Monday, November 15, 2010

...I dedicate this house to the Griswold Family Christmas!

Geez...seems like the year has come and gone, and now it's time to send out Christmas cards and put up decorations!! ...Secretly, I'm excited. Secretly, I have been listening to Christmas music with my headphones in for a couple of months now :) Shh! I haven't put my decorations up yet, but I have almost completed all of my Christmas shopping, which is insane for me! Normally, I do a lot of it the day after Thanksgiving...but now, I can buy things that I really don't need, because I have already bought the things that I was supposed to...sounds like a win to me :) Tyler's Birthday is coming up VERY SOON. I can't believe that boy will be 2 years old! Time flies. He's getting to be so big and saying so much more now! It's adorable. He's a little handful and cracks me up daily :) I wanted to share this great deal shutterfly is doing right now. All you have to do is spread the word, and you will have a chance to win 50 free Christmas cards of your choice. Here's the top 3 on my list, let me know what you think!






http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/spot-the-snowflakes-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93476



http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/cinnamon-candy-lace-christmas-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93476


That's all I got...and until next time...I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes...

Since this is Aunt Bethany's 80th Christmas, I think she should lead us in the saying of Grace. What, dear?
Grace!
Grace? She passed away thirty years ago.
They want you to say Grace. [Bethany shakes her head in confusion]
The BLESSING!
[they all pose for prayer] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands/ One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Amen.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Well, Well, Well!

Look who it is! I'm still alive, just been quite busy! ...Obviously! I'm slacking pretty bad on the updates! Well, let's see...since August...I have taken a shipping class and successfully passed, so I can OFFICIALLY ship hazardous/radioactive material...go me! Ha! I have turned 24, been to the casino...GOTTEN ENGAGED!...made cakes...went to Kentucky...Ty has started saying a lot more, he's such a hoot. He calls uncle Adam "dummy"...somehow he got "dummy" from 'Aaaaa dum'...haha :) He can count, highest we've gotten is 5. He reads mommy stories at night...such as "5 silly monkeys"...he'll grab the book and point to the monkeys and say, "No more, No more, No more!" all while shaking his finger at them. We went through a rough patch with his eating, temper tantrums...that all has seemed to subside. He's eating much better and less of the temper tantrums. He has learned how to use the big boy potty...just before he has a bath, he will hop up on the toilet and "poo poo" and "pee pee". He has learned his surroundings, so when we pull onto Mamaw's road, he will say, "Mamawwww...Gee Gee" (for Gene) or when we pull up to day care, he will say "skoo!!" (for school) or when we pull into Josh's...he will smill really big, gasp and say "Jahhh sssiiiieee!" (Joshie). We took him to the circus on Sunday, he loved it...but had no nap, so we didn't stay the whole time. This weekend we plan to go to Chuck E Cheese's for a birthday party and to Boo at the Zoo, where yours truly (Ty) will be a bumble bee. He's such a cutie patootie! Lots been going on, so I'll just post the pictures with the captions :) Enjoy!

Well, first off...I'm ENGAGED!!!! Look at that rock :) ... he must love me A LOT :)


We've officially set a date of September 3rd, 2011...HERE:



I've got a couple ideas in mind...I want a "Fall" theme...so, I'm thinking bright green, dark brown, orange, dark red, pumpkins, caramel apples, apple cider...lots of ideas floating around in my head :)
I've made some cakes recently too...here are some of those:
And the one I'm working on currently:

On to more important things...ha!...Just some randoms of Ty..
He sleeps like a champ :) So cute!
This is him, today, in his Nike outfit from his aunt Kayla :)
Helping Mamaw in the yard...he loves his Mamaw :)
This is our Saturday morning tradition....watch cartoons in our "skibbies" and just lay around...I did it when I was a kid...so I'm just passing the torch :) We love it.
My little cool dude...ready to go :)
Funny story with this one. I have learned NEVER to turn my head from the buggy when grocery shopping, no telling what I'll find in the buggy! It just so happened I was looking for a pizza and of course, the little debbies are on the other side, well, I picked our pizza and I started pushing the buggy and I look down...and my son has these....death grips.
This little man loves him some apples :)
Have a great/safe weekend! ...until next time...

Friday, August 6, 2010

....Introducing...

