The Rays of Sunshine

We are Potty Trained!!! What a relief it has been, but what a journey. I have made several attempts at potty training since Derek turned 3, but me and Derek were not fully committed so we keep getting back into diapers. Every time I would buy a box of diapers I would say in my mind, "maybe this will be the last box of diapers I buy, " only for a month later, be buying more diapers. Well one weekend, Ricky had to work, and I knew I would have Derek all day, so I decided to give it a try. We made it through the whole day, and a trip to the mall with no accidents. As Sunday rolls around, I am feeling good about my progress, and by 10AM we had two accidents. By the end of the day and a few more accidents, I was done. I knew he would have to go to daycare tomorrow, and so I backed out. After talking to daycare about it, they said if we were ready, they were ready. The very next weekend, I was in " no turning back" mode. We were doing this. This is how I fe

I have had a hard time getting through chapter 10-20. There is a lot of detail, on one area. In a way I can understand why it was not in the movie. These chapters focus on Rhet, and the war. With plenty of detail on what Rhet does as a blockade runner, how he has made his fortune, and the relationship that he and Scarlet have developed. Right after the Bazaar, Scarlet's father pays her a visit, and plans to bring her home, but after a night out, he comes home to Aunt Pitty's broke and drunk, and Scarlet helps him to bed, with the agreement, that she will not tell Ma, if he lets her stay. For the rest of the chapters, we get a clear understanding of the war, and how Rhet is able to make a lot of money by blockade running, and how he does not support the war, only the fact that he is making a lot of money from it. During these Chapters Melanie becomes pregnant during a visit from Ashley, this part is in the movie, and there are many other visits by Rhet, and we learn

Every year we look forward to Halloween, not only because we get to dress up, and get lots of candy, we know that it is the kickoff to the Holiday season. We love this time of year. Before we get wrapped up in the busyness of the holidays, look how my little guy has changed over the years. Isn't he the cutest thing?

The other day as I was dropping off Derek at daycare, I saw a mother dropping off her daughter, and the little girl was throwing a fit, clinging to her mom. You could tell the mother was in a rush, as she is every morning, but her response her her little one, broke my heart.  As she was pulling the girl off of her, she stated, " I don't have time for this." By no means am I judging this mom. I have been there, and I have no idea what kind of situation or morning she has had, but it got me to thinking.   As parents, our kids will mirror what we do, in every situation, as we are the example set for them. Sometimes they just need to feel your love, or they just need that little extra attention.  Now when Derek needs "one more hug" or "one more kiss" I am going to give it to him. Kids are only little for a short amount of time, and I don't want to get caught up in the busyness of life, and miss out on his  special moments.

If you would have told me 2 years ago or even a year ago, that at this time this year, I would be going back to school to get my Masters Degree, I would have laughed in your face. Getting my Master's Degree had only been a thought, and a very short on at that, until a few months ago, when I started working at Texas A&M. I began talking to a few people about some of the options for a Master's Degree, realizing my potential, and how much I could do with the right materials, and begin to consider this as a reality. I kept putting it off, and making excuses to not do it, till one day I didn't have any more excuses. Derek's birthday party was over, we were settled in Texarkana, and I had a better understanding of my job, I was out of excuses. Last week was the start of classes, and a new beginning for myself. Even though I am only taking1 class, this is the start to something good.

For months we have been talking about moving Derek to a toddler bed. I have been pushing for it, as I know it needs to be done, but with Ricky's hesitation, I have let the nervous get the best of me. After Derek turned 3, we decided it was time, and let me tell you, I was so nervous, I almost backed out. Not only was I afraid of the freedom Derek would have,  and the sleep I was going to loose; I was terrified he would climb on something and decided to jump off in the middle of the night. Let's face it, the reality was, I was scared to give Derek the control/ independence. To make the transition, we decided that we would do it on a Saturday Morning so the first sleep would be a nap time, and if it didn't go well, we would put the side of the crib back up. One week into the transition and Derek is doing really good. The transition was a good experience. The first few nights, we have to tell him to get into bed, but he has been really good to stay in his bed. For the

