Before Christmas Entry 2012

12.20.2012

My 2012 Before Christmas Entry. 
Another year is coming to and end, and it is hard to believe this will be my babies third Christmas and Chris and my sixth. 
Christmas is often mis-construed for getting presents, and Santa and Cookies. Christmas this year more than any other is about Family for me. Although my mom is getting better everyday, the cancer is still inside her trying to eat her bones away, and every moment I have with her I treasure because you never know what can happen tomorrow. I asked Santa this year for my mom to be home for Christmas, because she missed Thanksgiving with our family. She will be home for Christmas, and we will be having a HUGE Christmas party on the 23rd! I am so happy my mom can see all of our friends and family. She has come so far, and I know this will make her even stronger. 

Last week we finished up Christmas shopping for Christopher, William, Mom and Kevin, and My parents. Every year our parents get pictures (at least every year that Christopher has been here). It is a cheap but wonderful way of showing our family. Luckily I was able to get a friend to do our photos this year. Her Blog is: http://mitchellandashley.blogspot.com/

We did this photo shoot at Riverfront Park- Riverwalk. 
Although Christopher was a little crabby, I think she captured our family wonderfully. 

He looks so mischievous here--------------------------------->

 I didn't add this picture to facebook, and I didn't put it in the collection of photos for family. I still like it nonetheless. Mommy & Son time is so precious, and it goes by so quickly.

Father and Son. This also did not make it to my facebook page yet, nor did it go to family. We wanted to make sure that everyone got the same photos. Originally I was going to give my parents the picture of Christopher and I and I was going to give his parents the picture of himself and Christopher. I decided against it. 

Chris and myself. I love this picture because you can see how truly happy we are. 

And this photo was done because I saw it on Pinterest, and I thought it was amazing! I love the shot, and have seen it many times this Christmas season! 









Well... Here are the Christmas photos for 2012, and this marks the end of my Before Christmas 2012 Entry. Sorry I haven't written much this year. My year hasn't been the best, and I only want to write the best memories down. But this year has been rough. 
My mom was diagnosed with Advanced Stage 2 Neck/Throat/and Head Cancer.
We lost the first home we ever bought. 
We had to put our dog Hercules down because of his health.
We had to move in with our in-laws.
I quit my job because I thought we were moving out of state
I needed knee surgery because of a work related injury-- only to possibly get more surgery done in 2013.

Here's to 2013. May it be better for everyone. Everywhere. 

Life is Hard. Life is Beautiful.

Sometimes Life is Hard and Beautiful. It took Love to see the Beauty of it in the Hardest Time.

I have been faced with many challenges. Sometimes I thought my life was over. Everything was hard until the next challenge would emerge. Sometimes challenges can be beautiful. Sometimes challenges can be hard. Sometimes challenges help us grow.

I figured losing my home at the age of 24 because of the economy-- was exactly that-- the economies fault. When in all retrospect--- it is mine. Mine for making choices that were not wise. Mine for spending money on other non-important things. Mine for making mistakes. Sometimes you have to learn that the hard things in life are just that-- hard. Sometimes I take things for granted. Time is often cut short.

My husband had one of the hardest jobs to have to do when we moved from our home into his parents'. Burying our furbaby Hercules was extremely hard and difficult, but something we saw coming for a very long time. He was a wonderful dog. But time is just not enough. He was buried in my in-laws back yard next to a really pretty tree. I'll be putting a stepping stone in his place. I'm sure many beautiful flowers will emerge from the ground in which he was buried.

And now onto some of the hardest news I have had to deal with thus far. My mother is gravely ill. She was diagnosed with advanced staged neck and throat cancer in August after a couple months of what looked like a golf ball sized knot in her neck. She started her Chemo treatments a day after my sons 2nd birthday. Her chemo treatment went well, and she reacted really good to the treatment. By the end of September she had gotten shingles and was in the hospital for a little while, until she was able to come home. She held Christopher for the first time in October. A few days later she went back into the hospital because she didn't feel well, but they sent her home with more pain medication. Friday my father called the ambulance to come and get her because she no longer could hold her head up, she was numb in both her left arm and leg. She is at Palmetto Richland Hospital in critical condition with a halo to keep her neck stabilized. Her cancer has spread from her neck, to her throat, to her lung, to her spine with it possibly spreading to more places. They have taken her off the chemotherapy. As they say "she's in Gods hands". The doctor called each one of us kids, and these past fews days have been the hardest. Knowing my mother has a short time left on this world is not something I would think about everyday, but now I do. I wake up wondering if I'll receive a phone call, or if she's improved or remained the same. Seeing her in the hospital bed, and squeezing her finger, telling her we all love her may have been the last words that she comprehended from me. I don't want her to suffer. But I am a selfish person--- and I don't want my mother to leave us yet. Christopher is just now old enough to hold a memory or two, and I want it to be of his "nana".

