Old Years End

2010. Ten years ago, that seemed like a long time from now. But yet, here I am, hours away from it.
The last 10 years have been crazy and eventful. Sometime, I look back and think "how sad", and sometimes I look back and think "frickin' awesome"

In the last 10 years, I have:
-lived in 3 different states
-lived in 9 different houses,
-been engaged twice, married once
-carried 2 babies in my belly
-given birth to said babies.
-changed careers (drastically)
-taken over 15 tests to do those careers effectively,
-lost a parent
-lost a parent in a different way
-gained some parents
-gained 3 cats, 2 of which are still here
-owned 2 houses
-driven over 150,000 miles
-driven 6 different cars
-had 3 accidents, only one of them was bad.
-been in the hospital too many times to count
-become a sister-in-law 6 times
-added 3 new sisters and a new brother by way of Prouty
-become an aunt twice
-made so many new friends, and lost some
-renewed friendships through facebook
-traveled to 3 countries
-and many many states
-loved, loved, loved.
-made November 29, 2002 the start of Elizabeth Prouty
-been loved overwhelmingly and without measure by Jayson Prouty
-been touched indelibly by Dallas and Addison Prouty
-met Robert Joseph, who fills that part of my heart left vacant when I lost my Daddy
-met you or deepened my friendship with you. (and you know who you are). You have made my life better or complete or more full of laughter than I could ever imagine.I thank God for you.

The last 10 years have been life-changing. Awe-inspiring. And in the words of New Kids on the Block circa 1994 "Let's make the next 10 even more Wicked Awesome"

Love, Elizabeth

Not a cheerful receiver

Warning: Seriously embarrassing internal flaw to be revealed.

I LOVE to give gifts. I love watching people open the gifts I've bought for them and can't wait for the moment they see their gift. When I'm shopping and I see something PERFECT for them, I'll buy it...regardless of budget or season. I really do love to give. But receiving? Not so much. It's not that I'm not thankful, I am. The fact that someone thought of me is so great, it's just that I never react well. I can't look at a present without FIRST seeing something wrong with it. "Oh, it's not my color....What do I do with this?....What the hell is this?...." These are all the first thoughts that go through my head. I have to go with this is learned behavior from somewhere, because quite honestly, I am appalled that this is one of my character traits. I can't even manage a simple "Thank you" without going through this knowingly screwes up process. Example: Picture it 2002, St.Louis, our first Christmas...Jayson gives me a gift. A WATCH! (backstory: I'd been needing a watch) I open it....and the first words out of my mouth: "Roman numerals, really? A Blue face....hmmmmm" I couldn't just freaking say THANK YOU???? Of course, Jayson's feelings were super hurt (UNDERSTANDBLY) and actually a couple of minutes later I realized that the watch was great and that I did love it. The point is that it wasn't my FIRST instinct to be thankful. This has caused a PLETHORA of awkward situations even after I have tried with all my might not to be that way. I mean I'm sure that even if you bought me tickets to Wicked, I'm sure my first thought would be "I'm not sure I like where those seats are". What is WRONG with me?

Please understand something if you are reading this and you have or were planning to give me gifts....I ALWAYS END up being thankful and appreciative of the gift, It's just my initial reaction that is so jacked up. Except when my sis-in-law gave out dollar store douches at Christmas...I never really liked that.

And then you get this

While I was still amazed by my little students wish for his parent this Christmas, today I asked what their Christmas wish was and one student said "Revenge". WHAT?

Put in my place

Nothing puts you in your place more than asking students what they want for Christmas and most asking for PSP's and DS's except for your one really quiet and shy student who whispers "my mom and dad...I really want for them to get out of jail for Christmas". Count your blessings and hold your loved ones close.

Learning to read

Today in drama class, I gave students "who" cards which gave a personality trait. They also got "where" and "what" cards with which they were to create a short scene fitting these three pieces together.
One student came up to me and said "Mrs. Prouty, I don't think I can do this "who" card, it's pretty inappropriate." I struggled to think of what card could be considered inappropriate and I asked him "Well, what did the card say?" He leaned in closed and whispered "Titty". I quickly grabbed the card from him only to read the word "Tidy".

Holiday Giving

So I was pumping gas this afternoon when a young man startled me. "Excuse me, ma'am, but I'm awfully embarrassed to ask, but I need to get back to Waxahachie and I don't have enough gas. Do you happen to have any spare change to help me?" I immediately answered that I did not and wished him luck.
As soon as he walked away, all kinds of thoughts flooded through my mind. Tons of Bible verses like Proverbs 19:17 - "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward him for what he has done" and tons of adages of helping a stranger is like helping God and I called the boy back. "I only have $1.15 in change, but that should help, Good luck." He quickly answered "Thank you, God Bless." and I felt good.
I saw him ask a couple of other people and some gave, some did not. I then watched as he got into his newer Chevy Impala. I fully expected him to pull up next to me and fill his tank. But....he didn't. He pulled right out of that gas station. To go to the next one, perhaps? I don't know, but then I did not feel good.
As I continued to pump my gas, I thought to myself "Well, if I got suckered, at least it was only for a buck or so."
I remembered many years ago while in St Louis, my father and I were walking when a man asked for money. He told us he was really hungry and needed a couple of dollars. My father said "I'd be happy to take you to get a meal, come with us". The man became belligerent and said he'd rather have the money. My father shrugged and said "Guess he wasn't that hungry".
I thought that would I should have done was ask the boy if I could put a couple of bucks of gas in his car to help him on his way and maybe that would have shown his true colors.
I got back in the car and quickly explained what had happened to Dallas. I asked him what he would have done. Dallas' easy response "Even if he was lying, you still should have given him everything you had." Lesson learned.