Ms. Lassiter....AGAIN! Holy Cow...I just don't know what to say or where to begin! To everyone that actually keeps up with this thing...I'm sorry I haven't updated it more than I have...lots have been going on! But...the wait was well worth it!! It's finally done - every bit of EVERYTHING I have been working on for the past 3 years almost...it's done. Mostly everyone who reads my blog knows what I have been going through. Praise God - after lots of patience, support, prayers...it's done and I can finally move on with my life and the people in it :) It's so funny - the life lessons I have learned at such an early age. Would I take it back...hmmm...the actual divorce? Never. Leaving? Never. Having the most amazing little boy that puts a smile on my face every time I look at him...? ...Never. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason...I'm still waiting for God to show me what that reason is. In my opinion - I'd say it's the fact that - well, let me first start off by saying - after spending all this time collecting my thoughts and going through what I have gone through, my reasoning for all of it...my way out. It was a way out of my mom's house, to be on my own, to "grow" up...which I always wanted...oh dear. Obviously I didn't think I had anything else in my life OR that I could stand on my own two feet and make it on my own...Holy Toldedo, was I wrong. In the past 3 years, I have realized how many people LOVE me, CARE for me, PRAY for me, CHERISH me...these people have stood by me from day 1. How in the world could I ever think that I had NO ONE? That, to me, is the most selfish, dumbest thing I have ever thought. I have never felt the love and support that I have right now and through this entire process. Supporting myself - being on my own...I accomplished it - yeah, it took a while...7 months of living in my aunt's basement with the crickets (By the way...Leisa - I'll have you know, I'm the #1 cricket killer here at work...guess I had 2 life lessons in one!) So, life lesson #1, DONE...never again. Thanks God! Ha! Life Lesson #2...I have learned the strength of my own heart...I have been beaten down, crying myself to sleep, worrying, headaches galore, feeling like I would never get through this...and there it is. Today, THE END. I'm still smiling and definitely NOT crying :) All in all, at the end of the day - I have my family, Ty - the light of my life...who just makes me feel like such a giddy mommy every time I lay eyes on him...he is just a blessing! I have a wonderful boyfriend that treats me and Ty better than I ever thought possible...wonderful friends...whom, by the way - I consider my family...I am just so thankful you guys helped me through this...I don't know where I would be without all of you! I guess I should thank my lawyer(s) - for taking me to the bank...for umm...typing mean letters, giving me advice...even though I ended up deciding everything on my own anyway...ha...big thanks! I keep thinking of a few certain people...Adam, my dad, my grandmother...JOSH...whom I would just sit and cry to...poor guys. It's over....I'm looking for a fresh start, new beginnings, showing my love and devotion to the people that gave it to me through all of this...especially GOD...I will never forget it, you guys. I love all of you.

Blah - On to the more exciting stuff! TY!!! That boy is such a character. I am enjoying my time with him more and more...well...this age right here is my favorite. Pronouncing things - hearing him trying to repeat them...is just funny :) He can say, Hi, Bye (and you HAVE to say it back!), he can give fives, "bump it", give hugs, "sugar", blow "sugar", says Mommmmmy, all of the time! Claps, dances, his favorite rhymes are Patty Cake and ABCs, he is amazed by mirrors and his tongue...extremely enjoys climbing on EVERYTHING, brushing his teeth - ha! Laughing at mommy when she says, "Tyler...I looooove you", Yawns and at the end goes, "ahhhhhh" like he's an old man....can throw things away, pick things up, cry when he doesn't get his way...haha...he's a hoot! LOVES LOVES LOVES water. I'm such a blessed mommy! Anywho, that's the update - 7 months later...ha :) I'll update more...well, I'll try - my life isn't that exciting :)

Thanks Again everyone. I love all of you!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!

