Puppy Doggggie

My husband, the tough as steel, buff, hardcore soldier taught our sweet little puppy how to SPEAK!! Why oh why oh why.......It's not bad enough that we have two Jack Russells but now we have one that thinks if he barks and sits he will get a treat. Lord help me get through this!!!

Michelle.....This ones for YOU!!

Michelle I FEEL YOUR PAIN, I UNDERSTAND, I SYMPATHIZE.....wanna go get a drink? Michelle is one of the sweetest, caring, fun to be around people that I have ever met. She is also the assistant principal at the boys old school in NC. In our years there I was solely a MOM. I didn't work in the school system, in fact I worked eons away on a post called Fort Bragg. I honestly didn't realize the impact that parents have on the staff that take care of their children for the majority of a school day. Now before I get hate mail I understand that every child and every teacher is different. I have had my share of teachers that should have chosen a different path.....one that had them sit in a chair ALONE with no contact with kids. I also understand that some kids are a bit more difficult to work with but when you choose to teach you should choose to have compassion, love, understanding and most of all patience. I'm in the office so I don't get the wrath of Mom and Dad directly on me but WHOooooooaaaa Nelly can they get feisty. Its funny you see if you ask any kid in the school they will tell you that Michelle will get you if you mess up...they usually say this with fear in their eyes and a funny little twitch that goes down to their toes. I have never once seen her raise her voice in an ugly way, be mean or demeaning to child but I have however watched her tell a child that THIS is what needs to be done so they better get to it. I have seen her talk to children...not talk down to them. RESPECT is what she commands and RESPECT she has. Ms. AF is the AP here in the school I work at and guess what, same attitude. I LOVE IT. Its so nice that with all the new aged do this, try that and whatever you do BE AFRAID to tell the child what they need to do, that there are still people out there like Michelle that have a knack and are honest and treat kids and people alike with Respect and in turn she gets the respect that she deserves. So to Michelle, and all the other staff that work at any school, anywhere...THANK YOU for being patient, caring and loving, for returning calls instead of running from them, having the guts to steer kids in a path that is less chosen, that may be a longer harder path to follow, but is the right one for that child, for having the love to console a child until they are OK and pushing them ever so lightly that they may stand on their own feet with the knowledge that someone is there to catch them if need be, to show parents that it's OK to get emotional over their kids because for every ounce of love they have for their kids you have the same for your own, for having the sound mind not to reach across the desk and put your hands around someones throat and squeeze...they know they deserve it sometimes, and for me I thank you for being you, that even if my family wasn't born and raised with yours, that your family always had open arms for us as Donte, I, Donnie and Dannie have for all of you. We miss you and your family a lot!!! I think Donte is still having withdrawals from being away from your Mom and he refuses to coach here...what would a ball team be without Donnie, Dannie, Charlie, Jacob, Jaggir and Taylor? OK I gotta quit before I get sappy! When we come visit we will have to go and grab that drink!!

My Baby

He's no so much a baby anymore but to me he will always be my sweet darling Chubba Bubba. You couldn't tell now back when he was just a little pip squeak he was chubby little thing. He will be 8 in 10 days. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around it, that he no longer needs me to kiss his boo boos and pick out his clothes....where do they get off doing all that growing up. INDEPENDENT has a whole new meaning when it's your child wanting to be free of you. OK so hes not wanting to be completely free of me just a little bit free of me. Is there any difference in that last sentence??? Oh well, on with my story. As I said before I work in the Front Office of the boys elementary school. I have two co-workers that sit in the same area as I do. I have mention L before, she is sweet and kind and just a good soul. A is a hoot, I love her, shes funny and could literally juggle a boatload of monkeys on her toes. A also has a jar on her desk.....C....A.......N.......D.........Y. Why oh why. I asked her to put fat free taste nasty candy in there but she aims to please the chocolate lovers and jolly rancher lovers in the world. This would include both of my kids. Now there are rules in a school and one of the rules state that when you walk in the hallways you have to be quiet. So as I sit at my desk plugging away on the computer I notice that it's time for my little one to come in from recess. I see his class coming in and there he is. L points him out and by the look on his face I could tell that he was up to something. I don't know why but when your a Mom you learn to read the slightest looks and hone in on them like a sniper with a target. He is smiling just a bit too wide and his eyes are dancing a jig. I take a deep breathe and brace myself.....meanwhile all the kids are very quietly walking back to the classroom and then Daniel walks in front of the office door and God bless him he just couldn't hold it in....."MOM AFTER SCHOOL CAN I HAVE A PIECE OF CANDY OFF OF MS. A'S DESK?" with that I put my finger to my lips and stifle my laughter which is more than I can say for L and A who laughed out loud. Thank goodness he has a great teacher who understands that kids just sometimes have to be kids.

My little CHUBBA BUBBA...don't you just want to cuddle that sweet angel of a baby?


There he is a few weeks ago in the white shirt, at Six Flags leaving poor Mom behind. At least he looked back to make sure I was in his sights.