What10 things I've learned from being a PTA president

When I walked into Joslyn's elementary school for the first time. I was nervous. Yes me, not Joslyn as much as me. There were many many questions running through my head. For example:

 What is her day going to be like? Will she like her teacher? Will she learn well here? What if she doesn't make friends? What if she gets bullied? Question after question. But the biggest question was, what do I do now for her? What is my role? How can I be the most effective helper to her and her learning? 

It took me awhile to get the nerve up to ask about PTA. I think I felt like most parents feel when they do know a lot about PTA. I assumed the stigmas and the gossip was true. 

But when I asked about the PTA and was told they didn't have one and that I should run it, I learned pretty quickly what the real PTA is. 

So I'm gonna share with you some things I learned that might help you see PTA in a different light. 

1. PTA is not just for Moms

One of the biggest stigmas about PTA is that it is just for moms. A little known fact is that community members, politicians, grandparents, friends, business owners and ANYONE can join PTA. Who in their right mind would openly say they do not want to support children. Being a PTA member does exactly that. 

2. Working Moms and Dads can volunteer in PTA! 

Do you think that only Stay at home moms can volunteer in the PTA? Nope! Some of my best volunteers are working parents. Because they have a clear defined time frame and idea of what they can do and what they can't. I think in America we have an issue supporting and especially committing to volunteer for fear of being asked to over commit. There is some thing you can do in the PTA that will work with your schedule. I promise! It might take a few tries to get you in the right groove of where you should be, but keep trying. The best way to find your spot is to be open and honest with them. Tell them what your schedule and time frame is and more importantly, what you like to do. Then work with them on what works best for you. I promise they need you, even if they haven't figured out how just yet. 

3. PTA is not only a fundraising organization

It is easy to see from the outside that PTA just wants your money to buy snacks and fun things for the kids. Part of that is true. But we do so much more! We provide supplies and much needed equipment for the school. Library books and reading incentives. We also bring in Training and special speakers who help educate our teachers and students on important information. Also we provide a little respite for teachers on those really hard days. By selling those t shirts and popcorn you are doing more than getting stuff. You are investing in our students education. Also, local PTA's provide a voice for all students.

PTA bought supplies for many parts of the school last year, including PE. 

4. PTA is not only effective in our school.

Ohh no! When you become a PTA member, you are indeed a big part of your local school. But, you also are a part of a state and national program that advocates for every child. Check out www.pta.org for more information on how they/we advocate for children everywhere. 

5.PTA volunteering isn't all popcorn and pizza parties. 

Unfortunately, there is a hard side to this job. Like all non profits, we have business stuff to do. Like paperwork, and dealing with the IRS. There is meetings to attend and important topics to debate. There is advertising and PR to handle. And of course there are long days of popping popcorn and sitting at tables talking to people and answering questions. But me and my team and almost anyone who has been in the trenches of volunteer work, can tell you that the benefits outweigh the long days. I wouldn't trade it. 

6. You have no idea what's going on in your school until you are there on a consistent basis. 

I don't care if you have been a parent of a student in a certain school for many years. Unless you are in that school on a daily or weekly basis, you aren't going to know what that school's struggles and victories are. Every school has weaknesses that need to be worked on and every school has triumphs that need to be celebrated. PTA gives you an opportunity to be involved in some of the school's behind the scene issues and lets us work together to come up with solutions. 

7. If you aren't volunteering, you have no right to complain about something.

No one likes a complainer. Yet it seems that the biggest complainers are ones that won't lift a finger to change it. PTA is full of many people doing their part to improve communication between the parents and teachers and they are also working with the staff to fix issues on a daily basis. We are game changers, not complainers!!!

8. PTA volunteers don't want accolades. 

Many people who are part of the PTA are extremely humble people. These are people who are passionate about what they are doing. Passionate about protecting children, and education. We do love thank yous like anyone does. But if you are handing accolades out, we would much rather you show your love to the teachers and staff of your school. And speaking of handing out accolades, we strongly feel the thank yous should also be bestowed on our spouses and family and even friends that take care of our children so we can be involved in the PTA. My hubby himself deserves a big old trophy for all the times he has rescued me in a bind with the kiddos, or for all the times he has fixed dinners so I can be involved in another meeting. I'm so grateful for him and all the other spouses and children that sacrifice time with mommy/daddy so they can volunteer at the school. 

One day I will get those dishes done honey, I just have to volunteer at school first.

