C.S Lewis Quote On Christmas....

Among the oxen (like an ox I'm slow)
I see a glory in the stable grow
Which, with the ox's dullness might at length
Give me an ox's strength.

Among the asses (stubborn I as they)
I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;
So may my beastlike folly learn at least
The patience of a beast

Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed)
I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;
Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence
Some woolly innocence!

Please be sure to join me in The January Challenge to save money - click here for details => CLICK

Getting Ready To Save Money - Join Me? 2

Pictures Of My Beautiful Girls At Their Christmas Ball

Last week I invited fellow "want to save money" bloggers and friends to join me in a January Challenge - Feed A Family of Four on $10 a day... The challenge also includes any tips on money savings - stretching the dollar... I am asking for tips, recipes, ideas, and whatever you can contribute to the January Challenge - So far I have a few bloggers ready to share - Also - anything and everything that is submitted will have a link and credit that will go back to the contributor...

I would love your input - Please email any tips, recipes etc to me at Ivebecomemymother@yahoo.com

So what have I done so far??

Yesterday - I created a menu using only the items that I had in my kitchen... So here it is

Breakfast (it's Christmas break so it makes it easier).. Frozen pancakes, Frozen french toast, eggs, cereal (all kinds), and Nutrigrain bars.

Lunch - lunch meat, canned chili, fruit, tuna, boxed pasta, frozen corn dogs, soup, frozen chicken nuggets, egg salad.

Sunday night -Jerk Chicken - Homemade - This is my husband's favorite recipe.. It's easy and really yummy - (I found an old post with this recipe and a video of my youngest making it - I had forgotten about it - nice find.)

Monday night - Ahi Tuna - I bought 2 steaks from Trader Joe's a while back and I keep forgetting to make it - the kids will have Bertolli's Chicken parmigiana - this is surprisingly really good....

Tuesday night - Beef and cheese enchiladas, re-fried beans ( I had 6 cans, really), Spanish rice, and salad. I had bought a couple of cans of Target brand enchilada sauce - I have no idea how it's going to taste - I typically make my own sauce but I was looking for a short cut - I will finally use it - I'll let you know how it tastes.. And the other 5 cans of re-fried beans - they are being donated in a Christmas food drive tomorrow morning at my husband's work...

Wednesday - Mini slider burgers, tater tots, and corn. I am hoping the burgers are still tasty and not too freezer burned... They were purchased a few months ago - I don't have mini buns and I went by Albertson's yesterday and they no longer carry them - we just might have to use regular bread or the we can double up the burgers and put them in a large bun... I'm sure we'll figure it out...

Thursday - Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic toast, and Caesar salad - simple.. I will have to buy lettuce....

Friday - Pork chops, apple sauce, and cheesy potatoes... Last week - I grilled them - I usually bake or fry them... But I have to say the grilled ones were amazing and I'm doing it again...

Saturday is Christmas Eve - We will be celebrating with my mom that night -We are attending service at her church and then take her out to dinner... Looking forward to this...

Sunday is Jesus' Birthday also known as Christmas... Dinner will be at my in-laws... Looking forward to it....

So yesterday- I went to the market for dog food, fresh fruits and veggies and what did I see?? The meat department was having an amazing sale.. So I loaded up on buy 1 get 1 free chicken breasts - 50% off on beef rump roast and lean hamburger at 2.75 per lb - got a few pounds... The prices were good..

Today - I have also cancelled all movie channels as of January 1st.. So glad Dexter's season finale was last night.. ha

Getting Ready To Save Money - Join Me?

The other day I was paying my bills and realized that the last couple of months - We were spending more money than what we were bringing in.... I had a very rude awakening - I realized that I have been extremely foolish with our money - spending too much on things that we don't need - eating out for almost every meal and being just plain irresponsible and it's stopping NOW!

I went through my cupboards and refrigerator looking for areas I could save... I looked at our different bills we pay.... And this is what I came up with....

For the entire month of January I am going to...

Feed A Family of Four on $10 A Day!

So how will this work? This is where I am hopeful that fellow friends and bloggers can send me money saving ideas and recipes - I will post and link back to the contributing site... On January 1st - I will add a linky to every day posts and have a month long hop and I hope we can get some great stuff to help everyone who wants to participate...

Please email me at: ivebecomemymother@yahoo.com - be sure to send recipes with pictures would be awesome - ideas on how you save money - coupons - anything and everything that can save money - send it.. Be sure to add your name and your blog address... If you are not a blogger I will be happy to give you credit too -

This is where I am starting today...

