Today is going to be a beautiful day!
I'm pleased to announce the birth of baby Noah Michael, born yesterday to Krissy and Brian! :) So excited for them and their new bundle of joy!
It's Thanksgiving week, and I truly couldn't be more thankful for everything in my life! Granted I am thankful all year-round, I'd like to take some time and share what I am most thankful for:
1. My amazing family: Briahna, Baby Lincoln, Nita, John, and Molly! Obviously I am biased, but I couldn't have asked for a better family!
2. My job: currently I work at the hospital. A hospital with great employees and management. They've been very supportive when needing time off due to sick kiddos and pregnancy. I've had several opportunities to move up and around within the organization.
3. My home: I am so grateful to have been able to purchase my own home. It's my very own! With the help from my family, it's going to be a wonderful place to raise and grow with my little family.
4. Health: I am thankful for my own health and my families health.
5. Friends & extended family & Tuan: those who have been there for me, listened to my sob stories, and went on adventures with me and cared for my kiddos.
6. The Army: as much as people complain about our military, It's something I am extremely proud of. Looking forward to doing more and making rank. Without the military, we wouldn't live in a country like we do.
7. Divorce: it sounds so morbid but it's true. I'm thankful to have been able to put an unresolved issue to rest. You shouldn't give up on a marriage without fighting for what you want, but there are instances where divorce is the answer and both parties can move on and enjoy their lives. Not everything is meant to be and that's okay.
8. The little things: food, water, running, shopping, babies, crafts, wine, movies, books, education, sports, vacation, travels, stars in the sky, makeup, happiness, fun, laughter...to name a few!
Be thankful my friends! Have a great holiday weekend!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
My struggle as a single mom...
To be honest, I wouldn't trade being a single mother for the world! However, I will admit that I tend to struggle with it some days. Thank goodness for an amazing and supportive family! I couldn't do this without them, this is for sure!
I want to take a moment to reflect on the past week and weekend. I feel like it's a blur and due to pregnancy brain, I can remember so little of it.
The biggest thing that stands out in my mind is the confrence I had with B's teacher. I anticipated it would be quite positive and I was right. She recieved all E's and S+'s on her report card, those would be similar to As and Bs. I mean, I may be biased, but my kiddo is unbeleivably smart and so full of life and wisdom and knowledge! The downfall of this confrence, is that her teacher told me she was one of her lowest ability students at the beginning of the year due to some standardized testing they make these poor 1st graders take. I mean seriously? How can you possibly compare a 1st graders ability on a test, when #1-they have never taken a test before, #2- you are pounding into their brains that they need to do well on this test, which in turn makes them nervous, and #3- the tests are asking questions at a 3rd grade level. I mean I get that they want to see where these children place, but comeon...AND if you know my B...you know how smart she is and how well she reads and grasps information. I was just stunned. And had this been true, that she really was a low ability student, shouldn't I have known about this? I mean, her kindergarden teacher said nothing of the sort, her doctor says she is right on track, at 4 years old she tested for kindergarden and they said she was more than ready. I am just concerned as to who's expectations she is supossed to meet!? She meets mine everyday and then some!
So with that, I've been beating myself up all weekend thinking I am just a terrible mom. Maybe if I was home more, or didn't have to work full time, or spent more time reading, writing, and learning, that she would be meeting this expectations of her school. Maybe if there WAS someone else around to help me, that would make it better?
But...I checked myself...and reminded myself that I am a good mother. I have done everything I can to make sure she is where she is at today, which is truly smart and amazing. My family has been a huge influence on her knowledge and education, as well as her dad.
As a single mom, it's too easy to blame yourself for everything that may go wrong. It's easy to feel bad and that you could do better...in most cases we can all do better...but when you do what's right and put forth an effort to give your children everything they deserve and more, just know that you are doing the right thing for your child and yourself. Its okay to make mistakes and try new things, that's how we learn to raise children the right way!
So if a teacher ever tells you something like that about your child, step back and remember that they only see a small portion of your child and their ability. You see their true potential day and day out.
I want to take a moment to reflect on the past week and weekend. I feel like it's a blur and due to pregnancy brain, I can remember so little of it.
