Does it look like he REALLY cares?

"BABE! We can't keep letting Taylor crawl into bed with us in the middle of the night!"

That would be the conversation my hubby and I had before bedtime last night. Is he right? Absolutely! But I really don't think he minds all that much. =)

Picture taken... courtesy of Mom, this morning, without hubs' knowledge.

Mr. Mom

I knew I was a lucky gal when I snagged my hubby, but last Sunday it really sealed the deal. I've been working nonstop trying to make ends meet, and really trying to finish up these classes before the Fall semester starts on top of everything else a wife and mom need to handle in their day-to-day lives. Needless to say I was losing my mind... and my patience. I broke down all the time, and for no reason. Commercials, the trash bag being full, the cat meowing too much... everything! LOL SO! Michael woke Taylor up Sunday morning, and let me stay in bed (which was probably better for him that way so I wasn't crying or snapping about something), and took her to church. When I finally crawled out of bed I had the house to myself for about 3 hours! It was amazing, but then when they came home it was time for me to head back in to town to go to work.
Ladies... you're never going to believe what he did for me while I was gone. When I came home it smelled amazing! He had all the candles lit, the entire house had been picked up, he had swept and mopped the whole house, vacuumed the area rug, did the dishes, cleaned the TOILET and the tub, and even did the laundry (I didn't tell him that the two baskets he had just washed were the clean clothes I had yet to fold)! I was so excited because now I didn't have to spend the rest of my evening doing all of those things myself, even though I probably wouldn't have done them anyway. I was so proud of him! Since then he's been especially helpful with Taylor, and a lot more patient with my impatience. Thank the lord for small miracles!! =)

Brooker family update!

Well, I'm not sure how long it's been, but I know it's been at least a month since I've posted a blog, and I'm just absolutely sure all eleven of my loyal blog followers have been anxiously awaiting an update. Here it is!My baby girl turned two on July 2nd. I can't believe it. Here is one of the pictures we had taken of her on her birthday. I think that's going to be one of our traditions, at least until she gets older. We had her pictures done on her birthday last year too. On her birthday she started saying "NO!" It was too funny... let's welcome the terrible twos! But really she hasn't been too bad. A little more bull-headed maybe, but honestly, that's nothing new :-). Last month, in June, I took two summer courses: One through Tarleton State and the other through our community college. This month I'm taking two more classes, both through the community college. I HATE summer classes, but this is the last time I'll have to overload myself in the summer semesters. The last week in August my Fall classes will start, and I can't wait. I can finally apply for graduation. YAY!
I'm working three part time jobs right now. I'm a teller at a local bank, retail at the Children's Place (bring on the discounts!), and childcare at our local YMCA. You might be (or you might not be) wondering "how is she going to school, raising a 2 year old, cleaning her house, AND working 3 jobs". The answer is easy, I'm not. My life is crazy chaotic right now, and I don't have time for anything. My summer classes will be over in a couple weeks, and I'll have about two weeks before the next one's start up. When they do at least one of the jobs will go, possibly two. Right now, financially, we have no choice but to work as much possible. We're still falling short, but we'd be even farther behind if I wasn't working so many hourse. Hubby works 10 or 11 hour days, on Saturdays when he can, and with his dad doing side jobs as much as possible. If you pray, please pray for the financial well-being of my family. It might sound hokey to some, but we desperately need to catch a break soon.
Here is a picture of myself and Mr. Brooker watching the fireworks on the 4th of July. We had so much fun that day! We even took Taylor to the parade, and Michael and Taylor were even interviewed by our local news station about how much they liked the show! It was so neat seeing them on TV!Well, I suppose that's it for now. I'll try to find more time to keep my blog updated! I miss my outlet!!

It's summer!

Today it was 96 degrees outside, and it's been hotter, but today felt so much worse because we had storms roll through last time. Huuuummmiidity!! eck.
An update on the rest of my life since I've been absent for quite some time now... sorry about that.

SO, I've started planning Taylor's birthday party, and I even got the invites out this week. Her them was chosen by my hubs, the man's man, and he chose cupcakes. LOL too cute. So, we're gonna have all the little kiddos decorate their own cupcake, and have a BIG cupcake for everyone else to share. I can't wait!

My summer classes are in motion. Only two and a half weeks left for one, and 4 left my other. They are crammed packed of information too! I'm a senior in college, and because I was a major slacker when I first started I didn't take a lot of my prereqs, well, I'm taking freshmen comp. grrr... but I'm pretty good at research papers, so, I guess I'll hang in there. My abnormal psyc class is AAAAmazing. I love it. I can't WAIT to be a counselor. =) Next month I'm taking two online classes before the Fall semester starts... let's see if I can handle it. TWO very self-disciplined classes in a very short period of time can't be easy.

I've been job hunting too. My hubs has decided to make, yet another, career change, which leaves me searching for a part time job to help make ends meet. I gotta tell ya, it's no picnic out there right now. It seems as if everyone is out of work, and if any positon comes open everyone jumps on it. It's hard to find an employer that will work around my class schedule too. So... wish me luck please. We really need this to happen... financially, if you know what I mean.

Enough rambling... here are a couple pics of my cutie! =)

A potty training breakthrough??

PERHAPS!! Taylor has been doing pretty well with her potty training, but she'll do great for a day or two, then go back to her old ways. We transitioned her from diapers to pullups about 6 weeks ago (is that too long to be in pullups?), and yesterday I decided that I had had enough of her pullups and put her in big girl panties, which BTW, are NOT big in any way. They have to be some of the smallest things I've ever seen, but very cute.

