Strong Women!

So, I was browsing through blogs today when I stumbled across "Tampons and Chocolate". The title sounded catchy! Reading through just the first page, I was hooked. This very, very nicely written post was at the bottom. I have received permission from the nice, nice lady to copy her very own words. I could NOT put these thoughts into words if I tried... trust me. But, she did. She mastered it VERY well!

If you want to read her entire post, click on the link above... but here is the exert that made me smile and hold my head up!


"Which brings me to my subject for today's post--strong women.

Now, I'm not talking about women who can bench press a horse. I'm talking about women who have strong spirits and are strong willed. Women who know who they are and know they deserve respect. They are women who are smart, proud and confident, and rarely take crap from anyone.

You want to know how to tell if you are a strong woman? Just count how many times you've been called a bitch or at least been told you were acting like a bitch or being difficult and that will give you a clue.

It just so happens that I am one of those strong women and I must say, I am damn proud of it. One thing I am not, however, is a bitch. A bitch is a woman who is overall unhappy and unloving and goes out of her way to make everyone as miserable as herself. That is not me.

That does not mean that I am never unhappy or unloving. I am on occasion. Who the hell isn't? But I am never miserable. Overall, I love my life and I love who I am. During the times when I am unhappy or being unloving, it is usually for one of two reasons--someone has overstepped my boundaries or my crazy hormones are out of whack and I am PMSing.

What I find interesting, however, is just how quickly the man of a strong woman can categorize her as a bitch. Isn't it usually that strong side of her personality that attracted him in the first place? In the beginning, he sees her as sassy and feisty and he just has to have her, no other woman will do. But somewhere along the line, things change and he starts to see her in a very different light.

But the truth of the matter is that she is really no different than she was when he met her. The only thing that changed was the way he thinks about her. Perhaps he needs to be reminded that he chose his strong woman for a reason. Something inside him wanted her and needed her. He should not expect her to be anything but strong...even when he gets out of line.

Yes, when a strong woman fights, she fights strong. When she hurts, she hurts strong. But the most important thing a man of a strong woman needs to remember is that she also loves, and when does, she loves strong.

So here's to all you strong women out there. Be proud, be strong, and don't ever let your man mistake you for anything else."

Changing things up a bit...

Not MY child was created by Mckmama - Check out her awesome blog and all of its followers!

My child would never eat a fruit so high in antioxidants AND enjoy it! Olivia and her first pomegranate.

My child would never grow up so fast that she INSISTS on having her own bowl of cereal, her own pancake, and her very own puddle of syrup. But of course, Olivia would never say "Mama, help" and hand me her spoon so I could PUT the cheerios on it!

My child would most certainly not stand in her highchair while impatiently waiting for Mommy to cook. And never would I ALLOW her to do, so close to the stove and the knife block*! "Hold still, Mommy needs to get the camera!"
(* no children were in any danger in this photo)

Olivia would never sit and hide under the Christmas tree and think it was hilarious. For Heaven's sake, don't you see that UNCOVERED power strip behind her!? I would not put her in ANY danger...ever.

My child would never be so deprived that she had to STUFF her baby doll into the Kleenex box. I would always provide a bed for her baby.

(Notice the baby in its "bed" in the above Christmas Tree picture... placed under the tree.)

Olivia would never venture onto the couch, steal MY blanket, proceed to place it over her head and then roll into it until she was perfectly comfortable. My child would never be so selfish.

And last but not least, my child would never be allowed to wear her hat, mittens, and house shoes around the house all morning. Why, of course, my child is always dressed up and looking perfectly presentable.


These pictures make me laugh hysterically every time I see them. Notice the Kleenex box in the last picture. Thanks to Auntie A who gave me the idea to cut the top out. :)

Dough Making!

Click on the picture to make it larger.

Olivia and I were hard at work today! Thanks to Christina for posting this recipe for us to use! It was so simple! Olivia was not too sure at first.... but she eventually began playing with it. I had my back turned when she took her first taste of the pink dough. I could instantly tell she had taken a bite, because she was salivating heavily. Haha, it has 1/2 c. of salt in the recipe!! She was quickly asking for a drink. I believe they turned out very well! They are still drying, but are turning a lighter shade than I wanted. Oh well, they are cute and personal. :)

Guess How I Feel?

This is how we started out the day....


