Friday Quick Takes

                                                          

Yeah...it is Friday again!  So much swirling around in my head today so hear ya go......
 1.  Another wonderful week of Vacation Bible School has come and gone.  This year's theme was Sonrise National Park--camping!  Alyssa loved it and really wants to go camping now more than ever!  She was also able to stay with us this week and not go to grandma's so we were pretty excited too!

2.  Due to VBS being in the mornings, a great friend of mine took Alyssa in the afternoons to play with her daughter.  They did some pretty awesome things like swimming, Discovery Center, Summer Reading Program at the library, and Roller Skating!  What a week she has had!

3.Preparations have begun for a little boy's 2 year Birthday Party....can you say Hot Dog! Hot Dog! Hot Diggity Dog!  I have decided I can be some what crafty...can't wait to show you pictures!

4.I have had the hardest time getting up in the mornings this week.  I don't know what my problem is, but evidently my entire house has the same problem.  Alyssa fell back to sleep yesterday with her lights on and Caleb has been sleeping in all week.  Hoping next week we get back on schedule...I hate feeling like I am running behind!

5.  Had a wonderful experience Monday.  I will say that my fear of the unknown nearly kept me away, but I knew I would always regret it if I did not go.  I made my first visit to an occupied prison ( I visited these same prisons on a field trip in school when they were first built, but there were no inmates there yet)!  Like I said, it was a wonderful experience..even for a prison.  I was invited to attend the Bridges to Life Graduation at the Clements Unit.  This is a wonderful program that makes inmates face what they have done and realize what the victims go through as well.  Victims come and speak for 4 weeks and the inmates break out into smaller group sessions to discuss that weeks topics.  For Catholics, the inmates go through a similar process of confession/reconcilliation.  That is the closest thing I can compare it to.  They are required to tell their story to the small group.  These guys completed the 14 week session and handle to struggle with some pretty tough questions, but they were so excited to get up and talk Monday about what the program meant to them.  These guys just glowed and you could see what a BIG deal it was to them to complete this!  Such an awesome experience!  So much I could write about this but instead check it out at http://www.bridgestolife.org/ or check out today's Amarillo Globe News Article.( http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2012-06-14/beilue-clements-unit-hosts-graduation-no-other ) . 

6.This week will be a clean out Alyssa room week!  That is my main goal of the week...pray I make it through and don't get lost in all the STUFF she has accumulated!

7.  Last but not least, Happy Father's Day!  I have a wonderful dad,who in his own way, always lets me know he loves me!  And to Alyssa and Caleb's dad...hope you have a relaxing, blessed day and that you know how much you are loved and appreciated all year long!  We will be going to watch the local baseball team on Sunday with my brother and his family.  Should make for a great end to the weekend!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

7 Quick Take Friday--vol 2

1. FOOTLOOSE--I am so excited! My mom and Alyssa and I are going to our local theatre to watch Footloose with a friend of mine and her daughter. I have been waiting all season for this show! It is sold out and I am so glad my friend got our tickets early! Way to go Pat! It should be lots of fun for all of us girls! Our local theatre puts on some great shows!  If you have not been to a production by Amarillo Little Theatre--I strongly suggest you check it out.  THey have the list of next seasons shows up and you can get season tickets!  http://www.amarillolittletheatre.org/

2. It is a drizzly yucky day so I really could of just stayed in bed this morning. Hoping it clears up and the sun comes out today. I have great plans for my afternoon--including a pedicure! WooHoo--Happy Mother's Day to myself! What fun is a new pedicure if you can't wear flip flops or sandals. Go away drizzly rain and come back when I am sleeping!

3. Alyssa gets her dance recital costume tomorrow. It's like Christmas all over again! Can't wait to see what it looks like and see her all dressed up! Ms. Wendy always picks out the cutest recital costumes. 3 more weeks of ballet then summer break! Happiness!

4. Another week of Caleb sleeping through the night! Can I get an Amen?! I don't know what has switched in him, but I am not complaining. The child has had the worst sleeping habits since birth and it just took nearly 2 years to straighten him out! Maybe we will all be a little happier now!

5. Gonna go a little political now....bear with me! President Obama has now changed his position and is supporting gay marriage. Regardless of my personal opinions on the matter...I find it hard to trust ANY politician--Deomocratic or Republican who changes his position on a topic during campaign season. It makes it hard to belive in a candidate if they can't just pick a side and stick with it. It would be more believable if he would have changed his mind before he started campaigning and before his multi million dollar fundraiser in Hollywood. To all candidates---Stand up and fight for what YOU believe in--don't sway from one side to the other to pick up votes and more money.

6. My good friend and co-worker Martha has been involved in a new prison ministry called Brdges to Life for the past 6 weeks or so. It is a great ministry that works with the prisoners on owning up to what they have done and working through the process of forgivness and reconcilliation. The must tell there story to a small group of other prisoners and facilitators and do homwork each week. They also hear stories from victims of crimes so that they can see what their crime does to victims. It was originally intended for prisoners who would be getting out in the next several years. The return rate of prisoners who have gone through the program and got out is very low. Anyway--great program, but she has asked if I would like to go to their graduation in a couple of weeks at the prison. What an honor to be able to witness these guys success at completing a very worthwhile program. I won't lie I am a little lot nervous about going into the prison. I know I have nothing to worry about, but it is just the thought of it and going into an unknown. But I will overcome this fear, because this is something I don't want to miss!

