Yey! I am so excited!!! Ryder and I are leaving tonight for North Carolina! Our flight leaves around 10:30 tonight and we will be arriving tomorrow morning. We will be spending the week at the beach with my brother Devon, his wife Danelle, their kids and a ton of Danelles extended family.
I am excited for a nice vacation away! I plan on relaxing, feeling the sun on my face, doing a little reading and enjoying the company of family. There are going to be like a million little kids there (hmm, on second thought that doesn't sound very relaxing!) around Ryders age, including Ryders cousin's Devree, Delaine, and Daxton, so it should be a ton of fun for him to play at the beach through the fourth.
I hope you all have a very safe and fun filled 4th of July. I'll talk to you all (ya'll- little Carolina slang for ya!) when we return!
Kisses!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
I love SWA & NJ
Okay okay okay. I told people I would update this dealio and here I am doing it. Theres a ton of stuff I would like to cover, but don't have the memory/time/desire to do so, but I'll at least hit the main points. How does that sound? Good.
Okay, to update those who don't know, I'm hired by the company that I have been training with for the past two months! (FINALLY). It certainly wasn't an easy road, but its well worth it. I'm currently based out of an airport in New Jersey called Teterboro (TEB is the airport identifier). It's a very busy GA airport (General Aviation, which means pretty much anything other then airlines... so your corporate jets, your sunday flyer, etc. Good, now you know something new about flying!), one of the busiest actually. The times that I have been flying out of it, its fairly quiet, although that is because its 4:30 in the morning when I depart. Usually when I come back, however, there is a fair amount of traffic holding short (lined up behind the runway) waiting for departure. The mix is usually something of Gulfstreams, Lear Jets, Citations, King Airs, etc (google image helps). ANYWAYS so that gives you an idea of whats going on. Oh yeh, there are three other MAJOR airports close by in which many airlines arrive and depart daily. LaGuardia, Newark INT, and JFK... just to name a few. That being the case, it's ever so busy during the day time with many of the controllers. Watch out!
I haven't been downtown as of YET, but probably by the time you reach this, I'll have hit up NYC ever popular Macys 4th of July Fire Work Display. I'm relatively excited about that, and being able to see some of the popular sites in the big apple. Having not been to the east coast, this experience should prove to make life interesting. Backtracking a little further, I had quite the travel experience one weekend. Thursday evening I woke up at 5pm, at din din, got ready and headed down to do some training/checkride (final test sorta thing) work. Got done around 4am and then headed back to the hotel to get stuff, catch a flight from Columbus, to Ontario, cali. When I got in, someone picked me up, drove me back to apple valley (my previous location of residence) so I could pack my remaining things, and drive home to nor cal. So far in that time period the only sleep I got was like a quick nap on the airplane. Suck. Anyways, a 6 hour drive to nor cal (with strategic caffeine usage, :-/ ) and I'm back home. Unfortuantly, the rear brakes on my car started to show signs of wear and I didn't want to leave my sis with a failing car, so rolling in at 11:30 and I'm already ripping the rear of my car apart. finally get to sleep around 1:30ish (clean up, unpack a little and check e-mails) total sleep, 7 hours. Okay. Wake up, finish unpacking, grab a quick bite with some friends and it's catching a plane back to ohio that evening. again, not much sleep on the plane a minimal nap if that. Back in ohio I got a little bit of sleep... like 7 hours, and then its driving to NJ. FINALLY when I got in, I was able to catch some Z's. Wow. that was a lot of not sleep over a long weekend. The end.
haha. So anyways Ive done a few cool things in NJ sense I have been here. I longboarded across the George Washington Bridge, went to a Fort Lee (where I live) street fare, and Drove on the New Jersey Turnpike... picture time!
So from L to R and T to B, heres the scoop.
