Rite of Passage

When I got home from work yesterday and I was walking Abby out, she said, oh, Sara, today Elle cut her bangs. She told me she was going into the bathroom to look at herself in the mirror and then she cut her bangs. She really didn't want me to tell you. So, I said ok, and went into see what this hair cut looked like. I had her hair in braids, so the "natural" part of the bangs were already down, because they are not long enough really to tie back into the braid. Honestly, it looked a little like my bangs and I was very thankful that she didn't cut above her eye brow line! Anyway, I have not officially "done" her hair yet to know how it will turn out, but I am not too worried about it.

I was thinking a lot about Elle last night -- being that next month she will be 5. It seems like a pretty big birthday to me -- knowing that she has been here on earth of 5 full years. I can see how much she is trying to change already and morph into this next stage in her life. So, it is natural, I guess, that she is taking interest in her clothing choice and her hair bow color and how her hair looks. To me, I thought this "cutting" of the hair was a rite of passage in sorts. I thought back to the time I cut my hair --

1. In college, right after I tried out for cheerleader, and didn't make it, I cut off all of my hair
2. When I got pregnant with Elle, I cut off my hair
3. After Emme turned 3 last year, and I felt like I was coming out of the deep sea I had been drowning in -- I cut off all of it, probably the shortest it has ever been

This morning, I looked up rite of passage and exactly what it means and the history, and it is funny to me, that they use the illustration of a person cutting their hair when joining the army -- they are "cutting" away from their former self.


A rite of passage is a ritual event that marks a person's progress from one status to another. It is a universal phenomenon which can show anthropologists what social hierarchies, values and beliefs are important in specific cultures. Rites of passage are often ceremonies surrounding events such as other milestones within puberty, coming of age, marriage and death. Initiation ceremonies such as baptism, confirmation and bar or bat Mitzvah are considered important rites of passage for persons of their respective religions.
Rites of passage have three phases: separation, transition, and re-incorporation. In the first phase, people withdraw from their current status and prepare to move from one place or status to another. There is often a detachment or ‘cutting away’ from the former self in this phase, which is signified in symbolic actions and rituals. For example, the cutting of the hair for a person who has just joined the army. He or she is 'cutting away' the former self - the civilian. The transition (liminal) phase is the period between states, during which one has left one place or state but hasn't yet entered or joined the next; the person adjust to the new status. In the third phase, having completed the rite and assumed their 'new' identity, one re-enters society with one's new status. Re-incorporation is characterized by elaborate rituals and ceremonies, like debutant balls and college graduation.

You can see on the right side of her hair, the edge of the bangs, right by her eye

4 Day Weekend of Fun

Well -- I have enjoyed seeing everyone's snow pictures on Facebook and on email. The snow was so amazing and we all had such a great time. We had 2 days at home with the snow, not at work and Joe took the girls out to play in it when ever they wanted -- I stayed indoors, where it was warm and where there was plenty of cleaning to do! I did manage to organize the girls closets, how fun.

Anyway, the weekend was great. Saturday night we took Abby and Cody to Via Real and ate and ate and ate and had a great time getting to know them. We probably scared them a bit though! Joe and I are very transparent about our marriage and Abby and Cody got married in January, so we were asking them all of these questions -- it was funny.

The kids had a party that night too and they came in thier pj's and ate pizza. Sunday was valentines day and Joe gave E&E these heart necklaces, which they loved and won't take off. Also, Joe got me some new PJ's, so comfy! Then Elle wanted to go back out on Sunday to get me some "clothes." She picked out a blue dress, like a long bathing suit cover up and then a Kiss Me, I am Irish shirt. It was too cute.

Ms Beth, Elle's teacher sent me this video and I had to post it on my blog - http://sharing.theflip.com/session/17ed297795f3d58de59622974f32484d/video/9301993
Anyway, back to work -- back to normal, back to some Mommy time! :)

For those that know my friend Adrienne, I think this pic of Elle looks like her

This is from Super Bowl Sunday, Spencer likes to get in our family pics, it's too cute. He fits right in!

With so many pics of Hadley and Emme, it's nice to get one of Emme and Hunter for a change!

Pretty Fun Parade!

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One of Elle's favorite shows is Olivia. One day, Olivia had a parade in her neighborhood and so Elle thought it would be fun to have one too. She invited her friends over and asked them to make a float for the parade. We had music and candy to throw and the kids were crazy. I have more pictures I can share this week, but these are some of the ones my mother in law took. Anyway, it was great to see it all come to life on Saturday and I was really proud of her! These are the things that are really important and memories we will treasure!

10 Updates

Wow, didn't realize that it has been a month since I blogged. I decided to give an update on what is going on in a "list" format -- seems more efficient!

1. One of my best friends from high school, actually since 6th grade, got married in January. The wedding was so fun and it was great to catch up with everyone

2. We went skiing with Ann and Brian and Tommy and my parents came too -- we went to Santa Fe and it pretty fun! The girls did really well skiing and mommy did horrible at Black Jack!!

3. Joe and I decided to participate in a Triathlon Sprint this summer -- so we have been figuring out our training programs and it seems like a pretty lofty goal! But, I think we can do it!!

