Consider Me Schooled

Ok, y'all can now officially consider me schooled/baptized by fire/initiated or whatever else into the blog world. Remember a few days ago when I asked for prayer for a couple whose daughter has just been born? And that she had a chromosomal defect, Trisomy 13 specifically?

Well, I found out last night from MckMama and Angie's blogs that it was all a fictitious story. Heartsick didn't even begin to describe my feelings. 

So I hopped on over to Kelly's Korner where she addressed it with her usual class and compassion. Can I tell you how much I love these three women? And I've never met them. And probably won't this side of heaven but that's ok because we're all in this together.

So I want to apologize to anyone I pointed in that direction and for asking for prayer for a situation that was not what it appeared to be. What I know for sure is that this is surely a woman in need of prayer and intercession as seeking attention in this manner is neither healthy nor productive.

While I do not even know if there is an actual baby involved, at this point, I can only pray (and have over and over) for everyone involved in this situation. 

Well, that, and I can focus on the one bright spot I've found in the whole situation.

You see, I am a pretty cold person when it comes to many situations. Very black and white. Hard-hearted doesn't even begin to describe it but, make no mistake, I love my family with a fierceness that would rival Caroline on Real Housewives of New Jersey.

What I have been praying is that God would soften my heart, flood me with compassion for others and show me where I can contribute in helping in the lives of others. While this was only a small intercession, I do know that He is doing a work in me because, six months ago, I would have blown this off and not felt a thing.

So I am glad for that. And I am happy to be a small part of this wonderful virtual world. 

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it, friends. Just like glue.

So have a wonderful day and I'll be back tomorrow with summer fun pictures.

P.S. I do ask that you continue to pray for our friend who lost her 5-month-old to SIDS over the weekend. While I cannot imagine what they are feeling, I do know One who does and will be with them during this difficult time.

Random Cuteness

So I'm back today, my friends, and am in a much better mood. While I must admit to still being a bit heavy in the heart, I truly believe that's the way it should be. We are supposed to grieve with each other and support each other, right?

Yes, I think so too...

Moving on to my favorite subject - Miss Taylorbug - I bring to you today a few pictures of simple random cuteness. They were taken a few weeks before school ended and I took them mainly because my grandmother bought her this outfit and I wanted to send her a picture of Miss Thang wearing it. 

One thing you must know about my child is that she absolutely loves peace signs. Not sure where she got that gene but it wasn't from me, if you catch my drift. She also loves anything with sparkles, which I will wholeheartedly confess she did get from me.

So when we were in JCPenney returning a few items that weren't long enough (did I mention the child is 9 years old and now comes in at 4'11.5" tall?), she simply could not resist this adorable outfit.

You may not be able to see it unless you enlarge the photo but it is a sparkly heart with a peace sign in the middle - love it!

For a couple of weeks she really got into wearing a tank top underneath her shirts and then tying the back of the top shirt up in the back. Not sure why but she thought it was most fashion forward. It is pretty stinkin' cute so who am I to argue.

Check out the shorts - embroidered peace signs...we're cookin' now!

I believe she wanted everyone to see her 'Taylor' sign over her door in this picture. The girl who cleaned our house when we lived in Belton painted it for her one Christmas. She absolutely loves it and also loves the fact that it "clearly marks" her room. Her words - not mine!

In other news, church camp and Disney preparations are now in full swing. We're on the countdown to both and I've been doing a little extra cuddling each evening with my baby since she told me on Sunday that she was "sad no one will be there to tuck me in for a whole week." 

Knows how to pull the heartstrings, doesn't she?

Yep, that's just one of the many reasons I adore her.

Tomorrow I'll treat you to pool pictures. If Facebook starts behaving and lets me upload them this evening. So, you see, it's sort of out of my hands :-)

Unbelievable Sadness

So I come to you with a heavy heart today, my friends. One of our friends lost her 5-month-old to SIDS over the weekend and there's another family I've been praying hard for as they welcomed their daughter, who has Trisomy 13, on Sunday. Unfortunately, they are dealing not only with a rough diagnosis but also with people who have been cruel beyond belief. 

