Back to business...

School started on Monday and so far it has been completely different from the first semester. Although I did have a quiz already, for the most part this is going to be so much better than the fall... I think I am going to start taking Yoga during my extra free time. All the lifting of my 40 pound, almost-two-year-old is taking a toll on my back. I tried a yoga video I picked up at target for the first time and I like it a lot! Afterward I felt so aligned and like I had better posture - which made my back feel much better too. I'm going to sign up for a Saturday class through school, they have a great student discount. Right now my mind is still on vacation and focused on other things, but I decided that on Monday I will start to take things a little more seriously ;-)



On Monday, I finally upgraded my computer game - thanks to student loans of course, but I am now on team MacBook, and so far I love it. I hoping that the ichat and working webcam I have now will help me with my "stay in touch with friends" resolution...

Speaking of resolutions, Pumpkin's New Year's resolutions are:

1. No bas (bottles) - so far he is only taking a couple at night with water only...
2. No more night time feedings (we have cut down on the milk A LOT, now he doesn't fuss as much and his belly is a lot less bloated too..."
3. Sleeping in the big boy bed
4. Potty training - even his teacher thinks that he is ready, time to whip out the pull ups!

Over break we were able to spend a lot of time together. He decided that he would start calling me "mommy" and I love it - even when he follows me around saying it over, and over, and over...Santa was very good to Pumpkin who essentially has three Christmas drop offs in Indianapolis, Long Beach, and Detroit :-) We just knew hokey pokey Elmo would be a hit, but he seems to like the tool sets and doctor gear the most - that's when he isn't reading or giving us his Justin Bieber "Baby Baby Oh!" performance (where he sings that phrase into his mic multiple times LOL)...need to get that on tape next


On the 29th, he turns 2!!!! I cannot believe it. He has made the past two years of my life so meaningful. I am so thankful that God has entrusted me with him. We aren't having a birthday party but I am trying to think of something fun we can do with him. I definitely want to take cake up to his school so we can have pictures with his friends...I need to get his birthday photo shoot taken care of too...I really don't have time for this back pain right now...ugh

Also, I found another awesome website for young moms - a young mommy blog is what inspired me to start my own. Meatball Kisses went public on January 1st and has hit the ground running! Pass the following link on to a young mommy that you think needs some encouragement! It's so exciting to meet/hear about other women following their dreams, DESPITE statistics and public opinion... Meatball Kisses

Be blessed everyone and Happy New Year!

"Isn't There Anyone Who Knows What Christmas Is All About?!"

In an effort to not get overwhelmed and down by the things that repeatedly move me away from the true joy of Christmas, I decided to focus on this instead:



So amidst all of the shopping, baking, wrapping, and traveling, I pray that none of us lose sight of whose day it really is.

"For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to ALL people..."

A Little Christmas Cheer

So yesterday was so productive! I think part of the reason was thanks to pandora's Christmas music station (and Glee Cast station too...) But anyway, here are some of my favorite Christmas songs of all time - just listen and I'm sure it will get you in the spirit too :-):

"Skating" Vince Gauraldi Trio

"Oh Holy Night" Mariah Carey (or NSYNC...lol)

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" Nat King Cole

"Let it Snow" Boyz II Men

"Jesus Is the Reason for the Season" Kirk Franklin

"Do You Hear What I Hear" Whitney Houston

"The Christmas Song" Nat King Cole

"Who Would Imagine a King" Whitney Houston

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" Mahalia Jackson (reminds me of my Grammy)

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" Jackson 5

"What Christmas Means to Me" Stevie Wonder

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Nancy Wilson

The Christmas concert was my all time favorite part of being in Glee club at Ignatius because singing Christmas songs is quite awesome...Now all I need to do is decorate the tree...too bad it has to wait until after finals...

Almost there...

Focusing on school is becoming more and more difficult. Yesterday, I think I was able to motivate myself a little bit more...I literally have to picture myself finishing my last exam to keep going...I want to just pass out on the ground where I am, but I'm so close...

I don't even know what I want to do with my break officially. I'm not one for sitting around the house and sleeping, so I know I will get tired of that after about a day or so. I have plenty of things to organize, I can work out regularly, and Pumpkin and I will do some much needed bonding time while Hubs is at work. Funds are definitely limited, but I think we can get some holiday-inspired activities in as a family that don't cost much and maybe we can make a few of our own traditions...Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it's time to bring out the Christmas playlist...between this and the Christmas tree scent in the apartment, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... :-)

Of course, I would love to surround myself with all of the family and friends I've felt so isolated from this semester and all the time since I graduated, but there's never enough time for visiting everyone, so who knows...

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Running list of New Year's Resolutions:

1. Continuous effort towards positive thoughts, no complaining, and thankfulness
2. Find a hobby...I think I am going to sign up for a yoga class
3. Eat more vegetables and drink more water -_- I guess...
4. Join a ministry at church
5. Blog more frequently and start journaling again

So I am failing terribly at this blog thing...

And part of it is because of school, but the other part is just life I guess...Exam block two went great, and is now almost a month behind me. But I haven't had much time to regroup, so I've been having little bouts of shamming here and there which isn't good at all... Today marks the last day of our last full week of class, and I could not be happier. However, it's bittersweet, because this is the schedule that awaits me...

11/23 CMB 3

12/3 Biochem 3

12/6 Anatomy 3

12/8 Biochem Final

12/10 Immuno Final

12/13 Anatomy Final

12/15 CMB Final

So needless to say, as much as I am looking forward to the few days off for Thanksgiving, that I don't have to go to class, I really don't see it being much of a break. Ah well, plenty to still be thankful for...

Pumpkin is doing great! Talking up a storm and still dancing :-) Although he is starting to call his parents' by their first names...and that is not going to fly...haha

I still need to decide about Christmas decorations, Christmas shop, and get Pumpkin's Christmas pictures taken so I can send out some cards...so much to do, so little time...Christmastime has always been my favorite time of the year :-) Although the last few years have been stressful to say the least, this year I plan on focusing on the real reason for the season...