Little Chick Sings for Her Friend

The other day I got an e-mail from my great bloggy friend Karli at The Bonnie 5 saying that her adorable little daughter, Livia, requested that Little Chick sing Twinkle Twinke Little Star. Today after my daughter came home from her first full day of school since she got sick almost a month ago (she has only been going half days because she was so tired from being as sick as she was) she said "Mommy, I want to sing for the little baby." So here is Little Chick singing for her friend Livia!

For this Thanksgiving Thursday I want to say a huge thank you to God for my beautiful Little Chick and for making her feel better!

2.) For the loving memories of all who I have loved so tremendously and have passed away.

3.) The vibrant foliage.

4.) For discovering my cousins after all these years and for getting to know one in particular who is just like me.

5.) For being able to say I want to "stay gold" after all the difficult things life has thrown at me.

More people giving thanks: Jinnia Low.Com, Our Happy Home

Stay Gold

"Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay."

~Robert Frost

I was thinking about one of my favorite poems from childhood and how much of an impact it had on me. I had seen the movie The Outsiders after reading the book in school and I loved hearing Robert Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay". In my High School Senior year we were asked to hand in something about ourselves and what we wanted for the future to be posted next to our picture. I submitted this poem and wrote that my goal was to "stay gold". Yeah, I know it sounds a bit much for a high school kid, but the thing about this poem that always intrigued me was the challenge of keeping something "gold". I have learned that life is hard! Really hard! And there are many things that will be thrown our way that can alter our kind hearts and giving nature. People can become hardened by their life's journey. My goal back then still stands true to this day. Am I a saint? No! But I do try my best to "stay gold" as much as possible even when I may not feel the energy or heart to do so.

The Things I Would Say

"If you could press the rewind button on your life,

where would you go?"

I just created this snazzy little Rewind Button so I could travel back in time in blogland. If you would like to grab it in the left side bar and join in let me know so I can add your link. I have so many great memories and feelings, but today I would love to press the rewind button and go back to tell my Dad some things I never got to tell him or let him see about myself. This picture was taken at a Japanese restaurant my family used to love going to. If there was one thing my Dad could do was make us all laugh! Here are some things I wish I had the opportunity to say:

1.) Daddy, even if I did not always say it or show it, I appreciated all the hard work and long hours you worked to provide so well for our family.

2.) You were the one person that I could count on to always lift my spirit and my soul. You were the foundation that made our family solid and strong.
3.) I am sorry if I was a young smart mouth and a know it all from time to time. I have learned that your wisdom and words were always right.
4.) Daddy, I did earn my Masters in Education with a 3.95 average. I would have given anything to have you see me graduate.
5.) Thank you for always playing Backgammon with me. I have not played since you have passed away. I miss you!
6.) I have continued yours and my Saturday breakfasts at the diner with Little Chick. Believe it or not, Anna is still our waitress!
7.) I wish I could spend the day with you at work just one more time!
8.) Daddy I have the most beautiful baby in the universe and she looks just like you and lights up the room like you used to do. Please watch over her always!
9.) I know I called you every day a few times just to say I love you. But in case you did not know how much, half my heart poured out of me the day you died!
10.) Daddy you looked so handsome the last day when I stopped by your office to hear your speech. You did a fantastic job and I am so proud of you and proud to be your daughter!

I love and miss you!

Our Fondest Memories

"You will remember the simplest of days. The ones that had you laughing and feeing the warmth of love."~Mama Hen

I remember this day like it was last week. I loved wearing this polka dot dress that my husband surprised me with and these sexy boots he had given me for Christmas the year before. It was a warm evening and we had booked a reservation at a cozy tavern that had all the feelings of New England. I am not quite sure what it was (the warmth in the air, the glimmering candles at dinner, the smile on his face, or feeling so beautiful in his eyes) but a simple dinner out left me with a feeling of being so happy, special and very loved. It never ceases to amaze me how our simplest memories become our fondest.

Smile Sunday

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

It was almost 90 degrees today and humid.

Little Chick and I are ready for some fun in the snow!

Happy Smile Sunday!

Little Chick loves this video and asks to play it again and again. I know I say "look at the camera" a few too many times, but it is her favorite video. Enjoy!

