The Journey of Life

Braids, Bows, & Barbies

2010-02-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

Are some of her favorite things. She is the ballerina that digs in the dirt...for hours. She is so girlie and so not, all at the same time. She loves Pink. Pink performs. Both the color and the singer. She dreams of the future, but loves every minute of the present. She is such an amazing little person. I am thankful. She brings me joy on the saddest of days and light in the darkest moments. She laughs with me...and of course at me. She is shy at first, then an outgoing child appears. Amazing. Simply amazing.

Using Words

2009-10-04T19:15:00.001-07:00

From the time my children were born, I taught them to talk. I talked to my kids all the time. I told them everything I was doing even when there was no way they would understand. I would converse with them like they were adults. Those of you that know me, know that I am obsessive with certain things. Well, teaching my children to communicate effectively was and still is one of those things. Brayden was seven months old when he pointed to my ceiling and said, "Light." I can still hear it. It was so precious to me.

Tonight we are sitting at the table eating dinner. Brayden is talking about his day at Pike Lake with church. He says, "Mom, that church van is huge...(He proceeds to draw on the table with his finger, the van, while explaining the seating.) Whoever designed that van knows how to maximize space."

What? The 8 year old knows that a designer of a van "knows how to maximize space." Blows my mind. And at the same time, makes me proud. Mission is being accomplished.

Front Yard Football

2009-09-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

Another year. Another football season begins. Front yard football is my favorite!

Matt sets up a football field, complete with field goal posts.

Brayden and his friends gather in the front yard and play football!

Sometimes full contact, sometimes flag, sometimes touch. But any way they choose, it is fun to watch!

Section 208, Row Q, Seats 22-25

2009-08-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

Perfect. Seats. We sat all the way at the top, backs against the wall. Expectations remained low.

Brayden got to do what he loves. Stare. Or, as I like to call it, figure it all out. I don’t think he moved to the music any. Okay maybe a head bop once or twice.

And as for Miss Kyleigh. Well. She got to do what she loves. Fall asleep half way through the concert.

Both of the kids loved their first concert. Matt and I enjoyed it, too. We had a great dinner before the show. The waitress loved the fact that we each ordered something different and ate off each other’s plates. The kids always enjoy a trip into the city.

Now, I am off to prepare for my baby’s first day of kindergarten. She is super excited!

(Pictures to follow...too late tonight.)

Are the Jonas Brothers Real?

2009-08-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

Kyleigh: "Momma, are the Jonas Brothers real?"

Momma: "Yes."

Kyleigh: "Are the Wizards of Waverly Place real?"

Momma: "They are real people acting like characters. Just like you do in plays."

Kyeigh: "Do the Jonas Brothers have blood in their body?"

Momma: "Yes."

Kyleigh: "Do they have bones?"

Momma: "Yes."

Kyleigh: "Do they have a heart?"

Momma: "Yes."

Kyleigh: "Do they get sick like other humans?"

Momma: "Yes."

Tomorrow we go see the Jonas Brothers in concert. My baby wants to be a pediatrician. Kids are awesome!

Kyleigh's Feet

2009-03-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Kyleigh: "Mommy, somebody put my toes on the wrong feet!"

Mommy: "Oh, yeah? I wonder who did that?"

Kyleigh: "God, I guess."

Mommy: "What toes are on wrong feet?"

Kyleigh: "My big ones."

Love her :)

Justice

2009-03-15T15:46:00.001-07:00

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.”
Unknown

I was cleaning the bathroom Friday evening. When cleaning the tub or bathing the dogs, I always remove all the shampoo, conditioner, soap, cups, etc. before beginning. I went to the kitchen to grab the tub cleaner and when I returned to the bathroom this is what I found.

Justice. In the tub. Waiting for a bath. He loves baths. He wanted a bath. He loves to swim. He is an amazing swimmer. I really don't even know where to begin about Justice. He slobbers. Alot. He sheds. Alot. He runs through screen doors each chance he gets. He greets us with a shoe in his mouth each time we come home but never chews them. Never has. He sneaks tennis balls into the house and chews the life out of them while watching us and wondering when we are going to "catch him." I love this dog yet I hate to clean up after him. He slobbers. Alot. He sheds. Alot. Oh yeah, I already said that. Nevertheless, I love this dog. He is a daddy's boy and is very loyal as such.

