The "Happy" Dance

Sharing time!

Last Friday night, my girl attended her first Freshman Dance as a high schooler! Sniff Sniff, we will not discuss the whole High School thing right now and how I am feeling old as dirt and get into trouble when I continue to refer to her as my 'wittle peanut'.

No, no dress remake this year... we went store bought.  Believe me I wanted to make a dress but I have to admit i can't do it all.  So thank you God for allowing us to happen upon this dress!

What a face!  Look at that dimple!

 Attempting to strike a pose had us both cracking up with laughter as she almost fell over!

 The fun of the photo shoot began to wear off.

Can you imagine what she's thinking here?  I bet it's not "I love you Mom"

So lady like... NOT.
Oh my gosh... she even wore makeup!  That is a first for this girl.  I do think there is a girly girl in there somewhere!  Seemed to like Mommy's blingy sparkly earrings as much as I do.

Long story short,  She had a blast!  I made sure she and her friend made it safely inside the school cafeteria which was transformed to a night in Vegas... lovely night for them. 
                                                                                                                              then...
I retreated to the car, where I began to hyperventilate and cry! You'd have thought I just dropped them off on the corner of the worst city in the world for the murders and wrongdoers to have their way with them!  Longest 3 hours of my life.  I was so afraid someone would tease or make fun or stare like we've been experiencing A LOT lately.
The next day she found out that I had cried.  She turned to me and told me I was SillY. No one made fun of them, no one was mean, in fact... she danced!  She danced with her friends from the average classes.  Everyone loved her dress and told her how pretty she was!  Mommy did a Happy Dance of her own!  Just a few more before you go!

This Post Does Have a Purpose - Make a Difference!

As I stand under the warm water of the shower, thoughts race through my head and the sentences flow through my mind like warm syrup over a pancake.  I write the most extraordinary posts for this blog there. The most interesting things come to mind, subjects close to my heart originate there and I'm excited.  Yes, Yes...sentence after sentence abound... wow, I impress myself.  A mad rush ensues as I scramble to get dressed and sit down in front of the computer... only to find the words gone.  In a flash, I can't seem to get started.  "What was that phrase just running through my mind?" I find myself frozen, staring at this screen!  That's what's been happening lately as I struggle to expand this blog.  Very frustrating... very disheartening, then I stress out!

Instead of trying to be the most eloquent blog writer out there (that's who I am in the shower... stop laughing!)  I am just going to be me because this post does have a purpose!  Please take a moment out of your day and read on to help make a difference!

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(via)

My daughter Alexis has been having a rough time her first year in high school.  For those of you who are not familiar with Alexis (AKA Boom Boom or my Boom) you can catch up a bit here, here or most recently here.  She does not feel like she fits in.  High school is hard for anyone in the best of circumstances;  you find yourself reaching pre-adulthood, the best of friends can drift apart, girls meet boys and vice versa.  The obsessions over looks start (if they haven't already in Jr High) and the slightest difference or the teeniest of faults becomes HUGE.  Teasing takes on a new level even if it only over wearing the wrong brand of shoes or being slightly overweight.  Schools do try with the help of anti-bullying campaigns and such, but at the same time, many school teachers and administrators turn a blind eye to it.  I've actually heard first hand of an instance where a school official explained that it is best to allow the child to handle the problem(s) on his/her own, "to take the initiative to solve the problem on their own... call it life skills if you will."  I call it a "cop out"... how can any adult just ignore the suffering of any living being and call it a lesson in life skills?  Really?!?  More needs to be done to educate those who are causing the issue... certainly more needs to be done to teach our children to love themselves!  Love yourself in order to love others.

I believe this is true for all kids so the realization that my child is different from the others is a very real concern for me! 

Boom knows she is truly loved, she is comfortable here at home... able to just BE herself, express herself freely, make mistakes but as she gets older she is fully aware of her differences as she exits our door and steps out into the world.  People staring is one of her biggest Pet Peeves.  She is fully aware of it and it is upsetting for her.  Back to the teacher thing real quick,  numerous times I have approached the school about her 'feelings' of being stared at and being made fun of... I am told over and over that "they are not aware of any issues and have not witnessed it firsthand"... MaLarChY!  I can assure you that a simple trip to the grocery store or a family dinner out invokes stares, pointing and even laughter from children and adults alike!  All it takes is a bit of awareness to your surroundings to be aware of it.

So, the true purpose of this post is an invitation.

See, I need your help as I set out to help Boom embrace her differences and love herself!  Heck, I think we could all use a little help in the self esteem area.  Do you have any advice to share with us on ways to love, accept and appreciate ourselves a bit more?  I am inviting you to Guest Post!  I am looking for anyone willing to participate and share words of wisdom, beauty tips and tricks, faith builders.  I want you crafters, jewelry makers, hair accessory artists also.  What can you dream up to remind us each day to celebrate ourselves?  Decor items, wall art, jewelry, inspirational art, etc... anything that can be used, made, or looked at to build self esteem. 



If you are interested in contributing to Tiaras and Bowties to uplift the lives of others please leave a comment below or email me privately... I will contact you asap!  Together we can make a difference!

Linkin with a purpose here!