How To Be A Good Wedding Guest

Some advice to help guests know what to do and what not to do at a wedding...taken from hours of my own observation of guests at weddings... enjoy and please take to heart!

* Arrive on time for the ceremony. If you are late, don't try to squeeze into a seat ahead of the assembled processional of bridesmaids. Certainly don't try to beat the bride into the church. You can always view the processional from the vantage point of the lobby or vestibule and take a seat in the back of the auditorium once the bride has reached the front of the aisle.

* If you RSVP saying you'll attend the wedding and reception - SHOW UP unless there is an actual emergency.

* Dress appropriately for the occasion! Seriously guys, wear a suit or other dress clothing. Girls, it's always stylish to wear a nice dress that covers the areas that should be covered. A good rule of thumb is: if you can't wear it to the office, don't wear it to a wedding. Also ladies, underwear is not optional... I'm just saying...

* Don't walk in on the bride or groom using the restroom. If you do, don't stare at her/him or try to start a conversation.... how awkward!

* Don't use the votive cups on the tables as a shot glass for the liquor you brought in. Wait, don't bring your own liquor unless the invitation clearly states BYOB.

* Don't melt, burn or otherwise set fire to the decorations (including table covers and linens). The bride and groom have paid good money for those items and some may be rented.

* Don't drink too much. An open bar is no excuse to get sloppy drunk at a wedding reception.

* Bring a decent gift; something you wouldn't mind receiving on your wedding day.

* Don't use the disposable cameras for inappropriate photos from under the table or the bathroom stalls.

* Don't tell the caterer, bartender, wedding coordinator, DJ, decorator, pastor, or other vendor how to do their job. They know their job, stop bugging them and allow them to do it.

* When possible, stay longer than dinner. You'll miss out on a lot of fun if you leave early but....

* Don't stay too late either. Receptions usually end after about 3.5 hours.

* Don't take the Bride and/or Groom outside for a private chat or otherwise monopolize them. It's their party, they have other guests!

* Don't leave a mess on the tables. It is likely there is no one getting paid to clean up after you. The couple's families will have to spend late night hours after the reception cleaning up when they're exhausted.

* Don't complain about the food...it's what the couple wanted to eat and serve. You're an invited guest, choose something different for your own special occasion.

* Finally, unless your invitation specifically states that you may bring a guest (ie.: Ms. Jane Doe & Guest), don't bring one. There's almost nothing worse than having uninvited guests show up at a wedding!

Check out Your Big Day Weddings & Events online!

Let's Hear It For The Wedding Chocolate Favors

Belgian chocolate is one of the best chocolates in the world. But then again it doesn’t have to be Belgium chocolate to create a mouth watering effect to those people who crave for sweets. Wedding Chocolates are simply a quality choice as a wedding favor.

But then, chocolates are not just a token given to someone special on a special event. Chocolate wedding favors have become one of the greatest items a couple could use in their wedding as a favor If it is going to be your own wedding, perhaps you might as well consider this option.

It’s just to show that a wedding favor is not anymore particular to a home décor but it can now also be a usable or an edible thing. Intimacy and passion comes to mind when talking chocolates.

Perhaps it is the reason why they have been used as one of the options in the line up of wedding favors. And to make wedding chocolate favor more suitable for a wedding, different molds have been created to shape the chocolate into designs that would suit any type of wedding. Of course there are other tastes available as well in mint, dark, or white chocolate, and these can be appropriately matched with a particular shape of wedding chocolate favors.

Wedding chocolate favors can fit a royal wedding theme, an outdoor wedding, or Disney-type topic wedding. A chocolate favour lollipop can take about any shape or designs that could fit a wedding celebration. Those heart-shaped chocolate favors that have a design in the middle are the simplest design that you can have.

