In Case You Were Wondering...

November 22, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving...to Americans and non-Americans alike!

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING...This is my beautiful family and I am most thankful for them! Thanksgiving is celebrated in other countries, but not all! Here in America, it's become more about the meal and the football (American-style). I'm having 19 people over for the feast this year. My first with my boyfriend's family. As I am stressing over the state of the house (in particular the girl's bedroom) and whether the turkey is going to be thawed on-time; I find myself forgetting what the day is really all about.

I haven't seen it yet but there is a new movie coming out here in the States...The Pursuit of Happyness. I find myself crying...sobbing in fact...at the previews of this movie. It's about a man who is on the brink of losing everything and yet has a young son to care for. He takes an internship...unpaid...because the end result is a higher paying job. They sleep in homeless shelters and in subway station bathrooms! He had nothing but what he and his son could carry yet he was a joyful father to his son...and so very brave! (I'm watching the Will Smith interview with Oprah right now and I'm crying so hard right now, I may electricute myself typing this...lol).

What I"m getting at is that for so many of us...myself included, have been through tough times. I lost my daughter's father 18 months ago. I would complain about life not being fair to us. But, I have a loving boyfriend, a supportive family and two incredible daughters who frequently remind that their daddy is not gone, in fact, he's with us all the time now! So, I'm inspired to thank God daily for what I have and I'm not sure, after seeing the previews...and I will see the movie, that I will never again ask God, why me? I have so much more than I realized a few minutes ago.

So, I wish all my scrapbooking friends worldwide to have a Happy Thanksgiving and blessings on you and your family that you are all as rich as I am...rich in LOVE...rich in FRIENDSHIP...rich in LIFE!

Wisconsin Dells
Page 1

posted by JennHenn @ Nov 22, 2006 | 1 comments | |

November 6, 2006

Big not-so-big moments...

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING....what does that mean? I had to ask myself if I completely understood what I was trying to say. My daughter, Amelia, is 8 years old. She's a cheerleader (that's obvious). It has become an all-consuming role in her life and, I'm ok with that.

We moved to our hometown this past summer. We used to live in the big city and she participated in a pom-pom group that ran for 6-weeks and ended with a recital...another 6 weeks, another recital. When we moved, it was too far away to make the 1/2 hour drive for a 45 minute practice one night a week. So, a friend of a friend told me about the cheerleading team at the local gymnastics club. I signed Amelia up for a cheer clinic and she was hooked! She was pretty good, too. The pom-pom background was a big help. She was invited to try-out for the team and (of course) was invited to join.

It's been a great motivator for her to keep her room clean and her grades up. She's gained a ton of confidence and self-esteem and she's gone from being a chunky little girl to a not-so-chunky girl. What's most important, is she's found something that she loves, something that she can continually work at and improve upon. It's something that she sees herself doing for a long time. She wants to be a cheerleading coach when she grows up. My only complaint is her new favorite show is Making the Team: The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. She says she doesn't want to be one of them...they show too much of their boobs (LOLOL).

Her very first competition was this past weekend. I didn't realize how much fun it was going to be and that I'd actual be proud to be a cheerleading mom! Amelia was very nervous and had actually thrown up after her dress practice on Thursday. I told her that I was proud of her no matter what happened. All I expected out of her was to get on the mat and to do the best that she could do. Amazingly, she ran out onto the mat waving at the judges and smiling the biggest most beautiful smile I'd ever seen on her face. She and her team did a fantastic job! I cried and cried and couldn't stop telling her how proud I was of her and that whether they placed or not...I was the proudest mom there was in that whole coliseum!

Secretly though, I hoped that they would place. For her confidence. It's hard as a parent to tell your child to do their best...they do but than aren't rewarded. Thus, trying to make a Big moment not-so-big. Well, they took first place! More cheering and screaming (I lost my voice) and lots more crying! I hope that someday you have a moment in your child's life where you can feel the way that I did for her on Saturday. It was one of the greatest moments of her short life. Still, what's most important is to tell her that you are proud of her...not the trophy or the medal...HER! We have a long season ahead and while I hope that there are a lot more medals and trophies...I hope that she gains a stronger sense of pride in herself rather than shiny things on a shelf.

I think this photo of her is beautiful and it shows her joy and her pride in herself! I'm proud to say..."I'M A CHEERLEADING MOM!" (If you had told me back in high school that I'd be saying that someday...I would have thought you were crazy!)

All-Star Amelia
Page 1

posted by JennHenn @ Nov 6, 2006 | 1 comments | |