This week our life has been absorbed by school elections. Chloe is running for Student Government (they call it StuCo here) for next year. We have had a fun week making posters, t-shirts and silly ads to put on facebook. Below are a few of them.
It was a week in paradise but oh how I missed these girls. We haven't stopped hugging, talking and cuddling since we got home late last night. I am so blessed to be a mother.
Don't get me wrong....It was VERY nice to enjoy just being a wife for a while =)
I am off..........off to play with my husband and forget that we are responsible adults who have work to do and things to accomplish. Off to remember that we are a couple who adore each other especially when we get to spend all day together laughing and talking with no interruptions. Off to just relax and enjoy being me with a book in sun and sand.
Last night Chloe was headed to meet some friends and watch a dance recital. I drove her over to the school where the event was being held but her friends had not yet arrived so we pulled up in front of the school to wait for them. We had fun watching people as they went in as it was an extremely windy day which made it kinda funny to watch everyone balancing themselves and trying to save their hairdo's. When suddenly up walked three 14-15 year old girls in sundresses and short skirts. They were having a horrible time trying to keep their dresses down as the wind was ferocious and whipping everything up. I drew Chloe's attention to them and said...."Watch, in about 10 seconds I predict we are going to get a pantie shot!" We both laughed and continued to watch as they headed toward the door with all the other people. When all of a sudden my prediction came true.......well, kinda. The girl who was wearing a little short flouncy dress and trying desperately to hold it down was hit by a huge gust of wind that took the whole dress up.....way way up, above her waist. This would have been mortifying for anyone but it just so happened that SHE WASN'T WEARING ANY PANTIES!! Chloe and I simultaneously gasped in horror. It was a major peep show for everyone in the surrounding area. I felt so bad for her but then I thought.....Who wears no panties??? Brittney Spears maybe but I thought this behavior was relegated to the Hollywood crazies. I must be way way out of touch because I know that in my younger days that kind of thing just wasn't heard of, especially when wearing a shorty short dress that doesn't always keep everything covered up. 
This picture would have been very different if taken today!! just say'n
It is after midnight and I really should not be writing my thoughts when in such a tired state but these are things I am thinking lately, even in times of daylight and clarity, so I don't think I am off base.
As Chris and I began raising our daughters we had a vision, we wanted to raise strong, independent, athletic, artistic girls....not a small order. We started planning right off the bat and we both agreed we didn't want our daughters being cheerleaders or dancers. We wanted them participating in sports and being cheered FOR...not cheering for, of this we were certain. So we set out to direct their path. We got Chloe and Olivia involved in all kinds of sports and activities. First, they played Soccer. Chris was their coach and they had a great time and excelled at the sport, but alas, not their thing.
We then went to diving, wow this was a whirlwind time of our life. They began their training with an ex Russian Olympic diver and she was a fabulous coach. They had natural ability and were diving off the 5 and 10 meter platforms in no time. It was such a graceful and beautiful sport. I loved going to the diving meets and watching them compete. We had visions of bigger competitions and maybe diving scholarships. After 2 years we could see that their excitement and love for it had wained. Sadly we knew they needed to step back and we moved on.
Next.....tennis. This was definitely their sport. They loved it right away and were excellent competitors. They jumped in with both feet and were training with some of the best coaches in our area. 3 times a week for 2 hours and they were becoming fabulous tennis players. Again, Chris and I enjoyed the tournaments,even the ones that required travel, and we traveled. They were both USTA ranked and on their way. We had visions of tennis scholarships and possibly a tennis career. But then, after 3years, they finally came to us last year and let us know that they were stressed out. They pleaded with us to let them take a break, it was all too much and knowing these girls and their ability to stick something out even in hard circumstances, I knew that we needed to listen to them.
With all of our faults as parents, we have at least always tried to listen to them and respect their needs and desires.
So where are we today?......Olivia went to a tumbling class in October as a guest of her friend and on the spot they invited her to join their competition cheer team, so she is now.......a cheerleader.
Chloe just found out today that she made the High School Pom squad and competition team. It was such a fun day as Chloe tried out and found out she made it against all odds (she started taking dance 3 months ago and all the other girls have taken dance all their lives) We are deeply proud of them both and feel good knowing that they both LOVE their choices. It makes us happy to see them happy and loving what they do....such a wonderful, but strange twist of fate.
Our schedule right now is busy............beyond busy...........So busy it is almost crushing. This is a short time that will pass but until is passes.....wow, we are tired.
We had a great time in Colorado, the day before we left we decided that because of our busy schedule Chris just couldn't take the time to come with us. So, reluctantly I packed the girls up and we headed off alone. We had a wonderful time but of course we missed him terribly.
My dear friend Lori and I with all the kids after a fun eventful hike.
Roasting "Little Smokies" over the open fire
