Family

In the blink of an eye

August 1, 2012 by Jennifer 2 Comments

This week has been a full week for my precious M. Her feet have been moving at rapid speeds and are going many different directions. It’s that time of year for clogging camp. M takes her clogging very serious. This marks her fifth year performing as a clogger. The joy on her face can be seen for miles.

As I was dropping her off for clogging camp this week, something happened. We pulled into the parking lot. M confidently put her backpack on her back, opened the door and said bye mom. I love you. Wait just a minute! She did not want me to walk her in to camp? In the blink of an eye, I saw this very mature young lady looking at me. M had grown up overnight.

She no longer needed me to walk by her side.

She no longer needed my good bye hugs.

She no longer needed my protection.

In the blink of an eye, my oldest daughter went from a very dependent little girl to this confident independent young lady. I can only hope my parenting over the last few years have shaped her into this wonderful young person. From the minute your child is born, you are their provider and do everything for them. Gradually over time, the responsibilities lessen. On one end of the spectrum, I want to smile and be happy. On the other end of the spectrum, I want to cry and hold my daughters forever.

M is this child who is so responsible and will help anyone. Her hand is always there first and ready to help at any given time. The other night at dinner, she had us all take our seat at the table. We were not allowed to get our plates, cups or utensils. She came by with her apron on and wrote down everyone’s order. One by one, we were served with such grace and great hospitality. My child is serving me when I always served her. In the blink of an eye, M has grown up.
Time please slow down.

How to start having tween conversations with your daughter

July 30, 2012 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

One thing this summer has shown me is my oldest daughter M is growing into a young lady. She is rapidly getting taller and I know it will not be much longer till I am looking up to her. How can your daughter look up to you each and everyday and then the view changes in the blink of an eye?

As you know, I am an ambassador for U by Kotex Tween. The site is really helping me have conversations with my daughter. I am taking it very slow and using language that will not scare or intimidate her. I remind her daily about putting deodorant on and it helps open doors to conversation. Take moments like this where it is just you and your daughter, to have your own conversations. Get on her level and describe to her how the body changes as you grow. This helps avoid awkward moments and where your tween just checks out of the conversation immediately. Let her ask you questions and be sure to let her know that she can come to you at anytime with questions.

Do not go into really involved and in depth conversations. The last thing you want to do is overwhelm your daughter. My daughter had questions about using tampons and I realized the look on her face was a very worried look. I led the conversation in a different direction. Use their facial cues and change your conversation based on what you know your daughter can understand at that moment in time. Build up to the harder topics over time. Ensure that you will always be there for her and that you went through the same exact changes as well. Remain calm, encouraging, caring and supportive. You want your daughter to be able to come to you any minute or hour of the day.

I was embarrassed to talk to my mom about these types of things. It was always awkward and so hard to bring up the topic for conversation. I am rectifying that situation early-on with my girls. My girls are my world and I want them to be able to come to me with anything and especially as they enter this new stage of childhood.

U by Kotex Tween will continue to be a resource for my daughters and I. We will continue to wade through these waters as softly and slow as we can. This does not have to be scary. I just wish I could slow down time. Can’t we just go back to where they just started crawling?

I hope I am able to help other mothers who are entering this stage.

“I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by Kotex Tween and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Summer Fun With a Hershey’s Campfire

July 26, 2012 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Summer is a season where your family can create so many fun memories. Even though I am not a fan of the heat, I love being outside with my family. It is so nice to just turn off technology, gather family and friends and enjoy an evening of fun around the campfire.

We did just that!

The table is set. Our guests started arriving and my awesome hubby was making sure the fire pit was ready to go.

All the kids were very eager to make a s’mores. I mean what is a campfire without a delicious hershey’s s’more?

The adults and the kids were all having fun. I felt like we could have stayed around the campfire all evening. We were getting back to the basics and away from technology screens. Good ole family fun with the ones we love.

You will never believe the stories and laughs that happen around the campfire too?! Great times. I am hoping we can have one more campfire before summer ends so we can create more lasting summer memories.

Hershey’s is hosting a Camp Bondfire on their Facebook all this summer. You can check out awesome ideas to make your campfire a success and also print off a coupon on your next purchase of hershey bars. Also, register to become a camper and you could be the next big winner.

