Senior Lunch

I have been having such a hard time with Katelyn and this whole senior thing but today God showed me it will be okay. They get to leave for senior lunch and guess where they came? Yes! Our house. I am so happy and I know they will be back because they asked what we were having next week but I might need a second job to feed them! If you have any cheap, good lunch crowd recipes send them my way.

katelyn's last first day

Today is Katelyn's last first day in public school. I have this softball size lump in my throat. The years have flown by and I know this year will also. Katelyn started school in Mount Vernon where she knew all the teachers, so she was very comfortable going on her first day. On the way in she told me, "don't kiss me in front of everyone, they will think I am a baby." I wanted to curl up and cry. This precious, vivatious, honorable, young woman is one of God's greatest blessings in my life. I looked at her this morning and all I feel for myself is extreme gratitude that she has been in my life everyday and has allowed me to be so much a part of hers both physically and emotionally. Looking at her, I have such a sadness that her "dad" has chosen to be so distant from her. He doesn't have a clue how much he has missed and that truly saddens me. In his mind he justifies it by saying I took her away but those of you that know me know I never did that. He chose to take care of other things instead of his relationship with his children. In nine short months she will graduate and she has so many plans and dreams. I pray that they all come true for her and that her life is as happy as her existance has made me.

Also in the pictures above is our baby, Skylar, headed off to second grade. She wasn't nearly as excited to go as Katelyn. She will be fine, she just doesn't like changes and the whole new teacher and new school (Canton completely remodeled and expanded the elementary this summer) thing is alot for her to accept. The school looked fabulous and when I left her, she was doing okay but still a little nervous. I can't believe she will finish elementary this year and move to another campus. Canton Elementary has been wonderful for her and all of her teachers deserve a huge thank you for their part in her development. All my friends say, "I want this teacher and that teacher," but I can honestly say we have been blessed having Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Pierce. I prayed for God to provide the "right" teacher for Skylar and he has gone above and beyond with those two. I prayed the same prayer this year and I am positive that he has provided us with our perfect match in Mrs. Wilkerson. I look forward to watching their relationship develop and the lessons she will provide for Skylar.

So today we started another school year at our house, I am both excited and apprehensive. I know lots of you have stories about your first day this year, let me hear from you about them.

Can we hear it for the tropical storm?

Well, I'm not surprised but we have had to postpone our quickly planned vacation thanks to Tropical Storm Edouard. We were leaving this morning at 9 but what's the point if the entire drive we will be in pouring down rain and 50mph wind with more rain once we get there? The drive is going to be soooooooo much fun anyway with the girls in the back seat. She's touching me, she has my blanket, are we there yet? And of course Katelyn's "when and what are we going to eat?

We will be trying again early Wednesday so please cross your fingers.

What was I thinking?

Here I sit today in 200 degree Texas weather in the middle of my driveway having a garage sale! How could I forget how much work this is? Why do I insist on being in control of so much crap? I mean how did I get all this crap in the first place? I thought I was simplifying my life. So why do I just keep collecting more STUFF? hmmmmmmmmmmm

Well, at least the darn kittens and that whining momma cat went home with someone else! Woooohoo successful garage sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh well there is still all this crap that needs to go. Anybody need a truly ugly sofa? Worn out twin mattress? My great grandmother's really ugly china? Come on help a sister out.

And look at the girl. All the work she did wore her out, I mean watching your mother work her fingers to the bone while you sit on the yard sale items and myspace on your laptop is just so hard.

What's In My Car?

I am accepting the challenge from Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer with a smile on my face because I am not trashy! Well, not this month anyway since I just bought my new car. Yeah me! I promised myself I'd try to not be such a trash heap in this car. We won't even talk about the mountain of stuff in the garage that I took out of the Honda when I passed it over to K8! Inside the new Jetta you will find a Walmart sack of Christmas wreath stuff from a garage sale last weekend, the garage sale ads from this morning's hunt, a Fossil purse I got while ago for $1 & it looks new!, yesterday's Sonic root beer cup, a Sonic sack with trash from my corny dog Tuesday morning, a garage door opener, a knife (I use to open mail, pick my fingernails & cut food, nasty huh?), 2 butterscotch dum dums, several new and opened water bottles, Skylar's green jacket, my pink wind breaker, the cubby in the drivers's door has my work stuff...keys, nametag, pager, scissors, 2 pens, lipstick, eyedrops and look, that's where I put my wedding ring :), the cubby by Skylar's door has a brush and McDonald's toys. Not bad for me. The trunk has my camera bag, the empty box for my Flip, a shoebox of the important stuff from the Honda, you know ketchup, mustard, salt, Chuck E Cheese tickets, CD cases, a used qtip?, and an ILY note from Kevin, can I get an awwwwww? Several library books and a shoebox with a pair of shoes I bought Skylar that have been on their way back to Payless since February! Okay, thats my list, now submit yours and lets laugh together!

The weekend

Let me tell you about my weekend. Actually it started Thursday on my way to work. While I was driving down 198, running late as usual, there was this dog. Stupid dog, just sitting on the side of the road not close to any houses just watching the cars going by. I thought, well crap, someone will make a pancake out of him. I know it wasn't right but running late I kept driving. I told myself after Kevin got Skylar dropped off I'd make him go check on the stupid dog. And NO, that was not the first time I would have made him drive and check on a pet. Anyway, I forgot after I got to work and didn't think about it until late that afternoon. Surprise, I am not all together. Well, long story short, on my way home Friday morning, guess who was sitting in the same spot on the side of the road. Yep, we call her Zoey and are seriously hoping someone answers our ad for a lost pup. Her poor little feet are worn to the bone and one of her nails is infected. Every rib shows, not to mention her tailbone but as you can see below, she is having a hard time adjusting at our zoo. NOT!


Thursday afternoon, Skylar was in the mood to be a fashion model and let me take some pictures of her around the yard. That is rare, she usually hides from the camera. She is growing so fast and is so beautiful and smart.

Friday dawned as the day before the prom! We had to get a manicure and a pedicure and the night went on until early morning as Katelyn and her friend, Bekah sought the perfect hairstyle.

As you can see below, they did find the perfect style and thanks to Katelyn's aunt she had the perfect dress to match. I can't believe she is old enough for a prom!

She went with her boyfriend, JJ. Don't tell him I said so, but he is a mother's dream for her daughter's boyfriend. He is kind, is extremely easy going and challenges her to be her best at everything she tries. I tell him all the time I hate him and he thinks I am terrific too. haha. They had a great time at the prom.

This also happened to be mother's day weekend and those who know me know that I have such a hard time with mother's day. I miss my mom all year long but especially around mother's day. I lost my mom this time of year and it is incredibly hard to feel festive when I just want my MOM to be a part of my life now. Now that I sorta have it all together. My kids try to make it special but sometimes it is hard to put on the happy face. This year Kevin and Skylar got themselves a "parrotlet" disguised as my present. Yep, a minature parrot! Just what I needed. Now I get to feed 4 dogs, that includes the 1 from Thursday, a momma cat and 4 babies, 2 tanks of fish, a hamster, a rabbit, an iguana and a turtle, 3 kids, their friends, Kevin and a parrotlet! Am I blessed or what? I think I am. Anyway, I made it through another mother's day. So how was weekend?

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!