Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall...

Today Dan and I will be heading to the Niobrara with a group of friends-well, actually we will only know a couple people from our group, but we both are pretty easy going and enjoying meeting new people. Anyway, while I am so excited to do something I have never done before, I dreaded the fact that I had no suit in which to tube in. There are few things in this world I detest more than shopping for this particular garment, although I must say that bra and jeans shopping are a very close second. Humbling, is a word that comes to mind as I think of staring at my pasty, squishy, post-baby body. Really, standing one foot away from a full-length mirror under horrid lights is not my idea of fun. However, it was necessary.

First stop: Old Navy. I figured my anatomy had shifted in such a manner as to make shopping for a suit at your “standard” store impossible. However, I managed to scrape up a couple of suites that I could at least try on. As I entered the dressing room, I hear "Hi! Did you find everything okay” from a salesgirl who maybe wears a size 2 on her fat day. I answered with an embarrassed nod, and then followed her into my designated ‘stall’.

After undressing and then redressing, I looked in the mirror and I actually felt okay-mostly because at this particular moment in my adventure, my attitude took a shift. As I gazed critically at myself in the harsh mirror, two things were very clear in my mind.

1) I was out of the house.

2) I was ALONE! I love Farris, but having the luxury of being indecisive and making many trips back and forth between the sales floor and the fitting room was fantastic!

These two facts jumped to the forefront of my mind and caused me to smile at my unclothed less-than-perfect self in the mirror. Don't get me wrong, I tried on many ill-fitting and less-than-flattering suits. The pain was simply lessened by these small blessings.

I ended up walking out with one suit. I had planned on finding at least two new ones, but lets be honest…I didn’t want to push my luck!

I have no pictures to accompany this blog, but I think that you will not be saddened by that just this once.

Proud to be a Bobcat!

In the past weeks, Dana College has been in the public eye; unfortunately, they have had to close their doors and send their students packing to another institution of higher learning. This does not personally affect me, but it has gotten me thinking about the school that has been my home for the last 4 years: Peru State College

When I was in high school deciding on a college wasn’t a huge deal, Peru State was an easy choice for me. I liked their small class size, their beautiful campus, and their reputation of being one of the best colleges for teacher candidates. However, I am sad to say that there was a time when I was almost embarrassed to say that I was going to Peru. I grew up in a small town very close to Peru, and many of my peers thought of Peru as a “crappy school” or “the college that kids go to if they can’t get in anywhere else.” I would just like to set the record straight-Peru is a regionally credited college that just awarded over 450 degrees in May 2010, and I can truly say that Peru’s professors care and expect their students to succeed.

I LOVE going to school at Peru State! It is so easy to get involved in campus activities and even though the community of Peru is small, I have made some big memories there. I had the opportunity to work at the local bar/restaurant Cotty’s Place-this was an awesome job, where I met and waited on some really great people. I was also introduced to my future husband while going to Peru, and even though we decided to move (to be closer to jobs, family, etc.) we still love to visit our Peruvian friends!!

I will be graduating from Peru State College in December 2010…yes, only 5 more months!!!!! Although, I am excited to start a real job, I am sad that my days of eating in the Bob, sleeping in the library between classes, and driving the 7 mile are limited.

**On that note: HOLY COW!!! I start student teaching a month from today! Get ready Syracuse, Dunbar, and Avoca public schools!




Farris and I sporting our Peru State sweat shirts




Farris with Daddy's diploma from Peru



This picture was taken the day I met Dan in Peru...crazy he just happened to be in the picture



Cotty's Halloween Party



Cotty's Place

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep...