So, we start the day off in panties, I take her to her Nana and Papa's so I can go to class, by the time I get back home she's already on her 3rd pair... lol. Doesn't sound like this was such a great idea at this point, but I'm going to stay firm in my decision that we're going to make it the whole day in big girl under wear, because this IS going to work. It has to... right?

Every 10 minutes I'm asking her "do you need to go pee pee?" "Taylor do you need to go potty?" and she's constanty telling me "nu uh, nu uh". Ok, so, she doesn't have to go potty. What happens about 3 minutes after one of the times I ask her? I find her hiding behind our living room chair, standing up, but with her legs crossed trying to hold it in, but knows the minute she takes a step it's all over with. =) So I rush her to the bathroom, down the hallway we go, bust open the bathroom door... but alas, we were too late. Bummer. No sticker for Taylor this time, but she does get to put on another very cute pair of panties, #4.

Around 4:45... I'm sitting on the couch watching Oprah, which was a pretty boring rerun yesterday, and Taylor disappears. My first thought was that she must've went to her room to drag some more toys out into the middle of our living room, but a half a second after that thought I hear the bathtub running. LOL kids are so smart. So again, I race to the bathroom and find my adorable daughter pouring the peepee from her potty into the bathtub, and rinsing out the bowl like Mommy and Daddy always do. Therefore, my friends, Taylor went to the bathroom without telling me, sat down on the potty, went peepee, and was cleaning out the bowl. I was shocked. Even funnier... miss Taylor hasn't figured out that she needs to pull her panties down first. AHAHAHAHA! I couldn't stop laughing. But she definitely got a sticker, a big hug, high fives all around, and a big kiss from one very proud mama. Hopefully today will be even better.

Blog header

Well, I think just this week I've put 3 new headers up. I really like this one I just wish I knew how to do more with my page. Columns, links, graphics, different backgrounds besides just solid colors... etc. SO! if anyone has any advice please let me know. =)
I'm sad tomorrow is Monday... boooo.

Class is in session...

as of tomorrow. Wish me luck! I'm taking 6 hours this month, and anoter 6 hours in July. I don't know if I can handle it cuz I've never taken more than 3 hours in one summer, now I'm taking 12! I'm ready for the fall semester to start though. It will be finally be my LAST fall semester, and I'll finally be able to say "I graduate next semester" LOL. Stupid I know. I'm just so ready to be done working on my bachelors. At least being in graduate school sounds cooler =).
It was only be the grace of God that we were even able to afford for me to take all of these classes this summer, with Michael making a fraction of what he use to, and me not working we went out on a limb at the very last minute to get a student loan, and was approved... thankfully. They gave me exactly enough to pay for tuition, and I guess I'll either have to do without a book, or hope I have a friend in class with me so I can borrow theirs.
I hope everyone had a great weekend!! Let's get this week started!!

Tag... you're it!

Mommy needs coffee tagged me today, and if you LOVE cute pregnant women, then you should definitely check out her blog. =)

Here are the rules:
1) List Six Unimportant Things That Make You Happy.
2) Mention and link to the person who tagged you
3) Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along, and comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.

6 Unimportant Things That Make Me Happy
1. Blog post comments (I agree with you Jess... it's sad when there is no feedback LOL)
2. Starbucks (I'm a sucker for expensive coffee)
3. Ice cream of any kind at any time during the day.
4. A HUGE glass of sweet tea from our local fried chicken place (Bush's Chicken for those of you local)
5. Getting to play my Wii uninterrupted.
6. When Taylor takes a nap for longer than 30 minutes =).

I Tag:
Mommy on the Hill
Life on Brixton Lane
Ashley's the name
A Southern Accent
The Terrible Tews
Playing House

Our Memorial Day Weekend

First of all, I was just so happy to have my hubs home with me 3 days in a row! To kick it off, on Saturday we had a "date night" and sent Taylor to stay with her Grandma for the evening. It consisted of going to Wal-Mart, buying a digorno pizza, a $5 movie, and Sarah Lee Strawberry cheesecake bites... LOL. Then we were in bed and asleep by 10:30. It was great though. On Sunday after church, we had a really great time at his boss's pool party. Apparently everyone who works there has a birthday in May, so, they had one big party for all of them. The food was great, the people were great, and the pool was AMAZING. Taylor and I were the first one's in. We stayed in for 3 hours straight then got out to eat. It was so much fun!On Monday we got up early and started cooking. At my dad's we grilled out with ribs and sausage and all of the fixin's. Of course adult beverages were readily available. My whole family was there as well as my father-in-law, and two of our very best friends with their little boy. We set up a slip-n-slide for the kiddos, but it turns out that my hubby, his best friend, and my dad who is MUCH older than those guys liked it more than the babies. I wish I had picture of the old men sliding down it, but a picture of the kids will have to do.My little diva also really enjoyed the lounge chair =). Yes moms, she was slathered in sunscreen A LOT throughout the day. She still ended up with a nice tan line around her little bottom. Too cute!
That was our weekend. I was sad to see it end, but we were blessed with great food, people, and activity all 3 days! Hello summer!!!

