I am pretty fourtunate to have the family I have. We all love each other and get along beautifully through thick and thin. In fact, when I was younger, I didn't realize that every family wasn't as close as mine. When I talk about family, I'm not only talking about my mom, dad and two brothers...I'm talking about my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc. My mom and her sister are like the same person...I can go to either one of them with ANYTHING. My cousin Keri Lynn is like my sister...in fact, I used to call her my sister to save confusion. My other cousins are like my brothers, my other aunt and uncle are like parents, etc, etc.
We were aloways raised to honor and respect our family, and to value the time we have together. My family has been through some rough times, including two unexpected and one somewhat expected, though still difficult, deaths of family members. We were raised to share our emotions. When we were upset, we did not hide our feelings or talk about them behind each others backs. We straight up told each other what was going on, and we talked it out. I could only imagine how miserable it would be to not be able to share emotions.
When my brother got married 6 months before I did, we accepted his wife into our family with open arms. I was SO excited to finally have a sister-in-law. When my other brother brought his girlfriend over the first time, we accepted her into our family with open arms. I consider her to be my sister as well, though she isn't a "technical" member of the family at this point (she will be SOON!) When Brandon and I got married, my family adopted him in as another son, when my cousin got married, we adopted his wife in as another daughter...regardless of education level, looks, past experieinces, their family life, religion, what have you. We are accepting people.
I have come to realize over the past month that not everyone is so accepting. Not everyone likes mine and Brandon's relationship and how we have worked out our household. Not everyone thinks we should be having children. Not everyone likes me, my career choices, or my family ties. And on top of that, these "accusations" are based on NOTHING. Some people think they know everything. AND these are people I just can't be around. Some people think they know me, and they know nothing about me. I cant be around that either. And I have also learned that misery loves company. ANd I can't live my life so miserably. I am happy. Brandon is happy. Our dogs are happy. And our future babies will be VERY happy. And I don't need these people dragging me down.
*deep breath* And Scene.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Two Years ago TODAY
was the happiest day of my life. Literally, I have never felt so much emotion in one day. It was love, happiness, nervousness, and a ton of other emotions that I can't even explain. I just realized that at this time, I was standing in our church narthex about to make the biggest commitment of my life! Though I am in no means an expert, I did get some pretty good advice on wedding stuff, and here is what I learned...
1. No matter what happens, you are still married at the end of the day.
2. Spend money on what matters to you...if you are dying to have huge flower arrangements, then get them!
3. Plan a budget, and stick to it...don't be afraid to shop around and to let vendors know you ARE shopping around! They are more likely to give you a deal then!
4. At the reception, the party will go where you go...if you want people to dance, you need to dance! If you want people to sit and eat, that's what you should do too!
5. Do the "traditional" stuff right at the beginning of the reception, like the dances and cake cutting. Often times an older crowd really WANTS to see these moments, but they don't want to wait around for 2 hours for you to do it!
6. Get as many pictures done before the reception as you can...you don't want to miss two hours of your four hour reception taking pictures...you need to be there to enjoy your hard work!
7. GET A VIDEOGRAPHER...you will remember NOTHING about the night, it goes by TOO fast!
8. Don't sweat the small stuff...and don't be a bridezilla. No one wants to be around that!
9. Involve your significant other and his family as much as possible...especially his mom, and especially if he is an only child. Remember, the day is just as much about him as you, and he deserves a say-so in what happens!
10. Write your thank-you cards super fast, and start with the older population first. They EXPECT thank you cards, your friends may not care!
And while I'm at it, here are the reasons why Brandon is the most awesome person I could ever be married to...and this list was super hard to condense!
1. He is, and always will be my best friend.
2. We have an equal partnership in our marriage. We both work hard, play hard and have the same goals in our family and in our future.
3. He is nurturing and sweet
4. He is super funny, and always knows how to cheer me up...whether that be through a stupid pun or joke, letting me buy a new pair of shoes, or just telling me to snap out of it, he always says the right things!