You can also use an oval, round, or rectangular forms since they are wide enough to make more patterns in the middle of the chocolate. Some of the more unique shapes in the wedding chocolates design world would be wedding gown, tuxedo, bride and groom image, flowers such as rose and calla lily, birds such as swan and dove, castle, wedding bell, wedding cake, and even elegant fans.

Furthermore, these chocolaty designs can also be modified a bit and use them as a wedding chocolate cake topper or centerpiece. You can add some more accessories to your chocolate favors.

A colorful mini stick and a ribbon can turn your favor lolly into a more amazing wedding favor. But Then, you can also give those chocolate wedding favors a personal touch if you want to. Individualized chocolate favors are also more inviting because your guest will see that you have put some extra effort into creating them

Looking for the best wedding favor can be alot of fun that you and your partner can do together. When you pick out to have chocolates as your wedding favor, rest assured that you and your spouse will share that sweet moment; designing your wedding motif together..

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/lets-hear-it-for-the-wedding-chocolate-favors-842248.html


Your Big Day Weddings & Events has chocolate fountains available for your wedding or event. Check out our website for current pricing information www.yourbigdayweddings.net

Most Elegant Colors for Your Fall Wedding

One of the first things that people imagine at the mere mention of the phrase, “fall weddings” is a wedding event with a traditional rustic autumn look complete with colors that match autumn leaves and pumpkins. However, it is necessary to note that a fall wedding color palette is not limited to these shades. In fact, a wide variety of autumn hues is available for couples to choose from.

To have a fabulous autumn wedding that will be the talk of the town, here are some tips on how to pick the right shades and some options on fall colors that would look elegant and exquisite on your wedding day.

* Incorporate the feeling of rich and cozy autumn in your color choices. When choosing your autumn color palette, it helps when you think about how autumn feels. The colors you choose should echo this same emotion.
* Combine your favorite color with autumn colors. Having a wedding during this time does not mean you cannot make use of your own favorite color. Sure, the color lavender is more ideal in April than in October but if this is your preferred shade, what you can do is to combine this with more rich shades of purple and dark brown to give depth to the event.
* Go for two or multiple toned color motif. If you cannot decide on a single wedding motif color, why not have two or more? This makes the event more exciting and more colorful than having just one color all throughout.
* Avoid cliché autumn colors. If you want to have chocolate brown as the main color of the event, avoid pairing it up with a traditional orange or sunflower yellow. Instead, combine it with purple or mint green for a unique and chic feel.
* Add depth by going for warm metallics such as gold, copper, and bronze. These shades are ideal for adding depth and elegance to your primary hue. The great thing about using these colors is that they can easily complement almost any kind of autumn color.
* Combine complementary colors. If you have an autumn color palette in your hand, you have to remember that not all of these colors would go well together when paired. While eggplant shade and chocolate brown look good, other shades like orange and pink do not blend.

Color Options for your Autumn Wedding

* Eggplant purple
* Burgundy
* Olive green
* Mahogany
* Cream
* Orange
* Sunflower yellow
* Green
* Chocolate brown

Ideas for Two-color Combinations for your Fall Wedding

* Eggplant purple and olive green
* Chocolate brown and red
* Red and orange
* Olive green and Mocha brown
* Chocolate and eggplant purple

Suggestions on Three-color Combinations

* Chocolate brown, red and orange
* Eggplant purple, olive green, and dark olive
* Mocha brown, chocolate brown and eggplant purple
* Chocolate brown, mocha and ivory

It is true that the fall is a great season for weddings, which is why many couples decide to get married during this time. Just make sure that you choose the right wedding colors to make the event more beautiful and memorable.

Source: Angela White is an expert article writer on ezinearticles.com and submitted this article especially for TheBridalCoach.ca, a wedding planning membership site specializing in wedding photography and wedding videography.

Where Were You When The World Stopped?

I remember it very clearly. I was in my office where I worked 8 years ago. The phone rang, it was my mom. She said, "A plane just hit the World Trade Center in New York." I didn't know what to think or say, I was in shock. I barely knew anything about New York or the WTC but a feeling came over me that was indescribable, surreal. Perhaps fear, grief, or even awe.