Our 2009 Anniversary Picture

Taylor went to dinner with us last night, so, it was only fitting she was included in the pic before we left to go into town. I guess we really weren't all the dressed up LOL, but it was so much. Not only was it our anniversary, it was really good friend of mine's birthday, Jessica (check out her blog). We LOVE us some Mexican food =).
He got me the new EA Sports Active Wii game. I LOVE my Wii fit, and this is the newest game out there for it, and it's such a great way to have a workout, PLUS a whole lot more fun that doing push ups all by yourself.
Happy Anniversary to me and hubs! I'm looking forward to so many more.

Flashback Friday!!!

I hope everyone has had a terrific week!! This is the last picture taken of me pregnant with Taylor. I was 8 months pregnant here, and a week later I had Taylor. My stomach almost didn't fit in the picture! HAHA! I miss being pregnant :(

~2 year anniversary!~

2 years ago on May 21st (sorry about the poor quality):

Us 1 year ago on our anniversary (professional photos, we don't always act like that):

And the most recent photo I have us is the one featured on my blog header on Easter Day, but I'll be sure to get one of us this evening when we're all dressed up! =)

Super Bite!

My dear darling daughter BIT the heck out of me this evening. We were at our small group tonight discussing all the important things in life (I was actually half asleep) when Taylor walked over and sat in my lap, put her sweet little hands on my cheeks and then proceeded to bite my chin off!!! Four other couples from our church got to witness me spank my child... oops. I apologize to any of those reading this that don't spank their children, but in my family, it's just another form of discipline. No one seemed to care, so, whew, dodged a bullet there. Anywho, my little turd latched on to my chin and wouldn't let go! The harder I tried to remove her from chin the deeper her bite went. I had tears streaming down my face, and when she released I had a perfectly round spot where her teeth marks were more than visible. I didn't think fast enough to take a picture (dangit!), but an hour later it's STILL sore. So... short of beating her, how do I break her from biting? And here I was thinking I was gonna get sugars and lovin'. I got a pirana instead!!!

The Shack

I don't review books as a profession, and this is just my opinion, but I do believe that The Shack is the best book I have ever read. It's a fiction novel about faith, religion, Christianity, and human pain and suffering. A must read, and for the character in the story, and for myself, it answers a lot of questions most people tend to ask God, but never really seem to get an answer. WM Paul Young did an amazing job of deciphering The Word and putting it into simpler terms. Why do bad things happen to good people? How can we tell when it's really God talking to us? What is religion? You'll need a tissue for the first few chapters, but hang in there... the story is amazing.

The back of the book reads: "Mackenzie Allen Philips's youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, and inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.

Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever."

I encourage anyone and everyone to check this book out. It's a short read, but an amazing story.

The peeing machine

So, my dear, darling puppy has turned my worst enemy. Since I'm home all day long I'm the one who gets to clean up all of the pee and poop messes. yay me. This extremely annoying dog will play outside for 30 minutes at a time then come in the house and immediately squat and pee on MY FLOOR!!! We play this game all day long, and I am at my witts end with him. I'm doing the best I can to keep my house from smelling, but I know I'm not catching all of his accidents, and he has some hidden somewhere.
My daughter on the other hand, thinks he's the best thing since bottles. Excuse the blurry face... she actually really is cute, but there was no making her sit still to take this picture when I caught them playing in her room. Hubs thinks Rusty is the best dog ever, of course. He comes home, and the puppy is exhausted from ME chasing him around the house, so, he looks so sweet and innocent. I'm playing a lose lose game right now. No one believes me that this puppy is conspiring to make my house smell of urine!!! Dang puppy.

Monday Mournings

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!!

I think we've all felt like this to one extreme or another. =)

Writer's block

So, I haven't posted lately because I can't seem to think of anything of importance to share. I don't want to bore anyone with my posts... I'm trying to gain readers not put them to sleep. Here lately, though, it seems like my day to day life has reached a plateau... boooorring. No new news, and no excitement.
I'm on my 3 week "summer vacation" before my first summer semester starts ups. Spring cleaning, toddlers, and puppies is my life right now. So for anyone who may have noticed my posts are few and far between... I'm here and hanging in there.
I hope all my blogging moms had a GrEaT Mother's Day. Mine was pretty good. My hubby was a camping trip all weekend, so, it was just me, Taylor, and the darn puppy. When hubs made it home today (exhausated and hungover from 2 nights of partying) he got a grumpy wife, a tired baby, and a couple of puppy messes =). Poor guy. He handled it well though. For my mother's day gift he babysat, and we brought home dinner from my favorite wing place. Now he's asleep in Taylor's room rocking her to sleep, and the puppy is passed out on the floor. Life is good!!
Good night loves.

Terrible Twos

My baby girl's birthday is coming up. Her birthday is July 2nd, and I need some birthday party ideas. Last year we had a luau. VERY AWESOME! There was a pool, and leis, and Taylor wore a bakini complete with a hula skirt.

BUT now it's a new year, and we need to start planning very soon to make sure we get the invites out in time. Her party will be in June since her actually birthday is very close to Independence Day. Any and all ideas are welcome!!

Monday Mournings Part two

MEET RUSTY!!!(Who can't smile at this face?)

He is the newest addition to our family as of yesterday!
Anyone have any advice on how to raise a boxer? He's our first. =)

Schoooooool's out for. ever.

Actually not quite. On Tuesday though I will be done with the Spring semester. I'm taking 19 hours right now, and another 12 this summer. Yikes! I did, however, take my hardest final this morning, and it lived up to my expectations. I walked out of there feeling very bad about myself, lol, but that's how it goes. I have another final this evening, and then another one due tomorrow evening. After that only two more due on Tuesday. Geesh, that actually sounds like a lot.