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man." ~Rabindranath Tagore

I like this poem because it reminds me of what is truly important:

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

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

Thanksgiving Thursday

"Give thanks when you have the least energy. It will lift your spirit."

~Mama Hen

I have not been feeling well lately and I think it is the best time to really take a good look at what I am thankful for. The daily blessings keep coming and I need to stay focused on that. It is easy to give thanks when you feel great! But when you don't feel well and chronic pain and exhaustion are thrown into the mix, that is when giving thanks is essential. Here are my five for this week:

1.) Little Chick and my family.

2.) For truly caring people who take the time to "be there" in both the good times and the bad.

3.) Little Chick's "I love yous" are the sweetest words I have ever heard.

4.) For the singing birds when we wake up and the sound of the crickets when we go to sleep.

5.) I am so grateful to my parents for instilling in my sister and myself how important education is and for inspiring us to reach for the stars.

Truly Inspiring

"There are some who continue to inspire and light the world in their darkest hour. That is the definition of inspiring."

~Mama Hen

I always post daily, but yesterday received a phone call from a friend I had not spoken to in a while. She is the most inspiring woman and mother I know! We spoke for over four hours on the phone (usually when I am blogging) and I went to bed so inspired! This is a mom of a student I had in my fourth grade class years ago. She wanted so much for her two sons and did everything she had to to assure that they would have an excellent education. We immediately got along because I raised the bar for all of my students. I believed in them and tried so hard to inspire my students to work towards a college education. I taught in the inner city and refused to allow my students (many had difficult lives) to be at a disadvantage in any way. My main focus was to inspire and raise their self esteem. My student's mother also had that same attitude and wanted to inspire her children to go to college and have lives she did not have in her childhood. We kept in touch after I left that school to become a mom and her kids were accepted into one of the greatest private schools in New England. A year after her kids started at the private school, she was told she had cancer. She went through so very much, but refused to let it take away from her involvement in her son's lives and education. After three months in the hospital with aggressive chemo she was able to go home. The entire time she had been in the hospital she kept in touch daily with each teacher so she could make sure her kids were on the right track. The cancer went into remission and in our phone call last night she informed me that she is receiving chemo treatments again. However, the entire phone call was about how she said I inspired my students and about how well her son's were doing in school. Her oldest is in a prestigious university and her younger son is in high school at the same private school. She could have easily talked about the pain she was in or how tired she was or how terrible the chemo is. But she was bright and cheery and so proud of her sons, rightfully so! This is a woman who is the complete essence of inspiration!

Cherished Moments Monday

"The love, strength, patience, guidance and glue that binds a family is passed down from mother to mother.

~Mama Hen

This Cherished Moments Monday I am including three photographs that mean the world to me. The first picture shows my grandmother as a little girl with her mother. My great grandmother had a very difficult life and my grandmother also had to endure the results of it. To the very end of my grandmother's life, she talked about how much she loved her mother and missed her so. She and I were very close and the way she felt about her mom is how I feel daily about not having my Dad any longer. I know my great grandmother is in a much better place and is able to live in peace and happiness, which she deserved so much when she was here on earth. The second photograph is my grandmother and my mom. Wasn't she cute! And the last one is of Little Chick and myself. I don't have any professional pictures of us and now wish I had some taken in the past. Have a great Monday!

My Omi and her Mom.

My Mom and her Mom (My Omi)
Cute Little Chick!

Little Chick Celebrates

"Make every day into a celebration!

~Mama Hen

When I was cleaning the kitchen I heard Little Chick singing and talking to her little furry friends. She then came and invited me to a birthday party for her little dog named Scout. It was the cutest thing! She had put party hats on all of her friends and gave a little piece of birthday cake to Scout. Of course I got the camera and captured the moment. Then we went out to dinner and she wanted to bring Scout. I had the waitress surprise her and Scout with a candle in her ice cream and singing. It was a day for celebrations!

Have a great Smile Sunday!

Scoop You Up

"The comfort of being in grandmom's arms.

Peace. Love. Happiness."

