Prayers To All

Prayers to everyone at home. I just read the reports about Ike causing some major damage up that way. I hope everyone is safe and well.

Conversations With My 5 Year Old

Aubs on sharks.

A: What is in the woods?

M: Trees and animals.

A: Maybe bears?

M: Possibly.

A: Maybe there is a lake with sharks and alligators.

M: Alligators probably but no sharks. Sharks require salt water.

A: So they can live in pools.

M: No, they cannot live in pools. They need salt water.

A: They can live in some pools. Daddy has salt at his store for pools. (For salt generators)

M: Sharks cannot live in pools.

A: Can they live in a saltwater pond?

M: No, their food isn't there.

A: Sharks only eat fish and people that swim to deep and close to them.

9/11/08

This photo is from Jesse's Air Force Graduation. Today I have been thinking how amazing Jesse and Jake are for choosing the Military path. They both knew there was a good chance they may be called overseas. Jake leaves in three weeks. I know this is what he trained for, I know he is brave, and I know he will carry the prayers of all of us with him. I am still worried.

This year's anniversary is so different for me. Today Aubs is old enough to question why today is a sad day. I remember those feelings so vividly from that morning that when Aubs asked today I couldn't help but cry.

The longest ten minutes of my life happened when I couldn't find Carly. She had been in New York on the tenth and I couldn't remember when her flight came home. The funny thing is looking back it was probably only one and a half minutes. The time to leave her a message and then call Jenny.

Prayers and Love to all today.

Why We Love Our Neighbors And Other Titles For Yesterday

- I am Superwoman And Can Push This Riding Lawnmower Out Of This Ditch.

- How To Add Gas To The Mower Without Dropping The Gas Cap In A Pile Of Fire Ants

- How To Make A Roasting Pan Double As A Casserole Dish When One Realizes They Underestimated The Size Of The Pyrex.

- Officer, I Am Really Sorry A Chunk Of Your Fence Got Caught In My Mower. (The neighbor happens to be a Sheriff's Deputy)

- How I Killed The Women's Lib Movement In One Simple Act Of Helping The Husband With The Mowing.

- I Got The Two Hour Ironing Down To One and A Half Hours. (The Pleats Will Not Win!)

- Don't Forget The Height Setting Of The Mower Or You May Just End Up With A Lawn That Closely Resembles A Marine Corps Recruit Hair Cut.

Contrary to the titles above I had a great and productive day yesterday. I managed to do all of my errands and visit with Kiera all before noon. Once I got home I was feeling a bit antsy and thought I would help Shawn by mowing the lawn. We are a bit behind since TS Fay came through since in order to effectively use the riding mower the lawn must be sort of dry we had to wait for the ground to sort of dry out. Once we were ready to go it started to rain again and things got postponed again. Yesterday I decided in true Missy fashion that I could totally do this myself. I got the mower out and set the blade to the highest setting for the first pass. My father taught me that when mowing the lawn each pass should overlap to ensure equal cutting. Since our lawn was a bit long I decided to go long first as to not choke the mower. The problem came when I tried to remember Shawn's setting for the regular cutting. I chose one a bit too short. When Aubs saw it she said "Wow, the lawn is short. At least you can wait longer to cut it again because it will take longer to grow back." During the course of the cutting I got the mower stuck in the ditch. I guess I did not allow the ground to dry enough. I had to push/pull it out myself. I could have gone to the lovely neighbor and asked for help but I was determined. I managed to get the mower out of the ditch and continue on my way only to grab a stray board from the neighbors fence. I did go to his door at that point. He got a good chuckle out of the situation and said that most of our side of the fence was a bit loose from the rain/storms. I only got stuck one more time and was able to fix it without a problem. I then decided to cook dinner. I am trying to cook enough food that I can get a few lunches out of the meal. I cooked two boxes of pasta last night and realized they would not fit in my casserole dish. I had to use the roasting pan. Anyone want some baked spaghetti?

New Hair

Aubs got a haircut this weekend. She had wanted it up to her ears and I had talked her into chin length. She was a bit apprehensive for the first day or two but now that she knows her and Aunt Honey have the same hair all seems well with the world again. Aubs had enough hair to donate to Locks of Love, when we explained what it was she was awfully excited to donate.
The after picture is from then next day. I had to do some fixing when we got home so the after pictures from the first day aren't a good representation.

Thoughts

- Oh S***.

- Is it okay to think someone is a hypocrite when wearing a "Green Chic" shirt they have their groceries put into plastic bags and then climb into their SUV?

- Did you know you can get a suntan at eight in the morning while walking Aubs to school?

- If anyone ever hears me say that the pleated skirts are so cute on little girls tell me to put it back on the rack. Please, I beg you. I just had to iron the two pleated skirts and one jumper with pleated bottoms and it was pretty freaking annoying.

