When Your Daughter Witnesses Abuse

Meg accompanied me to the grocery store today.  As we were exiting the store and heading to our car, we both heard screams. Like someone was being hurt.

Meg:  Did you hear that?

Me:  I did. I wonder where it's coming from?

As we listened harder, I started to wonder if it really was a woman being hurt or if it was kids in a swimming pool nearby. You'd be amazed how many times I've wondered if I should call the police after hearing screams, only to hear a huge splash right after into a neighbor's pool.

As we approached our car, Meg said, "Look! Over there! That girl just fell out of that car and that guy threw all her stuff out on the ground. See? She's trying to pick it up."

I could see the scene she was referring to about 100 yards away. As we stared, straining to see if the girl was okay, we heard the guy yell, "Stop staring! Everyone has their problems!"

Oh boy.

By then our groceries were loaded, and Meg got in the car while I returned the cart to the holding area. The whole time I'm thinking I should call the police or something. It was then that another woman came to return her cart as well ...

Woman:  Did you hear that?

Me:  I did, and I'm wondering if that girl needs help.

Woman: I was wondering the same thing. Oh wait, she's getting back in the car and leaving with him!!

Me:  No way.

Woman:  Well, I guess all we can do now is pray for her.

Me:  Amen. For her safety and that she gets OUT of that relationship.

As I got into our car, Meg wanted to know what I was talking to that lady about.

Me:  We were talking about whether or not that girl needed our help, but then she got back in the car and left with that guy.

Meg:  That might give me nightmares tonight.

Me:  I pray you NEVER find yourself in a relationship like that, Megan. NO ONE deserves to be treated like that.

Meg:  Mom. I'm gonna be a NUN, remember? 

Me:  Oh yeah, that's right.

And after what I witnessed today, I couldn't be more thrilled with her choice.  And we're not even Catholic.

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Childless

You never know what a day will bring. Case in point ...

As we were trying to get out the door for school this morning, my cell phone rang. It was my husband's Aunt Vera.

Vera:  Hi. What are you all doing right now?

Me:  Heading out the door for school.

Vera:  How good are you at changing plans at the last minute?

While the voice inside my head screamed "Terrible!! If there's one thing I DON'T do well, it's spontaneity!!" The voice outside my head said:  Okay, why? What's going on?

Vera:  You know John (Henry's dad) and I were planning on going with my grand kids to Disneyland this week.

Me:  Yeah?

Vera:  Well, the kids got sick so we were wondering if your girls could come with us instead for the next 3 days.

Me:  Today?!

Vera:  Yes.

Me:  What time?

Vera:  We'd be there in a couple hours.

Me mildly freaking out, but trying to sound in control:  Great! We'll see you then!!

OH. MY. GOODNESS. 

I suppose I should have checked with Henry & the girls first before committing to such a trip, but I figured they'd forgive me.

So within 5 minutes we went from rushing out the door, to stuffing a suitcase!!  Crazy!! I never EVER thought I'd be one of those parents who pulled their kids from SCHOOL to go to an AMUSEMENT PARK, but look at me now!! Woo hoo!!

Now in all the excitement, guess what did NOT occur to me? That sending the girls off to Southern California for 3 days isn't only fun for THEM, but fun for US!! 

Normally this would be the FIRST thing I thought of, but I was SO tired and SO rushed, that I was actually only thinking of my GIRLS and the opportunity before THEM. Shocking, I know, but once I realized the potential of the next few days, I was like a kid on Christmas Eve!  The main reason for my excitement, if I may be completely honest, is that I cleaned the house this past weekend, and with the girls gone for 3 days ... that means the house will be CLEAN for 3 WHOLE DAYS!!!

That's right ... welcome to the REAL HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!

One hour ago ...

Megan Face Timed us tonight so that we could hear she and Amanda fight in the hotel room. 

Actually, I think the real reason she called was because she missed us ... the fighting was just a bonus.  ;)

Friends with BROTHERS

While my friend is on a 3-day school trip with her son, we have the pleasure of having her daughter Hannah stay with us!

Here's all you need to know about Hannah: She has an older brother.

Now MY girls LOVE hanging out with Hannah, and I think a big reason for that is because her interests are so diverse, and a lot of THAT (I think) has to do with her growing up with a brother. I mean, all my two have ever known are tea parties, hair bows and Barbies.

Now granted, somehow, my girls learned how master armpit farting, but for the most part, I like to believe we're raising our girls to be feminine. We're certainly TRYING anyway.

This morning over breakfast, after Hannah had been dropped off at the ungodly hour of OH!! SIX-HUNDRED-HOURS, and mom and brother had driven on their way, Megan spied a package of salted peanuts that had been left at our house the night before when Hannah, her brother and mom had been here hanging out ...

Meg: Someone left their nuts here (girls giggle).

Hannah: Well they're not MINE (more giggling).

Me CLEARLY not thinking before speaking: Are they your brother's?

Hannah: Uh NO. HIS are in the CAR.

And that would be when ALL of us "LADIES" laughed our heads off.

I know. SUCH JUNIOR HIGH BOY BEHAVIOR!! And maybe you had to have been there, but it was super funny to all us sleep-deprived girls.

Later, I texted Hannah's mom the entire conversation, and requested permission to blog about it. For better or worse ... permission was granted. 


Here's a photo Hannah's mom texted me last year when Meg went home with them after school one day. She prefaced it by saying, "MY daughter is adding 'spice' to YOUR daughter's life!! Are we still friends?!"

Meg & Han ...

Buds to the Bone.