Adoption

I haven't written in awhile...but I have great news to share!  Ali, while she has always been mine, has been adopted by Richie!

Richie has been in Ali's life for 7 years (she was only 6 when he came to us).  Over her half her life!  He's been providing for her for over half her life!  Giving her love, compassion, and attention...for over half her life!

The sperm donor (this is what I've decided to call him, because he has no idea on how great of a kid he missed out on)....well he was in the picture for about 2 years.  Then it got less and less.  I bet I could count on 2 hands how many times he's seen her in the last 7 years!  No joke!

Anyhow, Richie has always been daddy!  He's shown Ali a father's love, treated her like his little girl, and been there for her through all her ups and downs.

This year, after being told "Don't text me anymore" about needs for his child...we filed the adoption.  I couldn't take the frustration that came along with dealing with him!  Why can he not step up to the plate and care for his daughter??  

After consulting an attorney...we paid the retainer and filed the paperwork.  We were told to expect 6 months, even if he sent the papers back consenting to the adoption.  Low and behold...he sent them back in record time!!  Sad that he could just sign her away!!  

The best part...after Ali met with her attorney (the guardian ad litem, required for a minor child), the attorney's got a court date scheduled!  

We went to court on July 6, just 2 short months after filing for the adoption!  Richie and I both had to "testify" that we knew what we were doing, could support her (like we hadn't been already?  ha!), and that if we split up he would be entitled to custody rights and paying child support.  Fifteen (yes 15) short minutes later, we were out of the court room with Ali legally belonging to Richie and I!!!!  

Adoption day!!  

Richie FRAZIER: Est. 9/10/1980

Ali FRAZIER: Est. 7/6/2015

Jennifer FRAZIER: Est. 6/5/10

Our Failing Education System

When did athletics become more important than academics? This has been bothering me for some time now.  I get that athletics are important to some, heck my daughter loves her sports!  But our tax dollars are to fund schools, to teach kids! Math. Science. English. History. Art. Music. And, yes athletics.  But why is it acceptable to get rid of an excellent teacher to hire a coach?

Someone near and dear to my family has been replaced, because the school needed a coach! Would they ever admit to that? NO! But it's quite apparent! A certified English teacher, replaced with a pe teacher, to teach English! Tell me he wasn't hired to coach!

It's frustrating! I'm not saying he isn't a good teacher, or won't be great with the kids..... but I just don't see how they could justify this happening!

The replaced had never been written up, reprimanded, or had any negative interactions! She just wasn't a "good fit"!  It's a joke!  The students loved her! My daughter has actually been enjoying reading!

I definitely don't miss the politics of the school! The only thing I really miss at this point.... summer vacation!! 

Living Through a Renovation

Nice, new, and functional!  That is the dream I had when we decided on a renovation!  Ali moved to a new bedroom over a year ago.  We had the big dream of converting her old (large) bedroom into an office and new bathroom for Ali.  We started this project months (I'm talking 6-7-8 months) ago!!!  I don't even remember, that's how long it's been!

We gutted the new office completely to the studs, added new insulation, new sheet rock, got rid of the loose, un-capped, LIVE wires in the walls, and added all new electric as well!  I mean, who does that?  Who in the hell leaves an un-capped live wire, loose in a wall?!?!?  We found it because we decided to put in new sheet rock and get rid of the textured walls in there.  Thankfully in the 6 years we've lived here, our house didn't burn down!  

 You can tell that they just took out and switch and stuffed the wire back in the wall!  No common sense!

Anyhow...we got all the "in the wall" stuff done: electric and insulation!  Then we got all new sheet rock up and mudded.  The hubs has been working on leveling the ceiling, because we decided to get rid of the popcorn while we were at it!  SO....this is where we are at a stand still!

Life got in the way!  Ali had competition cheer season and now we're in the midst of softball season.  Richie jumped in for an injured track coach and finished out the season for her.  School is ending for Richie, so that means getting all his grading done, and getting his room ready for summer.  So, we have an office, that needs finished!  

I will share a bit of the madness I've been living in!  It's crazy, SCARY, and downright frustrating!!  The hubs has promised to work hard this summer, when he's not at college!  Oh yes...he's been working on his Master's in the midst of all of this too!  He's got a 4.0 GPA and has just 2 semesters until he graduates!  

I did get my cabinets for my office ordered last weekend!!!  Though they may take up to 4 weeks to arrive. Now, I have to find countertop, and make a trip to Ikea and get my Kallax shelving.  But first....I have to prime and paint, as soon as the ceiling and finish sanding are done!  

