I’ll miss you. Maybe.

“Mom, I’m going to miss you so much. I’m sad you are leaving on Valentine’s Day. It’s like the first holiday that you will be gone. Ever. Did lee know what day this was when he booked your trip?”

“Yes Georgia, he knew it was Valentine’s Day. It was suppose to be more romantic that way. Plus, I’ll only be gone a half day longer than usual from you. I’ll be here in the morning.”

“Oh, so will we still get our Valentine’s Day presents”

😐

Yeah- she’s really going to miss me tons. 🙄

Early Mornings

Little did I know when we gave the kids Echo Dots at Christmastime what changes lay in store for us. Georgia discovered how to tell 'Alexa' to set an alarm for her every morning. Much to my surprise Georgia is now waking up on her own at 6am (huh? why?? I know...), making her own lunch and breakfast. By the time I roll out of bed at 7am she's just hanging out waiting for me. I cannot tell you how much faster this makes our mornings go!! It is the most AMAZING thing in the world. I don't have to do anything except fix her hair and we are off!

So many things about her growing up make me so sappy and sad. Hands down, not this one, not this one at all. If I only knew a voice activated alarm would have made this change in our lives I would have set it up YEARS ago. 

Praise you Alexa. Praise you.

All good things come to an end....

So here we are.... my how much has changed. Today I attended Georgia's last ever elementary Christmas party at school. What a rush of emotions. This is the last year that she will have a class party full of cookie decorating, ornament making and 'Best Snowman' contests.

I had flash backs today as I attended the same pep rally I've attended for the last 6 years and watched the RCE teachers do their annual teacher dance at the end. I remembered Georgia's very first Christmas party there in Kindergarten. Her most favorite and special teacher, Mrs. Robbie, who ended up becoming one of my trusted friends and helped Georgia and I both through some pretty rough times. The years literally have flashed through my mind today. Every year I can see vividly. Kindergarten with hot chocolate, cookie decorating. 1st grade and ornaments... afterward I hired a limo to pick up Georgia and her friends and I took 9 little girls ice skating at the Galleria then on for hot chocolate. The pajamas worn in 2nd grade, the haste of the 3rd grade party because we were closing up shop in the temporary building and EVERYONE was ready to get outta there! 4th grade and watching them play the games and finally a grade level wide party today in 5th.

You never know what life will bring you. One thing I know without a doubt is that I have a little girl that I love with every ounce of my being. I have been to every single performance, game, party that she has ever had and I always will be there. I love watching her grow into the amazing young woman she is becoming but it hurts so much to realize these days are gone forever.

My heart breaks knowing this time in our lives truly is coming to a close. One more semester and we leave a school where 'everyone knows our name' and head out into the unknown. I guess I thought she just might stop growing up and stay little forever.

Thank you Georgia for making me a 'Mom'. It is undeniably the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life.... even with all the tears that come along with it! ;)

Our new home!

Lee and I bought our first home together this October! It's been so much fun to decorate and move in and finally have a yard and space!!! The very first thing we did when we moved in was PAINT- everything!!!! The previous owners really loved some faux paint. 😬 The home (in my opinion) is absolutely gorgeous with some fantastic features I've only every dreamed of having... but getting rid of that paint job was essential.

Here are a few before and afters!

Proud Mommy Moment

Georgia was chosen as 'Star of the Week' at Rummel Creek last week. Little did I know, part of being chosen for this included the teacher having each and every one of her classmates write her letters. They came home two days ago and WOW! I have to say I had just as much fun reading these sweet letters her classmates wrote Georgia as she did. I think I felt just as proud. For different reasons, obviously... who doesn't love to read glowing praises of their child.

Georgia has struggled a bit academically (math has been a really hard subject) so for her to be able to read that almost every single student that wrote her a letter considers her "smart" or "great at math/ reading" was such a great validation for her working so hard and wonderful encouragement to keep it up!

Some of my favorite lines I will share with you:

"You are so good in math. I don't even know how you're getting so good in school but whatever you're doing keep doing it because it's working!"- Cameron

"I like you because of your kindness, responsibility, bravery and because you're very trustworthy. I know you are trustworthy because once you helped me boost my confidence."- Olivia

"You are always nice to me when I need it. i think you are the kindest person I've met til now."- Roham

"You make good friends and you laugh a lot. You're also a very good leader and good at school. You are smart and do well in work. You think before you act."- Lincoln

"You're really good at reading because you have read almost the whole Harry Potter series. You're also really good at math."- Luke

"You are really smart. You're such an amazing friend."- Michael

"It was so nice of you when I was new to be my friend and show my your friends too."- Sydney

"You are cool because you are named after a state."- Brian

"You can always make someone else's day. You are the best friend anyone can ever ask for. You can always be happy even when someone brings you down."- Rylee

"I like that you are nice to everyone"- Quinton

"I think you will be top reader again this week. I say, you are great at math."- Lauren

"You are SO caring, smart, happy and always super nice. Thank you for doing nice things for me. It's so nice to give me led for my pencils."- Lucas

"You are sweet and kind and a great friend to have. I think you are really smart. You always put others first and thats the right thing to do."- Hallie

What a great start to 4th grade! She is rocking her grades but more importantly reading these sweet notes of how she treats others makes my heart swell. I suppose as a parent you can always teach academics with hard work.... I think it's harder to teach how to be a good friend and a good person. I'm going to just take a "mom" moment and be so proud of this little lady I have. I'm SO proud of her and cannot wait to see what this year holds for her. She amazes me every single day.

Hell Hath No Fury....

Since our kids have to ride in the back seat until they are basically 25 the elevator button took on ALL of the "calling the front seat" fury and then some. 5 months ago we almost didn't make it out of Disney alive because of this.

Deep thoughts by Georgia.

"Mom, you know at gym today when the coach was talking about the Christmas break camp and she said "if your parents want to get rid of you..." That's SO weird! Why would she say that? What parents would want to 'get rid' of their kids?? I mean I guess some parents just want a little peace and quiet but to 'get kid' of your kids? Who does that???"