Well, I wanted to wish all of you mommies out there a wonderful Mother's Day! I absolutely love being a mother to the most wonderful, handsome, funny, pacifier sucking, still drinking a night-time bottle, happy, cranky, interesting, make mommy laugh so hard she almost pees her pants every day - little boy on the planet :) Being a mother is the best gift God has blessed me with and I wouldn't change it for the world!!! I have a little confession - (Stacy..don't freak! You'll be fine!!!!!! I PROMISE!!!!) I had a slight freak-out a couple of weeks ago...Meltdown...whatever. Yep...I sure did. So, let me re-cap. Sunday morning (2 weeks ago) 7am, Ty wakes up...cranky as ever. Pooped in his diaper during the night...not a happy camper. I got him up and changed him, so ticked, he is kicking the crap out of me...touching himself...getting poop all over his hands (grr!) - wipes..problem solved. Oh, but no. Mr. Peebody (who hasn't done this in FOREVER) starts whizzing all over the place...on his face, in the floor, on mommy...ok. Bath time. (Ahead of schedule...) ok. Cries, the entire bath. I get him out, put him in his high chair to eat, bawling. Won't eat a single thing. Finally, calms down - mommy finds a pretty good chance to jump in the shower. Half way through, he's BAWLING. I'm wet, sorry charlie...hang on. I take a speed shower, dry off, get him out. Spongebob didn't do the trick for him. So, here I am. Trying to get ready while I have a little rugrat standing at my feet, bawling, "ma ma ma ma" then he cries so hard, that tongue makes the noise, the PISSED noise. So, I pick him up...calm. Sweet. As I go to put on my make up, Tyler insists on grabbing my makeup, my brushes (while I'm putting it on) gets it ALL OVER the place. By this point...I have pretty much already decided that church would have to wait this Sunday...but I keep trying. 10:50..(church starts at 11) I am finally done drying my hair, when I look down, the child that was bawling, is sitting in the floor, by my feet, tears and snot just rolling down his face. At this point, I am crying...wondering how on earth my mom was able to do it with 2 kids. Why can't I pull it together!?! I am bawling. SOBBING. Overwhelmed. Pissed. Pretty ticked off that the person that helped me create this bundle of joy screwed me (figuratively) Ha. Ha. and now I'm sobbing, in the floor - with my child - like a child, because I am so overwhelmed because I am doing it all on my own. Everything. I get pretty mad at myself for needing a break. I mean, pretty ticked. Some people would KILL for more time with their child and I'm needing a break. I felt worthless. Selfish. So I had Connie come watch Tyler and I took off for a few hours. I felt absolutely horrible. The worst mother on the planet. Until I came home. I walked through the door and that little bundle of joy, ran to me, arms spread, reaching up for me. I put him in the car and we went to Mamaw's house...and he made me laugh the entire way there. Some things I wouldn't change for the world and being a mother is one of them :) So proud of all of you mothers out there!! I'm sure there are plenty of other meltdowns coming, but for now, I am proud and happy to be Tyler's mother.

Happy Mother's Day!

...The Good Things...

Well, apparently - I'm a slacker and some of you actually read my blog - so it's good to know that you notice when I don't post!

I honestly can't complain with the way things have turned out. I mean, really. God had a plan for me all along! It's kind of like when you think the movie is almost over, and you think the credits are about to scroll...here comes another scene. For the longest time, I thought that God had put me right where he wanted me...umm...apparently, he didn't want me to be miserable the rest of my life, go figure! I never in a million years, thought I would be divorced and have to raise my children with different dads. I never thought that my family would be crushed and every dream I had of a family would be tossed out the window. Growing up - here's how I pictured my life...graduating high school, moving out with Kayla, going to college, probably working at Toyota for the rest of my life, staying in Kingston or Knoxville (Kayla - do you think we would have been ready for Knoxville?! HA HA!) I thought I would have a steady boyfriend, support myself, finally buy MY OWN car, just the 'norm'. Well, not so much. Actually, not at all! Everything I imagined for my life, God had other plans, different roads for me to travel - different, life-changing experiences for me to endevour. Marriage wasn't what I expected either. I expected everything to just be perfect, never have to work at anything, just be "married" and "together"...wow! Boy, I really didn't know ANYTHING and boy, did I EVER get married too young and "blinded"...I might as well have been blind because that is not what it was...far from it! Most of you know the situation and what I went through...but I just thought marriage was a grand idea, after the wedding, we would just live happily ever after. Umm...yeah...for about 6 months. Welcome to the real world, lady! I have never worked so hard at something my entire existence. NEVER. I never thought I would have to experience some of the worst name-calling, my ears have ever heard. I never thought I would be scared for my life or afraid for my son - having to grow up with a human being that I thought was so great, that I married, who turned into Satan, I felt like. I never thought I would have to call my brother at 3 am, bawling, because my husband would call me some of the worst things. I never thought I would have to leave for an entire weekend, with a baby and camp out in a hotel room and splurge on Ramen noodles and ice water, because I didn't have enough money, due to the fact that 'someone' needed it more than we did. Looking back, I remember thinking, "How in the world am I going to get out of this? I'm stuck...why did this happen to me?!" Prrreeettttty sure, all of that was God's plan - even the crying, sadness, heartache...and how I handled it, is still beyond me. A few blogs ago - I posted a list, a list of the things that I want to have in a man. Where on earth was this list when I was 18, before I got married, you ask?! Umm...non-existant. I knew what I wanted and NO ONE was going to tell me any different. Not even God. I was with that "life lesson" for 6 years, when I finally left, I knew the things I wanted, the things I didn't want. I couldn't have made that list without the simple fact that I have experienced something well beyond me. God's will. Good Things are coming and are here and I couldn't be more happy to know that God has his hand on my head, guiding me - in the lessons I've learned, the past I came from and the memories I had along the way. The friends that were there, the people I have met, the people that are in my life right NOW, that are loving me and supporting my every move. So, I made a mistake trying to do things my way. Yeah Yeah. I know. ::slap in the face:: uhum ::I told you so:: yeah, I'm hearing it pretty regularly from myself right now. I can't live my life in the past, in regret. Time to move forward with some happy times and a great future!! Ready for God to put me down - where he has carried me for the past 2 years, and let me walk on my own. My legs are strong now and ready for a different trail...it's all GOOD.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Missing things...

