Let's see...I can't remember where I left off....I guess I need to do this more frequently! Last week we went to lunch with my friend, Janette, and her boys. We went shopping and then to Doc Green's (yum), then back to her house for playing and snow cones, (and talking for the moms). It was great to see her again. I can't believe it had been almost 8 years since I last saw her! Andrew was quite cranky until we got over to Janette's. He apparently now hates Old Navy and I was trying to buy him clothes from there, thus being incredibly mean to him. Then, he wanted to go to Wendy's so he hated our choice in restaurants....all of the food there is terrible (according to Andrew) and it was a miserable time.
Of course, we have been swimming a lot. Not as much as we normally do during the summer because Alexa keeps burning. Her face burned so badly that she blistered on Monday.
The kids have been going to a "Dig It" class (it's about dirt) at a church in a nearby town every Wednesday. I guess I should clarify that and say the girls have been going. Andrew went once, and although he had fun, has chosen to not go back.
The kids are officially enrolled in a new online school. It is through K12 and is out of Lawrence. So far, we are excited and impressed. They are taking four core subjects - English, Math, Science, History - and one elective. They both chose Latin for their elective. I am excited about them choosing that. I think it will help them in English, in learning other foreign languages, in Bible study, and, in Alexa's case, in medicine (she wants to be a nurse or doctor).
Today we went to Tanganyika with Lynda, Tori, and my parents. It is so much fun. I think, for the kids, the best part was feeding and petting the lemurs. For me, the interaction with all of the animals was great but it was fun to see the kids having fun and hanging with the family.
I don't know if I will be able to upload any photos. The last several times I have tried to upload photos, it has crashed on me. I think most everyone who reads this is on facebook, so check out photos there!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Summer
In my never ending quest to keep the kids busy....which keeps them from fighting (theoretically)...and keeps them from sitting in front of the television...we have gone to the zoo twice, gone to the pool - I don't know how many times, are doing a reading program at the library (and soon Barnes and Noble) and recently started attending a science class at a church in a nearby town.
I worry about the kids losing some of what they have learned over the school year. So this year they are doing the science class, reading, and doing math facts. We will be taking a few field trips as well. I am trying to keep it interesting for them and not so school-like. They get "paid" to read, to do math facts, to exercise. This is in play money, which they record in a check register and then deposit it in the "bank". If they watch tv, they have to "pay" money. My thought is that they will learn the beginnings of how to balance a checkbook. The problem is, they haven't spent any of their money to watch television!
Last week was their first science class, it was taught by Hayley's mom (and my friend), Sandy. She had them build an edible dirt pile (showing the various dirt levels) and they painted with dirt. This was super cool and I need to take a picture of their paintings. She is a smart one, that Sandy. (side note: I ran into Mr. Craig, who was one of Amber's teachers and he said so many nice things about Amber and how special she was to him. He also said that he has some pictures of her that he pulled out of some of his other photos so they wouldn't get lost. He is going to give me those pictures. I will make copies of them and get them back to him. Amber was in his science club and participated in the science olympics and went on science field trips with him - he is an awesome, awesome teacher and man)
I had attempted to find a mystery online that the kids could solve using various math skills, etc. I couldn't find anything that I liked so I made up one. I printed a "newspaper" that had an article about a stolen crown from a museum. Also, there was a crossword puzzle that the thieves were using to communicate with each other. I had the kids interview witnesses...which were all played by me because the neighbors weren't home. They had a blast doing that and we were all laughing like crazy. The interviews led them to the suspects car where they located a purse that had been accidentally left behind. In the purse was a sheet of multiplication problems - a code. They continued looking in the car and found the decoder. They had to solve the multiplication problems and then use the decoder to figure out what the message said. That message led them to another message out in the pole barn. That message led them to look in the "newspaper" and figure out the crossword puzzle. That message led them out to the pond - the crown was hidden between the apple tree and the pond. They had so much fun they want me to write more mysteries for them to solve. It was all very 1950s. I had embraced my inner Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden and went with something very simple and nonviolent. Andrew was disappointed that they didn't catch the criminals, but also remarked that it could be they will be attempting more heists. THE PRESSURE!!
Last week I had the kids come up with a menu and activity plan for this week. I gave them a budget and they went to the grocery store and wrote down the price of all the food they were wanting to fix. They still need to figure up if they stayed in their budget. They are going to do all the cooking (with supervison and assistance). We are going on a field trip to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and heading out to the lake. We are also, of course, going swimming, to the science class, doing daily reading and daily math games.
So far we are having a good summer. We have other activities planned....Tanganika with my sister-in-law; the Hutch zoo with Kim....and I'm sure we will come up with lots of other fun things to do!
I worry about the kids losing some of what they have learned over the school year. So this year they are doing the science class, reading, and doing math facts. We will be taking a few field trips as well. I am trying to keep it interesting for them and not so school-like. They get "paid" to read, to do math facts, to exercise. This is in play money, which they record in a check register and then deposit it in the "bank". If they watch tv, they have to "pay" money. My thought is that they will learn the beginnings of how to balance a checkbook. The problem is, they haven't spent any of their money to watch television!
Last week was their first science class, it was taught by Hayley's mom (and my friend), Sandy. She had them build an edible dirt pile (showing the various dirt levels) and they painted with dirt. This was super cool and I need to take a picture of their paintings. She is a smart one, that Sandy. (side note: I ran into Mr. Craig, who was one of Amber's teachers and he said so many nice things about Amber and how special she was to him. He also said that he has some pictures of her that he pulled out of some of his other photos so they wouldn't get lost. He is going to give me those pictures. I will make copies of them and get them back to him. Amber was in his science club and participated in the science olympics and went on science field trips with him - he is an awesome, awesome teacher and man)
I had attempted to find a mystery online that the kids could solve using various math skills, etc. I couldn't find anything that I liked so I made up one. I printed a "newspaper" that had an article about a stolen crown from a museum. Also, there was a crossword puzzle that the thieves were using to communicate with each other. I had the kids interview witnesses...which were all played by me because the neighbors weren't home. They had a blast doing that and we were all laughing like crazy. The interviews led them to the suspects car where they located a purse that had been accidentally left behind. In the purse was a sheet of multiplication problems - a code. They continued looking in the car and found the decoder. They had to solve the multiplication problems and then use the decoder to figure out what the message said. That message led them to another message out in the pole barn. That message led them to look in the "newspaper" and figure out the crossword puzzle. That message led them out to the pond - the crown was hidden between the apple tree and the pond. They had so much fun they want me to write more mysteries for them to solve. It was all very 1950s. I had embraced my inner Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden and went with something very simple and nonviolent. Andrew was disappointed that they didn't catch the criminals, but also remarked that it could be they will be attempting more heists. THE PRESSURE!!
