Monday, December 27, 2010

Merry Christmas...

...From the Reel Family... This is all of Eric's siblings (and their spouses), nieces, nephews and one great nephew...
(we are actually missing 3 people, but who's counting?)

Friday, December 17, 2010

Daddy Day

Ever since Eric came back home from working on the road, his shift has been four 10's with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. That means Eric gets all day Friday with Caitrin to himself. She has declared every Friday "Daddy Day". They have their special routine: she wakes up and snuggles with him while he drinks his coffee, the older two and I head off to school/work, they venture out to a local coffee stand, cruise the town paying bills/running errands, come home and veg out for the rest day (must be awful).

This morning, while enjoying my coffee, I watched Caitrin walk right past me and crawl up on Eric's lap. Without even being told, it's like she knew instinctively that it's Friday and it's HER day with dad. Once my cup was empty, I proceeded my routine of getting ready. All the while, those two continued to sit there and have their own little conversations, playing and giggling. I took a small moment to absorb what they were doing, and I couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy. But I know all to soon it will have to end.

I asked Eric what he was going to do next year when she starts school. He just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. I could see by the look on his face he didn't want to come to that realization just yet either. I know he looks forward to that day just as much as she does.
One by one they all are slipping through my fingers as I try to hold on just a little longer.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Conversations...

With these, it's feast or famine...

Background: When potty training Trent, he chose to sit down to go potty. And up until recently he continued to sit down. Which was really nice for me since I didn't have to be so grossed out when cleaning the bathroom.

I've mentioned before that our household has an open door policy, it's not always pretty...

Eric was walking down the hall to go to the bathroom. When he got to the bathroom (door was opened) he accidentally walked in on Trent. Apparently he was standing up, peeing.

Eric: Dude, when did you start standing up? You usually sit down.
Trent: When I became a man.
Eric: Okay???

At some point in time he's had a right of passage... just not sure when.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Happy 30th!

Happy Birthday, Babe! Enjoy your 30's!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Conversations...

Back ground: We had parent/teacher conferences last week. When talking to Trent's teacher, she asked if he had a temper. I told her that he can blow up and it isn't pretty when he does. She mentioned that he had gone to the intervention room towards the beginning of the year in regards to his temper. I voiced that I was never notified of him being in trouble, (nor did he volunteer this information), and wasn't happy about it. When asked what he did, she just told me she couldn't remember and it really wasn't a big deal because it never happened again, whatever it was. So that night when Eric got home from work, we sat Trent down to ask him what went on...

Mom: Trent, do you remember towards the beginning of the year, when you went to the intervention room?
Trent: Yeah...
Mom: Sooo...what did you do?
Trent: I went there for wrong doings.
Mom: Yes, son. I know that. What did you do to get sent there?
Trent: Listen mom, that was the past and we are moving forward from here on out.

I just sat there, with my jaw dropped...
I looked at Eric wanting some help, he just shook his head and said "let it go babe, he does have a point."

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Conversations...

Setting: Driving to school with Caitrin in the back seat

Caiti: Mom, I want to be three again.

Mom: Why? You who cries every morning because you're not five.

Caiti: Just because...

Mom: "Because" is not an answer. Why do you want to be three again?

Caiti: Three was more passionate *sigh*

Really!?! Where did that come from???

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Dance for Caitrin

I thought I'd try it again this year. Last year, she was only in two classes before I pulled her out because she just stood there, petrified, the whole time. She PROMISED this year that she'd dance. Her problem is stranger anxiety. She freezes when people are around that she doesn't know. This has been an on going battle since she was 3 months old.
She was all excite to go, had been begging me all day if it was "dance time". When we got there, (no surprise), she froze. I had to peel her off of me just so she could stand in the middle of the room. It broke my heart because she had a tear in the corner of her eye the whole time.

At first, she had her back to everyone. As the class progressed she slowly turned to watch the other girls. About the last five minutes, she completely turned. There were a few times she looked like she was going to mimic the teacher, but then froze again. This was a huge progression from last year.
I explained the situation to the teacher and she said she'd keep at her. When class was all said and done, Caitrin expressed that she wanted to go next week. I won't be allowed in the class room, so we'll see how that goes. The recital is in January, I have a feeling my child is going to be "that" child that either just stands there, or is crying behind the curtain.

Monday, October 4, 2010

And then there is Coop...

