Saturday Snapshot!

My baby is growing up.  I just can't believe how grown up she is.  It happened overnight!

Friday Night Leftovers (The I Don't Feel Good Edition)

I don't feel good.  My throat hurts and I'm congested.  Unfortunately for me, the May issue goes to print on Sunday so I will be working through the weekend.  Enjoy tonight's leftovers!

• I emailed Hannah's principal today.  I am 100% convinced that Hannah's teacher doesn't like her and grades her unfairly.  Too much to go into details (definitely a blog by itself), but I'll update when I hear back.
• We now have Hannah on an allowance program.  Mostly, this is our way of teaching her the value of a dollar.  We felt like after she spent $800 online buying coins and upgrades for her online games that she needed a lesson in saving and seeing how much a buck will actually get you.  So far, o good - she is doing her chores each week and saving her money!
• Abigale took two STARR tests this week (math & language arts), which are basically state-wide tests given to 3rd graders all the way through your Senior year, that determine if you have learned the material covered during that year.  If you don't pass the STARR test, you don't promote to the next grade. Talk about pressure!
• We got AT&T Uverse!  It is sooooo much better than Comcast.  My laptop no longer randomly drops its Internet connection and our HD Channels work!  Hannah got cable in her room for the first time and she is thrilled to say the least.  Up until now all she could watch in her room was videos.  It was time for her to get real TV and most importantly, it didn't cost us any extra on our bill.
• I think my perception of relationships has been warped after 25 years of watching Soap Operas.  Do people ever really love each other like that?

Friday Night Leftovers (The Week After Edition)

• Not too bad for our first week back to school after Spring Break.  I would say by Wednesday, we had Hannah back on track with bedtime and her sleep schedule, and by today Abby was back on track.  10 more weeks until SUMMER VACATION! (Not that we're counting or anything.)
• Interim reports came home today.  I am soooo proud of both of them.  Especially, Abigale.  She is working so hard in math and she is likely going to get the grade she needs this 6 weeks to not have summer school 2 semesters.  She is proud of herself too and was so excited when she got her test back this week and had earned a B! 
• I have decided that Hannah's teacher just doesn't like her.  I think he expects bad things from her and treats her unfairly because of it.  I'm not sure how to handle it.  I fear that if I complain about him to the administration it will only make things worse on her, but I also want to defend her and tell him that I see what he is doing.  I think I will wait until the school year is up and then report my feelings to admin.  I'll post more about this later.
• Abigale and I have a new agreement regarding facebook.  She HATES it when I comment on her status or if I 'Like' something, so now I tell her in person what I think.  I know it is ridiculous, but she has to have some breathing room and if I push too hard I know she will push back, harder.  This parenting a teenager business is complex, rewarding, scary, frustrating, and weird. 
• Jay went to the eye doctor a couple of weeks ago after saying he needed to have his eyes checked for 7 years. After having the check-up and then selecting, ordering, and picking up his new glasses, he wore them for maybe 2 1/2 days.  Now they are put up in a case and he is back to not being able to see and wearing his $10 reading glasses from Wal-Mart.  I'm mad because 1) he was told by the doctor that it would take several days to get used to them, 2) he was told by the doctor that his eyes are pretty bad and he needs the glasses all the time, and 3) he paid $300 for glasses that are sitting in a case collecting dust.  Take them back and get the prescription right!...
• Abigale is getting excited about playing soccer in High School.  She has been taking Hannah outside every afternoon and punting the soccer ball around.  She told me she can't wait to get back on the field and she is also wondering what position she will play and what her number will be (you know, the important stuff). 
• Hannah is in a major back-talking phase.  All three of us are way over it.  She argues or defends every time we interact with her and she always has to have the last word.  We now have a no tolerance approach and will break this nasty habit of hers if it kills all of us.

Proud Mama!

Tonight, Hannah and the rest of the second graders in her school put on a concert for the parents.  It was AWESOME.  The kids got to pick the kinds of songs they wanted to sing about in the beginning of the year and some of the topics they picked were: video games, cowboys, puppies, kittens, and bullying.  So, their music teacher set out to find songs on those topics and managed to find a great song for each category.  The bullying song was actually started by a couple of 2nd graders out on the playground when someone was bullied.  They took their line to the music teacher and with her help and the rest of the 2nd graders they all wrote a song called, "I've Got Your Back". 

Hannah was so excited and very nervous.  We managed to get seats in the second row which made video recording and picture taking a little bit easier.  They worked all year long on these songs and you could tell how much pride they had and how happy their music teacher was.  Hannah said yesterday when they were practicing, everyone was excited and talking and not doing what they were told and the music teacher actually broke down and cried.  The pressure finally got to her.  So, I'm sure after the performance they gave tonight, she is still beaming (and relieved).

