A girl and her dog

This is Addison with Bella, our 85lb Boxer/Lab mix. The two have become quite the pair since Addison became mobile!! When we first brought Addie home Bella wanted nothing to do with her, and would even grumble when Addie cried. Now, they are great playmates and Bella only gets annoyed every now and then!!:) I thought this picture was to cute and I just had to share. In other news, the summer passed way to quickly and I am back in school. I am through the worst part of the first term and the next several weeks should be bearable, until I get into mental health in October. Then things will be just plain easy!! I am back to alking again and getting ready to start running. I was training for a 5k when I fould out I was pregnant so I would like to pick that back up. The Police Academy is still in full force and continues to make life interesting and a continual juggling act. Thankfully Addison is able to be with either Marcus or I mist of the time, and when she can't my mom is able to fill in. That's about all with us...hopefully I'll be able to update a little more in the days to come!

For Your Viewing Pleasure....

Isn't she just to fun?? These are just a few of the many pictures we took of Addison while Abby, Brandi and Krystal were here. It was a wonderful week, very relaxing a refreshing for me. I needed the break for sure. Things are calming down even more here, we are into a nice routine and I am enjoying the calm before the nex storm, which is me starting school in September. For now though, things are very good around here. I have even had time to plant an herb garden! So far I have peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint(yes, that's a plant, and it smells just like you think it would!!), chamomile, basil and chives. I am going to try my hand at homemade tea. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Coming Up for Air

Hello Happy Bloggers!! Three weeks ago Monday Marcus started the Police Academy. I knew going in that this was going to be a major commitment and something that would be tough, but worth it in the long run. Nothing however, could have prepaired me for the reality of his first week. The weekend before we had a "family day" where we met the instructors and got an idea of what the next six months would be like. It was all a little overwhelming, especially since they gave everyone a list and said "don't bother showing up Monday without all of the things on this list". Most of the rest of Saturday and Sunday was spend running around frantically to aquire said items. Thankfully Marcus's parents were here, and his mom went with him to hunt everything down so that we didn't have to drag Addison. Then came Monday. Since several days a week I work 11pm to 3am, and at the time Addison wasn't going to bed until around 11pm, her and I moved into my parents house for the first few days so that Marcus would be able to sleep. Here is a picture of the first few days: Sunday night I worked until 3am, came to our house, helped Marcus get ready and on his way(he gets up at 4 and has to be out of the house by 5:15), went back to my parents by 5am, slept till 9am, delt with Addie all day, Marcus came home around 5pm with another long list of things he needed, so it was off to Target before I went to work at 7pm and he went to bed. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I did the exact same thing. Needless to say by Friday we were both totally exhausted and I was a little bit panicked about how in the world we were going to do this for six months, especially since I go back to school in September. Well, as the weeks have progressed it has gotten better. We have a routine, Addison is in bed by 9 and sleeps some mornings until 9, so Marcus is able to put her to bed and I am able to sleep in when I work late. Marcus has a lot of homework, he will have 39 college credits when this is said and done but it is manageable. I am finally starting to feel more human and not so much like a single parent. The housework is still all me, but I am getting into a good routine and not having to work as much. God has been faithful and I know this is His path for Marcus. I am excited at the change, and ready to see how God continues to help us through. Next week my dear friends from college Brandi, Abby and Krystal are coming for the week. It is our yearly summer tradition and this year my house is it! So, hopefully I will get some pictures and we will have lots of fun. Hope everyone has a good 4th of July!

Countdown!!

The Rodriguez house is a buzz with excitement right now becaue Marcus starts the police academy on Monday morning bright and early. Saturday is orientation and "family day" so his parents are coming up tomorrow and staying so that they can go with us. It will be us, my parents and his parents, so he will have quite to crowd. The last week has been spent getting the house ready( almost there...just a little more to go!!) and getting everything Marcus needs in order so that Monday goes well. I am very excited for him because this is something that he has wanted to do his entire life, and I am proud of all the hard work he has already put into being successful. If you could pray for us this week that we will adjust to our new way of life easily, and that Marcus will have a great first week we would appreciate it!! In other news, Addison has started eating "food" this week, and by food I mean some rice cerel and peas, but so far she likes it. The doctor wants her to put on some weight( she is 14 lbs 11 oz at the moment) so he thought this would be a good way. She is 6 months old today, and I can't even believe it. I am so thankful, because she is now going to bed around 9pm and sleeping all night, which is making life SO much easier for all involved!!:) I am well, still working some crazy hours, ( I am headed to work after I finish this post!) but still glad not to be in school for the time being. Right now my main focus is getting things taken care of that had lapsed during my whole "I'm having a baby and starting nursing school" insanity and making life as easy as possible for Marcus as he starts the academy. I will post pictures as soon as I find the cord for our camera, I am afraid it was the victim of my nazi cleaning spree!! Till next time!!!!

What's New

I have already enjoyed my summer so much, with a new womens Bible Study, hanging out with friends and just enjoying Addison. She is so big now, 14lbs, and "talking" up a storm. Praise the Lord she regularly sleeps 8 hours a night, with a morning nap so my life has gotten much easier. We are just enjoying this less stressful time as a family right now, before Marcus starts the Police academy on June 16th. I am so proud of him for all of his hard work, he is now up to running 5 miles at a time, and working on his puch ups and sit ups. For my part I am walking as much as as far as I can daily( when it doesn't rain!) and going to a ladies work out once a week. I have some fairly ambitious fitness goals over the next year, so we will see how that works out. I still need to find time to sit down and put all of my pictures on the computer so that I can post them here, I know I am soooo behind with all of that. I have just so enjoyed not "having" to do anything. My work schedule has picked up some, but I only work in the evening or night time hours, so that is why I sometimes post comments at 4am when I get home!:) This weekend we went with the youth group to see Prince Caspian, and just a warning to parents out there it is a fairly violent movie, and they were not shy about showing some mass carnage. It is PG for a definate reason, and Marcus and I even had a discussion on the way home as to if it should have been PG 13 or not. I would have been horrified had I taken any smaller kids. WEll, it's time for ADdy's nap so I think Mommy might take one too!! Till later!

One Down, Three to Go!

That's right ladies and gentleman, I am DONE WITH SCHOOL for the summer. I promise you that in 28 years of summers, there has never been a more welcome on than this! These past almost 5 months have been the most challenging, blessed and insane months of my life to date. As I look back over this semester, my heart has no choice but to well up with thankfulness and praise for God and His provision in my life. He made my success possible, and chose to make Himself very visable in many areas of my daily life. I am so glad to have the next almost 4 moths to focus on my little girl and having fun with her, spending time with friends and getting myself back into shape!! I am excited to see how God is going to continue to guide and provide on this journey He has laid out for Marcus, Addison and I. All I know is I am looking forward to reconnecting and relaxing. I think I might even go watch Pride and Prejudice before I hit the hay. :)

Cuteness

Look!! I leanred how to add pictures to my posts! I am really moving up in the world. I thought I would add a picture of my little peanut to share with the masses. Now that I know how to add images...watch out!!