Tomorrow is my mom and dads 15th wedding anniversary. She told me something about a month ago I was to do, in the case she was unable to do so. I got on her facebook page this evening and wrote a message. This is what it said:

 

"Tomorrow is my 15th wedding anniversary to my loving husband Vern Morley Sr. I have been very sick lately, and before anything could happen that would impare my ability to write this message, I told my daughter to write it for me. I love you. With all my heart and with all my soul. These past 15 years have been the biggest, and best blessing of my life. Through thick and thin you have been by my side. I could never ask for a better husband, or for a better father to our Dolly. I love you. ♥"

 

 

She told me what to write, and so I did. I love you mom.

 

 



Been far too long

Hello Bloggers!

I am sorry it has been such a long time since I have written. I no longer have internet at home, and I am not certain when I will get back on. I also don't have a computer right now, but luckily my mom let me borrow hers for a couple of hours. 

Chris has been helping my parents for about a month now with their home renovations because they bought a new home in Camden. It's a nice little place, just big enough for the two of them and Daisy, their dog. Christopher enjoys coming over and visiting with their neighbors little girl Bella, I'm certain one day they will be "good friends" =)

Chris right now is actually on FMLA. It's family medical leave, because of his knee. He has a doctors appointment at Midlands Orthopedics Tuesday at 9:30am. He is hoping to schedule his knee surgery. 

Work with me has been going alright I guess. I finally got a hold of our benefits department and our insurance  carrier for my knee. I have only today my parents and work so far, so I guess now the rest of the world gets to know. They sent me back to Urgent Care to see if my knee was still in the same condition as it was in January when I first went. She recommended that I go to an orthopedic. I finally got an appointment for Camden Bone and Joint, and that was on Friday at 2:30pm. My X-Rays came out fine, but now he wants to do an MRI, because he is concerned that I have torn a ligament or cartilage in my knee and that I'll possibly need surgery to replace it. We shall see I guess.

Well, that is all for me today! I just wanted to update everyone on how everything was going.

=)

-Mel

May

Happy May everyone!!! Today was my last day of class until fall semester :) I had an exam today. I only know one of my grades, so I'll wait until the 4th till I let the world know what I got ;) The weather has been really nice the past couple of days, so we brought out the pool for Christopher :) Wanted to wish everyone a happy May!!!

A day, a week, and a month goes by.....

Hello Everyone! Sorry it has been so long since I have written or even replied to anyone, but I promise this summer it will be better, because on my off days, I will be able to write more.

I have decided (well actually finances decided for me) that I won't be going to school this summer. I need a little break anyways. I have done really well this semester, and after I finish my projects and final exams, I will know my final grades by May 5th if not sooner. But right now I have 3 A's and 1 B. I need to get an A on my project and final exam for Psychology in order to get an A. I have an 89 right now and that is my lowest grade in all my classes. I am bragging about my grades, because these are classes that are not general education classes and are apart of my major. I will graduate with my associates next year and I couldn't be more happy. I was looking at the college that I want to attend for my Bachelors and Masters and it is quite expensive. I am hoping to get as many scholarships and grants as possible, so that I don't have to take out anymore student loans. I don't want to be one of those college students in years to come with like 100,000 dollars in debt just because of school. Can you imagine???? =(

On other news work is okay. I put in an application at Wateree Animal Hospital for a receptionist position because they will be hiring as soon as they finish building onto the building they already have. I am hoping they finish around June. My store manager will be leaving in May for Maternity Leave, and my other manager will be leaving in July for Maternity Leave, so I am hoping I get a new job before then. I am ready for a change of pace. I am also ready for better hours so that I can be with my son more often. He is at the age where is very impressionable and he needs the guidance and attention. \

Speaking of Christopher he is growing like a weed. He had a great Easter. =) Very blessed. We had dinner at Chris's parents house with my parents, Karl, Jade, Nicole, William. We finally got to meet William, even though at that time he was 5 months old. He'll be 6 months on April 28th. So hard to believe that he has grown so much since he was born in October. I'll be excited for my nephews First Birthday! =) Speaking of birthdays, Christopher's is 5 months away!!!! 5 months and he'll be 2. Time goes by so fast! You hardly realize time goes by that fast until you look at him and notice he is speaking in sentences.

Today Christopher went to Peyton's First Birthday Party. Peyton is the daughter of my friend Samantha. Sam and I went to school together. =) He had a blast, and now we're working out a day where he can go over and play with Peyton. =)

Well I need to  get Christopher some dinner, because he just woke up.

Glad to talk to you all and I am hoping to read every ones blog entries soon =) Have a great day!

Growing up Big & Strong, Good Grades, & Work Life.

