School in for the Winter!

I'm back! That's right school has officially started for me once again! And not just for me but for my DH as well. Yep...I finally talked Flash into going back to school. We decided it's a good idea to be proficient in more than one profession. Which is why he's going for an AS rather then a BS. It's a smart move especially in this economy.

Ever get tired of hearing that phrase, "...especially in this economy..."  but those four little words seem to give meaning to the downtodden life in which we find ourselves. <----dramatic much?

Of course neither of us are attending classes full time. When bills need to be paid education needs to wait. At least until the summer when we both will be getting into it full swing. For the last two weeks we've had to juggle our jobs and finding sitters for Ruby. My parents are amazing by taking Ruby to work while I ride public transportation all over the valley. I drop her off with my folks and ride a bus back to campus where I'll wait a couple hours for class to start. Then I rush back to the bus stop and have an hour ride back to work. Funny thing, I actually enjoy riding public transporation systems. It's relaxing and gives me a chance to study. It is a headache to schedule my day around what time the bus comes but in the long run it's been worth the trouble.

Eventually I'm going to introduce our valley bus system with my kids and I think it'll be fun. A new advanture!

The Big 1st of 2009!

Ruby turned 1 on December 31st! Yes I know, I'm late with the post but if it helps this one comes with pictures!

Ruby has been a joy in our lives. This kid smiles all the time and is starting to give hugs! Oh my gosh the first time she did that I melted. What is it about your kids and the wonderful surprises they give you? Her birthday was small with some family and close friends. I believe my daughter is going to be a drummer when she gets older and so we bought her a little drum set that has other noise makers stored inside. She loves to bang on the drum...which is better than banging on my keyboard. She got some new clothes and learning toys but the best part of course was the cake!

She dug into that thing like a pro and we enjoyed helping her eat all the frosted parts. We tried to get Mini Flash to dig in but he's not big on getting his hands dirty.




While we dug into Ruby's first cake we enjoyed sharing stories of Mini Flash's first birthday and how he would not dig into his first cake. With our encouragement, Ruby's example, and promises that the frosting will wash off he got into it though and started to really enjoy distroying the cake.

2009 Year End

The year 2009 was a great and frustrating year all at once. The happy and joyful moments make me sorry to see the year go but I'm excited for the coming year and the possibilities coming our way.

2009's Not so Great Moments:

I'll start with the bad parts of 2009 first so I can end on a good note:

Education - I took a year off school in hope to further my education at work. Though I've learned many things I'm not where I had planned. I did this in an attempt to help my family financially but I'm no further ahead then I was last year. I'm not sure I would have done anything different but if I could go back I might have thought more seriously about going back to school in the fall.

Family Issues - I was going to begin this section with Family Death but for some reason that just seems too upsetting. Nonetheless, my Grandmother died a few days before Thanksgiving and we are still trying to pick up the pieces of her passing. My Grandpa is having to struggle though the holidays without her and just so you know the holidays last until the Super Bowl around here.

Financial Struggles - with Flash being out of work for most of the year our savings dwindled to nothing. The construction business has suffered greatly in the valley and we had to live off the charity of our church and the government for a couple months. Though it was upsetting I was very grateful we live in a time and place where we can receive help with essentials like food and housing. I myself feel like our bills are consuming my soul. I say this mostly in jest but only mostly. ;)

2009 Awesome Moments:

And now for the moments that jazzed my year.

Firsts - January 2 of 2009 I brought my baby girl home from the hospital. What a way to start out the new year! 2009 gave me a year of firsts: First baby, first sleepless nights, first holidays, first laugh, first tooth, first vacation, first sippy cup, first dance, first smile, first crawl, first stand, first...well you get the idea. She is the reason why I don't mind not going to school in the fall because no monatary or educational value could replace all or even one of my firsts.

San Diego/Sea World - My little family spent two weeks in San Diego where we rocked with Shamu, laughed with Clyde and Symore, swam with Baluga whales, played on a HUGE jungle gym with the kids, splashed ourselves on Ship Wrech Rapids, visted with friends, and even a few temples along the way. Mini Flash conqured swimming under water (with goggles) and we even got him in the deep end a few times (that's a big deal when you're six). Our San Diego trip was an adventure and deserves a blog post unto itself and it may possibly get one in the near future.

NSA - While in San Diego I joined the National Society of Accountants, a group dedicated to helping tax and accounting practicioners do thier job. My mom has been a member for years and I have been a student member off and on but decided I would finally take the leap and become a full member. Despite my disappointment at furthuring my career this past year joining the NSA was the breakthrough I think I needed in taking the first step to a better career. I'm still going to school to be a technical communicator but that will be something I can do on the side because in the next 10 years things are going to be different.

Planning - So Flash quit his job last year. Yes...I know in this economy and I let him do it but it was a good move for our family in many ways. One being we realized just how awesome it is to spend time together. We can't do that when he has to work for someone else. My husband loves being an electrician but right now our lovely state has suffered greatly in the construction department. I knew years ago this was coming so it's no great surprise but for my DH it was a disappointment. So I have convinced him to make some changes. Quitting his job opened his eyes to a world where he can take his son to swimming lessons during the day, he can drive to work with his wife and spend all day together, he can spend time with his infant daughter, and go on vacation for two weeks without fearing he'll lose his job. Therefore; we are making plans for 2010 in hopes for a better future for ourselves and our children.

I'm glad 2009 is over though I enjoyed many moments I'm looking forward to 2010 and what it will bring to our little family. So good by 2009 and heres to the new year with all the frustrations and joys it can bring!