There's A Block In My Head

I love writing.  I've always loved writing.  However, it seems I spend more of my time staring at a blank screen as I think and think and think about what to write.  I have so many ideas but do not know how to put it from pen to paper ... or I should say type it onto here or a Word document.  I sit and I stare at the screen.  Nothing.  Nada. 

Blank.

I have always wanted to become a writer.  A professional writer.  Books published and located in every book store and library across the country.  Oh, what a dream!  Is it ever going to happen?  I don't know.  I've been working on the same story idea for years and still can't seem to get passed the first paragraph.  What kind of writer is that? 

Then I decided to start a blog but I'm not on here much.  I click on New Post and I sit and stare at the blank white page in front of me wondering what kind of words I can fill it with. 

Writer's Block ... isn't that what it's called?  How am I ever going to make a career out of writing if I constantly have this block in my head? 

Waiting ... wondering ... hoping for ideas ... nope, still nothing.  Hhhmmmm?

Thanksgiving, Birthdays, New York and Sicknesses

Hello readers ... do I have any readers?  Oh well, doesn't matter!  I love to write, regardless.  I did start a new blog on Wordpress.  This blog is going to have a different approach than this one and yes this one will stay.  More about it later.  I'm not very good at keeping up with the blog so I have a little bit to catch up on. 

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  My kids had 6 days off.  My parents and in-laws came over for Thanksgiving dinner.  I cooked it all.  I love cooking the big dinner.  I don't mind it at all.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from the holiday.  The food was delicious and everyone got along.  Win. 

Thursday wasn't just Thanksgiving but it was also my son's 9th birthday.  9!  Each year goes by faster than the next.  I can't keep up.  He's growing up so fast, doing well in third grade and in cub scouts and is just growing like a weed.  He's a smart kid with a big heart.  Still very shy but that's okay.  I try to encourage him to be more outgoing but I know he'll come out of his shell when he's ready.  I was also a shy kid.  After our big Thanksgiving room we found room in our bellies for his Pokemon cake with a side of ice cream.  That was also delicious.

My first born is 9.  This is his last year in the single digits.  I can't get over that. 

Black Friday is usually a day when we stay home and decorate for Christmas but that didn't happen this year.  I spent the day cleaning up from Thanksgiving and the Christmas stuff still sits in boxes in the attic.  On Saturday we were invited to our neighbor's 6th birthday party.  She had a pool party at the YWCA.  It was fun.  Then on Sunday we ventured to Long Island.  My home sweet home.  It's always nice going back and seeing family but I hate the drive.  My niece was having a Sweet 16 birthday party.  It was a huge event.  She looked so beautiful.  I remember the day she was born and it's hard to believe how much she is growing as well.  She's very smart.  An honor student.  At the age of three she decided she wanted to be a brain surgeon.  Her choice has changed but she does want to stick with the medical field.  I'm so proud of her. 

The party was fun and it was nice to see so many members of my family. 

On Monday we headed home.  My husband insisted on driving through Manhattan.  I wasn't thrilled with the idea but allowed him to do so.  He and the kids loved driving through the city and passing The Empire State Building.  What a site!

Monday morning also brought on some sickness for my daughter.  My husband had already been fighting something for a few weeks and it turns out he has bronchitis.  My daughter caught something.  My husband and daughter took off yesterday.  Today my son woke up coughing.  I decided to send both kids to school and I told them if they didn't get any better to go to the nurse and I would pick them up.  I didn't get the call.  My husband went to work but may end up coming home early.  My throat has been hurting but so far it hasn't turned into anything major.  I need to stay healthy so I can take care of the family. 

Right now I'm catching up on the new season of The Gilmore Girls.  I'm so excited they are back!  I'm still trying to get through the massive mess in the house and hoping to get the Christmas decor started soon.  I have never been this late!

Prayers Answered.

Okay ... I did get a little political on here, didn't I?  I promised myself I wouldn't use this blog for anything controversial.  I was just excited about the outcome of the election but I know, even still, our country continues to need prayers and hope. 

It seems lately my prayers have been answered one by one and exactly how I wanted them to be answered.  I am in awe of this! 

