Wordless Wednesday - My Babies Playing at the Creek

Co-Host of Flock Together Tuesday Blog Hop

I woke up this morning to a bunch of new followers... imagine my surprise to find out I am being featured on the Flock Together Tuesday Blog Hop! I'm so excited to "meet" all the new people!

Thank you for choosing me Mikki!

Welcome to my "no rules" blog hop! To participate, simply...

1. Link up: Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."

2. Find new friends: Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love (via Linky Followers, Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, etc.). Kindly pass by the ones you don't.
I'll gladly follow back all who follow me, so long as you leave a comment on this post to let me know! I'm not as sharp as I used to be ;) Family friendly only, please!


This week's Fine Feathered Friend is Tricia at

The Beginning of Cheerleading Season

Yes, I'm one of THOSE moms, that totally thinks cheerleading is a sport.  Why on earth would I think this?  Have you ever raised a cheer leader?  Carried their bag of shoes, pompoms, and uniforms?  Had them at three practices per week?  Well, I have and this makes her seventh year and yes, she is only ten.  I myself am not a "girly girl."  I was always a tree climbing football playing tom-boy.  And when I found out that I was having a girl, my rule: no pink.  Well, that didn't work out so well as before she was born over 90% of her closet was all pink and cute skirts.  I always fixed her hair and played dress-up, let's face it girl clothes are just SO cute.

Now, her name is somewhat unique and goes back to my tom-boy theme.  Growing up, I watched Who's the Boss, starring Alyssa Milano as Samantha, "Sam", and a softball playing tom-boy.  Loved the idea of having a pretty girl that was a tom-boy like I am.  It seemed while I was pregnant that everyone was naming their daughter Alyssa, so I needed something different.  Google, here I come.  I'm Irish, so my first thought was to see if there was an Irish version of Alyssa.  BINGO!  No more searching, Ellyssa it is.  Now, not only do I have my pretty cheer leader, but she plays and LOVES softball too.  Yes, best of both worlds and the name fits her uniqueness.

This last week, not only did school start on Monday, but Cheer Camp started too.  After two hours three times this week, it was time for our first game.  It was actually two jamboree games just to start the season, as more or less just for fun because it wasn't full length games.  Our Trojans won both of their games and it's a great start for the new football/cheerleading season.  And to make this season even better...  Her BFF Lexie is cheering this year.  I had AJ in my lap most of the time so I only snapped a couple of pictures, but I will get a lot more throughout the season because the games will be at night when my husband is off work and can either take pictures or watch Alex so I can take some.

Thankful Thursday - Early Intervention and Stepping Stones Pediatric Therapy

It's that time of week when I try to narrow down everything that I'm thankful for to just one thing to talk about.  I have SO much in my life to be thankful for, but Thursdays are when I spotlight only one thing.  And this week I'm thankful for Stepping Stones Pediatric Therapy.

Anyone that has followed along on Alex's journey to speech has read or heard me talk about his speech therapy.  At 18-months, when he still wasn't talking his doctor referred him to Stepping Stones in Florence for an evaluation.  You can read about the evaluation HERE.

He has come SUCH a long way!  He can say about 10 words and signs just as many if not more.  Our lives are SO different now.  If it weren't for his doctor sending us there and if it weren't for his "teachers" we would still be lost.  We call them teachers and say it's school because that's where big "Sissy" goes during the day.  I figure it will definitely help when he gets older and Sissy always goes to school and he doesn't get to go, he will be happy to know he goes to his own school with his own teachers.  When we drive up he points and gets SO excited!

This hangs on the wall inside the front door.
A daily reminder of the people that work there and work with my son.

Wordless Wednesday - Alex's 2-Year Pictures

1st Day of Fifth Grade

The day my daughter has waited for since the second day of getting out of forth grade for the summer has finally arrived, the first day of fifth grade. I am so thankful that my daughter LOVES school, I mean she really does. She continued to talk about going back all summer and then when she found out who her teachers were, she was even happier. That's right, she has three teachers this year. So, it was off to school we went.

Alex Jacob Turns 2!

Finally the day was here, Baby AJ's birthday.  We were all anxious because we had gotten his presents weeks earlier and picked up his cake the day before.  Let's be honest, it was and adventure even getting Alex here.  We thought we would never have another child and then got pregnant only to continue to go into labor.  It was very stressful, so much so that we kept it a secret for a LONG time, which you can read about HERE.  Then the eventful amniocentesis and giving birth HERE.  And bringing him home from the hospital HERE.  I originally started this blog right after finding out I was pregnant as a way to document my children's lives and because of that I have every part of AJ's birth story.

The day was here and it was time to celebrate. My husband had taken off work so he was home all day and we started the day with a big home cooked breakfast by my husband.  He's such an awesome cook!   After breakfast, since it was already 11 am, we had cake.  I ordered his cake from the wonderful Sugar on Top.  And it was awesome!

What's In a Number?

17 - August 17, the day I gave birth to you.
17 - My age at your birth.
14 - The number of years since your birth.
14 - The number of years you've been gone.

