He stayed...

He stayed...

For those of you wondering, Brandon didn't go to bootcamp. He is home and on his way to becoming a college student. As far as the reason, well, there was a glitch. No big deal, no one is upset especially not me, and now he is taking a different path to his future. 

Brandon has enrolled in automotive technology, associates degree program at MCC. It's a good starting point. He was never prepared for college because he was head strong on going into the Marines. So he never took his SAT's. But all is good, at MCC you don't need them. And he can transfer in two years, if he chooses.

I am very proud of him. 

Even though I am hard on him, pushing him, I know he will accomplish a lot in life, and this is the next step connecting him to his future.

Brandon is leaving

Boot camp

Next Friday, Brandon leaves for boot camp in South Carolina. Even though I am worried about this new adventure in his life, I am so very proud of him. I wouldn't be a good mom, if I was worried, right? 

I can't believe this year went by so fast, hell, it seems like since he turned 5 and started going to school all day, years have been flying by like crazy. 

I am so very blessed that during those earlier years, I had/have such a supportive husband, that he let me work part time and stay home with the kids. I got to spend so much quality time and get really close to them.  I have had the great honor of being my children's friend, not only their mom.

I know most parents would say their kids are awesome and that they aren't being biased. I would say the same thing. I won't sugar coat it and say that Brandon or Vanessa is always wonderful. But there are those times, like last night, when one of them does something so unselfish, so sweet, that it makes you take a minute and think "wow, I really did raise an great kid".

For those of you who don't know, I recently got laid off. I am not sad about it, I wasn't going to be working except part time at the YMCA, this summer anyway. But money is tight, as you can imagine. And Vanessa wants to go to a concert on Saturday, and we don't have the funds to pay $50 for a ticket then give her spending money for food. Her brother graciously offered to purchase her ticket, for her upcoming birthday because he won't be here. Not only did this make her extremely happy, but it melted my heart. (And not only did he offer, but then he did a really great thing and said his condition is that she has to check in with him at the concert every couple of hours, so that he knows she is ok.) I hope she truly appreciates how wonderful of a brother she has.

I know that in a week's time, he will be gone, and we will miss him. She will miss the brother that makes her laugh all the time with his quirky ways, the one that messes with her on a day to day basis and the brother that she can always count on. 

I will miss him just being him, his silliness,  his being here if I need to talk, his being here if my truck is acting retarded and our COD battles.

But I know he will come back, stronger both physically and mentally, he will learn lessons that can't be taught in a classroom and he will grow even more as a person.

Good luck, baby, I love you with all my heart. You are my HERO everyday, and now you will be everyone's hero too.

Thank you for serving our country, for fighting to keep us free and for protecting our home.

Good luck on your new adventure.

Stay safe, watch your six, and always come back to us.

New Additions

The new additions to the family -

We recently received a gift from our girl pitbull, three new babies. Two girls, thoughtfully named Roo and Paris, and a boy named Gizmo.

They are not even a day old in this photo but as of today they are 5 days old and so cute!

I spend most of my time thinking about them, or thinking about getting home to them. Marley, the mom, doesn't seem to mind me holding them once and a while. But when others get involved she tends to be mighty possessive. She is a very good momma, except for the occasional sitting on them, then they squeal and she doesn't seem to care. I wonder if that is normal. There have been many a time, when I have had to run over because she won't get off them, and I feel like I have to save them, because they are screaming. Not sure why she does this, but I really don't mind. 

Roo and Gizmo seem to be the hungriest of the bunch. I think Gizmo outweighs the girls, by quite a bit.

The other night I had them all on me, and Marley joined me on the couch, and took a nap. She would have stayed longer but Vanessa decided to come take Paris, and Marley got upset. I don't have the heart to tell her that Marley isn't too keen on sharing with her, so I kindly said it was time to put them back in their bed.

How we came to the names we gave them is, Marley, the momma, tends to bounce around the house when she isn't preggers and I always thought she should have been named Kangaroo, so that is how I came to name the brown girl Roo. Vanessa dreams of going to Paris, so that is how she came to name the brindle girl Paris. And well, the boy got his name because of the movie Gremlins  so of course we call him Gizmo. 

Marley did and amazing job having them. I was worried about her for a while, thinking maybe she wasn't going to have them natural or that she might need help, because things weren't going according to my timeline. But on the 2nd of January, she was very clingy and wanted to be next to me, pretty much all day, so I knew something was up. Vanessa had a stomach ache late that night, early morning and came to tell me that the babies were on their way. Unfortunately, one of the little ones didn't make it. He was a brown and white male, and we refer to him as "little one". 

I will be posting more pics as they get older. They are truly a gift. 

Have a blessed day.

