Relentless

What is the one thing in your life that your will stop at nothing to get/be/do?  

That one thing that you will never stop striving to have.  

That one thing that would fulfill a part of your soul that nothing else could.  

That one thing you stay up and think about at night.

 That one thing that you talk to yourself about.

That one thing for me is my degree.

It may sounds silly, but it is totally true and I’ll tell you why:

I graduated from high school in 2000 (yep, I’m almost the big three zero).  

And what year is it again… 2012?  

I went straight to college and lasted (not even) a full semester.  It was a confusing experience, and one I am not extremely proud of.  Sure, I didn’t do what I set out to do, and blah blah blah.  But what mattered to me in the years to follow was that I let down some of the people that supported me.  It was a horrible feeling, and one that I was not equipped to handle on an emotionally mature level at that point in my life.

So what did I do?
I rebelled.  I partied, and I partied hard. (something I did almost none of in grade school).
I came out of the proverbial cage like a bat out of hell, and I avoided responsibility like the plague.

For almost four years I worked in and out of ordinary restaurants, had a few near death experiences, drank WAY too much, and gave my parents a few extra (thousand) gray hairs.

Finally, in 2004, tired of running myself ragged and having nothing to show for it, I made a serious decision to go back to school.  With the help of my family, I stared at a community college where I would spend the next two years busting my ass before transferring to a university with a 3.8 GPA.  Yeah… I was serious about  it this time.

After 3 successful semesters at George Mason University, Bren and I found out we were expecting a baby.   Needless to say, this put an immediate halt on the ol’ education.  I took two full semesters off of school.  I cannot tell you how upset I was about having to stop taking classes.  I was thrilled about having a baby, but depressed about the changes it was going to force me to make.  (I have to laugh at that now… “changes.”  Yeah… a baby changes EVERYTHING). I swore that I would go back as soon as I could.  Bren promised to do everything in his power to help me do so.

About 3 months after I had Liam, I landed a full time gig at George Mason University (how convenient you say!), and began taking classes again soon after.  Luckily for me, GMU offers its employees tuition benefits.  This allowed me to take 2 courses per semester (which was all I could handle anyway having a newborn at home and all…). 

 Four years and two kids later (Liam and Collin), here I am: On the cusp of my last semester.  About to graduate in about 7 months.  Working full time.  Planning crazy birthday parties last minute.  Trying to do this blogging thing (which I love and wish I had more time and energy for).  

I cannot begin to tell you what getting my degree signifies for me.  

Strength.  Support.  Faith.  Determination.  Focus.  Creativity.  Passion.  Hope.  Drive.  Comfort.  Relief.  Relentlessness.    

Most of all, I know, that if I can do THIS… I can do anything.

Never give up on that one thing.  It will be yours sooner than you expect!

Kindly~

Meghan

 

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Friday’s Letters 7.0

Dear blog– Please forgive me for neglecting you all week.  I can’t believe I haven’t done a single post.  It’s not that I didn’t WANT to.  You’ll just have to trust me on that one.  I’m hoping you and I get to spend more time together next week.

Dear fellow bloggers– Has this ever happened to you?  I have been so busy this week that not only have I had a limited amount of free time, but in that free time, I haven’t been able to come up with anything interesting to write about.  I’d call it “writer’s block,” or better yet “blogger’s block,” but it is so much more than that.  “Thinker’s block,” possibly.  How do you combat this if and when it has ever affected you?  I don’t want to fall of the face of the blogosphere every time I have a stressful week.  Any and all suggestions would be welcome and appreciated.

Dear Hub– OMG.  All I wanted to do was curl up next to you this morning and not move.  You are so comfy.  I’m sorry I fell back asleep when you went down to make our coffee.  And thank you for sending me a text (“Get up.”) to wake me back up.  It worked. 

Dear Liam– First soccer lesson this weekend!!!  Aren’t you so very excited?  If not, I’m excited enough for the both of us!  I promise you’ll have fun Bubs.  I can’t wait to see how well you do!

Dear Collin– I see dat wittle toooof poppin’ through doze wittle gumz!  I’m rootin’ for ya, Monkey!

Dear 80 degree weather that is on its way– Everything is better when you’re here.  Everything.  Never leave me.

