Wyatt goes to Kindergarten...

Well... I guess that is more of a figurative statement than literal.  Our little guy woke up bright and early at 8:00, ate breakfast, watched a short cartoon, worked on his morning chores, and around 9:00 - he began the first lessons of his Kindergarten year... in his pjs!

He's definitely not a morning person!  I snuggled with him for a bit and let him know how lucky he is to be able to still be snoozing when other kids have been up for a couple of hours at this point!!

With everything going so wrong in our country today,  Josh & I decided that it is our responsibility to take control of our children's raising and teach them in our home.  With my background in Early Childhood education - I am more than qualified for the job!  

And of course... what good photog Mama wouldn't do a photo shoot with her little one on such a big day?!  No - he isn't in public school... but he is in fact - a Kindergartner - and we are celebrating this huge milestone in his life!! He'll be graduating from high school before I know it!

It's so hard to believe how big he is getting! 

Brynleigh had a great day, too!  She will be working on "Tot School" activities while her big brother does his Kindergarten work.  

Today was also Daddy's "First Day of School."  Josh began his 9th year teaching!  Love my handsome guys!

I haven't always been the best at keeping up with a journal... but I'm hoping to use this blog as a way to document our day-to-day lives so that our kids can see how much we love them as they grow up!!  

Life Happened

It has been an extremely long time since I last posted something on my blog... what can I say - I've always been really bad about keeping a diary.  Not to mention... "LIFE" happened!  As I was reading through my older posts, I kept saying... "Man - I wish I had kept up with this!  That would have been awesome!"  But... I didn't.  So, I guess it's time for a little update.

The last blog I wrote was about the roller coaster we were on with finances and dealing with our sick pup, Maghnus.  It breaks my heart to say that Maghnus is now spreading lots of joy and slobbery kisses up in heaven.  He was so sick, and the only thing we could figure out is that instead of him having epilepsy, he had had a brain tumor.  It was like he was a zombie.  Our poor boy was so disoriented, he couldn't even walk down the steps outside to go to the bathroom without falling.  I ended up carrying his 80+ pounds of muscle up and down the steps, just so he could go use the bathroom.  We were so incredibly heartbroken, and it still makes me tear up just thinking about losing him so early.  He was such an amazing dog...

Maghnus Dub-ya Dempsey

"Mag-pie"

January 10, 2005 - October 12, 2011

After he got sick, and up to the point of letting him go, I was just trying to keep my head above water.  We were dealing with so many stresses, and I was still trying to keep ourselves afloat financially - I just wasn't able to keep up with it all.  I was heartbroken, overwhelmed, exhausted, and just wanted to give up!!!  The only thing that kept me going each day was being able to spend my days with my little love... Wyatt.

One day, October 19th to be exact, when only the clouds seemed to cover us - the SUN came out in the most special and amazing way possible!!  After many weeks of feeling so worn out ALL the time and thinking it was because I was depressed - I discovered it was actually due to a tiny miracle that had been growing inside of me!!  We learned we were expecting another baby!!!  It was quite the surprise... I had just been shopping at the Dollar Tree earlier that day & saw they sold pregnancy tests for $1!! I figured... well it's been a while since I've had my special "visitor", so what the heck!  I'll just take it and see... I'm sure it will be negative. So after Wyatt and I got home, I went to the potty and did the test.  While the test processed, I carefully read the pamphlet... and it was pretty much like the other tests.  One pink line = I did the test right.  Two pink lines = pregnant...  The first pink line showed up super fast and nothing else happened.  So I started throwing away the test trash, and before I threw away the test... I figured - better look one more time, just to be sure.  And amazingly - there was a very, very faint pink line.  I thought... "This isn't possible.  This must be a result of being a cheap, Dollar Tree test." But then the line got a little darker, and suddenly - I was 95% sure that I had just discovered I was carrying a new life inside of me!!

For ONCE - when I took that test - Josh had NO idea I was doing it.  He was at work, so I had a few minutes to decide how I should tell him that I was almost certain, we were pregnant!  When Wyatt woke up from his nap, I wrote a little surprise message on his tummy for Josh to read when he got home.  As soon as he got upstairs and changed into his comfy clothes, we decided it was time to share the news!!  He was shocked!! (And maybe a little skeptical knowing it was a cheap test.)  So after dinner, we went out to CVS to pick up a legitimate ClearBlue Easy test.  We brought it home, I did what I had to do, and we waited.  What do you know... "PREGNANT" popped up on the screen!  Plain as day - no trying to figure out what the lines mean... just the one word that was - once again - going to change our lives forever!