There are many things I do not understand in this world and you've got two of them right here: babies who don't make it and people who attack their parents. So I'm going to forgo Not me! Monday! today (apparently MckMama has some things going on as well because she hasn't put her post up either) and just pray for these families. 

I cannot fathom what they must be feeling right now but do know that I've been hugging my little one a little tighter and being much more patient with her since I heard these stories. I hope you'll join me in doing the same :-)

Show Us Where You Live - Home Office Edition

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Because I just can't help myself when it comes to decorating, I'm participating in Kelly's blog carnival. I love, love, love decorating and my entire house is a constant work in progress. Drives my man mad but provides me endless amounts of entertainment!

Today we'll be taking a tour of our home office, which happens to be the favored room of the puppy posse.

Let's dive in!

This is who you'll most likely find lounging in the office. The girls like to spend their time outside. Not this guy - he loves to sleep the day away.

Looking into the office area from the living room

Social media central

I love this red lampshade and the box on the table has a Texas star carved into it. Gotta love being married to a bullrider from Texas, right?

This is actually the center section of the curved couch. Put together it is gigantic. This is only a rent house and we'll be moving once Tay finishes elementary school so we were thinking about the great room we want in our next house when we bought it. The loveseat size works great here, though. As you've already seen, Bo loves it!

I love these curtains. This room is octagonal and has smaller windows above the regular windows all the way around. It's great for natural light.

Thank you for touring our home office, which is more like Taylor's Place now that school's out. You'll most likely find her playing Webkinz, Toontown or Club Penguin these days. Next week is bathrooms...honestly, I can't promise much because, like I said, this is a rent house we're just hanging out in until Tay finishes elementary school. But we are blessed to have found a nice one so we're workin' with what we've got!

Third Grade in Review

Y'all, my baby finishes third grade today. I cannot believe how quickly times is passing by. Seems like just yesterday we brought her home and I was fumbling around trying to figure out how to keep my sweet angel from screaming long enough for me to make lunch, do a load of laundry or sterilize a few bottles.

Oh, how I love this little girl although she's just not that small anymore. In fact, as she finishes this school year, she measures in at 4'11" tall and wears a size 7.5 shoe. That's only half a size smaller than I do! Needless to say, she's a tall one and I'm already preparing myself to look up to her. Sooner rather than later.

So here are a few Mommy Observations from the last year:

• In the last school year, Miss Taylor has taken the TAKS tests out to the woodshed - she missed ZERO questions on the reading portion and only 2, which resulted in a Commended rating, on math. This after overcoming EXTREME test anxiety. So, so proud of you, little one!
• Dance has now gone by the wayside (it's too kiddie and boring) and we're moving full speed ahead with gymnastics. Two classes a week and one private lesson keep us busy.
• Miss Thang learned to play the recorder, performed her first solo in the musical SuperKlaus and did a fabulous job!
• She took her first real field trip to Inner Space Cavern and bought her own souvenirs.
• Bugga is increasingly comical, is mature way beyond her years and has a new favorite evening hobby, which is curling up with me and Dave in the bed and watching television before bed. Truth be told, I look forward to it every day as well!
• She experienced her first Baylor Homecoming Extravaganza, visited the State Capitol with Nana and Boppy, vacationed at Port Aransas, attended many Baylor athletic games (including jumping up and down when the Bears advanced to the NIT championship game), celebrated her 9th birthday, welcomed fall and Christmas holidays with gusto and nursed Mommy back to health after she had nose surgery.
• She took an award-winning photo at the HOT Fair and advanced to state, won a blue ribbon at the science fair, enjoyed the Mayborn Museum and Dr. Pepper Museum, Dallas World Aquarium, Mardi Gras and an Easter trip to Maw Maw's house.
• Golf is back in full swing (after a fall spent playing soccer) and she now enjoys going to the gym with us only because she enjoys playing in the computer lab (like there's not one at home?). Her favorite games are Toontown, Webkinz and Club Penguin.
• This was apparently the Year of the Pickle because I couldn't keep them in the house! She also loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches "like Maw Maw makes," discovered the turkey melt at McAlister's (complete with veggies), still loves Goldfish and strawberries, and learned that she really loves lemon squares.

I honestly cannot imagine having a cooler kid than Taylor. She is the light of my life and has saved me from myself on more occasions than I care to count. I am so, so proud of you, Bugga, and can't wait to spend an action-packed summer with you before you begin fourth grade.