inappropriate

Today was picture day at school. I usually choose this one day to do my hair and look nice. Today was no exception. A 1st grader says to me "Mrs. Prouty, I really like your clothes and how you put them together. I wish my mom dressed like you. She always dresses so inappropriate."

overheard

-So class, what did we learn from the book Pinocchio? Yes, that you should never run away when your dad makes another person
Dallas teaching to his imaginary class

By your face

At church on Sunday Dallas needed to go get a drink of water. Since he's 5 now, I figured I could let him go by himself. Of course, I was a little concerned that when he walked back into the sanctuary, he wouldn't be able to find us, so I told him I would put something at the end of the aisle to see and he could find us that way. He went to get the water and when he came back, he says "I didn't need you to put that there, because I knew who you were because of your face"

No Glittering

"Mommy, you shouldn't glitter"

- Dallas, upon seeing me dump some crumbs out the car window.

Well he was being one...

Today a 5th grader was being picked on by a fellow student. I guess he'd had enough when he shouted "Leave me alone, you freaking asshole."
What can you do but laugh?

filling the bucket

This year, at my school, we are using a new philosophy to improve teacher morale. We are "filling each other's buckets". It is the concept that we all have a proverbial bucket that when filled with drops of encouragement will sustain our self esteem and therefore make us better teachers. IT IS A LOAD OF CRAP.
ahem...until you get a drop or two in yours. I didn't know the power of a random compliment. But yesterday, my bucket was filled. Not by a peer, but by a student.
I was asking my (5th grade!) students if 22 was an odd or even number. Almost all of them said odd, except for one boy in the back that kept saying "even", even while the others where emphatically shouting "odd". I asked him why he thought the number was "even". This boy happened to have been one of my very first students 4 years ago when I taught 1st grade. His answer was amazing. "Well, in first grade you taught me to ignore all the numbers but the last one, and the last one is 2, making it even".
You can not understand how this overflowed my bucket in so many ways. Number #1, I HATE MATH. So, I couldn't fathom that I could have taught this student something in Math that stuck. #2, I couldn't remember actually teaching that, but I could totally imagine myself saying to ignore all the numbers except the last one, because I HATE NUMBERS, so the more you ignore, the better. and #3, He said "When I was in first grade, YOU TAUGHT ME". He didn't have a vague memory of learning it in the first grade, he remembered ME TEACHING HIM! This is the biggest compliment that I can get...that I taught something and that it was retained...it's priceless.

So, contrary to what my friend Michelle so eloquently said that perhaps there was a "hole" in my bucket, mine fills up quite nicely and it feels really good.

They don't own one

Today, we drove by a procession of tractors to which Dallas of course asked "Mommy, what is a tractor?" I always try to sound like I know what I am talking about even if I don't, so I responded "A tractor is a piece of machinery that helps farmers do their job". (Sounds good, right?) Well, Dallas responded "So, how many tractors do Addison's Godparents have?"

This would not be a funny story if Addison's Godparents weren't named...The Farmers.

mommysick

"I was only a little mommysick...you know how when you miss your home, you're homesick? Well, when I miss my mommy, I'm mommysick. So, don't worry...I was only a little mommysick."
-Dallas when asked about his first day of school.

Little Debbie

I can not even write this without crying. Quite honestly, this is not just any special 09/09/09. This is also my little sister's birthday. Now, unlike my other younger sister Suzanne, (http://proutyhouse.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-sister.html) I was really excited to meet Deborah. I felt like such a little mommy when Deborah Rachael arrived at the Gonzalez house. (Have I mentioned that I gave my parents the idea to name her that?) Her gigantic brown eyes with just the touch of a twinkle. As Debbie got bigger (as did her eyes), she became my sweet little girl. I mean what 13 year old wants to share a room with her 4 year old sister? This girl! I adore her.
I love how she has allowed me to be her big bossy sister without really hating me too much. She has grown into such a beautiful woman and she still lets me do it sometimes. The truth is I expect a lot from her because I know she is capable of so much. So, I push her a little knowing that she can do whatever she sets her mind to. She also makes me laugh alot. In fact, both of my sisters are REALLY good at that.
Debbie- I love you so much, so much. Have an amazing birthday, but if it's okay with you, we'll call this your 23rd so that I appear younger. Thanks.