Dear Mom– It was so nice spending time with you and AK last weekend.  Thank you for everything: the pictures, the lunch, the dress, the company.  I had such a good time!  You’re the best!  I love you!

Dear Bri and Alex– Can’t wait for a little girl time with you tonight!!!  Such a treat!  Let’s pretend like there’s no one else in the bar but us! 

Dear Friends– Have a wonderful weekend!  Make it just what you need.  Whatever that may be!

Linking up with Ashley from Adventures of Newlyweds!!  Every Friday, yo.  Every single Friday.  😉  If you haven’t yet, check her out!!!

Kindly~

Meghan

P.S.- Here are some pictures from the week:

Friday’s Letters 6.0

Dear HOT 99.5’s Kane Show– 

Thank you and DJ Dirty Elbows for kickin’ it old school on the Weekend Rollout this morning.  In particular, thank you for playing Motown Philly.  
“Could it really happen, or do dreams just fade awaaayyy, yeah.”  
Took me back!  And it made for a pretty awesome car-dancing session, as well.

Tell me this didn’t just make your morning

Dear Lady with the “Baby on Board- Stay Back” Sticker on her car–  

I wonder, is that sticker a warning for other drivers, or perhaps a reminder for yourself that you shouldn’t be texting while weaving in and out of traffic at 70 mph without using your blinker?   
News Flash:  You’re the one driving like a maniac.

Dear Invisible Children–

Thank you for my Kony 2012 package.  It came in the mail yesterday, and I was so happy to finally see it.  I already put on my bracelet (and gave the second one to a co-worker/friend), and I can’t wait to start Covering the Night.

Makin’ him famous

Kinda stylish?

Dear Liam and Collin–

I don’t want a day to go by without you knowing how amazing you BOTH are.  

It’s just incredible to be your mother, and I am looking forward to all the years ahead of us.  

(Another Liam quote: “I’ll never let go of you.”  Me: “You’ll never let go of me?  Why?”  Liam: “Because I love you.”)

Special moments

 Dear Hub–

Let’s play hooky from work again soon?  Circle yes or no.

I adore you.

Dear Roasted Veggie Cous Cous–

You’ve got me wrapped around your tasty little finger.  I think hub is getting suspicious.  I’ll meet you at the fridge at midnight.  I’ll be the one wearing pajamas with bed-head and drool streaming down her chin.  HOT!

My edible lover

Dear Friends–

If you read my post from a couple days ago, I hope that you know that I was coming from a really gentle and sincere place.  One of fairness and love.  I’m struggling with the thought that I may have offended someone with my opinion.  But when it comes down to it, I have to stand firmly by my beliefs.  Again, if I offended anyone, please accept my apology.

Have a very happy weekend, y’all.

Linking up with Ashley for Friday’s Letters!  Click on the button and link up too!

Kindly~

Meghan

Friday’s Letters: 5.0

 DEAR LOTTERY GODS AND GODDESSES:  Please.  Just please.  And if not me, then someone I know well.  And if not them, then make sure whoever gets it does good with it.  But really.  Pick me!!!  Please?

Dear Dad:  Thank you for buying and sending me a copy of “The 5 Love Languages.”  I have been wanting to read this book for a couple years, and now I have it in my grips.  I’m ready to learn, as always.

via

Dear Liam:  Thank you for petting my hair this morning on my way out of the door and telling me: 

“I’m going to be four soon, and I’m getting bigger.  But I will always be your Bubba.”  

Seriously, could you be anymore amazing? 

So as a side note:  This was prompted by the “you’re not allowed to get any older” game that my friend Bri and I play with him.  I was making dinner last night, and I said that I was going to cry on his birthday (just joking with him), and he says: “No you won’t.  You’re going to have a cupcake.  And chips.  And that will make you happy.”  I wish you could all know him personally.  This kid is something special.

Dear Collin:  Thank you for choosing “Momma” as your first “kind of” word.  We’ll keep practicing.  😉

Dear Ray:  Watching you push through this week has been nothing short of admirable.  I know how much Jewel means to you, and she will always always always be with you.  Her sweet spirit will carry on in your actions and in the love you give to others.  She was one of most precious doggies I have had the pleasure of petting, and I will certainly miss her dearly, as well.  