This is Cooper..... He didn't feel like wearing his tennis shoes or his cleats, soo..... flip flops are the next best thing before a game.
Trying to get his attention with a phone in his hand is like trying to pry a meaty bone from a starving dog...

But his team is undefeated... you got to give him that.



Thursday, September 16, 2010

Conversations....

Setting: The kids and I were in the car driving to school. Tarren had in hand all the paperwork one has to fill out when the kids go back to school.

Tarren: Mom, what does "custody" mean?
Mom: It means who the child resides with. Like if parents are divorced, who does the child live with most of the time.
Tarren: But you checked "both parents".
Mom: Yeah. You guys live with both dad and I. We both have custody of you.
From the back seat...
Trent: Mom, I don't want you and dad to get a divorce.
Mom: Well, okay?? It wasn't on the books for today, but I'll see what I can do.
Trent: Okay. Thanks. *smiling*

You got to let them think that they have some decision making power every now and again.....

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Conversations....

Background: Ever since I can remember, I've had a mole in my armpit. I've had it checked out, the doctor said it's benign. I never saw a reason to have it removed and I was never self conscience of it until now.....
Setting: I'm in an under shirt and jammie bottoms, not completely dressed for work but getting ready. I have my arm raised curling the back of my hair. Caitrin just so happens to walk by the bathroom...

Caiti: MOM!! You have a nipple in your armpit!!
Mom: What? No, it's my mole. Get out of here.
Caiti: Well, it's the biggest mole I have ever seen.

Thank you child. I couldn't have cared until now.....

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Back to School...

Back to school
Back to school
To prove to Dad I'm not a fool
I've got my lunch pack up
My boots tied tight
I hope I don't get in a fight
Ooohhh
Back to school......

Friday, September 3, 2010

Conversations...

I've been had a handful of these in the archives:

Setting: The kids and I were discussing what we were going to do for the long weekend.

Mom: Hey, you guys. How about walking the falls again?
Tarren: What falls?
Mom: You know.. The Elk River Falls.
Tarren: No, we've already seen those falls.
Mom: How about the Palouse Falls? We've never been there.
Trent: How about Twin Falls?
Mom: Sorry dude. That's in southern Idaho. We aren't driving that far.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Setting: Tarren was watching me get ready for my work day. Her bedroom is across the hall from the bathroom. I had bent down to pick up the brush I had dropped and both my knees and ankle popped.

Tarren: What was that?
Mom: That was my knees and ankles popping. That's what happens when you get old.
Tarren: You aren't old. Dad's OLD!
Mom: What do you mean "Dad's old"? He's only 6 months older than me.
Tarren: Yeah, I know. He's thirty this year. That's OLD!

It's nice to know that I have about 9 more months until I'm OLD!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Setting: I was getting Caitrin ready to go to daycare. I was talking to her about her older siblings getting ready to go to school.

Caiti: Do I get to go to school with them?
Mom: No, sorry babe. Not this year.
Caiti: (*WHINE*) So when do I get to go?
Mom: Next year. When you turn 5.
Caiti: (*WHINE*) It's taking FOREVER to turn five!!

She is in such a hurry to grow up, it kind of breaks my heart.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Gear Handout

August marks the beginning of Football Season for the family. On Saturday families congregated to Airport Park to pick up the gear for their rambunctious boys, mine included. Cooper was the first to enter into the football era in our family four years ago. Trent got his year last year and now Jackson steps up to the bench. We got VERY fortunate. Trent and Jackson ended up on the same team.

These two can not wait to dominate the field. The Wildcats went undefeated last year and they hope to grab that title again this year.



Boys have to be boys and bang their helmets together. Their first game is September 4th. I can't wait.




Friday, August 20, 2010

Conversatons...

This past week Eric's sister, Chaney, came into town to visit. I've been kid less for the last 2 day because they have been staying with his oldest sister, McKinlie. McKinlie has a set of 14 year old twins and a 13 year old, all girls. They LOVE to play with Caitrin, dressing her up and doing her make up. Yesterday when we went up to McKinlie's house. Caitrin ran up to the door greeting us with crimped hair and BRIGHT blue eye shadow.

Caiti: Mommy, Dad.. Don't I look pretty?
Eric (bugged eyed and grimacing): Oh, yes. Very nice.

Through out the evening we hung out and had dinner, sat around and talked. When it was getting time for us to leave, we asked the kids if they were coming home or staying another night. Of course staying another night. Eric found Caitrin and told her she should go wash the make up off because she looked too grown up.

