Tomorrow it is official, I have a First Grader! Although if you ask her she will tell you she has been a first grade student since her last day of Kindergarten and if you need some additional proof she will tell you she's 6. Yep, she has all the answers:)
So a first grader. It's exciting and scary. It's surreal and yet realistic. I'm thankful that I know Kaylee's teacher. In fact she and I served Jury Duty together a couple years ago. She had just finished her first year teaching at Towanda. She is super nice and I know she will be a great teacher.
We are lucky to go to a great school. There is one teacher per grade and although we have a small school we are part of a big district and therefore reap the benefits. It's the best of both worlds. I look forward to what the new school year will bring. Back to the PTO meetings, school functions and room parties. I volunteered to chair the Deck the Halls this year so I'm already freaking about that, which doesn't take place until December. Back to homework and school letters, birthday parties and play dates and all the fun thing the school year brings. Even the unfun things the hurt feelings, catching of some of the attitude of the older kids, and of course all the unknowns.
Kaylee is her anxious self. When I asked her if she was excited for school she said "I don't know I'm not really used to the routine anymore." Translation: I'm nervous because I don't know how it's going to go and what I'm supposed to do. How am I so versed in this language? Because she is just like me. Since we are two peas in the pod we will both rise above our anxiety's and head to school with a smile on our faces tomorrow. I may shed a few tears after she's walked through those doors and I head back to the van, but at the end of the day we'll feel it's a success and be ready for the next.
Yep, it's time for first grade.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
"I'm growing up you know!"
A couple weeks ago the girls and I did a little shopping while Daddy was gone for the weekend. A little dinner and some school supplies is what the plan was. First stop shoes. Both needed their feet measured as the shoes optional or at minimal flip-flop weather will be gone before we know it. Kaylee needs shoes for PE. So as we were perusing the shoe selection and the girls excitedly trying on EVERY pair, Kaylee asks "Mom, when are you going to buy me high heels?" "I'm growing-up you know!"
While my response was "Your school supply list says you need tennis shoes for PE not high heels." my mind was thinking "I know." Maybe we aren't quite ready for the high heels, but she is growing up. In less than 2 weeks I will have a first grader. While I'm excited for all these new things and experiences I find myself searching for a pause button, some days a rewind button.
Not only on days when she so directly tells me that she is growing up do I realize this, but on days where she is talking about music groups that I know nothing about. I thought I did a good job in keeping with the know??? I notice it on days when she hugs me and I don't have to bend over so much anymore. I notice it on days when reads her chapter book to me, she just finished one of the Diary of a Wimpy kid books. I notice it on days where we are at the mall and she wants to try clothes on, or picks things out to reflect who she is and her style. I realize this when she is having rational and logical arguments with me and not so much emotional ones (although the emotional ones are still the majority:))
Yep, she's growing-up! And while there will be no high heels, outside of play dress-up, for now I am all too aware that there will be soon enough. High heels, bras, periods....boyfriends, dating, school dances, driving...it's exciting and terrifying. Just like learning to keep your balance when starting to wear high heels, eventually I'll get my balance back as I continue to watch my baby "grow-up."
While my response was "Your school supply list says you need tennis shoes for PE not high heels." my mind was thinking "I know." Maybe we aren't quite ready for the high heels, but she is growing up. In less than 2 weeks I will have a first grader. While I'm excited for all these new things and experiences I find myself searching for a pause button, some days a rewind button.
Not only on days when she so directly tells me that she is growing up do I realize this, but on days where she is talking about music groups that I know nothing about. I thought I did a good job in keeping with the know??? I notice it on days when she hugs me and I don't have to bend over so much anymore. I notice it on days when reads her chapter book to me, she just finished one of the Diary of a Wimpy kid books. I notice it on days where we are at the mall and she wants to try clothes on, or picks things out to reflect who she is and her style. I realize this when she is having rational and logical arguments with me and not so much emotional ones (although the emotional ones are still the majority:))
Yep, she's growing-up! And while there will be no high heels, outside of play dress-up, for now I am all too aware that there will be soon enough. High heels, bras, periods....boyfriends, dating, school dances, driving...it's exciting and terrifying. Just like learning to keep your balance when starting to wear high heels, eventually I'll get my balance back as I continue to watch my baby "grow-up."
Sunday, July 31, 2011
St. Jude
So here we are, less than a week away from the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Bloomington to Peoria run. How many miles is that? 56 miles. Always the first weekend in August. There are teams that run from Memphis, TN to Peoria, Chicago to Peoria and random places in between. Why? To raise money for St. Jude's and the amazing work they do for children and their families.
