Emily's Bad Day and David's Friend

Well today was a big day for Emily. In her almost 13 years of life this was probably one of the biggest. Cheerleading tryouts after school and then her Winter Formal tonight. She had practiced and practiced for tryouts and had the perfect dress for the dance (pics on that to come later). So yesterday she was home sick with a virus. She went to school today, not feeling great. Made it through tryouts before getting sick outside after. Then she went home for chicken soup and rest and to get all dressed up for the dance. When they arrived back at the school to take her to the dance the cheer results were posted - she didn't make it. She had a good attitude and said she was disappointed, but ok. She went into the dance with her friends and then called her mom 1/2 an hour later - she had gotten sick again. Bless her heart - I just hurt so bad for her. What a horrific day!!!! She's with her mom this weekend and I know she'll get plenty of TLC, but Dan and I wish we could comfort her!!

David has a good friend named Jace. She's the oldest daughter of my girlfriend Leslie. Jace is almost 3 and David is almost 4 and I swear they have the funniest love / hate relationship. When they are apart they ask for each other often. David even woke up the other morning talking about her, he had evidently dreamt of her. Today we saw them at three locations: boot camp assessment, McDonald's and then our house. The problem is they can't get this playing together thing down pat. Both of them have given up naps so they are tired and cranky children in the afternoons and they tend to drive each other batty. But if you separate them and the play date is over they are sad and want to be back with the other. It's really cute. Here are a few pics of them from today riding in David's battery truck. I got this for a steal at consignment!! (Gotta love a deal).

Lot's of Misc. Thoughts

Friends are the lifeblood of a happy life. After God and family they are what makes us smile, get out of the house, answer the phone, go to the Y and all that stuff that we need to do to lead full lives. Like most of you I have old friends, new friends, acquaintance friends, best friends, etc. I love them all in different ways. They truly complete my life. I even have past friends - I jokingly refer to it as being divorced LOL. Each and everyone of my past and current friends has touched some aspect of my life and I'm glad they were in it. Actually, I'm glad some are out of it too, but I learned things and experienced things having known them.

One of the reasons for the talk of friends tonight is I spent some time today with one of my dear friends who is moving away. I've had quite a few friends move away in the past year or more and there are three (counting this one) that I became really close too and truly miss. I thank God they came into my life and that there is such great technology out that we can easily stay in touch and keep up with each other's lives and children. Jennifer and Charly I miss you guys and Jessica I'm gonna miss you too!!!

Emily's cheerleader tryouts are re-scheduled for this Friday afternoon from like 3:30 until. They will post the results later that night. That Friday night she also has her Spring Formal at school. 7th grade and they are wearing formal dresses. Amazing!! Her dress is beautiful - "Annie" (grandma/Barbara) bought it and I can't wait to show you guys pictures. Oh, I can't remember if I told you about the two boys she's interested in and that she was hoping one would ask her (they are both in 7th grade as well). It turns out neither is going to the dance so she's just going with her friends. And heck, as us "old women" know - she'll probably have tons more fun with the girls!!

David has been very trying today (more details on that in a minute). I kept him out of school so far this week because honestly I just wanted to be with him. I think getting accepted into "big-boy" school at Holy Cross has made me truly face that he's growing up and that as of August of this year our ability to have free days and just play are over!! I'm happy and sad at the same time. I'm sure everyone goes through this when their babies grow up. So anyway - David and I went over to Leslie's today to help Jessica watch Leslie and Lauren's kids. It was a great time being with my friends and their kids, but David was in rare form - the combination of over stimulation (7 kids) and my presence seem to bring out the "monster" in him. I had to spank him and put him in time out a few times. Then everyone had gone and it was just he and Jace, my friend Leslie's oldest daughter - and he bit her!! It was horrible - I was mortified and so angry at him. He didn't break the skin, but I think poor Jace is going to have a heck of a bruise. I'm like what is the deal and where did my child go. Just last week his teacher is bragging about how respectful he was and how he was never aggressive and always used kind words... Hello - who was the kid I had today. Then this evening he was acting horrible!! My dear friend Kim came by for a visit (she is truly one of his favorite people in the world) and he said something smart when she walked in and then never spoke to her again. So, I put him in bed before 7:00 and of course he went right to sleep. Exhaustion being the obvious culprit of the day. I tell you I pride myself on being fairly easy-going with him and picking my battles and trying to stay positive, etc. Well today I felt like our whole relationship was based on negativity - me saying no, spanking, time-out, etc. I DO NOT like days like today and I know he doesn't either. All that said, I have two things I can assure you of - this will be a major part of my bedtime prayers and the boy will go back to school tomorrow LOL! Whew - felt good to get that off my chest, which is why I started this blog :)

