Thank God for Sundays

Yesterday was a busy, fun-filled day. I always want to make a break from the regular work week on Saturdays. There are almost always an extra 4-8 kids here overnight on Friday and here for the day on Saturday. They are awesome kids and like me they wanna have fun.

With only 4 kids at the house yesterday I decided to pack up a picnic lunch and head out to Buffalo River State Park (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/buffalo_river/index.html). I had the wonderful opportunity to see 4 kids open their eyes in absolute wonder. What a beautiful area.

This is where we went

What fun

The grass is taller than me

Bridge over the river (water is still high)

Scenery

We ran into some friends

Get that blonde outta here red heads only please!

Well, the kids and I got back to the house at 4:30 P.M. Their parents picked them up shortly there after. What a blast we had.

O.k., now it's time to shift gears, change hats, become "professional"... It's time for graduation. No not mine...The Detroit Lakes High School class of 2009 has officially achieved the status of graduate! As a school board member I had the absolute privilege of being on the stage during their walk. How lucky am I?

DLHS 2009 Graduation

Before the ceremony - getting ready

Uhu, I'm ready


Part of the school board getting their directions
for the ceremony from Doug Froke, supt.

Staff lining up. Trust me there's alot
more staff than this.

Don't they look awesome 210 graduates!

Done!

Go Lakers!
http://dlschools.net/

See, I need Sundays. I need time to recuperate. I'm going to the flea market and making my husband take me out on the boat. I thank God for Sunday.

I LOVE BOOKS

NINETEEN DAYS

That's what's left before we leave for San Pedro, Belize. With each passing day I seem to be getting even more excited. Pretty soon someone will have to peel me off the ceiling.

The reason I am currently stuck on this subject is because of my mail carrier. His name is Fingleson (I think I've got it right). Anyway, he walks up to the house carrying 2 post boxes and a couple of envelopes and says "hey, looks like you've got goodies here". When I see exactly what he is handing to me I can't seem to contain my joy.

"Woo Hoo, I can't wait to go to Belize, San Pedro here I come". I couldn't help it, the words just fell out of my mouth like blocks being toppled by a toddler.

The look on Fingleson's face immediately expressed his querry - 'what the heck are you talking about'. "Oh, when are you going to Belize?" and "have you ever been before?" were the actual words that were uttered.

With just a bit of blush entering my face, my response was swift and thorough. "I will be there from June 12th until the 22nd. Sorry, you just handed me an order that I was asked to bring down to the San Pedro Town Library. Yes, I have been down there before and have learned that it is a great place with great people and there are so many great ways to be a part of paradise. I will be bringing down some books for the teen population and a few other items for the library. What a way to feel connected."

Here's how I got "connected" to paradise:

I was fortunate enough to go to Belize with my husband and his band a couple of years ago. During that trip I was able to meet a number of community oriented people including Taco Girl, Taco Boy, a number of resort owners and so on. I have spent numerous hours on the Ambergris Caye Message Board (http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forum_summary.html) Ambergris Caye Message Board talking with other visitors, regulars, ex-patriots, and nationals. I have met some unbelievable people on this board, a few nuts, but what a great virtual community that board is.

Anyway, I saw a post by Pam Killen on the board asking if someone might be able to bring down some books for the library. I have never been to the SP library, but, hey, I am going down there. I can bring some books. Books are great. If you can read you can do anything.

I can't wait to meet Pam and Vanessa at the library.

I am soooo Excited!

19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
It'll get here...just have to have patience. ARGH...Can I borrow yours????

Kids are so darned...

CUTE!

Think about the word cute. Let pictures pop into your mind. Cuddly kittens, snuggly bunnies, miniture horses, baby chicks, and of course your child (when they were young, moldable, agreeable, well-fed, well-rested, smiley, and well you get the picture).

I plan to put a picture of my kids here from when they were "cute". You know by now that this will happen_____ when I get around to it, haha. I think it's quite obvious I have figured out how to post pictures, now it's just "doing it". Yeah, ME!

Now think about 12 runny nosed, 1-5 year old stinkers, that belong to other people, running through your house each day. I know what you're thinking - "how can I get that many cuties to come to my house?" right?

No, I am not sadistic or any thing like that. I just think kids, for the most part, are CUTE! I have been doing child care for 13+ years and loving most of the minutes of it. (notice I did not say I was loving "EVERY" minute of it - again, I am not sadistic here). You just never know what they will do, what they will say, what wonders they will discover or what they ate and is now in their - well you get the picture, phewuuwe!

A few cases in point:

Father to son while video taping child's 3rd birthday: "Hey Max, say happy birthday to me"
Son to father, directly into the viedo camera: "happy birthday daddy"

22 month old walking down the steps, holding the rail, side stepping all the way; feet get tangled, minor stumble then the unthinkable utterance from this cutie's mouth "damn it".

"I not a person, I Angew" (My interpretation of how he says his name - Andrew)

"She just called me Kaylynn. Some people call me that ya know."
reply: "well what do others call you?"
What ever they want, but I answer to Kaylynn or KK"

"Here, I picked you some flowers."
reply: "Thanks, they are beautiful, I love dandilions".
"But aren't dandilions weeds, that's what my parents told me"
reply: "yes, but they are beautiful"
"well, that explains why you have so many in your yard - you like them"

"are worms good to eat?"
reply: "alright, who's eating worms?"

