Happy New YEAR?!?!

It's been a year already?! So, well...I guess it has. A LOT has happened in the past year, I guess...but it has FLOWN by! A year ago, today - I had no clue where my life was going or how I would get there - but now that it's a year later and I see where I am, I couldn't be more excited and happy to know that - by this time next year, I do see where my life is going and I see that I have control of how it turns out. Thus, brings in my New Years resolutions. I have never been the one to make a resolution. Not one. I think my mom used to put - black eyed peas, maybe? - In her purse, supposed to bring good luck?! I have never done that. Nor have I done anything like it. I'm not the type to pick up a penny if it's on heads or wish for unrealistic things, OR put black eyed peas in my purse! I am very planned out, but do enjoy a nice surprise every now and again. However, New Years resolution, one - making New Years resolutions and sticking to them :) So, here goes.

(Not in any particular order...)

1) STOP biting my nails. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that MY ENTIRE LIFE. Or, "You'll get worms!" My next response is, "I haven't got them yet!" or, my grandmother's favorite, "I'm not biting...I'm just getting a hangnail"...which is the truth, until I feel the urge to bite the rest of it off. I'm horrible. I have probably bitten my nails ever since I've had teeth to bite them with! So, the next time you see me biting, smack my hand and don't let me give you any excuses :)

2) LEARN to put myself first. The past 6 years, I have only known to put a certain someone's needs before my own. I guess I always have. I'm a 'people-pleaser', what can I say?! This year, I'm flying solo, and it's my turn, dang it! (And of course Ty's!!) But I am going to put MY GOALS first and actually get them done. Not let my lazy side get the best of me - and not do it. I WILL.

3) SPEND more time with family and friends. I'm trying...I'm trying! I actually started this one as soon as I got back from Cali - so I guess I should make you guys realize how much I've missed you. Considering, I have seen you more since I've been home, than I have in the past 4 years of being gone. However, I'm going to try harder to see you guys more. I think everyone pretty much realizes how much I have missed them, but I'm going to make it my resolution to make sure I don't have to miss you guys any more!

4) GET IN SHAPE. That sums it up...I know, I know, everyone's resolution is to get fit and fab for the new year, but honestly - who does that? No one I know :) Sorry guys...I don't do it either. I have never made it a resolution, just a personal goal, I can do it for about a week, then someone will bring me the exact thing I have been missing since my diet, and I have to give in...you know the drill. But, since it's a new year and new beginnings, I plan to do this. Beginning January 1, 2010 - No longer will I have any SODA, NONE. No Kool-Aid...my weakness. I'm not saying I'm going on a diet, I'm just going to "watch" what I eat...and no, not as it goes in my mouth...before! I'm going to do this. I did this a few years ago and got down to 130, I don't think I've seen that number since middle school. HA! I have officially LOST ALL of my baby weight (GO ME!) So, it's time to lose a few more pounds and get back to 130 and get my tummy back...no, not the flabby one - the fit, cute, one. (Y'all never knew I had such a thing! HAHA....it's there, it's just in hiding!) My grandmother has a picture on her fridge from when I lost all of that weight...I'm wearing a pair of Kayla's dress pants...oh, from 7th grade and NO MUFFIN TOP...I have to say, it's quite hot. Every time I open the fridge to get something (I'm sure, fattening) I see it and it makes me want to gag. Here we go 2010! :)

5) ENJOY the things in my life and the people in my life. I want to be more excited and happy with my life. Don't get me wrong, I'm not depressed - by any means, I just wish I could say I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY LIFE and wouldn't change a thing about it. It's on, 2010!! Bring it on.

6) LEARN something new. Mom and Adam always taught me, "Knowledge is Power"...something just finally clicked....they're right! I would love to learn more about photography, God, my heritage, etc. There's so much out there and I'm willing. Speaking of learning, I have EVERY intention on registering for college in 2010. I have been trying to get in since I got back, but they go on last year's tax statement - BOO! Well, according to the government and the law...I'm still married (more on that below!) and WE made too much last year. Well, in 2010, they go off of 2009 - Thank Jesus! Since I get to file separate this year, it's going to make it CAKE to get back into school. Hallelujar! :)

7) GET DIVORCED. **Warning....this could get ugly (but I'll try) ** I have taken every action necessary (according to my lawyer) to get divorced. Now it's just a waiting - and giving in - game. Well, I'm not a big fan of turning over my son to a drug addict who is in recovery, oh - at a methadone clinic, with no job - who lives with his parents...we won't get into that one. So, I'm not so sure that's going to go as fast as I want it to, but my big PLAN this year is to get this crap over with so I can move on to better things. Lord, help me.

8) HELP others. I guess this kind of rules out my "putting myself first"...although, I still plan to do that and balance helping others at the same time. I love the feeling of knowing that I helped someone and received NOTHING back. I can't describe it, you know the one. I want that. Again, 2010...bring it on.