My favorite song was the one that Hannah sang with three other kids called, "Naughty Kitty Cat."  I also liked Zippity-Do-Da and Jingle Jangle.  I think we were the most proud when we walked down the Second Grade hallway and saw that it has been named Hannah Trent Hall.  She earned the 2nd highest amount of donations for Jump Rope for Heart and so they named the hallway after her. And, that is what this parenting gig is all about.  Stay tuned!

Wordless Wednesday

I'm working on a project and needed a good baby photo of myself, so I emailed my dad and asked if he had any.  This is what he sent.  Enjoy!

Family Photo - July 1976

Me, 3 months old, July 1976

Handing out money

Well, today I did something that I have never done before.  I gave money to a panhandler.  I'm not sure why I did it, it just "felt" right.  I am someone that believes strongly in hard work and determination.  I, for the most part, feel that people are in control of their own destiny and should not depend on others to provide for them.  I also know how hard I work for my money and the government already steals such a large portion of it that I am not in any big hurry to just give it away.  The problem is that I tend to forget that sometimes life has a way of changing things in our lives that we really have no control over and that everyone needs a helping hand at some point in their life.  I mean, who am I to judge the person on the street asking for money?  Sure, maybe they are lazy and instead of spending the time they spend on panhandling to find a job, they take the easy way out and mooch off the rest of society.  Or, maybe they lost their spouse unexpectedly and were left in financial ruin with no one to help and nowhere to turn.  Or maybe they are a veteran that served our country, got injured, and were promptly discharged once they could no longer fight on the battlefield.

I'm not likely to give money to all the panhandlers I come across (Houston has A LOT), but I will have more sympathy and a kinder heart when I see them.  And, if the mood strikes me like it did today, they may get a buck or two to spend however they may choose.

Back to the grind...again

Today was the first day back to school after Spring Break.  I took last Monday and Friday off to spend some time with the girls, but getting up early this morning wasn't anywhere near as shocking to my system as it was to theirs.  Now that the temperature is staying in the 80's on a consistent basis, we can all feel that summer is right around the corner.  Only 10 more weeks of school and then summer vacation, here we come!  I can only imagine how hard it must be on teachers this time of year, I don't know how they get the kids to focus and stay engaged, kudos to all of them. 

When we moved here, I really thought my allergies would improve, but that has not been the case.  They are actually worse here and unfortunately, so is Abigale's eczema.  It has spread to parts of her body that were never affected before the move.  How horrible it is for a 14 year old to have this visible skin rash - I feel so bad for her.  Although, my sympathy only goes so far because if she would use her eczema cream several times a day like she is supposed to, she could greatly reduce the rash... But, what do I know?

We are determined to have a family beach week this summer for the first time in over 5 years.  I have a plan for how to make it possible, so wish us luck.  Stay tuned!

Dog Days

Today, I slammed my dog's tail in car door.  How awful is that?  When she screamed, she pooped at the same time, making the whole experience even more awful.  I feel so bad and I am just sure I have ruined her on ever wanting to go in the car again.  We think the tail is OK.  She is walking around normally and doesn't seem to be in any pain anymore, but I still feel awful.  I'm just thankful she doesn't realize it is me that hurt her.

Cleo

Just hanging out!

Cleo & Hannah panting together

Friday Night Leftovers

• This week was Spring Break.  Only 10 more weeks until school is out and summer vacation is here!  Still can't believe I will have a high schooler...
• Speaking of  Abigale, she turned 14 on Monday.  Don't even ask me how that happened or where the time went.  I can say that so far 14 is much better than 13!
• We went to Kemah boardwalk today.  We didn't really know what to expect since it was our first time, but I guess in my head I was hoping it would be like Ocean City.  It wasn't.  It was MUCH smaller and there is no beach.  The boardwalk is right over the water.  No beach.  It was also HOT and so crowded.  And, everytime you wanted to ride a ride, you have to wait at least an hour.  The kids had fun and now we can say we have been to Kemah.  But, we won't be going back...
• I did horrible on my diet this week.  I am not going to dwell, just going to refocus and get back on track.  Dreading my weigh-in on Sunday...
• I miss my Atkins diet.  I wish I could go back to it, but it is just too hard on my family.  They got soooooo sick of it and since I'm not the cook I can't control a lot of the food that is served.  Weight Watchers is definitely more family friendly.
• Hannah is just so cute right now.  2nd and 3rd grade are my favorite ages.  She says the cutest things and she still has that little girl innocence.  I need to figure out a way to keep this girl this age forever!
• We are now in the 80's on a regular basis.  I guess spring is over and summer is here.  My allergies are horrible and I am just dreading the summer heat that is right around the corner.  We are going to the beach as soon as school gets out to avoid the oppressive heat that August and September bring.  But, trust me, early June will still be hot by all standards.
• I have had headaches all week.  I have one right now, but it could be attributed to spending the day out in the sun.  Anyways, I dislike these frequent headaches and wish they would leave me.