9. Teachers have hard days!!!

I know this sounds silly. We all know this. But have you ever wondered what your teacher is going through? What they need in the classroom? How hard their classroom dynamic is? It's been my experience this year that most teachers aren't going to ask for help very often because they are used to being told no or getting excuses. So if you want to make a difference in your classroom, you are gonna need to ask and keep asking. Here are some things that many teachers need help with:

Reading or practicing sight words

Preparing snack or crafts

Sharpening pencils

Making copies

Helping with special projects

Field trip sponsors

Lunch time or recess monitors

No explanation needed!

10. You an help with a baby on your hip. 

I was so afraid to come to school with my little one, afraid that he would interupt classes and be a big disturbance. Granted he has done some of that, but it has been amazing to watch the teachers, staff and especially students interacting with my little guy. He has made so many friends at that school and most of them being teachers. It really boosted his self esteem and ego. He kind of thinks he runs the school, but what two year old doesn't think they are in charge? 

Jaxon and his best friend Melody, our school secretary!

So please do me a favor! If you have children, grandchildren, ever loved a child, join a PTA and donate an hour. Just one, we would be ever so grateful!

The secret I must tell!

Hey ya'll! Today I have a little confession to make!

A

Little

Secret!

It's eating me alive🙀 SO here it goes....

So I was just sitting in my livingroom and I felt it. 

The strange desire.

You see my headphones were on and my music was playing. 

And then this song came on. 

I haven't done this in awhile. 

But when the urge happens, I  just have to oblige. 

So everyone was asleep except Joslyn, who was in the playroom watching a show.

So I didn't want her to see me, so I went into the bathroom. 

And I turned up the music. 

Well, I couldn't help it. 

I started tapping my foot, and then, I kind of swished my hips. Then the arms started moving up and down. The next thing I knew I just lost control!!!!!

I mean full on dancing!!! And not like your momma used to dance. I mean full on dirty, booty-shaking, hips-gyrating, club dancing. And it wasn't pretty. Like sweat was dripping, the floor was shaking, (nope it wasn't an earthquake, it was me ya'll) and the room got a little steamy. This little party lasted about 10 minutes. And it was AWESOME!!!

So once the urge was over, I stopped, looked in the mirror and promptly passed out. 

But I'm okay, don't worry. I promise to mostly be honest with my friends. Okay, okay!!! I didn't really pass out, but I did see stars! 

Cause ya'll don't even know how good I was. I mean Call Dancing with the Stars!!!! I'm ready to make my fortune now!! I will be famous and dancing with the hottest guy on the floor. And ya'll will wish you believed me then!

Oh well, anyways! That is the pretty ugly truth! I am starting this new segment with my blog called The Pretty Ugly Truth. When my blog is ready for it, I will be doing video blogs with me, and my baggy eyes and messy hair and house, sharing myself. You see I believe that something missing in this world is people being transparent with each other. And sometimes that means being exposed. Because there are too many people trying to hold up all their masks and double lives. I know how that feels. It gets exhausting! So keep coming back. I will get it together soon. And get your masks ready, cause it's gonna be UGLy!!!

No no, that isn't the big revelation that I promised a few weeks back. It's still coming. And it's gonna knock most of your socks off. So wait for it. 

Later Homies!!

PS: Dancing With The Stars, call me!!!

Funeral pictures

 I'm getting to that age that funeral happen more frequently. It's a sad part of life. One thing I have noticed at those funerals I have been going to is the slide show they do. Have you seen those? You know where they take all these pictures of the deceased and show a progression of that person's life on a big screen. It's become my favorite part. 

I love to sit and listen to the comments and laughter that people do during the show. Those pictures are priceless at that very moment. A moment when strangers share a bond of memories together of them. 

 It was a funeral that I (like many other people do) started thinking of how my funeral would be. Typical control freak I started figuring out what songs I would like, how my flowers would look, what preacher would speak and of course what color box or urn I would be it. But when I got to the slide show, I had to pause. You see I have always hated the way I looked. So therefore I couldn't stand being in pictures. I always told myself one day I would look like I've dreamed I would and then I would take lots of pictures. One day! 

Then It dawned on me that what if one day never came? What would my slideshow look like if no one had pictures of me? What if my self esteem issues robbed my children the joy of seeing pics of their momma on that day? What if people asked my kids what I looked like and they couldn't show pictures of me. I know it might seem like Pride. But honestly, every time I see pictures of someone I love up on that screen, I smile.  I don't look at them and think, boy I wish they looked different. I think of all the happy times we had, how grateful I was to have them in my life. Or wow that was such a funny situation! 

So I promised myself from that time on, I would gather with my friends, suck in my tummy, smile and take that picture. Because I want my life to reflect who I am, not my insecurities. I don't ever want my fears to run my life. And one day, my kiddos will have a memorial for me, and I want them to have lots of memories to choose from. I can do that for them!!!

