Bring on Summer 🌞

Memorial weekend is the official beginning of summer and we are ready for it!  We started off the weekend right by enjoying the extra day off work the very favorable AZ weather (especially for this time of year).  We saw a movie, had a sleepover, went to feed the ducks/fish/turtles at the pond by our house, and went to the public pool.  It was a fabulous way to celebrate the end of school and the start of summer 🌞!!!!!!!!!!!!!

About last week........

So, last week was rough!  Trying to get through all of the class awards ceremonies/plays and keep up with our normal routine and a hectic work week made for no extra time to do anything!  But, some pretty great things happened last week.  Besides Kyser completing the 6th grade (the post before this one), Paxton also completed the 3rd grade and Tayvia graduated Kindergarten!  Yay!!!!!!!  Now for Paxton, this boy is the best friend that anyone could have and he is truly a social butterfly (and a chic magnet).  Tayvia Tayvia, where to begin........  I am so relieved that she completed Kindergarten because there were some days when I wasn't sure how we were going to make it happen.  But she pulled through in the end and I am so super proud of her and Paxton for finishing the year strong and advancing to the next grade!  Now, it's time to enjoy summer break 😎..............

So proud of this kid........

I am so proud of Kyser and how well he has done in school this year.  Last night, he was awarded as being on the honor roll.  You may be thinking "cool but a lot of kids get on the honor roll".  Well, the real deal is that Kyser is registered as and supposed to be a 4th grader.  However, his academic performance awarded him to be bumped up two grades so he just completed the 6th grade!   Not only that, but he got thrown into middle school and the beginning of the year was rough but he powered through and did an amazing job!  WAY TO GO KYSER!!!!!

I think the thing I am most proud of is the fact that neither he nor I gave up.  There were days when I didn't know how I was going to survive with him.  And he was just as confused and troubled by the BIG transition that had occurred.  I know I laid it all in God's hands and trusted that he would get us through.  Some days I feel like my work as a mom is failing.  And then there are days like this when I can breathe easy and know that we are all good.

Keep working hard Kyser and "Oh The Places You Will Go"!  I love you more than anything and am so proud to be your mom💙💚💛💜🧡

This girl right here.......

This daughter of mine makes me laugh, shake my head, become frustrated, and smile all day long!  She is a complete cuddle bug and will say out of no where "Mommy, I love you"!  She has an amazingly strong personality and her zodiac is Cancer (which she fits perfectly).  She came with me to work last week, and as we were walking across campus she stepped off of the sidewalk and onto the grass.  The is how the conversation went:

Mom: "Tayvia, you can't walk on the grass so please step back on the sidewalk."

Tayvia: "Why can't we walk on the grass?"

Mom: "That's just the rule and everyone (including mom) has to follow it."

Tayvia: "That's lame.  Why have grass if you can't even walk on it?"

I laughed the whole walk back to my office thinking about her practicality and her forwardness.  Stay you Tayvia because we love you just the way you are 😘!!!!!

Laughter is the Best Medicine......

You know the old saying "laughter is the best medicine", well I wholeheartedly believe this to be true.  My work environment can be stressful and tense, especially considering I work with adjudicated youth.  They have been through more in their short lifespan than I could ever imagine.  So at work, we laugh.  It shows the kids that even though things can be tough, it's ok to laugh.  I found this saying and someone who is amazing at making signs had it made into one for me 😁...........

The Opinions of Others

As I sit back and look at the news stories around the world, it amazes me how many people are caught up in what others say about them.  I admit, there was a time in my life when I would get upset if other people didn't like me or if they talked bad about me.  However, life happened and I learned that no matter what anyone else says, I am the only one who can let that stuff bother me.  And I made the choice to not let it bother me.  In fact, I daresay that the more people are talking about me, the more I must be doing and they are hating on me?  And to be honest, Jesus was hated on by so many people simply because they wouldn't get to know him or give him a chance.  People just saw all the good works and deeds he was doing and decided they were jealous so they hated on him.  At this point in my life, the people who love me will tell me to my face if I am out of line and they will continue to love me no matter what.  Those who don't love me aren't worth my worry or time........  Choose your happy and don't let others be the rain on your parade!  Happy Thursday😌

Date Night

I love date night, especially when it's with this handsome guy!  Paxton wanted to have a night all alone with mom so we got to do just that last night.  Kids are so different when they are alone and away from their siblings.  The stories he told me had me falling off my chair!  Then we got him the Tik Tok app and sat in bed laughing at funny videos.  I love these alone moments with each of my kids!  Each year I realize how time seems to move faster and faster, so I am working very hard at really appreciating and enjoying life and the really special moments that are given to us.  Thank you Paxton for the wonderful impromptu date night.  I love you to the moon and back buddy 🤟🌙💚!!!

My Greatest Blessing

Do you ever have weeks (maybe even months) where you feel like all you do is work and feel tired?  And even though you have slept, you can't seem to feel rested?  That pretty much sums up how I have been feeling for a while.  And there are days when I just want to throw in the towel, sell all of my belongings, and move to a beach somewhere (I actually told my kids this on Sunday)!  But then something happens to remind me why I do everything I do and why God has placed me here on this Earth.  My greatest blessing will always be my children and I thank God everyday that he chose me to be their mom.  Even on my most challenging and exhausting days, they make me laugh, swim, play, do silly things that remind me to stop and smell the roses.  So thank you Kyser, Paxton, and Tayvia for being the amazing kids that you are and for helping mommy see that life really is about the ones we hold closest in our hearts.  I love you💙💚💜!

It's no fun being sick......

Tayvia was sick all last week and it was rough😩.  As a parent, it's so hard to watch your kids miserable in pain and not be able to take it away.  She had an infected lymph node on the right side of her neck (just under her ear lobe).  Her neck was so swollen and sore that I could barely even comb her hair.  She couldn't even go to school because they won't give her any Tylenol or Ibuprofen, so mom took her to work!  After being at the physician's office, feeling terrible for 3 days, and getting an ultrasound on the area, we decided she needed some pampering.  She was very happy with a mani and a pedi to end the week 😁.  I am so proud of how tough she was and am happy to have her back to her normal talkative self!!!  Love you Tay Tay 😘