Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Squirrel
There are some days I feel as though my life is a circus, and instead of being the ring master, I am the tight rope walker. Being a mom requires the ability to balance several things at once but being a working mom makes it that much harder. Mark and I are very settled into our roles as husband and wife and Mom and Dad. There are things that are Mark's job and things that are my job. Mark takes out the trash (eww), walks the dogs (they walk me), fixes the cars (Once I turned off the car engine to check the oil but pulled the transmission dipstick instead), mows the grass (It's not my thing), does dinner dishes (because I cook dinner), and cleans up after anything that spews; be it a 2 legged or 4 legged being. I do the grocery shopping, clothes shopping, (Mark hasn't bought his own underoos in over 14 years), plan all family getaways(to ensure we don't stay in a pay by the hour joint), menu plan and cook dinner (it's safer that way) and I handle anything and everything that has to do with Charli; from doctor visits, dental and orthodontist appointments,parent-teacher conferences, and all paperwork that has anything to do with Charli. It was impossible for me to be in two places at once this morning, so Mark took Charli to her 8AM orthodontist appointment. Before he left this morning I gave him a piece of paper to send in with Charli to the guidance office so she would be excused for her early check out from when she went to the orthodontist last week. Mark takes Charli to Dr. P and gives the sweet gal at the front desk the slip of paper to excuse Charli's absence. I don't think the lady at the check in desk carries that kind of power with the school district. I am not sure how he got "Please give the slip of paper excusing Charli's early checkout from the orthodontist, to the random lady sitting at the orthodontist check in desk upon your arrival." when I actually said "Send it into school with Charli so she can take it to the guidance office." I asked Mark if he got the "ticket stub" print out with her appointment time next week, and he said yes. I asked if he detached the half to send into the school so Charli would have an excused tardy and he said yes. I asked if he gave Charli the other slip to excuse her from last week and he says "The girl from the orthodontist office never gave it back to me." ??? Seriously??? He forgot that but went on and on about how cool Dr. P's office was, and the big screen and the movie theater seating. I think sometimes Mark must have that...I know I need to pay attention to what my wife says, squirrel thing going on. In the grand scheme of things it is not a big deal. I just thought it was rather funny. There is one thing for sure...on the days I feel like I am the tight rope walker I am certainly blessed to have my amazing husband as my safety net to catch me if I should lose my balance. He even went ahead and made Charli's orthodontist appointment for next week at 8AM. (She has to go once a week for the next four weeks to have her RPE (aka rapid pallet expander or mid evil torture device)progress checked. He assumed that since her appointment this week was at 8AM it would be fine for next week. I didn't bother to explain 8AM was the time they had open for this week but normally I would want it for after school so we don't use a semesters worth of tardies in the first month of school. I just called Dr. P's office and changed her appointment. I love being a wife and a mom...there is never a dull moment :D
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Never doubt a Girl Scout!
It's an exciting right of passage, the very first...first day of school. This year for us it was all the excitement times two. My niece and nephew started kindergarten this past Wednesday. My phone was close by because I had given my sister strict instructions to text me pictures of the kiddos, or else she was going to be in big trouble! We couldn't wait to hear all their tales from their first adventure in school. Charli and I made the drive out to my mom's Friday after school to see the family and visit my sister and the kids.
Charli, Alyssa and Nicky are tight as ticks. There is nearly 5 years between Tracy's twins and my daughter. The little ones really look up to Charli. While we were visiting, Charli decided she and the twins were going to go on an adventure in the great outdoors. We adults just played along and laid down a few ground rules. Charli packed their backpack and off they went to slay dragons, or rescue animals caught in imaginary traps. A little while later, with red faces, the three amigos came trudging back inside because they were hot. Charli began to empty the backpack. On to my mother's living room floor she dumped 2 applesauce cups, spoons for the applesauce, 3 granola bars, a roll of toilet paper, a box of band-aids and a bottle of water. We all giggled and Charli went on to explain why each was needed. The toilet paper was needed to wipe the blood off in case they got cut on a stick and band-aids to keep the cut from getting infected. She only packed two applesauce cups because she "isn't a fan of applesauce", and she was rationing the water. I was so proud of my little girl scout.