Here are your ramblings:
Born with a Mic in your hand....Rainbow Brite Sneakers....No Halloween?....Remember last night when we went to Disney World?....Time for a midnight snack (at any time)....I love Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Guy from Twilight.....Opening your Christmas presents Christmas Eve morning..."JESUS IS ALIVE!"....My Friend Lance said (said November 2006)....

I'm sure there are so much more...feel free to add....

Love, Your Sister, Liz

Night Before School Traditions

Everyone has traditions they uphold the night before school starts. Today, as I asked my students what they did last night to prepare for today, imagine my shock when a 1st grader said "Oh, I watched a movie." "Oh, really?" I asked. "What did you see?" "Drag me to hell" was her response. Really? What parent lets their 6 year old watch a movie called Drag me to hell?????

Indeed

You know, for a really small mom, you sure work hard.
-My son

a simple gift

I can not believe what happened to the Prouty family this last week. We were on our way back from our awesome trip to Colorado and stopped in Kansas for a late lunch. We commented on how few Pizza Hut restaurants still exist, so decided to eat there. It was about 2:30 and there was only one other family dining; a father, mother, toddler and infant (yes, it's important). Now, I'm pretty nosey(really?Yes!) so I overheard the father ask the waitress if they had any bottled water, to which she replied they didn't. Being a mommy, I knew immediately, that a)the baby was hungry and b) they were not going to feed with water from the tap. I turned and said "I have lots of bottled water...would you like one?" Now, I'm certain that because it seemed crazy the gentleman immediately said "Oh, that's okay". I turned back to my table and I could sense that the baby was not getting less hungry and that they really needed my water more than they were letting on, so just as I turned to offer it again, I heard the father say "Maam...do you mind sharing a bottle?" I said "Sure, I'll bring you two!" and went out to get them for him. I brought them back and said "Hey, we've been there, done that, so please do not even thank me...no big deal." We chatted back and forth, found out where they were from, where they were headed. Their kids were just adorable! They got up to leave and the father went up to Jayson and said "Sir?" (I have to admit, I thought he was going to ask for money, I know....embarrassing) Jayson turned and the father (whose name we know now is Eddie) says "It was great meeting you, thank you". He then went around the table and shook all our hands. What a nice guy, we all agreed and continued eating our pizza.
Not long after they left, the waitress came over and said "Just so you know, your bill has been taken care of...he didn't want you to know while he was still here."
How cool a story is that?

romantical

We just got back from a long weekend drive to Colorado for a wedding. I can't stop thinking about this wedding because it was by far the most romantic (emotional) wedding I have EVER been to...and I have been to MANY weddings. Jay and Angie are perfect for each other, but more importantly are made for each other. They didn't have a typical wedding, no garters, no cake in the face, no silly dances...it was just perfect. They did have a first dance to which I felt like a voyeur. Like I had no business watching this perfectly private moment. Oh, my goodness, my hearts gets all goofy thinking about it. Please quickly download "Swept Away-The Sentimental Version" by the Avett Brothers and immediately you will get the vibe I am talking about. Jay and Angie, thanks for allowing me to share in your amazing day. You two inspire me to love harder and better.

August 1

I don't know where the summer went, but I do know that in a couple of weeks I have to go back to work. I know there are some people in this world that love spending time at home and being off, unstructured. I am NOT one of those people. Left to my own devices, I do absolutely NOTHING all day. It's not that I start out to be lazy, I just have to wake up motivated or nothing gets done. Furthermore, add children to the mix and I accomplish zip. Yesterday, I spent over half of my day dealing with a tantrum-wielding toddler. Today, she woke up as complete angel. Who can figure that out? So, today will be better, right? Now, here's the rub. I miss my Dad and today is his birthday, or is it was? He would have been 64 today. So young, it seems. I still miss him everyday. Will that ever stop? I feel like I'm the only one who has this pit in my stomach. I want to go back in time and hug him, even if it meant him asking me "What do you want?" I'd give anything for him to think I was hugging for ulterior motives. If your Dad is around give him a great big hug for no reason, ok?

Not Me

I did not wear pajamas all day.
I did not try to coax a stray dog to come with me in the pouring rain.
I did not put my kids in the car to look for a lost dog sign.
I most certainly did not let my kids not sit in their car seats while I looked for that sign.
I did not give up on the dog and call animal services.
I did not ask my neighbor to watch my kids so I could go to the library and pick some good books in peace.
I did not go to the library in my pajamas.
I did not just "add a bra" so that I looked more presentable.
That was not me.

just so you know

I can not WAIT for this weekend. The Farmer's are coming.....and that is always a guarantee that I will smile...alot.

