No regrets....

Last week was interesting for me. I was studying for an upcoming exam on tissues and skin. It was absolutely fascinating learning about the human body. How just by observing a person's skin for the first time can give you clues as to how healthy the person is. Fascinating, huh? I couldn't wait to learn more...my mind was like a sponge. Taking Chemistry and Biology was utterly frustrating, since it didn't get into the nitty-gritty stuff that I wanted to learn... Oh...how I wanted to learn more...

Towards the end of the week, I could see/sense that my children were not getting all the attention and help they needed due to me studying. As many of you know, this is Alycia's first year in Jr. High...and we all know how stressful and hectic that can be...it's been quite an adjustment. Since she's in the gifted program, there are a lot of expectations that need to be met. She needed her mother.

Joseph has been doing well in school so far, but he's starting to get frustrated with the workload. A new schedule needed to be posted to make sure he stayed on task....oh, how I love that visual cue for him.... I've been noticing that he's talking to me more about his day and about his Legos... This has come as a surprise, as some of you know....he's our quiet little guy... I need to encourage this.... He needs his mother.

On Thursday, I found myself frustrated that I had accidentally left my beloved flashcards I had spent hours writing at my doctor's office. Of course they threw them away by the time I had realized I left them there. What a frustrating day! As I was helping the kids with their homework, I found myself thinking about the exam....

That evening I had a strong impression that I needed to put schooling on hold for a bit... The selfish part of me kept telling me that I should think of myself and further my studies so that I could work and help put the kids through college. The mom in me told me that my family came first...that's how it's always been and how it will always be. I saw first hand how much the kids needed their mom's undivided attention. I prayed to my Heavenly Father for guidance and I was not surprised with the answer.....

As Brent and I were going to bed, I broke down. I told him of my decision. I felt like a failure...I had to admit that I was not Supermom...

This was the second time I've had to put my studies on hold. The first time was for my little guy Joseph...all those many years of driving him to therapies, fighting the school district to give my son services, and dealing with our health insurance to cover the therapies my son so desperately needed. Due to that decision of me staying home and focusing on the kids, Joseph improved greatly and Alycia continued to excel in her studies.

I know that my Father in Heaven answers prayers. I have seen how compassionate Alycia is towards her brother when he struggles. She's truly a blessing to have around....

The evening I broke down and bawled my eyes out, Brent comforted me and supported me in my decision to put school on hold. I am so glad I married a wonderful man!

As I sit here typing, I am reminded of what a sweet friend wrote to me on FB..."There is always time for school, but only one short time to raise young kids. Don't feel guilty.".....Thanks Tiffany. I have many friends that wrote me words of encouragement and I'm blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people in my life....

As for schooling...I have no regrets for putting it on hold. I have enjoyed these past few days spending time with my family and giving my kids all of my attention. It's been a lot more peaceful here in the Smith home, and dinner's been made for the past few days...

So...I have no regrets!

A good day, except for one horrible thing....

As I picked up my 10 year old son from school, I asked what any mother would ask...how his day went? He has had a substitute for the past 2 days and I was bracing myself for a not so great response. To my surprise, he said...
"Mom, I had a great day except for one horrible part."
I gasp..."What happened?"...no leading questions asked, I just wanted the scoop.
"Everything went well, except I had to hear President Obama on TV today."

A little bit of background, I don't like our present Commander and Chief and if asked anything regarding his socialist policies I would freely express my opinion. If my children ask questions about our President, I advise them that he is our President and that we need to be respectful towards him even if we don't agree with his decisions. Now that you have my take on this..I will proceed...

"Mom, I don't like him and he ruined my day. While he was speaking, I made a sign and it said: Boo on Obama."
(I'm desperately trying to suppress giggles)
"Reallly? " was all I could say with a straight place.
"I didn't wave my sign around, I just had it in front of me while he was talking. The boy sitting next to me kept giving me strange looks. I really think he likes Obama. The sub saw my sign and took it from me. Mom, she made me throw it into the recyclable trashcan."

When I heard this I was so proud of my little 4th grader. At least they put his sign in the recyclable trashcan....that's at least one thing we agree with ....going green.

