It's all about Stage Presence

My children are a mess. Both of them. Equally. And the same and at different times. I'm proud of every new step we are taking together in life. And sometimes their excellence outshines all others excel-ers you may know. Sometimes, we just stand or lay on the stage... still, we SHINE!

Yesterday the kids had their first forum for the year. Its purpose is to show the parents what they are working on in class... It's a big deal to my kids. Michael even called me from his class to make sure I remembered (from when he told me 30 minutes earlier) that I needed to be at the school at 12:50 and sitting in the front row.

Since I have the best bosses and co-workers in the whole world, I was able to finish my work early and make it to the front row at 12:51.

Sister was first.

 That's her in the middle. Pink shirt, white sleeves. 

 Close-up...

 At one point she did actually hold up the bubble-lettered Algebra paper. I don't know how I missed the climax of her performance....

 And obviously, we don't even need practice... Just waiting for Hollywood to call. 

Then it was Little Man's turn. 

 That's him in the middle....standing behind the Alamo....in his "fur" hat because he is obviously Davy Crockett. DUH.

 Picture just before the war!

 That's the top of the "fur" hat. He was the first one to die in the battle... I'm not sure on the historical accuracy of his performance. We may have enjoyed a little artistic interpretation. He perfected death on the stage for the majority of the class performance. Excellence!

And I am just tickled pink and proud. My two little introverts made it to the stage...up there in the lights and all their glory.

After each "performance", they came to the first row and sat by me/on me. 

And that's why I will be at every practice and performance..because in the end, don't we all just want to sit down by our momma?

Joyfully full today!

Tiff

Two years..but I'm not counting

Tomorrow is October 12. This date will forever represent the day that it all changed. And if I said "good change" you would either think I was callous or normal.... Depending on if you have "that" date in your family or not. My daughter doesn't recognize the man in the picture....that's a tough thing to face. His face will forever make me smile.




This is a picture of my dad in 2008. Before my family started remembering dates that change our lives. And October 12, 2011 he went to heaven. I like to say his impatience and curiosity finally caught up with him and he won the ultimate race.

You can read more about it here...

http://www.mykidsmakemesmile.blogspot.com/2009/02/recoverybasketballtvtrains-see-last.html

(I don't know how to do fancy links on this app..sorry)

We were and are again, that nauseating beaver cleaver family that really loves each other. We had a hard couple of years but God has been so faithful and has held on to my family so tightly. Our first date was January 31, 2009. I won't rehash the details. I've blogged about it. So did my sister (www.heleekalesmom.blogspot.com). We've blogged and talked and cried and paid a lot of money to a shrink and we've survived.

And if my dad's death accomplished anything, it was bring us all back to the Savior's feet. Humble. Mourning. Angry. And in need of a little help.

In the beginning, I didn't think I would ever stop counting the days. Then keeping up with the weeks. Or months. But we finally made it to counting the years. I call this healing. We miss him. We will see him again.

My family was so supported by friends and family right after daddy left us. We received so many flowers and plants. And two years later, look what I haven't killed...



















The last four were all in the same pot. And I just about killed them. Last year I decided to repot them. And really had to pray about the fact that they could possibly fade away. I struggled with what that would mean. (And if it would make me cry....ugh).

As you can see, they are alive and look back at the pictures, NEW GROWTH. I just noticed it today. NEW GROWTH two years later. What a wonderful surprise and reason to celebrate.

My dad still sneaks up on us. He's like a 6'6" ninja. Sneaking up when we least expect it.

Just exactly when my soul needs it. I stop. Remember. And talk about this amazing man that was lucky enough to be my dad. ;) such a lucky guy....

My mom went to see dad today. To spend time with her best friend of 35 years. And to cry (probably) for the loss we feel. I bet she laughs too because my daddy brought such great joy to everyone around him.

Tomorrow will be a hard day for my family. And next year will be a hard day for my family. We'll have hard (ninja) days in between. We'll laugh at the days ahead and have no fear. Joy will fill our cups and overflow to those around us. And HIS peace will settle on our shoulders.




And soon enough... We'll see Toot-Toot again.

I bet he'll have lots of good jokes to tell us.

Joyfully full of it,

Tiff

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged; The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

Joy and Stuff

I found these pictures on the iPad. Sister and I spend a lot of time sitting at the baseball field. So, what are we supposed to do... Sit there and cheer??















I love this girl so much.

This morning's conversation:

K: momma do I have to go to Target. (Off site "gifted" class)
Me: yes, I thought you liked it.
K: I do but we made jello in class yesterday.
Me: o...k...
K: and we get to eat it today at school but I won't get to eat jello because ill be at target and I wanted to eat some jello.
Me: I'm sorry. (Because I'm at a loss for words.... I didn't know jello was so important to my daughter...do I even know her at all)
K: maybe they'll save me some and I can eat it at the end of the day.
Me: oh, I bet warm jello at the end of the day would be really good.

Note: I don't know what I'm going to do when she starts picking up on my sarcasm. It really will change our relationship...

I hope you have a day full of jello!!

Joyfully full of it,

Tiff

Love Notes

In an effort to solve our family problems.........

Nope, that's not right. In my attempt to help my sweet children as the painfully grow into little people, I've started journaling with them. They each have a spiral notebook we are using to write notes back and forth to each other.




You write your love note and leave it on the (unmade) bed.




This is Michael's. I've written that I love him and he is a prince. He wrote back to stop writing in cursive. (Very deep stuff going on here)

But I have noticed a small improvement in his behavior. Small, teeny, tiny improvements.



I also have a journal with Katelynn. I'm an equal opportunity parent..super fair and balanced. (You can take a break from the post to laugh, it's okay.)

Sister and I write nice things. Like how lovely you looked today or acted today. (Not today....no loveliness happening today... She just threw something out her bedroom door...maybe it's my "love" note for today.)




She expresses her desire for me to practice silence and give her money. (Thoughts to cherish)

She also draws cute little pictures of a little backside and a hand spanking it. (Her work will be hanging in galleries soon! )

This also gives them the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with my mothering... In case the outward expression of the disapproval is not enough, sister left me a note regarding her desire to not attend bible study...




"I have to go to stuped bible sudy"

One day I'll write a book so that you can parent with excellence with me.

Joyfully full of so much more than I deserve...even on the hard days!
Tiff

Lemons and Love

Well, you know the saying...."when you buy a bag of lemons at Walmart, you make lemonade with the hope that you can use the time to bond with your son who is struggling." You've heard that right? ;)


So that's what we did Monday. We made lemonade. Just me and my sweet little man. His idea. We googled the recipe just like Martha Stewart would do and make sugar filled lemonade.












And it was delightful. The minutes we spent together as well as the delicious lemonade. I have missed this sweet boy and his smile. I miss having days that are tear filled and painful.

In fact, we are having a hard day today. But I'm clinging to that handsome smiling face today and pressing into him until I find a way to love him through this mess of growing up.

I'm claiming a verse my mom reminded me of that got us through a rough patch before....

Ephesians 3:17b-21
And I pray that you [Michael], being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you [Michael] may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all the generations [even this current generation], for ever and ever! Amen.

There some real power in those verses that I need to cling to when I'm deflated and beat down by the burden of parenting my beautiful children.

Joyfully full of whatever I can get....
Tiff