Ryleigh will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart next week. If you would like to help her reach her goal of $100 please visit her website below. Yeah, the kids have their own fundraising websites now. It's officially a crazy world.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Ryleigh's Jump Rope for Heart Page
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Olympics
Did you see the opening ceremony? I let the girls stay up an hour later than normal so they could see as much as they could. My favorite part was where Ryleigh went and got her globe and made me point out where each country was as they marched into the arena. My second favorite part is where they paid tribute to Newfoundland! If you missed that part, they did a pretty cool fiddle and tap dancing performance that the creator said was inspired by his trip to St. John's. Honestly the only time I think I ever saw someone tap dancing was when we passed a bum on Water Street (downtown). The fiddle however is a really big part of the Newfoundland traditional folk music which is influenced by their large Irish population. Every Sunday they would play only traditional folk music on the radio and I always looked forward to getting my weekly dose of fiddle playing and singing about fishin' and drinkin'. See, not that big of a difference between Texas and Newfoundland.
So the Olympics are in full swing and now I'm just looking forward to seeing Stephen Colbert make speed skating worth watching.
You're a great and brave Americna Stephen Colbert...I salute you.
So the Olympics are in full swing and now I'm just looking forward to seeing Stephen Colbert make speed skating worth watching.
You're a great and brave Americna Stephen Colbert...I salute you.
Friday, February 12, 2010
What Three Weeks?
Um, wow, that was three weeks? Really?? It just went by so darn fast!
Jeramy left yesterday for another three weeks out on the rig. The big reason that these last three weeks went by so fast was the 30 hours of CASA training that I went through. And now, 5 full days of class later, I am certified to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate. In a nutshell, what I'll be doing is this.
When a child is removed from their home by CPS for abuse and/or neglect they are placed in a foster home with up to 7 other foster children. A CPS caseworker is assigned to them and they are one of 40 or so cases for that caseworker. The child is provided with an attorney and they are one of 50 or so cases for that lawyer. Their case will go before a judge every few months and they are one of hundreds of children that judge sees. If I am assigned to that child they will be my only case. Fort Bend County is one of the very few counties that are able to provide a CASA for each and every child that have been removed from their home. I will monitor the child's situation and write a report for court one a month so that all involved will have a personal account of what's going on with that child. I am required to meet face to face with the child at least once a month, more if possible. I will interview their caregiver, their parents, their lawyer, their teacher, their doctor, anyone that can give me information that will help me make suggestions concerning their placement and their needs.
I've wanted to do this for about four years now, but just haven't ever felt like I could give it all that I wanted and needed to. I've wanted to do this because it is needed and because I feel so blessed for this life that I have. I'm lucky as hell, I know that. I'm lucky that I hve such a strong mom and such a great step-dad and that I got steered in the right direction. My support system growing up was endless and I think that's what gets me the most. If my parents gave up on me there would have been a line a mile long of suitable people that loved me and would have taken me in and given me all they had. These kids I'll work with, most of them don't have a single person. Not a single person that wants to care for them and can care for them. My hope is that I can provide a ray of hope and a set of eyes and ears to watch over a child that so many others have abandoned. My hope is that I can give back.
So now I wait for my first case. I have requested a pre-teen/teenager. And that's pretty much all I can say about that. Once I get a case, I'm not allowed to talk about it for obvious reasons.
To those that have encouraged me through the application and training process....Thank You!
Jeramy left yesterday for another three weeks out on the rig. The big reason that these last three weeks went by so fast was the 30 hours of CASA training that I went through. And now, 5 full days of class later, I am certified to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate. In a nutshell, what I'll be doing is this.
When a child is removed from their home by CPS for abuse and/or neglect they are placed in a foster home with up to 7 other foster children. A CPS caseworker is assigned to them and they are one of 40 or so cases for that caseworker. The child is provided with an attorney and they are one of 50 or so cases for that lawyer. Their case will go before a judge every few months and they are one of hundreds of children that judge sees. If I am assigned to that child they will be my only case. Fort Bend County is one of the very few counties that are able to provide a CASA for each and every child that have been removed from their home. I will monitor the child's situation and write a report for court one a month so that all involved will have a personal account of what's going on with that child. I am required to meet face to face with the child at least once a month, more if possible. I will interview their caregiver, their parents, their lawyer, their teacher, their doctor, anyone that can give me information that will help me make suggestions concerning their placement and their needs.
