Catchin' Up!

     It has been a few weeks, since I last wrote anything on Mommy & Me Creations and felt the need to catch up on my challenge. This post will be rather random, and I apologize for that.

Day 6 of my challenge was... "My job, what do I do?"

     What do I do? Well, I'm a stay-at-home-mom or better known as a homemaker. I have two little girls, and a pug. My job requires being: a chef, maid, referee, nurse, beautician, "fashionista", judge, dishwasher, librarian, repair woman, laundress, seamstress, crafter, etc. This job is never-ending, and gets paid well and with the world's best benefits... TONS OF HUGS AND KISSES!

Day 7: My Biggest Fear

     My greatest fear is of falling. Heights, in my opinion, are the worst! Why do I think that? When I was young, my older cousin played a joke on me while I was standing on the edge of a cliff. I didn't fall off, but the joke left a real deep scar on me.

Day 8: Some Great Advice

     My advice is simple. If you don't have anything good to say, then don't say it at all. Have some consideration for the feelings of others.

Day 9: Moment in my Day

     The best part of my day is when my husband, and the father of my children, comes home from work. My youngest is so attached to my husband, and throughout each day she continually asks me {in her toddler voice}, "Where Daddy?" It is always so awesome to see her face light up, when he walks through the door.

Day 10: Embarrassing Moment

    I am literally laughing... and wondering... "Can I just skip this one?" Yeah, I think I will. ;)

Day 11: I'm supposed to sell myself in 10 words or less.

    I'm the most loyalest person, you'll ever meet.

Day 12: What I miss

    I miss my grandpa! My Grandpa Jay and I had the best relationship ever. He always told my grandma that I was his favorite, and how much he wished every kid in the world was as good as me. He was the most amazing man. He worked so very hard to provide for his family, up until the day he passed away from colon cancer. And boy did he love my grandma. I don't think she really knew just how much he really loved her, but I could see it.

Day 13: Public Apology

    Just like my grandpa, my mom got cancer. It was back when my first born was only a few months old. I was still recovering from the delivery, when I found out that my mom had cancer. I wasn't near as supportive as I should have been. I remember encouraging my mom, by telling her that she will survive that she needed to survive. Because she was now a grandma, and I was planning on having more children. I wanted her around to see my kids grow up, just like my grandparents had done. I wish I had visited her more, when she received the chemo-treatments and the radiation. I guess, I was in denial. And for that I apologize. I can't take that time back, but I am proud to say that she is still alive and in remission. My kids get to see her, and have grown to love her.

Day 14: Ten Things that Make Me Happy:
   
     1) My family. 2) Icecream. {I ate a gallon of it, in one sitting, while I was pregnant with Brooklee.} 3) Memories. 4) Spending time with those close to me. 5) Listening to music that I like. 6) Laughter. 7) Taking family trips. 8) Accomplishing something that I have worked hard for. 9) Making others smile. 10) Long and Hot Bubble Baths without interruption.

Day 15: A day in my life

    Each day is a repeating pattern for me. I get woke up by Saydee climbing in and out of my bed around 6:30 or 7, wanting me to turn on Minnie Mouse. So I turn on Minnie Mouse, and then go into the kitchen to see what I can make for breakfast. I make breakfast, by then Brooklee will walk in and ask when breakfast will be ready. I serve breakfast, then take my pug, Tank, out. I walk back in, and get the girls cleaned up for the day. After the girls have been bathed, dressed, and hair done. I start cleaning the house. When that is done, I put Saydee down for a nap while Brooklee sits quietly watching a cartoon or looking at a book. I quickly bath, get dressed, and then spend some quality time with Brooklee (sometimes blog). Then Cam gets home, and we all unwind and spend some time together as a family. Sometimes we'll run some errands, go to the park, or even watch a movie. We prepare dinner, eat, and get the girls ready for bed. That's how it is just about every day.

Day 16: Something difficult that I'm facing, and how I am trying to overcome it.

