Happy Halloween

Duke University Fall 2012 Social Dance Class

Duke University Fall  2012 Latin Dance Class

Friends University

Poster for project due tomorrow.

Mariah was assigned Kansas as the state in which to choose a college, research the college, prepare a poster and speech and present this to this class tomorrow. Lots of time and work went into this project. I will take a picture of her in the morning dress to present. So much happening in our house. I gotta go find a costume for tomorrow. What will you be for Halloween?

Party snacks

Cookies for the party.

2 classes to feed. I'm excited to see what they wear.

Drews picture.

Tuesday picture of Drew. Love getting these.

I GOT IN

MARIAH OLENA DAFFRON
KESTREL HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY
AMBASSADOR 2012-2013

Today was the day we were to hear if Mariah was selected as an ambassador for her school. I had posted about this process earlier and we had been looking forward to hearing the news. I picked her up from school and she had this letter congratulating her on being selected. She said so many time immediately when she got in the car "I GOT IN"! She is one happy girl.  Let the work begin.
Hope your staying safe from the Sandy. The weather is cold, rainy and gray here. Crossing our fingers it gets warmer by Halloween on Wednesday.

Cheers,
Missy

Checking in

Mariah had a wonderful time at the gymnastics show. Drew and I enjoyed our visit to Elon University. I haven't talked to Doug about his trip and he is flying home this morning so I will catch up with him tonight. Omar decided not to go to Little Rock and stayed in Fayetteville and chilled.

The weather here is really windy and gray I'm not sure if this is Sandy or another front. I have decided to leave early to drive Drew back to school so that I'm not driving in the dark to much. The weekend has been very busy but not so much that I haven't gotten enough sleep and rest. I pray the storms coming through now and this week would weaken. This one looks really ugly and bad..

Julia and Mariah enjoy the day in Charlotte.

Fun Friday

ONE LAST HUDDLE FOR VES SOCCER 2012! Great Season guys!

#7 Is the one and only Drew Daffron!

This is a grave yard on the campus of VES. I really just noticed it today when I parked in the parking lot and it was facing me. I love he trees in the back ground with different colors. I wonder how old this cemetery is? I gotta ask.

What are YOU doing this weekend?

Doug will be attending the National Dance Championships in Orlando celebrating 65 years of   Fred Astaire Dance Studios!!

Mariah will be going to Charlotte North Carolina to see the  gymnastics GOLD medal winners perform in a show.

Drew and I will be going  to Elon University in Burlington North Carloina  for an all day open house.

Omar will be in Little Rock Arkansas watching the HOGS play!

We start the day early with Doug catching his flight by 7am. I have to drive to Virginia to pick up Drew and drive home. That's a 5 and a half round trip drive. Mariah will be picked up by a friend at 230 to head to Charlotte for the show and a over night stay at a hotel. Drew and I will leave at 7am Saturday to drive to Elon for the open house that starts at 8am. Mariah will arrive home in the afternoon and be picked up by our great friend Juan. Drew and I should be home by 3pm. I plan to chill on Saturday night because Sunday I have to drive Drew back to Virginia. WOW I'm already tired from typing all of this. Let the fun begin. I hope to post this weekend, if you don't see anything you know why. I'm either lost or exhausted.

Cooking

I cooked Chicken and Dumplings last night.

On the stove now is Chili.


When my Mom reads this she is going to be so proud. We don't cook alot at home because we are always on the run. Mariah is out of school this week and it seems we are moving at a little slower pace. The chicken and Dumplings last night were so good. I have Frito's so that we can make Frito chili pies like I used to serve when I was a teenager working at Bowdens Dairy Bar. Should be yummy.

Cheers, Missy

Drum Roll Please.

Just off the press are the 1st marking period for both Mariah and Drew. They have both worked very hard and both have all A's and B's.

 Mariah's school refers to this accomplishment as the Honor Roll.

Drew's school refers to this accomplishment as the Head Master's List.

I refer to it as awesomeness and 2 smart amazing kids. Lets plan a party and get to work for the next marking period and do just as well if not better.

Hip Hip Hooray!

OMG take a look at BIG brother Omar with the ambassador. This is the icing on the Cake!

Its Fall yall.

I had to share this quote I saw today. I wonder if my dance partner agrees.

"The Three Styles of Tango:

American tango is when you've just started dating,

and you're flirting in an atmosphere of sexual tension.

Argentine tango is when you've just started sleeping together

and you can't keep your hands off each other.

International tango is when you've been married for

seven years and you're only staying together

for the sake of the children."
 