there's a reason

that God didn't make me a stay-at-home Mom. I Love, Adore, Worship my kids, but I can NOT be around them for more than 8 hours a day. Maybe it's because I'm an older mother, maybe it's because I'm a less patient person than most. Maybe, just maybe it's because I've created two human beinsgs that know they can scream to get what they want (!) For any reason, they wear on me in large doses. Yet, also make me laugh ALOT. Addison is 2 and her way to get my attention is to repeat several dozen times "Mommy, Look" then repeat what she wants me to see a dozen more. Really, this is only funny when she wants me to see berries (she calls them boobies). I wish I had a dollar for every time I say "Yes, Yes, I see". Now here's the Rub- because I can feel the heat rising in my body every time I hear Addi's blood curling scream or Dallas' beginnings of a fit---I feel like a total failure as a parent. I mean, it's not like I see them so often...this is SUMMER! It's why I became a teacher....to spend time with my kids. So, why am I going nuts and can't wait for school to start? Am I just lazy? Ugghhh....I don't think there is an answer.

growth spurt

I am a short person. There is no denying that when it comes to height, my children are not getting it from me. Imagine my surprise today when we met some friends for a movie and it was noticeable that he had grown since last we saw his friend. I really had a hard time believing it. I mean, he's been sleeping more and eating more, but I think all that might be because he had a growth spurt. I could not get over it. So, this evening during bath time I asked him "Dallas, how did you get so tall?" He quickly answered "It's easy Mommy, I just asked God for it."

don't worry

I asked my son to hug me because I know one day he will be too big and won't want to be hugged on. I said "Dallas, I will love you forever, please don't ever stop loving me" His response? "Mommy, don't worry, I'll never leave you. I'm going to always live with you...in the backyard."

super powers

I freakin' made this!

less intense

Dallas has it in his head that he is going to make a CD. He asks me throughout the day if the song he is singing would be a good one for his CD. He asks if I want a copy of his CD. He wonders if he can make a video to go with his CD. He writes his own songs that usually revolve around rhyming the word "blame". I explained to him that making your own CD is hard because you need to write songs that don't go on and on saying the same thing. :)
He says "Well, I'll work on my songs and give them names and put them on my CD"
"Okay" I say "What's the first song called?" He starts singing "You're to blame....It's your name....I made claim....He's the same....You need pame...."
"Well, what are you going to call it?" I prod.
"Cats" he answers.

and now....

I've been busy, I've been in a rut, I've been teaching summer school, I've been tired, I've been overwhelmed, I'm sad, I'm happy. I've been on a whirlwind tour of emotion these last couple of weeks (months, years). But, it all boils down to this sentence: My mom is getting re-married tomorrow. It should be a happy statement, but I say it through clenched teeth, sick stomach and wry smile. Why is this such a hard thing to say? I haven't spoken to my mother in a long time. Not weird for many, I'm sure. But, good or bad, I've always had a relationship with my mom. Never going for too long without talking, and now nothing. She invited me to the wedding. She passive agressively commented on my facebook status (!) but no other attempt to communicate. I have done everything I possibly could to make sure that she knows I love her, that I don't care that she's getting married, that I am capable of sharing her with others, but she hasn't reciprocated. When my father was alive, he would intercede on her behalf. He's not here, she's not even trying. Agh! So, she gets married tomorrow. I'm not going. I live 20 minutes away. My only excuse? She wouldn't care if I was there anyway, I obviously make no difference to her life as my life is no different aside from the fact that I have this nagging pit in my stomach that tells me that this is not how a family should be. She'll be okay, she has a new family. I'll be okay, I have an excellent family and my children do not lack in people who love them as family. But, I wonder....what is it I want? I think I've realized I want something I've never really had. With my mom, love comes with a whole lot of crap I really don't need in my life. It's a sad reality. So, I want the kind of love that expects nothing in return but love. We can't seem to give that to each other. I recently read a quote that said "being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect, it means you have decided to see beyond the imperfections". I love it. Not having my mom around is definitely not perfect, but I am happy. I have a husband who (for what reason I'm not sure) adores me,my children make me laugh every single day, my sisters and I have strengthened our already strong bond, my brothers-in-laws are amazing, my friends are there for me 100%, I teach DRAMA!!!!. My life is really great and I am done mourning. Everything will be okay.

it will probably kill you

Dallas was diagnosed with asthma the other day. It is a fact that didn't catch me entirely off guard but it did make me think about how life as we now live it could change. I am at a meeting in New Orleans and my roommate is a woman who has had asthma all her life. We started talking about it and she shared that when she was a child her mother told her to never smoke. When she asked her mother why, her mother told her that if she smoked, she would immediately die (because of the asthma). She never doubted her mom and her entire adolescence she was too petrified to try smoking on the off chance that her mother was right. I LOVE THIS LOGIC. So, last night when there was nothing else on television, I watched a show on MTV (please save your judgement) called "16 and pregnant". Man, every girl on that show was so stupid. But, I digress. It dawned on me that I don't ever want my son to get a 16 year old girl pregnant, so I decided right then and there that I will let him know that he better not have sex. When he asks me why, I will tell him. "It will probably kill you...you know, because of your asthma." There---problem averted.

listen up

Dear Brandon-

Every time I see you in the parking lot with your stupid hemp necklace on; I want to punch you in the face.

