Ready for 2010

This year has been full of ups and downs, mainly downs but at somepoint its has to go back up and I am just waiting for it to happen. I found out that life really doesnt happen the way you think it will. I never once thought that I'd be a single mom by the end of 2009.

But we are doing very well Hailey and I. We had an awesome Christmas with my family, and we are hoping for a fun filled new years.

I am ready to start my new life and the new year.

photo update!

I just figured out that the lap top I use has a memory card slot... I had a blonde moment for about a month and a half. So here are some photos from September 1st and on!

Spagetti Face!

She loves her some oreo's!

Eating her Birthday cake of her actual b!irthday

Getting her hair done for her party.

Playing with a new toy...

Going down a slide for the first time.

Playing dress up!

30 days of happiness....

Day 13

October 2, 2009

There are a few things that I am happy about (since it has been a few days since I last posted)

• I am starting to get "the hang" of my job, and that is making me really start to like it. The first and second day were really intimidating to me, only because I haven't held a regular job since 2007.
• Hailey is adapting very well to me going to work and being gone during the day. She is also adapting very well to no longer being attached to my hip if I am home, she will play with the other little kiddies and come to me when she needs something.
• I am proud of myself for exercising and trying to eat well and therefore happy for losing another 2 pounds! I have completely lost all my "baby weight"!

Well, there it is thats what made me happy for the past couple days!

30 days of happiness....

Day 12

September 28th, 2009

My happiness has to deal with Hailey's sleeping patterns... Today was the second time Hailey has gone to sleep on her own... and on her own I mean I feed her and then I put her in her bed and shut the door behind me and let her cry herself to sleep. She doesn't cry for long because she is tired in the first place when I put her in there. It makes me happy to know that my daughter is becoming self sufficient (sort of). I am trying not to HAVE to give her a cup to go to bed that way I wont have to deal with breaking that habit in the future, but only time will tell. I also have been made aware that Hailey should not be in control of my sleep during the night. We are sharing a bedroom with my mom at the moment and she has made me aware of the fact that every noise Hailey makes I jump up and get her rather than just letting he fall back asleep on her own. Well the past 2 nights I have not jumped at her every need... (which was every half hour to an hour for the past month) and she has only needed me 3 times each night! I am hoping to soon be done with breastfeeding her especially since I start working tomorrow!

30 days of happiness....

Day 11

September 27, 2009

This was emailed to me and made me have hope for today:

This is from the website www.rejoiceministries.org

"I AM STANDING FOR THE HEALING OF MY MARRIAGE!... I will not give up, give in, give out or give over 'til that healing takes place. I made a vow, I said the words, I gave the pledge, I gave a ring, I took a ring, I gave myself, I trusted GOD, and said the words, and meant the words... in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in good times and in bad...so I am standing NOW, and will not sit down, let down, slow down, calm down, fall down, look down or be down 'til the breakdown is torn down!

I refuse to put my eyes on outward circumstances, or listen to prophets of doom, or buy into what is trendy, worldly, popular, convenient, easy, quick, thrifty, or advantageous... nor will I settle for a cheap imitation of God's real thing, nor will I seek to lower God's standard, twist God's will, rewrite God's word, violate God's covenant, or accept what God hates, namely divorce!

In a world of filth, I will stay pure; surrounded by lies I will speak the truth; where hopelessness abounds, I will hope in God: where revenge is easier, I will bless instead of curse; and where the odds are stacked against me, I will trust in God's faithfulness.

I am a STANDER, and I will not acquiesce, compromise, quarrel or quit.. I have made the choice, set my face, entered the race, believed the Word, and trusted God for all the outcome.

I will allow neither the reaction of my spouse, nor the urging of my friends, nor the advice of my loved ones, nor economic hardship, nor the prompting of the devil to make me let up, slow up, blow up, or give up 'til my marriage is healed."

30 days of happiness....

Day 10

September 26th, 2009

Hailey's First Birthday Party:

We had a blasty blast! It's a day that I will always remember!

30 days of happiness....

Day 9

September 24th, 2009

My baby Hailey turned one today. This makes me happy and yet still makes me sad. She is growing up and getting bigger everyday. And everyday it make me miss those days when she couldn't walk or crawl, when she'd just lay in arms all day if I let her. I am having a party for her on the 26th with all of her cousins, aunts, uncles, great aunt and uncles, friends, grandma, and even great grandma and grandpa. She is finally feeling better after I started giving her some infant Motrin... (she is getting some more teeth in and it is not very pleasant). I love my baby girl. I hope she has s wonderful first birthday!

30 days of happiness....

I had my first interview today for a job that I have been dreading to get. I know that I have to get a job but I wish I didn't have to. Well, I thought I did very badly... I haven't had a job in almost three years and I have never had a real interview before. I was extremely nervous and scared... My eyes filled up with tears a few times... the interviewer actually told me a few times to loosen up. With that said I could not believe it when they offered me the job. It is only part time but I am looking at it as a starting point. A part time job Monday through Friday will get me use to being away from Hailey more than just one day a week like I am now. So I'm happy that I got a job that will help bring income into my Mom's household. (This job by no means will allow me to afford my own place or even car at this point.)