Last week I had the kids come up with a menu and activity plan for this week. I gave them a budget and they went to the grocery store and wrote down the price of all the food they were wanting to fix. They still need to figure up if they stayed in their budget. They are going to do all the cooking (with supervison and assistance). We are going on a field trip to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and heading out to the lake. We are also, of course, going swimming, to the science class, doing daily reading and daily math games.
So far we are having a good summer. We have other activities planned....Tanganika with my sister-in-law; the Hutch zoo with Kim....and I'm sure we will come up with lots of other fun things to do!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Still May
Unbelieveable...two posts in one month from me!
I just found out last night that I made it into the nursing program. Now I have to figure out how to pay for it and make enough money to cover my share of expenses. I didn't think I would make it in, as it is very competitive, so I haven't worried about it.
Also, we got Andrew and Alexa's end of year testing scores and they both scored high average on almost everything. Alexa math scores were end of 5th grade - she just finished 4th grade - so she's a year ahead on math. Her reading comprehension is average. We are going to be working on that more this summer. Andrew scored very high on everything....even math...which is his downfall.
Alexa needs to take more scuba classes in order to get her skills down and get her closed water certification. Poor thing. The equipment was too big for her and taking the facemask off really freaked her out. We are going to work on that so she can pass. The instructor has promised to take her on a trip to see a plane wreck that still has a skeleton in it when she passes! I am trying to weasel my way on the trip, too. lol....
We went to the zoo on May 22nd when the tiger exhibit opened. Too cool. Once again SCZ did an awesome job on an exhibit.
I will have to try to remember to post pictures after Andrew's birthday on Monday. I can't believe he is going to be 12! And is going to be in 7th grade next year. Where does the time go?
I just found out last night that I made it into the nursing program. Now I have to figure out how to pay for it and make enough money to cover my share of expenses. I didn't think I would make it in, as it is very competitive, so I haven't worried about it.
Also, we got Andrew and Alexa's end of year testing scores and they both scored high average on almost everything. Alexa math scores were end of 5th grade - she just finished 4th grade - so she's a year ahead on math. Her reading comprehension is average. We are going to be working on that more this summer. Andrew scored very high on everything....even math...which is his downfall.
Alexa needs to take more scuba classes in order to get her skills down and get her closed water certification. Poor thing. The equipment was too big for her and taking the facemask off really freaked her out. We are going to work on that so she can pass. The instructor has promised to take her on a trip to see a plane wreck that still has a skeleton in it when she passes! I am trying to weasel my way on the trip, too. lol....
We went to the zoo on May 22nd when the tiger exhibit opened. Too cool. Once again SCZ did an awesome job on an exhibit.
I will have to try to remember to post pictures after Andrew's birthday on Monday. I can't believe he is going to be 12! And is going to be in 7th grade next year. Where does the time go?
Saturday, May 23, 2009
May....
Well, as I'm sure everyone knows by now, I got in a bus wreck on May 4th. It was pretty scary. Fortunately I only had 10 kids on the bus at the time. And, contrary to news reports, I did come to a stop, I didn't run the stop sign. I stopped, looked both ways, twice, and never saw the SUV that I pulled out in front of. Fortunately, he saw me and swerved, I hit him and we skidded into a ditch about 15 feet away. That had to have been from his speed, because I was barely moving. Thank God, no one was seriously injured.
Thankfully, that weekend a storm hit Towanda and the focus went on that, instead of me! Again, we were very lucky that no one was hurt. We personally didn't have any damage. Which is frustrating because I have a huge red target painted on the roof. Apparently the storms don't see it! Maybe flourescent green would be better? We had to move some trees out of the road, so two neighbors used their manly chainsaws and went to work. I moved the cut limbs out of the road.
I finished microbiology and therapeutic nutrition on the 13th. I got an A in both of the classes. My GPA is now 3.78. After Developmental Psychology this summer, it will hopefully move up a little bit higher. I am still waiting to hear whether I got into the nursing program or not.
Andrew and Alexa finished school earlier this week. They will be entering 7th and 4th grade next year, respectively. We are seriously thinking about doing a different eschool program through Lawrence, called K12. It is so fabulous and we are really excited about it.
Alexa and I are taking scuba lessons this weekend. It was/is scary, to say the least. I never thought I would have anxiety about water. Breathing underwater is freaky. Alexa is having a rough time, but she is very young. The youngest age they will certify kids is 10 and she has only be 10 for 6 days.
Can you believe Alexa is in double digits? She is so excited about officially being a "big kid". I am really proud of her for trying scuba. Not many 10 year olds can say that they have scuba dived. Hopefully she can finish her certification. We went to Texas Roadhouse for her birthday and she got her picture taken on their saddle doing a big "yee-haw".
Yesterday we went to the zoo and saw the new tiger exhibit. SCZ rocked the exhibit. It is great. The two brothers were "fighting" and it was fabulous to watch. They are magnificent creatures. The animals were pretty active considering how hot it was outside.
I will try to get a picture of Alexa in her scuba gear - do NOT expect to see one of me. WOW!! They are seriously not made for people with ANY meat on their bones. Not an attractive sight.
Thankfully, that weekend a storm hit Towanda and the focus went on that, instead of me! Again, we were very lucky that no one was hurt. We personally didn't have any damage. Which is frustrating because I have a huge red target painted on the roof. Apparently the storms don't see it! Maybe flourescent green would be better? We had to move some trees out of the road, so two neighbors used their manly chainsaws and went to work. I moved the cut limbs out of the road.
