*Wags finger* Shame on Me!

I was reviewing some old blogs of mine-and I am ashamed that I did not even mention the birth of beautiful baby Dylan!  I mention in January that he was going to be born...but he was/is and I feel horrible!  So, to make up for my appalling behavior (unintentional, of course) towards my nephew-by-non-blood #2, I am posting some pics to make me feel better, lol. (see below)

<---- This was the day he was born *insert teary sigh here*  I was there-I mean there.  I watched him being born!  I was there when she found out, through the whole pregnancy, and at his actual delivery!  It was mind blowing-to say the very least-but incredible.  May I introduce you to Charles Dylan Blackwood?!  The boy has the biggest blues you'll ever lay eyes on (with MAYBE Lauren Street as an exception)  Note the happy parents (Kelly & Wes).  I was boo-hooing in the background.  I am one proud aunt (again!)  He was born February 15th, 2010 around 10:30 in the am; I think 7 lbs and 6 oz? A little fuzzy on that detail (see why next) but I think something like that...Kelly went in to labor around 2 am so we drove in the ICE STORM to get there!  Naturally, he didn't come right along then (and Der and I both had about 2 hours of sleep) but when he came MAN did he!  She didn't even have to push-he was so determined to get into this world, haha!  When was all said and done though, I wouldn't have traded that experience for $1,000,001. WORTH EVERY SECOND.

Now this picture is precious baby on May 12th, 2010-the day before our wedding!  Notice -----> those big beautiful eyes?!  He was great, the entire time! Almost 3 months old and he's doing so well-holds his head up, laughs, feeds regularly (probably more than normal, haha!)  And his older brother, Andrew, seems proud.  (see pic below of the first kiss from big brother to little brother-it'll melt your heart).  It's nice to know that I've been involved in BOTH boys lives since pretty much conception (now granted, I wasn't in the ROOM when they were being conceived, but pretty much from there on out I was, lol) and it's been an amazing journey for me to go on with one of my BEST FRIENDS.  I am so proud of her, as a mother, friend, and wife.  She always has a lot on her plate but handles it well with grace and laughter.

<----- Andrew kissing Dylan-SO CUTE!  He seemed a little curious once Dylan was there and he noticed that Kelly's belly wasn't "big" again-but he connected the dots quickly and promptly gave brother a kiss and smiled.  Man oh man, I almost lost my self all over again just seeing that.  I literally wept for like an hour after Dylan was born-it was just so sweet and magical-placenta and all!  


To be a little fair-I'll go on a mini trip about Andrew because well...that's just fair and I love that boy just the same <3

Andrew Ryan Blackwood-born January 9, 2009 around 2:10 pm-I think 7lbs and 4 oz? Again, fuzzy details but somewhere close to that.  And he came out with a head of red hair!  We were all so surprised yet tickled pink because we hadn't even considered red when guessing what he'd look like-yet there he was!  I was in Chattanooga when I got the call she was in labor-and I BOOKED IT to Nashville in 1 hour and 1/2!  I'm surprised I didn't get pulled over but I was so excited for this moment that I didn't care and couldn't miss it! I met Tonya, Jennifer, Chris, Jordan D., and Vance at the hospital and we played the waiting game for a few hours.  When he came it was SUCH an emotional day for everyone because it was a hard and a bit of a dramatic pregnancy when they first found out.  Outside of my wedding day, I think this is the proudest I've ever felt-this beats college and high school graduation hands down. I am so honored to be a part of both of these boys lives.

<--- This picture is probably over a year old-Andrew is now 2 and 1/2 but still-a little updated picture from birth.  The boys look completely opposite from one another (Andrew looks like Wes, Dylan looks like Kelly) but they're both beautiful and full of life and spunk.

I am one proud Aunt JoJo.  And I miss them every day.  I know that my friends are taking the best care of them so luckily, I don't have to worry about them-I am comforted by this.






Now, when the next one comes along-hopefully she'll be a little girl and I'll be posting pics of little Lillian Belle Blackwood (or hell, maybe my sister will be having one?!)


Love and kisses, like always.

Home is where you make it: part I

Well-we are OFFICIALLY in the new place!  I'd say about 1/2 of it is done-and by done I mean: things put in their rightful place.  We will both be working like mad this weekend because I set a goal (little, but a goodie) to have THE ENTIRE PLACE finished (decor put where it needs to be, pictures hung, towels folded, etc.) by Sunday evening.  Not an easy feat but by no means a hard one.  It will just be time consuming!  I'll be meeting Ramona tomorrow to borrow her power drill so we can put the bed together and hang some stuff.

