That's it! I quit!

I put in my two weeks notice to Brent. He said it would take a little longer to find another wife and mother. Although it means nothing, it was sure nice to feel like I held some cards for those few seconds after I announced that I quit. Birdie is at the age where I'd like to drop her off somewhere for several hours and laugh a little laugh as I left with the words, "good luck!" hanging in the room behind me. This age is the reason MOPS groups and mother's day outs were created! She's a busy little birdie. And while I drop her off at nursery, I'm off to teach a class of 3-year-olds or go workout...not exactly a cake walk. Last Thursday, I went to the church office to fax some stuff and found out I was there just in time for FBC Preschool's chapel service so Birdie and I went down to support Brent. It was wild watching them file in, knowing that as early as next year, after I send Birdie to school, I can FINALLY lay around smoking cigarettes and watching soaps all day! Haha! Brent seemed to have some other ideas of what I'll be doing...silly boy.

Friday night we had all my old co-workers and their families over. I miss them! It's crazy to think that you spend so much time with these people and then, nothing. We had a great time catching up!

Beatle started playing the violin. Our church is offering free lessons and a free violin to use for a semester as she practices. Her best friend's dad says that they could get a better sound from twisting a cat. Haha! But, she sure is excited. When I see her walking around, carrying that violin case, her purple glasses on, shoes on the wrong feet, wild clothes on that she picked out herself, and a big toothless smile, I can't help but think that if I were 6-years-old too, Bailey would have some serious competition for a best friend. :)

Labor Day: It's the Stuff Dreams are Made Of

My new favorite holiday is....drumroll....wait for it, people....LABOR DAY! Ok, it really can't compete with the other big ones but we have had the most amazing Labor Days for the last few years. They are chalked to the brim with memories and family time. Two years ago, we went to see friends in Florida and were at Disney on Labor Day, coincidentally, with my parents--total God thing! And a day in history that will go down as perfect. Last year, we had our yard sale and I remember looking through our front door to the yard and seeing Birdie on Brent's back in a backpack and Beatle playing in the front yard, thinking, "Man, we're a cool family. I'd like to be our friends." :) And then this year, we had Brent's family in town for another great weekend--lots of fun there. We practically begged them not to leave a day early but they wanted some time before they jumped back in to their respective jobs and I get that. But oh, the magic Monday held. We loaded up the jeep in the newly crisp air and took some untraveled backroads, complete with clothes on the line, and BR took us fishing to an overstocked pond and we were pulling in catfish left and right. It was crazy! In about the last 20 years, I've never had fun fishing until yesterday broke that dry spell. Beatle caught, arguably, the two biggest of the day. She had so much fun doing that! Her first fish! Birdie had a good time tottering around and pooping in the wild outdoors. Why nature calls for both girls when we're in the middle of no where, I'll never know! But I came prepared with wet wipes and sanitizer. It was cute seeing Birdie make her fish imitation and ask BR for "More, peeeaaas!" She wanted her daddy to catch one more fish and lo and behold, Beatle caught another one. Beatle loved reeling them in but didn't want to have anything to do with them once they were on shore. I've got a picture of her making a "TaDa" geasture to a fish lying in the grass about 4 feet away. Haha! I decided I wanted to try my hand while BR and Beatle were going to try to start cleaning the fish. I caught a small catfish and was trying to get their attention across the way and was whoopin and hollerin, waving my fish around and accidentally slapped Birdie right in the face with it. Haha! Poor thing. We ran to take the new fish over to them and then, three sets of wide eyes watched in horror as the gentlest man we've ever known mutilated a live fish. He was trying to clean it but it had been awhile and I'm sure an audience didn't make it any easier on him. We came home and the girls napped while BR finished cleaning the fish and then we went to Magic Springs for the last day the water park was open. No one was there because of the weather change and Beatle got to run up and ride everything she wanted to, thanks to short lines and a recent growth spurt. The day ended with fireworks and a contented family, knowing they could hang their hat on another perfect Labor Day.

