Pomp and Circumstance - Kindergarten Style

It seems like just yesterday that I snapped these photos of Camdyn on her first day of Kindergarten.  She was so happy she was glowing and not a tear was shed as her Daddy and I kissed her goodbye that morning in her classroom. 

And now, here we sit at the end of May, the end of the school year approaching like a freight train. 

Kindergarten is nearly over. 

She grew up immensely this past year...and she had a ton of fun doing it. 

Come to think of it...we all grew up immensely this year. 

Where she began to lay the groundwork for good work habits, study skills, and focus.  I began to lay the groundwork for personal happiness, goals, and a functional family.

 


 

Where she declared victory for earning 20 reading counts points and getting her picture on the tree in the media center, I declared my own personal victory.  I am happier than I was before...maybe not every day, but in general I am happier and healthier. 

I told you.  :)

Where she did gem mining and learned about rocks.  I moved rocks too.  Actually, more like big chunks of concrete.  I took a long hard look in the mirror and I made changes.  Changes that make my life better and more active.  Changes that put priorities in order. 


She learned about rocks with the help of a guide.  I moved mine with the help of dozens; friends, pastors, therapists, my family and God.  It takes a lot of people, and a lot of power to move big rocks, but I am doing it....steadily and with help.

And throughout the year, she continued with her riding lessons.  She's posting like a pro, she's jumping rails and still looking forward to every lesson.  She's found her passion.  We've rediscovered ours.

It's up and it's down.  It's life. 

And friendships make it easier.

Maybe it really is true, that everything you need to know, you learn in Kindergarten. 

It's been a year of learning for all of us.

Last night Camdyn graduated from Kindergarten.  We are so proud of all her accomplishments this year.  She's grown, she's changed, but she's still our energetic, exuberant little girl.   

A little girl who has learned the trick of an "open mouth smile" from her Momma.

 Open Mouth Smile = Super Happy and Copious Amounts of FUN!

In celebration, we had yogurt at OrangeLeaf after the ceremony....nothing says celebration like ice cream with any topping your heart desires!

Please hang with this wiggly and over-zoomed video until the 3:10 mark.  It'll be worth the giggle.  Promise. (Taylor Swift Cam is in the back row)



I am so proud of you, Cam!  I'm hoping that first grade brings a whole lot of sunshine with it. 

Love you!
Forever n Always,
Momma

Wordy Wednesday - Truth

"I am not afraid of tomorrow for I have seen yesterday

and I love today."

~author unknown

A kind woman at our church offered to take this photo of us on Saturday.  I can't remember the last time all four of us made it in one frame.  Sure, Chloe is doing her own thing, and yes the sun was in our eyes...but we are all here...all 4 of us.  This photo is a treasure to me.

And then there was anticipation, and eggs strewn about, and little girls who had trouble resisting the urge to jump the gun.  I love it when she smiles so big her eyes disappear....just like her momma.

There is grass and eggs, and the smells of spring...a time of year for new beginnings, new life, refreshed spirits, and new promises.  A resurection. 

She's 6.  She couldn't wait to hunt those eggs and even scoped and staked out a coveted golden egg for her baby sister.  I wonder how many hunts she has left in her...you know, before this becomes child's play for her instead of awe and wonderment. 

Last year Easter made me homesick.  This year it didn't, not in the slightest.  This year I didn't spend the day wishing I was somewhere else....I spent it appreciating exactly where I am.  A day spent just the four of us, running, playing, flying kites, napping, lounging, hiding eggs and baskets; grilling, laughing, swimming...and just being - a family; it was and is everything a holiday should be. 

This my friends, is appreciation in its purest form.

Wordless Wednesday - Bubbly

"You are the Ocean of Water, and You are the foam and the bubbles on its surface. 

I cannot see any other except You, Lord."

~Sir Guru Granth Sahib

(excuse the after nap-time hair)

(this is her "cheese" face)

Fifteen Minutes to Paradise

Which is pretty much how long it takes us to drive from our front door to The Number One rated Beach in the US.  Says Who?  Says Dr. Beach...and I'm guessing since he is a doctor of beaches, then he pretty much knows what he is talking about in his infamous Top 10 Beaches of 2011 List.

