Summer is coming

School is almost out for the year for my girls. I remember when they were younger how exhausting and crazy summertime was. Trying to plan fun things to do with them daily ( while trying to not spend too much money) was overwhelming. I had heard a few friends at school talk about free movies at the theater during the summer. We went one morning and became hooked. They're older movies that are out on DVD but the experience was a lot of fun with my girls. As they got older we would plan days to go to the waterpark, beach, pool and library. Now that they are both so busy I just enjoy the days that I get to spend with them. I kinda miss the days of them needing and wanting me to find fun things to do. As I get prepared for summer this year I am reminded that time went faster than I expected it to. So this summer I'm going to enjoy every minute I have with my wonderful girls no matter what we find to do. Have a great summer everyone!!!

Different parenting styles

As my children have been growing up I have had lots of different people put in their opinion on how to raise them. I have learned to let it on one ear and out the other but sometimes it bothers me so much. It's like these people are saying that everything I have done with my kids is wrong.

There have been people who try to tell me how my children should dress. Let me just say that I buy their clothes and what I decide to buy them is my choice. My girls do not dress inappropriately. They wear what's in style and I am okay with that. And yes we do get rid of clothes when they get too small and too short. But I don't need people telling me when it's time to buy them new clothes.

I have had people tell me that they shouldn't have cell phones, wear make up, date boys, etc. I have been dealing with people who have younger kids telling me how to raise 2 teenage girls. Or parents of boys telling me how to raise girls.

While I appreciate the advice (sometimes) I would really like people to look at my girls. They are great young ladies who are confident and can come to me about anything. I have had people remark about how wonderful my girls are and that makes me feel pretty great as a mom. I may not have the same parenting style as most people but I do what works for me. Don't get me wrong, we believe in discipline and consequences when bad decisions are made. We have sat down as parents and decided how we would deal with different things and stay consistent. And believe me when I say as they have grown that new things have come up but we always decide as parents how to deal with it.

This has been running through my head for a while and I just needed to get it off my chest. I know I'm not the only mother that has felt like this.

Miss Sandalwood

This past week was the Miss Sandalwood pageant at Sandalwood High School. Alexis was gorgeous!!! She had a wonderful friend backstage helping her to change her clothes and touch up the make up and hair. It was great having someone back there so I could enjoy watching her during the show. 

She sang Reflections from the movie Mulan and did sign language while singing acapella. I personally think her talent was awesome but of course, the judges didn't agree. 

She didn't place in anything but she is such a great woman that she is happy to have had the chance to be in the pageant. She is also happy for the girls who placed and the girl who won. 

I'm so proud to be her mother and to be able to see her perform!!!!

Few things I've learned

These are just a few things that I've learned from 2011.

1. Facebook is great for keeping in touch with out of state people.

2. Facebook is replacing relationships with people. No phone calls, face to face conversations, etc

3. Life is short so enjoy every minute to the fullest.

4. People will let you down and then pretend they didn't let you down.

5. I don't want to be the source of someone's pain in their life.

6. Kids grow very fast and are changing constantly.

7. There will always be the people in your life that think they know what's best for you and your family. Even when they don't.

8. To not expect a phone call back when I hear, "I'll call you back".

9. To love myself and how I look. (Still a work in progress)

10. To enjoy my family as much as possible.

Just a few things that I've learned this past year. Hoping that 2012 will bring better things for everyone.