Daddy reading Wyatt's surprise message.

Daddy is SHOCKED!!

"I'm going to be a BIG BROTHER! ... I think... :)"

Dollar Tree test results!

The proud big brother!!

Confirmed with a Clear Blue test!

Our first "Family of Four" picture!

So after I went to the doctor, I was actually 5 weeks pregnant at this point... oops!
I know the exact day we conceived, so this would have been 2 weeks post conception.

"Life Happened" To be continued....

Never been a fan of roller coasters...

For anyone who knows me, I HATE roller coasters! All the ups and downs, free falling, fast turns, and never knowing which way I'm going... it pretty much just makes me sick! Unfortunately, lately I have felt that I'm stuck on this roller coaster ride that has no stopping point! I'm still trying to get adjusted to blogging about my new life. I started off with a bang... and then life happened and I just have had bigger priorities to tend to. Just to review some of my week- here is a glimpse at my roller coaster ride.

Saturday- August 13

* UP- Went to a photography workshop with one of the best photographers in Atlanta. It was a workshop on lighting, and I learned a lot! I was so nervous about being surrounded with people who were far more advanced than I am- but I was actually able to teach some girls a few things about their Canon cameras and that gave me a little boost of confidence. I just hope I can apply some of the things I learned in my work.

Monday- August 15

* UP- Started off the morning with a BANG! I got up early with Josh, helped him get ready for work, and had a really productive morning before Wyatt woke up. I got his week full of Pre-K lessons and activities planned, our week long menu of meals to fix, a grocery list, clipped coupons, and so much more. Later that day- I even cleaned the bathrooms which is ALWAYS the LAST thing I want to do on my chores list!! Overall- a really productive day!!

Tuesday- August 16

* UP- I got my Fall specials ready for the business- and I was really excited about the deal I am offering! I posted on Facebook... now just waiting for a response.

* DOWN- I took a look at our finances... and added up all the numbers. If the business doesn't pick up this Fall- we're seriously going to sink! I had my idea of what kind of business I needed to do this summer to cushion our bank account. Needless to say- the summer specials haven't really helped us out much. Not to mention that we didn't take out a business loan- so what we have in the business account is just what we've been able to save up here and there. Not really enough to use for marketing outside of Facebook... and like Josh keeps telling me. I'm "fishing in the same pond" every time I post to FB. I need to do something else... and it needs to be cheap, creative, and drastic!! If not- looks like this mama may be trying to find a job at night waiting tables!

* UP- Josh came home and reassured me that we'd be okay. He said I'm not getting a job "waiting tables." We talked about our bank account. Plan- live the rest of this month on the little bit we have in our checking account and DON'T borrow from savings... NO MATTER WHAT!

Wednesday- August 17

* Woke up with Josh, but he told me to go back to bed. I had a pretty long day on Tuesday- and he wanted me to rest. 9:15- I wake up to a horrifying sound coming from the basement. The dogs were still in bed, which is right under our bedroom. I rush down to see what is going on. Maghnus is laying on his side in his cage in a fit of rage. He's looking up at me out of the corner of his eye- convulsing- and foaming at the mouth. Chills shot through me. I was terrified! All I could think was, "What is wrong with my sweet Mag-Pie? Does he have rabies? Is he going to attack me if I open this cage?" After a minute- he sat up and I reluctantly opened the cage. He came out with a blank look... walking sideways... running around the garage like he didn't have a clue as to where he was. He wouldn't respond to my voice- he acted as if he didn't know who I was. I finally came to the conclusion that he was having a seizure... something I've never experienced before. Immediately- I go to the computer to read about it. I put him on the front porch where I could monitor him more closely. He seemed to rest throughout the day. I read that most dogs experience seizures at some point in their lives... so I decided it wasn't necessary to take him to the vet... yet. We just don't have the money for that at this point. Later in the afternoon- I was on the phone with my mom discussing his situation- and suddenly I hear that same horrifying sound I'd heard that morning coming from the porch. I rush out to find Maghnus having his 2nd seizure. I knew we had to go to the vet... so Josh rushed home from work and we all packed up to go.

