A Whole Lot of Everything Going On

To say life has been busy at the Newland-Rice home would be an understatement. There has been a lot going on the last few weeks. I finished fieldwork Jan 25 and came back home to begin my job search. On top of that on February 1, I decided enough was enough; on my butt that is. I began a new regimen of eating healthier, eating in moderation, and kicking some exercise into overdrive. My first 28 days I lost 10 lbs and now on my 6th week I stand at 15.8 lbs down. My goal is to be down as close to 40 lbs as I can get so that I can begin working on my next goal, that plan to be shared at a later date;) I am proud of what I can do once I put my mind to it and realize the strength and determination that I carry within me.
After searching for a month, I got a job! I have not begun to work yet because there is a multi-step process we have to go through to receive our license to work, but I should be working within the next 2 weeks. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that I am about to start my career and be a productive financial contributor to our family. The stress that weighed heavy on our shoulders, especially for our bread winner Chris, has already lifted. We know that in only a month that we will already see a difference in our finances. We know that every bill will be paid on time, the boys' needs will be met without robbing Peter to pay Paul, and we know that we can treat the boys to special family times. There is a light at the end of this tunnel and it is as bright as the sun!!! We won't be rich or be driving new fancy cars but life will be comfortable and having a cushion is such a relaxing thought.
I graduated officially on March 16 and walked across that stage in front of my parents, Denise and Sam, and my family. What a feeling that truly was!! I cannot explain how it felt knowing my parents got to see their first child graduate college and knowing that they were seeing my life improve before their eyes. It was also an awesome feeling because I felt like I was walking for everyone that helped me get to that day. My parents helped by allowing me to stay with them for 4 months and gave me their love and support, when roads were slick I stayed with my Aunt Susie. Then there is Denise and Sam, without their help both with Rayden and with finances; we would have never made it. They were a wonderful support and I am forever grateful to them. Tom and Traci lent us financial support as well. Then there is Chris, Dalton, and Rayden. Chris sacrificed a lot personally and his financial future he had already saved up to get us through. He carried the burden of making the bills and I cannot thank him enough. His support during the past two yrs made a huge difference in my graduating. Then there is Dalton who grew up super fast and spent a lot of time caring for his brother while I went to class or while I was doing my homework. His role in my graduating was as much needed and as important than anyone else. I am blessed to have a son like him! Rayden's role was the fact that he dealt with a mommy that may have been less active in his life especially while I was on fieldwork. During the first 18 months of college I worked hard to balance time out for him and to do homework after he was in bed. But I know there were days that he deserved more mommy time than he got:( I did my best and kept our future in mind as I struggled with mommy-inadequacies. I am blessed to have so much love and support from all of the people in my life. I realized how loved I was over these last 2 yrs and that is one lesson worth learning.
Life is going wonderfully, and I am super excited of the journey that is ahead of us. I feel like the year still has many wonderful things to offer me and I am looking forward to see what those may be. I hope this blog finds everyone in great health. I also hope everyone is finding the joy in life and counting your blessings for the joy. Even when you have a bad day, it is still a wonderful life. Best Wishes and God Bless:)

We Are Almost There!