Jewely Jewel

 Dear bladder:  Any way that we could strike some sort of a deal where you didn’t harass me every 20 minutes?  I’ve got work to do.  kthanks.

Dear semester:  I will not be sad to see you go in 5 weeks.  But I have learned a lot… including things about myself.  

Dear work:  You have kicked my ASS this week.  My blood pressure is up, my stress level is through the roof, my body is tense.  I am so glad that next week we’ll have our trusty sidekick Ellen Bo Bellen back in the office with us.  Aren’t you, work?

….and finally…. 

Dear Brenny:  If we win the lottery, let’s not lose ourselves.  Let’s stay true to our values.  Let’s continue to show our boys what hard work and sacrifice looks like, and what selflessness means.  Let’s go on a trip together.  Just me and you.  Let’s open the cafe we have always talked about.  Let’s still shop at Target.  Let’s be us, because no one will ever do that for us.

Linking up with Ashley for Friday’s Letters!  Check her out! 🙂 

Dear Friends:  What would you do with 540 million dollars?  

Wishing you lots of luck in winning the Megamillions jackpot, and wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

Kindly~

Meghan

[in Photos]: My Low-Key Weekend

Hub works every Saturday, so I have the entire day with my boys.  We usually get out of the house, because contrary to what some might think, it’s actually a harder day to manage at home.  I would much rather be out and about, letting Liam run himself crazy at a park somewhere, getting our shopping done, giving Collin a chance to nap (because he won’t at home… I mean, why would he?)

But not this weekend.  This weekend, it rained.   This forced me to STAY HOME!  And not spend money.  And instead, spend time on the couch with my babies, watching Disney movies, eating popcorn, drinking soda and dozing when I felt like it.  Saturday with my boys was so low-key and so very perfect.

Here are some of the things that made my weekend special:

Kony 2012 poster on campus.  It’s starting.

Baby kissy faces

Another amazing car that I want.  Right now.

These little ditties that I made the same night I pinned them .

My zexy hub

My family!!  This is Ray and Bri, who are affectionately known at Uncle Ray and Auntie B.  Like I said, family.

If these three pictures don’t make you smile, I don’t know what will….

His eyes…. are INCREDIBLE!

So proud of himself!

Sqeeeeeaky clean!

Sunday Dinner– Open-Faced Steak Sandwiches via Rachael Ray

Because who doesn’t have their own personalized ice cream bowl that they’ve had for the last 15 years of their life?

I have a leeeeeeetle obsession….

Whatever you did this weekend, I hope it was perfection!!

Kindly~

Meghan

Friday’s Letters: 4.0

Well, well, well Friday–  We meet again.  What do you say we go somewhere we can have a little privacy, just me and you.  It’s just that I’ve missed you terribly….

What a hellish week this has been you guys.  HELLISH.  I mean, I am still smiling, don’t get me wrong.  But I have been on the verge of a panic attack for about 3 days now.   
Wine helped.

That said… let’s play Friday’s Letters with the adorable Ashley at Adventure’s of Newlyweds and all of her bloggie friends!  My fav link-up!

Dear Person Who Hit My Car When I Wasn’t in it (again) and Cracked my front Bumper and Chose Not to Leave a Note (again)–  What the eff, man?  Really?  I drive a Scion xD… one of the smallest cars on the road.  How hard is it to avoid hitting my car?!

Dear Ruby- Next time someone hits you and I am not there… jot down a quick description of the culprit, would ya?  kthanks!

Dear Tick that Bit my Son in the Most Awkward Spot Ever– Shame on you!  How DARE you bite my son and suck his blood.  Don’t you know how precious he is?  You better be glad he doesn’t have an infection from your nasty self, cause if he did, you’d be toast Mister!  Well… you are toast any way, but you get the drift.

Dear Aunt Flow– Just get it over with already…. this PMS thing is really cramping my style, literally.

Dear Hub– Can you see the little hearts floating out of my eyes when I look at you? [sigh] I just LOVE you!

  

Dear Raymond Ray Ray Rizzle Carey-We are here for you however you need us to be.  Just know we are thinking of you and sending you all the love and strength and HUGS we can muster.  

Dear Football Season–  Hurry up and get here!!!!  Sunday isn’t as fun without you!!!

