Alane's Crawfish Monica

I had a very lazy Sunday and decided (well, owed--I'll tell you why later) to make some Crawfish Monica.  For those who don't know, that's basically a pasta with a crawfish and cream sauce.  My "new daddy", Steve, brought us a queen mattress on Wednesday that they were going to throw out.  In lieu of pay, I cooked for him.  The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, after all!

This is the recipe that I've based my cooking on:
http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2010/03/crawfish-monica-copycat.html

This is my version of it...  I made a double batch for Steve and for E's family.

Can't have CM without the pasta.  I like to use the bowties because I think they're cute.  Most people use rotini.  I say use what you have.

For the double batch, I cooked about a pound and a half.  That was the perfect amount.  When I'm cooking just enough for E and I, I cook one pound and it's WAY too much.  If I had to guess I'd say use a half pound.


I chopped onions, green onions, mushrooms, garlic, and parsley.  I use A LOT.  Use to your liking.

 You don't see the garlic because I cheated and used the store bought minced garlic...

I melted some butter...

 ...and added the onions, green onions, and mushrooms and let them saute for about five minutes.

I added the garlic...

 ...and the parsley...

...and now have what some people call a mirepoix, but with mushrooms.

  By this time, the kitchen is REALLY smelling good!







Next, I add the half and half.  I used about a quart and a half.

 

I added a little bit of sour cream and cream cheese.  You have to be careful not to add too much sour cream because then the texture of the monica sauce becomes curdled-looking.  I used about three tablespoons of sour cream and four ounces of cream cheese.  You can choose to omit this step, if you wish.  I think it thickens the sauce and makes it a little richer-tasting.

I attempted to make a video as to how the texture should look.  The background noise is E playing Far Cry 3.  I hope this helps a little bit...

From here, I turn the fire low and let the sauce blend together for about ten to fifteen minutes.  Next I add Tony Chachere's.  I used to use the powdered crawfish boil, believe it or not.  It gave it a nice spicy kick.  But each time the sauce would come out too salty and honestly would be ruined.  From trial and error, I learned that the Tony's is the best bet.  USE A LITTLE AT A TIME!  REMEMBER, ONCE IT'S TOO SALTY, IT WON'T COME OUT RIGHT!  Use caution as well with the seasoning because keep in mind, the crawfish you're using will have some spice, salt, and other natural flavors.

Let it cook together for another five minutes and then add the crawfish, the true gem of the recipe.  ALWAYS USE CRAWFISH FROM A BOIL.  The stuff you buy in the store WILL NOT CUT IT!  It will not have the natural flavors and goodness that the crawfish from the boil has.  Again, use to your liking.  I probably have about five pounds in this batch.

 

Make sure your fire is still low and let it go for another five to ten minutes.  THEN IT'S DONE!

Take your pasta and GRADUALLY add it to the sauce mix.  Blend well and E-N-J-O-Y!

I apologize for the messy stove.  I am a bit ornery about having a clean stove before I cook.  I promise you, I cleaned it before I cooked.  I am a messy stirer and a messy cook. 

And there you have it!  I usually don't compliment myself, but I think this was probably the best one I've cooked to date.  :)

Comment if you have any questions.  I'll be more than happy to answer them.  I'm also open to suggestions as well.  Looking forward to hearing from you!


Alane

A NOT-SO-HAPPY Father's Day

I procrastinated enough about this post.  I hesitated writing it, thinking that maybe...somehow...the words wouldn't come out right.  It's got to be said.

I TRULY DESPISE FATHER'S DAY.

Granted, Emmett is a great dad to Abigail.  He also has a pretty cool dad.  I, myself, have a "new daddy" who goes above and beyond to make an ass of himself to give someone else a laugh.  Not to mention, there ARE great dads out there who go the extra mile for their families.  But I can't help myself... I feel angry, jealous, and hostile towards those families because of that.  Both of my grandfathers died before I was born.  And I'm (unfortunately) not very close to either side of my mom's and dad's family.

