I suddenly realized today how much my life really has changed in the last ten years, but most especially in the last one. Ten years ago today, I was living with my in-laws in St. Louis, working at Kohl's and anxiously awaiting Damon's return from his medical screenings, etc. for joining the Army. Little did we know that the next morning, our whole world would change. I know that we didn't experience the kind of events that so many others did. We didn't loose a loved one or have our whole lives destroyed. What did happen to us, I believe, changed the course of our two lives and lead me to where I am today.
Regardless of those events and the ones that followed, I sit here on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th, and marvel at what my life and the world around me has become. 10 years ago, the world seemed calm, safe and, well, normal. We were two young married kids, working hard and trying to figure out where life would take us. Today, I'm a newly divorced mom of 2 kids under 5. Then, I was living with my in-laws in a tiny room. Today, I share a 2 bedroom apartment with my children. Then, I was worried sick about Damon being in the Army and going "over there" to fight in this war. Today, I ponder how lucky I was that he never had too, even though he wishes he could have been given the chance. Despite everything that has changed so drastically in our lives since that day, I can still say that I have a life of blessings. I have two beautiful children who love me dearly. I have amazing friends who have stood by me through my best and my worst. I have my family to support and love me. I have a good job, a nice car and live a comfortable life. There are so many in the world today who can't say any of those things.
So, despite the challenges I face as a single mom, I am grateful that I even have those challenges. Will there be more? Sure, there always are. Will I get through them? Most definitely. I am strong. I am smart. I am loved. No one or no thing can change any of that. I will continue to face this new life that I choose for myself with courage and conviction, so that my children will see me as a role model, as a mom who loved herself enough to do what she needed to do, and in turn made their lives happier, too.
Where is life going to take me next? I haven't the slightest idea. I hate surprises, but I have a feeling that this is one surprise that I'll just have to live with!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thursday, December 2, 2010
More updates and news from Our House
Its been way to long again, and I'm soo sorry to my loyal followers (all 2 of you!). Its been another few very busy months in our household with lots more changes!
At the end of August, I interviewed for a position with St. Louis University- it was a Program Director position, and while it was less salary, it was a promotion in terms of responsibilities, etc. It seems that no one can match a community college when it comes to salaries! After a long couple of weeks, the HR department called and extended me the official offer and I accepted! During this time, Damon was unemployed (had been since the end of June) and we decided that it was as good a time as any to make our move to St. Louis where we have lots of family and friends. Fortunately, Damon's dad has room in his house and agreed to let us move in with him until we get our feet back under us financially. I packed up lots of our stuff and the kids and I moved to St. Louis the over the first 2 weeks of October. Damon and his dad have both made trips to bring carloads of our things to us here in St. Louis and I am still sorting through boxes and storage totes trying to organize and put it all away. Damon is still in Kansas City, as he found a temporary position there that pays better than unemployment and he also has a male roommate who is helping with the house payment and utilities. Damon is busy trying to tie up the loose ends on our remodel so that we can hopefully get the house on the market in early spring and he can get moved here to be back with us.
My new position is going great- lots of challenges and new things to learn, but I love my staff and am enjoying getting to know everyone at the University. I swore I'd never go back to a Catholic institution, but I'm finding that I feel more at home here than I anticipated. Its been a good feeling. The kids are settled with their new babysitter, who adores them and treats us all well. Its hard being a single parent to 2 small children, especially when they are sick or they both need something at the same time, but we're learning to manage. Elizabeth is becoming quite the big girl and Edward is growing so fast I can hardly keep up. I'm sure that he'll be crawling/walking very soon. He LOVES sweet potatoes, bananas and peaches. He's learning to like green beans and peas. He hates baby cereal, so we just skipped right to the food. He is such a happy baby and a joy to be around. Elizabeth adores him and he lights up when she is near by.
I have some new(er) pictures to post when I can get them off my camera! Stay tuned for more updates from this crazy adventure!