This past weekend, Ricky, Derek and I decided to visit Magnolia, AR. There isn't much to do in Magnolia, but it holds a very special place in our hearts. Magnolia is where life became real for me. It was the first time I lived on my own, and in a short amount of time, was forced to make some "big girl" decisions. Magnolia, AR helped form me into who I am today. Also this is where Ricky and I realized we needed each other in our lives, where we became engaged, and spent our first year of marriage. Look how silly we were back then. This is also where we received our college degrees, meet life long friends and some AWESOME professors, that helped teach, and shape us into successful adults. We wanted to enter back into the building, sit in the same classroom, and relive a part of the past, but all we got what this: The door was locked, and we were super disappointed. We were able to get a few pictures in front of the fountain, and we spend a little bit of time remi

Let me just say, it is taking me so much longer to read 5 chapters than I thought. Here are a few reasons why: I have a 3 year old. I have a full time job.  I am a full time mommy and wife. Did I mention I have a 3 year old? Not to mention, the chapters are really long. I am so glad I am doing this, as I feel like I am really getting to know characters better than I knew them before. So lets get to the book, shall we: Here are a few of the big differences. The plan to get Ashley to marry her, and not Mellie is huge, and well thought out. Of course the plot is the same, but the detail and thought Scarlet  puts into getting him back is massive. One of the main focuses of the next few chapters is Rhet Butler with his background story, as well as the introduction of Atlanta, and how it rose up during the war.  Just like the movie, Scarlet does marry Charles, but has a baby with him, that is not mentioned in the movie. She isn't to happy about being a seventeen year old

On Saturday we celebrated Derek's 3rd Birthday. This year we decided to have a swim/ bounce house party, at our grandpa's house. It was a lot of fun but I was super worried about the heat, and almost moved it a few times.  I must say this was the funnest party, and most interesting party I have planned so far. After a month of crafting and prepping, the party was finally here. I could not wait to see it all put together.  Fruit Rockets, and the Popcorn Chicken were a hit. We wanted to make sure everyone stayed hydrated, so we wanted to make sure we had plenty of Rocket Fuel.  Every year we order the birthday cake from the same place, tell them what we are wanting and they never disappoint.  For the ones that didn't want to swim, we rented this awesome bounce house, and everyone had a blast. Here is a pictures of Derek pushing one of his friends in the swing. Doesn't he look so cool?  Now it was time fo

Wow, in the first five chapters of the book, I have learned so much more about each character, characters that are not in the movie, and read so many more conversations. Oh the conversations.... In five chapters, compared to the first 10 minutes of the movie, already so many conversations have been "mortified" for screen time. I think the part I have enjoyed the most is the back story given about Mr. And Mrs. O'Hara. The book tells their history, how they meet, and explains the reason their relationship/marriage is more "business". Most of the storyline is still the same, but you have a few characters in the book, that didn't make it to the movie, but at this point, they don't have a major role in the book. The biggest difference is the Tarelton family. In the movie we only see the twin boys in the very first scene talking to Scarlet, but in the book, there are 8 children, each who take place in a scene, along with the mother, that never made it to t

We have had a great weekend. Nothing big or major happened, just us hanging out as a family all weekend. Thursday of last week I decided to take Derek to the local splash pad, knowing he would have a blast, because he loves to play with the water hose in the back yard. Once we get to the splash pad, where there was a ton of people, Derek didn't want any part of it. He did like to play in the mud puddle created from the splash pad...only my kid. We left the splash pad and headed for the swings. Derek was in his element, and I enjoyed our one on one time. As we are talking and swinging, Derek looked at me, and says "mommy, I make you happy?" In the moment, my heart stopped. Derek has no idea how happy he makes me. The rest of the weekend consisted of Derek being the star of the show. He was in a great mood, and willing to listen, learn, and play. Saturday we watched TV, played in the water,  played cars, and my day was made.  At one point we were in the car listen

If there is one thing to know about me, its that I am a big fan of Gone With the Wind. Every Holiday season, I try to sit down and watch it, or have it playing in the background.  When I was younger, about 19, I decided I was going to read the sequal to Gone With the Wind. I pick up the book, and in the very first chapter there were characters, children of Scarlett,  that were not in the movie, and I could not get into it because of  that one fact. I have always wondered, and wanted to read it, but it bothered me that she had numerous children. Then recently Ricky and I had a conversation about Books VS. Movies, and how usually the books are better than the movie, and we got on this topic, and what if Book 1 has those children in there as well, and the movie cut those kids out??? That got me to thinking... what else is different in the book?? Well we are going to find out. Thanks to technology, I have downloaded this 1050 page book, and I will begin reading it, and since I k