So, there the beach sits, and we rarely visit.  The thing is....no matter how nice the beach is, it's sandy and it's messy, and this time of year it's really hot.  I drag my feet about going to the beach...but when I get there...

It's a slice of heaven.

It's clear blue water.  Water just cool enough to refresh, but warm enough to enjoy.

It's powdered sand between your toes and time spent looking for shells and hermit crabs.  It's sunshine and giggles, saltwater, and fresh air.

It's God's best antidote for stress. 

On Saturday evening, we spent time together as a family at the beach.  The girls were content to dip their toes in the water for about 20 minutes before they both begged for swimsuits.  They combed the beach for seashells and sharks teeth.  They went with their daddy out to the sand bar about 20 yards off the beach.  We enjoyed ourselves.

As we piled back in the car, I declared again, for the hundredth time, that we really need to do this more often.  The sand, the mess, the slight inconvenience of driving over the draw bridge to get there...is all worth it.  It's worth it to hear the giggles of delight as my girls run from waves.  It's worth it to see their eyes alive with anticipation and wonderment.  It's worth it to connect as a family.
And, I'm fairly certain that we'll be making the fifteen minute drive to paradise a tad more often.

In Love with My World

This weekend I had planned to dress the girls up and take them to the park for photos.  It has been on my to-do list for a few weeks now, and I'm trying to squeeze it in before the weather becomes deplorably hot. 

Once again, I wasn't able to follow through.  I favored being at home this weekend, relaxing on the couch and watching the Preakness with my girls, who love horsies and who watched and cheered them on with intensity. 

We played with our toys, swam in the pool, and ate dinner together at home - TWICE - as a family.  I can't remember the last time we didn't eat at least one weekend dinner out. 

And, as much as I would love to take photos of the girls at the park, when it comes down to it, I think I want more photos that remind me of moments like this:

A tiny tot sitting at a high top table, legs too short to even come close to touching the footrest.  A snack time where Mrs. Potato Head is the honored guest, as well as a doggie who is waiting patiently for a Cheerio to hit the floor.  A moment that is real, a moment that was made at home, a moment that is just a day in the life of a toddler...a moment that I will miss desperately 10 years from now. 

And, although, I still want to take pictures in the park, I am finding that the simple photos of simple moments taken in our most treasured spot in the world, have much more meaning and value to me than photos taken in a park.

I am in love with my world (and the glorious natural light that flows through my house).

Okay, so now will you put the lid down?

I think we all have a short-list of irksome spousal habits.  The ones at the top of my list are opening cabinets, cupboards, and doors and forgetting to shut them.  This usually results in me either hitting my head on an open cupboard, or simply having to shut it to do what I need to do.  If you open it, then shut it already.  It's terribly annoying and sometimes painful.  And, I suppose piggy backing on that would be the whole leaving the toilet seat up thing....a similar breed of annoyance only filthier. 

With two kids, I'm awoken nearly every night.  Most nights I don't have to get out of bed, but I wake, and toss and turn, and peer at the video monitor while I assess whether or not Chloe Belle will fall back asleep.  And, it's also not uncommon for Camdyn to wander down the stairs in the wee morning hours and crawl in to bed with us.  Of course, before we allow this we instruct her to use the potty, which she does.

Last night, this was our scenario:
A little voice moans from our bedroom door.  "Camdyn, go potty."  She flicks on the bathroom light and I hear her rustling around in my bathroom and then suddenly a little voice cries out, "Momma.  I need help.  Momma.  I fell in the potty and I'm all wet."  Hubs groans and turns over, I get out of bed to assess the situation.  Sure enough, the seat is in the upright position, and Cam's nightgown is soaked with toilet water.  Ugh.  For, the love, it's 6 am.  So, I instruct her to sit tight while I trudge upstairs to find her new bed clothes.  When, I return she is sleeping on the bathmat in front of our shower.  I re-dress her and we both climb in to bed....for 15 minutes of peace before the alarm begins signaling the start of a Monday morning. 