At the end of August, I interviewed for a position with St. Louis University- it was a Program Director position, and while it was less salary, it was a promotion in terms of responsibilities, etc. It seems that no one can match a community college when it comes to salaries! After a long couple of weeks, the HR department called and extended me the official offer and I accepted! During this time, Damon was unemployed (had been since the end of June) and we decided that it was as good a time as any to make our move to St. Louis where we have lots of family and friends. Fortunately, Damon's dad has room in his house and agreed to let us move in with him until we get our feet back under us financially. I packed up lots of our stuff and the kids and I moved to St. Louis the over the first 2 weeks of October. Damon and his dad have both made trips to bring carloads of our things to us here in St. Louis and I am still sorting through boxes and storage totes trying to organize and put it all away. Damon is still in Kansas City, as he found a temporary position there that pays better than unemployment and he also has a male roommate who is helping with the house payment and utilities. Damon is busy trying to tie up the loose ends on our remodel so that we can hopefully get the house on the market in early spring and he can get moved here to be back with us.
My new position is going great- lots of challenges and new things to learn, but I love my staff and am enjoying getting to know everyone at the University. I swore I'd never go back to a Catholic institution, but I'm finding that I feel more at home here than I anticipated. Its been a good feeling. The kids are settled with their new babysitter, who adores them and treats us all well. Its hard being a single parent to 2 small children, especially when they are sick or they both need something at the same time, but we're learning to manage. Elizabeth is becoming quite the big girl and Edward is growing so fast I can hardly keep up. I'm sure that he'll be crawling/walking very soon. He LOVES sweet potatoes, bananas and peaches. He's learning to like green beans and peas. He hates baby cereal, so we just skipped right to the food. He is such a happy baby and a joy to be around. Elizabeth adores him and he lights up when she is near by.
I have some new(er) pictures to post when I can get them off my camera! Stay tuned for more updates from this crazy adventure!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Our newest addition!
Anyway, everything went pretty much as I had planned/hoped. I headed on in to my office and got started for the day with finishing up a few last minute projects. There was a staff association meeting yesterday that everyone wanted to go to, so I offered to cover the front desk so they all could go. While I was sitting there, I go the most intense pains I have ever felt! They started coming about every 3 minutes and were so painful I couldn't talk, walk, sit or stand through them. I finally asked someone to go upstairs and get one of my coworkers so I could leave. when they came down, they took one look at me and told me they were calling an ambulance to take me to the hospital instead of home. I called Damon and told him to meet me at the hospital. Got to the hospital and finally got to the L&D observation room, since they didn't have a room ready for me. When they checked me, I was at 4cm, but he was still high and my water hadn't broken. they called for the epidural, but they were tied up in an emergency c-section. I was hurting pretty bad, but Damon did a good job of helping me through the contractions and breathing. 30 mins later, they checked me again and I was at 6cm and still no epidural. They finally had a room ready so we go moved and settled in around 12:30 or so. they finally gave me some Stadol through my IV to help w/ the pain since we were still waiting on the epidural. At around 1 pm, the OB came and checked me since I felt like I need to push. I was at 9 cm, so they went ahead and broke my water and told me that it was too late for the epidural (YIKES!) I started pushing, as he still needed to come down. Once he got past the initial hump, he came down pretty quickly. In fact, it happened so quickly that my OB didn't make it back in time. My poor nurse had to go grab a resident out in the hallway to come and play catch! After much screaming and ripping off Damon's hand (lol) he came out pretty quickly. I only pushed for 29 minutes and he was born! Two small tears that required just a couple of stitches, but otherwise all good. I am soo proud of myself for getting the VBAC I wanted and with no epidural too!
Edward Charles Riemann arrived at 1:36pm, at 6 lbs, 7 oz and 18.75 inches. Photo to come soon!
Edward Charles Riemann arrived at 1:36pm, at 6 lbs, 7 oz and 18.75 inches. Photo to come soon!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Whoa! Put on the brakes!
Guess I need to update everyone again....
I had my 3D ultrasound this morning (it is just for fun and to see the neat pictures). Let me tell you, I got the surprise of my life! After almost 6 weeks of thinking we were adding another little girl to our family, we found out this morning that we are actually adding a little boy! My ultrasound tech said it was the first time in 14 year she can remember being wrong about it at the first ultrasound! But, in her defense, baby was in a bad position and my placenta is front and center, making it hard to get good pictures of things.