We average $25 a day on eating out... It could be more... I know it's NOT less - No more eating out - January is a NO EAT OUT - time... I have already let the kids know...

We pay $49 a month on movie channels through our cable service - the only show I watch on cable is Dexter... I can wait for it to come on Netflix... January no more movie channels - except Netflix - this is used often and is very inexpensive at $7.99 per month.

I buy the cat and dog food in little bags so it can fit nice and neatly in my box in my office - this is expensive - I noticed yesterday at the store - the size I get is twice the cost per oz then it would be to buy in bulk... January - buy large bag and store big bag in garage and pour into my box in my office for convenience...

I need to stop buying frozen quick foods - frozen french toast - waffles - pancakes - chicken nuggets - I need to organize myself and precook and set up a menu plan... I know that this is a BIG money saver -it's HUGE.. I love the weekly menu planner from $5 Dinners - I will be using many of her recipes in January...

I buy a bunch of crap thinking we're going to eat it.. or I buy stuff with intentions of eating it and it just sits in my pantry and/or fridge... Goal - eat it and then move on...







My last idea for the day - is I am a HUGE diet coke drinker and unfortunately my teenagers have also become addicted to the poison... I pay in upwards of $1.50 for a 2 liter bottle.. If I'm lucky I would hit a sale at $1 per bottle.. January - NO MORE Diet Cokes - I have no doubt that this alone will save us over $3 a day... Instead of diet coke - I will make homemade ice tea - using Target brand tea (tastes the exact same as Lipton for a 1/3 of the cost) and Target brand sweet and low again a huge savings with the exact taste.... This would cost pennies a day....



Would love for you to join me - In this economy every bit helps... If you want to join in on the January Challenge - Say "Count Me In" and if you want to add tips - recipes - anything helpful - Please be sure to email me at ivebecomemymother@yahoo.com..

The Social Media Police Mom

photo by Nate Arnold

When my oldest was ten years old we gave her her first computer... I remember setting it up in her room while she was swimming with friends in the backyard -I wanted to surprise her... It was a cheap bundle desktop - came with everything - Very basic... I set it up so she could go on the Internet for homework and to email her grandparents... This was way before social media became popular - this is before FaceBook... But still I wanted to keep her safe - so I put parental protection through America Online... I believed I was doing my part.... and I was SOOO WRONG...

First off - AOL is only one of many browsers - I had no idea there were more... But my kid knew... So the sites I thought she could not go into - she became an active participant in and I had no idea until she let it slip one day... Because this had been going on for quite awhile and my kid knew what she was doing was wrong - she lost her computer for a while... I gave her several chances as time went on but she kept losing this privilege. When she was 14 - I bought her and her sister both a laptop - the desktop was no longer any good... We as parents explained the rules to both girls - no computer at bedtime... homework time.. no chatrooms etc... They both signed an agreement and I hung it in my home office.... All was good for the most part until.... Facebook came along...

Today - Facebook rules the world... Really.... In the car this morning - my 13 year old was telling me how surprised she was that so many of her friends are on FB during school... And it's true... Just the other day - my high schooler posted a silly status from her Spanish class saying something about her and a friend wearing crazy snow globes at Target.. No idea what she was talking about... typical high school funny stuff - but I did text her and asked her to call me on her first break.... She said the teacher said it was okay... yea sure she did.... It is not unusual for my kids to run to their cellphone - IPod - computer to do a FB status update... Whatever happens - goes on FB... I have to admit - I am often guilty of this too.. It's fun to stay in touch with friends but there have to be boundaries.... for my kids and for me...

My kids will forget about homework and/or sneak onto FB when they are suppose to be studying.. I have caught them many times... Today - I take all their electronic devices away during homework and I have seen an increased improvement on homework and grades.. That's not to say they don't ever sneak on when they are working on an assignment for school on the computer - but it's much better. I no longer allow them access to a computer in their bedrooms - it's all downstairs where I can monitor.. On many days I feel like a police officer and I hate that... but the end result is - I have to be the adult and make boundaries when my kids can't or won't.... I see the big picture.. whereas someday soon I hope they will see it too.. Until then - I am the FB and social media police - this includes texting... On a side note - texting can be just as bad if not worse than FB - I love the fact that I can have parental controls on that too - I can block people - I can create cell usage time frames and I can disable and have only numbers I choose... I hate to put controls on the phones and for the most part I don't have to - I use controls as a last resort if their grades are dropping - they neglect their chores... etc...