As the Hubs and I did our dance around each other in the bathroom I asked him...."So, you think you can manage to put the seat down before we lose another kid in the toilet?"  Hubs, "Girls, so demanding.....I suppose."  Cause, I tell you what, the next time the potty swallows a little girl, he'll be cleaning it up.

Happy Monday, Y'all!

When it's Over, it's OVER...But Not Really

In the past week, we received two separate autograph requests for the Hubs to sign.  This comes with the territory when you play a sport professionally.  There was a day when the Hubs got paid to sign baseball cards.  He would sit at our kitchen table with a representative from Topps or Bowman looking over his shoulder as witness while he personally endorsed a series of 500 cards. 

However, come September it will have been 10 years since he threw his first and last major league pitch.  Come June it will be 4 years since he "retired" from the sport altogether, at the ripe old age of 29.  These autograph requests are not being mailed to the baseball field, he's not receiving them at the clubhouse, he's getting them at HOME. 

We moved twice in 2010 (one move was to a rental house with no public record of our occupancy and the 2nd move was to our forever home) and still these cards find us.  Creepy?  A little.  Harmless?  Probably.  Invasion of our privacy?  Perhaps. 

The Hubs has always been less than thrilled to acquiesce to these requests.  A few years ago, I would prompt him "Just sign it. It might be the last request you ever get."  He refused.  Now, I kinda get it.  If he signs these cards and sends them back in their prepaid envelopes then the sender will know that is our valid address... and that's not okay.

In addition to the whole privacy issue, these requests bring back bittersweet memories of a sport that he loves but they also surface a hole in our lives where baseball once was.  A hole, that we've been filling over the last four years with a "normal" family life.

That first year of retirement was rough to say the least.  We were a new family with a 14 month old baby, when Hubs decided he wanted to end his career on his own terms.  He didn't want to be a minor-league lifer.  His shoulder wasn't bouncing back after his surgery.  His velocity wasn't ever going to be what it once was, and he wasn't getting any younger.  He wanted to be with his family.  He knew it was time to go in a new direction and I supported that.  However, this meant BIG change. Not only did he have to find employment that did not involve a curve ball or slider for the first time in his adult life, but we also had to adjust to being together all year round.

The old adage "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is true.  Being together six months out of the year, and then apart for six months was all we knew.  That was our normal.  Suddenly, we were together every single day for an entire year.  The intensity of  - I'm going to love and dote on you while you are here.  I'm going to soak up every second I have with you because I know you are leaving - kinda vanished.  We lost the - I missed you so much - passion.  We had to learn how to live together FOR-EV-ER.  I know that sounds kinda ridiculous but it really was a big adjustment.  And then there was the whole "What will I do for work now?" thing.

Luckily ex-baseball players make really awesome salesmen, and Hubs found his niche.  The competition factor that motivated him since his days of little league really comes in handy in sales.  Our conversations at the dinner table no longer revolve around ERA, BP, and Appearances, but Percent to Margin , Kicker Checks, and Quotas instead. 

And, I'm good with that now.  It turns out that he's a far better provider in Sales than he ever was in baseball.
It turns out that having him at home all year round is a huge blessing.  It turns out that our little girls get to have Daddy tuck them in every night.  It turns out that baseball will always be a huge part of our past, but it's not our future.  It turns out that baseball doesn't last forever (for most of us), and when it's over, it just might be the best thing that ever happened. 

So, I will stow these autograph requests away, I'll think back fondly on our baseball days, and I'll smile...for we are blessed.

The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:7-8

So You're Saying There's A Chance

My to-do list is about 100 items long.  It's overwhelming, really, but I try to tackle it one thing a week.  Last week my item of importance was sifting through and organizing the five bins of baby clothes (size 0-12 months) that I have stored.  On Tuesday night, I got to work. 