I LOVE IT.  Our place officially feels like home and we're not even finished with it yet!  It's a nice, settling feeling to unlock the door to your home and smile every time you walk in, ya know?  Even precious Tucker loves it-though I think no matter where we moved, he'd be happy as a clam as long as Der and I were both there, lol.

Pictures will be coming, I assure you, once everything is set up and we're rockin' and rollin'.  With the furniture all being where it "needs" to be, we've just got a few screws to tighten here, a few pictures to hang there, and then the knick-knacks of 2 peoples lives that need to be put up or cleverly hidden in storage.

3 weeks of married life and we've got a new home for the Raley's.  And that, my friends, equals success and happiness if I could ever describe it.

On another note: I'll admit, I've slacked off a bit on my dictionary.com word of the day and my wikipedia BUT not as much as you may think!  I really am learning a lot just with this simple daily goal.  Granted, I need to "get back on my game" and DO IT every day but like 4 days a week ain't bad for this college grad  =]
I am also looking into books for the GRE-study guides, placement tips, etc., etc. because I am starting to get super pumped about it (even though I hate standardized tests).  I can't wait to go back to school-and for Sociological Grad work!? Um, YES PLEASE!  And it may seem absurd, but I've got my little heart set on UC Berkeley...like so bad. Not only is is the #1 school for Sociological Graduate School, it also has the fields I'm most interested to offer (family, sex, gender)!  *le sigh* A dream come true, I may add.  I have looked at a few others, but not many...yet.  I hope to apply to around 10 (depending on the funds for applications) and hope I can get accepted into at least 2 (with Berkeley being first choice of course).  Well kids, here's to dreamers and lovers and life!  Wish me luck on the next few months as I work on this goal.  I'd like to be accepted for next fall-if possible. We shall see but I'm ubber pumped regardless.

I love your faces and hope to see more of you.

Busy Bee

This will be short and sweet-because I am EXHAUSTED!

We have been working on packing, cleaning, and the like for the past week, most of which has been done today.  I finally threw in the towel at 8:00 PM and told Derrick I was giving in to rest for the evening and since my body is ACHING with pains and such-I will wake up tomorrow and finish what we haven't today (which really isn't much besides cleaning i.e. vacuuming, mopping, windexing (?)).

I am literally bruised and scrapped from head to toes and everywhere in between.  I always forget how much I hate moving...until I start moving...lame!  I told Derrick "Please let's not move again until we leave for Grad. school...because this is shit." LOL. I know, I may seem like a big baby but I think it's due to the fact that this is the first time ever that I have: 1) not moved on a weekend and 2) have had to work the next morning...3) while someone else (Derrick) moves everything alone...4) without me. Ugh, I won't lie-it sucks a little.

We will be waking up early tomorrow to head over to the new place to get keys and unload a little so we can pack the rest of this crap and be done with it!  While Derrick is unloading at the NEW Raley home (pause for large smile and girlie giggle) I will be at the old place finishing up cleaning and making sure we didn't leave anything else behind.  Then it's the ol' turn-in-the-keys-and-tag-and-say-goodbye-to-current-and-awkward-landlords just to meet the new folks at A1 and take a shower before heading to work...all by 1:00 PM...yeah, it's a stretch I know but I'm hoping I can do it! (hell, I know I can but I'm sure I'll be a pain in the ass for the next few days due to it, lol).

I know this was kinda pointless but just keeping those "fans" updated on the new life unfolding around me and the start of my new family  =]

I am excited!

<3 <3 <3

Goals listed: take 1

Alright, I'm getting down to business a bit with the listing of a few goals AND I'll let you in on a few that I've been in the process of lately.

Alright, major list of lifelong goals (in no specific order); we shall start with 5 for today:

1) Re-learn French-I took it for 3 years in high school and scored like 83 or something in the 80s out of 500 in the U.S. on the National French 3 test.  Now this may seem tame and maybe a little lame to some but I've ALWAYS been in love with the French culture, the words, the life and I want to re-submerge myself in it.  Since I am newly married and am broke, I can't afford Rosetta Stone but Derrick promised me that if we stay broke (which we probably will at least until Grad. School is over) then he'd buy it for me when he became a lawyer-a LONG way away, lol.  Hopefully I can get on it a bit sooner but even still-a goal.  If any of you language fiends know where I can "rent/checkout" any or buy for cheap, holla at a sista!