Hurricane Sandy

I hope everyone is safe and sound. Boy, that was an interesting night. The kids invited friends over and had a big sleepover. As the winds picked up, we all snuggled in and ate comfort food, played some Call of Duty, and enjoyed each others company. 

I know there are many people out there with destroyed homes, no power and even some injuries. My heart goes out to them. I hope they all find some sense of peace, in the wake of this hurricane's wrath.

The waves breaking on the Statue of Liberty was amazing, and also a little scary. What she represents to us and the power of the waves, yet she still stands. That is a beautiful symbol. We can all learn from her example.

"Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way."

School Started Today

Well another school year has started.

Brandon started 12th grade, this is his last first day of school ever, unless he goes to college (but military first). He is playing varsity football, working and going to school. He is going to have a very busy, happy year. He is so excited to drive to school this year, and he even drops his sister off in the morning on his way. He is such an amazing kid, so loving and caring. I am very proud of him. But I hope this school year, goes nice and slow, because comes July 15th of 2013, he will be going to Parris Island and then to boot camp, for the Marines. I will be/am a nervous wreck, right now I am trying not to think about it, but as the time draws near, I am sure I will be a mess.

Vanessa started 9th grade, and is not very happy with her school. She really wanted to go to school with Brandon, his friends and her friends. She would have gone to Olympia with Brandon, if Odyssey didn't move from Hoover Drive to Maiden Lane, and because Odyssey is 1/4 mile closer, she is being sent there. I did request she go to Olympia anyway, but she was 3rd on the waiting list, and she moved to 1st on the waiting list during the summer and she still didn't get in. Every time I called the lady at the main office had an attitude and would not assist me with getting my daughter into Olympia, I understand her job and that they only have room for a certain amount of students, but that does not explain why a friend of Vanessa's, who was number 5 on the waiting list to Olympia, got in BEFORE my daughter. When I called and asked, I got the run around and no answer. I know I am probably not calling the correct person, or yelling enough. This is very frustrating as a parent, when you know your daughter is unhappy. Vanessa sat alone at lunch today, because she does not know any of the students in this school, most of her friends are at Olympia or Arcadia. I know I shouldn't care if she has friends there or not, but I do. I don't want her to be unhappy, high school is alot of fun, and you get so many memories from high school. I don't want her to spend it miserable. I am hoping that I can transfer her if things don't improve. I know it's going to be a battle to get her into another school, but I will fight for her, she is my little girl.

And of course, I cried this morning, but only after the kids got in the car and drove away. Being as it is Bran's last year and Ness is starting high school, they are just too old too soon. I love them so much and want them to grow but why did it have to happen in the blink of an eye? I remember Jay and I used to take the first day of school off and put the kids on the bus, then we would follow close behind in our car, to make sure they got to their school and off the bus okay. I would always cry of course, because school to me, not their birthdays, marks another year older for them.

I wish them all the best this year, lots of new friends, and lots of memories. I just hope that it goes by nice and slow.

It's April Already...

It's April already, and this weekend is Easter, can you believe it? I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter and hope that you enjoy your day with loved ones, if you are getting together.
We have some family parties to go to. We are joining Gram at her house, with the rest of the Smith family for Easter dinner. I am creating a surprise Easter dessert, that the kiddies will sure love, I hope.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone.
We hope you and yours are having a wonderful start to 2012.
Lots of love to all.

November 7th

Happy November!!!!

Soon Thanksgiving will be here. And then Christmas will be in full swing. I am NOT ready. Didn't we just do that? Where did 2011 go? Time moves at a much faster rate when you are older. All the days blend together and then before you know it, it's Christmas and a year change again. The kids get a little older, and have their foot even closer out the door, ready to run at the first sight of adulthood.

This makes me sad, but also brings me much joy. I know my children will be ready for anything and that they will bring the world their amazing gifts.

October 2011

It's Halloween, one of our favorite holidays, the kids are excited as we set up the decorations. I have to admit, we miss when they were young, even though we are enjoying this time with them being young adults, holidays are tough, it's just not the same. And for one, it makes me a little sad and removed from the holiday fun. I personally think I distance myself because I will soon miss when the kids are off doing their own thing, and not home to set up the decorations, or enjoy the festivities with us.
I mean seriously I know time flies when you are having fun but no one said years would pass with hardly a blink.

If you have time today, visit my other blog and be sure to have a safe and fun Halloween!!!!!