I am finally closing in on the end of my college life. My last day of fieldwork is January 25! On January 26 I will wake up an unofficial graduate and ready to move towards my new life. There are still many hoops to jump through before I begin a working career but knowing that it will soon begin is a wonderful feeling. My graduation is March 16, something that has been in the making since I graduated high school back in 1995. I look forward to moving through the ceremony and sharing this moment with my fellow classmates, my family, and my friends. I will leave out tomorrow morning at 5:30 and head back to Grayson for my final 7 days of work. Since my last day is on a Tuesday, I do not want to drive home next weekend and waste gas money. I will be without my family for 10 days by the time I arrive home and they all return from their day. It is hard to know I will be without them that long but the silver lining is this is the last time I will be packing up and leaving them behind. I look forward to having some time at home. While I am getting things lined up to gain my license and job hunt; I will be home and living my normal life. A life that I have missed over the last 4 months. I have to admit that I probably had the best job placements for both fieldworks. My first placement was Life Care in Morehead. It is a skilled nursing facility and most of the patients that I saw were either stroke or Alzeheimer's patients. I enjoyed working with them and getting to share this part of their lives with them. I was suppose to go to another nursing home, but as devine intervention saw fit something better happened. My manager at Life Care listened to my concerns of the facility I was scheduled to go to. I had a bad feeling about that place after speaking to my supervisor. I also shared with him I wanted to work with children and that I did not wish to work in nursing homes after I graduated. In one phone call my Manager, Eric, helped change my course. He had experience with an OT who worked in First Steps, a program that works with young children. He called her and asked if she would take a student, and Mrs. Paige said that she would!!! For the past 7 weeks I have been able to work by the side of an awesome therapist. She has such a wonderful way with children and I have learned so much from her. Mrs. Paige has given me a chance to develop myself as a therapist and has given me the confirmation of what path to take once I am done. Had Eric not made that phone call or if she had not accepted me; I would have been placed in what proved to be a bad placement by another student, and I would not have had a chance to work with children. I believe things happen for a reason and the universe really does line up for us. I am so blessed to have had my experiences. I now know without a doubt that my career path will lead me to helping children. I may not land a job right out of the gate that will set me up to work with children, but I know when the job is right I will come across it. I am looking forward to see what life has in store for me. God Bless and Best Wishes!!!

Goodbye 2010 and Hello to Our Future!

2010 was a good year in most respects and it wasn't like previous years in my life; you know, those years where you were looking forward to the end in order to have hope for a better year ahead of you? All-in-all this past year was a good year for us in the Newland-Rice household. Not to say that it was completely smooth sailing, because we had our share of ups and downs with a side of challenges.

The beginner of 2010 greeted Chris and I with questions of where our relationship stood and how "WE" fit into each others life plans. Our relationship had been tested a lot over the past 3 years and we were at a point of breaking. How did we refocus on our relationship? We turned to couples therapy, and boy are we glad that we did! We spent three months going once a week and discussing the issues that were slowly ripping us apart. Week by week the pieces that were torn from us begin to reattach themselves and we started to become a better "Us". Instead of being two people trying to mold ourselves into this acceptable form of a relationship we began to become a couple, something we had never really been. I fell in love with him all over again and maybe more in love than I had ever been.
This past year was the second year of my college endeavor and I am only weeks away from completing my dream of being a college graduate. A lot of sacrifices were made this year not only by me but all of my family. We have had a financial struggle like no other and have managed to keep our heads above water. My children have been going days at a time over the past three months without seeing their mom and Chris has faced life like a single dad, while I have been away on fieldwork. I am so appreciative of their support and acceptance for my absence. I cannot wait for them to be able to see their lives change for the better because of what they have helped to make possible.

In July we took our first family vacation to South Padre Texas! We were so blessed to have the chance to take our boys to the beach and to be able to watch Rayden step foot on a beach for the first time. It was a summer to remember that's for sure:)My sister Beth received her GED this summer and I would like to say to her, well done Beth!! Your future will continue to brighten as you begin college this month!!!

In 2010 my baby turned two and my oldest turned 14! Nothing ages you like seeing your children get older and older. It is so hard for me to accept Dalton as a young man, it seems like yesterday that he was Rayden's age. In a little over 2 months Rayden will be three and will begin preschool this year. It is equally hard to be letting go of my baby and see him as this older child as it is to watch Dalton approach adulthood at lightning speed. The main comfort in this is being able to look at what great kids they are and know that I had a hand in raising these wonderful people. They are my pride and joys and my greatest achievements. If I was to do nothing else but raise them, then I will have had a wonderful life.

We spent the holidays spending time with our respective families. Christmas Eve was at Chris's dad and Step-mom's house. Nana and Papaw spent the night so they were there on Christmas morning and then we drove to Grayson and spent the rest of Christmas at my Mom and Dad's. New Year's Eve it was myself, Chris, Rayden, Mike, and Veronica playing Wii and enjoying adult conversation after Rayden went to bed. It was the first New Year's Ever that we spent with friends since 2007!!! So, that was a treat to say the least.

