Confessions of a Blogging Mom...

It was our 1st Grade program today...and it was such an awesome day!  The kids sang and dance their little hearts out...and just looked so darn cute all dressed up and fancy!  Before the program, we had a little "social time" with cookies and juice.  I had talked to my kids about how to be hosts and hostesses...offer cookies and juice to their guests first, etc.  It was so cute to see them getting cookies for mom and dad and just behaving like little ladies and gentlemen (cuz believe me, they don't always act like that)!

The program itself was awesome!  It always goes great and the families always love it!  I've done this many years and I still get a little teary-eyed watching my "little ones" perform...and get excited when they nail part of a sung they've struggled with!

After the program, I had one grandma comment that I looked like I should still be in high school!  I used to hear that a lot when I first started teaching...but not so much lately (and I was having an I-feel-fat-and-ugly day)!  Then another grandma told me she could tell how much my kids love me and could tell how much I love my job!  Wow...what a wonderful compliment!

Just one of those days when I realize how much I really do love my job!!!

Maybe I'm PMSing, maybe she's matured a ton in a week or maybe I've just really observant the last couple days...but this last week I have really been noticing what a big kid Belle is becoming.  It's just the little things that show me.  It started with me dropping her off at my parents house for an hour so I could run some errands.  She wouldnn't even let me get out of the car!  She asked if I could "just drop me off"! 

Then last night we were helping Bran put my new patio set together.  She could actually help us (and not just stupid jobs like holding the flashlight)...she put the bolt covers on and hammered them into place!!  While we were putting the set together she asked me if she could have some ice cream.  I told her to wait until we were done putting it together and then she could eat it on the new table.  We were almost done and she asked for ice cream again.  I told her to wait a minute.  Next thing I know, I can't find her.  I look in the kitchen window and she is standing on a chair at the counter, scooping some ice cream into a bowl!  I went inside and said "Wow, you don't need my help huh?"  She said, "All I need to know is where you keep the chocolate syrup"!  Wow!!!

Then this morning, I am bringing her to daycare and she asks me "Do you really have to get out of the car and walk me in?"  I tell her yes, Lisa wants us walking them in to her house.  She then asks "Can you just come into the porch then!"  I didn't even get to go fully in the house!

My baby is no longer a baby!  Wow...what mixed emotions that brings!  I love her independence, but I kind of miss her needing me a bit.

And this is why I need another baby...

What's the best thing about your mom?

Her unconditional love and her willing-ness to kick anyone's a** (figuratively) for us!  My mom is definitely a Mama Bear!  You don't want to cross one of her kids (or grandkids) or you will face the wrath of Junelle!  She is always on our side (even when she knows we're probably wrong)...and willing to fight for us to the end!  It's amazing how many big, tough people have been scared away by my uper-short, 90 pound (at the most) mom!  Ha ha!

I also love and admire the way she interacts with her grandkids!  She's an amazing Nana!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  I love you!

Yay!  Brandon is officially not laid off anymore!  He got his first paycheck today!  Woo hoo! 

Thank you SO much to everyone who prayed for us, helped us out and just listened to me whine about it!  We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives!

Now life can get back to normal, somewhat! :)

How many pair of shoes do you have? Out of those pairs, how many do you wear more than a few times a year?
Submitted by fightinggale.

I would estimate that I have 50 pairs of shoes...no kidding!  I have a shoe addiction...especially sandals, although I love all shoes!  I love them all...sandals, heels, flats, running shoes, slip ons, boots...whatever!

There are probably about 10-15 pairs that I don't wear very often but can't get rid of "just in case".  My hubby hates all the shoes I have...but he doesn't complain too much since I don't spend very much on them.  There's nothing better than getting a cute pair of shoes for really cheap!

Has anyone ever done something so horrible to you that "I'm sorry" couldn't fix it?

Absolutely.  The majority of the time, a heartfelt, sincere apology is all I need to get over it.  But they truly have to be sorry...not just saying "I'm sorry" to get me to stop being mad.  I hate being mad at people, so it doesn't usually take too much to make me happy. 

For the most part, I can forgive...but it's not always as easy to forget.  If something really upset me, it will always be in the back of my mind.  Some hurts are just impossible to forget.

Happy 19th Birthday to my niece BreAnna!

And congrats on making it through your first year of college!

(Do you know how old that makes me feel?  You're 19 and done with college?  Holy crap, I'm old!)

XOXO

Here are some pictures of Belle and Daddy riding on his motorcycle.  She looks so funny with the helmet on.  Like a cute little alien!  

This is the first year she has actually wanted to ride on the motorcyle...so Brandon is taking full advantage of it!  They went for a short bike ride yesterday and tonight they rode to the park.  It's sweet seeing that they have something like that to do together...little bit of bonding time.  Her daycare said she was talking all day about getting to go for a ride tonight!  Funny!  We'll see how cute Daddy thinks it is when she brings home some Harley-riding guy when she's 17!  Ha ha!

Belle had her Sunday School program yesterday!  Cutest thing ever...bunch of 4 and 5 year olds standing in front of church singing.  The best part was watching the little quirks of the kids...one kept crossing his eyes, one girl yelled every song, Belle kept playing with her skirt (even wiped her eyes with it at one time...luckily it had another layer of fabric still under it), some just stood there not doing a thing.  It was adorable!  Their teachers do such a great job with them!

Here's some pictures. Sorry the pictures are dark...it's hard to get good pictures in that church.  Here's a video of one of their songs.  I was using my digital camera to record (and Brandon bumped my arm a couple times) so watch out for some motion sickness!

What was your first car?

The first car I drove (but didn't actually own) was a 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix.  I loved that car!  Looked like this one, only the one I drove was maroon.

The first car that I actually owned was a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am.  Sun roof, spoiler, black exterior, gray interior, CD player...everything I was looking for!  It was truly my dream car at the time!  I bought it a month after I started my 1st "big kid" job.  Sweet a** ride!