I promise we aren't hoarders!!!  This is stuff from Ali's room (that still needs 'finishing' touches), stuff from my office, PLUS many things that will be sold/given away when we get this put together!  

If I seem stressed, mad, or just lost....please understand that I have an excuse!  I cannot wait until this project is done, and I have my house back!!!  We haven't been able to eat at our dining table for months!  

I promise I will share pictures when it's done!!  Or mostly done anyway!  Because I only ordered lower cabinets....until we can afford the uppers!  I'm going to make this office fabulous!  :)

Run Like a Diva

I'm going to follow up my mad, sad, frustrated post, with a happy post!!  

Ali loves doing 5K's!  Last year she did quite a few of them.  This year, we've only managed to get her signed up for 1 so far, but she was awesome!!!

Yesterday she participated in the Diva's 5K in Branson.  Ali did this same race last year, and she had fun!  Plus, it's always fun to get away to Branson! ;)  Last year, my mom had said she wanted to join Ali for a fun, girly 5K....so we signed her and Ali up together!  

 Here's their before pictures!  Aren't they cute? 

By the way....I think that's my mom's first ever duck face!  ha!

They had planned to walk the 5K together!  They  went down and when they race started, they "jogged" together.  Ali noticed that my mom was falling behind her, so she turned and was going to stop and wait for her to catch up, so they could walk.  When Ali turned to my mom, Mom told her not to wait.  She didn't want to hold her back.  So my darling Ali, who has NEVER ran much, decided she was going to run the entire 5K!  I was like....what!!  

Anyway...we got down to the finish line, thinking we had plenty of time to watch for them to come in, only to turn to the right, and Ali had already finished!  She ran the 3.2 miles in 39 minutes and 15 seconds!  I was so proud of my girl!!!!  

It was time to watch for mom then!!  My mom had never done a 5K!  So...I was excited to watch for her!

 

Here's both of them after they had finished.

Here's my momma getting her medal and the fireman hunk that gave it to her!  

WAY TO GO MOM!!!  WAY TO GO ALI!!!  

Be Yourself!!!

As you well know...I have a teenager!  I don't possibly think I am old enough to be a parent of a teenager, but I am.  Teenagers are vicious creatures!  They are usually the meanest to each other.  What really gets me....when an adult is the culprit of evil!

My daughter wanted her hair cut.  She wanted a trendy style, that she'd seen on tv, the internet, and on others.  So...I thought, it's just hair, I don't care.  It will always grow back.  Last night when we got home from our weekend getaway...I shaved the side of her head.  She's a sassy little teen girl, so it fits her personality well!  It looks super cute on her too!

Now...I tell my mom, that I cut her hair, and tell her how...she flips out.  She has preceded to make Ali feel bad/sad for wanting her hair like that!  Why would you make a child feel bad for wanting a certain hair style?  You don't have to do it to your hair, you don't even have to like it, but don't try to make her feel bad for doing it...  Of course, she yelled at me and told me I shouldn't have done that, or even let her.  URGH!!!!  

This is right after I finished.  She clearly loves it....look at that smile on her face!  

She is always so excited that I let her be herself!

I think that letting her be herself...just helps her express herself!  She doesn't care what people think (except her parents and grandparents obviously)!  So now, she's feeling bad for her choice....

Here's a shot with the hair down!  

I told you she had sas!  ;) 

I love this girl so much!!  

So...any thoughts or opinions??  Am I just crazy for letting her be herself?  

Essential Oil LOVE!!

I'm sure that you have heard someone around you talk about using Essential Oils....right?  I was first introduced to oils by my sister.  She started using them to help her autistic son.  I got interested, so I started doing my research.  I was curious about where the oils came from, why they work, and what could they do for me...  

Firstly, I was SOLD on the fact the Young Living owns their own farms!  They know where their product is EVERY SINGLE STEP of the way!!  For more information, please check out their website here:  http://www.seedtoseal.com/en.  After seeing this promise from Young Living, I didn't want to buy just any oil!  Actually, I did some more research, and I found that many oil companies just purchase oil and re-bottle or re-label it.  No joke!  They don't even know where the oil came from!  

Secondly, I LOVE that by becoming a wholesale member, I get a 24% discount ALWAYS!  I don't have to make sales, and I'm not required to purchase a set amount monthly!  I also don't have to wait on a commission check when I place my own order.  It is at my discount!  

Thirdly, I got to purchase the Premium Starter Kit for $150.  This is a STEAL!  Why you ask....let me show you!!

