School Business and Florida

Wowie! Look at how long it's been since I have been on here! I've been so busy these last few months. My oh my, where to start?

Well, all the classes I had signed up for didn't quite pan out the way I wanted them too. I was taking four classes, one of which required four hours a week of working in a certified preschool. I had my own lab assignments and homework for the preschool, so it was more like I was taking five classes. I got so busy and stressed out after six weeks that I ended up in the hospital with an anxiety attack. I thought I was having a heart attack, and my blood pressure was sky high. I was prescribed anti-anxiety pills (which is really a tranquilizer that knocks me out!) and anti-depressant (which is really only a serotonin upper, which is a hormone that aids in boosting your mood).

I ended up dropping both the Child Development classes and sticking with math and writing. But I was already so extremely behind in math that I ended up flunking out before the class was over! So, by the end of the semester all I successfully completed was one four credit writing class. But, I got a 4.0 on my portfolio in the class so I am happy about that!

Mike has done really well in his classes. He got a 4.0 in three of his classes and a 3.5 in the fourth one. He is starting up his own computer repair business that will service the Lansing and Grand Rapids areas. He will fix pcs, laptops, XBOX's and Playstations. He will come to your homes and repair there if the fix is simple enough, or he will take it with him and return it to you in less time than other places would have it done. He also offers setup of tv/surround sound systems and computers. I will post his website once he has completed it. His goal is to offer excellent repairs and customer service cheaper than anyone else. You wouldn't believe how over-priced places like Best Buy's Geek Squad are!

On May 23rd Mike, the boys and I are going to Florida to visit Mike's family. No one but Mike's mom and brother has met Nathan yet! We will be there for a week visiting family and going to the Epcot Center in Disney for a day. That will be fun. The boys will be so excited about all the cool stuff to look at! They are to young to ride any of the rides, but they will enjoy looking at everything and walking around! It should be a very fun week for us all! Wish us luck on the plane, and prayers are appreciated too!

Here we go again!

Well, school is starting up again today. I have one class today, Tuesdays, and two classes on Mondays and Wednesdays and one class on Thursdays. So I will be driving out to school at least four times a week. I have algebra 1, composite writing and two child development classes. One class requires me to work at a daycare for four hours a week, and I got stuck with being there 8 am to 12 on Mondays. That means I will be getting up by 6 am at the latest Monday mornings. Yippee!

I am pretty upset that I have to start classes today because it is Jacob's 6th birthday. He is at school now, but Mike and I are picking him up early and we are all going into town to have lunch together before my class. Then Mike will drop me off for class and is going to take the boys to Chuck E. Cheese. I should have a quick class tonight, just being introductions and all. I hope at least, because I would like to see Jacob for more than two hours on his birthday.

Well, wish me luck!

What a break!

Well, this Christmas break has felt very long! And not to terribly relaxing. Christmas time is always hectic and I am actually glad that it is over now. It was a nice enough Christmas, spent time with all my family, hung out with friends. Got some nice stuff and the boys got alot of clothes which was greatly needed.

Last Saturday my sister fell on ice outside of work taking trash out. She fell on top of her leg and broke her fibea bone in her leg, and broke alot of ligaments in her ankle which pushed her ankle out of place. She was in soooo much pain. My parents and I went to stay with her in the hospital after we found out she needed surgery to fix her up. They set her bones back in place and used a pin to hold her ankle put until the ligaments heal. Then they put a small titanium plate next to her fibea bone that will be permanent to offer support.

Now she has to be off her feet for 6 to 8 weeks, so she is losing all her income. She is staying with my parents until she can be back up and around. I've been over there everyday this week to help out as much as I can. That will stop this next week once school starts. So please pray she heals quickly!

Final grades

Ok well I got my final grades in for the semester, finally! I got a 4.0 in my writing class and in my child development class, and in my math I got a 3.0! Aloooooooot better than I thought I would be getting.