So, guess we'll be back to the drawing board on names. Good thing we didn't decide to paint the nursery pink this time! I'll try to get the ultrasound pics up soon- I promise!
I had my 3D ultrasound this morning (it is just for fun and to see the neat pictures). Let me tell you, I got the surprise of my life! After almost 6 weeks of thinking we were adding another little girl to our family, we found out this morning that we are actually adding a little boy! My ultrasound tech said it was the first time in 14 year she can remember being wrong about it at the first ultrasound! But, in her defense, baby was in a bad position and my placenta is front and center, making it hard to get good pictures of things.
So, guess we'll be back to the drawing board on names. Good thing we didn't decide to paint the nursery pink this time! I'll try to get the ultrasound pics up soon- I promise!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Ok, I'm a slacker!
I can't believe I haven't logged in to update our blog w/ all that's been going on lately! Its been a whirlwind few months for us, to say the least!
In late October, we welcomed a 3rd niece into our family (thanks to my sister Katy and her husband)! Megan is a beautiful little girl and so sweet and sunny- I'm so blessed she is in our lives and so close by! Thanksgiving weekend, another niece arrived, via my sister in law and Damon's brother! Josephina is a big girl-already wearing 6 month clothes as she is quite long! Her mommy went back to work today and its been a tough one, but I know they'll both survive!
In late October, I was diagnosed w/ a herniated disc in my back and began to prep for back surgery. The next week, the brakes were put on all those plans, as we discovered that I was pregnant! Talk about surprised!! While this baby was not planned, we are so grateful that it happened very easily for us this time and so things are going well. My surgery was postponed until January, when I entered the 2nd trimester, and I'm so glad I went ahead. The pain was horrible and the medicines were making me so ill! I went back to work 1/2 days after 3 weeks of being off and I feel great. I anticipate being released back to full duty sometime this week.
As far as the pregnancy and baby, things are going much better! I'm off all the medicines that were making me sick and its been almost a week since I had any morning sickness to speak of. Early this month, we found out that the newest addition to our family will also be a girl, so we're excited that Elizabeth will have a little sister to play with and share her toys! We're still working on names, but we'll let you know once we've decided.
Whew! That's sure a lot to catch everyone up on. I'll try to get some ultrasound pictures and new Elizabeth pics up soon. Stay warm!
In late October, we welcomed a 3rd niece into our family (thanks to my sister Katy and her husband)! Megan is a beautiful little girl and so sweet and sunny- I'm so blessed she is in our lives and so close by! Thanksgiving weekend, another niece arrived, via my sister in law and Damon's brother! Josephina is a big girl-already wearing 6 month clothes as she is quite long! Her mommy went back to work today and its been a tough one, but I know they'll both survive!
In late October, I was diagnosed w/ a herniated disc in my back and began to prep for back surgery. The next week, the brakes were put on all those plans, as we discovered that I was pregnant! Talk about surprised!! While this baby was not planned, we are so grateful that it happened very easily for us this time and so things are going well. My surgery was postponed until January, when I entered the 2nd trimester, and I'm so glad I went ahead. The pain was horrible and the medicines were making me so ill! I went back to work 1/2 days after 3 weeks of being off and I feel great. I anticipate being released back to full duty sometime this week.
As far as the pregnancy and baby, things are going much better! I'm off all the medicines that were making me sick and its been almost a week since I had any morning sickness to speak of. Early this month, we found out that the newest addition to our family will also be a girl, so we're excited that Elizabeth will have a little sister to play with and share her toys! We're still working on names, but we'll let you know once we've decided.
Whew! That's sure a lot to catch everyone up on. I'll try to get some ultrasound pictures and new Elizabeth pics up soon. Stay warm!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Wow...We're 2!
I can hardly believe it! Elizabeth is 2! Where did the time go? She is getting so big...running, talking in complete sentences, doing things for herself, sleeping in a toddler bed, eating milk and cereal w/ a spoon...I could go on and on.
She is such a sweet little girl, so kind, loving and helpful. She loves her playmates and mommy and daddy.
She is such a sweet little girl, so kind, loving and helpful. She loves her playmates and mommy and daddy.
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