Back to School...Back to School....

So I have an official announcement to make....

Today I got my (OFFICIAL) notifcation from St. Leo that I have been accepted to the Master's of Science program in the area of Instructional Design!!!

Couple of things...I know that doesn't seem impressive to some. I know that technically, St. Leo isn't exactly selective. But this is still a big deal for me and I am SO excited. It is still an application process and EVERYONE feels better when they get that (Yes!) answer.

I am also sure that you are wondering what it means to have a Master's in Instructional Design. To quote the website, "The dynamic online program prepares you to design, develop, implement ,and evaluate efficient and effective instructional experiences for a variety of settings, including corporate training, military, adult learning, and higher education." So I feel very optimistic that this degree will be exactly what helps me achieve my future goals in life. There are a couple of potential paths that I could take with the extra education so its refreshing to feel motivated again. This area is something that I have always been interested in. This time, its about what I want to do. No one was acting for me before, but I didnt really know what I wanted to do. I mean, no idea! Now I have an idea. And I am going for it. For once, I am just going for it and not stopping to talk myself out of it. There are a million reasons why now might not be the best time for me to start this. But honestly? This is still the best time to start it because there will probably not be a better time in the future. It will probably only get harder and harder. So from now and for the next 2 years, bear with me :). We are going to be one busy family :). Cory has also transferred from TCC to St Leo for his undergraduate program. So we are both Leo's! Very exciting events happening in the Mitchell household!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

The Wonderful World of Golf...

Confession... I am the worst "golfer" in the entire world. BUT, what I will say is that I am working on this new skill. I really do want to get into the game and truly enjoy it for everything that it is. I also would like to be good at something athletic LOL. I have not had much success in this in my life to date. For all reasons that are my own fault, which means that I will have to put in work to get to a good point with golf. Regardless, this is something that most of all---I would like to be able to enjoy a round of golf with Cory and my Dad. My Dad has golfed for years and he just recently purchased Cory a set of clubs for his birthday and they have been working on Cory's game ever since. Now it is my turn...

The most exciting part of this golfing adventure? My grandmother had a set of golf clubs that she owned and when she passed away, somehow my Dad gained possession of them and got them down to Virginia. For those of you who do not know, I worshipped the ground that my Grandmother walked on. In the years before she passed, I was in my stubborn teenage years, so I did not truly show her how much she meant to me. Every memory that I have of her is practically outlined in gold and cherished dearly. Now that I am enjoying the game of golf, I have started to use her golf clubs and that is truly touching to me. Cheesy?? I am sure it is, but that is how I look at it. The one piece of trouble with this? We were not exactly the same height, lol. But I am using what I can.

One comedic side note??? I will never take this set of clubs out in public before first getting a new bag with club covers..... you have to check these out! No question about what decade these clubs were bought during... ha ha ha!!! 

So hilarious... but not as funny as the video you are about to see. Cory and I went to the driving range last Sunday and took Sydney with us for the first time. I should also remind you that it was only my second time ever going on the range. So it is a horrible video to see of myself. I miss the ball, my swing looks ridiculous, I am CLEARLY an amateur. Post is that I am working on it and I am trying. Who cares how it looks. But CHECK OUT my Sydney poo! She is getting such a kick out of Mommy trying to hit the ball. and this was after 10 minutes of the same laughing. Bless her heart. It was hilarious. Please check it out and enjoy... Happy Friday!

The Most Terrifying and Rewarding Journey you will ever take...

Anyone else ever been approaching this time of their life and all of sudden wonder what in the world you are about to get into??

In case you can't tell, this picture was 3 days before Sydney was born. Also, if you don't know, this is also my bestie Bridget who has been one of the best support systems I could have ever had going into and through every step of motherhood. Mother yet or not, no one understands me more than she does. My insecurities, my anxieties, my strengths, and my problems---she has been there every step of the way. So hidden plug to you----Thank you Bridget for being there through EVERYTHING! I could never thank you enough for your love and support. I can't wait to be along with you through your mommy-hood journey. One of many, I am sure that journey will be one of the best ones yet :).

Anyways, see thats why I need a blog---I get sidetracked easily. Back when that picture was taken, I had NO IDEA what exactly was coming for me. I also I had no idea how long it would be before I ever got to truly sleep in again, or sleep without a monitor beside my head. More experienced mommies---when in the world did you get rid of THAT thing? I feel like it will be 3 more years still, HA! I mean seriously.

Motherhood is literally the best thing that has ever happened to me, but it is the most stress and anxiety inducing thing too! I never knew all the things that there could be to worry about. And knowing my parents, especially my Dad, I know that it will be an eternity before I ever stop worrying about things. I get that from him. I am so much more anxious than people would ever imagine. I am also so stubborn and independent that I tend to reject the (asking for help) thing. If you didn't know, Sydney was milk intolerant (with pretty much all dairy actually) until just recently. Up until recently, I have stressed to no end about what she eats. Thank goodness we have more options now. But I still get so paranoid about so many things! I mean with eating---how do I get her to eat the real good stuff for her? How much of the good stuff does she need? Is it ok that she isn't walking yet? I mean I know technically that the answer to this is yes---she is just at that point where it is up to her and her comfort when she walks. and I know that rushing her will only mean more stress to me and hurt her in the end. But, still, I worry. Are we providing for her sufficiently? Are we going to save enough for college? That is like wayyyyyyyyyyyyy in the future, so more presently---what can I do to ensure her success in school now? I know these things seem like all over the place, but these are the thoughts that constantly run through my mind. Let's just say I have time to think over things a lot and that is not necessarily a good thing. Luckily any time I get with this face...

I get stress and worry free. None of my time with her is ever ruined with my worrying.

Still, Am I the only one who goes crazy about these things? I am sure not, but its still easy to think that when you are in your own head. Thanks for listening!

Welcome to our World of Air (Parenthesis)

So already I feel the need to explain this blog title. The other night, Cory was on the phone with a friend of his. He made air "quotes" when he stated something sarcastic to him, but said "I am so giving you the air parenthesis right now". I immediately whip my head to him and said oh really? Ever since then, we have been making air (parenthesis) in every conversation with each other. And these...my dear friends... are the joys of our marriage. When you have gone through the things that we have gone through, you have to make joy and laughter of anything that you can. Otherwise, you will take things too seriously and not be able to find the ironies of life. Our new air (parenthesis) have already brought about 30 minutes of laughter to us and they have only been around for 3 days. So REFRESHING! It is so amazing to find small things like this to laugh about and distract yourself from other facts that you dont enjoy about your life. Who loves working 40 hours a week, taking you away from the most important people in your life? Who loves analyzing every aspect of your financial situation, making ends meet when the outlook seems so grim? Who loves riding in a 2001 Protege in the middle of July with AC that only (kinda) works? The answer is, mostly no one. But that is when your significant other comes through and just like the superman that he is...makes you crack that smile and laugh like you feel like you haven't laughed in years. This is what makes me feel so justified that I chose the right spouse for me. We are meant for each other, and even after as long we have been together, I can EASILY say that. It has not been a walk in the park. And I promise you, if you are about to get married, hoping to get engaged, happily in a commited relationship, or just starting out on the journey of dating someone...it is not easy. But that does not mean that it is not worth every second of the journey. You find the joys in the little things and that helps you to fight through the hard things. Always keep your head up, put your hand out to the side, and grab the hand of the one who loves you most. :)

Some pictures from our Honeymoon, almost 2 years ago: