Good Old Fashion Huffy Bike

Small things make children so happy...and Mommies so emotional.

This weekend was gorgeous out. We'd just finished up the photo-shoot for the blog and had a little time to spare before it was off to visit Grandma, so we decided to go to the park.

On this particular day, when the emotions took me over, I was exhausted from the photo-shoot. I told her "We can go out, but mommy can't walk with you." I normally power walk behind her while she rides her bike. I said "This time I am just going to sit on the bench and watch you". She was so excited. She rode all around me, in laps, up and down, back and forth stopping to make new little friends. Probably the most freedom in our gated playground she's ever experienced.  

I felt tears in my eyes and a knot in my throat. {Here comes the violins} My daughter kept screaming, "Did you see me?, did you see me mommy?. I can do it, I can do it all by myself! " Then she jumped back on her "big" girl bike and sped off without any help. A tear trickled down my cheek. I remembered just months earlier we'd walked that same path, Dad holding on tightly to the back of the bike and me teasing her to not run me over as she steered recklessly in my direction. We'd all laugh and see how she was getting better each day and a little too big for her bike.

They would spend their summer trying to ride that bike and I loved to see them together. I secretly would remember my Daddy guiding the seat of my brother's old Huffy bike, as he taught me how to ride a two wheeler and before long he let go. It's something about when Dad let's go of the back of that bike.... it's like a part of childhood saying goodbye. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad thing at all. It is such a sense of freedom and accomplishment. As a parent you watch them go from riding a tricycle, to needing your help, to no longer needing your help, to riding all around....it's simply a stage in life. Your baby is growing up. In girls it seems harder to let them go with each step, or may be it's just me?

What ever the reason it is great to see how good she has gotten. For her birthday surprise last month she got her first "big"girl Huffy bike and she is so proud to show how she can do it "all by herself". Believe it or not it is already time to adjust the seat.

They grow up so fast. I know one day she won't jump in my arms when I pick her up from school and she won't wrap her arms around my neck to say "goodnight". I also know learning to ride the bike won't be the first time I cry. I'm sure she and Dad will find more ways to make me smile and get emotional. What I do know is that, the time spent with this child of mine is the best time I've ever spent on this earth. I also know I was tired that day, the simple thought of rising off the couch to go outside was exhausting, but I am so glad I did. We may get a few more warm days this fall and I have to let her put a few more miles on her bike. Next summer won't be the same. She is growing each and every day. I have to make it last. I have to remember what's more important. Someone once told me "this is not a dress rehearsal". It's your life, live it! 

School Project

I spent this frigid day inside. I think the wind chill was blow zero, honestly I did not check. I needed to catch up on some much needed rest, exercise and real food. This month has been so busy, some days I forget if I actually slept the night before.

Anyway, Little J had a midterm project due and we finished it up this weekend. The entire day I attempted to do my school work, but ultimately ended up engaging in painting, gluing and laughing with the little lady. Her project was to build a community. They are learning about the components that make up a community. The final project and field trip closes their lesson on "what makes a community". The project was given to us in November and due in January. So, yes it's that deep. She first had to do research and a report (which is 3 pages), a video news broadcast and back drop. We had the option to do a Power point, but with my computers on the fritz we decided to do an actual model of her community. We went to Michaels last night and spent an hour in the store while she pushed through each aisle dropping everything she could find in our cart.

We narrowed down her selections to some felt, stickers, paint, a cottage (10 cents, left over from X-mas) and card stock. I told her we would layout our material today and execute her vision. Last week she recorded her news broadcast with a great backdrop she made and was inspired to base her model on the backdrop. She knew what she wanted and I am so proud of her determination and ability to follow instructions.

The cottage was the major task, doing a second coat of paint was something she didn't anticipate, but she stuck it out. In the end she created a beautiful community. I only helped with the folding and touch up paint, she did it all and I wanted to share it with you all. I told her I was going to take a picture and add it to my blog, she was thrilled. She has to add trees, but here is her project finished as of 10:30 p.m. on a Saturday night. Oh yeah, the two people in the community are pictures of us.

By the way she is in first grade. I can not say enough about how pleased I am with her school. The program she is in is for gifted children, though they stress academics, they also incorporate creativity and expression in their curriculum. She journals a lot and any words they do not know how to spell, are underlined and explored at a later time, rather than asking someone how to spell it. She is always excited to go to school and that brings comfort and joy in my heart. I was hesitate about placing her in such a program because I didn't want her to be overwhelmed with just studies. However, the more I interact with her school and we engage in the assignments, the more I am impressed. The school has a parent support group for parents of "gifted" children that will occur later this month through the end of the school year. I definitely will be joining them to see what other families experience. So far her education has been one of the best decisions I have made in my role as parent. I am such a proud mama.

Food For Thought- Why I'm Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!
This Food for Thought closes my Thanksgiving Series. I hope you all had a chance to reflect within yourself and see some of the random things I reflect on.

Last Thanksgiving was a rough time for me, I was going through a terrible heartbreak and the pain felt never ending. The rain tonight reminded me of how I felt and after a moment of sadness, it didn't take much for me to realize why I am thankful.

