August 31, 2009

The First Day of School!

I remember so well . . . laying out my first week’s collection of new school outfits:  so clean and brand new, a sign and a description of exactly who I wanted to be that year. Some years, “trendy”; others, “the trend setter” — but always with my own unique twist.

I believe that if you look closely, you, too, can see “who your children are wanting to be” and who they are wanting to “impress.”  I still see this in my 20-year old daughter, when we go shopping for her first few days of college. Boy, has she grown up into a lovely, beautiful girl!

These are the simple, telling signs of what our children are going through as well!  Check out the school supplies they pick out.  Who’s on the cover of their folders?  Chandler and Preston have been selecting solid covered folders and binders for years.  Then I go and buy a bunch of stickers from stores and companies that they love, then letting them design and create their own style of binders.  And, believe me, this is truly something they have learned to love and look forward to. Each is unique, different from any other.

So, today, if you want to get to know your children, start looking at the things that are right in front of you!

It really is more than following a trend when they are making their selections for school: this is their identity!

So don’t you be fooled otherwise!

Ciao for now,

Deana

Hello to Everyone,

I, too, go through some setbacks.

This month has been a CHALLENGE for me.

But I have learned that when you draw on a support team who believes in you, and when you stay focused on your dream/passion . . . the truth you believe in will have integrity to come through.

So, stay focused . . . and don’t give up your Joy.

Ciao for Now,

Deana

I have had the most amazing Mother’s Day . . .

The highlight of my weekend: Zachary, one of the boys’ best friends, stayed over, while his mother was out of town. She has 2 other children and was out of town – being a mother – watching and supporting her girls in soccer. She arrived home today, Sunday.

Not only is it Mother’s Day, but it’s her birthday, too!  So I had Zach make a card, get her a latte, and pour it into a special birthday cup. I got her a special Mother’s Day bracelet. Seeing his face light up was the gift for me, so grateful that he had something to bring home to his very special Momma. 

The boys and I went on with my own very special Mother’s Day celebrations. Then, around 2:00 PM, Zach came by to collect his remaining things at our house.

Chandler asked Zach, “How did your mom like her presents?” 

Zach replied, “She cried.”

Now that’s a true Mother’s Day! — to see all three boys smiling, feeling the meaning of the day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Beautiful, Loving , Caring, and Tired mommas out there!

Ciao for Now, Deana

This is dedicated to my three children: Savannah, Preston and Chandler.   BE EXTRAORDINARY!!

And to all of their friends, and friends of their friends… BE LEGENDARY!!

Ciao, Deana

As I watched this video, the hairs on my arms stood up.  I’m such a sucker for the power of kindness.

This is what we need to be doing more in our schools.

My two boys just went through a bullying workshop at school and by the end they felt drained and exhausted as though nothing was really being accomplished, but a lesson was being taught.

One of our family’s favorite movies is FREEDOM WRITERS,  which every family should see.   As many times we have seen this film, we all end up crying. 

The lesson is deep and strong, so very POWERFUL . . .

What I love about this TEEN FILES video: one of the parents present, a mother who was in a position of power as the assistant principle of the high school, spoke these words to her son: ”I’m sorry, too.”  

This . . . is . . . truly POWERFUL!

Ciao for now,

Deana

Both Chandler and Preston ran through the house . . . “MOM, MOM! . . . Welcome Home!!”  Arms spread out wide.
Thank you, God, I thought, for these two precious boys of mine!

Preston was so excited! He had brought me a homecoming present that he so wanted to give to me right away.  I’m exhausted, having just arrived moments before them, and was greeted by my two dogs . . . Lola and Bella. Not a moment to breathe.
Preston grabbed my hand and walked me, with great anticipation, to the lower level of the house. “Close your eyes, Mom,” he said. Then he placed a pair of ORANGE Kanye West glasses on my face. I opened my eyes and, through the horizontal strips of light and darkness, I saw both Chandler and Preston smiling and laughing at what must have been me . . . behind bars . . . LOL!  Their “rap star” MOM . . . LOL!
Preston needed to tell me how hard he had looked for these glasses for me, then how the shopkeeper found them in the back room . . . “They must be ORANGE,” he said .  .  .

me laughing . . . Chandler laughing . . . I was now HOME . . .

Chandler asked, “What was the highlight of your trip, Mom?”
[ I will Blog on this very soon, my answer . . . ]

So, naturally, I had to go find the little treasures that I brought back for them: Mozart Chocolate, Haribo Candies (that my children adore), baseball caps giving tribute to Austria, hand-knit winter hats, and, of course, the traditional handmade wool hats, with carefully selected pins and feathers to adorn them, a Sound of Music CD, and a Travel Through Salzburg CD.

The boys were so excited and immediately placed on top of their freshly cut hair their “Sound of Music” wool hats . . . How cute were they?? Preston said, “Look, Mommy! I’m a little Austria boy,” and began to dance.

The night continued on with wonderful story-telling, just as I remember as a child.

Chandler updating me on every sport stat, what games are now of extreme importance, the Redwings’ last games, where we now sit in the league. Questions of curiosity flowing from his soul about my trip . . . He loves the little bit of German I learned.

Preston now begins to work on his science project . . . I am, by the way, so impressed!

I check my e-mails and receive so many wonderful WELCOME HOME notes, but the most important was from my precious Savannah, “I Love You Momma and miss you. Hope your trip was wonderful. I wish I had been with you!  I’m on my way to Costa Rica with Grandma. Call you when I arrive.” 

This was the first time I had ever left the country without my children. As wonderful as this trip was,

I learned there truly is . . . “NO PLACE LIKE HOME“. . .

Ciao for Now,

Deana

This is what life is all about!

That’s all I can say about this.

Merry Christmas!

Ciao, Deana

A Father’s Amazing Love