Friday an email went out to all participants with the route, rules, etc. One of the added items was a list, about 6 pages, of various quotes from people when they were asked "Why do you run?" Surprising, to me, a lot of people run in honor of their child, niece, nephew, husband, neighbor, and the list goes on. I realize that there are many out there that have struggled with cancer, but was quite inspired by all the personal stories. I started reading it over my lunch at work, but had to stop because I couldn't contain the tears.
One quote "I run to raise money for St. Jude's and in hopes that someday the children will be able to run too." really got to me.
I can't imagine what it would be like to have one of my children need to the help of St. Jude. I think any parent would give anything to prevent that from ever happening. Unfortunately we don't get to be in control of that. I think that a place like St. Jude is the best of a horribly tragic situation. A place that provides care, support, love a treatment to children and their families. A place that does it with no cost to the family. A place that does it through donations and fundraisers such as this run.
I've run the past 2 years, Brad has run the past 3. This year he will continue to run and I will be helping my mom with the catch-van and various behind the scenes grunt work:) I couldn't think of a better or more important place to be. This run, and the people we meet and stories we here, both in the Bergner's parking lot in the wee 6:00 hour on Saturday morning, and when we get to the live telethon in Peoria, inspires me!
My girls are very educated in the St. Jude's run. It has become a part of their summer routine. Just today we were talking about a birthday party the girls were invited to next weekend and Kaylee asked "Will you and Daddy be doing the run?" Yep, they know all about it and they know why we do it.
There's still time to donate. No amount is too small. If you go to www.stjudepeoriaruns.org/users/busings01 you can donate on our page.
For those that have done so already or mailed us a check...THANK YOU!!! Your support is what makes St. Jude's be able to do what they do!!
Friday an email went out to all participants with the route, rules, etc. One of the added items was a list, about 6 pages, of various quotes from people when they were asked "Why do you run?" Surprising, to me, a lot of people run in honor of their child, niece, nephew, husband, neighbor, and the list goes on. I realize that there are many out there that have struggled with cancer, but was quite inspired by all the personal stories. I started reading it over my lunch at work, but had to stop because I couldn't contain the tears.
One quote "I run to raise money for St. Jude's and in hopes that someday the children will be able to run too." really got to me.
I can't imagine what it would be like to have one of my children need to the help of St. Jude. I think any parent would give anything to prevent that from ever happening. Unfortunately we don't get to be in control of that. I think that a place like St. Jude is the best of a horribly tragic situation. A place that provides care, support, love a treatment to children and their families. A place that does it with no cost to the family. A place that does it through donations and fundraisers such as this run.
I've run the past 2 years, Brad has run the past 3. This year he will continue to run and I will be helping my mom with the catch-van and various behind the scenes grunt work:) I couldn't think of a better or more important place to be. This run, and the people we meet and stories we here, both in the Bergner's parking lot in the wee 6:00 hour on Saturday morning, and when we get to the live telethon in Peoria, inspires me!
My girls are very educated in the St. Jude's run. It has become a part of their summer routine. Just today we were talking about a birthday party the girls were invited to next weekend and Kaylee asked "Will you and Daddy be doing the run?" Yep, they know all about it and they know why we do it.
There's still time to donate. No amount is too small. If you go to www.stjudepeoriaruns.org/users/busings01 you can donate on our page.
For those that have done so already or mailed us a check...THANK YOU!!! Your support is what makes St. Jude's be able to do what they do!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Today
Today, well today was a day. Today started out as any other normal day. In fact really most of the day was pretty typical. However when I got home after work....WOAH! I was late getting out of work because someone wanted to ask me about something they were working through, I met Kaylee's summer sitter at Ainsley's pre-school. Got both girls and off we went. The ride home was typical, Kaylee excited about her day and Ainsley tired and crabby (The morning is the opposite Ainsley is the morning person and Kaylee is the quiet one.).
We get home, I go upstairs to change my clothes and gather up Kaylee's baseball clothes, because oh yes it's a million degrees out and we have a 6:00 game. Ainsley, still being crabby, is yelling at me because I won't let her change from her shorts and tank top into a dress, tights, and sweater. I know, I'm such a mean mom! So we gather our stuff, and a load of laundry for good luck, and head back downstairs. Kaylee gets a snack, Ainsley who is still being crabby is demanding apple juice from the other room, so I get both girls some juice and start the laundry.
