Charleston South Carolina --Here we c o m e !!

Tomorrow we are off to a gymnastic meet in Charleston South Carolina. Our plan is to leave in the morning so that we can arrive in the afternoon, check into our hotel and hopefully have dinner with Karen and the girls. We are staying in a hotel close to the convention center where the meet will take place because we have to be in the gym at 730am.  I'm excited to see  my sister and nieces. More to come about the trip and the meet. Stay tuned.

NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PROJECT

Take a look at the village. We have rocks and huts made with bark from the trees in our yard. Rabbit fur from a toy that Drew got in Ukraine, grass and indians from Micheals. Rock were from the driveway and yard. Firepit and haystacks. This project took a week or more but it was a fun project to develop and create. 5th grade has so many projects.

The village was amazing

Lots of creative work

FLYAWAY

HEY FOLKS ITS TIME TO CRACK OPEN THE BOTTLE, MARIAH HAS GOTTEN HER FLYAWAY SKILL. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN I TOLD YOU ABOUT HER INJURY WHILE TRYING TO DO  FLYAWAY BUT SHE SLIPPED AND FELL AND HAS STRUGGLED TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE TO TRY IT AGAIN. SHE HAS SLOWLY BEEN TRYING THIS PAST WEEK AND TONIGHT SHE WAS ABLE TO DO IT ON THE HIGH BAR. AS PROOF SHE VIDEOED HERSELF. TAKE A LOOK AT THE DEFINITION OF FLYAWAY.

WHAT GETS ME ABOUT THIS DEFINITION IS THAT IT SAYS ITS BASIC..OK FOLKS I AM AFRAID OF WHAT INTERMEDIATE OR ADVANCED WILL LOOK LIKE. HOLD ONTO OUR PANTS THIS IS GOING TO BE A FUN RIDE.

SO FRIDAY WE ARE OFF TO CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA FOR ANOTHER MEET. 5 HOUR DRIVE AND MEET BEGINS AT 730AM SATURDAY  MORNING. ORDER UP AN INJECTION OF CAFFEINE FOR ME.

Definition: A flyaway is a basic gymnastics skill performed as a dismount from the high bar, uneven bars, and rings. In a flyaway, the gymnast swings forward, releases, and performs a back flip off of the bar or rings. 

Elite gymnasts perform very difficult variations of the flyaway dismount with multiple flips and twists.

HEAD LICE

Nice Long Hair

Got the email to day that there is a case of head lice at Mariahs school. Just typing this makes me want to scratch may head. I did a search of what those nasty lice look like and then inspected her head and she was ok. I was still creeped out by they thought of having to get those eggs or whatever out of her hair so I am searching for the product FAIRY TALES it is a preventative shampoo and I want her to use it until I get the word that those bugs are gone from school. My sister says that they like clean hair. I don't know if you guys have noticed but MARIAH has ALOT of hair. Please send us good wishes to keep the bugs away.

FRED ASTAIRE LOGO

The Fred Astaire Logo on the glass is amazing.

GREENSBORO NORTH CAROLINA FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIO GRAND OPENING

OH WHAT A NIGHT!!

Project, Projects and MORE Projects..

Great Work

We are busy doing several school projects with Mariah. I must be honest and tell you we don't mind because we feel like she really does learn best by doing things like this. We had the Cheetah project that was due Monday and it turned out wonderful. We are currently working on the Indian project that is due next Monday. This has be great fun letting her use her creative talents. I will post the pictures to go with these soon.
I have been busy with school and just trying to stay one step ahead of things. The weekend is calling me and I hope to have just a little r and r time. What about you?

Operation Smile

Look at the difference.  

Operation Smile is an amazing organization. Doug and I have been so excited to be a part of the past several years of there benefit in Greensboro North Carolina. Amazing dancers, stars and staff who make this happen. This is a life changing organization and I hope to be able to help for many years to come.