I made a pile of "keeper" clothes that have sentimental value; the Girls' homecoming outfits, first Xmas dresses, dresses worn for photos, and Easter dresses.  I got together a box of Gymboree and fancy label stuff that I'll be loaning to a friend.  I prepared a giant bag of clothes to give to a teacher at the school who is expecting her first girl.  As I was throwing the last few outfits in the 2nd of two giant garbage bags to donate to Mothers Helping Mothers, the Hubs (who had been diligently watching the organization process from the comforts of the bed) said:

Him:  Are you sure you want to do that?
Me:  Do what?
Him:  Give it away?
Me:  What?  The clothes?  Yeah.
Him:  But, ALL OF IT?  Don't you want to keep some of it?  We'll be left with nothing.
Me:  But, we're done.
Him:  ::silence::
Me:   ::finishes packing up the last bag and brushes teeth::
Him:  ::silence::
Me:  The way I figure it...Chloe only wore a handful of the clothes we stored that were Cam's, so IF we have another girl we'll buy her new, or we'll borrow from Liz, or we'll have Laura send us all of her stuff since she is done for sure.
Him:  ::nods::
Me:  And, if we have a boy, it doesn't matter anyway
Him:  Alright.
Me:  And, it's all IFs anyway
Him:  For now...
Me:  So, You're saying there's a chance
Him:  There's always a chance....

And somewhere in the heart of the MidWest Gramma just smiled :)

I Must Have Been a Cowgirl in a Previous Life....

'Cause I love me some Cowboys...and the Rodeo!

On Saturday night, we left Chloe home with a sitter and we took Camdyn to the rodeo.  Not, just any rodeo, but the Bull Riding Championships, 30 cowboys competeing for the title 8 seconds at a time.

We pulled in to the lot about an hour before the start of the rodeo, and were surprised to see a ton of kids, and bounce houses, bounce-slides, and $6 bull rides (on a gentle- walking bull of course). 

Camdyn was 10 kinds of excited when her little eyes caught glipse of the festivities.  In fact, she ran through the gates ahead of us while we were waiting to give the man our tickets.  She bounced, she slid, and then she spent 10 minutes laughing and giggling at the boys who were riding a mechanical bull. 

Of course, she looked so cute in her pink skirt, and pink boots...she was the girliest cowgirl of all of them.  I asked her if she wanted to ride the mechanical bull and she said, "Maybe next year." 

After some pizza and soda, it was time to claim out seats for the show.  Five minutes before the show started they played "Stuck Like Glue" by Sugarland.  This is a song that has been on repeat in my car for months now.  Cam loves it, and she let everyone around us know.  She was standing on the bleachers belting out the lyrics as loudly as she could.  She was making the cutest spectacle of herself ever...and I was so proud! 

Then, they dimmed the lights and it was showtime.  The cowboys came out and stood behind a flaming outline of a bull's head.  They lit fireworks behind them and introduced them one at a time. 

Cam's eyes were as big as saucers and she knew she was in for a special treat.  "Look at all dem cowboys, Momma!" "Yes, Camdyn.  I see them....(and I'll probably dream about them too)"

And, it just may have been the finest bunch of cowboys that I've ever seen.

Then, it was time to recognize the flag.  They sent the flag around the arena on horseback, and the Announcer explained that the Blue on the flag symbolizes the working class hands that built this country, and the stars for our 50 great states, the 13 stripes recognize the orginial 13 colonies, the white symbolizes our nation's purity, and the red stripes represent the blood that was shed for our freedom, and for the blood shed by Jesus Christ.  And, at that, the crowd roared.  Roared.  A reaction that stunned me a bit, but also made the hair stand up on my arms.  After that they prayed.  Prayed for the safety of all of the cowboys, prayed for the bulls, and safe travels for all of the supporters, and they Thanked God for this great nation.

And after a collective, AMEN, the crowd cheered and it was time for the National Anthem.

Then, the Rodeo started and the cowboys took their turns 8 seconds at a time.  My little girl was in awe.  She cheered and hollered with her little arms up in the air rooting on the cowboys.  She stamped her little pink boots on the bleachers and cheered for a good ride. 

