I Hope I've Done Her Proud

My recent decision to try for another child brought up a question among one of my friends last week.

How did I come up with Lael's name?

Not most of you know this but both my mom and dad are police. When I was younger my mom used to take me on ride alongs.

I got to see really cool things. Riding the streets in the front seat of a police car can be very exciting for a 10 yr old.

Because I was riding along there were a limit of "runs" my mom was allowed to take.

One of the calls she got one day was about a set of sisters having a loud argument.

I remember my mom asking if I felt comfortable enough for her to take the run.

Of course! I wanted to see some action. She left me in the car so that she could confirm it was safe.

She came back down and told me it was ok to come with her into the apartment.

Inside was a set of Arabic sisters. I remember how beautiful they were. Olive colored skin, dark brown eyes, and jet black hair.

While my mom took their statements I wandered around and found a little girl sitting on a blanket playing with toys.

She was equally as gorgeous as the sisters.

I sat down on the blanket and played with the little girl. I immediately fell in love with her.

She had a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that would tickle your bones.

We managed to have a great time even though she didn't understand English.

The sisters had resolved their issue and it was time to leave. My mom had to force me.

Weeks went by and I couldn't stop thinking about her. I begged my mom to let me ride with her so we could go play.

Over and over she refused.

Finally, one day she gave in.

We went to visit and I ended up spending most of the day with them instead of keeping my mom company.

This went on for a few months. Overall I had visited 6 or 7 times.

I don't remember why exactly, but a few more months went by without me being able to see my little friend.

When I finally made it back there I immediately knew something was wrong. She wasn't there.

In all my visits we sat on the blanket and played. The blanket was no longer there.........







My friend had passed away.

Apparently she had been born sick.

I never knew exactly what was wrong but the reason she was always on a blanket was because she couldn't walk.

The argument that had occurred months before between the sisters was about her health.

I was devastated.

I cried. I screamed. I didn't understand how God could take a way a little child.

I clung to the sisters for what seemed like an eternity.

I never found out which one was her mother but I looked at both of them and swore that one day I would grow up.

I would get married.

I would have children.

I knew way back then that my first child would be a girl and I told them that no matter what, I would name my first daughter after her.

Lael

That was her name.

When me and my husband found out we were having a girl, I cried, but not for all the reasons he thought.

Every time someone asks about Lael's name I smile a little.

I lost touch with the sister's. I don't even remember their names.

I wish I could find them to let them know I kept my promise.

I have a feeling either way they knew I would.

My Marine

My earliest memory has you in it.

There is so much we have been though.

We have been the best of friends and the worst of enemies.

No matter how long the gap, we always pick up where we left off.

You have always felt protective of me even though I'm 4yrs older than you.

We fed off of each other's strength as we watched our father walk away from us forever.

We held hands through our adoption process.

You were there when I decided to serve my country and entered the US Air Force.

You were there when I gave birth to your niece and have been her favorite uncle.

You have always been my #1 fan. Supporting all my decisions when everyone else frowned.

I could never have gone through the tough times in my life without you.

I have been lost with you being across the country and yet I have another challenge to face.

In a few weeks you will leave the country. You have joined me in fighting this war.

You joined the US Marines and now you have to pay your dues.

My heart aches because I have been there and would go again if I could take your place.

A piece of me will be missing. I will hold my breath just a little until you return.

I Promise

Dear Lael,

I promise to teach you to be the best person you can be.

I promise to never put you in a situation that you are too young to deal with.

I promise that I will always offer a shoulder for you to cry on.

I promise that I will do what I can to prevent as many tears as possible.

I promise that you will lose some friends in life but gain the ones that really count.

I promise that I will raise you to be a strong, confident, smart woman.

I promise that you will have bad experiences but the good ones will outweigh them.

I promise that I will always correct you and tell you when you are wrong.

I promise I will always be honest with you, no matter how much it may hurt.

I promise that I will teach you how to forgive and accept apologies.

I promise that I will teach you how to ASK for forgiveness and give apologies.

I promise you that soon you will forget what happened to you today....

But I will not and I PROMISE it won't happen again.


With more love than you will ever know,

Mommy

I Had A Bad Day, Just Ask Twitter

Yesterday was a particular crappy day.

I didn't sleep well the day before. I woke up extra tired and dragged on.

I was grumpy and everyone who could indeed pissed me off.

I didn't seem to get any single task done but instead managed to start a bunch more.

Even a co-worker chomping on carrots made me want to shove them down her throat.

My phone wouldn't stop ringing. I had do random push-ups in the middle of eating lunch.

