OK, So I have a small confession. Almost no one knows about this, I've been hesitant to talk about it just in case things changed on me, and I needed a little time to get used to the idea myself. So here it goes....everyone knows that last week Aaron went around to get enrolled in his teaching program (he is enrolled and starts this week or next). Well, funny thing....I enrolled too! Not in a teaching program, but in an MBA program. Yeap, I'm going for my Masters. It was kind of decided on a whim, just found a program I couldn't refuse, and it is the best thing I can do career wise in the next year. I basically told NY&Co that I couldn't work during the week anymore. I think my boss there summed it up the best...."OK let me get this straight, you are going back to school, have two jobs, and three kids, your F'ing CRAZY girl!" And after having my first class yesterday, I totally agree with her! lol I want everyone to know what is going on because for the next year and a half, no one will probably see or hear from me much. Every spare moment I have free will be spent reading, researching or writing. The class is only 1 night a week on Tuesdays (Aaron has class M, W, Th) but it is very intensive of 9 credit hours over a 12 week period, so lots of out of class work. For example, I just had my first class yesterday, and before hand I had to read 200 pages, and write a short 2 page paper. By class on Tuesday I have another 100 pages to read, and over the next 12 weeks I have 1 ~20 page research paper, a ~10 page research paper, 3 ~5 page papers, 1 out of class activity with 2 page summary, 1 hour long classroom presentation/lead a topic, 1 30 minute research paper presentation, and my final. When, you ask, will I get this all done? I'm still trying to figure that one out myself! Some of it will come from the extra 2 hours I get by making what is now a standard 8 o'clock pot of coffee, and then literally, I can't waste a moment of time. Even typing this, I feel like time is ticking by. So bear with me through this all. Don't think I'm ignoring you, or being withdrawn...I'm just SUPER busy.
On the bright side, I can't fail...my family needs this, I need to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do it, and I want to be a positive example for my kids. I will be done in 15-18 months, depending on some financial stuff, but we are anticipating that Aaron and I may be able to walk together in Graduation both receiving our Masters next summer/fall!! Wow, what an accomplishment that would be and how proud I would be of ourselves.
And to top it all off...we also got Cameron enrolled in school, and he got a second job....so all is good, but very busy around here!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Happy Birthday Austin!
My little guy is one whole year old today. Click here to read back on his "birthday" story. I'm so glad I have all these details captured. Austin, you melt my heart. I cannot imagine our family without you. You came sooner than we were trying to plan for, but thank goodness for surprises, because I can't think of a better one. Everything about your life has given me pure joy. Your smile and cuddles melt my heart. Your laugh is contagious. Your attitude is adorable. I love the way you have the little wobbly duck walk right now. I love the way you push out your bottom lip to pout when something gets taken away from you. I love how you try to dive off my lap in full clothes to get in the bath, and how you cry when you see me get the towel ready. I love your big smiles and grins in the morning. I love to hear you babble your stories all day long. I love how you rub your sleepy little eyes and whimper when you are tired. I love how you watch your big brother and sister in admiration. I love how you have to give everyone a hug before you go to bed at night. I love that you love your daddy, but are still a mommas boy too. I love your fat little feet and big chubby cheeks. I love how you always crawl with your left hand in a fist and your right hand palm down. I love how you know that brother and sister's milk is different than yours, and will drop your cup and pick theirs up in a nanosecond - our little "milk swiper" as we call you. I love that you are such a good sleeper. I love how you don't have to be sick or tired to lay your head on my shoulder for lovin'. I love that you just the right mix of being independent, but still needing your mommy. I love those big blue eyes. I love how you hate mashed potatoes, no matter how many times I try to sneak them in (one day you'll love them). I love that you look like your daddy. I love that you remind me of your sister. I love that you are all boy like your brother. I love that you are so uniquely different from each of them. I love that you have made this past year one of the best of my life. I love that you will make every year of my life one of the best. I love that you are my son, that I get to be responsible for the amazing child you are. I love that you have made me a better person, a better mother. I love that you are growing into such a little boy...but I hate that you are growing into a little boy. But as I've taught your brother and sister before you, recite after me "even when I get big and am a daddy, I'll always be Mommy's baby boy!" We love you Austin, Happy First Birthday!!!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Back to the daily grind
Tomorrow I'm back to the daily grind...and I'm not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, I like order, and the past 2 weeks have not been that. I don't HAVE to have order so much that I haven't enjoyed my time, but I like routine. Plus I do better mentally and physically when I'm busy. i feel like I've grown into the New Year Blimp over the past two weeks. I'm so undisciplined at home with all the goodies. On the other hand though, I know that I will miss the kids as soon as I get there and be exhausted and home sick after going back to the 7 day work week. But I am going to try to take off most, if not all of my birthday weekend, so I know I only have a month, I can do that. Tomorrow Aaron is going to the colleges to get all his necessary information so we can hopefully make a final decision and plans. We've been in kind of a state of limbo here. Friday Aaron got on a whim and decided that now was the time to expand our patio. Boy I bet he is regretting that whim right now! Actually, it is going to be well worth it and will look great. Cameron and Aaron have been working their tail ends off the past two days digging and hauling. I can't wait until it is finished. it will give us a lot more room in the back for our fire pit, table/chairs, sandbox and grill.