"Mom, I didn't do anything wrong? Did I?" my little political ally asked.
"Of course not, you are entitled to your opinion and if you need to express it then do so...that's what makes this country so great....I'm proud of you Joseph!"

When we returned home, Joseph told Brent about his day. (I was all smiles...oh, how proud I was of my little guy..) After he told him all the details, Joseph turned to me with a huge smile on his face and asked if he could receive a treat since he was such a good boy.

The answer of course was....

yes!

Driving to piano lessons....

Well, as some of you may know...both of my kids play the piano. At times they love playing, other times...it's like asking the impossible from them. Oh how they pout and try to find any excuse to not play or practice. It's in the schedule now, so Hah!

We've had to make a few adjustments in the kid's schedule due to Joseph starting Webelos at the same time as piano and with speech services starting up. The first thing Mr. Joseph asked was ....
"Mom, do I still have to go to piano?"
"Of course, we'll just have to move things around." I said.
"But you know I can't do two things at once...I only have one body"...
"I know you can't be in multiple places at once...it will work out....don't worry about it little man."
"How long do I have to take piano?" the little man asked.
"Until you're old and gray mister" was my answer.
"That's a VERY long time! Will you still be alive?"
.....end of conversation....

It was so convenient with both kids going to lessons at the same time and not having to make multiple trips...not anymore...We now have the kids going at separate times and it can be challenging at times...

On Tuesday, Joseph and I picked Alycia up from school and headed to piano lessons. I had a Paramore song playing to which both kids started singing. Yes both kids!
"Joseph, stop singing...You're ruining the song! You don't even know the words!" my dearest Alycia said to her brother.
....more singing from little brother...many made up words being sung...
"Uh, Mommmm! Can't you have a rule in the car? No singing unless you KNOW the words!!!" my tween asked....
.....uncontrollable laughter.....(from myself)
"Sorry my dear, but I can't adhere to that specific rule...I would be in constant violation of that rule" I said. (more giggles)
"uhhh" grumbled my Alycia

As we pulled up to Mrs. Buffie's house, I saw that Alycia was happy and anxious to get out of the car.
Why?
Was our singing THAT terrible?

Bad memories....bad eggs...

As many of you know, I am Chilean...born and raised here in Los Estados Unidos...to be politically correct...The United States. So of course that would mean that my parents are foreigners to this wonderful country of ours. Well holidays can be a bit tricky in the Puentes household. Easter was filled with going to Mass, myself wearing a fancy frilly dress (which I absolutely hated), dyeing eggs and spending a whole weekend with family.

This can be tricky...The whole concept of dyeing eggs was very foreign to my Mother. She read the directions (or at least I'd like to think that) and attempted to dye them. It was a fruitless effort...you see....She bought natural brown eggs...No matter how many dye tablets she put into those cups...they stayed BROWN...Oh how I cried that morning...My 4 year old self couldn't comprehend the situation. Why can't I have eggs that look like the ones on TV. What happened to the pink and green eggs I envisioned? BROWN? (more weeping)....I had such great plans...I was going to make my eggs look like the ones in the commercials with the PAAS bunny...That was one of the most traumatizing Easter's I've ever had.

Why might you ask is Anna writing about this....I went to Sprouts the other day and opened a carton of eggs...and to my horror....they were BROWN eggs! That memory came to me...and the feelings I had as a young 4 year old came...Oh how I dislike brown eggs...
I didn't end up buying them of course...

BTW.....To this day, I have Brent take care of the dyeing of the eggs with the kids...LOL

Alycia and Joseph....

What parent doesn't want to brag about their kids? But I have the best kids ever! I love my kids and I can't believe they're growing up so quickly. Oh how I wish they could come up with a pill that freezes your child's growth, just so that I could enjoy them just a little longer....I took these pictures of my wonderful little ones (well...technically Alycia's not so little since she's past me in height)...anyhow...I took these pictures after church last Sunday.