First prizes of the day! -Kemah Boardwalk

Wordless Wednesday

Today Hannah played in the dirt.  She looked so cute from inside where I was watching her that I just had to take a few photos.  Enjoy!

Santa has Cancer

I have always known that my youngest child is a bit on the strange side.  She has always left us guessing and I have had more than one teacher say to me that "she is a tough nut to crack".  Well, today she did not disappoint.  Picture it.  I'm in the kitchen getting our lunch ready and as she often does, Hannah hopped up on the counter to keep me company.  She was sitting near the sink and inside the sink was last nights' pot we cooked the corn beef in and it was soaking and was full of soap suds.  Hannah dipped her finger in the soap suds giving the appearance of white hair on her finger (if you really used your imagination) and said, "Hi, I'm Mrs. Santa.  How are you today?"  I played along and said that I was good.  After me and "Mrs. Santa" chatted for a while, I asked how Santa was doing.  Mrs. Santa answered in a low, sad voice, "Santa is sick.  He has cancer."  Then Hannah dipped her other finger in the suds and made is so the suds ran down her finger and said, "See this is Santa.  He has cancer so he is melting away."  I said in a horrified voice, "So you mean Santa is dying and won't ever deliver any more Christmas presents?"  And Hannah, very matter-of-factly said, "That's right!" I just shook my head and told her to smile for a picture.  Gotta love this kid and her twisted imagination.  Stay tuned!

Hannah and Mrs. Santa

Happy birthday, Abigale

Today, my girl turned 14.  On so many levels, this is hard for me to comprehend.  I still remember being 14 like it wasn't so long ago (obviously I am a bit delusional). And I can certainly remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.  The overwhelming fear that I had about being 21 years old and now being completely responsible for this precious child, the love that I felt that I had never know I could feel was so powerful and again, overwhelming.  In a matter of moments everything I had known or cared about no longer mattered, all of my hopes and fears now rested on this tiny little baby that had lived inside me for 10ish months.

Today, as a 14 year old, Abigale is still my pride and joy.  I would like to think that my parenting has something to do with who she is, but it doesn't.  She was born an old soul, always wise beyond her years and she, simply put, has a good, kind heart.  She has always cared less about doing what was cool and instead cared more about how people felt.  Even with her 14 year old mood swings she is still fun to be around, for the most part, and is a great big sister to Hannah.  Hannah knows she can count  on her big sister and that confiding in her Abby is safe. 

As Abigale embarks on another new year and all the things that being a teenager will bring, I will love watching her blossom into a young woman as she sets out to make her mark on the world.  I know we will weather many storms and that there will be fear and anger along the way, but our love and friendship will always prevail.  Happy birthday, Abigale.

Love,
Mom

Abigale 4 months old

Caught red handed!

Halloween 1999

First day of Preschool!

First day of Kindergarten!

Birthday girl 3-12-12

Showing off her money!

Happy Lazy Saturday

Abby - notice the socks



Abby with a sleepy Sammy



Abby hugging Cody



Abby smiling



Enough pictures, mom.

Hannah close-up



Hannah playing dress-up

Friday Night Leftovers (The Lamest Week Ever Edition)

