Space holders

We had a difficult family meeting last night...and then first thing this morning, I saw this quote and it really rang true...

"We think our job as humans is to avoid pain, our job as parents is to protect our children from pain, and our job as friends is to fix each other’s pain. Maybe that’s why we all feel like failures so often – because we all have the wrong job description of love.  People who are hurting don’t need Avoiders, Protectors, or Fixers.  What we need are patient, loving witnesses. People who sit quietly and hold space for us.  People to stand in the helpless vigil to our pain."

Glennon Doyle

Encouragement

HS Dance Team

Gianna auditioned for the high school dance team yesterday and she made it!! Yay!!

They only picked four girls.  She was #6 and her best friend was #7!!

The rest of our weekend

It was a busy weekend. First homecoming last night...then today I went to see my super talented nephews at a marching band competition...they both play the marimbas...

and then over to the rink to watch our boy in net...

Homecoming Junior & Freshman years

Gianna's freshman year & Julia's junior year...

Homecoming Rally

This is Julia's high school dance team (she's back row last one on the left)...

Julia starts standing in the back, second one in from the right.

 

College Tour #3

Well college tour #3 at Salem State didn't go so well.  I don't think it's a good fit for Julia.  She didn't love it there.  It has a great nursing program and a pretty campus but it's a bit too small for her.  She didn't like the small classrooms because it felt too much like high school.  The kids that go there seem very different from her too.  I was hoping it would be a good safety school...but we'll have to look for some alternatives.  And knowing all that while we were walking around...I didn't even think to take any pictures.  Oh well...onward we go.  

Happy Birthday Daniel

Guess where we went...

Riverdale

I cried and cried and cried...

Shannen Doherty did a guest appearance on Riverdale to help pay respect to her good friend Luke Perry.  Luke starred on the show until he passed away unexpectedly this past March.  So when the show asked Shannen to do a guest appearance for the season premiere, which paid tribute to Luke Perry and addressed the character's passing, she happily agreed.  Shannen and Luke stayed friends long after 90210 was over.  I don't even watch the show but loved this episode so much.  

Brenda and Dylan forever...

Life with teens

This is what I see when I come downstairs on weekday mornings...

I kiss the top of her hood and cheerfully say "Good Morning"...and I get no response.  Nada.

Kindness

I worked so hard at teaching my kids from a very young age to be kind...K-I-N-D.  I taught them how to spell the word and even went as far as making kind charts and hung them up in the kitchen.  They each got a star every time they were kind to each other or someone else.  I know if I ask Nicholas and Julia about it today they would remember.  They still need to work on kindness of course...as I do too...no one is perfect...but I do wonder how much time families are really working on kindness...and acceptance with their kids?  I'm always stressing how important acceptance is too.

It really is quite simple.  Not everyone is going to share the exact same views and beliefs as you...politics...race...sexuality...religion...and on and on and on.

It really is so basic though.  Be kind to one another.  Not only to those who think the same way as you do...just be kind to EVERYONE. 

AMEN Ellen!

Parenting in a nutshell

I saw this today and it is so true...

Newborns

How can such a tiny person eat so often?  I really need a shower.  Will I ever sleep or fit into my pants again?

Toddlers

If I turn my back for TWO seconds, he’s like, on top of the refrigerator. Totally naked.

Little Girls (oh my…Gianna!)

I think she literally started a sentence 5 years ago and hasn’t stopped talking since. I’m going to lose my mind.

Little Boys

Can you please get the pee IN the toilet?  And for the millionth time put the seat down…your sister just fell in!

Tweens

You are too young to wear that. You are not old enough to watch that. I don’t care if everybody else has a phone.

Teens (where we are right at this moment)

Get off your phone.  Is your homework finished?  Don’t you roll your eyes at me. Why are there so many towels on your floor?  It smells in here. You gotta get up…it’s noon!

Young Adults (and this is coming way too soon for me)

Are you eating enough?  When are you coming home? I love you. I miss you. This house is too quiet.

We complain about each and every stage we are in...until they aren't here anymore so there's nothing more to complain about...except their absence.  The days can be long...but the years go by way too fast.  

Braces

You're never too old for braces...

I got my top braces on 9/27 and I'm getting my bottom braces on soon.  It's been a little uncomfortable to say the least but I'm excited to fix my smile!!