To share one example, last Saturday I received a phone call that my niece is in the hospital in a coma with her organs shutting down.  She was dying and everyone gathered to the hospital to say goodbye.  I am in another state and it made things really tough.  I prayed.  I prayed a lot.  I asked others to pray.  Even my five year old daughter prayed, "please God don't let my cousin die."  Hearing my little girl say those words were absolutely heartbreaking.  My daughter is such a sweet, sensitive, caring kid.  I couldn't believe that my beautiful 35 year old niece, who has been battling with multiple sclerosis, was going to die.  Her and I were so close as kids but when I moved to Pennsylvania things changed.  I was no longer close to my family members but I did think of them often and love them all so much.  This was a hard thing to go through.  My niece has two children.  What were those two kids going to do without their mother?  It was devastating. 

Today I received some amazing news.  My niece's organs have started to work again and she woke up.  She is being moved to a regular room.  She's going to live.  Did you hear that?  She's going to live!  I cannot believe it.  Actually, yes, I can believe that.  I can believe that because I believe in God and I know He had a hand in this.  Anything is possible with God.  Anything.  He is saving my niece.  I'm so, so happy. 

God is good! 

You Can't Always Get What You Want

You win some.  You lose some.  That’s one of those life lessons I’ve been teaching my kids.
We just finished a very important and crucial election and some people aren’t handling the results very well.  There are protests riots in many cities.  College students needed to take some time off to “grieve.”  I’m pretty sure there are plenty of adults who took some time off of work as well.  If you voted for Hillary Clinton I can understand why you would be upset.  Losing is hard.  It’s terrible.  But … it’s part of life.  I believe that many of these millennials aren’t properly taught how to handle losing and it’s unfortunate.

I wanted to start teaching my kids at a very young age that losing is something that’s going to happen from time to time.  In an election.  In sports.  In anything.  Losing is sometimes inevitable.  In an election or in a sports game only one person/team is going to win.  There’s a chance the one you were routing for isn’t going to be the winner.  Knowing the person you voted for or the team you were cheering on lost can be very upsetting and even devastating but it’s unavoidable.  It is what it is.  Although, being defeated can be good because it teaches us to try harder for the next time.

I remember when youth sports teams started handing out trophies to everyone just for participating.  My son has a few from baseball.  If everyone is given a trophy it teaches kids they have nothing to work for.  If you are going to get rewarded, even for not doing the best, then what’s the point of trying?  You showed up and played the game, that’s good enough.  That is just a small part of why I believe young adults are now feeling so entitled.

As a parent, I feel it’s my duty to teach my kids how to be responsible and why it’s important to work hard in everything they do.  I’m not going to do things for them that I know they can do for themselves.  If they fail I may help them learn how to be better but I certainly do expect them to try harder and aim to succeed.

When my son started playing baseball he wasn’t very good.  That’s the truth.  Every year he gets better because he’s determined to keep trying.  The last season was his best and I’m so proud of how far he has come.  He loves the sport and is willing to try.  Sometimes the team has lost games and sometimes they won.  The coaches felt it wasn’t appropriate to keep score but these kids so desperately wanted to know.  At the end of each game they would ask my husband, the assistant coach, “what was the score?  Did we win?”  They wanted to know.  They had every right to know.  But these days, the children are taught it doesn’t matter if you won or lost.  Actually, yes, it does matter.  My husband always kept score and he told my son after the game.  Some days my son cheered for their victory and other times he was disappointed in the defeat.  Knowing when they lost and knowing what was done wrong gave him the knowledge and momentum to do better in the next game.  These kids need to know when they lose.  They need to learn how to try harder and be better.  They also need to know you don’t always get what you want.

As I was driving my daughter to her dance class last night the song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Rolling Stones came on and I would love if these rioters and college students could hear the lyrics.  No, you can’t always get what you want so instead of crying and sulking and feeling sorry for yourself accept what is and try harder.  Admit defeat and move on.  My kids have already learned this lesson.

Congratulations President-Elect Donald J Trump

Election Day had me filled with a ton of anxiety.  I don't know if I've ever felt that anxious before.  We were all awake and dressed early and headed to the polls by 7:30am.  We stood in line for almost an hour.  I had never seen our polling place this packed, not even in 2008.  In my very Conservative county that's a good sign, at least at the time, I had hoped.  I made my selections and walked away leaving the rest into the hands of God.  I prayed.  Prayed a lot! 