• Lamest week in history. 
• I only sold one new ad and had one renewal.
• Hannah wracked up $758 in coins for her apps on the iPad.  She did it in 5 days, which is how long it took me to open up the iTune notifications that piled up in my inbox.  I assumed they were notifications that Abigale bought songs for her iPod with the iTunes gift card she got for her birthday.  Nope, instead my precious 8 year old went buck wild on an iTunes spending spree.  No more iPad or computer for her for 60 days.  She owes me $758 and the only way to pay it back is through not using the iPad/computer. Each day is worth $12.63 and it will take her 60 days to repay the full amount.
• Abigale wasn't able to participate in her Choir competition due to her F in math.  They got a 1 in the competition, which is the highest score, and brought home a trophy.  I feel bad for her that she wasn't a part of their success.  She hated being left behind and having a substitute with 5 other kids that also got left behind.  She is doing much better and may actually get away with just 1 semester of summer school. I hope she is able to go on the SplashTown field trip at the end of the year.
• I attended a funeral this week.  Technically, he was my 2nd cousin (if you look at the relation between he and my mother). But he is also my step-uncle, since he was married to my stepmom's sister. Anyways, it was a beautiful service, but very sad. He was so loved by his family and I know the torment they are going through. RIP Uncle Fred.
• I was going to purchase our hotel for our beach week next week.  Now that Hannah has spent the money on coins for her games on the iPad, beach week is looking like a dream instead of a reality.
• I started Weight Watchers on Sunday. After losing 60 pounds with Atkins I needed a switch. I was really getting tired of the limited menu on the Atkins plan. Weight Watchers is going good so far. I'll blog about it after I have been using it for a while.
• It is raining...again.  I am so sick of the mud from the dogs.  I know they can't help it, but I am just sick of it.  After last year's severe drought I never thought I would get sick of the rain, but I am done.  Bring on the sunshine!
• Still loving my new Dyson.  It picks up sooooo much dirt and dog hair.  I also have noticed that is stays cleaner longer (because it is actually cleaning everything) and the air is fresher (which I attribute to the HEPA filter). The kids like it too which is awesome.  Abigale actually volunteers to vacuum!
• I downloaded a program as an upgrade instead of the full version. So, now I can't use it and it is $200 down the drain.  I have been holding for their tech support for about an hour now. Hope they can refund me the money because I can't afford the whole version.  Hannah spent all my reserves!
• Hannah is coughing.  She also has a fever.  Great!

Wordless Wednesday

Hannah showing off her new feather earrings

Posing with Quackers

Weird, random, open door

I had some appointments this morning. When I got home I was greeted in the garage by my next door neighbor's dog, Friday. She was excited and kept running to see me and then running back to her front door. I walked over to her front door and it was open. Curios because my neighbor is a teacher and is generally not home during the day. So, Jay called inside the house and we rang the doorbell and nothing. Friday continued to run in and out of the house. At this point I became concerned because obviously no one was home (or able to come to the door) but I still wasn't comfortable walking in and checking things out for myself. So, we called the police. They came and went inside. They checked things out and didn't find anything unusual. It is still a mystery how her front door got open leaving Friday to come and go as she pleased, but I was just relieved they hadn't been robbed or that something hadn't happened to my neighbor. She was grateful when the police contacted her and told her what had happened. I was relieved because you never know how someone is going to react, I mean I was all up in her business... But, everything ended well and that is really all that matters.

Friday Night Leftovers

• This has been one of the longest weeks on record. Ever. I am so tired and can't believe I just sent my April magazine to print and am now working on the May issue. Where is the time going???
• I took the girls for frozen yogurt at Tutti Frutti today.  We ate outside because it was gorgeous outside and Hannah noticed a nail salon right next door and suggested a man-pedi.  Gotta say, I love my french manicure and hot pink toes!
• We are celebrating Abby's 14th birthday tomorrow.  One of her good friends from school is joining us for some jump time as SkyHigh trampoline park.  We are also serving up Abby's favorite, cherry cheesecake! I can't believe my baby is almost 14.  Again, where is the time going???
• Hannah had "field day" today.  I use that term loosely because only two of the games were outside.  But perhaps the lamest part of field day in Texas is that it doesn't start until 2:10 in the afternoon! In VA it was an all-day affair and the entire thing was outside.  Hannah said she was ripped off!
• I LOVE my new Dyson.  I have already vacuumed 3 times this week!
• I joined Weight Watchers Online today.  So far, it rocks! 
• Abby doesn't want to attend her end of the year, Eighth grade party.  I really want her too, but if I push she will say no just to spite me.  Gotta play this one very carefully...
• It is spring here in Texas.  The grass needs to be mowed on a regular basis, everything is blooming, and we are consistently in the 70's and 80's.
• I am now planning our summer beach trip to Corpus Christi.  We are going to have such a great time. So far on the agenda, the USS Lexington, Texas State Aquarium, and, FunZone!
• I started a Facebook page for my magazine, Sweetwater Style, this week.  I am excited about how this is already positively impacting my business.

Are We Every Truly Safe

I think the honest answer to that question is no. But, I really don't need reminders of it, life is scary enough as it is. This week, Abigale's former Middle School in VA has a student that has threatened to do a school shooting today. News traveled fast around the school and by Wednesday it was all over the local news and the students and parents were swirling in information, some true and some not. Apparently, an 8th grader left several death threats in student's lockers and made it well know that he intended to do a school shooting on Friday (today). The police were called and the county and school officials immediately lept into action. The kid's residence was searched and he was interviewed by the police. No weapons were found and we are unclear on what his punishment will be, but I can tell you that this situation has left an entire community rocked with fear. Many of Abigale's friends are at home today because they and their parents are too frightened to send their kids to school. This world of ours has gotten too crazy and I do fear what type of world my children and grandchildren will live in. Stay tuned!