XOXO
Monday, August 13, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
School has started...
Yep, I have been in complete denial all summer. Refused to listen. Even put the school envelope up high and out of sight. But the darn date kept coming closer, and Emily wouldn't let me hide under my covers any longer. I had to face the facts!
Emily is now in Middle School!
SOB! ACK! WAHHHHH.....
I still don't know how my baby girl got old enough for middle school. But I was forced to take her to pick up her Student ID card, school pictures, get her schedule, PE clothes, Yearbooks, Lunch cards, and the whole time i dragged my feet with Emily pulling my arm everywhere telling me to hurry up.
And this is what I got:
Someone please tell me how my baby, my youngest, my sweet lil' girl grew up????
SIGH.
Now...I'd like to digress from here a moment. What did they call your school? Mine was called a Jr. High. NOT a Middle School. Do you know how many times I have said Jr. High??? And everyone looks at me like I'm crazy. "What's she talking about?" "What's this Jr. High she keeps talking about?"
OK, back to Emily. Her first day was last week and she was so excited she woke up at 6:30 am and was dressed and ready when i got out of the shower. Wha-What??? This is the first year she is riding a bus, changing classes for 6 periods, dressing down for PE, and she is LOVING it! And i get peace of mind by knowing an aide is following silently behind her.
So far she has come home every day very talkative, happy, eating all her lunch, and loving life.
But I know all that will change.
Soon.
When homework is assigned.
And PE actually starts.
And friends move on.
And...and...
But for now...Momma's a happy girl! :)
XOXO
Emily is now in Middle School!
SOB! ACK! WAHHHHH.....
I still don't know how my baby girl got old enough for middle school. But I was forced to take her to pick up her Student ID card, school pictures, get her schedule, PE clothes, Yearbooks, Lunch cards, and the whole time i dragged my feet with Emily pulling my arm everywhere telling me to hurry up.
And this is what I got:
SIGH.
Now...I'd like to digress from here a moment. What did they call your school? Mine was called a Jr. High. NOT a Middle School. Do you know how many times I have said Jr. High??? And everyone looks at me like I'm crazy. "What's she talking about?" "What's this Jr. High she keeps talking about?"
OK, back to Emily. Her first day was last week and she was so excited she woke up at 6:30 am and was dressed and ready when i got out of the shower. Wha-What??? This is the first year she is riding a bus, changing classes for 6 periods, dressing down for PE, and she is LOVING it! And i get peace of mind by knowing an aide is following silently behind her.
So far she has come home every day very talkative, happy, eating all her lunch, and loving life.
But I know all that will change.
Soon.
When homework is assigned.
And PE actually starts.
And friends move on.
And...and...
But for now...Momma's a happy girl! :)
XOXO
Friday, August 3, 2012
Fish, More Fish and Even More Fish
On our road trip to the Ocean, Austin and I spent a day at one of the largest Aquariums ever, and they have a multi-billion dollar research facility next door with scientist that are continually entering the ocean at the spot where we were. Did you know that in Monterrey Bay, there is a Canyon under the Ocean that is Bigger, and Deeper and Wider then the Grand Canyon?? I had no idea. It was huge, and after a few hundred feet off the shore, it immediately drops into a vast openness. It is the deepest part of the Ocean and they have never actually made it all the way down. They send a robotic vessel with cameras, arms to gather samples and video.
We saw many cute and adorable sea creatures at the aquarium, as well as some scary, weird looking and down right UGLY creatures.
We saw the famous Jelly Fish exhibit and never knew there were so many varieties of Jelly fish. And I learned they are not all poisonous or sting you. There are actually only a few out of the 100 or so varieties that will harm you.
Some are really tiny.
Some are bigger then me.
We then checked out the Seahorses exhibit. I swear I never know sticks were sea horses. Really. Floating sticks (they looked like it anyways) were actual varieties of sea horses.
And then there was this!
And the side view where it was suctioned on the window:
I don't wanna run into that guy!
Although there was so much to see, and after awhile, one jelly fish started looking like the other, we did learn allot! It was well worth the money.
XOXO
We saw many cute and adorable sea creatures at the aquarium, as well as some scary, weird looking and down right UGLY creatures.
We saw the famous Jelly Fish exhibit and never knew there were so many varieties of Jelly fish. And I learned they are not all poisonous or sting you. There are actually only a few out of the 100 or so varieties that will harm you.
Some are bigger then me.
And then there was this tiny miniature version. So cute!
