Lucky?

I got another promotion today at work (one day I'll write a post telling you about everything I do at my job - it might be interesting if you don't know). It's a big one - even bigger than I kind of anticipated I think. Maybe not - we'll have to see as time progresses - it's a lot all at once, but once we're sorted and organized, it won't be as much as work.

It struck me though today when someone told me I was so lucky to get another promotion. Maybe they had their choice of words mixed up? I didn't say anything to that person, but my thought pattern went something like this:

I am not lucky to get a promotion at work. I work freaking hard...just to toot my own horn. I haven't even been in this career a year yet...and I've worked my little butt off to get where I am. I worked late nights and ran on lack of sleep to make it so that I could stay home during the day and work all night long. I did anything and everything to prove myself to whoever I needed to. I had to maintain a 99.5% average or better to keep my job (and I only missed the bar once, scoring 99.4%) - I can't just slack at my job if I'm tired. I did everything to better myself - reading, learning, etc...

And not only that, I'm not lucky to have my job. I worked hard to get my job. I did a year long course in eight months...with a newborn at home. And when I finished my course and graduated with honors - it was not luck that scored me my grades. It was hard work. And on top of that, it wasn't luck that found me my job with InScribe. I sent 189 resumes out. And followed up on all of them. And then I got a job with InScribe. That's not luck...that's determination.

I work hard. I am determined. I am rewarded. If I fail, I keep my head up and I go again. I don't get down. I don't blame others. I do it for me and for my family.

Shall we continue? I am not lucky that I own my own house, my own car, have nice things...I've worked hard at my job to have those things. If I want something new, better, etc. I work harder. To me this is logical...and not luck. Anyone can have these things if they want them bad enough - sacrifices are made and choices are decided, but it is not luck.

What I am lucky for are the reasons I can work hard...the reasons I do work hard. It is luck that I was born in Canada...into a family who loves me and raised me well. It is luck that I am (mostly) healthy...but not complete luck - if you fail to take care of yourself and consequently get sick, that is not bad luck. That is poor decision making. I am lucky that I have I have a healthy, beautiful baby girl...especially when I was supposed to have trouble conceiving her in the first place. Those things are luck - things that you have no control over. Things that happen just because (and perhaps I wouldn't even call those things luck...but that's a whole 'nother post)...

To be honest I'm stuck on how to end this post. I have stared at the screen for a while now.
Perhaps I should just encourage you to go out today and create your own luck.

Work hard.
kortney elise xoxo

My 2-Year-Old

This post is about two weeks late, but better late than never right?

Alexys turned 2 on December 11th...to be honest, I can't believe it. I know, I know...everyone with kids says that, but I'm repeating it - time goes way too fast when you have kids. I guess it's because they change so much these first few years, month by month...as an adult the changes don't seem to happen so month by month - they're not as noticible. I think that makes life seem a bit slower.

My sweet Alexys May is officially two. And for those keeping track, here's where we are:
at 2 years old...
you love to jump up and down...in a very coordinated fashion

your speech is coming along in chunks now...but you're shy to use them
and you still won't repeat words when I ask...ever.
you do know almost all your animal sounds though...
and only when you're in the right mood, you can do almost all your flashcards.
you are not a picky eater...but definitely prefer fruits and veggies
and soup...you'd eat soup for every meal if you could
and "cereo" - you'll always eat cereal.
you sleep through the night most nights now...
ever since we took your sippy cup away at night.
you got over it.
eventually.
dancing is your favourite thing to do...
but singing might be a close second.
you know all the words to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...
and that's mommy's favourite.
you've had a haircut now, but really just a trim.
just enough to be rid of your last curl.
and mommy (almost) didn't cry.
you sit perfectly (almost) always so that I can do your hair each day.
you wear size 8 shoes...
and wear 3T or 4T shirts
and 2T or 3T pants.
you love to watch movies, especially "Marney"...
and sometimes even the "Iggles" still.
you love Nemo, Monsters Inc, and Incredibles too.
but your favourite characters are the Disney "Incesses".
you weigh 34.5 pounds
and we're not really sure how tall you are...
you won't sit still long enough for us to measure.
but it's safe to say you're really tall.
we just switched you to forward facing in your carseat...
but only because you started getting carsick all the time.
you spend hours playing with dolls, princesses, and Little People
you have the best imagination for a 2-year-old...
mommy loves eavesdropping at the door of your conversations
it makes me smile and cry
you're becoming a bigger girl everyday
daddy said tonight he thinks you should stop it
stop growing up
but we're both so proud of the big girl you're becoming
the personality that shines through

happy birthday sweet 2-year-old.

My Favourite Christmas Song

I Need a Silent Night
Amy Grant

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their clock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night

Guess Who's 2???

Two year old update coming soon :)