As Mom continued to recount the news stories of the tragedy she was suddenly quiet and then, with a quiver in her voice said, "A second plane has just hit the other Tower, I just saw it happen."

We talked about what could really be happening as I tried to be a reassuring voice to her. Mom was frightened, she didn't want to be alone. We talked for a few minutes as the news of the horrific tragedy began to sink into my mind.
Throughout the day, my mom called with updates on what was happening in the United States... the plane crashing into the Pentagon, and a final crashed plane in a field in Pennsylvania. I couldn't wait to get home that evening to watch the devastation, to see it with my own eyes would make it real.

My son, Eric called from his school around the corner. He said that the teachers were allowing kids to call their families to assure them they were okay. I began to thank God for protection, Joe was to be on a plane to Baltimore that day but had decided to cancel the trip because September 11 is our wedding anniversary. Diego was safely at the babysitters' house, I could barely wait until the end of the day to be able to wrap my arms around my family; to know they were safe and to tell them, "I love you."

The world was changing yet again, it was another marked point in history; one that will never be forgotten. The enormity of September 11, 2001 is still being written on the pages of history...

Take hope in the Lord who saw every act of evil or good that took place on that day -

Psalm 33:18
"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love."
Psalm 33:20
"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield."

Where were you when the world stopped? In whom do you place your trust?

I've Got Mail!

The thought struck me today as I was deleting some 372 junk emails that if I were to take advantage of all those 'wonderful' offers I'd:
25) Have warranties extended on everything from my TV, floor, car & possibly even toilets if only I cared to.
24) Be able to get overnight prints. For what?
23) Have a match made in heaven.... already have one :)
22) Look healthy for longer - really?
21) Be in a faith dating relationship (again, refer to number 3)
20) Get definition - whatever that means.
19) I could have a job, no scratch that, a career as a home business consultant.
18) Purchase all the Acai super food I could ever eat, store or throw away.
17) Be an insider in the EBay business.
16) Have so many platinum credit cards I could cover the entire outside of my house - twice.
15) Avoid bankruptcy... don't think I need to work at that one.
14) Buy a cheap home, find a foreclosed home and maybe purchase them using PayPal.
13) Have the lawn that all the neighbors would envy... like my husband needs more outside work.
12) Feel light, look trim and enjoy more energy with something called Dual Action Cleanse - not going there.
11) Get beautiful toes and pretty feet.
10) Avail myself to all sorts of medical breakthroughs.
9) Join all the other millionaires who have opened and/or reserved their account with the Bank of Montreal, Russia,
Boogleiwooglieland, etc....
8) Find all those classmates who never really cared about me, nor I them.
7) Purchase hundreds of Dell computers to send to Third World countries... yeah.
6) Get a radiant smile :) will that do?
5) Go to Costa Rica - maybe to take those computers?
4) Get 'ripped'
3) Enjoy a life-changing moment. If it's going to be life-changing it should last for eternity. I'm just saying.
2) Erase my wrinkles - those are laugh lines.

...And the number one chuckle in my junk file:

Meet a "Gas Fairy" who will give me free gas for life - are you kidding me?!?

WeddingWire Rated!

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“We are excited to unveil WeddingWire Rated 2009, now in its third year. With hundreds of thousands of reviews, WeddingWire has made it easy for engaged couples to find the nation’s very best wedding professionals,” according to Sonny Ganguly, WeddingWire’s Chief Marketing Officer.  “WeddingWire Rated is an excellent way for businesses to showcase their continued success in the wedding industry.”

Your Big Day Weddings & Events has several reviews with an average of 5 Stars rating, making us eligible to hold the Rated title on the WeddingWire Network. Each review has been written by our former clients and includes detailed ratings and insightful descriptions of their experiences with our services. These reviews not only enhance our credibility, but also help differentiate our business within the WeddingWire Network.

