Showing posts with label Zeta Tau Alpha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zeta Tau Alpha. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Dear Mom:

In the fall of 1984, I walked in to the dark sorority room of Holloway Hall on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College.  I was barely 19 years old and I was about to pledge the sisterhood of a group of girls:  Zeta Tau Alpha.  In a dimly lit ceremony, I joined a group of young women for what turned out to be too short a time.

Little did I know then, that nearly 28 years later I would be standing in the exact same room, once again lit only by candles, preparing for yet another sorority ceremony.  This time, our baby girl - just barely 21 years old and only moments after receiving her hood, MBA, and BS degrees (magma cum laude), would present me with the Zeta Mother's Pin and...  the following letter:

"Mom,

People always ask me, "Is that your mom?!" 

I have come to get used to this question.  Whether you are dressed in a crazy costume for the kids at church, e-mailing your blog to all my friends, or telling the President (of Wesleyan College) my life story -- your energy and positive attitude always bring people together -- and leave them wondering who you belong to!

I don't mean to make it sound so terrible!  I am always proud to say, "That's my mom."  When you amaze all those who know you with your strength and grace when faced with life's hardest struggles.  I would like to tell you that I am proud to be your daughter; I am proud you are my mom.

Graduation has made me think about what I want to do and who I want to be in this new life.  I want to be just like my mom.  I admire so much your approach to adversity with a strong trust in God and confidence; I admire how your writing is an inspiration and blessing to everyone.  I have always looked up to you, and today - like any other day, I am proud to be your daughter!"

You know what...  I realize that I am not the most organized mom around; I normally carry a 100 lb bag full of snacks, books, DS games, toys, crayons, etc; I probably should have had my hair cut months ago (at least colored, right?); if given a choice, I would eat chocolate all day; I tend to laugh a jokes a little late... and loud; and my clothes are mostly Caity's hand-me-downs. 

But hey...  this day, Caity's college graduation AND Mother's Day, well... (sniffle, sniffle)...  well, you know what I mean,... right?


".....28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."  Proverbs 31

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Fashion Show Birthday

Caity created this video for Violet for her 11th birthday party. Let me tell you how this all came about: nearly a month ago, I was on the phone with Aunt Tammy (in Philly) and we were chatting about the birthday season. You see, Caity turned 21 on Jan 17th; followed by Levi turning 6 on Feb. 5th; and finally, Violet's birthday was Feb. 18th when she turned 11. (Isaac is the only one to have his fall birthday alone -- Oct. 25th). Here at the Hott House, we find any reason we can for a celebration! Dan often remembers the 3 day weekend celebration when Caity turned 10! It was a pool party at an inside place, of course. We've had lots of fun with the kids, everything from Spider Man, Hannah Montana, to Percy Jackson, or just plain Jump Rope parties.

I guess you could say, Aunt Tammy and I were reminiscing about the kids being little and all the fun. Violet wanted to go tubing at Whitetail, which is WAY to expensive! Once, Tammy took us all to the hair salon at JC Penny's for Crystal's 5th birthday many years ago. (Crystal will turn 21 this year.) Violet mentioned, just in passing, how much fun it would be if Aunt Tammy could come from Philly and do fancy "do's" for her birthday.

Well, I was telling Tammy about this and she said.... "Let's do it!" Violet was so excited! And you know what, it was just the thing after the long winter days, nasty weather, and just plain "stuff". First, Caity arrived from college on Friday evening for a birthday dinner with Violet. Later, Ashley arrived early Saturday and was followed by Tammy and Crystal later in the day. Aunt Cindy joined us and we were ready for a

"PAR-TAY!"

Tammy transformed our basement to Madame Fleur's Hair Salon with make-up artist, "Ginger Snap"! (That was Ashley.) "Coconut-Caity" was the manicurist (but refused to touch anyone's feet)! And Crystal was our honorary emcee as "Betty Bop Lolli-pop"!

Much to Violet's dismay, her brothers (organized by Brandon) were the judges for the day: Stephen Tyler/Simon (Isaac) and Hubba Hubba (Levi). Nathaniel was also renamed "Lil Pop"!

There was creativity spilling out the logged cracked Hott House, that's for sure! The girls went all out and mixed their own CD music for the Fashion Show. The transformation in the basement included a fashion show runway, complete with red carpet lined with colorful balloons. Sparkling beads were hung at one end with a make-shift red stage at the other dazzling in individual "stars" for each of the party guests and karaoke mic for the emcee Betty Bop Lolli-pop!

The excitement mounted as the day quickly passed with girls getting hair, nails, and make-up done. Some of my favorite comments were: "Wow! We're gonna look 15!" (insert squeal!) "I look so grown up!" (insert squeals and giggles!) "This the first time I ever played with make-up!" (insert squeals, more giggles, and maybe some fainting!)

Then, each selected a dress to "model" for us as they walked down our runway. Dresses were fun too! We pulled out all of Caity's old prom dresses and even her fancy cocktail dresses from Zeta events. Even more adorable ensembles were added later by "Cousin Kendall", who joined the fashion show and decided to stay for the sleepover!

So, without further adieu, I hope you enjoy this video! And may it hold a precious memory in your heart as we watch our "babies" grow in to beautiful young ladies right before our eyes.  




Thanks Aunt Tammy... and another "thank you" to all the moms and dads for allowing us to borrow these precious little girls for a day to play dress up, maybe, for one last time.  Because before you know it, they'll be 21 like Caity, Crystal, and Ashley... all at the blink of an eye!  Hoping they all had fun,

love, a
Princess Violet Eve Hott, 11 years old