This year has been good to me and I am looking so forward to the years that are ahead of me/us. I have grown as a person in so many ways and realized a lot about who I am and what I am made of. Chris has made many improvements to his life and has made great efforts to be a better partner these past 12 months. I predict that 2011 will offer our family many awesome changes and that our lives will only keep getting better. I am so excited to see what these next 12 months will bring us. I have butterflies in my stomach and tears in my eyes just thinking about all we will be getting to experience and how happy we are going to be.

Of course I have a resolution and of course one of those is to lose weight but that one is on a revolving door when it comes to resolutions. My main resolution is to be happy. To be happy with who I am. To be happy with life and find the silver lining if times get bad. I want to keep life in perspective and not lose sight of what is most important to me. Most of all to hold strong to the idea that life is what we make it. We choose every morning whether or not to smile and go with the flow. Our lives will have ups and downs but we don't have to let those downs bring our very essence with them. You can change the world one smile at a time:) so give it a whirl. I hope everybody has a wonderful 2011 and I wish everyone a Happy New Year. Best Wishes and God Bless!

Just a Quick Note

It is super funny how teenage minds work. Not that they are alone in this particular hilarity; since most men of all ages are notorious for doing the same. Yet, teens tend to get themselves in a lot more trouble for doing this...The crime? It is opening their mouths and speaking every thought that comes into their heads! Prime example, Dalton, Chris, and I were just in the kitchen talking. Dalton takes a drink of his Dr. Pepper, looks at Chris who is loading the dishwasher and says; "Chris do you ever think about losing weight? Dr. Oz says...." Then the lightning bolt went right up the rear of Chris and he says "That is rude and none of your business, get downstairs"! LOL... I would like to say I was the mature one who handled the situation...but, instead I laughed uncontrollably. Of which may have added more fuel to the fire, but it was so funny.. I had to remind Chris of his many wrong things to say to someone your in a relationship with errors. Lord, knows I could begin a blog strictly based on near-daily quotes from him that should have remained merely as a thought in his own head. Once doing this he was able to see the humor in it all, as well as made him grateful I haven't castrated him yet for all those oopsies that he had made. Who knows, I may even share some of these hilarious now, but not-so-much hilarious then quotes from Christopher; the man of many words that shouldn't be so quick to share them. I love my life, I love my family, and I love all the silliness that goes with them. I am blessed:)

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Just 8 More Weeks

A lot can happen 8 weeks, if you sit down and think about it. Two months in the scheme of things is a short period of time, but have you really thought about how much can happen in that amount of time? In 8 weeks a woman can become pregnant and begin having morning sickness before she even realizes what's hit her. In 8 weeks we can go from having this baby that just lays there, eats, and poops; to a baby that smiles, coos, and even laughs. In two months we can build a house from the ground up. In 8 weeks a puppy goes from being this tiny being to being weened from its mother and on it's own. Think about it, what can happen to you in 8 weeks? Think about how much happens in two months and how that small frame of time can affect your life forever. Well for me and my family 8 weeks means the world to us. The next 8 weeks will lead to life changing events later down the road. For 8 more weeks my family and I will be separated Monday-Friday, while I work on my final fieldwork. We will miss out on 2 months worth of events and more importantly family time. My heart breaks to be away from them so much, especially during the holiday season. Yet, I also know that choosing to stay away and get the proper educational experience is what is best for all of us. In 8 weeks I will learn how to be a pediatrics therapist, so I can move forward in my career. In 8 more weeks I will be finished with my college education. In 8 more weeks I will be heading towards employment and a new way of life for my family. In 8 more weeks I will be one step closer to my future. In 8 more weeks I will have a dreams coming true. What will happen for you in the next 8 weeks? Best Wishes and God Bless!

