Parenting Tweens from Misery to Mermaids

There are many things about parenting that make me want to bang my head against a wall or just scream and walk away.  But, obviously the good outweighs the bad or humanity would cease to exist.  At the Dickerson house, we have many struggles and definitely don't have it all together like many of those other people with blogs and Facebook accounts.  Our daily struggles are real and real hard to appreciate and love.

One of our biggest daily struggles right now is the constant bickering and fighting among the girls.  Typically, Taylor is involved.  Yes, I posted about her mellow personality but that's only for "the real world".  At home, she can be quite the antagonizer.  And, in her defense, she is the middle child.  Kennedy is old enough to know that at her age (almost 12), it would be pretty ridiculous to argue with a 4 year old BADkid.  So, the 1147 times each day daily struggle is Kennedy vs. Taylor or Taylor vs. BADkid.

It's really amazing to m that at 6:00 A.M. each morning, when my oldest two girls have been awake for less than 45 seconds, they can find something to fight about.  Typically, it's one of them "in the way" of the other one.  They have an hour to get ready for school.  Neither of them requires more than 30 minutes total.  However, Taylor MUST be in the middle of the bathroom when Kennedy MUST be trying to put in her contacts.  Or if Taylor decides to eat breakfast first thing, she will definitely realize that Kennedy is in her seat at the table.  It doesn't matter, they are going to make sure that we leave home each morning with at least one "figure out how to get along" statement from an irritated mother.  I've grown as a parent--okay, maybe it's not growth, but growth sounds better than given up.  I just ignore them and pray that although they drive each other crazy, one day they will appreciate each other and defend each other when necessary.

And, guess what happened on Wednesday evening...

I asked Kennedy to do her chores before Chad got home from work.  In typical preteen fashion, she pretended to go through the motions.  As she was unloading the dishwasher, Taylor was reading through a Scholastic book order form.  Suddenly, they decided they could get along and share everything.  After several reminders to Kennedy that she had to do the dishes, I sent Taylor to her room to quit distracting Kennedy.  After redirecting Kennedy once again, I went out to the shop to check in with BADkid and Chad.

Upon my return to the house, I was greeted with a "Mom, look what we made up!"  Based on the excessive amount of giggles and smiles from both of them, I figured their project was probably video worthy.  And honestly, I wanted tangible proof to remind them that they DO love each other.

Amazing!  They can get along and work together when the goal is to avoid chores!  I've never truly appreciated the artistry of The Little Mermaid like I do now.

Sex Ed and Humor with the Dickerson Girls

As a former biology teacher, I've never really struggled with talking about or teaching sexual reproduction.  Kennedy and Taylor were born so close together that Kennedy didn't really ask questions other than "when will the baby come out" the entire time I was pregnant.  When I was expecting Blake, Kennedy didn't really ask a lot of questions, but one day she informed me that she knew "where the baby was going to come out".  Surprised, I asked where and how she knew.  I don't recall all the details, but ultimately, she knew and had good reasons.

Finally, Blake was born the week after Easter 2010.  Days before Blake was born, Kennedy began asking questions about why Jesus was a miracle.  In good parenting fashion, I told my 7 year old that it was because Mary and Joseph were not married, and that typically babies are born to moms and dads who are married.  She bought it without further question.  We had a healthy baby.  Kennedy knew the "secret" about how Blake came into the world without a scar on my abdomen.

Skip forward another year to summer 2011.  I shared with Kennedy that a family friend was expecting a baby.  She immediately asked when the young girl got married.  I explained that she was not married.  Her brain quickly recalled our former conversation and she asked, "So it might be another baby Jesus?"  Ummmm...not exactly.  So, at a young 8 years old, we had "the conversation" about sexual reproduction.  She took it all in and wrapped it up with "So, you and Daddy had sex to get Blake?"  I smiled and said, "yes".  She said, "So, you and Daddy had sex to get Taylor?"  I smiled again and said, "yes".  She took a deep breath and said, "So...(insert long pause)" and I said, "and, we had sex to get YOU".  She just shook her head.  It was an intense moment, but ultimately, I was glad to begin such an important conversation.

Skip forward three more years to today.  Here we are at Easter four years after Blake's birth.  Taylor is now 8.  We've not really been close to any women expecting children in years.  Taylor hasn't really asked questions other than this doozy in the car last fall.  Honestly, I've just not thought to take the time to open that can of worms.  Within the last week, we've had the "when little girls become young women" conversation.  Today, on the way to school Taylor made a comment about our cat "getting pregnant until she has kittens".  I explained that our cat, Knick Knack is already pregnant.  I didn't get into the details, but told her that girls are either pregnant or not.  There really isn't a process like she was thinking.  She accepted that fact without further question.

