Just the beginning....

Well this is it...my first blog! How exciting for me....I've conquered Myspace and Facebook and now my own blog. And I think I've done pretty well if I do say so myself. I'm sure there is more to it and I guarantee, I'll figure it out. Well it is the beginning of my blog but it is also the beginning of a new year...AND also the beginning of alot of new things happening in the world. A new president is about to take office...I have no problem saying that I'm extremely nervous about that...If you don't agree with me and my beliefs, that's fine. That's what makes this country great...we have the right to our own opinions. THANK GOD for that. Hopefully the country will survive. Another beginning would have to be that I am starting the very last semester at school...so in a way it will be the beginning of my adult career! yay!

Ollie has started a second job and that has helped in more ways then you can imagine. We were able to get me a brand new car because of it and able to have a very blessed Christmas. Elle continues to surprise us. (BTW her name is pronounced like the letter "L" not Ellie...and NO it is not spelled "EL" like "the" in spanish....ridiculous people. ) She is starting to talk ALOT more and now we have to watch what we say. YIKES. She loves her DVD player along with all her movies and is obsessed with her white polar bear, whom we've appropriately named Bear. She is 2 now and we will be "beginning" something new this year: Potty Training. woo-hoo. I am sooooo excited......**I'm being sarcastic** Let's hope it's not dreadful like the horror stories I've heard. Her middle name is Meylanny (May-Lon-ee) It is a jumbled up version of my sister's name Amy Lynne. At the time when I had Elle we didn't think Amy could have children so I wanted to do that for her....HOWEVER, God has a sense of humor and gave her Leo Steven 8 months later! haha. My brother is married to Kristy and has 2 children, Sarah (13) and David (10). They are sooo much bigger then me! I won't be able to tell them what to do pretty soon. Brad and Kristy have helped us out so much especially in the last 3 years and we could never thank them enough. We love them all. Everyone has been so blessed.

I'm teaching at The Little Gym currently. I teach children infant-toddler how to dance, do gymnastics, be confident and have fun while in a safe and awesome environment. It is so rewarding to have a child run up to you, throw his arms around you and tell you he missed you this week. Or to have a little girl come sit in your lap because just being near me made their day. It's amazing how special I feel when one of them draws me a picture or buys me a present. It is such a rewarding job and I love every minute of it. Elle, of course, LOVES the free gym time.

My parents have had a trying last few years...A few years back my dad was diagnosed with Lymphoma, stage 4. There is no cure for it; it will never go away. It has, however, been in remission for awhile and hopefully it still is. Thankfully he finished his first chemo treatment in time to marry me at my wedding. It was more than I ever could have hoped for. We both almost didn't get through the ceremony because we were blubbering like babies! I wouldn't have asked for anyone else to do it though. If I had to wheel him in, it would have been him saying the words "Man and Wife". My mom has stuck by his side and has been there through thick and thin. They have had a difficult couple years but through it all they still have their faith and strength to get through each day. My dad is so courageous with it all. He has NEVER faltered. Most people would have drowned by now, but it seems this has made him stronger in his walk then ever...IF that's even possible. I thank God for the both of them and for making me the person I am today.

I inherited an amazing family with 2 new sisters. I love them all and have become so close to each of them. Melissa has surprised me in more ways then I can imagine. She has overcome alot and has shown her glorious side as a mom. Alex, my nephew, has changed her life and that is a true testament on how powerful a baby is. Samantha is a mini me. I tell her ALL the time too. :) Great footsteps. I love her to death. My in-laws spoil the crap out of me and I love it. I'm not gonna lie. I am grateful that they brought Ollie into this world and brought him to me.

Well I guess that's it for today...Ollie is watching the Simpson's and I should probably go bother him while he's watching his show...hahaha...I'm so mean. Happy reading.