7. I can not believe school will be out in 3 weeks! Yikes it went by way to fast! I shudder at the thought of having a 4th grader! She should still be my sweet little girl going into Kindergarten. Miss those days!

7 Quick Takes-Friday

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Oh my, what a week! Glad we survived. Is it just me or are everyone's kids driving them a little bonkers. WOW. Caleb has learned to climb to the top of Alyssa's bunk bed which is super duper scary which means he must be watched ALL THE TIME! He has also been on a screaming tyrade this week. And on top of that Alyssa just loves to get him going. Screaming children make this momma go nuts!

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This has been Teacher Appreciation Week at Alyssa's school. We have had a lot of fun coming up with little ideas to do each day. This year we had themes for each day and Alyssa really got into what we were doing each day. Monday we brough sweet treats so I found a cute container and filed it with M&M's (Sister PM loves chocolate) and different teacher note pads and stamps. Tuesday was bring May Flowers and I had found cute stationary and book that said Teachers help children bloom. We sent that to school with a bouquet of flowers (Alyssa usually likes to pick a rose from the house, but the recent hail storm changed those plans). Wednesday was Nuts about you day and we sent another cute container with a nutty snack mix. Thursday was gifts around town and we gave a little gift card to a local book/movie store. I also volunteered to make a pie for the teacher's luncheon on Thursday---some times I have pure moments of insanity! Friday--thanks a latte day. I got this great idea from www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com and www.wordle.net and created a cute picture using words to describe Sister PM. I printed it out on cardstock and bought a cheap frame to frame it in. Turned out really good. I also had Alyssa write a thank you note and she helped me make a great snack for the teachers lounge.

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Here is a recipe for a great snack! Peanut Butter Popcorn
1 cup caro syrup
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter
2 bags microwaved popcorn

Pop your popcorn and remove any leftover seeds. Bring to boil the caro syrup and brown sugar. Once boiling remove from heat and add in the peanut butter. Pour over your popcorn and stir. Let it dry and enjoy. Got this from www.favfamilyrecipes.com Yummy!

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I have delved back into pinterest this week. I had taken some time off because it was just making me feel sad. There were so many cool things and I wanted to try them all but of course I never have time! I found myself not pinning ideas because I knew I would never have time to get it done. Made me feel like I was in a never ending cycle of business! Someday I will have a spare moment again when I am not too exhausted to do something creative!

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Soccer ended last weekend. I had a good time "coaching" ( I use this term loosely)them and spending time with those girls. We had a fun party after our last game and presented them with their trophies and medals. They were so proud. We let them sign each others shirts as a momento. Great idea from one of the parents! I must say we have some great kids at St. Marys and WONDERFUL parents! I was blessed to spend this time with them.

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Just a quick note---loving the new daycare for Caleb. What a great boy he has been this week. I even took him this morning and did not get a cry when I left. I just feel better about where he is and leaving him. I know he is being taken care of and not learning really bad habits. Woohoo! Ms. Kenna rocks!

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So much for a relaxing Saturday---Alyssa is singing Sat morning at St. Thomas for their First Communion mass(She is skipping dance--her choice!)then she has a birthday party. Meanwhile Stephen is taking pictures for an old friend of mine and her entire family. Looks like I will be taking Caleb with me to the birthday party. Praying for a good boy while we are there.
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Moms

What is a mom?  That is a question I ponder tonight as I sit here trying to get my child to go back to sleep at 12:15 am.  As he screams for the past 30 min I wonder if there is anyone else right now going through the same things I am at this very moment and what would that mom do?  Acutally, I have been wondering about my mothering skills all week and the guilt that comes along with it.  Am I good enough to get these kids through their toughest trials or will I crumble under the pressure.  Tonight it is feeling like I am crumbling as the tears pour down my face while my child is in his room screaming.  Do I just give in and go hold him like he wants or do I bear down and continue this fight we have started?  Do I take him to daycare when in my heart I know I should stay home with him  when he still isnt over his recent illness?  Do I expose my daughter to the harsh reality of life and competition or do I continue to boost her up and tell her she is the best at everything she tries? 

I wonder if dads have these same feelings.  Do they sit up at night thinking of the long list of things there children need or have to get done.  Do they wake up and realize that tomorrow is swimming and the swim bag didn't get packed?  Do they obsess about if there children are truly happy or just putting on a  show?  Do they feel that guilt that mothers so often get?  I know my children and the things going on with them cross my mind a gazillion times a day.  What does Alyssa have coming up this week and do I need to take care of anything before then.  Do dads know when the can food drive is at school or when is storytelling and ready writing?  When is the Christmas play and how long do I have to get her a dress to wear?  Is this something a mom only thinks about?

