Graduation weekend: success!

In August, most people thought I was nuts.  And after living this last semester, I would probably agree with them. But guess what?  We made it.  I'm done with grad school.

Why did people think we're crazy?   Because this was the first semester EVER that I was going to be consistently going to class more than one night a week.  And not just two nights...but three.  UGH.  Just typing it makes me want to puke.  I'm so glad it's over with.  I had 2 classes left - both required to graduate with my emphasis in finance and management.  Usually, I could pick my classes really based on preference, but more on the schedule.  I didn't like going to class more than one night per week and had been able to keep it like that (even last spring when I took 9 hours, or 3 classes, because I took an intercession class that was 3 nights a week, but just for 3 weeks and then another online class).  But this time, it was either you go to class 3 nights a week or put off graduation until spring. 

Seriously, the thought of going another 16 weeks was just not something we wanted to do.  So Jimmy and I decided we would suck it up and deal with it for 16 weeks this fall and we'd be done.  Easier said then done, right?  Have you ever done something like that and then while you're in it...you think...what the HECK was I thinking?  Yes, that is exactly what we said to ourselves a few times.  With school + craziness at work with both of us having new(er) jobs, we were not happy campers for a while.  But we made it.  And that's what matters. 

So when it came time for graduation...we celebrated and it was wonderful!  It for sure wasn't just a celebration of my and just my accomplishment...but celebrating that we made it as a family.  And a celebration of all the support of family and friends we had this last semester that made all this possible.  And really to Jimmy because he's awesome too.

It kicked off at work - my Hallmark friends are the best and so sweet.  They not only got me this delicious cake, but took me out to lunch too!! My last Crown Room cake.  It was delicious!!!

On Friday, December 13, we all met at UMKC's rec center for graduation.  I really didn't want to participate - mainly because I'm cheap and didn't want to have to pay for the gown, hat and robe thing.  But Jimmy said I had to and that Charlie would love and appreciate that picture someday that we had together.  Yep.  He was right.  And it was so good to see some of my friends from grad school that I'd made over the past 3 years and hadn't seen in awhile.  It was long, but great!

Snacks are the best entertainment

Walking across the stage!

My favorite picture! (made the Christmas card also!)

We were going to go out to dinner to celebrate after the ceremony, but it was 7:00 at that point and our little man was fading fast.  With snack for dinner, he was tired and we decided to just go home.  So we ordered Chipotle online, I put Charlie to bed, Jimmy got Chipotle and we celebrated just me and him.  And it was perfect and delicious!!

The next night, we had planned on having our families over to celebrate with a small party.  Little did I know what my tricky, party planning husband had up his sleeve.

At first, my friend Emily and her husband Jeff walked in and just figured that Jimmy had extended the invite to a few of my closest friends...and then more and more people started walking in and I finally got the picture.  Jimmy invited like everyone.  And it felt like everyone came.  I was in shock (mainly to see all these people AND that they drove all the way out to our new house...which is about 15 minutes from our old house which was in the heart of KC).  It was seriously SO so fun to see everyone.  I had so much fun talking as people came and went and their kids came and played with Charlie - who is already a party lover just like his dad!

So thank you Jimmy for such a wonderful surprise and to everyone that came and celebrated with us and for so many others that reached out that wish they could have been there.  It seriously meant so much to me.  I love that all the people are here for us during good times and bad.  Love you!!

 Some party pics my mom snapped!!

Charlie and Brodie hanging out with Carly!

I mean people were EVERYWHERE!!!

Yes Bennett, Charlie loves the freezer too!!!

Cousins love Charlie's toys!!!  And he loves them!

 It still feels surreal to be done.  I dont' think it has sunk in yet.  Everyone keeps asking me how it feels, but with the holidays these past few weeks and getting every thing ready to leave my job at Hallmark, it seems like the craziness hasn't stopped.  I start my new job on January 3, which I think after a week of going to that and NOT going to class every night and being able to cook and play with Charlie and not walk into our house at 6PM stressed out about everything...I will be VERY happy it is all over.

So in the end and after 3 long years and one kid in between...we are happy that I did it and I finished it.  Check to that life goal!!!