When I became a mother, people often said things like “kids, they grow up fast” or “next thing you know there will be boys knocking at the door for her.” At first, I really didn’t take people seriously; in fact, I found these types of phrases rather annoying, but I am quickly learning that there is some truth to these clichés (I heard them often enough to make them clichés). For example, just last night Dan and I decided that it was time to make Farris’ crib into a toddler bed. {Crazy, I know!} We thought it would be a fairly simple task since she has one of those overpriced 4-in-1 beds that start as a standard crib, convert into a toddler bed, then transform into a day bed, and finally become a full size bed (thanks to grandma and grandpa Swinton). However, it ended up being quite the little project.

1.We took off the side of her crib…this part went well

2.Then we lowered her crib mattress…this part went well

3.Then we attached the little side railing...this part went well….until…

4.We realized that the bolts that hold the little side railing up are different then the bolts that held up the side of the crib.

5.So, we had to stop working on the toddler bed because we, of course, didn’t know where we had put the bolts for the little railing.

6.After looking long and hard-we still didn’t find the missing bolts!!

7.Luckily, my dad had the exact size bolts that we needed just laying around in his tool box (my dad has just about anything you could ever want hidden somewhere in his tool box…very handy)

8. Finally, we securely attached the little side railing to Farris’ toddler bed…just in time for her to "hit the hay."

Yes, there was a point to my story. The point is that when Dan and I got the crib as a gift, when I was pregnant, we stuck the extra bolts in a “safe” spot because we thought it would be a looooong time before Farris would be big enough for a toddler bed. Needless to say, she has grown up a lot faster then we both thought was possible or as some people like to say shes “growing like a weed.”

…and even though I am getting used to these clichés I do not expect boys to be knocking at our door anytime soon!!

BTW: Farris loves her “new bed” she even managed to sleep in it all night without getting out (that may be because she hasn't figured out how to get out by herself...yet)




She is so proud of her "new bed"


She can get in it all by herself


Getting ready for bed



I just had to capture her first night in her big girl bed

Update

Just wanted to update those of you who have been following my blog, and can recall the blog titled “Mother knows best.” In that blog I talked about how Farris was having a hard time getting used to daycare, and wasn’t warming up to the kids as well as I had hoped. Well, I am pleased to write that Farris LOVES going to daycare and spending time with her newfound friends. I suppose she just needed some time to get used to it. Yes, I know many of you told me that (including her daycare provider) and I probably deserve an “I told you so.”

Well, that is it for now...enjoy your Tuesday!

One day at a time

I bought a calendar today. Yes, a 2010 calendar. Yes, I realize the year is already half over with. In my defense, calendars are cheaper in July and I am usually very good at remembering important dates (mostly because I have a boring life and there isn’t much to remember). However, I recently ran out of room in my head to keep track of everything going on so I decided that it was necessary to get a calendar-I even got a “mom calendar” one with extra large boxes so that I can fit everything in without having to abbreviate words. Anyway, this got me thinking about all of the things that are going on in my life and I have realized that I sometimes have a “lets just get it done and over with” attitude. When I really should be enjoying life and taking pleasure in doing all of the things that have taken over my calendar. So, my goal for the next couple of months is to stop freaking over everything I have to do, enjoy each event as if it is the only thing I have to do, and to take one day at a time.

I will start off by sharing a few pictures of the most recent event on my calendar…Farris' 2nd Birthday!!

Life's Blessings

Have you ever felt so blessed, that you actually feel guilty? I often lie in bed at night and wonder what I have done to deserve such an amazing life. Don’t get me wrong, there are things in my life I wish I could change; for example, I would love to get out of “the cave” (our basement apartment I have mentioned in previous blogs), I wish my student loans would disappear, and it would be nice to have at least a little money left over after all the bills are paid each month, but those problems are so minuet compared to all of the wonderful things I have in my life…

I have the most amazing, wonderful, caring family that some people can only dream about, and I am not just talking about my immediate family either. My grandmas, my uncles, my aunts, my cousins, and my in-laws are all a huge part of why I am so blessed. I know that I can count on them for anything. They are my supporters and also seem to know what is going on in my life (family gossip-I guess it isn’t all bad) and even though I don’t see them often I know that their love for me is strong and endless. The bond that I have with my extended family is something that I value and want to keep going generation after generation.

