4 girls. Relaxing, enjoyable, and needed! I didn’t have the camera out much because I was too busy talking, playing, and laughing but we had a great day to say the least. I love K and P sooo much!

Paxston and Madyson

 

Yes, Pax has panties on her head!

Dance Party Time

During the Dance party, a certain someone had a pouting moment captured on tape. Great thing about this is when she gets older, it will be funny to show her.
(This isn’t the only video I have of miss Pax pouting.. I have them from the time she was 1)

D.R.A.M.A.T.I.Z.E.D

It has been a while…

 

 

Since the Holidays I have not really posted anything that we have been doing daily. This doesn’t mean that life has stopped, become boring, and our days are filled with nothingness… It just means I have been doing other things rather than staying up till the late night/early morning blogging..

Tonight is different.

Tonight I am blogging.. and THIS is what we have been doing:

 

Sleeping
{Mulan is her favorite princess doll at this point. Since Christmas Eve it they have been BFFs}

 
A 40 min bath is always fun, followed by watching Mulan with Mulan

Making faces at mom because she wont stop taking pictures

 
Playing with Molly

 

 
Games are always fun!

Playing with Blake

 

Now to watch us in action
some of these videos are long and boring but if your interested.. take a look!

Twister

 

Grapes while I wait

School Update

 

Making a long story short, My schedule at school has changed. It was bad, then worse, and not it is back to good.

 

Tuesday: Dental Science (A&P for above the neck)

Thursday: Dental Science and Dental Precautions

Friday: Intro to computers (yes, still in that 4 hour class with that teacher)

 

That is it. 10 hours. I wanted 12 hours but I have to get the dental science out of the way before I can take certain classes.  2 quarters down, 6 more to go!!

GPA:  4.0

Am I proud? OF COURSE!

It’s a waiting game

 

Here it is 10:15 pm on a Friday night and we are spending the evening waiting. Waiting on “poo” Yes, I said it. I don’t like talking about poo but I must say one of the saddest things is to have a constipated chica. This is nothing new to us though. As a itty bitty she has always had a hard time pooping. She has been on miralax since I can remember. A daily dose keeps her going.

For the past 6ish months the miralax has not been needed. This was a point in which I hoped for. I have had an easy 6 months with her pooping all the time. {litterally.. she has days where she poops all day long.. we call her a “pooping machine”} Tonight, the lips help tigh straight across her face as she grunts. It is the same face from when she was a baby. She has always had a certin pooping face.

Starting around 6ish she said her tummy was hurting. Last weekend she threw up when her tummy hurt but she insist this time it is different. She just has to poop. She has been in a good mood, singing, dancing, and being her normal silly stuff and then boom her tummy hurts. She sits on the potty with just a little luck. This has been going on and off since 6. The later it gets the sader she gets.

While sitting on the potty {she sat there for a total of 30 mins at one point} I was talking to her asking her if she was sure she was ok. I have these flash backs of my sister going to the bathroom and puking all over the floor infront of her from spinning on a swing. The last thing I want is her to puke on the bathroom floor. I prefer trashcans. She looks at me and says: “I think I ate toooo much cheese” haha, I asked how she knew this and she responds “Bob Bob told me.. (pointing her finger up and down like no more monkeys jumping on the bed) If you eat too much cheese, it will be hard to poop”. I think she may be right but she didn’t have any crazy amount.. no more than usual.

You should pray for that

 

 

Growing up I always wanted 3 little boys. Yes, 3 of them.. each 2 years apart.

Then I became a Nanny for 2 little girls. {they were precious to me} with in a few months, the 3rd girl was born. I was a nanny to 3 sisters. K was 3, B was 1, and G was a newbie. I was watching G since she was born.. after 12 weeks, I was on my own.. her mom went back to work. It was easy. Those 3 girls were everything to me. I loved them as if they were my own. The little one G held a special place in my heart. (I think since I had been with her from day 1) But, I loved each of them sooo much. I also decided after watching all 3 of them for 2 1/2 years, I did not want 3 kids.

2 would do just fine. 2 boys. I didn’t want girls. Then I got pregnant. When I found out I was having a girl there was a sigh of relief. I had no idea that I wanted a girl until I felt happy about it. I would have been happy either way but I think the relief came from the fact that I know what to do with little girls. Before being a Nanny, I was in the nursery at Church or babysitting other kids. From the time I was 10 years old I was babysitting alone. Mostly girls. 2 sisters here, 1 girl there, twin girls here, 1 girl and 1 boy there, another little girl here, and the list goes on.