And, after a few rides it became apparent to me why Jesus was at the Rodeo.  Because this just might be the most dangerous sporting event that I've ever seen.  Those crazy cowboys need a prayer.  There were at least 10 times that we saw cowboys nearly get stomped on by the bull....both gut wrenching and thrilling at the same time.

This morning, Camdyn took the program to school with her.  She wanted to show her teacher the "bucking bulls" and then cut out pictures of the "cutie cowboys." 

The rodeo was a blast, it was really affordable (minus babysitting expenses) and we'll look forward to going again next year with Chloe.  My girls just might love the Rodeo as much as I do!  Yee Haw!

The Most Amazing Thing about my Trip to Vegas

I'm back.  I had a fantabulous time.  We shopped, we lunched, we took in a show, visited the spa, and I enjoyed a long weekend away.  As enjoyable as that all was (and photos and more detail will follow) the most fantastic part about the trip....was coming HOME. 

Coming home to my girls, one who squealed with delight when she saw me and the other who burst in to tears when she couldn't get to me fast enough on account of the fact that she was buckled in to her car seat.  I held her chubby baby hand all the way home as it was the only means of comforting her. 

Coming home to the Hubs who hugged me tightly and longer than usual.  I could almost smell the scent of  appreciation on him.  And, bless his heart, he had EVERYTHING under control for four days.  Not once did he guilt me about my time away, not once did he complain about having to manage the home front.  He even sent me photos of the girls shopping at Target and playing together to ease my worrying mind.  He handled it and I shouldn't have questioned his aptitude. 

Coming home to a house that was in a state of order far greater than I had left it.  The kitchen counters were clear, the floors recently vacuumed, the toys were all in their places, the beds were made and the laundry was done.  How did he manage all that when I can't manage all of that?  It was almost like a belated Christmas gift.

Coming home with an updated appreication for family life.  For nights spent referreeing tubby time, reading books, and tucking in the Littles.  For dinners where elbows are allowed on the table, and sometimes cute little baby feet find their way up there too.  For evenings spent in the crook of Hubs' arm while we watch Jersey Shore and dunk cookies in milk.  The life that I should appreciate more than I complain about it.

Getting away is always great, but so is coming Home. 

I Love Cake More than any Sane Person Should

At this very moment I'm enjoying the dry desert of Las Vegas.  I'm enjoying the fact that my hair looks fabulous and is perfectly straight and that never happens to me back home.  I'm enjoying the company of my oldest and dearest childhood friend and no doubt laughing over diet coke and high school memories. 

While I'm busy doing all of that and taking photos and creating memories to share, enjoy this little ditty.  This was originally written as a guest post for LeeAnn over The Life of Rylie...and Bryce too!  enons ago.

I'll miss you while I'm gone!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I like Cake.


Maybe I didn’t emphasize it enough. I mean, I REALLY LIKE cake. I like all baked goods, really, except for scones, which just aren’t sweet enough for me, and therefore don’t really belong in the baked good category. I have a serious sweet tooth, but not in a Swedish Fish/JuJuBe kinda way, but in a delectable, soft, chewy, fresh, and sweet kinda way.

That piece of knowledge about me is essential to this story.

It’s December, we are at a birthday party for a girl in my 4 year old’s class. It is held at one of those gyms for kids with balance beams, rings, a trampoline, and giant mats for tumbling. The kids have a blast. The Hubs spends the majority of the time with Chloe who is 9 months old and crawling, and I spend time chasing around our 4 year old and the birthday girl with the camera.

It’s cake time, everyone’s favorite part of a birthday party, right? So, Hubs goes in to the cake room to help Cam get situated at the table with her friends and I hang in the waiting area with Chloe, who refuses to be held and only wants to crawl around the filthy carpet. So, there I sit with her, trying to keep her from chewing people’s shoes, and picking yuckos off the carpet and putting them in her mouth. Before, I know it, cake time is over, they are passing out balloons and the party is over. So, Hubs being the gentleman he is and knowing me like the back of his hand, offers to grab me a slice of cake “for the road.”

