Girlfriends

I'm one of those girls that doesn't have an abundance of friends.  Especially close girlfriends.  I've always had just a couple of really close friends and quite a few acquaintances.  I joined the workforce right after high school instead of going to college.  I didn't have the opportunity to have a dorm roommate or join a sorority.  The girlfriends that I have now are more or less the ones that I had in high school.  That means we have been friends for twelve or thirteen years (or longer). I love those girls!  The sad part is that I've lost touch with a couple of them. It's not for a lack of trying, but more because life is too busy, and distance is too great.
I'm going on a girls weekend late this summer! It's the first time since Force and I have been together that I've done anything like this. I'm so excited that I'm already trying to plan my vacation wardrobe!  That along with trying to drop so serious poundage that I've picked up in the last few years. We will be spending the weekend in Sonoma Valley.  That's right, wine country.  One hotel room, one rental car, and five women that have known each other for longer than we would like to admit.

We are staying here:
 
Dreamy huh!?!

Fail

I failed.  Yes, it's that black and white.  I took an industry specific exam yesterday and failed.  It sucks, I cried. More than anything I am mad at myself.  Mad that I put in dozens of hours studying and preparing, spent that time away from JT and my Hubs.  Mad that I had to go to work today and answer the "did you pass" question what feels like a million times.

I think more than anything my ego is bruised.  I'd like to think that ego doesn't play a roll in this, but I'm certain it does. I am pretty stinking good at my job. I don't miss deadlines, of which there are many, I rarely make errors, and I can usually give the correct answer to any one of the multitude of questions that I'm asked in a day. I deal a lot with other peoples money and investments and I take that very serious.  This test, in addition to one more, will open a new level of work for me.  It will bring on more responsibility, more opportunities, and hopefully more money.  The thing of it is, this test in particular deals exclusively with a part of the business that I don't work in.  Really nobody in my office (or other offices I've worked in) deals much with it at all.  That just makes it all that much harder.  I don't have any real experience to draw from when I study.  I have to be able to apply the logic to an actual even in order for it to make sense.

I'll be taking this stinkin' test again in about 4 weeks.  Wish me luck!! I'll need it.

18 Months

Well it's happened, my Bug.  You are turning 18 months old!  I can't even believe that you have been in my life for a year-and-a-half. The thought of it leaves me almost speachless. If you haven't already learned, I am almost never without something to say.  You are one busy boy these days.  Actually, you have been busy for a long time now.  Always on the move, looking for the next thing to get into.  You are 100% boy, all of the time. Jumping, running, falling down.  I can't even count how many times in a day you tell me you "bonked" something, usually your head or call out that you are "stuuuuck" which is accompanied with much grunting and whining.  Lately you have been asking for a hand and leading us to an activity or just to walk.  I have to say, this melts my heart!  You do love to be the center of attention.

Sent to me from Daddy as encouragement!

According to Babycenter.com you are just above average in height at 33 inches and in the 90th percentile for weight at 30 pounds.  That means that there are only 10% of kids heavier than you. My little pork chop!  You are just built solid.  When you play with other boys around your age I am always amazed how flimsy they seem.  I guess it's because I'm used to you!

You are still eating and sleeping like a champ.  Not that I'm surprised. You have always been easy when it comes to that.  The Dr. told me that you would only be taking one nap a day by now.  You however, have not shown ANY interest in dropping a nap. You play hard and wear yourself out!  Sleeping at night isn't an issue either, you are down between 8 and 8:30 every night and up at 6:30-7 in the morning.  Monkey is your sleep buddy, and boy do you love him! The two of you are very cute.  I've convinced you that Monkey doesn't get out of your crib.  Hopefully that way we won't ever lose him!  Lately you have become much more specific about eating.  You know exactly what you want and when you want it. You have no problem telling us when you are done.  Once you've made up your mind you stick to it!  Not another bite goes in.  I'm learning not to push it. When you're done, you're done!  :)

You surprise all of us everday with how smart you are.  You are learning words to songs and love to sing "Tinkle Tinkle" and go on to the next verse without being prompted.  Wheels on the Bus, and Row Row your boat are also big hits.  You can find just about anything we ask you for.  That includes my phone, which you usually had last to watch a "show".  You can pick out yellow and blue colors.  You're not so much into stacking blocks, but you love to knock them down!  I could go on and on. 

Jackson, you have made our lives so much brighter.  You are so incredibly loved.  Thank you for being YOU!

Love,
Mama

So, who am I?

Well, It's been a while since I created this little corner of the Internet for myself and I have been a little stumped what to do with it. So, I decided that the best place to start is with me, the voice of this here blog-thing. Strangely enough that is harder than it sounds!

I'm a Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Cousin, Friend. I work full-time and love my job even though I'd give it up in a heartbeat if I could! My wonderful and sometimes challenging husband F and I have been together for six years and married for three. The most adorable, fun, entertaining, sweet baby came into our lives almost 18 months ago. It's been a whirlwind ever since!

Wife: F and I met whe I moved into his building. The rest is kinda history. We've been together ever since. We haven't ever "taken a break" or casually tossed around the "D" word. I personally think that when people joke about that, they arn't giving their marriage the respect it deserves...not that I'm a saint or anything!

Mom: Like I said, J came into our lives just shy of 18 months ago. I, of course think he is the cutest, smartest, funniest little boy on the planet. Hey, I'm his Mom, I get to say that. I'm a working Mom and that brings a whole other layer of Mom Challenges to the table. I know logically that I'm not supposed to complain. I'm not the first, or last working Mom. I have it A LOT easier than many other Moms. But, it's HARD! That said, it is worth every second! I love this little boy more than I knew I could ever love anything.

Daughter: My Mom and I have an awesome realationship. She really is my Best Friend. I really don't know what I'd do without her. She is one of those women that can just take care of everything and everyone.

So, why did I decide to do this? Well, I want to be able to record the highs (and lows) the photos and memories. I'm reminded all too often that life is a gift that you can't waste. I want to be able to look back and remember the journey.

Happy New Year!

I've been tossing around the idea of a blog for several years now. I don't know what has kept me from starting it. Maybe the possibility that someone might actually read it. What I want most from this is a place to keep my thoughts and experiences as a Wife, Mom, and Woman who is trying to keep it all going.

So, on this first day of 2012, I am starting. My hope is that I'll have something interesting (to me) to post a couple of times a week. Let's see how it goes!

My Resolutions:
Be healthier - mind & body
Be a more creative Mom.
Pay more attention to my marriage.