Age...Just a Number?

Well, I hit 31 years old with a speed faster than lightening the end of August. 31...just how did that happen? Along with the 31 years, has also come the sagging of areas that were once "perky", the widening of areas that were once narrow, and the wrinkling of areas that were once smooth!

In an attempt to feel and look better, I have joined a local small gym here in town. In the MONTH that I have been working myself into a disgusting smelly sweat I have only lost a few pounds! Keep in mind that I have been eating as many raw foods as possible (salads with tons of veggies, fresh fruit, raw nuts...). When I was in my 20's I could cut back for a few days and drop 5 lbs in a week!

Okay, all that whining aside, there are perks to being in ones 30's. I am thankful to have lived this long, to have two wonderful little girls, and a great husband. The feeling of stability at this point is priceless for me!

For the birthday celebration, David and the girls made sure to include my favorite things...pink roses, chocolate, my favorite perfume, hugs, kisses, and singing! David called from a store on the way home to see what kind of cake/pie/anything that I would like. As I couldn't decide, he bought double chocolate/chocolate chip muffins! We walked in from church to him lighting a candle atop a muffin! The night before, Dave and Leila went to the store to pick out a gift for me (she REFUSED to make me another card this year...in her words "I always have to make Momma a card!"). She presented me with a pink notebook and sparkly ink pen! So I would have somewhere to write the "grocery lists" and stuff!

All in all, even though I am 31, I have a wonderful life that I am so thankful for.

Back in the Saddle

We are back in full swing now! School, work, gymnastics, band, children's choir at church, GA's...yes, life is moving on.

Leila loves her teacher, even though she misses her kindergarten teacher! She has also started gymnastics! Daily she is asking if it is gymnastics day and if not, then how many more days! She will be 7 in October, where did the time go?

Brooke and 6th grade are...well...lets just say that I am not crazy about 6th grade! Mood swings, eye rolling, and crying at the drop of a hat! I am told that it only gets worse! Other than hormonal cry-fests she is great! She is learning to play the flute (which we were able to get a great deal on)! I have enjoyed listening to her practice...even if she is not actually playing any songs yet!

After over a month of preparation I have a my new students and with a week under our belts, I must say that I am looking forward to this school year! They are all so excited! I hear "Mrs. Price...know what?" about 100 times a day, but it is great!

What? Summer is OVER?!

Alas, it is a very sad time in our home. Today we went to meet the girls teachers for the year! Leila's teacher and Brooke's teacher I know very well so no worries about what to expect. They both have their best friends in their classes this year too! As they prepare for this next year, I am preparing as well! Next week I have to go sort out all of the lessons, papers, and put my classroom back together! This has been the very best summer!

I have been reunited with some friends from highschool over the last couple of months. I look at their lives and am so much more thankful for the life I have. I have great in-laws who do everything in their power to make life better for their family. A great husband who just also happens to be the best dad ever! Parents who still teach me about the little things, sisters to keep me grounded, kids to keep it real! The things that I once thought would bring me a feeling of security seem silly now! I get exctied about a new whisk for the kitchen or a book for Leila!

I love Summertime!

There are many things that I love about summer, but one of my favorites is the food! Fresh veggies and fruits just make me happy! I have a very small "token garden" with tomatoes (Better Boys and Tommy Toe), cucumbers, strawberries(out of season now), sun flowers and two massive blueberry bushes!

My father-in-law sent me some of his peaches and I made a cobbler! Yes, from scratch! The girls thought this was very cool! I have been making blueberry muffins and freezing the other fresh blueberries by the quart size bag full for winter!

I am also in the process of putting up other veggies...Corn, peas, green beans, tomatoes...Hmmm, I think I want some soup! LOL!

What to do now?

Leila had another big seizure this morning. We are in between meds at the moment because the first meds made her so weepy and sad. She would start crying out of no where and just knew that all the problems of the world were all her fault...Just don't think that a 6 year old on zoloft to balance out the other meds is going to happen.

Honestly, the whole thing just makes me mad. I have heard people say that this isn't that big of a deal, because the seizures are small and don't leave lesions on her brain...well, it is not your kid either! She is afraid to go to sleep at night, because she might have a seizure! I am a grown up, I could handle something like this better if it was me, but this is a lot for a little girl to deal with.

That being said, I am very much a believer that God doesn't give us more than we can handle without HIM, and that these things make us stronger and help us to learn to depend on God more. I have told Leila this many times, just said it again this morning. At her age, it is hard to comprehend that God can use this as a positive to help others as she grows, and just honestly I am having a hard time looking past the here and now to the great plan that I KNOW God has for my child.

For those of you who do spend time in prayer, please pray for Leila. That we will be able to find the meds that will allow her to have a balanced, healthy, full life. That the doctor's will see her as a person, not "another patient". That we as parents will be strong enough to always point her to God, and that she won't grow up doubting God's love and great plan for her life. And anything else that God lays on your hearts in regards to this situation.

Summer Time Fun!

We started the summer with Brooke's swim meets! She has worked so hard on swim team and loves the personal challenge!

After Vacation Bible School, we went to Disney World! It was a great trip that didn't seem real until we had been there for several days! The girls had a blast meeting all the princesses and of course Mickey himself! Leila has a new big sister, Princess Bell! Brooke just soaked it all in and was all smiles, all the time! We were very excited as our total spending was right around $200 (including food!)...no we didn't eat any real meals, but we were on vacation!

Leila has a new kitten, her name is Oreo. This is the craziest cat in the world, but she is a PURRfect fit for my Leila! Full of energy and wide open!

Brooke's 11th birthday was the first of July, so of course in true David Price fashion there were fire works (as every occasion is an occasion for fire works)! She had two of her closest friends to spend the night so we ate pizza and a cookie cake!

The rest of the summer will be short, but busy with Brooke having two teeth pulled to help her braces, school preperation, and the last min summer funsies!

What's with the snakes!?

I have become the "snake lady"! We had another man eating snake in our back door!

I was on the phone with David one afternoon when the cat started jumping from here to there...at first I found it quite funny! As I went outside to get him and calm him down, I looked over and there it was! MAN EATING SNAKE right at my back door! I went for the hoe! I know, laughter all around, but I believe that snake was going to eat me! As I was beating this snake (which would NOT die), I was trying to get the girls back into the house and crying like a baby. Yes, real tears and everything! When it was all said and done, Brooke said that all she needed was popcorn, as it turns out I must put on a good show crying, and beating a snake with a hoe! I still get chills when I think about this snake! I don't like snakes...at all...

Next time you see a snake, think about the short chick, crying with a hoe in hand! You will at least get a laugh from that! ;)