Therapy at my fingertips

To complete my incredibly exciting (sarcasm) semester of college Algebra I will now *DELETE* my most unfavorite favorites folder entitled "Jamie Algebra"...not to be confused with "Ashley Pre-Algebra".

For future reference, because really, I will probably need these links once again when Ashley develops a matching mommy bald spot from pulling her hair out with Algebra, here are the links that I'm tired of looking at in the left hand column of my screen:

Quadradic Solver...awesome site

I don't remember what was so good about this one, but it must be helpful since I did save it

Why Purple?

Lots of good stuff that I hope to never see again

Speechless once again

Last night we sat down to read, as we do most everynight. This night, Alex picked an Aurthur book to read to me. Aurthur and his buddy take a bus to swim lessons and end up getting lost after falling asleep and missing their stop.
After realizing that they're lost, and don't have a clue where they are, the following dialogue went on between the 6 year old and I:

Mom: "Awww, Aurthur's poor momma...she must be so worried about her little boy! I would be so worried if that were you!"

Alex: "OH-COME-ON momma, it's obviously JUST a book...I mean they're talking dogs and rabbits dressed up in CLOTHES!"

Ticky tacky

Recently, I had a conversation with an older child of mine about my choice to "thrift". You see, said older child of mine is growing up, and while she's enjoying the added bonuses of freedom, she's had a bit of a struggle lately. Confession: I BUY USED CLOTHES. Yeah, so it's out there whooptey doo. I don't see the hang up, and why it's so important that I buy a neatly hung, chemical filled garment, that will look just like the one down the street at the xxxx thrift shop in two washes. So, back to the struggle. It seems we have kiddos that are extremely fixated on "where" Ashley gets her clothes. Keep in mind, she goes to school each day looking just like everyone else, the name brands, the stylish outfits, the accessories, you name it. She's happy with her selection of some 60 shirts and countless pants, capris and shorts. The problem: she hates lying. When someone asks her where she gets a particular outfit, she gets uncomfortable. She doesn't want to lie, but she also doesn't want to confess. Sure there are ways around the questions, "my mom bought it", "it CAME from xxxx", whatever. But why oh why is it so imporant to these kids that she bought something at a particular overpriced store? What I would love is for her to respond truthfully and tell them to suck it if they don't like it, but that's not reality. Reality is that she's growing up in a time when stupid crap like this matters.

So how do you teach a child not care what everyone else thinks, and to do their own thing, without other little bratty children shafting their self esteem? I don't know. All I could do was tell her that what she's feeling is normal and that while she doesn't need to care what people might think, it's ok to feel the way she's feeling. And mind you, this is not a little girl that is struggling to make friends, in fact, I believe most of her friends look up to her. I also gently reminded her that I'd be happy to forego the used clothes if it mattered that much to her, but I did tell her to kiss the name brands goodbye. Get use to Wal Mart and Target, because this momma is not going to get sucked in paying top dollar for clothes, just so you can look like everyone else. She stopped me and said no, no, no, she doesn't want me to stop, she loves the things I buy, she's just torn between wanting to be that little girl with no worries, yet at the same time wanting to grow up...which brings on a whole new set of worries. She hates caring what everyone else thinks. And for that I am GLAD. I'm glad she's going through the process of sorting out what's really important to her and what's not. It sucks that she has to struggle, but really, if she wasn't uncomfortable caring what people think, I think we'd have a bigger problem.

My poor sweetie, how do you tell her that this is just the beginning, but that someday, all of this will seem so, so trivial. I hope it will, because that will mean she's grown in to a confident young woman whose comfortable in her own skin and take on anything that comes her way.

If anyone has any pre-teen words of wisdom on the subject, I'd love to hear it.

Adolescence is when girls experience social pressure to put aside their authentic selves and to display only a small portion of their gifts. -Mary Pipher

Happy Mother's Day to meee

And my gift to myself, this handy dandy wall fountain, that I just couldn't live without. $189.95 here....but for me, $35 on Craigslist. *brand new* teehee!

Back in Black

So, now that school is over, and I have time on my hands, I decided to tackle the master bath cabinets. It's funny, our bathroom remodel has been complete for quite some time now, but in our minds it hasn't been 'complete'. It's incredible what a little bit of paint can do. Our cabinets were all 80's and the rest of the bathroom up to date. Something had to be done. Sooo, after half a quart of Sherwin Williams Black, a nice little sanding block to antique a few edges here and there, and some bronzy spray paint to cover the ugly 1984 brassy handles, we have a kick ass bathroom. Next is the powder room cabinets and then I'm on to the kitchen. Somebody stop me!!!

