Thursday, December 30, 2010

2010....A year in review...

In many ways, 2010 was good to my family.... in other ways, I can't wait for a new year and hopefully some better luck....and better health for Cameron...

In January--- we spent a lot of time with family, went sledding, hung out with friends, and Cameron battled the silly flu :(

February-- the colts went to the Superbowl (but lost *tear) and Cameron slipped on ice just before Valentine's Day, dislocated his knee cap, leaving him in a full leg brace.... I also began subbing and fell in love with a whole school of amazing kids...

March--- My parents and I traveled to Colorado for a few days to visit with my brother.... and we loved every minute of it! We're actually hoping for another trip again this year! :)

April-- I celebrated an amazing birthday with family and friends, Cam celebrated his bachelor party with ammunition (and came away unharmed thank goodness!!), a good friend got married, and we kicked our wedding planning into high gear! I started teaching an 8 week maternity and fell in love with some awesome kids.

May--- We met our awesome wedding photographers (on the same day that Cam managed to smash his hand in the trunk?!), my beautiful bridesmaids threw one hilarious bridal shower and an even funnier bachelorette party! My bridesmaids also began their fittings and alterations for their bridesmaid dresses, and Cameron and I went through "you know what" with our silly wedding invitations before finally getting everything the way we wanted them! haha   Some of our good friends got married, as well another couple finding out that they were expecting with their miracle baby.

June--- A very dear friend was diagnosed with a horrible disease that shook the whole community and she began a long battle that she is winning! Another amazing person lost his fight with the same horrible disease after becoming an inspiration to many people. After much stress, work, and unwanted drama, I finally married my best friend and honeymooned in a penthouse on the top floor of the hotel....(probably the only time that we'll ever say that! haha)  I also began trying to cook and collected a pretty large supply of delicious recipes, but the Betty Crocker phase didn't last long...haha 


July--- We enjoyed fireworks with friends, babysat for Karter, celebrated birthdays--including Cam's.. I surprised him with a video I borrowed of him singing and dancing at his high school prom (he had told me about it many times)... I also cut off most of my hair and donated it in honor of three amazing women who didn't have the choice to keep their beautiful locks..... Cameron also got a great job offer out of the blue and was hired within a few short hours of the interview.


August---- Cameron felt pretty puny for a few days before he got terribly sick just before a long planned family vacation... He had to stay home, and I ended up sick about an hour away from our apartment. I spent 24 hours feeling crummy before journeying down to meet the rest of the family. Cameron and I also got an opportunity to go boating, tubing, water skiing, and jet skiing.... we had a blast!  We also helped my parents throw my dad's family reunion, and build a 10x16 second story deck in 6 days.

September--- We got our wedding photos and fell in love with some of the most breathtaking images we've ever seen...I also started teaching a 8 week maternity leave and fell in love with yet another group of amazing preschoolers....

October--- The family threw Karter a *Cars themed birthday. Cameron began to have pain and numbness in his fingers that then lead to his whole arm. He began therapy and had many doctor's appointments.

November--- His appointments and therapy continued with little progress... We also went through a horrible emotional roller coaster that had my whole family longing for answers and at a complete loss.... Luckily, we took action and things are back to normal--if not better..... I also got a huge compliment from my boss that then lead into a job offer that I accepted and began. We spent a family day at a corn maze, and had an amazing Thanksgiving with my whole family.

December--- The lack of Cameron's progress and increasing pain lead to an MRI that revealed many issues in his upper spine. We had a scheduled appointment with a spine specialist just before Christmas, but it was rescheduled for January. (We are hoping for good news and treatment that relieves his pain quickly.) We kept Karter overnight again (which we LOVE!), celebrated Christmas with Cam's parents before they left for vacation, and had a great Christmas with my family... My grandma came home from the nursing home where she was staying for short-term therapy and my brother drove home from Colorado just in time for a white Christmas... Cameron woke up Christmas morning with a tooth ache from complications with a false tooth from childhood and will be having a root canal next week..boo...Also, I did get to put up my first Christmas tree, and we continue the desperate hunt for our own home... We did get some horrible news just after Christmas that left a loved one and our family heart broken and hoping for better things in 2011. .