September 2011

It's September and school has started, football is underway. Brandon is playing varsity for the Olympia Spartans. So far they have lost 3 and won 1 game. Brandon plays on the line and special teams. We are having so much fun going to his games. We love to see how excited he is about it, and the sportsmanship that his team displays.
Vanessa was sick all last week, she is slowly getting better and will have a bunch of school work to make up, from having been out 4 days.
I was finally able to receive full time at my job, and am now waiting for medical insurance to start so we can cancel Jay's insurance at his work, it costs us over $210 a week with his employer and it will be $400 less a month with my employer.
My second job at Flower City Fast Care has begun again, I was off for the summer and missed it. I love working with Sarah and for Dr. Flaherty. It's a great environment to work in.
Jay is doing well, working hard as always. Loving that it is football season. We have football 7 days a week here. Friday thru Monday we are watching games.
Nothing really new, but the everyday here. I think that is a good thing.
Pretty soon Brandon will be taking his 5 hour course and then he can get his license. One thing I am not looking forward too. That means he is grown and the next step is graduating high school. Time goes by too fast, cherish each moment, for once it's gone, you can never get it back.

May 2011

Hi Y'all. I just wanted to post a short note. It's May already and summer is almost here. The kids are ready to get out of school, and that means Brandon will start his junior year in high school. This makes me sad, but also very excited for him. Vanessa is one year closer to HS. She will start 8th grade. Boy, how times flies. I swear these years are going quicker then when the kids were younger. It seems like those years took a while, not we are blowing by year after year, like a wind storm. Maybe it's cause I was younger too.

Jay got a new dog, named Dante. He is a red nose pure breed pit bull. A very sweet boy, but he does get into trouble alot. Just like a kid. Jay is completely in love with him.

I am now a permanent member of the OSC team for Teletech. I am an operations specialist, we watch over lines of business and make sure they are maintaining stats, and not falling short of goals. The job is very exciting and at times challenging. I love it. And I have a very supportive boss, who is great to work for.

Brandon is currently playing tennis, but it should be over shortly and then he will begin football. He loves football so much. I can't wait to see him in action again. He is also in the process of getting his license. He is doing very well driving with his permit. And once he completes the State Farm quota for driving, he can get his license and I can get a discount on insurance! And because his GPA is over 3.0, it's even cheaper! I like cheap.

Vanessa is not currently in a sport, big surprise! lol She is too busy with friends, jumping on trampolines and hanging out. She is going to Summer Jam soon with a friend and is very excited. She is becoming more and more pretty every day. She looks alot like me when I was younger, but she is so very slim. She looks great!!!!

Well that is our update. Not much else going on here. Hugs to all.

Brandon turns 16!

Brandon has turned 16! I can't believe that, let alone believe that I am old enough to have a 16 year old. Where did the time go? It was just yesterday when I was sitting on the floor building towers out of blocks so Brandon could Godzilla them to the floor. It was just yesterday when we would line up his cars on the floor in a straight line so he could count them all and decide who would race. We would sit on the couch for hours reading picture books and watching toy story over and over and over. I would also spend many hours teaching him the alphabet on the chalk board and eventually how to read, before he went to kindergarden. Time flies way too fast.
He is such a bright man. He is on his way to receiving the highest diploma his school gives out. He is very excited about that. Next week he has some midterms then on Friday, then I am gonna take him to get his permit. I am so nervous about him learning to drive. Not because I think he will be a bad driver, but because of the horrible drivers out there. Some people should not be allowed to drive.
His dreams are to go to college, then become a marine. And in that order, so that he can go in being an officer. And he has wanted to be a writer since he was young. So those experiences will give him lots to write about.
Brandon is so amazing. Not only does he have the biggest heart ever; but he is so smart and a very special young man. We are so proud to be his parents.
We love you very much Bran.

Year 2010 in Review

This has been an exciting year.

We had lots of fun and created many family memories.

Vanessa is now 12 years old and started Barbizon in April, where she went to modeling and acting class. She loved every second of it. She learned many new things. She learned how to apply makeup, for night/day/black&white photography. They had a dress code, so Vanessa got many new clothes out of the deal too. They wanted all the girls to wear dresses, with high healed shoes and stockings. Vanessa had many photoshoots with myself and my friend Lori. She photographs very well and is growing more beautiful everyday.

Brandon spent every second of his year, either playing football or working out to be strong for football. Brandon enjoys the sport very much and has made a ton of friends while playing it. He plays for the Olympia Spartans in Greece, NY. Their season went very well this year. They only lost two games! Brandon payed his heart out.

Both kids are doing very well in school. They are getting good grades and working very hard .

Jay is still employed with Heberle Disposal. He enjoys his job, except when the weather is really hot or very very cold.

I am currently working full time for Teletech as an Operations Specialist. I have worked there part time for 3 years and this year I was promoted temporarily for the holiday season. I am hoping that if I do a good enough job, that they will keep me on and I won't have to go back to customer service. I also have taken a position with a friend of mine who is a physican assistant, working at an after hours/urgent care facility. I work there nights and weekends when needed. I really enjoy both my jobs, and I have great supervisors.

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

And

Have a Happy New Year!!!