Love, Elizabeth

at the surface

Today, one of my friends lost her father to a heart attack. I lost my father 2 years ago this March and her loss made mine fresh and new again. Selfish? Maybe. But, I started thinking about how devastated I was when my grandfather passed away and how I didn't think it was possible to feel that kind of pain again. But, of course, that wasn't true. My grandfather was an awesome, awesome man. There wasn't a thing he could do wrong in my eyes. I loved him as much as my own father and here I sit missing Mi Abuelo, Mi Papi. Wanting just one more day to hug on them and let them know how much they were (are) adored. I wrote this poem when Abuelo died. Sometimes I read it when the emotions are at the surface.

The mug
forces me to shut my eyes
to the truth it holds.
Somewhere deep in the Bible,
it tells of having faith
in him
who hung on a tree.
Surely they didn't mean,
My Savior,
Abuelo.
He too hung from a tree.
Until, of course
they came and cut him down.

Hard to distort that reality.

How depressed the roses looked
disconnected from their home.

Ay Negra, que memoria tienes!
What a memory you have!

Cafe con leche
un pedazo de pan con mantequilla,
dipped into the life-giving blend.
"Ewww, Abuelo, Not that way!"

Light up a Marlboro
Drink up all the Libby's,
sell him a newspaper
on the porch
as the day ends.

I had said a prayer
that my children
would be so lucky.

He taught me to drive
in circles,
while he roared with laughter.
Held my hand
to cross the street,
to get to,
Granada's Family Market
Fruit Flavored Mentos
Pink, Yellow, White, Green.
All gone by the time
we get home.

Home isn't where I live,
but wherever Abuelo is.

In 7th Grade,
Bryan told me
that you can tell
what someone's house
smells like
by the odor
of their hair.

Mine smells like Abuelo.
Freshly banado
Old Spice and Expresso.

Sing to me, Grandpa.
Haunting melodies
of a life once lived.

Faded memories
of an Asturian sunset.
And of the rain
falling mainly in the plains

A mi me da igual.

He won't eat corn
you know.
Because that's what
they fed the pigs
where he comes from.

That week,
he told a stranger
that we were all
coming home soon.
A Family Reunion.
I touched his hand.
Cold, clammy, crappy
hand.

I don't have the strength
to cross the street anymore,
Abuelo.

Oh, that I could take
all that brings life and make everything right.

The checkered mug
I'd always coveted
is mine now,
If I want it.
It has to sit
on the rattan tray,
on the microwave,
on the counter,
next to the sink.
It has to.

Where is the hand that will
lead me home?
Seems too much maintenance
to uphold the legacy
of a stupid old mug.

Good Choice

One of my coworkers had some pretty big news. Her son was accepted to Yale. He received a full ride as well as acceptance to their prestigious School of Drama. (ed.note: Boy, am I jealous). Her and I were talking about it while Dallas listened on. As we walked away, Dallas asked me what "Yale" was. I explained as best I could that it was a really good school and that my friend's son had his choice to go to ANY school he wanted to and that I thought he made a really good choice. Dallas looked at me and said "I think he made a bad choice; I would have chosen Mother's Day Out."

what i have lerned in drame

So, the last day of school is upon us. I asked a 4th grader to tell me what he learned this year. This is what I received. Editor's Note: This took him 50 minutes and all errors are his.

"What have Lerned in Drame is that you have to have a lot of fuchous to be a grat actoer and that you nee a lot of Practie, a lot of sleep and talint. But thats not going to happen in 1 day its take a week to get garat at acting. "

So, I assume that Tom Hanks has a lot of focus, sleeps a lot and had a week to work on his craft.

what manners

I just asked my son to throw some paper in the trash for me. His response: "I'd be honored to."

perplexed

I have a dilemna. My abuela (grandma) is old and shouldn't be living be herself anymore. We just got back from my sister's wedding and when I dropped her off at her apartment it was so sad. She can't properly care for herself. I have neglected abuela for so long with the belief that someone else should take care it and after all, I have my own family to care for. But now, I think that I have some responsibility and something needs to be done. My good friend's grandmother lives with them and I admire that she and her family have been selfless as to let that happen. But, there's a huge difference...her grandma drives, speaks English, has her wits about her. I can't say the same for Abuela, who needs to be reminded to shower. I live far away from anything, if I bring her to my house, she wouldn't even have the option to walk somewhere (even though anymore she doesn't leave her house). My husband is not against bringing her to our house, but we aren't sure it would work. I think being around the kids would be beneficial to her health. What would you do?

Take that Brandon

So I just got back from Target where I saw my nemesis Brandon. Guess he got demoted to pushing carts. Ha....don't mess, Brandon, don't mess....

Just what he always wanted

I asked Dallas what we should buy Daddy for Father's Day. His response:

"We should buy him a black tuxedo with a purple shirt"

Jayson would love it!