"Pink is for girls and blue is for boys. So, I can't drink out of that cup, it's only for boys."
reply: "then why are you wearing a blue shirt"
"Sometimes I think my mom forgets I am a girl"

"he hit me" - "did not" - "did too" - "did not" - "did too" - "yeah, well you pushed me" - "Yeah, well you took my toy away" - "but you weren't playing with it" - "but I was going to, and I was playing with it before you" - "no you weren't" - "yes I was" - "no you weren't" - "yes I was, earlier, before we ate" - "but you weren't playing with it now" - "that's because you took it" - "but no one was playing with it when I took it" - "but I was going to - so give it back"

(did you know this conversation/arguement could go on for ever and nearly does)

"The sun is too bright, can you turn it down?" (obviously he had light dimmers in his home)

"what time is it?" - "is it time to go yet?" then of course when I am ready to this is what happens: "wait, I'm not ready" - "I need to do just one more thing" etc.

the baby had such a great laugh, hahahahaha little belly giggle and her legs are constantly on the go, totally excited - I nick-named her minihaha from kikapoo.

Everyone's favorite: "fire *uck"

I have a great group of kids! Pictures to come later. Once you see them I am sure you'll say "kids are so darned CUTE!

Here's some of the kiddo's pics, some are current some are past all of them are DARNED CUTE!

Why is she crying?

Oh, that's why!

He's smiling; what's he up to?

You can't make me smile

Purple is good

Caught ya!

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN

San Pedro here I come!

Yes, I do realise I still have nearly a month til I get to escape from reality for a while, but I have already begun the countdown to the day I arrive on that beautiful sand.

Here's the back story:

3 years ago, Kerry, my hubby, went to Belize to do a travel video (Yea Magnum Belize http://www.magnumbelize.com/ He went all over the country, including Ambergris Caye which is where you will find San Pedro. While he was there he met people, sat in with a band (Kerry plays a mean guitar), then said it'd be great to bring the band down. Apparently the right people were listening because the following April The Fat Cats (Kerry's Band) http://www.myspace.com/thefatcats1990 was asked to come down and play for the inaugural San Pedro Lobsterfest http://www.sanpedrolobsterfest.com/ Pretty cool, huh?

Of course the band jumped at the opportunity. Everyone got their passports in order. Then comes the confrontation... I did NOT intend to go to Belize. I am NOT a groopie. I am NOT one to shirk my responsibilities (I have a business to run). I am NOT going! My passport photo even proves it - I didn't want to go. My wonderful husband dragged me kicking and screaming through almost 2 months of anxiety attacks, crying jags, and full out tempertantrums all the way to San Pedro, Belize. And...

I SURVIVED! I LOVED IT!

I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE!

Now back to today:

The Fat Cats will be playing for Lobsterfest again this year. I have 22 days to go before my toes will touch the ground they so wish to be on. And I am:

ALREADY PACKED

READY TO GO

EXCITED

!!!!

Pictures to come later, I hope. Possibly even more of the story - ya just never know with ME!

Front Street, San Pedro, BZ

We were treated to a local dance group
strutting their stuff
Don't they all look great?!

Laurie, a.k.a. Taco Girl

So, why blog?

To blog or not to blog, that is the question.

You may have even noticed in my comment section a fellow blogger that congratulated me on my inaugural post. The comment very plainly states a very good reason for blogging and I quote: "Welcome to the world of wasted time but as I told a friend of mine that blogging is cheaper than therapy and booze!" And thank you, CBT, for your encouragement.

As for me, I truly don't know why anyone would care to read about my daily goings, but I can truly say...I have fun being me. Follow along and see why.

Daughter, wife, mother, friend, child care provider, foster parent, school board member, Mary Kay consultant and just plain ME! It's great to be ME!

I have a wonderful husband that has been with me for an amazing 16 years. Together we have 1 child (14) and I have a bonus child who is now a woman with a degree. (I am way too young for that) She graduated last weekend with her degree in Instrumental Music Education, WOW! My mom, well, she helped me become who I am - and by the way, I like being ME! Then there are the friends and colleagues - what a group - awesome! I am surrounded by fantastic people.

Pictures to come later, I think, if I can figure it all out..........

I think I figured it out. Let's see if this works:

Wonderful Husband, Kerry
(the one in print)

The 14 year old, Max
(attached to cell phone as always)

Newly degreed bonus daughter, Lindsay
(look at that bling)

This is ME. Real name Terrie
(I really don't do photos much)

Here Goes Nothing

O.k. So I talked with Tacogirl yesterday about Blog Fiesta she is hosting in San Pedro, Belize during Lobsterfest. I asked but a simple question, "what do you think about a non-blogger taking part in the Blog Fiesta? The reply, "Most definitly.If you are considering blogging I would be happy to help walk you through starting up and the best way to go about it. Do you use gmail chat or msn messenger? That would help to discuss it if you want."

Needless to say... HERE I AM

I am nervous, excited and a bit overwhelmed to say the least. But, I have to say, we'll get through it (the taco's and me). Hopefully I can take you along for the trip.

Thanks for tuning in.