Christmas Time

Tis' The season.... To run around frantically hoping to get all the last minute things done..... Cooking and Cleaning.... Laundry and decorating..... Wrapping and shopping.... Chauffeuring and phone calls.... It seems as though the list never ends.... And then you add to it again! And this is the moment that once again we should say.... "THANK YOU FOR THIS CRAZY LIFE."

I was going to write something Cutesy and poetic about this time of year, but couldn't quite find the words. Something like.....
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care... there was no fire just the cool conditioned air....
With a cast on one foot and a few temperatures high....

BUT see I couldn't come up with any pithy lines.... :) Texas is beautiful but I am uncertain how it will be this year having the temps in the 80's. It will be normal considering the sick kids. What would Christmas be like without someone sick? I suppose a fever and soar throat is better than the year the kids had the stomach flu.... Laying on the bathroom floor all Christmas day was just pathetic!

So a quick "Review of the Year"
The kids are all great!
Angelo is in the 5th grade and making lots of good friends!!! Boys and Girls that fit in well with our families warped sense of humor, slowly but surely gaining their own nicknames. This making their welcome official. He is doing amazing in sports and in school with his grades. He has gained sarcasm into his life and uses it well! Props go out to him.... he is learning well! He still hasn't managed to ignore his sisters torments but that to shall come. He is hobbling around on crutches due to the broken ankle and is now going by the name Tiny Tim.
Natalie is cheering up a storm... Not a snow storm but she is very enthusiastic! She has made some great friends... But there is not now and never will be a replacement for our Wonderful Emily whom we had to leave in Idaho.... (Hope she will return this year as she has every year since we left Idaho) Natalie is doing amazing in school, even with her one detention! We do not hold this against her and actually feel it has humbled her a little! ;) She is a wonderful cheerleader and though we miss competition cheer this is holding us all with our cheer with drawls.
Tabitha is surviving High School, barely but still managing. It is amazing the days I think I would do it all over again.... and then I see what my own kids are surviving and I remember why I really hated school! However, she is becoming a bigger person because of the smaller minds she deals with on a regular basis. She is excelling in school and thriving in art. She was given 90 days probation and a dollar fine for her adventure with the neighbor, but we feel she will not murder anyone in that time, therefore, are not too concerned.
Samantha is still wishing we had let her finish High School in Idaho. She would rather be a Grizzly than an Eagle. She has mad a few acquaintances but no great friends.... We keep those in Idaho and California and hope to have them visit us soon. She has however, acquired a wonderful Boyfriend whom all of us adore.... we even hall him along on family outings. She has been amazing in her art and is coming up with quite the portfolio. She won her first art contest this year which I am certain will not be her last. Though she graduates in June, we hope that she will continue to live at home, and if we had a basement, would be happy to let her live there as long as she wanted. She is not happy to be working all the time, but enjoys spending her money, and is the newest member of the Khol's work force. Shoe dept if you were wondering and regularly goes out with the older women on their smoke breaks to talk.... we find this funny... but it gives her something to do on her own breaks.... not smoke but to talk.
Life is good and I wouldn't have it anyother way!

My Crazy Life.....

This Photo was actually taken June 2010 LOL Tabs camera is off!

I have thought that my life is so simple.... HAHAHAHA. I have never actually thought that. My life is not simple..... but why in the world would I want for anything more than this beautiful Chaos that I call my own?

My little man broke his ankle about a week ago. I was assured it was an accident with no horsing around invovled.... As if I was an idiot.... Boys will be boys, however, in my home I wish they would be more like girls that were less accident prone. Mommy hates to worry and in a way it is a little unfair to do to me.... The one thing every mommy should be comfortable with is knowing that her little man is safe, unharmed, and happy..... She should know this about her girls too.... ;) I can't get him into the orthopedic until friday... 2weeks after the orignial accident. He has been immobile laying on my couch sad and in pain. Wish I could wiggle my nose and fix it all..... but I suppose if I could wiggle my nose and fix it.... I suppose i could jump on my broom stick and get a lot accomplished as well......

Me and my Tabalouie had our day in court..... AND I must say my faith in our justice system has been fully restored! Bravo America! I was extremely nervous, even knowing the truth and that it should go our way.... I never assume, assumptions get you into trouble. Tabitha went first, juvenile court.... LOL Delinquent. The judge immediately said, "This angel face.... I can't hardly believe any of this is true. Tell me what happened." She didn't even give Tab's a chance to plead.... Funny right? So Tabi tells her..... and at one point the judge says, "What did the lady say? But just say the first letter.Don't swear." Tabi said, "Oh don't worry I never swear." hahahaha The innocence of kids. She doesn't though. I love it. The judge gave her 90 days probation and as long as she doesn't get into a knife fight in that time it will be permanently off her record. She was given $1 fine and court cost of $68. Not bad.... I was so relieved.... Except for the fact that I was supposed to go back that afternoon.