When I graduate I'm thowing myself a HUGE party. Even if I'm the only one attending... haha. I really despise studying, and doing homework, so, school is hard for me. I am expected to graduate next May though. One more year, and now that I've had Taylor the years seem to be going by much faster, so, before I know it I'll be done.

Everyone wish me luck tonight thru Tuesday. I think I'm going to need it. Have a great Friday everybody!!!

Barking dogs, trains, and birds

How is anyone expected to sleep anymore? I live in a small rural community with about 12 people in it, but apparently everyone has a dog, a train, and squacking birds in their backyard that only come out after 10:00pm. I can't take it anymore! Ok, really there's only ONE train, but a million dogs and birds.
An ongoing joke between myself and my family is how seriously I take my sleep. I'm in bed by 10:00 every night, and I do not function well on anything less than 8 hours. Well, this leads me to the last WEEK of my life. I have one dog. A big stupid dog. He barks at his own shadow, and he does it right outside my bedroom window. Our neighbor... our neighbor has 4 dogs. 4!. We live less than 200 yards away from the railroad tracks... which is probably the only thing that keeps this town up and running, anywho, this last week a train has come through about 30 minutes. We don't get the nice conductors either.... we've got the a-holes that pull the horn in one long, loud stream from one end of town to the other, even though it's the middle of the night!! Jerks. As if that weren't enough, we have two rather large trees in our front yard where some very obnoxious birds have taken roost, and like to SING in the middle of the night. I can't believe it. My 22 month old daughter doesn't even keep me awake anymore. Geez. What's a person got to do to get a good nights rest anymore?
My rant ends here. I'm going to take a nap. =) Everyone have a great Wednesday!!

Blog award!

Thanks Jess!! I even figured out how to put the picture of the award on my blog all by myself! HAHA... like I said, I'm figuring it out one step at a time.

Why I love to blog?? Because it gives me a way to "meet" other people just like me, and to meet people who aren't like me at all, which is even better sometimes. I love to read the different styles of writing (I'm sort of a Language Arts person), and blogging is my way to vent when I'm having a rough day, or to share funny stories about myself or my crazy family!! Whom I love with my whole heart.

Im passing this award on to:

Jessica - Life on Brixton Lane

Ashley - Ashley's the name

Both beautiful people, and very interesting blogs. Go leave comments!!

Monday Mournings :-(

This is my contribution to everyone out there who mourns the loss of their weekend, and has to start a whole new week with the worse day possible. MONDAYS! Hence the title... Monday MOURNing.

Just my way of helping to put a smile on your face!

Look to the left of the bucket. Do you see the "Don't put the baby in the bucket" sign? Oops.

Here's me looking rather ridiculous. I'm putting my own image on the line for you people!! =)

A laundry basket? You may ask. Well, Taylor decided it would be a great idea to make herself comfortable inside the laundry basket. Yes, a real prodigy ladies and gentlemen.

I'll be working on the something clever for next week's "Monday Mourning". Try to have a great day everyone!

Water bugs.... *high shriek*

I honestly, 100%, with all of my heart believe that water bugs is God's way of earthly punishment for humans. I do. What other reason could they possibly have besides complete terror?? They're sneaky, they hide, they're ugly, and they generally only come out at night. Need I say more? No. But I'm going to anyways. Apparently these bugs are different than your every day roaches... your house doesn't have to be dirty in order for them to invite themselves over. I keep a clean house for those skeptics out there!! They like the sewer, so, living in town is apparently NOT the place to be if you have "water bug phobia" (which I do). Septic is the way to go! I've found these little bastards in my sink, bathtub, hiding in my mixing bowls that I leave on my counter, and once one of them ran across my living room floor. I'll spare you a picture of these creatures because honestly, I coudn't stand doing a search for one. Ugh. My poor husband will get woke up in the middle of the night if I find one. Killing them is almost worse than the actual sight of them. Almost.
It's a huge fiasco when I'm home alone and one decides to show it's ugly little face (if you can call it that). I generally wait for my hubby to get home outside.
Why the ranting you may ask?? I just found one in the bottom of my bathtub, and now I'm completely grossed out. Why God? Why water bugs?? Eternal damnation in the firey depths of Hell isn't enough??? Ok... I'm getting a little dramatic, but I hate water bugs. Hate them.

Sleeping Beauty

Just a thought:
How can my little girl be so beautiful and peaceful one minute (usually when she's sleeping), but the next be a tornado with flaying arms, running through walls, and screaming her tiny head off??? It's CRAZY!!
Don't get me wrong, I am actually very lucky, and 90% of the time Taylor is very well-behaved, but the other 10% is Rosemary's child.... seriously.

Flashback Friday (I wanna play too!!)

My baby girl just one day old... we're still in the hospital at this point.

My beautiful family just an hour or so after Taylor was born. =) I'm so proud.

The best for last!! My baby girl was only 4 months old, and anyone wanna guess who that handsome fellow is?? Only 2 or 3 days old... they day after they came home from the hospital.

CADEN LEE!!!! (duh!)

I need help!

So, I'm new to this blog community thing, and I'm following the people I know personally, and they're following me cuz they're good sports =) LOL, but how do I branch out and find other great people to read?? I mean, I can click my buddies profiles and read other their new friends profiles and blogs, but how do I find people on my own... I know I know... I must sound very ignorant, but to this stuff, I guess I am... anyone wanna offer any advice??

