Lovebugs!

UGH! The lovebugs are back! I can't stand driving down the street watching clouds of lovebugs smack the windsheild. But don't blame them on the University of Florida, Snopes says that they are naturally occuring.

Luckily the days of my children being terrified of the swarming beasts are over. Now they just try to pull them apart without killing them. Maybe running away in fear was a better option.

I do have one question though... How do motorcycle riders survive lovebug season?

Fun Car Game

Earlier this week, I was riding in the car with my kids and we started playsing a fun game that I thought I would share with everyone. We each tell the others that we love them more than... and then we insert something there is a lot of.

Here's a sampling of some of our favorites...
I love you more than the leaves on the trees.
I love you more than the sand on the beach.
I love you more than the grass in the yard.
I love you more than the birds in the sky.

You can continue on with more and more wacky examples. It's a great way to get kids to observe the world around them and share nice thoughts about each other.

September 11, 2001

Today is my cousin's birthday. He was born prematurely on September 11, 2001. His mom said that it was so hard when she was in labor, because everyone just wanted to watch TV. She was scared because she was in labor early but it was hard to focus on anything except the horiffic events unfolding on TV.

As I watch Jordan grow-up, I am reminded of an entire generation of post-9/11 children that don't remember life before airport security checks and the war in Iraq. Even my children, ages 8 and 11, can't fathom what this day means in American history.

My strongest memory of that day is the surreal feeling of listening to the radio in my office and being unable to wrap my mind around the shock of the events. Nothing like this had ever happened on American soil in my lifetime. Let's join together in prayer that nothing like this ever happens again.

9/11

I am remembering today the families, victims and service members affected by 9/11. I will never forget where I was when life changed for all Americans that day. As I drove down 98 and Lakeland Hills on my way back home from dropping the kids off for school I kept noticing that many flags flew at full staff. Hopefully this was due to the early hour I was on the road. We just can't forget this day. We can make something good out of this horrible event. Do a random act of kindness today in remembrance. Even a simple thing will contribute to making our world a nicer place for all of us. For all affected my thoughts and prayers are with you today!
Kira

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Several weeks ago we received the news that our daughter had been accepted into a school that we had been on the waiting list for 3 years. She was going to an excellent charter school already but they had no middle school or high school prospects associated with their elementary. We are zoned for some schools that are not the best. A decision had to made within 5 days to transfer. I agonized over this decision. She was so close to her friends at the other school and the year had already started. She was well liked by her teachers and she was learning many wonderful educational and social skills. It was a terrible predicament to move from what we knew and loved so well to another equally great choice but one that was new and different. Together our family decided that we would take the chance and make the move. The new school would offer her opportunities to grow in some areas that the other one hadn't . I cried and worried for the next week, wondering if I had done right by my daughter. One day I started crying in front in her (a big no no if you want your child to feel secure!) She put her hand on my arm and she said, "mom it's alright". I kept a sharp lookout for signs of stress in her. Was that tummy ache and stuffy nose a result of the move? No, she just had a little virus. It went away a few days later. At the end of that first week the one teacher had written me a short note on how well Abbie was doing in class. Then the second week at the new school she brought home a certificate saying she was "student of the week". When asked what she thinks of the new school she says," I really like it. I want to stay at the new school mom." She has already made three friends. We have had two of her friends from her old school spend the night. Slowly my panic and worry are subsiding. My daughter is blooming where she is planted. She amazes me with her ability to adapt to change and thrive in it. I hope I can be like that when change comes my way.

Yeah for weekends

Man! This has been a great, relaxing weekend. Now that school is back in session, it's great to have the weekend to just veg out and hang together as a family. No big plans, nothing exciting, just watching movies, surfing the net and arguing over the PlayStation 2. Not every weekend is like this, but it's great when they come along. The next few weekends are slap full of activities, so I appreciate this one while it's here. I love my couch!!

Welcome!

Welcome to a new blog, by mothers for mothers. All those contributing are at different points on the journey of raising kids, from an expectant mother to a grandmother. Our desire is to share our experiences with you and each other. We met at Journey Church in Lakeland, FL. We don't claim to have all the answers, just a willingness to share our lives with you.

http://www.startyourjourney.com