It wasn't until this morning that I realized just how mentally exhausted this mama really is. The last few weeks have been ridiculously crazy, stressful, uncertain and busy and my brain has been on total overload. Sometimes I feel my brain may actually melt. To start, my hubby was injured at work, nothing too serious, he pulled a pectoral muscle that could have potentially cause a bruise on his lung and has been having a heck of a time getting his employer, the doctor and Worker's Comp to get the paperwork correct. It's been 3 weeks of back and forth and phone calls and trying to get back to work. It's frustrating when you are relying on someone else and things don't get done.
Approximately at the same time that my husband got hurt, I was notified by my temp job that my assignment would be ending...a month sooner than initially anticipated. Unfortunately, my agency has nothing for me. So, as it stands now, back to unemployment I go next week. In one way, it will be a blessing. I have been trying for a few months to really get a freelance wrting career going and now, well, I'll have the time. I have also started writing an ebook which I intend to finish. The pay for unemployment is reduced from my pay now, but hey, more motivation to get my writing going. I have a great support system in my husband and family and from the fantastic new friends I have made through the MomSquawk contest.
To add to the uncertainty and craziness that the last few weeks have brought about, we found out that an apartment we have always loved in our complex will be available June 1st. Ironically, just across the street. It's a 2 bedroom, which would be great!! We have more than outgrown our little one bedroom apartment, we need space. As my hubby puts it, our place is like trying to "fit a battleship in a bath tub". And he is sooooo right. We need more space, Brandon needs his own space and mommy and daddy need their room back!!! But 30 days to be ready? To pack, to paint to organize? To take on additional financial responsibility with no job or hopes that I become employed in the next 4 weeks or even better my writing career take off?
If we don't make the move now, we have a plan to move to a different complex next year, but it means making this place work for yet another long 365 days. Is an even better place worth the year wait?
See where my mental exhaustion comes from? But I suppose that is the life of a mommy. :O)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and that the Easter Bunny brought you something special. This year was a little crazy. On top of Brandon feeling a little under the weather, he is getting his 2 year old molars and the terrible two's have officially started. BTW, if you haven't gotten to this point, haha, just wait. And if you have been there already, you understand.
Here are some pictures of our Easter Sunday.
Here are some pictures of our Easter Sunday.
The Easter Bunny was here!!
Opening my Easter basket
Bubble Mower!!!
Brandon with Grandma & Grandpa
The Hunt for Eggs
Look how many I got!!!
Such a big boy
Toby, the new addition for Aunt Sherrill and Uncle Johnny
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thank You
The MomSquawk contest has officially ended and the comments and "likes" are being tallied. While I do not anticipate that I won the contest, it was an amazing experience. I had the privilege of making some great new friends and contacts. There were some amazing writers that entered and I am thankful to have been among them. I believe we are all better writers and marketers for having gone through this contest.
Additionally, I want to send a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you that were so gracious in supporting me in this endeavor. I know i was annoying at times, but the comments that I received in response to my essay were so wonderful and positive. It has further motivated me to continue my writing and be successful. I am truly blessed to have so many supportive people in my life. I hope that you will continue to follow me on this journey and provide feedback. It is appreciated and very much welcomed.
With that said, please visit my new Facebook Fan Page. I set it up for people to follow my writing and separate "writer" Kelly from "everyday" Kelly. Please take a moment and "like" my fan page. And as always thank you. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Morga-WriterBlogger/205141412842018
I have also begun writing a short-story ebook that I am hoping to have completed and publish in the next few months. So definitely keep an eye out for those announcements. This will hopefully be the first of many that I will write.
Again, thank you for your continued love, support and kind words.
Additionally, I want to send a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you that were so gracious in supporting me in this endeavor. I know i was annoying at times, but the comments that I received in response to my essay were so wonderful and positive. It has further motivated me to continue my writing and be successful. I am truly blessed to have so many supportive people in my life. I hope that you will continue to follow me on this journey and provide feedback. It is appreciated and very much welcomed.
With that said, please visit my new Facebook Fan Page. I set it up for people to follow my writing and separate "writer" Kelly from "everyday" Kelly. Please take a moment and "like" my fan page. And as always thank you. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Morga-WriterBlogger/205141412842018
I have also begun writing a short-story ebook that I am hoping to have completed and publish in the next few months. So definitely keep an eye out for those announcements. This will hopefully be the first of many that I will write.
Again, thank you for your continued love, support and kind words.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Happy 3rd Anniversary to Us!!!
Three years ago today I married my best friend. We have known each other for close to 13 years now and have been through all the ups and downs that being together that long would present. We used to sit and dream about life "if we ever got married" and I have to say, it is nothing like we ever dreamed it would be. In some ways it is better than we could have ever hoped and in other ways, well, things could be different. But all-in-all it is our life and we are making this journey together, no matter what life throws at us. We now have a beautiful little boy and could not imagine life without him.
Our wedding day was amazing. It rained the entire week of the wedding and since our rehearsal and cocktail hour were to be held outside, we were getting a little nervous. Needless to say, our rehearsal day was 86 degrees!!! In April!!! And our wedding day was a perfect 78. Not a cloud in the sky.