Five on Friday: Catching up and the holidays

Hi!  I'm back (kind of).  I'm really trying to get back into blogging and catching up on all the fun stuff I have missed.  My favorite thing to do every once and a while is to go back and read old blog posts.  I love looking back over the {almost FIVE} years I've had this little blog and seeing how some things have stayed the same and some things are OH so different.

With that, I thought I'd kick off my return from a blogging hiatus because of school + wrapping up time at my old job + I'm just plain tired from this last semester with a Five on Friday post sponsored by Darci and her friends, April, Christina and Natasha.

  

{ONE}

Did I mention on here that school is done?  Welp - it is.  Last week on Friday, I graduated and walked the stage with lots of classmates over the last 3 years.  I was kind of annoyed because the whole thing was long and on a Friday night (which I thought was random), but I'm so glad that Jimmy told me I had to walk.  Even if this crazy get up was $60...it was worth this picture.  One for the scrapbook (aka blog) to show Charlie when he's older.  He'll appreciate all my hard work some day...right?

{TWO}

In addition to finally being done with school...we have finally started to get in the Christmas spirit over here at the Carter house.  Jimmy was so sweet and put all the decorations up one day when I was out.  While most people might be mad...I was thrilled.  I honestly didn't want to go to the effort of putting it all up and having to take it down again in 2 weeks because we were running late.

It was such a great surprise and I loved finding his decor choices all over!

{THREE}

Oh Santa.

So we waited until what I consider the last minute on this one too (hmmmm....is there a theme here?).  But I was determined we were going to get to see Santa this year.  I had heard that Bass Pro shop had crazy long lines, and with this crazy kid, I thought it would be for everyone's best interest if we didn't have to wait for hours.

That is why we got to the parking lot on Saturday morning at 8:30AM.  We were already out running errands and Jimmy figured they were open.  Um, nope, sorry.  We actually are just going to sit in the car for 30 minutes and then go into the store at 9AM.  But Santa doesn't arrive until 10AM.

If looks could kill when I told him that...yep, I'd be dead.

But it actually worked out great.  All of it.  Charlie got a little Sesame Street counting video in...and we were probably the second ones in the store.  Jimmy had to go to the bathroom bad...so he went there and we went to check out Santa's workshop.  Turns out...Santa was actually there early (bless people who are early...) so we were second in line.  Wahoo. However.  Dad was in the bathroom.  Forever.  I literally thought he was playing a prank on us and I was so mad because he almost missed Santa.  But never fear, he arrived just in the "nick" of time.

And this is what we got.  A perfect little picture.

Haha - no crying, no hesitation, nope - he just wanted the candy cane.  I guess he's outgoing??  (hmm...wonder where he gets that from?)

All in all - it was wonderful and Charlie found lots of fun toys to add to his list!!

{FOUR}

 Who has all this holiday fun without a little baking either?  I didn't take any pictures of the process of baking 8 dozen cookies for a cookie exchange I did with some girls from work..mainly because Pinterest totally LIED about these being easy cookies that simply are molded into circles, you plop a carametl and some salt on them and then put the dough back aroudn it.  Literally - half the dough was on my hands because it was so sticky.  

I give you: Salted Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

They were really good, but honestly, not worth the effort to me.  Maybe a dozen?  But not 8.

On another note regarding this - my little hand mixer went KAPUT mid making these.  So I had to stir it.  WITH A SPOON WITH MY OWN STRENGTH.  Gasp.

So that meant I was in need for a new one, right?  Well....as a graduation present, my sweet parents and sister outdid themselves and got me a Kitchen Aid mixer.  OMG.  I'm still salivating thinking about it.  It's set to arrive next week and I cannot WAIT!

Moral of number 4?  Beware - Pinterest does lie.

{FIVE}

This picture needs minimal words.  A toddler, in his dad's hand me down sport coat, in holiday colors, with shoulder pads.  He rocked it and he knew it.

I thought for sure he was going to take it off the instant he got to school.  Nope - he wore it proud all day and apparently let everyone gloat to him how cute he looked.  Oh Charlie.

Happy Holidays!  I will get caught up soon - maybe while we are on vacation!!

Changes

So I tried - I really did to keep up with blogging.  But other things got in the way. 

