Karma in Parenting

In school I was considered the mean girl. Since I graduated high school and have made friends with former classmates I have heard time and time again "I really hated you in school." "Yep. That was me. The hated girl. Thank the Heaven that people can change and that I changed.

What I am not ready for is my karma. The karma of where me being the mean girl is now going to bite me where the sun does not shine and my girl is going to be the one being bullied. Charli Beth seems to be the girl that makes all kinda of friends. Which is wonderful. I love that she can make friends and pick up a new one in a heart beat. But what I do not like is the fact that her little heart is already being scorned by others. We all know that kids can be mean. Heck, girls are the worse. But does it have to start this young?

Last year in Kindergarten Curtis picked Charli up from school and she was crying her eyes out. She was put in time out after telling her friend that she was a "bad girl" when the little girl called her a dirty name. Why did she call her a bad girl? Because Daddy and I had tried convincing Charli that the little girl mentioned was not the type of friend that she needed. We did tell her that she was a bad girl and needed to find friends that would be nice to her too. Parent fail. This taught us all a lesson. But I still am not prepared for the days of bullying and mean girl fights that are ahead. Of course I am a pro at being mean back but I do not want Charli being the way that I was. I want her to always be able to hold her head high and to mend her heart with courage that new friend come along.

I do cross my fingers that this isn't starting this young. That these stories are made out to be a little more worse than they were. Girls are pros at that as well. Especially Charli since she is the girl that apologizes to me when she is feeling a little "emotional" on some days.

So far it seems that Charli Beth is doing a great job at this. I am so proud of her outgoing ways to not let it effect her entire day. But I am still not prepared to hear the stories or see the notes she writes about her day.

Gatlinburg Weekend Trip

This weekend the hubby and I left both little ones with his Mom and headed to Gatlinburg, TN with our friends. I stressed and worried about the day and how we would all get through it. Even though I knew in my heart that all would be well. I'm just a worrier though. It is second nature to me.

Before I left I made a goodie bag for them both. My Mommy guilt sometimes overwhelms me if I am going "somewhere fun" without the kids. I know it is silly but you will only understand once you are a Mom.

The trip was so relaxing and something that we all needed. Even though I thought I would sleep a ton. I was up constantly, I suppose it is habit now. We spent a ton of time shopping and even more time eating. out.

Our cabin was very pretty and way high in the mountain between Piegon Forge and Gatliburg. The only bad thing was the slope of a driveway that went to it. Sadly, we almost flipped our new sequoia on Saturday when pulling in to the 3-4 inches of snow. Four wheel drive does nothing on a solid sheet if ice.

Curtis pulled up to the top of the drive and the next thing we know we are going down. Thankfully, we stopped but only inches from the side of the 40 ft drop off. We thought a wrecker would be the only way out but by mid morning Curtis was ready to brave it again. Then finally we were out and ready to come home! I am very sure that I heard him thank The Lord above for keeping us safe.

From what I have been told the kids were great as well! Bryar was about typical for his sleep schedule. Which is what had me the most worried. Our next over night trip in March should go much easier for us all!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will be staying away from Bryar for the first time. Yes, I am a second time Mommy. But there is five years between my two and my situation is different this time. When I was single living at home with my parents I was working second and third shift every week. It was two thirds and three seconds. It was rough and incredibly not worth it. But it was what I had to do for Charli and I. So we had to spend lots of time away from one another at an early age.

Praise little baby Jesus that my situation is different this time. Although, the fact that I have been able to stay with Bryar every single day for the last 15 1/2 months (besides my time at work) means that I have one little boy who loves me so much that he screams when I walk out of the room. Yes, he is that annoying baby that cries a lot in the nursery. But he isn't the only one that as separation anxiety. His Mommy does too.

It is quite ridiculous. I am used to Charli Beth leaving and staying with grandparents on the weekends. She is a girl on the go. Practically grown up sadly, even at the early age of six. But Bryar needs me. His middle of the night hawk screams are only calmed by this lady right here and I am proud of that. I practically dance in the glory that his love for me is overwhelming at times.

What I am scared of is that on my trip he will no longer "need" me. He will not just want me to rock him and sing rock-a-bye baby, or to rock him to sleep when nothing else works. Everyone is growing up and looking to other things for comfort but him and I want to make his love last long possible. It really is the most controlling and ridiculous thing I have ever thought.

I know that my mil will probably be laughing at me when we walk in the door with all of my notes and schedules (even though we basically do not have a great schedule.) But on the other side of me I am ecstatic about having a weekend with my husband and friends. We need this and maybe so does the baby. I am crossing my fingers and toes that they will have a great weekend, will be able to rest and that my littlest love will still love me when I return.