The day went so fast!! People told us it would, but we didn't believe them until before we new it, it was last dance and the lights were coming on. It was an amazing day, and I wouldn't have changed a thing.
Here are some of my favorite picture from our day.
The rings
Here it comes!!
Special place card holder
First dance
Our wedding day was amazing. It rained the entire week of the wedding and since our rehearsal and cocktail hour were to be held outside, we were getting a little nervous. Needless to say, our rehearsal day was 86 degrees!!! In April!!! And our wedding day was a perfect 78. Not a cloud in the sky.
The day went so fast!! People told us it would, but we didn't believe them until before we new it, it was last dance and the lights were coming on. It was an amazing day, and I wouldn't have changed a thing.
Here are some of my favorite picture from our day.
Our invitation
The flowers Chris sent that morning
Finishing touches
All done
Pretty ladies
Mom and Dad
Silly girls
The boys
Into the church we go!!
Dad walking me down the aisle
Mr. & Mrs. (one of my absolute favs)
Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles
Our besties
His first husbandly duty
Bridal party - love them
Our tables
We wear our sunglasses at night
Dancing with Daddy
Mother/Son Dance
Our Florida paradise
Giant golf ball
Too cool NOT to take a picture
Aaaahhhhhh
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Found Treasures
Last night as I downloaded pictures off of the digital camera my parents gave us for Christmas, my hubby and I realized that we had another digital camera that we had purchased while on our honeymoon. What could be on it? We found it buried in a storage box on the computer desk. Unfortunately, the battery was dead. So, we charged it up, eager with anticipation on what we would find.
A short time later, once the battery was charged, we hooked it up to the computer and waited for the images to appear. We hadn't used the camera in so long, the possibilities were endless.
Well, there were honeymoon pictures, most of which we already had saved to a CD. There were pictures that well didn't come out too well, so those were just deleted. There were pictures from when I was pregnant with our little man. It was so weird seeing those pictures again. Like this one:
But most importantly and the most special ones of all were the videos and photos of Brandon during his first few months. As I watched those videos, I actually had tears in my eyes. It seemed like such a long time ago. One that really got me was a video of Brandon in the NICU. He was so tiny and so strong. I had totally forgotten that we had taken video of his first experience with cereal or the times I would just video him making noises and faces. There was even the video of the first time he rolled over. Sort of made me miss all of that.
But today, Brandon reminded me just how much fun a toddler can be and even though I may miss all of the "baby" stuff, toddlers are pretty cool too. Today we played "monsters". He hid in the kitchen and I hid around the corner. We both sneaked around the corner and ran at each other growling like monsters. We played like this for about 20 minutes before something diverted his attention. It was so much fun to actually be able to create a game and play with him for however long it lasted. You can't do that when they are little.
He also has this desire to help do everything he is capable, even some things he can't do quite yet. He loves to help vacuum. He will run from anywhere in the house if he hears you taking out the garbage. He "carries" the garbage to the door for Daddy then comes back in the kitchen and with a little help puts a bag back in the can and closes the lid.
I'm sure those videos will always make me miss his baby years, and memories like today will always make me miss the toddler years, but at least I know that there will always be more really cool memories to make.
A short time later, once the battery was charged, we hooked it up to the computer and waited for the images to appear. We hadn't used the camera in so long, the possibilities were endless.
Well, there were honeymoon pictures, most of which we already had saved to a CD. There were pictures that well didn't come out too well, so those were just deleted. There were pictures from when I was pregnant with our little man. It was so weird seeing those pictures again. Like this one:
But most importantly and the most special ones of all were the videos and photos of Brandon during his first few months. As I watched those videos, I actually had tears in my eyes. It seemed like such a long time ago. One that really got me was a video of Brandon in the NICU. He was so tiny and so strong. I had totally forgotten that we had taken video of his first experience with cereal or the times I would just video him making noises and faces. There was even the video of the first time he rolled over. Sort of made me miss all of that.
But today, Brandon reminded me just how much fun a toddler can be and even though I may miss all of the "baby" stuff, toddlers are pretty cool too. Today we played "monsters". He hid in the kitchen and I hid around the corner. We both sneaked around the corner and ran at each other growling like monsters. We played like this for about 20 minutes before something diverted his attention. It was so much fun to actually be able to create a game and play with him for however long it lasted. You can't do that when they are little.
He also has this desire to help do everything he is capable, even some things he can't do quite yet. He loves to help vacuum. He will run from anywhere in the house if he hears you taking out the garbage. He "carries" the garbage to the door for Daddy then comes back in the kitchen and with a little help puts a bag back in the can and closes the lid.
I'm sure those videos will always make me miss his baby years, and memories like today will always make me miss the toddler years, but at least I know that there will always be more really cool memories to make.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
MomSquawk Writer Contest
I'm writing this post to enlist everyone's help. I have entered a writing contest for chance to win a writer spot with MomSquawk.com. The winner is determined by how many Facebook comments the article receives. The article with the most comments wins.