SWEETHEART GYMNASTICS MEET

The Competitive Face

First on Floor

First on Vault

Fourth on Beam

Fifth of Bar

SECOND ALL AROUND

GOOD MEET

Funky Friday

We are starting our Saturday off bright and early. Mariah has a gymnastics meet at North Carolina State University and she has to be in the gym by 745am. I really don't know how it will be to get up and prepare for a early morning meet, but we will be in bed by 830 tonight. She has had a busy afternoon building tents, barbie and knitting flowers. I am trying to get her backpack ready and her armpits shaved. I know TMI but lets keep it real. She is 10 years old and her body hair grows like weeds its wild. I spent the day at NC State helping with the meet. I was the march on helper and the timer for beam. The timing was pretty stressful and my hands were sweating but I survived. I thought the weather today was wonderful and loved being out for the little while we were. Off to mow oh I mean shave my kid and get her into bed.

Cheers

FRIDAY FUN !!

A WOMAN'S SPIN ON STRESS 
A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience with a raised glass of water. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'... She fooled them all .... "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. To 20 oz.

She replied , "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it.  If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced.

So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night... Pick them up tomorrow.

1 * Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!
2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
4 * Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
5 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
8 * Never buy a car you can't push.
9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
10 * Nobody cares if you can't  dance well. Just get up and dance.
11 * Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.
13 * When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
19 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

20 *Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate!*

Today someone asked me if I liked you .  I laughed , and I said, "Ha! That's  funny !    I absolutely L O V E   that woman ! ! She's funny , caring , crazy as heck , sweet , beautiful , she's reading this email right now & I love her!!"

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says~~
"Oh Crap, She's up!"
  

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE ???

I hope that your Valentines Day have been full of lots of LOVE and that someone made you smile. We sometimes says we hate this or that holiday because of this reason or that but why not make the most of every day. I am the girl who likes to think of the positive and for sure see the glass half full spreading love and good cheer is what makes me happy. As I taught my classes today I encounter so many sick or under the weather students and a few sad ones. Trying to put myself in there shoes I wished them quick recoveries and a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY. Hugs to YOU and YOURS....

CupCakes for the Classmates

More CupCakes

Flowers from the Greatest Valentine EVER

THE BIG GAME DUKE ~ UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA @ CHAPEL HILL

Get ready my friends the BIG game is tonight and we will see who will prevail as the stronger BLUE will it be Carolina Blue or Duke Blue? Its all happening tonight in Cameron at 9pm. I have noticed more folks than the normal "tent" residents as I drive into the parking lot but yesterday there were even MORE. These kids were sleeping in there sleeping bags on the sidewalks all around the parking lot I park in. They truly look like homeless people and I am really interested to see what things look like this morning because of the RAIN! I hope to take a few pictures to post later today. Stay tuned?

Take Note of the Nasty Mud and Tents That are READY for a REST

The Rain only makes the experience more memorable

The tarps are hlepful

The TV crew are ready to GO

Random stuff....

The Handsome Guy

Isn't She a Cutie

As I sit on the sofa on a Tuesday night I am a bit shocked that hump day comes tomorrow. Drew was home for winter break and Doug drove him back this afternoon in time to help him unpack, make his bed and settle in for the next couple of weeks before he comes home for a weekend visit. Drew had a basketball game today and Doug was the lucky one to get to see it. I know I have said how much I miss   seeing all of the great things that Drew is involved in but lets just chalk it up to boarding school problems. Mariah had gym tonight and is preparing for a meet this Saturday at North Carolina State I think it might be a big one. People always ask wow does the kid have a life and I honestly believe that the gym is a sport that gives her so much pleasure and truly is her life. We have been having a struggle with MATH she has gotten quite a few F's in the past few weeks and she is starting to say how much she hates MATH I feel like we get one subject going great and start to fail in another let me tell you 5th grade is hard and I know I have probably said it here before but I'm praying we pass to the next grade.
This week also brings us Valentines Day, the Duke-Carolina basketball game and Saturday night Operation Smile dancing with the Stars. FUN FUN FUN