This year has been difficult---emotionally.... We've had many close friends and family affected by horrible illnesses, nearly lost one of the most important people in our lives, and had many struggles in our own relationship....

Cameron and I are definitely learning the meaning of our vows.... "in sickness and in health" aren't just words.... they're real in our marriage.... Many people don't know this, but Cameron has a rare heart condition...He had surgery less than a year into our relationship to correct his aorta and takes daily medication to regulate the blood flow. The condition affects many parts of his body (bones, muscles, joints, etc) and causes his bones and muscles to connect abnormally, leaving them easily injured, pulled, popped out of place, dislocated, or broken. With all of these possibilities, injuries are a weekly thing in this house and can be stressing on a relationship...We also have found out that he has a non-cancerous tumor growing in his back that has left more than 10 doctors puzzled at its formation. Am I saying this for sympathy?!? No... I'm venting and sharing information more than anything...

I wish I could count the number of times that he's been injured, sick or just in pain and couldn't attend an event with me.... I'll be honest when I say that I'm the first to get angry when he tells me that he can't go, but then I think about how I would feel if I was expected to go places while I was in pain....Then I start to get mad at other people....First of all, no one knows what it's like to have this happen time and time again (for him and for me), but second of all, no one knows what it's like to hear the comments people make about him not feeling good, being sick so often, or even making up injuries/illness just so that he doesn't have to attend..... It makes me mad and breaks my heart all at the same time.... I just wish people would understand.....

Anyway.... as the doctor bills, chiropractor bills, dentist bills, hospital bills, and more continue to come in.... we're reminded of the "for richer or poorer" part of our vows.... Times get rough around here and emotions are put the test, but we try to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that God doesn't give a person more than they can handle....

We are hoping 2011 brings joy, happiness, peace, good health, and prosperity to our family as well as yours...

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas Flash Mob at School

How fun is this!! My boss (the principal) found a video of a choral flash mob in a mall food court, sent it to everyone suggesting we try something like it on the last day before break, and then asked me of I would choreograph something for all of the staff to do.... to which I said, "Of course!!!"  haha

Another teacher volunteered to help me so we spent an evening figuring out dance moves that everyone would be able to have some fun with, and then began staying after school a day or two a week for about 30 minutes to teach and practice with the other staff......

We had so much fun with this, and the kids had a blast this morning!!!

Here is the link to the original: Food Court Flash Mob Inspiration



Here is ours:

Monday, December 20, 2010

Back to Blogging...

To say the last month or so has been an emotional roller coaster for my family would be an understatement.... I won't go into detail, but I will say that this holiday season has made me grateful for medical staff who do their jobs because they enjoy it, allowing a very special person to be able to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with us, which didn't seem possible just six weeks ago.

I had decided to push my blogging to the side temporarily because I've tried to keep my blog fun, insightful, inspirational---basically, I want it to be positive..... and a personal blog during the last month or so wouldn't have been... Anyway, things are now going great and we are all excited for Christmas....



In the last 2 months, Karter turned two and we threw a big "CARS" party for him! We borrowed lots of the decorations, but what we couldn't borrow, we made or bought for next to nothing...














We spent a very chilly day at the corn maze/ranch....





Karter was an adorable cow for Halloween..... complete with ear tag ;)


Evidently I didn't take any pictures during the month of November on my own camera....hmmm 



I bought and set up my very first Christmas tree.... My tree is very simple, but I really like it.... I bought tons of decorations because I wasn't sure what I wanted.... and I ended up going very simple, but elegant.... and I think I'm really happy with it....   I tried getting decent pictures, but it's very difficult!





Cam and I got dressed up for his company Christmas party.... 
It was great to finally meet the guys I hear about every day...  The food was delicious, 
people were friendly, and they gave away some really great things!



I accepted a job at the school where I student taught, subbed, and taught two maternity leaves.... I am now a Title I Kindergarten assistant.... I teach small groups, do remediation with individual students, and of course have recess duties.... The job is only 28 hours a week, but it's better money than subbing (which wasn't a reliable income). I really love what I'm doing and hope this leads into bigger and better things because, sadly, this job does only last through this school year, and then I'm back to square one :(

Cameron is loving his new job, and finally seeing appreciation for his sales qualities, and is getting a little back in return. The company is great about sales incentives and contests.... He loves it!