Although there was so much to see, and after awhile, one jelly fish started looking like the other, we did learn allot! It was well worth the money.
XOXO
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wow, time is just getting away from me.
So much has been going on lately in our lives that it is leaving me little time to do much of anything. We are on a health mission for Emily and seeing so many new doctors, it keeps my head spinning. I think we finally found one who thinks like we do, is looking in the right places, ordering the right tests and digging deeper then anyone else has. So fingers crossed.
Austin managed to get a summer job and has been working away the summer. I guess technically he has 3 summer jobs. He is mowing lawns for money for several homes, he works with my dad on the Handyman Business on weekends doing remodels and "fix-it" projects. And then he got a job with me at my work doing the grunt work. And he loves it, My boss loves him, so it's a win-win for everyone. So he works a few days a week there. He's making bank for sure. His motivation is to buy a car. We told him we would match anything he saved for a car. So should he save $1,000, we'd match it and he'd have $2,000 for a car. So far, he's costing me a little more then we planned when we decided this. That kid is motivated and saved more then that! aye, ya, ya! LOL
We also bought him a season pass to our local water park full of a dozen death defying water slides, lazy river and wave pools. He's been so good about being responsible lately, and we wanted to make sure he had fun time to balance his new work life.
A few weeks ago, I woke Austin up in the morning and told him to pack a suitcase for several days and we were going on a road trip. Just him and I. We took off to the ocean for 3 days. We had a lot of fun. Relaxing, laughing, sleeping, exploring, good time. We spent 6 hours going through the 2 story Aquarium, shopped the famous boulevard, and drove up and down the famous and scenic 15 mile drive of coast. We stopped at several of the beach turnouts and climbed rocks, walked the beach and watched the sunset our last night there. He had a blast, and I loved getting away from the stress of life right now.
It's so hard to believe that I have a middle school child and a Junior in high school!!!
And yet I stay so young...
XOXO
So much has been going on lately in our lives that it is leaving me little time to do much of anything. We are on a health mission for Emily and seeing so many new doctors, it keeps my head spinning. I think we finally found one who thinks like we do, is looking in the right places, ordering the right tests and digging deeper then anyone else has. So fingers crossed.
Austin managed to get a summer job and has been working away the summer. I guess technically he has 3 summer jobs. He is mowing lawns for money for several homes, he works with my dad on the Handyman Business on weekends doing remodels and "fix-it" projects. And then he got a job with me at my work doing the grunt work. And he loves it, My boss loves him, so it's a win-win for everyone. So he works a few days a week there. He's making bank for sure. His motivation is to buy a car. We told him we would match anything he saved for a car. So should he save $1,000, we'd match it and he'd have $2,000 for a car. So far, he's costing me a little more then we planned when we decided this. That kid is motivated and saved more then that! aye, ya, ya! LOL
We also bought him a season pass to our local water park full of a dozen death defying water slides, lazy river and wave pools. He's been so good about being responsible lately, and we wanted to make sure he had fun time to balance his new work life.
A few weeks ago, I woke Austin up in the morning and told him to pack a suitcase for several days and we were going on a road trip. Just him and I. We took off to the ocean for 3 days. We had a lot of fun. Relaxing, laughing, sleeping, exploring, good time. We spent 6 hours going through the 2 story Aquarium, shopped the famous boulevard, and drove up and down the famous and scenic 15 mile drive of coast. We stopped at several of the beach turnouts and climbed rocks, walked the beach and watched the sunset our last night there. He had a blast, and I loved getting away from the stress of life right now.
It's so hard to believe that I have a middle school child and a Junior in high school!!!
And yet I stay so young...
XOXO
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Another School Year gone....
Well, another school year has come and gone, and with it comes some bittersweet feelings. Emily "graduated" from 5th grade and elementary school and is now a big Middle School 6th grader. *sob*
She is super excited and I am super nervous.
Emily has grown so much this past year and I am so proud of her. She has grown several inches and is now ALMOST as tall as me as she just hit 5'2-1/2", grown a shoe size this year, grown a whole clothes size (it's really heart wrenching when you realize they are in the last size available in the childrens department), chopped all her hair off into an adorable "middle school" cut, tried many new things this year, been to hell and back and came back even stronger, and made some new friends this year that are awesome for her.