Hey everyone! Here's a picture of my little man
<-----------------
I was playing on the floor with him, and he was enjoying himself. He has gotten so big. Hard to believe that he will be a year and a half Friday. 

I have been doing good in school (3 A's and 1 B) and spring break is coming up for me in April. 
Work is going okay. I'm still trying to find another job. It's not because I'm not happy there, it's more of the fact that I need something different, that pays more, and is less work on my back and knees. 

I figured I would give a little bit of an update. Keep you guys in the loop. =)

Have a great day!


-Mel

New Blog Colors/Sick Baby

Hello Everyone. I haven't posted in awhile, but I figured I would update my blog because St. Patty's Day will be coming soon in March, so Green was to be featured. I also uploaded a photo of my newest scrapbooking creation. A card entitled Thinking of You. The inside is blank, so you can put anything on the inside!

As some of you may know by now because of Facebook-- my little boy is sick, and we're hoping in a couple days he gets to feeling better. We took him to the doctor today. He weighs 22 lbs, and we're not sure his height-- we'll find out in March for his 1.5 year check-up. He was diagnosed, with a possible RSV , a severe ear infection in one ear, and a possible ear infection in the other. =( Hoping these meds get him better soon.

Well this is all for tonight.


-Mel

Lucky Number 11 Survey

My friend Amy tagged me in this post- so now I am answering her questions! yay! =)

1.) What’s your favorite pizza topping? Cheese. Yes. Just cheese =)

2.) How old were you when you moved out of your parents’ house (if you’ve moved out)? When I first moved out I was 17 years old. I moved back home for a couple months when I turned 18, and then I moved in with Chris's parents =)

3.) Are you watching the Super Bowl? Chris is going to record it for me, because unfortunately I have to set a store that night =(

4.) If you could take a vacation anywhere in the world, where would you take it? Italy. That is where I originally wanted to take our honeymoon-- but funds were not in our favor that year.

5.) How old were you when you got your first cell phone? I got my first cell at 16. A couple days before Christmas, and the only reason why I can remember it, is because I started dating Seth a couple days later.

6.) What’s the goofiest museum/theme park/roadside attraction you’ve ever visited? The TeaCups at Disney World =)

7.) What’s your favorite ice cream topping? Whipped Cream!!!

8.) Which color M&M tastes the best?... They all taste the same and I don't have a preference on color.

9.) Do you get a tax refund or do you have to pay? I get a tax refund =)

10.) If you had a $10,000 gift card, how and where would you spend it? Hopefully it is to the nearest grocery store. I don't really want to know how much we spend on groceries in a year, but sometimes I really wish I was an extreme couponer!!!

11.) If you could re-live one day of your life, which day would it be? I wouldn't want to re-live, but perhaps enjoy the special memories of the day my son was born. It was the most hectic, chaotic, wonderful day of both Chris and My life.

Hope you enjoy this. I'm not going to tag anyone in this though. If you want to do the questionnaire you can =)

Mel

So much to do... So little Time!!!

Hello Everyone! I'm taking  a break for a second from homework to write (Although really that's all I have been doing for my classes).
I'm going to start off by stating the important dates that are coming up:
 --- Scratch that-- there aren't any in January that haven't already passed. I guess I should do an important date entry at the first of the month so you guys know whether or not I'm busy. (I'm always busy I'm a mommy =])

School has been going good. I have two classes at the Sumter campus (about 50 minutes away from where I live) and I have two classes online. Chris is also going to the Sumter campus to take two of his classes.

Here are the classes I am taking this semester:
HUS 209-Human Services (Case Management): TTH 9:15-9:35
HUS 230-Human Services (Interviewing Techniques): TTH 9:55-11:15
PSY 208-Psychology (Human Sexuality): Online
SPC 205-Speech (Public Speaking): Online

Chris is taking his basic English 100 and Computer Technology 101 class. We get up at 5:30am every Tuesday and Thursday, and we drop Christopher off at my moms by 6:30 (at the very latest, we try getting their earlier) and we get to the school anywhere from 7:30-8:00am. I have been doing well in 2 of my classes (those are the only ones I have graded material so far in) and I have A's.--Human Sexuality and Public Speaking.

Work has been going ok. I don't work on Tuesdays and Thursdays anymore because of school, and I have enough time to study and do homework. I'm working today from 1-6 ( a nice mid-shift).


Christopher is 16 months old now!!! Next Month we'll be making his doctors appt for March which is when he'll be 18 months (or a year and a half). Hard to believe that he is that old already. Next thing I know I'll blink my eyes and he'll be in pre-school. (oh just the thought makes me teary eyed)

Well All for now! Hope to write again soon, but with work and school it gets a little rough!!!