My dad was a shitty dad.  Blunt, I know.  It is what it is though.  He didn't work hard.  He did what he had to do to barely make it by.  He didn't try to better himself.  He was physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive towards my mom, my siblings, and me.  He made broken promises.  He was self-centered.  He was a drunk.  He put us down when we were up.  He kicked us when we were down.  He was a man pig who thought that a woman's place was in the home and not in the workplace.  He didn't encourage us to better ourselves.  He thought he was better than everyone.  He wasn't the dad that my siblings and I deserved.  And for that, I have trouble respecting and forgiving him.

He died suddenly in 2003 from heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver about a month after I started college.  I'm not gonna lie--it was traumatic, confusing, and hurtful.  I was 18 years old and had just lost a parent.  This man, who made our family completely dependent on him, wasn't alive anymore and left us all in shock.  My poor mom saw him right before he passed.  She was a wreck for the longest time.  She couldn't eat, sleep, and could barely function.  I stepped up... I cooked, cleaned, took care of my brother and sister, and helped to make sure the bills got paid.  As hard as it was going through it all... his death seemed like a huge weight was lifted off our shoulders.  NO ONE could intimidate us, hurt us, or hold us down any longer.  But it was frightening at the same time.  We had to learn to make decisions for ourselves.

I get angry, frustrated, and sad at the same time around Father's Day.  I resent the fact that my dad wasn't a better dad and that everyone else seems so happy and appreciative of their fathers.  I'M NOT.  And as much of an ass as my dad was, I still wish he would've been a better dad.  I think deep down, he did love us, but was mentally and physically ill and that prevented him from showing us that he loved us.  He's been dead for going on ten years now.  I know I should let the past go, forgive him, let him be dead peacefully, and just talk about the good that he did.  But that's just it--I DON'T SEE the good he did.  All I know is how bad he hurt us.  Maybe I should forgive... one thing I won't do is forget.

So go ahead and appreciate your fathers.  Deep down, I am happy that you have that.  Forgive me if I seem hostile and laugh at me if you wish; tell me I'm having daddy issues.  I'll live.  I'm learning to appreciate the men that are in my life.  Just give me time.

Alane

When Mommy hugs and kisses don't always work

I don't even know where to begin.  My heart is at a standstill.  It feels broken and lost.

Yesterday, I took Abigail to Children's Hospital for an appointment with her ear, nose, & throat doctor.

I'll give you some background as to why we were there... as a toddler, she had tubes put in her ears.  She complained of pain in her ear from time to time, but I hadn't gave it much thought.  I noticed, however, that she seemed to have trouble hearing.  I casually mentioned this to her pediatrician and that's when she showed me how large the hole in her ear drum was, most likely from when her tubes fell out and it didn't heal.  Last year, she had surgery to repair a large hole in her left ear drum.  The doctor did warn me that the hole was so large (it was 80% of her ear drum) that I shouldn't be surprised if the surgery has to be done again to fix it.  That's why we were at Children's yesterday.

She does have to have the surgery again.  The hole is nowhere near as large as it was last year, but it's big enough that it will cause problems if something isn't done.  They did a hearing test on her and while she still does have some hearing loss, it is a huge improvement from last year.  This time around though, it will be a quicker healing process and recovery period.  It just depends on how SHE feels afterwards.

I knew to expect this to happen again.  No one wants to see his or her child go through surgery, no matter how minor, simple, or uncomplicated it may be.  Sure, it is for the doctor, but I truly feel it's never easy for the parents.  For me, it's knowing that she will be in pain and will be scared and I won't be there to comfort her.  I know as soon as she's in recovery they will let me see her.  But for that short period of time that's after surgery but before they allow the parents in, I know she's terrified.  She knows she's having surgery.  But she's scared.  And she will be surrounded by strangers.  She will scream, cry, and wonder why her mom isn't there.  I'll explain to her why they don't let parents in right away, but it's not reassuring.  For her OR for me.