Anyone like enchiladas?

Here are a couple of recipes I've used myself, and are very easy. They're pretty basic, and are meant to be added to if desired, but I've eaten both recipes plenty of times without changing a thing and are VERY good. My family loves them.

The first is a spicy, green enchilada recipe:
Ingredients:
4 pieces of chicken
Corn tortillas
1 family size can of Cream of Chicken soup
2 jalapenos
Shredded cheese
1 cup of water (approx)

Start by boiling chicken until its cooked. While you're waiting on the chicken to cook you can fry the corn tortillas in about 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (Don't over fry because they still need to be rolled).
To make the sauce use the family size cream of chicken and 1-2 jalepenos (depending on how spicy you want it) You put about a cup of water and the jalepenos in the blender until it's a n ice liqued. Then add the cream of chicken and blend that. (if you are making a lot u can double this step). Pour the sauce into a saucer pan on the stove to keep it warm if desired.
Once the chicken is done just shred it. Spray the bottom of your baking pan with PAM, and pour small amount of your enchilada sauce into the bottom (Just enough for a small layer to cover the bottom). Roll the chicken and a small amount of cheese in the fried tortillas until the pan is full. Pour the remainder of your sauce the top, and sprinkle the rest of your cheese on top of that. Cover with foil then bake in the oven at 350 degrees long enough to melt the cheese!

This is recipe is a white person version of sour cream enchiladas =): But very tasty!!
Ingredients:
6 pieces of chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup (normal size)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (normal size)
2 can rotel tomatoes (the heat level you desire)
shredded cheddar
chredded monterrey jack
16 oz of sour cream
Flour tortillas

Boil the chicken until done. Mix the soups, rotel, and sour cream in a large bool. Spray the bottom of your baking pan with Pam, and pour a small amount of your sauce into the bottom to keept the enchiladas from sticking. Shred the chicken once done. Roll the tortillas with chicken and a small amount of cheddar cheese. Once the pan is full pour the sauce over the top. Cover with the rest of your cheddar cheese, and your monterrey jack. Cover your pan with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. This one takes a little longer to heat because we didn't warm the tortillas ahead of time. You want your flour tortillas to remain soft. This recipe makes A LOT of enchiladas... for my family I usually half the recipe.

I hope you give these a try sometime. Ask if you I didn't make anything clear! =)

Guess What....

Nothing good actually. It's 5:30, and I've been up since 4:30 because I can't seem to stop sneezing!! Grr... I love my sleep, and I hate when it's being interrupted. I don't have to be in class until 8:00, so, it looks like I'm going to be studying, or not, for a while before I get ready to go. I hate killing time. Can anyone tell I'm a little grumpy this morning? LOL

Taylor did great last night in her big girl bed. We didn't have to go back in and lay her down at all. She just went right to sleep, but if I know my little girl she was just a little too nervous to try it last night. Now that she's slept in it once, tonight or tomorrow night will be completely different stories, she'll start testing the waters soon I'm sure.

Michael should be finding out this morning when he's leaving to go offshore, for sure, this morning... I'm kinda hoping it's NEXT Monday, but we really need a paycheck, so, I guess whichever will workout. I'm gonna go try and study now. grrr...

We did it!!

We just turned Taylor's crib into a daybed. When we were through she ran from the doorway and JUMPED into her bed and just layed there. For the past 15 minutes she's been getting in and out of her bed, turned the fan on and off, and saying "night night"... lol... I think we're going to have our hands full tonight when it's time for her to go to bed, but I'm glad she's enjoying being able to get in and out of her bed by herself. =)

Back in the game!

You may or may not have noticed that I haven't posted a blog in a few days, well, that is because my darling child BROKE my laptop charger. I'm not exactly sure how, but it doesn't matter anymore. It cost me $90, but I got a new power cord, and now my outlet to the world is charging away as I post my blog. YAY!! I'm so excited. From now on, though, I'm putting my laptop UP, where she can't reach it. Little turd.

We've taken a leaf out of Jessica's book, and are converting Taylor's crib into a day bed today. I'm a little sad, but it's time. She's almost two, and I have to let her grow up. And now that's she's dang near completely potty trained, she needs to be able to get to her potty during the night.

Michael will probably be leaving to go offshore for the first time on Monday. It's not confirmed yet, but it's the way it's looking. I'm really excited for him, but I'm not looking forward to being home alone at night again. That part really sucked, but I guess the good part is that it he'll be gone during finals week, so, I won't have as many distractions or excuses not to study. =) I'm trying to think positively.

Hey... anyone got any ideas for dinner??? I'm feeling pretty tired today, so, I'm looking for something easy.

wanna talk about the weather?

Because it was amazing today. We spent the entire afternoon when we got home from church outside... and enjoyed every second of it. We took turns laying in the hammock at my dad's, Mike and Ashley came over to play too, and we watched the kids run around and played with the dog. For dinner we grilled ribeyes over some logs in my dad's backyard, and the guys even ate outside. Ashley and I would've, but we were in charge of making sure that Caleb and Taylor ate their dinner. I just wanted to say that this Sunday was one of the best I had had in a very long time. Missing Michael so much this week probably was the reason. I just enjoyed having my whole family home and around me.