Justice has chronic ear infections. A few weeks ago, Justice got another ear infection. After three days of treatment he did not get better and actually took a turn for the worse. We noticed that he was not eating or drinking and he could no longer hear us. The once high alert dog that stood at attention at the drop of of a pen could no longer hear. I cried. We took Justice to the vet. After several tests, it has been determined that Justice has a "large" heart murmur and his kidneys are indicative of renal failure. The likelihood that he will regain his hearing is very slim. The heart murmur will be the likely cause of his death in what seems to be the not too distant future.

My heart breaks for this news. My children love Justice. Justice has been a part of the family before either child was born. The sad truth is that Justice does not have many days left. It could be tomorrow or it could be a year from now. Not likely longer. I love on him a lot. I still talk to him even though he can't hear me. He has to be monitored closely when off the leash as he cannot hear the command to come back. He loves to run. He loves to chase the tennis ball.

As I type this, I am watching Justice as he lies beside me and looks up at me every once in a while to make sure I haven't left the room. Justice makes me smile and I am glad I had a chance to love Justice. He has brought such great joy to our lives and our children's lives. In some strange way, I will miss cleaning up after him. Such a good dog.

I Am Back

2009-03-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

I will be attempting to blog again. I will not make any promises as to how much I will blog. While studying for the CPA exam, blogging did not rank as a priority when time seemed so precious. I missed it. So here it goes.

Percentage Complete

2008-03-04T18:53:00.000-08:00

I received the results for the business section of the CPA exam. I sat for the exam in January. I passed it! I am still waiting on the results from the Auditing section which I sat for at the same time as the Business section. I have two more sections (Regulation, otherwise known as tax law, and Financial) to sit for sometime this year. Hopefully sooner than later, but I am not rushing :)

I am relieved to hear this news as I left the test thinking, "If I passed that, a miracle has occurred." I really did not feel confident about the Business section of the exam.

I am still studying as much as possible, but right now with Matt in school every evening, Brayden playing basketball, Kyleigh dancing, and a full time job as mother and wife as well as a full time day job, studying is very slow. I will update the blog as I get results.

Thank you to everyone who helps me and supports me. Whether it is my mom who helps with my kids, my husband who understands sooooo much, my kids who frighteningly enough like when I study, my awesome bosses who allow me to put my studies first, or friends who care enough to let me know they support me and give me encouraging words. It all helps keep me focused on my goal. It helps me realize that I can do this. And I am thankful.

M I A

2008-01-28T18:44:00.000-08:00

I have been studying for my CPA exam. I have had to set some things aside while doing so. Some of the things I chose to sit aside are hobbies such as photography and blogging. And, that is why the blog has been stale, as well as the Flickr site. I miss it a lot and can not wait to begin devoting time to it again!

I am not one to want sympathy from others and so the next thing I say is not aimed at that. However, studying for this exam has been one BIG task. I have loved it and hated it all at the same time. I have learned so much about myself (and my profession) that it is amazing. I am glad I am doing this...

I will keep you all updated as the journey goes on. Thanks to all of you who support me. I could not do this without my awesome husband, understanding kids, devoted mom, sister, and in-laws, and bosses who truly want to see me succeed. Everyday I am amazed at the people I am surrounded by. I am blessed in many ways.

Life Lessons

2008-01-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

The Daughter: "Guess what, daddy?"

Daddy: "What?"

The Daughter: "I have a girlfriend at school."

Daddy: "Oh, yeah. What's her name?"

The Daughter: "Meagan."

The Son: "No, no, no. Girls and girls, and boys and boys, they don't go together. You can't like the same. You will go to jail for that."

Daddy: "Son, who told you that you go to jail for that?"

The Son: "My friends...at school, dad. We talk about that stuff."

The Daughter is 4, the Son is 6, and the Dad is 32 (for only a couple more days).

Perspective

2007-12-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

Each of us have our own perspectives. The way we interpret the world around us, the way we interpret ourselves.

My son lost a tooth the other day. This marks his fourth tooth, the fourth visit from the tooth fairy. The first two times were no big deal. She left what she left and he didn't seem thrilled or disappointed. Six months later, he learns a little more, grows a little more....and loses his third tooth. The tooth fairy came again and left a $5 under his pillow.

Well, I don't know about you, but the tooth fairy left me silver. And not usually multiple silver, but one piece! A quarter usually. A $5 bill! Wow, I thought, the tooth fairy must be a nice lady (or man)...

My son proceeds down the stairs the morning after he lost that third tooth and is BUMMED OUT...yes that is what I said, bummed out, over the $5 bill. Why wasn't it more?!? I thought to myself, "what an unappreciative little brat." No, as a parent I didn't say it to him like that, but we did discuss being appreciative for what you get instead of always wanting more. Sometimes, you get nothing...I explained to him that there were many children (and adults) in the world that dodn't even get clean drinking water. Water that he asks if he can pour out of a perfectly good bottle of water!!!