Eric: You can wear more make up tomorrow when you wake up. I'm sure one of the girls would love to redo your make up. But make sure that you wear hot pink eye shadow and black lipstick, ok?

Caiti: Uumm, no dad, that's not what is in style.

Heaven help me......

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Strawberries!!

At the beginning of spring, I invested in some of those hanging strawberry planters. I figured what the heck. I haven't had a strawberry garden for the last 4 years, what would one more year be? I have picked a few here and there, but this is the first batch where a lot have come through.
Caiti told me that I was the "best mommy for making strawberries"
She wasted no time in consuming them.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Tubing

My sister just recently acquired a boat. So naturally we did what any sane person would do when it's blazing hot out... go play on the water.

They loved every minute of it!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

12 Years

Happy Anniversary, Babe.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Happy Birthday, Jonnie!!

Today my sister turns 31.
Thanks for being the greatest!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

A new definition....

...... to Scary Mary hair
Sorry, babe. I had to do it.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Happy Birthday TRENT

Today my favorite son turns 9. Where does it all go??

Monday, July 19, 2010

Alacca

For the past 4 years I have sent Tarren off to Harpster, Idaho to a Church/Bible Camp called ALACCA. This was the first year for Trent and Jackson. The week's lesson was dressing yourself in God's Armour. So of course they all had to make armour for themselves.
What makes the best armour? PAPER PLATES!!




The boys had too much fun. I didn't even get out of Kooskia before they were both catching up on much needed sleep.




Thursday, July 15, 2010

What do you do when your cousin in playing in the District Championship for All Star Baseball and they are winning 25-0?......



.... Yep. Just chill in a tire and drink a slushy......

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tossing around the idea..

With our anniversary coming up in a couple of weeks, it got me thinking of renewing our vows. We were planning on doing it for our 10th, but with Eric being laid off, money was on the tighter side. We decided to do it for our 15th. I know that it's still three years off, but I could get some planning done ahead of time, right?

*thinking of the Lewis-Clark Hotel... have to make sure it has AC since it will be done at the end of July
*I don't want a "wedding cake"
*I'm thinking of yellow and orange (for summer) Eric isn't liking it, and I don't look good in yellow.. so subject to change
*I really like Calla Lilies-trying to incorporate those into a bouquet
*I don't want a "wedding dress" Just a simple summer dress
*I have three people in mind to officiate the vows
*not sure what kind of food to have... a meal? or horsd'oeuvers? (sp?)
*How big to I make the guest list?

Any suggestions would be helpful. Eric and I didn't do the whole wedding thing, the court house seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm thinking of getting a notebook and just scribbling ideas for the next couple of years.
Honestly, I have no clue what I'm doing.......

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Conversations...

Setting: Trent and I were in the car listening to Positive Life Radio. One of the lyrics to a song was "Jesus conquered the grave".

Trent: What does "conquered the grave mean"?
Me: Jesus died for our sins and that if we believe in him, we never die. (trying to keep it short and sweet)
Trent: Oh. Am I the son of God?
Me: Well, not THE son of God, but a child of God and a brother in Christ
Trent. Oh. Who named Jesus?
Me: The angels told Mary what to name the baby.***
Trent: Oh. Was Mary an angel?
Me: No
Trent: Oh. Can you have babies in Heaven?
Me: I don't think so.
Trent: Does God have a dog?

At this point, I was ready to bang my head on the steering wheel. The child did not take a breath in between questions.
I told Trent if Heaven meant that God had a dog, then yes, I'm sure there are a few up there hanging around.
I finally arrived at the pool and was glad to drop him off. I needed a moment of silence.

***Thinking back now, I think the Angels told Joseph what to name the baby..

Monday, June 21, 2010

My name...

K-A-E-L-E-N-E


At a young age, I had come to terms that my life would be full of people mispronouncing and misspelling my name. In school, when the teacher finally said my name right, I knew it was going to be a while longer for them spell it correctly. I can't remember a time when I wasn't patient with people trying to learn my name, and I usually gave grace when I had to repeat it for the ump-teenth time. I remember one time in Junior High, the school secretary went as far as to tell me that my mother had spelled my name wrong, and that my name IS Karlene. That didn't fly very well with my mother, I think the secretary got a phone call the next morning.

Coming out of high school and into the real world, it didn't prove to be any different. I continued with my patience and having grace, it was just inevitable.