I've wanted to do this for about four years now, but just haven't ever felt like I could give it all that I wanted and needed to. I've wanted to do this because it is needed and because I feel so blessed for this life that I have. I'm lucky as hell, I know that. I'm lucky that I hve such a strong mom and such a great step-dad and that I got steered in the right direction. My support system growing up was endless and I think that's what gets me the most. If my parents gave up on me there would have been a line a mile long of suitable people that loved me and would have taken me in and given me all they had. These kids I'll work with, most of them don't have a single person. Not a single person that wants to care for them and can care for them. My hope is that I can provide a ray of hope and a set of eyes and ears to watch over a child that so many others have abandoned. My hope is that I can give back.
So now I wait for my first case. I have requested a pre-teen/teenager. And that's pretty much all I can say about that. Once I get a case, I'm not allowed to talk about it for obvious reasons.
To those that have encouraged me through the application and training process....Thank You!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
My Daisy
Okay, just a quickie because I have 4 hours of 24 waiting for me on the DVR an it's already 11pm. Jack Bauer should NEVER have to sit unwatched on the DVR, shame - on - me!
Today was Ryleigh's first Girl Scout meeting. Of course I forgot to fill out all the medical release forms until I was sitting in a Quck Books class this afternoon. I raced home and got them all filled out digitally and then my printer wouldn't work so I just knew that I blew my kids first meeting because I couldn't find time to fill out 4 forms over the past week. Damn tequila.
Anywho, she got to stay for the meeting so it was all good. I think she enjoyed it. She seemed a little disappointed that it wasn't just a big playdate, but they did some neat crafts so that made her happy. THE moment for me was when they said the girl scout pledge, you know, the one where you hold your three fingers up? I felt like I was in the ol' Girl Scout hut in Monahans saying my own pledge. Come on Monahans girls, you remember the green and white hut...and the tree we ALL climbed and at least one girl a year fell out of and broke their arm? Awwww, the good ol' days. Camp Mitre Peak flashbacks to follow....
So she is super cute in her Daisy vest but no, I haven't taken a picture. We still have a few more pins and patches to get on it before I do that. But I will definitely post for all to see!
And....YES! We are selling Girl Scout cookies!!! And we will deliver! You know you want some Thin Mints, just go ahead and email me your order!
Today was Ryleigh's first Girl Scout meeting. Of course I forgot to fill out all the medical release forms until I was sitting in a Quck Books class this afternoon. I raced home and got them all filled out digitally and then my printer wouldn't work so I just knew that I blew my kids first meeting because I couldn't find time to fill out 4 forms over the past week. Damn tequila.
Anywho, she got to stay for the meeting so it was all good. I think she enjoyed it. She seemed a little disappointed that it wasn't just a big playdate, but they did some neat crafts so that made her happy. THE moment for me was when they said the girl scout pledge, you know, the one where you hold your three fingers up? I felt like I was in the ol' Girl Scout hut in Monahans saying my own pledge. Come on Monahans girls, you remember the green and white hut...and the tree we ALL climbed and at least one girl a year fell out of and broke their arm? Awwww, the good ol' days. Camp Mitre Peak flashbacks to follow....
So she is super cute in her Daisy vest but no, I haven't taken a picture. We still have a few more pins and patches to get on it before I do that. But I will definitely post for all to see!
And....YES! We are selling Girl Scout cookies!!! And we will deliver! You know you want some Thin Mints, just go ahead and email me your order!