Tonight, Chad sent Taylor out to feed the cats (Knick Knack the female and Squeakers the male).  Taylor was outside for a few minutes, and I could hear her calling Squeakers.  Finally she came in and plopped down at the table beside me and asked, "So, will Knick Knack still have the babies if the male ran off?"

Obviously, Chad and I have more explaining to do in terms of sexual reproduction.  But honestly, how different would the world be if the female only had a baby as long as the male stayed by her side?

Pebbles of Knowledge from Vietnam Veterans Memorial

While walking from the Korean War Veterans Memorial toward the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Kennedy asked, 'Do they only have the names of the people killed in the war on this wall?'  I answered, 'Yes. Why?  Do you know someone who fought but wasn't killed in Vietnam?'  (FYI: I learned at the memorial that I was wrong. The wall also contains those who are missing in action.)  We continued along and Kennedy answered my question with a somewhat disgusted flair as she said, 'Um, yes.'  Interested to know who she had on her mind, I tried to scroll through my brain to see who she actually new and realized had fought in Vietnam. As she looked back over her shoulder with just the right 'Mom you should know this' attitude, she said, 'Silas Marion Robertson!'

Wow!  Never saw that coming.  

Tough Questions from Girls

Today has been full of the most amazing conversations with my girls.  I'll get right to the point...

On the way home from school...

Kennedy:  Well, I think I'm going to break up with Mr.XYZ.
Me:  Really.  Why?
Kennedy:  Well, you know we used to be able to just talk about stuff and I could just say what I thought.  Now I kind of feel like I have to be careful because I wonder what he's going to think.  You know?  I don't want to make him mad.
Me:  Uh huh. (As I cringe because she cares what a boy thinks)  So you're worried about what he thinks about what you think?
Kennedy: Really, he said something today that I just knew was wrong.  You know when you hear someone say something that you KNOW is wrong, but you don't want to say anything because you don't want them to get mad at you?
Me:  Ohhh.  What did he say that you knew was wrong? (as I'm imagining something really philosophical and important that has me quite curious because this Mr.XYZ is a great kid from a great family that has values and beliefs very similar to ours)
Kennedy:  I heard him saying that Wylie is in the middle of town and that Middle School and High School are way out of the way.  Mom, you know that Wylie IS NOT in the middle of town.
Me:  I agree Wylie is on the edge of town, not in the middle, but do you really think that is worth breaking up about?
Kennedy:  Well, this is not the first time we've had this problem.
Me:  Really?
Kennedy:  Well, not about that exact conversation, but sometimes he says things, and I know he is wrong.  Before he was my boyfriend I would just tell him he's wrong, but now it just makes it too weird.  I think it was just easier before boyfriends.  You know, when we were all just friends and just told each other what we think?
Me:  Life is definitely easier before boyfriends.  I agree that you should take life easy in fifth grade.  But, maybe you could also consider that it's okay for your boyfriend to know what you really think?
Kennedy:  I still think I'm going to break up with him when I finally get the chance to talk to him again.
Me:  Well, you do what you think is best, but remember that he was your friend first and a real friend is nice and says things for herself, not through other kids.

We stop at the pound and see a mom dog with 5 tiny (born today) puppies.  We head on home and do homework, etc.  About an hour and a half later, we leave to take Kennedy to softball practice.

Taylor: Mom, you have to have a bull and a girl cow to make baby cows, right?
Me: Yes.
Taylor:  Mom, so if you don't have a bull and a girl cow then you won't get any calves?
Me:  That's right, Taylor
Taylor:  So, a boy bull and a girl cow can have a baby cow.
Me:  Yes, Taylor.  A boy bull can get a girl cow pregnant so that she can have a baby calf.
Taylor:  How exactly does that work, anyway?
Me:  I'll tell you exactly how that works, but not today in the car on the way to softball practice.
Taylor:  Oh.

So, I call Chad who was supposed to pick Kennedy up from softball practice on his way home from work.  I conveniently offer to meet him to let him take Taylor and Blake home while I wait for Kennedy at softball practice.  It wasn't really avoidance, but I'll admit after I had the plan I was kind of hoping that on the way home Taylor just might say, "Dad, how exactly does that work, anyway?"

On the way home from softball practice, Kennedy surprises me with some questions of her own.

