Day 490 ~ Wordless Wednesday for Calley

Taking a night off from my 30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, courtesy of ReviveOurHearts.com, continuing with day 5 tomorrow.

My daughter's birthday is Saturday and tonight is supposed to be Wordless Wednesday... in her honor a look through the years...

1 week and counting...

1 day old...

1 year old...

2 years old...

3 years old...

 4 years old...

5 years old.

Happy 6th Birthday Calley!!  

You are everything I ever prayed for and more.

It is my privilege to be your...

Mommy.

No doubt about it: children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a divine reward. ~Psalm 127:3

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 471 ~ Caring is Volunteering

WoW!  What a grEat a day!!  

I ended up volunteering at my daughter's school all day... and it was AWESOME!

It was picture day... and having worked at a school before, I know how hectic that can be.  

SOoo after dropping Calley off and I finishing my volunteering for student arrival [I help watching the kids... keep a watchful eye; make sure they play nice; and no one gets hurt on the play ground before school]... I was asked by the office and I asked if they needed an extra hand with school pictures.  You know, helping call the class rooms, entertain the kids while they were waiting so they wouldn't get bored and assist the photographer calling classes.


Next thing I knew... it was 2:00 and dismissal time for Calley! 

Calley came running to me at the end of the day.  "Mommy, mommy... I saw you earlier.. YOU WERE A HERE ALL DAY!"  It was such a sweet moment.

I missed out on my sons growing up and volunteering when they were in school.  At the time it was a great disappointment to me because not only would I have been able to watch them from afar but I would have been there for them more.  With all that was going on {at the time}, I did volunteer as much as I was able to yet not as much as I wanted to.    

There is something to be said about being involved in your child's life... helping at their school.    Helping those who are educating your children.  You get to know the staff.  You get to know the kids.  {and} Best of all... you get to know the parents.  

By volunteering and involving myself, I get to protect my daughter all the while witnessing her grow into a beautiful person from a near distance.  

If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.  ~1 Peter 4:11

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 456 ~ Supporting Our Teachers

{and} so it starts...

I don't know why school starts the week before Labor Day... 

it's like the kids go to school for a week... and for five straight days they get rule after rule, procedure after procedure drilled into their little heads...

in our case, my little Calley listened to the rules yet had a very rough time adhering to them... only to end on a good note on Friday...

Then they're off for three days and then back on Tuesday they need to be nudged a little to back on track for the next four days.

this week was a much easier week - compared to last week where the teacher requested a meeting with my husband and I before the week was out.

Do not get the wrong impression... Calley is disciplined... we follow through with her on everything... we discovered that spanking has no affect on her... taking tv away stings a bit... and getting other privileges taken away stings even more...

She'll be ever so so sorry... apologize up and down so sincerely.

But the thing is ... give it a day or two and she's at it again.  sad face.

We ask her "Calley why did you peel the paint off the wall..??" and all we get is an "I'm sorry" and "I don't know..." ... with it we get shrugged shoulders, a big sad face, an "I don't know..." 

I just don't understand.  

Calley has always and will always get a lot of attention...  yes, it is true, she is primarily around adults...  she is very, very loving and given the opportunity she will hug you non-stop.  

When she does remember to ask for permission and does not get the response she wanted, she immediately comes up with a compelling argument.  An attorney in the making?

My girly-girl, loving, head strong, animal lover, independent, really enjoys helping in the kitchen- an expert in the making, with an eye for good fashion.  wink, wink.

Just because I may be scratching my head with this one, it does not mean I will ever stop trying new things... new angles...  

At this point all I can do is keep moving forward, support Calley's teacher with her recommendations and back her up whenever needed.  

After all teachers are molding our children for the future... and to one day run the future.

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,  ~ Proverbs 1:5

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.  ~Albert Einstein

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 455 ~ The Zoo Through the Years

A walk down memory lane at the Zoo....

At the El Paso Zoo July 2009

At the El Paso Zoo August 2012

Calley & Daddy El Paso Zoo July 2009

Holding her own at El Paso Zoo
August 2012

Calley and Mommy at the LA Zoo ~ March 2009

August 2012 ~ I swear that Llama (right)
was following us!

It's amazing how when looking back on photographs one always re-discovers how fast time goes by.

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. ~ Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 447 ~ What Lies Ahead...

After having a little "being" attached to my hip for the past 5 years-10 months... and then to (more or less) have her be gone... well... today was a little dumbfounding.

Quite honestly my house hasn't been this clean in I don't know how long...  well actually I do know, the last time we were all in school! hahaha.


In the last two days not only have I gotten all of our laundry done... but it's all ironed too!!  My floors are clean and my computer work all caught up.

That's all fine and dandy... but during all of this I have reverted back to blasting some loud music or tv!  It is just too quiet!