 - Author Unknown

FEAR

I had written a very long detailed post last night about Mariah and her fears. I started adding stuff and accidentally deleted it and went to bed bummed. It was such a raw post about our struggles with Mariah and her anxiety and I had written and shared so much. I ask myself tonight if my accident was Gods way of saying Missy hold back  your shared to much for the world to read. I aways want to be respectful of my family and honest here. This is my journal and I am in no way shape of form embarresed by any of our struggles on our journey through this life.
Mariah had a dentist appointment yesterday and tried to get some much needed work done but was not able to over come her fear. She was in the chair  at least a hour and a half and got many questions answered but after so much crying and anxiety wanted to take all the things they would be using for the procedure to Dr.Toby her Psychiatrist and have a session or 10  and work through it. This was her idea and I thought it was brilliant. She has over come so many obstacles and I truly believe she will over come this also. We know that if Mariah had an emergency with anything dental at this point in her life she would have to go into the hospital so she could be put to sleep in the operating room. We would like for her to be able to have a positive experience and able to go to the dentist like most folks do.
As of one month ago she started sleeping in HER room in HER bed all by herself. This is huge and we are super excited.
Cheers to you and yours.
Missy

     Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Durham North Carolina  

                                          Presents 

         A Ballroom Fantasy The Carolina Theater October 20, 2012

What a spectacular show, from the beginning of the show at 3:00pm until the finale at 5:40pm. I can't remember participating in a show or watching a showcase with as many numbers as I saw today. I would love for us to have a contest and I would be giving it away with the time frame I gave and the number of folks who are dancers or in the dance biz that read our blog but get out of town who could have thought                                         59 numbers

I did take my camera but only got to take a show of the cool billboard outside of the theater because they have a strict policy of no flash and my camera is just a point and shoot and without flash you would have thought I had just gone in the black forest and added nothing.

If I had a face book button to like each and every number I would have been clicking it after every single number. You may ask what was your favorite and I can honestly say there was not just one number that I was in LOVE with there were many. I have a passion for Broadway and love seeing musical and will tell you this was just as good if not better than some musicals I have seen in my lifetime. I loved the costumes, choreography, music, lighting and energy in the theater. I'm planning to ask the owners if they were able to video because I wanna see it again. The Durham staff has some of the most unbelievable talented staff in the USA just out of the world. If they took this show on the road they would have sell out crowds. BTW the theater way full and the balcony was busting at the seams. Huge shout out to all the FADS folks for bringing a sweet warm joy to my heart. Can't wait until the next one.

Cheers, Missy

Dinner with my fav peeps.

Check it out.

NC State Fair.

Not sure how I wanna describe the awesome time that Mariah and I had at the fair today but let me give it a shot. I picked her up from school because they had a half day today and she was released at 1030. We headed towards Raleigh and I lost my way a bit and thought I might have to turn around and go home but thanks to the I phone and the map app I was able to get us headed in the right direction and we landed so close to a gate. We parked at a hardware store and only paid 5 dollars that seemed like a super deal considering I saw 8 dollar and 10 dollar lots. Mariah described her fair experience to Drew and Julia as so AWESOME. We rode rides, played games, looked at animals and ate our way through the fair. We had a budget or should I say I had a budget and I think we did OK but the fair experience can be pricey. Lets talk about what we ate.
Corn on the Cob
Corn Dog
Snow Cone
Cotton Candy
Cheeseburger
French Fries
Pop Corn
OH and a bottle of water.
My only regret is not buying and bringing home a fried Oreo for Drew he has been talking about fried Oreos since last year. My hands were full with the 3 stuffed animals and framed pic of Justin Beiber and I had no way of getting it from the fair grounds to the car. NEXT YEAR
My favorite ride was tilted world and my favorite game was where you only pay 50cent and try to get like 5 balls in a roll by throwing them.
The rip off was the bumper cars to short and not enough space. The game rip off was the dart balloon, Mariah hit all 3 with her darts and she got this plastic piece of crap.
We loved looking at the baby chicks, pigs, horses and calves. This always brings back memories of going to the Lonoke County Fair and especially the rodeo and parade, good times.
We left the fair in time to get Mariah to the gym and I came home to take care of the dogs and picked up Drew at the studio where he was dropped off. I am proud of myself because I can't remember ever driving to the fair, I get a little freaked out over where to park and all the traffic so I have always let that be a Dougie adventure. I remember last year we took the DATA bus from Durham to Raleigh. Another interesting experience.
I am so excited to have Drew home if only for 2 sleeps. I miss him and love sharing space with him. I prepared pasta Alfredo and Drew made bread sticks for dinner and now we are watching Hunger Games. Tomorrow is the Show and a dinner date.
Here are a few pics from our adventure today.

She is a WINNER!

Getting a quick pic before our first ride.

Waiting in line for the "lame roller coaster" Mariah's words not mine.

Another first place race.

She is loaded down with all her treasures. Oh and the yummy  snow cone.

Cheers...Missy

FYI Drew is coming by car not this guy. I know he would catch a ride with this guy if he needed to he misses home that much.

Doug is away and I plan to take Mariah to the State Fair. She only has a half day of school and will out at 1030am. I hope the rain stops and the sun comes out. Drew is coming home for the weekend. This is his second weekend in a row to come home and we are so excited. We plan to go to the Durham Fred Astaire Showcase on Saturday. The show will be at the Carolina Theater and I hear they have over 50 show numbers. I can't wait to see all the great dancing and seeing it on stage is always extra special.

Pick up lines....