You get a home diffuser, 10+1 bottles of essential oil, and other samples!  This is a $289.17 RETAIL  VALUE!  You are saving nearly 50%!  
The bottles of oil you receive are all 5 ml.  These are not just a drop or 2 to sample!  These are full bottles.  You do get a few sample packets to share your love of oils with others!

If you are interested, please read the following.  

How to Order your Young Living Premium Starter Kit

Before beginning the sign-up process, please read these helpful tips:
-Do not use your phone! It won’t work!
-If you use a tablet, you must be in Google Chrome. Safari won’t work.
-Once you begin the sign-up process, you must complete it uninterrupted. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
Here is how to order:
1. Go to this website: www.youngliving.com/signup
2. Enter your country and your language.
3. Choose “wholesale member” to receive a 24% discount on all Young Living products. Please note, there is no requirement to sell a product and no minimum amount to buy each month. (This is similar to joining Sam’s or Costco. You join the club in order to receive the discount.)
4. Enter the member number of the person that told you about Young Living in both the Sponsor ID (2571632) and the Enroller ID (2571632) fields. If you aren’t sure of their number, please ask them. These numbers are what connect you to our oily family and how you will access your oily help and resources.
5. Enter your personal information.
6. Agree to the Terms & Conditions by checking the box.
7. Choose your preferred language.
8. Optional: enter an email address-great for monthly promos and specials
9. Create a username, password, and pin number. Please write this information down! You will need it when you decide to order more oils and/or products.
10. Pick your Premium Starter Kit. Most people choose the first option in the upper left-hand corner: the Premium Starter Kit for $150. This kit contains the Home Diffuser and the 11 Everyday Essential Oils.
11. OPTIONAL: Enroll in Essential Rewards. Most people choose to wait on this option. Please scroll down to the place where it says, “No, thank you.” If you are interested in this, feel free to contact me for more information!
12. Enter your credit card information.
13. Click next.
14. Confirm your shipping address.
15. Check all of your account information. Click “create account.”
16. You are now in your Young Living virtual office. At the top of your screen, you should see your name and your member number next to that. Please write that number down.
17. Optional: If you would like to add more product to your order, you may do it on this page. Click “continue shopping” and search for the items you want to add.
18. Once your cart is full, please click “Complete Checkout.”
19. They will ask you for your shipping address and your method of shipping.
20. Many times they will ask you for your credit card information again.
21. Review your order. If you are satisfied with what you see, please click “confirm order.”
22. When you order is complete, you will see a screen that says, “Thank you for your order.” 

Stay tuned for more info on my favorite oils!!  Have an oily day!  :)

Getting out of debt...

I don't know why life is so full of temptations!!  It makes it so hard to just get by....forget getting ahead!  

We pay our bills, but definitely not great at saving for a rainy day!  So we're on a track to get out of debt!!  Mission #1: pay off the car loans!!  We are 1/2 way there!!  WOOT!!  Friday, we paid off my husbands car!  Now, we are under 12 months on my car!  

Next mission....pay off the parents that made college for a single mom possible!  While I am eternally grateful that my parents basically helped me survive during college, I hate that I spent so much money during my 4 years!  I will pay back every last penny!!  Even if it kills me.  I really hope to be able to boost their monthly payment as soon as my car is paid off too!  Then, they will be paid much faster!!  

And my next goal!!  Actually have a down payment when I go to buy my next car!  Not just a trade in, but money....CASH....that I can hand them to lower my loan!!  

I sure wish that we could just be debt free, and do what we wanted, but I guess life isn't fair....so it won't ever happen!  

Child Support

I'm in a mood to basically just vent!!

If you know me....you know I have an amazing family!  I have the best husband a girl could ask for, and I have an awesome daughter as well!!  Unfortunately my husband is not my daughter's biological father....and this is where the venting starts!

I had my daughter when I was 23 years old.  I wasn't "too young" but I certainly wasn't old enough to "know better".  I got married pretty much right out of high school, and settled down.  It was ROUGH!  Very rough!  But I pushed through.  I pushed through finding women's underwear in my couch!!!  I pushed through finding other women's phone numbers in my husband's wallet.  I even pushed through him leaving me home pregnant and sick to "go buy a hammer" (aka...see the girl at the hardware store).      What the fuck is wrong with me to stick around through all this???  Well, I was pregnant, and I worked at Walmart.  I knew I couldn't do it on my own.

So, I stuck it out for as long as I could.  My daughter was born, and things were going okay.  Then when she was about 15 months old....I couldn't take the fighting and chaos anymore!  I gave him an ultimatum that things had to change or I would leave.  Needless to say, he chose to not even speak to me about it...so I left!  Thankfully I had my parents to help me out!  I moved back home with my sweet little girl, and they supported me immensely.