The Internet can be so dangerous - it opens the door for unwanted people into your home... bullying.. It can show our kids things that they are not ready for.... Many times I wish my kids did not need to use the Internet but unfortunately it is here to stay and schools expect the kids to have access to a computer at home - many of their assignments are on the computer.. It's crazy.....

Some parents may think I am too controlling and that I should allow my kids to do what they want and not check on their activity... Some think that I should let my kids learn from their mistakes... and they may be right but I need to do what I feel is right for me... and my kids so today - and most likely tomorrow too - I will be The Social Media Police Mom...

This is a scene from Cyber Bully - I have seen best friends turn against their friend on FB and the awful things that can happen..


A mom's biggest fear - and I believe this can happen very easily..... A couple of years ago my oldest met a boy on-line - within 24 hours they were "in-love" - it was a very scary time... Thankfully - my daughter went to her counselor at school and talked about this boy and other life issues.... I think she was lucky... I think we all were....

FML - An Acronym That Drives Me INSANE!!!!!

A couple of weeks ago my oldest was getting ready for a dance.... In the middle of getting ready - I see her Face Book status pop up... It read FML with a sad face... Seriously I had no idea what that meant so I went to my youngest and asked her... She told me that it meant F**K My Life.... I had to scratch my head on that one... What could have happened for my oldest (she's 15) to suddenly post this awful acronym... So I asked her.... You know what her answer was???? She poked herself in the eye with her eyeliner... Yep - that's it... She poked her eye with eyeliner and at that moment she felt inclined to rush to her Face Book to let the world know that her life is F**Ked...

Now that I know what FML means... I often see it on Face Book and more often than not it's an adult making the post and to tell you the truth it really really REALLY bugs me... This is why....

Life is pretty good if you - have your health... healthy children.. a home to live in... food on your plate... heat coming out of your heater.... Life is pretty good if you have loved ones.... people who care about you... Life is pretty much NOT a FML moment if you have any of these.... And for someone to post FML when they are so blessed is kind of a blast to those that are enduring serious tragedies...

Personally - I know two people on Face Book that are grieving the loss of a child... I know many who are enduring the heartbreaking moments of their sick and/or dieing parent (s)... I know many who have been looking for a job and can't afford to pay their mortgage or rent.... There are those without a home... without a meal... without someone who cares about them....

So the next time a person thinks their life is so F**Ked and feels inclined to post it on Face Book - I hope they will take a moment and really looked at their life and if they don't see anything worth while then go ahead and post it....

So I took My Kid to See Katy Perry

Last summer Katy Perry tickets went on sale - I was lucky enough to grab three in the first 5 minutes.. Man - they went fast... I bought them for me and my two girls.. After I purchased them - my oldest informed me that she had no interest in going... Not her style... So I took my youngest and her friend... I was amazed how versatile the audience was.. I think everyone that came to the concert left feeling satisfied... The concert was at the Staples Center in Los Angeles two days before Thanksgiving...


My kid singing to I Kissed A Girl and I liked it... ha

Best Buy or Fry's - Who Has The Best Service?

Several years ago I bought a HP desktop computer from Fry's Electronics... I purchased the three (3) year warranty... In less than a year - my computer stopped working - I brought it down to Fry's - stood in the help line for over 15 minutes before someone bothered to look up at me... Then another 30 minutes for the "technician" to plug the unit in... look at the unit... Only to confirm that Yes - it's broken and Yes -it needs to be sent out to the manufacture and Yes - it would take up to three (3) weeks to get my computer back. After a couple of days - I received a phone call from the service department - telling me that the mother board was shot and some other major component was broken - the problems were covered in the warranty I purchased and I should get the unit back in a couple of weeks.... Well a couple of weeks went by... another week went by - finally I got the call that my computer was ready for pick up....

I was very happy to get my computer back until.... I learned that many of the drivers were missing... and many of the same problems were appearing... Took the computer back - only to find out that the mother board was never touched... In addition - something about the back up was messed up and long story short - Fry's messed up and HP would no longer honor my warranty. Fry's had their heads up their butts because apparently they had no idea what they had done wrong and had no idea on how to fix it... I spent over $1500 for this computer and I was stuck with trash.... Fry's would not offer a refund... or a comparable computer... I was screwed... I run a business and cannot work without a computer - so I had to buy another computer and I was NOT going to buy it at Fry's!

I went to Best Buy and right away - I felt a higher quality of service... So much in fact that - I have purchased several computers for my home and office - In addition to the products - the "Geek Squad" rocks... My first experience with them was when they networked my office - I had 3 computers and an assortment of printers that needed to work together - The Geek had me up in running right away and explained to me in detail on how to maintain my network.... And my most recent interaction with them was when my daughters' computer was attacked by a yucky virus... They immediately knew what virus it was - they offered to back up my computer in case anything got lost... (Fry's never offered this).. I purchased a 24/7 Tech support - that helps with anything from removing viruses to installing software to my computer is acting weird and I need you to look at it remotely... Wherever I am - I'm covered.....