A few days later my son comes home from school, "Hey mom, I lost another tooth. At 9:31 this morning, I lost another tooth!"

Awesome, I thought. The tooth fairy will be leaving silver this time...yeah!

He proceeds to trot down the stairs the next day. "Mom, mom, mom, THE TOOTH FAIRY LEFT ME 6 QUARTERS!!! YIIIIIIPPPPPEEEEEEEE." (Extremely excited, 6 quarters were LOADS better than the $5 bill.)

The tooth fairy will be leaving 10 dimes next time.

2007-10-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

Your Hidden Talent

You are both very knowledgeable and creative.
You tend to be full of new ideas and potential - big potential.
Ideas like yours could change the world, if you build them.
As long as you don't stop working on your dreams, you'll get there.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

2007-10-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

Your Karaoke Theme Song is "Margaritaville"

Thanks Jen! This was fun...

You are a true party animal, but your style is mild and chill.
Kicking back with a few friends and a few drinks is all you need to be happy.

You certainly don't feel pressured to be a part of any party scene. In fact, you avoid trendier spots.
You've been known to kick loose anywhere and everywhere. All you need is a cooler.

You might also sing: "Gin and Juice," "Love Shack," and "Red Red Wine"

Stay away from people who sing: "Wind Beneath My Wings"

What's Your Karaoke Theme Song?

Happy Birthday to My Dad

2007-09-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

October 1, 2007...my dad would be celebrating his 51st birthday. On June 2, 1999, my dad died from hypopharynx cancer. According to the doctors, they had done all they could. The cancer had been discovered too late. That was their story. Here is mine.

My mom and dad were divorced when I was 2. My dad moved to Columbus for a job. I stayed home with my mom and my sister. I got to see my dad 3-5 times a year. As I grew older, and more active with school activities, I saw him two times a year, once during the summer, and at Christmas. My dad was an alcoholic.

We always enjoyed seeing our dad. It was almost like we entered another world. Another world that we wished we could enter more. Our dad was not perfect. It appeared to us, for the most part, he did not see us because he had something else that preoccupied his time. My dad would call me to say happy birthday, and it would really be my sister's birthday. When it came to my sister and I, my dad was very out of touch.

My junior year of high school, my dad quit drinking. After many, many years being addicted to alcohol, my dad was recovering. We talked to him and got to see him more. It was awesome. Shortly after my senior year of high school, my dad was diagnosed with throat cancer. My dad, my sister, and I spent a lot of time together talking, crying, laughing, trying to make up lost time.

As time went on, it became apparent to us that we were losing our dad. We spent time together, time that I am thankful we spent. Once dad passed on, I buried the pain, I buried the sorrow. I had basically lived my whole life with no dad, so why would this be any different?

A few years later, I had my first son. Overjoyed with motherhood, but soon thereafter overshadowed with questions and pain. How could my dad not participate in my life? Why did he leave us at such a young age? How could he leave his children? This child, that I loved so much, I could never leave. How? Why?

These questions enraged me. I wanted answers. As time moved on, I realized there were no answers for those questions. At least not answers that would satisfy me. I realized that to truly recover from the pain, I had to forgive. I had to be thankful for the time I had, and not angry for the time I didn't have.

It took me several years (and some therapy) but I have forgiven my dad. I miss my dad. I love my dad. He called me Eric-ee. There are times I walk in my house and I smell him. I smell his house, and I feel his presence. Even if only for a moment, I can feel his presence. I love that. Sometimes it is so hard to "feel" the feeling of him. I remember the times, but if I said I can always remember the feeling of him, I would be lying. He would have loved his grandchildren, and they would have loved him.

My faith keeps hope alive that I will see my dad again. Happy Birthday Dad!

So Much Fun!

2007-09-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful weekend! My daughter and I packed our bags and went to visit Brandi and Madi. Brandi and I have been best friends for 12 years. We met during my junior year of high school and have always just "clicked". Brandi, her husband, Bill, and her daughter, Madi, have lived all over the United States. Bill's job encourages relocation every 18-24 months. It doesn't matter how far or near, we always stay in touch, and most importantly, our friendship always remains.

This weekend, Bill was out of town, so it was officially "the girls weekend". Brandi, Madi, Kyleigh, and I spent the whole weekend together. The girls are two weeks apart and they truly love each other. It is amazing to watch them together. Brandi and I laugh because they are so much like "mini-me's".

