Alyssa's senior year ALREADY?

I know. I am way overdue on updating the blog but it has been a crazy busy year and we are quickly nearing the end of the school year. Can Alyssa really be old enough to graduate? I don't feel like I'm old enough to have a high school graduate. Guess that doesn't count though, right?

This has probably been the most challenging year for Alyssa and for us, her parents. She has had a strong case of senioritis...not wanting to go to school ever! Not a good thing. Having always been a good student, it was frustrating to find out she was failing math! I was like, really? Alyssa? NO way! But it was true. Fortunately now, she has improved her grade to a C. I know she could do better but I can't make her do better. She has always been the easy going, happy-go-lucky child UNTIL this year. She seemed to hit her rebellious stage later than most. And at 17 years old, I really have very little control so I cross my fingers, pray and hope that she makes the right decisions and choices. Of course, we all make mistakes. I'm still making them. But as a parent, you hope for so much better for your children. You want to protect them from mistakes, from being hurt, both mentally and physically and having a happy, successful life. But we all have to learn on our own, don't we? And the only thing we can do is hope that they learn quickly. Why can't children come with a training manual? Or at least a manual to raise happy, healthy and responsible teenage children? Is that really too much to ask for? I know she will turn out to be a wonderful young lady though. I believe in her.

She is finally becoming less shy with the boys and wouldn't you know it, the girl attracts the same type of boys as her mom once did. You know the ones...either married or a little bit on the creeper, psycho side? Poor girl! Why can't she catch a break before her senior year is over? I know college will be good for her academically and socially. She will find boys/guys that are close to being good enough for her. I say CLOSE to being good enough for her because after all, I am her mother.

Her first rebellious act of her senior year was getting her nose pierced. It really fits her and it's growing on me. She's just a cutie! What more can I say?

This morning she sent me a text that the softball coach told her she would be playing right field this year (which she is aware is the place where they put the worst outfielder). She asked him last night about playing left field and he replied that the person who is playing left field is a "better outfielder." It crushed her! A couple weeks ago, Jim took her to St. George, UT to play in a tournament (that ended up getting rained out after only 1 1/2 games) where she played in right field and he couldn't believe they put her there because there were so many screw ups in left field. Jim even said she is the best outfielder on the team and for anybody who knows Jim, you know that he would NOT say that, even about his daughter, if it weren't true. Now she wants me to check on her transferring to Poky for the last trimester so she can play for Poky. Wow! That really sucks.

I will continue to support her in the decisions that she makes and hope, wish and pray for the best for her. I believe in her and I know her time will come but even I am becoming impatient. But wait, she probably gets that impatience thing from me. Poor girl. Maybe we can try together to be less impatient...

We LOVE you Lyss! Go get 'em girl! Show 'em what you got and you will succeed!

Softball and Oklahoma

Alyssa and her 'traveling' summer softball team planned, fundraised and traveled to Oklahoma City to play in a softball tournament the weekend after school let out for the summer. They also got to watch a couple of the Women's College World Series' games. This picture is one of her coach, several teammates and their parents in front of the College World Series' bracket.

It may not be noticeable so much in this photo but look at the rest for Alyssa's winning smile! I think the only time she isn't smiling is in the mornings. (Although that is not really her fault, it is sort of a family trait.)

These photos are of several members of the D'Backs softball team (and Alyssa's friends). Just look for that smile and you will find Alyssa! Another great thing, AMAZING really (especially for teenage girls), is that Alyssa and her friends (and her teammates) is that they have very little drama, if any. They are all polite and respectful towards each other. It is so AWESOME! Crazy that teenaged girls could be more courteous and respectful than many adults. They truly are AMAZING girls!

And finally (below) is another photo of Alyssa-still smiling. Can you even look at a picture of her without smiling yourself. It is definitely contagious!

And even though I have no pictures to prove it, they did play 4 softball games so it wasn't ALL fun. (ha ha) Alyssa's hitting has improved a lot, so much so, that one of the seniors on the team (probably their best player) told her that she was definitely the most improved player. She is and has been good at fielding but I am told that she had an AMAZING catch in one of the Oklahoma games and was nominated by the umpires as Player of the Game. With this nomination, she received an invitation to play softball for one week in New York next summer. She will get to room with players from all over the US, play softball, and see a broadway show, among other things. It will be a fairly expensive trip but probably a good experience, a great opportunity and tons of fun! She has definitely earned it! We are very proud of her and her dedication to her team.

So, hopefully, you all need or want some more cookie dough, fries or whatever else they have her sell. LOL We really appreciate everybody's support and know that you probably want to run the other direction when you see us coming but it really means a lot to Alyssa and for that, we thank you!

17 Years Old Already???

It seems like just yesterday she looked like the picture on the cake. Hard to believe that 17 years have passed! We celebrated Alyssa's birthday with a few of her friends, Grandma and Ted, Amanda, Lane and Rylan, Heather, Shawn, Connor and Lexi. Alyssa had softball practice so she was late to her OWN birthday party! But she is so carefree and easy going that it didn't even phase her. Just look at that smile! How can you NOT love that smile? Alyssa is so NOT big on being the center of attention. It almost seems to embarrass her but that is a parent's goal in life anyway. She just makes it easier for us.