We still haven't had any luck on a house... We've got a few leads on some, but they may not be going on the market for a few more months (or a year or so---one couple wants to build, so it may take a while)..... We're getting antsy to get out of this apartment and finally have SPACE... We haven't even brought down our wedding gifts yet.... we don't see the point when we hope to be moving very soon.... We have some amazing new things, but they're all in storage until we have the room for them.... In the mean time, we're still living like college kids with cheap stuff and hand-me-downs.... O well I guess....


Now, we're just a few days away from Christmas....all of my shopping is *almost done... We're excited to have my brother home from Colorado for a few days, for Grandma to be moving back home, and to see what Karter thinks of all the excitement this year!



I have found that as I grow older, I try to stress less about the gifts, the wrapping, and so on.... and focus more on what's important.... I encourage you to do the same...

Monday, November 22, 2010

Winter is on its way.....

I may not be ready for the snow, ice and cold days.... but my car will be! This is your reminder to winterize your car before the temperature drops...



1. Check your tire pressure....Low tires can cause disaster.. Also, check the tire tread. If they are balding, get them replaced!

2. Check your fluids...Fill the washer fluid, check the viscosity and amount of antifreeze, and check or change the oil.

3. Inspect your windshield wipers... With the recent drought, they didn't get much use and might actually be damaged... Make sure they are working properly!

4. Learn how to change a spare tire!

5. Have your car serviced and fully checked. If you're like me, you don't know all the specifics of a car, so have a professional check your car out thoroughly. They can check your belts, battery, filters, and so on.

6. Fill your gas tank. My dad taught us to consider your tank's "half" mark as empty during the winter... Never let it drop below a half tank during the winter months!!
 
7. Make the emergency kit! (and know how to use everything in it!)  My family keeps the smaller items in a large coffee can. That way, the can is able to be heated over the candle to make drinking water if needed.

  1. A flashlight, batteries, flares and a first-aid kit
  2. Jumper cables
  3. A blanket, warm clothes (extra pairs of socks are a must) and gloves
  4. A bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter. Use this for added traction when a tire is stuck. 
  5. Paper towels (a great item to clean snow-caked headlights)
  6. A snow brush, ice scraper and snow shovel
  7. Extra washer fluid
  8. Extra food and water that will stay good for a long period of time. Also, include hard candies to keep your mouth moist. You might also consider adding packets of hot chocolate.
  9. Candle (jar candles are great) and matches -- used to keep warm if needed
  10. A bright article of clothing or rag to bring attention to yourself if stranded (especially if you go off the road)
  11. Cell phone charger for the car


 Know what to do if you DO get stranded: 
  • Stay with your vehicle. Emergency crews can find your car a lot easier than they can find you alone. You will more easily avoid frostbite and hypothermia by staying in the car and out of the snow and wind.
  • Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna.
  • Avoid exposure to the cold and overexertion when attempting to push the car or shovel heavy snowdrifts.
  • Keep the doors unlocked.
  • If the locks are frozen and you need to get inside, heat your key with a lighter. 
  • Turn your hazard lights ON.
  • If there are two or more people in the car, never sleep at the same time. You may miss an opportunity to be rescued.


  • Exercise your extremities such as arms, legs, feet and toes to maintain body heat and circulation.

  • Run the engine and heat every ten minutes each hour. When the engine is on, crack a (downwind) window slightly to maintain oxygen. 



  • Please... keep you and your family safe... It's something we hate to think about, but being stranded is always a possibility. Checking and preparing your car only takes a few minutes and can save a life!

    Tuesday, October 5, 2010

    Remembering....

    Nine years ago, I lost one of the most important people in my life... Just after midnight into the hours of October 6th, my grandpa lost his hard fight with lung cancer. He had his family surrounding his bed, reminding him of their feelings for him and and his importance in their lives....