Ok....sorry, I had to preface this whole venting session!  :)  So, I became a single mom.  I worked, went back to college, and eventually moved out on my own.  Did I make some unwise choices?  Absolutely!  But I pushed through and made sacrifices so my daughter was ALWAYS taken care of.

Anyway...her father (aka...sperm donor) was ordered to pay $350 child support monthly.  Seriously....that's it!  So he's always been inconsistent.  Oh, he's also ordered to provide health insurance for her too!  HAH!

So, last year, when she was 10 years old, I decided that I was going to get an individual insurance policy on her, since he didn't have any insurance.  I told him that since he was responsible to provide her insurance, he should give me the money I'm putting out.  He agreed (amazingly)....but then he 'lost his job' and couldn't give me any money.  Not only that....he didn't pay child support then either!

So, here we are nearly a year later.  I have paid ever penny towards her health insurance premium, paid every co-pay, paid her deductible, and have yet to receive a penny from him.  He had got caught up on child support...but has now fallen behind again.  I am beyond frustrated that nearly every single dollar I have received for child support has gone towards health insurance, co-pays, and deductibles.  I'm not even joking!!  All of it!  So what exactly is the point of child support?  I get that I should provide for her too!  And I do!  She doesn't go without!  I sometimes wish he would just sign his rights over and go away!  This frustration is more than I can take!  

So, today I just needed to vent that children are EXPENSIVE!   I just want what is supposed to be done, to be done!  Pay for her health insurance and pay your child support!!!

Needless to say, I sent him a message questioning about child support and money....so I'm sure that I will get a not so nice message back!  Oh well....take care of your daughter that you helped create!!

    

House Party

They always say, there's no such thing as getting anything free....well, I'm here to disagree!!  Do I have to put in some work...of course!  But, it's absolutely, totally worth it!  What am I talking about???  House Party of course!!  House Party is this awesome company, that partners with major companies, so that people can try out their products, and share them with others to try!  SERIOUSLY!  

Here's what you do!  First, go to the House Party website.  If you aren't a member, become one!  It's free!!  Then...sign up for parties that are "open for application".  I sign up for any party that I would be interested in...and no, that's not all of them.  They are all different...I've seen parties for Pull-ups, make up, coffee, Smirnoff, etc...  You do have to agree to abide by their rules.  Be of age (especially if it's for alcohol), have the party, not try to get multiple party packs, upload a photo from the party, etc.  When you get chosen to host a party, you need to have at least 10 email addresses ready to go!  These are the first people you will invite to your party.  Then...you sit back and wait to get your party pack!  Inside, you will find lots of freebies, for you, the host(ess), and your guests!  Then, you need to prepare for your party.  I always bake cupcakes (go figure!!).

I have applied for a LOT of parties...and unfortunately  I don't get chosen to host them all.  But, I have been chosen to host 3 parties.  The first party I got chosen for, was my very first application!  I hosted a Shutterfly party.  All my guests came over with pictures uploaded to their laptops (or Shutterfly accounts), then they got to make an 8" x 8" photo book and 10 photo cards.  The best part...it was absolutely FREE!  My next party, was a Zatarain's party.  They sent me a Zatarain's food selection, and I cooked it up for my guests.  And, my latest party is a Soda Stream party!  Yes...really!!  They sent me a Soda Stream Source machine, the co2 canister, 3 bottles, 30 sample sizes of flavors, and LOTS and LOTS of goodies to give away at the party!!  Seriously...this was at least a $150 prize pack!  And it's mine to keep after my party!  I'm having my friends/family come over to try it out this weekend.

So, what exactly are you waiting for???  Go visit House Party...and invite me to your next get together!  :)  Good luck!  

FED UP!!

I am fed up with Christians who have this "holier than thou" attitude!!!  I mean...if you don't like a Presidential candidate...don't vote for them.  But for fuck's sake...quit bashing them every time you get on facebook!!!  I get that you don't like President's Obama's choice to support Planned Parenthood...but guess what, I don't like that you think the it's okay for the government to tell me that if I want/need an abortion that I can't get one!  Hell, I can't even get pregnant!  But you know...it's a woman's right to choose!

And while I'm on the subject of your "Christian-ness"....Is being deceitful being a "good Christian"?  You chose to call Planned Parenthood to try and set up a mammogram on "schedule an imaginary mammogram day".  Sounds to me like you are not following your own words!!  When you do something that you have no intention of following through with...that is deceit!!

