Mommy Daughter Day 5-29-2009

Today I declared "Mommy and Savana Day" filled with all the stuff us girls love to do. The day started off with Savana and I going to a local place call All Fired Up. It is a ceramic place where they have tons of different things to paint. Savana chose a horse and I chose a plate. It was so fun just to sit, paint, talk, and giggle.You could tell she felt so grown up and truth be told she is growing up to fast. When we finished we both were in the mood to paint more but decided to come back another day. We turned in our ceramics, Savana thanked the store clerk and we left.

After that she asked if we could go to the mall because she wanted a pink dress. When we got to the mall she fell in love with a hot pink one peice swimsuit with sparkles. It looked identical to one I had at her age and it was always my favorite.We went in shop after shop and she said "mommy none of these have earrings I want my ears pierced". Savana has had her ears pierced two times before and they grew back because she was a baby and wouldn't let me touch them. I asked three or four or fifty times are you sure? She kept saying Yes over and over. So I knew we better go now or she will never want to do this again.

So we went to the ear piercing store and I could tell she was nervous. As they were gathering the scary looking supplies she and I went and looked around at all the pretty earrings and tryed on some funny hats. Finally the moment arrived, she sat up in the chair so big. There were two ladies so they could do them both at the same time. Well they went one two... one snapped and the other didn't. Savana said Ahhh and then finally the other lady snapped. I just knew I was about to have a daughter with one earring. When she realized it was over she grinned from ear to ear. She didn't even cry, but I did. This was a big decision for her and she did it! I was so proud of her and it made me realize how big she is getting.The ladies apologized to us for not getting them at the same time but Savana just thanked them both. She stood in front of the mirror in the store for at least 20 minutes just smiling so happy and proud of herself. She called everyone and boastfully told them "I got my ears pierced!".

After we left the ear piercing store we went to Academy Sports. I had to get some new flip flops and Brayden needed a better float for the pool. She was so well behaved and well mannered. I can't get over how good she was all day. At Academy she again thanked the clerk.

Once we got home she of course showed EVERYONE her earrings and new bathing suit. It was 7:00 but I knew she really wanted to try that bathing suit out so I took her swimming. She played so well, there was a couple there that had a beach ball and they gave it to her. They left pretty quickly and Savana said "mommy that man left and I didn't get to tell him thank you for the beach ball. Maybe he will be here tommorow so I can tell him."

After an hour of swimming we came home ate a bowl of cereal and she helped me fold clothes. At bedtime we read her two favorite books, snuggled, and talked. She kept saying how much fun she had and how she LOVED those earrings.

In raising kids I have always said I want my children to be polite,self confident, and caring of others feelings. It was so awesome today to hear Savana tell everyone Thank you and yes ma'am, no ma'am. I feel self confidence is soo important especially for a girl. I think if a child has self confidence then they won't follow in the peer pressure as much as the other kid trying to fit in. A self confident child or teenager is happy in his/her own skin not in someone elses. There is a difference in self confidence and arrogance and its a fine line. That is where caring and being polite falls in place. I tell Savana all the time no matter if someone is big, small, tall, short, different looking they are beautiful.

Job 22:21-30
21 "Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.

22 Accept instruction from his mouth
and lay up his words in your heart.

23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored:
If you remove wickedness far from your tent

24 and assign your nuggets to the dust,
your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,

25 then the Almighty will be your gold,
the choicest silver for you.

26 Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty
and will lift up your face to God.

27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you,
and you will fulfill your vows.

28 What you decide on will be done,
and light will shine on your ways.

29 When men are brought low and you say, 'Lift them up!'
then he will save the downcast.

30 He will deliver even one who is not innocent,
who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands."

There are alot of kids that are into being popular because they feel it defines them. I never want my child to be popular because she was mean or put on a pedestal because of his/her looks. If my child becomes popular I want it to be because she is friendly to everyone. I don't want Savana to be self consumed and be arrogant I want her to see beauty in everyone. I see the politeness part and I see her being friendly to other children. I don't ever speak about another persons appearance because I know how that feels to be made fun of something you can't change.I'm not saying I never did do that but I don't ever now. And if you catch yourself saying something about someones appearance in front of your child you are teaching them its ok.

Savana and I had an AWESOME day and I look forward to so many more. She just kept thanking me and saying "no stinky boys around just you and me mommy". It made me realize she and I need that time. It was so refreshing. And when Brayden gets old enough he and I will have Mommy and Brayden day.

Memorial Day

There could never be enough holidays to thank all of the men and women who have fought for our rights to freedom. My prayers and thoughts are with families whose lives were lost or will be lost. Our troops are incredible men and women who are willing to lay down their lives for the sake of our Country! Thats is so amazing to me.There is not near enough support for them and yet they get up every day and put those boots on and fight.



Savana asked me what Memorial Day is, it was tough to explain to a 5 year old that many people have died just so we could have the freedom to do all the things we do. But she listened and got as much as she could out of the conversation. Today to celebrate we did the typical American thing, went to a friends house and swam, ate ribs, and enjoyed good company. The kids had a blast and I am sure they will both sleep VERY well tonight. Tommorow I am going to get Savana to draw a picture and we will mail it overseas. I really want my children to be grateful for everything they are given and Freedom is the greatest gift of all.

Life Goals

Today was an awesome day with two hilarious kids. My son Brayden whom is two has learned the song "This little light of mine". Well I should say he has learned parts of it. He has been walking around singing

"shine, shine, shine, shine"

and every once in a while you will hear a "phew" (he won't let Satan blow it out!). It is the cutest thing ever! But every time he starts singing it is a reminder to me I can't let Satan blow my light out either. Great lesson from a two year old. But I know God put those words on his lips and I am grateful for them.

I was married at the age of 18 and a mother to my daughter at the age of 19. I thought like any TEENager that I was ready for motherhood but I wasn't. I had already quit school and "intended" on going back. Every year it got tougher and tougher or maybe just more excuses came along. Six years later here I am a mother of two and no college education to count for. So I have decided I AM going back to school this year. I really want to prove to my children you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. Not only that but I hope I can be a role model for other moms that are in the same situation I am in. Because lets face it the last thing us mothers think about is ourselves. But this is the most non selfish thing a mother OR father can do.

It's going to be difficult but what isn't? I am excited and for the first time in a REALLY long time I am proud of myself. My goal is to finish with a business degree and one day open a Charity (ironic, I know). I want to be able to help other parents with getting back to school. I want the Charity to focus on single parents that don't have help such as babysitters. I want to help with providing a safe haven for the family, financial counseling, childcare, study groups/tutoring, and job interview classes, job hunting assistance. When the schooling and program is over I want to assist with purchasing their first home. It's a dream but I am a dreamer and my mind is set.

I know what it is like not to have time to study and I have a husband. I can only imagine for a single parent trying to work and go to school what it must be like. I want them to have hope they can go back to school. The financial counseling is important to me because I don't feel like alot of people are not prepared to be homeowners until they have more education about money. Being a homeowner is a big investment and to most it is just a dream. But I want it to be a reality and give people something to work hard for.

I know with enough support from my family and friends (and bloggers), I can get through school and accomplish my dream goal of my own Charity. So I am going to keep dreaming and never give up, not this time.