Making Memories and Other Stuff

Years ago I started putting together albums for my girls to have one day... In the albums they will find pictures, awards, letters, ticket stubs, and many other miscellaneous items... The reason I am doing this is that one day - I want them to look back on their life and see that they had a lot of fun... lived through many events... had a family that loved them... I want them to have a legacy from their grandparents... aunts.. uncles.. me and their dad.... I want them to have something tangible in their hands that shows the history of their life so far.....

Not too long ago it really hit me that they will be out of my home soon.... My oldest will be off to college in a little over 3 years and my baby will follow 2 years later... Time moves so very fast and I want to enjoy them while they are still with me.. Before their "adult" lives and responsibilities take over... I want to make memories... So when I am gone - they will have no doubt they were loved... and think - Boy we sure did have some fun!

I have planned a two week summer vacation (just me and the girls) - I know I've written about it before and I have to tell you - I am getting more excited as we get closer... We will be leaving in July - Yes, I know that's still months away... But the planning is almost as fun as the actual trip... The girls and I are trying to decide what we want to see at the Smithsonian - there is so much to choose from.. What Broadway Musical we will see... We are making a list of all the sites on the Freedom Trail that we just can't miss.... We're making memories even in the planning...

** The picture is from our last mom/daughters road trip - we drove from California to the Rocky Mountains to Moab, Utah to Vegas and back home... We had a blast!!! ***Dad met up with us in Las Vegas...

My Baby Girl Turned 13!

Last Friday my baby entered the land of "Teendom" Yep she is 13 and I have no idea where the time went... Wasn't it yesterday when she came home from the hospital weighing in at 5 lbs 2 oz? I have to say - that it has and is a complete joy to be her mom.. I call her my Sunshine baby because from the time she was a newborn to now - she has always had a happy and joyful disposition... She is my snuggle buddy... She is the kid that always wants to be by my side.. Whether it is a quick trip to the market or sitting on the couch watching our favorite shows together...

For her birthday weekend - We had some fun...

On Friday she missed school and we went to the movies and saw Just Go With It - It was great - we laughed a lot - Preview below


After the movies we went to Chili's for lunch..


After Lunch we headed to the mall so she could get a couple of outfits... Her new favorite store is Wet Seal.. She got two pair of size 0 super skinny low rider jeans (have I ever worn a ZERO?)... This was hard for this mama bear... She is growing up too fast...

We continued to celebrate her birthday on Sunday.. I surprised her and took her to Goofy's Kitchen - this is a restaurant in the Disneyland Hotel where the guests can interact with different Disney characters...






After our dining experience - we headed over to Disneyland.. It was a very cold day and because of the 3-day weekend and the winter break back east - Disneyland was unusually busy... We still went on a few rides.... Indiana Jones, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise, The Haunted Mansion, The train, It's a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean... (I enjoy looking for Jack Sparrow) We did stand in line for the Matterhorn only for it to breakdown before we got on... Would have hated being stuck on the ride for over 45 minutes like some were... We were lucky....







The coolest part of the day was that my niece who is a performer at Disneyland and California Adventure was able to get us VIP seats for the Fantasmic Show... We felt like Very Important People... sitting in our chairs in our private seating area... (wish I knew how to work my camera better.... All in All my new teenager had a good celebration... So did I... Happy Birthday - Sunshine Girl!

We Put Our Kids On A 40 Day Electronic Time Out

The other day I was trying to have a conversation with my youngest teen... I could tell she was not paying attention to my words... She was more engrossed in the text messages she was receiving every few seconds... When I asked her to put her cellphone down - the excuses and bad attitude began... The "I'm only reading what my friend sent me... I'm not texting." Another popular retort is "My friend gets really upset if I don't text her back right away." give me a freaking break

Every night before I go to bed - I check on my girls.. The time will vary between 11 PM and 1 AM. Every night - they are usually sleeping by this time... Or so I thought... It's funny how my girls have started Facebook Walking after midnight... Don't they know that I can see their posts the next morning?? Really girls? They know they are not allowed on their computers after 10:00 PM... so they have been using their IPODS to Facebook.... Wherever there's a will... there's a way, right? So I had to specify NO FACEBOOK... NO TEXTING... NO ELECTRONIC ACTIVITY AFTER 10:00 pm!!!!

