A Story

I have just decided to finally get a tattoo on my foot. There is a story behind the design and why I wanted one.

A few years ago I went through a really hard time in my personal life and relationship with God. I kept asking God why certain things happened to me. I started questioning a lot of my life in general.

Walking through that was really hard. It made it harder that I felt very alone in the process. Don't get me wrong, I had friends to talk to and lots of people praying me through this situation.

I came to realize that the only way I was going to get through it was through making my relationship with God first and foremost in my life. I needed to have a faith that never ends no matter what comes along.

I'm sure that I will get lots of judgment for making this decision to have a permanent reminder of my faith in God. But it's my life and I want to live it.

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.

Love

What is Love?

I've heard it said that love isn't just a noun, it's also a verb. That is so true.
It's easy to say I love you to someone but it may be hard to show that love.
When you say I love you to someone, do you just say it in passing? Mean it? Prove it?

I know I'm probably stepping on toes but this has been on my heart for a while.

When someone feels unloved they deal with a lot of different emotions at one time. Indifference is the same as not loving someone to me.

Love is a choice. You can choose to show love or choose to show dislike. Whichever you choose can make or break someone's day.

I just hope that everyday I am able to show my husband and my children that I love them and not just say it to them.

Crazy life

The start if this school year has been a whirlwind.

Alexis got a job right before summer ended and is now juggling school, homework and work.

Autumn wanted to get back into tumbling so she's prepared for high school cheerleading. And also wanted to take a contemporary dance class. And now she's helping teach a dance class too.

My girls like to keep me busy (which I normally don't mind). But there was a lot going on the first few weeks that we are trying to get back into routine for school.

I love that my kids have different interests and are involved in more than just sitting at home playing video games. Alexis is in drama at school and is a wonderful actress. I'm looking forward to watching her in the plays at school. And looking forward to Autumn's recital at the end of the year.

Just a little taste of the craziness that has become my life this month. Hopefully it will slow down soon. :-)