Fast forwarding to yesterday: I called my biological father to wish him a Happy Father's Day. I've made mention before that I don't really have a relationship with him due to his drug usage in the past. I don't hold it against him, I have forgave him, but the critical parts in my life when I needed a father, he wasn't there. And due to the drugs, this demeanor is almost child like anymore. Repeating what I just said, or having to dumb down a good part of the conversation just so he can understand what I'm saying.

Our conversation was very basic:


How are you?.. Good. How are you?


How are the kids.. Getting big.. Good


Nothing very intimate, but somehow in the midst of our conversation it turned to email addresses. He and my step-mom want to say in better contact with us kids. Fine, I'll give you mine, you give me yours. I tell him my email address is my name, first letter of my last name, at sign and inland cellular dot com. He slowly starts to spell my name.. K-A-L-E-E-N-E. I interrupt him, laughing a little thinking that he was joking.


Dad, that's not how I spell my name. ( I have never altered my name)

Well, I just named you, your mom did the spelling... K-A-L-E-N-E.

No, dad. I have another "E" in there.. K-A-E-L-E-N-E. Then an "R" , at inland cellular dot com.


After going another 3 rounds, I think he finally got it. At that point, I was highly frustrated. I just wanted to get off the phone. We said our good-byes and he made a handful of promises that I know won't ever happen. Unfortunately, I've learned that my dad's words never carried much water. My sister saw me hang up the phone with great haste. She asked how our talk went. (She has a much stronger relationship with him than I do since she had to go live with him in her wilder days) I told her as good as to be expected. I explain how he went about not spelling my name correctly. I know she was trying to justify his memory loss, why he is the way he is... I know, I know.. drugs. I guess I just don't understand, I never did them.

Later that night, I talked with Eric about the way I was feeling...mixed. Should I be upset?..Let it go?...Should I even care?

Eric told me that I had patience and grace with everyone, even complete strangers, why not give some to my dad. He deserves it too. So, I woke up this morning, still a little torn. As the day goes on, I'm slowly letting it go. I have a feeling it's going to be a few more days for it to be out of my system... I just needed to get it out in writing.



Thursday, June 3, 2010

Grass!!

I guess it's silly to be excited about a little foliage. But you have no idea what we have endured to get thus far..... We bought our house from a little old Jamaican lady who was a HOARDER. Our back yard literally had five sheds and our carport was boxed in for more storage. I think we took 4 loads to the dump before we actually got to move in. At some point in the backyard's life time, there were beautiful trees, we never got to see them. We inherited stumps that were made in to shrines. There were all sorts of rock gardens every which direction. Our first attempt to have a back yard was to remove all but one shed. We then burned out the stumps and removed wheel barrows upon wheel barrows of rock.

Around the second year, we thought we'd be able to till under and reseed. Our tiller hit more rock and GARBAGE. She buried her garbage in the back yard. But first she was so kind as to lay the black plastic down, throw her garbage on then bury it with dirt. That took us all summer to dig up and remove. In the mean time, the kids had hay days with shovels, dug trenches, holes and race tracks.

Last summer, Eric was on the road with DeAtley and I had three kids to keep busy. I had no time for back yard duties. Unfortunately it was over ran with puncture weeds. When Eric came home in October, he did his best at getting them out. We figured we'd have to wait another full year until we got all the goat heads.
This spring we diligently worked at pulling all the weeds and puncture weed starts. Eric then got the bug to till. It went smoothly and he laid seed. After a week and a half of impatiently waiting, we have out first starts. It's funny how Eric and I lean on the fence and just stare. I FINALLY get a back yard and with grass that the kids get to play in.....

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Cooties

Yesterday, when I got home from work and Caitrin came running up to me hugging my leg.

Caiti: Mommy, Mommy! What do you do when a boy kisses you?
Me: (taken back a little) You slap that boy and tell him to keep his mouth to himself. Wait, did some one kiss you today?
Caiti: Yes, Killian did...twice.
Me: Well, how about we don't do that anymore. You don't need to be kissing, you're too young. Eric, what did you tell her.
Eric: I told her that if she was kissed, she had Cooties.
Me: (looking at Caitrin) Sorry, kiddo. Looks like you have Cooties.

Not thinking anything of what I said, I turned my attention to Eric and we started talking about our day. Eric stopped and asked if what he was hearing was Caitrin crying in the back ground. I stopped and listened.. sure enough she was in her room bawling.
As I rushed down the hall to see what the matter was, I saw her taking her coat and scrubbing her face and her tongue.

