Still My Baby Girl

She's eleven now. Preteen. Growing like a weed. Most likely hormonal. Fights with her sister -- constantly. Doesn't need help with schoolwork. Wants to accomplish everything by herself.  But tonight she was my little girl again.  It's probably due to the fact that Jeff is out of the country, but I don't care.  

As Abigail was getting into bed she hugged me and held on longer than normal. Like she really wanted me to be there. How could I pass up the opportunity? "Do you want me to read  you a story?" I asked. "Sure," she responded. I told her I would choose the books.  Silly choices on my part, really. Two were books I had as a child:  "The Big Golden Book of Counting" (probably on a toddler level) and "Little Black Sambo," still a favorite. The other was "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T.S. Eliot.   I told her all the things I remembered that I loved about them as a child. We laughed as I read them in the voices my mother read them to me in.  ("Oh! Please Mr. Tiger, don't eat me up!")  I read about a couple of Eliot's cats and we had a hard time not singing them with the music from "CATS."  

A wonderful moment for me brought to us by Spring Break -- a great time to slow down, spend time with family, and stay up late reading silly books.  How often we just wish our kids would GO TO BED because we are tired and have so much to do before we can get in bed ourselves.   Thankfully, we have all week to stay up late, reading...and Abigail has already picked out our book for tomorrow night.

That's All, Folks

Abigail reached a milestone this week. After 2 1/2 years, once a week, she has completed her allergy shots. This probably doesn't seem like a great topic to blog about, but it's huge to us. Time-wise we gain back an hour every Wednesday. Always a good day to have more time on. Money-wise we gain back $64.80 per month, and some monstrous amount for extract once every quarter. I'm not sure if I'm more excited about the money or the time.  

Trish, the wonderful shot giver.

Abigail celebrated by bringing 

her some homemade cookes.

This picture is out of order, 

but I couldn't move it for some reason.

Abigail sitting in the waiting room 

with an ice pack for 15 minutes after

getting her injection.

THE FINAL INJECTION

YEA!!!!!

Can you tell Abigail was thrilled for me to be

documenting this momentous occasion?

(Oh well, it will give my kids something to talk about when they're older.  Remember how crazy mom was when we were younger? Photographing everything?)

The empty bottle...a beautiful sight

The best part of this day was realizing how much Abigail's health has improved. I know she doesn't get sick near as often, and her eczema is all but gone. A huge thank you to Dr. Lanier and his staff for taking care of my baby.

They Really Do Know Me

A recent survey on Facebook was just too fun to pass up. Ask your children these questions about you. I asked them separately so they couldn't compare answers. It shouldn't have surprised me that my kids know me so well.  They were mostly correct, although I have to admit the "Miss Piggy" reference has me seriously thinking about resuming my diet.

1. What is something Mom always says to you?
Katherine (16): "Oh, dear..."
Rebecca(13): "Love ya, doll!"
Abigail(11): "Have you fed the animals?"

2. What makes Mom happy?
Katherine: When I make her laugh.
Rebecca: Flowers
Abigail: Hugs

3. What makes Mom sad?
Katherine: When I don't empty the dishwasher.
Rebecca: When we fight
Abigail: When we don't obey

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
K: Making funny faces behind dad's back
R: When she watches us play sports
A: When she says funny stuff

5. What was your mom like as a child?
K: I don't know. I wasn't there.
R: How am I supposed to know?
A: How am I supposed to know? I wasn't alive then.

6. How old is your mom?
K: 26
R: 29
A: 43

7. How tall is your mom?
K: shorter than me
R: 5'4"
A: 5'4"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
K: Scrapbook
R: Scrapbook
A: Scrapbook

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
K: Reads books and does laundry
R: Cleans house
A: Drives people places

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
K: Super mega awesome scrapbooking skills
R: Cakes
A: Professional scrapbooking

11. What is your mom really good at?
K: Playing the piano
R: Cooking
A: Scrapbooking and making me feel better when I don't feel good

12. What is your mom not very good at?
K: Making herself clean house
R: Sports
A: Sports

13. What does your mom do for a job?
K: Take care of me
R: Professional mother
A: She's a mom and a chauffeur.

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
K: Cheeseburgers
R: Carrot Cake
A: Chocolate

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
K: She gets up early on Sundays to play piano for church.
R: She's gorgeous!
A: She directs children's choir musicals.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
K: Miss PIggy
R: Wilma from the Flintstones
A: Tweety Bird

17. What do you and your mom do together?
K: Read books and watch JAG
R: Have nice talks
A: Drive around

18. How are you and your mom the same?
K: We like to read.
R: We are both intelligent.
A: We both like reading.

19. How are you and your mom different?
K: She can't draw and I can.
R: I'm athletic and she's not.
A: I like dogs and she doesn't.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
K: She acts like it and gives me hugs in the morning.
R: She tells me.
A: She tells me.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
K: His dashing good looks
R: His eyes
A: Everything.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
K: Upstairs to her scrapbook room
R: Kohl's
A: Home or the beach

Basketball Banquet

On Tuesday night we attended the GPA Girls' Basketball Banquet at Fellowship of the Metroplex in Arlington. (Have you noticed we go to lots of banquets?) Abigail took this fun picture at her table.  

