Proud momma.

My precious adorable little boy made me so proud today!
if you have known me over the course of my stint as a mother, you will know how very wonderful it was for this to happen.
My son has transformed from an honery little stinker ;) to a truly wonderful, obedient, compliant, still high energy child.
His teacher on the 2nd day of school gave him a reward that she (in her own words) 'rarely' gives out. She does reward, but THIS reward is the big kahuna...
All by itself, what he did was not a great big deal, but it was a big deal for second day of school.
He finished the activity at his chosen center, put everything away, threw his trash in the trash can , and walked across the room to stack his "sit-upon" back in its proper place -
ALL WITHOUT BEING TOLD TO DO SO...
She made a big hoopla over his actions in front of the whole class, and praised his behavior as something for the other kids to imitate...
He got this huge sticker that covers a good bit of his chest on one side that says, "My teacher is proud of me."
I think he grew 3 inches while she told me about what happened...
I was so proud of him today!!

On another note, same day, same child - when he came to my music class - I made him cry.
It was very sad. I didn't mean to hurt his heart.
Here's what happened:
We were playing the 'get to know you' game where you roll a ball across the floor to a student and ask them to answer 3 questions...
It's the game I use on the second day when I still haven't learned all their names...

I ask them:

1. What's your name?
2. What's your favorite song?
3. Tell me something about you that I don't know... (favorite color, favorite food, favorite movie, etc...)

I had asked about 7-8 students in his class the same questions. We had established a pattern for the game. So when I rolled the ball to J. and I asked him his name, it never occurred to me how he might take it...

He started bawling. Like a broken-hearted baby.

"You know my name, Mommy. You know my naaaaammmeeee....."

Stab me through the heart.

Try explaining that to a 4 year old...

I have hugged him lots since then...

Funny girl.

Today, we were walking out of the house to pick my son up from school.
Little A. had put on her sunglasses, upside-down, which if you ask her, IS the way you are supposed to wear them...
Then my hunny said, "Hey little girl, you've got your glasses on upside-down."
She said, "That's how I roll."


(No, I am not lying. That IS what she said.
Of course, she has heard me say that like 4 trillion times...)

Thoughts.

• I still cannot read kdp's blog. Am I alone? Is this a conspiracy? :)
• I still feel awful for my contribution to KJ's 'Productive Day'
• I have an awesome family.
• My friends add so much to my life; I want to add as much back to theirs...
• Why is home-ownership so 'involved?'
• I am very tired.
• Throat is scratchy.
• My grandmomma is having a shoulder replacement surgery tomorrow morning.
• This day has been great but truly exhausting.
• Glad KJ found a place close to work.
• I want my friend's hubby to get a good job here in town so he can see his girls...
• Do we have a baby yet? Not you, kj - no_iffer...
• Why can I still not read kdp's blog?
• My sister is coming this weekend. For the whole weekend. You others, you know who you are, better back off my sister time...
• I guess I could share...
• My babies are growing up.
• I really like the people they are becoming.
• Why is it impossible to go to the bathroom alone after you've had kids? What is the draw? I mean, come on, think about it.... oooooooo - that's sewage....I wanna be there...
• The very concept of spam sicks me out. Some kid at school had the grossest lunch today...
• Hunny turns 31 this saturday. I want to make him feel special and appreciated.
• I haven't changed a diaper in over three months.
• Just ruminating on that last thought some more...

First day.

It was great!

We weren't late.

That, all by itself, is worth a blog.

My kids were both very well behaved.

They both ate every scrap of food I put in their lunch boxes.

They were extra cuddly this morning.

They have been a little grumpy and tired this afternoon...

Waking up early can be hard for the wee little tots, gracious, it's hard on the momma too.

The kids went right to sleep last night - I guess there's no such thing as 'night before the first day of school' jitters for preschoolers - but I, on the other hand, had to take meds just to get to sleep.

Finally, I crashed out. Then at 2:43 am some dummie rang our doorbell. And then honked their horn like we were supposed to answer the door at 2:43 in the morning...

I still have no clue who that was...

Stuff like that creeps me out. I had a very hard time getting back to sleep after that.