2) Own a home-I feel very American in saying that but I do really want to own a home.  To have the decor set as we please, to take responsibility and nurture our abode to make it something we are both proud of and something we enjoy. Now I do not mean a sickly mansion or something of that obnoxious sort (I'm not that American) but a place to call home and for (potentially) our kids to come back to visit and yearn for after college.  I will say a home with a wrap around porch is something I'm dying to have-regardless of the actual size of the house.  Luckily Der and I have very similar style and taste in homes so ours should be a nice one once the economy picks back up and we grown a little older.

3) Donate more-I am a huge fan of charities and donations: I'm that girl that gives $1 every time at the gas station or McDonalds for cancer research and poverty stricken countries.  I have heart strings in so many different places but unfortunately not much funds to help.  So, when I can become a bit more stable financially, I'd like to donate a nice chunk of money to an assortment of places, people, things I feel strongly in and want to help with.  I've always been a huge helper-it's in my nature and if you've ever met my mom then you'd COMPLETELY understand.  Even when I have my few $'s I still try to throw a quarter in the jar or write my name on the balloon at WalMart because every bit helps and I just simply want to help.


4) Become a professor of Sociology: this is a big one for me, one in which I'm in the small process of doing. I fell in love by accident with Sociology but in retrospect I've always been a socio. just without the exact knowledge of being so.  My ideal goal for this is to go to UC Berkeley or Duke and receive my masters (while Der is in law school) and then go on to achieve and reach my doctorate though the location is a bit fuzzy at the moment.  Then I want to teach in a university setting.  Pretty simple really but I ADORE the subjects and hope to travel in the name of research.  I'm not fully sure of the specific subjects I'd like to hone in on, but I'd almost bet gender differences and/or sexual natures and preferences of the human race will probably be the winner(s).

5) Learn more-now I know that sounds pretty simple and self-explanatory but let me say that if I had the choice and didn't have to work, I'd probably go to school 24/7 and take classes and lessons on everything...for real.  I have always and will always love to learn about anything.  Obviously there are some things that interest me more than others but I still want to learn about those uninteresting things.  I have decided to help me in this process, I am going to pull up Wikipedia every day and read their daily featured article as well as log on to dictionary.com and learn a new word and its meaning-EVERY DAY.  Simple: yes.  Silly: yes. But this is how we as a group can start the basic accumulation of knowledge of our world in which we live.  Obviously there will be more intricacies such as buying and renting books on specific subjects and travel and experience but I think little steps make just as big as an impression as some of the large ones.  And hell who knows?! Maybe if we are doing okay financially in life I can be in school full time all of the time...*sigh* I'd love it.

These are just stepping stones and long term goals I am assigning myself to.  I have not set a specific time frame on any of them (though I'm sure some will come much faster than others) for the chance that they may change and may expand.  That being said, I'd say when I'm 33 I will have achieved at least these 5 things-maybe even more...we shall see!

I am working on little goals that put a smile on my face and let me see things in a bit of different light.

For example, one of my daily goals is to check Wikipedia and Dictionary.com (see above for the details) and yesterday I did just that and stumbled upon a fine piece of architecture in Chicago-the BP bridge.  It's really quiet nice and any of those who know me know that I LOVE art in any fashion it comes in and yes, this bridge is a piece of art. I learned about its cost, the architect,  the city backlash for its naming after the huge oil tycoons (but BP paid $5 mil for help in its construction and claimed naming rights so...what were they really expecting?!), and its function in the city.  Now see, look at that: you just learned something too!  See what a little knowledge can do for ya?

Example #2: another daily goal is the fact that I am trying and learning to grow up a little. NOT in the sense of checking the stock market and prepping for babies (not yet anyway) but in the sense that I have some very immature and selfish tendencies that I don't like about myself and need to grow out of a bot.  Granted, I accept who and what I am as human and Taurus, but that doesn't mean I have to act like a pouting 5 year old when Derrick doesn't want to eat Mexican one night or when my favorite show goes off for the season....seriously, I get like that sometimes. SO in that process, I am also making a daily effort keep myself in check when needed and to smile a bit more when things don't always flow my way.  I was pissed off yesterday because I thought I had lost this blog yesterday after thinking about it all morning and this morning I come to find out that it automatically saves itself-which turned it all around for me  =]

Alright kids, sorry for the overwhelming sense of goals and such-maybe the next one will be shorter?! Hah, doubt it!