When she had the surgery last year, she cried for a solid hour.  She was terrified.  I can't think of any other way to describe it.  All she could do was scream, "Mommy!  My ear hurts!".  It felt as though no matter what I did, NOTHING comforted her.  Ms. Julie (Emmett's mom) came with me that day and THANK GOD SHE DID.  Abigail was crying.  I was crying because she was crying.  The nurses told me that it was the anesthesia that was making her upset.  I think that may have been part of the problem, but I knew it was more than that.   Ms. Julie told me to walk downstairs and grab a couple drinks.  I didn't want to leave my baby--not while she was as hysterical as she was.  Reluctantly, I did.  I came back to see a completely different child.  She was smiling, happy, and drawing in her coloring book.  I was stumped.  What in the hell happened?  Ms. Julie told me that as soon as I walked out of the room, Abigail was fine.  I don't even know how to explain it... and I felt even worse.  Was I the reason she was crying so much?  I asked Abigail a couple days later why she had cried so much, whether it was because she was in pain or she was scared and you know what she told me?  She didn't even remember crying at all.  To this day, I'm baffled by it.

On to yesterday's visit...
Dr. J (that's what they all call her for short) did an excellent job at reassuring Abigail that everything was going to be okay and that she was going to take excellent care of her.  This doctor and her staff are remarkable.  They are so soft-spoken, empathetic, and caring.  I did everything I could to reassure her everything was going to be okay.  She asked the doctor the most heart-wrenching thing she's every asked anybody,  "Why do I have so many things wrong with me?  I mean, I have this stupid birthmark that made me sick a lot when I was a baby.  People ask me all the time what's wrong with me.  And now I have to have a second surgery on my ear and all I know is that it hurts really bad and I'll have to take ear drops every day.  They're so nasty and I hate how I can taste them."

I FROZE.

The doctor tried to reassure her that nothing was wrong with HER, and that many kids go through the same thing that she will be doing.  I knew better.  How many kids do YOU know that have been through chemotherapy TWICE?  I know I don't know many.  How many kids get picked on because of the way their bodies look?

I still don't know what to think or say.  On the ride home, I talked to her and tried to figure out why she feels the way she does.  You know what she told me?  "You just wouldn't understand, Mom."  I sure would try to, but she's right.  I've been there every step of the way with her, but I haven't been the one to actually go through it all.  It hurts because I feel like I'm not doing my job as a mom to comfort her...to protect her...to reassure her...to make sure everything's alright.  But then I have to pull myself together and realize also, that I can't be with her every single moment of every single day.  I can't be in control of her life all the time.  AND I HATE IT.

I found something she drew after her surgery; it was a little girl saying I HATE MY MOM.  I never asked her about it; one, because it broke my heart, and two, because I know it's okay for her to be angry at me from time to time and to have a healthy way of expressing the anger.  Deep down, I think it was because I was the one to take her to the doctor and to the hospital.  I was the one who signed the papers for her to have the surgery.  She felt as though I was the one putting her through this.

For some people, all they need is a hug and a kiss to make them feel better.  When it comes to my baby girl, it hurts that a hug and kiss sometimes just isn't enough.  I was grateful I took the day off yesterday and spent it with her.  I took her for ice cream and we went swimming after the appointment yesterday and her smile was priceless.  It's not often I have the opportunity to have quality time with her like yesterday.  It was great for a moment to forget about everything and to be grateful to have each other.  I'm still stunned, sad, and frustrated at the fact that my baby feels the way she does.  Even if they might not help, she will get all the hugs and kisses this mommy can possibly give her.

It's amazing how you can read something and it will hit you so hard... as if you couldn't have said it better yourself.

Alane

Procrastination...AT MY BEST!