Another thing that God has blessed me with is health. I know that there are many people in the world that struggle every day with life threatening illnesses and live each day in pain. I am so very fortunate that I am able to wake up each morning and go to work/school, and that the only time I have to remember to take medicine is when I have a screeching headache.

I know that I already stated that I have an amazing extended family, but my real strength comes from my dad, mom, Webster, Lindsey, Madison, Paxton, Daniel, and Farris. These eight people are the greatest blessings that anyone could ask for. They pick me up when I am down, they encourage me to do the right thing, they love me unconditionally (even my many faults), they make me laugh when I am sad, and even though they may not understand my crazy emotions-they accept them!

I guess what I am trying to say is that in many ways I feel guilty. I feel this way because it isn’t uncommon for me to complain about something in my life on a daily basis, but I rarely talk about how God has blessed my life in so many ways-I don’t feel deserving of many of these blessing, and I sometimes wonder why I am so blessed when there are people in this world who seem much more deserving. I guess until this question is answered I will just continue to be thankful!!

**I wanted to add that Farris is my greatest blessing. She is healthy, beautiful, intelligent, and my very own earth angel. I am thankful that God has chosen me to be her mommy!

It is hard to believe...

that my baby girl is going to be {2} on Sunday!! I have no idea where the time has gone, and I want it to slooooooow dooooooown!! I used to say things like “I can’t wait until Farris can walk” or “I can’t wait for Farris to say her first word” but now I am realizing that I can wait. In fact, there are some things that she is doing that I am just not ready for. Don’t get me wrong, it is comforting to know that her ‘Miss Independent’ attitude means that she isn’t completely helpless, but it is also a reminder that my baby girl is now a…Toddler!!!!

Here are 10 of this year’s milestones:

1. She took her first step…and is now running!
2. She has down the names of her family:
Daniel=Dad/Daddy
Kira=Mom/Mommy
Grandma Karen/Treva=Ma
Grandpa Rod/Larry=Pa
Dickie=Dickie
Sheena=Eena
Webster=Webbie
Lindsey=windsey
Madison=Maddie
Paxton=Pax
3. She can go off the diving board at the pool
4. She is excellent at animal sounds
5. She knows her colors
6. She can count to 10!! (I am awful proud of this one)
7. She knows how to fold her hands and pray (also especially proud of this one)
8. She knows all the words to Barney’s ‘I Love you’ song
9. Her favorite food is broccoli (steamed)
10. She is able to tell mommy and daddy….”love eww”

Happy 2nd Birthday Farris Loree!!

You didn't ask, but I will tell you anyway!

Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi…but it has to be diet

Desk: messy or organized?
ORGANIZED….everything has a place

Pet ownership – which is better? Dog or Cat?
I had a cat growing up, but never again….Dog Please!

Are you always early or terminally late?
I can’t stand being late… in fact, I have been known to skip things (like class) because I hate walking in late!!

Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Giving…I am a ‘people pleaser’ - Although, I enjoy both!!

What is your least favorite word?
I don’t like it when people use God’s name in vain

What sound or noise do you love?
I love it when Farris says, “love ew”

Name a couple of T.V. shows you watch a lot?
The Hills, Law and Order SVU, and Dog The Bounty Hunter (when Dan has the remote)

Do you have tattoos?
No, but I would like one someday

Do you have siblings?
I have the three most amazing brothers

Webster
-25 years old
-lives in Chicago
-works as a physical therapist

Madison
-20 years old
-lives in Nebraska City/Peru
-going to Peru State College pursuing a degree in social science/education
-manager of the Nebraska City Pool

Paxton
-17 years old
-lives in Nebraska City
-lifeguard at the pool and is good at being an ass

Ever been in a physical fight?
Yes

Ever come close to death?
Not really, but giving birth to Farris was the closest..hahaha