Fast  forward to the afternoon..... I was first on the schedule.... The judge was just going to give me the same fine she gave my neighbor.... My neighbor showed up in all her lady like glory.... and then said she was scared to be in the same court room as me.... Not that she had made a big to do with her husband and lied about what happened..... She is 6 inches taller than me and 50 lbs heavier according to the police report.... haha. Anyhow.... I had said that the fine of $300 and $75 probation and $67 court fees was fine as long as I could tell this sweet judge what happened..... She agreed.... commented on the fact that I looked scared to death.... i must appear much more fragile than I think I do.... Between her and the prosicuting attorney.... after I finished telling them my version..... the dropped all charges and let me go.... :) I was so happy.... It is a good thing that I am a pathetic baby who had my butt kicked in my own yard protecting my children....

Sami with her work that won!

so lighter side of life.... Sami won her big art contest.... 2nd place but that is first in my book! I will add photos tomorrow showing her unbelievable talent..... And more on that later!!!

YEAH ME!!!

I started school again in October of this year. I was a little scared at first. I don't like the unknown....Don't like to go into most events blind folded.... ;) I like to know what to expect. It can be easier that way. Don't get me wrong a surprise here and there is fabulous, if its a good surprise. Anyhow, I am going to school to be a teacher. I had always thought I would do something different, and I don't mean the going to beauty school different, (not that there was anything wrong with it. It just wasn't me.) I mean like I would be a journalist or something like that. Except the fact that I always said I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. I just never thought I would do it, if that makes sense? It seems that a lot of people never end up doing the one thing they always wanted to do, for one reason or another. Little kids are so amazing! They believe that the world is a good place, they believe simple fixes most, and they believe in dang near everything....WHY? Because they see the beauty in life! I love it!!! I am so looking forward to being an encouraging force in the lives of little kids.... Sounds Cheesy! ;)
I had started to think I would be a hack though..... I have done wonderful on all of my assignments, but when it came to tests... I second guess myself to death, I change things til they are definitely wrong, I panic!!!! So needless to say my tests have been less than stellar..... Thank God I can write a paper!!! BUT Today....why I am tooting my own horn... I took a deep breath..... I didn't second guess my choices.... And I ended up with a PERFECT SCORE!!!!  So if I can remember this technique for next week, i might be onto something!

I want SNOW!!!!

Another beautiful holiday season is upon us and in full swing.  It is crazy to me how quickly this time of year ascends upon our lives..... and then before you know it, it's over with. Almost like a hit and run. Probably not the ideal way to refer to this beloved time of year, but it works.
I have found myself, once again, in the lack of holiday spirit. I love life, love, love, love reasons to be surprised entertained....whatever, BUT for some reason I don't get too excited about Christmas. I adore it for the sake of the kids but since high school, it isn't so fabulous for me. Perhaps, if it was a feeling that lasted longer.... rather than the stress of getting everything done before it was over and then *BAM*.... I know.... there is a reason for the season... Which is not Santa and presents.... But realistically kids get excited for the materialistic aspects of this day..... and it doesn't matter how they are raised or taught, it is just a side effect of our society.

Anyway..... I have been trying to become the happy little elf, full of Christmas Cheer and good tidings... Then I hear that Idaho has been blanketed with a beautiful wonderland of white.... Fabulous for them, BUT why in the world didn't it do that when I lived there? I want snow.... I want to jump up and down...throw a fit.... and demand it!!! Childish? Nah...my right as a girl to want it and want it now. I understand that when i lived there I complained about the cold.... Not the cold in general, but the cold minus the snow. For heavens sake if it is going to be cold surround me in the freezing beauty of ice.... Blanket me in snow.... Make it worth while.... That is what I disliked. So it makes me sigh to hear when the ones I love complain about the beauty that was given them... I want to trade places. I want to be snowed in. I want to drink hot chocolate, watch movies, and wear big fuzzy socks. I want to freeze my butt off..... I want to go caroling in sub zero temps, I want to rush from the car to the store and hope my nose doesn't fall off..... Is this asking for much?
Dear Santa..... Bring me snow and cold to Texas.... i promise I will be better next year! ;)

Off to listen to horrible renditions of fabulous Christmas songs.... And decorate! Good Luck finding your own holiday cheer!