I am not a computer savvy person - but I feel confident that any computer problems I have Best Buy is there for me... AND I just bought my first refrigerator in 23 years from Best Buy last month - I loved the fact that I could use their credit card and use it as the same as cash.. no finance charges... no interest.... Would you believe that this post is NOT a Best Buy paid advertisement? It's true... I've been so happy with Best Buy that I wanted to share my experiences... I am however - an approved affiliate for Best Buy but that's it....

Did you know that you can Buy Online, Pickup in Your Local Best Buy® Store. - I like this...

What I Don't Like About Being Married!

After almost 23 years of marriage I have finally figured out what I don't like about being married....  No, I have not filed for divorce... it's a little too late for that - he's stuck with me... poor guy..

So here goes....

I HATE sharing a bed.... that's it...  I want my space... I want the TV to not exist... and when I snore - I don't want to be woken up by the grumpy monster husband saying - "Kelly, You're snoring!!! KELLY, YOU"RE SNORING!!  KELLY, YOU'RE SNOORRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG!!!! Last night after he woke me up- he fell back asleep and started to power snore - I'm telling you - the neighbors were yelling at us to stop the racket....  So I kicked him and asked him to politely to roll over about 20 times... "Dusty - roll over... Dusty would you please roll over... Dusstttyyyyyyyyyyy - I'm tired and you're snoring.. Pllllllllleeeeeassee roll over...." as tears of sheer frustration roll down my check..  I feel like I've hardly had any sleep at all...

So that's it - that's what I don't like about being married....  Solution?  I'm thinking of converting the "game room" into my own private suite with deep jacuzzi tub and tons and tons of closets....  Do ya think I can convince the husband????



         

My Dad Remembered This Christmas Season....

When I was in the 7th grade my school had a Christmas concert...  Back in 1977 - Christmas was still celebrated in the public schools... No one thought anything of it...  It was a different time....

My parents came to watch me and my classmates sing our hearts out... Now I have to tell you something... I am by far the worst singer I have ever heard... I'm down right awful... But I do love to sing and Christmas carols are my most favorite... So any way back to my big night performance...  My mom and dad were in the audience watching their favorite youngest daughter sing..  On the last song - all the kids circled the auditorium and we sang my dad's favorite song....  Oh Holy Night...  I remember seeing him standing there next to my mom... His eyes were glistening from the tears he shed...  After the show.... he swore he could hear me sing... and he said I sounded like an angel....  I know he was telling a tale... but it still made me feel special..

This Christmas will be the 3rd one without my dad... But he was with me today - while the radio played Oh Holy Night.....

Breakfast With My Baby...

Today my 8th grade daughter had a late start at school... So I dropped off the high schooler at her normal time and then treated my baby to a mom/daughter breakfast.... There was a time when she and I would talk and talk... laugh - tell and listen to stories... But now that she is thirteen..... We mostly had silence.... Although I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my beautiful girl... I miss the conversations we used to share.....

Digging into her cinnamon roll french toast

Getting ready to take her first bite...

Now she's done and ready to puke... SOOO MUCH FOOOD


I was hungry for the Denver potato pancakes.... They were soo rich - had a hard time eating more than a few bites...

Destroy Your Hotel Room Keys.... Here's Why!

Ever wonder what is on your magnetic key card?
Answer:
a. Customer's name
b. Customer's partial home address
c. Hotel room number
d. Check-in date and out dates
e. Customer's credit card number and expiration date!

When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner.. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense.
Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten' on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process.

But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!

The bottom line is: Keep the cards, take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them into the front desk when you check out of a room. They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.

For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash basket. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip!

If you have a small magnet, pass it across the magnetic strip several times. Then try it in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the card.

Information courtesy of: Metropolitan Police Service. Canada

And The Winner Is.......

Okay - The way I came up with the winner of the $25 Godiva gift card is a little strange considering all the different computer ways a entry can be pulled... I decided to Brown Bag it...

First I had my daughter cut up each comment - a total of 50..



Then I put the entries in a "you got it" - a brown paper bag...



Then I reached in and I pulled out The Winner.....



The Winner Is Dee G - I will contact you via email for your mailing address..

Congratulations!!

$25 Godiva Gift Card Giveaway!