Two beautiful sisters

No, they did not plan to dress alike.

Are you kidding?

Erinn and Katherine, basketball buddies

Black and white seemed to be a theme for dresses.

8th Grade Basketball Team

Coach Kelly Wilkerson giving Rebecca 

"The Lion Award" for

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Rebecca was completely shocked to receive this award, 

which made it all the more fun.

She really had no idea how valuable she was to the team. 

Way to go, Bec!

 

Katherine received many nice comments from her two coaches.

Coach Zack Edwards, JV Coach, gave her the Newcomer Award.

Coach Julie White, Varsity Coach, gave her the Determination Award.

Junior Varsity Team

First, Second, Third and Fourth

What a day for Katherine Holmes - Artist Extraordinaire!  She went to Liberty Christian in Argyle to participate in the TAPPS District Art Competition for Grace Prep. While at the school she spent her time drawing a still life in the on-site drawing contest. We found out this afternoon that she won FIRST PLACE! I don't have a copy of that picture yet.

She also had three other entries submitted. Each of those pictures placed, as well.

Third Place - Oil

(Take that, rodeo judges)

Second Place - Ink

Fourth Place - Acrylic

These pictures will all be sent to the state contest in April. Katherine will also compete in the on-site drawing contest at state. Way to go, Katherine!

Happy Birthday to Me

I have determined that no matter how much I might wish to stop birthdays from coming, they are inevitable. Since that is the case,  you might as well enjoy them, right? Last Wednesday I celebrated the 14th anniversary of my 29th birthday. (Hey, if my grandma can claim 29 years all her life, so can I!)  I received many wonderful gifts, cards, tons of Facebook well wishes, and truly had a blessed day. I am thankful for all of you who made my day so special.  To see the story of my delicious cake, go to Barb's Wire.

Gorgeous flowers from Jeff

Wearing my beautiful shirt from my friend, Teri Hall

Lunch at Red, Hot & Blue with Barb and Abigail

Thanks again, friends and family, for a great day.

It's Your Duty

The sixth graders at Grace Prep are assigned to flag duty a couple times per semester. Working with a partner, they raise and lower the American and Texas flags on two school days. They are taught how to attach them, and the proper way to fold a flag.  Abigail makes me laugh because she says kids in her class put the Texas flag on the wrong way most of the time. (Is it white or red on top?)  She'll get in the car in the afternoon and say, "Well, the Texas flag was wrong again!"  Great job, Abigail. I know the Texas flag was correct at least two days this semester.

Katherine Takes the Field

In her ongoing quest to become a super athlete in her Junior year, Katherine ran onto the field tonight as part of the Lady Lions softball team.  It was fun watching her play for the first time. Here are a few photos of this afternoon's game.

Seen Around Town

A sign seen in a local restaurant:

"All unattended children will be given 

three shots of espresso and a free puppy."

I like that.

It Is Gone, Yet I Cannot Be Sad

A major portion of my life ended today, yet I find myself secretly, quietly, in my innermost being......REJOICING!!!  Yes, our 2008-2009 basketball season ended today in Midland, Texas.  We received the phone call from Katherine who announced that her Junior year basketball season was finished.  Thankfully, she was there, and well, we were here, so I was able to do a little happy dance without her seeing me.  Yippee!!!! Yahoo!!! (dancing about madly) Is this excessive celebration??!!?? (skipping through the house)  OH YEAH, BABY!!!  (Picture the old dude from the Six Flags commercials here. Hear the song?)  

Rebecca's final game was on Thursday. Sadly, she was sick with the flu and missed playing. And, I'm pretty sure Abigail might have a couple games left on Saturdays, but hey, that's only a couple hours. There are no more "7-games-a-week" weeks left. Well, not until next year anyway. And, I can think about that tomorrow, or much, much later.

So, now we're on to other sports...Katherine will be playing softball. And, I believe Rebecca is done for the year. Wait a minute, what do you mean you want to run track, Rebecca? Now? This year? In 8th grade? Are you sure??? Oh noooooooo........