Now that I have 1 girl, I am happy. I have no longing for another child. I don’t want 2 girls but I do not want a boy at all. I do not want another child for many many reasons but, this post is not about me not wanting another child.. This is about Mady wanting a sister..

Over the past few months she has continued to ask for an older sister. I have explain it just can’t happen, wont happen, and there is nothing I can do about it. She then started in on a little sister. We could put my room outside so that she could have a play room and the nursery could be in the hall way and we could climb under or over the crib to get to the other rooms. SURE.. That sounds like a great plan doesn’t it? At least she has a plan.

So, jump ahead a few weeks.. I was putting Mady back to bed and as she was walking into her room she looked pretty. As if that is new or something . Well, of course I had to tell her and our convo went a little something like this:

Me: Mady, you are soooo pretty! and smart… and sweet. 

Mady: Thank you

Me: Before you were born, I prayed to God that I would have the prettiest, smartest, sweetest child and he gave me you! You are the prettiest, smarted, and sweetest child. God answers prayers

Mady: You prayed for me when I was in your belly?

Me: I sure did

Mady: “You should pray the same thing for my little sister”

yea, so.. my next prayer is “God, please let her back off the sister thing and let her be happy as an only child”  I can not say 100% that I will not have any more children. I am only 26 but, when I think about all the reasons not to have anymore, they all make sense. Having 1 child can have many benefits. Paxston is the sister she can give back. We just need a 4 or 5 bedroom house, Pax can stay the night, and the sister thing can be over with.

p.s. She doesn’t want a brother because “boys are yucky”

Some things never change…

 

For as far back as I can remember, I have lost things. Everything. Anything that is important to me, I misplace it. My mom has always been the one to find my misplaced things. Shoes before school, keys before work, hairbrush before church. The list goes on. Now, at the age of 26, it continues. My chica even knows when I am walking around the house looking for something. She says “where is your phone? Are you looking for your phone?” and so on. She helps me look.. tricking me by saying “I FOUND IT” and bringing me a sticker or something completely different that what I am looking for. My husband knows I misplace things because half of our marriage he has spent searching the house high and low for whatever it is that I have already looked for. It usually is in a place I already looked. Usually in a place that I usually put it in. Some of the time it is in a place and I deny putting it there because I have no reason or answer to why or how it got there. In December I misplaced my ipad, favorite baggy shirt, an awesome gift card, my favorite chap stick, favorite pair of earrings, wallet, id, check book, and memory card for my camera. (All important things to only me)

In the middle of December I realized I lost my ipad. I knew I had not seen it for a week or so but never looked for it. Putting it off because looking for it means all hope of it being somewhere would go out the window when I couldn’t find it. Then, I decided to take a look. I was no where to be found. Zak looked for it. We made it a priority one Friday night, still, never found it. I back tracked.. Pinned down the last time I used it, the last place I had it. I usually can do this when I am missing something. I always know the last time I had it in my possession. Anyways, I got online and saw that the last purchase was November 23rd (yes, my birthday) and it confirmed the last time I used it. Exactly when I remember having it! The last thing I purchased was the last game Mady and I played on it while laying in my bed one afternoon.

I don’t take my ipad anywhere. I do not have 3G on it, therefore I can not get internet anywhere. I don’t take it to school, to friends house, or to my car. IT HAD TO BE IN THE HOUSE. I did have a friend come over one night and he brought a guy I didn’t know. It was the same weekend I thought it went missing. The weekend after our birthday weekend. I didn’t want to accuse anyone so I started be “Spy T” . after getting of facebook, finding the kid that was at my house, I saw no reason to believe that he stole it. No mention of an ipad, no picture with an ipad, and no post from an ipad. My email and itunes account all stayed the same. No red flags that another person had it. We looked some more, and then gave up. I told Zak we would find it when we move… (we have no plans of moving until I finish school.. in other words.. not for another 2 years) I knew it would turn up.. but it still sucked not having it. … And, time went on..  Life went on..

This past weekend, Jan 8th, Zak and I decided to clean house. He takes the kitchen, I got the living room. I had already taken down all the Christmas décor except the tree.. I removed the ornaments, then the star, and then the skirt. As I pulled the skirt out from some presents still sitting under the tree as if I am a magician pulling the table cloth out from under the plates and cups on a table.. and yes K, S, L, J, J.. we still need to do Christmas!  I look down as the skirt comes out from under the presents and BAM.. there it is.. my ipad! MY IPAD.. MY IPAD MY IPAD MY IPAD!! Christmas Present! YAY!!