5. He is horrible at keeping surprises...and I love surprises. This allows for some pretty hysterical moments in our household!
6. He LOVES my family. And my family LOVES him. He is awesome at fitting into my super close family. I'm pretty sure they would rather him be at events than me! :)
7. He can fix anything. Literally...like when the vacuum cleaner started to smoke, he took it apart, put it back together and it worked like brand new! That just blows my mind!
8. He is a hard worker. Lazy is NOT a word that anyone would use to describe that boy!
9. He doesn't let stuff bother him. And everything bothers me...so we balance each other out!
10. He wants to be a dad more than anything, and that is an awesome feeling!
11. He is the most caring, loving, honest, handsome, hard-working, snoring, secret-telling, loyal, friendly, handy, conservative, funny, money-conscious, laid-back husband I could ever ask for. And I love him more than anything!
I love you honey! :)
1. No matter what happens, you are still married at the end of the day.
2. Spend money on what matters to you...if you are dying to have huge flower arrangements, then get them!
3. Plan a budget, and stick to it...don't be afraid to shop around and to let vendors know you ARE shopping around! They are more likely to give you a deal then!
4. At the reception, the party will go where you go...if you want people to dance, you need to dance! If you want people to sit and eat, that's what you should do too!
5. Do the "traditional" stuff right at the beginning of the reception, like the dances and cake cutting. Often times an older crowd really WANTS to see these moments, but they don't want to wait around for 2 hours for you to do it!
6. Get as many pictures done before the reception as you can...you don't want to miss two hours of your four hour reception taking pictures...you need to be there to enjoy your hard work!
7. GET A VIDEOGRAPHER...you will remember NOTHING about the night, it goes by TOO fast!
8. Don't sweat the small stuff...and don't be a bridezilla. No one wants to be around that!
9. Involve your significant other and his family as much as possible...especially his mom, and especially if he is an only child. Remember, the day is just as much about him as you, and he deserves a say-so in what happens!
10. Write your thank-you cards super fast, and start with the older population first. They EXPECT thank you cards, your friends may not care!
And while I'm at it, here are the reasons why Brandon is the most awesome person I could ever be married to...and this list was super hard to condense!
1. He is, and always will be my best friend.
2. We have an equal partnership in our marriage. We both work hard, play hard and have the same goals in our family and in our future.
3. He is nurturing and sweet
4. He is super funny, and always knows how to cheer me up...whether that be through a stupid pun or joke, letting me buy a new pair of shoes, or just telling me to snap out of it, he always says the right things!
5. He is horrible at keeping surprises...and I love surprises. This allows for some pretty hysterical moments in our household!
6. He LOVES my family. And my family LOVES him. He is awesome at fitting into my super close family. I'm pretty sure they would rather him be at events than me! :)
7. He can fix anything. Literally...like when the vacuum cleaner started to smoke, he took it apart, put it back together and it worked like brand new! That just blows my mind!
8. He is a hard worker. Lazy is NOT a word that anyone would use to describe that boy!
9. He doesn't let stuff bother him. And everything bothers me...so we balance each other out!
10. He wants to be a dad more than anything, and that is an awesome feeling!
11. He is the most caring, loving, honest, handsome, hard-working, snoring, secret-telling, loyal, friendly, handy, conservative, funny, money-conscious, laid-back husband I could ever ask for. And I love him more than anything!
I love you honey! :)
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Buh-Bye Chicken Curse!
Wow, what a week! As many of you know, I am a very dedicated University of South Carolina Gamecock fan. I have been known to get into one too many heated arguments over how "next year" is always around the corner for my Gamecocks. I have a passionate love for sports...college sports mostly. I don't get professional sports really, especially the NFL and NBA...I just don't get how a person born and raised in South Carolina can all of a sudden love the Redskins or the Lakers. Just don't get it...but anyway, I LOVE SPORTS. I have a passion for College football...during the fall, I can rattle off the top 20 teams ranks, who is playing who in most major conferences, etc...I LOVE SOCCER...this comes from a life-time of watching my big brothers play the sport, and from going to Irmo High School who has the BEST soccer program out of any high school in the nation! And of course, I love America's past time, baseball. Something about baseball just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I really love how unpredictable the sport is...I also love the combination of individual achievements mixed with the spirit of a team.