I get to have a giveaway - yea.... And it's not just any kind of giveaway - it's chocolate... Twenty-five dollars worth of yummy yummy chocolate... So this is what you have to do....

Follow Me On Blogger/Google or whatever you want to call it....
Follow Me On Twitter.
Like Me On Facebook.
AND.....
Leave a Comment about What You Are Thankful For...

That's It - Oh and be sure to leave me your email address on one of your entries..

Winner Will Be Announced On Monday - November 14..

A Video Interview With My 13 Year Old Daughter

So last week we were in the parking lot of Trader Joe's waiting for my other daughter to finish her appointment... We had a camera... we were bored.. And here you go...


It's so different to see her with dark brown hair... she went from this two weeks ago..



To This.... I think she is beautiful either way....

Haley Has Gone Home....

Yesterday in the late afternoon -Haley went away..... She wasn't in any pain and her loving family was by her side... She fought a good fight... She was a lady to the end....

Everyone wanted a miracle.... a true healing of her body.... but that was not to be.... Today and forever more - a family will grieve the loss of their beautiful daughter.... sweet sister.

Please pray for this amazing family during this sad sad time..

Not Wanting To Let Go....

Last night Haley's parents posted on Haley's Facebook page that Haley's kidneys have stopped working and now is the time to make Haley comfortable and try to prepare themselves to say good-bye to their baby.... The update was made over 15 hours ago and I do not know if anything has changed... I do know that Haley has touched so many lives with her strength and courage during her fight... Currently there are over 100 comments on Haley's status and 36 re-shares... No one wants to give up on this precious life... We have been praying.... crying... making bargains with God... We want to believe that some how some way - She can be saved... She should live the incredible life that was in front of her a year ago... A star volleyball player at her high school.. A young girl with too many friends to count.. A girl whose beauty took your breath away.... A smile that was contagious... A girl in so many ways just like her mom... A mom I have known for over 35 years.....

Cathie and I on my wedding day

I regret that I never had a chance to "know" Haley... I remember the day she was born on April Fool's Day - I remember holding her when she was only a couple of days old... As the years went by - Cathie and I would try our best to get together for a movie or dinner. We both were working moms and it was very difficult at times for us to see each other.. But when we did - we started right where we left off... We would have little get togethers at each others' homes... I remember a particular New Year's Eve at Cathie's home and Haley and Ashley played with my two girls so that we adults could bring the New Year in.... I always enjoyed the stories about Haley... her funny and quirky ways... her amazing talent in volleyball... and I still have every Christmas card that Cathie sent out every year with her and her sister Ashley's picture... During the past year - I have seen how much Haley has meant to her friends and family.. What an amazing girl/woman she is...

No parent should ever have to say good bye to their child and I know that Haley's parents are going through the roughest time of their lives... I cannot stop crying - because I can see both of them in my mind's eye and it's so heartbreaking.... There is nothing at this moment in time that will ease their hearts.. or minds.. They are sad.. They are destroyed right now... and only time will lesson the pain..... A lot of time....

Praying For God To Say YES!

I'm mad... I'm sad... I'm wondering why God lets awful things happen... If you have been following my blog this year - you may have seen and/or read several posts about a young girl named Haley who is fighting a rare disease called Myelodyspastic syndrome (MDS).. At first - we were looking for people willing to sign up as a bone marrow donor via Be The Match. Many people signed up and after a few months a donor was found...

In August - Haley started chemotherapy to get her body ready for the donor marrow... She received the transplant... Within a week - She was not feeling well and was advised that she had a deadly fungal infection in both of her lungs... The doctors tried to prepare the family to say their goodbyes.... All of a sudden - the idea to get donor white cells to fight the infection came up... People showed up in droves to UCLA Medical center to donate their white cells - ( a long 3 day process).... Haley's lungs were clearing up - She was taken off life support and a light at the end of the tunnel was starting to be seen... The possibility of coming home by Halloween was even discussed... until...

Haley started to feel poorly again by the beginning to middle of September... October 5th - Haley learned that the transplant did not work... By October 14th she is back in ICU in need of oxygen... Every day - getting worse... Every day Haley's mom, dad, family, and friends watch Haley go further away.. Many of Haley's friends have come by to love her.. share stories with her... two of Haley's favorite bands were even allowed to serenade her in ICU this weekend.. Such an outpouring of love... prayers... compassion... and an over powering feeling of helplessness....