Bittersweet for me because the elementary school was brand new and opened it's first year when Austin started 1st grade. We have been driving to that school, seeing those teachers and staff, for the last 10 years. And now, we are done. As much as there were things or staff we wish to never see or deal with again, there were far more positives that we will miss. And Emily's Learning Center Teacher, Mrs. G., we will miss the most. Emily has had her as a teacher for 5 years. She has become a confidentant, a friend, a favorite, and loves Emily as her own. I cried on the last day saying goodbye to her, and she made me promise to invite her to Emily's birthdays and keep her informed of milestones. You just dont find teachers like that anymore. I hope she knows I never took her for granted all these years, and appreciated everything she did for us. She gave Emily comfort and peace in a world of chaos for her, and she gave us, the parents, peace of mind knowing when Emily went to school, she was in good arms. Thank you Mrs. G!
Emily also had a birthday in May and turned 12!
My baby girl is growing up so fast before my eyes. Middle school, 12 years old, new friends...next it'll be boys and high school and, and...wahhhhh!!!
Tomorrow she starts her first time at Softball. We are so excited. We signed her up for the Special Olympics and have finally found something she can do for fun and feel comfortable. I love the fact that they play all the sports that are available and each season rotate through them, so we have our pick of what to try. So for Summer she is trying Softball! With her new BFF.
Although we have been on a very bumpy road this last year with all the medical issues with her, and nearly lost her in the mix of it, we have fought hard, cried harder and are making our way back to being a family and enjoying our daughter. She is smiling again, laughing, playing with friends. She is coming back to us. There is still a very long road of unknown ahead, and a lot of hard work that brings me to tears at times. But it's all worth it when I hear that giggle again. When I see the sparkle in her eyes. I'll keep fighting for her, I'll keep hugging her close, and I'll always be her biggest supporter and fan. For no one can know the struggle, the road we've had, but us. And no one can love her like we can.
Emily, I am so very proud of you. You are a beautiful girl who is growing into her own. Remember to stop and smell the flowers. To smile at strangers. To be kind to animals. And most of all, never ever lose your innocence.
I love you baby girl!
XOXO
She is super excited and I am super nervous.
Emily has grown so much this past year and I am so proud of her. She has grown several inches and is now ALMOST as tall as me as she just hit 5'2-1/2", grown a shoe size this year, grown a whole clothes size (it's really heart wrenching when you realize they are in the last size available in the childrens department), chopped all her hair off into an adorable "middle school" cut, tried many new things this year, been to hell and back and came back even stronger, and made some new friends this year that are awesome for her.
Bittersweet for me because the elementary school was brand new and opened it's first year when Austin started 1st grade. We have been driving to that school, seeing those teachers and staff, for the last 10 years. And now, we are done. As much as there were things or staff we wish to never see or deal with again, there were far more positives that we will miss. And Emily's Learning Center Teacher, Mrs. G., we will miss the most. Emily has had her as a teacher for 5 years. She has become a confidentant, a friend, a favorite, and loves Emily as her own. I cried on the last day saying goodbye to her, and she made me promise to invite her to Emily's birthdays and keep her informed of milestones. You just dont find teachers like that anymore. I hope she knows I never took her for granted all these years, and appreciated everything she did for us. She gave Emily comfort and peace in a world of chaos for her, and she gave us, the parents, peace of mind knowing when Emily went to school, she was in good arms. Thank you Mrs. G!
Emily also had a birthday in May and turned 12!
My baby girl is growing up so fast before my eyes. Middle school, 12 years old, new friends...next it'll be boys and high school and, and...wahhhhh!!!
Tomorrow she starts her first time at Softball. We are so excited. We signed her up for the Special Olympics and have finally found something she can do for fun and feel comfortable. I love the fact that they play all the sports that are available and each season rotate through them, so we have our pick of what to try. So for Summer she is trying Softball! With her new BFF.
Although we have been on a very bumpy road this last year with all the medical issues with her, and nearly lost her in the mix of it, we have fought hard, cried harder and are making our way back to being a family and enjoying our daughter. She is smiling again, laughing, playing with friends. She is coming back to us. There is still a very long road of unknown ahead, and a lot of hard work that brings me to tears at times. But it's all worth it when I hear that giggle again. When I see the sparkle in her eyes. I'll keep fighting for her, I'll keep hugging her close, and I'll always be her biggest supporter and fan. For no one can know the struggle, the road we've had, but us. And no one can love her like we can.
Emily, I am so very proud of you. You are a beautiful girl who is growing into her own. Remember to stop and smell the flowers. To smile at strangers. To be kind to animals. And most of all, never ever lose your innocence.
I love you baby girl!
XOXO
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