To say the least, I was kind of happy about it..

now, if only I could find everything else I am missing!!

Earrings…check
Wallet…check
Id…check
Memory card..check
Checkbook…check

FAVORITE BAGGY SHIRT….. WHERE ARE YOU AT?!?! I NEED YOU!!!

A Gift to Give

 

You may remember me quickly saying I loved a present that my In-law parents gave Zak, Mady, and I. The present of the little girl who lives in Mexico. A chance to sponsor, pray for, write, give, and think about this little girl.

We take life for granted. We all know we do. Each and every one of us who are so very blessed don’t take the time out of the day to give thanks, appreciate, and give back. Sometimes it takes another person to make us realize just what we have that others don’t. It could be the gift from another person, or the story of another family, and sadly tragic situations of others and ourselves.

The organization is Compassion. Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

Our child?

 

Her name: Dulce Yeric Mojica Hernandez

her Bio:  she lives in Mexico, just northeast of Mexico City, with her father, mother, and 4 siblings. Her birthday is 12.19.2008 {she is almost 1 year younger than my chica to the date} her responsibility {as a 3 year old} is running errands. She is only 3 and she runs errands. I know running errands where she lives is not like running errands here. They are simple I am sure, such as; going to where they grow the food and bringing back dinner, or fetching water, or going to the neighbors home to get whatever it is that is needed. Still though, my chica is just responsible for having fun, cleaning her room, and being kind. It is an entire different world where Dulce is from. It just makes me think about my life a little bit more deeper. Dulce goes to church (the church has partnered with Compassion) and the staff/volunteers provide a safe haven for her and the other children at the center/church.

Sponsoring Dulce: gives meals, regular health screenings, medical treatment when necessary, and opportunities to learn. She is able to play with other children in a safe environment, receive personal attention, and learn about the love of Jesus and Christians.

She lives: on the plains of The Pastoria with 1,600 other residents. Her house is made from cement with corrugated iron roofs. Her daily food consist of maize, beans, chicken, bread, rice, and potatoes. The health problems are undernourishment, tooth decay, intestinal infections, skin diseases, and parasites. The average laborer earn equivalent to $173 per month. She does have electricity and water in her community but housing and medical attention are scarce.

What I should expect from Dulce? I will receive a minimum of 3 letters a year. Most children need help writing until they are in the 4th grade. Pictures and updates on how Dulce is doing will be sent by the Compassion staff.

There is opportunities to visit Dulce in person!!  Compassion had tours that you can take to meet your sponsored child. Dulce is in Mexico.. this could def. happen!!

Now that you know our little girl we are sponsoring.. this is what I think

This is an amazing opportunity to give back. Like I said in earlier post, I have always wanted to sponsor a child. I am really thankful that the child that the in-laws chose for us is a little girl Mady’s age. Mady is going to grow up writing to her, hearing about her, understanding why we sponsor her, and then maybe one day she will meet her. {Pin Pals! I always wanted a pin pal growing up.}

We don’t make it to church often and I don’t tithe when I do go. This is a great way to allow me to give back. Give back in a Holy Spirit kind of way. My money will be going to something SOMEONE that truly needs it. What we pay for one nice dinner {that we usually do multiple times a month} can help support and take care of another human being. $40 a month. If we can buy a dinner, clothing, alcohol, and anything else we truly do not need for $40, then for sure we can (and anyone else can) afford to skip that nice dinner, skip that party, wear what they already have to support a child.  This is not a question, it is an answer. An answer to my wants and needs to give. An answer on how I can better myself for God and for myself. I am very thankful for this gift and am excited to write, pray, and teach this little girl that God’s love is amazing.

Do you want to sponsor a child? Check out Compassion.com and give back to the world when you already have so much yourself.

Twenty Twelve Year Goals

 

 

 

Read books this year. I read some last year but not enough. I want to read a minimum of 1 book a month not included text books. I already have my first book planned.. Just waiting on the sister to finish up and bring it to me.

Back on track with living healthy. This is an every year goal for myself (and most people) I have 7 months until my family goes to Hawaii and I want to wear a 2 piece bathing suite.. 7 months to loose 30 pounds.. (Id be fine with 20 but 30 would be my ultimate goal.

God. I want to live better, be better, believe better, act better, speak better, worship better.

