Confidence Is The Key

I saw this photo today and it made me think about how glad I am both my girls have so much confidence. I reached over to Alaina as she lay in the oral surgeons chair to hold her hand she she said "I got this mom".  She wasn't pushing me away she was telling me that I had done such a wonderful job preparing her for situations that she had this under control and she had no worries. That to me is a job well done.

Sierra can walk into any room and speak with anyone of any age and handle herself better than I have seem most adults. That is confidence, shinning in the most outstanding way.  One would never describe my girls as meek or quiet. Neither of them are afraid to be the center of attention, while at the same time neither are afraid to allow others to be in the spotlight. 

When Sierra met Trisha Smeenk at the Miss Rodeo Pawnee Pageant, Trisha was there as a special guest. Miss Rodeo USA the highest of titles in the Rodeo Queen world. She was what every young girl in that room wanted to be. Sierra had memorized every last detail about Trisha's life that she could find on the internet.. she was a superstar to those girls.  That day, Trisha graciously share that spotlight with several other young ladies at that pageant. That to me was a sure sign of a women with confidence. She wasn't afraid that a little 9 year old would show her up.. she was thrilled with Sierra's talents and abilities and even had her do her speech an extra time so one of the other older queens could video record it.  That is the type of confidence I hope my girls continue to develop. 

I see Sierra kneel down to young girls that are rodeo spectators to hand them a sucker. Seems as if it is a small gesture. But I know why she is doing it..... I know that she feels if she kneels down to that young child's level she no longer is someone out of their reach she becomes one of their peers. It is a metaphoric gesture on her part.. one she may not even realize she is doing at the time. She is telling those little girls that yes I have a fancy buckle and a shinny crown and also yes you can have such things if you want them one day, cause I was just like you. 

I am thrilled with my girls and the young ladies they are becoming. I wouldn't change either of them for the world and I don't think the world has a chance of changing them either. They are confident in who they are and where they are going. They may be young but they show the grace and maturity that I see lacks in so many girls of twice their age.  I am so proud of both of them.

Go with your gut!

OK my young friends with kids.. Let me tell you about my day and I insist you have to be the advocate and voice for your child... yesterday Alaian (6) comes home from school she says she has a headache and I notice she looks kind of red cheeked.. I take her temp.. 101.7 far from killing her :o) -I am a tough mom! But I am very upset with the school nurse that Alaina went to her and she told her she had a headache and the nurse didn't take her temp... that said Alaina said the nurse tried to call me but I didn't answer.... I have 4 other names on my call list and my babysitter lives next door to the school... but that issue I will have to take up with the nurse tomorrow...

So this morning I still have a little one that is running a fever and complaining her head hurts so I sit with her and ask her where her head hurts at... points directly to her upper jaw.. I said Alaina it is your head or your tooth? She said my whole head but mostly from right here at my tooth.. OK now I call the dentist... super nice gal at the dentist tells me to give her some motrin and orajel.... so I did that this morning.. by noon she was lying quivering in pain... saying her head was killing her... so I called the dentist again.. said this isnt working...so they had us come in for it to be looked at. well after a quick exam and 2 xrays the denist quickly made the decision to transfer her to an Oral and maxillofacial surgery.. so off we go. Thanks to Teresa Plumb who met me to get Royce and Debbie Ricketts Wescoat who sent Sierra to walk home to Teresa's house after school I didn't have to worry about the other kids.

The Oral and maxillofacial surgeon said the tooth needed immediate exaction. Sarah Gaston works at the office and she was WONDERFUL helping me get all the paperwork filled out and taken care of with the insurance. Had to call my mom to pay the co-pay cause my purse was in Mike's truck.. I wasn't prepared at all LOL (thanks mom) So they quickly took Alaina back to surgery and with a little happy gas they extracted a very infected tooth with a dry nerve socket.. Now if any of you have ever had a tooth ache or a dry socket you know how bad this little baby was in pain....She is much better now and resting comfortable. BUT lesson of this story is ... YOU are the voice for your child.. if you feel something is wrong don't be afraid to speak up and fight for their care. I knew Alaina wasn't a complainer and there was something making her feel this bad and if I hadn't been so persistent who knows how long this would have gone on.

Sometimes doctors and nurses feel like we are over reacting and maybe sometimes we are.. but i would much rather be made to feel like i was over reacting than to not overreact and have my baby suffer. I have a nursing background and I work in a hospital and I am telling you GO WITH YOUR GUT!! and be the voice for your children when they need it.