Used To Be A Reader

I love books. I used to read all the time. I couldn't get enough of reading when I was younger. Even a couple of years ago, I read way more than I do now. I make the excuse that I don't have the time, but I am always just sitting watching tv or Surfing the internet. I should take time out from just sitting and start reading. I have started to get really tired while reading ... I can't read more than a chapter, and am already wanting to take a nap... Maybe that just Comes from getting older.

Really Tired Of It...

Warning: this is going to be a venting post...so bear with me...

I am so tired of people asking me: "When are you gonna have a kid?" "Why don't you have a baby yet?" "When are you gonna have kids?" I am asked all the time...adding the: "You're not getting any younger." statement---which doesn't help the situation. My co-workers ask me too...I love my co-workers, but it is getting old.

I get it...I am 30...I have been married for 8 years...no kids...and 14 of my friends are having babies (3 are on their 1st, 4 are on their 2nd, 3 are on their third, 1 is on their 4th, 2 are on their 5th, and 1 is having babies 1 & 2--twins)...I am VERY aware about people having babies all around me...I really don't want to be reminded of it every day...

I am okay with it...My husband and I will make the decision together...and it shouldn't rely on other people's opinions of when I should have a baby...

My husband and I are talking amongst the two of us---because we are the people that have to make that decision together, right??? RIGHT???

I know I will be a great mama one day...and I have been learning so much in these 8 years that I haven't had one...so, I think that these years not having a baby is allowing me to learn more about what it takes to care for and have a baby...I would rather be prepared than be thrown into it with no knowledge...

so thanks for y'all's concern, but I am just fine...and you will be the first to know if I am having a baby...

Giving Thanks...

This is going to be my Thanksgiving post...Every day of the month of November, I find something to be thankful for that starts with a letter of the Alphabet: day 1=a, day 2= b....and so on...and I write it as my status on Facebook...and here is where they get gathered...

Day 1::"A":: Today, I am thankful for my older sister Angel Stanley...she is an amazing mom and she is an awesome sister. I am also thankful for my niece Anawynn Haug...I never thought I could love a little kid as much as I love my niece and nephew...but they have shown me what love is all about...Love you,Ani Bug! I am also thankful for my best friend Arielle Black...childhood wouldn't have been the same without you...you are a great friend, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Day 2::"B":: Today, I am thankful for Ben Moermond...he is my husband's best friend, and he and I enjoy making fun of John. I am also thankful for Ben Dotson, who is John's grandfather...I thank him for being a good example to John and the rest of his family. I am also thankful for brownies...the best dessert ever...

Day 3::"C":: Today I am thankful for my younger brother Curtis Roth...I have watched him grow up from a little boy who climbed trees and stood on his head to a very awesome young adult...I am proud to call him my brother.

Day 4::"D"::Today, I am thankful for Dewey Roth and Debbie Roth...my wonderful parents...such good examples to me and my siblings. Also, I am thankful for Denise Hull...my awesome Aunt...she has always been a great friend and she gives the best hugs. I am also thankful for Darlene Double...my other awesome Aunt...she is so funny and she sings very beautifully. I am also thankful for dogs...dogs are the best example of unconditional love. ..thank you to Moses, Charkie, Cody, and Aby...love you always puppies...

Day 5::"E":: Today I am thankful for Everlasting love...it is amazing to know that God will always love me no matter what. By His grace and mercy, I am saved. Praise the Lord! I am ready to take on this day as someone who is blessed and loved. God loves every one of you too...and I hope that you can recognize His blessings when they are right in your face...

Day 6::"F"::Today, and every day, I am thankful for my friends and family...they bring so much richness and blessings to my life...they rock my face off!!!

Day 7::"G":: Today, I am thankful for my Grandma Georgina Roth...such a sweet spirit, and an awesome God-fearing woman...I always used to kiss her good night twice, because her cheeks were so soft. I am also thankful for my Grandpa Clarence Roth...he is an old farmer that is who he is...no excuses...I know he loves me, and his kisses were so scratchy, that I only kissed him goodnight once...love both of them. I am also thankful for John's Grandparents...Hazel Dotson and Ben Dotson...they have been a good example to John...and I am so proud to be part of their family...

Day 8::"H":: today I am thankful for my friend Heather Smith... I have not seen her in over 13 years but I still count her as a really close friend... I love you Heather...

Day 9::"I":: Today, I am thankful for ice cream...cools you down in summer...tastes awesome in winter...Black Raspbery Chip...Coffee Heath Bar Crunch...yummers. (Oh and thank you Maria Bright for this suggestion)...I am also thankful for imagination...without it, my childhood would have been boring, and I would not have such an appreciation for the things kids think of at work...