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a fantastical-icious Mother's Day!

I wanted to share my special gifts from the kiddos.

Alex made me several masterpieces at school, one of which is a tie dyed butterfly magnet that reads:

Butterfly hover
near my mother.
Tell her that
I really LOVE her.

This already has a special place on the fridge and has done it's job of warming my heart time and time again.

Another handmade gift from my sweetness is hand print lilys with a sweet poem and a picture of the handsome little man himself.

And the most precious of all his hand made gifts, a card, written by Alex:

My mom does not have a job
but she still works hard.

Moms are special. I love you.
Moms are sweet because they give hugs.

I love my mom because you sometimes
let me sleep with you.

Love,
Alex

And sweet Ashley wrote me a letter that I have to share. This one had me completely choked up.

Mothers are a special gift.
When you're sad, moms let you cry
but make you feel better,

Moms will always laugh at your jokes even when they're bad.

Even though at times they don't like it,
moms watch you grow up.

Moms cook you wonderful meals.
Moms are there when you get home.

Sometimes moms hit a bump in the road
but moms NEVER give up.

Moms are your worst enemy,
and your best friend.

Moms have big jobs
and even bigger hearts.

But most importantly they'll always love you.

Love,

Sissy

These are the best mother's day gifts a mom could EVER ask for, and I feel so, so fortunate to have two of the best kids around to share my life with.

How it's hangin

So, it's been a while. Not a lot has changed around here since my last "real" update. It's hard to update when, honestly, not a lot has changed. Mark is still job hunting, I'm still searching for that perfect part time, work from home job, and the kids are still rapidly growing and changing.

I've tried and tried to post a semi-interesting update, but really, I just don't have it in me. I'm feeling a little disconnected lately, not only from the world around me, but also from myself. I'm really counting on some positive changes over the summer with the kids and I being out of school and spending some quality time together. Things will turn around, I'm convinced....and when they do I know I'll get back in to the swing of things.

B is for DAMN IT

Just checked my grades...got a B on the final and a B for the class. Wah. I was really, really hoping to pull off an A, but hey, I did it, I didn't give up, and it's OVER!

Alive and well...alive

Despite the fact that I haven't blogged in ages, we are all still alive and well.

Tonight is my LAST Algebra class, thank jebus. Today I'm cramming for my final in disjoint intervals. Ha ha. Waaayyy to much algebra on the mind.
My days of sitting in PJ's at the table diciphering algebra equations is AL..MOST OVER. At some point I'll actually be able to take the time to process pictures from the past 4 months and post them for the diminishing lurkers that check my blog. This school stuff really gets in the way of life, I gotta tell ya. My social life is suffering...severely!
Anywho, just wanted to check in with the ol' boggysphere and let everyone know that I haven't forgoten my blog, and will get back to my old ways soon.

Ciao

Puppy meets Puddle

Mark, I'm saving this one for YOU to clean up. I don't care if I have to wait 3 days!

I left this little puddle jumper out to potty for 10 minutes! And this is what I get...can't you just see the look of "am I in trouble?" on her face??

These pictures don't even show the full extent of the damage.

Little mathmatician

Alex is LOVE, LOVE LOVING his GT class, in fact on the mornings that he goes to GT he pops out of bed, gets ready for school as fast as he can and talks about how excited he is the rest of the morning. I'm so, so happy we had him tested. He's enjoying the reading GT class, but math is his favorite right now.
This week in his GT Math class, he's adding and subtracting 4 digit numbers like a pro! I'm just amazed that they're doing this at a kinder level. It really shows me that they're in tune with the kids on an individual level and progress accordingly. His love of math is really shining through.. On the way to school this morning he was multiplying numbers out loud just for the heck of it (no prompting by me) and out of no where he throws in "35 plus 35 is seventy". I asked him how he figured it out and he says "well, 30 plus 30 is 60, and 5 and 5 make 10, so that's 70, so that means 35 times 2 is seventy!" I'm just so proud of him and how much he's really grasping these math concepts, not to mention the FUN he's having figuring it all out.