Always difficult to grasp

With every bad thing something good happens, right? I sometimes find that hard to believe. I struggle to see good when things are bleak. I look toward my faith to help me through those difficult to grasp moments and that's when my faith seems weakest. My sister got married last weekend, we had an amazing time. We love love love our new brother in law, we love our sister,we love North Carolina; such a good thing. So easy to see God's plan at work, so easy to be uplifted and thankful. But, yesterday, a friend of mine lost her much wanted, much loved baby and my heart ached (still aches) for her. So hard to see God's plan, so hard to be uplifted and thankful. I don't get it and yet I understand that it isn't mine to get.
So many other things are weighing heavy on my heart right now and I hope that one day I can look back on this time and say "Oh, now I get it"....but until then....

stinky situation

Dallas to his babysitter yesterday:
"I can't take a bath today I'm under the weather"

$1.00 off of your head

Oooohhhh, I was so ticked off yesterday. I recently began using coupons to try to save money. I've been doing really good with it too. I figure the less money I spend on food and household items, the more I can spend on going to the beach. So, armed with coupons, I usually head to my local Target. Yesterday was no exception. Until I ran into "Brandon". He was my 16 year old check out guy who apparently hates coupons or kids covered in frosting from the free cookie, but I digress. He doesn't greet me at all and then proceeds to roll his eyes when I tell him I have some coupons. Each coupon he scans brings with it attitude. I accidently grabbed the wrong size on something and he says "didn't you read it?" WHAT? Who do you think you are, Brandon? I made a mistake. I guess Brandon never does, because when I ask him to take the product off, he guffaws in disgust. I didn't say a word. He then tells me I can't use a coupon because one of my items costs less than the coupon amount. Now, I know my Target coupon policy and I know that they do accept it. In fact, he's already accepted another one, but I don't mention this. I just say "I know your policy, yes you do." He says "It's not my rule". Oh, I am about done with him when he finally is done. I pay the man and then say "You know what, I know that you probably don't want to be working today and I know that couponers are probably not your favorite, but you need to treat customers better, even if they have coupons...furthermore, you need to treat customers as if they are the most important thing to Target. Which incidentally, we are!!!" To this, Brandon responded "I didn't do anything to you" and proceeds to roll his eyes again. Oh, I'm pretty much shaking at this point and say "Your attitude did!" He dismisses me with a shrug and tells me to go "talk to his manager then". Oh, I did....and today I'm going back, heading straight to Brandon and getting my wet wipes for free. Don't mess with a Thrifty Mama!!!

On the Serious Tip

You know, I witnessed something on Saturday that I can't seem to shake out of my head. I was at the gym when two very overweight people were pulling their kids out of the childcare. Apparently, it sounded like they were called because their young son had been asked to leave. As I walked into the locker room, I heard the beginning of the father's "lecture". He was telling his (maybe) five year old that he needed to exhibit more "self-control". Now, while I understand what he was trying to tell his son, I thought to myself....who's modeling that for him? I mean, it IS a big deal to go the gym, especially when I knew they were there to better themselves. But, I thought it was a little hypocritical to tell a small child to exhibit self-control when it was obvious his parents struggled with the same thing (just in a different way). I am not a perfect parent, I know that. I recently read a book where the author stated that adults need to be "the people we want our children to be". I try every day to do that, and I know it's hard, but I don't think I would ever lecture my child to not do the very thing that I can not do (if that makes sense). All I know is that I want to do everything I can to be the person I want my kids to be.

Tattle Tale

Dallas:
Do you know what telling on someone means?
Mommy:
What, Dallas?
Dallas:
It means throwing them under a bus.

We're EXPECTING!

Dallas and Addi were fighting over a water bottle today. After screaming and yelling, Addi finally yanked it out of Dallas' hands and threw it down. Dallas yelled "Her water broke!" to which he added "I guess she's having a baby next". Of course, I quickly asked "What do you mean by that?" He responded "When your water breaks, you have a baby". I asked him where he learned that. "That movie where the baby talks...."

He watched Look Who's Talking a month ago.

He sure does...

Dallas:
That Jesus Christ sure sounds like an awesome guy.

Generations

We celebrated motherhood by spending time with Abuela yesterday. I think my kids keep her young. They laughed and laughed. What a great afternoon...

Why I Love Being a Mother...

For every time my kids drive me bananas, they do a million things that make me smile. This Mother's Day included one of those things. I woke up to cashews from Dallas (For all the times he drives me nuts) and Emergen-C from Addi (to give me energy to chase her around). Those gifts weren't enough for Dallas. He went upstairs for a little bit and came back down with just one more gift for "the best mom ever".

A bag- filled with things he found in my bathroom and a Barbie dress. How sweet.

This is why...

This is why I don't allow my children to be creative. I don't care if it's stifling them from being the next Picasso. Got a problem with it? I'll let you come clean it up.

Let Go!

