I made it!

Well kids its time to do some self recognition! I did it!!!! Yesterday was my last day of class, I made it, can you believe it? (I know I am still in awe of it too)! In January of '09 I started the journey with the University of Phoenix not really knowing what to expect. I knew that I didn't have the time to go to a ground campus like 'everyone' else and well frankly I had missed that boat considering I was already 22. Since I was working full time and had multiple side jobs going to class online seemed to suit me best. Unlike my first go-around with The Western School of Health and Business (Joke cough joke joke) I did my research this time. I wanted to make sure that no matter how I was going to school that it was going to be legit and actually mean something. I know what you all are thinking, if you go to school and complete it, it should always mean something, and you are absolutely right. However, as I learned with the Western School, where I earned my Associates , they no longer exist! They just up and changed their name one day, no longer offer any of the same courses they did when I went there, and I had a heck of a time trying to explain this to the UoP when my transfer credits showed up with a different name on them compared to where I told them I went to school. It was a real mess to say the least.

The UoP seemed to have everything I wanted/needed. It was a legitimate University, I would be able to walk a stage (a real one) once I graduated, and most importantly I could go to school when it worked best for me. Piece of cake, this was going to be a walk in the park! Why didn't everyone take online classes, is what I was thinking. No teachers to see you, I log on when ever I wanted, I was my own boss, GREAT! Let me just tell you, those happy thoughts went away quickly, just about as fast as they popped into my head. I think I made it to maybe my fifth class before I wanted to pull my hair out. I can remember sitting in front of the computer, after a long day at work just staring at the screen, the honeymoon was over as they say, I was staring at a class for math, my worst enemy!

What was I thinking?! Online classes? Hardest thing EVER! Not to mention I was not the best at math so that made it even harder. Taking online classes requires so much self discipline and self teaching. You have to make yourself get online and do the work, log in every day, do your readings, and learn something! Now don't get me wrong ground classes are hard too but there is a bit more motivation there, knowing that you will be face to face with the teacher and there is social interaction with other students. It just was not at all as easy as I had anticipated it to be. 28 classes later and a few bumps in the road, (my wonderful son being born, and having to move with the hubs for the USCG) I did it! I have completed all my classes and I am a proud college graduate and I will have my Bachelors of Science in Business with a concentration in Human Resources.

I could not have done it with out all the love and support of my friends and family. My husband has had to deal with me staying up till all hours of the night working on assignments and having to say 'no I can't go to the beach today' and that is all over now! For the first time since I graduated High School in '04 I get to actually enjoy my summer! No work, no school, nothing! Its been a long road but I am so very happy I did it, an education is something no one can every take from you! I will soon be the proud owner of a very expensive piece of paper that will certainly be displayed on a wall somewhere!

I wonder?

So this morning as I opened my eyes to hear my little guy with his baby babble over the monitor I went in to get him out of his crib, its by far one of the best parts of my day! As much as I enjoy sleeping in my bed with out the fear of falling off the edge, being kicked in the head, neck, stomach, or fearing that the little guy will fall off the edge, I do miss him. So when I go to get him in the morning the sight of his cute little sleepy face, the flattened out curls, and how he reaches for me just gives me the best feeling. Recently he has really started to take a liking to one of his many blankets he has and I am assuming it is a part of his comforting but he will wrap it wound his head and neck, similar to a shawl with a little hood, its the cutest thing ever. So on mornings when I go in there and he is standing there like a little old women that is a bonus.

Well this morning I was not quiet ready to leave the comforts of my cozy warm bed and considering that it sounded like Kansas was blowing away outside I took advantage of this time to get in some cozy cuddle time with my little Mr. As we laid there all cuddled up, I just looked at him in such amazement. My little man is growing so fast! He will be 15 months in two days and I just cannot get over that. It feels like yesterday that I was waddling around still trying to get things ready for him to arrive and now look at him, growing in leaps and bounds. Giving me mini heart attacks as he trips and falls in the drive way, or forgets to step up as he comes in the house and bangs his shins on the door step. Those poor little legs of his have so many bruises already. I can understand now why parents say children age them faster, its the truth. But as we lay there just blinking at each other I started to wonder... all of the above things mentioned and then some were running through my head, but what was running through his? Does he have thoughts or was he just blinking at me, waiting for me to make a move? So my question, what do little kids think about? Was he looking at his mama thinking how lucky he is to have such a great mama and awesome daddy to take care of him (I only hope he thinks this), or was he thinking about his favorite toy he can't wait to play with once we get out of bed? I just wonder what goes through those tiny little heads of theirs. They are introduced to so much each and every day, new people, places, things to say, there has to be some sort of thoughts up there. That cute little baby chatter has to mean something. I can only hope that he has the happiest, sweetest, most playful thoughts running through that little noggin of his. As I watched him drift back off to sleep this morning I just smiled, I may never know what he is thinking, but I do know that I will always do my best to make sure that they are good happy thoughts, that he always has a smile on his face (if I can help it) and that he never has to worry for many years to come. I want my little guy to enjoy his childhood until he has to grow up. To dream big, play hard, and most of all have fun! I want him to have the chance to experience all the things that I missed out on having to grow up so fast at the ripe age of 10. I hope to never have to subject my son to the things that I went through. He deserves the best and I know that my husband and I will always do our best for him no matter what. I only wish I could slow time down a bit so I could have more time to spend in bed just blinking at each other....

The simple things...

I have often said, and still do, that the simple things in life are what make me the most happy. From time to time though I seem to let that go by the way side and get caught up in other things and forget to just sit back and take in those little things. Well at 3am I have time to reflect, don't judge, and really take in those little things. Today for instance I enjoyed a wonderful day with my hubs and the little guy. After getting dinner on this morning we all got dressed I strapped Corbin into his mean green stroller and as a family we enjoyed a nice 3 mile walk/run in the sunshine. Afterwards we stopped off at the park for Corbin to run around. I have alway enjoyed watching grow and do things but these last few months have just been so great. He is like a sponge soaking up everything around him. Not a day goes by where I don't laugh so hard it brings tears to my eyes. His baby babble or the looks he gives me when I talk to him, this child has such a personality already. But as we played at the park today and I watch my hubs squeeze down a covered twisty slide (oh was that entertaining) and then see Corbin run full speed at me with arms out and fists full of mulch, to stop in front of me as if to say 'here mommy! Look what I got you!' just makes my heart smile. Those little things keep me going. No amount of money in the world would make me want trade those simple little things. I love my family and I cannot wait to see what 'precious' treasure my little man brings me next!

Back on track.... I hope

Hey everyone! I hope all is well. I have been preoccupied recently and after some soul searching I think I am back and ready for action. I have been going through some person issues and have been searching for the motivation to get back in the swing of working out. I have got to do it for myself and my sanity! I have been sitting idle for to long and it is time to make some changes and no better place to start!

I signed the little guy up so swim lessons and he starts in a week and that means I have to put on a swim suit ugh! So we will start with purchasing new sneakers so I can have happy feet! Hopefully there will happy things to tell you in the near future! Wish me luck!