The Holidays Have Come and Gone!

I can't believe the holidays are over already. It seemed like just last week I was off to the store purchasing new decorations, not storing them away. Wasn't it just last week I was begging my hubby to place the Christmas lights outside? Why does it seem that we are all in such a hurry for the Holidays to come but then once they've past, we rarely remember what happened? This year our pastor challenged us to spend a lot less on the holiday and just BE in the moment. To make memories of the holiday, not just buy presents. I tried. I really, really tried. I will admit that my kids definitely did not get as much as they have in past years but somehow the presents seemed to stack up anyway. They have presents that they still have not even opened up to play with. We of course have our annual traditions which create wonderful memories every season, but next year I am vowing to BE in the moment more. To not get so caught up in the hustle and bustle. To not get so stressed out. To really make Christmas a wonderful lasting memory for my family - and not just because they got the latest gizmo or gadget.

Thanksgiving lunch at school.

Well I finally realized the school has been having an annual Thanksgiving luncheon every year for who knows how long. Finally this year I somehow received the memo and marked my calendar to attend. I took my mother in law with me and boy was it a treat! We decided to take Jeremy out of his classroom so Maddie, Jeremy, Gayle & I could all eat together. Gayle and I of course got held up in the parent line while the kids are already off to their table. We walk to the table to find out they haven't even left an inch for us to sit. Hmmm...I'm thinking they're both not too "thankful" we had come to eat lunch with them. We manage to scoot some kids down and squeeze ourselves into a child's size spot. On the menu was turkey, instant mashed potatoes w/gravy, green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. It looked tasty enough. We just sat down and started eating when the lunch lady walks by and tells our table to "hurry up, you only have 3 minutes left!" I was shocked. I knew their lunches went quick, but never would I imagine they would almost risk a daily chance of choking forcing the kids to scarf down their meal. Then Maddie's class is lining up and she has barely touched a thing. No wonder the girl doesn't gain an ounce. She heads off to the playground while Granny, Jeremy & I try to calmly finish our Thanksgiving meal that cost us $3.75! We had promised Maddie we'd stop by her playground so off we go to find her and cannot. The nurse assistant comes to me and says, "You're looking for Maddie, right? Come to the gate and I'll let you in." Then I hear the nurse tell Maddie to come see who she has found. The sweet lil thing had been patiently sitting by the gate waiting for her mommy and Granny to walk in. I think I learned my lesson on being too quick to judge. I fully believe she was "thankful" for us to have come for a visit afterall!

My Daughter turned 6? How can that be?

Well I have to admit - I am getting old. It seems as though these kids are aging me very quickly. Time is just flying by at warp speed. My memory is failing - My skin is sagging and my waistline expanding. How can my baby, my youngest, be turning 6? It was just last year I was pregnant with her, wasn't it? Where has the time gone? She of course was very excited to be turning 6. I tried to keep my sanity - tried to be happy for her, but inside was a blubbering mess. If she is another year older than that means Mom is another year older, too. At this rate, I will soon be a grandmother! Okay, I digress... Maddie was desperate to have a gymnastics party. It's her thing. It's her love. It's her PASSION! She lives for it and cannot wait each week to be back in class. So of course I complied and let her have a party there with just a few friends from school. It was nice and small but big on fun! Here are a few photos from that glorious day that will forever be in Maddie's memory and heart.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH!

A few weeks ago my hubby checked the mail and found that both - yes BOTH - of our children were receiving the award for Student of the Month for September! We were very excited!! Jeremy had been selected as SOTM two years ago in 1st grade from the most fabulous teacher we have encountered to date. Well then nothing happened in 2nd grade. We thought he must have been overlooked or maybe we needed to realize he wasn't going above and beyond the 6 pillars of character that are required for a teacher to select you. There are only 9 or 10 coveted spots throughout the school year so if a teacher has a great class he/she might have a hard time picking the small few out of a class of 24 or more students. Or your child might just truly not deserve the award. So a year went by without any mention of student of the month and I have to admit, his dad and I were a little disappointed. I mean this is Jeremy we are talking about. A boy who does not like to get in trouble in school, a boy who is such a sweatheart his Auntie Neicia wants to take him and run off to Mexico leaving her kids behind! Well somehow this year we got lucky and both of our kiddos were selected! We were very proud that Maddie was selected in her first year as a kindergartner! We knew she would be outgoing, but assumed that would get her into trouble, not rewarded for helping out! We got there early that morning. Finally made front row! We knew we had the best seats in the place. Maddie was first. We could tell she nervous being in the front of the auditorium, all eyes on her. She kept staring at the ground, twisting her lil body back and forth. Her teacher read a statement as to why she picked Maddie as student of the month. It went a little something like this..."I am proud to choose Madeline as the September student of the month. Madeline continually demonstrates all six pillars of character! Madeline always follows classroom rules. She raises her hand to share an answer and waits her turn to be called on. She listens carefully to directions and does not interrupt when another student is speaking. (Are we sure she is talking about my Maddie, the very one who has no patience at home??) Madeline always tries her best! She is willing to share and help others. She will take time from her work, center, or even recess to help someone out! I can always count on Madeline to help in any way that is needed. I am very proud of you Madeline and you deserve to be proud as well!!