Later that evening I watched Fox News and watched as each state turned either red or blue.  It started to look good for Mr. Trump but many times throughout the night I wasn't sure.  I couldn't go to sleep.  I needed to know the results.  I made it to 1:30am.  By then it was looking very positive for Mr. Trump.  We were waiting on Pennsylvania.  My state.  My state that normally turns blue but this time ... this time ... RED. 

RED!

Pennsylvania made it official for Mr. Donald J. Trump. 

And yes, I voted for him.  I was excited.  My husband was excited.  The next morning I shared the news with my kids and they were excited. 

I prayed that God's Will will be done, not mine.  I guess this is the direction He has decided on this time.  Let's Make America Great Again.  Hopefully he can. 

Congratulations Mr. Trump and good luck. 

 

Bringing God back to the good ol' USA

Yesterday the pastor at my church reminded us of how prayer was removed from school in 1962.  Since then, everything seemed to have gone downhill, didn't it?  God was removed from schools, from government and from a lot of places.  As a country we have pushed HIM away.  We have made our own decisions and lived our own lives.  Then when things go bad we wonder where God has been and why he allows such bad things to happen.  I've been looking into Scripture a lot lately.  I have come to understand that God allows bad things to happen so that we can come back to HIM.  Eight years of Obama should have been a wake up call and I know it has for a lot of people.  We were promised that with Obamacare "You can keep your doctor.  Any doctor you want."  We were lied to.  Did enough people wake up?  Everywhere I go I see Trump signs and very few Hillary signs.  Trumps brings in thousands upon thousands of people to his rallies.  People are angry.  People have had enough.  But is it enough?

Tomorrow we head to the polls and cast our vote for the one we feel would be better at running this great nation.  You need to ask yourself do you want another 4 - 8 years of the same or are you ready to bring God back to this country.  I watched as a woman recited The Pledge at a Hillary rally.  When she said, "One nation under ... indivisible."  She left out God.  So when Hillary Clinton becomes the next president, and there's a good chance she will, don't wonder why.  You should know why.

Many Christians have said that they would rather sit out during this election.  They feel that neither candidate is fit and neither is a reflection on Christianity.  Okay, I see your point there; however, not voting is a very bad idea.  Clinton or Trump, one of them is going to be the next president.  It's best to pick one.  I'm picking Donald Trump.  I know he doesn't always watch what he says but when it comes to protecting our Religious freedom, The Consitituation and keeping the country safe he is the best suited for the position.

I don't like to get controversal on my blog and I'm about as sick as hearing about this election as anyone else ... but I needed to say this.  I needed to speak my mind.

Cast your vote tomorrow.  Do your part.  People died to protect your right to live freely.  Don't take it for granted.

Let's bring God back.

Election Time

Less than one week until the election.  Let us remember that Donald Trump can't save us.  Hillary Clinton can't save us.  The only One who can save us is Jesus Christ and as a nation we have forgotten that.  He knows who the next president will be and He has a purpose and a plan.  We need to take the time to pray that His Will will be done.  Yes, let's continue to talk about and share the important issues of each candidate but do not forget to do so maturely and above all, pray.  Pray to the One who can save us.  We need saved.

Halloween

We are now in November.  How is that possible?  This year went by so fast.  In a few weeks we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving and it won't be long before it's Christmas.  NEXT MONTH is Christmas!  I'm so not prepared for any of it.  Every year goes faster and faster. 

I didn't even write anything about Halloween. 

My son wanted to go as The Phantom this year.  Both of my kids love The Phantom of the Opera.  It was an easy costume to put together.  We bought the mask and the cape and bought a white dress shirt that came with a tie and he already had black pants.  My daughter wanted to go as Elsa.  What girl doesn't want to? 

We went to a Trunk or Treat/Carnival for my son's cub scouts, then we went to a Trunk or Treat at their school.  We went to "Happy Hauntings" at our favorite amusement park and then, of course, we went around the neighborhood on Halloween evening.  My kids have enough candy to last until next Halloween. 

I've been MIA from Blogger for awhile but I so badly want to get back into writing again.  So, stay tuned. 

Hopefully you had a safe and wonderful Halloween. 

