Y’all, I can’t believe it’s been four weeks since I posted something. I will try my best not to make this post a big ol’ run-on sentence because there has been so much happening with me these past few weeks.
The last time I posted something it was about the hotel we stayed in at my son’s state basketball tournament in Houston. Well, they got second place and an invitation to the national basketball tournament. So from the minute that we unpacked from that trip, we started raising money for their team to travel to Indiana. We were hitting so many people up at school for money that they no longer wanted to make eye contact anymore! We sold seat cushions, spaghetti dinners, breakfast tacos and hot dogs at every available opportunity. It was fun, thrilling and exhausting all at the same time.
This all took place at the same time that the twins were selling Girl Scout cookies and camping out in Utopia, Texas. I needed a little piece of Utopia after this whirlwind of parent juggling happening at our house. There are no words to describe spending the night with thirty-six hyper, overly sugared 7 year olds roasting marshmallows and eating smores by the camp- fire under a full moon.
(Hiking and Archery were included on our first camp out)
All the moms slept in our own cabins on cots with absolutely no amenities whatsoever, well, except if you can want to include spiderwebs on the list of amenities. And what I thought would be a fun night of chatting and trading old camp out stories when we were Brownies and Girl Scouts with all the other moms, turned into my falling asleep mid sentence at 9:45 pm. It would end up being a good thing because around 3am I started hearing the sounds of wild animals of all sorts howling at each other. I thought I was dreaming or suddenly woke up at a nightclub at closing time. (I haven’t been to a nightclub in about 20 years but I do recall lots of howling going on around 3am!) I just knew that we would soon be their dinner even. But luckily the call of the wild in Utopia, Texas didn’t include Troop 335. Needless to say I didn’t get any sleep. So, for the next Girl Scout camp out, I will pack some ear plugs, or better yet some wine!
(The views were just breathtaking. It was a special place even if there was no room service or heavenly beds with a 500 thread sheet count! )
And right after I unpacked the bags from the Girl Scout trip, I started my new job.
I was awfully worried about how the kids would adjust with me going back to work full-time. The only thing I heard was from one of the twins that put her hand on her hip and asked me, “Mom, when are going to get a job so I can stay in after school care and play with my friends?” I keep telling myself that my goal as a mom is to raise confident, independent children! I would say it’s working well so far.
Now, my real job is in business development which is basically relationship building. I really like people, heck, I was even name “Friendliest in my graduation class at Kilgore High School!” I have also been cranking up their social media outlets. I am now greeted by, “Wait, let me put some lipstick on before you put that on Twitter!” Or what’s a Tweet? It has been a lot of fun so far. And I am slightly addicted to the Keurig machine. It may call for an intervention!
I must say that the best part of going back to work has had some unexpected perks! The big Stud and I switched cars because he’s going to be the one picking up the kids since his job is closer to their schools. After eight years, I am no longer driving a minivan.
And about a week into driving the car, I got some unexpected attention at a long red light by my house. I just knew that these poor young men might have been lost and in need of directions somewhere when they were honking at me to roll down my window. They didn’t need directions after all; they simply said, “Don’t worry, we’re nice guys. We just like to let ladies know that they are pretty. Have a nice day!” And then the light turned green. That had never happened in the 2650 days that I drove the minivan!
Now, at one point in my life I would have thought that this was the cheesiest pick up line ever! But this forty something year old former stay at home mini driving mom thought that was just the best thing she’s ever heard in a long time! It felt so good because as a stay at home mom, you tend to loose a little bit of your identity. You are so focused on raising your kids in the best way possible that often times, you forget about yourself along the way. And when those cute young guys said that to me a few weeks ago, I replied, “Who me?” I was shocked, flattered and embarrassed even. The same thing has happened two more times at different red lights around town and they have even have had all their teeth! I guess the old sassy is back and she now drives a four-door sedan!
Now as for all that fundraising that was done for my boy’s 8th grade basketball team? They ended up in sixth place at the National tournament. We watched his team from the live stream feed on the Internet. I couldn’t be more proud of them. They have been playing together for a long time, some of them have been together since Pre-K. They will soon graduate and move on to various high schools all over town. Sniff. Sniff. It’s going to awfully hard to say goodbye to all these wonderful kids and parents.
OBNOXIOUS BRAGGING PARENT ALERT: My boy was named to the All-Tournament Team. There is nothing like seeing your child find his passion and then work hard and achieve a dream.
He makes his mom and dad proud.
Why do they have to grow up so fast? Sniff. Sniff.
And now that I am starting to get comfortable with my new job and know everyone’s names and where the copy machine is, I plan on posting more often. I have missed you all so much.
As a matter of fact, I will soon have the opportunity to be out in the community on behalf of my blog. I was recently asked to be a speaker at some upcoming store events for HEB. It’s called the “Little Texans Tour” They will have authors and professionals in all specialities offering advice on raising healthy families. It will include kids activities,products, giveaways and entertainment. When I first got the initial email request about asking me to speak, I reacted just like I did at the red light; shocked, flattered and embarrassed! Maybe I should start practicing and trying not to say “Y’all” all the time when I speak but then again it is called the “Little Texans Tour!”
I am back and feeling oh, so sassy!
Love y’all.
Stay Sassy too!
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