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My Sweet Boy

Diego wanted to type on his dad's computer last night. I didn't realize he was actually typing an email to me. Here's the content of that email:

I love very much.I love seeing you every day.I like going to school with you I have a good time.Thank you for buying me Wii games.I enjoy playing them. My favorite one is Mario kart.When I look at you I feel different.I liked the cars you got me.I like to play with them thank you for buying them for me.I hope you have a good day tonight.It was fun when you tickled me.When I go somewhere I miss you.I love to play with you every day.I see hearts in your eyes when I look at you.It's okay if you cry.
Love,
Diego

I'm glad he said it is okay if I cry because his note did bring tears to my eyes.

Another Milestone in FASD World

Today marks a significant milestone in Diego's life - his last day of third grade. He embarks on the journey to his last year in elementary school next Fall (I'm already talking Fall because it's going to be a loooong summer!).

Diego's done some incredible things this year. Maybe they're not measurable feats for a lot of kids his age but it's amazing he was able to overcome many of his sensory and relational issues to master them:

1) He started third grade reading at fourth grade level and advanced to the 4.2 level by mid-year
2) He learned the multiplication tables to 12
3) He wrote interesting and funny stories in his journal
4) He was chosen to participate in the Tri-County Science Olympiad (his team came in 5th overall) - his comment about not 'winning' was, "Mom, it's okay that I didn't win. I worked hard and did my best, and tried really hard."
5) He was chosen from a group of his peers to participate in a writing workshop that took place after school for a month
6) He was able to eat lunch with a group of friends without supervision by his teacher/para-pro - and he didn't run away!
7) He memorized "The Fifty States That Rhyme" song and sang it in front of his class (ask him to sing it for you the next time you see him)
8) He had one incident where his para-pro had to call me to explain something that happened.... one... for the entire year...
9) He won several awards for reading and writing during the end of the year program

There are more but this post would get far too lengthy. Diego has continually surprised and amazed me, he is beating the odds for an FASD kid, at least for now. And I am so very proud of him.

Moms

A friend sent me the following in an email today. I have seen this before, it circulates around this time of year, Mother's Day that is. But today I really needed to read this again (thanks, Michele!) because today I am really missing my mom. She went to heaven 4 years ago today.
If your mom is still with you, call or visit her... be sure to tell her you love her.

In loving memory of Mom, Alberta Faye Frye 9.8.30 - 5.6.05
Mothers

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade....
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion..

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair

The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Walking Kindergartners

I spent the day walking groups of Kindergarten students from their classrooms to another room across the school building where they were being tested for reading skills. During the course of the day I was asked some serious questions by my 5 year old friends....

What color are you? Correct answer would be: white. Apparently my tan makes me look like I'm a different nationality?

How old are you? Correct answer would be: you don't ask a woman her age. According to one group of youngsters I must be at least 17. When I told them my real age I heard how their grandparents are that old and they are almost dead so I must be almost dead. One little girl looked at me like she wondered how I could even be upright, let alone walking at my age.

Are you a mommy? Correct answer would be: yes. Obviously I'm waaay too old to be a mommy.

Why are you so tall? Correct answer would be: I have no idea. Answer given after the I have no idea answer didn't work: because that's the way I was made. Not good enough. Next answer: because I grew this tall. Nope, not going to fly with this tough crowd. Final answer: my mom and dad wanted me to be tall so they stretched me until I was this big. That satisfied the inquisitive bunch... not really, we were back at the classroom and I deposited them before yet another question.

What school do you go to? Seriously, guys? Didn't you already decide I'm too old to go to school?

40!

It dawned on me yesterday during worship at church that it was my birthday. No, not the anniversary of my physical birth but the anniversary of my spiritual birth. I accepted Christ on Easter Sunday 1969 at the age of 9 years.