When things go missing, they always hold that slim chance that SOMEDAY, SOME TIME, they will be found. I remember when I was little, I would lose something I absolutely "needed" at that very moment. I remember crying and getting so frustrated because I had looked everywhere I thought that it might be. Still, nothing. I would EVEN pray to God to help me find it, help it turn up...sheesh - what? I was 7 or something! I know, I know...I was desperate. I would even call in the troops (MOM) and have her come look with me/for me. Nothing. UNTIL, a week later - you are looking for something else, and there it is - right where you looked 100 times. That's how I feel right now, my memories, smells, laughs, touches, smile...they are missing. Not mine, but the memories of my mom's. Maybe I'm trying WAY too hard to find them. I feel like I've called in the troops, still, NOTHING. Mom passed away 3 years ago - yesterday. I remember praying to God, while looking at her lifeless body in the casket - happy for her, sad for me - you know the drill. Asking him to please, don't let me forget those things. Don't let me forget where I put them, always be able to go there and get them whenever I wanted to see them again. I think I have closed the door on those memories or buried them underneath something, anger maybe? Sadness maybe? Hurt maybe? Maybe all three? Maybe angry that she left me - without a mother, without a best friend to talk to every single day, maybe 3 or more times a day...Sadness that Tyler will never get to meet his Mimi Jo and know what a wonderful person she was. Sad that he will only know her pictures, and the memories that I haven't shut the door on. Sad that he won't be able to grow up with the same memories I had of her. Sad that I won't be able to remember all of the memories to share with him and help him "know" his Mimi...Sad he can't wear a "Going to Grandmas House" shirt without mommy sitting in Wal-Mart and bawling her eyes out. Hurt - hurt at the decisions that she made, when I would try to help her, she wouldn't realize. She didn't think there was anything wrong. Hurt by her actions and that I had called her the night she passed away to chew her a new butthole, only to find out, she was probably already dead...and if she wasn't? That would have been our last conversation. The very last memory I had of my mom is when her and Adam came to visit me in California. That was the best one. Brought back some of the memories that I have "lost"...I think it made wonderful memories for mom too...because I remember an email from her as soon as she got back, it was pretty long, but it pretty much said how much she enjoyed her trip out to visit me and Adam. How she always knew I would make it "in the city" and how I would always succeed in whatever I decided to do. (Marriage...yeah - she's probably laughing right now and convincing God to kick him in the nads when he gets to heaven...umm...nevermind) I remember the one line from the email that has always been a memory for me, that I just cried and cried after I went back and found it, after she passed away. "I loved the trip to Cali, it was probably one of the best memories of my life. I will always cherish that memory of you, me and Adam on the beach as long as I live" So, I have put a few pictures from that trip - one of the best memories that I can actually remember :) I miss her like mad.
Beautiful.
She was so gorgeous. We picked this dress out - TOGETHER.
She LOVED her babies and taking pictures of them.

Love this picture. Once he gets out of med school (Which, by the way, bud - Mom would be super duper proud of you) this is how he will feel :)
Best Friends. Love her. Miss her.
Kind of like how we are now...taking off on our own, figuring things out - with nothing but "leftovers" of memories of our mommy.
My other best friend.


He brightens my day.

This brightens my day.

The person I grew up, wanting to punch in the face - EVERY SINGLE DAY - is now the person I call to, crying, laughing, still punching, loving him and all of his accomplishments. SO PROUD.

This is the picture Ty knows. He loves his Mimi.

No words.

Peaceful. Relaxed. Heaven.