I finished microbiology and therapeutic nutrition on the 13th. I got an A in both of the classes. My GPA is now 3.78. After Developmental Psychology this summer, it will hopefully move up a little bit higher. I am still waiting to hear whether I got into the nursing program or not.
Andrew and Alexa finished school earlier this week. They will be entering 7th and 4th grade next year, respectively. We are seriously thinking about doing a different eschool program through Lawrence, called K12. It is so fabulous and we are really excited about it.
Alexa and I are taking scuba lessons this weekend. It was/is scary, to say the least. I never thought I would have anxiety about water. Breathing underwater is freaky. Alexa is having a rough time, but she is very young. The youngest age they will certify kids is 10 and she has only be 10 for 6 days.
Can you believe Alexa is in double digits? She is so excited about officially being a "big kid". I am really proud of her for trying scuba. Not many 10 year olds can say that they have scuba dived. Hopefully she can finish her certification. We went to Texas Roadhouse for her birthday and she got her picture taken on their saddle doing a big "yee-haw".
Yesterday we went to the zoo and saw the new tiger exhibit. SCZ rocked the exhibit. It is great. The two brothers were "fighting" and it was fabulous to watch. They are magnificent creatures. The animals were pretty active considering how hot it was outside.
I will try to get a picture of Alexa in her scuba gear - do NOT expect to see one of me. WOW!! They are seriously not made for people with ANY meat on their bones. Not an attractive sight.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Water war pictures
I love this picture.
Andrew uses a frisbee as a shield.He commented that it wasn't very effective.
Mud
I hate mud. Truly hate it. If I had a chance for a $100 spa trip to soak in mud - I would refuse it. Don't care where it is, who it is with....count me out. So you can imagine how much I have disliked the weather of late. Seriously, someone needs to figure out how to produce better weather. Maybe a little bit of rain each week - enough to not have to water the garden - and that's it. The rest of the time, it could be in the mid 70's to 80's. Except in the summer where we could push 90. Enough to have it warm enough to swim. I don't think that is going to happen here in doo-dah.
So, my house smells like dead fish because Harley, unlike myself, loves the water and the mud. He has been swimming in the pond as well. He stinks. Bad. If I leave him outside, he runs to the pond (or worse, the neighbor's yard), so in he stays. He has learned how to get out of the fenced area that I had him in, so that no longer works. My hope is that he will start calming down soon. How long does the puppy stage last? He's two, so hopefully we are nearing the end?
(On the subject of Harley - Alexa is now down 3 pairs of underwear and at least 5 stuffed animals. There are also countless little toys and game pieces that are gone as well. I blame Alexa because she just can't seem to pick her stuff up.)
Back to water: the children had fun last week - prior to the torrential downpour - playing in the water. There was the day that it was near 90 degrees (in April? yikes!), so I told them that if they wanted they could play with the garden hose or their water guns. They chose the hose and made up their own game with it. I must've taken 100 pictures. (literally) One person had the hose and would spray the other person with it until the sprayee was able to get it from the sprayer. They had an absolute blast. I enjoyed watching them just have fun.
Last Friday we went with the 4th graders to a Rock and Mineral show. That was pretty fun, too, even though the place was p-a-c-k-e-d with children. We saw, and could even touch, some pretty cool rocks and fossils. They did a lab test to determine what 8 different rocks were. That was pretty cool. Then we went and played at the park and had a picnic. You just can't beat a picnic.
We are down to three weeks from today for school to be out. I, personally, have 3 classes left. So the countdown is on! (okay, it's been on...but now it's really close!) The month of May should scream by. We have a field trip to do - going to the movies and bowling; going to the zoo with their school; our schoolwork; lots of tests for me; I have a couple of CERT events - one this weekend and one the 16th; the kids will get their new pool (above ground) this month; I am taking scuba classes the weekend of the 22nd. It will be an insane month!
So, my house smells like dead fish because Harley, unlike myself, loves the water and the mud. He has been swimming in the pond as well. He stinks. Bad. If I leave him outside, he runs to the pond (or worse, the neighbor's yard), so in he stays. He has learned how to get out of the fenced area that I had him in, so that no longer works. My hope is that he will start calming down soon. How long does the puppy stage last? He's two, so hopefully we are nearing the end?
(On the subject of Harley - Alexa is now down 3 pairs of underwear and at least 5 stuffed animals. There are also countless little toys and game pieces that are gone as well. I blame Alexa because she just can't seem to pick her stuff up.)
Back to water: the children had fun last week - prior to the torrential downpour - playing in the water. There was the day that it was near 90 degrees (in April? yikes!), so I told them that if they wanted they could play with the garden hose or their water guns. They chose the hose and made up their own game with it. I must've taken 100 pictures. (literally) One person had the hose and would spray the other person with it until the sprayee was able to get it from the sprayer. They had an absolute blast. I enjoyed watching them just have fun.
Last Friday we went with the 4th graders to a Rock and Mineral show. That was pretty fun, too, even though the place was p-a-c-k-e-d with children. We saw, and could even touch, some pretty cool rocks and fossils. They did a lab test to determine what 8 different rocks were. That was pretty cool. Then we went and played at the park and had a picnic. You just can't beat a picnic.
We are down to three weeks from today for school to be out. I, personally, have 3 classes left. So the countdown is on! (okay, it's been on...but now it's really close!) The month of May should scream by. We have a field trip to do - going to the movies and bowling; going to the zoo with their school; our schoolwork; lots of tests for me; I have a couple of CERT events - one this weekend and one the 16th; the kids will get their new pool (above ground) this month; I am taking scuba classes the weekend of the 22nd. It will be an insane month!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Renaissance Faire
We had fun at the faire....not really my cup of tea, but it was nice to get out of the house and do a family thing. We almost didn't go, which would have been bad because Mike bought the tickets early (they're cheaper that way). Andrew woke up about 5:00 in the morning throwing up. I let him sleep in until he woke up on his own, so that he would hopefully feel better. He did. I think it must have been all the junk he ate at Geek day. Although I enjoyed the peace and quiet, I think since they were over at Joe's and there was no mom supervision, massive amounts of junk was consumed. Oh well.