Addi says some cute things too every once in awhile; even if she has a very limited vocabulary. Today at church, the Pastor was giving an example of a child stuck in a tree and how the child's father was asking the son to just let go. Pastor repeated the words "let go" about 3 times to Addi's pleasure who decided that at that moment she too would implore of the son "LET GO!". She kept yelling louder "LET GO!" over and over. Of course, everyone around us "let go" as we tried control our laughter.

caliente

Dallas: Mommy, I have a real spicy question for you.

Mommy: Ooooh, really? What is it.

Silence.

It sure is

"It sure is Froggy out today"
-Dallas on his way to school yesterday. Yep, there was a lot of fog.

My Sister

I have a gift. She was given to me when I was 3 years old and her name is Suzanne. Now, when I was 3, I've heard that I wasn't too interested in having her around, but over the years, she's become a lot more fun. Today, my gift is celebrating her birthday and I'm celebrating the anniversary of meeting her.

Oh, how I love my sister! She makes me laugh more than any other person in this world. I don't even need to say any words, just one look can lead us into convulsions of laughter. My dad used to call us "laughing hyenas" and warn us that we would "never find husbands with those laughs." (Typing those words makes me laugh out loud). Suzanne is also one of the only people who can make me cry. She's a lot like Dad in that way. If I disappoint her or upset her, it is sure to reduce me to tears. I don't like her knowing that very much.

She knows all my inside jokes, she knows all my strengths and all my weaknesses. She is an amazing woman, friend, sister, wife and now mother.

Suzanne....I love you so much and hope you have a wonderful birthday! If I could, I would buy you a baby monkey...

The following ramblings are for you. (in no particular order, although I did try)

The Peculiar Purple Pie Man from Porcupines Peak...Oh No It's The Nosy Neighbor From Next Door...No, you be Michael Jackson...Susie...Red Glasses...Charles(said in that way)...The next guy who walks in is your boyfriend...Red Baron Pub...Papa does Preach...All my life/Baby, Baby...You can call me Elfie from now on...WTF!?!?!...Uptown Baby...Las Justas...Because I knew you, I have been changed For Good....

Back-In-The-Day

We're watching The Music Man in my 3rd grade Drama class. They've just watched when someone asks for a drink and goes out to the well to pump some water. One student asks "Did they really have to do that?" Just before I can answer, another student pipes up "Yeah...back in the day they did....Mrs. Prouty, did you know I used to live back-in-the-day in an old haunted house? It's from when John Wayne and his people used to go through there. Well, I saw the well they used to drink water from. That's how I know."

Prouty Family Rock Band

Dallas and I do our best talking in the car during our 45 minute drive home. As a parent, I look forward to these times because I have been made well aware that there will be a time he won't want to talk to me at all. Here's our conversation yesterday.

D: Guess what Mommy?

M: Yes, Dallas?

D: Last night I dreamt that I was a rock star. I played the drums.

M: That sounds like fun.

D: I was thinking that when I grow up, I can be in a rock band.

M: You can do anything you like, Dallas. (Editors note: See what a good mother I am?)

D: Well, Addison can be in it too...she can be the guitar player. And I was thinking you can be in it too.

M: Me? What would I play?

D: (without hesitation) The flute.

M: Hmmm....I guess that's okay. Is Daddy in it? What would he play?

D: (again, without hesitation) Of course, he plays the violin.

M: (chuckling) That sounds like quite a rock band.

D: It is. They'll call us the Prouty Family Rock Band.

M: (Hysterical laughter) Yup....that's what they'll call us.

So, coming soon to an arena near you: THE PROUTY FAMILY ROCK BAND complete with guitars, drums, flutes and violins.

Teach Them Well And Let Them Lead The Way

So many years ago Whitney led us to believe that the children our the future. Clearly, Whitney never taught elementary school. I could, in effect, write a different story every day of how a child has overwhelmed me with knowledge they shouldn't have. I am equal parts horrified and amused by the things that get brought up in class. Now, I teach drama so I get to see things from home getting aired out on stage. Sometimes, it's heartbreaking and all I can do is squeak out a "Thanks, next group" and sometimes I can't stop laughing. This week, I was working with 5th graders on the creative writing process. I hoped to inspire them to create a scene they could perform on stage. I had them write out their ideas, prompting them with ideas...Who are your characters? What is the problem? etc.

Here's one example of about 18 (similar) ones I got that day. I will translate it for you. No, not because it's in Spanish. It's in English, albeit 5th Grade gangsta' English (self-proclaimed)

Characters are: Little Wayne and Bird Man (These are apparently rappers)

What does one character want: Bird Man wants a red champagne.

Conflict: Little Wayne has the red champagne.

Resolution: Bird Man want it and he know that Little Wayne had it but he did give it to Bird Man.

By the way, this one never made it to the stage.