Now I can relax and take it easy the rest of Christmas break. We are starting to get our shopping finished up, and now to get them wrapped. I've been trying to catch up on my Christmas movies.

Christmas eve we are going to my parents and having dinner with them and my sisters, and exchanging gifts. Then Christmas morning Mike and I will do our family gifts with the boys, and that afternoon we are driving to Lansing for a big extended family dinner and gift exchange. Lots of gifts going around that day! I hope the boys have fun.

Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving, and the turkey smells great! I got up about 8 this morning, since the boys stayed up late so they slept in. That was nice. I got the turkey all cleaned and stuffed with stove top stuffing and in the oven by 9am. It'll be coming out around 4pm. It's a big bird! I made an apple and a pumpkin pie last night, and still have two more to make but it can wait til tonight. Potatoes are cut up and ready to be cooked and mashed, green bean casserole is put together and in the fridge waiting to be cooked, frozen corn in the freezer and premade biscuits to be cooked, and I am making my own gravy from the turkey broth once it comes out. MMMM I cant wait for dinner!

Craig should be arriving right around 4, and is eager to watch the football game. Apparently he is a big Saints fan and this is their first time playing the Thanksgiving game, so he is excited.

Soon after dinner I am taking Jacob and Nathan over to Mom and Dad's to see the rest of my family. My sisters and cousins are over there today and want to see the boys. We will visit for an hour or two and then head back home.

Mike's brother Jason has a webcam on his XBOX360, and Mike is going to do a videochat with his family tonight so they can see the boys today as well. It should be a fairly nice and relaxing day once I get dinner all finished up, and then clean up afterwards.

Time still flies!

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've done any blogging!! I've been so busy with school, studying, and trying to spend time with the boys. It's November now, and it snowed for the first time in my area today. That is when I really realized how much time has gone by. I'm halfway done with the semester already. I've got alot to talk about today!

Like I said, the semester is half over now, and I am doing pretty well in most of my classes. All but, you guessed it, math. I am skirting by with a 2.0 so far and it is getting even harder. But, in ChildHood Development and Writing I have a 4.0! I sat down with an academic advisor yesterday to create a schedule of all the classes I need to take and when to take them to get my associates degree. It will take me through Spring of 2013. Yep, three years!!!! When I started this, I thought two years was a long time to be in school. Sigh, oh well.

I will be taking a spanish class and an american sign language class in my last year. I am looking forward to that, I have always wanted to be able to speak spanish, and the asl will help Jacob with what he can't say. I already know a little sign, just certain words and the alphabet. I will try brushing up more over the next two years so I can have a head start when I finally get there.

Well, on Monday the 8th is Mike and my anniversary. Seven years now! Like I said, time flies! We already celebrated back over Labor day when we went away for a weekend, because we knew we wouldn't have time during the school semester. Also, we knew that by now we wouldn't have alot of money left! I still wanna do a little something on the actual day of our anniversary though, even if it is just a card. I guess we'll have to see what we can swing. We both have to be at school all day Monday, so it certainly won't be romantic.

Mike's friend Craig is driving up to spend Thanksgiving weekend with us. His family is down in Florida and he doesn't have the time to fly there for such a short time, so we invited him here. Which means I will be in charge of our Thanksgiving dinner this year. I've done it all myself before, but that was only with ONE baby and no school! Mike and I both have to be at school all day before Thanksgiving, so prepping ahead of time will have to be done that Tuesday if I can. Wish me luck!

Time flies

Wow, I can't believe it's October already! I've been in school for a month now, and I haven't gone completely crazy! I'm doing pretty well with most of my classes. Math is still a difficult subject for me. I'm barely pulling a 2.0, which is a passing grade at least. I just hope I stay at least around there, or even higher. I don't want to have to take this class over again. But, I need to know it.

I'm learning all kinds of fascinating information in the Child Development class. Most of what they are going over I already knew, just from background experience with kids. But, now I know what the technical terms are. I've had my first child observation, out of 6. Just turned in the report Wednesday, so I still need to find out what my grade is on that. I have another one this coming Tuesday, and then my third on Thursday. Wish me luck!

