New Years Resolutions

2011 was a fantastic year! I rang in the New Year in Charlotte, NC. Sipped some champagne (just a sip people...) and was 9 months pregnant! I also gave birth to the most precious baby ever, moved into a new home, lost 50 lbs, turned 21, bought a new car, and celebrated my one year wedding anniversary.

I don't usually make "new years resolutions" because I can never think of anything I'd actually stick to! I don't really think anyone sticks to their guns when it comes to them. They go in one year and out the other!
(haha)

This year I really want to stick to mine and see if I can actually do them. Dane also has a few he's started on!

1. Stop smoking
Terrible habit really...more of a social thing for me. Dane and I both quit when I was pregnant, and then one day he came home with a pack of them and hasn't put them down since. I once heard on Dr. Oz that the success rate of a person quitting that lives with a smoker is about 0% -- So here's to us. I'm not really trying to be pushing around an oxygen machine when I'm 30 and I sure as heck don't want wrinkles anytime soon...and did I mention I don't want Slade asking "what's that?" Yuck!

2. Loose this l a s t i n g baby weight
I don't think you can technically call it "baby weight" after a year. Then it becomes regular ol' "fat". I once was a size 2/4 weighing in at a whopping 113, and while I'm not really trying to be THAT thin (who am I kidding...I miss my jeans!) making it down to 120 would be sufficient, or just not having any access skin/flab. I kinda gave up after loosing 50lbs, it's very exhausting being around a 1 year old who doesn't even sleep through the night. So I have zero energy to workout...but this is a new year so don't get comfortable you 7-10lbs, you're not staying long!

3. Finish School
I could have been done with school in 2009. Yet I continued to take it lightly, missing class...being a screw up and not caring about my future. If I could kick my old self, I would. I could totally have a career by now but instead I'm worrying about childcare and looking at paying student loans until I die. My projected graduation date is December 18, 2012. ONE YEAR. 365 days-- and I'm actually 155 hours ahead, so that gives me a litttttle leeway in case I have to miss class one day! I cannot wait to finish, it's been a L O N G time coming.

4. Buy a house
Our lease is up in April, and we are definitely looking into buying ourselves a home. It's pointless to pay rent for something you will never own, although it is nice to have the security of knowing you aren't responsible for fixing anything...I want to decorate how I want, I want a REAL yard for Slade to run in, and a few extra bedrooms/playroom/office etc. and also to know the money we spend is going somewhere other than down the drain.

It's funny when you think you've made "plans" for yourself. I'm sure it makes God laugh, because we aren't really the ones in control, he is. So these are the things I want to do- but who knows what he's got in store for me! If you had told me three years ago I'd be celebrating New Years 2012 sitting in my own home, with my husband and son-- I'd probably think you were mental. So here's to all the possibilities coming my way this year, I can't wait to see what's in my future because it's only getting better!

What are some of YOUR New Years Resolutions?

little BIG things

Its officially two weeks until Christmas, and I'm not even half way done with my shopping. This is the first year ive been able to afford gifts all on my own, thanks to my new job: nanny for another 11 month old.

It definitely has its challenges, like time management and also its perks, like Slade having a playmate.

This week has already started off stressful, im in the middle of getting re enrolled in the cosmetology program. I will know for sure tomorrow how many hours I have left to complete, but I'm hoping I only have about 6 months. It's been and will be a long road (I'm giving up nights and weekends with my boys) but totally worth it in the end.

On a happier note, Dane and I have two Christmas parties we're attending Friday! And a week from Thursday one of my best friends will be driving to Wilmington, after a long flight from Paris, to visit after three long years. I can't wait to catch up and for her to finally meet my guy!

Baby Slade

Today is December 11th. Do you know what that means??? Today, my baby is eleven months old.

That means only ONE month left until the biggest milestone a little guy can have: a first birthday!

I haven't even begun planning, organizing, or dreaming of the day. I'm in total denial.

Yesterday I cried thinking about how you only get so many "firsts" and my little boy has already had many.

First car ride, first doctors appointment, first bath, first smile, first laugh, first roll, first crawl, first word, first steps, first birthday...

It seriously seems like yesterday we were staring at his ultrasound pictures, wondering who this little person was going to be. Now hes running around, talking, and hes developed such an amazing, sweet, funny little personality.

I don't regret any milestone, moment or day I've had with my son...but soon hes going to be all grown up! And the question I'm left wondering is: how long will he allow me to call him "baby slade"?

Asking for prayers

State's No. 1 Wrestler Injured During Meet - The Triad News Story - WXII The Triad

Saturday, while getting my hair done, my stylist came back to my chair and she informed me that she had received bad news while I was processing.

Her 17 year old cousin, ranked no. 1 in the state for wrestling, had suffered severe injuries during a match. He broke his neck and was flown to Baptist Hospital (in my hometown of Winston-Salem.)

I was shocked. Would he be paralyzed?! I can't imagine the terror and pain her family, especially Luke (the injured wrestler) are going through right now.

Please keep him, and his family in your thoughts and prayers. If possible please give to the SECU account set up to help pay the hospital bills they are going to be facing in months to come. I know it would mean the world to them as they are dealing with this horrific accident. Thank you!

festivities and failures

I haven't been able to write a blog in quite awhile. A week or so ago, i spilt an entire glass of water on my keyboard. EPIC FAIL.

I guess it IS time to retire my laptop. It's served me nicely for 4 great years. Yet, it couldn't have come at a worse time...Christmas. Dane's 25th birthday. Our one year anniversary. Sladeys first birthday. All of these occasions are just waiting to suck our bank account dry! Guess for now we're gonna have to wait!!!

So, I did the next best thing to keep you guys updated: downloaded a blogger app! Technology these days...who needs a desktop or a laptop when you can fit your computer in your back pocket?

Speaking of back pockets, mine were emptied when I became a proud owner of a honda pilot! It's everything I wanted, and more!

We got to test it out on our first road trip in it together last week. Wednesday night we went to Charlotte, visiting family. We spent thanksgiving at Dane's Aunts for thanksgiving dinner. I felt like I was in an issue of Home and Garden magazine at her spectacular home!

I also got to spend some QT with my mother in law while black friday shopping, which was so much fun! She's a hoot.

That friday was my sisters birthday, and in an attempt to surprise her we drove to Winston to spend the weekend with my family. We had a family lunch, where Dane and I received a beautiful one of a kind work of art, painted by my talented Uncle for our wedding gift. I'm so blessed with many amazing family members! As always, it was hard to say goodbye...especially because we probably won't be seeing eachother for Christmas.

Overall I had an amazing time and I've just got to move on with the future. We have so many special occasions coming up! Can't wait to share pictures and stories from Thanksgiving (my camera died so Ill have to steal some from my cousin) , Christmas, Anniversarys, Birthdays, and Births and everything else in the coming months! until then, heres some recent pictures of the cutest boy in the world!