Queenies Little Kingdom

This week has been one big celebration. It always is in the “high school” world. Each day, students and staff play along dressing the part for whatever the theme is of the day. Today is black-out day (everyone is wearing all black). Yesterday, it was class colors and teacher’s could wear their jeans!! Staff wearing jeans is a big deal to us (we rarely get such a privilege!!). So, a tip o’ the hat to you dear administration for allowing us to wear them! 😉

Tomorrow, is the PEP RALLY! We only have a select number of those too. My Miss Ally is in charge of the whole shebang! I mean, SHE IS THE PLANNER, SHOPPER, JOB HANDER-OUTTER, LEADER AND CREATOR of all that is awesome for the school’s pep rally! PRESSURE? Oh yea! But it couldn’t be in better hands! She is a natural leader and has that anal personality to boot! I don’t know why, but I woke up all tensed up and worried about it this morning. I guess it’s normal (I’m anal by nature too) and I had to push back any feelings of angst! I feel confident that she’s got this! It’s just my own wackiness! Pray for me! :0

In true mamarazzi fashion, I have picture’s of some of the fun so far this week. I’ll be sure to let you know how the pep rally goes.

Movie Star day (Twilight characters)

Parade day (Homecoming court candidates) Taylor & Michael

Powderpuff football game mania

Senior girls on BlackOut day

Underclassmen in black

I don’t remember Homecoming being this much fun. But then again, I’m a crusty old lady. I feel extra thankful that I get to be a part of my own teenager’s fun at school. I hope all this excitement boosts our football players to a win Friday night! That’d be a sweet topping to a super cool week! GO PANTHERS!!! 🙂

Me Blackin out the stars too!

My two favorite high school punks

Today, at 3:30pm…..it’s going to be ALL ABOUT ME!!! 😉

My hubby purchased this little present for me back in May for Mother’s Day! Yea, it’s been a long time coming!
I don’t know why I haven’t cashed it in before now other than I’m a hoarder by nature. I just hang onto stuff
“just in case” I need it in a pickle! The time has come…..I’m feeling quite pickly! 🙂

So, I’ll be skipping the high school homecoming parade and even the powder-puff football game to indulge myself.
Ahhh, it’s all me baby!

Thank you Honey! I really needed this!

This past weekend my favorite son was home for a quick visit. It was his first time home since he moved into his apartment at IU. I loved having him in my house and sitting at my table. It just feels right to have all your chicks in the nest. Maybe it’s a mom thing!?! Anyway, I cooked chicken enchilada’s on Friday night and baked lasagna on Saturday in honor of having everyone home. And it was worth it!

Here’s a few pictures of my big kids! They just love having me follow them around snapping weird pictures of them. 😉 Ok, humor me…..I love doing it!

Gavin teaching Ally oil-changing 101

Scrubbing the headlights

Hubby & I with our anniversary card

Gates talking…..her favorite thing

They’ll always be my babies…..

I’m loving this stage of life with my family. Even though they’re growing up and moving on. I’m learning to cherish every moment…and that’s just what I did this past weekend.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

Being a parent is tough work. When they’re small, it’s physically tedious and exhausting . As they reach teen years the emotional wear and tear begin to take over. Let’s face it, parenting is not for the weak or faint of heart. One must be prayed up, rested up and willing to be real in front of your kids.

It’s not enough to just tell them what to do or how to behave. Everyday, you and I must model what Christ expects of us as His followers. It’s the only way (the true way) that our kids will know right from wrong. Believe me, if you don’t think your kids are watching….just sit back and observe how they handle everyday situations in their life. They react based on what they know.

Last year, I seemed to be butting heads with a certain teenager in my house. She was modeling an “all about me” attitude just about everyday. The issues were draining me of my joy, my emotions and my mental strength. I pleaded with her to snap out of it! Nothing seemed to be working. I even resorted to punishment for every single offense. Exhausting! It still continued.

The stress of the behavior was beginning to take its toll on the whole family. Isn’t it funny how one unhappy person can wreck everyone’s good time? Or is that just in my family? 🙂 I whined to my husband, I argued with her and then…..I gave up. Not on her, just the battle between us. I wasn’t getting anywhere with my other methods. Until it hit me. Make her focus on what it is she is thankful for.

I recognized the behavior she was modeling too well. I tend to be a bit dramatic about every little detail of my own life every now and then. What usually brings me back to a right perspective is a thankful list. I knew it worked for me…..but would it even crack open a peek into this child’s heart? So, I delivered the order.

I wish I could say that list made the problems stop immediately but it didn’t. It was simply a starting point. She began to recognize that fretting over every little thing is useless and joy robbing. Complaining about this and that started to look depressing (wonder why, huh?). Looking intentionally for the blessings in life was humbling. It wasn’t long before the rotten behavior was replaced with gratitude. Hers and mine.

Like so many other instances in parenting….this lesson wasn’t just for her. It was for me as well. When I get bummed about “stuff” in life and just want to whine about it…..I have this little reminder to claim what I’m grateful for and focus on that. Life isn’t all about me or you. It’s about living for Him and letting His goodness ooze out. If I’m oozing anger or complaints, I’m not oozing Jesus.

So, I’m focusing on simply being thankful!

Try it. Make your own Thankful List today. Write down everything that comes to mind. You’ll be surprised how your attitude changes. It’s better than any pep talk or bowl of icecream….I promise!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

Everybody knows how I feel about Friday’s. It’s no secret! I’m a girl in love with everything about Friday. I look at it as a day of hope. I hope for good things to come over the weekend. I hope the weekend doesn’t end too soon. I hope to savour every moment with my family. I just hope for fun and relaxation. And, I usually get it!

And don’t even get me started about how I feel for football season! Yeehaw! I love it!

I’m so excited today because my Sweetboy is coming home. I will be cooking up some yummy foods and hugging on him every chance I get. {Sorry dude! It’s a mom thing!} There’s no telling what we’ll do for fun other than eating and hanging out. On Sunday, Gavin’s going to the Colts game with one of his roommates. Lucky! We’ll be home biting our nails cheering them on from the leather sofa that usually occupies all our bodies. {For the love of Pete….COLTS, please play hard!!!} 🙂 Last weekend was painful! But, we still did our part in football celebrating!

Here’s some photo’s that make me smile.

My girls and I all geared up for some football!

My baby with her daddy!

Our view as we crossed the river into Louisville last weekend!

My girls with their very best friends at the high school cross country invitational.
Gates, Taylor, Brad, Ally & Christian

Whatever you’re up to this weekend….I hope it’s fun and family filled! Be safe!