Tomorrow we are headed to Austin to get Michael's truck fixed. Hopefully it won't take all day. I would like to spend some time cleaning my house before my week really starts. On Tuesday poor Michael has to drive all the way to Houston for a 15 minute appointment then turn around and drive back home. How frustrating, but it has to be done so he can go offshore.



Anywho... it's bed time again.

new layout for blog

THANKS JESS! I think we spent an hour and a half this evening working on making it pretty. =) I think we did pretty good if I do say so myself.

I also just took my LAST English Lit quiz for the semester... all that's left now is the final. This semester is finally starting to wrap up... geesh. This last month has taken forever.

I'm so tired tonight. I didn't sleep well since I was up until almost 4 waiting for Michael to get home, AND Taylor ended up in our bed last night, and she moves a lot in her sleep, so, she kept waking me up. I can't wait to go lay down. That's where I'm headed right now, so, Good Night every one!!!

~~Taylor's photo contest!!!~~

Howdy to all of my family and friends!! Taylor needs your vote and your long arms to reach anyone you think might want to vote for her. This is a photo contest for the Waco Trib newspaper, and the contest starts Sunday the 26th. Her picture will appear in the paper, and will be online for you to vote on at http://www.wacotrib.com/.

We're shooting for first place so please help us out. If she wins her photo will be featured in the summer issue of Waco Today among other things. I've paid for her first 150 votes, and any votes beyond that will only be 10 cents each. If you decide to purchase votes you can do so by sending a check to the Waco Trib, dropping it off in person, or voting and paying online. The proceeds of this fund raiser go to Newspapers in Education. Newspapers In Education is a national program that promotes literacy through the use of the daily newspaper as an instructional aid in the classroom.

I've attached the photo we've submitted for the contest so that you an be looking forward to it. I'll send out a reminder next week before her picture appears in the Sunday edition.Email me if you have any questions. Thanks so much!!!

a rerun of Missing Michael!!

Let’s see… Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. Michael is still out of town working in Louisiana, and won’t be back until very early Saturday morning. The house is making new noises, and I’m beginning to think something is living under the floors. During the day it’s like everything is the same because I stay so busy, but at night… at night is when it gets hard. Taylor really started noticing something was missing yesterday, and asked for her daddy quite a bit. She does talk on the phone now, though, so that helped Michael some, getting to talk to her.

Today is Michael's last bit certification before he can go offshore. It’s called HUETT training. They’re going to strap him into a helicopter (just the cab of one, and it’s in a controlled environment), “fly” it over a pool, then crash it into the water upside so, and the guys have to unstrap themselves and reach the surface using their safety techniques in order to pass. Can someone say SCARY?! Screw you buddy… I’m stayin’ right here until you come to get me.

***Side note**** I was watching David Letterman, and he had Rascal Flatts on singing their new song “here comes goodbye”… would’ve been a great song if I didn’t have to listen to it after every other song. WAY over played. Why do they have to do that? Just let it be, and let us look forward to ago do song coming on by chance.***

Anywho, here are some Easter pics… I have such a pretty little girl.

sadness

Easter was today, and was fantastic. Church was amazing, and the weather turned off amazing. The downside you may ask? Michael left for Louisiana this afternoon for a week's worth of training. he won't be home until Saturday. I didn't cry when he left, but I've teared up a couple of times since then. It's hard without him here, and we just don't spend this much time apart, so, it's definitely going to take some getting used to. Even if the paycheck IS good. =)

Well, some more big news. Taylor used the big girl potty for the first time tonight....I'm so proud and sad at the same time. She's just not a baby anymore, and I'm not handling that very well either. MY life seems to be going by so much faster now that I have her. Watching her grow and learn speeds everything up.

I'm gonna go TRY to lay down without Michael now. I'm scared of the dark so I'm not sure how well this is going to workout. I guess I'll let you know tomorrow.

YIKES!!

So... a procrastinator I am!! I have known about my 15 minute presentation in my Animal Behavior class since January, but did I take the initiative and get a head start? Nope. In fact, I'm presenting my project to the class on Tuesday and I haven't even started!! That's a 15 minute slide show and a 5 page paper... hello.

Well, I'm FINALLY adding a picture of our house, as you can probably see on th left. You may not think it looks like much, but you would've had to of seen it before I guess. Before we moved in to this house it was awful. The front yard had no grass, and the sidewalk was sunk into the ground. The WHITE siding was tan. And obviously there were no shutters or gutters, and no red pain. We put that small flower bed in that you can barely see on the right. Our shrubs are still babies, but they're hanging in there. I'm so proud of our home... the inside is a whole OTHER blog. It would take too long to explain everything we did to it just to move in, and then things we've done since then.

So, let's move on. We sold Michael's TransAm, and used that cash to buy him a truck. It's a 2003 Chevy Avalanche. It's SWEEEET! LOL... ok ok... it's pretty cool, and we're very excited. We got it for a great deal, and it's much more family oriented than his car. Getting him this truck also made sure that I wouldn't have to be making anymore 8 hour trips to Robert, LA. Whew! I hate that drive. Michael starts his new job in two weeks. We can't wait! I'm going to miss him like crazy, but I'm tough, and Taylor and I will make it just fine.

Yesterday, Michael went to Mud Nationals and Taylor and I went to the Wal-Mart Easter party at Hewitt Park. Here a couple of pics just in case you're interested. Isn't she beautiful?? We have another Easter party to go to next Saturday at the church. Speaking of church... we have so much going on right now. We're fixing to start a church wide experiement, Michael and I are joining a small group that is geared toward young married couples. We meet for the first time tomorrow evening, and I can't wait! Also, I've started volunteering more when I can. I LOVE to work in the nursery, and my newest adventure, working on the weekly newsletter, has been fantastic.