My youngest who has had straight "A's" her entire school career has been receiving bad grades since January... Why you may ask?? January was when she purchased her IPOD with her Christmas money.... The slide in grades is that dramatic and a very large cause for concern... The other day I walked in her room and she was on Skype with her best friend.. They were both doing "homework"... I had to literally bang my head against the wall with that one... Another popular thing that she does (my oldest too) is that - whenever something happens... It doesn't matter what it is... They have to drop what they are doing so they can "post their status" on Facebook..

My oldest teen's grades took a large dip at the beginning of the year when she started public high school... She was more interested in her texting than what the instructor was teaching... I had to put parental controls on her phone - that helped a little - until she came home and the electronic madness would start again.... Even now that she is being home schooled - I have caught her with her cell hidden in her shirt.. I caught her - because she kept looking back with a very guilty look on her beautiful face... Yep she was BUSTED...

Every time my husband or I turn around our girls were either texting, Facebooking, playing on their IPODS, or watching YouTube... Whatever happened to reading a book? Going outside and enjoying the outdoors? Playing a sport? Hanging out with friends without sitting next to each other and playing on their IPODS.. Yes, the other day - my young one had her friend over... They were sitting on the couch - not talking.. not communicating with each other.. They were too busy playing with their electronics... No wonder our society is going crazy..... The art of interpersonal communication skills is a thing of the past... Patience is no longer a virtue - especially because you can receive instant results via your phone, IPOD, and/or computer.... Kids no longer "talk" with their voices... with their facial expressions... they talk with their fingers flying across the microscopic key pad....

On Tuesday - we (the husband and I) said ENOUGH!!!! No more electronics for 40 days... Why 40 days? In the Bible - a lot of miraculous things happened in 40 days and we are hoping that the girls will realize how electronics were ruling their lives... I am praying that they will appreciate the written word (in a book - not a cell text)... Want to spend "family time" together... Talk to us.. To each other... Learn how to entertain themselves without electronic mindless therapy.... We have to stand firm on this...

It's a different way of life today than it was when I was growing up... and that's okay... But I have to say this... I want my girls to know how to function if the Internet went down.. If the cell phones fizzed out... Just think the Egyptian government was able to close off the entire country from the Internet.... That could happen here too.. couldn't it? I want my girls to know more... know how to get the answers to questions by using common sense... and not just their IPODS...

What are your thoughts on our kids and their electronic devices?

** image from Yahoo images

I'm Featured on Chez Mukweto!!!

Today Chez Mukweto featured my blog on her blog... Thanks Jacqueline!

Be sure to drop by and tell Jacqueline "hi" and tell her Kelly sent you..... She has a wonderful and inspiring blog with great articles and giveaways. You will definitely become a fan.

IPADS Replacing School Text Books

The other day our neighbor was telling us that next year their son's school is switching to IPADS for all their text books. They will charge the families $30 a month for this. Their son is in a private school. I believe that sooner rather than later public schools will take this idea too. It makes sense in the long run... Technology is evolving and moving forward.... Going "Green" is what it seems to be all about... Using *IPADs (*or any other down loadable book device) will save money for the schools... Save paper... In the long run *IPADS would be cost effective for the schools and the students in public schools would not have to pay for them. For those of you that don't agree.... Think of this..

I never in my wildest dreams thought I would EVER own a cell phone... Do you remember when "car" phones came out? Only the rich had the luxury of having a phone in the car.. Then the pricing went down and you could see funky looking antennas stuck to the back window of many cars... Then the phone came out of the car in the form of a huge battery unit that had a phone attached.. This too evolved to a smaller phone device (still much bigger than today's standards) - The cost to use the phone was extremely high... do you remember roaming rates? The technology has improved considerably and the costs have gone done so much that now every member in my household owns a "cell" phone... Times have changed... And not only does my phone make calls - I have unlimited "texting"- I can take pictures - search the Internet - hold my phone up to the car radio and it will tell me what artist is singing.. "Car phones" have come a long way...

Not only has cell phones evolved - think about the VCR or DVD player... Bluray players... I just purchased a new Bluray player the other day - Not only does my Bluray play movies - I can login to Facebook, Check the weather, Play movies from Netflix and Blockbuster, and there were many other applications... I paid a little over $100... I remember our first VCR player was almost $200 in the late 1980's....

Think about how computers have changed???? I remember when I was in junior high school and one friend had a computer (this was in the late 1970's).. I think his "computer" was more of a data processor - The Internet was not invented yet... He brought a report to school and the "type" was a bunch of little dots.. Do you remember the dot matrix?