First and foremost, I must profusely apologize for my lack of posts.  I convince myself that it'll get done when I get home from work and SOMETHING always comes up and it doesn't get done.  I graduated three weeks ago and what have I been doing since then?  Nothing constructive, I will assure you!  I'm disappointed in myself for not accomplishing anything since I've been out of school.  Here's my day in a nutshell: I drop off Abigail at camp, I go to work, pick her up from camp, come home, cook, clean, bathe, go to bed, and do it all again the next day.  I promised myself I was going to start working out on a regular basis because my ten year high school reunion is in October and I want to look good.  I was VERY DISAPPOINTED with how my graduation pictures came out... it made me realize how out of shape I really am.  Once I do start exercising, I WILL keep updates for sure!

While I'm talking about graduation...it was definitely an amazing experience.  I didn't think I would be nearly as nervous as I was, either.  The baccalaureate mass was at school the day before graduation.  It was awkward going to school wearing the cap and gown.  Wasn't easy to drive with it on, let me assure you!  I could turn my head JUST A LITTLE while driving and that made me nervous.  I felt like someone balancing books on my head wearing the cap.  The gown made me feel as though I was wearing a mu mu.  Everyone I talked to said the same thing as well, so it made me feel better.  The mass was wonderful and beautiful.  I was happy my mom, brother, and Abigail came too.  :)  I think they were more excited because there was was a reception with cake and punch; my family has an insatiable sweet tooth!

I wanted Abigail to take a picture with me, but as usual, she was being stubborn and refused to take a picture.  My brother, Kenny, was willing (as always) to pose with me.

 

 Then came graduation day.  I don't remember the last time I was so nervous and excited at the same time!  I woke up at 6:30 in the morning to start getting ready.  I know The Times Picayune (our local newspaper) publishes the list of graduates every year and I was anxious to see my name in the newspaper.  I guess you could say felt a sense of foreshadowing... I had been having dreams that I would be forgotten in the newspaper or at graduation.  I wrote them off as nervousness and didn't think anything of it, but when I looked in the newspaper, my name was not there.  MY HEART SANK.  I instantly started crying.  I felt as though my worst nightmare was coming true.  Maybe this had been all a dream...  Did I make up the fact that I was graduating?  I was just crushed.  I emailed my adviser and told her what  happened and she assured me that it would be taken care of, and not to worry.  But...how could I not?  I felt left out.  Unimportant.  So belittled.  I realized I had to pull myself together because this was NOT the day to be an emotional wreck.  It hurt, but I wasn't going to let anybody know it.

Here's the link with the corrections--it turns out, it wasn't just MY name that was left out!  Someone else's name was left out too!

Is it wrong of me to feel hostile towards them for the error?

Anyway, I left my house at quarter to 8 to get my hair done by my FANTASTIC & AWESOME hair stylist, Brittany.  She's even more awesome in my book because she came in ON A SUNDAY to do my hair.  In less than an hour, she made my straight-as-a-board hair into something that hadn't been accomplished before--CURLS!  Anytime I (or anyone else, for the matter) try to curl my hair, it falls flat within thirty minutes.  NOT THIS TIME!

Again, SHE IS AWESOME!  If you're ever in Belle Chasse, go see her at Salon Jolie!  :)

Before too long, it was time for me to leave to go to the Alario Center for graduation.  I was pretty sure I knew where the place was, but I had never been there before so I wasn't 100% sure.  I didn't think to look online for directions until AFTER I left.  Mom to the rescue!  She gave me excellent directions and I found the place with no problems.

Waiting for graduation was so nerve racking.  I didn't know many people that were graduating, so I kept to myself until it was time to line up.  I was actually SHAKING!  THIS WAS IT!  THE MOMENT I WORKED SO FAR FOR HAD FINALLY COME!  The graduation itself was the quickest one I'd ever been to--less than two hours!  After graduation came time for pictures, and I must confess, it felt weird having Ari, Netty (my sisters), and E taking pictures of me.  I'm not used to having anyone make a big fuss over me!

 Mom and I

 Kenny and I

 The piece de la resistance!