Grades

Well, I had an essay that was returned on Monday with a current grade. I got 36 out of an available 50 points on it. I was pretty happy about that! What the teacher does is grade the essay, leave comments and tips on how to improve it and return it to us. We can then resubmit the essay to her as many times as we want before our portfolio is due at the end of the semester, to try getting a higher grade. I like that, because I can keep raising my score til I'm satisfied.

I also had a pop quiz on Monday in math. I haven't received the grade for it yet though, so I am pretty anxious to see how I did. I feel as if I understood what I was doing, and did most everything correctly, but I won't know for sure til they post the grades.

I have a test in Child Development tomorrow going over the first 5 chapters we've studied so far. I am working on drilling the terminologies into my head, so hopefully I will do well. Please pray for me to have a clear head about this.

The boys are really starting to miss me. I've been gone at classes so much, and gone for three days over the Labor day weekend. And when I am home, I'm studying instead of spending time with them. It is beginning to affect Nathan most. All he wants is me, no matter what is going on. Jacob is getting upset anytime we are getting ready to go somewhere, because he thinks we are going to disappear for two days. Please pray they aclimate quickly to this new lifestyle, and that they have peace of mind that I will always come back home to them.

Studying and Birthdays

I have my two younger cousins over today. They are watching the boys for me so I can catch up on my studying. I have a quiz and a test coming this Wednesday, and I really need to make sure I know this stuff. The math I am actually understanding, it's just getting through all the assignments before Wednesday that I'm having a hard time with. And the Child Development I also know well and understand, but they use all these terminologies for every stinking thing a child does!!! I worry I won't remember them all, and like, every single one will be on the test. So, it's really a matter of understanding which terminology means which thing and then remembering it.

Tomorrow is my cousin's birthday, one of the girls who are here today. My whole family will be taking both my cousins back to Lansing, where they live, and going to a nice steakhouse buffet for her birthday. She is turning 14 tomorrow, and is already in Highschool. I just can't believe it! I held her the day she was born. *Sigh* I feel so old....

Holiday weekend

Well, Mike and I didn't have classes on Labor day. So, we decided to get a hotel out of town and get away. Mom and Dad kept the boys for us, and we left Sunday morning and just got back an hour or two ago (Tuesday.) It was nice and relaxing, sleeping in without the kids waking us up all night. We went and saw a bunch of movies, and ate at a bunch of restaurants. It was so fun. I really needed it.

College life

Well, my first week of college is done. I was overwhelmed at first with the math class. I almost started crying, but I held it in like a big girl! I couldn't understand anything the teacher was lecturing on. I started wondering if I had a right to even be there, as dumb as I felt. Finally, after the second day I was talking to another lady in my class and she told me about my textbook which is online. I can go there and watch a video presentation and read the text, practice problems. Once I did that, things started making ALOT more sense to me.

My writing class is kinda fun, I've already written two essays, and have another assigned that is due next Wednesday. Alot of reading assignments, but some of the reading is actually really interesting. I think I'm having the most enjoyable time in this class.

And my Childhood Development class, which is my major subject, I am doing ok in. I'm kinda behind on the reading assignments, but I am dutifully working through it. I'm kind of worried I won't be able to remember all the terms they use for things. I just got to keep studying and commiting it to memory.

Minivan

Well, we got our student grants and loans in. We did all the necessary stuff like buying books and school supplies and all. Then we headed to a local car sales place and checked out a few minivans. We figured it would be a good idea to have a second car, that way if one breaks down, we aren't stuck without a car and no way to get to school.

We found a nice 1998 Chevy Venture for 2,000. It's in pretty good condition, but we'll need to get the a/c worked on. We went ahead and bought it outright, I don't want to have any payments to deal with. It's nice to have some extra room for when we go shopping with the boys. I'm happy with it.

Classes for me start on Monday. Please pray that I do well.