Today - we own several computers - I work from home on mine. My oldest does her school on hers. My husband at this moment is answering work emails... My youngest is on "skype" with her best friend... Schools expect every home to have access to the Internet.. My business (mortgage industry) requires computers - my industry has gone paper less... Two years ago I was making "copy" packages for the lenders using over 500 pages of paper.. Now that is a thing of the past....

Technology is evolving... Saving the Planet is key... Paper-less work... books.. school will soon be the way... What do you think? Please take my poll at the top right of this blog....

Cowell Is Missed But I Do Love Tyler

I have to say that I do miss Simon Cowell - He was the heart of American Idol.... BUT.. Steven Tyler is Awesome.. I love to watch his facial expressions when he loves a song.. He savors it... You can see his eyes close - his lips come together - his neck slowing move up in pleasure... He has an aura about him that is so very personable that you feel like you could walk right up to him and give him a hug... He might try to dry hump your leg while your at it.. but that's just him... And call me crazy - I would not be particularly offended by that gesture... It's who he is... Raunchy Rocker Old Dude.... Whom I have been a fan of since watching him in Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band movie singing 'Come Together' - starring Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees... Wow I really aged myself with that one didn't I?

A Teacher Not Forgotten...

I graduated high school 28 years ago... I am 45 years old and many days I still feel like that young high school girl from years gone by.... I can remember the excitement of going to the football games... The last minute cramming for a history test... Getting kidnapped in the middle of the night by a school club... Going on my first date... My locker combination 22-18-8..... Hanging out with friends in the Quad... Riding the city bus to and from school... Making great connections with teachers...

My senior year in high school - I took a creative writing class... This teacher really connected with the class.. Not only did he encourage us to step outside our comfort zone and write from our hearts, minds, and experiences... He opened his family to us.... I remember one particular night when he threw us a party at his home... We met his beautiful wife and children... I don't think he knew what an impact he made on our lives... my life that night. He was the first adult that accepted us as equals... That encouraged us to be greater than we could possibly imagine.... and twenty-eight years later - I still remember him... and our class...

I hope that my girls will have teachers... a teacher like I did in high school.. A teacher that sees the best in you... A teacher that encourages you... I had that and 28 years later - I still feel blessed to have known him.. Thank you, Mr. Tankenson!

The Love Test....

A while back I took this quiz The Love Language Test'.. It was based on a book I had read called The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. Taking this test opened my eyes to how I want to receive love.... It really really opened my eyes when my husband took it... But after I thought about his results... it made perfect sense... and I recognized all the signs and now know what to look for...

The 5 Languages are: Words of Affirmation; Quality Time; Receiving gifts;Acts of Service; Physical Touch...

People tend to show love by using their own primary love language... This is an excellent way to discover that person's language... For my husband - he was tied at two primary languages.. Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch... He wanted me to acknowledge his efforts to be a good husband and a good father. He wanted to me to acknowledge when he did something unexpected around the house - like folding laundry... cleaning the kitchen... And when I did not say something - his feelings would be hurt and he would feel unloved... Many times I would see that he helped out... but I would not give much thought to it.. mostly because - it's something I do everyday and it's our home... But now that I know it's important to him to be affirmed - I try to remember to say - Thanks... He is also a physical touch person... Me not so much.. my score was 13% ... He likes to hold hands... Have his back rubbed.. I try to remember this...

My primary love language is Quality Time... I like to have conversations and receive 100% of his attention.. When he "listens" with his ears and not his eyes... I get hurt/mad... I want him to listen and look at me - all at the same time... Give me one on one... And being a "guy" during football, baseball, golf, basketball, and hockey season - he finds it difficult to give me my 'Love Language'... I do know that he is working on this...

This could also be used to figure out our kids' Love Language too... I do have say that loving someone is a choice... It's putting our hearts and minds into action...

What is your love language?

My Name Is Kelly And I Am A Control Freak!

My name is Kelly and I am a complete Control Freak.... There I said it!!!! Those who know me well will no doubt be nodding their heads in agreement.... But I do have to say that last night - God gave me a little kick... He wanted me to cool my jets.. Get over myself... My "controllingness" my new word and I like it was getting out of control and He wanted me to "look in the mirror"....