If you can't say something nice

This was an after thought to my wonderfully lady like neighbors actions..... I was raised this way.... And I try to raise my children this way,...... And though my children remain better at putting this classic wisdom into their lives than I am....It is still the best choice of actions....

Another bit of wonderfully classic advice comes from those Zany Madagascar Penguins..... "Smile and wave boys.....Just smile and wave."

Its a classic problem that most of us....ok me.... suffer from! Open mouth, Say unkind words, insert foot, and walk away embarrassed..... Skip that entire scenerio and just smile and think to yourself what an idiote jerk the person is..... Right? I can try..... hahahaha Or I can get tackled and well..... you know the story! :)

Fifth Grade Field Trip....Clark Gardens

It is amazing at how quickly time flies when you are raising your children. One minute you are changing diapers, waking up at ridiculous hours to tears, and wishing that you could sleep....just a few minutes longer. I often find myself wishing I could have another sleepless night with my babies..... And all the beauty that goes along with our kids growing up to quickly. Heck, I have a senior in high school, my baby is in the fifth grade, and I can't figure out where in the world the time went.....

Anymore, it feels as though each day is over before it has begun....

I have been blessed through out the children's school careers (hehe I said school careers...) to beable to be involved and participate in activities. Granted since moving to Texas I haven't been as involved as I was in Idaho.... But in a way I am... Just in a different sense. I mean I am t the schools A LOT subbing.... And all the kids know me.... So that is pretty involved! I love it.

So anyhow, yesterday my involvement included a field trip to The Clark Gardens with the Brock Fifth Grade students....BUT most importantly my favorite little man! Though this wouldn't have been my first choice of field trips to take children on.... It's a large garden.... The middle school went to the State Fair....and I believe its the 3rd graders went to some Nascar thing (Welcome to the South). But I have to admitt under the right cirrcumstances and a fun attitude it was a good time. I was lucky enough to only have one other boy in our group! He was a well behaved young man, just like my kiddo. I was, however, happy to hear that more of Angelo's friends wanted in our group BUT the Sub wouldn't let them be. Anyway.....It was such a good time!!! After the Gradens it was off to the park for a picnic and then early release for my little man! It was a fun Mommy day out with her little guy!

Gotta love those fleeting moments.....

The Beauty of being Level Headed and Sensible...

The amazing thing about the title of this post is that I often find myself being the complete opposite, not because I don't want to be level headed or sensible....I would love to be that way always. Both are amazing attributes to have as an individual, and I personally am jealous (yes...another quality I am not proud of.) Of those individuals who have these qualities all of the time. I suppose one could call me 'hot headed' though not easily angered. I am the sort of person who can remain calm on the outside and quietly come to a boil and be the unstoppable angry person...the "tiger by the tail" syndrome. I have been trying to overcome this quality that I seem to shine at.... after all I have four amazing children that have been raised the opposite of how I react and they have done a fabulous job at maintaining their beautiful personalities of the peace makers.... the gentle souls. (Really, I don't mean this sarcastically at all. They are all so loving and patient.)

So in today's world how are we able to teach and encourage our children to be kind hearted, level headed, strong individuals who demand respect, and kindness in turn? How can we encourage them not to let people walk all over them, or say things to them that obviously cut, in a passive way that does not result in them allowing others to treat them like garbage? WOW, does that task even seem possible?

This weekend I was put in a lose lose situation... You ask...How can one be put in this sort of situation, and still want to participate? This is easy...I was unaware of the Murphy's law that was attached to the entire event... AND I was a Mama protecting her 'Cubs'.

I think I had shared an event where my son had dealt with a neighborhood bully a few months back. Apparently, this bully has parents who think discipline is optional. My beautiful 11 year old son was having a birthday party over the weekend. It was exciting because when sports are in full swing the boys don't have a lot of time to just hang out and have fun....SO...needless to say...we do not have friends over very often for him to do 'boy things' with. Anyway, the boys were outside, with my younger daughter, and the neighbor girl when the neighborhood bully and his friends started bugging them. I had everyone of the kids staying at my home come in and tell me that their were problems with these other boys. I told them to ignore them and to stay away.... Easier said than done when the bullies are following them and hanging on the street by our house calling them cuss words.