Friday, January 2, 2009
I wonder what 2009 has in store
2008 was such a wonderful year, and a lot of change took place. I am only expecting 2009 to bring around the same kind of excitement! Minus a baby, well I guess I better hold my words till March before I can really say that (kidding honey kidding....but no really you never know) I'm thinking this year is going to be coined "the year of the school". I know sounds silly right, but chances are Aaron is going back to school, I've been giving serious thought to starting an MBA program in the fall, and Mackenzie starts Kindergarten! Suddenly we aren't going to be the ones with 3 little kids at home, our kids are growing up. Soon we won't have any babies around. Here is where I ask - no beg - would some of you friends out there start popping them out then randomly drop them off with Aunt Jen!!! Come on, what are friends for, I think I'm a pretty good friend, this is your way of holding up the bargain! lol
So 1 week away from my baby being 1. Although of course I am excited, it doesn't mean that i haven't shed a few tears over the fact. I think that the hardest thing is going to be turning around his car seat. It is just that physical proof that he is getting all grown up. He isn't going to know what to do being able to see more than just Turner in the car. But in the same, I'm sure he will miss his big brother because Turner is always talking to him and making him laugh. The other physical proof I have is that he is off of formula now, and all on milk. Just weird, doesn't seem like it should be time yet. So if anyone could just figure out a way to stop the clock for a little bit this week so it doesn't creep up on me, that would be fantastic! I don't think we are going to do much, just Mackenzie and I are making him a cake at home, and we'll all sing and watch and take a bunch of pictures!
New Year's Eve was great. Our neighbors came over for the night, and we had a few friends stop by briefly. We got Rock Band the night before and I think I can truthfully say that everyone got in to it. I even stayed up till past midnight - someone might want to write that down in the books! Hope everyone is going in to 2009 with as much joy and excitement as we are!
So 1 week away from my baby being 1. Although of course I am excited, it doesn't mean that i haven't shed a few tears over the fact. I think that the hardest thing is going to be turning around his car seat. It is just that physical proof that he is getting all grown up. He isn't going to know what to do being able to see more than just Turner in the car. But in the same, I'm sure he will miss his big brother because Turner is always talking to him and making him laugh. The other physical proof I have is that he is off of formula now, and all on milk. Just weird, doesn't seem like it should be time yet. So if anyone could just figure out a way to stop the clock for a little bit this week so it doesn't creep up on me, that would be fantastic! I don't think we are going to do much, just Mackenzie and I are making him a cake at home, and we'll all sing and watch and take a bunch of pictures!
New Year's Eve was great. Our neighbors came over for the night, and we had a few friends stop by briefly. We got Rock Band the night before and I think I can truthfully say that everyone got in to it. I even stayed up till past midnight - someone might want to write that down in the books! Hope everyone is going in to 2009 with as much joy and excitement as we are!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
More Christmas
Sunday we left and went down to do the Christmas round with all of my family. First stop, Grandpa John's (my stepdad). We got there, had a good dinner, and then all the adults left so Grandpa John could have some good one on one grandkid time. Really, we did it for his benefit! lol OK, really since it was our anniversary, we went out, but not alone. My older brother Allen and his family were in town, so we all had Caitlyn be our DD and drive us up to a small bar. We all had SOO much fun! Turner and Gavin took to each other like they'd been together every day for their whole lives! lol They are 1 year a part, and boy are they going to cause us trouble in the future. These boys get together, and you just see the mischief start to multiply. The kids had a blast and loved being around Grandpa John. And the next morning he got up with all the kids to let us sad sad bunch of adults try to recover. There were tequila shots, lots and lots of "to-kill-ya" shots...need I say more!
Such brotherly love!
Allen and Donny - my brotha from anotha mother..and father. Donny has been Allen's best friend since I can remember and he is just a part of the family by now.