Like the holidays, hosting parties, working, playing with Charlie, finishing up grad school AND getting a new job.  So don't think I don't have lots of things to blog about.  Because we have been busy.  Unfortunately, the only other thing that time allowed for in these last few weeks is sleep.  

And I took advantage of sleep whenever I could!!  Who wouldn't!?

But here we are.  We made it to the flip side.

And we couldn't be more excited.

I graduate on Friday at 5PM.  My final paper for my capstone class is going to be turned in today.  And that's it.  I took my last final last night.  Last final ever.  And I ran home to put Charlie to bed and sat there with him extra long.  Because I could.  Because I didn't have to rush to study or finish homework or read.  Even though I had work to do last night - that is about to change too.

Yep, mama got a new job.  And I couldn't be more thrilled.  However, it was a very bittersweet feeling leaving my current company and in particular, all my friends and co-workers.  I mean, these people are real friends.  Friends that I have been with over all the changes in the last 5 years.  Which...believe me, there have been LOTS of changes.  Buying TWO houses, getting married, starting grad school, getting pregnant, having a baby and finally finishing grad school.  

Yeah, just a few things have happened in my time at Hallmark.  And like I said, my co-workers there were more than co-workers and I couldn't be more thankful for that.

But I'm ready.  We're ready.  For a change.  Something closer to home, totally different business, similar role...but a new challenge.  And hopefully some more time.  I seem to be all about that these days.  But really, who isn't?

So I'm back to blogging about little things, random things, funny things.  I have missed it and feel like this is such a cool space and I LOVE looking back on old random posts from years ago - so I'm dedicated to keeping up.  

Cheers to changes, new beginnings and more TIME friends!!!

An old (October) pic of me and my little man.  But one that I really like!!

PS And it's time to catch up with the holiday to-dos, like a PJ link up and getting my Christmas cards finalized and sent out and maybe clean my DIRTY house!!

Mommy and me: back to school (x2)

It's been awhile since my last Mommy and Me link up because the gals hosting it took the summer off, but I figured since I missed the last Five on Friday this last Friday, I'd link up to this again because I really do need to document pictures of me and my boy vs. the 100 pictures I take of just him that are mostly blurry!!  But Dear Owen and Everyday Love are back at it for the fall - so check them out!

So even though it doesn't FEEL like fall with these 100 degree temperatures in Kansas...we are almost there.  Football started this past weekend and my men was in heaven.  But with fall comes the start of school.  And guess what friends, this is my LAST semester of grad school.  I can hardly believe it.  Off to a decent start, but this is the first semester of the last 3 years of grad school that I have physically gone to class for the whole semester more than once a week.  And it's not just twice a week - it's THREE times a week.  Yep, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I'm in class.  Monday and Wednesday, I get home around 7:15 and then Tuesdays I don't get home until 10:15 or so.  Brutal with a capital B.  For many reasons.  Mainly because that just means even less time with Charlie and Jimmy.  While it's depressing, I'm trying to see the positive side of it.  Like how in 13 weeks it's all over with and I have my MBA.  Never again will I have to step foot in a classroom.  Um...yes please.  

While it's hard on me, I want to call out that my husband is the real trooper...as he's taking on lots of extra work around the house and with Charlie.  They say marriage is a team and it definitely was a team decision to finish out this semester with these 2 classes instead of splitting it between fall and spring.  But all of us are feeling the sacrifices.  So very lucky to have Jimmy and his support with finishing school!  And I know Charlie will appreciate it someday, right?!

Now, I'm not the only one that went "back to school".  Charlie actually started at another new school.  We are crazy right.  You'd think we are since he's just 13 months and has been in 3 different day cares. Well, I promise we are not, and to say I was devastated to have to make this switch is an understatement.  We absolutely love the YMCA downtown.  Loved his teachers, loved the program, loved his classmates, etc.   What we didn't love after we moved houses?  That Charlie had to be in the car for over an hour a day in rush hour traffic.  Not only did we not think that was fair to him, but it also just made me nervous.  Jimmy and I are fine with being in the car a little longer, but the chance of getting in a wreck, etc. goes up more - which we weren't willing to take that risk with him in the car.  So we started looking at a few schools out by us and we found one that we LOVE just right by our house.  Also know a few people that take their kids there and they love it - which is always a good sign.  I thought we would have to wait longer, but as it turned out there were 3 spots open in the whole school (infant - pre K) and Charlie's room had one of the openings.  So last Tuesday was his first day.  We had a trial day there, which he did great at, and drop off the first day wasn't too bad.  It was the second, third and fourth day that were not-so-good.  Besides the fact that he is 13 months old and starting to experience lots of attachment to me (and Jimmy), throw on the fact we take him to a brand new school, new teachers, new friends, new environment and say - HAVE FUN.  Well, he didn't like that too much. Walking out of a classroom to your son screaming bloody murder is not fun and I wouldn't wish that upon my worst nightmare.  That is all you think about all day long.

