Monday Mingle April 30th

April 30th:
1. What is/was your most comfortable pair of shoes ever?
This is a tough one since I can mainly remember all the pairs that were uncomfortable but cute. I would have to say that it would be a pair of leather sandals I wore until the bottoms fell off.

2. What website do you spend the most time on?
Facebook
3. Name a fashion trend from your teen years that you would be embarrassed to wear now? Hello big bangs.

Cannon Satellite

I've told you guys before that I would be lost without my Direct TV. Since I work full-time and go to school full-time, there isn't much time left to watch my favorite shows when they are on. Here is where my awesome DVR comes into play. Simply select the show or series I want to watch and set my DVR to record. My hubby and kids can still watch their favorite shows while mine record. Think you can't afford Direct TV, with packages starting at just $29.99, Cannon Satellite can get your Direct TV set up in no time. In addition, you can bundle in Internet services in many areas and get both Internet service and Direct TV for a super price.

Happy Birthday Nick~Wordless Wednesday

Monday Mingle April 23rd

 
April 23rd:
1. What is your idea of a productive day?
No issues at work, no issues at home and homework totally done, oh and let’s not mention getting 8 hours of sleep.

2. What is one thing you think about/obsess about constantly?
The future, I am so worried about things. I mean for such a long time in my life I made the wrong decisions and didn’t care and now I want to make to right decisions and I tend to obsess and drive JT crazy.

3. If you were trying to convince someone to move to your city/town, what are three words you would use to describe it and convince them that it’s a good idea?
Awesome School District

Lord What Am I Suppose To Be Learning From All Of This?

This week has been the week from h.e. double hockey sticks for real.

Early, early Monday morning, meaning way before I was suppose to be up and out of bed for work, I experienced another hot flash. I came out of the bed, out from under the covers, turned all the fans on as high as I could get them and told the radiator aka the hubby to get away from me. On my way to work I get a phone call stating that one of my ladies is not coming in which sucks because we have STAAR testing this week. Without bashing my ladies I will just say that the day was super challening for them for whatever reason. The milkman was late, the bread lady was late and the grocery man was late, putting us further behind. I get to school to find out the one test I prepared for isn't until next Monday but that the test I thought was next Monday is Wednesday. Great, just one more test to prepare for this week.

Tuesday didn't start out any better. I decided not to go to my cousin's funeral, just too much with school and work right now. I haven't been able to get my dad on the phone. The juice that has been sitting out thawing since Monday morning was still frozen when the kids came down to pick it up, the ladies were having a not so great day AGAIN and now my paperwork was starting to stack up because my one lady was out sick again. My vice principal must have been having a bad day too because he bit my head off for no reason what so ever, the sack lunch count was totaly wrong and then I got to school to study for my Algebra final and try to prepare for a Microbiology test only to find out my computer did not update and the school server will not let me on. At Starbucks the internet was moving slower than dial up so it didn't help much.

Today my lady who has been out sick is back but things are still going crazy here at work. I found myself in my office catching up on paperwork and finding myself asking a question that at one time I would not have asked myself "Lord what am I suppose to be learning from all of this"?

I'll be honest, I have thought about smoking a cigarette the past few days. I've thought about going to a bar and drinking the biggest, strongest drink they will give me. I've even thought about getting the rest of my personal stuff from my office and telling them where to stick it but that is the Joni I left behind. The Joni I am now says that the Lord is trying to teach me something. What that something is I am not sure yet. Maybe I'm suppose to realize that I am going to school for a higher purpose and this is to make me focus. Maybe I am suppose to be learning to find good in all the bad. Maybe I am suppose to be thankful regardless of what is going on or maybe, just maybe I am suppose to be learning all those lessons at the same time.

I do know that on Saturday I want to sleep until I wake up. I want to just spend the day with my hair pulled up, in pajamas and styudying for my finals next week. The only other thing I want to do is spend time with my husband, who I rarely see during the week.

No matter what is going on in your life, remember that someone has it worse,  God may be trying to show you something and you have to open your eyes and heart to receive it and that if you look, you find will find something in every situation that will make you smile or that you can find joy in.

How has your week been so far?