I remember it very clearly; my family went to Easter Sunrise service with Berean Baptist Church in Adrian; the service was held at Island Park that year. My sisters and I were able to walk to the park for the service as my parents drove along behind us (we only lived a couple of blocks from the park anyway).

Mom and Dad packed all 5 of us girls into the station wagon and took us to Sunday School followed by church service. I had been hearing about Jesus all my life but on that particular Easter Sunday, the Holy Spirit really made an impact on my 9 year old heart... it was as if I was hearing for the first time about how Christ died for me. My heart was nearly pounding out of my chest at the end of the service as I walked forward to tell the pastor that I wanted to accept Christ into my life.

I still have the bible that my Sunday School teacher gave me after that morning. Inside the front cover it simply says, "Faythe was saved Easter Sunday 1969", signed Mrs. Emerson. How cool is that?

Double Digits

This is the eve of Diego's passage from single to double digits; tomorrow he will be 10 years old.

The time has flown by yet there have been moments when I look into his face and time is non-existent. You know those standing still while the world revolves around you times. But somehow, suddenly, time has marched on and brought us to this date, 10 years later.

So much happens in 10 years, you know? Seriously, when I try to remember even the milestones in Diego's life... where has the time gone?

Diego has learned to overcome so much without even realizing it. And he is growing up... all too quickly.

He's still my little love though, he always will be. Take this evening for instance. Diego didn't want to go to bed, he was very excited about his birthday and party tomorrow afternoon. The bed time routine went by the wayside and, long story short, he ended up going to bed only by threat of not having his party. He came downstairs five minutes later to hand me a small stuffed heart embroidered with 'XOXO' then fell into my arms sobbing. My little love.

So, happy birthday to my little man! I love you more than you'll ever know or I'll ever understand. You are the reason I rise in the morning and my reason for falling into bed exhausted at night. You make me laugh and cry. You are fun to be with. You work hard to overcome obstacles that would make me want to give up. I am so very proud of you!

Keep growing up, my little one... just not too fast, okay?

Today's Olympic Dreams - FAS Version

While driving Diego to school this morning he struck up a conversation about the Olympics. I thought he might be talking about the Science Olympics which he will take part in next week (I'm so proud of him!). No, he was actually talking about the real Olympics.
Diego asked what I thought he would be good at in the Olympics and I told him he can do anything he puts his mind to. I went on to explain that getting to the Olympics takes hard work and effort with some talent sprinkled in. The conversation went like this:
Diego said, "So, could I be a runner?" I told him of course.
He said, "Do you think I would be fast?" I told him that I know he's a very fast runner.
"What if I was a super hero?" Well, being a super hero would mean you couldn't compete using your powers and besides, super heroes aren't real, remember?
"What if my super hero talent was flying?" Are we still talking about the Olympics because I don't know if there's an event for flying in the Olympics.
"Yes, I'm talking about the Olympics. What if I only flew a little bit and nobody knew I could fly?" That would be cheating and you must never cheat.
"I think I could be a jumper then because I'm a good jumper on the trampoline, is there jumping at the Olympics?" Yes, it's called the high jump or you could jump hurdles.
"I am sure I could fly just a little bit at the end of the jump and no one would know." That's still cheating.
There was a long silence and then in true FAS fashion Diego said, "Well then, I think I'll have to stick to flying paper airplanes and give up jumping."
That's my boy!

Hair

Hair is a delicate issue with me. I have thin, fine hair and have been through everything from frizzy perms to short and long cuts and everything in between.

My hair was getting rather long since I hadn't had it cut in a year. As it grows out it gets scraggly on the ends and looks even thinner than it really is. So, I went for a hair cut on Tuesday... and again on Wednesday for more cutting... or finishing touches.

Diego, being the first to notice changes to a person's looks, asked if I got a haircut after school on Tuesday. My reply was that I had but I didn't ask what he thought of it.