Me: Caiti! What are you doing? What's wrong?
Caiti: I don't want Cooties, Mom!

CRAP! Can you say "Heartbreaking"?

Me: Oh, Caiti, you're alright. You want to know what gets rid of Cooties? Go-Gurts. Let's go eat a Go-Gurt.

She seemed content with the remedy. I had to call the school and let them know that some kissing has been going on, and that if she ends up smacking a boy, I apologize in advance. I guess I better pay better attention as to what I tell her from now on.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Conversations

Setting: Caitrin and I are in the bathroom, and she's using the potty. (I've mentioned before that we have an open door policy at our house.. really no privacy.) I noticed that she had a perplexed look on her face.

Mom: Caitrin? Are you ok?

Caiti: Yeah... (sighing).. I don't think I'm going to eat anymore.

Mom: What? Why?

Caiti: Because. If I eat, I have to poop, and I'm tired of pooping.


So many times the child has left me speechless....
This also coming from Caitrin who told me a couple months ago that peeing was a "complete waste of her time."
Sorry, babe, it's unavoidable.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Windstorm 2010

By the good graces of God, my house was spared. The only damage to the house was the front section of the gutter.




When I called Eric to let him know that our tree had fallen, I told him that I was blocked in the carport. I was unable to go anywhere. His reply "Where did you need to go?" THAT"S NOT THE POINT!!!
My car only had mud on it from the leaves being wet and dirty. No scratches!





This is the bull pine that stands between our house and our neighbors. The bricks we raised during the windstorm. I'm contemplating calling a tree faller and getting that bad boy down. I really don't want it falling on the neighbors house, since it's on our property.


Of course Caitrin had to have her picture taken next to the root ball. We aren't sure what we are going to put in place of the ornamental cherry tree. Eric's thinking another tree, I'm thinking a front porch. I said many prayers last night as the wind storm continued. I woke up to find that God heard me.








Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Skinny Jeans

I have mentioned before that at work, we hand-me-down clothes from all of our kids. I'm not above free clothes. So when a gal came to me and asked what size Trent was and that she had a bag of pants out in her car, I jumped all over it. She had told me that there was a pair of jeans in that bag that were "skinny jeans". I cringed at the though. My reservations on those kinds of pants go in the same category as spandex, they should be outlawed. But... if Trent liked them, I'd bite my tongue.

When I brought them home, I told Trent to try them on, not mentioning that they were skinny jeans. He seemed excited that he got new clothes. When he came into my view, he had a look of disgust on his face.

Mom: What's wrong, they look like they fit you. (I thought they looked horrid, but it's what he thinks, right?)

Trent: UUmm.. NO!! Theses are skinny jeans. I look like the Jonas Brothers, and I am not gay!!

I snapped my head to Eric. He just had a smile on his face as if to say "that's my boy."

Those pants got quickly passed off to the next unsuspecting victim... my sister's house to my nephew.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Sick day

Today I stayed home with Caitrin and Eric. They both weren't feeling very well. Learning from 2 and a half kids ago, you don't leave a sick kid home with a sick dad. The equation just doesn't add up. Caitrin wanted to take a nap in her Cottage... I didn't have a problem with that. We inherited this Cottage from some friend of ours, their girls our grew it so they passed it down to us.
We got her all snuggled in with pillows and blankets. She didn't ask to have any of her dolly's, teddy's, of stuffed animals with her. Oh no.... she had to have the real deal......
What's a cottage without a trusty guard? Adella would be so lost without her kids.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

"High Heels" (????)

For Easter, we went out and got the girls their Easter dresses, and of course we had to get shoes/sandals to match. Since Trent has taken a growth spurt every two weeks for the last 3 months, I knew the boy needed some nice clothes and shoes too. When we went to Payless, he saw the Airwalk version of the Converse All Star shoes (and much cheaper too!). He had to have them!! They were on sale so we agreed. Now the girls aren't allowed to wear their shoes until Easter. With Trent, I gave the go ahead just because he needed shoes and they weren't anything fancy.


