Life Changes

Well, I did it. I finally finished my Business Law class. I am going up to my professor's office at lunchtime, to see if I can find out what my grade is. I'll post the findings this afternoon. I'm pretty anxious, because I think I did REALLY WELL on my final quiz. We don't have to take the final, if we're happy about our grade. Either a B or an A will be enough happy news for me not to want to take the final. LIFE is good.

I've been trying to be AWARE of everything around me lately. I feel as if I've been on a few months hiatus (funny word) from the norm, putting all my other priorities on the second shelf while I focus on my studies. It feels good to put the class behind me and focus on my family. Being AWARE of my surroundings makes me happy.

Brendan had a GREAT day (smiley face note from his teacher and all), followed by a TERRIBLE day. I contribute lack of sleep for the bad day. He ended up sleeping 14 1/2 hours last night! Oh my God, who does that!? In my midst of stressing out, trying to figure out what to do with Brendan, I found this. It made me SOOOO happy this week:

It was a PRESENT! Just for me!!! Thank you, Ali Edwards! It felt so good. It was like LIFE trying to tell me, "Don't worry, Amy. With the bad, comes the good. Keep focused on the good, and all the other will melt away." Wow. All of that in a box from Ali with my name on it. Got to LOVE that!!

Oh. Here's some more news. Brad and I are thinking about this:

It's a 2002 Tahoe. Drove it over the weekend. Fell in love. You have NO IDEA how good it feels to be thinking of entering the world of SUV's and soccer moms again. This is BIG for me right now. Wow, what a sweet ride!! And, I so miss you Shelley. The word TAHOE so reminds me of you and when you first got yours.

Hanging on to the past can be very fun, but it can lead to dead ends. I'm trying to reach out into my future and find happiness, and leave the past behind. I think I am about to embark on a very fabulous and exciting adventure. A world of Flash, Web sites, posters, cards, computer graphic design stuff. Only a few more clients to go, and maybe I can venture out on my own. I only have one more class keeping me at MSU. Then, it's time to spread my wings. We'll see where my journey will take me.

Tomorrow is National Scrapbooking Day. Hug a scrapbooker, will ya!? We're people, too!!

Oh, how I've neglected my blog. I really have abandoned it.

My Business Law class. . . you remember - the one I've dreaded, like, ALL MY LIFE? Well, I think I have a good shot getting a B. I had to "backspace" over that other letter I REALLY want out of the class, so I don't jynx it, but hey - who knows? I will. In about two weeks.

Brendan is misbehaving in kindergarten. I got a call from Ms. Cain, the kindergarten teacher. She said he packed a toilet with paper, and he flooded the bathroom. Oh my God. I wish I could tell you this is the first time he's done it. But it's not. It's the second. What is wrong with my little boy??? We spent yesterday afternoon together, just the two of us. We went through Wendy's drive-thru, and headed out to the park, where we spent some quality time together. We then ate breakfast at school together this morning. It seems like all the quality time we spent together, he still wants to misbehave. So, I guess I can rule out my thought of "maybe he feels we don't spend enough quality time together" thought.

Peyton spent the night out at the campground with Nana and Papaw last night. She'll be going home tonight, while Mr. Brendan heads out to the campground tonight. Peyton is growing so fast. I promise I'll post a picture next week.

I'm starting to scrapbook again. It's like breathing to me. I really miss my creative-ness at work, so I'm trying to find it in other areas of life. Strange thing. . . now I feel like my life is starting to move away from the RSEC. We'll see where that may lead me. I really hate to leave the RSEC, but who knows? I feel God opening those windows. . . !!

I have to go now - have to meet Nana and Papaw at my house to "pack" a Mr. Brendan for camping!!

Little Miss Ballerina

Turned three Thursday! I can't believe she's gotten to be soooo big. It was a true girly girl party. What a mess she was! She got lots of wonderful gifts, including this sweet ballerina costume. She is still carrying around her little baby that giggles when you press her tummy. And the beautiful dress she got - - priceless. Brendan was so taken with the moment, he ran to his room and put on his Spiderman costume - how funny!!