When I woke Diego for school on Wednesday morning, (remember this was prior to the second cutting) he looked at me and said, "You still have that weird hair?" I don't know if he expected my hair would grow back overnight or what but his comment prompted my phone call for an additional cut.

I downloaded a photo of a woman with the cut I wanted (I understand it's Victoria Beckham), took it to the salon and got the cut.

So, this morning when I woke Diego for school his comment was in typical FAS fashion, "You still have that weird hair?"

Yep, still have the weird hair. Nope, didn't call for a third haircut.

My Boy The Schmoozer

Diego asked me if he could send someone an email this evening. He said he was learning to write letters in school and this would be good practice. When I asked him who he wanted to email, his response was, "You, Mom."
Here's the email he sent:

I love you so much.I hope you are having a good day.I like what you make me in the mornings.I hope you are going to have a good day tomorrow.I think you are having a good day today.I enjoy seeing you every day.If I have the Wii tomorrow and if I have 30 min.I will let you play cars with me.I bet you will like it do you?I will see you in the morning. after I send this message can I play fun brain for a while yes or no?once again I hope you are having a good day.


Sincerely,
Diego

p.s.I will go get a popsicle right now. Thank you for letting me play the wii today.

What a schmoozer!

What's in that blanket? Wipe that smirk off your face!

The other night Diego was having a hard time staying in bed (see my previous post, Full Moon).

On his second trip down the stairs Diego said, "Okay, Mom, you caught me. I had these toys under my bed and I'm going to take care of them in the basement." He had a backpack full of plastic animals in his right hand and his "Cars" fleece blanket in his left.

Diego went to the basement and was there for a bit longer than I thought it should take him to drop the toys and come back upstairs. When he emerged from the basement door he had his "Cars" blanket bundled against his chest, holding it tightly with both hands - like it was really heavy.

Naturally I asked what was in the blanket? "Nothing," was the reply. I asked again, "Are you sure there's nothing inside the blanket?" "No, nothing," as a red Lightning McQueen car fell from the blanket's fold onto the floor.

"Hmmm, looks like something to me," I said. "That was the only one," the look on his face was like he couldn't believe one of his favorite toys would betray him like that.

I told him, "If there's nothing else in the blanket, drop it right now." Diego didn't want to do that. See, the bright orange "Bob the Builder" lunch bag that holds his Cars contains almost 75 matchbox size cars and weighs around 10 pounds... it could break a toe!

Diego was busted, he had to reveal the lunchbox and take the Cars back to the basement.

It was one of those parenting moments where you're angry because your kid just lied to you. The mind is buzzing with possible punishments for lying (he lost TV for the next day). However, if your husband is seated behind the child stifling a laugh, all you want to do is yell, "Wipe that smirk off your face!" This is serious stuff. And then you burst out laughing too... parenting 101 didn't teach this.

Full Moon

Diego is always affected by the moon's phases, the full moon is probably the worst for him. In case you haven't noticed, the last couple of nights the sky has been occupied by a full moon.
I recently read the book "The Moon Children". Here's a description from amazon.com:
"Staring across the street, eleven-year-old Billy Ray is startled to see one of his schoolmates, an adopted Romanian girl, gazing at the sky and then writing in a notebook. She is keeping a Moon Journal, cataloging the phases of the moon to keep alive a secret memory that, eventually, Billy is the first to discover.

Although he has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and struggles with many things that typical kids take for granted, Billy's curiosity and warmth intrigue Natasha, and the two children develop a friendship that gives them the strength and courage to reveal their deepest secrets and to reach for their dreams.

One of Billy's dreams is to enter a talent contest at the local park. He has been practicing yo-yo tricks over and over again, hoping to impress his father. Things don't turn out as planned, but under unfair circumstances that would make other children give up, Billy proves himself to be a steadfast example of the way hope elicits the power to carry on."


I found Diego in this book. And I found a deeper understanding of his disorder.