The grounds were quite sloppy, but we had a good time. Of course, there was huge focus on food. I think one of the first questions was, "when are we going to eat turkey legs?" I will post pictures. Then it was all about shopping. Alexa bought a body tattoo thing (it's reuseable), got her face painted, bought a sash, and some other stuff. Andrew bought Thor's hammer and an archer on a horse to go with his castle figurines. Then it was on to watching the shows. They were very entertaining. Although, I must point out, the sword fighters had nothing on the sword fighting Mike and I used to do.
It was a great weekend. I had a great evening with Sandy. We are such creatures of habit. For her birthday we always go to Olive Garden, so that's where we went. I always get the Eggplant Parmigania. Then we go to Cold Stone Creamery. Massive amounts of calories in one night, but I'm sure we burned most of them off laughing and talking. Mike went to a retirement party. He had a good time as well. The kids went to grandpa and grandma's and had fun, of course.
Saturday I studied and, like I said earlier, they went to Geek day. Just a relaxing, enjoyable weekend.
The grounds were quite sloppy, but we had a good time. Of course, there was huge focus on food. I think one of the first questions was, "when are we going to eat turkey legs?" I will post pictures. Then it was all about shopping. Alexa bought a body tattoo thing (it's reuseable), got her face painted, bought a sash, and some other stuff. Andrew bought Thor's hammer and an archer on a horse to go with his castle figurines. Then it was on to watching the shows. They were very entertaining. Although, I must point out, the sword fighters had nothing on the sword fighting Mike and I used to do.
It was a great weekend. I had a great evening with Sandy. We are such creatures of habit. For her birthday we always go to Olive Garden, so that's where we went. I always get the Eggplant Parmigania. Then we go to Cold Stone Creamery. Massive amounts of calories in one night, but I'm sure we burned most of them off laughing and talking. Mike went to a retirement party. He had a good time as well. The kids went to grandpa and grandma's and had fun, of course.
Saturday I studied and, like I said earlier, they went to Geek day. Just a relaxing, enjoyable weekend.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Long holiday weekend
We had a four day weekend....yay for us. I was so lazy. I even slacked on schoolwork. I only took one quiz and that's it! The kids went to their paternal grandparents for the second annual grandparents/grandchildren egg coloring and hunt. This year it was only Andrew and Alexa and their cousin, Broque. But they had a good time.
I went to a baby shower on Saturday and then, of course, Sunday was Easter. The kids asked me to ask the Easter bunny to hide the eggs really hard, so I passed the message along. They were hidden so well, that we still can't find one! My personal thought is that Harley got a hold of it during the night. Now, I don't mean to place blame where it might not be due, so I am just suspicious. I heard him crunching something during the night, that sounded like plastic, but I was too tired to get up and look. (I know, right?) So, after school is out, I will do a ceiling to floor cleaning and move furniture and such and look for it then. If I find it, I will issue a public apology to Harley.
We went over to my parents' house for lunch. It was nice. My s-i-l, her boyfriend, my niece, nephew, aunt and grandma were there as well (my brother, too, but he lives there, so I didn't add him in). We played a game called Fast Track since it was too yucky to hunt eggs outside. I think this was the first year that we didn't repeatedly hide eggs and take turns finding them. But, the game was fun. Andrew went over to the flea market with Tommy. That was a first for both of us. I haven't ever let him do anything like that before. But I knew Tommy would watch out for him. And, thanks to Tommy for letting Andrew hang out with him, he really enjoyed it.
Monday the kids went over to play with their "sister" Hayley. I disappointed them by not leaving. I stayed and chatted with Sandy. I hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her for a long time (darn school). I did leave them there for awhile because I had to go to school (again, darn school). So Mike picked them up on his way home.
I haven't uploaded pictures from my camera yet from Easter. And, the kids didn't get to wear their Easter clothes because of the weather. So, I figure when it is nice I will take their picture!
Eight microbiology classes left and 28 school/work days. Whoo-hoo!
This coming weekend I'm going out to dinner with Sandy, Mike is going to a retirement party, the kids are going to spend the night with grandpa and grandma. Then Mike and the kids are going over to do their monthly geek day with Mike's friends. For the third time ever they aren't doing it at our house. I will have the house to myself all day!! I am going to party! NOT! I have to do that thing that I do................study. Then on Sunday we are going to the Renaissance Festival. It is just going to be a nerd weekend for all of us (other than Friday night). I will hopefully post pictures after the festival.
I went to a baby shower on Saturday and then, of course, Sunday was Easter. The kids asked me to ask the Easter bunny to hide the eggs really hard, so I passed the message along. They were hidden so well, that we still can't find one! My personal thought is that Harley got a hold of it during the night. Now, I don't mean to place blame where it might not be due, so I am just suspicious. I heard him crunching something during the night, that sounded like plastic, but I was too tired to get up and look. (I know, right?) So, after school is out, I will do a ceiling to floor cleaning and move furniture and such and look for it then. If I find it, I will issue a public apology to Harley.
We went over to my parents' house for lunch. It was nice. My s-i-l, her boyfriend, my niece, nephew, aunt and grandma were there as well (my brother, too, but he lives there, so I didn't add him in). We played a game called Fast Track since it was too yucky to hunt eggs outside. I think this was the first year that we didn't repeatedly hide eggs and take turns finding them. But, the game was fun. Andrew went over to the flea market with Tommy. That was a first for both of us. I haven't ever let him do anything like that before. But I knew Tommy would watch out for him. And, thanks to Tommy for letting Andrew hang out with him, he really enjoyed it.
Monday the kids went over to play with their "sister" Hayley. I disappointed them by not leaving. I stayed and chatted with Sandy. I hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her for a long time (darn school). I did leave them there for awhile because I had to go to school (again, darn school). So Mike picked them up on his way home.
I haven't uploaded pictures from my camera yet from Easter. And, the kids didn't get to wear their Easter clothes because of the weather. So, I figure when it is nice I will take their picture!
Eight microbiology classes left and 28 school/work days. Whoo-hoo!
This coming weekend I'm going out to dinner with Sandy, Mike is going to a retirement party, the kids are going to spend the night with grandpa and grandma. Then Mike and the kids are going over to do their monthly geek day with Mike's friends. For the third time ever they aren't doing it at our house. I will have the house to myself all day!! I am going to party! NOT! I have to do that thing that I do................study. Then on Sunday we are going to the Renaissance Festival. It is just going to be a nerd weekend for all of us (other than Friday night). I will hopefully post pictures after the festival.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Week in review
That's better than a month, right? I'm getting better.