Living the Dream

To my adoring public,

I apologize for my blogging absence! We have had some technical difficulties around the Roberts' house. But, on the flip-side, I have many wonderful things to blog about.

I did it! About a week ago, Brent and I went to Dallas for me to attend a conference so I could get my group fitness certification! I passed my test and am now teaching a running class with a kickboxing class on the horizon. The morning of us leaving, I was waking the girls up and before Beatle's eyes were even open, she sleepily mumbled, "Mom, i'm glad you're doing your dream." her thoughtfulness is so touching. Honestly, I'm doing a lot of this for her. It's not fair for me to not set a good example and then expect her to break the cycle of being overweight.

The other night, we were reading Bibles in bed and Beatle saw a picture of Biblical patriarch holding tablets in hers and said, "who's this?" and I said, "you know!" and she said, "oh, Noah." and I said, "noooo...he was the prince of Egypt, parted the Red Sea (could tell it was still not ringing a bell)...rhymes with roses." "oh! Noses!" at that moment, I realized we still have some more ground to cover. Haha!

Birdie and I started going to Toddler Time at the library and there's already a Charlotte there so we're going by Lottie. We can't catch a break in this town with these names!

It's getting kind of late but, I promise I will blog again soon. Don't give up on me! :)

Name Stealing and Accidental Face Kicking

What a ripper! I help teach the 3-year-old Sunday School class and I love those crazy kids but last week we had a visitor come in for "extended session" as I was leaving. The girl was on the arm of an old friend of ours; you see, when we moved to Hot Springs, we had two couples our age that became fast friends. One couple moved back to OK after a few months and the other couple (who had a daughter close to Beatle's age) got a divorce, sadly. As we found out, it's hard having friends that divorce and sometimes, even though we were relatively new friends, I still miss "them". I don't talk much to the wife anymore but we still bump into her every once in awhile but, without sounding like a weirdo, I really miss the husband. I didn't feel like it was ever appropriate though to send him cards, give him a call or email him as such. Brent tried to keep him hooked up with church but I think he just needed a fresh start at a new church. Anyways, I was SO excited to see him Sunday with his new fiancé and her daughter. He was holding her daughter who was obviously distressed about the new environment and was trying to soothe her by saying calming things like, "it's ok. Brendle, it's going to be alright." wait, wait, wait! I asked him, "wait. Like my Brendle??" he gave me a nonchalant "yeah" and went back to soothing her. I felt so ripped off!! I know we haven't trademarked her name yet but I've never heard of a little girl with that name, let alone, at our very church. How weird! And then, my paranoid wheels start turning because the little girl was MAYBE three (she came with a diaper bag and was acting so much younger than everyone else, the extended session teachers agreed she was probably in the wrong class). It made me wonder if this Hot Springs mom had heard Brendle's name within the first year of us being here and dubbed hers as such. I know, it's a stretch but it IS a small town. I think what hurt the worst was the fact that the daddy didn't even act like it was a big deal that we share that common bond, that he didn't even act like our families used to be close. He very well could have been preoccupied or maybe we just bring back bad memories, I'm not sure but it stung.

Moving right along, Beatle told us she's going to be famous for break dancing! We got a good laugh at that and, you know what, maybe she will and then who will be laughing??? :)

Her frienemy, M, "accidentally" kicked her in the face at their table and "accidentally" hit her that day too. Beatle says she made a big production about how it was an accident but Beatle felt quite sure it wasn't. I got upset about that and said, "yes, if it's just words, you need to ignore what she says and keep trying to show God's love but if it continues to be physical, you really need to talk to Mrs. S about it." Beatle said desperately, "she'll just say it was an accident." and to that, I retorted, "well, you need to just tell Mrs. S that Meyah needs help learning to control her body then because that's unacceptable." Beatle laughed a funny little laugh and I asked, "What?" She said, "well, you're usually such a Godly woman! I can't believe you're telling me to say this."

I'm going to leave it at that tonight. Night!