Fall Fest

I love the fall and we seem to have so many traditions this time of year.  I think we found one to add to the list.  There is a farm a few miles from our house and every October they have a fall fest.  We have never been there.  Last Sunday my daughter's friend from preschool had a birthday party there and we were invited.  I'm so glad we went because we were the only kids that showed up.  We felt bad but her friend didn't seem to mind.  It was fun. 

This place had a petting zoo and the kids met a skunk.  I never imagined having that chance to pet a skunk.  Usually when you see this animal you want to run the other way. 

 

The kids also made their own jump ropes.  It was hard labor for those poor children.  

There were games to play, a pumpkin chunkin, hay ride and lots of fun.  I hope that this is something we can do again next year.  

Happy 5th birthday K! 

Rainy Day

It's a rainy day.  The kind of day where staying under the covers in bed with my pajamas on would be ideal.  However, that didn't happen because housework and responsibilities keep me from being lazy. I'm proud to say I rearranged the pantry, scrubbed the bathroom and kitchen floors and ran to Walmart to buy my daughter an umbrella.  

This morning my son had his Spider-man umbrella and willingly let his sister hang out under it until the bus came.  I felt like such a bad mom because I had yet bought an umbrella for her and my umbrella was in the trunk of my car that's currently in the body shop.  Ugh.  So, I ran to the store and bought her one and can't wait to surprise her with it when she gets off the bus.  

It's a nice cool day out and the rain is definitely needed.  I love the rain.  It's so relaxing and peaceful and provides nature with nourishment.  We haven't had a good rain storm in a long time and everything is drying out.  

This has been my car rental since Monday evening.  It's a Ford Focus, which is a little smaller than my Taurus.  The insurance of the woman who backed into me a few weeks ago is paying for the rental while the car is in the shop.  It's been a great little car although you can tell it's been beat up by previous renters.  Why are people so rough with rental cars?  Because it's not yours you don't care about it?  I always believed in taking care of the things I borrow and returning it in the same condition it was given to me.  I will not miss this car though and I can't wait to get my car back.  It's ready and we'll be dropping this off and picking my car up this evening.  I'm excited.  I wasn't always a fan of Fords but since we got our first Taurus I've been hooked.  I have always, always, always loved the Mustang though.  Maybe someday.

Well, I have a ton of other things to get through before the kiddos come home.  I miss them so much.  The days without them drives me insane.  I go crazy.  I do like the quiet time but I miss the energy they bring too. 

Happy Hump Day

I wanted to start with this brief disclosure.  I've been receiving emails from people asking if I can feature them on my blog, or if I would like to be featured on their blog, or if I would like to buy something.  I appreciate those who take the time to read my posts.  I love the visitors and new friends and I love if comments could be left on my post after reading them so I know who is viewing them.  However, this blog is a place for me to jot down my own experiences and memories.  I am not interested in anything but that.  I may post a recipe from time to time and maybe share a life lesson that I have learned but I am not interested in blogs that have those "How to ..." advice.  When I started blogging several years ago it was so much simpler then.  People blogged about their daily lives and spoke about what had been going on.  It was more like a diary and that's exactly how I intend to keep mine.  It seems most bloggers now just want to spend the time focused on helping others how to be a better parent, better spouse and all that.  It may work for them but it's not what this blog is about.  So please understand that I will not be using this blog to feature others and I do not like spam of any kind being emailed to me.  Thank you for that understanding.

We are now in fall.  Summer is over and I have been slowly bringing out all the fall decorations.  I do like this time of year even though I do not enjoy the cold winter that follows.  The weather continues to be warm and the leaves are starting to change colors.  We are also very close to a very important presidential election.  This one is probably the most important one in my lifetime.  I'm really trying to steer away from writing about anything controversial on my blog but I may post at least one sometime between now and November.  I'm sure I won't be able to contain myself.  If you follow me on Facebook you know exactly where I stand and who I plan to vote for.  I am not afraid to speak my mind; however, the purpose of this blog was to keep it peaceful and happy.  However, this is life and my life isn't always happy.  I have to be real and honest.  I'm not always as sunny and cheery as I could be.  So the title "A Little Bit of Sunshine" probably isn't accurate.  Sunshine came from my real first name Dawn, which means "Break of Day."  My favorite color is yellow.  I love sunrises.  It all just made sense.  So, anyway ...