Mollie K. Photography

Ok, I can hardly believe it has taken me this long to post about my BFF and her incredible talent. Mollie's work continues to amaze me...just when I think I've seen her best, she throws another curve ball and does something even more amazing. If you haven't checked out her site, you're missing out. If you need a photographer, email her, you will certainly have no regrets. She spends an incredible amount of time with each photo perfecting what I believe to already BE perfection. You really couldn't ask for more in a photographer. Anywho, here's her site, check it out, have fun, and preserve some memories with her: Mollie K. Photography

This message is not approved by Mollie, but I don't give a rats patootie.

One week down, one to go

I can hardly believe it has only been ONE week without the hubster, it certainly seems like it has been much longer.
Since flying solo we've had entirely way too much going on for it to have only been one week...Four basketball games, two basketball practices, one FIRST PLACE BASKETBALL TROPHY (woohooo), two basketball meetings, one softball game, one soccer practice, one massively successful Cooper's Troopers benefit, three College Algebra classes...and the list goes on. Mark and I have joked over the phone that with all that has gone on this past week, he is fully expecting to return only to find that Alex has grown chest hair.

We miss our Marky and can't wait to see him. ONE-MORE-WEEK!

Rains, pours

After being gone from work for a week, I came back to find that several people were let go. This is not a good time for the land surveying world. Fortunately, I didn't get "let go", however, I will no long have regular employment. They will be using me on an "as needed" basis. Who knows what that means. It's already Friday, and I haven't been needed yet, so really, this could mean anything. I'm still contemplating what to do...with Mark still being out of work, I'm feeling a little antsy about just waiting for them to call me. I've put word out to the environmental firm, but apparently they're fairly slow right now too. I feel like I'm at a crossroad right now, and I'm not exactly sure which way to go. On one hand, this timing is absolutely horrible, on the other hand, I had intended on taking the summer off to be with the kids anyway (providing Mark found a job). And with Mark being in Alabama for two weeks, I really wasn't quite sure how I was going to do it all, work, school, basketball, etc. on my own. So I'm a little uncertain as to what I'm feeling right now. My mind is ok, but sensitive tummy is reminding me that there are decisions to be made.

Yes, this is a rough time, and it when it rains, it does seem to pour. However, lets not forget what happens AFTER the rain. I remind myself that rain brings life, and blooms and helps to cleanse. The outcome will be positive, I am convinced, and can't wait to see where this road leads us.

Bama 08

So, I typed up this long elaborate post updating about our trip to Alabama over Spring Break last week...but decided against posting it. I was having one of those "deep thoughts with Jamie" moments and later decided it was a little mushy. That bugs me a bit. I use to blog as if no one were watching (well, almost) but lately I'm a little hung up on whether or not some topics are too personal for the likes of the bloggosphere, which seems to be VERY counter-bloggy.
I'm still sorting this one out.

What a week this Urben family has had. We made the trip to Alabama for the kiddos spring break last Saturday. The drive was fairly uneventful. Dogs and children behaved, and once again we are dumbstruck trying to figure out how four dogs and two kids can travel 13 hours in such a small space and not drive our sanity completely out the window. Knock on wood.
We arrived in Alabama just in time to watch the magic of Spring unfold. As we left home, and headed North, it was as if we were winding back the clock and actually watching the progression of Spring occur. At home, the trees had already bloomed, and moved on to budding new leaves, however, by the time we arrived in Alabama, we discovered that the blooming had just occurred. Wild pear trees, with their full white blooms covered the rolling hills and decorated the path to Granny Frannies, almost as if they paved the trail just for us. They were gorgeous scattered amongst the deep green pines. Just gorgeous.
And the birds! They were JUST amazing! Grannie Frannie and Papa Jack love, love, love their birds. They have several different types of bird feeders, filled with all sorts of yummy bird treats. I'll tell ya, if I were a bird, this would be my heaven. Their feathers looked as though mother nature had painted an entirely new fresh coat of birdie feather paint just to compliment the growth of the new season. I don't know a lot about birds but I assume their bright feathers are new growth and somehow serve them during mating season. Speaking of mating season, the ducks were also in full swing, busy as ever, poor females! The males are RUTHLESS I tell ya, RUTHLESS! On more than one day, Papa Jack took the kiddos hunting for duck eggs throughout the property, where they found enough eggs to feed an army. This made for great Easter conversation on our drive home.

Despite our three trips to Urgent Care to treat a non-broken toe, two fractured ribs and upper respiratory virus, we all really, really enjoyed our time in Alabama. We were thankful to be able to spend a little time with Mark's grandma, who isn't doing well, and is showing signs of the end stages of Alzheimers. Watching Mark spend time with his grandma was so, so special to me, as I'm sure it was for him as well. And because of Mark's current work situation, we decided that he should stay behind to help his mom care for his grandma for a few weeks. She has her hands full, and could certainly use the help, not to mention the emotional support.
Our week in Alabama was incredibly relaxing and we were no where near ready to leave come Saturday morning.