Driving from Ohio to New Jersey took me through several differnt states. One of them being West Virgina. Along the way, there were several tunnels that were a couple of miles long each. I thought that was pretty cool. Hmmm looks like I got a little out of order on picture line up, but oh well. I'm lazy and not going to fix it. The next one is an airborn shot (me flying) over Central NY. We have a beautiful bridge shot looking at NYC with a sunset... The video is crusing between Buffalo New York and Teterboro NJ. Lastly we end it off with me long boarding over the GWB (George Washington Bridge). Dunno why I'm sticking my tongue out. (FYI, click on pics to enlarge)
Okay, to update those who don't know, I'm hired by the company that I have been training with for the past two months! (FINALLY). It certainly wasn't an easy road, but its well worth it. I'm currently based out of an airport in New Jersey called Teterboro (TEB is the airport identifier). It's a very busy GA airport (General Aviation, which means pretty much anything other then airlines... so your corporate jets, your sunday flyer, etc. Good, now you know something new about flying!), one of the busiest actually. The times that I have been flying out of it, its fairly quiet, although that is because its 4:30 in the morning when I depart. Usually when I come back, however, there is a fair amount of traffic holding short (lined up behind the runway) waiting for departure. The mix is usually something of Gulfstreams, Lear Jets, Citations, King Airs, etc (google image helps). ANYWAYS so that gives you an idea of whats going on. Oh yeh, there are three other MAJOR airports close by in which many airlines arrive and depart daily. LaGuardia, Newark INT, and JFK... just to name a few. That being the case, it's ever so busy during the day time with many of the controllers. Watch out!
I haven't been downtown as of YET, but probably by the time you reach this, I'll have hit up NYC ever popular Macys 4th of July Fire Work Display. I'm relatively excited about that, and being able to see some of the popular sites in the big apple. Having not been to the east coast, this experience should prove to make life interesting. Backtracking a little further, I had quite the travel experience one weekend. Thursday evening I woke up at 5pm, at din din, got ready and headed down to do some training/checkride (final test sorta thing) work. Got done around 4am and then headed back to the hotel to get stuff, catch a flight from Columbus, to Ontario, cali. When I got in, someone picked me up, drove me back to apple valley (my previous location of residence) so I could pack my remaining things, and drive home to nor cal. So far in that time period the only sleep I got was like a quick nap on the airplane. Suck. Anyways, a 6 hour drive to nor cal (with strategic caffeine usage, :-/ ) and I'm back home. Unfortuantly, the rear brakes on my car started to show signs of wear and I didn't want to leave my sis with a failing car, so rolling in at 11:30 and I'm already ripping the rear of my car apart. finally get to sleep around 1:30ish (clean up, unpack a little and check e-mails) total sleep, 7 hours. Okay. Wake up, finish unpacking, grab a quick bite with some friends and it's catching a plane back to ohio that evening. again, not much sleep on the plane a minimal nap if that. Back in ohio I got a little bit of sleep... like 7 hours, and then its driving to NJ. FINALLY when I got in, I was able to catch some Z's. Wow. that was a lot of not sleep over a long weekend. The end.
haha. So anyways Ive done a few cool things in NJ sense I have been here. I longboarded across the George Washington Bridge, went to a Fort Lee (where I live) street fare, and Drove on the New Jersey Turnpike... picture time!
So from L to R and T to B, heres the scoop.
Driving from Ohio to New Jersey took me through several differnt states. One of them being West Virgina. Along the way, there were several tunnels that were a couple of miles long each. I thought that was pretty cool. Hmmm looks like I got a little out of order on picture line up, but oh well. I'm lazy and not going to fix it. The next one is an airborn shot (me flying) over Central NY. We have a beautiful bridge shot looking at NYC with a sunset... The video is crusing between Buffalo New York and Teterboro NJ. Lastly we end it off with me long boarding over the GWB (George Washington Bridge). Dunno why I'm sticking my tongue out. (FYI, click on pics to enlarge)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
A fun day gone sour.
Josh has begun taking Ryder every other Saturday. I am so happy that Josh has, at least for now, decided he wants to make more of an effort to be a part of Ryder's life. And, I will admit, the break from mommyhood is welcome. I love being a mommy more than anything in the world, but when you are a working single mom you just never, and I mean, NEVER get a break. Ryder still comes to work with me 3 days a week which is such a blessing but as Ryder is getting older it is becoming more and more difficult. Ryder will be two in August and is at the point where he loves being around other kids. So, for him, playing in my office from 9-5 is not terribly exciting! Anyway, I am enjoying the every other weekend break but at the same time when Ryder is away I miss him terribly. So, I have decided on the weekends I have him I am going to make the absolute best of our time together doing the things that Ryder would want to do (you know, rather than cleaning, grocery shopping, ect.).