Well, I guess this blog get's everyone caught up on what's going on. Lata gater!

What a great day!!!

Today has been one amazing day!! Yesterday evening I posted Michael's car on Craig's List and Myspace, and before the evening was over we already had 5 inquiries, and another two this morning. I left to go into town at 10:00 this morning, and by noon Michael was calling to let me know that the car had sold and gone... woohoo! The whole reason we sold his car was so that we could use that cash to put a down paymnet on a truck for Michael to drive back and forth to Louisiana in.

Well, Michael was online looking at Carmax, and found a truck for less than $13,000. So, we called, told the guy our situation, so, he ran our credit, called us back 10 minutes later and told us we had a truck!! Michael is SO excited. It's a 2003 Chevy Avalanche, black. The truck is in Fort Worth, so, we'll probably go sign the papers and pick it up on Monday. YAY!!

Tomorrow it's back to the grind. I have 2 exams tomorrow. Also, an update I read my friend Jessica's blog about "letting herself go"... even though she's absolutely beautiful, I knew exactly what she was talking about while I was reading her blog. That's me that's me!!! Back in December I started going to the gym 3 or more times a week, and about 6 weeks I finally got my hair cut and colored after more than year!!! and just this week I bought a month's work of tanning. All steps to find me again. Because I woud love to be a mom, a wife, and me. So, kudos to you Jess... we all need that kind of break every once and a while.

I must go study now. Good night!!

Seatrepid: Underwater Excellence!

On Sunday morning Michael and I left before church and drove 8 hours to Robert, Louisiana. This time to hopefully just "firm up" the deal with his job there. Well, the trip down there ended up being a lot fo fun, and the scenery was beautiful... MUCH better than our trips to Morgan City. We ended up staying in a town about the size of Temple, called Hammond. Our hotel was very nice, and was even cheaper than our stay in Morgan City, so, as you can imagine we went in to this interview feeling pretty good. Everything was going our way.

So, this morning Michael and got out of bed about 8, that gave us an hour to get dressed, eat breakfast, and drive over to Robert for his interview at 9. We got there about 15 minutes early, but he went in, and I stayed in the car. Around 11 he came out and gave me the good news. He had got the job (YAY!), and that he would give me all the details later, cuz he was fixing to have his first day... LOL. It ended up just being an observation time for about an hour and a half, but it was still pretty neat for him. I left and went to Wal-Mart HAHA... The trip home was good except for being so tired. Michael starts his training with Seatrepid April 20th. It'll be a week long, then he'll probably go off shore. The pay is good, and his benefits are great. I guess our prayers have finally been answered. Finally seeing the light at the other end of the tunnel I think I "got it". There's always a lesson to be learned, and everything happens for a reason. I believe that with my whole heart. This challenge taught Michael and I to be patient... with life, our marriage, and Taylor. We've learned to trust, and have an infinite amount of faith. That's all we had to run on, so, we did a lot of praying... and crying... and asking "why?" and "when?", but it "God who plans the course of our lives" and God's timing is perfect. AMEN!

Going on a road trip!

Tomorrow morning Michael and I are leaving for Robert, Louisiana for another interview with the company, Seatrepid. We're hoping that we're just going to finalize the paperwork and talk numbers. I'm really nervous, and really hoping this works out. Michael seems very confident, but then again, he's been really confident about all of his interviews. Lots of prayers this time! This is our last shot. If it doesn't work out then he's going back to work for Lake Air Pool supply, and my full time student status will be put on hold. Bummer... so, he really needs to get this job. He really wants it too. It's going to take us about 9 hours to get there, so, if we get some good news at the interview the ride home will be much more fun! LOL.

Taylor is good, but she's not sleeping well anymore. She'll wake up in the middle of the night, and flat out refuse to go back to sleep. Last night Michael was up with her from 2 to 6. Poor guy. Other than that everything else is going great. We did a lot of work on the outside of our house which I may or may not have mentioned. In fact I think Ipromised pictures... lol... oops. We'll I'll get around to it eventually. Right now I'm going to bed. I'm very sleepy.

PiCtUrE pErFeCt

So, I had a very busy weekend!! My husband and I bought our first home May 2007, and as expected, we were very excited. We kept the yard neat, and the inside "picked up" all the time (in reality about 2 weeks). But after a while the "new" wore off, and we just weren't as excited about coming home anymore. Our home is older, and we did A LOT of remodeling before we moved in. The entire inside of the house was redone, but nothing was done to the outside except for some new concrete was poured. So, this leads me to this weekend. We spent the money and bought shutters for the windows in the front of our house, a gutter, and some beautiful paint to paint it all. Along with all of that we borrowed a friends power washer and sprayed the heck out of our siding and concrete. Our looks like a brand new home, and we're so proud of all of the hard work we put into it this weekend. I'll take some pictures tomorrow to show it off.

God is good, God is great!