Another FAS Moment.... or Two

Diego and I typically have tough mornings. He isn't one to rise early and cooperate in getting ready for whatever the schedule holds. My response is to remove privileges from his after school activities.
Monday (what is it about Mondays?) was particularly difficult before school. Diego wouldn't get out of bed which, of course, led to his imminent loss of privileges. No Wii ("Why do you always take the Wii away first, Mom?"), no TV or movies, early bed time. His schedule on the wipe off board was erased except for homework, supper, bath and bed time. Poor kid, right?

After school Monday, Diego began the conversation with, "I did well in school today, Mom so I should get to earn my privileges back." My reply was simple, "What's it going to take for you to realize you can't behave like you do in the mornings?" A lengthy silence broken by, "I don't know why I do that. I still should earn my privileges for being good at school." I know he doesn't know why, but he does know he behaves poorly.

Finally I offered Diego the choice: 20 minutes of Wii, 30 minutes of TV, or his usual bed time. No brainer, he chose the Wii.

So, Tuesday morning arrived and I had no sooner called out his name and Diego appeared in the doorway, completely dressed and smiling. Let's just say, he had gotten up at some point in the night and dressed and went back to bed. It only took one reminder to brush his teeth and wash his face, one request to eat breakfast, one "put your coat on". Who was this child and what had he done with Diego? It was refreshing, to say the least, to arrive at school without grinding my teeth during a discussion about things which have absolutely no bearing on the day, let alone his life.

As I put him to bed Tuesday night, Diego was sure he shouldn't have to go to bed on time since he had done so well in the morning for me and he had done a good job at school. He had looked at the TV guide earlier (he does that constantly) to find a movie he wanted to watch was on late; he really was trying his hardest to win a later bed time. His FAS brain refused to understand the reasoning behind bed time being bed time. Translation: no compromise on a school night + child in defiant, explain it to me again mode = meltdown.

It took a few minutes to calm Diego by doing deep compression massage on his back and legs, he even responded to my, "I love you" with his own, "I love you." As I closed the bedroom door his small voice called out, "I still get to stay up late on Friday!"

Cool video

My sister sent me this link to a cool video. Check it out. If the link won't work copy and paste www.thephilfiles.com/2008/10/21/is-it-in-you/

It's Definitely Monday... or is it just me?!?!

You know it's Monday when...

* your kid won't get ready for school because he's tired and tells you it's totally your fault.

* several of the items you usually buy at the grocery store are out of stock.

* the customer behind you in the check-out line pushes their cart all the way up to the point where the check writing stand is which forces you to write your check/pay at the bagging station. Maybe I should have asked her to pay for my groceries since she was standing where I needed to be.

* another car pulls up to the gas pump you were pulling into... and won't back up. THEN when you find another pump soon to be vacated (or so you hope), the person inside the vehicle starts and finishes a cell phone conversation before pulling away from the pump.

* thinking you're almost home free, the vehicle in front of you decides against using the left turn lane and stops traffic on a major highway - which ticked off a semi driver who goes around the line of vehicles blowing his air horn.

* when you open the trunk of the car you discover that the grocery bags ALL have holes in them.

* something smells like it died in the refrigerator and you can't find it and one of the items that was out of stock at the store was the baking soda.


Happy Monday!

Family

Here is Diego on Christmas morning showing off what the "FedEx Guy" gave him. Okay, let me explain... I ran out of people to say gifts were from when I was wrapping Christmas gifts (we don't do Santa so 'Mom & Dad' was getting redundant). I signed this gift from the Fed Ex Guy because it had been delivered via Fed Ex.



We had a great Christmas with family and friends. My sister from Indianapolis surprised everyone by bringing my sister from North Carolina here. It's been almost 4 years since I've seen or talked to my sister in North Carolina. I took some 'sister' pictures since we were all together for this rare occasion. Here we are in all our glory....




And here is a shot of Tyler on his first Christmas...