Reflecting on the Year 2010

I had to take a moment to go back and look at my blog from last year, reflecting on the year 2009. It brought a smile to my face seeing the positivity I brought into the year 2010. I {mostly} love the year's end, ringing in a new year, reflecting on the past year and what all it brought. This year is no exception. The difference in this year & the last is, as sad as it is, is that I will need to make a solid effort to bring that much positivity into 2011. But no worries there...I'm already making an effort to make sure that happens! :)

If you know me personally, you know this has been a trying year for me. I won't begin to list the reasons why- but if you know me, you know this has been one of the hardest years, if not the hardest, for me and my family. I have learned so much about myself, life, love, and family.

I see the quotes on the cute signs at Ross. I hear the sayings. I've heard it time and time again: Family this, and family that. If you don't have family, you have nothing. Family is all you've got. Families are forever. Maybe it's because my family and I have had a very trying year, or maybe it's just a big 2010 fad, but I have not quit hearing about *family* this year. I'm not saying it's a bad thing- but it definitely got me thinking.

Family is your blood. Family is your siblings, your parents, your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family is who you spend the holidays with. But what about who you spend every other day with? My family has definitely grown this year, and so has my definition of family. The Lord has blessed me with some fabulous friendships this year, with friends I now consider family. I am amazed at how a friend can brighten your day, be there for you, and share in your moments of joy. The support I've been shown from my family this year has meant the world to me. I have not once taken it for granted because I know how friends change with the seasons at times. I am simply thankful for the family God has placed in my life this year, and hope that they continue to stay family for years to come. If not, that's life; that's understandable. I will look back on the times I have spent with these friends and smile because I sure enjoyed every minute! :)

That's another thing I've learned this year: Friends are here for either a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I am no longer bitter or sad about the friendships that I no longer have. I miss some of my old friends but realize that "life happens" and sometimes people simply go separate ways, for no reason at all. On the other hand, I am so so so thankful for those "lifetime friends" that I have. It means the world to me to have friends who are still your friends no matter how far away they live, or how busy their life gets. These are definitely part of the "family" mentioned above. :) God did not give me a sister {probably with good reason} but God has provided me with friends who I can definitely say "love ya like a sister" to and mean it!

What else have I learned in 2010?

Take advantage of a good sale. It won't always be there tomorrow! ;)
But don't buy something just because it's on sale.

I shouldn't always say what's on my mind.
But also, people can't read my mind- so I need to be informative at times.

Don't judge someone by what you've heard about them. Get to know someone personally. Making a new friend is always better than thinking not only negatively, but incorrectly, about a person.

And lastly....I learned to quit anxiously awaiting things because it is is based around God's time, and His perfect plan. It doesn't matter when I think I want or need something, but only when God believes I am ready to receive my blessing. There is nothing I can do to fast forward life to an instant blessing. Sometimes it takes time, and lots of it- but with that time comes learning experiences and life lessons for the future. And for that I am thankful.

I am also *very* thankful for these sweet moments I will not forget....2010, you weren't such a bad year.

Homemade Hand Scrub

So my friend and classmate, Monica, told me of this really great Christmas gift idea. I know, it's after Christmas & I'm just now getting around to telling you this...but you'll have to forgive me & use this as a present for....whatever holiday of yours is next on the list! ;)

I was a little Christmas elf this year, "cooking" up some homemade hand scrub for some ladies on my Christmas list. It was super simple & such a great idea! Thanks Monica!

All it takes is 2 ingredients, a container, & some ribbon! 

First, take some lavender scented Epsom salt (however much you want)...

Note: I only found it at 2 places... Walgreen's had some of their brand, a 3 lb. bag for $4-$5. Target also had some, but you would have never known it! It's not with the other Epsom salt...it was in the beauty section! If you're at Target and looking for it, just go ahead, find an associate, head to the beauty aisle...and look for this:

It's also a 3 lb. bag for $4-$5 (can't remember exactly how much). I prefer the Dr. Teal's because the crystals are a little larger and the scent is definitely more powerful, I mean...relaxing.  :)

Ok, so you take your Epsom salt, and mix it with extra virgin olive oil! There's no certain amount...put as much as you prefer in there to mix with the salts!