Please go to the MomSquawk Facebook fan page and hit the "Like" button. http://www.facebook.com/momsquawk
Then you can click on my article link http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=124105317666074 and it will bring you to my article where you can leave comments.
Please help spread the word by forwarding this to your family and friends. The contest ends on April 20.
I want to thank everyone in advance for their support.
Please go to the MomSquawk Facebook fan page and hit the "Like" button. http://www.facebook.com/momsquawk
Then you can click on my article link http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=124105317666074 and it will bring you to my article where you can leave comments.
Please help spread the word by forwarding this to your family and friends. The contest ends on April 20.
I want to thank everyone in advance for their support.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Good, Bad and Everything Inbetween
I found out today that my temporary assignment will be ending much sooner than I had anticipated. Ugh. I'll be working 4 day work weeks for the next 3 weeks. Then, well, I don't really know. The job market is still really tough. There are few jobs and many people going for them. I can go back to unemployment (I've only been working for 6 months), but well, it's considerably less a week and for fewer weeks. But I'll take what I can get.
At first, I must admit, I wanted to throw up. I was close to tears and in full panic mode. I must be getting better at controlling my emotions, because I don't think anyone at work knew what was happening in my head. It was not a good neighborhood. I immediately started going over the family budget in my head. I cycled through the bills, where can we cut back, how can we cut back, where can I make some extra cash to supplement? My brain hurt and still hurt, but people do this everyday and most make it out okay and we would too. (Thanks honey)
Not long after receiving this news, I got a call from another agency for a job I had applied for last week. YAY!! Commute is better and salary is better too. She asked me a few exploratory questions and said she would forward my resume to the hiring manager. Here's to hoping.
But as I still sat in my pity pool, I began thinking (with a little help from my hubby) about some of the positives that might come out of all this. I'd have the time to dedicate to searching for and applying for the right job, not something just for the sake of hopefully finding a job. I'd have time to interview. I recently made the decision to write my ebook and put my father-in-laws book in motion, I'd have time. I'd be able to get our home organized like it used to be and hopefully start preparing for a move next year. I also have an idea for another source of income and I'd have the chance to get that together. Not to mention I'd have some much needed mommy/Brandon time. I miss spending the day with him and now that the weather will be getting nicer, I can take him to the park.
Unfortunately, though, with the good has to come the bad. Although the situation would be as temporary as possible, it would still require a lifestyle change, nothing too drastic, but different nonetheless. We are prepared to do what we need to do.
Haha, I'll have something to blog about now!!!
Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!
At first, I must admit, I wanted to throw up. I was close to tears and in full panic mode. I must be getting better at controlling my emotions, because I don't think anyone at work knew what was happening in my head. It was not a good neighborhood. I immediately started going over the family budget in my head. I cycled through the bills, where can we cut back, how can we cut back, where can I make some extra cash to supplement? My brain hurt and still hurt, but people do this everyday and most make it out okay and we would too. (Thanks honey)
Not long after receiving this news, I got a call from another agency for a job I had applied for last week. YAY!! Commute is better and salary is better too. She asked me a few exploratory questions and said she would forward my resume to the hiring manager. Here's to hoping.
But as I still sat in my pity pool, I began thinking (with a little help from my hubby) about some of the positives that might come out of all this. I'd have the time to dedicate to searching for and applying for the right job, not something just for the sake of hopefully finding a job. I'd have time to interview. I recently made the decision to write my ebook and put my father-in-laws book in motion, I'd have time. I'd be able to get our home organized like it used to be and hopefully start preparing for a move next year. I also have an idea for another source of income and I'd have the chance to get that together. Not to mention I'd have some much needed mommy/Brandon time. I miss spending the day with him and now that the weather will be getting nicer, I can take him to the park.
Unfortunately, though, with the good has to come the bad. Although the situation would be as temporary as possible, it would still require a lifestyle change, nothing too drastic, but different nonetheless. We are prepared to do what we need to do.
Haha, I'll have something to blog about now!!!
Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Popi's 65th Birthday
On Sunday, we celebrated my father-in-laws 65th birthday. WOW, 65, what a great milestone to reach. We had a wonderful afternoon hanging out, eating, laughing and telling stories. Ya know, a typical family get together. Here are a few pictures from the day.
Popi and Brandon
(no, the crayon never actually made it up Brandon's nose)
Mimi and Popi
Smooches
Mmmmmm, spaghetti and meatballs
Messy boy - he loves his sketties
Dessert - Oatmeal raisin cookies, NY Style Crumb Cake and Ice Box Cake
(I think there was more dessert than dinner)
Candles (yea, I got all artsy)
Helping Popi blow out the candles
"This cake is mine, what are you having?"
I love this picture.
My father-in-law has an amazing story about how he escaped from his country and traveled all over Europe to get to the United States. And for as long as I can remember, he has wanted to get all of his stories and adventures into a book. So, as a gift to him, I am going to write his book for him. It's gonna take time, there are a lot of stories. I think in the 13 or so years that I have known him, I have rarely heard the same story twice. The stories he tells are amazing and you would have never guessed that he did/went through some of the things he has just by looking at him. I am truly honored to be able to give this gift to him. His story will now live forever.
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