New Path

It has been my hope that I would always be able to stay at home with our child(ren).I wish that could be possible but life circumstances do not always work out the way we want them too. I have been lookng for nanny jobs and have been unsuccessful at even finding a nibble.Our direction has changed dramatically within a week's time.

Earlier this week I was researching nanny jobs online. Somehow I came across a California Teacher Credentialing Program that is flexible. It is a 16 month program and I will start out in the classroom as a student teacher almost immediately and would only be in the classroom in the morning. The rest of the coursework I would be able to do from home. Most programs require a fulltime commitment (which would not work for us). The more I looked into it, the more I was convinced that it could actually work for us. And, by the time I earn my credential it will be just before Travis begins his PA program (a 2 year commitmenr; he will not be able to work). We wondered how on earth we were going to survive financially during those two years. When I told Travis about the program he was all for it. It scared me because I was just throwing the idea out there. I wasn't serious! I had not really thought the logistics of it through and now he wanted me to do it!! I wanted to fight the idea but my logical side knew it was a wise course to take. Plus, I'm trying to follow my husband's lead even when I don't necessarily want to do what he is asking of me (I don't want to be away from my son!!). I just need to learn how to have a joyful spirit when I am submitting to his leadership. Anyways, so I have been working through the application process this week and praying for a joyful spirit. Whereever this ends up is where God wants me. For now, I'm applying and seeing how God answers.Oh, and in case you were wondering, while I'm going through the program Travis is going to adjust his school and work schedule as much as possible so that he will be with Sam. Once I am teaching, Sam will be ready for preschool and will be in his own classroom. I have often desired to homeschool our child(ren)but at this time, it's just not possible.

So, that's what I have been up to. Blogspot still posts a weird code whenever I try to post pictures (which is why I haven't posted any pictures lately). Frustrating!

I did it, you should too!

It's late...I don't want to do dishes...seemed kinda fun...

20 years ago I . . .
1. was blissfully happy, living with my siblings & married parents, unaware of true "trials"
2. Obsessed with New Kids on the Block (Truly, I was going to marry Joey Mcintyre)
3. taught myself how to make mac & cheese

10 years ago I . . .
1. had my first official job at Round Table Pizza
2. Was obsessed with dieting
3. Cared way too much about what people thought of me

5 years ago I . . .
1. Started my first year at The Master's College (feels like just yesterday and yet 22 seems so far away)
2. went from having complete freedom and no restrictions to suddenly having restrictions and less freedom (see above)
3. Had hard times (and great times too) & left that school year wondering if I would go back (I did, and I'm glad)

3 years ago I . . .
1. Lived in complete chaos and fun with 6 other girls in a small condo.
2. Made some of the greatest friends who I know I will always have in my life (Sara Mallon!Sarah Rajkowski! Amber Frendt! Shout Out!)
3. Was a nanny for a big family and was contemplating moving back to Sacramento, a lot.

1 year ago I . . .
1. was absolutely exhausted with a brand new baby
2. was so blessed and totally in love with my little guy (still am -- forever & always)
3. Wondering when I would get to have another little blessing :(

So far this year I . . .
1. Have loved watching every milestone Sammy has reached
2. Have realized that the weight gained during pregnancy isn't magic fat that will just slide off instantly after the baby is born.
3. Have realized that pregnancy does not equal eating enough for two adults! It does not mean working your way through gallons of ice cream nor feeling the right to get a doughnut every grocery trip!! ;)

Yesterday I . . .
1. went to the park with Sammy and Travis
2. Opened my big mouth about a teacher credentialing program to my husband and now I am applying!!
3. Made pizza from scratch

Today I . . .
1. prayed for God to give me a joyful spirit about the credentialing program.
2. Continued the application process
3. (we) had dinner with my dad

Tomorrow I. . .
1. will continue the application process
2. will go to Bible Study
3. Will meet up with my husband's wife's cousin, Chrissy & her daughter, Autumn

In the next year I will . . .
1. Continue to pray for God to bless us with another child
2. Continue to try and lose the weight from my last pregnancy (I suck at dieting)
3. Continue to Study Proverbs 31 & the life of Sarah (Abraham's wife) in hopes that I will become a better wife and mom.

Alright, I did it! You should too!

I'm calling out all my friends to post this & answer these questions on their blogs!

Mark Francis Swearinger

I am now officially a bonifide, card carrying Auntie! My little nephew was born July 26, 2008 and weighs in at 7 lbs. 8 ounces. He's had some lung problems but he's making a smooth recovery and other than that he's perfectly healthy. I'm hoping we will get to visit him and his mommy today while they are still in the hospital (My brother won't be there unfortunitely because he had to go back to work yesterday).

I tried to post a picture of him but a weird code posted instead of the picture!!! Argh!!! So annoying!! Does anyone know why it's doing this??

Update

It has been a long time since I have posted anything.Due to blogger not allowing me to post any pictures (for whatever reason)I haven't been as excited to post, but I will give a quick update...