This is how we ended the day..... Can you guess where we are?Olivia has an upper respiratory infection. She is congested. Her cheeks and eyes are swollen. Her eyes and nose are seeping thick green goop. Bless.her.ever.lovin'.heart.

Started Zithromicin and hopefully will feel much better soon!!

Olivia is Trouble.

So, my daughter is not innocent. She can throw fits that make you want to throw one right back.

If she gets mad at something, she will throw it. If you're near, she will try to hit you. It's bad.

If you tell her "No" or "Do not hit, Olivia"… guess what she does…

She will reach in to kiss you. Not just a regular kiss… she must have your lips!

If she can't reach them, she will bob her head around until she reaches them.

Now, tell me, how in the world do you NOT crack up, smile, or just kiss the little dear back?

Oy…long road ahead of me, you say?

And this fake smile…. PRICELESS!

My Philosophy of Education

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the class room
Teachers leave those kids alone
(yells) Hey, teachers! Leave those kids alone!

Ahhhh… Pink Floyd.

I have been nominated for Tinker Elem. Teacher of the Year.

Woooopeeeee.

I really am flattered but not excited about writing my Philosophy of Education and

my Most Memorable Teaching Experience. Wait, the last one could be exciting.

Like, when I barfed in front of all my students? Or slipped and said that cuss word?

Or how about when I completely give a wrong answer and get caught by that

stinkin' too smart kid in the back row?

Okay, enough procrastinating… back to typing. I'll let everyone know how it turns out!

It has been awhile.... therefore, I have things to share!

I would never throw Poptarts at my daughter in the car. It is not my fault she is riding so far in the back and I can't reach her.

I would not eat at McDonalds for breakfast, Subway for lunch, and have pecan pie for dinner. That would be disgusting. Never.

Because I love doing laundry, I would not let it sit in the clothes basket for...well...longer than it should be.

Because I am always tidy and neat, I would never notice the dust streaks on my television and then leave them there. Ew. No.

My daughter is quiet and perfect at Walmart, always. Therefore, my sister and I would never have to feed Olivia marshmallows in order to keep her quiet.

And..

I would never let my daughter eat a granola bar she found in the floorboard of the car. It is only... a day or two old. :)

Needing some reflection time!

So, this weekend has been really hard. As it is always is with a sick child and being a single Mom.

Olivia and I spent the wee hours Sunday morning in the Emergency Room. What started as just a cough on Saturday, ended with her barking and wheezing Sunday wee-morning. She was tested for Swine Flu, negative (thank God), and then diagnosed with croup. Well, croup is something that is still a mystery. It is a viral infection and affects the lungs and vocal box. Which makes breathing difficult and the barking cough.

It also affects the Mom.

The Mom who can't stand watching her daughter hold her nose and her neck indicating that something hurts, the Mom that hates listening to her daughter cough horribly while trying to rest, the Mom that gets frustrated when her daughter won't sleep in her arms, but yet cries in bed. The steroids she is on make her irritable and unable to rest. Hence, the 10:30pm driving around town last night I did just to get her to sleep. And, as her mother's daughter, she was asleep in less than a mile.

I know deep down inside I am a mighty powerful and strong woman. I know this. I believe this. I trust this. But this hurts. It hurts to be alone when I need someone to help. It hurts to be alone when I want to vent all my anger. Yes, I love my sister and my mother and the unconditional support they offer me. Yet, there is no one sharing my bed at night, no one waiting to hear how my day has gone, no one waiting to eat dinner with me. The smallest things that I miss. It is hard. It is really hard at times. Yet, I look at my beautiful, happy, smiling, singing, mimicking, dancing, kissing, pouting, gummy bear loving daughter and know that I have raised her. I have raised her with the help of all my family and friends. But mostly, I have raised her alone. I have raised her without having to share her and without having to ask someones permission or opinion.

She is all mine.

Now, let's be honest.... I don't miss.... the dirty bathrooms, the TV on all hours of the day, the dirty dishes piled in the sink, the arguments of who cooks or cleans, where to eat, how to spend the money, how much to save/spend, and who has the best ideas on _______ (insert anything you wish here).

