Happy for my Hubby!

When we met, my hubby was a very hard working and determined man.  Today, nothing has changed, except that he's spent the past 5 years becoming a welder, getting his GED and completing an online BOMA course.

I finally completed my Accounting Certificate ('04) and Diploma ('09) via night school while I was on maternity leave.  But his acheivement is so much more I think.

For a man that didn't go much beyond the middle of grade 8, he always knew he had to work harder and better than the others inorder to get ahead.  When he chose to change careers from construction to welding in '05, we knew it was going to be a long road - but it was only supposed to take 3 years.  Life got in the way sometimes and that 3 year plan turned into 5, but yesterday he finally completed his 3rd year exams yesterday.  So very proud!!  It was alot of studdying and memorizing so much information and regulations and heat temperatures and I could certainly go on and on.  But he did it!!  Now it's 6-8 weeks for the results and although it was extremly hard - both the class, the tests and the final exams and practicals, we're hopeful that he passed and can finally move on.

In addition to all of this welder stuff, he finally enrolled in the GED prep course in the fall of '09, muddled through it and wrote that exam in Feb '10.  He passed!!!  He'd never written an essay in his life before this course and for a man who's reserved and doesn't like to share much about himself with strangers, writing essays giving his opinion and life examples was very difficult at first.   With encouragement, he opened up a bit after I and his first instructor reminded him that nobody else is reading them, the tester doesn't know who he is and in the end, make it up if you have to.  It's just a test for english - not grading your actual opinion or memory - just how well did you communicate them.

Thirdly he's been doing an online course for his building operator level 3.  For a guy who's intimidated by computers - this is huge!!  It's still going on, but he's moving through it and hopefully it opens some new doors.

So in the end, I am so happy for him in his accomplishments, for seeing them through and setting a great example for Maggie to look back on.  with hard work and determination, you can do things even when you're scared and the road is daunting.  Life may seem like it's too busy and there's better things to do, but it's so worth it in the end.

Happy for you honey!!  Love you.

Treats now and then

I don't like the idea of spoiling my daughter - her Papa does a good job of that all on his own!  I try to shop second hand when I can and hit sales whenever possible to save money and do my part to Reduce and Reuse.  Plus - she doesn't need everything that every toy maker and commercial proclaims she does.   I may go overboard on her birthday and Christmas but for now it's just her and she doesn't really remember anyway.

Tonight we gave in, after searching off and on for a while at the shops and online, and got a new (but still on sale!) little sandbox for her to have and use at Mama & Papa's house.  We spend a lot of time there and this way we can all enjoy sitting out on the deck on the weekends this summer and she'll be happy and occupied playing and digging.

It's fun, it's entertainment, it's good for her development and we can do it together! Who doesn't love digging in the sand - especially with a little person who's imagination is running wild.

I guess it isn't really spoiling afterall.  It's mother/daughter, getting dirty, smiles and giggles, bonding time:)

Happy!

Having a Plan

I may note be the most organized person or have a sparkling clean house, but I always have a plan to get it done.  I plan to make a schedule for cleaning, I plan to organize all my scrapping stock while I inventory.  Amazing how life gets in the way of planning though. 

I can plan weeks in advance of any event.  My daughter's birthday isn't till August and I'm planning already - It's  only April! 

My scrapping retreat is comming up and my plan is to take all my ingredients to my mom's house today and spend the morning baking.  That way she can help:) and Maggie can be entertained and not get burnt by the oven because I'm preoccupied.  Also, this way Luther can have the whole day to study.

Then, while Maggie naps, I plan to hit the Stay and Play Rummage sale.  I'm planning to get a GREAT DEAL on something.  Good plan.  Happy.

Janet

Hearing no screaming at bedtime...