So one thing lead to another, and apparently the situation outside had escalated into needing an intervention. Tabitha and her friend Kayla went out to ask the boys that are their age to stop bullying the kids so that parents didn't have to get involved. Apparently, these bullies decided they would be in less trouble if they were the ones tattling... Seriously. So one of them ran right in to get the original bully's mother. She came out and proceeded in cussing at all of the children outside. Now, I will be the first to say, I am not perfect, my children aren't perfect, my children will do naughty things, BUT they weren't doing anything wrong this night. They were trying to have a birthday party...night games....minus the bullying. All of the little boys, and the neighbor girl were terrified over this woman...thinking that they had done something wrong. After all she is an adult, she was yelling, cussing and telling them all to stay right there. She was wrong...if she believed there was a problem she should have come to me. My youngest daughter and one of my sons friends were terrified and despite her yelling ran into the house to get me.

Now, I thought I was going into a situation with someone with two sense.... I had on no shoes and my Jammie's.... completely unprepared for what was about to happen. Before I walked out the door, my Natalie said to me..."Mom....stay calm and don't cuss at her. It will embarrass Angelo." It's true.... my daughter knows her Mommy oh too well! I have a mouth like a sailor and when my children are involved I become aggressively boisterous..... Again, not something I am proud of....BUT I walked out to the front yard, head held high, fully determined to keep calm....to remain sensible and level headed. Which I did an amazingly perfect job of.....no Hell's, damns, or anything colorful....Until she punched me. I had gone out there and asked her if she could refrain from cussing at the young children. I asked her if she could keep her son under control and away from the boys and girls that are a good 4-5 years younger than him.... I asked her to have him stop referring to them as Mother F*****Er's.... Which set off this already unstable woman. She proceeded in telling me that her son never cusses... Snotty I said She had better keep a better eye on him... it was wrong I know I should have remained completely unchildish. I just couldn't help it with her ranting and flailing in my yard. She then turned and made the most ignorant remark she could possibly make....and got into my 14 year olds face, who then asked if she had indeed said what she had obviously said. The woman was almost nose to nose with her and replied "I said it." Tabitha....hit her in the mouth. I was in shock! Everyone was in shock...I had no idea what to do and how to handle the situation from that moment. I yelled, "Don't you hit my daughter." The woman looked at me and punched Tabi in the mouth. I ran to get in the middle so she couldn't hurt my baby anymore than she had.....Keep in mind I was trying to stay calm and the mature one in the whole matter.... The woman proceeded in punching me in the face. It all happened so quickly. She hit me a few times and latched on to my hair. She pulled a couple of handfuls of hair from my head and kicked and tackled me to the ground. She is a much larger lady than I am and I couldn't do much else than struggle beneath her weight...which makes me feel pretty silly too. Trying to get her to let go of my hair I grabbed her forearm and squeezed it with my nails.....she pulled harder. I grabbed the front of her shirt thinking if I tear it she won't want to be half naked in front of all the kids....YES...the kids were still watching all of this nightmare..... Thank goodness a few of the kids ran off to find Tony, who did pull her off of me. Thank goodness.... And he did call the Police! Again, thank goodness!

In the end....Tabitha got a ticket. Which I can see...she shouldn't have hit the woman. After the comment she made...I was glad that she had. The best reason for a ticket if you ask me. The woman obviously received her own disorderly conduct citation....BUT I did as well.....I was attacked in my own front yard while trying to protect my children from an unstable lady...I was given a citation because I left finger nail marks on her arm in self defense.

In today's society how are we supposed to teach that bullying is wrong and that you shouldn't let people attack you if you get into trouble for defending yourself on your own property. Doesn't this example show that no one cares who is right or wrong? Isn't this a prime example of why bullied kids...or adults for that matter....keep it to themselves? Allow it to continue? I am not saying this is the right way to deal with it.... physical violence is never a good thing..... But then what do not defend yourself no matter how threatened you feel?

Again...I am proud of Tabitha for standing up for herself.... No one should be talked to the way she was.... An adult has no right to attack a child the way that woman did.... Kids shouldn't have to be bullied by other children.... And no one should be in trouble for defending themselves and their family on their own property which is suppose to be their safe territory!

Happy Birthday Little Man!

 I forgot to turn this photo....I keep doing that! Angelo is 11 today! I can't believe how quickly the time has flown.....My baby....WOW! He is awfully handsome though! :) This photo was a quick snap on the way to school today.....YES....I am well aware of the fact that driving and taking photos is a dangerous activity...But birthdays only come around once a year!

Happy Birthday little man!!! I love you tons and bunches....to the moon and back! And then on forever!

MY BROCK KIDS

Its really weird.... You grow up in an area and you find yourself  always cheering for your high school....even years later as an adult. Me, I was a Blackfoot, Bronco!!! Go Green, Black, and White!!! (I was also a Highland RAM.....and the beloved Snake River Panther......But you can't name them all!) Then you have children of your own..... You become attached to their school, (if it happens to be different from your own.) I had actually found myself growing quite fond of my children's schools! The High School in subject SKyline Grizzlies.... Which was a rival of my own High School growing up. It was fun getting involved in the school spirit! Going to the sporting events....the huge rival game....The Emotion Bowl.....