As things slowly begin to seep out.... I am making the move to Dallas in the summer. I am making this move to better the life for my daughter and I, to be close to my sister and her family, to raise my daughter and my niece close together... but mostly, to just start over. How joyous it will be to embark on a brand new journey... one that I will set for myself, to make my own rules and memories, and to start over. Leaving my parents, my Granny, and my best friends here will be, hands down, the hardest, hardest thing I have ever done in my life. The hardest. Yet, I have had nothing but support and understanding from everyone. The thought of it all makes me have butterflies in my stomach and tears in my eyes.

Goodnight... thanks for listening.

One year later...

I see this being a very "fun" season. Haha! :)

\

Do I hear an echo?

My daughter is like a babbling brook these days. Just when I was worried about her speech, she starts imitating every word I ask of her. Lately the clearest have been Pop (my dad), bow, bowl, cat, and Whooooaaa... :)

And some pictures to enjoy!




And one year ago.............. LOOK at all that HAIR we have grown!! :)

One year ago...

Today marks the one year anniversary of my Grandfather's passing. Man, oh man, do I miss him so. I miss him everyday, I miss him anytime I need a good laugh, I miss him anytime I see a fishing rod, I miss him anytime I need a funny song, oh how I miss him.I miss him for Olivia. She will never know him, only by the pictures I have to show. She loved her Great-Grandpa. She was only 6 months when he lost his battle, but she knew him. Anytime she went to his house, she would smile. She would go to him, she would laugh with him, she would nap with him. Oh how I miss him for her.



I miss him for my Granny. She is a very, very strong woman. She never left his side, she never stopped worrying, and she never stopped caring. To this day, as hard as it is, she is still strong. She is strong for her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is strong her herself. I love you, Granny.

I miss him for all of us.

Dear Grandpa,
We miss you oh so much. We are staying strong, listening to God's word, and waiting for the day when we will be together again.
Love, Goober

Olivia's Christmas Wishes

For me to remember and to share with family members...

**Updated**

- Kitchen (Which I believe Olivia is receiving from her Great-Grandmother) I found the kitchen today at Aldi! Thirty bucks = STEAL!!

- Things to go WITH her kitchen.

- Child sized broom and dust pan

- Play vacuum

- Keyboard, just an old keyboard that she can tap away at instead of using Mommy's! Thanks Uncle Rex!

- Cozy Coupe Car

Will add to as I think.... :)

Not Me Monday - Goooood stuff!!!

Oh these should be good!


I would never let my child eat so many suckers on Halloween that particles of... who knows what... stick to her face. Nope, never.My child would never lick Clifford.

This Mommy would not lure her child closer to the camera with a Tootsie Roll. Nope.
I would never allow my child to hit me in the head with a Glow Stick... laugh... think it was funny, AND allow someone to take a picture of it!Of course my daaaaahhhhling daughter would not feed my niece a french fry. Wait, maybe she would. But I know I would never allow her to do it!
I would not allow my daughter to lick 3 tubs of butter at the Mexican restaurant just to keep her quiet.And I most certainly would not take a picture of her face afterwards because it was just so cute!
Aaaaaannnddddd.... my sister and I would never allow my father to feed my niece GUACAMOLE on her pacifier!! My daughter would never force a fake smile because I said "Olivia, show me your smile!"

Others:
I would not keep my child up way past her bedtime just so that she would sleep a bit later in the morning.
I would never take my child to Target, in her pajamas, at 8:30pm just so that I can buy her the black glitter shoes.
I would never use my deceased Grandma's Handicap Tag so that I can park closer to the entrances.

Whew, I feel much better! There were more from the weekend, but that is all that I can remember!

Aww... my first award! :)

Thank you Jade for giving me my first award! Now watch out, Kanye may show up!!

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link to their blog.

2. Share 10 honest things about yourself.

3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in design or content.

4. Tell those 7 people they have been awarded.

First, 10 honest things about myself.

1. I despise crust on bread. I will pick it all off or eat around it.

2. I am controlling. I guess that is a little bit of why I became a teacher. I knew I would be in control and could get the job done.

3. Sometimes I KNOW my house is disgusting and I really just don't care. There are spider webs, there are dead bugs in the corners... I know, gross, but doesn't really bother me.

4. I am SO ready to get divorced it is not even funny.

5. I text and drive way way way tooooo much. I scare myself sometimes. I need a handsfree texting device.

6. I am guilt of allowing Olivia to watch Barney in the car way too often. If I make sure the TV is flipped up before she gets in the car, I can easily distract her. But if the TV is already down, forget it.... Barney it is!