I then decide to go downstairs to see what damage Belle, our 9 mos. old lab, did in the basement while Kaylee and her sitter were at Artful Design. I walk downstairs and that is when (insert object of choice here) hit the fan! Belle had gotten in the storage part of the basement and ripped open a garbage bag that had various broken toys, ripped up dress-up clothes, old water/furnace filters...you know all the true treasures one might have. She chewed two planks off of a rocking chair I had as a little girl and my girls like to use, the cheap, plastic framed full-length mirror the girls used when playing dress-up had part of the frame hanging off, and there were some other items here and there that had been strung about.
I honestly didn't know if I was going to cry, scream, or turn my head and walk away. Let's face it we all know I couldn't let that mess just sit there. So I cleaned. I picked things up and put in a new garbage bag, swept, put toys away and tried to reclaim the basement. While I was sweeping I was trying to put things in perspective. Thoughts such as "If this is my worst problem I have I have it pretty good." While listening to the air conditioning run and thinking that it's probably run all day because it's so hot out and what our bill will be this month I thought "Well at least we have air conditioning." That's the thing we don't stress trying to put food on the table or to cloth our kids. We take vacations and do fun things with the kids just because. We do these things for ourselves by ourselves. We are self-sufficient in providing for our family.
So I re-grouped and got all the garbage put in the garage and the basement cleaned up. I then started to get dinner ready for the girls so they could eat before we left for the game. I was sweeping in the kitchen and dining room, because I saw one crumb on the floor and convinced myself I needed to take care of the floor before any cooking good take place, and of course if I'm sweeping the kitchen I better go ahead and do the dining room. It's a sickness, I know! So I'm pulling chairs out to get under the table and see that Belle has, at some point chewed on 3 of our dining room chairs that we have had for all of 3 months. Not major damage, just a few minor marks. And the peace that I had, or was convincing myself I had, was gone.
I hurried to get the girls something to eat whilst texting Brad that I was going to lose my mind and why. So now dinner is done, girls are getting shoes on and I am putting Kaylee's hair back and Brad comes home. He has had it with today as the air conditioner in his truck went out. However there is no time to worry about that and we are off to the game.
During the game Kaylee struck out and was running back to the dugout when she slipped on the dirt and fell and scraped her knee. As she was trying to get up she kept falling back down like she couldn't put any weight on her ankle. Brad picked her up and brought her off the field. I went over to see and would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking "Please don't tell me another kid has broken a bone!" " I quit!!!" "My white flag is waiving as high as I can get it to go!" But thankfully she just twisted it and although a little embarrassed she was fine.
So we made it home, Brad worked on the truck, I bathed the little grubbers, Belle ate Kaylee's popcorn while she took a shower, and while I was giving Ainsley a bath she tried to get the treat bowl down from the top of the pantry and knocked the rice down. She came up to ask if dogs could eat rice and then I knew. So I finished Ainsley's bath and went down to help Kaylee clean the rice up.
Now the thunder has stopped and the girls are asleep. The dogs are quiet and I am tired. Today was a day, and though in the times of frustration I tried to put my stressors in perspective, because in today's world they really aren't worth the stress. Although I am going to bed feeling defeated tonight, I am victorious that my girls are clean and safe in their beds, and that we have a tomorrow to look forward to.
We get home, I go upstairs to change my clothes and gather up Kaylee's baseball clothes, because oh yes it's a million degrees out and we have a 6:00 game. Ainsley, still being crabby, is yelling at me because I won't let her change from her shorts and tank top into a dress, tights, and sweater. I know, I'm such a mean mom! So we gather our stuff, and a load of laundry for good luck, and head back downstairs. Kaylee gets a snack, Ainsley who is still being crabby is demanding apple juice from the other room, so I get both girls some juice and start the laundry.
I then decide to go downstairs to see what damage Belle, our 9 mos. old lab, did in the basement while Kaylee and her sitter were at Artful Design. I walk downstairs and that is when (insert object of choice here) hit the fan! Belle had gotten in the storage part of the basement and ripped open a garbage bag that had various broken toys, ripped up dress-up clothes, old water/furnace filters...you know all the true treasures one might have. She chewed two planks off of a rocking chair I had as a little girl and my girls like to use, the cheap, plastic framed full-length mirror the girls used when playing dress-up had part of the frame hanging off, and there were some other items here and there that had been strung about.
I honestly didn't know if I was going to cry, scream, or turn my head and walk away. Let's face it we all know I couldn't let that mess just sit there. So I cleaned. I picked things up and put in a new garbage bag, swept, put toys away and tried to reclaim the basement. While I was sweeping I was trying to put things in perspective. Thoughts such as "If this is my worst problem I have I have it pretty good." While listening to the air conditioning run and thinking that it's probably run all day because it's so hot out and what our bill will be this month I thought "Well at least we have air conditioning." That's the thing we don't stress trying to put food on the table or to cloth our kids. We take vacations and do fun things with the kids just because. We do these things for ourselves by ourselves. We are self-sufficient in providing for our family.