I will update with pictures as soon as humany possible.

She did it AGAIN

Holy cow, I really didn't expect that she would make BOTH theams, but she did! Not only will she be on the Club team, she will also be on the League All Star Team!!! There were at least 25 girls that tried out for the All Star team and Ashley was one of 12 to make it!!! She doesn't know yet, I can't wait for her to get home so I can tell her!!

She did it!!!!

We just found out this afternoon that Ashley made the select team!!!! I can't even begin to describe how excited we all are...especially the Ash herself. I'll update when I know more, but for now all I know is that this is a club team that travels to different tournaments in central-ish Texas. I'm so EXCITED!!!!!!

Snippet from their website:

Home to Georgetown, FURY Basketball is a non-Profit 501(c)3 Basketball Club. Our mission is to complement school programs by providing student athletes an affordable off-season competitive program designed to enhance and further their basketball careers. Check out the growing list of FURY Alumni who have taken their games to the college level.

FURY Basketball is able to offer players and parents an outstanding value in competitive club ball through the generosity of our sponsors, coaches and volunteers, as well as the club's extensive fundraising activities including annually hosting the FURY Invitational and FURY Golf Classic.

History
FURY started in 1999 as a single 13U team, earning their first trip to AAU Nationals in 2001.

2004 was a banner year as the 17U team advanced to the Sweet 16 at AAU Nationals in Orlando and Lindsay Fields, the first FURY player to graduate from the program, earned a D1 scholarship to play for the University of Missouri at Kansas City. The fall of 2004 also marked the creation of the FURY Basketball Club as it operates today, a program that has grown to a projected 16-teams ranging in age from 10U thru Varsity High School. Check out our prior years' results.

Rock on!

Some pictures of my latest project designed to prevent runoff from washing my beds away...and hopefully once I add plants will be asthetically appealing as well.

Algebra Update!

Yahoooo! I've been checking to see if my latest test score has posted everyday since Wednesday, and finally, it was just posted!
These are the two tests I've taken so far, and the average grade column is the average test score of the entire class.

It's so strange posting about MY school grades and not the kiddos, but as much time as I've put in to this, and as much as I've neglected just about everyone, I decided I have some braggin' rights! ;)

Click to see full view

Cooper's Troopers

Cooper's daddy, Tol, is in charge of the Dad's Club at Alex's elementary, which Mark is a member of. The first time Mark and I saw Tol at school on open house night back in August of last year, we knew this was a friendly face, but we just couldn't place him. After racking our brains for a short time, we recalled that he was the incredibly friendly man that helped us rent a Uhaul truck on more than one occasion since moving to Georgetown. After our experience with him, we swore we'd never go anywhere else. As silly as it may sound, he really made an impact on both Mark and I, and we discussed how happy we were to be in this amazing little town full of such happy-go-lucky people serving the public. To us, Tol was the perfect example of what a warm feeling Georgetown gives us. You know how it is when, on that rare occasion, you get outstanding customer service, the kind that feels genuine and real, as if the person actually CARED about people, well this guy was it. And after seeing him up at the school volunteering his time with Dad's Club, PTA, and so many other projects, we knew our assumptions about what a wonderful man he must be, were proven to be correct. Among the many moms walking the halls each day, you are almost certain to see Tol, baby in his arms, and Kindergartener in tow, on their way to class. You see him opening car doors on Friday mornings, helping with fundraisers, and talking with EVERYONE he sees walking down the halls. You'll see him making the rounds picking up teachers recycle bins, helping out in more ways than I probably even know. Everyone knows Tol, not because his baby is sick, but because he's an amazing dad, and human being that shines on all of us. I still remember him telling me how good it feels to walk down the halls and know the kids of the school, and how good it feels when they know you. Those were his words at the beginning of the year, to me, a new parent at Carver, who he knew might feel apprehensive about this new place with all these new faces. Here we are months later, and this precious family has received a major, major blow. Here is the flyer that's going around Georgetown right now. Please click on the image to read his family's, and Cooper's story.

This is going to be a HUGE event, with some 275+ volunteers. Mark and I have signed up to work the event, and we would so, so appreciate it if all of our friends and family could help us spread the word. Come out, grab some BBQ, have some fun, and be a part of something amazing.