Last night Melissa participated in her second beauty pageant. Like last year, this was hosted by the school. While the middle school is just for bragging rights, I think the high school contest is apart of the Miss America competitions...but that's just a rumor - can't confirm that.
Last year Melissa did not make the top fifteen of the middle school - none of us were surprised. While I think she looked just as beautiful as the other girls, she was not comfortable on stage at all. She walked fast...looked very nervous. This year was totally different. She really rocked that stage! She had her walk down slow...looked very poised - very comfortable on stage and in her own skin.
And to all our disappointment, she still did not make the top fifteen! She was a little hurt, I think.I saw a few tears... I was hurt for her. A comfort, though, was that many were like us in being surprised. The school counselor and librarian both spoke to her and told her she should have been in that top list. There were at least two other girls that did extremely well, and still did not make the top fifteen. One had been in the top fifteen as a sixth grader and even the top five as a seventh grader and here in eight grade - nothing! She is obviously beautiful and in my opinion, did very well on stage. So, what were the judges looking for?
On the other hand, there were several that made the top fifteen and in my opinion, did not do well at all! Several had trouble walking because their dress had not been hemmed and so, were too long. I personally think if you can't take the time (and money) to get the dressed hemmed and have trouble walking because of it, you should NOT make the top fifteen. (Does that sound like sour grapes? I don't mean to if I do.)
I will say, the girl who won did very well - much better than she did last year. Last year she had this funky walk where she moved her shoulders...very odd. She even did it in the rehearsal Friday afternoon, but someone must have spoken to her. She had a much more normal walk last night.
I hope in this experience Melissa learns that you can't always please strangers....that's she had to believe herself that she is beautiful...take comfort and pride that she is loved by her family and friends...that she had much to offer the world - and the opinion of four strangers have no bearing on her truth.
Life is an adventure arranged by the Father with Jesus as your seat belt and the Holy Spirit as your guide.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Forgetting....
Yesterday morning I asked William what time his play rehearsal was. Apparently, the answer didn't sink in...
As we were finishing up dinner last night about 6:15 the phone ranged. William answered it - it turned out to the the teacher in charge of the play wanting to know if he was okay since he was late to practice.
ooppppsss!!
Sooo busted for being forgetful!!
So, William and I hopped into the van and away we went - I didn't even stop to put shoes on.
On one hand I think William's excited to be in the play - he does enjoy performing. But because they don't have enough "extras", almost everyone has to be in the dance scenes. He has moped some about having to dance. Which confusing Drew and I, because he danced so well when we were at the family reunion at Thanksgiving.
He claims its different. I guess he knew with family he would have nothing but love, but with his friends? On stage? Yea....might be something different.
I'm looking forward to the play in March - I think he'll do great - acting and at the dancing!
As we were finishing up dinner last night about 6:15 the phone ranged. William answered it - it turned out to the the teacher in charge of the play wanting to know if he was okay since he was late to practice.
ooppppsss!!
Sooo busted for being forgetful!!
So, William and I hopped into the van and away we went - I didn't even stop to put shoes on.
On one hand I think William's excited to be in the play - he does enjoy performing. But because they don't have enough "extras", almost everyone has to be in the dance scenes. He has moped some about having to dance. Which confusing Drew and I, because he danced so well when we were at the family reunion at Thanksgiving.
He claims its different. I guess he knew with family he would have nothing but love, but with his friends? On stage? Yea....might be something different.
I'm looking forward to the play in March - I think he'll do great - acting and at the dancing!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Life's Update
I'm such a bad blogger...but this is for Sonny!
Soccer is over. William's team made it to the first round of the playoffs, but lost 6-0. The game was about three hours away, but Drew and I didn't go. I was working that day and frankly, didn't think he would play, so why drive that far?? Well....he ended up not only starting, but played most of the game he said. Apparently, the coaches changed how they played.
Since they lost so bad, I'm thinking that was a bad decision! Good news is - soccer is over! At least for now. We did not sign up for the local rec team like the coach wanted the players to. William is in the high school play and thought that would keep him busy enough.
Good choice on his part, I thought.