For several weeks now we've been having a rough time with my daughter going to bed.  She's just not tired enough and onto of that she was battling a cold, allergies and an ear/throat infection.  Meds are now done and the runny nose is better but up till even last night we had long bouts of screaming before bed.  Tonight when I put her down in her crib gave her a big hug and kiss, showed her her stuffies, said good-night and closed the door - I braced for the scream "MOMMY!"   Nothing.  I wait... nothing...  Hmm.  I go downstairs, and can hear her moving around and babbling a bit to herself on the monitor.  But no screaming.  I keep waiting.  No screaming.

Wa Hoo!!!  Happy!

Watching the Food Network

If I can't eat it - at least I can watch it and dream about it.  Right now I'm watching the food network and what's on is "The Best Thing I Ever Ate"  episode - Bacon!  This show features chefs and FTV hosts talking about their most favorite thing and in this case it's food made with Bacon.  Bacon burgers, BLT, Fried Bacon, Muscles, Flatbread pizza, Bacon Donughts (yep!) and the Bacon Bar - it's a chocolate desert - with Bacon!

I have to agree that a really good bit of bacon sure can pump up a meal!  I love sweet and salty together but even I hear some of these things and think ugh!  But given the opportunity, I'd probably try them at least once.

Mmm bacon - happy!

Additionally - I got sent the link to this video and these guys are so funny!  You gotta really listen to the words.

Waking Up Is Hard to Do

Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday and it's a Happy day since I have everything I need.   Love, my family, my home.  Sure there's more that I'd want, but I have everything I need:)

Today I did some grocery shopping with Maggie and she giggled and flirted with the other customers in the store - that always makes me smile:)  We watched the Heffalump movie -again and again- and drew pictures on Maggie's magnadoodle thingy - childhood fun!  We all had a short nap - mmm nap!  Then we had Double Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake at my parent's house while visting with my grandparents, my niece, my aunt and my cousins.  I got a card from my cousin Leah, that said "Happy Birthday to a great cousin and role model."  AWE!!!  That almost made me cry:)  I never thought I'd be seen as a role model.  For diner my hubby fired up the BBQ, even in the very chilly wind, and made steaks to have with salad and fresh buns.  Yum!  Plus, I didn't have to cook - so very happy!

Happy Birthday to Myself:)

Happy Saturday Morning

Got to sleep till 7:15 - mmm Happy!  Now I'm watching Sesame Street with my daughter - mmm more Happy!

Happy Friday:)

News came for my hubby that changed our plans regarding his work once he finishes school at the end of the month - so I'm focusing on the happy things to get through the day.

1.  God has plan for our family and I'm going to trust it!
2.  It's Friday!  That means I don't cook (usually - but sometimes I want too). 
3.  My family! I love my hubby and my little girl!
4.  It's Friday!  That means I don't have to get up at 5:30am - unless my little one has other plans.
5. Got to see beautiful pictures of my new great-neice Zoey.  She's so pretty:) 
6.  It's Friday!  No work tomorrow:)

I've been looking this week for songs to put in the background to my daughter's birthday video - pictures and videos from year 1 to 2 and have been revisting some old songs and finding some new ones.  When I stumbled on this one I remembered that I heard that although the video is her and a man, she actually wrote it about her daughter.  Perfect!

Baby Baby

Then I stumbled on this one - Love It!

Simple Things

Happy!

Day 2

I love the version of this song! It's so pretty, simple, hopeful...  the video kinda makes me laugh though...


SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW - FIXED

Let's Give this a Try

Seems that many of my friends have been doing this blog thing and everytime I search something on google I end up in someone's blog.   I don't intend to make this a daily event, or a place for venting.  I just want something that makes me happy - becuase we all need a little Happy Space of our own.

Happy is a hug from my daughter, time alone with my husband, unwinding by scraping a page or two with my Storybook Creator, ice cream, my dog Lady's tail wagging as she sits at my feet, hearing a great song on the radio, and oh so many more things...  you'll be hearing from me as they occur.

Here's one I remembered today as I was watching Sesame Street with my sick little girl -

I don't want to live on the moon