Yes, I am a dance mom!

When I put Kamdyn in dance a few years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into.  I never took dance classes as a child (I must have just been born with the sweet moves I have!), and I was NOT a girly girl.  Basically, I was just looking for some different activities to get Kam into.  I looked around the internet for some studios that were close and found one that seemed nice.  I called and asked the typical questions and had Kamdyn enrolled in no time.  After about a month, the owner told me that Kam should try out for company.  I, having no dance background, had absolutely no idea what that meant, but Carrie seemed to think Kam would love it.  Boy howdy, was I in for a surprise!!

I soon realized what this company thing was all about.  We attended the first meeting and I met some of the moms who assured me that they would help me with anything I needed.  Kam started practicing with her groups every Saturday morning, and she absolutely loved it.  I was then told that I needed to attend a hair and makeup class to learn how to do everything for competition days.  Thank God that they did this.  I would have been lost.  I learned how to do double buns and put makeup (that was more expensive than any of mine) on my daughter.  Again, she thought this was awesome.  Then, I learned about rhinestones.  I was given my first pattern that I had to put on Kam's costume.  My first question to the other moms…."So, how do you put the rhinestones on the costume?"  They told me that I needed to go to hobby lobby and buy some E6000 glue and to use that.  "So, I put each rhinestone on one at a time?"I was baffled.  Luckily, the patterns that year were not too difficult…and I only had two costumes to do.  I survived my rookie season of being a dance mom unscathed, and Kam loved dance more than ever.  We quickly realized that this is something that Kam was really good at.

The next year, Kam was in five group dances and had her first solo.  Clearly, this year was going to be more intense than the year before.  There were more practices and many more rhinestones.  The first competition came and it was about time for Kam to perform her solo on the big stage for the very first time.  I was definitely more nervous than she was.  She made me stay backstage while she danced.  She was amazing.  When she came off the stage and hugged me, I nearly cried.  She had worked so hard and just danced her little heart out in front of tons of people all by herself.  At six, that is something I could never have done.  She was hooked.  Watching her on stage is one of my favorite things to do.  She truly loves what she is doing and works so hard at it.

Unfortunately, not everyone sees all the positives that come from dance.  Kam is now in her third year on company, and she has informed me that she never wants to stop dancing.  She has to practice every weekend and takes five classes during the week.  I hear comments about how much time she spends on dance all the time.  What these people don't understand is that this is Kamdyn's choice.  When it is time to leave the studio, she doesn't want to leave.  When we are home she wants to dance.  The people at the studio have become our second family.  I understand that she is only seven, but I tell her if she ever gets tired or wants to dance less, that all she has to do is tell me.  She always laughs when I tell her this and says that will never happen.  In only three years, Kam has learned that if you want something, you have to work at it.  She is extremely dedicated and absolutely adores all of her dance teachers and the other dancers at the studio.  Her work ethic is unbelievable, especially considering she is only seven.  On top of everything, she is doing tons of physical activity.  She is solid muscle.

I am so glad that I put Kamdyn in dance and am so lucky to have found a studio that truly cares for each and every one of the dancers.  All the moms are always helping each other out (thank God, because I can't sew)!  We are so glad we found this studio and started Kam in an activity that has helped her become the confident little girl that she is. I still have a lot to learn about being a dance mom :), but I have a feeling that I have many years ahead of me to work on it!


 

Flu season is upon us!!

This time of year is never any fun.  The weather is miserable and sickness is running rampant.  Everyone understands this.  What people don't always understand is how serious some of these sicknesses are.

Working in the health care field has opened my eyes to so much.  I have lost people close to me, but working in a hospital has truly shown me how quickly peoples lives can change.  In the past couple months, I have seen normally healthy people be intubated and put on ventilators because of the flu/H1N1.  These are young people…even kids.  It is so scary to see how quickly these people can go downhill.  

What really irks me, is that I come home from taking care of these people to find someone posting on Facebook about how the flu can't be that bad, the flu shot is bad for you, etc.  People have NO CLUE how bad the flu can be.  I strongly urge everyone to take every precaution.  Avoid other sick people (don't take your kids to a hospital to visit sick people), constantly wash your hands, drink lots of water, take your vitamins, and get some sleep!! :)  Get the flu shot and be educated. 

Every little thing can make a difference.  If your kid is sick at all, keep them home to rest and recover.  Do not take them to school.  Not only will it take them longer to recover, but they will infect everyone else.  I just want everyone to take care of themselves and be healthy!! 

Check out these sites for more info-

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/flu/downloads/PL-dis-influenza-color-office.pdf

All Mommies are DIFFERENT!!