Melissa is participating in the school's beauty pageant again. After buying a dress last year, I told her she could wear that dress or buy another one with her money. So, she bought another one! She got a really good deal. A few weeks ago there was a fun raiser where people donated formal dresses and each one was sold for $25. She got a nice red one. A friend of mine hemmed it and added some sparkly-things to it. We pick it up today - she texted me a photo - it's beautiful! Now we just got to figure out how to do her hair....
Benjamin in the last few weeks has been tested for the talented music program the other two are in at the school. We found out yesterday that he was accepted. He's thrilled! Drew and I had already decided that if he did not make it in, then he would not be returning to the private teacher we have used. He really didn't click with her...and neither did I. She was nice enough, but I didn't like her policies concerning make-up lessons - or the lack of. She didn't want you to come if you were sick, but didn't really want to make-up lessons either, so that meant I was out $25. No matter now. There's a lot of paperwork involved, so it'll be awhile before Ben starts lessons at school, but that's okay. He's still practicing.
Melissa is babysitting a lot! Some weeks four days a week! This week she's working two days, but has art today, the dentist on Thursday, and pageant rehearsal Friday makes for a busy, busy week. She's not happy about that dentist appointment... We were told back in October by the ortho doc that she needs some teeth pulled. At the time we were thinking of doing it over the Holidays, so she wouldn't miss school. But we were in the mist of changing dentist and it just didn't happen. When we did see the new dentist in early January, he agreed that teeth needed to go! So one was pulled. After talking to the ortho doc, they decided that two more teeth needed to be pulled.
Yea....she wasn't too happy about that. When she went back for the first one, I told the dentist that she was very apprehensive about this tooth being pulled. They thought I was just being an over-reactive mom .
Not so much!
For these next two, she'll get the laughing gas - maybe something else....we'll see. I'm not surprised! This is the child that had to be held down to get a flu shot at 13. She only sat still at 14 for her flu shot because William had my camera and was filming it so he could put the show on facebook.
Public humiliation was enough to get her to sit still.
The other big news here is Andrew has the shingles. Yea - he's not a happy camper. The sores are on his head and face - a few close to his right eye. He's at the doctor now getting his eye checked.
I finally said something to the front office at the middle about not subbing a lot - so, supposedly they will move me up the list. I did get to work a half day last Tuesday, all day Friday, and all day yesterday. . I would like to work a few days a week -not just a few days a month. We'll see if I get more days.
That catches you up, Sonny!
Soccer is over. William's team made it to the first round of the playoffs, but lost 6-0. The game was about three hours away, but Drew and I didn't go. I was working that day and frankly, didn't think he would play, so why drive that far?? Well....he ended up not only starting, but played most of the game he said. Apparently, the coaches changed how they played.
Since they lost so bad, I'm thinking that was a bad decision! Good news is - soccer is over! At least for now. We did not sign up for the local rec team like the coach wanted the players to. William is in the high school play and thought that would keep him busy enough.
Good choice on his part, I thought.
Melissa is participating in the school's beauty pageant again. After buying a dress last year, I told her she could wear that dress or buy another one with her money. So, she bought another one! She got a really good deal. A few weeks ago there was a fun raiser where people donated formal dresses and each one was sold for $25. She got a nice red one. A friend of mine hemmed it and added some sparkly-things to it. We pick it up today - she texted me a photo - it's beautiful! Now we just got to figure out how to do her hair....
Benjamin in the last few weeks has been tested for the talented music program the other two are in at the school. We found out yesterday that he was accepted. He's thrilled! Drew and I had already decided that if he did not make it in, then he would not be returning to the private teacher we have used. He really didn't click with her...and neither did I. She was nice enough, but I didn't like her policies concerning make-up lessons - or the lack of. She didn't want you to come if you were sick, but didn't really want to make-up lessons either, so that meant I was out $25. No matter now. There's a lot of paperwork involved, so it'll be awhile before Ben starts lessons at school, but that's okay. He's still practicing.