Alycia's officially in Young Women's and enjoyed her first Mutual activity last night. She was beaming when I picked her up. This is so bizarre to have tween. She's now a beehive and officially babysitting ready. She thinks she's ready for it since she took classes through our City and is CPR certified. (big sigh)....Now she's just waiting for a gig.....

Our little man Joseph loves taking goofy pictures...It's so nice to have him around...He's our little jokester and loves to scare people with his fake bugs...(he's put them in the dryer and scared me a few times)..naughty boy! I guess that's what boys do....He still likes walking around the house with his quilts...His favorite is the one his Aunt Charlene made with the animals (he cannot sleep without it)...I made him a quilt for his bed that he uses, since Nemo is no longer age appropriate (per Joseph). Now he drags the twin sized quilt I made him throughout the house. I need to make a smaller version now. He can be very particular...that little man of mine...All his blankets need to be accounted for and HAVE to be in his bed in order for him to sleep (it's 110 outside!). That can be quite frustrating, since they need to be washed and dried. Oh...he'll wait for them though...We've had some issues with him lately...He had to see his Pediatric Orthopedist a few weeks ago, due to our concerns in his running abilities. A few years ago they thought he would need surgery to correct the tightness in his acchiles tendon, but with PT twice a week that procedure was no longer needed. Now, we need to be diligent with him using his orthodics and wearing shoes with support in the house. This will keep his feet in the proper position and will (hopefully) keep him out of the operating room. We have one more week to wait for his new inserts and we hope he won't mind using them. If you have a child with flat feet, Birkestocks are highly recommended since it has arch support. No flip-flops for our little man....bummer....

I hope you enjoy the pictures....these kids change too quickly!

Alycia's 12th birthday party...

Alycia had a fabulous 12th birthday....

The girls had a wonderful time playing American Idol, DDR, swimming, playing games, eating, and decorating flip-flops..It was a fun filled evening and everyone had a great time. Alycia said we should have parties like this more often.... Alycia's friend Erica made an awesome card...I took a picture, since it was such a wonderful idea...Enjoy!

Etiquette and dancing...

Our church/stake had a Teen Elect night last night. I believe the age groups were 12-17, but they separated them by age groups. The 12-13 year olds were where Brent and Alycia were. Since Brent's our ward's Scoutmaster, he was over the deacons (12-13 age group). At this meeting they were taught proper etiquette like no texting at the dinner table, place settings at a fancy dinner, they even taught the boys to stand up and pull out a chair for the young ladies (the young man sitting next to Alycia did it for her), making a good first impressions and modest dress were also part of some of the lessons. There was even dancing involved! Oh...how I wish I were present to witness that! I really should've had Brent take my Blackberry to take pictures and videos....(big sigh)....

Brent had a great time helping out at this activity. As the kids were being served their fancy dinners, some of the men played waiters and served them. Brent was one of them. Brent balanced 3 plates on one arm and 1 on the other. Many folks were impressed and asked if he had done that before. As some of you may know, Brent worked as a Banquet waiter at the Marriott hotel while in college. (My dad helped him get that job)...He said that it was easy to get back into the groove of things...His other role last night was as a chaperon...There were more girls present than boys, which made things a bit tricky when it came to dancing. There were several deacons hiding out in the restrooms, and Brent and others had to escort them back onto the dance floor. He said there were several boys that were terrified to have to dance with the girls. There was one boy that had a cup of water in his hand hoping that would get him out of dancing...nope! You can't fool those old timers, mister! Several of the Scoutmasters even tried bribing the boys to dance with money. One was even offered $5, and still said no. While on the drive home, Brent mentioned to Alycia that several of the boys were scared of dancing with the girls to which she replied..
"Boys...scared of us girls? We're not scary!"....
"Roaaar!!!"
hahaha...Brent thought that was funny....

Alycia danced with several boys and Brent even took a picture. We promised her that we wouldn't post it, so sorry...no picture. She said she had a lot of fun at this activity. The dancing, fancy dinner, and hanging out with friends was the best part of the evening. She's so excited to go into Young Womens this Sunday. Girl's camp was such a great experience for her and she's anxious to move on...I'm not ready for this....

Well that's the latest and greatest from our little lives...