This last weekend I took my TEAS test for nursing school (the entrance exam). From what I am hearing, I should be in. BUT, they won't say for sure until all the tests have been taken. So it will probably be the middle to end of May before I know for sure. Then I just have to figure out how to pay for it because Mike won't. Hopefully, I can get a job soon in a hospital....then they will pay for it! I guess we'll see how it goes.
After the test, I went to moulage for a CERT exercise (for new members). The kids were "victims" of a "plane crash". I had to bribe Andrew with ice cream to get him to go. That boy does not like to be taken out of his comfort zone. And his comfort zone is the house and he doesn't like leaving it. But, once there, he, and Alexa, had a blast. They loved it. I knew Alexa would be a drama queen, but Andrew went all out. He was so funny. He yelled for help, and kept coming up with new things to say to try to get attention over to them. He really sounded like he was hurt and scared. I knew he could do it. I keep trying to get them both to try out for the children's theater, but they won't.
The kids go today and tomorrow for state assessments. They are so excited.......not. I do not like the days we have to go into eschool. They always have to be there at 1p.m., which means I am hustling to get back home in time to go on the bus at 2:30. I do not like being rushed. Any prayers for them will be appreciated, especially Andrew, as he does not test well.
The kids are going out to their paternal grandparents on Friday to color eggs and have an Easter egg hunt with their cousins. They loved it last year. I am assuming we are going over to my parents' for Easter.
The countdown is on.....as of today, 11 more Microbiology classes for me, 31 work days until summer vacation. The kids will probably finish their school in less than the 31 days....provided they work harder than they have been.
This last weekend I took my TEAS test for nursing school (the entrance exam). From what I am hearing, I should be in. BUT, they won't say for sure until all the tests have been taken. So it will probably be the middle to end of May before I know for sure. Then I just have to figure out how to pay for it because Mike won't. Hopefully, I can get a job soon in a hospital....then they will pay for it! I guess we'll see how it goes.
After the test, I went to moulage for a CERT exercise (for new members). The kids were "victims" of a "plane crash". I had to bribe Andrew with ice cream to get him to go. That boy does not like to be taken out of his comfort zone. And his comfort zone is the house and he doesn't like leaving it. But, once there, he, and Alexa, had a blast. They loved it. I knew Alexa would be a drama queen, but Andrew went all out. He was so funny. He yelled for help, and kept coming up with new things to say to try to get attention over to them. He really sounded like he was hurt and scared. I knew he could do it. I keep trying to get them both to try out for the children's theater, but they won't.
The kids go today and tomorrow for state assessments. They are so excited.......not. I do not like the days we have to go into eschool. They always have to be there at 1p.m., which means I am hustling to get back home in time to go on the bus at 2:30. I do not like being rushed. Any prayers for them will be appreciated, especially Andrew, as he does not test well.
The kids are going out to their paternal grandparents on Friday to color eggs and have an Easter egg hunt with their cousins. They loved it last year. I am assuming we are going over to my parents' for Easter.
The countdown is on.....as of today, 11 more Microbiology classes for me, 31 work days until summer vacation. The kids will probably finish their school in less than the 31 days....provided they work harder than they have been.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
I won't even try to cover it all
I've been very busy with school, work, kids' school...you know...the normal. Then, I also thought, I didn't have anything to blog about. Life had just been so normal. So to just try to cover the last couple of months:
* I got a new stove and dishwasher. Yay me!! I love them.
*Mike broke his car while coming home from picking up a part to hook up the dishwasher. THANK GOD it happened on the dirt road, just a couple of miles from our house. Had he not have to go to El D to pick up that part, his wheel would have come off while he was driving 80 mph on the highway going to work. This way, no one was hurt, I was able to go up and help him so he could fix it and limp it home.
*I went to a scrapbooking weekend with "my girls"....lots of laughing and I actually got a lot done.
*My friend had a baby and then a week later was rushed to the hospital with what they thought was a brain aneurysm. Again, THANK GOD, it wasn't, but they still don't know why her brain started bleeding, and she is still in the hospital over a week later. I've stayed the night with her a couple of times.
*Andrew won 4th place in the science fair at eschool with his trebuchet experiment. YAY Andrew!!
*The kids and I went to the Cosmosphere with Kim. It was fun and we enjoyed ourselves....and came home with 2 dogs. Sophie and Harley. They are a handful, but so adorable. I am totally in love with Sophie, she is a cuddler. (is that a word?)
*Mike took off work on Friday and we went, with my parents, to the zoo. It was a little chillier than I thought it was going to be, but it was still nice to get outside and walk around looking at the animals.
*Alexa has lost 2 1/2 pounds...she is really excited about that. She worked pretty hard...she has about 8 more pounds to go.
*Today my grandma died. I am sad for my dad (it was his mother), but also relieved for him. She really aged him these last couple of years. She was demanding and called him constantly wanting him to do stuff for her. I am hoping he can rest and get back in better health. She was in her 90's (I think) and was in poor health, so her quality of life was poor. The sad thing is, she would never listen to any of us about her salvation. We can only hope that yesterday, while she was laying in bed, unconscious, that she heard Jesus knocking.
* I got a new stove and dishwasher. Yay me!! I love them.
*Mike broke his car while coming home from picking up a part to hook up the dishwasher. THANK GOD it happened on the dirt road, just a couple of miles from our house. Had he not have to go to El D to pick up that part, his wheel would have come off while he was driving 80 mph on the highway going to work. This way, no one was hurt, I was able to go up and help him so he could fix it and limp it home.
*I went to a scrapbooking weekend with "my girls"....lots of laughing and I actually got a lot done.
*My friend had a baby and then a week later was rushed to the hospital with what they thought was a brain aneurysm. Again, THANK GOD, it wasn't, but they still don't know why her brain started bleeding, and she is still in the hospital over a week later. I've stayed the night with her a couple of times.
*Andrew won 4th place in the science fair at eschool with his trebuchet experiment. YAY Andrew!!
*The kids and I went to the Cosmosphere with Kim. It was fun and we enjoyed ourselves....and came home with 2 dogs. Sophie and Harley. They are a handful, but so adorable. I am totally in love with Sophie, she is a cuddler. (is that a word?)
*Mike took off work on Friday and we went, with my parents, to the zoo. It was a little chillier than I thought it was going to be, but it was still nice to get outside and walk around looking at the animals.
*Alexa has lost 2 1/2 pounds...she is really excited about that. She worked pretty hard...she has about 8 more pounds to go.
*Today my grandma died. I am sad for my dad (it was his mother), but also relieved for him. She really aged him these last couple of years. She was demanding and called him constantly wanting him to do stuff for her. I am hoping he can rest and get back in better health. She was in her 90's (I think) and was in poor health, so her quality of life was poor. The sad thing is, she would never listen to any of us about her salvation. We can only hope that yesterday, while she was laying in bed, unconscious, that she heard Jesus knocking.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Can you tell school has started up again?
This semester it is Microbiology on M/W night and Therapeutic Nutrition online. I am in my first week and have 11 assignments to do, and I've already done quite a few - I think, 6. Three of them are online quizzes (we take our Micro quizzes online rather than in class). Okay. That's all of my whining for now. For NOW. There will be more, but I will try to limit how much I do online!
I was shocked two weeks ago when Mike asked and asked me to go out with him and his work friends. Then last weekend we went out again. A friend of ours plays in a band so we went to listen to him. They were really good. I only knew about 5 of their songs, but I can recognize talent. Hopefully next time we go listen to them it will be outdoors. This time was in a bar! Can you imagine? Here's how the babysitting phone call went, "uh, yeah, dad? can you watch the kids while Mike and I go to a bar?" Oh my grief! "we're going to listen to our friend, Mike's band"...that's all, really!! Then my son said I was going to a bar to get drunk! Bad example being set here. I said, "son, how many times have you seen me drunk?" "never" "okay, what makes you think I will be going out and getting drunk now?" "I don't know, but that's what people do at bars". True. But not always. The bad thing, other than my bad example, was 30 minutes after we got there I had a splitting headache from the smoke. UGH! We washed our clothes and our sheets on Sunday. Even after taking a shower I still felt like I smelled like smoke. (and I am still having trouble with my sinuses)
BUT, the band was good. Really good if you like 80's rock. Prior to us going out Saturday night, I went to a crop at a friend's church from 10-4:30 and then went to another friend's jewelry party immediately after that (I was the only one who wasn't one of her church friends) and then Mike and I went out. So, most of Saturday was spent in the company of good, Christian women. I feel somewhat redeemed......
Monday, I went to lunch with my friend, Kim. I drove to Hutch this time. Then we went to see what will hopefully be her new, old house. Lot of road trip going on. Lots of fun. I love road trips...even if it's to Western Kansas! Again, time spent in the company of a good, Christian woman. More redemption!
That will probably be the end of my fun for awhile....although I am sure I will need a sanity break here and there if anyone wants to do something fun!
Back to the books............
I was shocked two weeks ago when Mike asked and asked me to go out with him and his work friends. Then last weekend we went out again. A friend of ours plays in a band so we went to listen to him. They were really good. I only knew about 5 of their songs, but I can recognize talent. Hopefully next time we go listen to them it will be outdoors. This time was in a bar! Can you imagine? Here's how the babysitting phone call went, "uh, yeah, dad? can you watch the kids while Mike and I go to a bar?" Oh my grief! "we're going to listen to our friend, Mike's band"...that's all, really!! Then my son said I was going to a bar to get drunk! Bad example being set here. I said, "son, how many times have you seen me drunk?" "never" "okay, what makes you think I will be going out and getting drunk now?" "I don't know, but that's what people do at bars". True. But not always. The bad thing, other than my bad example, was 30 minutes after we got there I had a splitting headache from the smoke. UGH! We washed our clothes and our sheets on Sunday. Even after taking a shower I still felt like I smelled like smoke. (and I am still having trouble with my sinuses)
BUT, the band was good. Really good if you like 80's rock. Prior to us going out Saturday night, I went to a crop at a friend's church from 10-4:30 and then went to another friend's jewelry party immediately after that (I was the only one who wasn't one of her church friends) and then Mike and I went out. So, most of Saturday was spent in the company of good, Christian women. I feel somewhat redeemed......
Monday, I went to lunch with my friend, Kim. I drove to Hutch this time. Then we went to see what will hopefully be her new, old house. Lot of road trip going on. Lots of fun. I love road trips...even if it's to Western Kansas! Again, time spent in the company of a good, Christian woman. More redemption!
That will probably be the end of my fun for awhile....although I am sure I will need a sanity break here and there if anyone wants to do something fun!
Back to the books............
Saturday, January 10, 2009
In memory
Of our Scamp, (aka "little beggar", "Big dog" "Big")
Last night, when Mike and I got home from an evening out, we found Scampy dead. Mike took him to the vet today for an autopsy. I cannot believe he came up with this idea and even said, "the cost doesn't matter". He just wants us to know for sure what happened to him. The vet determined that the wound was from another dog bite. This explains everything. We thought he had been shot because of how the wound looked. But after shaving him, she saw other wounds. No wonder we didn't see anything wrong with Scamp when we were home.....our other dog, Maggie, killed him when we were gone. It explains how she was acting last night, too.
We got Scamp from a woman named Angie who worked at the hospital and became friends with Amber and I. She heard us talking one day about how we would like to have a little dog and said that she was wanting to find a home for her Shih-Tzu because they were so busy they didn't have time to give him the love he needed. We loved him from the moment we saw him.
He was stupid though. Poor inbred little guy. If he wandered too far from home he couldn't find his way back. We lost him twice because of his wanderings. He would follow the big dogs out and about, but they would be able to move faster than his little legs would carry him. Fortunately we were able to find him. One time my boss found him and he went for a ride on the bus, delivering all the children.
We will miss him very much. He was definitely part of the family. I know dogs don't go to heaven, but there is a part of me that really hopes that Amber has her Scamp to play with and cuddle again.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Dirty Laundry
That was a misleading title meant to make you excited to read this post. Did it work? If so...shame on you! Gossip is wrong.....although if you have any......