We lug the kids, the diaper bag, my camera, and the balloon out to the truck and we get the girls in and we drive off. I look at Hubs and notice that he isn’t holding my cake. I look at the dashboard. Nope, no cake sitting on the dashboard. So I say to him, “Where’s my cake?” He looks at me with that “Oh crap” look that just signals that he screwed up and…I know. I know exactly what is coming ::gulp:: “I left it outside.”::crickets::

Now, I pause to describe myself a little further. I’m passive aggressive. I do not like confrontation, I am really hard to anger (although my 4 year old has figured out exactly how to accomplish that) and I have patience as long as the Nile. That said, this was my reaction:

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LEFT IT OUTSIDE?” Hubs: “I think I forgot it on the bumper.” Me: “Well, it’s gone now….oh, I really wanted some cake.” In my head I’m thinking this, “You frickin’ idiot. How can you not remember a simple piece of cake? Every day I tote two kids around, lunch bags, diaper bags, toys, and crap, and rarely do I ever forget something. You had one kid and a piece of cake in your hand. How does that happen?” BUT, I would never say that, because it’s not my style.

So, I say, “It’s just cake.” But, inside, I’m fuming. And, I get silent. You know I’m mad when I can’t say a single thing. And, Hubs knew it, because as we merged on to I-75 he started apologizing for forgetting the cake, and then went in to a long narrative about how the cake wasn’t that great anyway. It was a nice effort on his part, but I really wanted that cake and I. Was. Furious.

So, we drive. We drive six miles down the freeway and merge on to city streets and we pull up to a stoplight. Something catches my eye. It’s a car load of teen-agers next to us, and one of them has their arm sticking out of the window. What is that they are doing? Taking a picture with an iphone? Of my bumper? OMG! The CAKE!

The kids are taking a picture of my lonely piece of cake sitting on my bumper
and they are probably posting it to their Facebook pages at this very moment
with a caption that says:

“Look at these schmucks driving around with cake on their car”

No way. So, I pull the car into a gas station, the Hubs jumps out, he retrieves the cake and brings it back in to the car and says, “There’s your cake! See I didn’t lose it, it was right where I said it was!”

Later that night, after the girls were in bed, I debated eating that cake. It had traveled down the freeway at 70 mph. It was exposed to exhaust, bugs, and unknown airborne particles of what-not. But, that cake wanted me. That cake held on to my bumper for dear life, and that cake was my destiny.

So, I ate it. It was damn good.

And, that’s how much I LOVE CAKE.

Slowin' It Down

My New Year's Resolution this year is to slow down and resist the urge to over schedule my life.  Like ALL NYR's it's a challenge, but I'm going to keep working on it....right after I get back from Vegas, and after Disney World at the end of the month, and Camdyn's Birthday celebration with her friends....you get the drift.

But, this past weekend we made the effort.  We indulged in a lazy Saturday morning that looked like this:

We ate homemade waffles and lounged in our jammies as long as we could.  Then, we trotted off to a birthday party and bounced and ate cake and then piled in the car for nap time and drove and drove and drove until we deemed the length of nap sufficient.  Then, I awoke Cam outside of the horse stables where we will hold her 5th birthday party with her friends in a few weeks.  When she looked out the window she saw girls participating in a riding lesson and she was in awe.  She squealed with giddiness and could not stop talking about the horses and their riders.

Then, we went home and played outside with the neighborhood kids.  We played basketball, rode our scooters, we played with buckets and rocks and went on wagon rides around the neighborhood.

And then the ice cream truck showed up on a balmy January evening just moments before dinner was on the table...and we indulged.  We spoiled our appetites and our dinner and enjoyed every second of it.  As the sun began to set we gathered the toys, lowered the garage door, and spent the rest of the evening snacking, playing games, and enjoying the slow life.  The life that allows us to spend just a little more time enjoying each other's company and family life.  This my friends, is exactly the way it should be.