Kennedy:  Mom, will you teach me how to drive?
Me:  No.  That's Daddy's deal.
Kennedy:  What do you mean?
Me:  I do bottles, diapers, and homework, but driving is Daddy's deal.
Kennedy:  So you just do bottles, diapers, and homework?
Me:  Well, I'll even do pads and tampons, but driving is Daddy's deal.
Kennedy:  You do boyfriends too.
Me:  Yes, I'll do boyfriends but driving is Daddy's deal.
Kennedy:  So, you're saying you'll do tampons and even boyfriends but you won't do driving?
Me:  Exactly (stated with great authority as I realized how ridiculous it must sound)

It's been an exhilarating, exhausting day as "Mom". 

Things I hear in the car...

After getting into the hot car and having to wait about 90 seconds for me to get in and turn on the air conditioner, Taylor said, 'Man! It's so hot I think I'm going to faint!'

Naturally, BADkid had to repeat what she heard and said, 'Momma, I donna paint!'

Taylor corrected her with 'FAINT, Ffff, not Ppp'.

BADkid says, 'I donna faint!'

Thinking it was funny, I asked, 'Blake, do you even know what faint means?'

In typical 'I know she's not asking me but I'm the bigger sister and I know everything' fashion, Taylor says with attitude, 'It's when you fall down and don't wake back up!'

Kennedy very seriously says, 'Umm, no, that's dead!'

Would He Share His Jacket?

Kennedy and I had a real "heart to heart" last week about boys.  She's a little shy about the subject, but definitely interested in more information. She mentioned a certain someone who she enjoys visiting with at school.  I asked her if he liked her too.  She shrugged her shoulders, grinned, and said, "I don't know."  We've spent time discussing appropriate behavior for young ladies and young men.  Specifically, Chad and I have tried to instill in her that it is normal to like boys.  However, it is not acceptable to be aggressive with boys.  It's such a fine line.  I want her to be confident, but not "that girl".  We've tried to model and point out other examples of chivalry and proper male-female interactions.  So, after considering what we've tried to teach her, I thought the "I don't know" provided an opportunity to pick her brain.  

Me:  If it was freezing cold outside, and you didn't have on a jacket but Mr.XYZ did, would he let you wear his jacket?

K:  I don't know.  My friends who are girls would because they always have two jackets.  They're just like me.  They forget to bring one home so they always have extra jackets in their lockers.

Me:  If I was standing outside in the cold, would Daddy let me wear his jacket?

K:  Of course!

Me: Why do you think he would?

K:  Because he's your HUSBAND!

Me:  Why else?

K: Because he likes you?

Me:  Because when you care about someone, you try to help. Daddy cares about my comfort and warmth.  And, because he's my HUSBAND.  

She kind of laughed and bowed out of the conversation.  I just giggled and thanked God that she was willing to talk about boys with me.  Although it is an exciting time as a mom, it is most definitely the scariest time I can remember thus far.

The next day when I picked Kennedy up from school she closed the car door, buckled her seat belt and said, "Well, I asked him."  I had no idea what she was talking about.  I said, "Asked who? What?"  She grinned and said, "I asked Mr.XYZ if it was cold outside if he would let me wear his jacket."  I smiled and said, "Well...what did he say?"  She said, "First he said he would, but then he said he wouldn't."  I was confused and said, "What?"  She said, "Well, he said he would but then he remembered that he dropped it in the ants the night before so he wouldn't want me to get ants all over me so he didn't think he would."  I smiled and asked, "So, what do you think that means?"  She blushed and said, "He probably likes me."

Again, I thanked God that she wants to talk about this delicate subject.  Again, I asked God to protect her heart and her innocence.  Again, I took the first opportunity to call her daddy and say, "Prepare yourself!  She is growing up!"

Cupid was at work on Valentine's Day.  Kennedy met me in the hall with a huge smile and a stuffed animal. After asking several questions, I figured out that a third party was involved in the conversation, but that this special guy is officially declared as "boyfriend".  Before the third party got involved in the situation, Mr.XYZ gave Kennedy a gift.  I had to ask what he said when he gave her the stuffed animal.  She looked irritated that I asked but then said, "He just handed it to me and said this is for you.  Happy Valentine's Day."

Mr.XYZ's no nonsense explanation of the gift made me giggle.  It touched a special place in my heart.  About 14 years ago, Chad gave me a gift.  It was a diamond ring.  He opened the box, pushed it toward me and said, "What do ya think?"    

Oh my!  My sweet little 5 pound, 14 ounce baby girl has become a young lady.  It is a bitter sweet time in our lives.  We don't have all the answers to these difficult questions.  However, she does have amazing men in her life, including her Daddy, Pa, Pops, and numerous uncles and friends, to watch and learn what she can expect from a young man.  How many other mothers can look their daughter in the face and honestly say, "I hope you eventually date and marry someone like your father so that you too can experience an amazing marriage"?

