The Rays of Sunshine

These chapters were kind of boring, as in there was a lot of information but it seemed to be kinda slow. Throughout Scarlet's stay in Atlanta, she has is enjoying her time there, being pampered and enjoying parties. Once the war beaks out, thing begin to change as she sees the world around her change.  Rhett shows up to take Melanie, the baby, Prissy, and Scarlet to Tara. This is accurate to the movie. After Rhett leaves Scarlet on the road to go fight in the war, the story continues for Scarlett as she has to find the rest of her way to Tara. She struggles with the beat up wagon, no food, and having to hid from the Yankees on the road. There is not food, and during the cold nights, Scarlet is fearful for their lives, or that a Yankee will find them. Once she makes it to Tara, she is greeted by Gerald, Mammy, Pork, and Dilcery, a character that didn't make it to the movie. This is how the baby survives. Dilcery, recently had a baby and took to nursing her...

Over the past few months  we learned about a Little Kicker's soccer program. We quickly signed Derek up for a few reasons. We knew some of his friends would be there, and knew this would be a great opportunity for the kids to socialize and make new friends, as well as planting another root in the area where we plan to stay. It also gave us the opportunity to grow relationships with other parents with kids the same age. Derek was ready to play soccer. The first practice went OK. Derek was on the team with some of his friends from daycare, but we learned  very quickly that he didn't follow directions very well. He was more concerned about kicking the ball into the net, than listening to his coaches. As you can see, he needed to be right at the net before he would kick the ball.  The last 2 practices went OK, although he was more interested in running around the field than actually kicking the soccer ball. He did listen to his coaches better, as they were...

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.