Textbooks

Just wanted to let everyone know who may be in college or heading that way soon that it is a lot cheaper to buy your textbooks from Amazon.com than it is to buy from your school. It cost me less than half to buy from Amazon than it did to buy from my college. I joined the Prime Shipping program and paid one flat fee for a whole year. Doing this gave me free 2-day shipping on the books that I was purchasing which saved me even more money on shipping cost and got it in my hands a lot faster.  Also, this program allows for free 2-day shipping on thousands of products that you may buy from Amazon. Every item that is part of this program will have PRIME written in blue to let you know you can receive the 2-day shipping on it.  I just used it to order a gift for my niece and I will have it delivered on Wednesday. If I had not joined this program I would have had to pay $14 in shipping to receive this gift in 2 days! In my opinion this is an excellent way to purchase your school books, get them in your hands faster, and save a lot of money. Who doesn't need to save money while they are in college? Oh, many books that you purchase from Amazon are also on a buy back list, where they will pay top dollar for your books once you are finished with them! So, take good care of your textbooks and make some money back on them.

Thankful For So Much

I can honestly say that I am a blessed person. I have so many people in my life that love, support, and accept me for who I am. The past 2 years I have been chasing my dream as a college graduate. I am just 3 months away from having this dream come true. For the past two years so many sacrifices have been made not just by me but by my family as well. My kids have had to live with a mommy who had to say "not now, mommy is doing her homework", more than I was saying " I'll be right there". Dalton took the reigns and helped watch Rayden when I was in class or spending hours doing homework. Chris felt the stress and pressures of the finances because I wasn't able to work full time. Even though I had two part-time jobs for most of the time, the pay did not meet our financial needs. Chris has been a great supporter after getting on board and realizing what this meant for me as well as our family. Denise, Chris's mom and his step-dad Sam have given us so much as well. When times got tough and money was low they were there to help us get through. Right now I am living with my parents during the week, because my job placements for my externship is back home in Grayson, KY. Without them allowing me to live there and babysit for me, I would have had to really struggle to make this part of my education work. My sister Amber has been there to help me through assignments and lend her opinion about ways to handle certain situations, which has been a great guidance. My best friend, Gina has been there to give me moral support as I have gone along in my life, to her I am so grateful for her friendship. I had great classmates in the OTA program and made some life-long friendships from school. It is great to share this time in our lives together.
I am working 40 hours a week for free as I practice on real patients and develop my skills. I will be an Occupational Therapy Assistant, which helps people with disabilities and deficits live their best and most productive life as possible. Being able to help children and adults live a better quality of life is such a treat and a blessing all on it's own.
When Thanksgiving came and I was thinking about all I have in my life, I teared up. Yes, life has been a struggle and nothing has come easily, but I would not trade one minute of it. The struggle is part of the journey and is what builds a strong character. It will also be what will make the victories much sweeter as we go along and more appreciated as they change our lives for the better. I am so blessed to be loved by so many people and to be able to feel the support they all have given me is such a gift. Without any one of them, this journey would not have been the same or proven to be as successful as it is proving to be. I am so thankful for each and every person in my life. Thank you all for the love, support, and most of all your acceptance of who I am. It is nice to know a person who is not perfect can feel perfectly loved.

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My Mommy is Not My Mother?...

