151/365 First Pool Time

Our first swim day of summer! We usually go the day the pool opens.  We didn't have her this weekend. So we went today after school. She had a blast. I thought the pool was still freezing. We learned that she doesn't like swimsuits that tie around the neck. So we need to get another one. We ran into some friends. It was just a great evening. My picture is part of my swimsuit.  

150/365 Memorial Day

I couldn't find my own words to express on this day.  I'm forever thankful for every solider who lost their life fighting for my freedom.  As I take time to remember their sacrifice, I'm also sending prayers to their families.  Since I couldn't come up with my own words, I'm sharing Tim McGraw's song If You're Reading This.  It always brings tears to my eyes. 


If you're reading this
My Mommas sittin there
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here
Sure wish I
Could give you one more kiss
And war was just a game we played when we were kids

I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up boots
I'm up here with God and we're both watching over you

[Chorus:]
So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed
That it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home

If you're reading this
Half way around the world
I won’t be there
To see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
Stand up for the innocent and weak

I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up boots
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes

[Chorus]

If you're reading this
There’s going to come a day
When you'll move on
And find some one else
And that's OK
Just remember this
I'm in a better place
Where soldiers live in peace
And angels sing amazing grace

[Chorus]

149/365 RIP Grandpa, who have been 79 today

My Grandpa was a great man.  He was the only Grandpa I ever had.  My dad's father died a month before I was born.  My dad's mom never remarried.  She has been with the same man since I was young but I never called him Grandpa.  I'm not sure why.  My mother's dad was my only Grandpa.  We called with Pa-Pa when we were little.  My daughter calls my mom Paw-Paw.  She's been doing it since she was a baby.  My mom loves it.  I think it makes her think of her dad.  My grandpa was a hard working man his whole life.  He gave up a basketball scholarship to UofI because he had 10 brothers and sisters that needed to be feed. He gave up his dreams of playing basketball and getting an education so he could work to help provided for the family.  That is the kind of person he was.  He loved my Grandma very much but the marriage didn't work out.  They got a divorce in the early 70s which was unheard of.  My Grandma never remarried.  My Grandpa did in the late 70s.  He married Pat who became a step-grandma to me.  She's still living but I haven't heard from her since the funeral.  (That's a long story that I'm not getting into on here.)  My mom was a teen mom.  My Grandpa could have done a lot of stuff like kick her out of the house, but he didn't.  He told her she could stay as long as she kept going to school.  My Grandpa would work midnight shift then watch my sister while my mom went to school.  My Grandpa was so proud of my mother when later she got her RN degree.  He pinned her in the nursing ceremony.  It is one of my favorite memories of both of them.  My Grandpa worked as a tractor operator at Laclede Steel Co. He had to retire due to back issues (maybe that's where I get mine).  He was very sarcastic which he passed down to his children who passed down to their children who passed down to their children.  When my daughter is being sarcastic I ask her where did you get that.  She says from you and Paw-Paw (my mom) and Paw-Paw's dad.  My Grandpa fought cancer for years.  He was fighting colon cancer when I graduated from high school.  He went into remission for awhile but it came back and spread to his lungs.  I remember him picking me up from the airport in ST Louis (I was returning from a spring break my senior year).  He told me in his morbid sense of humor that the doctor told him to get a casket.  A few months later, he wanted to come to my college graduation but couldn't because he was so sick.  My Grandpa was 6'7.  He had always been so tall and strong.  It was hard to see what the cancer was doing to him.  In September of 2003, he was in the hospital and the doctors didn't think he would make it.  I got to tell everything I ever wanted to say.  I told him he had to listen and not jump in with some joke.  I told him, "I love you more than you can ever imagine.  You have been a father to me when my father chose not to be.  You have been there every time I needed you.  I'm so thankful that I have you as my Grandpa.  I will spend my life trying to be someone you will be proud of."  He smiled and said I love you too.  We hugged.  He didn't pass away that time.  I got to see him a few more times.  I found out on December 30th, 2003 that I was pregnant.  My Grandpa passed away on January 4, 2004.  Gabrielle was born August 27, 2004.  I wish more than anything he was around to see her born.  He would have loved her and spoiled her to pieces.  He always loved babies.  I wish he would have meet my husband.  They would have bonded over WWE.  My grandpa was a huge fan and called it his male soap opera.  Every Memorial Day weekend I think of him because we would spend it all together at the lake for his birthday.  He was an incredible man who left us too soon.  I miss him more than I could ever put into words.  RIP Grandpa Lansdon!