Day 10::"J":: Today, I am thankful for Johnathan Hall...my crazy husband...it's been 8 years, and I can't imagine not being married to him...I have gotten to see some amazing places, and meet some amazing people...I am grateful that I get to follow him wherever the Air Force sends him. I am also very thankful for my nephew Jesse Stanley...He is growing up so fast...next month he is going to be 2 years old, and he has this sweet, playful spirit about him...When he says my name when we Skype, it gives me loads of warm fuzzies...I love seeing him grow up...and I know he is going to be a fantastic big brother when his little brother arrives next year. I am also thankful for JOY...you know, the happiness that bubbles up and can't be contained inside? Without joy, my days would be very depressing...Sometimes people wonder why I am so happy all the time (I got asked that by the kids in Germany on a daily basis)....I just say, "I would rather be happy than sad....sometimes, you just can't keep your happiness inside!"

Day 11::"K":: Today I am thankful for kindness...and those who have been extra kind to this great country by defending it...Happy Veteran's Day!!!

Day 12::"L":: Today, I am thankful for Lisa Miller...can't imagine my childhood without her...she has always been like my second mom (called her Mommy once by mistake when I was younger)...love you Lisa!!! I am also thankful for love. ..without it, I wouldn't want to go to work every day. ..because you have to love working with kids a whole lot to be the best you can be at work with 2 year olds...or they will wear you out...

Day 13::"M":: Today, I am thankful for music...no matter if your happy or sad...it can keep you happy or lift you up...music is the food of love...sing on!!!

Day 14::"N":: Today, I am thankful for naps...even though I claim to not take them, I like it when I can get them...

Day 15::"O":: Today, I am thankful for oranges...the only fruit that I will eat in its raw form...now the clementine version of these is better...more bite-size...

Day 16::"P":: Today, I am thankful for people whom I have had the pleasure of meeting through the moving around with the Air Force...you make it a lot easier to adjust to new places. I am thankful for Peggy Vinyard...she was an awesome person to work with at the CDC...she taught me so much more about caring for children. I am also thankful for Paul Guilliam...he worked with me when I was the coffee shop cook back in 2005-2006 for Cincinnati Christian University...best prep cook there was.

Day 17::"Q":: Today, I am thankful for the quickness in which I can type on a computer, because I have to help John do his school work (because SOMEONE forgot to take his textbook with him to Texas)...I am also thankful for quiet--something I don't really take time to enjoy sometimes, but when I can get it, it's nice.

Day 18::"R":: Today I am thankful for rocks...they make the beautiful mountains. (God made rocks...good job, God!) I am also thankful for Rebecca Wischnewski...One of the coolest coworkers I have. I am also thankful for rain...I sleep so much better when it is raining.

Day 19::"S":: Today I am thankful for Shonda Judy...without her, my name would be Carrie (a very nice name...but not supposed to be mine). I am also thankful for sunshine...it makes me so very happy to see the sun shining...

Day 20::"T":: Today, I am thankful for two-year olds...they may drive me out of my mind some days, but I love them so very much, and they give me a job to do...

Day 21::"U":: Today, I am thankful for umbrellas...even though I have never really learned to keep one in my car at all times...

Day 22::"V":: Today, I am thankful for the Victory I have in Christ...it is what makes it worth getting up in the morning. I am also thankful for vacuums...without them, our houses would be a hot mess... — feeling blessed.

Day 23::"W":: Today, I am thankful for warm blankets...as the weather is getting colder, I love to wrap up in a warm blanket. I am also thankful for work...I have enjoy working with kids these last 6 years...They
always give me a reason to be at work every day. ..to see kids smile, laugh, and learn something new is what makes my heart happy... — feeling wonderful.

Day 24::"X":: Today I am thankful for x-rays...because they can tell us if something is broken. I also am thankful for the xylophones in orchestras or marching bands...they make a cool sound. (Ok, those are the 2 words that start with x...even the 2 year olds at work know "xylophone".)--I can't believe that I have done every day on the day this month...

Day 25::"Y":: Today, I am thankful for yogurt...one of the few ways you can get me to eat fruit. I am also thankful for the color yellow...as in yellow butterflies. ..they always have a way of letting me know that everything is going to be okay...even when I may be having a bad day...or I am worried about something...I always see butterflies in the summer...they manage to catch my eye at the exact time that I need some encouragement. I am also thankful for Yahweh...who sends me butterflies...and saves me.

Day 26::"Z":: Today I am thankful for zippers that work...which is something I can't say for my lunch bag today--it's zipper broke this morning...that's what I get for buying a cheap one...but I still have to use it...oh well.

Can't Believe I never said this...

I cant believe that I have not let whomever reads this know...I am going to be an aunt for the third time in February...My older sister Angel is pregnant with her second baby. It is another boy...we were really hoping for a girl this time...but thats the way it goes...due 4 days after my birthday...come on little guy...come into this world on February 23rd! That is an order from your awesome Aunt Shonda...cant wait to learn your name...I wonder if you will look like your big brother Jesse...