But guess what?  Monday has arrived and it is a new week.  A new week that started out Sunday with Charlie making it through a whole church service in the nursery at our new church (wahoo!!) and then not crying at drop off (even bigger WAHOO!!!).  So we're taking that for the win folks.  It's going to be a great week!!

So now that I've filled you in on all our back to school shenanigans (hope your back to school experiences were good)...have to share a wonderful picture of me and my little man that Allison captured so beautifully on Wednesday morning.  This is just one of many great ones she got as part of his one year (aka 13 month) photo shoot that she was so sweet to fit us in at the last minute.  We were so so happy with the results and highly recommend her.  She made it easy and got some great pictures.  Easy with our wild man is saying something!!

Photo courtesy of Allison Corrin Photography

It doesn't seem possible

It really doesn't seem possible that 4 months have past since the spring semester of grad school started and I wrote this post about my decision to finish grad school post-baby.

It doesn't seem possible that Jimmy and I have BOTH changed jobs at Hallmark during that timeframe and encountered all the stress and long hours and anxiety that comes with that.

It doesn't seem possible that I took THREE grad school classes from January 1 until May 17.  Nine hours folks.  That's a full time grad school student (trust me I know because I dealt with a lots of drama with UMKC on how they were billing me...let's just say at one point they said I owed them $6,000 and I cried...but then I fixed it - don't mess with me).


It doesn't seem possible that in that time frame my baby boy has gone from a 5.5 month old to an almost 10 month old and so much has changed about him.  He was just learning how to sit up really good by himself and we were started to explore new foods.  Now he is crawling EVERYWHERE and pulling up on everything.  He eats all kinds of foods and has almost mastered the sippy cup.  And sleeps great, makes lots of noises and is hilarious.  He's a totally different kid and we are totally different parents.

It doesn't seem possible that I haven't worked out ONCE since January.  I mean that's terrible, right?  I have done some walks with Charlie and Jimmy when the weather cooperated.  But nothing else.  Somehow I'm still under my pre-baby weight.  Which brings me too..

It doesn't seem possible that I'm still nursing Charlie.  Like I must be crazy, right?  With everything going on you would think I would have thrown in the towel because I have a freezer FULL of breast milk (like literally an entire deep freeze).  But I'm weird and I stuck to my guns on that more than anything and was dedicated to finding time to pump at work - whenever I could.  No more days of relaxing in the mom's room for a nice break - my computer goes with me always, but I still do it.  I love nursing him still and it's working for us.  {However, I do secretly dream about life sans pumping}

It doesn't seem possible that THIS just happened.

My last final is over and submitted (had a final presentation last night).  Just in the nick of time with about an hour and a half to spare until it was due.  I just emailed my professor my extra credit (duh - you think I would be a slacker don't you...like I said, I'm crazy) and that's it folks.  Only two more classes left until I have my MBA.  A goal of mine for a long time.

It doesn't seem possible but it is.  A summer with NO classes and nice weather and weekday nights hanging out with my boys (hopefully not working...).  I cannot wait.  And neither can this little man....