I know this is not about me... I get it... But I can't help but feel so mad... I can picture in my mind -my life long friend (Haley's mom) cuddling in bed with her baby girl.. Wishing like hell she could switch places with her... I can't help but wonder where is God in this... Why does it feel that He is sitting back and just waiting to take Haley home? I hate being mad at Him... But I would be a liar if I said that I wasn't... This is not fair... This sucks.... and I want to fix it!!!!

I had a daughter that passed away shortly after she was born... Many of my friends felt very uncomfortable.. not knowing what to say... feeling helpless... trying to avoid the topic of my loss... avoiding me because they to wanted to fix it.... I would hear those little sayings that people say in a time of loss - things like... "She's in Heaven visiting with her grandparents" or my personal favorite - "Heaven is this perfect place and could not be perfect without children" Well - you know what - these sayings are crap... So if you find yourself wanting to comfort a friend with these stupid little sayings.. do everyone a favor and don't - hug them instead... or just be still....

So today, November 6 - Haley is still fighting for her life... Her family and friends by her side... Today I am Praying for God to say "YES - I will heal her body" "YES - I will give Haley's family a HUGE miracle"....

Would You Consider This Bullying???

Casey is a somewhat shy high school girl - She is a nice girl.. Never likes to draw attention to herself.. She is pretty but doesn't think so... She has a hard time verbally saying what she wants to say - she gets very tongue tied... She is a day dreamer... She always wants to make people happy and is fearful of hurting others feelings..

Now Tell Me If You Think She Is Being Bullied....

Casey loves Science and would look forward to going to class everyday until.....

Eva and Ashley are two girls in her class.. Everyday before class - Eva (the ring leader) would tell Casey that she "loved her" and thought she was "hot"... Ashley would go along with whatever Eva said or did... In class - Eva sits in front of Casey and when the teacher is not looking Eva would put her arms behind her and try to grab Casey or Casey's belongings.. Once Eva grabbed something - whether it's a book or Casey's long hair - Eva would take it or pull it.. Casey would ask her to stop in an embarrassed voice - But Eva persists..

As the weeks and months pass by - Eva and Ashley are more aggressive in their pursuit to harass Casey.. They will say things like - Casey - I want to kiss you - can I meet your parents so we could go out on a date.. Oh, Caseyyyyy - Oh Caseyyyyy -(this is during group time) - Casey will ignore Eva but the other kids in the group would laugh at Casey.. (as is the case in most bullying scenarios)... Most of the harassing is of a sexual nature...

This treatment does not happen on occasion it happens everyday - so much in fact that Casey no longer wants to go this class...

Would Love to hear what you think...

Urgent - A Miracle and Hope Is Needed

I have written many posts about my friend Cathie's daughter Haley... Many of you have prayed... sent cards/letters, donated money to help the family, and have ordered donor kits (bone marrow donor) from Be The Match... I have no doubt that God is hearing our prayers and I have no doubt that Haley and her family feel blessed to know that there are so many people - friends and strangers pulling for Haley to have a full recovery...

Yesterday - Haley's Facebook page was updated... to let us know that Haley had another lung biopsy... and that she is back on a ventilator because she is having more difficulty breathing... This poor young lady must be so tired of this roller coaster ride she has been on for the past year... And to think that she has been in the hospital since August... with her incredibly brave mom by her side everyday... every night... every step....

While writing this post - Haley's Facebook page had another update...... I have copied and pasted the text below....

Haley is still very sick. Fever of about 105 and needing more oxygen on the vent. Preliminary results look like a fungal infection. Doctors are not giving us much hope at this time. Please keep your prayers coming.

You can find Haley's story on my sidebar - You can stay updated by going to Haley's Facebook page...

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts for this incredible family.. A family that if you knew them up close and personal - you could not help but love them like I do.

Found - Stolen IPod.. Problem - A Classmate Has It...

Here's the scoop.... A few weeks back my 15 year old daughter Nikki had a tennis match at a rival school.. She was late getting out of her history class and in her haste to catch the bus left her purse on a bench in front of her locker in the girls' locker room... When I went to her match that afternoon - she told me what had happened... I asked her if she called the school and she had not.. She left her cell in her purse and did not think to ask someone to borrow theirs... Any hoo - I immediately called the school - they sent someone to the locker room - they found her purse and I had fifteen minutes to get it... or wait until tomorrow - No problem.. yep - so I jumped in my car - sped down the streets like a mad woman drove across town - made it with two minutes to spare... I got her purse - wallet/check.. cell phone/check... $240 IPod touch/missing!

What was there to do? Nothing really... The school informs the students that they are not responsible for lost or stolen items and that expensive electronics should not be at school... So the stolen IPod was signed off as a lesson learned... Until...

