They grow so fast!

Laura's School asked that all the kids wear their favorite college t-shirt today (or the one they would like to attend) and she has already decided she wants to go to Texas A&M to pursue her degree in Veterinary Medicine. A few weeks ago when they told her about the college t-shirt day, she came home and asked us what the best Vet schools were. Luckily one of the top 5 showed up in Texas, Texas A&M as well as our home state of North Carolina, NC State University. I have to keep in mind that Laura is only 5 years and 11 months and things may change down the road, but I don't think I was really talking about what I wanted to do at that age. Heck, I'm still trying to figure it out!

Tim and I have been so proud of Laura this year. Even though Laura had gone through a Private Kindergarten class, she could not start 1st Grade in the public school system because of her age. We new she was ready, but she had to prove that to her new teachers. Well, after testing the first 3 weeks of the school year, Laura was promoted into 1st Grade. Her teacher as well as the testing teacher and Principal were so pleased with what all Laura knew. They said she was already cable of reading, writing and had math skills of that of a 2nd grader. I can not tell you how big our smiles got when they said that. We knew she seemed very smart for her age, but until you have someone else who verifies it, it doesn't sink in. Tim and I both hope and pray that she'll continue down this path and like school as much as she does now.


Laura is not only into school, but she also loves to dance. Around the time the school year started, we joined a new dance studio. The one Laura used to attend was through her daycare and they came to her once a week. She seems to really enjoy her new class and loves her teacher, Ms. Erika. In fact this past week, Laura was chosen to go in the front of the class with the teacher as a helper. She seemed to do a really good job and had fun doing it, as you'll see in the picture below.

Help Little Luke

I came across this story while surfing the web this morning and was so taken back by how quickly our lives can change. I thought about how heartbreaking this would be if it happened to me and about the mother and father having to live through this nightmare.

Here is what transpired... "On Wednesday, September 2, 2009, little four-year-old Lucas Holko was sitting with his parents, Chad and Nicole at a Mahoning Valley Scrapper’s game. He was sitting on his father’s lap chatting with his mom when he was struck in the back of the head by a line drive foul ball. Luke underwent immediate surgery at St. Elizabeth’s hospital to remove the piece of fractured skull that was depressing his brain and spinal cord. He has since been transferred to Akron Children’s Hospital where he remains in critical condition. The family requests continuous prayer for this strong little boy who is so precious to them."

The picture you see below is Luke just minutes before he was struck. I'm hoping those of you who read my blog will help Luke, monetarily or through prayer. I'm attaching the link to his website where you can send Luke an encouraging email or donate to help Luke and his family.
http://www.helpluke.com/Help_Little_Luke_Holko/Help_Luke.html

Birthday Weekend

This past weekend, Tim and I celebrated our Birthdays in Dallas, TX with our little one, Laura. For Tim's Christmas present, I had bought tickets for the NHRA Race. Tim has been wanting to go since we got here, so I thought it would be something fun for all of us to do. Unfortunately, I think Laura was too little to enjoy being at the races. She did not get in to it at all. At the beginning, she was ok as you can see in the picture above, but the mood quickly changed once the Top Fuel cars started to race. Even though Laura wore protective head phones on her ears, it was too much for her. Every time the cars would start their burnout, Laura would just cry. I ended up getting her down from the stands and she and I walked around to all of the vendors and to some of the little "shops". We ended up getting her another stuffed animal, like she doesn't have enough, and that seemed to work for a while. Then it got so hot and once again the tears started because all she wanted to do was leave. Needless to say, we weren't there for the whole day but Tim did get to see some of his favorite cars.

We also got to see Ashley Force Hood, as well as her dad, 14-time NHRA Funny Car National Champion, John Force. That was the highlight of my trip. If you don't know them for drag racing, you may know them from their reality show "Driving Force". It's one we never missed an episode of.













After leaving the track, we ended up having a relaxing afternoon and headed home Sunday after having lunch with one of Tim's old bosses, Sam and his wife Fran. If you're ever in Dallas, you must go to Babe's Chicken. We go every time we're there and it's well worth it.

Overall, we had a good time and if nothing else... next time we know Laura will not be happy at the drag strip.

Patrick Swayze dances "One Last Dance" with wife, Lisa Niemi

Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

Every time I saw the ending of Dirty Dancing, I got chills up and down my spine. It's one of my all time favorites. Patrick Swayze will be missed.

Dirty Dancing - The Final Dance

Happy Anniversary Honey (09-09-09)

It's amazing to think we married 9 years ago today. Yes, it was Tim's brilliant plan to get married on the 9th month on the 9th day in the year 2000. That way he would always remember our Anniversary. Well, today is an even more significant year. It's the 9th month, the 9th day in the year 2009 and we've been married 9 years. I've had a great 9 years years and look forward to many more of them.