Love love love.

Busted knees and a housing spree

This is my life today-taking care of my husband's busted knee and searching frantically for a new place to call home for the Raley's. Intense and a bit stressful but alright-at least I'm not at work, hah!

Thanks to Alli, I too am making a list of goals to accomplish-probably not in an entirely new blog because I am a bit scattered and spread out as is; another blog will confuse me, lol.  It shall be mixed in with my random thoughts and bits of my "worldly" news (i.e. this blog) but they shall be labeled and/or marked accordingly for those fans who actually keep up!

Anyway, I have some of the same goals as she (which is nice to know that there are other people in the world with common dreams/goals) and am totally okay with looking like a poser in that sense-bring it on.

I think I'll make an overall list I'd like to achieve and watch its progress but I'll also be doing weekly & monthly lists because kids: that's just how I roll.

I may start it tonight but I should probably be packing...I guess I'm just putting off packing since we don't even have a place to stay yet...here's to hoping, lol.  I also need to do a bit of cleaning and relaxing-though I just got back form the honeymoon let me clear the air: relaxing was NOT one of the things we did!  If you can imagine the awesome and intricacies that is Walt Disney World then you know full well I did not rest and relax.  Maybe some "Thank You!" cards and margaritas are in order? Who knows-here is my taking it easy and shootin' the shit.


Much love amigos.

The Married Life: Part I

Well ladies and gents: I am not only an official married lady but ALSO have been married for an entire week!  Yes, surreal and incredible.  The entire process was long and stressful and intense but it was all totally worth it.

It has thus far been (cliche, I know) the best day of my life. I am married to an intricate and complex individual who makes me think and laugh everyday-two things I need and am forever grateful for.

<--- Check out that smooch!!  Such a good one and seemed to have lasted for days  =]

Anyway, our wedding day was grand.
To start: the day was gorgeous and hot.  There were really no potholes (a few small mishaps but that's considered good luck) in the plans and it all went so smoothly.  I am a very proud bride, wife, and Mrs. 
Next: I got to spend a lot of time with some awesome ladies (see pic below) who made my day as stress free and fun as possible-not to mention they made sure I was breathtaking for my groom.

These girls literally made my life for the day-helped calm me down, laugh, cry and everything in between. From left we have-Me, Jennifer (sister and Matron of  Honor), Destiny (bff and Maid of Honor), Kelly (bff and bridesmaid) and Shelley (last bff and bridesmaid).  Tonya was not present for this pic but she was an INCREDIBLE help that day and was literally fantastic in everything she did.  I don't think she'll ever really know how much I appreciate her and Destiny for all of the help.  Of course, no wedding day, or really any day for that matter, would be complete without my mother, Janet.  She is the most powerful and amazing woman I've ever met and I strive to be like her every day.

That's her and my dad-a great pair though divorced.  It's nice that they get along so well and could make Derrick and mine's wedding day as special and fun as it was!  Granted, I wept like a little girl when I saw my dad because he's just a big ol' teddy bear and cried the entire time from when he saw me to the pronouncement, lol. It was pretty sweet really, as was our dance-The Beach Boys "God Only Knows".


 Afterwards, since it was so hot, I told the boys they could all change back into their casual clothes since it was topping 90 and humid and they had like 3 layers on.  It was such a nice, quiet, intimate, and relaxing evening.  


When we departed, we ran to the Inn across the street from our venue and settled in for out wedding night.  Chocolate covered strawberries and comfy pillows definitely helped make it a comfortable stay ;]


Our honeymoon was to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and let me tell you: the words amazing and flabbergasted and astounding don't EVEN do the place justice.  It was such a phenomenal time getting to be such a big kid with my husband. Perfect locale for us kids  =D  We got back yesterday from everything, picked up Tucker from getting fixed and boarded, and are now back home trying to find a new place to live and make our first home as Mr. and Mrs.-another new adventure that I'm sure will be a challenge yet exciting.  


Well cap'n I just wanted to update you on this crazy life I've been living for the past 7 days-INTENSE and amazing; wouldn't trade it for $1 mil.


I will be starting a goal blog thanks to Alli S. I've always had goals (long and short term) and the list is in my head but it'll be nice to put them in writing and follow my progress and kick my own ass if needed when I start slacking.


Once it's up you all will be posted! Give me a week or 2 since the move will be priority #1 right about now.