Dear Liam and Collin–  Who loves ya?  🙂

Dear Friends–  Happy Weekend to you all.  I hope that everyone gets exactly what they need out of Saturday and Sunday!

I’m hoping this weekend will shift me back into Miss Happy Pants. 🙂

To link up with Ashley, click the button!! 

Ciao!

Kindly~

Meghan

The ABC Rundown

Age: 29 and rapidly approaching 30!  I may be the only woman alive who is fully ready to embrace thirtyhood.

Bed size: Queen. Obviously, I’d like a King-sized bed, but mainly for my poor hub who I corner to the edge of the bed every night.  A girl’s gotta spread out during her beauty rest.

Chores you hate: Sweeping and Mopping.  I do a mean vacuum-job, but I literally refuse to acknowledge a mop’s existence.  And yes, I did just say “vacuum-job,” and considered being inappropriate for just a sec.

Dogs: Such amazing creatures.  Our doggie Riley Roo is such a mommy-dog to our boys.

Essential start to your day: Coffee.  Is there anything else?

Favorite color: Any shade of orange, followed closely by purple.  And the combo of the two… SHUT UP!

Gold or silver: I have switched back to wearing a lot of silver, but I think gold is SO much more feminine than silver.  Or maybe that’s just how it makes me  feel.  Luxurious.

Height: 5feet7inches, and in my family, I’m the short one.  I’m pretty sure I was meant to be about 5’10” though with my feet at about a size 10.5.  Yay coffee and cigarette use in my youth!
Instruments you play: The kazoo.  Okay, maybe not.  I am a phenomenal guitarist and bassist on Rock Band!!!  Also, I played the handbells in a bell choir when I was in the 4th and 5th grades.  Impressed?

Job title: I work full-time as an Account Representative at a university.  Try not to be jealous on this one.

Kids: We have 2, as I am sure I have mentioned once or twice before.  Both are boys.  There is a miniscule possibility of having a third, and if we don’t, we will adopt.  And then that’s it, damn it!  No more!!!
 

Liam’s got a way about him…

Live: In the Lovers State.

Mother’s name: Karen.  Bless her.

Nicknames: Currently, “Meg.”  And Mom.  I suppose that’s more of a title though.  My hub calls me “Kitty,” which I love.  Some others from the course of my history: Meggers, Megsy, PegLegMeg (funny story!), NutMeg, Megalicious, Megasaurus, SirMegsALot, Gonzo, Sugala.

Overnight hospital stays: See “Kids.”

Pet peeves: This requires a “list format”

• People who CHEW really loud, especially when we’re having a conversation (in person or on phone); unfinished work; 
• People who don’t use their blinkers (you know, those little flashing lights that let me know when you’re about to cut me off!!); 
• Rudeness; passive-aggressiveness; laziness (all oddly related to the non-use of blinkers!); 
• The skateboarders in my neighborhood; 
• Too-tight jeans; 
• Spending an hour on my hair only to walk outside into a humid-hell; 

I could really go on and on, but I’ll stop for the sake of my blood pressure.

Quote from a movie or show: I’m into funny movies:

Due Date

Peter Highman: “Number 2: if you’re allergic to waffles, don’t eat waffles!”
Ethan Tremblay: “Then don’t take me to a waffle house!”

 Hilarious.

 Righty or lefty: Both, but I work predominantly with my right hand.

Siblings: Mike and Melissa- both are younger than me, both are incredible people in their own regard.  I don’t see Mike often enough as we live 2 states away from each other.  I haven’t seen my sister in 5 years.  I miss them both.

Time you wake up: HA!!!  As early as 4:00 a.m. and no later than 5:30 a.m.  This is why I  get a free (daily) pass to act insane.

Underwear: Um, no comment.

Vegetable you hate: I like nearly all veggies except for peas or beans (lima, kidney).  And because I’m a freak of nature, I hate mashed potatoes.  I like hate hate them.

What makes you run late: Children.  Slow drivers in the fast lane (ooo, another pet peeve!).  Forgetting something at home.  Trying on every piece of clothing I have before settling on the first thing I tried on (aka- every morning).

X-rays you’ve had: Just for dental work.

Yummy food you make: I love to cook, and my hub tells me that he loves everything I make.  But my specialties are Chicken Tortilla Soup, Spaghetti, Shrimp and Herb Pasta, Eggs, Salads (any and all kinds).