This is actually about clean laundry. I was doing laundry today. Yes, occasionally, I do laundry. And, as I was folding, I was thinking. Laundry is a good time for thinking. Fortunately for me, I don't do much laundry, so not a lot of that pesky thinking goes on. I got to thinking about Mike's socks.
Probably like most of you, my socks run away. But not Mike's socks. He always has the same number of socks to correlate with the number of days that it has been since the last wash day. I don't know if it is that I give my socks the wings to fly. If his are more duty-bound. Maybe I didn't love my socks enough, whereas he rotates his socks so each pair is worn equally - that way none feel left out. I'm not scary enough? His socks are too terrified to flee? Whatever the reason, his are always matched with their partner. Always. Same two socks, always worn together, washed together, folded together.
Mine? They are forming support groups "Socks Without Partners" "Find Our Other Toe-cover" or FOOT, as they like to call it. It's good for them. They have a chance to air their feelings. Meet others who are going through the same pain. Sometimes, they even hook up....make new "pairs".
Who am I to judge their new partnerships? If they are happy, I'm happy. I have nothing against the pairings that they make...even if it is with a sock of another color. Philosophically, I'm all for it. Physically? I can't wear socks that don't match. I wasn't raised that way. I don't think society is ready for it. Maybe my children's children will one day be able to wear socks that don't match and not be mocked, judged, pointed at, or laughed at.
These are the thoughts that run barefoot through my brain while I am doing laundry. Reason number 436 not do do laundry.
This is actually about clean laundry. I was doing laundry today. Yes, occasionally, I do laundry. And, as I was folding, I was thinking. Laundry is a good time for thinking. Fortunately for me, I don't do much laundry, so not a lot of that pesky thinking goes on. I got to thinking about Mike's socks.
Probably like most of you, my socks run away. But not Mike's socks. He always has the same number of socks to correlate with the number of days that it has been since the last wash day. I don't know if it is that I give my socks the wings to fly. If his are more duty-bound. Maybe I didn't love my socks enough, whereas he rotates his socks so each pair is worn equally - that way none feel left out. I'm not scary enough? His socks are too terrified to flee? Whatever the reason, his are always matched with their partner. Always. Same two socks, always worn together, washed together, folded together.
Mine? They are forming support groups "Socks Without Partners" "Find Our Other Toe-cover" or FOOT, as they like to call it. It's good for them. They have a chance to air their feelings. Meet others who are going through the same pain. Sometimes, they even hook up....make new "pairs".
Who am I to judge their new partnerships? If they are happy, I'm happy. I have nothing against the pairings that they make...even if it is with a sock of another color. Philosophically, I'm all for it. Physically? I can't wear socks that don't match. I wasn't raised that way. I don't think society is ready for it. Maybe my children's children will one day be able to wear socks that don't match and not be mocked, judged, pointed at, or laughed at.
These are the thoughts that run barefoot through my brain while I am doing laundry. Reason number 436 not do do laundry.
You're what???
While I was making breakfast on Wednesday, the kids and I were having a most delightful conversation. Andrew makes an offhand, smart-aleck remark and the following conversation occurred.
Andrew: So, what are you, adopted? (said to me, in a joking way)
Me: Actually, yes.
Kids: Really? (after picking their jaws up off of the floor)
Alexa: Why didn't you ever tell us?
Me: The subject never came up. I don't really think about it.
Andrew: This would have been nice to know.
Alexa: Yeah, you should've told us.
Me: Sorry, I just didn't think about it. (and grief, they're just 9 and 11)
Alexa: Well.
Alexa: So who are your real parents?
Me: Grandpa and Grandma.
Alexa: They're not your real parents.
Me: Yes they are.
Alexa: They didn't squeeze you out. You have to squeeze a baby out to be real parents. (obviously, we need to talk about technical terms)
Andrew: No you don't, Alexa. That isn't what makes you real parents. It's taking care of your children and loving them.
Me: That is exactly right Andrew.
Then as conversations do, it turned to something else. If I remember correctly, it was something like....is breakfast ready yet?
Andrew: So, what are you, adopted? (said to me, in a joking way)
Me: Actually, yes.
Kids: Really? (after picking their jaws up off of the floor)
Alexa: Why didn't you ever tell us?
Me: The subject never came up. I don't really think about it.
Andrew: This would have been nice to know.
Alexa: Yeah, you should've told us.
Me: Sorry, I just didn't think about it. (and grief, they're just 9 and 11)
Alexa: Well.
Alexa: So who are your real parents?
Me: Grandpa and Grandma.
Alexa: They're not your real parents.
Me: Yes they are.
Alexa: They didn't squeeze you out. You have to squeeze a baby out to be real parents. (obviously, we need to talk about technical terms)
Andrew: No you don't, Alexa. That isn't what makes you real parents. It's taking care of your children and loving them.
Me: That is exactly right Andrew.
Then as conversations do, it turned to something else. If I remember correctly, it was something like....is breakfast ready yet?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Did you know...
* there are 318,979,564,000 possible moves a chess player can make during their first four moves? (Andrew informed me of this fact today)
* it is absolutely ridiculous to try to make 4 batches of muffins when your oven doesn't retain heat? (as I am trying to bake the 6th tin of muffins and have about 2 more to go...)
* kids will make liars of you every time you brag about them. (as my kids goofed around all day today when they were supposed to be doing their math)
* cats are so much easier to deal with than dogs. (my dogs are keeping me up all night with their in and out, repeat)
* I would much rather laugh at all the things that go wrong than to get down about it and be cranky. (around here, I would be cranky all of the time!)
* it is absolutely ridiculous to try to make 4 batches of muffins when your oven doesn't retain heat? (as I am trying to bake the 6th tin of muffins and have about 2 more to go...)
* kids will make liars of you every time you brag about them. (as my kids goofed around all day today when they were supposed to be doing their math)
* cats are so much easier to deal with than dogs. (my dogs are keeping me up all night with their in and out, repeat)
* I would much rather laugh at all the things that go wrong than to get down about it and be cranky. (around here, I would be cranky all of the time!)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Reflections
Looking back over 2008, one question comes to mind. Did I learn anything? I think, unequivocally, the answer is yes. Maybe not anything I necessarily wanted to learn, but I learned it, nonetheless. In all of that book learnin' I learned that if you work hard, pray hard you can achieve just about anything.