We've had our ups and downs and neither one of us has been perfect, but we've hung in there.... together. We've remained side by side and I'm so glad we did. I'm married to my best friend, to the one that's there to listen to my trials and tribulations, to make me smile when I need it most. Many of you don't know this, but Tim does everything for our family. I mean that when I say it. Everything! He doesn't hold the same belief that most husbands do, that a woman's job is to cook, clean and take care of the children. He's better than that, he does it all. Yes, he cooks, he cleans, he does the laundry, he does the grocery shopping and the best thing I know that he does, he looks after Laura and I. I'm so appreciative of everything he does. I don't say it enough but I'm so appreciative. Here's to another 9 years... I look forward to them all! Love you Babe!

So Sad

Back in May of this year, I blogged about Frank and Anita Milford celebrating their 81st Wedding Anniversary. They are the oldest couple on record to make it 81 years. Unfortunately, I've learned today that Frank has passed away, ending their 81year romance. My heart goes out to Mrs. Milford!

Original Post: http://behindthewallsofvanderwilt.blogspot.com/2009/05/congratulations.html

Laura's First Day Of School

Yesterday was my little ones first day of school! The night before, she was so excited. She wanted to get her clothes ready for the whole week and get her backpack in order with things she thought she may need. She also wanted to get her hair curled, so I put her hair up in curlers to sleep in.

We met the teacher last week at "Meet The Teacher" night and Laura really liked her even from the first introduction. Each of the students were given "fairy dust" to sprinkle on their pillows the night before school, so they would get good rest and have wonderful dreams about their first day of school. So, before it was time to lay her little head down, she took the "fairy dust" and sprinkled it over her pillow. When I went to get her up yesterday morning, she was already wide awake. She said she got her rest, but was so anxious to get up and get ready that she woke up early. Don't you just remember those days?

Tim and I took her to school and she was grinning ear to ear. I don't think she had any fear about this new adventure. You see Laura had already finished Kindergarten, but it was at a much smaller private school. I knew she was used to being dropped off in the morning, but I was expecting her to get a little nervous about it all but she wasn't. When we got into the classroom, she said hello to her new teacher, placed her snack in the "snack bin" and took her seat. She was a little bashful when we went to give her a hug, but once we told her to have a great 1st day and that we couldn't wait to hear all about it that night, she turned to us and "bye, bye... I love you" and Tim and I left. Surprisingly, neither one of us shed a tear. We did really well! I think had she been upset, it would have been a little different, but she was a real trooper.


I did good all day long, until it was time for her to catch her bus to the daycare. This would be Laura's 1st time ever catching the bus. I mean, she would go on field trips through her other school, but this was different. She had to find her bus, and then know when to get off the bus. I was a little frazzled. I asked Tim to head to her daycare and see how she was when she got off the bus, but Daddy had another idea in mind. He decided to follow the bus from school until she made her stop. Anyone who knows Laura knows she's a Daddy's Girl.... I wonder why? Tim saw her get up from her seat and wave at the daycare director who was waiting there for her. She got off the bus all smiles. I felt so much better.

I couldn't wait to get home to hear all about her day. As soon as I walked in, the discussion began about how much fun she had. She really liked her teacher, and she even met a few new friends. She talked about going to lunch and how she didn't really like the food. She asked if she could take her lunch the next day, but said she would try from time to time what the cafeteria had. They got to go out yesterday afternoon for recess and Laura told me all about how much bigger the equipment was and that there were so many more swings than at her old school. She went on to tell us about her bus ride home and how the bus went right by her house, which she thought was really cool. The only thing Ms. Priss didn't like was that the school bus didn't have seat belts. She didn't think that was very safe. Luckily, Laura doesn't have that far of a ride from school to daycare and that eased her mind.

All in all, she had a wonderful day. I took her again this morning and she went right in, kissed me goodbye and turned to do her morning routine. It's amazing how quickly they grow up and how soon they gain their independence. I'm so proud of her and what she has learned at such a small age. I can't wait to see her progress this year. It seems we're off to a great start.

Feeling old @ 35

Sitting here at lunch, I realize how old I'm actually getting. I'm sitting outside at Thai Sticks - it's 97 degrees, a rather cold front for Houston - listening to 3 kids who recently graduated from college a few years ago talking about what certifications they need to become lead teachers.

Now that's not what makes me feel old, their conversation about their love lives make me feel old. Out of college but still in a high school state of mind when it comes to love. One of the teachers is a smokehouse, as she takes one cigarette right after another, one is a balding gay man, which might I ad he's married (to a woman) and obviously hasn't figured out that he's gay and the 3rd is a girl who's actually the normal one of the bunch. She hasn't quite gotten all of her certifications yet, but knows where she's going. She has a plan.