Allen and Ashley
The cousins - Turner, Christopher, Mackenzie, Gavin
Dad and the kiddos - Cameron, Allen, Dad, me, Caitlyn
Don't they just look like trouble!
Such brotherly love!
Allen and Donny - my brotha from anotha mother..and father. Donny has been Allen's best friend since I can remember and he is just a part of the family by now. 
Allen and Ashley
The cousins - Turner, Christopher, Mackenzie, Gavin
Dad and the kiddos - Cameron, Allen, Dad, me, Caitlyn
Don't they just look like trouble! We finally got up and around and drove about 30 minutes to Moberly to see my dad and Grandma. Had lunch there and did Christmas. The kids always love their Grandpy, so of course that was good. Grandma is still getting around pretty good. She did tell me that she had a scare the other day when her blood pressure spiked super high and she had to be taken to the hospital. But they just gave her something to bring it down, don't know any other cause. She takes BP medicine on a daily basis, so scary that it would spike so high even on her meds. Grandma D has been such a huge part of my life. I take it for granted that she has just always been around, but I know that our time with her is limited. She is still on her own, and doing well though.
Then we left and drove another 30 minutes to my mom's. We had dinner there and did Christmas again. Nannan and Grandad were there too. Nannan seems to be doing well, but grandad isn't. Visibly he isn't doing well, and as Nannan said...he is slipping. It must be so hard to see someone who you have had around every day for almost your entire life start to fade. I'm sure it must take a lot out of Nannan to take care of him day to day. I pray that they will be ok. Otherwise the dinner was fabulous and we had a great time again.
All the kids, grandkids, in-laws - missing in action: Tyler (in jail right now for 30 days for probation violation) Uhhhh, never gets dull in our family!
Nana and her Grandbabies.
That is about all I got for ya. We are having a party tonight which is going to be a blast. Let's just say, jello shots, Rock Band, our cool neighbors - how could it not be!! Everyone have a fun and safe new year!
See ya Next Year!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
My Journal
OK, so the best part about this blog is that I have a journal of our lives captured here for years to come, so this post is going to be purely a "journal post". Just that normal stuff that I want to remember about our lives right now.
Jobs...these seem to be a big part of defining our lives at this time. Pfizer is still going good. Nothing that gets me excited, but it is still a steady constant and there is nothing wrong with that. They are a great company, I really enjoy the people I work with, and we are getting ready for some new stuff at the beginning of the year, and I always love a learning opportunity. NY&Co is still going good. I really enjoy doing retail - who would have thought. Aaron and I were talking about it last year and just how much I've changed - 5 years ago I would have hated this job. Guess I've just become more social and girlish in my old age! Last week I worked 5 days there, so it was a pretty busy week on top of my "normal" job and getting ready for Christmas, but.....wait for it, wait for it.....I'm now off for 3 day!!!! Can I get a Whoop Whoop! Ok, maybe I'm a little over excited, but Christmas day was the first day I've had off since Thanksgiving...but I'm on vacation at Pfizer now too so I have 3 whole days that I don't have to go to work! Aaron went on a ride-a-long with a company for a sales position last week, but was not impressed at all. Can you believe the guy went through McDonalds for lunch (ok that is fine), Aaron ordered a value meal, the guy a sandwich off the dollar menu -AND THEN ASKED AARON TO PAY FOR HIS LUNCH!!!! I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the job must not be paying so great if he is having to have a stranger buy his dollar lunch for him! lol So we turned that down. We are waiting for everyone at the college to return from their Christmas break (Jan 5) so that we can get more info on him going back to school. That is what we are really going to try to make happen. Even if Aaron does end up getting a job, he still plans to do school too. Things are still going really good with him being home with the kids. The last time he was home was when Mackenzie was a baby and he was in night school and I had just started at Pfizer and it did not go so well. So I've always been hesitant, but it is going good. Aaron really does a great job with the kids. Austin has been a trader, last week he cried for Aaron to take him to bed, BUT after that 1 day at home for Christmas, he is all back to be a momma's boy! Ha Ha
