School Is Almost Over

YAY! December 17th is my last day of class. I am so excited. Normally I am bummed out, because I really do like school, but for some reason I am so ready for it to be over for the semester. I finished my Public Speaking final last night, I have to get a project ready for Digital Photography, and I have a test and discussion board to do in World Religions, and then I will be done!!!!! Yay for Christmas vacation! I am going to scrap, scrap, and scrap.

Oh yeah, I also have to get my mom moved in. I don't know if I told you that she would be moving in with us. Exciting huh? Okay, maybe not, but it will be mutually beneficial to both of us. My mom is not financially stable right now, so it's a little tough on her right now. To be honest, we're not in much better shape. So I am hoping (fingers are crossed) that my mom will be able to buckle down and get herself out of debt. That way, if this isn't working out in a year (the trial period) she will be able to live on her own. Also since they have cut me down to one day a week at work, it will help us out as well. This way I won't have to get another job (mom's financial contributions will make up for the hours I'm losing), and I can hold on to this one until it picks back up this coming summer. As much as I hate my job, I am grateful, because I make good money. While it definitely doesn't seem like a lot to the people out there who make 6 figures, it's a lot for WNC.

So Liam went to the pediatrician on the 2nd of December. His iron was a little low, so we started giving him so Enfamil Vitamin stuff. He weighs 17lbs 8 oz, and is 28 1/2 inches long. My 9 month old child is officially 30 inches shorter than me! I also asked the doctor about giving him beef jerky. I had mentioned to some of my girlfriends that Liam was teething, and every last one of them told me to give him beef jerky. I told them that I thought it would be a little too salty for him, and they responded that they had given it to their babies when they were teething. So I ask Dr. Wall (the coolest pediatrician ever) about giving him beef jerky. His response was pretty clear, he said to "never, ever give my child beef jerky to teeth on." The nitrites in processed beef jerky will give him chronic migraines. I am so glad I waited to ask the doctor. Now he did say that homemade beef jerky was fine, but store bought was a definite no-no. Just another instance where "mommy advice" can be harmful, and not helpful to your child.

So last Friday when I got off work at 2 am, we drove to Virginia Beach to visit my family. I did have a good time, but there were definite sour notes. My step mom drove me nuts, and just when I thought we were getting to a place where we were finally getting along. I tried to bite my tongue, and I did a really good job of it. But, I am now back to having bitter feelings towards her. Sadly, we have spent a lot of time talking on the phone, and getting along, so I was a little disappointed that all of my childhood ill feelings resurfaced. I was more disappointed that she just couldn't seem to make an effort for anyone. She has cancer. I know that it is mean to talk about someone with cancer, but cancer did not make her mean spirited. She has always been that way. So I really wanted to have a good weekend, spending time and talking with my parents. Trey and I ended up spending the weekend trying to avoid her, and her sharp tongue.

I really love talking to my dad, he is too funny. He is old-school Asian, and always wants to tell me what to do. So, Trey packed the car as we were getting ready to leave. Dad came out and told him he was doing it all wrong. Dad then proceeded to make Trey upack and pack it again. I was rolling, while Trey gave me dirty looks. I think we got thirty minutes down the road, before the pile of crap went everywhere! Now everytime we go to the grocery store, Trey tells me to load the groceries up, because apparently he can't pack a car. Too funny!

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Here is the outfit that my sister wore for Family Portraits! I love that she dresses 80's Style. I think it is totally cute, and she reminds me of Madonna or Cyndi Lauper, back in the day. Of course, she had no idea who Cyndi Lauper is. I had a great time with her, and she was so good with Liam. She just wanted to hold him, and love all over him.




Here's Gyrome snuggling with Liam. Both of the kids (even though they are almost grown) had a great weekend bonding with Liam. I cannot believe that Gyrome is almost 18. He proudly showed me his current report card, and had made almost all A's this semester! He is such a responsible child. Absolutely nothing like me at 17. I was more like little miss rebel, Jezzelle.

This is my favorite picture from this weekend. My dad is so cool. He, literally, was a single parent until I turned 11, and he married my step mom. I can't imagine being a single dad to 3 kids while serving in the US Navy. It had to have been a really hard job. I love watching him with Liam. He adores my son. They just cuddle each other, and it's so heartwarming.

And here is my new computer! It is so cool. My dad bought it for me at the Navy Exchange. They were having a huge sale (although the shopping crowd scared me), and he got a really good deal on it. I love it, it is soooo cool. It has a touch screen, so I am now addicted to mahjong, and love to play it for hours!

Those were the definite highlights from my weekend!