Dan is going great this week. Working hard as usual. He has some new irons in the fire and is working on acquiring a few additional properties for us, which will DOUBLE our size. Exciting and terrifying at the same time. I am already drowning in paperwork LOL. I'm so proud of him though - he works really hard and has for a long time and for his dream to finally be alive and growing is great. God as truly blessed us in that we have a successful business and Dan loves doing the work and it enables me to both take care of my family and keep a hand in the "work life" that I gave up when David came along. Another thing that makes me proud of Dan's success is he is a really fair employer and if these new deals work out and we double our size that means we'll also be hiring more employees!!

My dad is recovering well and just resting and gaining back his strength. We are still praising God that he is such a miracle!!

My SIL's mom was diagnosed last week with breast cancer. It seems I cannot get away from this disease no matter where I turn. I know though that her mom is healthy and her cancer was found early and the strides made in breast cancer care in the past decade are mind-boggling. So with great medical care and a loving God and lots of prayer I know she'll be just fine. Never-the-less it is a scary thing to go through and I ask that you lift up their whole family in prayer for peace and strength to fight the battle.

A member of my SAHM's group was pregnant with twin girls, 24 weeks. She lost the babies yesterday and had to go through a c-section today. I cannot even find words to imagine a tragedy such as this. I truly know (from personal experience) and I truly believe that God called these precious little girls home early. He has his reasons and we'll know one day. But - in the short-term and heck even the mid-term that does not make the loss any easier to deal with. Please pray for their family as well and ask for peace and comfort.

I'm having an unusual week. I'm happy about miracle dad and always happy about miracle Dan, but this past Friday was the 10-year-anniversary of my mom's death to breast cancer... So, I have been unusually sensitive to things and a little more sad than usual. I think I big part of what has me down too is my back. It's done great since my surgery and I've been like a new person. But this week it is flaring up and all the pain is back with a vengeance. I had truly forgotten how much significant and constant pain can affect your attitude and personality. And it depresses me a little to think that possibly the whole surgery was for naught and now here I am back in the same situation. I'm praying that it is just a bizarre thing, but I don't feel real confidant in that regard. But as my "heroine" Scarlett says - tomorrow is another day :). I've taken some major pain meds, vented here on the blog, will take the boy to school tomorrow, go to boot camp tomorrow night and bible study with the girls after. I'm approaching the day with a positive attitude and hopefully it'll be a great, pain-free day!!

Happy Mardi Gras - It's Fat Tuesday!!

Ok so I think I've told you guys that David is going to school 5 days a week now. Work is getting busier and busier and Dan's acquiring new property right and left so I needed the time to get things done. Well the school morning session ends at 12:30 and that's when I had typically picked David up. However, on random occasions I would leave him for afternoon session. It turns out that my sleep-deprived son who hasn't napped for me in over a year will nap at school. He said "Ms. Vicky says we can sleep in the sun." Which means in the daylight. So I started leaving him more often for nap time. Still niggling guilt at the back of my mind though because I'm away from him all day. But in all actuality if he was here and still napping we'd still be "apart" for the same amount of time. Then yesterday and today when I picked him up in the afternoon he didn't want to leave and this afternoon his teacher pulled me aside to tell me how great he does in the afternoons. Great attitude, receptive to everything they do, etc. Different from how he is in the morning. Well this tells me three things - 1) he is sleep deprived!! (of course I knew that) 2) he loves being at school 3) being happy at school is much better than watching TV here while mommy works.