     I am having a difficult time finding a good time to potty train, Saydee. I know she's ready, but I would like to have an open weekend with my husband to help me train her up. We have been so busy the last few weeks-- with my grandma's funeral, one of us being sick, and activities with our extended family. I guess, I have no chioce but wait until we have some free time to work on it. Or just give in, and do it while Cam is at work.... Oh boy!

Day 17: Favorite Photo of Myself and Why

  
   This is my favorite picture of myself. I am the one in the white shirt, sitting on my cousin's lap. The reason I love this picture so much is it has my grandpa in it, sitting next to my dad (who has his back towards the camera). Those were the good ole' days.

Day 18: Story from Childhood

    About a week or so before, my family and I were supposed to go to Disneyland... I went into the bathroom, and found the scissors. I looked at my hair, and thought, "Mommy does it. Why can't I?" So I took the scissors and cut my bangs. They were now "Whispers", as my grandpa had called the hair on his face. I looked terrific for my first trip to Disneyland... haha! Awww... good times!

Day 19: My top 5 favorite blogs that I follow.

1) Melonheadz Illustrating 2) Teaching Blog Addict 3) The Moffatt Girls 4) Teach Junkie 5) Southern Lovely

Melonheadz Illustrating provides the best little doodles, ever!!!! Nikki, the blog author and designer of these doodles, is the best person in the world. She is the sweetest friend that I have had in a long time. Teaching Blog Addict is the best place to find educational resources for teachers and homeschoolers alike, and I am proud to be a contributor of that site. The Moffatt Girls has some really fun ideas for parents to help teach their children about the world, at home. Annie is another wonderful person, and a great motherly example. Teach Junkie, just like TBA, is another great place to find teaching resources. They also allow you to be featured on their site. Southern Lovely is the best place to find crafty tutorials for your home, and kids. I have found some of the most inspiring ideas from this blog.

Day 20: Something that I'm struggling with...

I think Day 16 pretty much summed up this one!

Day 21: My favorite posts from my archive:

My favorite posts that I have made so far are:
Homemade Puffy Paint Recipe, DIY Playdough, DIY Number and Alphabet Books, Colored Noodle Necklace Tutorial, and Notes from the Babysitter. Just about every kid loves to use puffy paint, and play with the homemade playdough. My girls love their number and alphabet books. They have been used over and over again. The colored noodle necklace is especially popular with little girls. And the notes from the babysitter, I can't even tell you how much I love those!!!!!

Day 22: Your top 3 worst traits

    I wish I were a few inches taller, I am only 5'2". It is terrible having two kids who I know will tower over me, by the time they are 10 or 11.
I over-analyze everything, and wish I could lax on a few things. A lot of people would say that I overreact too. Sure! But I have good intentions, I promise!

Day 23 (TODAY): Things learned that School couldn't teach me...

     School taught me a lot, don't get me wrong. But there is no book, no professor, or lecture (in my opinion) that can help prepare you for that moment (when you have to keep your cool) when you find your child drawing on the wall, cutting their hair, throwing flour around the kitchen, etc. This can prove especially difficult for those who have OCD. ;) This happens to every single parent, and if any parent tells you otherwise, they are lying. Every kid has, at one time or another, done at least one of these things. All I can say is, just be prepared to take a deep, really deep breath and count to 10..
Being a mother of two, I am already seeing a repeating pattern. A toddler will find a crayon, and within a few seconds... it'll be all over your walls. That's all it takes!!!!! One hint though, toothpaste and an old toothbrush will take it off. :)

Thanks for taking the time to read through all of this random stuff. But hey at least you have learned more about me. The person, who writes this little blog. :)
 

Bitter Sweet Memories

     I have spent all day wondering how I would go about proclaiming my love for someone, especially when that someone just recently passed away. My dad's mom passed on a few days ago. It still hasn't really sunk in for me, just yet. {I am still in that denial phase of the grieving process.}

