the "it" mom

I've been blessed, many of the people in my life have been around a long time. One decade. Two decades. More. And while I love meeting new people, I relish long-term relationships because these people know you; they know your history. You don't always have to explain why you do this, hate that and refuse to go this restaurant. Just recently, my best friend from high school, Lea Randle, put together a ning site that reunited the people in our high school (Westchester High in Southern California). In just over two months it has grown to almost one thousand people. We have been able to connect with our friends from all over the world. It has been incredibly addicting discovering how people we once cared so much about are doing, looking at their family pictures on their individual pages and having discussions. But, it also reconnected many of us with long lost friends. One of my best friends from high school, Victoria Robertson and I have reconnected after more that 15 years and picked right up where we left off. This really got me to thinking about my children. I hope they are blessed like me to find friends that support them, cherish them and uplift them. I hope they have people who come into their corners and stay there 10, 20 , 30, 40 , even 50 years. My mother has a best friend from Kindergarten...and as my son heads off to his first day of Kindergarten, my wish for him is to learn a ton, have lots of fun and hopefully pick up a few incredible friends along the way.

Here's to my girls: Cindy, Lea, Adrienne, Malika, Leslie, Lesley, Kimya, Vicky

I'm back...took a little time to just unwind and hang with the children. And believe me it was a much needed break. Like the rest of you moms, I've been spending a great deal of time making sure the kids have a memorable summer, gearing up for the new year and preparing to send my youngest to kindergarten. But sometimes I find myself getting so worked up about "what they should know," that I forget to truly embrace "who they are."

Last week was a perfect example. I got a report about how Bailey did on the standadized test...and I was shocked because she had a very good year and final report card. Obviously, she isn't a test taker because she scored a lot lower on things that she knows like the back of her hand. Immediately, I felt myself going into fight mode. I called my mom and husband, called the Principal and her teacher to set up a meeting (these grades were not at all reflective of who she was and I wanted to see what I could do to ensure this didn't happen next year...when it really counted) and I started calling tutoring programs.

Bailey could immediatley sense my angst and she asked me if I was mad at her, of course not I told her, I just want to get to the bottom of why you scored so low I said.  So she did what she always does...she got creative. About 4pm she called me upstairs to her room with my eyes closed. When I opened them, both kids yelled "surprise!" There was a banner (written in red marker on toilet paper) that read "Happy Me Day Mom Love You." They had a foot bath  waiting for me and told me to get naked and close my eyes and go to the bathroom. In the bathroom waited a warm bubble bath for me and a tray with the following: citrus punch, carmel popcorn, a plum, granola and three magazines. It was s fabulous. Bailey said, "I could see that you were very stressed and we just wanted you to have a little 'me time' and unwind." When I got out of the tub I had a foot bath, massage and lounged and ready the latest Yoga and Domino Magazine...sheer bliss. It was a nice way to reconfirm what is important. Who cares if my daughter may not break the sound barrier with her score on standarized tests? She is one of the most talented, thougtful and creative human beings walking the planet and is always willing to share her gift and in what matters most.

I hope you are having a great summer 2008. I've decided to take a little break these past few weeks just to givemy mental a little vacation...I'll return shortly with great discoveries, new insights and everyday advice... 

About a week ago, I was surfing my facebook account when I stumbled across someone of interest. Her name is Alexis Martin Neely and she is a lawyer and family planning advocate (www.familywealthmatters.com) . I saw her on The Today Show with Ann Curry talking about how many of us don't properly plan for unforeseen circumstances when it comes to planning our children's future. She said when you are planning for your children (if something ever happens to you and your spouse) you should identify at least FIVE potential people and/or couples to entrust your children. Because what if something happens to the first couple? They get divorced? They die? Those are things most people should really think about  and therefore, have a backup plan. Also, it is a good idea to choose one person/couple to care for your children and their emotions and someone else to oversee the money. She has a wealth of material, articles and suggestions on her site and will send you a nice phamplet on planning your family's financial future if you sign up.