I love my life and have the best kids and husband in the world. I never find that I am bored and someone is always keeping me entertained and on my toes. Just wanted to share a brain storm email I sent to Drew. I love how he waits till the last minute and asks me what I think and would I add something.
 He is doing wonderful at his prep school and seems to learning so much. I loved going to all his classes with him last Friday and getting a true feel of how the class is taught and the energy that is in the room. All of Drew's teachers at VES seem to truly love there jobs and have a passion for teaching that I have not experienced in public, private, international and home school education. Amazing. Ok I'm off topic, crap that's another post for sure.
Here goes the lines. Just reading these makes me laugh. I love Drew's English teacher and would love to to be in school with him. I could just take the bottom bunk and call it a day.

ok pick up lines for chicks with dogs...

thats a cute dog

do you come here often

is it safe to let your dog off the leash

how old is your dog

what kind of dog is it

did you train your dog or did you take it to classes

my dog would love a play mate are you interested in play dates

wow the hair style of your dog is so nice who is your groomer

i bet you feel so safe with that German Shepard

have you been to the doggie park in Chapel Hill? Is it crowded?

have you traveled alot with your dog its so well trained

can i give your dog a treat

Wordless Wednesday......

Loved seeing this today.

Guess whos hair this is?

GREATNESS

Great day, great game, great kid..
GREATNESS

VES Parents Weekend and Homecoming.

This is really a dog not a lion.

Helping Mom with technology.

A picture of lunch out on the patio.

This flag is located by the soccer fields.

Drews coach and advisor we love Mr. Notario.

Gym Scare

Walking into the house on Saturday and happy to have spent some quality one on one time with Drew I see Mariah with an ice pack and a really red face. For me those 2 ingredients don't equal a good feeling and I start with my many questions.
What were you doing? BARS
What move? Fly Away
What happened? I landed on my head
When?  Towards the end of practice
Who saw it? Coach Barbara was there but I went to early and she couldn't catch me..the team saw
Were you there Doug? Yes, about 5 minutes after she was laying on the floor in extreme pain and crying
What hurts? My neck and head
How bad? Alot
How did you land? She shows me her neck
Did you black out? No
What part of the neck? Points to lower
What did Barbara say? That I went to soon but I landed good I could have broken my arms and neck
Was Sam there? Yeah somewhere..Barbara and Doug were taking care of me
Do you need to go to the doctor? No thanks
What do you think Doug? I checked her out when she was laying on the floor and all checked out good.
What should we do? Wait
Why? I wanna watch TV and wait and see if it gets better. It feels a bit stiff
I think I asked many times how she was feeling etc. This could have gone a entire different direction. She returned to the gym on her scheduled day and took it easy just doing what she felt and trying to condition. Counting our blessings she is recovering well and tried to do the fly away in the belt yesterday. She is very fearful of this move and has really had a challenge of overcoming her fear. I pray for confidence and peace so that she can conquer and progress. I know that we must conquer our fears in life but at 10 these life lessons are harder on Moms and Dads than I think they are on kids.

Ambassador

Mariah has had her interview and we will wait until Monday Oct, 22 to hear the outcome. I have to tell a funny story. I happen to be out of town for the day of the interview. I left town on Thursday and Doug arrived back in town later that afternoon so we had not seen each other in person only talked. I prepared Mariah with her dress up clothes for the interview and placed them in a bag on the door in the foyer. I told Doug the same never showing him. Mariah forgot to take the bag of dress clothes to change into to school on Friday and called Doug to bring them. Doug thinking that it is in the foyer area hanging up he missed the bag part takes one of MY DRESSES on the hanger to school and deliverers it. Mariah calls him again and says this is  Moms clothes and I cant wear them. So the awesome Dad and guy Doug is he goes home again and returns to school with the correct BAG. I know they have to think we are loco at KES.

Kestrel Heights Elementary Ambassadors Application

Kestrel Heights Elementary School is looking for responsible and energetic students to represent the school in various areas.  The students must have and maintain a high standing in effort and citizenship (4 or 5) and stay clear of any infraction against the code of conduct for Kestrel Heights School.  This is an honor and a privilege so the expectations are set high.  Are you up for the challenge?

The ambassadors with be called upon to do the following:

• The welcoming committee to help guide tours for the school
• Transportation Assistance, helping students from cars in the morning (must be to school by 7:15)
• Transportation Assistance helping students to their cars at the coned stations 
• Elementary Student Reps for KHS and KHES events
• Promotion Talks
• Guides for Morning hallway movement (guiding students in the direction of their destination)
• Guides for Afternoon hallway movement (guiding students in the direction of their destination)
• Making some of the morning or afternoon announcements
• Training future ambassadors
• Assistance with Recycling

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There is an application and interview process.  Your application must be completed and turned in by October 5^th to your homeroom teacher.  Along with your application, should be a letter of recommendation from a trusted adult (i.e. youth pastor, parent guardian, uncle, aunt, or grandparent).  The interview process will take place next week.  Ambassadors will be notified October 22^nd. 

Mariahs first visit to VES!!

BIG WIN IN THE GYM !!!

Team 1st place and All around 1st place!
1st bars and vault
2nd beam and floor
Congrats!

Many thanks and a lot of love to the Durham Fred Astaire team for these awesome roses. Happy to help them celebrate the studios 25th anniversary. Heres to 25 more!!