So, what's new with me? It's been quite hectic at work. We've had a new facility manager take over, and it's been very different getting to know the new boss. I'm lucky - he used to be my student worker, so I feel like I have an advantage in a way. Still, with the change of environment, learning what is needed and what is expected has been quite challenging for me. It's been a while since I've felt like the new kid on the block. But that's really how I feel. Once I get the vibe back for the office, I think I'll feel better.

You won't be seeing as much graphic design from me for a long time. I still plan on absorbing all the knowledge I can about design, but I really feel like my time is over in the office for that. I hate to see that part of my life end. I so enjoyed the freedom it gave me. I will truly miss that. Miss it so much that I will continue to seek it out in other journeys in life. And, who knows? God may open a window for me. . . I will just have to be patient until that happens, and seek His will first. You never know what journeys lie ahead for me. I am keeping my options open.

Blah blah. Enough with that! I hope to give you an update later on the changes in my life. For now, I'm really having to decide what paths in life to take. It's sad, yet so exciting to see what lies ahead for me and my family. I hope to know more soon!

GOOD HUBBY!!

I am truly blessed with a husband who truly understands the value of Valentine's Day. Brad was such a good boy this year! He surprised me by delivering two dozen BEAUTIFUL coral roses to work, along with bringing my lunch! He then cooked a spaghetti supper for the family, and even drew a bath last night! Boy, talk about a good boy. . . !! I so love that man. He doesn't do this kind of stuff often, mind you, but when he does, he takes my breath away.

It's years like this I LOVE Valentine's Day.

My son gave me the most beautiful valentine I've ever received. See the heart at the top with arrows pointing to it!? AWWWW!! Just in case you don't read "Toddler" language, it says, "To Mommy, From Brendan." See the M-O-M-E? That's Mommy. It made me cry. Sooooo sweet! I just love my little man.

This is the inside of the card. It says, "Happy Valentine's Day." And that's a picture of me with long hair with a curl on the end, my arms and legs. What an artist! The best part about this valentine is - he wasn't provoked or inticed to do this. This was just a surprise Brendan sprang on me, right before bedtime. {sigh}, Life is GOOD.

Miss Peyton is feeling a bit under the weather. She's a little croupy, but hopefully, she can endure until the weekend. I can't wait for Saturday!! I living for it!!! It's my favorite day of the week!!

John Mayer will be in concert tomorrow here at the RSEC. Rumors are spreading that he might bring his girlfriend, Jessica Simpson. Wouldn't that be good. . . and I can't even get a haircut appointment until Monday. Oh well. I'll just have to get over it. If you want to come and see John Mayer, he'll be here tomorrow, Fri, Feb. 16th, 8:00pm. Ticket price is $35.50. Come by and see me! They've just released some "prime real estate" tickets down close to the stage. It's gonna be a good show!

Oh, and thanks once again to Nana. She is taking care of my babies while I'm crazy here at work. I don't know what I'd do without her!! I love ya, Mom!!

AHH. . . SNOW!

And before this day gets away from me, I just had to share some pictures of what we woke up to. SNOW! I'm giddy like a little girl when it snows! I just love when you go to bed, all snuggled up, and then wake up and VOILA!! The ground is covered with snowy white goodness! It's also a tradition in my family to break out the hot chocolate and mini-marshmallows. Ahh. . . I just love snow!

Here's a picture of my most favoritest person in the world, starting my car. I have the greatest hubby in the world. He started my car, so I could get the kids ready and I wouldn't get my shoes prematurely wet. Isn't he the greatest!? I absolutely love him.

I did take Murphy outside in the snow. He's getting around a little slower today, but seems to be getting around okay. Here's some house shots. I wish the picture of my cute little snowflake would've turned out. It was so elegant perched on my scarf.

Then, it was OFF TO NANA'S. I've called her already to warn her we're on our way. She's already in the front yard, starting the balls for the snowman! I am so blessed to have my Mom as the caretaker of my kids! (It's just, I don't know who's the bigger kid sometimes!) Maybe we can all learn something from Mom. Never be too grown up to not play in the snow!

Thanks, Mom!

