The week(s) in review

First off, as I type this I am listening to the most delightful sound of "my" girls laughing. I love the sound of little girls giggling...although I am partial to Andrew giggles as well. It just makes your heart swell to hear that carefree laughter that only children seem to have. That complete abandon. Alexa and Hayley are giggling away...even though they are supposed to be going to sleep. But, what are sleepovers for? Definitely not for sleeping. So, for now, I will let them giggle. We don't have to be anywhere in the morning and they are on Christmas break. And I want them to have as many good memories as they can make.

My hope is that they will always remain sister close. They have known each other their entire lives...Hayley was just 2 months old when they met, Alexa was 8 months old. I am going to do everything I can to help them remain close. I want to watch them grow up together....after all, Hayley is my other daughter. They are, as Alexa called them earlier, the "cute twins".

Christmas went well. The kids went to my in-laws Christmas Eve day to play with their cousins and make cookies for Santa. They had a lot of fun. Then my mother-in-law broke a few laws as she transported all the kids in her car that wasn't quite big enough for all of them....ahem....but all ended well and they got here safely. And, as my very own Christmas miracle, Mike took me out to lunch while the kids were gone. It was even his idea.

On Christmas, after opening gifts at home, we went over to my parents for lunch. It was all very nice. My sister-in-law, niece, and nephew didn't show up, but both of my grandmas were there, as was my aunt, another aunt for a short time, brother, and us. It was small, but pleasant. The kids did pretty well for themselves, present wise. We weren't supposed to buy for adults, but my dad ignored that rule. I did buy my brother a pooping reindeer, but that was just for fun. I will post pictures later, if I remember....of the kids, not the reindeer.

When we came home, we played the Wii....for way too long. Mike and I were a bit sore the next morning from all of the tennis. All in all...a very nice Christmas.

Today I had my Nationals test. It was hard. I can't even stress how extremely difficult it was. I walked out wanting to cry. But, being me, I don't cry in public. I told Mike if it weren't for the fact that I had to go get Alexa from the sitter and meet Sandy to get Hayley, I would have been bawling. I didn't know but maybe 5 answers. I don't know where they got those questions from, but I had certainly never seen that information before...and I am a study geek. My friend that I have been taking class with doesn't call me Anal Annie for nothing. (although I think it is a trifle rude....lol....she has just shortened it to Annie) I took all the practice tests...a couple of times....and these questions weren't in the "it's like having the test in advance" book. We never covered it in class. And it wasn't just me, my friend said the same thing.

However. At 2p.m. I got an email stating that my test results had been posted. Hesitantly I went to the website....and....another Christmas miracle....I passed. I am now a state and nationally certified EMT-B. Now, I just have to find a job. Hopefully the application I mailed today to Galichia will land me a job. I would really like to work there. I have one friend already employed there and another about to be. Plus, if I can get a job there as an Emergency Care Technician, I am hoping they will pay for my nursing school. Prayers are appreciated! I will probably apply at the Valley of Death (Susan B. Anthony in El D) too. I don't know if they hire EMT's, but I know they pay for school, so it is worth a shot. Probably I shouldn't address the envelope to "Valley of Death".

It is all quiet now, here at the Ponderosa. I am going to read for a bit. I am reading a book by this wonderful author I just happen to know.....Where The Heart Leads by Kim Vogel Sawyer. It is a sequel to Waiting For Summer's Return. Very good books....and I'm not just saying that cuz Kim's my "big sister". If you haven't picked up one of her books, why not? Her new one is even available at Wal-Mart....which surprised me to no end when I walked in and there it was right in front of the door! I'm just a simple country girl, to me, that's like hitting the Best Seller's list!