Melissa is babysitting a lot! Some weeks four days a week! This week she's working two days, but has art today, the dentist on Thursday, and pageant rehearsal Friday makes for a busy, busy week. She's not happy about that dentist appointment... We were told back in October by the ortho doc that she needs some teeth pulled. At the time we were thinking of doing it over the Holidays, so she wouldn't miss school. But we were in the mist of changing dentist and it just didn't happen. When we did see the new dentist in early January, he agreed that teeth needed to go! So one was pulled. After talking to the ortho doc, they decided that two more teeth needed to be pulled.
Yea....she wasn't too happy about that. When she went back for the first one, I told the dentist that she was very apprehensive about this tooth being pulled. They thought I was just being an over-reactive mom .
Not so much!
For these next two, she'll get the laughing gas - maybe something else....we'll see. I'm not surprised! This is the child that had to be held down to get a flu shot at 13. She only sat still at 14 for her flu shot because William had my camera and was filming it so he could put the show on facebook.
Public humiliation was enough to get her to sit still.
The other big news here is Andrew has the shingles. Yea - he's not a happy camper. The sores are on his head and face - a few close to his right eye. He's at the doctor now getting his eye checked.
I finally said something to the front office at the middle about not subbing a lot - so, supposedly they will move me up the list. I did get to work a half day last Tuesday, all day Friday, and all day yesterday. . I would like to work a few days a week -not just a few days a month. We'll see if I get more days.
That catches you up, Sonny!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
New School Year
Last week we started our new semester here. I really like the fact the students here take final exams before the Christmas break. Melissa and Benjamin keep the same classes, but William has four new classes.
This semester he has Probability and Statistics, US History, a computer class, and JR-ROTC. He came home the first day saying his new classes would be fun. I said, "Good - all easy A's then!" He replied, "I said fun - not easy!"
Well, alrighty then.
But so far he's doing well.
Soccer is still going on. We have four more games before play-offs. I think we'll make it into play-offs. I'm guessing we'll come in second in district - again. Tonight we play the first place team, and if we win tthen we'll win district. Which would be exciting! But let's be real. I don't think we have beaten this school in the whole five years of the program. I really don't see a change tonight. It's at their home field which is astro-turf. Our boys are use to playing on grass. That ball is going to be flying across the field! Also, they are much bigger and faster than we are. But neither-the-less, I'll be sitting in the very cold temperatures cheering my boys on!
Speaking of cold....I'm done with winter. We've only had a few days of cold, cold temperatures and this week was the first week of nasty sleet/icy weather, but yea. I'm done. I like fall and spring temperatures so much more.
This semester he has Probability and Statistics, US History, a computer class, and JR-ROTC. He came home the first day saying his new classes would be fun. I said, "Good - all easy A's then!" He replied, "I said fun - not easy!"
Well, alrighty then.
But so far he's doing well.
Soccer is still going on. We have four more games before play-offs. I think we'll make it into play-offs. I'm guessing we'll come in second in district - again. Tonight we play the first place team, and if we win tthen we'll win district. Which would be exciting! But let's be real. I don't think we have beaten this school in the whole five years of the program. I really don't see a change tonight. It's at their home field which is astro-turf. Our boys are use to playing on grass. That ball is going to be flying across the field! Also, they are much bigger and faster than we are. But neither-the-less, I'll be sitting in the very cold temperatures cheering my boys on!
Speaking of cold....I'm done with winter. We've only had a few days of cold, cold temperatures and this week was the first week of nasty sleet/icy weather, but yea. I'm done. I like fall and spring temperatures so much more.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
My Prickly Pear
It's been a few months, but my Prickly Pear is back. I first heard that term a few years ago when a friend described her mother-in-law that way. I immediately loved the name. Not for my mother-in-law (whom is wonderful!), but for my daughter.
I love that child, but. Oh, my. What prickliness can she display!
She asked me once why I called her that. I said, "Well, a pear because you can sweet at times and prickly for when you are not."
Her response? "I. AM. NOT!!!"
Yea....she just proved my point.
Anyway, it's been awhile since she has shown any of her prickliness....until this afternoon. Granted, I was not too surprised. I sort of saw it coming.