Does your family enjoy particpating in campfires?

Disclosure: I was provide a campfire pack by Hershey’s. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

Jumping in the water

July 22, 2012 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Last week our travels landed us in Northern Florida to visit family. We had not seen them since Thanksgiving of last year, so it was a much over-do visit. It was Birthday celebration time for my husband’s son.

After Moe’s Southwest Grill catered the party, we set out on a journey of tubing down the springs. The springs are quite different than the river here in the NC mountains. You can actually see straight to the bottom in the crystal clear water at the Ichetucknee Springs State Park.

Florida State Park Springs — Photo Courtesy of Florida State Parks

The girls were over the top excited to go on their first tubing experience. Unfortunately, I had some anxiety going on. I was terrified that the girls would fall through the tube or they would float too fast from me. Ashley tried calming my fears. L rode in a boat tube so she was fine. M is the one that I had to worry about. My nephew and her decided to share a dual tube.

The fun began. We jumped off the dock and hoped we landed on the tube. Success! We are doing a great job. This will be relaxing. Wake-up to reality Jen. The springs current was not taking us in a straight direction. We were headed straight for a huge tree right in the middle of the springs. Titanic hit an iceberg, we were going to hit a tree and deflate our tube. The hubby and I are paddling fast and trying to steer. Laughing, paddling, laughing harder and paddling harder… we detoured and back on track without hitting the tree.

I have L and R (our little granddaughter) connected to our tube but somehow M and my nephew get stuck in moss. This is not good. My nephew is yelling… pedal, pedal, pedal. I said, Z… peddling is not going to get you anywhere. You better paddle. We all start laughing. Unfortunately, paddling was not helping and they were getting farther away from us. My heart starts beating fast and I decide to escape my tube and jump straight into the springs. Fish you better move out of the way. I am on a mission to save my precious M and Z.

The current is strong, so since I am swimming backwards to them, I am up against a fight with the current. There was no current going to stop me. M needed me and this mama bear needed her cub. With a one track mind, swimming hard, I made it to M. All I wanted to do was hold her and not let her go, but we needed to catch up with the rest of the family. I start swimming and pulling both M and Z behind me. We finally reach hubby. Please hold onto them and DO NOT LET GO! My next mission is jumping back into the dual tube with hubby. Once.. no go Twice.. this is not working… all hubby says… Jen you are going to turn us over. Not, let me help you honey instead. Sigh! It’s you are going to turn us over. That’s all I needed though. The adrenaline was pumping. Third try, I jumped successfully back onto the tube and all was well in the tubing world.

What a journey…. but I would do it again in a heartbeat to save my loves!

We went down two more times. M, L and Z all wanted to go down again. I think we may have a new family tradition when we head to Florida.

Making Memories at the White House and Liberty Bell

July 5, 2012 by Jennifer 1 Comment

Memories are very dear to my heart. Growing up, I never hardly even left the state of NC. We did make it to Tennessee a few times and I once went to Florida with my 6th grade class. As soon as I had my girls, I wanted their adventures to be different. We have such a beautiful country and I am determined to explore it as much as possible with my sweet girls.

On our recent trip to Philadelphia, PA, we made a pit stop in Washington D.C. Traffic was a nightmare, the heat was on, but thanks to my wonderful husband, we made it to the White House. This was our first time seeing the White House. What a true honor to be able to see it altogether for the first time.

L exclaimed really loudly – “Mommy, I can take a picture of us to show and tell at school.” I knew right there, she was excited to see the White House in person. It will be a memory that we will all hold forever.

On our last day in Philadelphia, we were able to take a private tour over to the Liberty Bell at 7:45 in the morning. We were beating the heat and not having to wait in line. Huge score. One of the Park Rangers took her time and really described in full detail about the journey of the Liberty Bell. Did you know they take x-rays of the bell?

Each x-ray shows the the hidden flaws of the Liberty Bell. Very fascinating!

I love the history behind the bell. Of course being true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, we love the inscription on the bell.

“Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10)

The bell has not been rang since 1846 for George Washington’s birthday. It is amazing that we have been able to hold onto this piece of history. M and L were both fascinated by this piece of history.

Making family memories to last a lifetime….

Family

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