    I may have only been a mere teenager, but the impact he had on my life has stayed with me since he left us... I spent every day of the summers and every day after school at my grandparents' house, which was just up the street from my house. He taught me things like how to ride a bicycle, how to make a pretend pipe from a coffee stirrer and creamer packet at DQ, how to play solitaire and other fun memories I'll never forget, but most importantly---  the importance of family, music, love, determination and strength.


    There's rarely a day that goes by that he doesn't cross my mind.... especially the milestones in life....
    Here's a few things you've missed, Grandpa.These are times that have been the hardest....
    Dance Recitals--- remember my first year when you had to drive 45 minutes to bring my dance shoes that I forgot??



    Musicals--- I may not be able to sing like you could, but I found a role for me...


    I graduated high school and college with honors...

    Family Holidays....
    A beautiful baby boy came into the world and changed our lives...

    I married my best friend, just like you did....
    You were held close as I walked down the aisle....
    The guest book pen that was just like the one you let me doodle with at breakfast every day...


    I miss you with every inch of my heart and think of you daily..... I love you...
     

    Monday, September 20, 2010

    Fall Decorating

    Looking for ways to decorate your home, classroom, party or office for little (or no) money?? Check out my other blog--- it's full of ideas!



    Truelove Ideas

    Wednesday, September 15, 2010

    House Hunting

    We started looking for houses a few months before our wedding, but nothing too serious.... but now that we've been married three months and I'm starting to hate our current living situation--- we live in an apartment and we are very accessible to stores and restaurants--- I'm looking very seriously for houses. By "very seriously"... I mean--- I'm checking the realty site daily..... Ok, let's be honest--- I'm looking at it about 5 times a day!! haha

    Now, most people would think that our location (near everything) would be great--- but not me! I'm from the country where it's quiet, we have a yard, and there's not much drama... and that just isn't the case here. We also have some very nice furniture in storage that we aren't using because we can't see the point in hauling solid wood furniture up the stairs to our bedroom if we're planning on moving soon.... and our eat-in kitchen is too small (and it's used partially for storage) for our 8 person dining room table :( So... we eat on the floor or at our desk. Also, where we live now, if I don't want to cook--- it's SO easy to go grab something quick... Based on my waist line and pocket book, I don't think that's a good thing. haha 


    We're looking for the typical house-- at least 2 BR, at least 1.5 baths, decent sized, in a safe and quiet area in our home town... but it must have a basement... I love storms, but when it's time to take shelter, I want a basement! You would think this would be an easy house to find--- but it sure hasn't been---at least not within our price range. We're prepared to do some work to a house, but nothing too extensive... and everything so far in our price and criteria would need more work than we're ready to put into it.

    I know people have prepared us that this might take months or years to find a house------ but I really hope it doesn't! I'm so tired of living in an apartment!!

    Tuesday, August 24, 2010

    Friends...

    I've spent some time this week thinking about friends and the meaning of one.... I came across this in a passage I was reading and couldn't shake it from my mind.... I thought I would share..

    Then there are old friends. Friends that you have had so long you don’t remember meeting them. Friends that are more like family, they’ve always been there. Sure you may not see them every day. You may not see them more than a few times a year. But when you do see them, you just pick up where you left off, as if there had been little or no time-lapse.
    Oh, you might spend a few minutes catching up. How’s the family? How’s work? That kind of stuff. But in just a few moments you are laughing about some dumb stunt one or the other of you pulled. Maybe some joke you pulled on a mutual friend. But it’s mostly about the good times and the fun you’ve had together. And on some level, even though neither of you mention it, you know that, no matter what, no matter how much time has passed since you last met, the bond of friendship still holds tight. As they say these days, you know you have each other’s back.


    I hope this makes you think of someone.... shoot them an email, text... or phone call...... I did

    Wednesday, August 18, 2010

    Eat Pray Love

    A friend and I had a dinner and movie date last night... and we were both excited to see "Eat Pray Love." I love Julia Roberts and thought the story line of this movie (based on a book--- which I haven't read) looked great, so I knew I would enjoy the film...... and I did!!   I want to watch this movie again and again to pick up on more of the inspirational quotes that I missed the first time.....