Girls Scouts has been wonderful for Charli. We have an amazing group of girls and most of them have known each other since preschool. I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful troop, and that Charli is learning the skills to help her prepare for all lifes adventures...the real ones and the imaginary ones too.
Charli, Alyssa and Nicky are tight as ticks. There is nearly 5 years between Tracy's twins and my daughter. The little ones really look up to Charli. While we were visiting, Charli decided she and the twins were going to go on an adventure in the great outdoors. We adults just played along and laid down a few ground rules. Charli packed their backpack and off they went to slay dragons, or rescue animals caught in imaginary traps. A little while later, with red faces, the three amigos came trudging back inside because they were hot. Charli began to empty the backpack. On to my mother's living room floor she dumped 2 applesauce cups, spoons for the applesauce, 3 granola bars, a roll of toilet paper, a box of band-aids and a bottle of water. We all giggled and Charli went on to explain why each was needed. The toilet paper was needed to wipe the blood off in case they got cut on a stick and band-aids to keep the cut from getting infected. She only packed two applesauce cups because she "isn't a fan of applesauce", and she was rationing the water. I was so proud of my little girl scout.
Girls Scouts has been wonderful for Charli. We have an amazing group of girls and most of them have known each other since preschool. I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful troop, and that Charli is learning the skills to help her prepare for all lifes adventures...the real ones and the imaginary ones too.
Monday, August 20, 2012
And so it begins...
School is back in session, and in a few weeks the dog days of summer will be but a distant memory. We will all be running carpools, sitting in car lines, heading off to various sport practices and after school activities. We will be up to our eyeballs dealing with our children as they deal with their homework. I will probably spend more time in my car than a New York City cab driver. Chaos will rein once again. I kind of like the chaos, because one day it will be calm and quiet. There won't be school supplies to buy, lunches to pack, or homework to over see. One day this chapter of parenting will be over and a new one will begin. Let us relish in the chaos, because it won't last forever.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
A Memory Making Birthday...
I sit here typing this blog post on the eve of my 35th birthday. I was thinking back over my most memorable birthdays and one comes to mind more than any other...at the time it seemed disastrous but it has brought me much laughter since then.
The year was 2002...I was 5 & 1/2 months pregnant with Charli. Mark wanted to surprise me with a weekend getaway for my 25th birthday. Mark spent hours on line looking up hotels and had used a booking site that I had used several times before. The pictures boasted great rooms and ocean views. It all seemed so perfectly Kimmi approved, according to Mark. We packed our bags, loaded up the car and headed for a weekend getaway, possibly our last one before we became parents. We kept our eyes peeled for "The New Frontier Lodge."
We didn't have a GPS back then but Mark has an uncanny sense of direction. He never gets lost...he takes detours and finds new routes. We arrived at our destination and it was certainly unlike any other "frontier" I had ever saw before. The outside seemed almost harmless enough. We checked in and we were given a key. It was a real key not a plastic card but an actual key. There was a sign attached to the counter that read "No refund after check in." I was feeling very apprehensive but it was too late now, we had just checked in. We walked in the direction of our room when we saw another room with it's door open. There room didn't have a floor just dirt and a huge hole plenty big enough for Alice and all her Wonderland friends to fall into. I put on my brave face because Mark had worked so hard and it was the first time he had gone to so much trouble, to pull off something of such magnitude.
We unlocked the door to our room and this is what we found:
The sky looked a little dark as we took our seats on the crowded tram but we were living in the moment. The thunder clapped, the lighting lit up the sky and over half way though the tour the sky busted open and birthed a torrential downpour. We were soaked to the bone and I was freezing. Mark and I called it a day. We went back to the our room to change clothes. I went in the bathroom, dumped the puddles of water out of my bra and put on dry clothes. Mark and I looked at each other, decided we had had enough, and it was time to get out of Dodge. I am pretty certain the "New Frontier" was either someones final frontier complete with chalk outline or it was a pay by the hour joint. It was memorable, I will give you that, and now you all know why I have planned every vacation and weekend getaway for the last 10 years.