Flight

Well, Jason was supposed to come in yesterday, but his flight was canceled due to mechanical failure. Thank God they found it before they went up! He's been rescheduled on a flight for today, and he will now be leaving next Sunday instead of Saturday.

Only one more week before my fall classes begin. I am getting nervouse, I'm afraid I will fail miserably in the math course. Please pray for my patience in learning, and a clear mind to comprehend what I am being taught.

My financial aid will come in on Wednesday, and then I can go buy my school books. I wish I could get them sooner, and start studying ahead of time. I need all the help I can get!!

Jason

My brother in law, Jason, is coming to visit Mike for a week. He arrives this Saturday. He's a sweet guy, and can be fun to hang out with. I know Mike is looking forward to him getting here and spending time with him. They haven't seen each other since Jan 09.

While he is here, we will be checking out a bunch of restaurants, going to Craig's Cruisers, possibly Chuck E. Cheese, and who knows what else!?! Mike and Jason will be going to see alot of their guy movies, and playing video games here at home.

I'm glad Mike has this chance to see his brother and spend time with him. Now we just need to get his sister here!

Orientation

So, Mike and I had orientation last night for college. They talked a bit about when the school got started, how many people attend each year, why it is a smart choice to go there, all that stuff. I thought "We drove all the way here for this?" Then they started giving us a tour of the campus, showing us all the little things I never knew about, where all the places to get food were, best places to hangout and study. And I started thinking "OK, this is good information!"

It's alot of walking to get everywhere you need to be. I have three classes Mondays and Wednesdays, and each one is in a different building. Alot of stairs, alot of walking, alot of the time! I may very well get my exercise in whether I choose to or not! And alot of the food they seem to serve at the cafeterias seem fairly healthy enough. No McDonalds or Taco Bells, there are some sandwich places, a Blimpies, and a place where our tour guide says serves "real food." This pleased me alot, I was worried I would end up eating alot of junk food if I didn't brown bag each day. There are ways to get junk, vending machines all over, coffee shops with sugary specialties. I just have to continue practicing self-control and only order what I should instead of what I want!

The boys spent the night at Mom's last night, since our orientation went til 9pm. When Mike and I got home it was so relaxing. We made dinner, watched a movie, and went to bed. Of course, Mike kept thinking he was hearing the baby waking up! Funny how we get used to hearing things. Today, I caught up on much needed sleep. I'm starting to feel a little more human again. I forgot how good it feels to sleep all the way through the night with no interruptions. And to actually sleep at least 8 hours! I need to do that a few more times before school starts if I want to get my mind working right!

Ionia Free Fair

Well, we're right smack dab in the middle of the ten days of the Ionia Free Fair. Largest Free Fair in the world. I've been there three times now! I won't ride any of the rides though, for two reasons. 1. I'm not willing to pay their prices for those rides and 2. With my back issues I really shouldn't be doing it.

Although, the fair does have a pretty decent ride all day armband deal. $20 to ride unlimited rides all day. If you purchase them before the fair starts, you can get them for $12. They also have these mega passes that are only for sale in November and December that let you ride unlimited rides the whole ten days of the fair! I don't know how much those are yet.

I am taking all four of my cousins, and our boys, to the fair on Thursday. They are very excited, we did it last year and have been planning this years adventure for a long time now. Mike and I will be chaperoning, along with both my sisters. My Mom will join us later in the day, as she has a meeting in the early afternoon. I'm not quite sure if I'm up for this now. My cousin's ages range from 12 to 14 yrs. old. And three of them are girls! Sigh. Teenagers are not easy to deal with. Wish me luck!

Bored

I am so bored. I've had nothing to do for almost a week now. Nowhere to go, nothing to do. I've been entertaining myself watching movies and tv shows on dvd. But I've pretty much run out of those. I've read all my books at least once, if not more. I've been so bored I haven't even had anything to blog about!