I know Stephen is a great dad and would go to the ends of the earth for his kids, but I sit here thinking about our differences.  He can sit and color for hours with Alyssa or play Wii with her.  I couldnt do that.  He can talk to her about the stars and planets and keep her attention, when I can't even discuss a tv show with her before I get frustrated from trying to explain the simplest meaning of a word.  He can get Caleb to go to sleep at any hour of the day, while I sit here struggling to get him back to sleep.  These are the things that my kids will remember about him, but w hat will they remember about me?  Will Alyssa appreciate the hours I spent helping at her school or even notice all the lunches I made her or buttons I sewed onshirts minutes before time to leave for school .  Will Caleb realize the hours I sat up at night praying God will comfort him back to sleep?  Will they know all the small things I took care of?  Should I care?  I do care because if it werent for those small moments something would be missing from their lives.  They might not realize it at first, but it would be noticeable. 

So I guess before you criticize a mother for the things they dont get right or the things they forget....think about all the things they do get right and tell them Thank YOU!

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TOP 10: BEST THINGS ABOUT MY BIRTHDAY THEN AND NOW

In honor of my upcoming birthday, I thought I would share the 10 best things about my birthday from when I was child until now.  Hope you enjoy!

10.  As a child, we use to always have swimming parties at the City Pool in Hereford in honor of  my sister's  and I's birthday (that doesn't sound right, but I never said I was a writer).  My sister and I have birthdays 12 days apart and we use to always celebrate our birthdays together.  As a child this isn't always the best thing...sharing a birthday with someone and your sister no less.  But, I can remember having sooo much fun at these parties and fondly remember how much fun my dad was swimming with us and jumping off the high dive.  The high dive at the City Pool was pretty awesome.

9.  Having a birthday in the summer......got to see my friends that I was missing from school...That was until they moved school starts so far back that I was in school on my birthday (that almost teeters on the bad things about my birthday).

8.  Turning 16 and finally being able to drive. If you haven't heard me complain about it before, I was one of the youngest kids in my class and all of my friends turned 16 before me (MONTHS before me).  I had to bum rides until I started my Junior year of high school!  Double fun..I got the coolest car to drive...does anyone remember????  I think the first night I got to drive all by myself I picked up a few friends and we drove to Sonic and got a Pink Lady to drink.  I haven't had one of those in years!

Sorry..this is the only pic I had of the green  "jeep" with my friend Renee!

7.  Having friends come to my house and celebrating my birthday with my family!  I had some pretty great friends in high school.  Good times!

My 17th birthday at my house with my friends and family!

6.  In the past few years, I have enjoyed celebrating my birthday with friends by going out to eat all together or having them over for dinner.  Whether it was bowling, cramming in my small house,having a lunch date or going out on the town I have some great friends who always seem to make me feel special on my special day.

5.  Homemade birthday cards from my kiddo!  Enough said!

4.  Getting birthday cards in the mail!  Whether it is from my insurance agent or my sweet sister or grandmother, its just fun to get something in the mail that isn't a bill.  Even better when there is a little something special tucked inside!

3.  Getting something special from my hunny!  He always tries to go out of his way to find the perfect gift for me.  He even solicites advice from Alyssa and they usually do a pretty good job.  He always makes me feel special and I can see the time he takes in finding the right gift!  Sometimes I can even con him into cleaning for me and bypassing the gift! XOXOXOXO

2.  This really is my #1 but......The WORLD FAMOUS (really not, but I think it should be)STRAWBERRY CAKE!!!  If you have not tried it you are missing out!!!!  My momma makes me the very best strawberry cake that has a strawberry cream cheese frosting with coconut and nuts!! YUMMY!!!!!!  Can you tell I really like it!  She has made this for me every year since I think I was 17!  I usually try and share..but I am pretty sure I could eat the whole thing by myself!  It is not always the most beautiful cake but I never care what it looks like.  Is it bad to say I would eat it off the floor if I had to?

My Strawberry Cake from 2010!

1.  The best thing about my birthday is having just 1 day the entire year that can and should be all about me.  It should be a day where you feel special..even for a little bit.  People acknowledge you and wish you well.  I have always been very blessed to have great people surronding me on my birthday and wishing me a great year!  Thank you to all my family and friends for always making me feel special...even if it is for only 1 day of the year!!!!

Looking forward to this birthday and many more to come!!!

SUMMER IS OVER!

Uniforms have been bought, backpacks have been packed, bedtimes are back to normal...we are back to school!  Alyssa was super excited for her first day of 3rd grade and for a new teacher. 

This year we have nuns teaching in our Catholic School (I know you are thinking well of course you do) but we have not had any nuns teaching there for quite some time.  Alyssa's sweet little class was split this year and she was put in one of the new nun's classes.  She was a little concerned at first when some of her bestest friends were in the other class and she had the new teacher but it didn't even seem to bother her when we arrived at the school.  When I picked her up she could not quit talking about her new teacher and her class.  She couldn't wait to go back!  What a relief! 

We are so glad to be back to our normal school routine and schedule.  The summer break is nice, but I am glad to have a little more structure in our lives.  I may not have this same attitude come April or May but right now it is super nice!