The first day went very smoothly from the aspect of teacher. You really couldn't ask for anything better with 80 preschoolers...

I had one little girl that was HARD CORE. She was so tough she scared me.

"NO."

'Please sit down sweetie."

"NO."

'Wouldn't you like to have a sticker for your hand when you leave here?'

"NO."

She then ran out of my classroom.

She was seriously uncrackable....

Her homeroom teacher is scared too...

Other than that, it looks like the start of a great school year.

And girls, look real close at my butt.

The parents have already started bringing in sweets for Mrs. O.

You should start to see a "big" change in the rear... er... near future.

I. can. hardly. wait.

Here are my two little puddin's:

Summer's End.

Tomorrow our new school year begins.
I am filled with excitement and nerves. Hesitation and anticipation.
Will J. make friends quickly?
Will he adjust to the new routine?
He has grown up so much this summer.
Will he revert a little and recover quickly?
Will A. adjust to being without her mommy, or will it be the last month of school and she's still crying when we part each morning?
How will "potty trained" translate to this new place?
How will the busy mornings ever work?
It is hard to get everyone ready and out the door, especially when you still have to do so much for each child...
Will they have friends that they already know in their classes?
A. is convinced that FAFE and JOOLYA are in her class.
Will she be ok when she realizes that they aren't?
Will their teachers like them best? (they oughtta, they are so very cute)

My heart is so torn to leave them.
I don't want to let them go for even a second...
I cannot even imagine having a full time job. I mean seriously, if I miss them, all I have to do is run over to their class and steal a hug.
10 times a day, if I need to...
I feel like a crybaby because I know I have it so much better than most working moms - but I don't care what your situation is, it is still hard to leave your children.
Expecting it not to hurt when you leave them with someone else is like telling the sun not to rise...
It simply cannot happen.
Several times today, I found myself thinking, "I just won't go to work tomorrow. Yeah, I just won't show up.... It will be fine."
I guess if it's that bad for me, Miss Coushie Job, it has to be so much harder for my other working mommy friends...

We had a terrific summer.
It was everything a momma can ask for. We spent so much time together.
We made so many memories together. I love them so much!
I cannot tell you how being their mommy has changed me.
Not just as a person, but as a child of God.
There are certain things that I was never able to fully grasp as a child, but as a parent - I feel like I come a lot closer to understanding the fullness of God's love for us, His desire to bless us, and how very badly He aches for us when we fall.

As we turn the page, I pray that God will be our steadfast guide.
That I'll not let myself forget for a moment why I have been placed there. I have been given a unique position to be among the first influences for God in those little lives. Let my actions and words reflect God's love and desire for relationship with them.
Let each child leave my classroom feeling loved and special.
Help me Father, to be a light in my job and in my home.
Father, where I fall short, make up the difference. I pray Your strength, Your grace, Your patience, Your mercy be infused in my soul.
May my home and my own children not suffer a moment because of this added mantle.
Abba, where I cannot be enough, You are enough.
Thank you for your Word, which is my compass.

Ephesians 3: 14-20 (New International Version)

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that
Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp
how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...

Hambuuuugers.

On the way to church yesterday morning, my little princess kept saying, "hamburger..........hamburger.......mmmmmm.........hamburger."
So we look back at her and she's munching on something.
I asked her, "Hamburger? Are you eating something? What's in your mouth?"
(you know how you get panicked thinking about what must be in there, trash, dead bugs, choking hazards)
She just kept chewing.
My husband asked, "Are you eating your boogers?"
She said, "Nooooooo....."
He said, "Lemme see."
She opened up and it seemed like there was nothing in there, but she just kept right on chewing.
So my husband said, "Where did you get that - hamburger?"
She shoved her finger up her nose and said, "Here."

Bar codes.