Diagnosis- Maghnus has epilepsy. He had 2 "grand mal" seizures today, was given a Phenobarbatol drip- and $236 later... we're on our way home with our very sick pup who is going to have to be medicated every 12 hours for the rest of his life. His meds will cost us around $12 each month. We had no choice but to take the money out of our savings to pay for his treatment... so much for making plans for not touching that money.

Thursday- August 18

*DOWN- Trying to accept the fact that Maghnus is sick... and deal with the fact that we have this added expense. Also- not really much feedback on the "Fall Special" posted on facebook. Not really sure what we're gonna do. :-( Talked to my friend, Jessica. She called to let me know how horrible things were going at work, and as much as I tried to be super-happy to be away from that- I have this guilt that I should have stayed so we wouldn't be in this horrible financial strain. She also mentioned that she needed someone to keep her little boy, Logan the next morning for a couple of hours. Wyatt was excited to have a playmate.

After a stressful day, I finally completed one of the projects I had been working on. I made a wall in our living room dedicated to displaying Wyatt's little projects. I had to be creative since I didn't have much money to spend. I'll post pics later- but I thought it turned out nicely.

Friday- August 19

* UP- Waking up and hoping for a great Friday. Logan is coming this morning to hang out with Wyatt... so this should be fun. I started a devotion called, "Living Above Stress & Worry." It's really helping me feel like I can break free from this roller coaster ride. Trying to go through the day with this thought... my devotion started off telling me to "consider the lilies." Just as God gives flowers such pretty petals, dressing them more grandly than King Solomon could manage, He will provide for our needs, too. I don't want to be the one with "little faith" because it was my "big faith" that helped me jump out on the edge of the cliff and pull myself out of the situation I was in... so I can't let go now... just because the wind seems to be blowing me closer to my breaking point. I'm holding on... :-) *UP!*

" From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2

Morning Coffee + To Do List = Productive Day

My "work-week" is coming to an end, and I must say... I'm loving this! Sure- I may not have as much adult interaction as I used to, but I'm soaking up the time that I have with my little man and am cherishing every moment. I have noticed a little change in him though. He is becoming a little more clingy, often saying- "Mommy, UP!" I think Wyatt is LOVING this one-on-one attention.

He's become quite the little helper. We have a battery-operated Swifer that has been put away b/c it wasn't working right. Wednesday, I got it all fixed up and charged the battery. Yesterday- Wyatt discovered it and wanted to start using it right away. So I popped the battery in and he proceeded to follow me around the house "vacuuming" these hardwood floors while I straightened up a bit. He did a great job & wouldn't stop until the battery was totally worn down. He's also great with laundry. He puts his dirty clothes in his hamper, and when it's time for washing- he helps put clothes from the washer to the dryer, and pull "hot clothes" from the dryer to the basket. He also likes to close the dryer door. I told him to close the door, and walked away to start folding- to turn around and find he had a different idea.

My hot-natured baby didn't want to stay in the warmth of the dryer for long.

So... something a little strange happened today. I got motivated to get in the basement and garage to start clearing out some of the JUNK down there! I guess that's what happens when you can't really clean anything else in the house. (Well...let's be honest- there's always something that can be cleaned... but I really wanted to get down there & Wyatt LOVES exploring down there.) So- I've already got a HUGE stack of trash to throw out, organized my photography props & equipment- and have started a list of stuff that needs to go into our yard sale. Feeling pretty productive today... and I must say I think some of the credit goes to my delicious cup of coffee I had this morning after breakfast. I don't think I could make it through a day without my coffee. Yesterday I didn't drink any, and I felt so unproductive. I also didn't have my "To-Do" list prepared when I got up yesterday... which was part of the problem. I'm very much like my dad when it comes to making a list and checking things off. So, today- I've had my coffee + my list... and I'm rockin' and rollin'! There's no telling what I might get accomplished today!

Wyatt's First Teacher

As always... still trying to catch up with my tail!