We're back, Baby!!

We had a great first day of first grade! It was so different than Kindergarten: we allowed more time in the morning for pictures, she wasn't nervous and I didn't cry! :) It's really hard to believe she's a first grader though! There was one girl that really got in her head last year. She's a major tattle-tell and she draws things out of Beatle and then Whamo! raises her hand to tell the teacher. Honestly, there are several other things that point to her not being a Christian and not having a very good home life; all things that Beatle's sensitivity led her to see too even though Meyah wears her smooth out. Last year, Beatle had to sit by her most of the second semester so Beatle was longing for a break from her this year. We get to class and whose name is taped down right beside Beatle's?? When Beatle read it, she just melted with helpless laughter. I felt very strongly that this was not a coincidence; God placed Meyah in her class and right beside her again to rub off God's love and truth on her some more. Beatle accepted the challenge but even yesterday when she got home there was some Meyah drama. Meyah told Beatle that she didn't have any friends besides her "precious Bailey" and that hurt her feelings and she started naming off friends she did have and threw a "boyfriend" in there too. Meyah's hand shot up and B got reminded that there are to be no talks of boyfriends. Beatle was feeling discouraged. Later, M said she wasn't going to be Beatle's friend, "....unless you give me one of those sequins (off of her new shirt)." So, Beatle tore one off to give to M and it started unraveling and she lost several more during the day. She came home feeling a used and manipulated; I really think a life lesson was learned yesterday that will hopefully help her in dealing with her classmate. Together, we examined the choices she made when she chased after Meyah's approval. I'm sure there will be plenty more M drama to come but there are Meyah's everywhere and I want her to figure this stuff out while she's just 6. On the upside, Beatle really loves her new teacher!

She lost a tooth on Sunday night, literally. She pulled it herself and she put it in the pillow we have for it and there was major tooth fairy confusion! I guess there was a coin from last time already in there and while she was messing with it her tooth fell out and she didn't know it. So, she thought the tooth fairy came and took the tooth but didn't leave her any money for this time...it was crazy! But she put the empty tooth pillow under hers and in the morning there was a written explaination for the confusion, along with a gold coin. Whew! Now, mom and dad have to find that baby tooth in the living room before she does!

Beatle was a dancing ma-chine at Aunt Suzy's wedding!!! It was SO funny! Her intense expressions and endless moves crack me up. Her flower girl dress was a wreck--stained and ripped. She passed out in the backseat on the way home. It was like she was a party girl on her 21st birthday. Like my friend Amanda said, "She'll remember this as being the best night ever." Birdie came through as a flower girl right at the last moment. She was ready to go about a minute and a half before it was her turn and when we stopped her, she crumpled. I had to go, Beatle had to go, leaving my dad, sis and the wedding planner to work their magic. It was like she came to her senses and relized she almost missed her chance so she started running down the aisle and then she'd stop and start running again. I was so glad for Brent's parents that night; I didn't fully realize how busy all of us would be and they helped so much with Birdie, making the wedding more pleasant for us all. Suzy looked beautiful! They both looked so happy and I'm so happy for them!

Being in so many beautiful homes while in OK, I've been inspired to up my game a little. I realized that with all the busyness of fostering and life, I've just been maintaining my house, maintaining my clutter and maintaining my schedule. Well, it's time to overhaul some things and I've been taking some hard looks at all of those and my school year resolution is PEACE. I want a manageable schedule, minimal clutter and lots of family time. I'm committed to giving it my best shot.

Gun-shy: Flippy Rides and Flaming Hands

A whole new world has been opened up to Beatle. She is now 48” tall and can ride almost everything at Magic Springs, the amusement park here in town. In our spare time in the summers (ha!) we like to venture over there. We bond as a family in between bouts of motion sickness and being slammed around by unruly tubes in the wave pool. We didn’t get passes last year and weren’t going to this year but they were given to us so how could we refuse?