Today, we went to Target. My son had an epiphany.
He asked why everything always has those little black lines on it.
I told him they are called bar codes and that when an item is scanned, it tells the computer how much to charge us for it.
He soaked it all in.
The next time we passed a price checkpoint, he scanned his item.
When we got to the checkout, he said he had already paid for his item.
It was a folder for school.
I explained that the computer at the front of the store is where you pay, the others are just to tell you how much an item costs.
******
A few hours later, we made a quick trip to Wal-Mart to pick up a 3-liter of soda for a Labor Day party we were invited to.
(He always likes to hold on to the receipt after I pay for something.)
He was in the back seat and I heard a little faint voice get louder and more gruff.
He said, "There's those little black lines on the receipt."
And he added, indignantly, "You shouldn't have to PAY for the receipt. That's NOT FAIR!!"
******
I just love it when he's cute and smart at the same time!

A note to you...

If it weren't for great people like you, there wouldn't be grateful people like me...


Kablot - I miss you so much, it is unreal. What will a hug from you feel like?
I positively cannot wait until you get here! My favorite moment on Friday will be when you get here and I get to gallop toward you (in slow motion) and leap into your open arms! A prolonged embrace will ensue. Followed by awkward silence...

La - I do not know why your blog has not been updated since you hatched your genius plan...
I miss your blogs. Take a picture of your adorable kids or something... Did you see Yo GABBA GABBA this morning? Creepy...

Meems - I miss your words of wisdom. Give me something, I'm dyin' over here...

seph - Yes, dmb+tickets=true life moment
Seeing you at the women's retreat...priceless

Kotze - I saw you across the congregation yesterday. Never got any closer than a stone's throw. I wanted to hug you. I hope your week goes well...

Crys - Ok. I missed you yesterday. You are a staple in my life now. I have not gotten any ramirez time in far too long. Jacob's gonna be doing 'rithmetic before I see him again...
Suffering from withdrawals...

E.- what is going on? I hope you are having a great weekend with your hubby - it's like you've been out of town for months... Let's hang out soon...

No_iffer - I really really love you! There is something so special about getting to peek into the mind of a woman who reveals her beautiful thoughts the way you do. Thank you.

Scraps - I am excited about our blossoming friendship! It's funny that we have known each other for so long, have so much in common, and are only just barely scratching the surface of our friendship! I am excited about it though...

Marme - I look forward to your posts with such great anticipation. I love the feeling of community and family that comes from knowing your leadership. I don't even think about you as 'leadership' as much as I think of you as a friend and mentor - of course, I do still think of you as my pastor, just more than that. Thank you for letting us know you. I really enjoy you!

Kdp - I am still locked out of your blog. I think I gave you the wrong email. Try the same before part with 'gmail' instead of 'yahoo'. I cannot say enough about what you have meant in my life, recently and for the long haul. I have looked up to you, I have looked into you - you are true. you are beautiful. I love you!

Ree - the more I know you, the more I love you. you are so much stinkin fun - the kind of fun you have one day and then just thinking about it the next day makes you laugh. I have laughed several times today!

rw - there is a quiet depth to you. I know you say you're not shy or quiet. I don't think you are - but I do see a depth to you that I am itching to get to the bottom of... Each time I get to spend any time at all talking to you, i wanna know you more... That's a good sign, right?

Bacamama - I think there is a pride only definable as "Proud Momma" and last night dear, it was all over you! I was glad to see your beautiful family with you yesterday evening! It was really special!

camezi- I don't think I have ever gotten to know you that well. I am enjoying taking looks into your world through your blog. It's amazing how quickly you can find commonalities with people when you read their diaries... I like you!

A's rich life - I don't think I can tell you enough how much I appreciate what you and rich did for us. Still my heart overflows with gratitude when I think of you.

Nanna - I miss you. Where have you been? I saw you yesterday, but I miss you...

Jolie Bijoux - where are you? I was all excited about you blogging. You are not blogging. You are snobbing... :) Come back to me.....


Delightful Amor - I have been missing you and thinking about how busy your life must be right now. Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything... that's what we're here for.


Am I thinking too highly of myself to think that all these people might actually see this?
I just wanted to send each of you a note to let you know I think of you often.

My Granddaddy.

