Darn you, AOL!!

I just got an email from AOL telling me that they will be closing their journals for good on October 31st.  So I somehow have to figure out how to transfer all my entries to another service.  I don't even know where to start.. makes me mad.

Eh...

I'm in a funk...

I feel like lately all my decisions are wrong ones.  I'll do something and then rethink it later and can find 50 things I could/should have done differently.  I'm tired of second guessing everything I do.  I'm tired of wondering if what I say or the tone I use will come across hateful or fake or whatever.  You know?  Like I can say something like, "Hey.  How are you?" To whomever and I'll think to myself, "Did that sound "too" cheerful?  Did that come across fake?".  Does anyone else do this?  I can drive myself nuts sometimes.

There's not much going on here in "O'ville".  We are just readjusting to Kent being home.  I'm still waiting on my letter from the college to come back so I can take whatever next step I need to take.  I'm hoping all this college stuff falls into place.  Because it's going to have to work out in the right way in order for me to go through with it.  I am still having "guilty second thoughts" about going back.  I just don't want to take time away from the kids.  I know.. I know.. I will be giving them more in the end.  But sometimes it's hard to see the finish line when you are still at the starting line.  This all goes back to my previous paragraph.. it's a viscous cycle.

Without going into too many details, because well.. it's private stuff.  My family is going through a lot of decisions that we do have to look at all the pros and cons and see what is best for us.  It's hard decisions to make and I'm praying that we just do what God wants us to do and what would be in His will.  We want to do what is right for our family and what would be the best outcome.

Eh, like I said.. I'm in a funk.  I'm hoping the next entry will be on a happier note.

Something you may not know..

I am not a people person.  I don't make friends easily.. at all.  It took me several months after getting married to Kent to hold a steady conversation with his mother.  The same with his grandmother.  I can count on one hand the number of people who are close friends of mine that are outside my family.  Wait, scratch that.. I can could on 2 fingers how many friends of mine that are outside my family.  And when I say friends, I don't mean people who I talk to here and there and they know about things in my life and I know about things in their's.  I have several of those.. acquaintances I guess they could be called.  I'm talking about friends who I can talk to on the phone for hours and we can have gone weeks without seeing each other or even talking but still pick up right where we left off.  Hmm, wait.. let me rethink that... I can count on ONE finger how many friends, like that, I have.  Is that sad?  I don't know..  I have a lot of people online that I talk to about parent stuff and if given the chance I would meet up with them and I know a friendship would bloom.  But, right here, right now.. only one friend... At least she is a really good friend.  And I'm glad to have her in my life.  We've been through a lot in both of our lives.  She is a really good, one friend to have.

Campfire fun!

KENT IS HOME, KENT IS HOME, KENT IS HOME!!!!!!  Sooooo happy that he is home.  He got home around 10am (they must have been flooring it to get home so quickly).  The kids were thrilled to have daddy home (he brought "prizes.. so that just added to their glee).  I was elated to have my husband back.  It was just great all around.

This evening Kent built a fire and the kids roasted marshmallows.  They had a good time.  They were supposed to sleep in the tent, but it didn't happen.  I figured it wouldn't.  Too many "noises" and toooo dark for their liking.  So they came in and took baths and got in their own nice, warm, soft beds. 

Tomorrow is soccer.  I was told the team we are playing is the "best" team.  So if we beat them we will be doing great.  So far, we are the only undefeated team in the league.  Go Gunners!!!!

Looking forward to the weekend

I just love nap time.  All the kids sleeping.  The house is quiet and still.  I just love days like today.  The weather is beautiful and cool.  It's nice to just let the windows up and let the breeze blow in.  Makes me just feel good.  Just enjoying the day.

This morning I took the kids' clothes (that were sellable) to consignment.  It wasn't crowded at all, so I was able to get in and get out rather quickly.  I hope the clothes sell and I'm hoping to get at least a little extra money from it.  I won't be able to go to the actual consigners's sell but I'm giving my momma the pass so that she and a friend can go.  The kids have a soccer game that morning.  The rest of their clothes that I didn't have time to organize to sell or just didn't feel like going through the trouble to mark them and price them, etc are going to the thrift store bins.

I'm currently washing clothes and just trying to get the house in clean order.  With Kent coming back home tomorrow (YAY!!!) I want everything to be nice and neat.  That way we don't have to worry about chores, we can just enjoy the weekend together before he has to go back to work Monday morning.  It's supposed to be a nice weekend weather wise so we will be able to enjoy it together.

Kent plans on taking the kids camping Friday night.. in our backyard.  We are going to roast marsh mellows and drag the tent (that has been set up in Jon Kent's bedroom for over a week now.. driving me crazy) outside.  I honestly don't think they will actually sleep out there, but you never know.  It will be fun for them no matter what.  Then Saturday the kids have a soccer game at 12pm.  The kids love their games and loving playing with their teammates.  They always have a good time.  And there will be college football games to listen to and watch.  I *think Kent and I will be having an "alone" date night Saturday.. if we can get sitters (daddy??... momma??).  Sunday will be church and then my nephew's 2nd birthday party that afternoon.  So our weekend is packed with things to do, but I'm looking forward to doing all these things with my kids and hubby in tow!!  Can't wait to see him tomorrow!!!