I also learned that occasionally God does answer my prayers. I really thought that the answer was always going to be "no". Seriously, if you were me you would believe that, too. I finally got a "yes" this year. That came in the form of my testing. I prayed, prayed, prayed before those tests, and I did well. I know some of that was from lots of studying, but I also know that a some of it was grace of God. Especially my Nationals test. I prayed for brain peace - that I wouldn't overthink, overanalyze, that even on the questions I didn't automatically know the answers to, that I would just let my knowledge and intuition handle it without freaking. And it worked. I was nervous with the practical, but I was able to do it without fumbling over myself or my words. I knew what I was doing and was able to do it.
I've learned that if I demand more from my children, they will rise to meet my expectations. This I knew, but I put it into practice and saw results.
I've learned that we are all capable of more than we think we are. That whole 'God doesn't call the abled, He enables the called'....or whatever the actual quote is.
I've learned that we can come back from dark places where there wasn't any light. Even though sometimes we get pulled back, we don't go so far that we can't see any light. Andrew has really made a lot of progress and is no longer where he was....where he was unreachable.
I've learned that if I have faith and remember God's words and promise even when I don't feel like He's listening to me that everything will turn out the way God wants. Sometimes that's hard for those of us who are impatient, stubborn, a tiny bit rebellious....So here I am in the middle of my captivity and leaning on the promise.
Jer 29:10-14 (NIV) This is what the Lord says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
I also learned that occasionally God does answer my prayers. I really thought that the answer was always going to be "no". Seriously, if you were me you would believe that, too. I finally got a "yes" this year. That came in the form of my testing. I prayed, prayed, prayed before those tests, and I did well. I know some of that was from lots of studying, but I also know that a some of it was grace of God. Especially my Nationals test. I prayed for brain peace - that I wouldn't overthink, overanalyze, that even on the questions I didn't automatically know the answers to, that I would just let my knowledge and intuition handle it without freaking. And it worked. I was nervous with the practical, but I was able to do it without fumbling over myself or my words. I knew what I was doing and was able to do it.
I've learned that if I demand more from my children, they will rise to meet my expectations. This I knew, but I put it into practice and saw results.
I've learned that we are all capable of more than we think we are. That whole 'God doesn't call the abled, He enables the called'....or whatever the actual quote is.
I've learned that we can come back from dark places where there wasn't any light. Even though sometimes we get pulled back, we don't go so far that we can't see any light. Andrew has really made a lot of progress and is no longer where he was....where he was unreachable.
I've learned that if I have faith and remember God's words and promise even when I don't feel like He's listening to me that everything will turn out the way God wants. Sometimes that's hard for those of us who are impatient, stubborn, a tiny bit rebellious....So here I am in the middle of my captivity and leaning on the promise.
Jer 29:10-14 (NIV) This is what the Lord says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hello, January
I think if you blog it is required that you do some sort of farewell to the old....ring in the new...isn't it? So, before the blog police come a-knockin' on my door...here goes.
I personally am glad that it is January. Whatever year, I just like January. I would like it more if it weren't cold, but there you have it. January is mine and Mike's mantra. "ah, in January" we'll say, "things will be....slower, better, easier, etc. in January". We have been saying this since August of 1996. At the time, we genuinely believed it. We had started dating in April, got engaged in May, married in September. That's a lot of activity in a short period of time. So, we honestly thought in January life would slow down. I no longer believe it....but without hope what do we have?
2008 was perhaps one of the most hectic, insane years we have had in awhile. I am hoping that 2009 will be slower, that we can enjoy the time with the children, and just enjoy life in general. I hate feeling like I am treading water, barely keeping my head above water. That is why I always like January...it is a fresh start. A chance to forget how life was in the previous year and begin again.
I haven't done resolutions in years. I won't this year. I am just constantly trying to do better, not decide in January that I am going to do this, not do that. Hopefully, though, I can be better at the things I need to be better at....a better mom, a better friend, a better Christian....and not do the things I shouldn't be doing....which usually involves cookies or chocolate! Resolutions typically happen only in January.
For us.....the next day, the next week.....is always January....a hope that whatever is bad, will be better in January. The real January and the real new year? It's like clean sheets, a clean sink, spring, right smack-dab in the middle of winter....it's fresh, it's new. A new calendar. Is there anything better than a new calendar? That few minutes when there is nothing on it? It quickly fills up with all the things we have to do. But for a moment or two, our time is our own. So goodbye, filled-up 2008. Hello, January and 2009!
I personally am glad that it is January. Whatever year, I just like January. I would like it more if it weren't cold, but there you have it. January is mine and Mike's mantra. "ah, in January" we'll say, "things will be....slower, better, easier, etc. in January". We have been saying this since August of 1996. At the time, we genuinely believed it. We had started dating in April, got engaged in May, married in September. That's a lot of activity in a short period of time. So, we honestly thought in January life would slow down. I no longer believe it....but without hope what do we have?
2008 was perhaps one of the most hectic, insane years we have had in awhile. I am hoping that 2009 will be slower, that we can enjoy the time with the children, and just enjoy life in general. I hate feeling like I am treading water, barely keeping my head above water. That is why I always like January...it is a fresh start. A chance to forget how life was in the previous year and begin again.
I haven't done resolutions in years. I won't this year. I am just constantly trying to do better, not decide in January that I am going to do this, not do that. Hopefully, though, I can be better at the things I need to be better at....a better mom, a better friend, a better Christian....and not do the things I shouldn't be doing....which usually involves cookies or chocolate! Resolutions typically happen only in January.
For us.....the next day, the next week.....is always January....a hope that whatever is bad, will be better in January. The real January and the real new year? It's like clean sheets, a clean sink, spring, right smack-dab in the middle of winter....it's fresh, it's new. A new calendar. Is there anything better than a new calendar? That few minutes when there is nothing on it? It quickly fills up with all the things we have to do. But for a moment or two, our time is our own. So goodbye, filled-up 2008. Hello, January and 2009!
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