 My older sister Netty and I

 My absolute favorite picture of the day!  Us in our element!

 E, Abigail, and I.  And of course, she didn't want her picture taken!

 My younger sister Ari and I

But I talked her into smiling for this one!

The rest of the day was pretty laid back.  I had asked E to barbeque some chicken for me and I made some macaroni and cheese.  My family and E's family came by for dinner.  Ms. Julie (E's mom and my partner in crime) made some AWESOME bread pudding and Mom brought my favorite--CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE CAKE!  I wish I would've taken some pictures but I was too busy stuffing my face to do so!

Since graduation, I really haven't been up to much.  Abigail's dance revue is in a couple weeks so we have been practicing, taking pictures, and all that good stuff.  This is her fifth year of dancing and I love how much she really enjoys it.  I hope it's something she'll keep up with.

This costume is for the jazz dance.  They are dancing to "Cover Girl", by Rupaul

And really...that's about it.  I'm sorry I haven't been diligent about updates or anything.  I get distracted easily and just sometimes...I forget.

One thing I want to add is that I've changed my name on Instagram (FOR GOOD, THIS TIME!).  Here's the link:  http://instagram.com/alane_of_traffic#

I like to end each post with a little something that applies to how I'm feeling at the moment.  This one is DEFINITELY appropriate!  :)

I'm not a LOTR fan, but I LOVE this quote!

Alane

Mother's Day and other things

First of all, a belated Happy Mother's Day to all moms everywhere! We are here because of them and life certainly wouldn't be the same without them! I am ESPECIALLY thankful for my mom, who has been my rock, my guide, and most of all, my friend. 

An older picture of my mom and I

But this day isn't about just any mom who has a child. Please keep in your thoughts the women who have lost children, women who can't be with their children, and women who desperately want children and can't have them.

Happy Mother's Day to the men who step up and take on the role of mothers AND fathers.  Last, but not least, Happy Mother's Day to all the Pet Moms! Because if you have a pet, you know they are just like your children!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day.   I went to church with my brother, mom, and Abigail and then we had breakfast together.  Emmett was at the house getting things together because we were all gathering at his parents' house for a crawfish boil.  For those of you who don't like crawfish or who haven't had them before....YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE MISSING!

It was a long day but well appreciated.  Now begins the 364 days of Father's Day.  :)

On to other things....my Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation ceremony are this weekend!  I really wasn't nervous or even excited until today.  I am getting (good) jitters and am anxious for the day to get here.  It is something I've always wanted to accomplish, but given the roads I've taken, I never thought I would get here.  This is just a milestone in my journey, however.  I know this is just an associate's degree but I am the first one in my family to officially graduate college.  This step gives me the courage to keep going and follow through with the second half of my educational journey.

One more thing I wanted to to do was link my Pinterest & Instagram accounts to my blog.  I don't know how well this will work, but I am an avid Pinner and Instagrammer and wish to share my pins and pictures.  :)


These are my Pinterest and my Instagram pages!

I know I haven't been as diligent about posting, but I'll try to be better at it.  I can't wait to share pictures from this coming weekend!


Alane

A feeling of accomplishment!

When I graduated high school and began college, I never expected to get any sort of recognition for my grades.  I did well in high school, but a LOT went on in my first year of college, and being young and immature, I didn't really put forth the effort into my education that I should have.  I skipped class, didn't study, didn't really care, and my grades proved it.  Because of my actions, my GPA dropped very low.  When Abigail started Kindergarten, I promised myself that I would go back to school.  I figured now would be better than later for me because the longer I put school off, the less of a chance I would have of going back. 