The March Of Dimes Walk Was A Great Family Experience

Saturday we did the March of Dimes walk. My hubby was injured so enterained Nick while the rest of us did the walk.

The morning of the race was chilly. I made the mistake of layering with the long sleeve shirt on the underside rather than over my t-shirt, lesson learned.

Jill is not a big morning person but she was up at ready to go. I tried to talk her into getting her sunglasses but she was having no part of that.

My baby boy is now 6' tall, makes me sad but happy at the same time. He doesn't like taking pics for mom anymore but he will if I ask him too. Joel decided he was going to jog the entire 5 miles to see what time he could do it in. (notice his headphones)

(Now he won't take a picture but Joel in the background will be silly in someone else's picture). Jonathan was also ready to go. I was super proud of my kids.

I can always count on Beebs for a smile and being silly with mom.

Me & all but 1 of my boys.

Nick did get in this picture. Uncle Julio's gave us these awesome mustaches! Cheese!

My 4 big kids ready to get started. (Notice at this point Jill has her sunglasses on?)

If you have never done a March of Dimes Walk, it is an experience. The atmosphere is amazing. There were 30,000 people walking on Saturday.

 

There were people standing on an overpass cheering us all on.

I tried to take pictures of the crowd. All those little dots at the back, those are people walking.

These ladies here in the yellow shirt started off where we did and ended up finishing with the people at the start of the race. They did not play.

some of the cheerleaders were cheering us on as we made it to 1 mile. At this point we were still doing good. Joel and Jonathan had taken off jogging so it was just Jill, Bryan and me.

By mile 2 we were still doing good.

Well, Bryan and I were still doing good, Jill on the other hand was starting to get tired. This is what happens when you eat a pop tart for breakfast the morning on the race.

Beebs giving me the big thumbs up.

Mile marker 3. By this point Jill and Beebs were looking forward to seeing the next sign in Memory or Honor of  a child that March of Dimes helped. As a mother it made me appreciate that my children were all born healthy. Jill and Alexis were both born early but had no health issues and weighed enough that we never saw a NICU. Some of the participants would make it to the marker that belonged to them to take pictures. It was amazing seeing these little tiny infant that were no bigger than the palm of your hand now so big and strong.

 As we got closer to the end and started up hill, this is what the 2 of them looked like. I on the other hand allowed my competitive nature to kick in. No one was going to pass me that I didn't want to pass me so I pushed myself really hard.
 

Beebs and Jilli sprinting for the end!

At last we all made it. I think the look on Jill and Jonathan's face says "Thank Goodness"!

All in all it was a great day, a great time and we are looking into doing more things like this.

Have you guys ever participated in a walk/run with your family?



Why I Am Walking For Kinzli & March Of Dimes Tomorrow

One thing I will tell you about firefighters is we are one big family. Some times, as we all know, families can have issues with one another but at the end of the day, we are all still family. It took me a long time in life to understand the real meaning of family. Growing up in the household I grew up in taught me what family was not so I embrace family be that my own or my fellow firefighters and soon my nursing family.

Tomorrow I am doing something I have never done before: walking 5 miles for the March of Dimes. Sure, I know other people who have given birth to premature babies but this one hit a little closer to home for me because on March 19, 2012 my Auxiliary sister, Alyson and my firefighting brother, Neil, welcomed Kinzli Grace into the world at 27 weeks gestation and weighing 1 lb. 5 oz.

Of course when you are from a small town, you tend to follow things people are going through more closely. This little girl is a fighter but still faces many obstacles ahead of her. When her mommy asked us all if we wanted to form  a team and walk for The March Of Dimes, I said yes. I made my goal super small and so far I have not met my goal as of yet. (Kind of last minute all the way around but next year..it's on)!

I am going to share some of the pictures of Kinzli with you guys, the ones that have impacted me the most in all of this. If you are a praying person, please keep this sweet girl and her family in your prayers.

Trying to show just how tiny she really is.

Do you see how tiny her little fingers are?

Her big brother finally getting to see her. (Notice how far on her little arm the rin is and how tiny her hand is in front of big brother' face)

So sweet

Now I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea so here is my disclaimer about what I am about to say regarding big brother. If you know Luke, he is all boy, he is full of energy and hardly ever sits still. To see him signing "I love you" to his sister, staring down at her with that look on his face, this picture melts my heart.