Change. I want to clam down. Talk less. Walk instead of run. Listen more. Back up and wait. Let go of some control. Understand other ways, not just my way. Be more positive and encouraging to others and to myself. Go with the flow. Enjoy the moments {the little moments}. Not worry about things.

House. The house has got to be minimalized. We are overflowing with “stuff” and it is all stuff we do not need. Everything that doesn’t have a place, doesn’t need to be in my house. Change some colors in my house. Soft colors, Brighten up my house. Get rid of the dark dungy look we have seemed to carry with us since we were 18.

Confident. I am 26 although I do not look it. This makes me not feel it (sort of) I am a young mom. There are lots of young moms. The moms I end up around are all 10 years older than me. I need to be confident if I am going to be around these moms (private school moms are a little intimidating with their Dillard's misses style, mature talk, and cute short haircuts) I want to be that though, I am not going to lie.. I want to be a private school PTA mom. (happening soon!)

Spend more planned time with the little chica's. Kristen’s schedule and my schedule don’t match up often. We went from seeing each other daily.. to seeing each other 2 times a week. to now seeing each other maybe 2 times a month. {difficult.. I miss her} but I think I we plan times with the little chica's, it will be easier to get together. We will know it is coming so things on get in the way. I miss Pax and K

Planning. I am a planner. A to-do list daily kind of person. I have fallen into what I feel is wasted time. I want to plan my days, weeks, months better. I always mark things off my to-do list.. but I want to have a better plan for the list. Setting a specific day to do laundry (so it doesn’t pile up) A specific day to do nothing important and spend it with what is most important, my chica. Things like that. Time management. Accomplish more little things with my time.

Thankfulness: I already do a weekly good, bad, and thankfulness post (I try for weekly) but I read this article about being thankful. Keeping a notebook by your bed and before you go to bed, as in the last thing you do, write one or two things down that you are thankful for from that day. Even if you repeat yourself here and there, write it all down. You should sleep better, wake up better, and honestly I can see how it would make you live better. I started this yesterday night. Ill let you know how it goes.

 

After writing my goals, I came across this image.. it pretty much explains it perfectly! I am going to print it out{touch it up}, frame it, and read it every day! Good luck on your Twenty Twelve goals!

 

some odd years young

 

It is funny how people come into your life. In ways that you have no control over, no questions to be asked, and like it was meant to be. I am lucky because my friends bring friends into my life.

Kristen {the BFF} had Pax {the Goddaughter} and when a baby enters a person’s life {when Pax came into my BFF’s life which made her enter into my life} People come along with that baby. Family of the baby. There is always a father to the baby {or mother} and then there are Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and sometimes brothers and sisters.

Because of Kristen, I have Pax.. Because of Pax, I have Ryan. Ryan is the sister of Paxston’s father. In other words, she is Paxston’s Aunt. Over the past 3 1/2 years, Ryan and I have become friends. I would say she is one of my very good friends. I love her company, I love our conversations, I love love her style! She is so fun and crafty, so sweet and pretty, and most of all she is a wonderful friend and Aunt.

Have you ever been thankful that a person is in another person’s life besides your own life. This is where I fall with Ryan. I am very thankful to have her in my life, but I am more thankful to have her in Kristen’s life. Kristen needs her in so many ways. In ways I can’t explain on the world wide web. Lets just say, Ryan gives her balance. Happiness. and Love.  Paxston needs Ryan just as every child needs an Aunt or Uncle of some kind. (blood or not) Support, understanding, tons of love, kindness, honesty, joy, giving, and humor.. These are all things that Ryan brings to Kristen life, Paxston’s life, and my life.

The past year has not been entirely full of happiness for Ryan. Things just couldn’t seem to go up for her. Don’t get me wrong, she has things to be happy about, things to be thankful for, but she also has reasons to say she has dealt with a lot the past year. And on top of everything, one thing after another, she always has a smile on her face, always has gives shoulder to cry on and ears to listen, and most of all.. she always has a positive perspective that shines though the sad moments. She has reason to be proud of who she is, who she is becoming, and who she will be one day. I am proud and thankful for her!

We celebrated her birthday last week. It was so cute and she was beautiful! {as always} I’d give anything to be able to have her hair and wear the hats she wears. And oh, the shoes!! I am jealous, I could raid her closet any day {wouldn’t look as cute on me as it does on her, but I’d try} Hope you had tons of fun Ryan!

 

 

  

 

 

p.s. Ryan, I have more photos from this night but was not sure if people were ok with my posting photos of them on here. I will upload all my photos and send them to you. Happy Birthday! I love you girl!