Teenager Janie

Your life has changed me. The day you were born was like a new beginning for me too; a change that will forever lay soft upon my heart. Everything in my life is sweeter because of you. The days and fleeting moments with you are only a breath in time. They linger briefly and fly away on the wings of tomorrow. Thank you for making my life so much more than I ever imagined it could be. You are precious in every way; the sunshine in my day, the joy in my soul, and the love of my life.

Sweet Silly Si

I can't wait until Si is old enough to answer these!!

Without ANY prompting ask your kids these questions. It's a great way to see what they think.

1. What is something I always say to you? 
2. What makes me happy?
3. What makes me sad?
4. How do I make you laugh?
5. What was I like as a child?
6. How old am I?
7. How tall am I?
8. What is my favorite thing to do? 
9. What do I do when you're not around? 
10. What am I really good at?
11. What am I not very good at?
12. What do I do for a job?
13.What is my favorite favorite food? 
14. What do you enjoy doing with me?

Eleven years ago

I found this old entry I wrote when Janie was about 9 months old... Over eleven years ago!!!

10.12.2004 @ 10:57 am

everyday



janie is growing more and more curious every day. she can even stand up by herself now! well, maybe that isn't exactly correct... i have to stand her up, but she can stand there once someone else stands her up. understand?

she is also getting closer and closer to standing on her own literally. she will pull up to her knees. or she will put her hands down in front of her and straighten out her legs so that she is bent in an upside down "v". i keep worrying that she is going to topple over head first, but as far as i know, that has yet to happen.

she is getting more and more beautiful everyday.

Apparently I had an aversion to using any capital letters when I was blogging back then.  It is so very strange to look back at entries from my old blog. It goes from 2004 to this year. Thorough the births of 2 children and two marriages. Through 2 c-sections (one very uneventful and another almost too eventful). Through 3 different jobs and a hundred different friends.

There are so many things that are different, but yet so many things are the same... It doesn't make me sad to read through my old entries, but it does make me feel as though I have grown. Grown as a teacher, as a wife and especially as a mother. It has a been an amazing journey so far and I can't wait to see where it goes next!!

Dealing with...

I just read an article about dealing with a mean teacher.

Maybe I can find an article about helping my child deal with the horrible special needs child in her classroom without being ostracized for standing up for herself...

Sometimes I feel like my daughter is at a disadvantage because I am a teacher in a small town. I cannot voice my opinion (about anything really) without fear of retribution solely on the premise that I am a teacher.

Si's 2nd Birthday Party

Today we had Si's 2nd birthday party at Jason's parent's house. We only invited family which turned out perfectly. Janie spent Wednesday-Friday night's with Ashley and Grasey, so I was extra happy to see her today :-)

There are times that I absolutely love being in this family. I have the best mother-in-law and father-in-law in the history of marriages. They have always gone out of their way to make sure that Janie and I know we are an important part of their family. I cannot begin to list all the ways they have helped us. From cooking Sunday dinner to cleaning our house from top to bottom when I was in the hospital after Si was born, and everything in between.

I am truly blessed!

Dear Janie,

I save voicemails and even back the files up whenever you or my daddy leave me a message. If something ever happens to either of you, I will always be able to hear your voices...

One day you will understand how it feels to be a parent. How it feels to have part of your heart and soul walking around outside of yourself. How horribly scary and infinitely wonderful that can be all at once. How absolutely empty and drowning it all feels when your child disobeys or falls short.

Earlier this week a past student of mine came to visit us at the high school. A few months ago she had a very bad car wreck and almost died. She spent over a month in Birmingham in the hospital before being released and having to go to USA Women's and Children's hospital 3 times a week for her neck and spinal injuries. She is still wheelchair and cannot walk. She may never be able to walk again. She wears a backbrace and a neck brace at all times. She also does not have use of either of her hands.

I cried when I tried to talk to Chantel. The only words I could muster through my tears (and ugly crying face) were, that we loved her. But all I could think was what if that was my child. What if something happened to my Janie or my Si? That's where the tears flowed from. My unending love and worry for both of you.

If I cannot trust you on small things, I cannot trust you with big things. Like going on a trip to Point Clear, or going anywhere that you aren't 100% with me or your daddy. Your daddy doesn't want you to lie to him either, I promise.

I know you think I am mean, and you probably think I am too strict. You and Si are the most important people in my life. And my most important job while I am here on earth is for me to be a good Momma.

I love you Janie. More than you can understand.

❤,

Momma