{And more blogging.  Oh SO much to blog about and catch up on.  Didn't have a spare second to waste for these last few months, but I'm back.  And it feels so good.  Thank you for all those people that have helped us this semester.  It's not easy juggling it all.  Not for me and not for Jimmy.  Our families have stepped in to watch Charlie many times when schedules conflicted and we couldn't thank them more.  Thank you to my wonderful husband for putting up with my constant bitchiness because all I wanted to do so many night was sit in the shower and cry but he wouldn't let me.  I couldn't do this without you, Jimmy.  It truly takes a village}

Mommy and me

This baby boy of ours sure did some things this weekend that makes his seems not so much like a baby boy anymore.  It makes me sad and happy at all once.  I have to say after an interesting weekend, I wasn't too sad to see Monday come.  Charlie has been a cranky pants for sure.  Hardly sleeping (literally felt like a newborn mom on Saturday night), not wanting to nap and being SUPER needy.  Like he wants us to hold him all the time.  Which is fine - except when you only have the weekend to get stuff that needs to get done, done.  So we balanced and made it work, while putting off a few things here and there to get some quality time with Charlie.  Fussy and all, yep, we love him.

We kicked off Monday with a picture of us headed to work/school.  Charlie was rocking his Royal's shirt in honor of opening day and guess what?  It worked - they won!!  He was happy - even though it doesn't look like it!

In other exciting news?  I enrolled in my LAST semester of grad school and could not be more excited.  Last summer, I had 5 classes left.  And I have powered through because I want to be done SO bad.  Taking 9 hours (3 classes) of grad school this semester, working full time and having a sweet little babe has not been easy and I know this fall won't either - since I will have to go to class 3 times a week then (BOO!!), but so worth it to power through and be done.  Jimmy has been such a great supporter through this.  I know I have to finish - I'm just so close, but still, another 16 weeks just sounds horrible. But he's making me follow through.  So cheers to almost being done.  Shoot - I won't know what to do with all my time after December.

Back to school

So this post is a little overdue now but ironically grad school class is just the reason for the delay. I finally started back to school right before Christmas. It's a little bittersweet because inevitably it means even LESS time with my little man but I guess good because that means it will be done sooner.

I finished up my summer school class on July 25. I was super pregnant and so sick of the hot hot weather. I was officially at the half way mark in my MBA program at UMKC. I had 5 classes done and 5 classes left (the program is normally more than that but bc I was a business undergrad I had lots of classes that counted so I didn't have to retake them). It's funny thinking back to my mentality pre-Charlie. I was ready to have this baby and had every intention of starting back to school again the last week in August because I didn't want to miss a semester. Everyone said I was crazy. I said it was just once a week for 3 hours. But the closer it got to his arrival, the more nervous I got about it. So I changed classes and added a brand new online finance class they just started offering. I knew it would be so much better.

Then Charlie arrived and pretty much my whole life changed. The absolute last thing I wanted to be thinking about with my new baby boy was school so I dropped that online class and decided to sit the semester out. I loved every minute that I got to spend with my sweet boy during maternity leave and am so happy my focus was solely on him. Couldn't have been more wonderful.

Then it was back to work again. Oh so fun. Then enrollment time cane around and it was time for me to decide. Mainly decide if I wanted to finish up what I had started. I would love to tell you that there was never a doubt in my mind that I'd start back up school again because their was. Doubts about if we could all 3 make it work, doubts about if I could survive seeing Charlie any less, and doubts that I would be able to take on just one more thing and add to my never ending to do list.

What made up my mind to enroll not one, but THREE classes this spring?? (Wait for it...I'm really not crazy...).  Here's the deal - and it's not because I want to put myself and my family through pure agony.  I sat down and really thought about it.  Why I wanted to get my MBA in the first place.  It wasn't because I will get a raise (which I won't), it isn't for the title or the "recognition".  The reason I started my MBA in the Spring of 2011 was because it was always a goal of mine to get my masters.  I don't know why, but it has been.  That goal of mine was actually one of the main reasons that I took my first job at Deloitte Consulting right out of college because if I could stick through traveling and crazy hours, they were going to pay for me to go back to school full time at a top school.  While that didn't work out (quit that job because I HATED traveling every week...so much), I knew when I started at Hallmark that I would want to pursue my MBA part time in the evenings.  And all that started after we got married.  I took the GMAT in the fall of 2010 and then started at UMKC in the spring of 2011.  For no reason at all other than it was a goal of mine and I just wanted to further my education, my knowledge and be a better employee and leader.  And guess what?  Even as a mom, that goal still resonates with me.  And in a weird way, I want to finish it even more.  I want to finish what I started so that I can someday tell my son someday about when even when I really wanted to quit something because more than anything I wanted to spend every moment not at work with him...I stuck with it for a few simple reasons.  (1) Because I am the type of person that always strive to follow through on my goals; (2) I truly want to further my education and business acumen and (3) I want to set myself and our family up so I can continue to provide my child and future children with all that I think they deserve.  The final reason doesn't mean that they will get to go to McDonald's every day when they are older...but just to make sure they can do those activities that might cost a little extra or go to the college they want to go to.  I'm finishing my MBA because I want to set a good example for my son, who I love so much and hate that I don't get to put him to bed one night a week. 

