Jelly Bean Field Day

Today, is June 7, 2013. I'm pretty sure this will be Gavin's most favorite school day ever. It's Jelly Bean Field Day. Just the name sounds fun. Jelly Bean Field Day is a day held every first friday in June at AES. AES is my beloved Elementary school. Jelly Bean Field Day was always my favorite day in school. We looked forward to it ALL year. It's a day filled with a bunch of different games and activities the kids play. For each game/activity they complete, they get a certain amount of jelly beans at a jelly bean station. The kids run around, get all sweaty and then, just when they can eat no more, they break for a picnic lunch with their classmates. It's the stuff childhood is made of. It's rainy and blah today so, the fun was moved inside. The littles would have been overwhelmed & cranky. Maybe next year. I can't wait to hear all about his day. I hope he loves it every bit as much as I did.

fad or legit?

I was watching Dr.Oz the other day & he had an interesting segment on "Paleo". I'd heard of it before and noticed a lot of my "friends" on pintrest were re-pinning "Paleo" recipes and info. I started looking into it. If it does what everyone is saying, my body will feel amazing and my kiddo will feel better. The great question is, "is it a fad or, is it legit?" I guess we're about to be the suckers that find out. I've heard it helps with arthritis, celiac, lupus and other auto-immune issues. I've been doing some more ADHD research, and have come across several professionals that thing ADHD is a link to auto-immune & gastro issues. If this is the case, and eating Paleo works, I'm ready! We shall see & keep you posted on our findings!

17...

If you could go back and tell your 17 year old self something, what would it be?

Mine:
 You're a senior. It'll be a tough year, you'll graduate in June and leave the safety of home in August. Avoid that boy. You can do better. You'll go home, you'll be sad but don't shut down or shut people out. Just because you didn't graduate Caz doesn't mean you failed. There's a reason you weren't meant to be there. Be grateful for the girls you met there but, don't feel bad if you don't stay in touch. 

Your life plan will not work out but, it's okay, there are better things in store for you. Your dreams were big but, God's plan was bigger. Embrace it. That guy you think is a creeper will turn out to be your best friend and the love of your life. It'll take a while but, you'll marry him someday. 

You'll get pregnant. You will be terrified of telling Mom & Dad. Just breathe, they love you and, they know. You'll do the right thing even when you're being told not to. You're brave. You're loved. That baby will be the best thing that ever happened to you. He will save your life and he will be perfect. He will be so very loved. He will make life better. 

You'll have a daughter someday. She will march to the beat of her own drum. She will try your patience. Love her! Someday, she will be just as scared & insecure. Tell her she's beautiful, every day. Make sure she knows it. Set her standards for her prince charming and set them high. 

You'll have women in your life that will be your sanity when you have none and that will be there through the worst of things. You'll be surprised who they end up being. Count yourself blessed. Because, you are. 

For Teagan

A while ago, I posted a poem that I had found on Pintrest that was my entire relationship with my son. I hadn't forgotten about my daughter, I just hadn't found something that felt like it was meant for her.  This one tends to be more for Teagan & her Daddy. Makes me cry every time I hear it. So, here it is:

My Little Girl : Tim McGraw

Gotta hold on easy as I let you goGonna tell you how much I love youThough you think you already know
I remember I thought you looked like an angelWrapped in pink, so soft and warmYou've had me wrapped around your fingerSince the day you were born
You beautiful baby from the outside inChase your dreams but always know the roadThat'll lead you home againGo on, take on this whole worldBut to me you know you'll always be, my little girl
When you were in trouble that crooked little smileCould melt my heart of stoneNow look at you, I've turned aroundAnd you've almost grown
Sometimes you're asleep I whisper 'I love you'In the moonlight at your doorAs I walk away, I hear you say"Daddy, love you more"
You beautiful baby from the outside inChase your dreams but always know the roadThat'll lead you home againGo on, take on this whole worldBut to me you know you'll always be, my little girl
Someday, some boy will comeAnd ask me for your handBut I won't say yes to him unless I knowHe's the half that makes you whole
He has a poet's soul, and the heart of a man's manI know he'll say that he's in loveBut between you and meHe won't be good enough
You beautiful baby from the outside inChase your dreams but always know the roadThat'll lead you home againGo on, take on this whole worldBut to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

