FYI, Security

Hello friends.  For those of you who take time to read this blog, I wanted to let you know that I am going to add a step for you to have to get to this blog.  Because of the private nature of my posts (as in, about my family) and the fact I have pictures on here, I do not want just anyone to read it.  Very shortly, you will have to enter your email and password to be able to to access my blog.  If you want to continue reading, please let me know so I can add you to the list of friends who can read my blog.  I will make the change in the next couple of days.  You can facebook message me or send me an email.

Have a fantastic day!

School Years

Another school year almost done! I can hardly believe it! Where did it all go? Tonight, as I was driving Meghan home, we started talking about kindergarten. She has 3 days left of preschool and then she'll be a big kindergartener. She said she is getting soooo excited. We then proceeded to discuss all the things you get to do in kindergarten that you don't do in preschool. The smile across her face was priceless. How did I get to where my 3rd baby is going to be starting kindergarten? I am soooo excited for her.

She is so ready for school and I cannot wait for her to get to meet new friends, learn, and play. It's going to be amazing. I must learn how to enjoy every moment because it really does go quickly. Before I know it, I'll have teenagers in the house like my friend Ashley.

For all the young mom's reading this, truly cherish those babies. It seems like yesterday that Alyson was my baby and she's going into 4th grade! Wow!

Teachers

I don't know about you, but I think anyone who teaches is a rock star! I was thinking earlier today about that. You see, when we think of rock stars or actresses or actors, we sort of look at them with awe and put them on a pedestal.

That is how I feel about teachers. I am in awe of them. I definitely put them on a pedestal. And I feel like they completely deserve it! Over the last two weeks, I have spent more than half of my days either subbing or chaperoning. I have spent a lot of time talking with teachers and watching them. I have learned more from them than I would have ever thought. They helped me understand how children learn and how to teach to their certain style of learning. They have helped me see the importance of consistency with discipline and how to better discipline my own kids.

My children's teachers have become my friends. Not what I ever expected, but I am so very grateful for them. I hear parents say, "I don't know how she does this every day!" I have said this very statement many times. It's a tiring job! It's a rewarding job! It's one that I do not see myself doing but only on occasion as a substitute.

To all my teacher friends who read this, I have the deepest admiration and respect for you. You are superstars in my book. Thank you for the way you care for each child in your classroom regardless of how difficult they are. You make a difference every day! Love you all!!!

GRITS

For those who don't live in the south, you might think of the food when you hear someone say grits. Well, now that I live in the south, I have learned that grits is also known as Girls Raised In The South. I like to call my girls GRITS, but they don't quite get it yet.

I am not a GRIT! I consider myself a California girl through and through and, although I've lived here in the south for 10 years, I still have that California in me. You know the old saying, "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl." Well, take out country and insert California and you got a true statement for me.

It is very interesting to raise my girls in the south. I don't have a southern accent by the standards of southerners. I may have picked up a bit of an accent by my CA friends standards. My girls, however, are picking it up despite my lack of use. I don't eat things like black eyed peas, bbq, or biscuits and gravy, and yet my oldest does. My kids are learning about South Carolina history and I know NOTHING about it. Try helping your daughter do Social Studies homework without a book! She loves the fact that she can teach me about it.

I can tell you one thing I absolutely adore about the south: MY GRITS!!!!!

Mother's Day

To all those mother's out there, hope you had a great Mother's Day. I sure did! We had the pleasure of spending the morning with my parents at their church and the afternoon at their home. It's not very often that we get away from our responsibilities at our church to go to their side of town. It was a great way to begin the day!

I have been so blessed with a great mother of my very own. She spurs me on to want to be more like her. She has been a solid rock in our family. She has been a great example for me to follow. She has left a legacy for me and for my kids and one I hope that they will carry on for generations to come.

I have 4 of the most beautiful daughters! How I've been so blessed is beyond me. I received several hand made cards from them and they mean more to me than I could ever have imagined. I remember making cards for my parents thinking I was being cute. I always thought they would think it was lame, and that they were just being nice. I now understand what they really felt.

Love to all who read this!

Mother's Day Tea

I just returned from Meghan's preschool Mother's Day Tea. I must first note, that there was no tea in sight. Just some yummy lemonade mixed with sprite.

I have never been so proud to be a mother. At the preschool Christmas program, Meghan would not sing even one word of any song that day. She stood the entire program, looking mad.

Yesterday, Meghan came home saying she sang on stage during practice and she was so excited!!! Her teacher was proud of her too. She told me she would sing during the program. As the music began, I wondered, "Would she actually do it?"

SHE DID!!!!!!!!!!! She sang every word of every song and with a big smile on her face. And, to top it off, she sang right to ME! I cried through the entire program! My heart felt like it would burst.

On our way home, I was telling Meghan how much I appreciated her singing to me and she replied, "You are a special mommy!" More tears followed.

I feel so blessed by my children. And, they make me feel special.

What Matters to You?

For me, friendships are high on my list of priorities. It seems so ridiculous to me that I am just now learning that not everyone places friendships near the top of their list. And, I am having to learn that it's okay. God has made everyone different for a reason. Could you imagine what the world would look like if everyone put friendships as a top priority. It could be a little scary. I recently re-evaluated what friendship means to me and asked on facebook what friendship meant to others. It was very interesting to hear people's view.

One of the most important lessons I have begun to learn is that we all have a different idea of what friendship is. I guess what it really comes down to are the different levels of friendship. Not every person I meet will be my soul mate. For someone like me, who finds a lot of my value in friendship, it's a tough thought to process. For me, friendship is time spent together and talking. Talking doesn't have to be in person, it could be over the phone, a quick email, a note on facebook. Communication is key for me.

Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying here. Everyone has their priorities. Mine are not better than yours. They are just different. I am so glad that God is teaching me this.

I love my friends and there is nothing that I wouldn't do for them. God has given me a diverse group of people in my life and they add so much to it. I hope this helps you to understand me a little better.

So, now you know what matters to me...what matters to you?