Mystery Revealed

For all of my Facebook friends who have been very curious about the "article" I've been writing, here's the deal...

I have a friend who's the meat and potatoes behind a magazine published and distributed on the East Coast (Go to Dovetales.com to see more). He's Editor, Photographer, Designer, Writer, what did I leave out? He's been getting busier these days as the popularity of the mag is increasing and the quality of writers has been hit or miss. I was challenged to take my writing to another level and now here I am with a 1200 word baby on vintage Halloween decorations and the history of Halloween. Oooo Ahhh. It's so not a subject I cared about before and even now I can't believe I turned out a decent write on it, but let me tell you - it was fun, challenging, and nerve-racking as the deadline came and went and then a little stressful to wait to hear from the "big guy" whether I had a trash liner or a decent article on my hands. He gave it a 'very nice' which means "give yourself a pat on the back, lady"!

Who knew? I didn't get any $$ for this one, but there may be a future in more writing that actually pays some pennies. We'll see. It's a little like giving birth - a lot of complaining and moaning while it was in the process but once it was here, it's beautiful and I could do it again. I may even let you read it if you ask nice. It won't be out until the fall and maybe by then, this news will have been replaced with something far more interesting. And there you have it...

I Surrender All (even Fashion Sense)

I remember when my cousin had her first baby shortly after I had Ellie while I was pregnant with Kiki. I was worried about how I was going to handle keeping 2 babies alive and thriving without losing my mind and she was concerned about perfect parenting.  Her mom told me that she couldn't stand for her daughter to have a dirty face - that it was somehow a reflection of bad parenting... I just chuckled to myself at the thought of what a rude awakening she was in for when that little bundle would first spit out mashed peas on her last clean outfit while at a restaurant or throw up all over her at the mall. 

I learned pretty early that my controlling tendencies would be tested time and again and that there would be daily surrenders of wills as I picked my battles. My 2 older girls started 

dressing themselves at a very young age. They usually needed help with buttons and tights but with little princesses that always wanted to wear dresses, there wasn't too much embarrassment or a fear that there was a poor reflection on my mothering due to their clothing choices. 

I just chuckle daily as my 2 year old comes down the stairs, ready to start her day - NEVER in a dress voluntarily, never with matching top & pants but ALWAYS with a smile on her face as she's empowered to make her own choices! So here's to daily surrender - I delight in knowing that my kids feel loved and secure in themselves!

Heavenbound

Grandma Sugar went home to be with Jesus last night. They found cancer and when they laid out her options she liked the one where the streets are golden and there is rejoicing with Grandpa Joe. She lived a wonderful life and has left an amazing legacy in her children and grandchildren. She was Tracy's grandma but she accepted me and made me feel like one of her own granddaughters. When T and I got engaged, she sent me a tea cup. I added it to my collection and can't wait to smile and think of her each time I have tea with it. She had a twinkle in her eye and a love in her heart for all. She made the girls feel special and always had space by her side or on her lap for 1 more baby! 

Grandma, we love you and we couldn't hope for a better home for you. Go in peace and know you will always be in our hearts until we see you again!

When Daddy Cat is Away...

Mommy cat gets no sleep and the mice - Oh do they PLAY and PLAY and PLAY...

I thought I would offer up a cute picture as a token of my sorrow that I haven't been visiting with my friends from far and near on-line the last few weeks. My heart is pounding with anticipation of trying to get my update typed before my chitlins (a word my dad used to use when referring to his offspring) wake up. 

Ellie and Kiki are wearing oranges shirts that support Denver's arena football team - Colorado Crush. We are friends with the kicker on the team and he offered to go to Ellie's class during the last week of school. He made Ellie's year! To everyone's surprise, he brought t-shirts and then signed them all! The girls didn't take them off for a few days after!  

So, I now officially have a 1st grader and a kindergardener! WHAT? I had tears in my eyes as Kiki stood there in her black t-shirt and hat smiling and accepting her "I graduated from Pre-school" diploma. Ellie's school had a little less pomp & circumstance but she got the go ahead to move from the Kindergarden Building to the Big Building at her Elementary school in their all school assembly!

I've been falling in like with my new computer one day at a time. The tutoring has been a HUGE help and I've even been making DVD slide shows, we've been Skyping (video chatting) while T is in KY, and streamlining all my work docs to make my life just that much easier. Maybe one day you too will get to see my DVD masterpieces of the girls growing up before your very eyes through pictures and song! 

Tracy (and his dad who was visiting) planted a flower garden for me on Mother's Day in our front yard. Since then it is just getting more and more beautiful (the picture doesn't do it justice)! My backyard garden is also green but most of the flowers will bloom later in the summer. The girls really wanted to grow veggies this year. There have been some snafus with the new dog who loves to dig and our horrible clay dirt so the only thing in bloom is pumpkins. We'll see what becomes of that! 

This is Tracy's second week away to Louisville, KY. The girls and I did awesome last week since it was the last week of school. Our schedule was full with a birthday party, the end of school parties, the end of gymnastics for Kiki, kids eat free on Tuesday at Chick-Fil-A and the pool opening. Tracy came home at 9:30pm on Friday and left at noon on Sunday. His time home was too short and now I am exhausted. For now, I will endure the 5 am walks with the dog, the later bed times with the girls, the frequent trips to the pool where I am between the big pool and the baby pool and the playground and the begging to go out to eat every chance we get (that's the begging that goes on inside my own head!)

One last thing, Tracy and I are trying to find time to go back to the NW (aside from our family vacation in July) to visit with Grandma Sugar. Tracy's dear g'ma is in her 90s and isn't doing well. Please pray that we can find the time and money to get back and love on her very soon.