When I was five years old, My daddy sat me down and told me what it was like to be a TRUE Gamecock fan. It's going to every home game when your record ends up being 0-11. It's supporting your team even when they have dumb plays and interceptions and fumbles. It's supporting the Coaching staff who has to deal with all of the crazy fans. Its WB stadium, it's the horseshoe, it's Thomas Cooper Library, it's the BA, the Greek Village, the Coliseum, it's 2001, the garnet and black, we hail thee Carolina, and a plain sense of PRIDE in being a Gamecock...and of course, so much more!
The past couple of weeks I spent with my family at a Lake house that my Uncle rented on Lake Murray. It was a wonderful place to be to watch the Carolina Gamecocks march through Omaha and take the Nation by surprise. We fought our way OUT of the losers bracket having to beat the number one team in the nation, Oklahoma state, CLEMSON TWICE...to move on and beat UCLA twice in a row to bring home the SECOND major TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in school history since people began competing for National titles(that's about 150 years for anyone who is counting). I cried. I literally CRIED. I had goosebumps, my cousin, her bff, my husband, my mom, dad, aunt, uncle and two dogs DOG PILED in the middle of the living room. My daddy who just turned SIXTY and has been a Gamecock his whole life had a sense of pride and accomplishment on his face...We popped champagne and celebrated the whole night. I didn't sleep...I didn't need it. The emotional high was extraordinary. The next day, my Bffer Amy and I went and stood in line for an hour at the Colonial Life Arena to welcome our boys home in true gamecock fashion, with about 14,000 other loyal fans...people took off work, probably got fired from their jobs to attend this monumental occasion. July 1st was named as South Carolina Baseball day in the State of South Carolina, and the Gamecock flag flew proudly over the state house. Friday was a classic ticker-tape parade to welcome our boys home down main street, and I had the pleasure of taking my adorable niece Eliza to it. I am truly a PROUD member of Gamecock nation. Here are some pictures from the events!
PS: My niece, who hardly talks, is now saying "GO COCKS" loud and clear...SHE IS AWESOME! :)
The state house, with the Gamecock flag flying proudly...with some creative editing of course. :)
More images to come soon, when my internet isn't taking 15 minutes per picture to upload! :)
When I was five years old, My daddy sat me down and told me what it was like to be a TRUE Gamecock fan. It's going to every home game when your record ends up being 0-11. It's supporting your team even when they have dumb plays and interceptions and fumbles. It's supporting the Coaching staff who has to deal with all of the crazy fans. Its WB stadium, it's the horseshoe, it's Thomas Cooper Library, it's the BA, the Greek Village, the Coliseum, it's 2001, the garnet and black, we hail thee Carolina, and a plain sense of PRIDE in being a Gamecock...and of course, so much more!
The past couple of weeks I spent with my family at a Lake house that my Uncle rented on Lake Murray. It was a wonderful place to be to watch the Carolina Gamecocks march through Omaha and take the Nation by surprise. We fought our way OUT of the losers bracket having to beat the number one team in the nation, Oklahoma state, CLEMSON TWICE...to move on and beat UCLA twice in a row to bring home the SECOND major TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in school history since people began competing for National titles(that's about 150 years for anyone who is counting). I cried. I literally CRIED. I had goosebumps, my cousin, her bff, my husband, my mom, dad, aunt, uncle and two dogs DOG PILED in the middle of the living room. My daddy who just turned SIXTY and has been a Gamecock his whole life had a sense of pride and accomplishment on his face...We popped champagne and celebrated the whole night. I didn't sleep...I didn't need it. The emotional high was extraordinary. The next day, my Bffer Amy and I went and stood in line for an hour at the Colonial Life Arena to welcome our boys home in true gamecock fashion, with about 14,000 other loyal fans...people took off work, probably got fired from their jobs to attend this monumental occasion. July 1st was named as South Carolina Baseball day in the State of South Carolina, and the Gamecock flag flew proudly over the state house. Friday was a classic ticker-tape parade to welcome our boys home down main street, and I had the pleasure of taking my adorable niece Eliza to it. I am truly a PROUD member of Gamecock nation. Here are some pictures from the events!