       My grandma, Celia, was a brilliant woman. She was very soft spoken, very quiet (like my dad). She was the one who first taught me how to crochet. I was only 12 or 13, at the time. I will never forget how soft her hands were, especially for living in a climate that she had (New Mexico).
     Her and my grandpa were really close with the Navajo and Hopi people. I don't believe I have ever seen my grandma without wearing at least one piece of Native American jewelry. She wore elegant turquoise bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings.  Her home was adorn with many Kachina dolls, Native American rugs, Tomahawks, and paintings of the Native American culture. Those are the things that I'll remember most about her. She had a great love and respect for Native American people.
     For years, my grandparents owned and managed Trading Posts across the Navajo and Hopi Nations. They made many friends with these people, so much that some of my family (including my dad) received Navajo and Hopi names. I hope that one day, I will be able to carry on this tradition with my family. I would love to receive a Navajo and/or Hopi name. According to my dad, it is a real honor and privilege to receive one.
     My dad's family grew up learning, and speaking both Hopi and Navajo languages. Every once in awhile, I will still hear my dad reciting a few Navajo words to me and my family. The language is beautiful. I wish I could write it out, but sadly it's not a written language. But what was most amazing was listening to my grandparents speak in Native tongues. I didn't understand what they were saying, but I fully enjoyed listening to the different pronunciations of each word spoken.
     I will never forget spending time looking out at the mesas with my family, and my grandma by my side.They truly are nature's beautiful artwork. Secretly, I always wanted to climb one of those things.... But I have a terrible fears of heights. I still would love to go back, and visit. I love that warm, hot and dry air that New Mexico has.

    I will always remember cooking eggs out on my grandma's sidewalk, in the middle of July. I was so fascinated by it. All she could do was laugh, and say, "Jacque, you're silly."  Man, I've gotta tell ya I love my grandparents. Miss them every single day. I have grown to love, remember and share their legacies. Love ya much, Grandma.

         

My Favorite Mother's Day Quote

     I am working on a challenge to blog every day, this month. Some of these items are random, yes, but fun at the same time. Today's theme is about sharing favorite quotes. Since Mother's Day is coming up, I thought it would be appropriate to share my favorite quote about moms. It is:

      Mothers do not need to be perfect, in order to be good moms. There are millions and millions of small things that women do for their kids that make them great. Sometimes I think we, as women, focus so much on being "perfect". We fail to see that the small good actions that we do for our kids, on a daily basis. Something as little as reading a story to your child can bring him or her closer to you, in building that mother-child relationship. 
     It is my hope that mothers everywhere will remember this quote, and remember that they are all good mothers in their own unique ways. Happy Mother's Day to you, and to all of the women in your lives.

Uncomfortably Awkward Situations

     Awkward situations make me feel really uncomfortable. But again, who doesn't feel uncomfortable in any awkward situation? I have experienced many of these circumstances in my life. When they happen, I just want to dig a hole and bury myself in it.
     I have especially felt uncomfortable teaching students who were either my height (5'2"), or even taller. Thus the reason I have taught Pre-K through 3rd grade... and 3rd grade was really pushing it. There is just something about turning, and seeing a kid eye to eye without bending over that's rather uncomfortable for me. The only ones who could fully comprehend this would be those of a shorter stature. If you are one of those people, are you just as uncomfortable as I?
    Another uncomfortable situation for me is running into an ex, or even worse seeing their new "lover". I have done this a number of times. My husband doesn't think it's all that bad, but for me, IT'S A NIGHTMARE. When running into these individuals, we always seem to give our awkward hellos. Then size each other up to see who is doing better than the other. Does anyone else in this world agree that this is extremely uncomfortable?
     There are a number of different ways to become uncomfortable. There are no ways around it, but work your way through it... Or try to avoid them, at all costs. But for some of us, we should just laugh well after the situation is over. Like I do!!!! Now let's get our sillies out by watching this short video by Studio C.