- Ironing all the clothes for me and Aubs for the week took almost two hours. Stupid pleats.

School Has Resumed

Aubs has been back in school the past couple days. The weather still really sucks but at least my poor five year old is not stuck in the house. Her behavior can only be described as confirming the cabin fever myth. (We watched this Mythbusters this week) It wasn't that there was nothing here to do she just wanted to go outside or to Michaela's. She is loving kindergarten. Here are the things I learned from her the past two days:
- The art teacher is magic.
- The art teacher taught them color magic today but Aubs ripped her paper.
- The cafeteria makes really good jell-o with fruit. (She bought her first lunch today)

I have no idea what has happened in her regular class. Her Pre-K teacher called her last night. I only wish I could have been here to see her face. She has talked endlessly about Mrs. P. over the summer and how much she misses her. It really made her night.

Inner Barbarian

I just discovered BMX racing. How have I never seen this before? I hate to say this but I kind of liked it.

My former boss is one of the top ranked riders in the world in his age group. Gary S. I just gained a whole new level of respect for you.

Storm Update.

It has been wet, wet, wet all day. It is only a bit breezy but the water is out of control. Our front and side yards have standing water in them and from what I can tell we still have a few hours of rain ahead of us.

Aubs does not like the severe weather reports. She came and asked if I could find her a show that did not go BZZZZ, BZZZZ, BZZZZ and flash yellow stuff on the screen.

We had a very angry hawk friend for a while. He sat in one of the trees looking around and very very wet. He must have decided being in a high tree was not so smart and flew off.

What A Day.

Aubs and I both survived her first day of Kindergarten. Her second day of Kindergarten has been postponed until Wednesday at the earliest. I think it may be Thursday before she returns.

I had the best of intentions today to pick her up as a walker. As a child I always thought it would be fun to walk to school but always lived too far away. As it stands now Aubs will not take a bus until high school. As I walked the long way to pick her up 2.5 miles (there is a 1 mile path to get home). I made it 2 miles in and the first band of TS Fay hit the Central Florida area. Luckily Shawn was able to come and get us so that Aubs did not have to get soaked. I am still feeling a bit on the cold side, wet feet and air conditioning don't mix.

I also learned that a bike lock is the forgotten supply. Unfortunately for me everyone else did not forget.

Through Aubs commentary we learned the following:
- They all thought they would get a nap. They did not. Poor K was so tired that they laid their head on the table and may have gotten in trouble.
- Everyone but T was well behaved today. Aubs seems to think that this child pretends not to speak English so that they don't have to listen.
- They colored.
- They read. Not all of the kids can read like her and some just pretended.
- They did centers. The kitchen is not the same as pre-k so they had to use puzzle pieces as cookies.
- PE is no fun. They measured the kids and told them the rules. Aubs said that they were yelling. I think that is actually because the PE area is outside and has a roof on it. The roof is metal and may amplify the sound.
- She says that she likes Kindergarten but not so much.
- She had so much fun. (She is reading over my shoulder and yelling out corrections as I type.)

I Didn't Cry,

Not even one tear. I am not sure how I made it but I did. We dropped her off this morning. She was a bit nervous but I am sure she will be just fine. Her nametag has been scrapified. The teacher said that they would need to wear them all week so I decided we should fancy it up a bit. I also figured that it would go in a scrapbook so I might as well make it stronger with double cardstock. A bit of ribbon, some buttons, and a lanyard and we were good to go. She is by the way the only kid who remembered their nametag today.
The second picture is for Maury. That is the flag Shawn bought for the house.

The Big K

Dear Aubrey Beth,
Tomorrow you start Kindergarten. I am just not sure how this happened I am quite sure deep down in my heart that you are still the girl who can't say milk (nulk). You are well past those days now but still seem to like to throw in an extra n here and there for me. We have bought all your supplies and uniforms (new county wide policy for K-12) and have all of them laid out for the week. On paper it seems we are ready. I am nervous for you to start this new chapter of your life as a school aged child. You have done well at anything placed before you so I know you can do it. I am concerned that they may not be able to keep up with you, but I am sure you will let us know if there is a problem. We were so spoiled last year with a teacher that was willing to set aside time to work with you at your level. I hope the new teacher will do the same. You express yourself so well and can make decisions better than some of the adults I know.

I will have to remember to tell the teacher tomorrow that you think you are a Marine. I realized this when you saluted Miss Bobbie in dance class this weekend. Although I am quite sure if we tell you that Marines only get green dots behavior will not be an issue.

I can't wait to see what you learn this year, it will be quite an adventure for us all.

I love you and am so proud of you.