Yesterday morning - Nikki was in her math class and a classmate two (2) desks in front of her whips out an IPod.. An IPod with a very distinct crack across it's top - a missing piece of glass in a certain corner and packing tape taped across and vertical.... (Yes - although it was "newer" Nikki dropped it on our tile floors a time or two too many..) Nikki approached the girl and advised her that the IPod was hers and that it had been stolen... The girl according to Nikki was surprised that the IPod had been stolen.. She told Nikki that someone gave it to her (and to a 15 year old daughter - that seemed logical at the moment...) and the girl told Nikki that she would take it home and delete her pictures and songs and bring it back to school.... This Mama - doesn't believe it.... Sooooo

This morning I went with Nikki to the school supervisor's office and let Nikki explain the situation... Although the classmate said she would bring the IPod back today - We thought it would be wise to go on record with the school just in case there was a problem... You never know what could happen.. The supervisor had Nikki write down everything that happened and what was said... Nikki did not know the girl's name but thanks to the electronic age and the fact that the girl was Asian with her hair dyed bright orange (kind of hard to miss) - the supervisor took Nikki's description and was able to pull up the girl's name and picture with a couple of clicks on the mouse... crazy isn't it?

This is where it was left... If the classmate brings the IPod back - Nikki is to go to the supervisor and show the IPod.. If the classmate does not bring the IPod back then Nikki is to go to the supervisor and show that she had not received it.... Wonder if the IPod is a show or no show...

What Do You Think Will Happen???

Being A Parent Sucks When....

You find out that you kid has found new ways to be sneaky..

You read what your kid says about you to others...

You wake up one day and your sweet girl has turned into Lizzie Borden..

You have lost count on how many times you have taken away her cellphone.. IPod... computer...

You realize that you are yelling and she is yelling....

You realize that Respect is a 7 letter word.... and not an action...

You see your kid's skype status and reads like a rapper lyric - I'm Not a F***'n Ho...

You catch your kid in yet another lie....

You catch yourself counting the days until she's out of the house..

You pray that her grades are good enough so she can go AWAY to college...

You go to bed and can't sleep because you are so worried that you really screwed up as a parent..

Today is a bad day......

Parents Need To Parent

When I pull up to a 7-11 or gas station and see a group of teens hanging out - it really bothers me... I can't help but wonder what are they up to? What can be so exciting about hanging out in front of a convenience store at night? But then I see a teenager about my daughter's age asking a young 20 something boy if he would buy a couple of six packs for him and his friends... The 20 something wants to appear "cool" so he does and the teens jump in their cars and head to the park to get drunk....

The other day I was watching an episode of Gossip Girl from the first season... There was a scene where a father of a freshman (9th grade) girl caught his daughter in another lie -She had told him she was going to choir practice at school but in reality she was going to a high school party - a party where there were kids that she was trying to impress... She had been lying.. stealing - doing whatever it took to be noticed - Her dad told her she could not go because she was grounded from her previous antics and that she had lied again... Her response was you can't stop me and she left... Her father watched with puppy dog eyes as she left their home.. The daughter returned later in the evening -weeping - things did not go as planned and her dad with his big puppy dog eyes told her he was glad she was home and there were no consequences for her behavior...

Many parents wonder why their kids are messed up.. I believe it's because parents stopped parenting.... Parents need to be tough... They need to learn how to say "No"!! There must be boundaries. There must be rules... There must be supervision.. There must be guidance.. There MUST be LOVE.. There MUST be respect - both ways... Yes, we need to allow our kids to spread their wings.. We need to allow them to make their own mistakes... And yes, we need to allow them to grow up.. But allowing my kid to hang out at 7-11 or blatantly go against my authority - well that's not growing up... That's so far from growing up... Some parents may think that I am being unreasonable or too strict... but I have to say this....

One of the best lessons on being a parent is watching the success and failures of other parents.. The parents who were too "religious" and their kids rebel - Or the parents who was too "carefree" and their kids like beer a little too much.. Or the parents who did not have "boundaries" and their kids are blaming the parents for their failures... The life lessons go on and on... It's up to me - find a happy medium and that I believe is one of the hardest things to do...

So I will parent and I will pray that God will give me guidance - the right words and that He will cover my mouth when there are things I want to say but should not... I know I can not parent alone... I need Him... I need my husband... I need my mom... I need my sisters... Because without them - it would be much much harder.....