Now If I can only make myself get into that car tomorrow morning without crying....

Snow Day Sickies

Ah, another kiddos has jumped on the germ band wagon. Sadly, it just had to be on the first snow day of the school year. I knew that Charli Beth's principal had mentioned that strep was going around the school. But I crossed my fingers that her sore throat and head ache was allergies.

That was until the girl who never naps, tried taking one. After a temperature check and call to the doctor we were on our way to get swabbed!

Strep it is....

So after a $51 antibiotic since miss pros is allergic to amoxicillin we are hopefully on the way to being germ free!

Snow Day

Yesterday afternoon Charli Beth was so excited in hopes of getting her first "snow day" of the season. Then when one of the Moms that is a teacher picked up for their son told her that she must do three things, she got super serious. Kelli told her she "must flush ice cubes down the toilet, sleep with a spoon under her pillow and wear her Jammie's inside out."

Charli acted like she did not believe her. Then around 4:30 she she got spoons out and could not stop talking about how serious it was that we all wear our clothes inside out to bed. Even though, she was the only one to abide by this, it worked :)

First snow day is in progress! So far there has been some sleeping in, lots of muffin eating, cartoons and maybe a little bit of brotherly love by hitting sissy in the head...this day is sure to be a blast or kill me one?!

Family Fun and Not So Fun

On Friday, I was kiddo free besides my two very own little loves. I had promised Charli Beth that I would join her at school for lunch, since my opportunities to do so are very limited. She was super ecstatic! Then on Friday morning, Bryar woke up with another cough, and as the morning passed it still sounded icky so I made him an appointment.

But was it bad enough to let Charli down was the question, since I had an appointment scheduled and he would not be around other kids. After sitting him up I noticed that he was able to rest better in the up right position. So I headed to town and picked up Mickey D's (eek!) and to her school.

She was so excited to see us and was even more excited to hear that I would be back to pick her up early for B's appointment. It is always so fun to see her smile and tell me all about the other kiddos. Not to mention, she was not embarrassed one bit to a lay a big ole kiss on her brother and I before she left. Score!

At Bryar's appointment we thankfully found out that he did not have croup but it could of turned into it. So another low dose oral steroid it was! After one dose he was doing much better! Before heading home we enjoyed an early dinner at Boyce Store with my Mom.

We all know that I love anything that contains small community, good food and sweet people. Boyce is practically Heaven to me. I am sure that you can tell just how well Mr. Bryar was feeling and how much he loved sharing my Boyce burger (& eating an entire grilled cheese.)

That smile...ah, it melts my heart and especially since it was directed towards Charli Beth!

Operation Cupcake Cutie

Operation Cupcake Cutie was founded in 2012 for precious 4 year old Addyson "Addy" Clark. This little cupcake cutie was diagnosed in 2012 with Multi-Nodular Pilomyxoid Astrocytomas. She has 3 inoperable brain tumors. Operation Cupcake Cutie is their way of giving back and helping out all of Addyson's  dear friends!

This year Addy's family is hosting Crafts For Cuties for other children who are facing illnesses of their own at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. During each of Addy's hospital stays, she has been encouraged to create. For the first 14 days of February please consider donating any of the following 14. These items are some of Addy's favorite supplies that she would like others to enjoy just as much as she has! In donating items or even words of encouragement you are showing your love, support and prayer for these special little ones!

-plastic beads for necklaces or bracelets
-crayola washable paint
-canvases (small or medium)
- feathers
-googly eyes
-activity trays (for use in children's laps)
-crayola glitter glue pens
-colored paper sacks
-construction papers
-self adhesive foamies
-crayola markers or crayons
-pom poms
-Elmer's school glue
-water colors

Donations can be dropped off locally at Glenbrook Chick-Fil-A in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Items or monetary donations (which will be used in the purchase of craft materials) can be mailed to:

Crafts For Cuties
P.O. Box 8128
Gallatin, TN 37066

If you would like to visit Operation Cupcake Cutie's Facebook page please click here.


Please help me along with Operation Cupcake Cutie in spreading the word for this great cause!

Easy Bake Oven Fail

Charli was dying to receive an Easy Bake Oven from Santa for Christmas. After finding one on sale, Santa purchased it along with several other items. What a mistake the jolly fella made!

I never had an Easy Bake as a child and now I can see why. They are awful! I am sure that I slammed the thing on the counter probably three or four times. But that was mainly to get the tray of cupcakes out...I think that was reason at least?!

They taste funky and  never look like the pretty little photos. I just think they are a huge waste of money. From now on my girl and I plan to use the real oven and make huge ooey gooey cupcakes that we can all enjoy!

For now, I will leave you with my most recent easy bake fail.