30 days of happiness....

Day 7

September 16, 2009

Today I have had 2 things to be happy about one was actually from yesterday but I didnt really notice how great it was until today. These two happiness factors are both material objects, the first one is not a "need" but it's something that I "wanted" to get for Hailey. The second is a "makes life a lot easier if I had one" type of "need".

I was looking online at Walmart to price out toy baby strollers. Hailey is really starting to like to push things while she is walking so I thought for her birthday I would buy her a toy baby stroller. In the store they normally run around $10.00 but I wanted to make sure and I boy am glad I looked online!

This set is on clearance for $10.00 can you believe it? It comes with everything in the picture except the doll, a stroller, high chair/ swing, car seat and fully stocked diaper bag. I know she is still a bit young to play with most of these items besides the push stroller but I plan of saving the rest away until she is a little older.

My second thing I am happy for is from good friends of mine. She and her husband are letting me use their pack'n'play. I am using it as Haileys bed, and like I said its not something I necessarily have to have in order to take care of her, but it sure does make it easier to sleep. I no longer have to worry about he falling off the bed or waking up in the middle of the night and getting into things if she was sleeping on "mommy made bed" on the floor. Now that I have a place for her to sleep I can work on her sleeping through the night again! (That will be a truly happy day!)

30 days of happiness....

Day 6

September 15, 2009

Yesterday, as with almost every day lately, I was actively looking and applying for jobs. But yesterday, unlike the rest of the days, I received an appointment for an interview. I am super stoked! Obviously I dont know if I will get the job but at least my hard work of applying for jobs has paid off a little and I have an interview. My interview is next Tuesday the 22nd of September. Keep it in your prayers!

30 days of happiness....

Day 5

September 14, 2009

Hailey has begun weaning... I know that once you start feeding your baby any food you can officially say that you have begun weaning. But she has finally taken an interest in eating food along with only nursing to go to sleep and only when I am around. My sister is watching her when I go to work and for obvious reasons cannot nurse her to sleep. She is still waking up every few hours at night to nurse but once I get her her own bed I think she will stop. I am hoping to be completely done breastfeeding by the end of this year, and I think I am making good progress.

The food she has shown interest in liking so far are pasta salad, rice, cheerios, watermelon, scrambled eggs.. and some others but her most favorite it toast. She absolutly loves toast. I have a picture to upload but it might take me a few hours maybe even a couple days, but I will post one on here!

30 days of happiness....

Day 4

September 13, 2009

Hearing this song, this morning at church, spoke to me and it gave me peace inside from all the crazy things life has been handing to me.

What reason have I to doubt,

Why would I dwell in fear,

When all I have known is grace,

My future in Christ is clear.

My sins have been paid in full,

There's no condemnation here;

I live in the good of this,

My Father has brought me near.

I'm leaving my fears behind me now.

The old is gone, Yhe new has come,

What You complete is completely done.

We're heirs with Christ, the victory won.

What You complete is completely done!

I don't know what lies ahead,

What if i fail again?

You are my confidence,

You'll keep me to the end.

I'm leaving my fears behind me now.

The old is gone, The new has come,

What You complete is completely done.

We're heirs with Christ, the victory won.

What You complete is completely done!"

Completely Done - Sovereign Grace Music

30 days of happiness....

Day 3

September 12, 2009

Yesterday was my first day of work, and well it was work. I have never worked retail of any kind and by the end of the day my feet were killing me. I actually really liked it... I handed out samples of the new Jessica Simpson fragrance Fancy Love; assisted restocking Coach handbags, Bath and Body Works and Victoria Secret lotions and body sprays; I even helped someone pick out clothes that matched (not really in my job description or even in my line of work but whatever). Anyways, after a long 6 hours of being away from Hailey I was so happy to get to see her again and she was just as, if not more, happy to see me! I wish I had a picture to show you of our little reunion but I don't and even if I did I don't have a cord for my camera right now :( (that explains why my bog is so bare lately). My happy moment was seeing my daughter happy to see me!

30 days of happiness....

Day 2

September 11, 2009

Todays moment of happiness happened just a few minutes ago. My sister gave me a call to tell me the most wonderful news I have heard in a long time. This is the sister who has already gotten me a job working for her part time and for the holiday season. She was talking with a co-worker who by the end of the conversation offered me all of her available seasonal hours. My sister was only going to beable to give me maybe 30 hours...a month and now I just was handed another 40- 50 hours extra for each month.

About my new jobs. I have the same position with both jobs, just with a defferent company. I will be a "Fragrance Model". My first day is tomorrow, wish me luck!

restarting of the 30 days of happiness...