So I re-grouped and got all the garbage put in the garage and the basement cleaned up. I then started to get dinner ready for the girls so they could eat before we left for the game. I was sweeping in the kitchen and dining room, because I saw one crumb on the floor and convinced myself I needed to take care of the floor before any cooking good take place, and of course if I'm sweeping the kitchen I better go ahead and do the dining room. It's a sickness, I know! So I'm pulling chairs out to get under the table and see that Belle has, at some point chewed on 3 of our dining room chairs that we have had for all of 3 months. Not major damage, just a few minor marks. And the peace that I had, or was convincing myself I had, was gone.
I hurried to get the girls something to eat whilst texting Brad that I was going to lose my mind and why. So now dinner is done, girls are getting shoes on and I am putting Kaylee's hair back and Brad comes home. He has had it with today as the air conditioner in his truck went out. However there is no time to worry about that and we are off to the game.
During the game Kaylee struck out and was running back to the dugout when she slipped on the dirt and fell and scraped her knee. As she was trying to get up she kept falling back down like she couldn't put any weight on her ankle. Brad picked her up and brought her off the field. I went over to see and would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking "Please don't tell me another kid has broken a bone!" " I quit!!!" "My white flag is waiving as high as I can get it to go!" But thankfully she just twisted it and although a little embarrassed she was fine.
So we made it home, Brad worked on the truck, I bathed the little grubbers, Belle ate Kaylee's popcorn while she took a shower, and while I was giving Ainsley a bath she tried to get the treat bowl down from the top of the pantry and knocked the rice down. She came up to ask if dogs could eat rice and then I knew. So I finished Ainsley's bath and went down to help Kaylee clean the rice up.
Now the thunder has stopped and the girls are asleep. The dogs are quiet and I am tired. Today was a day, and though in the times of frustration I tried to put my stressors in perspective, because in today's world they really aren't worth the stress. Although I am going to bed feeling defeated tonight, I am victorious that my girls are clean and safe in their beds, and that we have a tomorrow to look forward to.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
2001-2011
Brad and I recently celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary, although we have been dating since November of 1992, but who's keeping track:) While I could sit here and fill this post with how much I love my husband and am so blessed to be married to my best friend, and that one of the reasons we work so well together is we grow closer in times of stress, times that would cause most other couples to become divided. While all those things are true I decided to fill in our past 10 years. Since getting married on July 14th, 2001 what have we been doing? We have:
- Moved twice
- Owned 2 homes
- Witnessed other friends and families get married. Even participated in some.
- Grieved in the loss of loved ones.
- Became Aunt and Uncle to 3 nephews, in addition to our niece. A Godmother to one Godson.
- Became the blessed parents of two sweet girls.
- Watched our children experience many firsts including Preschool and even Kindergarten for the oldest.
- Had 2 trips to the ER, 1 for each girl.
- Had the first broken bone of one of our children...Ainsley.
- Watched siblings graduate schools.
- Traveled to various places including the Bahamas and Florida.
- Welcomed 2 dogs into our family:)
- Have had 5 different cars, including the ones we have now.
- Participated in 3 St. Jude Bloomington-Peoria runs.
- Accomplished numerous home improvement projects.
- Got our passports.
- Had an occasional disagreement:)
- Lots of laughs
- Booked a trip to Mexico
There's many other moments, good and bad, we have shared together, I'm sure there are some that I'm completely overlooking. I look forward to our next 10 years and filling in the next dash. The trip to Mexico this September is going to be a great way to start filling it in:)!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day! We are blessed in our family to have so many great Dad's!! Makes the celebration that many more times fun! In wanting to include you all I have a note for each of you (I did have some help from the girls:)).
Here we go:
Dear Daddy/A.K.A-Daddy Michaels,
We love you as our Daddy, because you like to make us smoothies and good food to eat. You're a good cooker. You fish with us, take walks and teach us stuff about the things we find. You let us help you in the garden and run with you. You like to listen to music and we do too. You help coach Kaylee's baseball team which makes it more fun. You always make sure we are safe. We are thankful for you Daddy!!! Love, Kaylee and Ainsley (Mommy too:))
Dear Grandpa Duffy (Mommy's Daddy),
First Mommy: I love you Dad! I'm thankful and blessed to have you as my Dad. You are always ready to help out no matter what I need and sometimes just knowing that makes things OK. You are patient and understanding (more so than I could probably ever be) and you never hold a grudge (again something that is not so much my strength:)). However seeing you exhibit those traits definitely makes me want to continue to strive to be a better and better me. When I tend to get worked up and stressed over things you help to put things in perspective and bring me down from the edge. I thank you for this and all you do. Love you!