I am thankful because:

1. My family members are all safe (I love them all, no matter what)
2. I have the best child a mother could ask for.
3. I am in good health and sound mind
4. My friends are wonderful (they guide me through everything, without them I'd break)
5. I am employed (too many people are without)
6. I have a warm place to call home
7. I know who I am
8. I can touch people through my words
9. My heart healed
10. I am loved!

What are some  things you are thankful to have experienced, learned, overcome, shared, or hold dear to you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Celebrating Life!

This week I celebrated my daughter's birthday! She turned 7 years old. I can not believe time has gone by this fast it seems like only yesterday I was watching her try to walk.

Motherhood is amazing and her birthday is more special to me than any other day of the year.  This year similar to last we choose to celebrate with family. We gave her a surprise party. She was surprised to say the least. I hope I never forget these moments. It is so important for me to capture every happy or sad moment in life.You never know what tomorrow brings.

We danced, laughed, and ate until our hearts felt full. I love my family and celebrating my daughter's life is such a wonderful feeling when you are surrounded by loving people. We are blessed to have so many loved ones that care about us! I hope you had the best birthday ever baby girl!

"Food For Thought"- I Can't believe its September

I am the way I am because I've been there before. Experience has thought me that if it smells like crap, it is crap. Something that stinks can't possibly be sweet. Do you know that or do you keep letting people feed you BS and tell you it's chocolate?

When Nothing is Wrong

Have you ever had a moment when you realize hey, "nothing is wrong"? I've been having those moments a lot this month. Despite the fact that every thing that could go wrong has gone wrong, I've just been at peace with things. Maybe it is my new approach to not worrying about every minor details (perfectionism is unhealthy). I have simply been living.

For the followers that know me personally, know that I have a tendency to worry until tomorrow never comes, but I can honestly say I have let that go. In doing so I've found the things I need (not want) are surely coming my way. I keep  praying daily for the health of my family, both physically and structurally.

Anger can sometimes play an evil role in many of us cause us to forget that the family dynamics is the most important relationship we'll have starting at birth until death. Rather it be parent/child, or marriage, the relationships we hold with our family members is what forms our generations to come. So pray for those that are sick and reach out to those that are distant. We only get one life, don't wake up one day and realize you were living it all alone.

Making it Through This Holiday Season

The Holidays can be a difficult time for many people. Those that have lost loved ones, the homeless, the poor, the sick, and the lonely. Sometimes we forget that people around us are silently suffering through what should be the happiest time of the year.

Holidays are filled with joy and cheer, parties and gifts, and most importantly friends and family. So how do you cope through this blissful season when something in your life is surely missing?

I can say that I have managed through all of the situations above, with difficulty of course, but more importantly with strength and the grace of God. I remember not having a dime to my name and no real place to call home one Christmas. It was a very sad time for me. The thought of Christmas gave me a sense of isolation and a queasy feeling to my stomach. Instead of allowing the feeling to overcome me, I made some adjustments. I remember buying a plant and making decorations from notebook paper to attach to it to call “my Christmas tree”. It wasn’t much but it brightened the table of the dingy hotel room that was called home. I can’t say what I ate that year, but I do know it was a humbling experience. I never looked at the Holidays the same again.

You see the season isn’t about what you have or what you can give monetarily; it is about how you allow God into your heart. Without prayer and hope I don’t know where I’d be. Hope is a powerful trait to possess. Having hope, and the belief that situations will get better are the ends to all mean when you are down on life. The constant belief that God will help you through, leads for a brighter day and a new beginning. I know it may sound cliché and sometimes hard to understand, but it is true that if God bought you to it, he will lead you through it, you simply have to listen

The lonely are often overlooked because the shear emotion of being lonely is something that doesn’t have to physically display itself to the world. Rather it is something a person could be holding inside. An invite to a Christmas dinner or holiday party could be all that someone needs to help make that day easier. While some people that are dealing with depression choose to be alone, others yearn for a sense of acceptance. When you are healing through a rough time, it is natural to cry and feel alone. One way to take your mind off the pain is to surround yourself with people that love you as much you love them. If you don’t have anyone like this in your life, it is a great idea to volunteer to help others (if you have the capability). Volunteer at a homeless shelter, send a child a gift, or help an elderly neighbor wrap Christmas gifts. Initially it may be difficult to go and you may want to stay at home and feel your pain, but once you are out and about your mind won’t feel as cluttered.

Life difficulties can be overwhelming, but remember the Holidays are just another week and this too shall pass.

Happy Holidays and a Bright New Year
With Love, Janelle

My Hopes for the Future

I have been contemplating my wants over the past week. I have never focused on what is that I want in life. I have always focused on making sure others around me were happy and taken care of. But these last few years have taught me that it is more important to take care of myself first in order to take care of others.

My hopes for the future are simple, yet so complicated. I want to be happy. Truly happy. I don't need riches or material things to accomplish this I just need to tune the channel on ME. I have never been selfish before, so I can't wait to see what it feels like.