Place in a container and add a cute ribbon for good measure and voila! You have a really cute, practical, sweet smelling gift!

I found these containers at Hobby Lobby for $1.99-$2.99 each depending on the size....and, of course, Hobby Lobby had a 50% off sale going on....so I purchased them for half off!


I also am NOT a "bow maker" by any means...so I was sure to purchase some ribbon (also 50% off at Hobby Lobby) with some wire ends. That way I could just wrap it around the container, double-tie it tight, and cut the ends off short & "sculpt" them into something that resembled a bow{tie}. :)

I have never been a crafy girl but this was fun, inexpensive, and a thoughtful gift for some great ladies!

Not forgetting to mention that it makes you hands SUPER soft. Just grab some scrub, scrub your hands with it, and rinse! It's as simple as that. Enjoy!!!

Christmas...annual family music videos??

So, I was going to blog about something else {I'm getting to that} but in a YouTube search {go figure} I came across this. Click the link there if you want, but I am going to go ahead & show you what I'm talking about. This family {whoever those fabulously creative Christmas lovers are} makes their own family Christmas card music video every year to send out! How original!

The first year, their daughter was 2, and while she could sing, their Christmas music video was of her dancing to a rockin' little Christmas tune! This looks like a commercial and please look at how fabulous that 2 year-old's haircut looks on her! She is having such a good time too. You can't not be happy while watching this...


{Ok, that was in 2008. Either their daughter wasn't 2 {anymore} or their ages are a little off, but that is not the point...I am just explaining why there's no "3 year old video."}

Here is her, at 'age 4' singing Where Are You Christmas by Faith Hill for their annual Christmas card. Absolutely precious...


And now, at age 5, they do it again. This time some work definitely went into this Christmas card/music video. Their work paid off because this is the most fabulous "Christmas card" I've seen! So family-oriented, festive, and FUN looking!! I hope my future family and I can have this much fun during the Christmas season! And it looks like they've added 2 more Christmas-loving babies to their family {they've been busy}...the youngest girl has such a cute little raspy voice! Ahh....so adorable!! I always wished I had had a raspy voice, haha...


Kudos to them for being so awesome! & helping put me in the Christmas spirit! Better now than never!

One Last Christmas

I can not wrap my mind around the concept behind this video. Children die of cancer every day but we don't often think of the special, magic time of Christmas, and that this Christmas might be that child's last, if they make it. I am absolutely in love with the fact that this community came together to give this child a last Christmas, and it didn't have to be "time" yet. Christmas is a spirit, a reason to give and to love. We often times forget that. I can't imagine having a sick child or loved one during the holidays. I pray I never have that experience, but my heart especially goes out to those who do have to experience that this, and every other, Christmas. May this video remind you of what's truly important in life: love, family, community, and giving. I know it sure reminded me. Thank you, Matthew West, for writing this song, and thanks to Dax's family who shared their inspirational story.

happy happy joy joy

There is no simpler way to say it other than I am excited!

I am excited...

• Because I have officially turned in my last piece of work for the Fall semester. Just waiting on grades now...
• Because I am getting an elective course credit (3 actually, if that wasn't assumed) for a week-long class this week. If I can get the work done this week and/or shortly after, then I won't have any work to do over Christmas Break or coming into the Spring semester!
• I got permission to walk in May instead of having to wait until December!
• I joined Mary Kay and within the first week have not one, but two fabulous recruits!! Much love to my awesome girlfriends Becky and Melissa!! 
• I got some free jewelry for having a Premier Design jewelry party...loving all the new shiny jewelry in my collection! 
• Christmas break is just days away...
• I get to see some girl friends this weekend... Carolina, Kelly, & Bethany! We're having a triple date at the Cheesecake Factory....I can taste it now....