Zoo animal: Sad face.

Well, this was fun and took up some time!  Thanks for sharing, Lauren!  Yours was fun to read!  We should have linked these up!  Next time  😉

Kindly~

Meghan

Simple Pleasures

~Holding a sip of red wine in my mouth for at least 20 seconds before I swallow it.~

~The way hub makes my coffee every morning, and makes it better than I ever could or would.~

~This picture:~

Babies in glasses.  Can it get more precious?

~Last minute invites to lunch with a friend/

Last minute invites to lunch with hub/

Two days in a row of last minute lunches.  

Heck to the YES!~

~Alone time in my car.  I have a routine I follow, and it is just so very perfect.~

~Watching Liam eat strawberry ice-cream.~

Pure determination

~A new spring/summer purse.  Although I guess this could count as a BIG thing.~

~A mid-day text from hub telling me he’s thinking about me.~

~Exact change.~

~Finding an old memory card FULL of adorable pictures!!~

December 2009 (going on 3 years ago!!)

Mr. Cool

Valentines 2010

Hims was just a wittle wittle baby!!!  Liam- 1-yr.-old

 What are some of the little things that make you happy?

Kindly~

Meghan

The Oh Shit, I’m Pregnant Show

We had returned from our first vacation together about 2-weeks prior, and we had just moved into our new 2-bedroom apartment.  

It was a Wednesday and we were about to tuck in for the night.  

We had a little “scare” and I took a little “test.”  No biggie, right?

So, the conversation went something like this:

Me: [Walking out of the bathroom, nodding] I’m definitely pregnant…

Him: [White as a ghost] Wow!

Me: [Shrugging] Are you ready for this? (I may have been asking myself this…?)

Him: [White as a ghost] Ummmm, as I’ll ever be.

We laid in bed for the next hour staring at each other, alternating between smiles and tears until we fell asleep. 

We called our families the next day.  I didn’t know it was going to be like that.  But we did.  And everyone seemed so happy for us.  “We’re having a baby.”

I remember being kind of numb.  Not that I didn’t want all of this eventually, but it just hit me all at once how much everything was going to change.  

We weren’t even engaged at this point. 

Were we going to get married?

What were we going to do about insurance?  

Were we going to stay in this little apartment?  

Would we be able to make enough money to support our baby?  

What about us?!

He took me on a weekend getaway 10-days later and proposed to me at sunset. 

He had a ring made with a diamond my mother saved for me.  

He promised himself to me, and I promised myself to him.

 That night was one of the most special moments of my entire life.

We I My mom and I planned our wedding in a matter of 3 months!  How’s that for git er dun?

We were married on November 10, 2007 at a bed and breakfast resort in Frederick, MD. 

I was 5-months preggo!  

Now, when I tell Liam about our wedding, I will ALWAYS tell him “You were there!!!”

It wasn’t perfect, but it perfection.  It wasn’t sequential, but it was in our own time and way.  
I LOVE our story, as I said, and I could never have imagined it would become my life.  
Not in a million years.  
How lucky am I?  
How lucky are we all?
Who has found love in the most extraordinary of ways?
I’d love to hear!! 

It’s when you least expect it… isn’t it?  😉 

 

Up next: And along came Bubba

Kindly~

Meghan

[in Photos]: Weekandweekend Bliss

Things that made me Oh.So.Hap.Hap.Happy This Week/Weekend!

Sunset LOVE!

Momma’s Boy!

Look at that FACE!!!

Just doing our part

My Nerd Master!

I know, I know.

The yummiest

Another “To Someone, From Someone“

Yep… that’s a random heart-shaped balloon floating through the sky on my drive home from work.  Thanks for the LOVE!

Typical Collin

Typical Liam

Sir, I LOVE your truck.  Can I have it?

Green Tea Bath Salt for my Spa Foot-Treatment

Beers

Shots

Hoooray!!!

hmmmmmm?  they DID cut us off in the mall parking lot….. 😉

Love this hunk of a man

Sunday Dinner- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Fresh Spinach.  Compliments of Chef Brenny.

He has my wonky eyebrow!

I hope your weekend was a beautiful as mine!  Here’s to a brand new WEEK!

Kindly-

Meghan