No matter what the occasion or circumstance, Brandi and I support one another, encourage one another, and love each other. I can call, e-mail, or tell Brandi any of my wildest and crazy thoughts, and she always supports me. This weekend, we laughed so hard we cried. We have also cried so hard together, that we eventually just laugh. I hope Madi and Kyleigh grow to experience the same type of bond that Brandi and I share.

Thank you, Brandi, for such a great weekend, but most of all thank you for an awesome friendship!!!

Set Hut

2007-08-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

My baby started flag football this past week. He has a crazy love for football, just like his daddy. He carries a football with him everywhere we go, "just in case there is a chance to play." He watches football more than cartoons. If you tell him a player's number, he can tell you their name and most likely the position they play along with their duty on the field...for the Buckeyes or Bengals, of course.

Brayden is blessed to have a neighbor and best friend (pictured here with him) that shares this same love. The only difference is Ian loves Notre Dame. They will play football in our yard or Jodi and Leo's yard for hours, breaking only for drinks. They make a very good team. I am so happy that Brayden has Ian. He will always have wonderful childhood memories with Ian. They are awesome neighbors and great friends. I thank God every day that we have them so near to us.

New Eyes

2007-08-22T18:27:00.001-07:00

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."~ Wayne Dyer

Listen.

Learn.

Grow.

Arm's Length

2007-08-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

Arm's length.
I'll never forget the first time I heard these words. It was my sophomore year of college. I was sitting in one of my many accounting classes. It was being used to describe the "fairness" of business transactions. I didn't realize I would be using it years later to describe myself.

Arm's length.
As Americans, our culture teaches us that arm's length is our "personal space". If someone gets too close when conversing with us, we feel as though our personal space has been invaded. We back up. We end the conversation. We want our personal space back.

Arm's length.
This also applies to my life. It applies to the trust I am willing to give to others. If I keep people at arm's length, they won't really know who I am. I won't have to open up about the true me. They won't be able to know too much. But most of all, I won't allow myself to trust too much. There have been many situations in my past that have helped form these feelings. I could probably write a book.

Arm's length.
Keeping people at arm's length means they won't get too close to me. There will be no chance that they will get into my heart, then disappear as quickly as they came. I confess this, knowing this is something I want so dearly to change. For as long as I can remember, not many people in my life have remained. Those who have, I love dearly, but for reasons out of my control, most of the time, they left.

Death, divorce, relocation - the leaving was always negative for me. It created anger, sadness, hopelessness, emptiness. Over the past few years, I have realized I was blessed to have these people in my life at all. The relationships I had with them made an impact on me. Changed my life. I have realized I want to turn the negative energy to positive. I want to be thankful they were there at all.

Although this is a continuing struggle in my life, I try very hard to trust others, to let others in. I will catch myself at times, almost unconsciously, putting my guard up. I am thankful I have become aware. I know, sometimes, I am also guilty of keeping God at arm's length. Not letting Him wrap his loving arms around me. I strive to do better.

I am thankful to be surrounded by such a wonderful family and so many wonderful friends...and a merciful God.

2007-08-15T19:32:00.001-07:00

Scroll your mouse over the buttons to see results.

After the Rain

2007-08-14T18:32:00.001-07:00

After the rain, the sun will shine. In my life, this proves true time and time again. I used to wonder why situations and circumstances in life had to be so difficult? Why is this happening to me? Why is this so difficult? Why can't I fix the problem? Find the answer?

As my life goes on, I realize it is these difficult and trying times that make me a stronger person. These situations teach me life lessons to help make me the person I am. I learn and grow each and every day.

I also have learned that although I cannot hand pick the situations that are dealt to me, I can control the way I respond throughout. I can choose to fall down and not get up, or I can choose to understand I am going to fall down and that I will get back up.

Underneath It All

2007-08-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

I love my underwear, each and every pair. I change my underwear 2 - 3 times a day.

The Husband: "Honey, I love those underwear."

Me: "Yes, me too, but I am ready for a different pair."

This is a familiar conversation that occurs when I get in from work. I walk in the door, greet my loved ones, and go straight to the bedroom to change. I change from my beloved g-strings to my "boy short" undies. With these, I wear some comfortable clothes. (I am a believer in comfortable clothes.) At bed time, it is time to change my underwear again. This time to my beloved "granny panties". LOVE them. Some of these I have from 7 or 8 years ago. They are comfortable and just ask my husband, way too sexy!