End of a Decade

WOW! 365 days have passed again; coupled with 10 years.

This year has been filled with both joys and sorrows. One cousin had a baby and another cousin went home to be with Jesus.

I started my doctoral program and secured an adjunct faculty position.

Tyler is busy and growing.

NyCee is big and inquisitive.

So much in my life has changed for the positive. I have the privilege of living where I want to live. I have a great church with wonderful friends. I have the honor of serving Pastor Dionne Arceneaux as she oversees six (6) ministries which has contributed to my spiritual growth.

This night closes not only a year but a decade. During this decade, I got married, had two children, got divorced, completed two (2) college degrees, moved back home to Phoenix, began working on a doctorate degree and secured a faculty position. Amazing how much can be squeezed into such a small spans of time.

I am looking forward to 2010 with great expectation. As you close out this night and decade, set high expectations for the new year. Break out of routine. Kick mundane to the curb. Life is meant to be enjoyed. It took me way too long to figure that out. I embrace everyday with high expectation. Prayers will be manifested. Doors will be opened. Spiritual knowledge will increase.

Happy Exciting, Prosperous, Blessed New Year!


3 “ I have declared the former things from the beginning;
They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it.
Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass."
Isaiah 48:3

Snow Day

Just a couple pictures of the kids playing in the snow.

Of all four kids, Tyler had the most fun.

Winterized

The kids are going to the zoo in the morning for a "snow day."

No, it is not snowing in Mesa, AZ. The zoo creates snow by blowing shaved ice and the kids play in it. So, to get prepared, I had to go to Target and find "winter gear" at the end of winter.

NyCee wanted the purple Tinkerbell set which does not match her pink coat (not shown in the picture). And Tyler wanted the McQueen car hat which does not match his blue jacket. So goes the need for my children to match on all occasions.

BFFs Cruisin' Along

Olivia received a Princess Barbie Car for Christmas. Apparently, she and NyCee have enjoyed cruising around Lorie's backyard.

I am sure when spring comes, they will venture out a little farther.

Replacement

Earlier today, Tyler lost his Thomas the train inside the Fry's grocery market. Like any good mother, I attempted to retrace my steps in an effort to find it. Because I was talking on the phone, I didn't hear it drop. Normally, he would whine until I picked it up but he was engrossed in the box of cereal just placed in the basket.

Tonight, again like any good mother, I went to Target in an attempt to purchase another Thomas the train. I didn't want the whole set because he doesn't play with the tracks. I just wanted the train. But nothing, nada, zilch. So, I had a God-idea. Let's get him a McQueen car and see how he likes it.


From the looks of things, I think we can all agree this was a good choice.

Tight Grip

For Christmas, my parents bought Little Fred a Thomas the Train - train set. It included tracks and other parts in addition to just the train itself.

Little Fred has had a grip on his Thomas the train all day. When riding his bike, playing with his cars, jumping on his sister, napping etc. The train piece has not left his hands. At one point, he dropped it on the side of his bed and whined until I was able to locate it and give it back.

Why would bedtime be any different?

Heck, I could have saved my parents some money and just spent $5 on the train piece instead of the entire set.

Christmas 2009 AM and PM

Well, the kids had a very Merry Christmas. NyCee woke up about 4:00a and walked into my room saying, "Mommy, come see the toys."

The morning didn't officially begin until later. Around 7a. And I didn't let her play with any toys until her brother was awake.


They spent the day playing with toys and chasing each other.





All the pictures above represent how the house looked in the AM.

PM Pictures

Yes, the tree is down and put away. Normally, it would have stayed up until New Year's day. However, I have to prepare for my first teaching class next week. The class has to be completely prepped and ready to go on 01/01/10. The class was not loaded onto my log-in screen Wednesday which means I lost four days of prep time.

After dinner the kids enjoyed S'mores. It was a very quiet and Merry Christmas.

**For the first time in his 20 months of life, Tyler spent the ENTIRE day in pajamas. He was the only one. NyCee and I had on lounge around the house clothes.**

I realized I have a very blessed life. Although, raising two kids alone is not my ideal situation. God has been very good to me and has wonderful things in store. Men who want to take on a woman with two small kids are not readily found. But God will make sure that I have the one who will love us. Overall, it was a very good day. The hardest part of the day was not having anyone, save the kids, to share it with. But this time is for me to grow in God and get prepared. So I embrace it and know it only for a season.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Christmas Eve 2009

Today was a busy day. I attended Candle Light Service which was awesome. The string quartet was wonderful.

After candlelight service and a baby sitting event which involved five (5) children all 4 years of age and younger, the kids and I went to a co-worker's home for dinner. She has two small boys who are so cute. When we completed dinner, we went for a walk through her neighbor to see Christmas Lights. It was quite the displace.

NyCee and Tyler did a great job and Maria's husband commented about how well-mannered and polite the kids were.

Now, the children are nestled and snug in their beds. Neither one of them had a real nap tonight so they are pooped.

Time to make S'mores for Santa.

Little Old Man

I walked into the kids' room and saw Tyler sleeping in the upright position.

It was especially funny to watch as he nodded he would bounce back into the upright position. One time he nearly fell all the way over but pulled himself back upright.

Assignment Granted

I completed my instructor certification course and was given great reviews by my facilitator. As a result, I am now an adjunct faculty member with Colorado State University - Global Campus. I am very excited because this is the first step towards becoming a full-time faculty member - my heart's desire.