Based on this title you would think I was talking about me, but I am writing this because of my Niece. I raised Mattie from 4 months until she was nearly 5 yrs old. She has always thought that I am her real "biological" mother. When Jeremy left me, I was left homeless, jobless, and emotionally destroyed. I had no choice but to let her and JJ live with others while I got my life together and could afford to have them with me. What started out as a temporary situation turned into a more permanent solution. Both kids thrived being separated and being the only child, after a few months it was obvious they were better off being left in the stability they had found with my Mom and our Cousin. This was the hardest thing in my life to do, to essentially walk away from kids that I felt were my own and allow them to remain in their new lives. Mattie has always been closer to me and looks up to me so much, I know she loves me to death as I love her. While Mattie was gone, JJ's caregiver decided to tell him the truth, that I am not his "real" mother.He took it just fine and even had some memories of my sister. So, once Mattie went home my Mom decided she had to tell her the truth before JJ did. Mattie learned the truth yesterday, as I found out via email from my Dad. I have cried off and on throughout the day, knowing that I may not be seen the same way through her eyes anymore. Knowing that I may have crushed this little girl's world. I was in her boat at the age of 14, when I found out my Daddy wasn't my father. It didn't change my love for him, it actually made me love him more knowing he chose to take on raising me as his own, when he didn't have to, I hope as she gets older she will feel the same for me. I know she needed to know the truth and it was time, but the truth doesn't always set us free. Sometimes it can break hearts and make us feel as though we had no choice in decisions being made. My sister has not communicated with or seen these kids since 2002. I cannot imagine a mother being able to walk away from her children and never look back. I think about the pain I felt when I had to leave them behind to get my life together and the heartbreak I felt when I realized they were better off living the life they now had; and I couldn't fathom the hurt being any worse. They weren't my birth children but they were my children. I live with this everyday and question my decision of whether or not it was the best one. They are comfortable and happy, most importantly they are healthy. But, there is always the "what ifs" and "could have beens" that go through my head. I hope one day they understand that not all Mother's can be Mommy's and all Mommy's don't have to be Mother's. That I love them and will always be there for them. That I did what I thought was best for them and would allow them to grow up in a healthy manner, which them living together with their disorders would not have given them. So, with a heavy heart I will close this and continue searching my old soul and fighting through these feelings of guilt and heartache. I will be praying that Mattie and JJ can understand all of this one day. Mommy loves you both.

One Year Ago, April 28, 2009....

On April 28, 2009 My Papaw, Lawrence Lee Halterman, passed away. I was in the middle of class when my sister, Priscilla, called me to tell me he was dying. I tried to be by his side but I missed his passing by 30 minutes. I wish I could have been there to say goodbye, but sometimes things cannot be the way that we would like them to be. I walked into the room to see him laying there, permanently asleep, without wires or machines. As a family, we got to sit by his side and slowly say goodbye to the shell that once held his spirit. The hospital allowed us a couple hours to mourn by his side, which made a difference in our grief. My Papaw was a good man with a good sense of humor. I had little time with him over the last few years due to my moving to Louisville and I regret those missing memories that I could have had with him. The ones that I do have from growing up, I hold them very dear to my heart. Some of my favorite ones were riding with him on his old International tractor as he tilled up the garden and riding the ponies as he held the reigns and guided us. There was the hundred fishing trips that made to the Grayson Lake and the special trips to Druther's and the Shake Shoppe. I can still hear his laughs and smell his Old Spice cologne. He would bring home his lunch boxes after work, and I would get into it and eat his leftovers, sometimes it was a Moonpie, or an apple turnover. During the summer he would bring me these fruits called pawpaws that he would pick along side the road he traveled to work. They have a distinct taste and smell and I look forward to finding some this year just to feel close to him once more. I miss my Papaw everyday and spend a lot of time inside of my memories of him and my Mamaw. It's a gift to have these memories to go back to and carry with me. As tomorrow comes around and the hour of his passing comes, I will spend extra time re-living those wonderful childhood memories. I will reach out to him through prayer and let him know how much he is loved and missed. He will always have a special place in our lives and will never be forgotten. RIP Papaw, I Love You!!!!!