Last Saturday Nathan threw my cell phone into a cup of water, submerging it. So, it stopped working. I was so upset. I knew buying a new phone would be to expensive for me to afford right now. Plus, it's my only phone. We don't have a home phone. So, this last week I couldn't even call anyone to chit chat. I had to wait to see if anyone got on Facebook.

I've only been outside once since last Saturday, and that was just to go shopping for groceries. So, it doesn't really count. I was wanting to go to lunch with Mom yesterday, but by the time I got her on FB, Dad had already left to work with the car. So we couldn't do that.

My sister, Amber, found an old verizon cell phone that she brought to town last night. She was going to charge it up and transfer my account to that phone. Someone told me last week about putting the phone in rice for a few days and it would absorb the water from the phone. That sounded silly, but I figured rice is cheaper than a new phone. So I tried it. I kept it in the rice for 5 days, and finally pulled it out last night and put it all back together. Pushed the power button and.... Nothing. I was so disappointed, I was really hoping it would work. Then this morning Mike tells me, "I plugged your phone in to charge, and it came on!" !!!!! Yaaaay! My phone is now working.

Indiana

Well, Mike is in Indiana right now. He left yesterday. A friend of his from Florida is in the Army Reserves, and finally got a job position for recruiting. But, he has been stationed in Indiana. So, he just drove in yesterday from Florida, and his stuff is being shipped by the Army for him. Mike decided to drive down there and visit him before he started his job. He is only about a four hour drive from us, which makes Mike pretty happy.

They are staying at a hotel, and today they should be apartment shopping together, looking very much like a gay couple!!!! Then they will do some furniture shopping and all that. He was living in a furnished apartment in Florida, so he is going to need everything. Mike is looking forward to helping him out with getting settled. I hope they find a place this weekend, so he doesn't have to live out of a hotel for very long.

Now is a good time for Mike to be there, before college starts. Once we begin, there won't be time to visit anyone until Christmas break, at least. And then things will be busy for Christmas, so who knows what we'll be doing for fun?!?!

Summer School

Well, today was Jacob's first day of Summer school. He goes twice a week, Tuesday and Thursdays. He really needs to be going all week, because school gives him stability. He wakes up, and he knows it's time to get dressed and go wait for the bus. He has a regular routine at school, and when he gets home he does the same things. It keeps him going. He's been going nuts these last few weeks since school has been over. He doesn't know what to do with himself. He hasn't been sleeping well, he's been getting testy, and being mean to Nathan. He had a hard time falling asleep last night, and was very tired today. His paraeducator said that he had a nice calm day. I'm glad it went well.

Yesterday, things weren't going well for any of us. Jacob kept picking and bullying Nathan, so I kept having to discipline him and he would get upset. Nathan was upset because of the bullying. I was upset because I had two upset boys, and I was in alot of pain. Finally, we all lost it. All three of us. We sat on Jacob's bed, and cried and cried and cried for about five minutes. Then Nathan perked up and tried being cute, while Jacob and I kept crying! I tell you though, it's hard to continue being miserable while Nathan is sticking his smiling little face in mine and giving me kisses!

Sunday the boys spent the day at my parents, while my sisters were visiting. Mike and I stayed home and cleaned the boys' room almost thoroughly! Which is why I was in so much pain yesterday. We have two big boxes of toys we are donating, and still several big boxes of toys to go through. We need to get rid of about 95% of the toys we have. They don't get played with, just stepped on. When the boys got home Sunday night, I could just tell they were thinking "Where's all our stuff?" I followed them into the bedroom and showed them where we put their toys away, and books are on the bookshelf. I tell you, it's alot easier to get them to clean up their room when it isn't so bad!

Fireworks

Mike and I weren't able to see the fireworks here in town. Mike was working, and I wasn't up to taking the boys out myself, so we skipped it. But tonight in a town about 20 minutes away are more fireworks! So, the plan is for us to take the boys there tonight, play at the McDonald's playland until its late enough, and then go watch the fireworks. This will be Nathan's first time seeing them. There were to many mosquitoes out last year to let him watch. So, this should be fun watching his reaction.