And another huge reason?  Because Jimmy told me he was so excited to take Charlie to my graduation and for him to see his mom walk across the stage and be so proud of her.  That literally makes me cry.

Because I missed last fall, I took an intercession class over Christmas break that was intense.  It wasn't hard but just a lot and a huge slap in the face "welcome back to grad school".  Right when we had our routine down - then I go and change things again.  Hence my crazy post last week.  But we all made it through and I'm pretty certain I still got an A or B.  Same diff, right?!  Thankful for that.  Now tonight, I start another class for the real spring semester that is just every Thursday night, which will be a nice break from having to go 3 times a week for intercession.  And because this online class I wanted to take during the summer isn't actually offered during the summer (nice, huh?), I've decided to bite the bullet and just take it this semester also.  So with 9 hours, that makes me an official full time grad school student.  Fun stuff right?  At least one is already done and one is online.  Jimmy and I talked a lot about it and we are all on board to make it work.  Because I refuse to take a summer class.  No way Jose will I go to class two times a week in the summer - not when I could be walking to the park with my baby boy that will not be a baby anymore come summer.

So sacrifices will be made, less time will be spent with friends and family, less sleep will be had by all (well, just mom and dad - Charlie - you need to sleep more!)...but we will survive.  It is all worth it in the end.  When Charlie gets to come with his dad and see me walk across the stage in May of 2014 - it will be worth it to see a smile on his face and clapping for him mama!  (Ummmm...he will be almost 2 years old then, which is really crazy...like scary crazy!!)

There you have it.  If you see me complain on facebook, instagram or in another blog post - I apologize in advance.  As I try to be completely honest and transparent on here - when I'm stressed, it likely shows.  But here we go as I get ready for another semester of fun and a fun balancing act we all call life!!!

Class, class, sleep and repeat

Holy moly - 4 different classes in 3 days...and I'm only half way through this marathon 3 days of straight classes.  But I already feel like it's class, sleep, class, class, sleep, repeat!!

This marathon started Sunday at 2PM with a Babies don't Bark class at the hospital that was 2 hours to learn some tips that we can use to help acclimate our dear dogs for the future arrival of our dear son.  It was about 1 hour and 50 minutes too long...well at least that was the survey feedback we gave.  Not sure if it was because we were tired or our dogs are just old and we aren't really that interested at this point in teaching them how to sit, down, etc.  But literally from 2-4 it was dog training tips and then after the class officially ended she started talking about tips for when you come home from the hospital with your baby and what to do.  I guess it was worth it just for those ten minutes....so hopefully our dogs will associate "good" with our new baby.

Then I was up early this morning to head to an all day negotiation training class at a hotel downtown.  From 8:30-5:30...class all day!!  AHH!  And THEN I headed to UMKC for my summer class that started at 6PM and I finally arrived home to put up my sausage looking swollen feet and greet my loving husband and wonderful dogs.

Now it's to bed and then up again tomorrow to do it all over again with another day of negotiation training but after training tomorrow we are headed to our second night of child birth class.  Which we will get to see the second part of the birthing video where the birth actually takes place.  Yeah!!  Haha.  Last week during the early stages video my only question was "and when exactly do they administer the epidural because those people looked like they were in way too much pain....".  Four different classes...all day and night for three days...my brain might explode.  This is how I feel (minus the blue eyes/blonde hair thing - except I am considering getting blonde highlights...but don't tell my husband because he will be too excited) in a cartoon version...

Source

Week #2 of June is in full swing people!!  But guess what?  It will be over soon and the weekend will be here!!  Date night is looking like a good idea on Friday night!!