PS: My niece, who hardly talks, is now saying "GO COCKS" loud and clear...SHE IS AWESOME! :)
The state house, with the Gamecock flag flying proudly...with some creative editing of course. :)
More images to come soon, when my internet isn't taking 15 minutes per picture to upload! :)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
FINALLY!
Okay, so I have FINALLY gotten the good news I wanted. No, I'm not pregnant yet, but we finally have ...THE PLAN...together! Back up a couple though....
So the day I made an appoitment with the new office is the day I called my old doctor to request my files be sent to the new doctor. And duh, of course they would make it difficult. I was told to wait until yesterday (Wed. June 23) to go pick up my charts from their satellite Irmo office. I show up at 9:00 yesterday to be told that I would have to go downtown. False. Anyway, after bickering back and forth, I finally tell the woman that I am switching doctors, and asked if she could just fax my info over. She proceeds to ask me why I'm switching...I ignored her. She then PROMISED me my records were being faxed yesterday afternoon and not to worry about it.
Thursday, June 24: I show up to my appointment this morning and the first thing I did was ask if they got my records. Of course they havent. I almost lost it. I called momma, she called the old doctor and THEY said that my old doctor had to "approve my records being sent" (what is there to approve...that shes a crappy doctor? UGH!) and that they needed the NEW office to call them to get it. I almost cried.
Anyway, the new nurse I have is WONDERFUL...I felt like I was hanging out with an old friend. Ashley is young and vibrant and full of energy and has some super cute tattoos also! My new doctor came in...and immediatly said we had a problem because she's a Clemson fan...but once we got past that, she was AWESOME! We actually have a plan in place now. I go back on July 6 (The same day my BFF finds out what she's having at the same office! How fun! :) for some blood work, then I go back on August 9. If I'm not pregnant by August 9, I start the Clomid. If that doesn't work after three months, she's referring me to a specialist...
Anyway, I feel MUCH better now that there is a definite plan in place to follow. I'm looking forward to the next three-four months and what they have to bring!
SIDE NOTE: How awesome was the USA soccer game? I freaking LOST IT I was so excited...I LOVE LOVE LOVE soccer...more about that later. :)
So the day I made an appoitment with the new office is the day I called my old doctor to request my files be sent to the new doctor. And duh, of course they would make it difficult. I was told to wait until yesterday (Wed. June 23) to go pick up my charts from their satellite Irmo office. I show up at 9:00 yesterday to be told that I would have to go downtown. False. Anyway, after bickering back and forth, I finally tell the woman that I am switching doctors, and asked if she could just fax my info over. She proceeds to ask me why I'm switching...I ignored her. She then PROMISED me my records were being faxed yesterday afternoon and not to worry about it.
Thursday, June 24: I show up to my appointment this morning and the first thing I did was ask if they got my records. Of course they havent. I almost lost it. I called momma, she called the old doctor and THEY said that my old doctor had to "approve my records being sent" (what is there to approve...that shes a crappy doctor? UGH!) and that they needed the NEW office to call them to get it. I almost cried.
Anyway, the new nurse I have is WONDERFUL...I felt like I was hanging out with an old friend. Ashley is young and vibrant and full of energy and has some super cute tattoos also! My new doctor came in...and immediatly said we had a problem because she's a Clemson fan...but once we got past that, she was AWESOME! We actually have a plan in place now. I go back on July 6 (The same day my BFF finds out what she's having at the same office! How fun! :) for some blood work, then I go back on August 9. If I'm not pregnant by August 9, I start the Clomid. If that doesn't work after three months, she's referring me to a specialist...