By the way, you might find it interesting that Miss Thang refuses to refer to herself as a fourth grader until the first day of school next year. She will be known until that time as a third-and-a-half-grader. At her request :-)...

Field Day '09

Miss Taylor participated in the ever popular Field Day a couple of weeks ago. It was on a Friday so Dave was already off and I headed over to Panther Field during my lunch break so I could watch as she put all the skills she learned in PE to use.

First, I would just like to say that I did not get the memo about tug o' war being THE signature event of Field Day. Due to work issues, I wasn't able to attend either her first or second grade day of fun so I had absolutely no idea how much these kids get into it. It was awesome!

This was actually the last event of the day but it was just too much stinkin' fun to put the pictures at the bottom.

Her class actually took second place in this event. They didn't fare quite as well with the overall competition but they certainly gave it their all.

Being cheered on by Mrs. Fertsch, her teacher for homeroom, reading, spelling and language arts.

This Mrs. Creppon, Taylor's teacher for math, science and social studies.

Demonstrating her soccer moves. This wasn't her best event...she really thrives when she's able to throw the ball instead of kick it. In fact, she throws really well.

The PE teachers.

Oh yeah - gettin' my run on!

Close-up of Mrs. Fertsch and, no, I have no idea why Tay was sporting a middle part and wearing that goofy grin.

Moving on to volleyball...

Waiting her turn...

There was lots of waiting around to be done...

If you click on this picture, you can see that she has on her hat that they made at the Christmas party for Field Day. I was so proud of her for keeping up with it for 5 months! It's white with a blue paw print on the front and her name is written - IN CURSIVE - on the brim.

Do the flip, man!

That concludes the excitement of Field Day. Unfortunately, I'm still not totally out of my funk yet so wittiness and amusing rants are eluding me for the time being. Here's hoping for better tomorrow :-)...after all, tomorrow IS the last day of school so it's quite possible the excitement will be infectious!

Not Me! Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Oh, friends, I truly cannot put into words how cranky I am feeling today - and for no apparent reason at all - so please accept my apologies in advance if this edition of Not me! Monday! comes off a bit sarcastic and biting.

For starters, I have absolutely not started picking my daughter up 10 minutes before her golf lessons are actually over simply so that I can enjoy an hour of working out at the local YMCA doing Zumba. Nope - not me - I would NEVER do that!

I also did not almost faint when my husband called on Friday and told me our boxer's well dog checkup cost $187!!! 

And I did not promptly decide the other two would just have to make do with the local shot clinic since they're healthier and don't have any issues. I mean, a girl has to be practical at times, right? Nope, not me!

I am also not looking forward to the end of third grade even more than my child is because I. just. can't. take. one. more day. It has certainly NOT been that rough of a year.

As the days tick and we get closer and closer to our Disney vacation, I am certainly not becoming absolutely obsessed and spending each evening reading books like Passporter's Guide to Disney, Idiot's Guide (not comments from the peanut gallery, please) to Disney and another I can't even remember the name of because it's over 1,000 pages long and I started reading it a LONG time ago. That would be CRAZY! So, nope, not me...

I am also NOT freaking out about my child going to preteen camp the week before our Disney extravaganza. I have not worried, prayed, obsessed and prayed again about any and everything that could possibly happen that would require me to drive up there and get her. 

But I DID buy her the absolute cutest sheet set at Ross this weekend that will match her quilt perfectly. I mean, if my baby's leaving me, she may as well do it in style, right?

I am NOT absolutely disgusted with Kate Gosselin and hope that all of the media coverage will go away quickly so this narcissist and her puppet, Jon, will fade into the sunset as they should.

I am not really looking forward to watching Wipeout this week. Love that show. Second only to Greatest American Dog.

I absolutely am not planning which shorts I take to Disney around which show off the least amount of inner thigh cellulite. That would be nuts because everyone KNOWS you're supposed to just be comfy and cool, right? Nope, not me!

And, as previously stated, I am not in the absolute worst mood of all time today. Seriously testy, cranky and annoying even myself. Well, actually I am, so I'm going to go now so I don't expose you to further ranting and raving...