Is that possible?  Too quiet?  Well I am here to tell you that it is possible.

Not only that... but Calley starting school has had me reminiscing of when both my boys started their Kindergarten, 20 and 16 years ago.  Oh how time flies.

My life will never be the same... ever again.  That's it.  My baby started school.

From now on we will face the start of each school year together, as well as Thanksgiving break (because now they get the ENTIRE week of Thanksgiving off! as opposed to just Thursday and Friday as I did,) winter breaks (which I may add here that this used to be referred as "Christmas" break back in my day,) spring breaks as well as every other holiday they get off. 

We will be tackling class behavior, report cards, and the inevitable parent/teacher conferences.  Field trips and birthday parties... not to mention school dances, (non)romances and heartaches.  Thank God I have a [long, long] while before the latter events come into play!  

Most importantly I will be witnessing my daughter grow with knowledge and blossom into a beautiful person inside and out.

As empty as the majority of my days may be from now on... I am certainly looking forward to what lies ahead... my baby growing up.

Children make you want to start life over. ~Muhammad Ali

Children need your presence more than your presents. ~Jesse Jackson

Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction. ~Annie Sullivan

If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much. ~Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

If you must hold yourself up to your children as an object lesson, hold yourself up as a warning and not as an example. ~George Bernard Shaw 

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 446 ~ Surviving the First Day of Kindergarten!

I SURVIVED THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!!!  WooOO HooOO!! 

All ready for her
first day.

Hold the fort!  I'm sure you think I should be saying that Calley survived Kindergarten... NOPE!  I Had it right to begin with.  I survived the first day of school!

Let me start by saying that leading up to the first day of school my plate was full.  I had commitments with my church, family and starting a new company {for my husband and brother in law.}  

Was this done as happenstance?  or Was it mere coincidence?  or Did I sub-consciously keep myself occupied {so I wouldn't have to think about it} ?  

I will continue by saying that it wasn't until yesterday morning that "it" hit me.  Shortly after waking up and in the middle of my new Sunday routine I realized what day it was... it was the day before school was to start.

This was no ordinary day by any means... quite the contrary... a very special day at that... this was to be the first day of Kindergarten for Calley.  

I had the pride and privilege to have taken my first baby to his first day of school, yet was not allowed to be there for my second baby... which still breaks my heart ... so now with Calley...

Was told to go to the sticker
wall because she arrived
on time.

Calley, Ethan's mom, Ethan and
the rest of their table.

My poor Calley... hehehe... [everything I didn't get to do with my sons I make sure I do it with her] ... I am not going to miss any of her special moments...

Before, during and after dropping her off for her first day at school... I kept holding back my tears.  I didn't want to spoil her day nor give her the impression that I was sad.  The moment I felt tears creeping upon me I would look at my daughter's beautiful happy face.  

By the end of the day yesterday she kept telling me, "mommy, don't worry.  I am going to have a good day.  I am going to make new friends too!  I am not scared. I'll be okay."  ...  Calley wasn't scared, just a few First Day of School butterflies in the tummy.  

There she is!! Finally the day was over.

Telling Grandma about her
day at school.

Sharing with Daddy about
her day.

A couple of times I caught myself... and after I dropped her off... for the next six and a half hours... I did laundry... made Calley's bed all pretty... ironed... and decided to take a little nap... oh and I even went on an errand before picking Calley up... all that and I was the second mommy in line to pick up her baby.  I was fifteen minutes early.

All I knew was the first thing is I wanted to know all about her day!

It was no surprise to me when Calley jumped into the car chatting away 100+mph if that's at all possible! lol! - with little girls it is!  I couldn't even get a word in.. I had to pull over.  Seriously!

Calley slow down... take a deep breathe and listen to me a moment... did you have a good day?  now answer me slowly....

It was the sweetest thing listening to her sweet voice tell me about her day and what the teacher taught today, which on the first day it is more a getting to know everything, a familiarizing of sorts...  

Calley's face lit up while she was telling me about her day.  She couldn't wait to get to her Grandma and Grandpa's, tell her Daddy and share with her uncles.  

I knew it!  I thought I was going to get through this day tear free... yet the pictures finally got to me. 

Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire.  ~William Butler Yeats

I am second..

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 442 ~ Saying Good Bye to an Era...

Well... now that that is all said... almost seems as if I have been going on one challenge after another... looks like it's catch-up time...  wink, wink.

Honestly... I can make fun of myself all I want, but the fact of the matter is that with my I Am Second ~ 22 Day Challenge, where I grew as a Christian ten fold... and my 30 Days of Truth, where I grew as I person (even more, if that's at all possible wink, wink)... either way there is no mistaking that this blogging thing is good for the soul!

With all that aside... life has been moving along.

