Tooth!

My son lost his first tooth tonight!! I knew it wasn't far off when I checked on it this morning. So after a drama filled dinner ("I can't use my teeth to eat my hot dog mom") I grabbed a cool wash cloth and we pulled it out. I got queasy, thanks to a weak stomach for things like this but he is very relieved, proud and excited! I am proud too! I cannot believe my boy is big enough to be losing teeth!

Time to turn into the tooth fairy!

Studying

Studying for school as a 31 year old single mom is so different than it was at 19 and no kids. I know that is totally shocking you right now. But seriously, I have completed my first week of school and can honestly tell you I love it. Even the challenging things.

And let me tell you, the challenging stuff is not what I expected it to be. I was sure my history class would be my downfall but this week my music class has been trying for me. I am holding out hope that the next few weeks will be less confusing.

I'm challenged by the material, confused by it, pretty much exhausted by the end of the day when I get to work on my school stuff, but it's all worth it. When I was stressing about it all this week I asked for prayer and prayed myself. I just wanted peace in my decision and boldness to speak up in class. I asked and I received both. God is so good. I was reminded that going to school is a blessing and God has guided me every step of the way. I'm not worried anymore. I'm going to do my best and practice taking risks.

Fall

Fall is officially here- we turned the heater on this morning. Love it! Also an indication, one child is home sick with a cold. Not fun but par for the course.

I'm so looking forward to taking the kids to the pumpkin patch this year. For once in their lives, it won't be a hot and humid day like it was every year in Tennessee. They are both old enough to really have fun with it now and to "get it". Now I need to find a good one around here!

November

I have so many fun things to look forward to in November. Thanksgiving, a visit with my sister and her family, the kids getting to see their dad, my daughter turning 3 and Breaking Dawn 1 in theaters.

Is it November yet??

Oops

I got a call this afternoon from the school bus garage...the bus driver was waiting for me to go get my son. I totally spaced that every Wednesday is early release (for teacher work time). I felt so awful! We live about a block away from the bus stop but I was so frazzled, I just ran out, got my daughter in the car and drove down to get him. After apologizing numerous times to him and the bus driver we left for home.

In other news....

I'm kinda excited for dessert tonight. I am surprising the kids with homemade ice cream that we get to make...in bags! How cool is that? I am using this recipe that I found on Pinterest. I can't wait to see how it turns out and what the kids think! We are on a bit of a roll in the creativity department here. Yesterday at my daughter's home visit (she attends Head Start) we learned how to make our own play dough. That was a huge hit! The recipe we used was given to us by her teacher and it is:
1-2 cups of flour
1/2 cup salt
1 package Kool-Aid
3 tbsp salad oil
1 cup boiling water

Start with one cup of flour and add to it, once you mix the rest of the ingredients, as needed. It was fun to make it with the kids and see them get so excited about it.


So now you have recipes for ice cream and play dough to try also. :) Aren't you glad I blogged today? ha!

Weight

I did something very freeing this week! I donated all the clothes that were one, two, or three sizes too small for me....you know the ones, we all have them. They sit in your closet just waiting for you to fit into. Well, I got rid of mine this week. So good!!
Earlier this year I did the whole counting calories thing and I lost 11lbs. It was fun-while it lasted. I honestly do not have the motivation to stick with it. And I'm ok with that. I like me how I am. Finally! I also realized this week that I gained back some of those pounds. At first I was a little discouraged but then I realized I don't really care. ha!

My friend put this quote up on Pinterest (have you seen Pinterest? I'm obsessed) this week and I love it!

"Is fat really the worst thing a human being can be? Is fat worse than vindictive, jealous, shallow, vain, boring, evil or cruel? Not to me." J.K. Rowling

Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to continue feeling fabulous in my jeans I got last winter. :)

Moving On

One year ago today my entire world got turned upside down with one sentence, "I want a divorce". In the first days and hours after this announcement it seemed like my life was over. What was I going to do with myself and my two small children? How could he do this to us?

It didn't take me long to realize that this was a blessing. Sure it sucked to pack up my entire house and move my kids and I cross country, move in with my parents and try to make a life for us. I had tough times emotionally, still do every now and then. I don't have all the answers for my kids when they are sad about missing their dad or why he isn't with us. More understanding on their part will come with age. They are thriving here, though. We all are.

I thought, briefly, about dating. Then I realized it's not for me. I am so in love with my life right now. I love the dynamic I have with my kids and parents. I love that we live with my parents and they are supportive in my decisions. I am beyond blessed by them and my family and friends, every day.

More than all of that, I am completely thankful that I have a God who loves me for me. He has been the constant in my life and my decisions the past year and I owe everything to Him. Stepping out in faith is much much bigger and harder than it sounds. Do I struggle with letting go of my own life? If you know me personally, you know the answer is a firm YES. But, every time I have just given up everything to God, he has blessed me for it. Knowing that I have His love, understanding and grace is all that I need to know that I am ok. My kids are ok. We're all ok. It may not always seem like it, but it is.

This year has flown by. I did not think it would go so fast or be so fulfilling. I had no idea that I could be a strong, single mom and actually really love it. I didn't really think I could be friends with my ex-husband, but I am. There are much bigger things happening in my life and all around me to be caught up in the past and the wrongs done to me or my kids. I do my very best to live each day for what it is and do the best I can for my kids and myself. And really, what more can you ask for?