-Mel

Of busy holiday seasons, birthdays, & the beginning of 2012

Good Morning Bloggers! =) Chris had to work at Michaels this morning at 5:00am, so I've been up since 4:30am. I guess I need to get used to that because starting January 10th, Chris and I will be going to school. We both have a morning class at 8:15am and Sumter is about 45-50minutes away from us... So I need to practice getting up early. It's something I need to get used to!

I never wrote about our Christmas or shared pictures-- only on facebook, and I never wrote about my birthday or the beginning of 2012... Boy am I slacking.... I also need to update my blog, because I have tons of Christmas colors, and Christmas unfortunately is over =(

So I'll start with Christmas Eve:

Christmas Eve Chris had off from work but unfortunately I did not-- but I was able to get off early at 2. After work I went over to my parents' and used their oven (because mine is still not living RIP oven 2010) and made these Peanut Butter with Chocolate frosting crunch bars!! YUM! absolutely amazing and yummy! I made those for Christmas Dinner. Then we went home, finished wrapping the rest of our gifts and waited for Santa to come. Christopher and I passed out before NORAD tracked Santa to South Carolina, but Chris (the naughty boy he is) stayed up to visit with Santa =)

This is of our Christmas Tree taken when we first put it up. I actually never got a picture of it this year with all the gifts underneath.

Christmas: We had a very busy & fulfilling Christmas. I won't put every picture here, because most of you have facebook and can see the photos yourself, but I will put a few on here. =)

This is Chris opening his stocking. He got this Clemson beanie from Christopher =)

This of course is me opening my stocking. I'm holding up some Kaluah Flavored Coffee! YUM =) I also got some chapstick, perfume, and candy!

Christopher opening his stocking. He got some bath books, spin toppers, and some other toys.

Christopher's gift from his G.Grandma and G.Grandpa Brewer. It's a Learn and Groove Music Table. =)

This is Christopher's big gift from Santa. He was SOOO excited when he saw his dog =)

My big gift from Chris. I needed a new coat so bad. Unfortunately I didn't read the directions for washing which said to Dry Clean only, and I put it in my washing machine. The lining is ripped to shreds now =(

Chris's big gift from Christopher and I. =) On my day off Friday we'll be playing Skyrim on it!

After our Christmas home, we went a mile down the road to my parents' place to have Christmas and Christmas Dinner there. Chris's parents Esther and Kevin joined us for dinner this year.

My parents got Christopher plenty for Christmas, but in the line of toys this is one of his favorite toys. It's a truck with cars that go with it. It makes noises and the lights actually light up.

I didn't take a picture of Chris and I opening our gifts but we got a toothbrush (because it's a Christmas Tradition!) and giftcards to Rue 21. Needless to say those giftcards bought Chris and I quite a few items, because Rue is having an amazing deal with $2 shirts and $4 jeans.

I also never took pictures of my mom and dad, and Esther and Kevin opening their gifts from us, but they received pictures!

Christopher opening his presents from his Grandma and Grandpa Cronin, and his Auntie Nicole, Uncle Bryan and Cousin William. He got some Jumbo Cardboard blocks (which were HARD to put together... ) some peanuts stuff, and some clothes.

I only took one picture of my big gift from Esther and Kevin, but Chris got some shirts, money, a giftcard to Gamestop, and some lemax pieces to add to my collection. I got some lemax pieces, lots of bakeware, clothes, and some scrapbooking stuff.

Here's me with my big gift from Esther and Kevin. A Gypsy. You put all of your cricut cartridges in it, and you can take it anywhere with you, and basically draw the page on the screen, and then use your cricut to cut it out!!! It also lets your preview all the other cricut cartridges they have-- which helps you decide which ones you really like.!!! =)

Christopher had a VERY long day and passed out on me at my moms =)

Chris's loot =)
& yes... that is a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!

Christopher's loot =)

My loot =)

We had an amazing Christmas this year!!!!














The next item on my list if you're still reading is my Birthday which was bittersweet. I had off from work,and I was home with Chris & Christopher, relaxing and I got what I wanted... but at the same time I was in a knee brace and couldn't barely move. I hurt myself the 23rd at work and needless to say I'm still in my knee brace, and waiting on an important phone call from Liberty Mutual to tell me where I need to go for an orthopedist. But overall, I'd say it was a good birthday.

My awesome Birthday Present from Chris and Christopher =) A Kindle Fire! I love it sooo much! I'm not typing this on it at the moment (because this was just toooooo long of an entry, but maybe in the future I will)



Our new years was good. We got to spend it with great friends (I wasn't drinking because I'm on medication-- and Chris doesn't drink at all) but it was fun watching, and conversing with everyone!

Although our 2011 wasn't the best year, I can feel that 2012 will be AWESOME! and I can't wait for what it has in store for us!!! =)


Happy 2012 everyone!!!



-Mel