Finally! Something has worked in our favor... FINALLY!! We knew all along that God had a plan for us we just didn't know what, and even worse... when. But today, Michael had an over the phone interview with Seatrepid in Louisiana, and guess what people?!! He got the job!!!!!! He's taking a trip to the company in a couple of weeks to meet the VP, take a tour of the building, and sign the papers. We're so excited. A huge weight has been lifted off of shoulders financially. This is going to be such a blessing, and a career Michael feels like he'll stay with for a very long time. This takes the pressure off of me to find another full time job before I graduate from school too.
Well, I just wanted to share my good news with whoever may read this. LOVE YA!

Hanging by a thread of steel

Well, just when we think that there isn't any hope we catch a small break. Michael is still trying very hard to get in the ROV industry, but in the mean time Lake Air Pool Supply has taken him back in. Whew... a little bit of income. It will most certainly help us make it through until he gets job offshore.
Also, I made it through the week before Spring Break with 3 exams, a paper, and a project. Thank goodness that is over. I DO have an exam when we get back though... jerks. I'm looking forward to being done with all of this undergraduate BS. At least graduate school focuses on what you're actually interested in.
I'm getting more involved in church in addition to volunteering in nursery that I've been helping with since September I've also taken on some of the responsibility of preparing our weekly newsletter. I'm very excited about this opportunity, and even Michael has started volunteering some of his spare time on the weekends at his church.
Lastly, Taylor had her first hair cut today. =( I took pictures of course, and put them on myspace. I teared up, but it had to be done. The poor thing couldn't see if her hair was down. She's growing so fast.

Week before Spring Break

So, this is the week all the teachers try to cram in enough grades to get a midterm grade to turn in so that it looks like we've actually been doing something in class the past two months. Tomorrow I have a project, a paper, and an exam due, on Thursday another exam, and Friday another one! AHHHHHHHH! I'm going to be doing a lot of praying this week, but at least next week I have nothing... NOTHING!
Oh! And on Wednesday I'm getting my hair cut and colored for this first time since MAY! I'm SO excited, and oh boy does it need it. Yea!
Michael's still hanging in there, and he's working hard with his brother-in-law. It helps pay the bills, and we are so thankful.

Some news is good news

Well, it's not much, but we did catch a teeny, tiny, miniscule break today. Michael was finally able to get a hold of two different recruiters at a couple of companies this morning, and one told him to call back in a two weeks to set up an interview, and the other finally gave in and said they're not hiring this week, but to call back next week and see about setting up an interview. Now, believe me, if you're reading this it doesn't sound like good news at all, but at least these guys are finally answering their phones, AND the first company is only waiting two weeks because their HR department is at a conference until the second week in March, and the second company... oh man. Michael has been calling them 6 or 7 times a week since December, and that's no exaggeration, and every time he got a hold of the recruiter all he got was "Try again next week". Literally, that's what he was told every single time. THIS time the guy pulled his resume, put a star next to his name, and told Michael that because of his perseverance he's on the list to get an interview as soon as they starting hiring again, which will probably be in the next month or so. No job yet, but this at least gives us something to focus on. We're not giving up. Thank you God!

A night owl with nothing to hoot about...

Well Mr. Diary, it's 11:15 pm, and I can't sleep. Stress... I hate the word, and it seems like that is what is consuming my life. Every day, I wake up thinking about it. Don't get me wrong... I have an amazing family, great friends, I'm in school, and we have a roof over our head (for now), so, I have plenty to be thankful for, but I feel like I'm on a sinking ship with my eyes wide open! I see it happening all around me and there's not anything I can do to stop it. For the next 3 months we have exactly $703 left after paying our bills for food, gas, and any other emergency that we all know will come up if Michael doesn't get a job. $703!!!!! When I figured up our budget I just couldn't believe it! I don't even have health insurance anymore. What lesson am I supposed to be learning?!! Please God just spell it out for me... I'm much better with words than visuals. Please don't make us learn it the hard way. We go to church faithfully, we make our tithing, we're involved, we pray, we eat dinner as a family, we don't lie, cheat, or steal... please God. Let us catch a break. This burden is causing so much strain on my marriage... tonight when we got into bed (before I decided I couldn't sleep) we just rolled over to face opposite ways and went to sleep. No words and no good night kiss. My heart is breaking, and I don't know how to fix it. I'll continue my prayers, and as hard as it is, and as weak as I am sometimes, I will keep faith.

New job news

Well Michael met with someone from another ROV company this morning, and we did get some good news, but there's still no job. Gosh... what is the lesson we're supposed to be learning?! He's trying to hard, and it's getting so discouraging. This guy is going to try his best to get him on, but can't guarantee anything, and even if he does manage to get him hired it won't be for another month or so. I don't know what else we can do.

Getting impatient waiting on God's timing!!

So, in October Michael and I went out on a limb, did a lot of praying, and decided that Michael was going to quit he good paying job to go back to school for 16 weeks. The class was going to cost us $7000 PLUS living expenses, and thanks to my family we were going to pull it off. So, the last week of October Michael started class at TSTC in the Subsea Robotics program on December 19th he graduated. We were told a job in this field was a guarantee, and we had nothing to worry about because recruiters would actually be at his graduation scooping these guys up. Guess what... no recruiters showed. It's now the end of February and he still doesn't have a job and the money is running out FAST! We've been to Louisiana twice over the past two weeks, and have come out empty handed both times. We're doing a lot of praying, and trying to leave it up to God, but sometimes it is very hard when the fate of our livelihood seems like it might go down the drain if something doesn't happen soon. Tomorrow morning he is meeting with another recruiter, so, we are going to keep our fingers crossed that this time we will catch a break. We NEED him to catch a break.