148/365 lazy day

We had a lazy day.  Nothing exciting happened.  You need one of those days every once in awhile.   It recharges and refocuses you.  Dallas has one of those days every day, spoiled puppy. 

147/365 class picnic

Class picnic was today.  It wasn't as hot as last year nor as cold and wet as yesterday.  The children had a blast.  Gabrielle had so much fun.  I liked it better last year when every child had to pay a few dollars and we ordered pizza.  Plus there were lots of plays stations.  This year everyone had to bring their own lunch and any outside toys (chalk/bubbles/jump ropes/balls).  I told Gabrielle she didn't have to share with everyone.  She had a rough year with mean girls.  So I told her to share with the people who have been nice all year not just today because she has bubbles/chalk and they don't.  (Fake people are hard to learn about.)  Here are some pictures from the day. 

 They are having sidewalk chalk time.  (I won't put the other children's names since I don't have parent's permission.)

 She moved when I went to take this.  She climbed part way up the tree on her own.  They were all playing house. 

 Bubble time, Gabrielle has my pose down:) 

 Playing around on the equipment. 

I loaded my my Large Utility Tote with bubbles, bubble wands, tons of sidewalk chalk, bouncy balls, our lunch, and water bottles.  I used my mini zipper for my phone, camera, and keys.  I was surprised at how much the mini zipper holds.  Mini zipper is May's special.  Large Utility Tote is June's Special. 

146/365 rules can be broken once in awhile

I'm pretty strict.  I will admit that I'm a strict parent.  My husband and I have created rules and they are enforced.  We have never spanked our child.  We believe instead to reward good behavior.  Bad behavior happens.  No child is perfect.  They test the boundaries.  They get over tired and cranky.  My daughter's attitude when she hasn't had enough sleep mirrors my attitude when I haven't had enough sleep.  THAT'S BAD!  Ask my my husband.  He will not wake me unless the house is on fire.  I'm hateful about being woken up.  She's the same way.  Her Godmother calls her a mini-georgette, which is true for the good and the bad.  Instead of spanking we did time outs when she was little.  Time outs don't really work at this age.  So we have consequences.  You are being hateful, you lost TV for the day.  You are still being hateful, you lose any computer time.  It stops real quick.  Stories at bedtime being taken away is the biggest punishment and she will do anything to not lose that.  We have a rule about her lunch tote.  Last year her kindergarten teacher reminded her each day to bring it home.  Gabrielle never left it behind.  This year her teacher is teaching the class to be responsible for their belongings.  She doesn't remind them to take home their lunch boxes or umbrellas or anything.  Gabrielle kept leaving it at school.  So we made a rule, you leave it at school you have to eat whatever is the hot lunch the next day.  She left it at school yesterday.  She was so upset this morning because the hot lunch was the rib sandwich.  (you know the knock off of the McRib)  It's disgusting.  She didn't want to eat it.  She reasoned she could take my lunch tote.  I said then you'd leave both.  No I won't.  I explained the rule.  I sent her off to school.  Then I started to think about that nasty sandwich.  Making my daughter eat that would be cruel and unusual punishment.  I couldn't do that to her.  So I caved.  (Mike called me a softie which I am, but I never cave from punishments/consequences.)  I had a Panera gift card.  I decided to surprise Gabrielle with lunch.  She was so happy.  I got to spend lunch with her.  It was fun for both of us.  I know other people would disagree but it's okay to break a rule every once in a great while.

145/365 too cute not to share

Now that the weather is warming up it is impossible to get Dallas in.  He will just lay down in the sun.  We would leave him out there but we still have the possum under our deck.  Plus there are a few spots that he can escape under the fence.  He will not stay out there if you hook him to a chain or leash.  He will come on the back porch and whine.  All this means that he has no choice but to come in when we do.  He doesn't come easily.  You literally have to carry him in.  Thank goodness he is only 14 pounds.  I had my pain injection today so I couldn't carry him.  Gabrielle helped out.  This is my picture of the day.  She said he is getting to heavy too carry, funny because she wants to be carried at times though she is over 50 pounds.