Christmas: Christmas morning the kids woke up about 7:45. The night before we read to the kids out of the Christmas book when we were putting them to bed. Mackenzie said "mom, can you even really believe that tomorrow is Christmas, I can't even stop thinking about it!" I love the magic of Christmas. And nothing is better than seeing it all through the eyes of a little child. Oh if I could just bottle that up and keep it forever. I sure hope she still has a couple years of believing left, but even when she gets her suspicions...mom will never admit anything different! They had such a great time opening gifts. Turner kept wanting us to undo each toy that he got. His favorites: his train table, Splinter, T-Rex, foam disk gun, and his Hungry Hungry Hippos - oh yes, we did it. But doesn't every child have to experience Hungry Hungry Hippos - and doesn't every parent have to endure it! Actually I'm not sure who was having more fun playing it, the kids, or Aaron and Cameron! Which reminds me, both Uncle Cameron and Aunt Caitlyn were with us Christmas morning - AND they were both up here with us for all the morning fun. Mackenzie loved all of her stuff to. Right now she is playing with her Barbie stuff. But I think her favorite thing right now is her Leap Frog Word Launch that she can hook up to the TV. She is loving exploring how to make words - and is getting better every day with reading. (STILL don't have my head wrapped around that yet!). And she loves her swimming puppy dog - so glad that Santa was able to hunt it down. Now he did not get her her bible, but she didn't put that on her list until Christmas morning, so Santa must have already left the North Pole to start delivering presents before he got the request. So I'm thinking that may be a birthday gift. She was so sweet...I have to admit, I do get caught up in the Santa portion of Christmas a little more than I should, but leave it to Mackenzie to bring it all back to the true meaning - when we sat down for breakfast she wanted to make sure we all thanked Baby Jesus! Austin loved just going around to everyone else's presents. He liked the paper and thankfully wasn't trying to eat any of it, just tearing and scrunching. I made an awesome (if I must say so myself) breakfast of egg casserole and monkey bread - both of which turned out perfectly! We all sat down together and ate - Christmas morning breakfast is kind of becoming a tradition around here.
I can't believe that Austin's birthday is so soon. He now has 7 teeth, has for a while. Yesterday he really took off walking and is making it across the room at times, wobbly still, but he just takes off on his own. He has been talking up a storm, sure it is all in baby talk, but he loves to talk. Aaron can get him to wave his finger and say "no no no". Which reminds me, the other day I asked Mackenzie what she was going to name her swimming puppy, and she decided on naming him "No No" since that is what she is always having to say to him anyways! I told her maybe I should have just named her that then! lol I LOVE to hear what kids are naming things - I think it is so telling to what the scope of their world is and what is important to them.
And for the big deal.....today is mine and Aaron's 6 year anniversary. Last night we just hung out together and drank by ourselves after the kids went to bed and just talked and talked. It is so nice that we can still have so much fine all by ourselves. I mean, we were laughing and just being silly. It was a nice reminder that I did marry my best friend. We have had such a wonderful life together. I think the next 6 years will be very different from the last. We will be entering a new phase in our lives. We talked last night about where we both are on having more kids, and neither of us wants another right now. We are jsut very content with our lives and our children. I think this is the first time in my life since I was like 16 that I haven't been thinking about when I would be getting pregnant and having a baby. But the idea isn't locked out, the doors are just shut right now. I think that we may end up having more kids in a non-traditional way - not necessarily adoption, but I could just see us helping kids that need a good family around. And who knows, maybe we would be one of those crazy people that decides on more kids in 10 years! Basically - we don't have a plan, haven't shut any door permenantly, and are open for whatever life brings us. I wouldn't do a single thing in our past differently, we've followed our hearts and things have worked out beautifully, so I think we'll just keep on trusting ourselves.
I'm getting summoned by Mackenzie to start making daddy is breakfast so we can go wake him up, so I'd better go for now....