Read more: TIM MCGRAW - MY LITTLE GIRL LYRICS 

A Time Out

This weekend, we were blessed with a fantastic overnight in NYC. I owe my sister BIG for making our stay possible (THANK YOU!!!!). We left early Saturday morning and made it to the city by 10, checked into the Hilton and went off the explore the city. We had tickets to The Phantom of the Opera- it was FANTASTIC. If you ever have a chance to see a Broadway show, make it POTO. I promise, you won't be disappointed. After our 2pm show, we headed back to our room to get all fancied up for a dinner date at Mesa Grill. Seriously, a dinner at Bobby Flay's restaurant. It was Heaven on Earth. I've never been full without feeling gross before, Bobby made it possible. I highly recommend it. We went back to our hotel after to change and do some more exploring. My legs are KILLING me. It was worth every achy bone in my leg. We got a quick bite at Starbucks's this AM before heading out. I feel refreshed and loved getting some downtime with the hubs. It was exactly what we both needed. It's nice to do something and not feel guilty about it.

We stopped at Ikea (Oh.Dear.Lord) on our way home and ended up getting lost in New Jersey. I have to say, while I loved exploring Ikea, Elizabeth, NJ is probably one of the smelliest places I have ever been. Jersey is just kind of gross. No offense to any of you who might be from there. It's funny, even with the stress of getting lost (no thanks to you Insignia GPS), we still had a good time. We laughed about it. Normally, that would have caused us to flip out and yell. It's fantastic what checking out and giving yourself an adult time out can do. I recommend doing that too. Sometimes, you just need to remember who you are as people and a couple. Make the time for each other, it's always worth it.

Anyway, while we were gone, my amazing sister tackled the job of a 3 yr old & an 8 yr old. Gavin had two birthday parties this weekend and seems to have had a great time at both (yay). Teagan, well she may have given her Aunt a hard time. Silly girl. I have to say, I'm impressed with my sister. She woke up at 4:30 this AM with the said small girl and still managed to do an art project with them, take them out to lunch and out to play in the gorgeous weather today. Rock.Star. I came home to a great surprise. 

Gavin's above, Teagan's below

These will both be displayed proudly in our home. I love them! The hubs thinks they're just as cool as I do. It helps when you love the artists too! We're blessed to have such wildly creative and imaginative kids.

bloodwork

Gavin had blood work done again yesterday (the 3rd time in less than 6 months). Finally, after pleading for what feels like forever, his doctor agreed to test for Celiac Disease. He's also testing this Thyroid, magnesium levels (again) and doing a complete blood count. I'm praying *SOMETHING* shows up that will explain years of illness. While I hope it's an "easy" fix, I'm just want answers. Something needs to show up. If not, we'll keep fighting for answers. There's an explanation to why he gets so sick, why he's so skinny and I am determined to find out what it is. We should know by the end of the week, I'll keep you posted.

Progress

Gavin started off the school year a little shaky. When we pulled him out of his private school, his reading and math skills were poor at best. I'm not sure if it was a lack of confidence or if he just wasn't getting what he needed. At any rate, sad as we were, it wasn't a good fit for him. He entered his new school ( the very one I grew up in and loved so much) behind. I expected progress to be slow. I had a parent/teacher conference  Thursday afternoon. I wasn't expecting overly great news. What I got was, FANTASTIC news. I was told by his classroom teacher and reading room instructor that, they couldn't really justify another year of remedial reading (he's just barely missing 2nd grade reading level) or math aide. I'm thrilled. It's amazing how far he's come this year. I know how hard he's worked and how far he's come. This is all him. He's worked his but off and his hard work paid off. They'll continue to work with him for the rest of the year (due to his IEP plan)  but are confident that his IEP goals for next year will be strictly behavioral (not to say he has issues but, he'll get help learning to modify his body and controlling those impulsive issues). THANK GOD!!!