Yesterday, I shared my very first blog.  I almost didn't post it on Facebook.  I  was nervous about what people would think…basically what I try and teach my kids not to do.  I still struggle with this everyday.  The truth is, I have no idea what I am doing.  When I had Kamdyn, I was nowhere near ready to be a parent.  I was too young, too selfish, and very immature.  I always joked about how God knew that we weren't ready for kids, so he gave us the perfect child.  By the time we had Kalyn, it had been so long that we could barely remember everything we went through.  Luckily, Kalyn was a great baby, just like her big sister.  As the girls grow and change every day, I wonder if I am doing everything I can for them.  After attending a few class parties for Kamdyn, I discovered that I am not the typical Johnson County mom.  I wear sweats everyday and rarely wear makeup.  I work the night shift and am not able to make all the PTA meetings and events.  I hate that I am not able to make such creative snacks for birthdays.  I wish I could participate in the parties more.  Unfortunately, I am not creative and I sleep during most days (because of my job).  I have to remind myself that all moms are different.  My kids are my world, and I will do whatever I can for them.  Right know, that includes working three nights a week.  I try to be as involved as much as I can, spending as much time as possible with them.  I can only hope I am teaching them the right things.  I pray that I am disciplining them enough, but not too much.  I want my kids to respect others, but I don't want them to be doormats.  Being a mom is so much harder than I ever expected.  Over the years, I have learned that other moms feel the same pressures.  We all question ourselves.  Are we doing enough?  Are we doing too much?   All we want is the best for our kids.  BUT it gets sticky. What I think is the best for my kids and the way I choose to raise them may be completely different from what you feel is best for your kids.  This is FINE.  However, many moms feel the need to give advice on how to raise your kids.  Everything seems to be a competition.  Other moms will tell you "nicely" the way you should actually be doing things.  Why does it have to be this way??  It drives me bonkers!!! Our kids are all different.  We are all different.  We all have different ways to handle things, and we all have different beliefs.  Moms should all be supporting each other not tearing each other down.  I have been lucky enough to find a group of moms who all support one another.  We don't all do things the same way, and we all question ourselves daily.  Some choose public school, some choose private, and others choose to homeschool.  All are great options.  Like I said before, I have no idea what I am doing.  I stress about it everyday, but I do my best.  I want my kids to know that I can be their friend, but I am their parent first.  They need to know that they have to work hard for the things they want; nothing is going to be handed to them.  I want my girls to know that I love them more than anything, but there will be limits.  I will tell them NO and they will probably hate me at times.  That's just the way life is.  I went through this roller coaster with my mom, as I'm sure, many have.  My mom is now my best friend.  Even through the roller coaster times, we were extremely close.  I hope to have the same relationship with my girls…I'd be okay with skipping the roller coaster part! :)  Being a mom is truly a blessing.  It is a challenge everyday, but it is sooo worth it!!

Be WEIRD!

I always wanted to be mom.   A mom of all girls….not exactly.  God had his own plans, though, and I am now the mother of two beautiful girls.  These girls are my everything.  I have truly discovered what a mother's love is all about.  Anything your child feels, you feel 1000 fold.  When they are happy, you are elated.  When they are sad/hurt/sick/etc, your world is a wreck.  A couple years ago, my oldest told me that someone at school had called her weird.  In my head, I was thinking that kid was stupid…not exactly mature, I know, but I did NOT say this out loud.  Instead, I told her that it was cool to be weird.  She wasn't convinced.  So, I asked her if it would be boring if everyone liked the same thing, looked the same, etc.  She said yes.  I informed her that we are all different.  Sometimes, if we do something differently than someone else, they may think we are weird.  That isn't bad; it is okay.  Over the years, we have embraced this theory that it is cool to be weird.  Life is more fun!  She has had people call her weird, tell her they didn't want to be friends, and even call her names.  It happens in childhood….it even happens in adulthood.  Every time she tells me, it breaks my heart.  I try to keep it as positive as I can, but in life, not everyone gets along.   All you can do is be nice and stay away from the "mean" people.  It is much easier to say it than to actually do it.  I just want her to be happy and to surround herself with positive (and weird) people.  I want her to be herself and be proud of who she is, no matter what.  I don't want her to be worried about what everyone thinks about her or the way she dresses.  Goodness gracious, being a mommy is hard work!! I struggle on a daily basis with whether I say or do the right thing, and I have so many years ahead of me.  I will continue being "weird" and having dance parties in the car on the way to school.  I will dance and sing with my daughters in the store.  I will make funny faces and talk in strange voices to make them laugh.  I will be myself, and, yes, I am weird.  Being told you are weird is now a compliment in our house.  I want my kids to know that it is okay not to conform to what is "normal".  It is okay to be WEIRD! Embrace it!!  Be yourself and love yourself!!  Be WEIRD!!! :)