....a mother's dream for her daughter

I remember as a child....

.....my very first recital rocking my baby doll, Baby Red, in my orange and yellow sequined tutu on the stage in Wichita Falls

.....pictures with two childhood friends...Meredith and Leah in those same orange and yellow tutus

.....ballet recitals in a royal blue leotard, dark brown hair pulled back in the perfect ballerina bun, red lipstick, rosy cheeks, and an arm full of flowers

.....the hot pink and silver sequined suit with matching top hats dancing to "Heaven is a Place on Earth"

.....the black and silver striped horrible one piece leotard with bike shorts....ick and awkward

.....one word.....Caboodles!!!!

.....shiny black patent tap shoes with satin ties

.....perfect pink ballet shoes

.....jazz shoes

.....the nerves on recital day

.....the backstage giggles of us girls

.....an entire day of preparation with cute ballet bags full of the "perfect" makeup, hair products, and other necessities of a performer

.....the shining stage lights that were so bright it kept me from seeing anything but a huge fog in front of me

.....the eight counts in my head so I would not mess up on any part of my dance

As a mom I will remember......

.....preparing for my sweet 3 year old daughter, Claire, to be in her first ballet recital

.....anticipating the arrival of her first ballet recital costume

.....buying the very first pair of ballet shoes

.....looking for the ballerina Barbie to coax her into the studio on those challenging days that she only wanted Mommy

.....loving that she could take ballerina Barbie into the studio and let them "watch" from the wall

.....receiving the sweet ballet bag from her cousin, Katelyn, from her early ballet days

.....nervousness of getting tickets to her first recital

.....anxiety of getting the precious curls brushed out for the "perfect ballet bun"

.....putting makeup on my baby for many hours of fun pictures of her first night on stage of what she thinks is "The Nutcracker" aka...Nutcwaker

.....kisses and hugs to her sweet teachers upon arriving for class each week

.....Claire changing her favorite color from pink to blue due to her sweet blue Cinderella (Cindawella) ballet cosutme

.....knowing that I have always dreamed of having a baby girl to get dolled up for her first year of ballet and first ballet recital

Thank you God for the opportunity to be the mother of a sweet baby girl who loves girly things, all things pink, Princesses, the spotlight of performing, and the idea of being in "The Nutcracker" when it's her first recital. I pray for many more days ahead for her to grow up as a sweet ballerina!

Mother's Day Memories

Mother's Day, to me, is a day to enjoy my little blessings...Cameron and Claire and the gift of motherhood that God has given me. It is also a day to honor my sweet mother and to remember my grandmothers. It is also a day to look to the other women in my life who have influenced me in other ways....but for right now, memories of my Grandmother, Great Aunt and Mom are in the forefront of my mind.

This year was different. It was a Mother's Day that I didn't have a chance to spend with my mom due to my parents being out of town...or state, rather. It was the first Mother's Day that we weren't together. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on the many holidays we've shared over the past 33 years and the celebrations we've had. It was a time for reflection....of my childhood, shopping trips, mother-daughter talks, birthday party planning, cheerleading, prom dress shopping, and our favorite.......trips to see my grandmother and great aunt in Wichita Falls. I get those warm, fuzzy feelings when I think of our weekend trips from Graham to Wichita Falls to see Mama Nell and G.G. These trips always included watching "Days of Our Lives" with Mama Nell at her garden apartment with G.G. sitting and shaking her head in awe that we "actually watched that junk!" We would make numerous trips to Carrows Restaurant and I would watch the three of them drink many cups of coffee in the middle of the day. I couldn't believe they drank that stuff! Ha-now, as an adult, I couldn't imagine a day without it! I would sit there drinking the little white cups of half and half, gross! We also made numerous trips to Albertsons, taking them for a quick pick up of the necessities needed for a few days in their world. I now look back and see where I got my love for chatting with friends in random places. Mama Nell would ALWAYS find a friend to chat with whether it be the store, the bank, the mall, even the hospital. I would stand back, as the disgusted teenager, wondering if she would ever stop talking....just as G.G would. Now, I love that I have that trait of hers. It warms my heart.

Mom and I would always go to the mall and make a fun trip picking up various things I needed, but I couldn't wait to get to the bookstore. Waldenbook's was my favorite stop as a child. Eagerly approaching the children's section, I would go straight toward The Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley Twins series. Mom and I would go our own ways and meet up at the counter with books in hand topped off with a brand new bookmark which adorned a puppy, kitten or some sort of iconic picture of the latest "cool" trend. Once returning to Mama Nell's apartment, I would instantly grab the favorite book out of the green Waldenbook's sack and delve into the words placing myself into the story as a main character alongside the others.

These memories are ones I hold dear to my heart. I pray that I can help Cameron and Claire have these same type of experiences with their Memaw and myself as the years progress. I know I am a better person having had these wonderful women in my life.

I miss Mama Nell and G.G., but know that one day we will reunite and might even be looking for the nearest Carrow's Restaurant inside the Pearly Gates.....with coffee, of course!