Thursday was F-U-N-N-Y

Thursday afternoon was one funny comment after another on the way to gymnastics.

Taylor was telling me that they wrote poetry at school that day. She said, 'We wrote our name and then made a poem about ourselves with the letters. Here's mine. T is for thankful. A is for awesome. Y is for young. L is for lazy. O is for I forgot what o was for. R is for remembers.'

I said, 'R is for remembers but you forgot O?'

She smiled and said, 'But aren't you glad I was honest and said L is for lazy cause I am!'

Kennedy asked, 'Mom, do you know any Muslims?'

I said, 'Yes, do you?' She had to inquire about who I knew but went on to say there was a young Muslim girl in her G/T class who didn't go to lunch that day because 'she was vasting.'

Yes, she clarified it for me V-A-S-T-I-N-G and that means you don't eat or drink from sun up to sun down because your dad said it's a vasting day.

She's got it all!

I have an amazingly, awesome nine year old.  She made me a mom and Chad a dad.  I never really thought a lot about that, but that's a huge accomplishment, right? 

Kennedy and I at her first Rangers game

Kennedy is beautiful. 

Deer Lease Days

I think all of my girls are beautiful, but something about her bronzed skin and striking eyes just make me stare at her in awe sometimes.  She has a heart of gold.  She is not perfect.  Her number one struggle at this stage of life is pouting.  Although pouting makes me crazy, I know that she is going to overcome this struggle.


Kennedy is SMART. 

See.  She knows to send in someone else to check it out first!

I have always been very cautious not to label my children as "smart" because I teach kids in a public school.  Approximately 99% of parents think their kids are above average, or even brilliant.  Now, I know my kids are above average.  Seriously, DNA like mine and Chad's...what else could they be other than phenomenal?  Oh, let me reach my arm back around from patting myself on the back and get back to the point.  Kennedy.  Kennedy attended kindergarten, first grade, and second grade at the tiny school where I work.  She stood out among many of her peers.  Her teachers would rave about how well she did in school. I've heard several times, "If I had a class full of Kennedy..." or "I just love having her in class". As a teacher, I know that often the well-behaved kids are considered to be the top students.  And even more often than that, the kids who have stable home lives and parents who read to them appear to be brilliant while the under-exposed children may need a few years to catch up on life experiences.  So, I have been skeptical.

She's really just a country girl

At the beginnin of third grade, Kennedy changed schools.  She attended the school in our town rather than the school where I work.  She went from a single class of each grade (about 22 students) to about 200 third graders.  I was a nervous wreck about such a change for her.  However, within her first three days of school, the school called.  They wanted to do some testing to determine her IQ, etc.  She was subsequently placed in the G/T program.  (Disclaimer--I know that many intelligent children are not accepted into the G/T program.  I know that most of us parents consider our "over-achiever" children to be gifted.  I think Kennedy probably hoovers on the border and definitely is an over achiever.  And to be honest, research shows that on average, the over-achiever type people are more successful than the truly gifted people based on ability to maintain employment, relationships, etc.)  I was proud of Kennedy for being selected for the G/T program because it gave her a dose of confidence in a scary new school.  And for the record, she has had a phenomenal year with amazing projects in G/T.  The real point here was that in her new school with a lot of third graders, Kennedy got an award for reading.  Yes, this is brag on Kennedy blog.  I am so proud that she is able to excel "in the big pond" and not just at the tiny school.

Fashion?  Well, she was going for the 80s look!

Kennedy is definitely one of the best big sisters on the planet.  Now, she has had almost seven years to practice this most important role.  She is incredibly mature and responsible when I need her to be.  She is not immune from the day to day fussing and instigating to irritate her younger sisters.  However, when it comes right down to it, I can always count on Kennedy to take the initiative to help her sisters and keep them safe.

Our "brother"-- Digger Nascar Dickerson

Sister Stars

Kennedy is intense.  She is passionate.  When Kennedy does something, she DOES it with all of her being.  Some of her favorite things to do right now are play softball, read, and fish.  She's pretty serious about hunting as well!  She is such a great kid.  She's what I would consider to be well rounded.  One funny thing about Kennedy that many people don't realize is that she is a chicken!  She can bargain her way out of just about anything if it involves thunder, the dark, or being alone.  Remember her desperate need for her own room almost a year ago?  Well, she has her own room now and hasn't slept in it alone yet.  Poor Taylor has become the corner sleeper on the floor while Kennedy enjoys the bed. 



Serious about the game



No time to play.  We are here to FISH!