Beatle was relishing in her newfound opportunities and was being quite bold but dug in her heels as we were finding seats on the pirate ship-type ride that flips all the way around. We had to take the “chicken exit”. I told the kid working it, “Maybe next time…” and he quipped, “Yeah, right.”

She was drunk on adrenaline though when she jumped off one small roller coaster onto Wild Thang—too bold to notice it was exponentially worse than the ride she passed on. “Hurry, hurry! Let’s try to get on this time,” she said exasperated as the rest of us were trying to keep up. Wild Thang turned in three different direction so I pleaded to Brent’s good nature on the way there to please let me sit this one out. So, he manned up and jumped on with her. It wasn’t till it started turning that I could see where she should be sitting, only I just saw legs dangling next to Brent. She was so small she couldn’t even see over the harness. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so out of control as a mother in my life. I know that she’s just on loan to me and God has her in His hands but I couldn’t help but freak out as the ride whirled her every which way and flipped her around over and over. I just sat there stupidly; dividing my time between praying and laughing hysterically while Birdie ate dirt. Thank God she exited safe and sound declaring, with every bit of sincerity she could muster, that she really thought she was going to die up there. She even had the presence of mind to ask Brent, while being flung around, how far away the closest emergency room was. Haha! She’s becoming so cerebral.

We return to Oklahoma this Friday and stay until my sister’s wedding. I truly enjoy not having to work but especially during the summer because it affords us opportunities like going to Oklahoma for weeks at a time. It’s such a special time to be able to take our time with family and friends.

I love Brent’s job. I love that he loves his job and that our kids love his job. Mind you, when they are 17, they may not think what he does is that cool but right now, he’s their hero. Last night, he was getting ready for camp and since he’s responsible for an illusion segment, he wanted an audience to perform for. He was doing good—wearing a wig and a lab coat we purposefully singed in areas to make kids doubt his abilities and add to his character—when he got to his second fire trick and something went awry and it there was a mini-explosion in his hands and his reaction was priceless. Beatle and I busted a gut!!! We doctored him and he’s all better but he’s scratched the fire tricks this week because now he’s all kinds of gun-shy.

Backyard Spectacular

I love the 4th of July because of family and friends! (is it wrong that they came to my mind way before my country?? Disclaimer: I AM patriotic!) But when I realized for the second year in a row we couldn't go to OK for the long weekend, I knew I must devise a plan to keep me preoccupied here in hot springs. I didn't really feel we could do much outside because of little JJ but inside things, like movies and bowling, were ruled out because of our live wire, Birdie. So, the backyard spectacular was born! Thank God for Family Fun magazine. Anything cute or creative I do, I've found or modified from that publication. We waited until Monday and worked outside after the girls went to bed on Sunday night so there were little surprises in the morning. It felt like Christmas! We bought a little pool and Brent crafted a sprinkler area out of PVC pipe. (like Christmas, he lost his cool a little the night before when he realized he glued it together wrong and I poorly supressed nervous giggles when he fired it up the next day and it trickled out of half the holes rather than sprayed out of all.) but, honestly, it was perfect for Birdie. Just her speed. I sprayed painted Twister circles on the grass.

Early Monday morning, Beatle climbed into bed and said, "mom, I can't believe it's red, white and blue day!" I made blue biscuits and we revealed everything. It was an amazing day, ending with the girls (and JJ) wearing homemade t-shirts, eating festive ice cream sandwiches Beatle and I made, and watching the tiny fireworks show BR put on. Even though we weren't where I traditionally think I should be on the 4th, we were able to manufacture the same feelings I've had on the 4th for the last 15 years.

Tonight, we were going to Bedtime Stories at the library for the first time and Beatle kept telling me that one of her friends told her that they have cookies and milk afterward. I told her that I wasn't sure and she kept insisting. Finally she said, "seriously mom, how would they keep all of those kids entertained--by just sitting around and reading a BOOK?" haha! She really does like books; she just likes cookies exponentially more! I couldn't help but share that with the children's librarian, who is a close friend of ours. Luckily, she thought it was funny too. :)