The year was 2002...I was 5 & 1/2 months pregnant with Charli. Mark wanted to surprise me with a weekend getaway for my 25th birthday. Mark spent hours on line looking up hotels and had used a booking site that I had used several times before. The pictures boasted great rooms and ocean views. It all seemed so perfectly Kimmi approved, according to Mark. We packed our bags, loaded up the car and headed for a weekend getaway, possibly our last one before we became parents. We kept our eyes peeled for "The New Frontier Lodge."
We didn't have a GPS back then but Mark has an uncanny sense of direction. He never gets lost...he takes detours and finds new routes. We arrived at our destination and it was certainly unlike any other "frontier" I had ever saw before. The outside seemed almost harmless enough. We checked in and we were given a key. It was a real key not a plastic card but an actual key. There was a sign attached to the counter that read "No refund after check in." I was feeling very apprehensive but it was too late now, we had just checked in. We walked in the direction of our room when we saw another room with it's door open. There room didn't have a floor just dirt and a huge hole plenty big enough for Alice and all her Wonderland friends to fall into. I put on my brave face because Mark had worked so hard and it was the first time he had gone to so much trouble, to pull off something of such magnitude.
We unlocked the door to our room and this is what we found:
- A television with knobs from circa 1979. There wasn't a remote.
- The tile was sandy.
- The mattress dipped so that if you laid on the bed you rolled to the center.
- The tiny bathroom lacked light and had a broken towel rack.
The sky looked a little dark as we took our seats on the crowded tram but we were living in the moment. The thunder clapped, the lighting lit up the sky and over half way though the tour the sky busted open and birthed a torrential downpour. We were soaked to the bone and I was freezing. Mark and I called it a day. We went back to the our room to change clothes. I went in the bathroom, dumped the puddles of water out of my bra and put on dry clothes. Mark and I looked at each other, decided we had had enough, and it was time to get out of Dodge. I am pretty certain the "New Frontier" was either someones final frontier complete with chalk outline or it was a pay by the hour joint. It was memorable, I will give you that, and now you all know why I have planned every vacation and weekend getaway for the last 10 years.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Love and Marriage...
The first time I saw him it was behind the wheel of a 1966 blue Ford Fairlane. My heart skipped a beat. I was in that awful county uniform the first time he saw me. I am sure I made an impression, thanks to the uniform... if there are fifty shades of poop, then I was wearing two of them. My hair was in my standard ponytail, if I had only known I was about to meet my future husband I would have spruced up a bit . All these years later... I can look at him across the room and my breath catches. He probably looks at me and is thankful my wardrobe has improved.
The love we have for each other is real and it's not something that can be scripted in a movie. Real love is work and it's a choice. People always say there is a light at the end of the tunnel and some days you have to wonder just how long the tunnel is. When times have been tough we have made a choice to stay together because no matter how hard something might be, it would be that much harder facing it alone.
Mark and I still go out on dates. There are times I will go sit on his lap and curl up against him. I remember my grandma used to curl up in my grandfather's lap when I was young. You could feel the love radiate from the two of them, seeing them like that made such an impression on me. They had more than their share of hard times. When my grandparents were raising their children, there were times they didn't know how they were going to feed and clothe them. Grandma and Grandpa always knew God would make a way. Their faith was the foundation that they stood on and it made them strong. They stuck together for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. They raised their kids, helped raise their grandchildren and looked after their great grandchildren. Grandpa died almost 17 years ago...3 weeks before they would have celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. The love between those two was an amazing and beautiful thing. They fought for one another because they knew what they had was worth fighting for.
Mark and I are here together in the trenches of parenthood. Sometimes...okay a lot of times we are good cop/bad cop and I will give you one guess who gets to be the good cop. It is so easy to get caught up in the every day happenings of life. We are Mommy and Daddy, though some days I feel more like a warden. It's easy to forget that before we were Mommy and Daddy...we were Kimmi and Mark. We are still Mark and Kimmi, best friends, soul mates, prayer partners and lovers. We stand on the firm foundation of our faith. We know that God brought us together.
When I have no make up on and I am wearing one of Mark's t-shirts, he tells me I am beautiful. When I feel like everything is going wrong, he tells me that we will get through it. I couldn't imagine my life without my husband even on the days he makes me want to rip my hair out. I have so many hopes and dreams for Charli when she grows up. I pray that she will marry a man who loves her like her Daddy loves me, and I pray she will love him back with every fiber of her being.