We had a nice summer (2012) at home, no vacations this year (sad face)... but that's okay... we have next summer.

Staying in town didn't matter to us... we took the time and enjoyed some of what El Paso has to offer...we started the summer off with a graduation, we had the opportunity of visiting a couple of museums, the zoo, a party or two... 

We even experienced getting up oober early one day, getting to the uniform swap sale {at the break of dawn!} and being given number ten in line! woohoo!! Calley even had a little excitement  herself, as one of sandals broke and was forced to walk with one shoe off (gross!) half of the time, while I carried her the other half (she weighs 53 pounds and gets heavy after a while!). The important thing was that we were both elated going home by 9am with ten skorts, ten shirts, a pair of pants and a handful of thoughtful school supplies.

Even though we didn't get the chance to travel this summer, I truly enjoyed staying home.  In the back of my mind I knew the entire summer that this is the last summer before Calley starts Kindergarten.

This is the year that Calley reaches a new milestone in her life... a milestone which opens a new chapter in her beautiful life.

While I am so very happy for my sweet little girl (who is SOOO happy and excited that school is three days away)... I am also sad that I am witnessing the end of an era in her life.  This means saying good bye to my little baby which was once one, two, three, four and now five. She's growing up. 

I know I am being maybe a little mushy, sensitive or maybe cheesy... but this is my baby... she's' going out into the world... she'll be surrounded by strangers most days (YIKES! lol!! seriously now, if you think about it...)  

Therefore... my willingness to volunteer with whatever I can help with.  Big smile. 

Listen... all I know is that my sons are now 25 and 21, both working full time and going to school... and now my little girl (about to turn 6 in October) is starting a new chapter in her life... Kindergarten.  

Tell me I shouldn't be melancholy...

I was so excited all summer for her... and now that the day is upon us... well... I am missing my baby.

I have had the privilege of being by Calley's side everyday of her life.  Even when I worked as a teacher, Calley attended preschool at the same school I worked at and was always 75 steps away.  

It's been fourteen months since Calley has been in a school environment... we decided to keep her home this last year due to her horrible allergies, which led to asthma, infections, and fevers included none the less... resulting in her missing over half the school year.  

Not only would I not get paid for staying at home with Calley when she was sick- at the time there wasn't anyone available to be with her.. and I needed too... we also lost all the money we paid the school for her tuition.     

Oh well... no worries!  As I said it has been a privilege and an honor to have had the opportunity to have spent all of Calley's life by her side thus far.  Starting in nearly two days we will be apart for six and a half hours per each Monday through Friday while there is school in session... for the next nine months not deducting for Thanksgiving week, Christmas time, Spring break or the other five or six holidays she'll be getting off...

Fact remains... I'll be missing my baby.  I'll be missing my shopping buddy... co-pilot... and all around best little friend.  

Of course needless to say that I know that she needs to go to school and begin this new adventure in her life.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. ~Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

I am second..

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 414 ~ #7 of My 30 Days of Truth...

My 30 Days of Truth challenge   I will admit that I changed one question and changed a few curse words... other than that the challenge is intact. 

Day 7: Someone who has made your life living for.

Having given this much thought... I would have to say my children. 


For many years my sons gave me strength... they were and still are my reasons to live.


However I have to add that in more recent years, five and a half to be exact... I have to say that my daughter Calley has been my saving grace.


Seems that my relationship with my sons has, for a lack of a better description- has seen its better days.  I constantly have to work at it and not give up on them.  I do want to say that my eldest and I are working on reconstruct... no not reconstruct, but rebuilding our relationship.


So as I was saying, Calley has been my saving grace... because without her I don't know how I would have managed my lack of a relationship with my sons.


Finally, with my husband at my side... well let's say anyone {else} in their right mind would have left me years ago!  LOL!  In all honesty Dean has had to see me go through a lot of pain... and I thank God everyday for him.


I thank God everyday for my husband and my children.

what's next? ...

Day 01 : Something you hate about yourself.

Day 02 : Something you love about yourself.

Day 03 : Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Day 04 : Something you have to forgive someone for.

Day 05 : Something you hope to do in your life.

Day 06 : Something you hope you never have to do. 

Day 07 : Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 : Someone who made your life hell, or treated you horribly.
Day 09 : Someone you didn't want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 : Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 : Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 : Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 : A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 : A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 : Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you've tried living without it.
Day 16 : Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 : A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 : Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 : What do you think of religion?  Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 : Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 : (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 : Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 : Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 : Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 : The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 : Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 : What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 : Name a decision you made that caused a chain of events that would not have happened if it wasn't for that decision.
Day 29 : Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 : A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Hey if you want to join along... well let me know in a comment and I'll visit your challenge each day.  We could even link up our blogs.  wink, wink.  No.. seriously we could.

Here's to my 30 Days of Truth challenge!

I am second.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.