Yesterday was a bad day on the home school front... Because this on-line schooling is still new to my kid me the pacing (things that need to be completed by X day) was off.. My kid was having a hard time understanding an algebra equation - (there was no way I could help her...) She met with the teacher - understood it - did not take notes - then proceeded to forget how to solve the problem... Several hours were spent on her math and then she needed to complete several other quizzes/tests/assignments that are all due by today.... Poor thing she was frustrated... I was frustrated.. My control problem raised its very ugly head... SHE NEEDED TO CATCH UP... Instead of allowing her to go at her pace.. Instead of trusting her to try it on her own.. I got in the middle of it and pushed... I did not give her the chance to rise to the occasion herself.. Because of my control freak nature... I contributed to her levels of stress... and that is something that is NOT acceptable.... I need to back down... I need to stop... NOW!

While I was in the bathroom (come on - we all read while we wee) - There was book in the magazine rack called "What Does The Bible Say About...." I opened it - not looking for anything specific... I had a little time to.. well you know.. And the page I opened to said this: "Do you give others (relatives, friends, and co-workers) not only the responsibility but the needed authority to get the job done - even if it means seeing it done their way instead of yours?" This peaked my interest and I knew my answer to this question was undoubtedly "NO".. The book went on to tell me that Jesus had more reasons to avoid delegating - yet He sent out 70 workers with full appointment to preach and heal on His behalf.... In doing so, Jesus affirmed the often heard but less often practiced concept of people and their development as the most important task of a manager/mother/parent... Of course, He gave the 70 workers detailed instructions before He sent them off... But a study of His discipleship methods shows that He was just as concerned with their growth as He was that the task be accomplished a certain way... When the 70 workers returned - they returned "with joy" excited by their experiences.. They would never be the same....

I realized in that moment in the bathroom - that I was making her education.. her decisions.. her grades.. her tasks.. her everything.. I made them about me... I was making it personal.. I was trying to control her to be "perfect".... and God knows I am so far from perfect.... so why would I put that kind of pressure on my kid.... Okay - God.. I hear you....

I'm In Love With George.....

This year I once again started a diet new way of eating... I am a major carbohydrate addict.. I love pasta.. bread... chocolate... rice.. but my body does not appreciate the carbs that I have been eating on a daily basis... So in the middle of January - I stopped cold turkey.. No more bread.. No more spaghetti.. No more white rice.... No more candy... I just had to say NO... In the first two weeks - I lost 12 pounds and my lower back pain has gotten a lot better...

Target had the new George Foreman grill on sale... I went out and bought it... It was $35 well spent... Tonight I am making sliders with blue cheese... Very yummy... Tomorrow - jerk chicken... The next night -I'm not cooking - my main man (not George) is taking me out - It's our 22 year wedding anniversary....

The grill is the perfect size... It cooks everything evenly.. it's fast and the best part it's easy to clean... I have to say that George is making this way of eating much more easier and Fun...

Love you George Foreman!

Moms Have A Very Full Plate

I think the "job" of a woman and mom has increased considerably over the last couple of decades... In the 60's and 70's - a woman got married .. quit her job... had kids... sent the kids off to school... had coffee with the other "house wives" ... came home.. cleaned house... made dinner.... tucked the kids in bed... took a shower... put on something "non-motherly" and.. well you know....

In the 80's and 90's - women were expected to get married.. have kids... after a few weeks off.. bring the kids to daycare.. go to work... pick up the kids from daycare (right before it closed).. rush home.. feed the kids... feed the husband... tuck the kids in bed..... clean the house.... take a shower... and "you know" but more often than not - she went to bed to sleep..... and the divorce rate increased... I think the reason for the divorce increase was that- the wife/mom would be resentful of her husband because many times when he came home - he was tired.. but still expected dinner on the table... the kids in a happy mood for him to enjoy... the house and clothes to be clean.. Many husbands just took things for granted and did not take into consideration that his wife worked all day too..... I really am not bashing husbands here.. Mostly because when they were growing up their moms did stay home and take care of the family.. and that expectation followed them into adulthood... And if a woman decided she wanted to stay home with the kids - many of her friends would look down on her.... and many times the "mom" would feel like she gave up "her life" because she wanted to be a "full" time mom...

Now in the 2000's - things started kind of reverting back to stay at home moms.. Many women gave up their jobs because they believed it was the right thing for their kids... And many times it definitely was... Another thing that really took off was home school... Out here in bloggy land - I have met so many moms who home-school their children... I recently spoke to a fellow blogger whose son was accepted into Duke University... he had started home school when it was frowned upon... Now look at him... It's amazing to me how things evolve....