The love we have for each other is real and it's not something that can be scripted in a movie. Real love is work and it's a choice. People always say there is a light at the end of the tunnel and some days you have to wonder just how long the tunnel is. When times have been tough we have made a choice to stay together because no matter how hard something might be, it would be that much harder facing it alone.
Mark and I still go out on dates. There are times I will go sit on his lap and curl up against him. I remember my grandma used to curl up in my grandfather's lap when I was young. You could feel the love radiate from the two of them, seeing them like that made such an impression on me. They had more than their share of hard times. When my grandparents were raising their children, there were times they didn't know how they were going to feed and clothe them. Grandma and Grandpa always knew God would make a way. Their faith was the foundation that they stood on and it made them strong. They stuck together for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. They raised their kids, helped raise their grandchildren and looked after their great grandchildren. Grandpa died almost 17 years ago...3 weeks before they would have celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. The love between those two was an amazing and beautiful thing. They fought for one another because they knew what they had was worth fighting for.
Mark and I are here together in the trenches of parenthood. Sometimes...okay a lot of times we are good cop/bad cop and I will give you one guess who gets to be the good cop. It is so easy to get caught up in the every day happenings of life. We are Mommy and Daddy, though some days I feel more like a warden. It's easy to forget that before we were Mommy and Daddy...we were Kimmi and Mark. We are still Mark and Kimmi, best friends, soul mates, prayer partners and lovers. We stand on the firm foundation of our faith. We know that God brought us together.
When I have no make up on and I am wearing one of Mark's t-shirts, he tells me I am beautiful. When I feel like everything is going wrong, he tells me that we will get through it. I couldn't imagine my life without my husband even on the days he makes me want to rip my hair out. I have so many hopes and dreams for Charli when she grows up. I pray that she will marry a man who loves her like her Daddy loves me, and I pray she will love him back with every fiber of her being.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Day The Music Died....?
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” Victor Hugo
I would be willing to bet that if I started rattling off song titles a flood of memories would pour over your soul. Music is a vital part of who we are and the memories we carry. I remember making up dance routines to Madonna songs with my sister and cousins. When I was a teenager I listened to a certain song over and over again, crying my eyes out, in a miserable attempt to nurse a broken heart. I used to sing into my hair brush in front of my bedroom mirror, though I haven't done that for years... the thought makes me laugh. I have been known to crank up the CD player in the car and sing Bon Jovi's "You give Love A Bad Name" at the top of my lungs, while my daughter just shakes her head and slides further down into her seat trying to pretend she has no idea who the crazy lady is behind the wheel.
Charli loves music...it is in her soul. I know we are living in tough times but the idea of cutting music as well as art from our schools makes me heartsick. I don't want to get on my soap box but I really hope that "people" will use wisdom when they are making decisions that will effect my child's future.
Okay, enough of the heavy stuff...I will share some songs and you all just let the memories flow and I will share a few of my own.
Moves Like Jagger...reminds me of my friend Lisa...and Jagger would be jealous of her moves!
Hot, Hot Hot...Polyester Prom and The Boogie Ball with a group of the most fun women I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...being young and watching the movie with my sister.
Swing Low Sweet Chariot... reminds me of my Daddy. He would also go around singing Frenchmen Never Eat Ice Cream or something like that. I used to crack up and roll my eyes back then, and now I am thankful for such a great, silly memory.
The Time of My Life, Glory Of Love, Love In An Elevator, Pour Some Sugar On Me, The Heart of Rock and Roll, Mony Mony (I still remember part of the dance we made up), The Greatest Love of All, I'd Do Anything For Love (but I won't do that), Dude Looks Like a Lady.