Smokehouse (as I'll refer to her from now on) is in a new relationship and already talking about marriage. She's all of 25, has a 2 year old, in a new relationship (I think I heard her say 3 weeks) and she's already talking about marriage. A conversation like this makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs to SLOW DOWN!!!!! Enjoy your 20's, why are you rushing things? You change so much in your 20's, I can't stress enough... you change SO MUCH in your 20's! It's scary to think you're talking about a life changing event after only knowing someone for 3 weeks. I think I'm having a harder time knowing there is a child involved.

Married gay man needs to slow down too. He needs to figure out who he is. He's already gotten married and will probably end up breaking his wife's heart, but I want to scream out to him to "figure it out and stop the charade". Embrace who you are. I think like that, but then when I put myself in his shoes, I'm sure that's easier said than done. I'm quite sure it's really hard to come to grips with that, even though we're in 2009, things are still very hard for the gay and lesbian community.

I was so blessed to have gotten married at 27 and had my daughter at 30. Some may say I was old, I say aged. Just like a fine glass of wine, with age your thoughts and decisions become smoother, they catch you in the back of your throat. Decisions you make in your 30's are so much more meaningful. They take on a different view than that of your 20's. At 20, it's like you're looking at the view from the front porch as the cars pass by at 30 mph. All you see are the cars rushing by. You feel like you need to make decisions right then or time will pass you by. However, at 30, you're looking at the view from the back porch watching life in slow motion. The kids, the husband grilling, the dogs, the grandparents trying to keep up with the 5 year old.....

And then you realize it's time to SLOW DOWN, make decisions based on those you love most in the world - YOUR FAMILY!

An indescribable picture

After being sentenced to 12 years in a hard labor prison in North Korea, Laura Ling and Euna Lee were reunited with their families after serving 5 months.

Question

Do you have Whole Foods in your state? If not, you're missing out. Completely!

Question

What's for lunch?

Jon tries Kate's hat on for size

Is he trying to be funny?

The President, The Police Officer and The Professor (P.P.P.)

It's so nice to see the President, Police Officer and Professor getting along so well. What a difference a few weeks make.

Say it ain't so Joe!

Will they please tell Joe Jackson to quit talking.

Question

Do you attend church? What denomination? If not, why not?

Wrinkles at 35

Wrinkles at 35, who would have thought? I swear, I don't feel all that old however in talking about the things that I've done to become "healthier" (if you want to call it that) I think about the things that make me feel old. My wrinkles have really shown this year more than ever before. I see them in my eyes more than anywhere else. Now, some people call this a testament to how happy you are because they are linked to your laugh lines, but does that make you feel all that better when someone says it to you? Not so much for me. I've been using Oil of Olay lately and hope that it will make a little difference. The closer I get to 40, the more I think about these things.

Baby Steps

During the past year I have tried to incorporate a few "healthy" tidbits into my life. I know it's not much but you have to start somewhere!

The first thing I did was give up drinking soft drinks. I know you hear of so many people that say they loose weight from stopping the soft drink binge but I can say that it has not happened to me. The one thing that my friend Stephanie says it's done for me is help my complexion and I have to say, I think it really has. The only thing I really drink is water, the good ole H2O and Diet Lipton Green Tea (1 to 2 a day).

The second thing is taking Vitamin C at least one time a day if not two (1000mg). I have noticed a HUGE difference in my immune system. I have not had a cold in quite a long time and when I do feel like I'm coming down with something I double up. Now, at the moment I have a little sinus infection, but even with that I can tell a huge difference in the way I feel.

So, I have a few other things I want to try but until I have success with them, I'll keep them to myself. Sometimes, I think I give up too quickly on myself so I don't want to divulge anything until I stick with it for a while.

What have you given up or started doing to enhance your body and or mind?

Domestic Harmony

I can't take credit for the title. I actually heard Lisa Oz use the term this morning on Oprah & Friends. However, when I heard it, it made complete sense to me. Domestic Harmony has such a nice ring to it, doesn't it? I thought about my own household and whether or not Tim and I bring domestic harmony to our family and I have to toot my own horn, we do.

Tim and I have such a loving and respectful relationship with one another. Now, that's not to say we don't disagree on things from time to time but overall we really care about each other as a person and each others opinions. We also care about the opinion of our daughter. We strive to raise her in an environment where she is not involved in parental squabbles. She sees her Mommy and Daddy as two loving people who care and respect one another. It's visual for her. I hope this enables her to find a mate that will treat her with the same respect her father has for me.

Unfortunately, this topic also reminds me of those children who are in a place of total discord. Those who see their mother and father verbally and physically abuse one another. I can't imagine putting a child through that kind of stress. As an adult you think it's hard on you, but think of a child who can't really interpret what's going on during an argument between their mother and father. These are the ones that are suppose to love and support you but if they can't love and support one another, how can they even begin to love and support a child. Children do as they see and if a child sees the abuse they will more than likely grow up to do the same.

Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner

I loved this movie growing up! So much so that I can recite it from beginning to end. It's even funnier when you hear Channing Tatum & Charlyne Yi recite it with a comical twist.