The other night we went to Wal-Mart. When I say "we" I mean Eric and I, plus 5 kids in tow. And mind you it was around the 8pm hour. Surprisingly we made it through our trip with no one crying, hitting, screaming or knocking any endcaps over. (Yes, this has happened many times). As we were leaving through the "Exit" doors, people were trying to come in, going against the currant. Trent had noticed that it just rained and there were mud puddles everywhere. While the people were coming at us, he seemed to be doing a dance on his tippy toes and what looked like the potty dance.
Kind of annoyed I asked him what the heck he was doing.

In the middle of the crowd of people he cried " I don't want to get my high heels wet!"

Eric and I just put our heads down and pushed through, hoping no one in the crowd recognized us.

Trent didn't want to get the white parts dirty after the rain.


Advice from a (almost) 4 year old....

Since it's spring break here, I told the older two kids that they had to have their rooms cleaned if they wanted to go anywhere this week.
Yesterday when I got home from work all the chores, including their rooms were done. I had a sense of satisfaction.
This morning as I was getting ready for work, I noticed that Tarren's room was a mess again. I kind of scolded her in letting her know that it hadn't even been 24 hours of her room being cleaned and it was right back to where she started yesterday morning. Caiti over heard our conversation and thought she had to chime in.

Caiti: You know Tarren, (with her hands on her hips) when you take things out and play with them, you should ALWAYS put them back. And that way your room will never be messy.


Here's a snap shot of Caiti's room......
She's got the "do as I say, and not as I do" part down really well.




Monday, March 8, 2010

Highlights

I have been promising Tarren a haircut for a while. Time just flies by and I didn't realize that her hair was that bad with major dead ends. She has been begging for highlights since her birthday back in October.I was kind of torn at the decision... Is she too young? Eric and I talked it over and decided that she's a very responsible girl, and does a lot for us in helping around the house. She deserves to be rewarded. She knew of the haircut, but the highlights were a surprise to her. She was shocked. I asked her how she wanted her hair, if she wanted bangs, thick or thin chunks? She didn't know what the heck she wanted.

I informed the lady that I didn't want thick chunks in her hair, a weave would suit her just fine. I didn't want her first highlights to look totally hoaky. Then Tarren asked me is she could have bangs. I, for the most part, don't do bangs with the girls, it's one less thing for me to deal with. But she's old enough to make some decisions in regards to her body/hair, and she's well old enough to take care of her own hair.


And the final result is.......................................

Needless to say, she was very excited on how her hair turned out. Dad claims that she looks just a little bit older, which saddens him.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

If only.....

For Christmas Tarren received some sample shampoo and conditioners from Bath & Body Works. She had rediscovered them last week and decided to try them. The particular one she wanted to try out was some sort of stress relieving serum... I didn't pay to much attention to it other than it being in pretty green bottles.

This morning while I was in the shower getting ready for work, I saw the bottles and thought I would try them out. They smelled good.

In our house, we have an open door policy, so Tarren came into the bathroom while I was showering.


Tarren - Mom, are you using my shampoo and conditioner?
Me - Yeah, they smelled good. Sorry, I should have asked
Tarren - That's okay, do you like them?
Me - Sure.
Tarren - Did it take away all your stress?


The thought was genuine and sincere because she knows about my high stress levels lately, but I had to smile and reply "yeah, some of it".

Oh to be 11 years old, and be so naive to the thought of a simple bottle of shampoo and conditioner taking away all your problems. I'm not ready to take away her rose colored glasses, yet.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Go Saints!!

I dug this picture out of my wallet, so it's a little worn. As you can see, we've been Saint's fan for a long time. This is Trenton when he was about 2, close to 3. It also helped that Eric's parents were living across the river from New Orleans at that time.
Note: He is nowhere near blonde anymore... that makes me sad.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Tarren's Recital

Tarren's recital was a little over a week ago. (Just a lil late on posting). This was the first one she had ever been in. The paper called for her hair to be "half up and curly". I called Jonnie in to do Tarren's hair since I never quite learned how to do mine, I always had her. I think it took close to an hour. As I dropped Tarren off at her class room, I ran into one of my nieces, Hannah. You can't tell Tarren is nervous at all.
I didn't get any pictures of the dance routine because I have a camera that would just take really dark pictures. We were in the far back corner, so no matter how hard I tried nothing was coming out worth a darn.
She was given flowers by her Grandma Hart. I absolutely LOVE this picture. With Tarren being 11 going on 25, I don't know a thing about a thing or two. We constantly fight. So when I held up the camera to take the picture, she quickly gave me a kiss. Affection is few and far in between with her, I only pray that it's a pre-teen thing she's going through.