Monday, March 1, 2010

Where are you headed??

More like, where did you come from?? When I think about my childhood - I think about growing up with a brother I could be sarcastic with, that I could take the beating from - but still was terrified when he saw my face afterwards and would run to mom, that I could laugh about EVERYTHING with, could talk to about anything....That could see the fear in my eyes and be able to talk me through it or grab my hand and let me know he was there. With a mother that would do anything she could to make sure we had every single thing we wanted, to make sure we knew we were loved and that she did the very best she could. That I could talk to about anything, no matter what. I still remember her voice, her laugh, her hands, remember her laying in bed with me - every single night - when I couldn't sleep because I would be afraid of dying and being buried. Feeling like I was going to be sick, and knowing she would be there, with a wet rag on my neck, holding my hair...that would let me crawl in bed with her and sleep in between her legs - like a dog. She must have loved me, because how uncomfortable that was for her! With a family that was always there for me, looked out for me, and would make sure I had everything I needed, when mom couldn't give it to me. With a grandmother - again, that I could tell anything to and know it wasn't going anywhere. But could also give me the look of death when I did something wrong, but the second I threw up "flowers" or doing her hair or nails, would love me with the sweetest smile in her being. With a grandpa that watched nothing but Hulk Hogan (Wrestling), COPS, and In the Heat of the Night...that would pinch the heck out of my pinkie - to "milk my mouse" but was so cuddly, I could curl up on his lap and cuddle with him, like a big teddy bear. That, still to this day, I can still remember his smell(s), his laugh, his sneeze, his hands, loading scrap metal with him, working on cars with him, being his little helper...my Pappy. Always, growing up, like other normal families/kids...we didn't have everything we ever wanted, not the HUGE house, not the nicest cars, not the best clothes or toys...as per the other kids. We were always happy though. I honestly never remember in my life, crying or being so upset when I couldn't have something. I remember being told no, but then my birthday or Christmas would roll around and there it would be. Patience. I have met some pretty amazing people in my life - clearly, couldn't mention all of them...but I am very thankful for the places I have been. Very excited for the places I am going. I am beyond excited to know that where I came from 1 year ago, is beyond words. Those of you may have an idea of how I returned back from Cali...roughing it! I left it all. I got all I could get in my car and the big fat turtle on top of my car - Thanks Kar!! Angie, I will get that out of your garage ASAP, I promise! :) Ah hum, needless to say, I didn't have very much. I gave all of my furniture up. All of it. Well, all of it but Ty's stuff. I just wanted out. So, when I finally moved out and got my own place - it was quite the emotional experience. Knowing I couldn't afford ANYTHING...knowing I had nothing, I felt like I had failed as a mother. I left the "home" I had, everything in it, to get away and to have NOTHING. My first night in the apartment...I borrowed toilet paper, yes, borrowed. Had to borrow plastic forks, paper plates, EVERYTHING. I had to sit in my floor and watch tv (one that someone had been generous enough to give me) - cable is included in my rent - THANK GOD! The only furniture I had was my bedroom suite and that has been loaned to me as well. Ty was still in his pack n' play, where he had spent the last 7 months of his life. I literally had nothing. My grandmother went with me to K-Mart to pick up some necessities for the apartment, shower liner, hooks, towels, a clock! She bought me my towels and my shower hooks...and I stood in line in K-Mart...boo hooing, just thankful for everyone that had helped me out. My amazing friends gave me a housewarming party that helped me get a few more things for the house...actually a lot of things! I honestly cannot describe that feeling...the feeling of not having anything, having people give you things, buy things for you...I am crying now, as I type this. Kayla took me shopping for toilet paper, DAWN, paper towels, a trash can...just let me pile the buggy full. Paid for all of it. You guys have been so wonderful. I see the things you guys have done and where I came from, and what I have now. I now have all the furniture I have ever wanted, a flat screen (who would have thought!), my first washer and dryer, I have been able to decorate, buy things to hang on the wall...did I think I could do this 4 months ago? NO way. Every single bit of everything I have, is paid for. That is nothing but God gracing me with some wonderful friends, family, and plenty of blessings that have helped me on my way. I want each and every one of you to know that I appreciate every bit of it and will be here for you, if/when you ever need anything. I love all of you. That being said, back to my post - Where am I headed? I'm headed to a life of blessings and appreciation and patience for everything I never thought would come, coming. So, from where I came from, to where I am now...nothing. but. blessings. AHH :)
Breate. It. In.