A Great Friday

Good Friday is probably my favorite day of the year. I actually find solace in knowing I'm a sinner. Maybe it makes me feel better for the naughty things I do or maybe it makes the gift of Jesus so much more awesome. Good Friday evokes a lot of emotion for me. The images of a beaten, battered savior on a cross for ME, the closing of the tomb, the expectation of the resurrection. It's just too much for me to take sometimes. The service, no matter where we attend, always finds me at the end dabbing my eyes. (Of course, I'm pretending I have something in my eye) At most churches we've attended there has always been some symbolic act like hammering a nail into a cross or dropping a rock in a bucket to make a loud noise. This year, the youth of our church did a shadow show behind a large white curtain. Because of the shadows, it felt like the message was that more poignant. Dallas was in awe of the whole thing. He watched with anticipation to see what would happen. It's what he said next that started the tears. He watched as the guards mocked and pushed Jesus down and said "Oh No, Don't go pushing MY Jesus!" He sure is something! Which reminds me of my favorite Good Friday/Easter Story. When my sweet little sister Debbie was 3 or 4, we went to a Good Friday service. At the end of the service, while everyone is walking out in silence. Debbie says "What happened? Why is everyone sad?" to which we replied "Jesus died." She shook her head and said "Oh No" and did not say a word the rest of the night. On Sunday morning, the pastor came out with shouts of "He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!" To which Debbie, equally loud, shouted "JESUS IS ALIVE!" Of course everyone looked at her, touched at her ability to understand the Easter story at such a young age. What they did not know, of course, was that to young Debbie's child mind; our Pastor, with his beard and shaggy hair WAS Jesus and to see him come out on Easter morning was indeed a resurrection!

It's Official

Today has been deemed "Hiccupotomaus Day" by Dallas. Why, you ask? Simple...he has the hiccups.

Why I Love My Weekends...

This is what it is all about...
I love Addi's disinterest.

overheard

Dallas, to his 2 year old sister as they are walking hand-in-hand down the stairs.

"Come on, Addison. Let's go downstairs and pretend the Simpsons are appropriate."

April Fool

Dallas has no idea that April Fool's Day is only 1 day. He has been telling me all kinds of April Fool's Jokes since Tuesday. They range from "Mommy, we're going to be late to school....April Fools!" to "Mommy, I'm gonna spend the night in the car....April Fools!". Today, of course, I got a doozy. "Mommy, you're the prettiest and best mommy in the world....April Fools!"

Almost The Same Thing

I work in a school where the majority of students do not speak English as their first language. As a result, sometimes there are miscommunications. The following is an example of what I mean.
Yesterday, we had the orchestra director from the local middle school come to recruit 5th grade students. He brought several of the instruments and played them for the students. He began to play "Amazing Grace". I was standing at the back of the class and the student seated at my feet said to the kids around her "I know this song, it's satanic". I looked down at her and said "No, it's not!" and she said "Yes, it is I heard it before. It's satanic." She then whispered to her classmates "Isn't this satanic?" and they all said "Oh, yes, it is satanic". I told her to stop and said "This is a church song! It's Amazing Grace!" She looked at her friends and said frustrated "I know I heard it in that Leonardo Dicaprio movie." Yeah, she meant Titanic.

Overheard

From one 5th grade girl to another:

Girl A: When I become an actress, I'm not going to be like Vanessa Hudgens, I'm going to be more like Ashley Tisdale.
Girl B: Ashley Tisdale is good, Vanessa Hudgens is naughty. She put
nudie pictures on the internet.

Girl A: Well, she didn't mean to put them on the internet, she sent them on her phone to Zac Efron as a special surprise.

Girl B: Some surprise! Now, the whole world's seen her boobies.

Girl A: Ashley Tisdale would never show her boobies, She's so good that I don't
even know who she dates. Forget it, I want to be Beyonce.

Stuck Kid Over Here

We're in the habit of spelling stuff around Dallas so that he won't know what we are talking about. Mostly it's just swear words or people's names, so we assume that our spelling is just breezing by our sweet little 4 year old. Well, last night, while watching television, Jayson calls out to me from the kitchen- Is the G-A-Y guy still on there?

About ten minutes later, I hear Dallas calling out "G-A-Y guy over here!" I asked him to repeat himself since I really didn't think I'd heard that right. "G-A-Y guy over here!" I look over to the couch and he has somehow wedged himself in the couch between the two seats. I asked why he was saying "G-A-Y guy". To which he quickly responded "It means stuck kid."

An Ideally Perfect Place

Blogging is something that happens in today's world. No longer do you hear "I can't wait to tell so-and-so what happened" and instead we hear "Oh, I can't wait to blog about this". So, anytime something really funny happens to me at home or school and I can't wait to blog about it, I remember that I don't even have a blog. For a while, I tried Friendster and that calmed the itch, but then nobody had a Friendster anymore and I moved to MySpace and then I remembered I wasn't 20, so I moved to facebook where it isn't blog-friendly. So, where am I supposed to capture all these nuances of life? PROUTOPIA. My newly created country where everything is amazing and hysterical even when reality is not. You're welcome to visit anytime. We have no borders.