Sammy is mostly walking now. I would say he walks about 90% of the time now. It's cute to watch him walk around the house carrying a throw pillow that's almost as big as he is or daddy's football (makes daddy very happy).

We had his year check up earlier this week & I was surprised to find out that he's only almost 27 lbs., because he feels way heavier! The doctor says he's looking great!

My brother & sister-in-law should be delivering my nephew anytime today or tomorrow! She had regular contractions all day yesterday and they went to the hospital in the afternoon. Even though her contractions were fairly regular and close together the doctor told her to go home because she was only 1-2cm dialated. Mersina, my sister-in-law, has been very calm about it all, which is very impressive. So, I'm just waiting for a phone call from my brother letting me know that my little nephew has been born and is healthy.

On a very different note, I decided to purchase the Jillian Michael's Biggest Winner DVD workout set & I've been rotating the videos. Each video is 30 minutes long and these workouts kick my butt into shape! I definitely feel myself changing & getting stronger. I usually workout to a video while Sammy is napping. I feel so much more accomplished when I actually do the video & my attitude for the rest of the day is a lot more positive. I have opted to not check the scale since I have started because sometimes that can be discouraging. Right now I am trying to make working out and following Weight Watchers more of a lifestyle.Sometimes it can actually be discouraging for me to see that I am losing pounds because then I feel like I can slack off a little bit. Maybe that's kind of a weird reaction but monitoring the scale doesn't always work for me. Right now I just want to feel better in my clothes, look leaner, and feel stronger.

A Week of Hard Partying

Sammy had a busy birthday week! On the day of his real birthday, Wednesday, I took him in the morning to get his 1 year photos taken at the JCPenney Portrait Studio. For his first year of life I have tried to take him every month (missed a few months though due to illness or vacation). This time, I stopped beforehand at Cupcake Craving and purchased a banana cupcake for him to take a picture with. I thought it would make for some cute pictures and boy did it ever. He had that cupcake latched to his mouth like it was permenantly stuck there. In the end, the pose I chose was of him with the cupcake in his hand, a big 'ol frosting mustache and goatee and an expression on his face which apeared to say, "This is delicious!! Whoa! And I think I'm on sugar overload right now!!" It was adorable. Correction: he is adorable. We actually did a lot of different poses before the cupcake one but he just wouldn't stay still and always was making a beeline for different balls in the room.

That night, Travis and I decided we would just go out to dinner with our parents and Sammy since he was going to have a big birthday bash on Saturday. We went to Texas Roadhouse and while the server was giving us our drinks she acidentally spilled one and it broke right by Sammy and I. Glass went flying, Sammy and I were covered in Sweet Tea and Sammy burst into tears. Luckily, the glass didn't get us but we had to thoroughly clean off the diaper bag for sure. Later, the manager came over and said that the dinner was on them and then at the end of the dinner they gave us three free dinner for twos. The grandparents were very nice and told us to keep it, so now Travis and I have a few more date nights ahead of us. : ) Grammy Bev brought Sammy a cupcake and he wasn't so bold with this cupcake. He wasn't sure what to do with it at first and he started taking little nibbles like a puppy would (no hands). It was so funny! Eventually he picked it up and ate it like a champ.

On Saturday, we had a birthday party for him and our immediate family and close friends at Steve's Pizza. They have a nice, big room in the back and the location was great too. I may have overdone his first birthday, but hey, it's his first birthday & he's my sweet little guy! I think everyone enjoyed themselves so I'm glad for that. I, on the other hand, was way too stressed to sit down & relax. You would think that since I didn't prepare the food that I would be able to relax and enjoy myself but that's not quite my nature when I am the hostess. My dad was nice enough to pay for the pizzas & most of the time I spent eyeballing the pizzas trying to figure out if I should order more and if people were truly getting enough to eat. We also could only use the room for two hours & we were trying to rush through all the cake eating & present unwrapping. When Travis picked up the Sesame Street cake he also grabbed a slab of chocolate fudge cake. Omigoodness, I so did not want chocolate for Sammy's cake because I figured chocolate would be way too much sugar & caffeine for him...not to mention the huge mess it would make. But, Travis got his way & Sammy indulged in his cake. What a mess! Luckily we put a tarp down under him so as to not make a mess at the restaurant. When I look at the pictures I just crack up because he looks like a greedy king. All in all, the party was a success but I think I'm going to do these events more low key in the future.

I keep trying to upload pictures but blogger won't let me!! All it keeps posting is the picture code!!! Argh!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to My Beautiful Boy!

It was one year ago today that I gave birth to our beautiful son, Samuel Allen. He has been one of God's great blessings to us! More than anything else I pray that he grows up to become a man who loves God, has a heart for people and lives a life that honors Him.

The picture in the middle is of his first car ride home! We were expecting a bigger baby (Trav was 10 lbs. and I was 8 lbs. -- and we were both early!!) so that is why his outfit is so gynormous on him! ; )

Happy Birthday My Little Boo Boo Bear!