Courageous - A Must See For Every Dad and Mom

Yesterday I had the privilege of having a mom/daughter day with my mom.... We went to Johnny Rockets for lunch and the movies to watch Courageous.... Watching this movie honestly gave me a kick in the head... I think everyone in the auditorium yesterday definitely got something out of this movie... As we were walking out - I overheard one man telling his fellow movie goers that he believed every dad should watch this movie... I could not agree more... I also believe every parent (mom or dad) could benefit...

The basic premise of this movie is to remind us that our priority should be raising our children. So many of us spend our time hanging out with our friends... working on our careers... relaxing in front of the TV.. when what we should be doing is spending quality time with our children... Loving our spouses... Providing a home... Setting an example of the kind of man or woman they should be... As parents we need to work on our marriage - we need to honor each other... We need to love unconditionally... Always..

Every child needs a dad... Many children are raised without a father figure... It's not to say that single moms are not getting the job done - I believe most are... but that does not take away from the fact that statistically - children who do not have a father figure in their lives end up being a sad statistic... Absent fathers need to step up to the plate - they need to get their head on right.. they need to grow up - take responsibility - and take care of their children!

I hope that Sherwood pictures comes out with a movie for moms... I have enjoyed every movie they have put out so far... Facing the Giants and Fireproof... Below is the trailer for Courageous.. I hope you can take the time to see this movie for yourself.... and bring some tissue and a helmet - You just might be kicked in the head too...

I Planned For The Wedding... But Not The Marriage

In Four months I will be celebrating my 23rd wedding anniversary.... This anniversary will say that I have been married to the same guy for half my life... It's hard to believe that I've been married this long... It's harder to believe that I am not a statistic of divorce.... Especially since I have filed for divorce two times....

You see, I married my husband not because I loved him.... I married him because I was afraid... Not of him.. He is a good man.. I was afraid that I couldn't make it on my own... I did not believe in myself and I knew that D (the husband) loved me... I knew that D would always be successful - he is and has always been so blasted smart... And - another reason I said yes to the ring - Was I wanted a wedding.. Every girl dreams of her wedding... I think I spent more time thinking about the wedding day and not so much on what I wanted from the marriage... D and I never discussed what we wanted in a marriage... and to be honest I never thought about it... but I thought a lot about the wedding.. the color theme... the dress.. the bridesmaids.. the honeymoon...

I remember on our honeymoon - we were walking to a cab and he took my hand in his and at that moment I knew I had made a big mistake... And poor D - I spent almost half my life making him pay for it... One of the main reasons I started blogging a couple of years ago was to hold myself accountable... I had decided to try to love my husband - After 20 years of marriage I thought it was about time... So I started The 40 day Love Dare - I was more surprised than anyone when I found myself falling in love with D for the first time. The book helped me to understand what love is... and when I practice love - I feel it.. I want to show it... share it...

Loving someone can be much like working out at the gym... It can be brutal - often times so tiring you can barely walk that sounded kind of wrong - ha but the end result is that you are healthier.. You have more energy... Your outlook is brighter and your mind is more clear... but once you stop the routine of working out.. the routine of loving your spouse it gets so difficult to start up again and you keep putting it off and putting it off and before you know it you have gained all your weight back.. And you have lost that loving feeling and you could sometimes careless if you ever get it back....

I believe love is more of an action than a feeling... Love is kind.. Love is never rude... Love is accountable... Love wants to understand... Love wants to heal.. Love is a choice...



So where am I today???? I want to love D... and lately it's been really hard... I know I've been extremely unlovable myself... D and I are two very stubborn people and we are not ones to give up without a fight because if we did give up easily - one of those two divorce petitions would have stuck... Love is worth fighting for.. And after almost 23 years of marriage - I'm still not done fighting...

Queen Rocked in the 70's, 80's AND STILL DOES TODAY!

I was driving home this morning after dropping the kids off at school and one of my favorite stations played back to back Queen songs... I was transported back in time to the days when I was in junior high school and my 7th grade glee class sang We Will Rock You - while stomping our feet and clapping our hands....


In high school in the early 80's I was a true fan.... Freddie Mercury was an amazingly talented man - his last concert in 1986 and his death November of 1991 left the world mourning his loss...

First song on the radio this morning was...

This song Bohemian Rhapsody was a hit when it first came out in 1975 AND right after Freddie's death in 1992.. I truly don't believe another band is capable of playing this song... this good..



Second song today was....

Fat Bottomed Girls.. Haven't heard this in forever - so hearing it this AM - made me smile..

Where Did My Sweet Daughter Go???

From birth until my youngest turned 13 she was so sweet... so lovey.. So easy to parent... Now not so much...

She went from this......





To This...



I have been told this time shall pass... and I pray that it goes by fast....