Well, it's been a few months since i have had anytime to sit and write a few lines down. School is out for the summer ( i decided to take the summer off). I am trying to get a new job because the one i have doesn't make me feel adequate at a provider. (God I am such an overachiever) LOL.. So I managed to make lemonade out of lemons, I got a 3.0 last quarter AMAZING considering the classes I took.

We have moved and relocated to Spring Arbor, which is a churchy little town, but it has WONDERFUL schools, and an even better living environment for my children to live. I mean yea sure I am not living in the lap of luxury (just yet) but soon I will be living comfortably. I can't wait till school is out so I can move onto the next phase of life.

SO as it is... I am doing pretty good. We'll see what life has in store for us.. god only knows at this point. If the economy keeps going in the toilet... who knows what's gonna happen.

I finally heard that my mom is in florida... her waterpump went out in mobile on her way and it took 4 hrs to get fixed... and she was in a small little hick town so she wasn't able to call... but she made it... that is just one less worry on my mind.

I am working with my doctor to get all of this depression stuff worked on because as all of u who know me know.... I am not one to be down on myself and especially since I have had my children, and got married. I mean that's all I ever wanted out of life. I am pursuing my career as a teacher and things are generally good all around. I just don't feel like everything is good and that's just not the person that I am. OF COURSE... my boss didn't make the situation any better, I mean I was truly working my ass off and trying to prove to him that I am a good worker and he never said anything good, he just always found the faults in everything that I have done. And as a person who is trying to advance in her job, you need to know you are doing what you need to be doing in order to get ahead. I mean it's not asking alot for him to just let me know if I am doing the things he asks of me... and to do it in a polite way. I mean yeah I am a grown woman but you don't always have to say rude, mean stuff I mean sometimes a person just needs to hear something good for a change. But I have dealt with that situation as well...

I am really doing better, it was nice to talk to the doctor yesterday because he has an objective opinion and he isn't just going to say what I want him to say. Not that my friends and family to do, but sometimes you just can't help but agree with what a friend is saying. ;D

Well that's about it for now... just thought that I would let everyone know that I was feeling better and I am going to continue to live a happy life, and all will be better when I become a teacher and the little kids that I will teach show their appreciation when I teach them something and they finally understand. That is what I am looking foward to the most... and being able to help my own children understand the things they are going to learn in school. :D

I have been in alot of stress lately. I have had 2 children test positive for lead poisoning. SO I contacted the landlord (and just so you know i hate this bitch because she thinks she knows everything and it always seems that she has the answers to everything... I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT STAND THIS LADY...) and she proceeds to tell me that the house has been tested for lead and it's not contaminated she seen paperwork proving that it's lead free BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH.... and i told her that my children have NEVER tested high for lead since I have had them and now I live in this house since May and 2 of my 3 children have tested positive so it's got to be this apartment that I am living in... so she goes and has the county come out and they spend 4 hours in my home testing various places in the apartment... taking pictures, swabs this and that.... and come to find out there's lead throughout this apartment... NOW hmmm being a mother I am terrified because the symptoms of lead poisoning go noticed as cold or flu symptoms... and  guess what my children  have all of these symptoms... lead poisoning also affects childrens sleeping patterns, hyperactivity, loss of appetite, abdominal pains, and irritability... and yes my children have all of those symptoms too... So now my kids have to stay at my parent's house because their health is at risk if they stay here and live in the apartment... I am so mad but at the same time I am not sure of who to be mad at... myself, the landlord, or just everyone... It's a horrible feeling to know that my job as a parent is to protect my children and here I am exposing them to the most lethal thing for a child... It's depressing and as everyone who knows me I don't need anymore depressing things in my life... depression has ahold me bad enough... but it's been a rough week and there's nobody around but my mom and sister to talk to which they're wonderful but they are like me and really can't keep a level head in this situation.... I guess the point of the matter is I want to let all my friends on Myspace know that even though your landlord says they've tested the place you are living for lead... keep your kids tested... (which i have been completely on top of... every year they get it at the doctors and WIC also checks their lead levels...) And if you have any questions don't hesitate to make your landlord get another lead test done... it's your childs safety and health that is at risk so who cares if it sets your landlord back.... it's the law that all rental properties be checked and cleared... it's your right to have a copy of a detailed report on the lead test as well... it's homes and apartments that were built before 1978 that are at risk for lead... so I guess I will end it here and again thank you to all of you who read this and get your children tested

ok, so i have found many different articles on potty training and i also found that the same way i potty trained Brandon isn't working for Devin... So I am kind of taking a little spin on Dr. Phils potty train in one day. I found these REALLY cute potty training charts and stickers online and i am utilizing them. Devin will have a potty party when he's filled up his potty chart. This will hopefully get him to potty train easier, also if he goes poopy on the potty he gets 2 stickers which will fill up his chart faster... i dont know i just know that i can't handle 2 kids in diapers any longer and i just want him to potty train... so i am giving anything a shot....

In other news... Brandon will be starting preschool soon... I am meeting with his teacher (Mrs.Ludwig) on Wednesday for a home visit just so she and the other teacher can assess how he is at home so they know what to expect when he's at school, and also just so he can get to know her on his own terms... Which I think is awesome... But I am so totally excited for that I can't wait until he goes to school and makes friends and everything, I hope that this will kind of calm him down and make it easier to control him on my  time LOL.. well that's it for now...

It's amazing that I am actually able to write this. I am probably the happiest I have ever been right now at this very moment. Chuck and I will be celebrating our 4 year wedding anniversary on August 13th. In the first year of our marriage we were tried very hard... and yes there were a few times I told him that I was packing up Brandon and I was leaving because I couldn't take him going out after work and not calling me and letting me know... and not thinking about how I was feeling because I was at home with a child all the time and I couldn't go out after work and have fun.

But we OBVIOUSLY made it through the toughest year of our life... We were newly married, had a young son, were fresh out on our own... and practically POOR... but we stuck together and we helped eachother, and look at us now... We are unstoppable... I mean it's amazing considering the background behind us is pretty different. We are now going to be together for 7 years as of Dec. 15th... and neither one of us could be happier... I mean we know what it's like to pretty much be poor.. When we first moved back to Michigan in 2004, we had nothing. We came back and lived in the basement of our friends house for all of 2 weeks, and in the first 3 days we were back Chuck was put in jail for a violation he had... and there was only him working... it was tough for a while. We moved into our first apartment Oct 1st of 2004 and quickly realized that we "weren't in Kansas anymore". Reality set in very quickly. Chuck was old enough to drink... I wasn't... that in itself is a big problem... but like I said we got over it and we are MUCH stronger now.

We both have jobs, we both participate in raising our 3 children, and we don't let other people interfere with what we have. We are truly independent, and it's great. I mean of course I think life could always be better, but that's life, there's always something better somewhere, but I am truly thankful for what I have. I mean my husband doesn't verbally, or physically abuse me, we are a great team, and share our responsibility. It's not his job or my job it's our job to make our relationship work, and we are doing a damn good job of making our own life and pursuing our own destiny.

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth: 1) not going all the way; and 2) not starting.

 

You can always count on the Buddah to let you know just what it is you need to know.. I think this is a quote everyone should live by. If you are going to start something you should finish it, don't procrastinate, and if you plan to do something... do it....