My grandfather was the world's most talented man.
I grew up thinking it and I have often wondered if my childlike awe was disguising what would seem mediocre to everyone else - as an adult, I still hold to the fact that he was the most talented person ever.
I will sometimes look at a canvas that he artfully stroked with a brush and turned into a masterpiece and wonder how he never got 'discovered'.
I look all around in the houses of my family and see countless displays of extreme talent. He was a phenomenal artist. He did oil paintings, wood sculptures, metal sculptures, ceramics. To this day, ceramic pieces that he did free-hand artwork on wins at state fairs and such.
He died in early April of 1995 - I think it was 1995. I was 14.
He was gentle. He had history. The kind of history you don't hear about anymore.
He served the United States in WW2. He showed me his shrapnel scars once - I'll never forget that. Those war stories were the real deal. So much sadness behind them.
He had a crush on Connie Chung. I don't think he really did - he just acted that way to bug my grandmother.
He was a video pirate. He collected everything. Pennies. Notepads. Glass insulators. A true collector.
If my granddaddy did anything at all, he did it with every ounce of himself. And you better believe it was great!
His laugh was laughing perfected. To this day, I have never heard a laugh that was so free, so pure, or more memorable. Sometimes when I look at my dad, I think of my granddaddy...
He was an extraordinary musician. He taught himself how to play the organ during his severely impoverished childhood by breaking into the local church at night. One night, one of the church members (maybe the pastor) stuck around to see who had been breaking into the church each evening. When my granddaddy (9 years old at the time?) broke in and began playing the organ, the church member couldn't believe it! They were so amazed at his talent and the fact that he taught himself that they gave him the organ!!
He sang so beautifully. I have not heard anything like it. I would give anything to hear him sing again.
Sometimes I miss him so much. When I miss him the most, I'll go into my kitchen and try my best to replicate a favorite snack that we used to share.
I still haven't mastered it - peanut butter and honey mixed together on bread, or just licked off a spoon.
He made it all the time. I used to look forward to trips to his house so we could share our tasty snack together. He always made me feel so special.
I know why I can't make that peanut butter and honey taste the same.
It's because he's the reason it tasted so good.
I loved my granddaddy.
He loved Jesus.
I'll see him again someday-
but today, I miss him.

""""Paint fume high""""

Work.
All weekend.
I am one Tired lady.

First of all, I win.
I win for sure.
Yesterday, I went to Wal-Mart and spent 295.00 big ones.
The fact that I spent nearly $300 at Wal-Mart in one sitting is not the winning note.
The fact that only 2, count them, 2 items in my cart(s), yes, carts, were greater than $5.
A bag of chicken breasts and laundry soap.
Other than that it was canned goods, dry goods, frozen doo-dads, fresh food, milk, eggs, butter...
Usually, when I spend THAT much money anywhere there is at least ONE big ticket item in there...
So yesterday, I worked like a crazy woman loading groceries into a cart, out of a cart, paid for them, put them back in, out into my van, out of the van and into my house, and neatly organized into my pantry and fridge... WHEW! I hate grocery shopping.
I used to think I was a hero just for taking two kids to the grocery store, now I am elated if I don't forget the Q-tips!

Yesterday, I also mowed our front and back lawns. They were way overgrown because or garage door was broken for two weeks. Mower stuck in garage+Garage door stuck in downward position= Lots of mowin to do...

After dinner yesterday, the kids and I went out to my parent's house to look at Jupiter and a comet that was due to pass through orbit on my brother's mega-telescope. That was really neat!

Today, when we got home from our sleepover at my parent's house, it was back to work.
I went to Home Depot and got some paint for our front door. While our garage door was broken, we had to come in and out through the front door. I decided that as much as I like red doors, THAT color red was not the best and I was tired of looking at it.
I painted our front door.
Then I steamed our carpet.
I fed the kids dinner, bathed them, read to them, and got them to bed.
Then I polyurethaned our bathroom cabinets, the kids bathroom cabinets, the hallway woodwork, and some of the kitchen before I ran out of it... It really looks better!!
Very much worth the effort, I'll say!
After that, I still thought I had some steam left in me, I decided to finish the kitchen and dining room paint.
I got a lot further.
But my jelly legs and tired fingers kept me from finishing the job...

So if you are wondering what I have been doing instead of blogging, now you are caught up!