Things will always go wrong. I will probably always have some sort of family drama or stress from work or classes... But one thing is for sure... there are reasons to be happy!  I will remember that, thank God, and rejoice in my current happy thoughts! :)

World War II...as told by this awesome little girl

Here's another from the fabulous blakekelly0 of YouTube. {Did you miss the first one? Click here.} This little girl would keep. me. entertained! and that is for sure! For as young as she is, she seems to be fairly intelligent. Misinformed perhaps...but she definitely has a great imagination!! :)

In this one, she's explaining World War II to us...

Some great quotes from this one are:

• "The EGYPTIANS! . oh wait, that was wrong..."
• "The germans...in World War II...I mean three! Sorry, three!"
• "They all went, 'Okay, we'll do that!'"
• "And all the Egyptians died because the sun was making them SO HOT."
• "The Army guys made their own houses out of clothes, and then they made clothes, out of sewings."
• "And the kid, who was very, very, very BIG......she was four..."

Check it out for yourself!!

Kittens: Inspired by...KITTENS!

Delana, who is pretty much me, but younger, posted this video on Facebook tonight. Now y'all tell me...either I'm delirious from staying up so late every night working on the end of my semester OR this is some FUNNY STUFF! I watched it one time in disbelief, then watched it again and laughed the whole way through!! I wish this girl would have done more videos like this. But anyways, thank you, Delana, for posting this, making me laugh, and improving my night! Now I can share my newest favorite YouTube with you!

 

 

 

Some great quotes from this fine piece of work:

• "I want pie! I want beef jerky!"
• "I'm her Mom!" "No. she's. not."
• "We are eating PEPPER! and CHIPS!"
• "bow wow chicka bow wow chicka bow wow"
• "I have to got POTTY!!!" "Look down to his feet..." "Pssssssssssssss!"

Hahahaha!!! Man!! I love this kinda stuff!!

What are your favorite YouTubes?? Send them my way! Funny, or fabulous!

Weight Watchers...the beginning of the end.

So, I did it! I joined Weight Watchers. I got tired of hearing people talk about how fabulous it was and I really really want to try it out for myself. The last straw was Baby's dog trainer, Lisa, at PetSmart. She talked about how she lost 80-something pounds in the last year. I was thinking, "Wow. I bet she had gastric bypass or something!" Nope. Not even a little. She started Weight Watchers. And, more importantly, she kept up with it! She stuck by it and little by little, week by week, she lost a little, until she hit her year anniversary in the program & has lost 80-something pounds. That's something to be proud of!

I've been wanting to join Weight Watchers, but Lisa ever-so-wonderfully informed me that I should wait until after Thanksgiving to join because they were changing their program. Well, she was right! I waited until Friday and went to the "free meeting" to check it out. I got there at THE perfect time because they were having a meeting to introduce the "new" Weight Watchers program.

Before, Weight Watchers calculated each food with "points." To get the food's number of points, they configured in the amount of fat, carbs, and fiber. Each person had a "magic number," if you will, of points to reach daily. If you went over, you had a certain number of points to last you the week in case you wanted to indulge or something of the sort. Well now, with the new PointsPlus Weight Watchers, you're still counting points...but this time you also include protein into the mix. They want you to fill up on the "power foods" that keep you fuller longer! You now configure a food's "points" by fats, carbs, fiber, and now protein as well. Some foods when up in points, some stayed the same. The good thing is that some foods (fresh fruits & non-starch veggies) are now 0 points! :) AND you get more points per day to eat AND you get 49 (vs. 35 with the old) weekly points in case you go over your points...a.k.a. so you won't have to feel like you're missing out on anything fabulous and can indulge every once in a while!

I am excited to start this program. I like how they don't make you look at the long-term. Every starts out knowing their current weight and then getting a goal of an either 5% or 10% loss to start with. That way you won't get so discouraged thinking you're never reaching your goal. Weight Watchers attempts to teach a lifestyle change, which is the only thing you can ever do to get the weight off and keep it off, which is what I want to do! A lifestyle change way of losing weight is a slow but sure process. Y'all know me....I'm one of the most impatient people. But I am praying that I'll stick with this & see some long-term results. I need to learn to love those power foods and stock up on my fruits & veggies!

