Percentage Complete

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

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

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

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.

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?

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

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!