All I want for "Valentine's Day" is my two front teeth...

Another great memory to add to my Valentine's Day this year:  My oldest finally lost her top two front teeth! They have been loose for months! Literally.  Even yesterday, neither of them was really that loose.  Here is the story of how it happened:

I guess she was in Computers when she started playing around with her tooth.  She said that it made a "cracking" sound, and that it was then hanging by a corner.  So she asked to go to the bathroom, got paper towel, and "CHA" (as she puts it), out it came! When I picked her up from school, I noticed within a second of talking to her. Out of pure excitement, I started hopping around and "screaming" (good thing I am hoarse right now lol).  She looked so stinkin' cute!!  Words cannot describe how cute she looked.  I am not sure if it was due to my reaction, or what, but she then decided that the other just had to come out.  We were on our way to her buddy's house (where I was learning to make the tamales).  She told me, "Take pictures now, because when I get there, I will go to the bathroom and pull out the other one." Which is precisely what she did. She went in. She came out.  Toothless!!  So now she looks even cuter, and she says that she can't stop smiling, because she knows how cute she looks.  My silly little girl!  What's even cuter is her lisp when she talks.  It's funny how events that are totally normal and not really a big deal your whole life become A BIG DEAL when it's your kid.  I've seen all the kids missing their two front teeth, and thought nothing of it.  I knew I would be excited when she lost them, but I never imagined how excited and how much joy it would bring to my life seeing her sweet little "manta ray" smile (as I like to call it).

Full of Joy and Wonder,
    Meesa

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!  I know many get all worked up over the commercialization of this day, but I think that it is a great opportunity to share our feelings.  In the Latin Culture, it is actually called the Day of Friendship and Love.  I really like that take on it.

Last year, I made "sour cream containers" for every holiday with my oldest so she could hand out.  Last year, however, I wasn't as involved in school. Being new, I was present and participated, but was not leading and planning. This year, with so much on my plate, I have TOTALLY forgotten all about my famous "sour cream containers".  It's a shame, because they are super cute, and the kids love them.  I will have to make them for Easter so I can share them on here.  So things have been so hectic, I didn't really even think about Valentine's Day on my level...pretty much all I had time to figure out was the party (which I will post on the School Party tab).  So it came as quite a surprise when two fellow moms took time out to thank me for what I do and give me a gift.  These two moms and I hit it off from almost the start, and we are always looking out for each other's kids.  What started due to our common interest in our kids has led to a personal friendship outside of school.  The gift wasn't even the thing that touched me the most, but the beautiful messages that they each wrote to me.   I absolutely love helping whenever and wherever I can.  I do it for many reason, mainly that I like to help, but also out of compassion.  In many cases, I think that if I were in that position, I would be very appreciative.  I don't do it with the expectation of being "repaid" or "owed" anything.  But a nice surprise is always welcome!  

My day has been much greater than expected.  Our Valentine's Day Party was actually done this morning, and was a success!  It's nice to have it done, and have no obligations the rest of the day.  My little surprises brought joy to my life.  And now I am off to learn how to make tamales with one of the moms.  I am definitely going to remember to keep the emphasis of this day not only on love, but also friendships.  It's a good reminder for us to take a moment and appreciate the love that we have present all around.

Bursting with Emotion,

  Meesa

Nothing like a new routine to get you Energized!

Today is the start of a new schedule for our family.  My hubby got a much better job, and his work day starts at 6:00.  Seeing as that we have only one car, we're are all up bright and early to get a move on.

It's so funny to see how different my girlies are. My oldest is up in a flash, and even admits to sometimes being up at this hour on her own. (what a crazy kid!!).  Meanwhile, my youngest will half open her eyes while I get her dressed and "transported" but continues sleeping as if nothing were happening.  She is definitely NOT a morning person, where as my oldest thrives in the morning.

I am also not a morning person.  Mainly, I hate getting up early when it is not necessary.  So, I really didn't mind it too much today.  My only pet peeve is my husband trying to wake me up every 5 minutes for a good half hour before I really needed to wake up.  See, normally, we all need to leave the house dressed and ready to go.  Last night, I dressed the girls in warm pjs, so today we just slip on the jackets, and boom! We have a couple of hours to get ready for the day once we get back.  It's funny because I dread having to get up early and fear being tired all day.  But the earlier you wake up, really, the more energized you are.  At least, that has been my experience.  I have already dropped off my husband, checked my ebay account, checked times for Ash Wednesday Mass, filled out an application for a really good position I found, and am now updating my blog. And I still have more than enough time to straighten my hair, and even sit down to watch some TV with a cup of iced coffee.  After that, I'll get my oldest to school on time to participate in a before school computer program and then have school breakfast (pizza, I can't beat that at home). The best thing about all of this, is that anticipating that I wouldn't be able to wake up today, I went to bed at 10:00 pm.  I think I am really going to enjoy this new schedule!