7. I want to lose weight, I really do. But, I don't have the ambition to do it. I love to eat. I love to eat sweets. And then I get on the scale the next morning and really hate sweets.

8. I often think horrible thoughts of Olivia dying. I watch the news and wonder HOW people kill their own children. I think of parents who drown their kids, parents who leave their kids in the car.... I get very sad and sick to my stomach to think I even have the POWER to hurt my child in such a way. I fear for her life every single day.

9. I read blogs for hours at night. I can find people's blogs and instantly 'favorite' them. Makes me feel a little like a stalker.

10. I will hit the snooze at least 6 times ever morning. That is 30 minutes of interrupted sleep that I love. I feel like I am giving myself more sleep... almost a indescribable feeling!

Now to award 7 other blogs.

Did I mention I am also stubborn? I will choose 5.

1. My sister. Andrea is my partner in crime, my jury, and my best friend. She blogs about my beautiful niece, Astoria.

2. The Quad Blog. I have been reading Suz's blog since the babies were born. I love reading about her sometimes hectic life and beautiful children. She is such a strong Mama!

3. Cheating as well.... Jade is a wonderful woman. A fellow teacher who I met on Babycenter. We were trying to conceive at the same time and unfortunately, she is still trying. Her destiny is taking a bit longer than wanted/expected, but nonetheless WILL happen!

4. I just found this blog about two weeks ago, and I'm not even sure she knows I read her blog. See, feel like a stalker! But she is a young teenage, single Mother raising one cuuuute boy and doing a great job! Like I said, I don't know her from Adam, but she is fun to read and I relate just a bit.

5. And, another blog I found through a blog. This blog has touched me more than ever. This Mom is so super strong. She has three beautiful children, has an Angel baby, has #5 baby on the way, AND her husband is MIA (as she puts it). Wow... just awesome to read!

WHEW!!! Thanks Jade! :)

Wordless Wednesday... a bit early...

Tonight Olivia had her first Trick or Treating experience! We went to the Oklahoma City Haunt the Zoo. They set the zoo up for trick or treaters and passed out yummy treats. Not so good for the Mommy trying to lose weight and the child who can't eat it all yet. :)
In attendance was of course me, Olivia, Nana, Cindy, TJ, and Doug. We love doing things with the Yarnells and couldn't ask for better friends.
Olivia LOVED seeing all the costumes. Nothing seem to bother her and even beat up on a 'Dinosaur'. TJ, on the other hand, had to be bribed with food to stay in the stroller. He wasn't too fond!
Can you tell Olivia had her bangs cut? She can actually see!

Its amazing to watch Olivia grow up. I have said it so many times, she is the light of my life. I love experiencing all of her firsts with her. Everything is new and so exciting and she will tell you about it. Anytime she sees something exciting to her it is an immediate 'Ooooooohhhhhh....". It is THE CUTEST thing ever.

I love her!

Not Me Monday

I do not have the Swine Flu. I do not feel like I have been run over by a bus. I do not I do not I do not. I do not sound like a Dr. Seuss book. Haha

I would never let my daughter pull as many kleenexes out of the box as she chooses just to keep her entertained. I would never use my sickness as a reason to eat like crap. Yet, an hour later, I DO NOT feel like crud because I ate like crud.

I would never turn back on the dryer to iron out wrinkles instead of actually ironing.

And of COURSE, I am not secretly enjoying my days off.... even though I do feel like crud! :)

My little dancer and singer...

Makes me giggle everytime!

These Boots Were Made For Walkin'...

So this is the view that caught my eye last night. I couldn't go on without taking a picture. So many thoughts flooded me at once.

The little girl that wears these brown fuzzy boots is my life. She fills them and my life perfectly. She fills it with happiness, calmness, and a sense of wonder all at the same time. We fit together. Just like her shoes, we are a pair. We work as a team, with one foot in front of the other everyday, all day.

This little girl makes me smile all day, everyday. She makes me stop and slow down. She makes me watch my words, my actions, and even my thoughts.

She lights up any room she is in. She provides smiles when you have tears. She provides laughter when you just want to cry. She does something completely silly when all you want is to be serious. She never does the predictable, which prepares me for my life. When is life EVER predictable?

She makes me realize that our lives together are happy times... limited times... and the most precious times of my life.

Who fills the shoes in your life?