I started off taking two classes at a time.  I didn't want to overwhelm myself and bite off more than I could chew.  After a year of two classes, I decided to take on three.  When I felt as though I could handle three, I opted to take four this year.  THIS was a challenge.  One of the classes was an eight week class, so it wasn't as stressful.  After a lot of contemplating, I decided to go ahead and attempt my first twelve hour semester (which was this one) since dropping out of college the first time.  During my first week of school, all that kept going through my head was, "What did I get myself into?"  As each week passed, I felt myself worrying more and more how I was going to manage.  At Abigail's dance class one week, one of the parents was talking about how while she was going to school, she worked, took care of her TWO daughters, and did extracurricular activities for BOTH of them.  I asked her how she did everything without managing to have a nervous breakdown and she told me something that I'll never forget...YOU JUST DO IT.  That really hit home for me.  I realized then I wasn't just going to school to provide a better future for my family, but that I was going to school to better MYSELF.  What a revelation! 

Hard work really does pay off.  I spent the past fifteen weeks stressed, dotting every I, crossing every T, losing many hours of sleep staying up late and waking up extra early,  and worrying about getting good grades.

For the first time EVER since I've been in college, I've earned semester honors!  I made straight A's and am going to be listed as being on the President's List!  I'm in tears as I'm writing this because I've worked so hard and THIS IS MY PROOF.  I never dreamed that I would accomplish something like this!  When I started college again in 2010, I told my mom that I didn't know how I was going to manage ANYTHING and she told me not to stress and that everything was going to fall into place.  It's so nice to have evidence that I worked my ass off in school!

To anyone who ever said they COULDN'T DO SOMETHING--YES YOU CAN!  If you assume that you can't, you WON'T!

No more teachers, no more books!

At least until August.  :)

Like I said in my previous post, even though I'm graduating next month with my Associate of Arts, I'll be right back for the fall semester to pursue my Bachelor's in Radiologic Technology.  This semester has been the hardest for me because since I returned to school in 2010, this was my first time as a full-time student.  I wish with everything in my heart and soul that I could just go to school full-time each semester and not work.  I've been in college now for three years and I have at least two more years before I can apply for clinical part of my degree.  If I quit working, however, I'd have to rely on E (that's what I call my boyfriend for short) 100% financially and I refuse to do so.  I've learned over the years to NOT rely on anyone for anything.  I don't mean any negative connotations with that, either.  It's fine to rely on others for emotional support, but as far as financially and educationally....no.  I am my own person who is capable of earning her own wages and earning her own stable education.  I don't want anything ever given to me.  I see so many people now who rely on others for EVERYTHING and it sickens me. 

Thankfully, my mother and my BESTEST FRIEND EVER (who I'll tell you more about later and I'm ashamed of the fact I haven't already mentioned her because she's the BEST!) have always encouraged me to stand on my own two feet and to do for myself.  I will never be able to thank them enough for that, because over the years, it has stood true. 

This past semester, I took courses in American Literature, Sociology, Music Appreciation, and part two of my French language requirement.  The American Lit was for the minor that I'm pursuing, but the other classes were all part of my general education requirements.  What really turned me towards the English minor was my English class last semester that was part of my general education requirement.  I had the most AWESOME teacher, and he woke up the love of literature and the English language that I'd forgotten existed.  I figured it's better (for me) to minor in English rather than major in it because I don't want to be a teacher and I really don't have any career desires as far as writing goes. 

So today officially begins my summer break (if that's what you wanna call it).  Just working full-time and TRYING to save some money so I can spend it on textbooks and other school-related expenses.  Ah, the life of a college student.  I know the rewards are great, but it seems like the journey lasts forever.

Now it's time to brag on my best friend.  Her name is Melanie and I gotta tell you...God hand-picked her for me!  If there was someone who I could call my sister without being related to her, it would be this woman.  We knew each throughout elementary and middle school but didn't really become friends until our freshman year of high school.

This is her and I back in 2002 getting ready to go to an Aerosmith concert.  She knows me better than I know myself, always knows how to make me laugh, pick up my spirits, and encourage me with just the right things to say because more than likely, she's been through it as well.  She is one of the ONLY people from school that kept in touch with me when I got pregnant and never left my side.  Even though we're not biologically related, I consider her my sister and am forever grateful and proud to call her my friend.  She moved a few years ago a couple hours away but each time we talk, it's as though there is no distance between us.