    As soon as I got home, I jumped online to find quotes from the film, but it's new enough yet, that they're not listed on IMDB....but while I was online, I saw that the movie had a less than favorable rating and not so good reviews...... and I began to wonder why that may be.... I wondered how someone could walk out of the theater unhappy and un-inspired by that movie.... wondering if they liked it or not.....

    First, the obvious-- most of the users of the site are men--- and this is definitely a girl movie.....

    Two....this movie is one that makes the viewer analyze his or her life, and really THINK about where you're headed, what they want to do, who they want to be....... It is so full of interesting metaphors, quotes, lessons, and so on that left me wanting to travel the world---- "to marvel at something." I want to see what other cultures are like. (I love the freedoms of America, but I think we are one lazy culture....) If a viewer realizes that they aren't happy with their life is---- they may not like the movie for pointing that out....

    Three... And I realized this--- I wonder if some people in this world don't know HOW to analyze their life----- or even---how to THINK about what they want or who they want to be....so this movie wouldn't make sense to them....
    There seem to be people out there that are trying to convince themselves and others that they are happy in their life, their relationship, their job...rather than analyze it and be true to themselves (and others) that maybe this isn't what they need or want..... Are they too scared to get out of a relationship that they know in their heart isn't where they should be because they are afraid of being alone?!?!  Do they think they don't deserve any better?!?! Are they just following the trend of what everyone else is doing their age (wedding, house, babies...)?!?!  "'Tis better to live your own life imperfectly than to imitate someone else's perfectly"
    .


    Anyway, I found some quotes from the book to coincide with the movie..... I LOVE them..


    "It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection."
    "Your problem is you don't know what the word means. People think a soul mate is our perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life"
    "That's just your ego, trying to make sure it stays in charge. This is what your ego does. It keeps you feeling seperate, keeps you with a sense of duality, tries to convince you that you're flowed and broken and alone instead of whole."
    "But how does that serve me?"
    "It doesn't serve you. Your ego's job isn't to serve you. Its only job is to keep itself in power. And right now, your ego's scared to death cuz it's about to get downsized. You keep up this spiritual path, baby, and that bad boy's days are numbered. Pretty soon your ego will be out of work, and your heart'll be making all the decisions. So your ego's fighting for its life, playing with your mind, trying to assert its authority, trying to keep you concerned off in a holding pen away from the rest of the universe. Don't listen to it."
    "If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind".
    "To find the balance you want you must keep your feet grounded so firmly on the earth that its like you have 4 legs instead of 2. That way you stay in the world but you must stop looking at the world through your head you must look through your heart instead.That way you will know god"
    "If you clear out all of that space in mind you would have a door way.."

    "I want to go some place where I can marvel at something."

    "This is my no carb left behind experience."

    "'Tis better to live your own life imperfectly than to imitate someone else's perfectly."

      "Guilt’s just your ego’s way of tricking you into thinking that you’re making moral progress."

    "You have to swim through the moat to get to the castle."

    "Americans know entertainment, but they don’t do pleasure."






    Tuesday, August 17, 2010

    Slacking....


    Well.... Looks like I am officially a slacker in those whole "blogging" department.... Every post seems to turn into an update! haha


    First--- We got our wedding photos------ and we ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!!  You can check out all of our wedding photos--- professional and those from family--- on our Shutterfly account. The password is June12 and it IS case sensitive. You'll probably have to open an account if you'd like to view them... Also, if you took pictures at our wedding, we'd LOVE to see them--- so upload away!!
     
    I got my all cut off and donated a 9 inch ponytail to Pantene. They make wigs for women who have cancer, and I donated in honor of three very important women in my life whom I admire for their fight with breast cancer.

    I forgot how much work short hair is when you can't pull it back in a ponytail and am counting the days until it grows back out, but I try not to dwell on it... They are so many women out there that don't have a choice and I did it for them : )  


    Before...


