I'm back!!!!!

Wow! It's been more than a year since I have posted on this blog! I'm sorry but not sorry that life got in the way. 

So let me update you on what's been going on with us. 

Joslyn started pre-k August of 2014, And soon after I asked to join the PTA at her school. I was quickly told that There was no PTA at the school, but They would be ecstatic if I would run it. I quickly called my dearest friend Jodi, who was big into the PTA and she convinced me that I could do it. I sat down and prayed that God would guide my steps and that if He wanted me to do this then He would provide the right people to make up my team. He quickly answered and brought me some amazing people to walk along this journey with me. And a journey it has been! Our PTA started with no funds, due to embezzlement, and had major tax issues with the IRS we had to clear up. We also had to earn the trust of the teachers and staff of our school. We accomplished much last year. We had 4 very successful events and many programs that enriched the school and students. We raised money for supplies for library books and musical instruments for the school. So as you can imagine this kept me very busy. 

 Also I have been the trainer for a Celebrate Recovery in OKC, on Thursday nights. I have enjoyed helping others in their recovery journeys alongside working on my own recovery issues. I recently in the last month have resigned as the the Trainer of CR and have decided to run the children's version of CR. It is important to me that my children and other children experience the freedom from their hurts, hangups and habits. So that is going well, and I also get paid to run the program, so that's some bonus income that I am bringing in. Yea!

We got to escape the apartment lifestyle In February of this year. We moved into a little house not far from where we lived before. It's got a good size backyard and the best part is washer and dryer hookups. I so have felt blessed by God to have this house for the time we have gotten it. We have had a few scary moments, like a drive by shooting next door and a tresspasser In our backyard. Also we have lost one lawnmower due to theft. But otherwise it has been a great change. Some things I don't like about the house is the one bathroom and the carpet that is everywhere even in the kitchen. But we have dealt with those issues and are surviving well. And I have much enjoyed having clean clothes whenever I want them!!!

So next I will talk about my sweet children. Joslyn is 5 1/2 and about to head into kindergarten this year and Jaxon is turning 3 in October! How did this happen. Joslyn has lost her front two teeth and about to lose another one. But what is weird is that you could see her big teeth coming up behind her baby teeth before they fell out. 

Jaxon got potty trained this summer thanks to a collaboration between me and my sweet mother-in-law. He has made the transition easily and I feel very lucky that we don't have many accidents.  Knock on wood!!!

Joslyn did very well in her first year of school and learned all of her alphabet. She did get in trouble a few times and it also was during naptime. I will be interested to see how kindergarten goes without naptime. Jaxon followed me around the school all last year and we have another year of him under foot. I found it difficult to get all my work done with him there but luckily I have many helpers at the school that love him as much as I do!!! 

Joslyn gets to start Girl Scouts this month and I am super excited for her to join this program. She also has learned to tie her shoes. Joslyn is super into anything princess, nature and she is super competitive. She wants to be a mommy when she grows up! Jaxon is super into trains, cars and trucks. He is all boy but is regularly subjected to sissy dressing him up like a girl. He is independent and fierce, and can destroy a room like a strong tornado can. 

On the food journey, I have found that balancing the PTA, my children and all my other desires, once again my health and food addiction have been put on the back burner. But every failure brings me a little bit closer to success. 

Speaking of success, my hubby and I have been doing really well in managing our finances and communicating about what and where our finances are going. 

So I want to talk a moment about what is next for our family. We have some very very exciting news we will be sharing in the next few months but it's got to be the right time so right now I will share what I can. There will be big blog changes coming soon. I will soon be looking into purchasing a website and transferring   this blog into the website. I have great ideas on how to engage new readers and how to blog better. So please stick around! Cause I'm back for good!! Right now I am committing to posting to this page once a week, to the best of my ability. I have redesigned our families goals ( at the top of the page) and will update those goals today, so keep checking back in to see the changes. 

Also I please ask that If you have a minute, please take time to pray for my family in these certain areas.

This year will be my last Presidential term for the PTA, so I am going to make it a great one. You can only run for two

Consecutive terms, so my team will be looking for able bodies to fill our positions and keep our visions alive. Please pray for guidance as we look for our successors. 

Please also pray as I teach my children and others the ways of gaining victories in their lives. This recovery life is hard. But life in recovery is a life with hope for the future. I will also be training other leaders in teaching our children. I feel very unqualified in this endeavor. 

Please pray as we make some major decisions in our family's life that God will guide us during this process. We want our dreams to come true but only if it is God's will. 

How can we pray for you?