2008 in Rewind...

2008 was a good year for me and Hailey when I look back on it. We had our good times and our bad times but we definitely came out on the good end.

I worked my 2nd tax season and didn't know it at the time but it was my last (thank God!) I hated tax season, it broke my heart to hear my mom tell me that Hailey would come home at night and look for me. It wasn't fair to her, she needs me around and I want to be around. My career is not that important that I have to miss out on her.

Hailey turned 2 on March 4, 2007. Of course I cried and was so proud of her and how much she has grown. She really is a strong kid and adjusts so well to what is thrown at her. We had a Dora themed birthday party for her.

April 18th I lost my job...most devastating news I had ever received. I hated my job but I think I was just so upset about it because that was my full-time income and that I had just finished working all those hours and not to be appreciated it at all. I felt so deceived and I am so glad to not be apart of that place anymore. God knew what he was doing when he got me out of there.

April 19th-July 6th I was home with Hailey. It was rough, lots of boring days at first and lots of crying but we turned it around and realized that we can enjoy each other and I learned that I really want to be a stay at home mom someday, I really do. Never thought I would say that but it meant so much to be to be able to spend those days with Hailey. Her getting to sleep in until she woke up, staying in our PJs till 10am, going to the park and the pool. It was a lot of fun. I wish I would have enjoyed it more during that time, but of course i was stressed too about having to find a job. But thankfully God provided me with lots of jewelry shows during that time and we were able to actually save money then. And of course it broke my heart when I told Hailey that Mommy was going back to work that she told me no and that she wanted to stay with me. I was crying too because i didn't want to miss out on anymore time with her that I had already missed out on.

July 7th - I started my new job with Robert Half International and I love it! Well...not love it that i wouldn't want to be home with Hailey but what a difference it makes. I'm able to talk to my boss and express any concerns I have with her. The people i work for actually appreciate me. What a difference!!

Week before July 7th I went full force with potty training Hailey, went straight to underwear and never looked back. She did awesome. By the end of July she had everything down and we were down to maybe 1 accident a week if that. It took her a while to learn how to poop on the potty but once she got it she had it.

September after Labor Day Hailey went to daycare and KinderCare in Troy. She loved it and did very well there. She was the leader in the potty training area and the teachers adored her. Hailey also now will refer to herself as a Big Girl!!! And she loves that she is!

I always knew I would make sure my kids knew how I felt about them and I would tell them constantly that I love them and that I am proud of them. I love to see Hailey's face light up when I tell her I am proud of her, she may not know what proud means but you can tell she just is glowing!! And I promise that I will always be there for all of her ups and downs and she can count on me to always be there - no matter what and I truly mean that.

October - Hailey went through a 2 week phase of being very aggressive and it really scared me. Didn't know where it came from and had to crack down pretty hard on standards of what was ok and not ok and following through more.

November - Thanksgiving and seeing Santa Claus for the first time this year.

December - Christmas parties like crazy!!

Hopefully 2009 will be a good year for us. Hailey will be turning 3 and I'll be turning 26 and in September of 2009 Hailey will be attending St. John the Baptist's pre-school program 2 days a week in the morning. Its going to be a good year...