ownership.

this angry post stems from my complete frustration of people who can't seem to take ownership of their own lives. it's always excuses, illegitimate reasons and just plain laziness.

the unfortunate thing of it all? (apart from the obvious, obviously) is watching the people around said people, pick up after them, enable them and have their own lives fall apart because of it.

you got yourself into this mess, GET YOURSELF OUT OF IT! 

everyone in life has their hardships -nobody is perfect- but its how you choose to deal with the cards you've been dealt that makes all the difference. of course, family is there to help you along the way, but to blatantly take advantage of them, riding on their coat-tails so you can have an easier life is wrong.

if all YOU'RE concerned about is what people think of YOU and whether or not you're being judged that you sit around looking for excuses for why you've lost friends quit kidding yourself. it's because people can't stand your lazy attitude and the fact that you depend on others to get by in life. if you've never had a job, go get one. if you go partying every weekend, drinking, smoking, (using the money you should be using to live/support your children) STOP. if you're living in your parent's basement (and you're 24+ years old) quit taking advantage of your parents who have worked so hard and MOVE OUT.

its YOUR life. you only have ONE. start taking OWNERSHIP for the choices you made in life, and start living the life you were meant to live. 

</rant>

THAT parent.

you know, THAT parent?

the one who's there at almost every pick up and drop off, the one who knows parents of students on a first name basis, the one who the teacher knows by name?

the one who engages in extra-curricular activities, volunteers at school and tries to know absolutely everything about what's going on?

the one who fumes when they hear about a classroom quarrel, the one who is in constant contact with the teacher and the one who will report to the principal if things do not seem right?

THAT parent, is me.

see, when i was growing up, i'd be lucky if the same person was picking me up from school on the same day. i'd be lucky if my mom or dad could come along for a field trip. i'd be lucky if they could come watch a school play or volunteer at school. but that wasn't the case for me. that is why i'm THAT parent. 

as children grow, they learn what it means to be independent and how to speak up for themselves. some are outspoken from day one and others shy away so as not to create conflict. 

PARENTS: you are your child's only advocate!

while i COMPLETELY understand it is every parent's dream to be totally involved, it is without a doubt, very difficult if not impossible to achieve. because i am so blessed with the work schedule i am able to maintain, i throw myself right into my daughter's school life because i want to set an example and a standard for her. i want her to know that as much as she's learning the foundation of independence at this early age, i will always stand behind her and be a support system for her.

people may scoff at my attitude about parent's involvement in their child's schooling, but i can't express how important that is. teachers are not babysitters: they are building the foundation for future doctors, lawyers, farmers, plumbers and bakers. but, it is not without the parent that these little people will become amazing adults. school is only 50% of learning. the other 50% comes from repetition and implementation and it is up to us parents to make that happen.

no matter how your life runs, look for THAT parent in you!

i found some amazingly inspirational quotes that i'd like to share with you! take from them what you will:

“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.” 

- H. Jackson Brown

“Affirming words from moms and dads are like light switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities.”

- Gary Smalley

“What a child doesn’t receive he can seldom later give.”

- P.D. James

“Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.” 

- C. Everett Koop

“You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around – and why his parents will always wave back.”

- William D. Tammeus

“If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later. I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and less tugging.“

- Diane Loomans

Happy Belated Birthday Blog Emma!

Like that alliteration? (tee hee)

It has been far too long since I've last blogged..almost a month! Life has been incredibly busy ever since I started working (that deserves a blog of its own!) that I've unfortunately lost that moment of time where I can sit down and blog. In the midst of the busy-ness, we've celebrated a couple of birthdays..mine (eep! I'm 29 now!) and my sweet little angel Emma's.

Emma's had her heart set on a princess birthday party since the day after her FOURTH birthday party. Its kind of funny but that's sort of how she's decided her birthday themes since the age of 2. Needless to say it was loads of fun gathering up princess themed party supplies! To be inclusive, I threw in the idea of a princess/pirate party to accomodate all of Emma's male and female friends/cousins that were sure to attend. We even had the pleasure of having Princess Belle visit us all the way from Disneyland!

Here are a few photos from her special day:

5 princesses for a little girl turning 5! made by yours truly of course!

arrr matey! cousin jacob getting all dressed up as a pirate!

miss olivia torn as to whether or not she prefers to be a princess or a pirate...

even auntie coco made an appearance as a princess!

mini belle with princess belle!

getting her make-up and nails done!

it's official! Emma and Belle are best friends!

everyone had a fantastic time watching all of the kids enjoy the party. me as always 

was running around like a chicken with her head cut off but in the end 

the smile on Emma's face reassures me that my 

efforts don't go unnoticed :)

*sigh* so now, she's 5.

my little baby is now a little girl who is absolutely loving life.

having started kindergarten, i am learning a whole new side of

my little girl who suddenly knows how to express herself

and say words i thought she was too young to understand.

she can pray the 'hail mary' all by herself!

she knows words in french!

and as much as i am sad in having to let go of my baby 

who prefers her independence a little more and more each day,

i can't help but be joyful for the fact

she's growing and doing things just the way 5 year olds are supposed to.

Emma, you are truly the best thing that ever happened to me.

You are beautiful and bright and possibly the

silliest girl I've ever met. You are imaginative, creative,

brave, outgoing and best of all, you're mine!

Here's a snapshot of my first born over the years:

2006

2007

2008 

2009

2010

2011

Happy Birthday Emma!