I know my mom might not like this picture being out there for all of blogland with her beach hair, but every time I see this photo I smile and feel thankful. Little Chick loves her Omi (grandmom) so much! She always says "I miss Omi" the minute we pull out of her driveway, when she wakes up and when she goes to sleep. The two have a special bond that is really fun to see. I feel so blessed to live close by my mom. It makes it easy to stop by often. Little Chick and I like to call her and say, "We are going to scoop you up." Then we show up ten minutes later and take her to dinner or shopping. It is the little things that my daughter will remember as the most comforting. I am so thankful for that.

What is one of the little things you are thankful for?

Taking the Time to Stop

"Love your furry friends.

Their love, friendship and appreciation is honest and real."

I had to stop the car and save some more furry friends. I was driving on a fast very busy road again when I saw a few cars ahead of me slow down from both directions. I slowed down and saw two little dogs in the middle of the road. I got out of the car and was astonished to see that one of the dogs was the spitting image of my fourteen year old dog who got loose and was hit by a car and died this past year. This dog was the exact same size, color, breed, and unbelievably had the same face. I gathered the two dogs and got them to a side road where they then went into a driveway. I got in my car and parked in that same driveway. I went to the door and knocked. A woman answered and I told her that her dogs were in the middle of the main road. She said thank you and went to go back inside. I told her that they could have been killed and she said that she did not hear any cars stop suddenly. I was in shock. What? I said she should put a leash on them to keep them safe and she said thanks and good bye. I got in my car to back out of the driveway and there they were again walking in the driveway. I had told this woman about losing my dog who looked exactly like her one dog, yet she still let them loose in the road. I would give anything to change how my beautiful loving dog passed on. I wasn't as fortunate to have someone bring him back to my door.

Cuddles we miss you!

Thanksgiving Thursday

"Give thanks each day for your health, love, and strength."

~Mama Hen

It is Thanksgiving Thursday and I am so very thankful that Little Chick is feeling better and starting to feel a little more like herself each day. The five things I am so grateful for this week are:

1.) Little Chick and my family

2.) Health! We can think we have everything, but without our health we won't have anything.

3.) Love! The people I love and who love me.

4.) Strength! Inner strength that keeps me going. Physical strength that helps me to carry on in all aspects of my life.

5.) My mom! She is pure strength and love!

More people giving thanks: Jinnia Low.Com

Time for Renewal

"Summer is close to an end. Cider, pumpkins, hayrides and the crisp air is in sight. Look forward to family gatherings and sharing stories by the fire.

Welcome the Autumn with open arms."

~Mama Hen

The change of seasons is a time for renewal. I get a boost in spirit and excited about the holidays that each season brings. With Autumn I can't wait to go apple picking with Little Chick and bake pies. We spend a lot of time outside in the fresh air raking colorful leaves, placing cute scarecrows in the yard and placing lots of pumpkins everywhere! I get a feeling of "togetherness" as the cool air sets in and we tend to move indoors as it gets darker earlier. I welcome the change and all it has to bring.

What do you love about Autumn?

Celebrating Differences

"Changing the world starts with a kind word, a loving action, and accepting and celebrating the differences in others."

~Mama Hen

I just saw a movie that left me wondering when we will all be able to "get along" here on earth. It was a historical movie about one of the events that took place in history that involved a lot of pain and death (this is an understatement). (This is why I like to watch romantic comedies! Too stressful for a sensitive gal like me.) I am not going to go into details about the name, historical event, country or year. As far as I am concerned, hate, hurt and unkindness has continued all throughout history and continues on today. What I was left with after watching this film was a feeling of "Why can't we all just get along?" Why can't we accept the "differences" in one another and live decent lives? I know these questions run deep and encompass a myriad of problems wrapped up neatly in the way I am asking them. However, it does seem kind of simple if we all just start with ourselves and be kind in every aspect of our lives. I am easily pained by the hurt that goes on daily on this beautiful planet and wish there was a way for us all to live in harmony so that our children can know a much kinder world. This will never happen until we can start celebrating the differences in our neighbors.

How do you try to make this world a better place?

Cherished Moments Monday

"Some things are too special to sleep through."