Sunday I allowed her to spend the night at a friend's house. It was the a try by the girls (four all together) to enjoy the last of Christmas vacation as they didn't have to go to school until today (Tuesday). I knew they would stay up late and get very little sleep, but I hated to say no - these girls are great together and I hated for Melissa to be the only one not going. But I, also, know that we usually pay for her lack of sleep not so much the next day, but the second day. That would be today.
And yea....the lack of sleep was apparent!
Also, Melissa didn't feel well due to having a tooth pulled yesterday. By the time she arrived home from school, the pain meds had worn off. She came into the house very, very grumpy. Complaining about how tired she was, how boring school was, and a few other things that I basically ignored.
After a few minutes I got on to both her and Benjamin about the on-going issue we have of the state of their bathroom.
That was probably my mistake. I should have waited until later in the evening, but I was afraid I would forget. Miss Prickly Pear appeared full of tears and a loud voice.
Thankfully, I was able to leave and go get William (he had a soccer meeting after school).
By the time I returned home, she was at her babysitting job and by the time she returned home from that, she was in a much better mood.
Well.....until I told her I talked to the dentist who talked to the orthodontist and they think she needs two more teeth pulled.....
I better stock up on the pain meds.....
I love that child, but. Oh, my. What prickliness can she display!
She asked me once why I called her that. I said, "Well, a pear because you can sweet at times and prickly for when you are not."
Her response? "I. AM. NOT!!!"
Yea....she just proved my point.
Anyway, it's been awhile since she has shown any of her prickliness....until this afternoon. Granted, I was not too surprised. I sort of saw it coming.
Sunday I allowed her to spend the night at a friend's house. It was the a try by the girls (four all together) to enjoy the last of Christmas vacation as they didn't have to go to school until today (Tuesday). I knew they would stay up late and get very little sleep, but I hated to say no - these girls are great together and I hated for Melissa to be the only one not going. But I, also, know that we usually pay for her lack of sleep not so much the next day, but the second day. That would be today.
And yea....the lack of sleep was apparent!
Also, Melissa didn't feel well due to having a tooth pulled yesterday. By the time she arrived home from school, the pain meds had worn off. She came into the house very, very grumpy. Complaining about how tired she was, how boring school was, and a few other things that I basically ignored.
After a few minutes I got on to both her and Benjamin about the on-going issue we have of the state of their bathroom.
That was probably my mistake. I should have waited until later in the evening, but I was afraid I would forget. Miss Prickly Pear appeared full of tears and a loud voice.
Thankfully, I was able to leave and go get William (he had a soccer meeting after school).
By the time I returned home, she was at her babysitting job and by the time she returned home from that, she was in a much better mood.
Well.....until I told her I talked to the dentist who talked to the orthodontist and they think she needs two more teeth pulled.....
I better stock up on the pain meds.....
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Yea...Sassy
Last weekend while I was working an election, the town we live in held a Christmas festival and parade. Our church's children's minister hosted a table for the church as an outreach and a parade float for the kids to ride on to throw out candy.
After all the festivities were over, the children's minister came to the church (where its also a polling location) to put away some supplies. She stopped by election table for a few minutes. She said, "Oh, Kelley, I have something to tell you..."
ME: Stop right there! Any time anyone starts a conversation like that, they are going to tell me a story about one of my kids!
Stacy: Yea.... Benjamin.... So. As we were starting the parade, I told the kids to stay on the float - do NOT get off for ANY reason! Then he piped up in the back, "What happens if any of these hay bales catches on fire?" I said no! Stay on the float! Even the driver told the kids "If we catch on fire, you better hang on, because, I'll drive so fast to put our the fire!"
Me: I am so sorry! He can be sassy!
Her: No, he wasn't being sassy - he was just concerned. He wanted to know exactly what to do. He was serious.
Me: hmmmm, really? ok...
The next morning I cornered Benjamin at breakfast...
Me: So, Benjamin....I heard you were a little concerned about a fire on the float??
Ben: Yea....Well, Miss Stacy said don't get off the float for any reason...
Me: Were you being serious or sassy?
Ben: Yea...sassy.