Jobs...these seem to be a big part of defining our lives at this time. Pfizer is still going good. Nothing that gets me excited, but it is still a steady constant and there is nothing wrong with that. They are a great company, I really enjoy the people I work with, and we are getting ready for some new stuff at the beginning of the year, and I always love a learning opportunity. NY&Co is still going good. I really enjoy doing retail - who would have thought. Aaron and I were talking about it last year and just how much I've changed - 5 years ago I would have hated this job. Guess I've just become more social and girlish in my old age! Last week I worked 5 days there, so it was a pretty busy week on top of my "normal" job and getting ready for Christmas, but.....wait for it, wait for it.....I'm now off for 3 day!!!! Can I get a Whoop Whoop! Ok, maybe I'm a little over excited, but Christmas day was the first day I've had off since Thanksgiving...but I'm on vacation at Pfizer now too so I have 3 whole days that I don't have to go to work! Aaron went on a ride-a-long with a company for a sales position last week, but was not impressed at all. Can you believe the guy went through McDonalds for lunch (ok that is fine), Aaron ordered a value meal, the guy a sandwich off the dollar menu -AND THEN ASKED AARON TO PAY FOR HIS LUNCH!!!! I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the job must not be paying so great if he is having to have a stranger buy his dollar lunch for him! lol So we turned that down. We are waiting for everyone at the college to return from their Christmas break (Jan 5) so that we can get more info on him going back to school. That is what we are really going to try to make happen. Even if Aaron does end up getting a job, he still plans to do school too. Things are still going really good with him being home with the kids. The last time he was home was when Mackenzie was a baby and he was in night school and I had just started at Pfizer and it did not go so well. So I've always been hesitant, but it is going good. Aaron really does a great job with the kids. Austin has been a trader, last week he cried for Aaron to take him to bed, BUT after that 1 day at home for Christmas, he is all back to be a momma's boy! Ha Ha
Christmas: Christmas morning the kids woke up about 7:45. The night before we read to the kids out of the Christmas book when we were putting them to bed. Mackenzie said "mom, can you even really believe that tomorrow is Christmas, I can't even stop thinking about it!" I love the magic of Christmas. And nothing is better than seeing it all through the eyes of a little child. Oh if I could just bottle that up and keep it forever. I sure hope she still has a couple years of believing left, but even when she gets her suspicions...mom will never admit anything different! They had such a great time opening gifts. Turner kept wanting us to undo each toy that he got. His favorites: his train table, Splinter, T-Rex, foam disk gun, and his Hungry Hungry Hippos - oh yes, we did it. But doesn't every child have to experience Hungry Hungry Hippos - and doesn't every parent have to endure it! Actually I'm not sure who was having more fun playing it, the kids, or Aaron and Cameron! Which reminds me, both Uncle Cameron and Aunt Caitlyn were with us Christmas morning - AND they were both up here with us for all the morning fun. Mackenzie loved all of her stuff to. Right now she is playing with her Barbie stuff. But I think her favorite thing right now is her Leap Frog Word Launch that she can hook up to the TV. She is loving exploring how to make words - and is getting better every day with reading. (STILL don't have my head wrapped around that yet!). And she loves her swimming puppy dog - so glad that Santa was able to hunt it down. Now he did not get her her bible, but she didn't put that on her list until Christmas morning, so Santa must have already left the North Pole to start delivering presents before he got the request. So I'm thinking that may be a birthday gift. She was so sweet...I have to admit, I do get caught up in the Santa portion of Christmas a little more than I should, but leave it to Mackenzie to bring it all back to the true meaning - when we sat down for breakfast she wanted to make sure we all thanked Baby Jesus! Austin loved just going around to everyone else's presents. He liked the paper and thankfully wasn't trying to eat any of it, just tearing and scrunching. I made an awesome (if I must say so myself) breakfast of egg casserole and monkey bread - both of which turned out perfectly! We all sat down together and ate - Christmas morning breakfast is kind of becoming a tradition around here.
I can't believe that Austin's birthday is so soon. He now has 7 teeth, has for a while. Yesterday he really took off walking and is making it across the room at times, wobbly still, but he just takes off on his own. He has been talking up a storm, sure it is all in baby talk, but he loves to talk. Aaron can get him to wave his finger and say "no no no". Which reminds me, the other day I asked Mackenzie what she was going to name her swimming puppy, and she decided on naming him "No No" since that is what she is always having to say to him anyways! I told her maybe I should have just named her that then! lol I LOVE to hear what kids are naming things - I think it is so telling to what the scope of their world is and what is important to them.
And for the big deal.....today is mine and Aaron's 6 year anniversary. Last night we just hung out together and drank by ourselves after the kids went to bed and just talked and talked. It is so nice that we can still have so much fine all by ourselves. I mean, we were laughing and just being silly. It was a nice reminder that I did marry my best friend. We have had such a wonderful life together. I think the next 6 years will be very different from the last. We will be entering a new phase in our lives. We talked last night about where we both are on having more kids, and neither of us wants another right now. We are jsut very content with our lives and our children. I think this is the first time in my life since I was like 16 that I haven't been thinking about when I would be getting pregnant and having a baby. But the idea isn't locked out, the doors are just shut right now. I think that we may end up having more kids in a non-traditional way - not necessarily adoption, but I could just see us helping kids that need a good family around. And who knows, maybe we would be one of those crazy people that decides on more kids in 10 years! Basically - we don't have a plan, haven't shut any door permenantly, and are open for whatever life brings us. I wouldn't do a single thing in our past differently, we've followed our hearts and things have worked out beautifully, so I think we'll just keep on trusting ourselves.
I'm getting summoned by Mackenzie to start making daddy is breakfast so we can go wake him up, so I'd better go for now....
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