9) TRAVEL with my munchkin. This refers to the divorce, once it is final and I can take my son out of Tennessee, I have every intention of starting ANNUAL LASSITER vacations. One thing I remember growing up, every single year - we took a vacation. Myrtle Beach, yeah yeah...not that awesome, but when you're a kid and that's what you do, on an annual basis - you learn to LOVE IT. I want Ty to have that to look forward to. Long-term TRAVEL goal....Ireland (see #10)...I have ALWAYS wanted to see it and just fall in love with it in person, as much as I have the pictures, so - Ty, baby...get ready...maybe not 2010, but soon love.

10) SAVE. SAVE. SAVE. BIGGEST goal of all. I am very organized with my money and have ALWAYS been a huge saver. Until now. Being a single mom with the bills I have, it's a tad bit difficult to save how I want to save. Next year, not only will I be paying on my car more - thank the Heavens....but I plan on putting back quite a bit. I'm very VERY bad at putting back a lot, and then not touching it. "It's savings....I have been saving for so long, I don't want to have to use it"...."What are you saving for?"..."Umm..."....pretty much how my convos go in regards to saving and spending money. ORGANIZE. Okay, this is 2 in one, but - I need to be more organized about how I save. BIG things I want to save for....Tyler. Christmas (this year, people got the shaft...). Ireland. Vacation. Rainy Day. I need to have money for a rainy day, only because - okay, example. My cd player has bitten the dust. I have a 2006 car...yeah, I said the same thing. I haven't had the extra money to get it fixed - iPod has been a lifesaver. Not to mention, my car has been making some pretty funny sounds, but because I'm too cheap, my answer to myself when I hear it..."It can wait until taxes"...so, lets see...become less anal, save, organize. Got it.

So, I hope my list of resolutions has amused all of you, because it has me. My head is spinning...but here we go. Let's get it on, 2010 :) I'm ready.

Everyone have a safe and happy new year. I look forward to spending yet, another year with all of you! Happy New Year and GOD BLESS!!

Where does the time go??!

Christmas always brings back so many memories for me. TONS with my mom, with my family - just all around, happy/great memories. Those are the memories that have stuck with me over the years. No matter how old I get, I can always remember those great things. Sure, I forget some of the details, but Adam is normally really good about remembering those and that's when I say, "Oh yeah! I forgot about that!" I guess I shouldn't use the word "memories"...more like traditions. Traditions that I want to carry out for Ty. I want him to experience the traditions that I had as a kid and still remember to this day. I remember waking up EARLY EARLY and going in for a "peek", then being so excited to see what Santa had brought us, running in and waking up Adam (very quietly, so mom wouldn't wake up and realize we were already up...HOURS before we were allowed to come get her to open presents)...I would stand over Adam...give him a little shake and say, "Toe! Wake up!!!! Come see what Santa brought!" - In case you didn't know, we called Adam "Toe" growing up...it's the hair! Then, after we'd go see what Santa brought us, realizing we still had 3-4 more hours before we could wake mom up, I would go camp out in Adam's floor and we'd talk about what we would do with the toys Santa brought for us. Then, clock strikes 5, ON THE DOT, here we go..."Mom, it's Christmas!!! Wake up!!" We would go open our presents and I will never forget the happiness on my mom's face as she would see us open our presents and it be EXACTLY what we asked for. Then, I didn't realize all the excitement she felt and the accomplishment of providing a Christmas for 2 kids, BY HERSELF. Now, I can honestly say she is my hero. I now know what that huge grin on her face meant, and the feeling of accomplishment. I know Ty is still little and won't experience these feelings and surprises for a while, but I feel the exact accomplishment my mom felt. Being a single mother and still being able to give Ty a wonderful Christmas - that's a gift in itself. I know, I know...gifts aren't what Christmas is about - but to me, the accomplishment and "traditions" I can pass on to Ty will give me happiness forever! After we'd open presents, we would then go to Mamaw's and eat...then we would all sit in the living room - now, for those of you that have seen my grandmother's living room, it's pretty small...so having the ENTIRE family there bunched together, opening presents, hearing the 'thank yous', the excitement - was a wonderful memory in itself. I can't tell you how much I miss having the ENTIRE family at Mamaw's for Christmas. Oh, how time changes...mom and Papaw are gone...there's not a bunch of kids in the floor watching cartoons and playing with our presents, my uncle and his family live in Clarksville, so they don't come in for Christmas anymore...and we're all grown. Ok, is it me, or is this blog getting pretty depressing?? Sheesh. Anyway, point made, I miss the Christmas traditions, the family, my mom, my papaw, and seeing the HUGE smile on my mom's face as we open our presents...but only now can I pass that tradition on to Ty and hope he realizes what that big goofy smile means, when he's my age :)

On a lighter note, Christmas is 1 week away and I am stoked! Ty is getting so big...crawling EVERYWHERE...walking, with assistance of course. He won't let go of mommy. He is now wanting EVERY THING mommy puts in her mouth...last night he was playing in the floor, he stands up at my legs and just looks at me, like a little puppy dog and every time I put the spoon in my mouth, he wines. Seriously, like a puppy dog :) He is enjoying his toys from his birthday so much, and I promise - pictures will be posted soon! Once I get my own internet and stop stealing it from my neighbors, I promise, I will get back on track with my pictures. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Christmas! Don't forget those "goofy" smiles, because you never know, that could be the tradition your child remembers for the rest of their life. God Bless!