Goobye 2008

So my last post of the year, sadly I don't even have anything exciting to share. As tough as this year has been I know it has made me a stronger person, for that I am thankful. I am excited for all the things that 2009 have in store and for the surprises too. I think I really accomplished a lot in 2008. Mostly in the way of finding myself. This was the first year since I have become and mom and an adult, since I had my first child right after turning 19, that I have had time to focus on what I want to do and who I am. Going to school has showed me that I can succeed and helped me find a direction outside of being a mommy and a wife. As hard as it was not to get those jobs, I know that everything happens for a reason. I can't wait to share all the ups and downs that the next year of school has in store as well as the continued journey of trying to enter into my career.

I have to take a moment to thank my mother in law for all that she has done. She devoted her life this last year, more so than any other year, to allow me to do all that I have done in 2008. She based every moment around what I needed to do and put me and my family before herself. Suzanne you are the best, I love being the daughter you never had, and your support means more than I seem to have time to express on a daily basis. And my husband, I know we have had some really tough times, but we survived and I am going into 2009 looking at the glass half full, I love you!!

As for my children, I am a proud mommy, thankful for every moment I have had with my 4 babies. As I watch them grow from babies to little people I can't believe that every day I am succeeding as a parent, not alone but in my part of the job.

So to everyone reading this have a safe and happy new year. Thanks for sharing in my life drama and I will post again next year!!

Looking forward to 2009

So 2009 is only days away. I am so ready for this year to be over. So as I sit I was thinking about what 2009 has in store for me. Not a whole lot yet but here is my small list of what I have to look forward to.

-Dave and I celebrate our 5 year anniversary
-My birthday is on Superbowl Sunday
-I will be 29, this will be the last year of my 20's
-I WILL go skydiving sometime in 2009 (hopefully if the weather is right for my birthday)
-My first born hits the double digits
-I become a full time student taking 12 units at the JC (this up from the 3-6 I took this year)
-My youngest boy goes to kindergarten
-My baby goes to preschool, leaving me with all 4 kids in school

That is all I can think of right now, but yay I have some exciting things ahead. My goal is to get down south to visit my family. I planned to be there for New Years but that didn't pan out at all. So I went this whole year without a visit, except to Magic Mountain with my brother.

Updates for the Year

So this year has been tough in so many ways. The good thing is that so far we have survived and are ready to welcome a new year. I thought I would give a few updates to close out the year. If I miss anything let me know.

As for the job hunt it is officially over. I was disqualified by both departments. The first was Marin County Sheriff and after getting all the way to the prebackround interview, they said I have to work on my credit and they want me to reapply in 6 months. The other I will not say the name, but I did not make it past the oral board interview. Honestly it was such a relief. I thought I wanted to work for this department till I went on the sit in two nights before the interview. It was a horrible experience. The thing is that I was told it is not good to remove yourself from the process so I needed to be let go by the department. Once that letter came it was like a weight lifted from my shoulders.

So with that I have decided to keep waitressing and focus on school for another year. I took 6 units last semester and as you can see, I got an "A" in both classes. So next semester I am taking 12 units and 10 of the will go towards my degree. By the end of the semester I will be half way to graduating with my AA in Administration of Justice.

The kids had a great first half of the year in school and are ready to take on the second half now. i can't believer that 2009 means that Aiden will start kindergarten in the fall, DJ hits the double digits in March, Dakota is getting a little closer to not needing an aide, and Kylie will start preschool. So by mid 2009 I will have all 4 kids in schools. Sometimes it feels strange not to have a baby in my arms, but it feels great to be pursuing the next step in my life.

Our Holiday

Sorry for my absence, as you can imagine it has been a very busy month. So with the year coming to an end I thought I would sum up the year with a couple pics.

As an early Christmas gift Kylie adopted her own dolly. She named it Sarah.

We celebrated our two December birthdays, Dave's mom and his grandma.

Then Dave and I took Aiden and Kylie bowling. They were so funny and we had a great time.

Then we spent Christmas Eve with the family.

Christmas morning we had the boys, then they left after presents to spend time with their dad.

Then Dave and I spent Christmas night in San Francisco with Aiden and Kylie.

So there you have it, our holiday in photos. Only a few days left in 2008, I can only imagine what it has in store for us.

Christmas Program

The other night Aiden had a Christmas program at his school. I took some video with my camera, but the sound didn't work. So here a a few still shots for you all.

He wasn't so sure at first, but Daddy had a talk with him.

Then he was typical Aiden.

And here is a little singing.

Aiden and his favorite teacher.

And yes I am a little goofy too.

After the program we shared some cookies and headed home. It was a cute little show.

You Forgot Something

So we are sitting down for lunch and Kylie asked her daddy to draw a picture of a dog for her. So Dave draws the head of a dog that honestly looked more like a rabbit. Not that I am really going to criticize, my looked like...well I really don't even know, but it wasn't a dog. He then passes the paper to Kylie and she says, "No daddy the whole body!" So my dear husband rolls his eyes and goes on to draw the rest of the body. He passes it to sweet Kylie yet again and she says' "You forgot something." Dave and I look at eachother across the table a bit concerned about what is going to come next. She takes her crayon and draws a little mark on the dog. We are trying soooo hard not to laugh hysterically while asking what that is that she drew. She replies, "It's where the doggie goes pee pee." So here you go look close to see the penis my daughter added to the drawing. Oh and I should add she also drew the "poop" coming from the butt too. Isn't she adorable?

Another Step Complete

So the call came early this morning. I passed the oral board and I am moving forward to my backround check. When I called the lady back to schedule my prebackround interview I was shocked to find out that they want me to come on Wednesday. Actually they wanted me to come tomorrow but I have to work. So another step out of the way and backround is kind of the peak of the journey. It is all downhill from there. So once again cross you fingers for me and for all of you that may be contacted, BE NICE!! (haha)