All or nothing...including the jewelry

This is one fine kid!  She's funny.  She's intuitive.  She "gets it" when others may not.  If she figures out how to deal with her disappointments approriately and always has a flashlight for the dark, she will be unstoppable in life!

Nine years later...

Ok, so clearly I have neglected this blog.  I hesitate to even go back to "Merry Christmas" because if you are anything like me, you were glad to see the red and green get tucked away.  My body goes into mild convulsions just thinking about Christmas and the craziness until at least December 10 each year.  I also didn't want to just skip over it completely because one special young lady had a birthday since my last post.  So, I thought I'd just hit the highlights.

Happy Birthday Kennedy Nicole!  I can't believe that nine years have gone by since this tiny bundle arrived in our lives.  Wait a minute. Wait. A. Minute!  I have enjoyed being "momma" to this little angel.  BUT, I am not living in a perfect world where I can say that I have thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it.  Looking back, I can honestly say we have had many, many more positive, happy experiences than those of the other variety.  However, we have not been without the pouts, tears, fights, fits, and other various festivities that seem to accompany young children.  Here's a link that truly expresses my feelings about motherhood. 

Back to KND.  She is truly a blessing in our lives.  The last year has been full of changes for Kennedy.  She moved out of the big room and into a tiny closet so that she wouldn't have to share her space.  She changed schools.  At her new school, she has excelled academically as well as made a smooth transition socially.  She has officially moved from little girl to young lady.  Although this year has had its challenges, it has been an amazing year full of growth, change,and maturation.  I look forward to her next year of life.

I may be a little biased, but I think she is beautiful...inside and out.

He was in the same place today...

You know that saying, "when it rains...it pours".  Well, we have been praying, begging, and dancing for rain in East Texas.  Finally, Tuesday it rained.  It was wonderful.  The girls and I played in the rain in the street.  I even sat under my new covered porch and listened to the rain on the metal roof!  Fabulous!

And then...it poured!

I put the big girls to bed about 9 PM Tuesday night.  I went to bed shortly after that because I was up most of the night before (yesterday's post).  At 9:30 I woke up because I heard them in the living room.  They were getting ready to make themselves a pallet on the floor.  I directed them back to their rooms and back to bed.  At 10:30 they woke me up again.  They were in Kennedy's room with the lights on.  At that point, I wasn't sure what they were up to, but I not so politely told them to go to bed.  At 11:30 they woke me up AGAIN as they were making a pallet in our room because they heard thunder.  I told them to be quiet and go to sleep.  After a few more whispers, I kicked them out!  This morning I found them sleeping on a pallet in the living room floor.  On the bar were 2 notes. 

One to me.

Dear Mom,
Do u like your breackfussed?  I hope you do, and so douse Taylor!  We made it speshal...just for you! Sencerly, Kennedy and Taylor
P.S.  We cleaned up the living room, the bathroom, halway, and our room! We hope you like what you are about to see! We love you!

One to Chad.

Dear Daddy,
Sorry we didn't get to do anything for u! We where so tierd from clining that we couldn't get up before you, to make you breckfussed!  We will make couponds for you to use over and over agen! On Saturday do not make yourself breakfus becous we will make it for you!
Love, Kennedy and Taylor
P.S. We stayed up all night long cleaning and wrighting letters!

They had cleaned their bathroom, Kennedy's room, the hallway, and the living room.  They were all spotless...beds made, toys put away, shoes in rack.  I was impressed, but exhausted because of the 3 times they woke me up the night before.  And, just to make a point, I did make them get up and get moving at 6:30 AM!  They were so tired!  :)  And as I type this I realize that they went to bed thinking they would get up before me and make me "breackfussed".  That's because of my awesome training mentioned in yesterday's post!

Why would I get up at 6:30 in the summer?  Well, Blake decided to wake up about that time, and I had my alarm set to do online check-in for my flight.  You know you can check in 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure.  Awesome!  I got up just in time...48 hours before my scheduled departure...not awesome!

We headed to Tyler to take Blake to the doctor again.  I needed gas, but called Chad to see how much gas cost in Tyler because sometimes it is considerably cheaper.  My "smart" car said that I could go approximately 63 more miles.  Tyler isn't that far, so we headed that way.  We took Blake to the doctor and then headed to get gas.  As I was traveling down Front Street my "smart" car beeped at me and said something about reduced power and no traction control.  Luckily, I pulled into a parking lot just as it died.  I knew I was out of gas.  I was really calm, but hated to call Chad.  Nope, not because I didn't want to bother him at work.  Not because I was only 2-3 blocks from his work.  I hated to call Chad because I knew that I would never hear the end of it from his dad and brother!  But, with 3 kids I did what any good mother/wife would do.  I turned on a movie and called Chad!  We waited about 20 minutes and according to Taylor, "the sweetest daddy in the world" brought gas.