Day 1

September 10th, 2009

My hapiness today comes from two things one is the hope that somehow or another writing about what makes me happy each day will help get me out of my state a depression. and Two is what I am planning for Haileys 1st bithday. I wish that my original plan for her could go through just a small get together with my and my husbands friends at our apartment, or at least having her dad there. But that is NOT going to happen, so I have to get over that. I am planning a cupcake theme cake and ice cream party. Here is a pic of the cake I am going to attept to make:

Instead or black pink and white as the colors I will be using all different colors to make it more "child friendly"

homecoming 2009

My Husband finally made it home! After 5 months of being on deployment on a ship he is home safe and sound. After 5 months of taking care of Hailey to the best of by ability and everything around the house, I am so happy he is home.

Marriage is hard work and the military makes it even harder on a couple. Deployments are not fun, they suck. Having your spouse leave and then come home 5 months (or however long the deployment is) later, sucks. When both of your lives have been changing and life keeps going during those months it almost forces your lives to grow apart, it sucks. When they come home are things just magically suppose to go back to what they were? No, people change unfortunately. Influences, circumstances and stress are all things that change what and who you are if you don't have anything that keeps you grounded or to remind you of who you were and the person you want to be.

But this is not supposed to be about the deployment it is about him coming home. For that I am grateful!

virginia beach aquarium

A few weeks ago I took Hailey to the Virginia Beach Aquarium. She's a little young to remember but hey, her admittance was free! She loves to look at our fish tank at home so it was no surprise to me that she was loving being able to look at and touch the huge ones with giant fish, turtles and sharks inside of them. Here are some pictures:

Hailey's walking!

4th of july

I am extremely grateful to those who fought and those who still fight to preserve our freedom! Thank you to my loving husband for serving his country so proudly. I love and miss you!

This is how I celebrated my independence this year:

We were packing our lunch for our day at the beach and Hailey in her new favorite spot to race towards when I am getting something from the fridge... (Yes, I do put a sponge roller in her little pony-tail or it stands straight up!)She's becoming a good little helper, she keeps the door open for me...

Hailey loves the water! I'm lucky to have friends who help me with her at the beach.

Hailey wasn't very interested in the Fireworks... all the little kids holding glow sticks were a lot more entertaining for her!

the great american backyard camp out!

This past weekend Hails and I went camping! Can you believe it? The Armed Services YMCA sponsored "The Great American Backyard Camp Out" for military and there families. They charged $7.50 per person, but they provided a tent, lantern, dinner, dessert, educational tours, compass reading lesson, crafts for the children, breakfast and 2 days of free parking at First Landing State Park. We actually got to keep the tent and the lantern, so I'd say it was a bargain!

For dinner we roasted hot dogs...and for dessert we made the famous camping tradition of s'mores!

Hailey did really well considering the extreme heat and humidity! She ended up in just a diaper and moving to a cold spot on the sleeping bag every few minutes... Needless to say I didn't get much sleep with the little wiggle worm beside me.


Our practically free tent was a lot nicer than what I had imagined we would be getting... Close your eyes and picture...wait don't close your eyes...you're reading a blog what am I thinking. So I'm sure you can picture just an old triangle tent with no zippered doors... like the one below.
The next day we went to the beach at First Landing State Park. I had never been to a beach on The Chesapeake Bay but I realized the waves were a lot smaller (I didn't think they could get any smaller) than the normal coastal beaches here in VA. The water was also a lot warmer. We ended up taking a nap on the sand... Hailey tried to "surf" on a boogie board...and we even attempted to build a sand castle...

looks like me

The older Hailey gets the more I think she starts looking like me. I attempted to put her hair into a pony tail for the first time today. Her hair is still short on the sides and longer on top but we accomplished our mission:

'half way' party

I'm happy to say that it is well over the half way point of Micah's deployment! I recently attended the ships Family Readiness Group (FRG) half way party. This party was of a tropical theme much like a luau, there were leis, grass skirts, pineapple's and we even played limbo. A half way party is basically a party for all the spouses(mainly just women, out of about 150 people 2 were men) to dress up, get together, have fun (that's what you do at parties) and celebrate the fact that you have made it half way through the deployment. I decided last minute to attend, and I am glad I did. I was well over do some much needed adult interaction without having to worry about what Hailey is putting into her mouth this time. Although it was a struggle for me to be away from Hailey for six, I repeat SIX hours! I had an awesome time with some of my friends. And yes, there were many phone calls and text messages sent to make sure she was ok.

beachin' it

I love the beach, I love feeling the hot warm sand in my toes and having the sun beat down on my SPF slathered skin. Since we live by the beach we feel that our daughter should be no stranger to it. With that being said, she has now been more times than some people have gone in their lifetime. She stays well shaded under an umbrella most of the time with a hat on and lots of sunblock being reapplied every hour or so. This is how we have been spending most of our sunny days, if not at the beach than down by the pool.

norfolk botanical gardens & first landing state park (photo blog)

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Tulips

Azaleas

English Daisies

Bald Eagle Nest

Scenery

Columbines

Hydrangeas

Tulips

Tuplips

Scenery

Scenery

Scenery


First Landing State Park Scenery and Wild Life