Every girl needs to accessorize.

And this is the picture that did it for me and the reason it is on my March of Dimes profile and the reason I am considering using it as my t-shirt pic........This is really how tiny this little fighter is and why supporting the March of Dimes is so important.

Until next time.

Paramedic or RN....Oh Now I Don't Know What I Want To Be.....

I am the type of person who benefits by getting my thoughts out into the open, so bare with me as I rant away about what I want to do now.

I am currently going to school to be a Paramedic.

After being on the volunteer fire department for awhile, I have found I love to help people, love the adrenaline rush from it all and made the decision that I would go back to school and become a Paramedic. The idea of being first on scene and assisting people at their most critical times is appealing to me. I don't mind the blood and guts at all. But I am in my mid-30's which means I'm not getting younger. I am not in the best physical shape ever and I am concerned about the wear and tear on my body. I also have done my research. I know the turn over rates, all about the calls that make you want to cringe because it's something as minor as a splinter so I had a long term plan in mind which was to go back to school and get my BS in Emergency Management. There are several online schools that offer this degree plan.

I had it all worked out in my mind. Go to CNA class this summer, find a CNA job, continue going through my EMT and then my Paramedic classes and then go into Emergency Management,

BUT THEN:

My professor threw a kink in things for me. After talking to me throughout the semester, he asked me last night why was I not going into nursing. The hours may be better, the pay is much better, the advancement is far more vast and it is not as phyiscally demanding as being a Paramedic. Furthermore, nursing is always going to be growing and in demand.

Since I enjoy the trauma aspect of things, he reminded me that their are more than 1 major trauma centers within driving distance and if I went the ER route my pay would be even better than those who work in other departments within a hospital setting. So it made me start thinking, should I consider nursing instead of being a Paramedic?

Now the kicker is I could always go Paramedic and take a bridge program to be an RN and forget Emergency Management all the way around....ugh, maybe I should just be a full-time, permanant student, lol.

I have to make a decision in the next month along with finishing work for the school year and finishing the semester at college and getting ready for CNA school.

Wordless Wednesday.....almost

Y'all know I can't post a pic without telling you what is going on.

Easter weekend my sister-in-law and her girlfriend came up for a baby shower. It just so happened that the church was holding a car show and rodeo which included a petting zoo.

Adriana, city girl that she is, has NEVER been around most of the animals that were there for her to pet. Look closely, you will see the "not so sure look on her face" and my sister-in-law holding her other hand so she wouldn't be scared as she pet the donkey wearing an Easter hat. 

Thought this was so cute I had to share. Did anything funny happen to you guys over Easter?

Avacado Egg Salad

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/07/avocado-egg-salad/

I heart avacados! I love them on anything and even by themselves. A few days ago while looking at Pinterest, I saw this recipe and a few of my friends must have also because they decided to make it. It looks super yummy. I also heart the Pioneer woman. Being that she is a city girl who was transplanted into the country and who loves everything about it, including all the cooking, I checked out her blog........look at what I found. This is the Pioneer Woman's recipe for avacado egg salad. I also attached the link under her beautiful picture. I am sure mine will not come out quite as good but we will see. 

For other amazing recipes, check out  the Pioneer Woman's blog!

What awesome recipes have you guys recently tried?

Monday Mingle April 16

Along with 80 MPH Mom, this is the April 16th addition of Monday Mingle.


April 16th:
1. How many rings does it take you to answer the phone?
Usually no more than 2 if I am answering my cell phone and depending on who it is. If it is my office phone, I will let it ring more times than that so no one thinks I spend a bunch of time in my office.

2. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
Like most people I think I need to get out of bed and head straight to the restroom. My bladder is saying it’s time to go.

3. How fast do you type? Did you learn to type in school?
I type 65 WPM and I did learn to type in school.

Nesting When You Aren't Pregnant

See the people in this picture (missing Lexi but that will change soon enough)? These people are my whole world. I make no issues with saying I grew up in a rough household. My husband and my sister-in-law will tell you my brother and I suffer from mother issues more than anything but I also suffer from dad issues too. For most of my teenage years and most of my 20's I spent time trying to figure out how life when no one had ever shown me how to do anything except for drama.