From the girls: Grandpa we love you and are thankful you are our Grandpa. You are funny and make us laugh. You like to tickle us as the Tickle Monster and you get us doughnuts. You let us swim in your pool and take us to Chuck E Cheese. Thank you, Grandpa!
Dear Paw-Paw:
First Mommy: Tim, I am very thankful to have you as part of my family. No matter how much of a snot I was growing up you always stood by me. You have stuck up for me, shown your faith in me, and most importantly treated me as your own. Thank you for that and all that you do. Thank you for seeing me for me and treating me as so. There has never been any underlining meaning or misunderstanding in things you have ever said or done. Even when my opinion may have disagreed with yours you always understood where I was coming from and never held it against me. You treat my girls with the same love and commitment. You are always ready to come over and help out and asking for them to come keep you company. It means a lot to see you with them and the special relationship you have. I love you.
From the girls: Paw-Paw T-Dogg we are lucky to have you as our Paw-Paw because you always let us play on your tractors and in your shed. You have tickle fights with us and make us popcorn. You let us ride on the four-wheeler and help us. You let us have fun in Florida. We love you!
Dear Grandpa Bentley:
From Mommy: You are a special Father-n-Law. I always enjoy your special gifts that you get for us girls. You are so thoughtful. You introduced me to Carl's Ice Cream, Fiesta, Margaritas and you keep Brad busy and out of my hair:) Thank you for all you do for us, your time, and all the things you have helped us to fix. I love you.
Dear Grandpa Bentley: We love you and are glad you are our grandpa. You share your chocolate with us and help us to fish. You let us play on the boat and come to your work and play on your tractors. We love you!!
Love, The Girls
Here we go:
Dear Daddy/A.K.A-Daddy Michaels,
We love you as our Daddy, because you like to make us smoothies and good food to eat. You're a good cooker. You fish with us, take walks and teach us stuff about the things we find. You let us help you in the garden and run with you. You like to listen to music and we do too. You help coach Kaylee's baseball team which makes it more fun. You always make sure we are safe. We are thankful for you Daddy!!! Love, Kaylee and Ainsley (Mommy too:))
Dear Grandpa Duffy (Mommy's Daddy),
First Mommy: I love you Dad! I'm thankful and blessed to have you as my Dad. You are always ready to help out no matter what I need and sometimes just knowing that makes things OK. You are patient and understanding (more so than I could probably ever be) and you never hold a grudge (again something that is not so much my strength:)). However seeing you exhibit those traits definitely makes me want to continue to strive to be a better and better me. When I tend to get worked up and stressed over things you help to put things in perspective and bring me down from the edge. I thank you for this and all you do. Love you!
From the girls: Grandpa we love you and are thankful you are our Grandpa. You are funny and make us laugh. You like to tickle us as the Tickle Monster and you get us doughnuts. You let us swim in your pool and take us to Chuck E Cheese. Thank you, Grandpa!
Dear Paw-Paw:
First Mommy: Tim, I am very thankful to have you as part of my family. No matter how much of a snot I was growing up you always stood by me. You have stuck up for me, shown your faith in me, and most importantly treated me as your own. Thank you for that and all that you do. Thank you for seeing me for me and treating me as so. There has never been any underlining meaning or misunderstanding in things you have ever said or done. Even when my opinion may have disagreed with yours you always understood where I was coming from and never held it against me. You treat my girls with the same love and commitment. You are always ready to come over and help out and asking for them to come keep you company. It means a lot to see you with them and the special relationship you have. I love you.
From the girls: Paw-Paw T-Dogg we are lucky to have you as our Paw-Paw because you always let us play on your tractors and in your shed. You have tickle fights with us and make us popcorn. You let us ride on the four-wheeler and help us. You let us have fun in Florida. We love you!
Dear Grandpa Bentley:
From Mommy: You are a special Father-n-Law. I always enjoy your special gifts that you get for us girls. You are so thoughtful. You introduced me to Carl's Ice Cream, Fiesta, Margaritas and you keep Brad busy and out of my hair:) Thank you for all you do for us, your time, and all the things you have helped us to fix. I love you.
Dear Grandpa Bentley: We love you and are glad you are our grandpa. You share your chocolate with us and help us to fish. You let us play on the boat and come to your work and play on your tractors. We love you!!
Love, The Girls
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