We continue to love this rabbit.  She's getting pretty feisty but is a lot of fun.  She loves hanging out with her big human brother on the couch.  We're definitely keeping her.  There's no doubt about that.

This morning I was running through the house trying to get the typical housework done when I noticed my son's backpack on the floor.  Oh no.  I grabbed the backpack and drove to the school.  This isn't the first time this has happened.  I'm not sure how I didn't notice he was missing the backpack when he got onto the bus.  I'm glad I found it and returned it to him before his lunch time.  My father came over today to trim two of our trees in the front yard.  I appreciate how much my dad has been doing for us.  My husband is always very busy and finding the time to get through everything is impossible.   Even though there is so much more that needs done around the house I am sitting here watching an episode of Parenthood on Netflix.  I just discovered this show and love it.  It's so good. 

Okay, that was nothing but a bunch of rambling.  I will have more to say soon. 

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

This Is Life ...

Last Friday my husband had to have a minor procedure done on his shoulder.  His shoulder had been hurting for months and he had enough.  That procedure was the best thing he ever did because he's feeling so much better and is walking around pain free.  This poor guy has already been through so much in his life.  Arthritis topped with tons of surgeries.  No one deserves to live a life of constant pain.  No one.  But especially him.  I wish he didn't have to suffer.  Sometimes I can't help but go to God in prayer asking "Why him?"  Still, through all the pain he's endured he still gets up for work and goes about life like any able-bodied person could.  He complains very little.  It's amazing.  I'm so proud of him.

Anyway, the procedure was supposed to take place in the morning but the doctor's first patient was having some kind of problem and his surgery was taking a long time to get through so everyone had to wait.  Okay, no problem.  It wasn't the patient's fault nor the doctor's.  You have to do what you have to do.  We waited ... and waited.  Finally my husband was brought back and prepped.  We continued to wait ... and wait.  I kept watching the clock because I needed to be home by 3:50pm to get the kids off the bus.  Finally at 1pm he was brought back to the operating room and the procedure itself was quick.  We were out of the hospital after 2pm and I had to immediately bring him to another building to start physical therapy.  The plan was that I would drop him off, run home to get the kids and then go back to pick him up.  I pulled to the curb to let him out and then BAM someone hit me from the back.  I turned to see a car had backed out of her parking space and slammed into the corner of my bumper.  I freaked out.  No, no, no I don't need this right now.  I need to be home for the kids.  My husband called the police so an officer could file a report for the insurance company.  I sent a text to a neighbor asking her to get the kids off the bus for me because at that point I knew I wasn't going to make it.  The police came, made the report and I made it home 10 minutes AFTER the bus came.  I'm so thankful my neighbor was there to help out.  So the kids and I jumped into the car and went to pick up my husband.  Whew.  It was a stressful day but it could have been worse.  We're all okay and that's what matters.

The lady is at fault and her insurance will pay for the repair.  I also get a rental car while it's in the shop. 

 Then, this morning after the kids got on the bus I noticed the car was standing crooked.  Sure enough, it has a flat tire.  Ugh.  That poor car.  

My daughter has finally adjusted to school.  There are no more tears and she's learning so much already.  I love seeing the smiles and happiness again.  She still says she misses me.  The long days are still very hard for her and probably will be for awhile but she's hanging in there and I'm so proud of her. 

My son has been having some issues lately and I'm not sure what to do.  It seems he's been slacking with his homework.  He's always been so smart at math but I've had to erase his answers several times before he gets it correct.  His spelling homework is easy because he just has to copy the words onto a piece of paper and the words are already written for him.  All he has to do is look at the words, but even so, he still misspells them.  There's no excuse for misspelling words that are right in front of him.  Then I find out that he has had reading homework that he hasn't even bothered to do.  I was so upset with him.  I lectured him on the importance of doing his best and grounded him from hanging out with friends the rest of the week.  I am sure I'm being too harsh but I want him to understand the importance of doing his best and finishing assignments.  His handwriting is sloppy.  I need to work with him more at home on these things because I do not want him to fail the third grade.  If you are reading this and can offer advice send it my way.  It's appreciated. 

I spend my days alone and with so much to do around the house, yet, nothing seems to get done.  My days seem to be a blur as if I'm just walking around in a fog until the kids come home.  I thought I would enjoy this alone time but it turns out I hate it. 