Last school year- when I announced to my students that I wouldn't be back this school year- they demanded to know, "Why!?!" The best and most kid-friendly reason I could give them was because I wanted to be able to be Wyatt's teacher, which was very true... among other more adult reasons. So here we are, on Day 3, and I've already made up a daily schedule- planned out his lessons- and am doing my best to keep up! Whew!

Day 2: 8/9/11

The one thing that I was disappointed with about Day 1 was that I didn't have the time to do any of Wyatt's learning activities! There just wasn't enough time in the day.

So to quickly summarize other things we did today- I planned out his lessons before he woke up. I got some flyers ready to distribute for after-school tutoring to students in the area. Yes- just one more thing I'm throwing onto the plate! And then we were off running errands. Went to Dollar Tree to pick up photo mailers, stopped by CVS to coupon and grab some items we needed & saving 50% off our bill, grabbed Josh's prescriptions, and stopped by the post office to mail off a client's order.

When we got home Wyatt wanted to play outside, and even though it was blazing hot- he had been such a trooper running errands that I couldn't tell him no. It was time for his nap, but he didn't want to come inside. We did anyway- and I told him that after his nap- we were going to come back out to go on a "Rock Hunt." This was part of our lessons for the day. I explained what we would do with the rocks, and he seemed to be content with the idea of taking his nap knowing what fun we'd have when he woke up. Again- nap time was all about the business- but when he woke up, he remembered what I had told him. I was trying to get dinner prepped, and he asked me to pick him up. When I did- he looked at me and said, "Paint rocks." This kid doesn't miss a beat! So... off we went for our Rock Hunt.

He had to have the bike while he looked for rocks.

Found a ROCK!

Putting the rock in his bucket. 11 more to find!

Maghnus whispering to him where he can find more rocks.

All the dogs joined in on the Rock Hunt fun!

Sawyer begged and begged for Wyatt to throw a rock so he could fetch! Wyatt was happy to help him out!

Looking into those little eyes melts my Mommy heart!

Laia is always the first to know when someone is home. Can you guess who it might be?

Yep! It's Daddy!!

Sawyer is pumped that his birthday is tomorrow! He's turning 4!

My sweet Mag-pie!

Laia is always monitoring the boys! She's the boss!

Let's go find more rocks!

Washing the rocks.

Scrub-a-dub!

So after scrubbing the rocks, we're letting them dry so we can paint them. Wyatt is learning about Shapes & Colors. The rocks will be painted different colors and we're using them to organize and sort later this week. It's a process... for sure! Anyway- so today's activities consisted of "Your Baby Can Read" (Vocabulary Development), practicing shapes and colors with Mickey Mouse flash cards (Math), outlining a square with cherrios and glue (Fine Motor Skills), going on a rock hunt (Sensory Exploration), making a rainbow to practice colors (Art), singing "A Beautiful Rainbow Came" (Music & Fingerplay), and reading the book, "What Makes a Rainbow" (Storytime & Language Development).

A snapshot of our day's work at "Mommy & Wyatt School."

We're having so much fun and I had one tuckered out little man when the day was done! Not to mention I was BEAT! I almost feel like I should just open a pre-school with all the work I'm doing to be Wyatt's first teacher! It's been a great couple of days! Now to get started with Day 3! :) Little man is waking up so I've gotta run! (Sip of coffee... and off I go!)

Waiting for Super-Woman...

I wanted to type this post last night, but Josh was heading to bed so I decided to wait until this morning so we could have some time to talk. One topic of brief discussion, "What in the world were you thinking when you encouraged me to start a blog? You know I'm obsessive! Like I needed something else thrown on my super-woman plate!" But I'm actually enjoying this- so far.

So here's a run-down of my attempt to juggle my new life!

Monday: 8/8/11

Wyatt and I started our day by going to the park. I wanted to start the day in my Super-Mom role because it just makes me happy! It was awesome to be able to hear him squeal with delight when we pulled into the parking lot and he saw the slides. He was SO excited! We had such a great time just spending that time together, but MAN was it HOT!

Not the greatest pics - taken with the Droid! :(

Anything he could drive... he did!

So happy to be at the park!

A little mountain goat, just like his mama!

Playing on the "big kid" side of the park.