~Mama Hen

Today Little Chick asked me when it was going to snow. It was cloudy and cool when we woke up and she said she would really love to go sledding! It reminded me of last year's first snow. We couldn't wait for it to snow! We have a hill in our backyard that we love to go sledding on. I remember waiting all day for the snow and it did not come yet. Little Chick and I were so excited! She went to sleep and I told her that she would wake up to snow and we could go sledding after breakfast. That night it started to snow at around 10:30 PM. I didn't want her to miss it so I woke Little Chick up and carried her down to watch the snow in our family room through the big picture window with the spotlight on. She was so excited! Then we put our snow boots on and winter jackets and headed outside for a few minutes of the first snow! It was so amazing! Little Chick giggled and squealed with delight! She of course caught some snowflakes on her tongue as it came down. What a cherished memory that was for us both.

Smile Sunday

"Start each day with a smile.

It can only lead to giggles and belly laughs!"

~Mama Hen

Little Chick not too long ago!
Have a happy Smile Sunday!

Thank you for this Sweet Blog Award Annette from Mommy Spirit!

I pass this award on to:
The Lets Talk Moms, Jinnia Low.Com, The Gruneisen Family News, TV's Take, Our Happy Home, At Last...We Are Family, Cranberry Morning, Wilborn White News, Making Memories with the McClellen Family, Cassioepia Chats, One Sassy Vixen, From Chaos Comes Happiness, Ella and Zoe, The Bonnie 5, Underneath His Wrapping,

Cute Little Chick!
Come and join me for Cherished Moments Monday!

Remembering 9/11

"Life is so fragile.

Be thankful for each day.

It is an absolute blessing."

~Mama Hen

Where were you on 9/11? I can remember that day so vividly, as I know we all can. I had been teaching my fourth grade class when an early dismissal was called. I got my students ready and heard that there had been a plane crash in New York and that was it. I couldn't breathe, because my husband (boyfriend at the time) had just left that morning on a business trip. Waiting for all the students to be picked up seemed like an eternity. I wanted to know if he was alright. When I left work I listened to the radio, but did not get any details that would let me know what flight it had been. I tried to call his factory and was told that he had not arrived yet. I got scared and panicked! When I reached home I instantly turned on the television to see what had happened. It was overwhelming, devastating and surreal at the same time. Disbelief came to mind, yet the reality had me in tears. Time seemed to move so slowly while waiting to see if my husband was OK. I called his factory again and still they had not heard from him. I called his phone and it went to voice mail. The waiting was painful. Then the phone rang. I picked it up and heard his voice. Tears poured from my eyes. Tears of relief, tears from devastation, tears for the people who had lost their lives so tragically and tears for the loved ones they had left behind.

Let us remember and pray for the people who died so tragically and their loved ones.

Guess Who Feels Better?

"Thank you Dear God for making my baby feel better!"

~Mama Hen

Little Chick started eating again at dinner time! After ten days of nothing but nausea, vomiting, endless bathroom runs day and all throughout each night on hardly any food or drink this Mama Hen is ecstatic! When I heard Little Chick say that she would like some brown rice I could not keep my happiness from bursting out! I started dancing and Little Chick danced too! If you could have seen my daughter the past week it would have broken your heart. She just kept slumping down on the floor everywhere in the house. Then she would lay on the couch and then get up and lie down on the floor again. I spent the days trying to get what little fluids in she would take and food was almost nothing. I am happy to say she ate some brown rice tonight and some broth! Yahoooooooooooooooo! Thank You Dear God!

Thank you my dear bloggy friends for all of your kind comments!

I really appreciate all of your warm well wishes!

Visit a fabulous feature in the Nestwork today!

Just click on the button!

Little Chick and Thanksgiving Thursday

"Thank you Dear God for the strength You give when we are faced with long days, long nights and worry."

~Mama Hen

Once again I want to say a big thank you to all of you caring blogger friends who have made such encouraging and kind comments. I really appreciate it! We just returned from the hospital and it was a terrible experience for Little Chick! She has difficult veins like me and it was extremely painful! To watch my baby in so much pain and hysterical was more than I could take! She is home now sleeping and I hope she will feel better in the morning. Here are my five things that I am grateful for this week:

1.) Little Chick and my family.

2.) Cuddly Pooh Bear and Pooh DVD's that help Little Chick laugh while feeling so sick.
3.) For Popsicles when my little daughter is in need of hydration.
4.) Insurance in a time of sickness and for caring doctors.
5.) For my friend Diane who continually goes out of her way to help out. She is a true friend and has been so kind and generous during this long period of illness.

