lisa writes
Welcome to Raising Tarah. My daughter Tarah, aka llama lu lu, writes over here.
June 13, 2010 1 Comment The kid is on a roll. The Earth Day 1K in April, the Apple Duathalon in May and now the Sartell Mayor's 1K in June. Here she is, in a race to the finish:
She had an fun run and kicked it in gear at the end. Hoping she'll post about it herself (hint, hint).
May 31, 2010 1 Comment I was talking with the kid the other day. It was an easy back and forth until I responded to something she said and she gave me that, "Oh my god, you must be the most clueless woman on the face of this earth" look. I don't remember what we were talking about but I do remember that look and, in that instant, the young girl my daughter is growing up to be flashed before my eyes.
Raising Tarah is a gift. My little girl is independent and still my baby, has her own opinions but still values mine, and is confident but unsure. She is witty and creative, is a voracious reader and has a flair for the arts. Tarah is an amazing little girl who is growing up. Finding, testing, and discovering her way as she grows, there will be days when friendships shift, kind words are in short supply both from and to her, or things just don't go her way.
Tarah is bound to hit a few bumps in the road and that's where I come in. I am the MC of things to come and I'll be standing by with the car keys. Yes, the car keys. When the bumps get her down, off we'll go for our yet-to-be-inaugurated "Bump in the Road Day." We'll go shopping, get our nails done, hang out at the library or watch the birds at the park. We'll grab the dad and head to the cities or meander through the towns. Maybe they ditch me and the dad and kid tube or fish, fire up the four wheeler, or catch a show. Anything to give her the space, the love and the fun to keep it all in perspective.
I am the master of second guessing myself, hashing/rehashing and letting the little things get me down and it's not what I want for my daughter. "Bump in the Road Day" here, soft shoulder, heavenly hug or a swift kick in the pants there and with two parents who love and adore her, Tarah will have the confidence and strength to know that no matter what the bump, it's not going to define, derail, or disappoint her for long - if at all.
May 27, 2010 Post a Comment Help! I need fun ideas for a girls weekend in June for me and my daughter.
Each June for the past few years, we've left the husband behind and hopped on a motor coach for a weekend with Girls Fun Adventures, LLC. It's a blast. We get on the bus Saturday morning, are dropped off Sunday evening and the entire time in between is a weekend full of surprises for us. We never know where we are going or what we are doing and always have a great time.
We found out today that this year's trip is postponed until November. The kid is bummed.
So, we decided to create our own adventure in and around the Twin Cities. We have the things we always do - waterparks, bowling, shopping, bookstores - and we don't want to do those. We want to do something different and I want the focus to be on the kid. A Build-A-Bear stop is a must for her, a great coffee/bakery shop a must for me but after that . . . .?
What do you think a mom and her 9 year old daughter can do in the cities for a weekend away?
April 21, 2010 2 Comments 
Every year, the elementary school has a spring music concert. This year was no different. Last year, Tarah played her guitar for the audience to open the concert and because it is now a tradition, she informs me and my husband that she is going to it again this year.
Now, the kid has not taken guitar lessons for over a year and she shares this tidbit of information with us on Thursday. The concert is on Tuesday.
She searches for her guitar Thursday night, selects a song and runs through a few lines. No talk of the guitar over the weekend so I breathe a sigh of relief when I think she has forgotten about her guitar idea and moved on to the business of memorizing her songs.
Monday night, we go to buy her a fancy schmancy dress for the show and she reminds me we have to get home early because she has to practice her guitar. What? I suggest she not do the guitar solo this year. Why? Because I don't think she'll be ready. She turns to me with that, "do you know at all what it means to be a mom" look on her face and says, "You are supposed to be encouraging me, not discouraging me, mom." Hey, give me a break kiddo, I'm just a realist.
Nonetheless, we buy a beautiful dress and new shoes and take our Subway subs home to eat so she'll have more time to practice her guitar. Sh eputs about 15 minutes into it and puts the guitar away.
Long story short, she was one of three students volunteering to showcase her musical skills. She moves to the front of the stage, gets into position and plays Lightly Row. That darn kid hit EVERY SINGLE NOTE IN THE ENTIRE SONG.
Hmmph. Who's the realist now?
April 20, 2010 Post a Comment Yes, I am a busy mom. Working, blogging, and raising a kid keeps the family unit busy and out of trouble - but you probably already knew that.
Did you know that I am now officially a Bizymom too? That's right! Bizymom.com was interested in offering their community insights into human resources (HR) as a profession. It was a please to do the interview and an honor to be asked. Interested in learning a little more about how I landed in HR or about HR as a profession?
Check out Information on Human Resources and let me know what you think.
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