Alex & I went to the store tonight. Boy, was that fun! We went over everything I wanted or needed and calculated the points on his Droid's Weight Watchers app that he ever-so nicely installed for me once I realized I don't have wireless service in Wal-Mart to use my WW app on my iPod! Grr! I guess I'll need to pay for a PointsPlus calculator since Alex won't always be with me to let me borrow his phone. It was a big reality check for me and I put a lot of crap back that I normally would have gotten! I also realized how many points certain things were that I thought were good better for you. A lot of stuff I said I didn't want to waste points on, so I put back.

I just hope my nerves can take this. I love my good eatin'!

Corbin meets his fairy Godmother! (& Alex)....

October 18, 2010 my fabulous Godson, Corbin, was born! Unfortunately it was four hours away and my crazy schedule kept me from being able to visit right away! One of my best friends, Lindsey, & her husband, Rhine are from Lincolnton {my hometown} and planned to visit for Thanksgiving. What a perfect time to get together! We planned to hang out Tuesday night and as soon as I could, I rushed home so I could meet Corbin finally & visit with Lindsey & Rhine! I enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to when Alex & I can go visit them in Wilmington {very} soon! I hate they live so far away and I hardly ever get to see them. Mine and Lindsey's phone dates are all I have right now! :) That & Facebook! ;)

Here are some pics from the evening!

Here is an example of Alex's hilarious photography skills. Surely he knew I wanted to be in the picture WITH Corbin....{I can hear him now, "Don't call me Shirley!" haha}

Corbin fell in love with Alex. He wouldn't take his eyes off of him....

See?!? :) ....

He's still watching...just doesn't know about this "poking" thing...

He's only about five weeks old, so he doesn't do much...but he sure is pretty to look at! :)

I tried to get a pic of Linds with Corbin but, he decided to play dinosaur instead...She looks so great for just having had a baby!! {Pretty sure that's not correct English}

Here's Alex again...I think he loves Corbin already! :)

FINALLY! Here's {a decent} one of Corbin & his "fairy Godmother!"

What a perfect Godchild I have! I am so blessed!

I can't believe it's the last day of November.....

I have been MIA in the blogging world and with good reason. My life has been consumed with this dreaded meta-analysis I have been working my butt off on! I can't explain to you how oh-so-good it feels to have that thing submitted for grading! That was the peak of my semester I believe...and now it's all downhill from here! Yesterday was a 7am-11pm kind of day...today I have much more free time to get some things marked off my to-do list.

I started Couch-to-5k again. I pretty much got super busy after Week 2 last time I started it and it kinda feel to the bottom of my priorities list. After that delicious Thanksgiving meal, it is back on the priority list! I started back on Week 2....I'm 2 out of 3 days down this week so far & might attempt a little "over and beyond." Alex and I made a sweet little deal too... if I complete the 9 weeks of the program, I will get a nice "surprise" :) ... I never said bribery wouldn't motivate me!!

For someone who feels like they have ZERO spare time (and  yesterday was a fabulous example) I sure am adding things to my plate. I am very excited about some things coming up and some things I am starting... as I get started I will update! I am praying I stay motivated and encouraged and everything works out for the best! I am letting God lead the way because I am living on auto-pilot right now.

I've just gotta get these last minute assignments completed so I can just sit back and relax as long as possible in the month of December! Wow....this year has FLOWN by. December already?! That kind of relieves me though, as I am officially counting down until May! :)

Side note: Did anyone catch the Taylor Swift: Speak Now special on NBC Thanksgiving night?? I just had a chance to watch it last night. {Thank you TiVo for saving me again!} This special just made me fall more in love with Taylor Swift. I really think she's my favorite.

Another side note: I thought it was funny that ABC has a Beyonce special on, also on Thanksgiving night. I have heard one too many Taylor vs. Beyonce "arguments" & I just had to chuckle that these were on on the same night. I personally love Taylor way more but I want to try to catch the Beyonce special on ABC.com sometime if I get a chance. They are just too different to compare people, so stop trying! :)

The dog days are over!