Let Go of Baby and Say Hello to a Man

Everyday is a new adventure in the Newland-Rice family. We are enjoying life these days and some of life's stresses have begun to melt away. My boys are flourishing and growing up way too fast. Dalton continues through his 7th grade year making good grades. He is now playing baseball, and is looking great out there. Dalton has begun the journey into manhood, yes, Mommy's heart is breaking and I catch myself not wanting to let go. He is such a sweet innocent child and I know that once he is able to spend more time out in the world those innocents will begin to fade away. I guess that is one of the greatest challenges as a parent; is being able to recognize when it is time to loosen the apron strings and let our children experience life. I know that he will not keep his innocents for long in this life, it's a part of growing up. At some point they will learn all about the ugliness of this world. They will face alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and sex; we have no control over this. With the world the way it is, most of the time the kids are being exposed to these things everyday in school. I know that I have raised an incredibly bright and sensitive child. I believe that I have given him the tools to live life and make the best decisions. Yet, there is so much fear that he will be influenced more by the world than by the wisdom from his mother. I guess in a way that is the way it is suppose to be. Parents are suppose to share their knowledge with their children and teach them right from wrong; then we are suppose to set them free to live their lives. I am still at a loss on when that time should be, but in the end I guess nature will take it's course. Dalton is as tall as me with a dark shadow above his lips. His voice is as deep as James Earl Jones and his heart is as big as Texas. I can see their is a young man that is beginning to sprout inside of him and I see that my baby is slowly leaving. One day, that baby will be gone and in his place will be this strong willed man. I can feel that sinking feeling inside that I am sure all mothers experience as their children grow up. A feeling that I bet my Mommy felt over and over as each of us grew up and moved out. This is a delicate time and takes a lot of work to find a balance that we both can live with. With teenagers we have to keep them close enough that they can trust us with anything, yet far enough away that they don't feel smothered. A smothered child can turn into a rebellious child, which is something we don't want for our kids or ourselves. It is a learning process and I am trying everyday to make the right decisions. I know I make mistakes and as a Mom sometimes I don't do what makes him happy but brings me comfort. Such as Dalton wants to be taken to a skating rink and dropped off with his friends. This is the skating rink that Chris went to as a teenager. He speaks of drinking, smoking, and sex as behaviors that were exhibited there on a regular basis. Knowing this brings no comfort to me and therefore, I choose to keep him away from there. Can I protect him forever? No, but I can make sure that he is slowly given freedoms and is slowly exposed to this world. Maybe doing so will allow him to adjust and make smarter decisions as he faces new experiences. As an adult he will recognize my good intentions, even if, as a teenager he may resent me and my decisions. Dalton has always been a good kid and he is a wonderful brother to Rayden. I know that his very own spirit will keep him going on the right track, it is just my job to guide him through this life. I pray that the directions that I point him in, turn out to be all the right ones. With the help of Chris I think we can achieve this. I think for once Dalton has a sense of family and stability, something he was missing while I went through my separation and divorce. We went through many changes and lived in many places until I found my way. Chris and Dalton have slowly built a relationship and I think they are finally in a healthy place. Dalton needed a male role model in his life everyday and now he has one. I am proud of my family and enjoy watching us all evolve. I am slowly accepting that my babies will grow up and move on, although this is a very slow and painful process. I will survive as millions of mothers before me have. Hopefully, my children will feel as though they lived a great childhood and grew up with all the tools they needed to succeed; I guess only time will tell when it comes to this. Best Wishes and God Bless!!!

Life Keeps Getting Better

It's been a while since I have taken time to write and update everyone about the life here at the Newland-Rice household. School has taken a huge part out of my life and kept it in what seems like a cage. Keeping me from enjoying my family and the simple pleasures out of our lives. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, as I only have 6 more months of classes before my externship starts. In a mere 12-13 months I will be an employee of the Occupational Therapy Assistant world, and with God's grace I will find a job that will pay enough to bring my family out of it's financial strain. It has been a long road but in the end it will pay off with the success of myself and my family.