 BUT..... What happens when you move? You have children ready to graduate.... and other kids spread evenly through out the different grades...... You have to change....You have to become attached to another school... You have to encourage new loyalties..... SO NOW......

We are Brock Eagles............ Go Blue and Gold!!! Angelo is getting involved in sports, Natalie is a cheerleader, and Tab's is even a member of the Blue Crew at the High School...... Sami as a senior.... Well.... I am not pressing my luck!!!

Lenka- Don't let me fall w/Lyrics

Fly Me Away - Annie LIttle (Lyrics In Description )

Another Summer Gone.....

It was a crazy summer at the Locascio home.... A lot of driving..... A lot of very HOT days. It was a good summer one that will go into the books. Into the books as what? I am not quite certain but it will be there.... it will be spoken about, laughed about, and loved.... Why? I am not quite certain about that either.... But it will be!
My children doing what they love.... Photo's in random stores, doing random things! I love it!!! I especially loved Sami and Tabi in Wal Mart with the Halloween Hoodies on that zip over your face and look like skeletons or half eaton werewolves.....running around making monster sounds.... Classic!!! ;)

Okay the date on the photo isn't right..... This photo was actually the beginning of June 2010 and we are going on the Tram in El Paso.... It was a fabulous trip with me and the kids! We went on the tram and at the top you can actually see into Mexico.... not that its hard considering Mexico is right there.... But the entire city of El Paso and all the surroundings and the mountains were so B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.

The kids and I also drove to Arizona the end of June to visite Grandma and Grandpa. This was a fun trip and also memorable. El Paso is essentially half way and we had done that before..... so it wasw kind of a building point for our 16 hour drive! This photo we are at the Casa Grande Ruins...also beautiful and extremely warm! Minus the humidity of Texas.....

                I start to think my children are never serious! LOL Of course why would I want them to be?

                           Angelo, Nati, and Tab's at the ghost town..... Sami was in San Fransisco.

                         Miss Natalie and I in another Ghost town as Angelo was rock climbing!

        Natalie Jane the first day of 7th Grade!!! Just turned 12 and gorgeous as ever and so grown up!

                 Tabitha Jai.....The ever beautiful Freshman starting her first year at the high school!

          Angelo....My handsome little man beginning his first day of his last year in Elementary school!

 Last but not least Samantha Jae..... My Beautiful Senior! The first day of her last year before she heads off to college! WOW.....where does the time go?

                                       Sami with her best friend Carley in San Fransisco!!!

                                          Angelo in his new car! :) At the ghost town in Arizona!

                       Tabi, Nat, and Emily when Emily was visiting us!!! We miss that girl!!!

              Tabi, Sami, and Cody at the Drive-in in Granbury!!! That was a good time even in the rain!!!

                                                          Night of the living dead!

                                          Tab's enjoying Gram and Gramps Pool in AZ!!!

                            The girls enjoying the racks at good will, playing America's Next Top Model!

   My four musketeers at Gram and Grampa's

                                       Miss Nat Jane Birthday Girl!!!! 12 years old!!!! :)

                                                      Nati and our other daughter Emily!

                                             Glamorous Girls at the Dr Pepper Plant in Dublin!

                                       Angelo and Emily at the Bottling Plant!  Cute aren't they?

                                    The Worlds Largest Rocking Chair! So says the Genius Books!

                                                         Tab's Photography skills!

                                                            Sisters!!! Get one!

                                            The FIZZ FACE thank you San Fransisco!

                       The Golf Cart Died.......... Tabi pushed it all the way home!! Emily worked hard too!

                     Natalie's Cheer team leaving for cheer camp at the Great wolf lodge................

                                                         Nat's team at cheer camp!

                                             The Carousel in the Grapevine Mills Mall!

                                                         Nat and Tab school shopping!

Sam and Bo school shopping!

Once again smiling at Tab's!!!

                                                          Angelo Rock climbing!

                                     Nat, Bo, and Grandma Rock hunting!!! Dangerous buggers!

                                                                         YEP!

                                                         Hmmmmmmmm....

                                                             Of course.....

                                                                            Sure!

                                                        My caged birds singing!!!

                                                   Grandpa and the kids...minus sam!

                                                     Grandma, me and the kids minus sami!

                                                                        The pool!

                                                  Nat and Bo enjoying it!

                                                          

                                           AND THE END OF OUR PHOTO SUMMER!!!