13 - The number of birthday cakes I've eaten without you.

13 - The number of years I've had a tattoo for you.

9 - Decemeber 9th, your due date.
7 and 21 - The number of hours and minutes you were alive.

0 - The number of minutes I held you while you were breathing.

∞ - The number of minutes you will be in my heart.

Understanding ARMT+ Scores

Have you ever gotten test scores from your child's school and you just totally didn't understand?  I mean the whole "standardized testing" made me so nervous in school that I never did well anyway.  Every year, until high school (where we sat with someone to pick our schedule), my schedule got changed on about the second week of school anyway.  I tested "average" on all standardized tests, as a result was placed in "average" classes, then I would have to be moved to "accelerated" classes within the first week of school.  Big tests just freak me out and I don't test well.

When it comes to my daughter, well she tests well.  Or she always has.  Normally within the 97-99% in math and 80% in reading.  She struggled with her comprehension last year, but after sitting down to help her she got the hang of it.  She has the same problem that I have, if it's BORING I can read it, but don't remember a thing.  But give me a good book that I choose, I can even tell you the clothes the characters were wearing.  It's a "want to/have to" thing.  

This last year they did away with the SAT and switched to the ARMT+.  I wasn't worried because she "tests well."  Then I got the scores in her registration packet for the fifth grade.  And boy was I confused.  I was VERY proud to see the 93% in reading, meaning we really improved her comprehension, but the math in the 78% threw me for a loop.

I wasn't sure how to take it.  Keeping in mind that 78% is not the same as a 78 C, as they use 50% as average, I still couldn't wrap my head around her being in the 78th percentile, when the year before she was in the 97th percentile. That is until I talked to her third grade teacher.

When a Friend Becomes Your Child's Teacher

Ok, I'll be the first to admit it, but when you think of the people that you are friends with in high school, you never think, "one day when I have children, this person may teach my child."  Or, well at least I never had this thought.  Through Facebook and reconnecting with my old high school that I moved from I have learned that some of my closest childhood friends have become teachers.  Again, never thinking it would affect me since I moved so far away.  But this year, it happened, an old friend is now my daughter's fifth grade homeroom teacher.

So, I have to admit, I honestly couldn't think of a better person and role model for my daughter than Blake.  Blake was the smart one, the one in band, and the quiet one.  He was never involved in the drama of high school, he just listened and laughed as all the girls, myself included, told the stories of the "he said/she said."  We were far from best friends, but at school he was part of "our circle."  At first I didn't know how to act to have someone that knew me in high school to teach my daughter, I wasn't exactly the mild mannered attitude-less person in high school.  But seeing the smile and delight on my daughter's face when we found out who her teacher was just made everything easier.

Wordless Wednesday - My Beautiful Daughter

Is Ice Cold?

Normally at my house we drink from cans, drink boxes, or water bottles.  I told my husband we needed to get a 2-Liter of Root Beer or something and I had "made ice."  See, we don't have one of the good refrigerators, we have the old one with the ice trays to empty.  For years I haven't used them, but I decided to use them so the night before I filled them up then emptied them the next day and refilled them up.  My daughter didn't see any of this and at my parent's they have ice through the door, so no one has to "make it."  My daughter went to the store with her dad and when they came back she put the 2-liters in the fridge.  A few minutes later my daughter walks in the room, looks at me, and asked,"Is the ice cold?"  Lol, now I knew she was meaning is it frozen yet, but by using the term "ice" it infers that it's frozen...  It's SO funny though, so I needed to get this on the blog for the book, ah heck it's good for you guys to have a laugh too. :)

An Award for me?

How cool is it that people like me?  I mean they really like me!  Ok, so really it's one person that gave me this award, but she's like the coolest so her "like" counts like a hundred times.  Christina over at Riding the Crazy Train gave me a Sunshine Award.  So, totally cool and I've blogged about her before with the humor, whit, and emotion that she writes with while still addressing the seriousness that is Autism Awareness.  She has two daughter, yes TWO and not only that but TWINS, that are BOTH on the spectrum.  Next time you are having a bad day, I just invite you to read some of her weekly posts and you will find yourself laughing pretty quickly.  So here's my award.

Husband goes on Vacation and I Guess My Diet Did Too

As of Monday's weigh-in, I am was down 18.6 pounds.  I thought things were moving nicely, although I wanted to lose more faster, but the way to "keep it off" is 1-2 pounds a week.  So, with that being said I was accepting it each week.  My husband started vacation Thursday morning and apparently my diet is on vacation too.  Well, ok there's a little MORE to it than that.  I mean the stress from Comcast that you can read HERE is enough to cause an emotional eater to eat.  Yes, I am an emotional eater.  I comfort with food.  Although I have a list of health problems that helps contribute to my weight, BIG TIME, I still realize that when I'm stressed or hurt, I eat.  Lately I have been doing very well, but adding a pizza and a coke when Comcast  had me stressed and this time I couldn't say no.  My diet eating habits have been awful the last two days.  Last night I said, oh well, I'll get back on track Monday, isn't that when all diets start anyway?  That was my plan until this morning.  I slept until 10:30 and have the worst headache ever!  Oh how your body responds when you fill it with CRAP!  So, some Excedrin Migraine and WATER and I'm getting back on track right now.