The biggest thing that stands out in my mind is the confrence I had with B's teacher. I anticipated it would be quite positive and I was right. She recieved all E's and S+'s on her report card, those would be similar to As and Bs. I mean, I may be biased, but my kiddo is unbeleivably smart and so full of life and wisdom and knowledge! The downfall of this confrence, is that her teacher told me she was one of her lowest ability students at the beginning of the year due to some standardized testing they make these poor 1st graders take. I mean seriously? How can you possibly compare a 1st graders ability on a test, when #1-they have never taken a test before, #2- you are pounding into their brains that they need to do well on this test, which in turn makes them nervous, and #3- the tests are asking questions at a 3rd grade level. I mean I get that they want to see where these children place, but comeon...AND if you know my B...you know how smart she is and how well she reads and grasps information. I was just stunned. And had this been true, that she really was a low ability student, shouldn't I have known about this? I mean, her kindergarden teacher said nothing of the sort, her doctor says she is right on track, at 4 years old she tested for kindergarden and they said she was more than ready. I am just concerned as to who's expectations she is supossed to meet!? She meets mine everyday and then some!
So with that, I've been beating myself up all weekend thinking I am just a terrible mom. Maybe if I was home more, or didn't have to work full time, or spent more time reading, writing, and learning, that she would be meeting this expectations of her school. Maybe if there WAS someone else around to help me, that would make it better?
But...I checked myself...and reminded myself that I am a good mother. I have done everything I can to make sure she is where she is at today, which is truly smart and amazing. My family has been a huge influence on her knowledge and education, as well as her dad.
As a single mom, it's too easy to blame yourself for everything that may go wrong. It's easy to feel bad and that you could do better...in most cases we can all do better...but when you do what's right and put forth an effort to give your children everything they deserve and more, just know that you are doing the right thing for your child and yourself. Its okay to make mistakes and try new things, that's how we learn to raise children the right way!
So if a teacher ever tells you something like that about your child, step back and remember that they only see a small portion of your child and their ability. You see their true potential day and day out.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Emotional
So. Dang. Emotional! Wow, these pregnancy emotions are beginning to take its' toll and I'm burnt out!
I'm a fairly sensitive person and get hurt feelings quite easy...but lately its worse! I'm either super happy or crying...never inbetween! :-P hopefully the emotional side of me will subside a bit when my baby boy arrives!
I'm so overwhelmed with his arrival slowly creeping closer and closer! He's approximately 30 days away! I still have a lot to do to be ready for him! I have to make a big Target run for some items I need yet. I'm hoping I can find some good deals cuz I sure can't afford all new stuff! I'm a bit nervous about breastfeeding again too! I did it with Bri and it was okay, but it just feels so awkward for me. Any tips to make it easier?
Back to being emotional and all over the place, my mind continues to be busy when I'm sleeping! Oyy the intense dreams I've been having literally feel so real that I actually questioned if they happened or not! Its chaos!
Wish me luck in the next coming weeks as my life continues to change! Give me the strength to do this on my own! So excited but so nervous!
Lastly, quick shout out to my mom! Happy birthday to the best nana ever! Thanks for everything! We love you!
I'm a fairly sensitive person and get hurt feelings quite easy...but lately its worse! I'm either super happy or crying...never inbetween! :-P hopefully the emotional side of me will subside a bit when my baby boy arrives!
I'm so overwhelmed with his arrival slowly creeping closer and closer! He's approximately 30 days away! I still have a lot to do to be ready for him! I have to make a big Target run for some items I need yet. I'm hoping I can find some good deals cuz I sure can't afford all new stuff! I'm a bit nervous about breastfeeding again too! I did it with Bri and it was okay, but it just feels so awkward for me. Any tips to make it easier?
Back to being emotional and all over the place, my mind continues to be busy when I'm sleeping! Oyy the intense dreams I've been having literally feel so real that I actually questioned if they happened or not! Its chaos!
Wish me luck in the next coming weeks as my life continues to change! Give me the strength to do this on my own! So excited but so nervous!
Lastly, quick shout out to my mom! Happy birthday to the best nana ever! Thanks for everything! We love you!
Monday, November 11, 2013
What a weekend...
I have to say my weekend was good and bad all at the same time.
The saddest part of my weekend was a memorial service for my beautiful Great Grandma Gladys. She passed away in September and we just now had a service for her. It was nice catching up with family and hearing some stories about my grandma. She was definitely unique and full of the business! :) I was glad I was there to support my mom who has been a part of my grandma's caretaking and handling other legal matters. She was a trooper! Rest in peace GGG!