So, yesterday after a trip to the gym, which on a side note, if you have kids and are looking for a gym to join you absolutely MUST check out 24 hour fitness in Folsom! They just moved to a new location and the new kids club there is incredible!!! They have all sorts of fun things for the kids to do, so much that when I go to pick Ryder up after my work out he never wants to leave! haha He says, "No, Mommy, Ry-Ry play!" Anyway, back to the point, after the gym I took Ryder to this place I heard about on the Internet called Bouncopolis in Folsom. Our good friends Marc, Stacy and their beautiful little girl Montana (who is just a few months younger than Ryder) joined us. It was fun playing with the kids in the bouncy house and going down the slide. We were a little disappointed by how big it was, or should I say, by how small it was, but fun all the same. There was this little boy there with his dad who was an absolute terror! Really, you all know me, I always give the benefit of the doubt when it comes to two year olds they are aggressive by nature. Ryder is going through the swatting stage right now but I am working diligently to stop that. But, this little boy was worse than any two year old I've seen. He tackled Ryder to the ground on several occasions, and not in a playful manner, but in a very aggressive manner. At one point I had to pry this kids fingernails out of Ryders ears. I was being very patient with the kids dad but I was really annoyed I kept thinking "give that kid a time out for crying out loud!!!!". Through all the shenanigans of this little terror I was so proud of Ryder, he never tried to be aggressive back. Every time the kid attacked Ryder, Ryder would just tell him "NO NO NO NO!!!" and shake his finger back and forth. Which is funny cause that is what I do when Ryder gets in trouble.
After Bouncopolis we went with Marc Stacy and Tana to LaBou for lunch. I had a great time talking to my friends. I am so grateful for my friends that have such wonderful relationships with their spouses. It gives me hope that someday I will find that. Marc and Stacy are a wonderful couple and I always enjoy spending time just talking with the two of them.
After lunch Ryder and I said good-bye to the Rogers and headed to the mall for the air conditioner (it was 104 yesterday) and so I could make an exchange. On our way home from the mall we stopped at Arco. While the car was filling up Ryder and I went inside to get some juice. I was just about to open the glass door to get Ryder some apple juice when Ryder threw up all over the place....like 3 times. I felt so bad for my baby. It was a lot! I'm takin, dinner from the night before was comin up. So I rushed him to the bathroom to clean him up. Then I let the store clerk know about my babys "accident". I will say the store clerk was not very happy with us. I had been hoping the throw up was due to something he ate and not that he is actually sick. But then last night he threw up 3 more times. Once on my bed and twice in his bed. I did like 5 loads of throw up laundry last night. Extra fun!
This morning I was scared to let Ryder eat or drink anything. But of course he is super dehydrated so I gave him a sippy cup with water and some crackers. I got this big black plastic bag and put it on his lap. I told him, "If you're going to spew, spew in this."(...I don't think he got the Waynes World reference though.). I'm telling you that was genius! Last time he was sick, like 2 months ago, I did the throw up in the bowl thing, which didn't work for a couple reasons. First, he missed the bowl half the time and second, cleaning his vomit out of the bowl made me gag every time. So, the plastic bag is perfect!!!
Hopefully Ryder will feel better soon! I hate it when he is sick. I wish I could do something to help him. All I can do is pray.
Yesterday was so fun. Even after Ryder threw up he was his naturally cheerful self. I am so grateful for him.
Monday, June 9, 2008
THAT'S MY BOY!
I could not be a prouder mommy right now! For the past month or so Ryder has started telling me after he dirtied his diaper. He would say "mommy I poo-pooed.". And I have been so proud of that because I knew it was the first step towards him telling me BEFORE he needed to go potty.