As for the relationship between Chris and I, it has evolved into a stronger and better version of itself. We both have had lives that has left us feeling injured and insecure with ourselves and within our relationship. When people have scars from old wounds it can be hard to see past that damage within our own minds. This insecurity keeps people from really sharing themselves and keeps you from truly opening up. We cannot trust when we are always wondering when the other shoe will drop. This among a few other things led us to therapy. Yes, I said therapy. I am not beyond admitting that an unmarried couple is in therapy. We have been together almost 4 years, and know that we want to stay together. Most people do not know how to communicate, this is the greatest downfall in almost all relationships. We fight wrong and always end up hurt without solving anything. Therapy is teaching us how to display our thoughts and feelings and a better way to show our discontent with our partners. And better yet, how to get back on track after the disagreement is over, also known as apologizing. I can honestly say that there has been a great change within our relationship over the last 2 months. It feels like we are falling in love again, but even deeper this time. Therapy has also helped our family. Chris has learned different parenting skills. As a first time parent and taking on( a "step-child") Dalton, who wasn't a baby at the time, Chris has had to learn how to parent properly,especially a half-grown child. It's hard stepping into someone's life and not really understanding the role you are to play in their life. There has been a great improvement in how they interact and I feel our family is growing closer everyday. It is amazing to think that learning a few communication skills and a few tricks can change how your daily life functions. I think that all families can benefit from counseling, if they shop around a find a legit therapist. I know that it has given me the skills to live life with a renewed faith and brings a lot of joy into our world. We will continue to see the therapist over the next few months, before dropping down to on a need -to -basis and continue to reap the rewards of our work. Life in the Newland-Rice household is constantly getting better and I am beyond opitimistic that it will continue to get better and better. I am in love with my man, my boys, and my life. We are so blessed to be living this life and I am so grateful for the journey I have traveled, without it; the road would have never led me here. LIFE IS GOOD!!! Good luck and God Bless.

2009 In A Nutshell

2009 was a year that has flown by and definately was a roller coaster ride. The year started out with my sweet baby boy turning 1!! His first year went so fast and brought so much joy into my life. I would have never guessed that becoming a Mommy all over again at my age, would have been the greatest and most blessed gift I could have recieved. He has accomplished so much this year. He started walking right after his birthday. Since then, there is no slowing him down. He now says so many words and sentences, that I can't count them. He is small still, only weighing 22lbs at 22 months old, but he is getting taller.
Dalton has done well this year, making the honor roll everytime, except for one. He has gotten taller, he no stands face-to-face to me.. His voice is now so deep and he has this black fuzz growing over his lip. It makes me sad that my little boy is now, slowly becoming a man. I can't believe that in 4.5 years he will be all grown up... So, seems like I just had him yesterday.
In January I decided to check out colleges, before I knew it I was enrolled and going strong. In 2009, I made the Dean's List twice and hope to continue to do so many more times before I graduate. It was not fun juggling two jobs, classes, home work, and life at home. Yet, the good Lord gave me the strength to make it through.
In June Chris was let go from his job due to the economy being so bad. He remained laid off until getting a job offer just after Thanksgiving. During this time, Chris was able to stay at home while I worked and went to school, which gave Rayden the opportunity to stay at home.
On April 28, I got a call while in class that broke my heart. My sister Priscilla called to tell me that my Papaw was dying and that I needed to get back home. I rushed to pack and get to him, but by the time I got there, he had passed away. I missed him by 30 minutes. Thirty minutes that I so wish I could have back, just to be there to watch him join my Mamaw. I am grateful that Rayden got to meet him, just 3 weeks prior to his death and that I got to kiss, hug him, and tell him that I loved him one last time. We buried Papaw on May 1, 12 hrs later his sister, my Aunt Carolyn, passed away. Our family was devestated by our losses, it was a one two punch. They will both be greatly missed and I hope that there was a big reunion up in heaven for all of those that we have lost over the years.
I began my second job in August, babysitting a cute baby boy. It has been fun and has given me a chance to bring in extra income while working around my school schedule. The lady I babysit for has turned into a good friend and I have enjoyed getting to know her and her family.
Christmas Eve was my last night working at the Cookie Place, giving me more family time and some time to decompress. I can admit now that I had taken on too much and it was starting to take it's toll on me and our family.
This year has been a trying one at times. Our financial situation is way less than optimal and with this can bring pressures. Chris and I have felt the weight of it all over us and at times have fell into rough patches. Thankfully, we have Nana's help. Without her standing by us and helping us make bills we would have without a doubt hit a huge wall.
Chris and I are currently working on our relationship. With life being so hectic we have allowed things to weaken and loose sight of where we are going as a couple. We have agreed to work on things and build on our relationship, in hopes of moving to the next stage. I am happy that we have made this decision and I am very hopeful that things will work out just fine. We have love and with that I think we can accomplish anything. I believe that 2010 will have many gifts to offer us as we grow back together. I am looking forward to the future for my entire family.
Christmas with all of our families was nice. We spent the holidays visiting our loved ones. It is hard to fit it all in, but we got it all done. I was especially happy to go home and spend time with my parents and my sisters, I also got Auntie time in with my sweet nephew Levi. It was truly a Merry Christmas.
To end the year of 2009, Nana and Sam have gotten engaged! They have not set a date and probably won't. I suspect the two adventurers will dash off and elope in some awesome place... Jealous? Yes, yes I am..LOL...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! It's going to be a great one, I just know it!!!!!

