Tribute to Stewart

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Let it go

WARNING: This blog entry is going to be some major venting!

If you read my blog regularly, you will know that Natalie's last day at Stewart Elementary was Friday. This was a difficult decision for us, moving her in the middle of the year, and starting her in a private, religious school.

On Friday, (her last day) everything went fine, Natalie was a bit emotional to be expected. Each of her classmates wrote her a "goodbye" letter. After reading them all, I began to have doubts about this, is this the right move, right now. All of the letters had very kind words to say to Natalie. Until last night.....

Natalie was invited to a Christmas party at our local YMCA. They got to swim, eat pizza, and exchange a little Christmas spirit. While our kids were having fun, I was there with other moms that wanted to stay behind. The hostess mom said to me, I heard Natalie's last day was Friday. I said yes, it's time for a change, lots of issues etc. The next thing she said to me, sealed the deal. She said "I heard there were issues with her at the beginning of the year, but I thought it was getting better now." She heard of issues.. I've met this mom twice, and just in the last 2 weeks. HERE COMES THE VENT

Obviously, if this mom has heard of issues, someones been talking. We are normally very private people, especially when it comes to Natalie. I normally only post the very best things about Natalie and our life on my blog. So how would this mom know about the issues? I realize that moms talk to other moms, but isn't the one thing that we mothers impose on our daughters is how hurtful gossiping can be? How gossiping can really destroy people's lives, if it is done in the worst possible ways. So with mother's gossiping about other kids, how does the kid ever stand a chance? Natalie has had issues with these girls at school, but I'm starting to have my doubts about the moral characters of their mothers. Are they encouraging the behavior by setting such an example? This is why my daughter has self esteem issues!

I hope that the parents of Natalie's new school, being that it is Christan based, are mature enough not to gossip about other children, and accept Natalie for the beautiful girl she is. I have to let this go now........

Whats on my mind

laundry piles
Christmas parties
decorating
Christmas shopping
laundry piles
Christmas shopping
baking
cleaning the house
winter break
swim meets
swim practices
laundry piles
UGH

It's Official

Natalie and I went to visit the Lutheran School where we met the Principal and Teachers. We took a tour of the school and Natalie got to sit in the classroom and see what the difference is with a "private" school. She loved it! She even participated in the class discussion as if she were already a part of the class. I felt so relieved that this happened. There are 8 boys and 7 girls, Natalie will make 8. Natalie has 6 more days of school, and then a new start.

2009 will be the best year yet for Natalie. I wish for you, Natalie a fresh new beginning, with friends that care, and finally some peace in your heart. That would be the best Christmas gift for me!!

Winds of Change

Its been no secret that Natalie has been struggling with school issues. She is far more advanced than her peers, and this is causing conflicts with other girls. It began last year, and is now starting to erupt again now. The option of private schooling is now heavy on my mind.
I know that no matter where she goes to school, there are always girl issues. However, I believe putting her in private setting, where she can be EQUAL with her peers on the intelligence level, and knowing that this environment is less tolerable of the drama, is indeed the best place for her.
I dread pulling her out in the middle of school year, but I have no other choice. I hope this winter break, I can find inner peace for the struggles I have been dealing with in this hopeless decision. I will put my trust in Jesus, for I know he loves Natalie just as much as I do.
Natalie and I will be meeting her new Teacher, classroom and classmates on Thursday. I hope this will bring some peace to her as well. Here we go, turn the page.......

Elf Yourself

It's fun, check ours out at the bottom of my blog. I seen this done last year, but it was already to late to do it. After you upload your pictures, you can choose the dance. Also you have to choice to email it, download and embed it. Happy Holidays!

Girls, Girls, Girls

No I'm not talking about the Motley Crue song. Who'd ever thought that there is drama in 3rd grade. Apparently I missed that chapter in the user manual for raising girls. I'm up to my eyeballs in 3rd grade girl drama and I'd really like to take the next plane to nowhere...alone. Anyone out there have any known cure to man how to rid our house of drama?

Just thought I'd ask......