Now, I must say, I'm friends with a lot of Christians who are great people!  It's those people who act "holier than thou" that really make me mad!  So, if I offended you with this post...you are probably not one of my true friends!!  :)

HELLO AGAIN!!!

So...it's been awhile since I've blogged.  Our family has been extremely busy, AND....I've been working!!!  Yes, I got a job!!  I started working again at the beginning of September.  I got a job at City Hall, here in my town...and I can honestly say it's been GREAT!!  The people I work with are awesome, and they have been very welcoming!  And...I get to work with adults and interact with adults all day....which makes this girl VERY HAPPY!!  :)  
Football season has kept Richie busy every single day, dance has kept Ali busy, I still bake when people need their sugary sweets, and we seem to always be on the go!  I haven't forgot about my blog, but I haven't had a lot of spare time.  I hope that everyone is enjoying fall!   

Differing beliefs

I have to say.... I really HATE (yes, I said hate) living in a small town!!!  I feel like I have to tip toe around and be sensitive to everyone else's feelings and beliefs...but I don't get to express mine!!  Do I knock what you believe??  NO, it's your freedom!!  It is also my freedom to not believe in the same thing!  But...my problem is when you try to knock what I believe!  I don't push my beliefs on you!!  WHY IS IT OK FOR YOU TO PUSH YOURS ON ME??????  I get SO sick of it!!  

I feel like I can't express what I believe on Facebook for fear of public persecution is this po-dunk town that I live in!!  I fear that my husband would lose his job...or worse, that someone would mistreat my daughter because of my comments!  


But it goes beyond religious beliefs...it extends to political beliefs!!  If I were to comment that I think a person of a different party "than popular where I live", I would be ripped down!  This is another of my freedoms that I am "afraid" to express!!  


The thing is...I'm a good person!  I don't treat others bad, I don't steal, lie, or anything else!  I enjoy spending time with my friends!  Guess what...most of my friends have different beliefs than me!  AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW IT!  You know why....because I don't push my beliefs on ANYONE!  I keep them to myself!!  It is however...what I believe!  I'm the one who has to own it...not you!  SO please don't tell me "how to live"!  

I've been so close to just unleashing on Facebook more than once!     So, I guess I thought writing in my blog would be the next best thing...  Hopefully I'm not "hung" on the town square later today.  If I show up missing...this just might be why!  :)  

Summer

Summer is a very crazy time of year!!  Ali is dancing 2 days a week and playing softball 2 days a week.  Doesn't leave much down time at all....but she's having fun, and that's all that matters!!  


Still jobless....still looking!!  :(  I keep trying to think positive, but it's SO hard to be positive when nothing is going my way!  It's hard to believe it's been over a year since I had a job...  I have more interviews scheduled, and I have more applications out, than I have had in my whole life combined.  Nothing worse than rejection...
The positive in it...is that I am home with Richie and Ali right now!!  I know that I will wish I was there with them when I find a job.  :)  


Ali is gearing up for her first ever overnight camp!  I am going to miss her very, very much!!!  I'm glad that she's so excited...just feeling sorry for myself!  haha!!!  I definitely hope she has as much fun as she thinks she is going to!!  


Not sure if anyone reads these anymore...but, thanks if you do!  Sometimes it's my only place to vent!  :)  HAPPY SUMMER TO ALL!!!!  

My New Car!!!!!

After searching the internet day after day....not only for jobs, but for cars too...I came across this beauty on Craigslist.  I am the proud new owner of a 2007 Toyota Camry!!!  Definitely a totally different ride than my Tahoe was...but it is still great!  I went and picked it up this past Monday...and I finally feel like I have a bit of freedom again.  :)
On the job front...I had another interview this morning!!  I'm hopeful...but don't want to be disappointed!  :)  I applied for a ton (at least 10...and I'm not kidding) of jobs yesterday too!  I am very hopeful that something will turn up and work out for me!!

Stress!!!

Stress and anxiety have been the biggest part of my last weekend!!!  I tried to trade in my car...and the dealership didn't even want to pay it off...hahaha!!!  So...I listed my car on Craigslist...and low and behold it sold!!  Then we listed our utility trailer...because we obviously had no use for it without the Tahoe!  Then...it sold too!!  Now...I'm carless!!  :(  But...I'm ALSO car payment FREE (for now!).  I still have a bit of anxiety, but I'm sure I will overcome it!  Thankfully my parents are awesome and are letting me borrow their van (UGH!) for the time being!!  I love my parents!!