Anyway, I feel MUCH better now that there is a definite plan in place to follow. I'm looking forward to the next three-four months and what they have to bring!
SIDE NOTE: How awesome was the USA soccer game? I freaking LOST IT I was so excited...I LOVE LOVE LOVE soccer...more about that later. :)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Pictures!
Some pictures of my furry babies for this lovely Tuesday! (Pictures taken with the new "professional" camera....)
This is my first child, Lacy. A five and a half pound Maltese/Poodle mix who is full of energy and loves to give kisses! She is the sweetest dog in the whole world who never meets a stranger and never misses out on a chance to cuddle. She loves to take walks and bark at cats. She will be two in August (we have the same birthday!)
This is my second child Roxy. She's a 9 pound Shih Tzu/Bichon Frise mix who is SUPER energetic and sweet. She is really scared of thunder and lound noises and will sit on your feet if you are standing and it's storming outside. She loves to climb up you when you are sitting down and sit on your shoulder like a bird. She loves her big sister and loves to chew on bones. She will be one in September.
A lot of people judge me because of my two little dogs who I DID buy from breeders. I understand there are a lot of dogs out there who need good rescue homes, and in fact I volunteer with an organization who places abandoned animals into homes. However, with my allergies and the prospect of having children, I wanted to have dogs who I knew did not shed! I NEVER want to have to give my puppies up for anything, especially allergies. So anyway, these are my two dog-children that I love more than anything!
and for good measure, here's my mom's dog, Chloe!
This is my first child, Lacy. A five and a half pound Maltese/Poodle mix who is full of energy and loves to give kisses! She is the sweetest dog in the whole world who never meets a stranger and never misses out on a chance to cuddle. She loves to take walks and bark at cats. She will be two in August (we have the same birthday!)
This is my second child Roxy. She's a 9 pound Shih Tzu/Bichon Frise mix who is SUPER energetic and sweet. She is really scared of thunder and lound noises and will sit on your feet if you are standing and it's storming outside. She loves to climb up you when you are sitting down and sit on your shoulder like a bird. She loves her big sister and loves to chew on bones. She will be one in September.
A lot of people judge me because of my two little dogs who I DID buy from breeders. I understand there are a lot of dogs out there who need good rescue homes, and in fact I volunteer with an organization who places abandoned animals into homes. However, with my allergies and the prospect of having children, I wanted to have dogs who I knew did not shed! I NEVER want to have to give my puppies up for anything, especially allergies. So anyway, these are my two dog-children that I love more than anything!
and for good measure, here's my mom's dog, Chloe!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Not to be that person but...
Okay, time for me to vent. I went to my last DR appointment two and a half months ago. My OB was 8 1/2 months pregnant (again, of course, because when you can't conceive, everyone on the earth is pregnant) and told me she would be back in the office ONE day a week starting the third week of June and to call the second week of June to make my appointment. She assured me she would be back and that I would have first priority of appointments. She lied. I called today (June 7) to make my appointment. Not only is she still on maternity leave, but they told me that they couldn't get me in to see ANYONE until July 25. I call BS. In fact, I'm PISSED. I told the receptionist lady what my Doc said about coming in, so she went to speak with the nurse (and she has 3 nurses, so who knows who this one was) and told me that unless I was experiencing any problems, I could just wait.
WELL HELLO....HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW I'M NOT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS IF I CAN'T COME IN TO THE DOCTORS OFFICE....IF MY DOCTOR TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE SEEN, I WANT TO BE SEEN DANG IT. AND PS: I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS...I CAN'T FREAKIN' CONCEIVE A BABY!
This is what I wanted to say...but I didn't. I hung up on the rude receptionist woman and texted my bff to get her OB's number. I'm so over it and done...it took them long enough to diagnose the PCOS to begin with. So on to newer and brighter things! AUGH.
WELL HELLO....HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW I'M NOT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS IF I CAN'T COME IN TO THE DOCTORS OFFICE....IF MY DOCTOR TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE SEEN, I WANT TO BE SEEN DANG IT. AND PS: I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS...I CAN'T FREAKIN' CONCEIVE A BABY!
