Hello Readers,

My apologies for waiting so long to write you. This semester really kicked my tail, but alas, I am here for the next two weeks and plan on venting like you wouldn't believe. First and foremost, I passed college algebra... I will not define the status of my passing grade, but I do not see that 4.0 on my GPA so you know it was a bloody battle to the finish and I came out swinging!

Now, for the heartpounding, never going to believe it, hold your breath until I finish this paragraph moment... I'm pregnant!  No, this is NOT, I repeat, this is NOT a joke. Five years ago this past July, I had a tubaligation to prevent the conception of any more rugrats... four is plenty, right? Well, in the eyes of my God, he thought I was not finished having babies and in turn, has blessed my and my husband with another child. Due July 9, 2012 -- and we are praying steadfastly for a girl. We have a 13 year old girl and the remaining three are boys, 10, 7, and 5 respectively. Names have already been selected thanks to my wonderful and amazing husband who helped clear the murky water that is, finding the right name:

Kennedy Patrick for a boy
Kelley Jolinn for a girl -- He picked the first, I picked the middle -- and you know I have to share why, right? Right!

My life has been wrapped around making sure people know I'm a good person. Obeying the law, staying out of trouble, being the person my grandmother raised me to be. And I can honestly say that aside from a binge drink session everynow and then, I haven't fallen victim to the hardcore drugs that have so often broken the homes of many. In fact, I even quit smoking back in June and as of the 10th of December, I am nicotine free 6 months! Go ME!... But that isn't where I got the name. Since starting school, I've had many opportunities to blow it... to flake it off as if school didn't matter, something akin to my attitude in high school. But I can say now, with a grown up voice, that is not me. Taking a particular class with the same teacher for several semesters, you begin to open up... learn a little more about who you are and what you believe and yadda yadda.

This particular teacher encouraged me to always think before I speak, to never fall for one side of the story without reading all of it and to always voice my opinion when it is about something I truly believe in, but doing so in a tactful and pleasant way. She has also taught me how to let somethings just 'roll' like water off a duck (except I'm not a duck) -- and for that, I am truly grateful. And her name is Joan Linnsteadter. Thus, the name Jolinn. She is a strong woman, I am a strong woman, and like my previously born daughter, this one will be strong as well.

My how I have missed you... this was just to catch up!
More to come,
LaVonda