Even though many moms have chosen to stay at home with the kids... Many of them have found out that they still need to bring in some income into the family... One working parent may not be enough for some families.... Many blogging moms and moms in general are starting up "at home" businesses... The Estsy on line shops are a big one... Blogging is another biggie.... I am a stay at home mom and I am also a self employed mom... And many times I find it so difficult to find a balance...

The cycle is again revolving.. or evolving however you may look at it... I personally see a very full plate for moms... Take care of our kids at home.... Keep the house clean... ( I do have help here every other week).. Make the meals.. Home school our kids (some of us).. AND bring monies in to help support the family.....

How Full Is Your Plate?

Dear Daughter Of Mine.....

Dear Dear Dear... daughter of Mine...

Although you are a teenager and now know much more than I do... I have to say that no matter how "dumb" I appear to you - I will love you... no matter how many times you snarl... no matter how many times you roll your eyes... no matter how many times you talk back.. I will love you...

I know that you believe that you do not need supervision.. but as I am "dumb" and can not remember this... I will continue to supervise... I will continue to know who your friends are... I will continue to require you to answer your cellphone when I call... I will continue to monitor your computer usage.. I will continue to ask you questions and I will require an answer back... preferably with as few grunts or "I don't knows" as possible...

I am fully aware that you don't need me to keep you on track with school work and grades.. But because I am a slow learner... I will check your grades... I will also get "in your grill" about studying.. I will expect you to give 100% in all that you do in life... anything less is not acceptable...

I know that you think you are too mature for public displays of affection from your mother - but because I love you so very much - you must excuse my over the top enthusiasm when I give you a hug.. or a smile... or heavens forbid.. I might even talk to you (in front of your friends)... I am proud of you and sometimes it just has to come out....

I know you like to pretend that what I say or think does not matter and I will continue to play this game with you... But thankfully I do know.... the secret you try to hide behind your teenage facade.... You know how I know???? Because I was once you... and now....

I've Become My Mother........

Friday Blog Hop

Well this has been a super duper crazy week.....

Monday - both girls got braces...



Monday - my oldest started independent study - high school at home..

The rest of the week was spent passing out Motrin for the braces pain... Helping my eldest setup and adjust to a new way of doing school... Praying for my mom and her new battle with breast cancer.. Keeping up the house.. Keeping up with my job... and Making the meals (I am having my family "fast" from fast food for two months..)

This is one mom who is looking forward to the weekend.. so I can collapse...

Cancer Is Attacking My Mom!!!!!

Years ago my Uncle Kenny made this comment to me: "In our family it's not IF you get cancer BUT when you get cancer..." Even though Uncle Kenny is not a "blood relative" to my mom - His comment is true about ALL of our family..... Last Friday Mom received the call that Every woman is in fear of one day getting... The call telling her that the mass that was found in her mammogram is breast cancer. And I have to say this completely Sucks....

My dad passed away a couple of years ago - He had suffered from oral cancer and had his tongue removed - shortly after he lost his tongue -he developed congestive heart failure... My mom was his caregiver for several years - She helped him to clean out his tracheotomy tube (He could no longer eat) - She helped him feed himself through a stomach tube... She basically was his at home nurse... In addition to taking care of my dad - She worked full time at a doctor's office... She was a very busy lady and through all of it -She never complained... She never felt sorry for herself... I think she just accepted it and that was that.... Since my dad has been gone - She has taken ownership of her life - She is bursting out and is living her life on her terms.. It is a beautiful thing to watch.... She has:

Retired and is enjoying traveling
Decorated her house the way she likes it -
She is spending time with her daughters and grand kids -
She accepted Christ into her heart.
She is an active participant in Bible studies and church activities.
She goes to the movies with me and we laugh ourselves silly..

She has had many hardships physically since she took over her life... She was diagnosed with diabetes... Her pelvic is cracked (no idea how or why) and she has a hard time keeping up with the activities that she wants to do... And NOW - she has been hit with yet another zinger... Breast Cancer... My questions is this - "Why is all this medical crap hitting her just when she was getting her life the way she wanted it?" I am so mad about this... If anyone deserves a bit of happiness it's my mom... I have no doubt that she will kick cancer's butt... She will continue to be full of laughter, wisdom, and will always be a lady... I just wish this did not have to happen.... I want her to have a life full of rainbows and lollipops like Leslie Gore described so many years ago....

So Here's To My Mom - A woman who I love... Who I admire.. Who I respect and Who I know will kick cancer's ASS.... Love you Mom!