We Got A Rabbit

Yes, you heard that right.  We got a rabbit.

My kids have always said they wanted a rabbit.  Well, they also ask for a dog but that's something we cannot afford right now.  As I was looking through the SPCA's website I came across this beautiful, big girl.  She's a Chinchilla Rabbit.  We all saw her pictures and fell in love.  We just had to have her.

Yesterday on September 11th, the 15th anniversary of the biggest terrorist attack on the United States and also Grandparents Day, was when we made the adoption official.  She was a little bigger than we had expected but that's okay.  She's perfect.  I had educated the children on bunny care and that she's not going to be the kind of animal that wants to be snuggled and held.  They were so excited.  She's definitely a strong-willed, stubborn girl but she's adorable and so much fun.

The best part is that she's litter box trained.  I had no idea you could litter train a rabbit.  It's made things a lot easier.  My husband built a cage for her but we let her out as much as possible.  She's still getting used to us and the new surroundings and we're willing to be as patient as possible.

 

 

Today the kids are in school and I opened up the cage door to let her free.  She likes exploring, running, hopping and playing but she's good about going back into her cage when needed.  She's quite entertaining.  A great addition to our family.  She's a bit messy but that's expected.  I'm glad I have someone to entertain me during the day.  

Rabbit care is a lot different than it used to be and that's because they learned so much about what rabbits can do.  When I was little we had rabbits who lived in a hutch outside.  Now it's recommended to keep rabbits indoors.  They can be litter box trained and if properly cared for inside they can live as long as dogs.  It's pretty neat.  I have learned so much about these creatures that I didn't know before.  We are definitely going to enjoy her.  

Maybe in a year or two I can convince my husband to get a dog.  My kids would be so excited for that.  We're pretty happy with this furball. 

A New Locket

I have been a stay-at-home mother for almost nine years and I have loved every minute of it.  There have been times when it's been monotonous and there have been times when I didn't want to play with toys or watch a kid's show on television even though the kids insisted.  There were times when I really had to struggle to remember how grateful I was to be able to stay home and take care of the kids.  We've had financial struggles and had to sacrifice but it's all been worth it.  There have been things I wish I could have done differently but the past is in the past and I can't change it.  The nine years went by in a blink of an eye.  One minute I was holding a newborn baby then it seemed the next minute I had a three year old and a newborn baby and then ... now I have two school aged kids.  It went by too fast.  It's not fair how fast these years went and I'm sure it will only seem much faster from here. 

Because of not working outside of the home my kids have been used to having me here with them.  We haven't had to depend on anyone else caring for them.  It's always been me.  My son eased into the long hours of school pretty easily but my daughter is having problems.  She said she loves kindergarten but the day is too long and she misses me.  In the morning she tries to get out of going to school and the entire morning is a teary one.  She gets on the bus and the tears start up again.  It's hard for me to go through the day unsure of what my kids are doing and how they are.  I managed to get used to it with my son but now I'm doing it all over again with my daughter.  She's so small.  So fragile.  So sweet.  Watching as she climbs up those steps on the school bus is tough to watch.  She's five and that's the age all kids start kindergarten but she's a small five.  She's petite.  I look at her and realize she still needs Mommy but Mommy has to let her go even if neither one of us wants to do so. 

I had an idea to buy her a locket to wear.  My husband bought it.  I put in pictures of us with her and presented it to her this morning.  I told her this was a way for Daddy and I to be with her while she's in school.  It made her emotional but she accepted it.  I hope it helps.  I'm not sure what else to do.  I know her adjustment to school will happen and she's in the middle of her second week but it's frustrating. 

These picture aren't the best but here it is. 

Look at that face and those tear stained eyes.  It breaks my heart to see her this way.  I am praying and asking for God's help because that's all I can do.  She's a smart kid who is totally sweet and outgoing but lately she's been depressed and clingy.  I'm hoping this passes. 