I managed to hit my head and even managed to cut the back of my hand.

You see? Crappy.

I had to stay at work late to fix mistakes of a NOTSOSMART co-worker.

Missed my train. Caught the next one but got literally sat on.

Finally got home and had to run to the grocery store. Decided to self check-out and then the machine broke RIGHT before it could dispense (ignore "yo" I meant "my") my $13.86.

Lael decided that tonight of all nights she would act a damn fool when it was time to do her homework.

I had just about had ENOUGH.

She begs me to take a bath but I tell her she won't have time because it was only 40 mins before bedtime.

She looks at me with the most serious face and says.

"Mom, I will be in the bath and as soon as you say Dear, it's time to get out. I will get out and NOT even give you an attitude."

Verywellthen. It's just what I needed to hear to give me a great laugh.

And she stuck by her word. In and out without a fuss.

Thanks baby. You turned my crappy day upside down!

Titles Are Overrated

A few things on my mind:

Did yall hear about the man who slapped the 2yr old 5 TIMES across the face at a Wal-Mart in GA? Really? I want to know how he got close enough to hit her and how he managed to get more than 1 slap in. I mean SERIOUSLY he is 61. I respect my elders but I would have whipped his ass if he put his hands on my child. Your thoughts?

Speaking of children. The Duggars. Need I say more. 42 and pregnant with her 19th child. I am very supportive of "big" families but is there a point where it becomes a bit out of hand? What do yall think? How is her body even able to hold up? Am I being judgemental?

I feel all high techy and everything because I am currently typing this on my brand new Toshiba Mini Notebook. Hello. My name is Keyona and I am hot shit. Thankyouverymuch. I originally ordered a DELL Mini but they were back ordered with no estimated shipment date. I cancelled my order the 4th of Aug and just got my money back 2 days ago. After trying to buy one from 2 other stores I decided to go the Toshiba route. It's very little and my fat ass fingers keep wandering but I'll get the hang of it.

I have been nauseous almost everyday since this past weekend. I am trying not to get my hopes up thinking that I may be pregnant but if not then why have I been feeling this way? Please send me happy hope you are with child thoughts. Thanks yall are great.

Hey, I want to do a giveaway on my blog but I need some awesome person who has awesome products to sponsor me so if you know someone who knows someone who knows someone that want to showcase their product please let me know!

And last but not least (I know I'm rambling) I submitted my Bedtime Battles post to Mamapedia and they liked it! They liked it so much that they will be featuring it on Sept. 19 on their website. I would love for you guys to check it out but I'll remind you when the date gets closer.

Whew! That was sure a brain full! :o)

Because It's Kinda Your J-O-B

Dear Winch #1,

The other lines were backed up.

There was no one in your line when you saw me and my family approach you.

Yet you continued to carry on your conversation with Winch #2.

I don't CARE about your IV. I don't CARE about ANY of your medical issues.

I do feel bad if you ARE sick, and in that case take your H1N1 ass home because it's for the best.

If not I have a suggestion.

Turn around. Greet me with a smile. Ask me how I'm doing. Take my items and ring them up.

Do NOT tell me that you can only take me if I have 5 items or less.

I have kinda been shopping there for 10+ years and KNOW that is total bullshit.

And when my husband decides to purchase tobacco from your counter so that you HAVE to ring up our items, do not once AGAIN ask me how many items I have, proceed to sigh, and then tell me you'll ring me up like you're doing me a FAVOR!

And what I really don't want you to do is then to ring up 1 item and then tell me that you don't know the sales prices or codes.

You are kinda working in the CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT where people would go if their items WEREN'T ringing up with the SALE price.

It will piss me off. But I won't say anything because I'm a lady.

But you better bet your Winchy ass that I got your name and Winch #2's and your supervisor has been notified.

You forget we are ALL working for the military.

Don't you know who I work for?

Guess not.

Bet you'll find out in the morning.

With much bitchiness and the power to GET YOUR ASS FIRED,

SSgt Pissed-Off

Magic

She hears a song and likes it.

For days she walks around singing it.

In the car, in the tub, on the toilet.

Her mom can't quite figure out where it's from or the name of it.

Who could it be that sings it?

Where in the world can I find it?

But then her mom finds it.

And when she gets home from school her mom has it ready.

With the push of a button, the music blasts through the speakers.

She comes around the corner running at full speed and jumps into her moms arms.

She grabs her mom by the hands and asks her to dance.

Something as simple as finding her new favorite song and making her a CD was enough to make her smile the whole night.

It felt like...magic....ya know?