Midpoint

I don’t claim to be a super mom (well, maybe a little) but I like to believe I manage things well. I am a full time wife and mother, a full time employee, and a graduate student. My house is never clean and there is always laundry to fold, but I get S**t done. Excuse my language but if you knew me in real life that is exactly what I would tell you if you asked me how I balance everything?

I firmly believe if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen. No excuses. I believe life is all about the choices you make or let others make for you. (Shout out to my momma and MK Linda Toupin) We are all given 24 hours a day, use your time wisely. If it’s paying off debt, losing weight, or in my case going back to school; if you want it bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen.

I did not take my decision to go back to school lightly. I cried to my husband nightly about what I should do and prayed to God for direction or a sign that I was making a smart decision. I was so worried I would be sacrificing time with my daughter and it would hurt her. I knew what my end result would be, I would be a teacher and do something I have always wanted to do, but the journey scared me a little.

Looking back, my only thought is I wished I had started school sooner. At the end of April I will be at my halfway point and I am set to graduate my 42 hour MAT program in December of this year. 1.5 years of my life is all it cost. (and $$$ student loans but such is life) That’s not bad at all. My daughter has not been neglected one bit. In fact, on the nights I have class her Aunt Amanda comes over (if daddy is at baseball) or she spends quality one-on-one time with her daddy and he puts her to bed. I am very lucky to have the support of my husband and family.

This picture encouraged me to write this post. I put Dora on in the living room tonight so she could play while I was in class in our office. She came in and pulled out some markers and sat in the office with me and that was fine by me. I want to remember these good memories of the time I went to school when Kendall was two and see how I made it all work.

If I can encourage anyone who is struggling to make a decision in their life, whether it’s school, work, or hobby related, I hope this was of value. There is never a better time to start something than today!

Adventures in Potty Training & Dora

Well two things have gone down in the Ryan household the past week. 1, we’ve “seriously” initiated potty training and 2, Kendall is obsessed with Dora the Explorer. Both of these events I have dreaded. Clearly, you can imagine why I have not looked forward to potty training and Dora? Well, she is growing on me a little.

Like with most events in parenting, I don’t know if I am prompting going to the potty the correct way. I feel that she is ready because she always wakes up dry and announces that she has gone “poo-poo” every time she goes to the bathroom in her diaper. So for now, in the mornings and when we are home in the evenings we just make frequent trips to sit on the potty. Last night I even left her in a pair of panties for a little while.

My mom had this GREAT idea to give her a surprise every time she uses the potty. She bought all of these Dora goodies from Target and I have placed them in the bathroom. Since Kendall is not a big fan of sitting on her or our potty I am hoping this will make it a happier experience.

So seasoned moms, am I moving in the right direction?

Any tips?

I'm a Woman on a Mission with a Purpose and a Vision

Thanks for your comments about my bedroom and disaster area a.k.a my closet. I really don't have time to organize it like I want to. When I was a college student who lived at home my closet was perfectly color coordinated. I think I will have to redesign the organization structure of the closet before I can get organized. I'm not really feeling the stupid wire organizer - maybe I will be all DIY and build my own this summer!


So... I was reading one of my blogs I read and I found this:

Like I know this blog is all about being healthy and fitting back into my infamous skinny jeans but if I find these in the store I cannot and WILL NOT control myself. I will give in. Muddy buddies are one of my all time favorite snacks to make at home and they come in a package now? What? Hallelujah!

I made a hair appointment and scheduled a massage this coming week for myself! I just love getting pampered! Maybe I will go get a mani/pedi sometime this week too! I'm seeing a bubble bath in my future too.... :)

I don't usually do all these pampering things at one time. Too much $$$! Sometimes I treat myself by purchasing something for myself or lay in bed and read a book. You can get real creative on a tight budget when you want to pamper yourself! The important thing is to make time for YOU!

What do you like to do to pamper yourself that doesn't cost alot of money?

New Size = Shopping!

Greetings Friends!!!!

I am so excited to report that while (unnecessary) shopping today I tried on some pants - I decided to grab a size 10 instead of my usual comfortable size 12 and they fit. I am a size 10! This is the size I was wearing last year at my wedding! It's funny though because I still have about 8 lbs to go to get to my wedding weight. Oh well! I'm not complaining!

To celebrate I purchased a pair of jeans and a pair of black dress pants - in size 10. I also bought this cute scarf!!! I think it's so feminine and I LOVE scarves... And I bought these cute boots with a bow on them!

Now back to this!!!!!!!! Blah! I hate organizing stuff! Plus I need to make dinner!

Sick Day and new RED jacket

First... HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY! I just want to thank everyone who is serving or has served our Country. Everytime I see a solider I tear up because of the huge sacrifice they make for people they do not even know. God Bless You!

Sooo... yesterday I was MIA! I woke up with the worst sinus headache & sore throat. So I called up my dad (who I work for) and decided to catch up on some Zzzzz's. Honestly that did the trick I woke up around lunch feeling much better.

I was obviously well enough to go to my MK meeting and I'm glad I did! My newly earned RED jacket came courtesy of the UPS truck and I wanted to sport it at my unit meeting. I looked so hot I know!!! LOL

The other MK consultants surprised me and two other new Star Team Builders with a bunch of red gifts. Yay! My mom brought me RED roses. I love MK! The sisterhood is amazing and everyone is such an encouragement. Knowing that many people support me makes me want to work harder for my business.

I forget sometimes why I started MK. It was my last semester at UofL and I was doing an internship at their HR office. It was then I decided I wanted to work for myself like my parents do. I want to be my own boss. My dad started his company out of our living room and my mom has been in MK for 10+ years. Naturally I like the lifestyle that goes with being your own boss. It's not even about the money - it's about the quality of life. The ability to make your work - work around your schedule - not the other way around. Of course driving one of these would not be so bad either!!!

Another positive - you know how I have not been weighing myself for the last few weeks - well it really works! I was scared I had gained like 10 lbs but I have MAINTAINED! 6 lbs to go to meet my Thanksgiving challenge!!!!!

Yay! I am going to post a giveaway soon!!!