Happy Birthday To Me!

I grew up with fun birthdays. My mom (and dad) let me have fun parties and I have great memories of my birthday. I've still had great birthdays 32 of 'em later.  This one didn't disappoint. My work went above and beyond and made me feel super special with handmade cards, cupcakes, flowers and I got to leave work early. I arrived home in time to meet the babysitter and go to dinner with my single dad.  Dinner was yummy. Time with single dad is always great. Lots of laughter and great conversation.

I got some really nice presents too. Necklace, earrings and Otterbox cover for my new phone.

So, turning 32. Not a bad deal.

and the song that made me cry..

Single Dad was in the band in college. Single Dad likes to have me listen to songs. Today, after a intense discussion about scheduling he had me listen to this song.. I'll admit it brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. My single dad rocks my world. For Real. Let me introduce to yiou the Plain White T's 1234!

1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4

Give me more lovin' than I've ever had

Make it all better when I'm feelin' sad

Tell me that I'm special even when I know I'm not

Make me feel good when I hurt so bad

Barely gettin' mad, I'm so glad I found you

I love bein' around you

You make it easy, it's as easy as 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4

There's only one thing to do

Three words for you I love you

There's only one way to say

Those three words and that's what I'll do, I love you

Give me more lovin' from the very start

Piece me back together when I fall apart

Tell me things you never even tell your closest friends

Make me feel good when I hurt so bad

Best that I've had, I'm so glad that I found you

I love bein' around you

You make it easy, it's as easy as 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4

There's only one thing to do

Three words for you I love you

There's only one way to say

Those three words and that's what I'll do, I love you

I love you

You make it easy, it's easy as 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4

There's only one thing to do

Three words for you I love you

There's only one way to say

Those three words and that's what I'll do, I love you

I love you

1, 2, 3, 4

I love you

I love you

Kids are funny.. They say really funny things.

Me; C are you ok?

C: NO!

Me: Well can I do something to make things better?

C: Bwuy me a hermet crwab

-----------------

Me: G, time for bed.

G: Please fluff the pillows and straighten the blanket before you leave

Me: Momma has trained you well, young man.

frustrated already.

So, I'm proactive person. I warned my single dad I am very interested in learning and moving forward in life. Do you know how annoying/frustrating it is to figure out the "system" for children with disabilities or special needs? Damn irritating I tell you!

Some days I feel like one phone call leads to another phone call that leads to dead end.

My single dad is great. He can do it on his own but, I like to help and some days I feel like Im not.

Right now, We are learning about summer child care for the girls. Everyone assumes someone knows something about everything but, really no one knows nothing about everything. Okay, so that was negative but, for real even the "good places" have limited advice. I will be a wealth of information by the time I get done. lol

As the step-girlfriend to the two awesome girls I want them to have the very best that is out there.. I can tell support from others will be key in keeping sanity.

Thank God For Camp Aldersgate

So, I'm dating a dad who has 2 (yes 1-2 (two)) special needs girls.. (More about that later).. Anyways, we do lunch dates, family dates and we try to spend a few hours (thanks to an amazing babysitter- more about her later) on the weekends being "normal". However, after dating for many weeks we had our first weekend (36 hours) alone with no children. The girls were off to camp!

The website says Camp Aldersgate, Inc., a non-profit organization, enriches the lives of children and youth who have medical or physical conditions or developmental delays and their families, as well as senior adults, through educational and recreational opportunities in an out-of-doors camp environment.

I agree. It's an amazing place with many wonderful counselors, leaders and supporters.. The girls were so excited about camp. They were so full of energy and ready for a fun weekend themed "Music". Life has taken a new meaning since meeting my single dad. I am learning how self centered I was before meeting him. No matter what happens I can honestly say it's been life changing meeting him. Back to my story! So, we drop the girls off and we hit the road to Memphis (He has never been!) We didn't really make a lot of plans and that got us in to trouble! We arrive to Memphis late and eat dinner at our favorite chain restaurant Red Robin. We were so tired emotionally, physically and mentally. Saturday morning we wake up and I have the perfect breakfast location to take my single dad. The wait is 45 minutes but, in my opinion worth every minute. I then decide we must go check out Williams ans Sonoma and Pottery Barn Outlet stores. We had decide to skip gambling in Tunica but, I really wanted to check out the Tunica Outlets and do some shopping before our early dinner.. Can you figure out what's happening? The weekend is about me and we are go-go-go! Finally, we head off to eat Ribs before making the trek back to Central Arkansas. And as always--the ribs did not disappoint!

We arrive back in town and we know our weekend of "Adult time" is coming to a close in 12 short hours.. We look at each other and think we probably over did it this weekend and probably should have rested more while the girls were gone... Lesson learned they came home wild, hyper and ready to rumble. Next time, perhaps we will do more resting. perhaps.

So, I dream of writing a book about my journey through life. I really doubt that will happen.. However, I've decided to blog so I can remember moments, events, experiences on this journey we call life. I am a blessed girl.. This I know..

The title of this blog is the reality of my life. My profession for many years revolved around the nanny world... While I currently work in education and nanny part time... my nanny life has defined me somewhat.. After 31 years and 9 months I met a single dad who has captured my heart in a way that is unexplainable in words. (And no, I wasn't hired to be a nanny for his children)

So join me on this adventure of dating and living life..