It's so true.  I really do have the BEST best friend!

Allow me to introduce myself...

This will probably be a rather long post.  I am a talker (even though I know this isn't technically "talking") and sometimes I don't know when to stop.

As I said before, my name is Alane.  I was born and raised in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, a small city about twenty minutes from New Orleans.  And just because I'm from the NOLA area does NOT mean I go there and party.  I'm actually a homebody who spends most weekends cooking, cleaning, and being entertained by my wild neighbors.

I was the person who always said they would never have a child.  But nine years ago on Saint Patrick's Day I found I was pregnant and had just started my second semester of college.  Here I was young, naive, and unprepared to take on life for myself and I was going to bring another life in the world.  I was petrified.  Thankfully I had (AND STILL DO, THANK GOD!) the support of her dad, my family, and his family.  Her name is Abigail Josephine Dykes and I wouldn't trade her for the world.  I see so much of myself in her and she is the reason I wake up every day, go to school, and do what I do.  I want to show her that you can do anything you want as long as you are passionate about it and work hard for it.

This is an older picture of her, but I just LOVE it.  She is such a doll!  I know every parent brags on their kids, but I feel Abigail has earned every bit of bragging.  She hasn't had a "typical" childhood.  When she was born, she had a large red mark on her left thigh.  The doctors said it was a hemangioma, a type of birthmark that would go away as she got older and shouldn't give her any problems.  SHOULDN'T.  They gave us a referral to a dermatologist at Children's Hospital in New Orleans just to check things out.  They couldn't have been farther from the truth.  They did a biopsy of her leg and found out this wasn't just ANY red mark.  This is Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma (KHE).  It is a VERY RARE benign tumor that traps blood platelets.  It's not cancerous, but they ultimately treated her with two eight week treatments of chemotherapy when she was two years old.  She had the best group of doctors EVER that did ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING they could for her.  Thankfully now she goes to CHNOLA (Children's Hospital New Orleans) annually for blood tests and everything is fine now.  But yeah...that's why I feel she deserves EXTRA BRAGGING RIGHTS.

I have a pretty awesome boyfriend/baby daddy/fiance' too.  His name is Emmett and we have been together since the end of my sophomore year in high school, so this year makes twelve years together.  Without him, I wouldn't have Abigail and wouldn't have somebody to keep me on my toes, to make me laugh, and be my rock.  We will get married, but I'd rather get done ultimately with school before I start planning a wedding and he loves and respects me for it.  

Another older picture, from about two years ago.  I'm BAD about keeping pictures!  :(

But a little more about me...I attend Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans.  Small college, close to home, and awesome people and teachers there.  I couldn't ask for a better school to go to.  I am excited to say that I'll be graduating on May 19 with my Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts.  Don't laugh, I'm not gonna be a Liberal Arts major working at a burger joint.  I am returning to OLHCC in the fall to major in Radiologic Technology and minor in English.  I go to school part time and work 3/4 of the time at an AWESOME company named Belle Chasse Marine.  I've been there for almost seven years now and I really couldn't ask for a better place to work at.  They worked out my schedule for me while Abby was going through chemo and they're allowing me to work flexible hours so that I may go to school.  I have made some awesome friends there and I'll be so sad when I leave when I'm REALLY done with school.


One more member of my family that I must mention in the most recent addition.  Her name is Lola Belle.  She is almost a year old and is like a second child to me.  She has filled all the voids we've had in our life and brings such joy and happiness to our family.

We adopted her from a local rescue named Puppy Power Rescue.  We think she is a mix of beagle and Jack Russell terrier.  Whatever she is, we love her with all our hearts!

I guess I will stop here because it's taken me three days just to write what I have here!  :)  I know I have plenty of opportunities to write more and I promise to be good and write on a regular basis.

I'd like to end with a nice quote that I think describes me well...