As I have written in times past, I am not the stay-at-home mom type of gal. But teaching provides the flexibility I miss. 2010 is going to be a super awesome year!


May I humbly request your continued prayers for my cousin Melvin and his children. As you know, Cari, Melvin's beautiful wife,went home to be with Jesus earlier this year. This is the first Christmas he and the children will spend without her. Every day is hard for him. I am sure he has both good days and bad. But the holidays are just a little harder when the love of your life is not there to share the moments. Thank you for your continued prayers for Melvin, Cameron, Max, and Ella.

Christmas Princess 2009

NyCee has gotten to the place where she does not like to go to church on Sunday without wearing a princess dress. This morning, I was wearing a jean skirt and she politely told me, "Mom, I don't want to wear jeans like this one (pointing to my skirt). I want to wear my princess dress."

Thankfully, her Nana Ida sent her a dress for Christmas. Otherwise, she will be rotating through the same three dresses until Spring. She has several dresses but only three of them allow for a turtle neck underneath to help keep her warm.

Princess and the Prince

NyCee and Tyler were playing a game titled "Princess and the Prince." Apparently, this is something she made up. That is a good thing. I do not let the kids watch TV all day on the weekends. There are times when they just play in their room.

As they were playing, I looked down and noticed Tyler wearing a pair of NyCee's blue princess slippers. I started to take a picture and post it on the blog. But then I decided to spare my father and grandfather the scene of seeing Tyler in a pair of blue princess shoes. Somehow, I get the feeling they would not find it as funny and cute as I did.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Impromptu Christmas Show

NyCee's dance class had an impromptu Christmas show this afternoon. The girls looked so cute dancing around. They performed routines using tap, tumble, and ballet.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness..so they say

"Mommy, may you turn on the water please."

As I wake up in a bit of a haze. I glance at the clock and it reads 4:23a.

"Yes, punkin. I'm coming."

While I am so proud of her for not having a nighttime accident and for remembering to wash her hands after using the potty, I have to teach her how to turn on the water herself, so that the entire process can be completed without me. Especially at 4:23a.

Teachable Christmas Tree

In keeping with family tradition, I was up until 2a putting up the Christmas tree. As a child, we put up the Christmas Tree the weekend of my dad's and sister's birthdays. My nephew is in that mix now.

But I cannot blame all of it on putting up the tree. I was catching up on episodes of my guilty pleasures "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice." But I have been debating for the past several days about how to decorate the tree. Last year, Little Fred was not mobile so NyCee and I fully decorated it. This year, mobile is not a sufficient word for my son.

This morning, NyCee was very excited to see the tree in the living room. I spent the better part of the morning saying, "No son. Do not touch the tree Tyler. Son, back away" while moving him away from the tree.

At some point in the day, I walked out to the living room only to find Little Fred pulling a strand of the garland beads towards their room. Now, the tree is loop-sided with poorly hung garland.

In an effort to keep me from getting upset, I decided this year the tree would be the teachable tree. This is the tree that will be used to teach what things can and cannot be touched. Once the gifts are under the tree, then he will be distracted.

NyCee likes the lights. She walked into my bedroom and proclaimed, "Mommy, I pulled out the white thing (child safety plug) and plugged in the Christmas Tree for Santa." There are so many things wrong with that statement I don't know where to begin. While I thanked her for being such a big helper, we had a little chitty-chat about plugs.

For now: no GLASS bulbs or shiny icicles will be added. Maybe I will add some candy canes for them.

Countrified

May someone please explain to my son that neurosurgeons do not put their feet up on the table, lean back their heads, and drink a cup of milk in darn near one gulp.

Bedtime Kisses

2009 AKA Fashionetta

This morning I attended a breakfast and fashion show for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I was one of the guests of Dr. Victoria Jones (to my left as you are looking at the photo.) The other women, in this photo, work at Apollo Group also. The fashion show was very exciting as the commentator was jovial and humorous. We were seated at Table number 1 which was right next to the model's runway. The clothes were amazing.

It was nice to attend an adult function this morning. I will do that more often.

Exciting, Exciting, Exciting

So today, I had an interview for an adjunct faculty position and was offered the job. I am so excited. It is for an online teaching position. Although I have not taught collegiate level courses, being an online student played to my advantage. I understand the challenges of being a working adult student.

The beauty of this, classes are 8 weeks long and I will only teach 3 courses a year because the school does not offer a summer session. That is perfect because I do not want to be overwhelmed. The purpose of the job is two-fold: 1) My experience has to match or should closely match my level of education. Therefore, by the time I graduate, I will have enough teaching experience where I can easily transition to full-time faculty. Additionally, with a terminal degree, I will be able to teach courses on any level.
2)With the 2nd job, I can be completely debt free in 24 months. Including my student loans. That is awesome!

Now, I know people are going to attempt to worry about me and wonder if I am getting any rest. Actually, do you know I have had some of the best sleep in the past week than I have had in a long time? I do not allow myself to get stressed out. I am very good about monitoring my time.

And yes, I have a personal life. I hang out on Saturdays with friends (no man yet Grandma Martha - soon - hahahahaha). But I have a well balanced life.

Well, that is the update for this week. We have a busy day tomorrow.