Today was Fat Tuesday - the final day of Mardi Gras celebration and tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Growing up in Mobile and then Montgomery I have experienced my share of Mardi Gras in Mobile. When I was little my grandmother's organization used to do a parade and she rode on a float - it was awesome as a little kid!!!! I haven't celebrated much Mardi Gras since my grandparents and mom passed away and I've gotten older, etc. But today my friend Lauren (who is from Mobile) threw a Mardi Gras party. I went without David because I still love seeing all my mommy friends. It was such a fun gathering. Food served was traditional: King Cake, red beans & rice and shrimp & grits and Krispy Kreme bread pudding and lots of other snacks. There were beads and moon pies and masks for the kids. I am so thankful to have such great friends and I really enjoyed the party today. Aside from the good friends, great food and cute kids, it was a bit nostalgic for me and brought back some great memories. And it seemed appropriate to have some good memories because this Friday is the 10-year-anniversary of my mom's death and she was a Mardi Gras nut!! I need to see if I can find some old pics of her and my dad getting dressed up to go to the balls. If I can find them I'll scan them in so you can see them. So thanks Lauren for helping remember and celebrate and not just be sad this week!!

Tonight was boot camp and boy was Lucy (trainer) kicking butt tonight. We focused on upper body with some abs and cardio thrown in for good measure. My arms are already killing me and I usually don't get sore until the next day. I hope I can move tomorrow :-) because I have a ton of work to do.

Emily is trying out for cheerleader this week at her school. They practice every afternoon from 3:15 - 5:30. She enjoyed it yesterday, but was tired!! I didn't talk to her tonight. The actual try-outs are this Friday afternoon. She's really excited and I am too. I had alot of fun cheerleading and I think it's great exercise and teamwork, etc. She wants to do this instead of softball so I hope it works out. They'll post the results sometime after 7:00 on Friday night.

Well I think that's enough for tonight. I need to go concentrate on the President's speech and Jindal's speech after. I recorded them while at boot camp tonight.

BYL,
Michelle

Facebook, Storms, Friends and Sprite

Say what you want about Facebook - believe me I did :). I used to think it was silly and make fun of people who used it. Then Christy convinced me to join and I love it. A perfect example of why it is so great: tonight I was talking to my best friend from 1st and 2nd grade when I lived in Pass Christian, MS. We've seen each other 2 or 3 times since we were young. But lost touch and haven't seen each other in 20 years. And guess what else - she lives a little over an hour away from me. How cool is that! Thank you facebook! I've also found friends from junior high, high school, college, etc. It is such a great way to have daily contact with people you never get to see and to find out about their lives and their families, etc. It's amazing how once you marry and have kids you become consumed with your own life and you get so busy!! Well facebook gives you the chance to "see" them and if fits into any schedule.

We've had storms in our area this evening and tonight. Tornado warnings, thunderstorm warnings... The latest one ended about 1/2 an hour ago. I truly hope that's it for the night. I hate being woken by tornado sirens. The first round we all got in the hallway - even the dog LOL. The second round was too late and the storm moving too fast so everybody stayed where they were. I guess I've lived here long enough I don't want to say I'm complacent, I just know the drill and this last one was such a fast mover it would (and was) be gone before I could even get David situated.

Today has been a good day. I worked on paperwork this morning, picked up Emily from school (seeing her during the week is always a nice surprise!), came home and started dinner and then moved in the hallway HA HA. Thankfully dinner was not ruined and when we came out of the hallway we sat down and had dinner. David was thrilled that Emily was here. Everyday he tells me he misses her :(.

After dinner Kim came over and rode with me to take Emily back. Then she and I rode around and looked at houses and chatted. So nice to have conversations without our kids around. We LOVE our kids, but sometimes you just need girl time!!

I'm reading the best book, Rescuing Sprite. It was recommended by my high school Assistant Principal (thanks again facebook!). If you are a dog lover this is the best book you will ever read. I can't wait to pass it on to dad and Barbara and my brother and Leslie!!

BYL,
Michelle

Overflowing With Love on V' Day - A List

As I wind down tonight I've been reading updates on the blogs that I follow and alot of tonight's posts had lists. It seemed like a good idea and a nice way to put all the thoughts in my head down on paper - or virtual paper anyway.

