Lipstick Cover-Up

Today was her play, her first REAL play, she was Cindy-Lou Who in how the Grinch Stole Christmas, she was wonderful, fabulous. I was so proud of her. This once shy little girl, who has worked so hard to overcome a variety of obstacles was on the stage and she delivered her lines like a champ, a pro, I can see a future in theatre! She asked afterwards, "So did I break a leg or what?"

The play was followed by a sing-a-long, and did I mention the entire school was there to watch it, 1st through 5th graders all clapping for this little group of 3rd graders, just one of the classes of 3rd graders. They were amazing. I was backstage before they started, and they were all saying, "I'm so nervous", and "did you see all the people out there!" and "my mom AND dad are here and they're sitting NEXT to each other" only to be one upped by the little boy who said, "yeah, well my MOM and STEP MOM are sitting next to eachother and smiling!" (his dad is currently traveling in Mexico he added).

My mother and her husband arrived late, blaming traffic (of course) traffic on the route I drive each and every day which I know wouldn't and didn't make them late, they are just notoriously late especially when it comes to stuff with the kids b/c he doesn't like kids.

Gabe and Emily both had parties back in their classrooms afterwards, we went to both, my mother stopped in at both and her husband waited in the lobby, "his knees hurt, it's too noisy in these rooms, lots of germs" those were the reasons she gave the kids as to why her husband didn't come by to say, "good job in the play" or "nice classroom, is this your desk, great artwork on the wall" nope none of that. It was ok by me, and the kids seemed ok with it.

Emily woke up at 2 am today with a fever and sore throat, I gave tylenol and put her back to bed, she didn't feel good when she got up, but said better, I wasn't going to send her to school, but she pleaded with me, begged, her first "solo in a play momma, I have to go, I don't have a person who knows my part!" We left after the play, carols and party, she's been to the doctor and has strep. Poor baby. I'm feeling terrible that I let her go to school at all, but she was beaming on the stage, the show must go on right!

Today was their last day of classes, they began winter break at 1pm and go back after the new year begins. They were so cute leaving school and saying to their friends and teachers, "see you next year!"

When we got to the car Emily looks at me, bursts into tears and says, "I can tell you now, I feel TERRIBLE, My throat really really hurts!" Gosh I felt so bad.

She's on her antibiotic and home taking a nap now as I type, I get a bad mommy badge for the day.

We'll travel to one of my sister's homes on Christmas morning and stay over and visit. I'm looking foward to it, at least the time with my sisters and their kids that is. I love my mother, but it'll be stressful and tense with her and her husband and all of us there. I'm preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best. Knocking on wood, crossing my fingers and throwing salt over my shoulder to try and work up some good mojo for the upcoming Christmas festivities.

Again, I'd like to wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas, Hannukah (I know it's almost over), Kwanza, and New Years.

As a resolution, I propose we all try to be kind to someone that we have a hard time being kind to, for whatever reason and work doubly hard at being kind to ourselves. We deserve it don't you think?

since I've posted, a few weeks I think. Not that anyone's checking but me, but things have just gotten away from me on the blogging front. I've been reading everyone I usually do, keeping up with that is fun I fit it in to the few minutes I find between work lately. Year-end is just hectic for me at work, and at home you can just forget about me blogging, with Christmas activities and regular activities all still going on, I'm completely scheduled. I thought things were wild and crazy when Emmy and Gabe were both babies, but now with them both "involved" with so many things and Isabel and hubby, and volunteer stuff I've committed too, well, let's just say that I'm getting a babysitter this week to finish my Christmas shopping. Most of it this year was done online thankfully. I do like to shop though, especially this time of year, people have generally been happy and patient, at least where I'm shopping, so it's been fun, even when I have all the kids with me and no husband and it's between horseback riding, Holiday kids party, religion class at church for the kids and grocery shopping, hey, it's still fun!

I'm chairing our local Relay for Life this coming year. I've done Relay for 8 years or so now, and I've been on the Planning committee for several years, but this year I'm chairing it with another person. I knew it would be a lot, I just didn't know how much. So far, I'm making it work, but I just hope I can keep it up. Relay for Life, if you don't know, is a 24 hour event, a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. We plan for 7 months and camp out overnight a Saturday to Sunday for 24 hours, we have activities, lots of them, raffles, we walk around the track, we raise money in more ways than I thought possible. We do a great job. Each year my region has increased our fund total. It is rewarding, inspiring, it gives me HOPE. I've seen the good that comes out of this money, my family has been a beneficiary of the research that was supported by these funds. If you've never been to a Luminary Ceremony, you need to check one out. I would encourage anyone interested to contact their local ACS office, find a Relay and just stop by, you don't have to be on a team or register or help plan it. Just stop by, go the Opening Ceremonies, go see the luminaria, it will be moving, bring tissues. I can't say enough about this event, what it's done for me, my family, my community. Just one of the many things I'm thankful for this time of year.

A few things I'm working on for my new year's resolutions, run the 10 mile road race in town here, I've never done that long of a race before. Continue on my weight loss journey, I've lost 25 pounds and feel fantastic, I'd like to double that total and be the same weight I was when I graduated high school. Probably in better shape too! I want to get the kids more involved with volunteering in our community. I'd like to forgive my mother for so many things and really let go of the negative feelings with my relationship with her. I'd like to see my sister's more than I do and their children. I'd like to save more, floss regularly, and be kinder to myself on a daily basis. Not getting any of these done will not constitute failure, but trying will equal success, I won't berate myself mentally about it, (I hope).

Hope all of you out there in bloggy land have wonderful Holidays, a Merry Christmas and safe and happy New Year's, Oh, that's one other thing, I hope to stay awake to see the ball drop and get a kiss from my husband:)

Lots of love,
Lil'sis