FATHER - DAUGHTER VALENTINES DANCE

All Smiles

Nice Flyer

Me and My Girl

Daughter - Father So Sweet

Love is in the air. I have been looking forward to the Father Daughter Valentines Dance that Doug would Dee Jay and take Mariah as his date. This is the second year for this event and I was happy to deliver Mariah to Doug and get a few cute pictures. The event is hosted by the Triangle Youth Ballet of North Carolina and if I am correct they are a non profit 501-3c organization raising money to produce production such as the Nutcracker. Mariah had gymnastics until 1pm and the event started at 2pm and ended at 4pm. When they were driving home the call cam and Mariah said that she had a GREAT time. Doug seemed pleased and is exhausted which is totally understandable.

Mission Accomplished

Mariah showing the special Valentines Present Nana sent  her.

Happy to arrive home safe and sound. I feel that the week was successful and I left Arkansas with a calmness and good things accomplished. I hit the road running today with lots of to do things. Drew is home until Tuesday for his Winter Break. I love having him at home and had so much playing cards with him and his girlfriend Julia. BTW Doug and I were the WINNERS. 

Arkansas College Road Trip Visit

Had to Get a Quick Pic of this Beauty.... Things that make us smile.
Taken in the Great State of Arkansas
LOVED my visit to U of Arkansas to spend time with Omar. We had a wonderful lunch, great coffee visit and crammed lots of conservation into 4+ hour visit. I miss him so much but am so happy to have gotten a chance to see him and give him a big HUG!! That was my first college stop of the day. I decided to stop in and see my niece Lauren who attends Arkansas Tech. We went to Dairy Queen for some ice cream and a nice visit. I said to my friend that I was on my Arkansas tour. I wish I could see these kids a lot more often.

VIsit with Aunt Sharon

Aunt Sharon and Mom

I had the best day. A tour of the area where I lived from birth until elementary school.. It brought back some old memories. Lunch with my Mom and awesome Aunt Sharon. Great chats and lots of catching up. Sure wish they lived closer. She has the best smile.

Going Home

Woke up at 4am to catch a flight by 6am to visit my Mom. Arrived in time for lunch with her and my sister Karla. Got so much accomplished today and am looking forward to seeing friends and family while I am  here in Arkansas.

Casino Night at VES

friends

Fun Night

February is Full of Fun for US.

Time keeps ticking, ticking away. I can hardly believe that February is here. Sitting here enjoying my coffee on this cold Friday morning and thinking how warm it was just 3 days ago is mind boggling. We have a jammed packed month ahead of us and it is  starting with a bang this weekend. Tomorrow Doug and I will go to Drew's winter formal/event to help with the festivities. They are having a Casino Night that is billed to be the event of the season. I am excited for several reasons but the main reason is we will get to see Drew and spend time in his environment with his peers and teachers. Sending a kid to boarding school brings so much change for all parties involved and I love any opportunity to get to be a part of his world. I plan to write a post about it and put some pictures up.

I leave for Arkansas on Monday Feb 4 and Doug will play all roles in our household including my role of teaching so it will be a bit busy for him. I am planning a day to drive and see Omar so this will be awesome. I will arrive home Thursday Feb 7 and take my advanced Latin Dance class out for our bi weekly outing.

February 8 starts winter break for Drew and it will be great to have him home, if only for a few days.

February 9 Doug is doing will DJ a Father-Daugther dance and take Mariah as a date.

February 14 - 15 is the gymnastics meet at NCSU I will help with the meet on Friday and Mariah will compete on Saturday.

February 15 Doug and I will judge a celebrity dance contest in Greensboro.

February 22--

March 1 a gymnastics meet in Charleston South Carolina.

I'm sure there is a lot that I am missing but I hope to fill in the gaps here with the blog.