I love this song but the music video seriously creeps me out. So I'll show you this instead {it's the same song}....

Rambling about college & school & stuff...

I kind of like this whole "getting dark at 5pm thing" because I am sitting here, after a VERY long day, finally getting a chance to sit down....to do homework mind you....and I feel like it's about 11pm! It was only 6something! Between that & (first forgetting too & then) choosing not to change my microwave's time back quite yet has really tricked my mind well a number of times into at least thinking I had more hours in the day. We're all asking for this, wishing we had more time in the day and here I go...finding ways to at least make myself THINK I do! :) I am just so smart. Ha!

Today I assisted a large number of high school seniors at Maiden High in applying for college. It's College Application Week so they get to apply to some (mostly private) colleges for free this week. Listening to all the questions and concerns they had really made me wish I could tell them "it doesn't matter!" You don't have to pick your major right now, you don't have to accurately calculate how much of your expenses are paid by your parents, how much by you, and how much by your savings account....things like that. Just guess as good as you can!

I am just so so so thankful that season in my life is OVER! I remember sitting at my computer, applying to Appalachian, wondering if I would get in, being glad I didn't have to write an essay to get in & the application fee was only $25. On top of that, I found out a month after I applied whether I got in or not. I did get a great deal on the "applying to college" gig. But then the next 3 years of my life were devoted to school work, working part-time jobs, driving up & down a mountain, & just figuring out a way to make it all end as soon as possible.

.... and I did. 3 years & I was out of there!

Boone, I love you (at times), but I'm not in love with you. I'm definitely glad I don't live in Boone anymore...even though Boone was beautiful last time Alex & I visited.

Side thought: "Boone. I like that name. I might name a dog Boone one day."

My point is...thank God I am past that season in my life. It was a tough one for me and just a stepping stone/obstacle in my way in the long scheme of things.

I have enjoyed graduate school so much more.

But school, I'm REALLY getting tired of you.

I'm working my butt off to get everything else that's due this semester done ASAP! That way I will be able to breathe a little, enjoy myself a little, and gosh darn clean those dishes that have been piling up in my sink! My poor apartment has been completely neglected the last 2 weeks due to all this school work I've had going on. And I feel like I've barely made a dent in my mountain!

"...It's like moving mountainsssssss...." ~ anyone know that Usher song?? ha!

Okay, I'll get back to my homework now. Bluh!

Wordless Wednesday

Everything rides on hope now....

I'm not trying to get too personal, but tonight was a really really really bad night for me. I cried out of anger. I cried out of pain. I just got plain mad. I cussed. I got quiet. I just sat. I stared into the deep dark hole that I was in. I didn't want to move. Or drive. {Unlucky for me I still wanted to eat. I hadn't had supper yet and it was getting late. I wish I was one of those girls that when they got upset, they didn't eat. I'll never be one of those girls.} I complained...on and on and on. I think I listed everything NOT going right in my life, not going to my plan. Around 7:45pm I left for the library to study for tomorrow's bigger-than-ever test, and three hours later, I had never made it in the library, and I was headed home to eat McDonald's and stand in a very hot shower. {Please note studying had not occurred yet, and again, bigger-than-ever test tomorrow.}

Side note: Lord, thank you for Alex. During all of those things I listed above he was there, sitting on the other side of the phone, not knowing what to say, but trying really hard (I think, or at least I will give him credit for). He knew he was as helpless as I was/am in these situations, so he just sat, and listened. Then the Lord provided him with something really awesome to say, so, thanks God, and thank you Alex.

It was one of THOSE nights. You know what I mean. We all have them.

I guess I should have known it was coming, but I didn't see it coming, so tonight hit me like a ton of bricks. It hit hard and it hurt. I still don't have any answers. I still can't control anything or anyone in my life.