Alyssa never really lets us know what she wants for her birthday so it is a challenge to shop for her. This year she received Alpine speakers for her car since about 1 week after receiving her car she blew out a speaker in the back. :) However, she is always happy with whatever she gets. I might try and get her a box of rocks next year just to see the reaction on her face. She would probably just laugh! That's just the kind of person she is and we truly love her for that. Unfortunately though, because she is so easy going, she probably gets less attention than her sister sometimes but ONLY because she is less demanding than her sister. Alyssa is so low maintenance and Kylie is so, well, so Kylie! 'Nuf said.

Alyssa??? Alyssa who?

Yes, Alyssa does still live here and we love her lots! She is just not into letting me take her picture. I am hoping to get one soon of her and her car to post. Both are still doing well. I just have to be patient because she does NOT like her picture being taken nor does she fall for my pathetic attempts to trick her into taking her picture. She's smarter than me most of the time but I will not admit that to her so PLEASE keep it a secret.

Alyssa is leaving us on Saturday to go play softball in Oklahoma and to watch the softball World Series. I didn't know there was such a thing but she is excited and it should be fun for her. Wish we could go with her but we can't so she'll have to have fun without her family. We (well, mostly Alyssa) have been busy raising money so she can go to Oklahoma. She sold fries and tater tots (donated by Simplots-thank you everybody who bought some or donated!) and had a yard sale last weekend so I think she is ready to go. She is still working at Mickey D's but has not had many hours because of softball. She has plans to play softball through the summer so she will stay busy. I PROMISE to post pictures of her soon-She is AWESOME!!!

No more middle school????? Aaaagggghhhhh!!!

What happened to my baby girl? She is all grown up...almost. Tonight was Kylie's "promotion" ceremony from middle school to high school. Fortunately for me, the so-called ceremony was not too long nor was it very sappy so I did not cry. I was worried all day that I would cry tonight as it is sad realizing that I will now have 2 girls in high school. I'm still wondering where the time has gone since the girls were babies just yesterday-I swear. Okay, enough about me being an emotional mess right now. Kylie was not at all excited for the ceremony but she did NOT fall and that is a good thing since she was wearing her BFF's stilettos. She may have been a little wobbly but she did not fall. Kylie was mainly concerned about the dance after the ceremony. Jim and I went to find her afterwards and she shoved her 'certificate' into my hands and said they (Jordan, Steffi and Merenci) were going to practice telling the boys "NO" they did not want to dance. As if NO was not bad enough, they added a little foot stomp to the end. Of course, I secretly laughed but told them that was not nice and they should just dance if asked.

When I picked Kylie up afterwards and asked her if she turned down any requests, she said that she didn't. It turns out that the only boy that asked her to dance (slow dance) was a boy that she likes anyway. I cannot divulge his name or I would lose her trust so hopefully you will understand. This special boy asked her to dance not once but TWICE. I think it is safe to say that she had a great time.

Jim wants to sneak her phone away from her and leave a message on her voicemail letting the boys know that they should stop calling because her dad is not afraid to go back to prison.

Here are just a few more pics from this evening...

No More "Brace Faces" in this house...

Yeah! Kylie and I both had our braces removed yesterday! It was an exciting day for us. We both went to the orthodontist and knew that it could happen but were prepared to keep them on another couple of months IF we had to. Kylie wore hers for 2 years and I wore mine 2 months shy of 2 years. We were competing near the end to see who would get theirs off first. That kept us wearing our rubber bands like we were supposed to. Of course, I had the age thing against me. WAH!!!

Kylie is so excited to have them off before the last day of middle school and BEFORE big time high school. Me, I was just excited to be able to floss again like a regular person-not as though I was sewing the biggest project of my life! She thinks I'm completely whacked for being excited about flossing. Funny how we take for granted the "simple" things in life. 'Nuf said for now...hopefully more exciting post next time.

Mexican Chicken Lasagna

Thought I should take a moment and make a quick post as I have been slacking with the updates. I wanted to share a recipe that I made and LOVED. It is actually a recipe I found from Pampered Chef but I made a few changes. It is so easy, yummy and fast to make even for a weeknight dinner. Try it!

1/2 cup lightly packed, fresh cilantro leaves
2 pkgs (8 oz each) cream cheese
4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, Co-Jack or whatever cheese you like
1 large onion, chopped
1 can (28 oz) enchilada sauce
12 (6-in.) corn tortillas
1 rotisserie chicken (deboned & shredded)

Place cream cheese in microwave for 30-45 seconds or until very soft. Chop cilantro leaves and add to cream cheese. Add 3 cups of the shredded cheese and mix well. Chop onion; set aside. Spread enchilado sauce over bottom of 13"x9" pan. Pour remaining enchilada sauce in mixing bowl; set aside.

To assemble lasagna, dip four tortillas (or enough to cover bottom of pan) in the enchilada sauce and place on bottom of pan, overlapping as necessary. Scoop half of the cream cheese mixture over the tortillas (small ice cream scoop works well) and spread. Top with 1/3 of chicken and one-third of the chopped onions. Repeat layer one time. Dip remaining four tortillas into sauce and arrange over second layrer. Top with remaining chicken and onion. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over lasagna and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Enjoy!