Standing by the car talking to Chad, (he's putting gas into my car) I decide to let him in on the doctor appointment. Blake still had an infected ear.  It's been pretty much non stop since late February.  We've spent a fortune on office visits and antibiotics.  So, I tell him that she got an antibiotic shot and an appointment with an ENT.  Although I'm not thrilled about tubes, I'm relieved to know that Blake will have some relief.  And, yes, we have almost met our $1200 deductible on her ears since February.  So, yes, I'm glad to get the tubes before our deductible starts again September 1.  After I finish my saga about the ears Chad very calmly says, "I was in this same place today."  Since I was kind of in the middle of the drive way of a donut shop, I said, "here? why?".  He said, "It hasn't been a great day.  I got a ticket this morning".  Since Chad actually rode to Tyler with my dad and only drove his truck the 5 miles across town, I was suddenly not feeling quite as embarrassed about my situation.  His ticket was for an expired inspection sticker.  An inspection and small fee later, the ticket was dismissed.  Did I mention this was all before 10:45 AM?

This afternoon I intended to make a trip to the grocery store.  However, the kids were terribly cranky...I know, right?  So, instead I took a nap with Blake.  So, when it was time for dinner, I threw some things together.  In a moment of insanity, I decide to make macaroni and cheese.  After the noodles were boiled, I realized that I was making the Kraft kind that requires milk...that I didn't have.  Yes, I had shells and cheese in the cabinet, but chose to make the kind that requires milk because that's Kennedy's favorite.  So, in a panic I decide that I'll just mix in the cheese powder stuff and throw some butter in with it.  It'll make cheese, right?  After stirring in the butter and cheesy powder stuff, I realize that I have melted the lid of the butter to the burner.  Yes, the flat burners look cool, but it is so easy to forget they are hot and use them as counter space!  We now have 1 tub of butter with 1 giant hole in the lid.

Maybe Thursday will be a less exciting day in the Dickerson Family?

Random things

I find myself thinking "that should go on the blog" several times a week.  However, when it's time to actually sit down and write the blog, I have a hard time getting motivated.  I'm not even sure why I have such a hard time other than the T.I.M.E.  Yes, I knew when I started this project that it was going to require some time on my part.  However, what I failed to realize was that I would sometimes enjoy other tasks more than blogging when that precious time was available.  :)

So, this is some randomness that has been distracting me from life lately.

I can't sleep.  If you've known me for more than 2 weeks, you know that my spiritual gift is sleeping!  Maybe not my spiritual gift, but I do love to sleep.  And, I am good at it!  Or at least I was good at it.  The good news is that I'm pretty sure I know why I can't sleep.  I have too many things going on, and I can't "let go" of them long enough to sleep. 

I enjoy sleeping so much, that I have trained my children.  Here's the deal.  During the week (in the summer), Chad leaves home before 6:30 AM.  Kennedy is an early riser (just ask Duke Watson)!  Okay, this deserves a little side note--About 3 years ago Sadie invited Kennedy to spend the night.  Kennedy was so excited.  Although the girls lived across the street from each other, they couldn't get enough time together.  Sadie is one of those "sleeping" children that I've only dreamed about.  So, Saturday morning Duke got up to have his coffee and watch whatever manly TV shows he watches early Saturday morning, when my child came in and politely asked Mr.Duke to turn on the cartoons.  If I remember correctly, this was approximately 2-3 hours BEFORE Sadie's usual time to get up!  Now that I think about it, that may have been the last time Kennedy was invited to spend the night with the Watson family while The Dukinator was in town!

Back to the point--I have trained my children during the week to get up quietly, fix themselves cereal, and watch cartoons, etc.  Until last summer, this worked nicely.  The girls could be up and enjoying their "earlybird selves" while I enjoyed my "not so earlybird self" until about 8:30.  Who wants a worm anyway?  Obviously, last summer our world changed!  Blake was so young, that I seldom was able to sleep in because she wouldn't, but I often took advantage of her afternoon nap!  This summer, things are getting back to normal.  Kennedy has grown into this mature, responsible, little babysitter.  Now, don't get carried away, she is still immature and argues over who gets the green cup when I'm close enough to get irritated, but when she feels like she's in charge, she takes charge!  Monday morning I was awake when Chad left for work.  I wasn't feeling like I could sleep any longer, so I turned on the bedroom light and started reading my book.  Apparently, I went back to sleep.  At 7:30, I heard Blake whine.  I sat up and realized that some little angel had come to my room, turned off the light, closed the door, prepared breakfast for herself, Taylor, and Blake!  I asked her about it, and she said, "I just turned off the light so you could sleep better because I can take care of all of us in the mornings!"  Wow!  My kid is a.w.e.s.o.m.e!