We stayed at the park for a bit, then left and headed off to the grocery store. It was time to switch over to being Super-Wife. Because I'm not earning a consistent paycheck, planning the weekly menu (to avoid the temptation of eating out), couponing, and cooking meals is my way of helping us out financially. I shopped for the week, used coupons, and ended up saving 32% of my bill. I was pretty pleased b/c I actually left the store knowing I needed everything in that buggy. Wyatt was a trooper! We hurried home, ate lunch, and Wyatt went down for his nap. I hurried to put dinner in the crock-pot, and rushed to the computer to catch up on some work.

At that time- Super-Business Owner was in full effect! I uploaded galleries, contacted clients, worked on the website, archived pictures, burned pics onto disks for sending to clients, and slapped labels on them right up until the moment that Wyatt woke up from his nap.

Josh came home soon after, and we all sat down to Cajun Pork Chops and Rice, a new recipe I was trying out. Cleaning up from dinner, then Wyatt's bath, straightening up the house- and I sat down just in time to get up and go to bed! Day 1 had me whipped!

A New Beginning

Today is Day 2 of my new life of being a stay-at-home mom and I'm loving every moment! It has its ups-and-downs, but I wouldn't trade a second of the time I've had at home with Wyatt! To anyone who looks down on women who trade in their careers for being a stay-at-home mom- you deserve a kick in the teeth! That is for sure!! But, before I begin telling about all that has been accomplished in the past 2 days- I feel the need to step back and explain what brought me to this point.

On April 18, 2009, my life was forever changed in the most wonderful way imaginable. I gave birth to my baby boy, Wyatt. He instantly became the sunshine, joy, and light of my life! The timing of his birth was perfect! Being a teacher - after my maternity leave "ran out" - we were thrown right into summer vacation, and I didn't have to miss a second without him. That is... until he was 4 months old, and I was thrown back into the life of being a 3rd grade teacher. Everyday away from him was heartbreaking - and I just prayed and prayed that he wouldn't reach a new milestone while I was at work! Although my body was busy working and teaching my wonderful students, my heart was always wishing to be at home with my little love.

BUT- for 2 years, I kept going to work because it was a necessity! We had bills to pay and mouths to feed... so as heartbreaking as it was - I kept working. I loved teaching! Being able to help a child learn and be successful gave me a sense of pride and a feeling of accomplishment. However, outside my classroom door was a life of misery - as the school I was working at is one of the most ominous places I've ever known. Where smiles to the face meet knives in the back! I cannot say that applies to my coworkers- as I know most of them were sharing my same feelings... but the administration was filled with lies and betrayal- which made for a very unhealthy working environment. With the demands of us as teachers being so high, but the amount of support and trust being so low - it was more than I could bare.

One night, I was praying over Wyatt as he was falling asleep - and I asked God to give me some sort of sign as to what I should do. I was so torn, because logic told me that I needed to keep working so we could pay our bills - but my heart and head were telling me to get out! I just didn't have the courage to decide on my own, and I knew contracts were coming out soon and I would be forced to make a decision. The very next morning at work - God gave me my sign! I was thrown into a situation where lies were being spread and deception was everywhere! That was all I needed to know. I turned in my resignation a few weeks later.

So - here I am... taking this HUGE leap of FAITH! I've taken control of my own happiness and am doing what I feel is my true purpose in this life. I am currently a woman who wears MANY hats! I am living my dream of being a stay-at-home Mommy to my brilliant, baby boy, Wyatt! I guess I shouldn't call him "baby boy"- he's really an incredibly active 2 year old (28 months to be exact!) I'm also striving to be a loving and supportive wife to my husband, Josh. He has been my rock through this whole experience and without his support- I'd still be working in the pits of despair! And if that isn't enough - I'm also the owner/manager of Dempsey Media - a photography + videography business Josh and I started earlier this year. For anyone who really knows me - I'm obsessive about what I do... and I do a lot! I'm constantly raising my own bar - and doing anything and everything in my power to reach it! It's no wonder that I'm already getting gray hair and I'm not even 30!

So this is the start of my journey. Will the bills get paid? I don't know. Will the business succeed? I don't know. Will the housework get done? I don't know. Will Josh and Wyatt know that they are my world and I love them with all of my being? You can bet your bottom dollar!

This is my new beginning...