School Blues

Change isn't easy, not for me and certainly not for my daughter.  In the last almost 9 years I've been a stay-at-home mom and my daily life has been dedicated to nothing but these kids.  When my son started school it was difficult; however, I had my daughter with me to keep occupied.  Now that my daughter is in school I have the house to myself during the day.  Part of me enjoys the quiet time and the ability to get things done with no distractions.  The other part of me hates it.  I miss the kids.  They give me purpose and keep me on my feet.  Without them here it's lonely and I feel lost.  It also doesn't help that my daughter has been having a hard time.  This week seems to be worse than last week.  She wakes up whiny and unmotivated.  She tells me she doesn't like school.  I believe she does like school and she does learn while she's there but it's the long day.  I hate that this school district has full day kindergarten.  It's too much for a small child, especially one that's so used to being home.  She misses preschool too.  That was only a few hours per week and she became very comfortable with that environment.  I know that this adjustment to kindergarten is going to take some time and she will get it eventually.  For right now it's tough. 

She gets on the school bus and the tears start flowing.  The teacher tells me she cries throughout the day.  My daughter, who is typically outgoing and happy, is having a real hard time.  It kills me.  I hate seeing her so down.  I don't know what to do.  This really breaks my heart. 

Back To School 2016

School started this week.  My son is in 3rd grade and my daughter is in Kindergarten.  Where does the time go?  It's so hard to believe we have reached this point already.  I know I'm going to say that every year but the time does go by so quickly when you have kids.

My son was excited to get back to school and when he came home after the first day he said he loves third grade.  This year they are doing things differently with the third graders.  He doesn't have just one teacher anymore.  He switches classes just like middle school.  He seems to enjoy it so far but he comes home with a ton of energy and a grouchy attitude.

On the first day my daughter had a two hour orientation where she was able to meet the teacher and take a little ride on the school bus.  She seemed to like it but was also a bit nervous.  She loved preschool and wishes to be back there.  It was a place she was used to with people she was used to and this is an entirely different experiences for her.  A new school, new teacher, new kids.  I know she will love it once she adjusts and gets to know everyone.  She doesn't like getting up early and the long day is something else she will have to learn to adjust to.  In this school district kindergarten is a full-day and I hate it like that.  Seven hours of school is too much for a little one.

I knew this time would come when I had both kids in school but I didn't expect that it would come this fast.  I surprised myself with how I'm handling it though.  I expected to be a wreck.  I thought the tears would flow as soon as the bus pulled away but I was fine.  I did get a little teary but not quite what I thought.  Maybe it hasn't completely set in yet.  Maybe I'm realizing that as much as I hate it these kids are growing up and there's nothing I can do except let them grow up and go.

After a relaxing summer vacation that went by extremely quickly this new schedule is going to take some getting used to for us all.  I'm so proud of my kids. 

Under The Sea Birthday Party Fun

Last Saturday we had a birthday party for my daughter.  It was in our backyard and an "Under the Sea" theme.  I didn't put too much effort into the party but it turned out great and everyone seemed to have fun.  Most importantly, our little girl was excited and loved every minute of it and that's all that matters.  We invited a mix of boys and girls.  I wanted this party to be enjoyable by our son too so his friends came too. 

With an "Under The Sea" party in the summer it only seemed appropriate to set up some type of water activities.  We had our little blow up pool, a slip n slide and a sprinkler.  I was worried that this wouldn't be enough for the kids but they all seemed to have fun with it.  For dinner we served pulled pork, hot dogs, homemade fries, fruit, chips, pretzels and drinks.  There was also an Ariel cake.  And speaking of Ariel what's an "Under the Sea" party without Ariel herself.  This was a surprise for my daughter and she was so happy.  It really made her party extra special. 

This was definitively the best party I have thrown so far.  I still can't believe my baby girl has turned 5.  As she says, "That's one whole hand."

She's my sweetheart.  I was happy to throw this very special party for her.  

My daughter is 5!

My baby just celebrated her 5th birthday.  These last 5 years have gone by in a blink of an eye.  I can remember sitting here typing on this blog and writing about her first birthday.  Now we're onto the 5th.  So crazy. 

She's a tough little girl but she also has a huge heart and is very sensitive.  She loves staying active and enjoys being surrounded by people.  Friends are already so important to her.  She's just an amazing little girl and I'm so blessed to be her mother. 