I could do this all night long but I am certain everyone reading this understands where I am coming from. Music is vital to all of us and in this day and age our children need this creative outlet. So let's go grab a hair brush and sing it like we mean it :)
I would be willing to bet that if I started rattling off song titles a flood of memories would pour over your soul. Music is a vital part of who we are and the memories we carry. I remember making up dance routines to Madonna songs with my sister and cousins. When I was a teenager I listened to a certain song over and over again, crying my eyes out, in a miserable attempt to nurse a broken heart. I used to sing into my hair brush in front of my bedroom mirror, though I haven't done that for years... the thought makes me laugh. I have been known to crank up the CD player in the car and sing Bon Jovi's "You give Love A Bad Name" at the top of my lungs, while my daughter just shakes her head and slides further down into her seat trying to pretend she has no idea who the crazy lady is behind the wheel.
Charli loves music...it is in her soul. I know we are living in tough times but the idea of cutting music as well as art from our schools makes me heartsick. I don't want to get on my soap box but I really hope that "people" will use wisdom when they are making decisions that will effect my child's future.
Okay, enough of the heavy stuff...I will share some songs and you all just let the memories flow and I will share a few of my own.
Moves Like Jagger...reminds me of my friend Lisa...and Jagger would be jealous of her moves!
Hot, Hot Hot...Polyester Prom and The Boogie Ball with a group of the most fun women I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...being young and watching the movie with my sister.
Swing Low Sweet Chariot... reminds me of my Daddy. He would also go around singing Frenchmen Never Eat Ice Cream or something like that. I used to crack up and roll my eyes back then, and now I am thankful for such a great, silly memory.
The Time of My Life, Glory Of Love, Love In An Elevator, Pour Some Sugar On Me, The Heart of Rock and Roll, Mony Mony (I still remember part of the dance we made up), The Greatest Love of All, I'd Do Anything For Love (but I won't do that), Dude Looks Like a Lady.
I could do this all night long but I am certain everyone reading this understands where I am coming from. Music is vital to all of us and in this day and age our children need this creative outlet. So let's go grab a hair brush and sing it like we mean it :)
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The Donkey Rescue
This morning I woke up hearing part of a conversation I wasn't supposed to hear and it went something like this...
Daddy! Come here I have to show you something.
Charli? What is that?! Tell me you didn't! Mommy is going to flip!!!
Dad, it will be okay...I didn't want to throw him away.
Mark comes into the our room and after much insisting he fills me in on the whole thing.
Charli got up at 6:50 this morning, went outside, climbed into the back of her Daddy's pick up truck and rescued the donkey. She stuck her hand into the hole that was in the trash bag and pulled him out. She was smart enough to put the dogs on their leashes and walk them so they wouldn't bark when she went outside.
I made Charli go into her room and get me ten things to get rid of in place of the one donkey. I had her write me a list of five reasons why it was a horrible idea to sneak out of the house while Mommy and Daddy were sleeping, even if it was daylight. The former worked in my favor, the latter made me mad all over again. She knew it was wrong and she did it anyway. In addition to her punishment she will be my personal beck and call clean up crew for the next week.
This weekend I have learned my daughter is more courageous and resourceful than I ever gave her credit for. If this is a preview of what her teen years will be like... I am thinking I need to get my game face on. In the end it is pretty funny, though I am not going to tell her that just yet. I had no idea Charli could be so creative and brave. Point Charli...touche'.
Daddy! Come here I have to show you something.
Charli? What is that?! Tell me you didn't! Mommy is going to flip!!!
Dad, it will be okay...I didn't want to throw him away.
Mark comes into the our room and after much insisting he fills me in on the whole thing.
Charli got up at 6:50 this morning, went outside, climbed into the back of her Daddy's pick up truck and rescued the donkey. She stuck her hand into the hole that was in the trash bag and pulled him out. She was smart enough to put the dogs on their leashes and walk them so they wouldn't bark when she went outside.
I made Charli go into her room and get me ten things to get rid of in place of the one donkey. I had her write me a list of five reasons why it was a horrible idea to sneak out of the house while Mommy and Daddy were sleeping, even if it was daylight. The former worked in my favor, the latter made me mad all over again. She knew it was wrong and she did it anyway. In addition to her punishment she will be my personal beck and call clean up crew for the next week.
This weekend I have learned my daughter is more courageous and resourceful than I ever gave her credit for. If this is a preview of what her teen years will be like... I am thinking I need to get my game face on. In the end it is pretty funny, though I am not going to tell her that just yet. I had no idea Charli could be so creative and brave. Point Charli...touche'.
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