This is what I wanted to say...but I didn't. I hung up on the rude receptionist woman and texted my bff to get her OB's number. I'm so over it and done...it took them long enough to diagnose the PCOS to begin with. So on to newer and brighter things! AUGH.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Oh, Summer!
So it has been a long time since I last posted, but I'm happy to say that should be changing! One of the joys of being a teacher is summer vacation...though it's not really a vacation. A lot of people fail to realize that I'm actually not getting paid for the time I'm not in the classroom. They stretch our checks out over 12 months to make us feel better, but we only get paid for the time spent with (as someone much wiser once called it) our butts in our chairs. I have big plans for this summer...going to Charleston multiple times to visit the mom-in-law, and of course the beach. Possibly going to a Braves game, a little IKEA shopping sprinkled in here and there, and of course, spending time fixing up our house! Last summer we tackled painting the whole downstairs which SUCKED. We had to do three coats of paint on each wall...and we have really big, long walls downstairs. Ugh! And though it doesn't seem like much, we also agreed on all of the renovations we plan on doing to our house. Seriously, this is a big deal because Brandon and I are both EXTREMLY opinionated when it comes to our house. However, next week we are FINALLY clearing out the mini-jungle that possesses the back of our lot and prepping for our fence. We are also laying a HUGE patio off of our screen porch and planting some shrubs along the back fence to keep our dogs from barking at the neighbors dogs. We are really pumped about getting all of this done...not so pumped about being the ones to do it. Pictures will be following of before, during, and after shots...if we survive of course.
As far as things go on the PCOS front, I am calling tomorrow to make my next appointment. I have been doing a no/low carb diet for the past month, and I have lost 10 pounds! Idealy, I would like to lose 10 more, but quite frankly I'm getting impatient. Mom and I were joking around the other day about how I'm losing weight to get pregnant and gain it all back! All kidding aside, I should be checking in with the Doc this week (who just had her baby a month ago!) and discussing the next step which will be taking a medication called Clomid. Basically Clomid helps stimulate ovulation, therefore increasing the chances of getting pregnant. Ironically, it also leads to an increase in multiple (twins, triplets) births...which already runs rampent on BOTH sides of my family! So we'll see where this journey takes us, I will be updating like CRAZY this summer for lack of more awesome things to do! :)
PS: I am currently starting a lifestyle photography business. To do this, I need several clients who are willing to let me shoot you and your family to use as advertisements. Positives: You get FREE family shots done, location of your choice. I will put them on as many CDs as you want, and sign rights over to them! Negatives: (if you want to call them that...:) You have to deal with me for at least an hour, and if you would be so kind to let me use your pictures to launch my website! If you or anyone you know is interested, PLEASE let me know! Thanks!
As far as things go on the PCOS front, I am calling tomorrow to make my next appointment. I have been doing a no/low carb diet for the past month, and I have lost 10 pounds! Idealy, I would like to lose 10 more, but quite frankly I'm getting impatient. Mom and I were joking around the other day about how I'm losing weight to get pregnant and gain it all back! All kidding aside, I should be checking in with the Doc this week (who just had her baby a month ago!) and discussing the next step which will be taking a medication called Clomid. Basically Clomid helps stimulate ovulation, therefore increasing the chances of getting pregnant. Ironically, it also leads to an increase in multiple (twins, triplets) births...which already runs rampent on BOTH sides of my family! So we'll see where this journey takes us, I will be updating like CRAZY this summer for lack of more awesome things to do! :)
PS: I am currently starting a lifestyle photography business. To do this, I need several clients who are willing to let me shoot you and your family to use as advertisements. Positives: You get FREE family shots done, location of your choice. I will put them on as many CDs as you want, and sign rights over to them! Negatives: (if you want to call them that...:) You have to deal with me for at least an hour, and if you would be so kind to let me use your pictures to launch my website! If you or anyone you know is interested, PLEASE let me know! Thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)