Jeremy was up after all of kinder, 1st and 2nd grades. We had to sit around a bit, but there was my bootie. All big and handsome ready to accept his award. This is what Jeremy's teacher's had written why he was selected..."Jeremy was selected as our September Student of the Month because he demonstrates our six pillars of character. The character traits that best describe Jeremy are "Caring and Good Citizenship." He takes pride in doing his school work. He makes an effort to do it right, and isn't afraid to ask questions. Jeremy often helps anyone in need, including me. If someone needs help with their chore, Jeremy is one of the first to offer his help. He does all this with a cheerful attitude. What a dependable guy. Parkridge is a better place because of Jeremy's pleasant personality and caring ways. He lives up to our class motto of "Never Settle for Less Than your Best." Jeremy, you truly deserve to be our September Student of the Month. We are proud to have you as part of our third grade class!"


Whew...what an emotional day! I am truly blessed with great kids!

Fall Weather

We have finally been blessed with double digits in or temps recently. Last weekend we actually got downright chilly! Many an Arizonan was found walking around all weekend wearing a sweater or a light jacket! It was crazy. Alas the week after it's back to the high 90's and everyone is complaining again how hot it is. Myself included. My son had an 8:00 soccer game this morning and I couldn't believe how warm it was already. I am praying that our temps start to get back to normal so we can truly enjoy the whole reason we live in this Goshforsaken state!! No one can beat our winters - sooo chilly but no snow to shovel, no freezing pipes, no slipping on our sidewalks and breaking a hip from icy patches! It will soon be Halloween and as always we will worry our kids costumes are going to be too warm, but when that night comes somehow Mother Nature cooperates and puts a chill in the air so it actually feels like a beautiful fall evening. Now if only I could stop complaining about the warm days and just realize the fact that it could be a lot worse - snow!

Could it be true?

Could I really be that lucky? All I ever wanted to be growing up was a "mommy." Never had a desire to have a career. Never needed anything more out of life than to just be called Mom. I thought I'd graduate high school and start in on baby making. Boy was I glad I waited many a year to start the whole growing up process! Having kids has definitely aged me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. How wonderful it is going to sleep at night knowing that I have two beautiful souls who depend on me to be there for them in the morning, to have their lunches packed, to be there when they walk in the door from school? How did I get so lucky that my husband of 14 years had a mom and grandma who took such great care of him that he wanted nothing more than for me to be a hands on mom and be home to take care of them. How else did I get so lucky that the man I married 14 years ago would be such a wonderful father that he wanted to spend every moment home from work just being a family. Never do I hear, "Hey lets get rid of the kids, lets take them to your moms." No he had kids so they could be involved in his life - in OUR lives. Dont get me wrong, we both enjoy the occasional "date" night and time spent away from the kids, but we are both itching to see them the very next day. Charles can't even stand to come home from work and see that Jeremy is off to his aunties for the weekend or off to a friends for the afternoon. Its as if it doesn't occur to him that his kids should be anywhere else but where the heart is.

Why have a blog?

Well after reading many blogs from friends and family, I figure it is high time I got back with the program and start one of my very own (thanks Sue B). After Jeremy was born an old friend taught me a little about HTtml and helped create a website in his honor. Unfortunately, I didn't keep up his site and it is no longer in existence. After Maddie was born, I started a website (blog) for her as well and it is currently still up and running, although I have not posted photos or comments in years. Here is a link to hers from many a year ago. http://www.geocities.com/mjcorrid/ My how things have changed!! With having a Facebook and MySpace I really didn't see a need to keep up with her "site" but now I see the personalization of a blog more so than MySpace could ever be. So here I start this new little adventure with the hopes that I don't become too addicted and get absolutely nothing done during the day whilst I have "free" mommy time.