All I can do is PRAY and HOPE. That's it. Literally. Alex and I tried tonight to think, of anything, possibly anything that could be done. We have nothing. Absolutely nothing. Jesus Christ is literally all I have. All that's forever. All that's unconditional. He is the reason for the unexplainable hope in my heart tonight, because the Lord knows that if I was looking for it tonight, it was out of sight.

Please know that I'm not being selfish. Of course I'd like to know when I'm going to get married, heck or when I'll be engaged, or where I'll be working in August, IF I'll be working in August. I wish I knew what the future held, but I don't. There's no way for me to know. But that's not what I wanted tonight. Tonight I wanted RIGHT. I wanted people to make good choices. I wanted the right things to be said and for things to go the way the SHOULD go, not the way necessarily that *I* want them. {However, it just so happens that I want what's right}. Is that so much to ask? I don't think so. But apparently it is, right now anyways.

Things, vices, situations, and other people effect people's lives so much to the point that they're in a season of their life where doing what's right isn't what's top priority. Don't get me started on what their priority is... just know, it isn't what's "right."

I wonder, how long will God make me endure this? What's his reasoning for it? Maybe it's to bring me closer to Him. Maybe it'll go on forever. Maybe it's meant to go on forever. So what then? Will I be this sad and upset forever? God says no. I trust that He'll provide me the strength, people, love, and resources to get through this time, no matter how long it lasts.

I seriously don't know how anyone gets through anything without God.

This song popped into my head tonight and God's eyes crossed as I sang it in the shower. It really was my heart song tonight {Happy Feet reference}. Oh, how I love it...


This is one of my favorite songs of all time. I love this version compared to the actual music video's version, which is why I'm showing this version instead. If you haven't heard it, go ahead and press play...

I am going to bed less sad, loved by and very thankful for my boyfriend, more hopeful, and faithful that God will get me through my test tomorrow. There's no way it's not God lifting my spirits, no way in the world.

Preparing for the end

So, guess what I am doing.

I'm studying for & taking the CPCE (Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination). 

"Comprehensive Exam"...two of my least favorite words!

When am I taking it?

This Tuesday.

When did I figure out I needed to take it this Tuesday instead of in April?

On Wednesday. 

When did I get permission to take it this late in the game?

Thursday.

When did I purchase the review book?

TODAY/Friday.

Holy crap! So what does that mean? I have four "full" days, minus class & work and meetings, to study for this "comprehensive exam." Again, let me reiterate... Holy crap! 

So, that's what I've been doing....all day today.

Ok, well, since about 3:30 today, and not while eating dinner at Chili's. :) 

Some people (almost everyone else taking this CPCE Tuesday) have been studying for this test for weeks/months. The review book is a 1,050-question review book. It's massive! But it's a decent read, thank the LORD! 

Something funny I read tonight in it:

Pica is a condition in which a person wishes to eat items that are not food (i.e., the item has no nutritional value), such as consuming a pencil or perhaps a watch band. Just in case you're wondering, fast-food consumption is not considered a sign of pica in our society--yet!

Haha...good one! :) I appreciate the author's attempt at making this dreadful material interesting. It's info like, "Who is the father of career counseling?" and stuff of the sort. It's not anything I need to know to help a client in need- so don't worry, you future clients of mine, you. :) 

I know people in the past that have studied their butts off, only to go take the exam and not feel prepared whatsoever. So what I'm going to do is just read as much as I can until Tuesday morning, and see what happens. Oh, and ask for your prayers! 

Worse case scenario: I don't pass it and re-take it in April.

Seriously, I'm not that worried about it.

Maybe I should be.

Watch, I'm going to regret being such a horrible student.

Pump It

Seriously this is one of the most awesome things I have seen in a while!

FAB-U-LOUS!

While the oven preheats...

It's 8:40pm and it's already been SUCH an eventful day. You all probably know by now that people start needing me about this time of night, but tonight, I just really hope they don't. I love you guys, but I'm not in love with you. I just really want to enjoy the rest of my evening, alone, relaxing, in pajamas, watching TV, and getting in the bed at a decent hour. Is that so much to ask?! :)

Today Jodi and I went to the NC School Counselors Association's conference in Greensboro, NC. We presented a poster on drop out prevention, primarily at the high school level. We had a little sports theme and titled it, "Stay In The Game." Clever, huh? Here's our poster...