A Veteran, a Cookie Cake, and Tears for Two... A Thank You to Veterans.

Most days when we wake up and go to our respective jobs, we do not think that what we do may have an impact on anyone's life. This is especially true, when what you do is make cookie cakes as a job. I work part time at a cookie store in the mall, on any given day I make cookies, cakes, and do customer service. Most of these days I can honestly say people walk through the line, buy their cookies, and will never think of me again. Today, I may have made an impression on someone that will last his lifetime.

When I arrived at work this morning, I began my regular chores of putting out cookies and other prep work. Then, it came time to make the cake that we sell by the slice. I pondered for a moment of what to make, then decided to make a cake to honor Veteran's Day. I made a cake with a ribbon that had blue and red stars on it. Just as I had finished the cake, the elderly people that eat together in the food court everyday, began to arrive. One elderly man was dressed in his Army best. From the distance he looked well put together and I could see his pride beaming across his face, all I could do was smile at how cute he was.

The lady I worked with saw my cake and decided we should give it to him and his fellow veteran friends. Our boss agreed, so she boxed the cake up and took it to his table. The table was a probably 50 feet away and my eyes are failing me, but I could still tell what was going on. She walked up to the gentleman in his Army attire, he stood up, and she spoke to him. As she spoke telling him how we appreciated his service as well as the service of his friends. At first he was standing tall, like you see the soldiers standing in roll call. Then he became less rigid and I could see his hand shaking, he opened the cake box, and saw the ribbon and began to cry. He asked her to let him pay for it and she replied it was a gift from us to them. When she came back in she stood there and cried, in turn I began to cry. Who would have thought the simple act of a cookie cake could bring people to tears. Of course, it was not the cake, but the meaning behind the cake. Most soldiers, especially the ones from World War I, World II, and Vietnam, have felt forgotten; have felt like we as a country do not appreciate or recoginze the sacrafices they made. These soldiers were injured; they watched death and destruction, that to this very day haunts their dreams. They lost family and friends, some of which they held in their arms as they took their last breaths. These soldiers have carried their burdens with them for decades and all along feeling as though what they did, mattered to no one. This eighty year old man, realized in that moment that he mattered, his time and sacrafices mattered; at least to someone.

When their meal was complete the man walked up to the counter and smiled at me, he knew I had decorated the cake. He then said, "Thank you so much". I told him he was welcome and I thanked him for his dedication to his country. His wife stood beside him and whispered, "Thank you sweetie." They walked away, and I took in that moment. What appeared to be a perfect outfit from the 50 feet away, had turned in to old Army attire. He was obviously bigger now than when he was a young man. He had used rubber bands to hold the jacket closed and I could smell the musky old scent the closthes had obtained over the years. Yet, this man stood as tall as he could and walked with his head held high. No matter the age of his clothes or the age of his body, the pride in his country will never grow old. I imagined as he had looked at me, what those eyes may have seen and knew whatever it was, I am sure it was life changing.

I just want to say Thank You to all of you who are or have served our Country. I want you to know that your scarafices are appreciated and that we will forever be grateful. Those of you who have seen war, past or present, I say you are the bravest of the brave. The courage it takes to face the horror of War is that of an incredible warrior. You all amaze me and I cannot imagine how you do it. Once again, thank you all so very much. I hope everyday is Veteran's Day for you all. God Bless and Best Wishes.

Rayden's First Birthday