So today I was looking at my friend Courtney's blog talking about her little girl being potty trained and I was feeling so jealous. I so look forward to the day Ryder is out of diapers. Well, today, for the first time, Ryder said, "Mommy I poo-poo.". I checked his diaper and it was clean. So, I said, Ryder, do you need to go poo-poo? He said "YEAH!"! So we walked down the hall to the bathroom. Ryder pushed his pants off and I lifted him up on the potty. And sure enough, my baby went potty like a big boy. I am sure this will not be a normal occurrence yet. But for sure it is a step in the right direction. Ryder was so proud of himself. After he was done and we washed our hands he ran into the office and told NeeNee (Denise), "I went potty!" We clapped for him and he clapped and squealed in excitement! My boy is growing up right before my eyes. Lets hear it for the end of diapers! GOOD JOB RY-BABY! Mommy loves you!!
So today I was looking at my friend Courtney's blog talking about her little girl being potty trained and I was feeling so jealous. I so look forward to the day Ryder is out of diapers. Well, today, for the first time, Ryder said, "Mommy I poo-poo.". I checked his diaper and it was clean. So, I said, Ryder, do you need to go poo-poo? He said "YEAH!"! So we walked down the hall to the bathroom. Ryder pushed his pants off and I lifted him up on the potty. And sure enough, my baby went potty like a big boy. I am sure this will not be a normal occurrence yet. But for sure it is a step in the right direction. Ryder was so proud of himself. After he was done and we washed our hands he ran into the office and told NeeNee (Denise), "I went potty!" We clapped for him and he clapped and squealed in excitement! My boy is growing up right before my eyes. Lets hear it for the end of diapers! GOOD JOB RY-BABY! Mommy loves you!!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Loves it!
Last Saturday night I went out on a date to this little place in Roseville where you can paint your own ceramics. It for sure won the award for best date idea. I spent a couple hours working on a plate for Ryder. I didn't Finnish the plate Saturday so Monday I went back on my own, finished Ryders plate and even started another project (I'd tell you what it is but...it's a suprise! ). I have always loved painting, though I am not the best at it. But, I'm pretty darn proud of this little plate! I recommend this place for dates, family home evening or whatever. It was a ton of fun!!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tears at Wal Mart
Tonight my Dad was kind enough to watch Ryder for a while so I could run out to Wal Mart to pick up a few things. I got some face wash, milk and this Lightning McQueen toy I saw and decided Ryder needed on a whim. After all my shopping was done I headed to the check out.
As I was standing in line I noticed the mom in front of me with her 3 kids. All boys, probably ages 9, 7 and 6 months. They were all dirty. I know that sounds rude, but, they really looked like they had a tough life. In their basket was a super soaker gun and a bike. The two older boys were so excited for their new toys mom was buying them. They were jumping up and down and yelling "Hurry Mom!! Hurry!!". They couldn't wait to get home and play!
Their mom went to pay and her card was declined. She tried again, but still, declined. She then had to tell her boys that her card didn't work and they couldn't take their toys home. Immediately they began to cry. My heart was broken. I held back the tears as I watched these boys sob. By looking at these boys they didn't have much. And by the excitement they had in their voice I knew getting new toys wasn't something they were accustom to. I felt so bad as these boys cried and begged their mom to find a way to buy the toys. As they walked away I was tempted to just buy them for them, had the toys not been over 100.00 worth I would have! I will admit I felt angry towards the mom for letting her boys get their hopes up with out knowing she had the money to pay.
As I walked out of the store in my designer jeans with my coach purse and got in my Acura SUV I realized what an ungrateful person I can sometimes be. My life is not easy. The past few years have been incredibly trying. Dealing with a failing marriage, becoming a new mom, then a divorce and trying to find the balance as a single mom I have found myself at times feeling incredibly sorry for myself. I get so caught up my trials and the things that aren't going great in my life that sometimes I over look the incredible blessings I have.
I have been blessed more than I could have ever asked. Heavenly Father has provided for Ryder and I with such abundance. I have an incredible family and tons of amazing friends who would do anything for me. My parents have given Ryder and I a place to live rent free. Denise has given me the ability to earn a great living all while still being a full time mommy. I have the best job in the world. Ryder and I don't want for much. We have everything we need. A roof over our head, food on our table and the love of those around us.