Love for always and ever,
JeR

It seems all tea parties and shot glasses...well, it really is.

Hello lovelies,

I'm back-here.  I've been mega busy (duh, 12 days until I get married!) so forgive me for slacking a bit in the blog department.

Let's do a quick (okay that's a lie-this may be fairly long) recap of life over the past few weeks, shall we?

 2 weekends ago-I had an AMAZING tea party thrown by my sister (matron of honor) and let me tell you-SO. MUCH. FUN.  See incredible pics and info on the details of such a great day.  We all wore hats, dresses, and heels-naturally making us feel ultra femme and a bit pompous really.  The queen overlooked while we sipped our milk & sugar filled tea and ate our scones and clotted cream-delicious. We laughed oh-so-much to the point of crying whilst taking pictures in from of the tea room-God I love my bridal party: could I have asked for anyone better?!  Our scrumptious tea spread-it was SO good!  Even split between 6 women-it was quite plenty and the tea was out of this world! Seriously, I am a HUGE fan of tea and this was literally the best tea (cream and sugar included) I've ever drank.  Cheers to the English Rose Tea Room!

Notice the pinkie is out! With the Queen overlooking, I'd hoped not to disappoint.

I know I'm not the only one who had such a grand and silly time-it was really nice getting a bit dressed up to go have afternoon tea with the girls-something you think is only said as a 5 year old but no my chickies, we said it, did it, and LOVED it all as women over 22.  There are far too many pictures to post here but most of the individual bride/bm pics are of use laughing hysterically and being silly.

This is most of my bridal party-Starting from Left: Jen (sister and Matron of Honor), Shelley (BM and high school friend), Me (duh-bride to be!), Destiny (Maid of Honor and high school best friend), and Kelly (BM and college best friend).  Tressa (sister of the groom and BM), Tonya (Wedding attendant and college friend), and Trish (mother of the groom) were all absent but they were there in spirit and we had a good time for them. My mother was there, of course, but she was taking the picture. I seriously doubt I could ask for a better crew-LOVE these ladies!


The next day Destiny and Mom helped me make the Guest book, gussy up the wedding bells, make a shirt, and all and all get some stuff ready for the wedding-it's becoming more and more surreal that it's happening so soon! 12 DAYS! Whoa.

Anyway, after I came back to the Boro for the week, I got ready and got my party panties on for my Bachelorette Party! A lot of the girls originally invited couldn't come and that made me a bit sad BUT the girls who were there made it TOTALLY fantastic and more worth my while than I thought!  Let's start with the dinner at TGIFridays-a good handful of us sat and drank a bit of the night away (yours truly with Madori Sours), ate some yum yum food and dominated some "dick whistle" cupcakes! Let me tell you: the joy this brought to pretty much everyone (including random prom girls 2 tables over) was incredible.  After dinner we proceeded to trot to Hair of the Dog Pub and open gifts and take a few shots before our VIP tickets at "Here Come the Mummies" live show at R&B. Naturally, the gifts were a bit of a scandal but I'm a little excited to see how they wear on the Honeymoon ;]  The shots were good (I know, right?!) and then we high tailed it to see the show-and let me say-WOW. If you haven't seen the band (or even heard their music):

 you are SERIOUSLY missing out on

a wonderful jam band and a FANTASTIC live show!

We had many shots, danced in a packed and sweaty crowd, and all and all had a great night.  We finally made it back up to Shelley's house where a bunch of sleep ensued.  Once the pictures are uploaded, I cross my heart I'll upload them for those who take an interest in my rare party life, lol.

The next day, a bit hung over and ULTRA tired, Destiny and I made our way to the final wedding consultation and we finally got all of the details and menu sorted out-let me just brag a little about how YUMMY our food will be!  We also worked on some centerpiece stuff, random wedding details, and finally got the programs printed.  A very busy and intense weekend but I wouldn't have traded it for a pot of gold.

Luckily, this weekend should be rather lulled-THANK GOD-momma bear needs a tiny break before the madness ensues. Granted-it's still busy with making programs, cake tasting, music burning, honeymoon packing...but even then-still a bit relaxing.

Tomorrow is my 23rd birthday-SWEET! I have not a plan in the world (besides hopefully sleeping in) but I still suspect it will be a good day (as it usually is).

Give my regards to your heart and I'm sure we'll chat again soon-once the pics are up and the wedding looms even closer I'll really be needing to blog, lol.

<3 J