More randomness.  My dog is hurt.  I am a dog person.  I love dogs.  However, about 8 years and 6 months ago, my priorities changed.  I still love my dogs, but they have become "the dogs" instead of Hershey and Buckwheat.  Buckwheat is a Pekingese.  Hershey is a Basset Hound mix from the pound.  Yes, there's a side story for this too! 

I had a Pekingese most of my life.  His name was Pinocchio.  Yes, you know the dogs with a mushed face and hardly a nose?  Well, when I got Pinocchio and was trying to think of my name, my Daddy said, "You'd better call him Pinocchio because that's the only hope he has of ever having a nose!"  So, I did.  But, my senior year of college he began to have some serious health issues.  He was taking the same heart medication as my grandfather for congestive heart failure, he was blind, he was deaf, he was old!  But, I loved him dearly.  After all, he had been through it all with me.  I got Pinocchio when I was in the third grade!  He'd been there through real homework, puberty, boyfriends, break ups, good friends, not-so-good friends, driving, high school, college, engagement, and planning a wedding.  I knew that Pinocchio was nearing the end of his life, so I did the only responsible thing and talked Chad into buying a puppy about 2 months before I graduated from college.  "Our" dog lived part time with my parents and part time with Chad and his parents since I lived on campus and couldn't have a dog.  After we got married, he was a spoiled rotten dog, but we thought he might be lonely.  Naturally, we went to the pound and adopted him a friend because Chad said, "We are not spending another fortune to get a registered dog.  Just go get a pound puppy."  So, that fall I brought Hershey home for Chad's birthday.  She was just a $40 pound puppy for about 8 months.  Then, she began to limp.  Approximately $1600 dollars and an ACL replacement later, she was as good as new for about 2 months.  Approximately $1300 dollars and another ACL replacement later, she was as good as new again.  I know it is crazy for those people who aren't "dog people", but we felt that we didn't really have options.  She was just a puppy, and her injury would not heal on it's own.  So after being convinced that the surgery would be the final fix and only a small percentage of dogs actually need both hind legs "fixed", we went for it.  Obviously, 2 months later we were back for round two.  At that point, we had so much money invested in the dog that we had to fix the second one!  And between those 2 surgeries, Kennedy was born. 

So, all that to say...I am a dog person, but since those days, my dogs have become second class citizens.  Buckwheat is now over 10 years old.  He's a matted mess.  He insists on sleeping under the storage building in the dirt so that he can get nastier than nasty.  This weekend he began to limp.  I really think that he has an irritated spot on his leg from fleas.  Yes, I am that dog owner.  I'm embarrassed ashamed.  But, in my defense all three of my children are healthy, and I am taking the dog for his summer haircut today so I can see his leg enough to determine if he needs to see the vet.   

Yes, I did say this was going to be random.

Work--I only have to work a handful of days during the summer.  I like that.  But, even a few days requires the monumental task of arranging for someone to watch the kids.  I hate to ask people, but I can't afford to pay a babysitter all the time either.  And, recently I've had to make arrangements several times, so it stresses me out.

Although it is stressful to arrange for the kids, I'm pretty darn excited about going back to New York.  This time I'll be going with my Mom and Dad.  They planned a week long vacation.  Can you believe the nerve they had?  Planned a vacation without consulting me first to see how it works with my schedule?  Seriously, they planned a trip to New York.  I.love.New York!  So, I managed to work out the details to squeeze in a few days with them to show them some of my favorite things in New York. 

So, I think maybe I can't sleep because my brain is making lists of things to pack, childcare arrangements, dog groomers, vets, TAKS retest preparations at work, moving classrooms, paying bills, and keeping the kiddos alive and healthy!

Me a Mother?

For as long as I can remember, I did not intend to have children.  I enjoyed kids.  I enjoyed being the "fun babysitter".  Little kids didn't gross me out or anything like that.  But, I truly didn't believe that children were in my future.  I can vividly remember the day that changed.  I don't remember the exact the date. But I do know it was the fall of 1999, and I was living in Young House at Lyon College.  I remember calling my mother, who knew I didn't want children, and telling her that I thought I needed a "Little Chad" some day.  Well, I had no idea that God had three "Little Chads" for me.  Here they are in pictures...where they can be so innocent.