I was proud of us, of all of us fabulous LR school counseling students! All of our posters looked awesome!

I honestly had a good time because we got to have girl time on the way there & back but also, while we were there, stood around with Monica {who is amazing and joined us for moral support} and had more girl time! Funny stories were definitely shared! ;)

We had to rush back after the luncheon because I had a dentist appointment in Lincolnton. Ultimately it only lasted a total of five minutes, which was great, because I had to rush back for class...but in the end, I left with an...(dun dun dun) appliance! Yes, for the first time in my life, I have some sort of metal in my mouth. It's ironic because the purpose of it is to reduce headaches caused my mouth clenching and teeth grinding, but for 2 and a 1/2 hours of class tonight, I just played with it in my mouth and tested it's strength (by clenching my mouth, haha) and NOW I have a headache. :/ Go figure. I have got to got to got to get used to it being there and learn to just leave it alone! Not to mention that I sound like a total... (that was going to be offensive). I have to learn to talk with it in my mouth, but until then, try not to make too much fun of me.

I bet my sweet potato fries are totally burnt by now...

16 & Pregnant

Tonight Erin and I watched 16 & Pregnant on MTV. We missed you, Maria! I look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays, or well, I did, but now I guess it's just going to be Tuesdays....anyways, I look forward to MTV nights. We girls all watch the show(s) anyways...so we might as well watch them together! :) I love our commercial commentaries. Well, tonight there was a girl on there, Felicia, who is, I'm sorry the most passive girl ever. Her "baby daddy" was gone out of the hospital within HOURS of her daughter being born, not coming back until the next DAY, and tell her "damn girl, you move too much" when she's {the only one} getting up in the middle of the night to tend to their newborn baby girl. Ah! This drove me crazy for an hour!

Can we all just take a moment to pray for Felicia? Because it's obvious she's going to be a single mother, she's struggling to graduate HIGH SCHOOL, and she has a LIFE to be responsible for. I would have gone ahead and smacked homeboy in the head for telling me I "moved too much." Seriously, the boy would be dead the minute he attempted to leave that hospital room. What a LOSER!

I don't understand why she doesn't confront him. I mean, she tries to communicate with him when he's home, but she just tells him that she needs him and would like his help. I would be informing that boy he is going to help, starting now!

Did anybody else feel so so sorry for this girl while watching this show tonight? I know I'm not alone! Ha ha!

A must-read preemie journal

So, my ever so fabulous friend, Caroline is assisting me in my efforts to get my act together and participate in this semester's "crunch time" by changing my Facebook password! That's right. It's No Shave Facebook November! {We'll see} But for now, I'm approaching 24 hours without it, was informed I could easily reset my password {thanks Jamie, but I'll pretend you didn't say that}, and getting work done! {which is good because I have a LOT of it to do} .. Stay tuned for my progress! I should start taking bets on how long I'll last! Somebody should have cut my cable off....then I'd REALLY get a move on! Just sayin'.

Let the countdown continue: 36ish more days until the end of the semester!

Praise/Help me, Jesus! 

Now, LISTEN UP!!! (Here comes the point of this post....)

I just want to direct you to Ashley Collin's blog. She is sharing, piece by piece, the very personal story of her and her husband's journey. She writes on her blog:

During the month of November we'll share a little of our family's story- from the diagnosis of preclampsia to our days in the NICU to life at home with an ex-micro-preemie. We'll give tips on what to say to a family with an unexpected, early arrival and how you can best support them. We'll share the fear that we faced during her birth and hospitalization and the fears for complications that her prematurity could still bring. More importantly however, we'll share the amazing success and strength that Beatrice Kate has shown everyday since she was born; and how God's Grace brought us closer together as family by walking through these trials together.

It's only day two (I think) and I'm already intrigued! Her husband's also joining in on the writing, so you should definitely check her them out!