Lately I've been doing what feels like nesting even though I gave birth to Alexis more than 10, almost 11 years ago. I remember when I was pregnant with Joel, I washed his clothes and bedding at least 6 times before he was born, I rearranged drawers and even scrubbed the bottom of the table that no one ever saw or touched. I just felt like my house couldn't get clean enough. For awhile, after the boys were born, I was extremely organized but as my life became crazy, so did everything else. For years my life was chaos and my house, car and relationships were proof of it. But lately, the nesting instinct had come back.

I've cleaned through drawers, filed papers in a filing system we created, have made doctor's appointments, organized things and put them in their proper place. I have an entire plan for school and I am working it so that I can become the person I have always been deep inside. I have an awesome relationship with my oldest children. We are still working on the situation with Nicholas and will soon be working on the situation with Lexi.....see how things get messed up when your life is chaos?

I can't help but think that we go through nesting even when we are not pregnant. I believe this is God's way of having us deal with ourselves. With branches cut off already, I honestly feel like the pruning is over and now it's the fine tuning part and I embrace it fully.

You Went Away...How Dare You.

Yes, I took the lines from a song that I am currently loving and hating at the same time. On March 24, 2012 my Nanny, Betty Louise Bruce Lively, went to be with the Lord. Sure, I have lost people in my life before but her passing has hit me very hard. See, growing up I didn't know that I didn't live at her house. We would eat breakfast and then head straight to Nanny's house.

Even after my parent's divorced she made sure I knew I was her fave. She did things for me that she would have never done for others, like get on an airplane from Texas to Wisconsin to pick us up at the airport and get right back on a plane to fly us back to Texas. She would spend her last time to buy us things that she wanted us to have like pizza, silky panties (it was just her thing) and baby dolls.

Even as a grown woman, I was in a bad relationship and I showed up on her doorstep after getting tossed out literally in the middle of the night in the pouring down rain. She was already having a hard time getting around then but she made sure she did things like hemmed my pants, made sure I had dinner when I got home and made sure I knew I was welcome for as long as I needed to stay.

In my mind I always knew there would be a day when I would have to say goodbye and she would go to heaven but I never imagined it would make me feel like this and make me feel so very alone in this big old world. Miranda Lambert has a song out right now and in it she says
"You went away. How dare you? I miss you. They say I'll be ok but I'll never get over you"

This is kind of how I feel. I still need her. I still want her to be here. It feels like they all want me to just move on with my life but I just haven't figured out how.

Just a few pics to share the lady that was my world.

For The Love Of Teenagers

I knew it was going to happen one day. One day my precious angels would turn into the the dreaded "teenager". It's not only hard on them but hard on their mom as well. Right now my 15 year old is the one giving me some issues, mainly because he isn't using his brain.

We put him on our cell phone plan awhile back and gave him a phone my husband had for quite some time. He couldn't get online, he couldn't send or take pictures, just text and talk and this seemed to work. He kept up with the cruddy phone like it was the newest phone that had come out but then, then it changed. For his birthday we got him and Iphone (something I would have never had as a 15 year old) with the understanding that he would have to watch his data usage...thanks AT&T.

December was fine but then came January and he went over, February over and then March he went an entire Gig over. Now what makes this so bad is my husband told him when he was close but he decided it was more important to play on FB in the middle of the night (because he were smart enough to post on FB which has a time and date stamp) rather than listen to his parents. So now, he no longer has an Iphone and is no longer on our cell phone plan. He now has an Android on Metro PCS, one of those one price phone companies that moves at the speed of a turtle.

He also got himself caught up in some drama at school that had nothing at all to do with him, yet, he made it his business.

My next to the oldest son can't manage to keep his room clean so he was forced to share a room with my oldest son at his dad's house. Since he can't manage to keep his stuff picked up there either, my ex-husband is now making him share a bedroom with dear old dad.

My heart broke this week watching my sons make unwise choices. I hope that this is just part of being a teenager and this is not a reflection of our parenting skills because if so, I feel like a total failure.