Jealous

I am, I know it's not the godly way to feel, but it's the truth.

This school year has been hard. No, it's been pure hell. I wish I could take a year off and stay home.

My students are precious. I still have the same old wonderful friends. My Principal is on my side. I can't describe why I feel this way. Perhaps it is that everytime I turn around my girlfriends are "doing lunch" and decorating their homes, shopping, and running carpool. That is the life I want.

It's Friday night. The two biggest schools in our town are battling it out on the football field on this glorious fall evening. I am crying in my beer. literally.

She was RUN NiiNG

In my best Forrest Gump voice, I am constantly saying, "Run, Paige, RUN!"

My little dancer extraordinaire has shown this year what an incredible athlete she is. I am not surprised that she is doing so well at Cross Country, because when we first brought her home from China, we used to tease that her feet never touched the floor...they skimmed on top of the carpet as she ran from room to room. She has always ran everywhere she was going. It is quite comical to think back on her first few years home.

Paige chose to try out for Cross Country this year on top of her full dance load. I knew she was a fairly decent little runner, but she has far surpassed what I thought. There were so many kids who tried out for the team this year (67 to be exact) that they had to cut the teams into an A team (Competitive team) and B team (run at home meets). Paige was chosen for the A team!

She has had about six meets and she is shaving off time at each meet! At her last meet, she came in 12th out of 113 girls!!!

The only caveat is that I spent time with some of her dance teachers this weekend and they said while her strength will serve her well with her fourettes and jetes this year, it is hurting her flexibility. She is becoming more muscular and tight. So, we are going to have to make sure she stretches really well after she runs. No matter what, she loves running and I am THRILLED that it is something that can keep her little heart healthy!

Here are some favorite pics of my girl! RUN, FORREST, RUN! :)








Fixing her hair before the run! Always some "girl time" :)

Look out now, she's 13!!!

My sweet baby girl, is, ahem...NOT a baby anymore :(

Paigeee poo turned 13 in August. I just cannot believe we have a teenager in our midst. She is still as silly as ever and enjoys snuggling on occassion. I am so proud of the young lady she has become. She is kind, compassionate, independent, funny.as.all.get.out, smart, athletic, determined, coy, mischevious, dry, adorable, irresistable, loving, and so many other adjectives that I just don't have time to mention.

At 13, she is:

SOCIAL, RUNNER, ACADEMIC, DANCER, FRIEND, SISTER EXTRAORDINAIRE, STILL NOT WEARING MAKE UP, LOVER OF PHITEN, PREFERS BASKETBALL SHORTS OVER JEANS, WEARS A PONYTAIL WITH A RIBBON DAILY, SLEEPS WITH HER BLANKET CHECKY, AFRAID OF CARNIVAL RIDES, GOD FEARING, NON GOSSIPER, LOVER OF CATS.

She let me take her for my a fun photo shoot. She allowed me full reign on this one...Did I mention I LOVE this kid??!?

We had a little shotty carnival at our local mall. One day I had the idea to dress her up like Betty Boop and take her for a fun shoot. Here are some of my favs!


LOVE THIS PIC!!!













And a black and white...


Happy Birthday Paigee Poo!!! I lobster you to the moon and back! (I texted her one day and my phone automatically put in "lobster" instead of "love", hence our new term of endearment!)

Check out other fun photos at Lisa's Black and White Wednesday!