Pawpaw Visits His Sister

In life sometimes we grow apart.  I wish we didn't, but we do.  Sometimes because there is bad blood  sometimes because there is distance, sometimes because we just get older.  Whatever the reason, it's touching when we reconnect, when memories of what use to be flood us with emotions.  This recently happened to me on a trip to Tennessee to see some family that I haven't seen in years.

I grew up really close to my Aunt Gail and her family, well as close as we could be when we lived almost six hours away.  But EVERY Christmas, EVERY Thanksgiving you could find us at her house.  My Grandparents eventually passed away, we moved closer, but yet farther apart.  We were now only an hour and a half away, but yet years passed without seeing them.  Her children's children are even grown and going to college, and yet they probably have NO memories of me or my dad.  It's sad when we let "things" get in the way of family.  No matter what those "things" may be.  

There was no "bad blood" in our family, just distance and age.  Illness, "I'll call tomorrow," and "When I feel better."  Those are the things that stood in our way.  It's no secret about my dad's health, but my Aunt and Uncle aren't in the best health either.  Never-the-less, what excuse will we have about "calling later" or "visiting when I feel better" will we have when the other one is gone?

Update Your Readers

So after all the drama of dealing with new e-mails and everything else under the sun, I have decided to take the plunge and I am now a "dot com"  HAHA yeah I just sang that as I typed it.  Update your readers I am no longer http://TodaywiththeTennerys.blogspot.com  I am now www.TodaywiththeTennerys.com  However, my old link will still redirect you for the next three days.

Dear Comcast,

Ok, so I know you know those people that say, "Drama follows me"?  Let's be honest, some people just live and breathe drama and they love it.  I myself don't, if I want drama I watch reality TV.  However, that being said, sometimes I feel surrounded by drama and I don't mean he said/she said drama, I mean everyday life DRAMA, but it's SO over powering that it's not "just life", it's drama.  HERE is one of our experience from only a month ago.  And we just had another one that only started yesterday and started so simply.

Crying but Silent

Last night, I awoke to a crying baby, it was AJ.  He was in his room really crying.  I went to his room and opened the door to find my almost two-year-old crying his eyes out and holding his pillow just standing at the door waiting for me to come.  Once the door was open, he walked passed me, down the hall, through the living room, through the kitchen, and into the computer room, where he stopped to stare at the computer chair his daddy would normally be sitting in, that is if it wasn't the middle of the night.  He continued to cry and I knew this would end up being a rocking session in the recliner, so I got one of his sippy cups and filled it with milk, knowing what was coming next.  When the refrigerator door closed, he was beside me reaching for his cup.  I handed it to him and walked back towards the living room to turn the TV on get ready to rock him.  The crying stopped, so I turned around to see he was walking and drinking.  Walking right passed me, walking through the living room, down the hall, into his room, and climbed back up in bed.  Now, I know he doesn't need a cup in bed, but it was 4 am and he was happily going back to bed, although he never uttered a word, not that he can talk very much anyway, but I mean it was a bunch of crying and then silence.  It was over before I knew it and I still have no idea what had him so upset.  Ah, my life.

Liebster Award for Me

*Clears throat*  May I have your attention please?  May I have your attention?  *Taps microphone*  Is this thing on?  I'd like to thank the Academy... No, not really, but yeah, I did get a blog award. :)  Zoe at My Wondrous Marvellous Obsession gave me a Liebster Blog Award.

Meet Mom to Big A and little a {Guest Post}

Today, I want to introduce everyone to one of my August Sponsors. She is Roshni, an Indian-American mom raising two boys, whom she refers to a Big A and little a. She blogs at Mom of Big A little a. And you can read more about her here. She blogs about her insights of raising two boys and her take on things. She's a great mom and blogger that I have gotten to know. So jump on over to her blog and show her some love, I'm sure you will enjoy your stay.

Tax-free Weekend = GREAT Time to Buy Diapers

Tax-free weekend is HERE!  Yay!  And in Alabama it means savings on diapers too!  And by savings, I mean BIG savings.  I am in no way an "extreme couponer," however, when it comes to expensive diapers, well, I just may be "extreme."  See, diapers are expensive and well, living on a budget is HARD with a baby in diapers.  Well, this is how I do it.  Coupons + tax free = WIN!

Pawpaw and Locks of Love

Well, my dad has been called Santa Clause for many many years now...  I'm not so sure he doesn't like it, but it was time for a haircut, or should I say passed time.  He finally felt like going and made an appointment with Shelaine, the lady that has cut his hair since I was three days old.  I scooped him up and we were off.  

This is my dad, Santa Claus before the hair cut

Now, my dad has done his research and wanted to donate to Locks of Love since he had let his hair get SO long.  If you're interested in donating check out the guidelines HERE.

Wordless Wednesday - Tennery Boys Get Haircuts