Friday, January 8, 2010
To Ryleigh and Avery
Dear Girls,
I just wanted to take a moment and write to tell you how incredibly special you two are. Each in your own unique way, you light up my every moment of every day. You are not only the most beautiful little girls, but your boundless energy and cleverness lifts me up and makes me feel whole in this world. I made you, with daddy's help of course, but I carried you, I delivered you and now I stay home and take care of you. It's all been lots of hard work but when I see you Ryleigh read your books to me and show me all then numbers you can add and when I see you Avery say a new word and do your little dance in the living room I KNOW that I have brought two very special and awesome new beings into the world.
Ryleigh, you are doing so well in Kindergarten. You are one of the most compassionate kids in your class. The teacher always sits the new kids with you because she knows that you will make them feel welcome and of course, tell them exactly how things work in your classroom. You are still a very picky eater, but I'm starting to see signs of improvement in this area. Your hair is finally starting to grow longer and get thicker, much to your delight. I don't think it's going to be down to butt anytime soon, but I can at least pull it back into a ponytail from time to time. You have started making your bed everyday, many days without prompting. You are also starting to grasp the idea of money and very soon you will be starting to get an allowance, in exchange for a few household chores. This isn't a problem though because you are my little helper, always eager to please. You are very gentle with your sister and I can see your own little heart break when she is in any sort of pain. The flip side of this characteristic is that she runs you. I'm sure at some point you will learn that she will not break and that asserting your authority with her is okay. She is after all the little sister, and as such must be taught that you are her elder and should be respected as such. Just ask your Aunt Becca, she understands this concept perfectly well. You are growing so quickly and here recently have started protesting your sister's silly cartoons since you prefer Hannah Montanna. Avery got you a new Wii game for Christmas and so you have taken to the Wii and run straight for it after school. It's just almost unbearable to see how tall you are getting. Long gone is my first baby and quickly emerging is my very big, brave, gorgeous and smart "little" girl.
Avery, you are my little sidekick. You tag along with me through all of the day's activities so effortlessley. I never worry about how you behave when we go anywhere because I'm my book you are pretty much perfect. Even when you run away from me in Wal-Mart, and I mean run-a-way. More than once I have had to abandon my cart, grab my purse and dart across the store to catch up with you. You like to run away from me at home too and most recently you have realized that you can run around the couch faster than I can and so you just keep changing directions until I figure out how to get over the couch fast enough to catch you. I laugh the whole time. I just love it all because someday you won't want to go to the store with me because you need to talk on the phone to someone or catch some show on television. And someday I won't be able to get you up off the couch so I gladly let you run around it now. Our house is your playground, another thing I don't mind one bit. During the day we play kitchen, color, play dolls and other little activities all over the house. Your favorite shows right now are Micky Mouse Clubhouse and Dora the Explorer. I don't know what I'm going to do when you start going to preschool let alone Kindergarten. Okay, so maybe I'll get more pedicures and spend less time at the grocery store, but I know that without you by my side all day every day things are definitely going to be a whole let less exciting.
I feel so blessed to have you both. I feel even more blessed to be able to stay home and make your care the number one priority in my life. The sand in the ol' hourglass seems to drop more quickly every day, reinforcing my life's mantra to make each and every second count. And I couldn't ask for a better family to make me want to make each second count. Love to you both...and daddy too...Family Kisses! Family Kisses!!
I just wanted to take a moment and write to tell you how incredibly special you two are. Each in your own unique way, you light up my every moment of every day. You are not only the most beautiful little girls, but your boundless energy and cleverness lifts me up and makes me feel whole in this world. I made you, with daddy's help of course, but I carried you, I delivered you and now I stay home and take care of you. It's all been lots of hard work but when I see you Ryleigh read your books to me and show me all then numbers you can add and when I see you Avery say a new word and do your little dance in the living room I KNOW that I have brought two very special and awesome new beings into the world.
