Christmas Eve & Christmas 2015

I know I am a little late, but I hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday time with family and friends.

This year marked Kenzy’s 2nd Christmas with us! It is amazing how much a year changes things. Last year my little munchkin was just learning to sit up and still working on that hand eye coordination. This year we had to chase after her and try to prevent the destruction of wrapped presents and nicely decorated Christmas Trees!

Every year Kenzy’s Grandmother on her Dads side host a Christmas Eve Dinner. Its a good time for some extra laughs, great food, & a chance to open a few gifts before Christmas morning! 🙂

Here is Kenzy Christmas Eve 2014

 

Here is Kenzy Christmas Eve

It was pretty difficult to get a good shot of her  because she stayed on the move.

Here are some other photos from Christmas eve and Christmas morning.

Here is Kenzy Christmas Eve 2014

Kenzy and her Aunt!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenzy uncle Russ looks pretty excited about his gift!

Kenzy’s older cousin. Finally got her to smile!

Kenzy’s aunt & her boyfriend!

Kenzy & her dad- off guard!

Kenzy’s aunt & cousin having a dance off!

Kenzy’s Grandmother helping unwrap her 1st present!

The 1st thing she ran too Christmas morning!

She opened all of her gifts inside that car!!

She really looks interested in her jewelry.

There are many more photos I could share with everyone. I really just wanted to share enough showing the love and blessings our family experienced this Christmas.  We are all in good health and have the opportunity to spend time with each other!

While I have your attention I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year as well. I hope everyone stays safe & brings in the New Year with the people they love!

Graduation Time

Around roughly 10am on Friday, December 11th, I walked across the stage with about 100 other students to receive my Associates Degree of Arts in Psychology.

I believe that most people associate graduations with BIG achievements or even milestones. When I moved to Texas I noticed that every time you changed “levels” (for lack of a better word) there would be a graduation ceremony. For example Kindergarten to 1st grade would have one; 5th grade to 6th grade would have one; 8th grade to 9th grade would have one; and then of course  12th grade seniors would have the most anticipated graduation ceremony!

I don’t think there is anything wrong with these celebrations! We should let the children/young adults know we are proud of them for doing well in school.

So why is it as the time lead up to my graduation, this year, I lacked excitement!? Instead I compared myself to others who were receiving their Bachelors Degree or even their Masters. I was really beating myself up because I have been in school about 4 years- just as long as someone receiving their Bachelors degree, yet I was not. I felt like I was so far behind and I was just receiving a consolation prize or something! I constantly belittled myself and felt like I had accomplished nothing. As I look back I was being very ungrateful; I can see that now.

I had to really look at everything I have been through while being enrolled in school; I had to consider changing my major right at the very end, working full time and becoming a mother during the Fall Semester last year (2014). I had to stop being so hard on myself! I am not trying to create excuses; I know there are people who have had to overcome more hardships than I could even imagine!

So yea, by now I expected to be enrolled in TJC’s Dental Hygiene program and working towards my Associates, possibly Bachelors (I knew that program was coming soon). But that is not the path I went down & instead of dwelling on what has not gone as I planned, I needed to realize how very blessed I am for having the opportunity to walk the stage and receive my Associate Degree! I have family and friends that have been supportive since day 1; after having my daughter the support continued! Not everyone has that type of support system and love!

I realized that Friday was the 1st step towards many more accomplishments. I have many more goals to achieve & I am sure that will come with obstacles. But it is all possible.

Whats next for me?

Well, I plan to head over to the local University in my town to receive my Bachelors in Psychology. I start class on 01/18/16. I have not completely decided what I want to do in this field, but I am leaning towards forensic or counseling Psychology!

“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”

-Earl Nightingale

Halloween 2015!

I recently shared photos of my daughters 1st birthday; I figured why not share some photos of this years Halloween.

This as not Kenzy’s 1st Halloween, but it was the 1st one she could really participate in. She even attended a Halloween party at her Daycare!

The morning of Kenzy’s 1st Halloween Party.
Was she excited as me?

I tried to sneak pictures while she played.

I was also able to snap pictures while she snacked!

There were a ton of pre-party photos! But I’ll skip to the GOOD stuff!

A little art work Kenzy helped make. A Bag full of candy…was that a mistake?

Enjoying pizza with all her friends!

She decided to share with mommy!

🙂

Walking around and eating, something she loves to do!

🙂

So what did Kenzy dress up as?

A Lady Bug.
She stayed on the go!

Or upside down!

On the go again!

🙂

In all I think she enjoyed her Halloween weekend! I sure know I did! Thank you for reading!

Kenzy Michelle

1 down 17 more to go

Well I knew the day was coming, but I didn’t realize it would creep up on me so quickly. While I’ve been away we celebrated my daughters 1st birthday. I absolutely never want to plan another party – haha, seriously!

I was an emotional mess the week before her 1st birthday. Mostly because I felt my baby was no longer going to be A Baby, but also the stress of planning a good party is overwhelming. Of course I am the “do it yourself person” so I refused to ask for help although it was offered many times.

I would just like to share some photos of my little one during her birthday celebration!

The Birthday Girl

We held the celebration at the play area at a nearby Church!

Kenzy, her Dad, & Grandmother. You can feel the love in this photo!

Hide and Seek in the play house…anyone?

UH- OH

Run, run, as fast as you can!

I used Etsy for 90% of the decorations.

Kenzys 1 year timeline!

Time Capsule!

So the #1 started to fall on the Cake started to fall and was mistaken as an Elephants trunk. HAha, I was a little upset.

The Cake! One Word – Delicious!

She was not really feeling her personal Cookie Cake.

Well, you cant forget the gifts!

Must have been a good conversation

🙂

A lot of family and friends came out to help us celebrate! All in all I believe it turned out pretty well.

Kenzy’s grandmother and Uncle

My best friend, her son and I

Kenzy’s Great Aunts in black, Her Aunt in white and Older Cousin

🙂

Num-Num!

Thanks for letting me share this Even with you! 🙂

– You have the world to grow & the love of your family behind you every step of the way.