4. Abby is looking for a career job - so that means that we potentially could be loosing her soon -- and that has occupied our thoughts a great deal. We really think she needs to do what is right for her and Cody and that probably means to find a job with a salary and benefits -- but it will be hard to loose her on a daily basis -- I will keep yall posted

5. Work for me is going really great right now, a lot of fun and challenging projects

6. We are in planning mode for our trip to Disney! I think we are going to go in September and we are planning on making it a "BRATS" trip -- with a trip in an RV to the magical land!

7. I am still in this weight loss battle. It seems that I am working so hard on it and I think I am actually gaining weight -- so frustrating

8. The girls start swim class today. They are going to go on Monday's and Wednesday's for February. Elle wants to try out for the swim team in the summer -- so I think this will be a fun thing for her and Emme to do, we will see how it goes

9. Elle added a day of class at CCDC, so now she is going 3 times per week to school. I think that this will be really good for her -- she gets so bored during the day!

10. There really is no place like your own home and your own bed. The travel has been fun -- but there is something about walking in your back door and seeing your home -- it just relaxes you!

Where did Christmas Go?

CHristmas was so wonderful! We had our Christmas in Conroe and it was full of fun events! We spent a lot of time with Kirsten and the kids and of course, Elle and Emme just loved every minute of it!

The girls got a bunch of great toys -- this was the year for some new toys and they are all so much fun.

Of course, they got the Zhu Zhu's -- after my wild selling ride with those, it was sorta a non event for me, but the girls loved them and they are cute.

I love these pictures of the Candle Light Service. We went to a Kid Friendly service in Conroe and the girls loved lighting the candles and singing.

On New Year's eve, we "recreated Christmas Eve" at the Ratliff home. New Years day was so much fun too, great things all around!!


Abby got married on the 1st too, and the ceremony was beautful. Elle and Emme loved going to the wedding!!!

We are off to Santa Fe next week... for Christmas, my sis and mom and dad fore went the presents and we are treating our selves to 4 days in Santa Fe.














Christmas was

Crazy Christmas Sweater

We had our annual Christmas party with the Home Team this weekend - and we all wore Crazy Christmas sweaters -- it was a lot of fun. We also do a "re-gift" exchange and joe ended up with a bread knife and I ended up with a hat and scarf - so we did pretty good!

The weekend ended last night with Christmas Spectacular, me, Joe, Momo and Papa Joe took the girls and they loved it. Elle was glued to the stage -- she said that she loved every act and every song and when I asked her again what was her favorite part of the show, she said "why do you keep asking me this? I have told yall 15 times that I liked every song." well -- that is just our little sweet 4 year old!

Emme on the other hand, after the intermission -- she walked out of her seat and whispered to me -- "I am going home now." So anyway, we took turns taking her up to the top or outside for breaks.

I would say over all my girls did pretty well -- however a lady in front of me thought different. She looked back everytime anyone of us said anything. Even as Elle was singing along with the Rockette's, she looked back at us. I finally said to her "Can I help you with something?" She said "what?" and I said "Can I help you with something?" She didn't look back again.

I am hoping I will blog alot this week considering all of the activites we have planned in Conore. Needless to say, we are all ready for this week and can't wait to spend some time with the family.

Yes, Joe won 2nd place in his category -- but I am not sure if it was the female or male category!

Am I Still Cool? I Still Am, Right?

I have not blogged in forever! I am so behind on this, but I have a lot of things to write about.

One of my best friends from home, Stacey, is getting married and Joe and I went to Houston for her shower. As I sitting by an old friend, a guy friend of mine and we were talking about high school, of course -- and he said something about my cool Mustang Convertible I had -- of course ;) and I was just trying to convince him that I am still way cool in my 30's!

When I started to tell him how cool I was -- I had to mention that I drive a Minivan and drive really fast with my window down singing "I put my hands up, their playn' my song," I workout at Curves, go to bed around 9 pm and just probably some more things about how cool I was. Anyway, it was an interesting conversation and you probably think that I was left depressed -- but not really... because I just kept thinking about my sweet hubby and my 2 great girls and you know what -- that makes me the coolest person, or at least cool mom. My friend Rachelle calls me "the fun mom" sorta making fun at me at the same time, but I secretly love it!!

Stacey and me at the shower! The shower was so fun!!

Joe and I went to New York last week and it was a great time. We saw all of the fun things in NY, ate great food, shopped and saw Wicked and Mama Mia.
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By far the best play I have ever seen -- Wicked!!

Before Joe met me in New York, I was north of the city at an HR conference and we had a 70's night. This is my team, Jessica, me and Betsy (my manager).

I love this time of year and especially running out to my mail box each night checking to see if there are any Christmas cards!!

On another note about Curves. I joined back 1 month ago. From the time I left 17 months ago till November, I had gained an embarrasing 16 pounds -- ouch!!! So, back on it and today I had my first weigh in... after a month, I have not lost any weight, but I did drop 3.75 inches (total for my body) including numbers like: 1.5 inches off my arms and .5 inches of my abdomen. So, that encourages me to keep on keepin on!!