Love always and forever,
Mama

As If I Wasn't Already Sure

It has once again been proven to me that I am in real trouble with this kid. We just finished watching August Rush. As always she got up and danced to the final credits. She then started improvising a drum solo on her chair to go along. She also asked for a guitar. Anyone know where I can get a real child's sized guitar?

Why I Could Never Win A Gold Medal

Besides the fact that as far as coordination goes I am a bit lacking but I am pretty determined when I decide to do something. The real reason I could not have won a Gold Medal is I would have been a blubbering, sobbing, red faced, and runny nosed athlete on the stand. I saw them interview the women's backstroke winner and they asked her why she kept crying. Well DUH! I cannot even watch the telecast of the medal ceremony or the winning moments without tearing up. Example the Men's Gymnastics All Around Competition. God Love the Underdog. Also watching the US men win the 4 x 100 relay AWESOME. I cheered and cried. I also sent glaring looks at the French Team. I am all for competitive spirit, however if you are published saying you are going to "Smash" the other team, you should be able to back it up.

This Girl Is Just Not Normal

I should be keenly aware of the fact that my daughter is just not like the other kids. I am obsessed with the Olympics and hoped that my girl would want to watch some of the events with me. When I asked her if she would like to watch swimming she responded "No, Tennis." The only tennis that Aubs has ever seen is on the Wii.

Aubrey will start Kindergarten next week. She is having a bit of anxiety, but not over the things that one would think. First she was worried that we hadn't gotten her third folder. Today it was that she didn't think that she would be able to do the homework. I let her in on the secret that since she can read she is going to be fine. I told her that they would also have spelling lists and she said that she already knows how to spell. Once she realized that these things would be okay she informed me that she had one other problem. "I don't know how to write cursive." I had purchased the wrong type of notepad, who knew that the beginning writing tablet and Primary Composition with the dotted line in the middle are not really the same thing. She decided this morning to practice her letters and discovered that there is another way to write them.

Yes, I am aware that I am in some deep trouble here.

Bedtime Conversations With My Five Year Old

Not to be outdone by Michael's bedtime adventures we had one of our own this evening. Aubs was in quite the mood this evening and just did not want to go to bed. After much arguing and doing the exact opposite of what we asked the following scene occurred.

Aubrey crawling out of her room. (This is what she does when she does not want to be caught)

Aubs: I can't sleep.

Me: I don't want to hear it.

Aubs: But Mommy I can't sleep because God is talking to me and He just won't stop.

Me: (choking) What?!

Aubs: God is talking to me and He has a lot to say He won't stop.

Me: Is He saying anything important?

Aubs: No, He is just talking about comic books.

Me: Aubs, God is a pretty understanding man I am sure if you ask nicely He can comeback and talk to you in the morning.

Aubs: I keep asking Him in my head and He keeps going.

At this point Shawn came in and offered to intervene.

November

May be the best month of the year for me. First I got floor seats to NKOTB. Then today I saw this.

I cannot wait.

Conversations With My 5 Year Old

On Nature: Horses are just like lawnmowers. Except they are horses but they both eat grass.

On smiling for pictures: Me: "Aubs why are you making such a silly smiling face in all of your pictures recently?"
Aubs: "I am just trying out some new things. I haven't found one I like yet."

Me: "Can you only try out new smiles when Mommy is the photographer and use your real smile for other pictures?"

Aubs: "Well I can't find my real smile, I think I left it at Michaela's and she may be trying it out. Can you ask Jenny if they have seen it?"

Sometimes I Forget...

How lucky I am to have been born an American Citizen. It is something I think we all take for granted. Today at work one of the ladies came in beaming and said that she passed her test. When asked she stated "My citizenship test, I am an American Citizen.". Wow. Everyone in the break room cheered for her. I wish you all could have seen the pure joy on her face. Her ceremony is on Monday. It was such an amazing moment to see.

Congratulations Y!

I Am In Big Trouble With This One

Aubs has really been stepping up her developing fashion. It is so amazing to watch her put things together. We recently went accessory shopping (for Me) and she kept telling me that her necklaces she picked out were prettier than mine. She even went so far as to tell me "Carly would wear this, if you got this you would be pretty like My CarCar." She was right Carly would wear it but it wasn't appropriate for work.
Speaking of Car Car I think that she has really helped Aubs in her current obsession to be fashionable. On Sunday we took her shopping. She mostly dressed herself and went out wearing the following: 1 maxi dress in pink, white, orange, and purple, 1 pair of purple flip flops, 1 pair Juicy Couture earrings, 1 Coach patent leather pink wristlet (mine by the way, I forgot the rule of pink. If it is pink and comes into the house Aubs may just claim it as hers) and 1 pink sunhat. She was adorable. All that was missing was the giant sunglasses.