So, later I saw Stacy.
Me: Stacy, I have some sad news for you.
Stacy: Really? What's wrong?
Me: Sorry to say, my youngest child has you snowed. He was being sassy yesterday.
Stacy: REALLY?? You know, I was feeling bad because, I was a little sassy back to him. BUT NO MORE! I'm not feeling bad now! I have his number!
Oh, that child of mine......he is a character!
After all the festivities were over, the children's minister came to the church (where its also a polling location) to put away some supplies. She stopped by election table for a few minutes. She said, "Oh, Kelley, I have something to tell you..."
ME: Stop right there! Any time anyone starts a conversation like that, they are going to tell me a story about one of my kids!
Stacy: Yea.... Benjamin.... So. As we were starting the parade, I told the kids to stay on the float - do NOT get off for ANY reason! Then he piped up in the back, "What happens if any of these hay bales catches on fire?" I said no! Stay on the float! Even the driver told the kids "If we catch on fire, you better hang on, because, I'll drive so fast to put our the fire!"
Me: I am so sorry! He can be sassy!
Her: No, he wasn't being sassy - he was just concerned. He wanted to know exactly what to do. He was serious.
Me: hmmmm, really? ok...
The next morning I cornered Benjamin at breakfast...
Me: So, Benjamin....I heard you were a little concerned about a fire on the float??
Ben: Yea....Well, Miss Stacy said don't get off the float for any reason...
Me: Were you being serious or sassy?
Ben: Yea...sassy.
So, later I saw Stacy.
Me: Stacy, I have some sad news for you.
Stacy: Really? What's wrong?
Me: Sorry to say, my youngest child has you snowed. He was being sassy yesterday.
Stacy: REALLY?? You know, I was feeling bad because, I was a little sassy back to him. BUT NO MORE! I'm not feeling bad now! I have his number!
Oh, that child of mine......he is a character!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
This Week...Soccer, of course
Last night was another soccer game for William - and he scored a goal! Actually, he scored three, but only one counted. The school we played we have beat every time we've played, so we were not surprised that we won again. This is a smaller school - I don't think they have a JV as there were several players smaller than William. He plays again tomorrow night. At least we don't have any games this weekend - last weekend was a tournament - which means we're at the field most of the weekend. They played great - amazing! - on Friday night. Won one game and almost won the 2nd. But they came in Saturday tired. Or something. Saturday they played horrible - not real energy. So, we lost. William did play in one JV game and scored the only goal for our team. I really didn't want him to stay and play that game, but he wanted to get some play time in since he did not play in the Saturday varsity game. Good thing we stayed! He - along with the rest of the team - were very glad we at least got on the board. The game ended in a tie - the other team went on to the finals as they scored more goals in earlier games.
We are getting ready for Christmas. I'm just about done with my shopping....just a few minor things to get.... I do have some gifts that I want to make....but that's for next week's to-do list.
Melissa is doing lots of baby-sitting. I was quite proud of her yesterday - she put a good portion of what she made in the bank. She is not one to save - she is one to spend! But gets a little upset when the boys have more money in the bank..... She's learning.
I haven't subbed last week or this week....I think I'll drop by the school tomorrow to see if I can pick up some days....
I tried to work on a quilting project today, but my machine gave me some trouble. I just wasn't in the mood for it, so I packed it all back up. Another day I'll argue with it and fix it. And rip out what was sewn today as the thread was looping on the under side.
We are getting ready for Christmas. I'm just about done with my shopping....just a few minor things to get.... I do have some gifts that I want to make....but that's for next week's to-do list.
Melissa is doing lots of baby-sitting. I was quite proud of her yesterday - she put a good portion of what she made in the bank. She is not one to save - she is one to spend! But gets a little upset when the boys have more money in the bank..... She's learning.
I haven't subbed last week or this week....I think I'll drop by the school tomorrow to see if I can pick up some days....
I tried to work on a quilting project today, but my machine gave me some trouble. I just wasn't in the mood for it, so I packed it all back up. Another day I'll argue with it and fix it. And rip out what was sewn today as the thread was looping on the under side.
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