I feel bad that it sometimes takes seeing those who are less fortunate for us to realize how fortunate we truly are. We all need to take time out to count our blessings. They will always out weigh our trials. But, I believe, we even need to learn to be grateful for our trials. With every trial we are given we are doing the very thing we were sent here to do... learn.
I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven for blessing my life so fully. Without Him I would be and have nothing. I am grateful for parents who have taught me faith, a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. I am grateful for my beautiful baby boy, for his beautiful smile and sweet spirit. I am grateful for such a wonderful blessed life. I am even grateful for my trials because they have taught me valuable lessons that have made me the woman I am today.
Take time and "count your many blessings, see what God has done".
Love to all!
As I was standing in line I noticed the mom in front of me with her 3 kids. All boys, probably ages 9, 7 and 6 months. They were all dirty. I know that sounds rude, but, they really looked like they had a tough life. In their basket was a super soaker gun and a bike. The two older boys were so excited for their new toys mom was buying them. They were jumping up and down and yelling "Hurry Mom!! Hurry!!". They couldn't wait to get home and play!
Their mom went to pay and her card was declined. She tried again, but still, declined. She then had to tell her boys that her card didn't work and they couldn't take their toys home. Immediately they began to cry. My heart was broken. I held back the tears as I watched these boys sob. By looking at these boys they didn't have much. And by the excitement they had in their voice I knew getting new toys wasn't something they were accustom to. I felt so bad as these boys cried and begged their mom to find a way to buy the toys. As they walked away I was tempted to just buy them for them, had the toys not been over 100.00 worth I would have! I will admit I felt angry towards the mom for letting her boys get their hopes up with out knowing she had the money to pay.
As I walked out of the store in my designer jeans with my coach purse and got in my Acura SUV I realized what an ungrateful person I can sometimes be. My life is not easy. The past few years have been incredibly trying. Dealing with a failing marriage, becoming a new mom, then a divorce and trying to find the balance as a single mom I have found myself at times feeling incredibly sorry for myself. I get so caught up my trials and the things that aren't going great in my life that sometimes I over look the incredible blessings I have.
I have been blessed more than I could have ever asked. Heavenly Father has provided for Ryder and I with such abundance. I have an incredible family and tons of amazing friends who would do anything for me. My parents have given Ryder and I a place to live rent free. Denise has given me the ability to earn a great living all while still being a full time mommy. I have the best job in the world. Ryder and I don't want for much. We have everything we need. A roof over our head, food on our table and the love of those around us.
I feel bad that it sometimes takes seeing those who are less fortunate for us to realize how fortunate we truly are. We all need to take time out to count our blessings. They will always out weigh our trials. But, I believe, we even need to learn to be grateful for our trials. With every trial we are given we are doing the very thing we were sent here to do... learn.
I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven for blessing my life so fully. Without Him I would be and have nothing. I am grateful for parents who have taught me faith, a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. I am grateful for my beautiful baby boy, for his beautiful smile and sweet spirit. I am grateful for such a wonderful blessed life. I am even grateful for my trials because they have taught me valuable lessons that have made me the woman I am today.
Take time and "count your many blessings, see what God has done".
Love to all!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Par-Tay!
On Saturday we went to Ian Wales 6th birthday party! I cant believe Ian is 6! It seems like yesterday I was at his 1st birthday! Ryder had lots of fun playing with all the big kids! They had a bouncy house, lots and lots of swimming and amazingly delicious food in true Suafoa style!
This is what Ryder looks like when he misses nap time...
He wants in the pool NOW!
Ryder and his buddy Logan! We will miss him when he moves to Alabama!
This is what Ryder looks like when he misses nap time...
Ryder's favorite Auntie Kimmi!
The spa kept filling up then draining over and over....
We hit the twins with the water filling the spa back up. They thought that was pretty funny!
He wants in the pool NOW!
Fun with cake....
I think the blue frosting really brought out his eyes. ;)
Yes, I taught him how to shoot the squirt gun... He thought shooting me was the best!
Ryder and his buddy Logan! We will miss him when he moves to Alabama!
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