It's a little too late at night to be perfectly organized in my list so I'll tell you right up front it's going to be random, but it's going to contain little quips about the special people in my life. Things they do that make me feel good and whether they realize it or not, let me know they love me...

1) Dan loves when I cook dinner for him - eating at home is his favorite. But whenever I don't feel like cooking he is always happy to pick up dinner or agree for me to pick up something. No griping, no complaints about money, just a smile and our inside joke of "you cooked a great dinner!" This is said to whichever of us picked it up.
2) He gives me time alone alot. He never complains about giving me time away from home or most specifically away from David. I go shopping, for coffee, to boot camp, bible study, ball games, dinner with friends, take naps, shop some more, etc. Every time he has a smile on his face, never complains and just enjoys his time with David.
3) He loves to play with our kids and our friends kids. He has filled our home, and continues to do so, with things that are fun for the kids and their friends. The thing that is cool about though is not that he's bought the stuff - it's that he plays too. He has a ball spending time playing with the kids and their friends. (As long as it's not board games LOL)
4) He spoils me rotten. I have the GREATEST life and all he wants in return is some clean underwear, dinner and cuddle time on the couch... oh and I do have to listen to some stories about space stuff HA HA.
5) Emily is the most amazing daughter and God blessed me so much when he put me together with a man who had such a special daughter.
6) She has a smile on her face every time I see her. She always kisses me hello and good-bye and good-night and always says I love you.
7) She is always respectful, does her chores without complaint and truly seems to appreciate the things we do for her. And she makes me laugh :)
8) David gives me his trust, faith and love.
9) He often comes up and hugs me or hugs my leg and says "Mommy I love you so much"!! And his smile when he sees me... priceless.
10) My dad is my rock. He is so much to "blame" for making me the person I am today. He is always there for me. Unconditional love and support and consistency make for a fabulous parent. If I can be 1/2 the parent to my kids that he is to me - they will turn out great.
11) Barbara is amazing. God blessed me again when he put her and my dad together. I know they think he blessed them :-) but I got in on that blessing too. She is such a light in our family and is always there for a question, a sob story, some gossip, baby-sitting, hanging out, a good meal, loving the kids, taking care of my dad...
12) Boyd, my brother, calls me several times a week to check-in and see how we're doing, what the kids are up to, how Dan's business is going, tell me about a good book and just to say I love you.
13) My "sister" Christy. Who would have guessed that when my dad got married I would gain a sister and one that is so much like me. She teaches me patience, understanding, deal shopping, Wiggles and Gymboree appreciation and much more. She is my personal therapist (at a great rate), takes care of my son, takes me to Auburn games and makes me laugh.
14) My friends Kim and Bill and their kids Hope and Hayden are just such lights in my life. Kim is the sister you've always dreamed of. It always feels like family when she's around. The way she moves around my kitchen and interacts with my kids and knows my past and my quirks and still loves me... Bill is the easygoing rock - he is always thinking of me in little ways that he probably doesn't even realize because he's just that kind of guy. Hope is always happy and smiling and Hayden will always make you laugh.
15) My friend Leslie is my coffee, shopping, boot camp buddy. We have so much fun together and I couldn't imagine not spending time with her every week.
16) My friends Lauren and Jessica are such amazing women. The pray for me and my family, ask about us and support me in so many ways.
17) My friend Jennifer moved to Texas and left me... HA HA JK, but I know she loves me because she calls me and e-mails me and shops for me even when I'm not with her.
18) My dog Teddy follows me everywhere and looks at me with those adoring eyes that make you think she really knows what's going on.
19) There are so many other people in my life who have touched my heart in many ways. As your life goes in phases there are different people who God puts in your path to help you through the tough times. When I lost my mom, got married, had David, transitioned from working to staying home, fought the cancer battle with Dan, as I deal with my dad being sick... The prayers, "check-ins", meals, cards - all the little things that were done.

Whew - that turned out to be alot longer and quite a bit more "rambly" than I planned. But all these special people are such important parts of my life and make me feel so loved! And since this is holiday to talk about love...

Thank you God for blessing me with such wonderful family and friends and animals.