Today.....

...is my birthday.

I am 49 years old today.

This is what 49 looks like on me...

I'm very surprised that the number "49" doesn't bother me in the least bit.

I have gotten many Happy Birthday wishes--i even heard from my Dad last night! Yesterday was my Dad's birthday and Emma sang the Happy Birthday song to him over the phone. It was beyond sweet and he actually told her that her singing was his best present. Emma had a smile on from ear to ear as she loves to sing. My Dad is actually leaving today to visit my Mom's family in Spain. I was a bit surprised that he was going, much less staying there till mid-November. I'm so glad he's going though...and i only wish i was going with him!

I won't be hearing from my sister as we haven't spoken in a few months due to a huge difference of opinion; but it's okay. It is what it is. For once, i refuse to change my stance on something to please her. She believes that it is a slap in the face for me to be FaceBook friends with her ex-husband and his wife. My sister and her husband have been divorced for over 5 years now. No, it was by no means a pleasant divorce....but you know, the failure of that marriage is between the two of them and because of two of them. Her ex-husband and wife have been nothing but kind to me and Robert. It's not "our family" against "their family" and i refuse to make it that and take sides. We aren't in high school, for heaven's sake...

I do, however, miss my sister something fierce, and all of the drama she has a tendency to bring into my life.

Emma and i are going cake and ice cream shopping today after school. I have a feeling that i will end up with some kind of princess or animal cake and strawberry ice cream for this birthday, but that's okay as i love strawberry ice cream and i love any kind of cake! Emma is very excited about picking me out a cake...while i normally bake my cake, this year, it will be fun to see what she picks out.

I have loved being in my 40's.

I took an amazing nap this morning.

I am thankful.

Very thankful for all that i have.

A sweet, loving husband.

A cute, funny daughter.

A dog that i love.

And friends....

....i only wish that i could hear my Mom sing Happy Birthday to me in Spanish one more time.

9.11.2014

"Mommy, why are da flags half way down?"

I gently explain why, asking her if she remembered last year when Mrs. Gilmer-Smith read to them the book about the planes crashing, and all of the other events of that day.

"A whole lotta people went to heaven to be wif God dat day, Mommy. I bet God was happy ta see all ob dem that day."

"Yes, sweetie.....they did. I'm sure that their families still miss them, though...."

"But shouldn't we be kina happy about dem being in heaven wif God?"

I love when my child teaches me things.....

So far behind....

I love this photo...
...that i am starting to panic. I have a list of all of the things i am behind on, and it's getting a bit overwhelming. It's almost to the point that i don't know where to start! I have a list of things-to-do, a list of stuff for Emma, a list of things that need attention at our home, a list of things i'm behind on, a list of the lists....sad, isn't it? I've also gotten interested in the Project Life thing (if you aren't familiar with Project Life, goggle it! I promise you won't be sorry!!) and of course, that's become something else i'm behind in.

I have scribbled notes of things i need to post here on scraps of paper that i can find to write on when i don't have my notebook with me. I think i need to blog about everything instead of just family...if i don't, i may explode. I love politics and following issues that are important to me, but i rarely post about them. Some of the topics are those kind of topics where everyone has a opinion and they don't play with other's whose opinions differ from their own. What is it they say about opinions? That they are like you-know-whats--everyone has one. But i am finally starting to feel safe in my little corner of the internet, so i'm going to poke my toe out and really, just write. I've wanted to go in this direction for a long time, but just didn't. What's the worst that can happen? Nevermind, don't answer that...lol.

We are all fine, just busy. Emma is loving second grade and her teacher. Once again, we have hit the teacher lotto with Mrs. Shockey. Amazing woman who loves what she does. I couldn't ask for anyone better. Emma loves reading and she is reading without us asking her to. It's amazing seeing how much she is learning! Mrs. Shockey somehow got everyone in the class world globes...and you would have thought it was the best present ever! Emma knows all seven of the continents, all five of the oceans and she'll tell me amazing stuff with details--like what a ladybug starts off as and what stages it goes thru to become a ladybug. It's so amazing to see her soak up school...and honestly, i believe it's because of the wonderful teachers she's had at her school.

Robert is busy, as usual. Because of the way he works, i'm able to be home for Emma in the morning and when she gets off of the school bus. I can't tell you how grateful i am to my husband to be a stay-at-home mom during these years for Emma. The chats after school with her about her day, her doing homework while i cook or work on something at the table are precious times to me.

And i am hanging in there...working on projects, reading, playing with Pickles, and working on different blogs for friends. I have a neighbor who i have become friends with and she is a joy to talk to and grab lunch with. I am worried that she is going to figure out how much i like her and run away! Like most women, i have let my girl friendships go because i haven't taken the time to nurture them. And that's sad, because we all need girl friends. All of us. So, that's been something that i've been working on. I have to be honest, though, it's hard. I like being alone, i really do like being alone. The issue is, i'm alone too much, i think. It's difficult, too, to show your daughter the importance of friendship when you don't have any close friends!

I'm off to go look at a house that Robert has found online. Huge fenced in yard. Smaller house. Same schools for Emma (which is a requirement for me!). The kitchen looks less than inviting, but because of the price, it can be re-done. There is also room for a pool, which Robert would love. So, i'm going to sneak by and take a look at it.

....and then it's back to work on laundry!