On the bright side, Briahna got a pretty awesome surpise on Thursday night. I told her we were going to have a girls day on Friday at the Mall of America, little did she know her daddy was waiting for her at our hotel! She had no idea he was coming! I was so happy that she finally got to see him, it had been several months since she saw him. The weekend was full of daddy time for her! They did the Mall of America park and T-Wolves game, saw the movie Free Birds, and took a trip to Chuck-E-Cheese. She came home with prizes galore! I tagged along for a few things but really wanted to let them have their time together. I know it was out of her norm to have him here, but again, just glad she was able to see him! :) Until next time...
With daddy being in town, it was an emotional realiztion for me. I struggled the entire weekend trying to keep my composure and not be upset. I am happy to say that we got along and were very civil to each other. I did my best to make him feel comfortable here and that he was taken care of. As did he, he assisted with some baby #2 stuff and made sure I was okay. As difficult as it was/is to heal after divorce, I can honestly admit that I can be his friend and be civil for my kiddos and myself. I am also happy that he got to feel his son wiggle around in my belly and get a glimpse that this is real and baby#2 will be here soon...
soon...like less than 40 days!! Baby #2 is cookin away and growing like a weed. I am just about 35 weeks along and am getting more and more nervous for him to get here! Excited and nervous I should say! What am I going to do!! How am I going to do this! AH! I am slowly getting his room ready, I finally have at least a few essential items and can survive the first few weeks with everything I have...but yikes! Just the thought of everything that comes with a new baby scares me!! EEEEK!
Can't say this blog was interesting or exciting...just needed to write! I have a lot more to say...but need to pace myself and take some time to absorb my thoughts before I put them into words!
Lastly, I would like to thank all the Veteran's! What is a Veteran? A Veteran - whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to the 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to and including his/her life.'
Thank you to my fellow brothers and sisters! I couldn't be more proud to serve with those past, prestent, and future to defend our home! Thank a Vet and remember what they've done for you!
The saddest part of my weekend was a memorial service for my beautiful Great Grandma Gladys. She passed away in September and we just now had a service for her. It was nice catching up with family and hearing some stories about my grandma. She was definitely unique and full of the business! :) I was glad I was there to support my mom who has been a part of my grandma's caretaking and handling other legal matters. She was a trooper! Rest in peace GGG!
On the bright side, Briahna got a pretty awesome surpise on Thursday night. I told her we were going to have a girls day on Friday at the Mall of America, little did she know her daddy was waiting for her at our hotel! She had no idea he was coming! I was so happy that she finally got to see him, it had been several months since she saw him. The weekend was full of daddy time for her! They did the Mall of America park and T-Wolves game, saw the movie Free Birds, and took a trip to Chuck-E-Cheese. She came home with prizes galore! I tagged along for a few things but really wanted to let them have their time together. I know it was out of her norm to have him here, but again, just glad she was able to see him! :) Until next time...
With daddy being in town, it was an emotional realiztion for me. I struggled the entire weekend trying to keep my composure and not be upset. I am happy to say that we got along and were very civil to each other. I did my best to make him feel comfortable here and that he was taken care of. As did he, he assisted with some baby #2 stuff and made sure I was okay. As difficult as it was/is to heal after divorce, I can honestly admit that I can be his friend and be civil for my kiddos and myself. I am also happy that he got to feel his son wiggle around in my belly and get a glimpse that this is real and baby#2 will be here soon...
soon...like less than 40 days!! Baby #2 is cookin away and growing like a weed. I am just about 35 weeks along and am getting more and more nervous for him to get here! Excited and nervous I should say! What am I going to do!! How am I going to do this! AH! I am slowly getting his room ready, I finally have at least a few essential items and can survive the first few weeks with everything I have...but yikes! Just the thought of everything that comes with a new baby scares me!! EEEEK!
Can't say this blog was interesting or exciting...just needed to write! I have a lot more to say...but need to pace myself and take some time to absorb my thoughts before I put them into words!
Lastly, I would like to thank all the Veteran's! What is a Veteran? A Veteran - whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to the 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to and including his/her life.'
Thank you to my fellow brothers and sisters! I couldn't be more proud to serve with those past, prestent, and future to defend our home! Thank a Vet and remember what they've done for you!
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