I know my opinion is biased, but aren't they just precious in pictures? They are priceless in real life, but not always so precious!  The photos were taken by Kristal Petit.

Kennedy's Gift?

My sweet Kennedy LOVES music.  Here's a glimpse of her work

She asked for a piano.  Instead she got a large keyboard.  She has been writing songs since Christmas.  The first full length song she wrote was good.  Actually, Chad and I decided it was too good and she must have combined the lyrics from various other songs that she has learned.  However, we couldn't recognize any of them.  We just "wrote it off".  Then this Sunday, she approached me with this one.  I was quite impressed with her story as well as her willingness to "perform".  Isn't she precious?

Seriously, does it matter that much?

Ok, so remember a few weeks back when I introduced you to Kennedy and just went on and on about how wonderful she is? Well, she is still wonderful, but I'm pretty sure if school doesn't start soon that she will be wonderful at someone else's house! :)

Here's her latest disaster. She has grown. I know, all kids grow. But this summer she has grown and grown and grown some more. When we bought spring shorts, they were a size 6x/7. Well, when I bought school shorts last month, they were a size 8. Today she needs a 9. Now that's really not that important other than the fact that it has created chaos during "dress up" time at our house. Here's our conversation...

Kennedy: Mom, can I wear the cheerleader uniform?

Me: No Kennedy. It is a size 4, and it is too small.

Kennedy: But mom, I'm dancing to High School Musical and I REALLY need to wear it (with extreme drama of voice inflection and body language)

Me: Well, I guess you are going to have to find something else to wear. It is too small. I told you that last week. You are growing, but the clothes are not.

Three minutes or so pass while she's back in her room. She return with a pair of purple shorts, brown shirt, and gray hoodie with the sleeves pushed up. She starts the music, gets in "her pose" and about 2 seconds later she stops the music.

Me: What's wrong?

Kennedy: Do you know where the blue shorts are like these (uniform shorts from softball/soccer).

Me: We got rid of them. They don't fit either of ya'll and they were taking up too much space.

Kennedy: U-u-g-g-g-h-h-h-h! But that is the only thing that matches the song I'm going to dance to.

Seriously? Clothes match songs now? Where did I go wrong with this kid? She will wear a red skirt with a lime green and pink spotted shirt to school if I let her. But, now she thinks her dress up clothes have to match the S-O-N-G? I give up!

3 Girls, 1 Camera

About two weeks ago, I had the bright idea to take all three of my girls to have professional portraits taken. To my friends who have photographed my kids before--we'll be back, but we had coupons for this one! For my friends who have offered to photograph my kids, please know if I can drop them off and come back to get them when it's over, call me! The experience was not quite as bad as I anticipated, but it was not fun! With all of that said, we did get some great pictures. Here's a small sampling of what we were able to capture!

The foot picture did not turn out as anticipated. However, how can you not love those little piggies? Maybe when Blake is a little older, we can get her to cooperate and not pull the cover off and expose her hands! :)

As the baby, Blake ran the show. Well, actually she pretty much rooted and attempted to nurse on the photographer if she held her for more than 0.3 seconds. However, the photographer was really young and had no idea what was happening. She even commented that "Aww look, she's snuggling with me". Guess she didn't realize the open mouth was an indication that Blake was hungry and didn't really care whose boobs they were! The following picture clearly expresses Blake's opinion of the photographer!

Until next time....

Kennedy Nicole Dickerson

Kennedy Nicole is our first-born daughter. Her name is special to me. Kennedy was a name that Chad and I liked. Nicole is the middle name of a dear friend from college. Kennedy likes that she shares a middle name with her cousin Heather. I've never written a description of her, but here is a list of the first words that came to mind

beautiful
loving
intelligent
intuitive
rule follower
biggest sister
striking eyes

Kennedy is an avid reader. She's a phenomenal student. She loves Jesus. This year Kennedy became quite the softball player as well. Her favorite things to do are play school with Taylor, ride bikes with Tucker, and take care of Blake. I often find myself staring at her and marveling at not only her physical beauty, but that of her heart as well. Kennedy is one of the most compasisonate people I know. She is sincere in almost everything she says and does.

Kennedy's view of the world is simple, and it often makes us laugh. Several months ago she explained to me that she didn't need to go to college because she was going to work at the snowball stand. Our next "when you grow up" conversation she said that she wasn't sure if she wanted to be a lifeguard or a veterinarian. Most recently she asked if I would let her daddy go so that she can marry him. I love her. I pray for her to find a husband like her daddy and a career that she will love even if it is as seasonal as life guarding and snowball queen!