Queenies Little Kingdom

Today was not only the big “sweet sixteen” birthday….it was also take the driver’s permit test day. She really wanted to have today’s date on her permit license….you know so people would know and all. The only problem with all that is…she didn’t really know the book enough. So dear old dad picked her up from school at 10:00am and took her home to go on a crash course training lesson.

It worked! The birthday girl passed! Yay! Now she can drive “legally” while we are out and about. In September she can get her regular operator’s license. This will surely be the big thrill…..as you know most teenagers are ready to grow up all at once and all. We are praying that her driving skills and maturity level reach what it takes to actually make that next driving step. She’s sorta special to us….we just want her safe in everyway. For now, we appreciate Gavin and Tyler who haul her around on a pretty regular basis without complaining. Thank you to two of the sweetest guys I know.

Going in to take the test! (THANKS DAD!!! You are the BEST!!)

UPDATE:The prom dress arrived today too. IT. IS. GORGEOUS!!!! It fits perfectly. Maybe needs a slight bit of hemming. But it is THE dress! The picture doesn’t do it justice.

Ally, we love you so much! Happy Birthday beautiful girl. We are proud of you.

I really thought she was a boy! Each time I went in for an ultrasound…there was something amiss and no one could say for sure if it was a boy or girl. So disappointing! I really wanted to know. It wasn’t until March 17th 1993 that I would find out she was all girl. A beautiful 9lb. 6 1/4oz fat girl. I remember how she looked the first time I saw her. She was mad (something I would see a bit more of) and crying. Her lips were so thick and perfect. I couldn’t wait to hold her and make her into my girl. She was more wonderful than I could’ve imagined. That’s how I feel about her still today. To celebrate her special day today….I thought I’d share 16 things about my Ally!

1–She is very girly! We used to call her cheerleader girl because she was so prissy and insistent on staying in perfect condition.
2–She loves going shopping. That runs in her bloodline. All the women in her family love it too.
3–She’s a Starbucks/coffee shop-a-holic. She loves yummy drinks and doesn’t like sharing.
4–Her favorite food is FAST food! She would eat out for all of her meals if I let her.
5–She is very talented. Her voice is beautiful and she is a great actress and dancer.
6–Underneath her tough girl persona…..she’s sensitive and soft. Her heart is very tender.
7–She loves Jesus. She loves to journal and write out her thoughts (like her mama).
8–Her favorite musical ever is Wicked! She’s dreaming of going to see it someday.
9–She loves the world of politics. She’s grown up in the most conservative family. Her dream would be to work in that area someday.
10–Music is her passion. All kinds. She is always singing.
11–She loves to give and receive gifts. It’s one of her love languages.
12–She loves a good backscratch! The more the merrier! Oh and if you’ll sing while you’re doing it …that is even better.
13–She really likes one on one attention from her parents. Sharing with siblings can be hard sometimes.
14–She is so funny! This runs in her bloodline too. I laugh at her sense of humor and she can think up the craziest stuff.
15–She’s so good at working with children. Little kids really like her. Big kids do too. 🙂
16–She is so beautiful! From the moment I met her I thought she was extraordinarily pretty.

I can’t believe how fast sixteen years has flown by. It just seems like yesterday she was a baby. I feel so blessed to be her mama. These next few years are going to go by pretty fast too. I am learning to let her fail and make her own mistakes. Something I’d rather not do. I love her and want the best for her. I pray God will rule her life with love and mercy and that she would allow him to do so.

Ally, I have loved being your mom. Every single day that you’ve been in my life you have made it better. When I look at you…I see how much God loves me. He picked me to be your mom. For that I am forever thankful. I hope you have a fantastic day and feel loved and cherished everywhere you go.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! SWEET SIXTEEN!!!

I’m feeling all over the place today. I’ve been insulted by two of my kids (don’t ya just love teenagers?…..I know I do), argued with my husband and done two weeks worth of grocery shopping today. I’m worn thin! I wish it were bedtime already. But since it’s not….I’m gonna blog for my sanity!

This past week we did a little shopping online (Ally and I). We stumbled upon what we hope will be a “keeper” dress for the prom. We planned to shop during our spring break week for the special occasion, but….. We couldn’t let this deal get past us. Besides, if this isn’t THE dress…we can take it back. Yes, I am the “take back” queen! Don’t judge me! 🙂

Gavin is in a quandary. He has his own prom and Allison’s to contend with. He’s willing to forgo his own to attend hers. His logic? He’s been every year for the last 3 years to JCHS’s prom. Allison is pretty special and she’s a senior too….going to hers would be fun for him as well as her. He loves her friends and it wouldn’t kill him to miss out hanging with his own classmates. Both proms are a week apart. So double renting a tux is his concern. I spoke with the lady at the tux store and she has a limited amount of in-house tuxedo’s that she rents out just for this sort of problem. So, anything can happen. We’ll just see.

Me….I’ll be at the prom either way. I work as a ticket taker/greeter every year. I love seeing the students all dressed up and excited as they enter the event. They are so nervous (many are on a date for the very first time) and feel awkward all dressed up. It’s a great night!

Now about bedtime….for the last few weeks I’ve spent Sunday night laying in bed AWAKE until the wee hours of the morning (that would be MONDAY morning!!!). I have to get up and work on Monday morning. I cannot sleep in since I missed some much needed rest the night before. It’s part of the whole “being responsible” thing. So, tonight…I’m hoping for some REST! I want to close my eyes and sleep like a baby so I don’t have to wake up and act like one tomorrow! 🙂

Can it be??? We’ll see!

Forever I am changed by your love.

God, you are so majestic.

Or else we’ll handcuff them and leave! Who? My kids, that’s who! Did you hear about that? I was listening to the news this evening and heard that some parents are in trouble for actually doing this. Evidently, the boy had stolen a cell phone. The dad must have had a lightbulb moment or maybe he just overreacted and locked Junior up with his hands behind his back. Whichever it was, it was a bad idea! He went on to work and left the kid in that condition. They had to call the authorities to come over and unlock him……like six hours later! Yikes!

Parents, in case you haven’t heard….that is not appropriate punishment for your kid. It may cross your mind to do it….but it’s not going to work out well for you or your child. Imagine what comes next for this whole family. Now everyone is in trouble and it’s going to cost them all in more ways than one. Families are struggling in so many ways just to make it these days. Disciplining your kids out of anger is not going to help anyone. In this case, it has turned for the worst. What was he thinking? Oh the kicker? I heard that he was a correction’s officer at a jail! Crazy guy!

If you are a parent and you have kids that make mistakes (duh, who doesn’t?)…..might I recommend a great book for “dealing” with the lil’ darlin’s!? It’s called, Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel! Love this girl….and her CREATIVE ways of handling poor behavior in kids. She’s a genius when it comes to teaching your kids to choose to do what’s right. I’ve had it for years….but I can still pull ideas from it (even with my teens). It’s biblically based and it has tips on dealing with stronger willed kids. I like that! You will too. Go find it…..and share it with a friend if you need to.

Just stay away from the handcuffs! You will regret it! I promise!

I think I may be experiencing a writing drought. My brain cannot focus and my thoughts are all over the place (and make no sense!). I haven’t felt well for over a week and I haven’t gotten one good nights rest in about that long either. I’m just a big hot mess!

Do all blogger’s have this happen to them? Or am I the weirdo as usual? I’m just dry. There is nothing of value coming out of me on this here blog.. Sorry ya’ll! Maybe soon. I’ll be back in a better bloggy mode and have something profound to say. It can happen.

Until then……I think I’ll incubate my brain. Hopefully gain some new perspective on things. Bless you guys for stopping by. You are so sweet!