Oh, and Carson SO WANTED to be out in the fun! She's the most adorable little girl! Her eyes tell such a story!

Peyton asked me yesterday, "Where is Christmas?" She assumed since it snowed. . .

Well, can you blame her???

Where's MY presents!?

Oh yeah, I dropped them off to play with Nana.

Thanks again, God.

Little Dribblers

Oh, how I am such a Mommy. You know, that mommy that puts bumper stickers on her car, showcasing a bright child (I haven't done this yet, but believe me, I see it in the horizon). I'm just amazed at how much a person can change, once you become a parent.

So this means in order to live up to my new "soccer mom" status, I must do several things - 1) I must take a camera to any family function that involves more than 4 people. Even less, sometimes, but that's the rule for now. I'm starting to leave my camera in my purse. I'm tired of thinking, "Gee, I wish I had my camera..."

2) I must mumble several thousand apologies to section 106, row H, because they must once again raise out of their seat because Peyton has to go to the bathroom, then AGAIN when Brendan does. And, no, they can't both go at the same time. That would be easy. Remember, I'm a SOCCER MOM now. Nothing is easy.

Oh yes, 3) submit myself to public humiliation during halftime, while snapping pictures in a fiendish frenzy while screaming at the top of my lungs. Why, you ask? Not during the game. Oh no. Remember, SOCCER MOM. I'm yelling at the cute little children carrying their basketballs across the court during HALFTIME.

Yes, it's a full-time job being a soccer mom. A job I used to roll my eyes at and giggle under my breath about. And now I find myself getting teary-eyed at the thought of my little boy in that cute little dribbler shirt and red shorts, doing figure-eights on the wood court that I work at.

God, I love this job.

God, I love being a Mom.

And, God, thank you for making me wait for it.

I have so GOT what you were trying to teach me.

Some things in life are SO worth the wait.

Thank you. Thank you. A thousand times THANK YOU. . .

Adding "STUDENT" to my repertoire

So, this weekend was a success. I managed to do a few loads of laundry, clean my house enough to have company over (not my bedroom, though - thank GOD for doors) and it really felt good to be at home this weekend. I spent a lot of time with my babies, and was glad for the time off to be with them. Carson, my niece, has the flu, so the pediatricians want to put her in the hospital. It's gotten so bad that the Dr. has perscribed Peyton and Brendan medicine, since they have been exposed to the flu type that Carson has. Geesh - I hope they don't get sick. Brendan got sick over the weekend, but recovered well. I was glad to be home Monday on holiday, because if I hadn't, I would have been off to take care of Mr. B. He's good now, though. He went to school today. So did Peyton.

I did some scrapbooking over the weekend. I'll post pictures later, but it felt good to sit at my CLEAN dining room table in my CLEAN dining room in my CLEAN house, and mess up a space to crop. I don't know about you, but I am not creative until I pull out EVERYTHING and make a total mess. Then, and only then, can I scrap. I had so much fun! It always feels so good to let loose and play with your family's pictures. Brendan kept wanting to get on the computer, and Peyton wanted me to hold her. I got them both started on their own "scrapbooks" - little mini spiral-bound scrapbooks that they put stickers in and pieces of colored paper that they cut up. It's so cute. And it allows me to get back to my own fun.

Well, today is it. I turn a new leaf. I'm going back to school. I've signed up to take a class at Murray State, and I'm going to finish up my associate's degree in Business Administration. What the heck will I do with that? Well, I'm not sure. What I do know, though, is that there is one thing in my life that I started, that I wish I'd have finished. I don't have any regrets in my life, except the fact that I didn't finish up my degree. It's a surreal feeling to think that in a few hours, I'll be going across campus, and I'm going back to class. Heck, I don't even remember how to take notes. I have a feeling I'm gonna start remembering. Pretty fast.

Jason, a coworker of mine, painted his office over the three-day weekend. Looks pretty good! Shelley, I'll try to send you a picture soon. Me? With all these changes in the office, I feel as if January has turned into a TRUE N-E-W year. . . a new start. . . a new CLASS. . . a new life. It's going to be a great year!