The weekend was busy with lots of activities.  On Friday we joined some friends at their church camp for the day where the kids got to listen to kids church and then do a craft.  On Saturday my father treated us to see The Phantom Of The Opera at a dinner theater near them.  My kids love The Phantom ever since they saw the movie on television last year.  I hope to be able to afford to take them to see the Broadway version someday but my dad found out there was a show close to him and he wanted to treat us all for her birthday.  Both kids loved it.  They sat and watched the entire thing.  Then my daughter was able to talk to the actress who played Christine.

On Sunday we went to a minor league baseball game.  The kids earned free tickets for reading 800 minutes over the summer.  It's part of a great program hosted by the library.  It was a hot day.  Too hot.  But we made it through and unfortunately our team lost.  My daughter isn't into baseball like my son is. 

Then on our daughter's actual birthday we started the day by opening presents.  She received some Shopkins and Pokemon cards from big brother and we bought her iCarly DVDs, rocks and an Elsa Dress. 

Oh, yes, I said rocks.  She has a rock collection.  These are those nice, shiny, colorful rocks and my husband found a bunch on eBay.  She loves them.  She's also been asking for an Elsa dress.  All of her friends have one.  Now she finally has one too. 

We took a trip to Monkey Joe's, which has lots of blow up slides and bounce houses.  The kids love it there.  Then we took a trip to City Island and rode a train and let the kids go on the carousel.  In the evening we went to Chik-fil-a for dinner, which was her request. 

I cannot believe this sweetheart of mine is 5!  She will be starting kindergarten next week and that has me so emotional.  Her first big step to independence.  I'm not sure if she's excited about it because she misses being in preschool so much.  She will adjust quickly, I know she will.  As for me, I'm not so sure. 

Happy birthday my darling!  I am so proud of you.  Life is what you make it ... make it good!  I will never stop loving you. 

Our Virginia Trip - Pt 2 Arlington National Cemetery.

I seem to be so lost without the kids.  Whenever they are around they become so distracting and getting anything done around the house is nearly impossible.  I always think how much easier it is when they aren't around but then when they aren't home I go out of my mind.  It's too quiet.  I'm not being pulled in one direction from another.  It drives me insane.  After spending one night with my parents they are having a fun filled day with them and will possibly be spending another night.  I look around the house and can name a billion things that need done and I have accomplished a few but then I find myself sitting on the couch doing nothing.  Part of me wants to enjoy the peace and quiet and just sit and catch up on some television but then another part of me knows things around here must get done.  Decisions, decisions.  Well, maybe I can dedicate a few more minutes updating this blog even though I've already posted twice today.  Once the kids are back I don't know when I'll be one here again and there is so much about this summer I want to share. 

I'll continue with our trip to Virginia last weekend.  After spending the night in a hotel and having breakfast at IHOP we drove to Arlington.  Thanks to our brand new GPS (because the old one stopped working) we arrived there on time.  My husband had to carry the large wreath, made by his mother, from the entrance of the cemetery to the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.  There were a lot of people passing by staring at him and that annoyed me for some reason.  The weather was hot and humid and the walk was long.  Very long.  Too long for a four year old.  Hey, too long for this thirty-seven year old.  But we got there and we made it exactly when we were supposed to. 

Just like last year, it was an amazing experience.  Aside from my son there were two other scouts that came along.  Unfortunately, not everyone was able to attend.  My husband was asked to join in because they wanted four to present the wreath.  It was extremely hot and I could feel the sweat running down my leg.  However, the pride I felt for my son being able to experience this moment made it all worth it.  I also realized that as hot as I was I can't imagine how hot the guards were.  I am so thankful to all the military for their service.  The honor guard at the Tomb are amazing and dedicated people. 

I'm not sure if this is an experience we'll do again.  My son is so lucky to have been able to take part in this, not just once but twice.  Most people do not even get to do this at all.  Also, a big thank you to my mother-in-law for doing such a beautiful job on the wreath. 

When the ceremony was over we found a park nearby to have lunch in and then went home.  I slept most of the way home.  I had too.  I've had issues with anxiety in the last few years and it seems the one thing that causes my anxiety is when I'm in a situation that's out of my control.  Being stuck in traffic is one of those times.  On the way to and from Virginia my anxiety seemed to have gone crazy but I took a few deep breaths, closed my eyes and tried my best to talk myself out of it.  What a pain.  The trip was great and I love Virginia but I'm glad to be home too.