Surprisingly Energized,
   Meesa

Exciting News and Possibilites

I don't really like to complain on here, so I hadn't mentioned that we had been in a really bad spot.  My husband's boss had pretty much, unofficially, let my husband go.  He told him that their wasn't much work, and along with others, not to go in last week.  "That he would call". He ended up calling all the others to work by the end of the week, but my husband, who is one of the most efficient workers, was never called back.  So he and I have been looking for jobs like crazy!! It's a scary thing when you don't know....well anything really.  We didn't know if either of us would get a job in time for the rent, or really ever? I know that sounds crazy, but it's tough.  I have actually been looking for work for quite some time.  I really enjoy being at home and doing everything I do, but when it comes down to it, we really could use the extra money.  Since we did have my husband's income, I wasn't pressured into finding any ridiculous thing, and have been waiting for the right opportunity.  But the pressure was on these last couple of weeks!  

So I am ecstatic to say that my husband found a job!  It is actually the first job that he applied to.  Which he never would have done, if he wouldn't of had the time off to find a job.  It is a much better company, with a much better owner; total 360 degrees.  He is really happy because this is actually one of the two companies that he really wanted to get into.  He knows that it is a stable, most likely, long term job. 

While he had been getting the news and completing some steps to be official, I had been at the PTA meeting at school.  One of the places I always look for work is at my daughter's school.  Who wouldn't want to work at their child's school, am I right? Especially with so many maniacs in the world, it's just comforting to know that you are their with them.  So the principal was giving us a rundown of what was going on.  And guess what?!? Their is a full time position available, but since the district had only approved 15 hours, that's all it said on the website.  The principal confirmed with us that they were pulling funds from different programs, and that it would nearly be a full time.  When I asked her about the position, she urged me to go in  TODAY to get my application in.  Now I know I have no guarantees, but this still excites me!  As one of the ladies who works at school said, sometimes it really is being in the right place, right time, and knowing the right people.  Although I have never met or spoken with the principal, I am willing to bet that she will get quite a good impression from me.  All she has to do is poke around, and realize that I practically live at school.  Many have joked that I need to just bring a mattress with me, and settle in.  The entire PTA knows me well and everything that I do, the employee who does the newsletter can vouch for me getting the newsletter back to her within 6 hours, fully translated, and my daughter's teacher can most certainly tell her about me participating in Jr. Achievement, field trips, and class parties.  I hope this is one of those moments when the stars align, and things just happen.  But if it doesn't, I'll know that it just wasn't for me, and that something better is waiting for me.  I just have to find my way to it.

Excited about the possibilities, 

   Meesa

When it rains, it pours :D

Every month, I have that one week that everything is going on at once.  This coming week is it, so all the preparations have been going on (last minute of course) this weekend.

• Monday-Well Child Check Up
• Tuesday-PTA Meeting
• Wednesday-Girl Scout Service Unit Meeting 
• Thursday-Valentine's Day Party at School
• Friday-as always, I volunteer 2 hours in the morning and Jr. Achievement in the afternoon.

Doesn't sound like too much work, and really it's not.  I am just queen of procrastination! And of course, I can't find last month's PTA handout, so I have my notes, but nothing to compare it to.  eeek.  I'm hoping that tomorrow I can find out who typed them up and just have them email it over.  And another mom stepped up and found some excellent ideas for our Valentine Day party, which is EXCELLENT!  Always a nice surprise to get some unexpected help.  

This weekend I also realized how crazy things can get in Girl Scouts.  We wrapped up Cookie Pre-Orders a couple of weeks ago, and I thought we were in the clear for about a month.  That's about when I realized that we were supposed to be making our way through our Journey Book, and had gotten behind.  In addition, February 22 is World Thinking Day.  Every troop has picked a country to represent and we all do a presentation and prepare a food/drink to share along with some information.  So we have two weeks to prepare, but next weekend is my husband's birthday one day and daughter's the next.  Unfortunately, the mom who is helping me prepare the presentation is in overtime at work.  So I have no idea how this is going to unfold :/  But it's a learning process, and the girls are really young.  Since we are doing a dance, I am not too worried, and the food is extremely easy to make for the girls. 

In really good news, Centered City Yoga has an Inbody Outreach Program which brings Yoga free of charge to organizations.  They are sending out an instructor to our next meeting. YAY!  My Daisies are going to be able to earn their "Strong and Courageous" Patch. I can't imagine a better way to earn this Petal.  I definitely recommend Troop Leaders take the initiative and reach out.  The worst they can say is "no".  Many  businesses have programs in place or like to help out, and it is great for their image.  Not to mention, that most people have a soft spot for Girl Scouts.  Have your girls do a little brainstorming; find out what they like to do.  Then make some phone calls, write some emails, the sky is the limit! You really never know.

Loving all I do,  

     Meesa

The Start of Something New

It's hard to imagine what a SAHM mom could possibly do all day long...am I right?  Working moms do it all too, right?  Husbands think we're just watching soap operas and talking on the phone all day.

Well, I am most certainly not the picture perfect example of a SAHM.   I would imagine it would be exhausting to fit this bill!  We all have days, when you just want to go on strike, am I right?  I do, however, hold up my own, and feel that I do have my fortes where I go above and beyond, and am proud of that.  

I awoke this morning feeling the need to share.  (As if I needed another plate to balance, right?)  But I really enjoy sharing and helping, so this is a perfect way to do both.  So hopefully, some of you will find your way to me and I might be able to help along the way!

Hoping to Inspire,

   Meesa