    After...Horrible posture and my sleeves are messed up,
    but you get the idea



    We finally got to see DMB... We've been wanting to buy tickets for 4 years now and FINALLY made the purchase. We were a part of a first time music festival in Kentucky and we cannot wait to go back. In that one afternoon, we got to see the Black Crowes, Steve Miller Band (Front row), Zach Brown Band, Tonic (Front row), and of course, Dave Matthews.... We also saw Dwight Yoakam on the screen from a distance... but couldn't hear him :(




    We celebrated the birthday of a good friend at Los and then back at her house to play games....


    We have babysat our nephew over night twice now... It's a nice learning episode about parenting! haha... I'm not sure if Cam is more ready to be a father, or if he wants to wait a little longer!??!

    Having an art session!



    And now to the crazy part of the update..... My family has been planning a huge 3 night family trip to Gatlinburg for about 6 months now.... We got a huge cabin for everyone to stay together and made plans of what we wanted to do while we were there..... Well, it didn't quite go as planned.
    Cameron came down with some sort of bug (from dehydration?? a true bug?? we don't know) and was feeling less than able to travel the morning of the trip... I was sad to leave him, especially with this being our first vacation together, but the cabin was prepaid, so I went....

    About an hour- into the trip, I wasn't feeling so well.  I had been texting and playing a little bit with Karter.... I got really car sick and felt dizzy..... Then I could feel it..... the nausea was setting in... That's right.... just as we crossed the bridge into Kentucky, I knew I was going to be sick... My sister pulled the van over and I got sick on the shoulder of the interstate... Classy, I know! Oddly enough--- I felt 100% better after that..... so we kept going....

    Then, about an hour later, it hit again..... This time at a tiny gas station..... We got some food in my belly and a cold drink, and again--- I felt much better.... We even took my temp and it was 97.8! No fever, no aches, no NOTHING..... We headed further south, not sure WHAT to do....

    But it got worse...  We got lunch at a Hardeez and food actually sounded GOOD--- until it was in front of me..... Long story short... I got sick a few more times--- still feeling fine in between "episodes"...... but my parents finally got a hotel room for me to rest in, and we ended up staying the night.... I woke up exhausted and sore, but never got sick the rest of the trip. I was so tired and worried about getting sick, that I couldn't enjoy much of the trip.....Cam and I kept in close contact on our illnesses--- neither of really felt SICK.... we don't know if it was food poisoning, a short lived stomach bug, or if it they were totally un-related.... but we do know that we both felt awful!!

    I like to refer to it as the "vacation from hell." It is definitely a vacation that I will never forget! It was fun spending so much time with the family, but I missed Cam and just didn't feel like myself....

    Headed to the arcade...
    In the Smokies....


    We walked to the top of Clingman's Dome....
    At the top!!

    Stopped for some pics on the way back down..
    Went to the Titanic Museum...

    And how cute is this--- Karter can show us "Shark Teeth" after his trip to the aquarium...




    This year was my dad's turn to host his family reunion..... We had a great time planning and my dad was really happy with all the changes we made--- colored table cloths, new building (with air conditioning)....overall, it was a great change..... I don't have many pictures, and all that I do have were before the family got there....  It was a lot of work and we were all exhausted afterwards---- but it was worth it!!

    We set up some small photo displays--- this one was "in progress"
    Made and bought gifts and door prizes...
    Had tables for the kids--- with coloring books, crafts and puzzles
    We made tissue paper poms for the tables..
    My dad and me....
    My momma and me
    The room.....



    Cam and I have had a pretty calm start to marriage.... but with some exciting news!!! After a stretch of unemployment, my amazing husband got an awesome job as a salesman for a company here in town!! He had an email from the boss on a Thursday afternoon asking if he was still interested in a job he applied for months before... He called back immediately, was scheduled for an interview the next morning, and was hired just hours later, even after he was told there will still others to be interviewed the next few days.... I don't mean to brag-- I'm just so PROUD of him!!!

    He is still in the long training process, and it includes hot manual labor, but SOON--- he will be trained in the sales department and get to show how good he is... I always say that he could sell a red popsicle to a woman in white gloves! We hope this is the start to wonderful path for him!!!



    We have started to casually do some "house hunting." We haven't been lucky enough to find what we're looking for yet.... I  know it could be a long process, so I'm trying not to get frustrated....



    Until next time....