Ryleigh, you are doing so well in Kindergarten. You are one of the most compassionate kids in your class. The teacher always sits the new kids with you because she knows that you will make them feel welcome and of course, tell them exactly how things work in your classroom. You are still a very picky eater, but I'm starting to see signs of improvement in this area. Your hair is finally starting to grow longer and get thicker, much to your delight. I don't think it's going to be down to butt anytime soon, but I can at least pull it back into a ponytail from time to time. You have started making your bed everyday, many days without prompting. You are also starting to grasp the idea of money and very soon you will be starting to get an allowance, in exchange for a few household chores. This isn't a problem though because you are my little helper, always eager to please. You are very gentle with your sister and I can see your own little heart break when she is in any sort of pain. The flip side of this characteristic is that she runs you. I'm sure at some point you will learn that she will not break and that asserting your authority with her is okay. She is after all the little sister, and as such must be taught that you are her elder and should be respected as such. Just ask your Aunt Becca, she understands this concept perfectly well. You are growing so quickly and here recently have started protesting your sister's silly cartoons since you prefer Hannah Montanna. Avery got you a new Wii game for Christmas and so you have taken to the Wii and run straight for it after school. It's just almost unbearable to see how tall you are getting. Long gone is my first baby and quickly emerging is my very big, brave, gorgeous and smart "little" girl.
Avery, you are my little sidekick. You tag along with me through all of the day's activities so effortlessley. I never worry about how you behave when we go anywhere because I'm my book you are pretty much perfect. Even when you run away from me in Wal-Mart, and I mean run-a-way. More than once I have had to abandon my cart, grab my purse and dart across the store to catch up with you. You like to run away from me at home too and most recently you have realized that you can run around the couch faster than I can and so you just keep changing directions until I figure out how to get over the couch fast enough to catch you. I laugh the whole time. I just love it all because someday you won't want to go to the store with me because you need to talk on the phone to someone or catch some show on television. And someday I won't be able to get you up off the couch so I gladly let you run around it now. Our house is your playground, another thing I don't mind one bit. During the day we play kitchen, color, play dolls and other little activities all over the house. Your favorite shows right now are Micky Mouse Clubhouse and Dora the Explorer. I don't know what I'm going to do when you start going to preschool let alone Kindergarten. Okay, so maybe I'll get more pedicures and spend less time at the grocery store, but I know that without you by my side all day every day things are definitely going to be a whole let less exciting.
I feel so blessed to have you both. I feel even more blessed to be able to stay home and make your care the number one priority in my life. The sand in the ol' hourglass seems to drop more quickly every day, reinforcing my life's mantra to make each and every second count. And I couldn't ask for a better family to make me want to make each second count. Love to you both...and daddy too...Family Kisses! Family Kisses!!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Bugs are for Squashing
Yesterday I had a run-in with the pregnancy bug. I had a few friends over for a playdate, aka Operation Destroy Jennifer's House. One of my friends is 39 weeks preggers and showed up wearing one of my maternity shirts I had loaned her. I wasn't expecting what happened next. She is lots more pregnant than the last time I saw her and it was one of my favorite maternity shirts. That combined with the fact that we have made the decision that our family is as large as it needs to be which means I will never wear that favorite maternity shirt again added up to me losing it. I made my friend leave the room I was in so I could get my cry out and then I was fine. I'm fine, really, I do NOT want to be pregnant again, I know this from the depth of my soul. Pegnancy sucks, not being able to lay down for four months sucks, pushing a baby out of my body sucks, sucks, sucks. Not gonna happen, capt'n.
Then the girls and I went out to dinner last night with our Canadian friends that just moved her. They have an eleven week old and she is gorgeous. She snuggles and rooted all over my neck which just about made me start lactating all over again. When we left the restaurant the mom mentioned needing to nurse in the car before they left for home. A flood of memories came back recalling countless nursing sessions in the car, just me and my babies and our little bit of time together while the world just passed us by. That part doesn't suck. Not at all.
Then the girls and I went out to dinner last night with our Canadian friends that just moved her. They have an eleven week old and she is gorgeous. She snuggles and rooted all over my neck which just about made me start lactating all over again. When we left the restaurant the mom mentioned needing to nurse in the car before they left for home. A flood of memories came back recalling countless nursing sessions in the car, just me and my babies and our little bit of time together while the world just passed us by. That part doesn't suck. Not at all.
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