More people giving thanks: Our Happy Home, Jinnia Low.Com, Wilborn-White News

Poor Little Chick

We are off to the hospital for IV treatment.

Mama Hen

Stay Strong Little One

"Rest my little one.

Mommy is here to help you through."

~Mama Hen

Thank you my dear bloggy friends for all of your warm wishes for Little Chick's fast recovery. Last night after I wrote my post Little Chick woke up and had the worst night so far with this horrible illness. I had just written about what a tough day she had with going to the hospital and tests, as well as being very sick in the car and upon returning home. I was so happy when she had been able to fall asleep. Each night since this began on Tuesday evening she has been up about three hours in the middle of the night due to tremendous stomach pain. Last night she was up the entire night vomiting and also going to the bathroom endlessly. She has not been able to eat in days. We were at the doctor again early in the morning. They gave her an anti nausea medication so that the endless vomiting would stop, as well as the nausea she has felt for eight days straight. We are waiting for results, and the anti nausea medication worked a few hours after she took it and she was able to eat a cracker and drink a little. She still has stomach pain and has been to the bathroom night and day continually (for a little one who has not eaten hardly anything and has had minimal to drink I find it unbelievable). She actually just woke up while writing this post and I helped her through the pain and back to sleep again. Little Chick is quite tuckered out from it all, but she has been amazing through this and I am so proud of my little baby girl. Thank you for all of the beautiful comments! I really appreciate it.

Sleep My Precious One

"My little precious one, sleep my love.

May the new day bring happiness, love and an abundance of giggles!"

~Mama Hen

Little Chick is very sick. She had quite a day today! She has had stomach cramps for six days now and has already seen the pediatrician. Last night she woke up in terrible pain and I held her all night. She was so sick today that she ended up in the hospital for tests. It has been a very tough day for my little one, and she handled it like a trooper. I was so incredibly proud of her! When we returned home she was so sick again and after an hour and half was able to get to sleep. There is no greater stress for a parent then to see their child in any kind of pain. I pray she will wake up to feeling much better.

Cherished Moments Monday

Little Chick

Little Chick loves to sing! We sing when we wake up, in the car, when we make meals, outside playing and when we go to sleep. I cherish these moments with my cute Little Chick.

Smile Sunday

"Smile, laugh, love and always be kind.

What better way is there to live?"

~Mama Hen

Have a happy Smile Sunday!

Poor Little Chick is really sick so I can't write more.

I wish you a super day!

More people spreading Smiles: Beloved Mama

Proud Mama Hen

"Hold on to the moments we are given each day.

They fly by way too quickly!"

~Mama Hen

Here is Little Chick just a few years ago in September. I feel like it was just a short while ago. As I wrote in my post yesterday, I am learning to "let go". I think it is one of the hardest lessons for a parent to go through. When I picked her up from school today I asked her what she had done. Like all the other days I get bits and pieces of what she is doing and learning about and it bothers me. Four years of holding my Little Chick close to me and making sure everything was alright just does not seem like enough time. I want my little fledgling to go out into the world, but not quite yet. Little Chick did great on her first week of school and she was excited that I surprised her with Rice Crispies treats when she came home. I gave her the biggest hug as we put her backpack away and I told her how proud I was of her! What am I going to do when she goes to college? Yikes!

Come join me for Smile Sunday. Just grab the button and let me know so I can add your link.

Letting Go

"We must let go of our children so they

may find the purpose of their wings to fly."
~Mama Hen

Letting go is quite a tall order regarding our children. Preschool started yesterday for Little Chick and I had a hard time watching her walk through the big school doors and wave goodbye. I walked to the car with tears in my eyes and drove away crying. I think the hardest part is trusting that she will be OK when mommy is not around. It is part of life and she must learn to be independant, but I still see my little girl as my baby and quite frankly I don't want to let go yet. It seems like just a short while ago that I was holding my baby girl in my arms, carrying her around everywhere, happy as can be that I was so blessed with my precious gift from God above. How fast the time goes by and with a blink of an eye she is now carrying her pink backpack that is almost as big as she is all by herself into the big school. She was a trooper waving bye bye with a huge smile on her face.