Wordle

Tuesday Tasks

Today I cleaned out the garage, the car and put things that we don't use during fall/winter into the storage building.  The kids played outside and with the new puppy.  By the way, the puppy's named changed and is now named Dodger.  So...  Anyway, I also had to take Jon Kent to the dentist.  His front two teeth have become discolored and I was getting worried about it because it was only those two and I brush his teeth twice a day, more if I thought about it, and they were still brown looking.  So the dentist checked him out, took xrays, the works.  The dentist said that he did have some nerve damage but it was very minor and wouldn't effect the growth of the tooth or the permanent tooth.  He also said that from hitting his teeth it can cause a sort of bruising to cover the tooth and stain it.  So he just gave his teeth a good polish and they were back to looking great.. whew.  I was glad it was nothing too bad.. thankfully.  After the dentist appointment I took the car to the car wash, had it washed and then cleaned out the inside and vacuumed.  Then we came home.  The kids' soccer practice was canceled because their coach was sick.  So we just hung out outside and played and then came in for supper.  Now the kids are watching a movie and they are fixing to take a bath and we'll settled down and watch a movie or read before bed.  I'm hoping after all the youngins are asleep I'll get some more consignment stuff done.  Anyway.. that's it.. for now.  Enjoy the pictures.

Another Step Closer

I just got through filling out my application for admissions to college.  And getting my transcripts transferred.  I'm glad to have it done.  Now all I have to do is wait for my acceptance letter and then get with an advisor to map out my classes.  I also need to get with some one in financial aid.  I'll do that when I go see my advisor I guess.  I still want to do some research on some scholarships and what not.  So we'll see.  I'm pretty mixed with my emotions about the whole thing.  I'm excited, nervous, scared, worried, sad, upset, disappointed.. just a lot of different things.  I so wish I would have done this BEFORE having kids.  Well, I did.. but just not this.  Oh well.. it is what it is.

                                                  *~*~*~*~*~*~*

My in-laws who live next door, got a puppy.  It's a yellow lab.  He is really sweet and is already fixed.  He isn't a jumpy dog nor does he really seem to chew on things.  He is probably around 6-9 months old.  Someone dropped him off at another lady's house and she couldn't keep him so Kent's sister asked if she could have it and Kent's parents said yes.  The kids like him.  Zoey is still a bit scared of him but she is warming up to him.  Jon Kent just loves him.  He loves throwing sticks for the dog (whose name is Jake.. we think.. it keeps changing) and chasing him around.  I think it will be good for the kids.  He's really sweet and good with the kids, so hopefully they will enjoy each other.

Squash

We are still working on our "orange and yellow foods".  He did well.  He is getting the hang of eating.  I hope to start giving him one or two feedings a day everyday from now on.  Once we are done with squash we will do carrots.

Is it stuffy in here.. or is it just me?

Anyone's toes hurting?  I must have stepped on a few with that last entry...  You can always tell when you've touched a nerved because of lack of comments or emails (minus Mary who reads me regardless <wink>).  Anywho...

The kids and I are actually getting into a routine despite Kent not being here.  We just go through our day to day and at night I've gotten down bath time to a science.  I can still tell the kids know something is different because at night Jon Kent's normal anxieties about the dark and such have escalated a bit since his daddy's been away.  I'm hoping he doesn't make a habit out of his new "routines" because it's a pain to break any of his habits.

Nathan is still cranky during the night.  He is still waking up at least 3 times.  Makes for tiring mornings.  I still don't know if it's his teeth or his ears.  He isn't as congested as he has been, so coughing isn't keeping him up like it had been.  He does occasionally cough but not enough to wake him up.  He was cough so hard during the night that he would start gagging and ended up making himself throw-up.  Fun.  He's had this same cold for almost 3 weeks now.  I'm glad to see it's starting to come to an end.

Tomorrow is the kids' (older's) second soccer game.  It should be fun.  They have been practicing a lot of different things at practice, so we'll see if they have learned anything.  Jon Kent and Zoey are still content to just following everyone else while the other players kick the ball.  Eh, they'll learn.  Plus, they are the youngest (Zoey is the only 2 year old) in the league.

Well, that does it for me.. for now.  I'm being summoned to make lunch.  "Maaaaamaaaaa, I'm hunnnnngryyyyyyy!!!".  You would think I never fed the boy.

More politics.. don't like it.. don't read it.

I got this email..  *If it's true.. and we'll see if it is..  Then Obama is a liar and will do whatever it takes to win, no matter if he has to throw this whole country under the bus...  Which if he wins, he'll be doing...

On or about October 5th, Biden will excuse himself from the ticket, citing health problems,
and he will be replaced by Hillary. This is timed to occur after the VP debate on 10/2.


there have been talks all weekend about how to proceed with this info. generally, the feeling
is that we should all go ahead and get it out there to as many blog sites and personal email
lists as is possible. i have already seen a few short blurbs about this - the "health problem"
cited in those articles was aneurysm. probably many of you have heard the same rumblings.
however, at this point, with this inside info from the DNC, it looks like this obama strategy will be a go. therefore, it seems that the best strategy is to get out in front of this obama maneuver, spell it out in detail, and thereby expose it for the grand manipulation that it is.


so, let's start mixing this one up and cut the obamites off at the pass - send this info out to as many people as you can - post about it on websites and blogs - etc etc


if you have any thoughts or questions about this, please be in touch.


lastly, i have put an excerpt from Rudy's speech at the RNC below - it seems to address this
very issue!!


yours in the fight,

excerpt from R.Giuliani's speech at the 2008 RNC:
Well, I'll tell you, if I were Joe Biden, I'd want to get that V.P. thing in writing."

Now, whether any of this is true is yet to be seen.  But *IF* it is.. it shows the true colors of Obama..  That's all I'm sayin'.

I got a little laugh.. 5 years

Tomorrow will be 5 years of me journaling in this journal.  I did the "blog" thing before it was "in style".  Anywho.. I was reading some of my old stuff and I'm almost embarrassed.  You can see my.. umm.. lack of maturity in my writing.  I've come a long way in 5 years.  I'll probably say the same thing in another 5 years.. lol.  Anyway, one of the things I was reading was this...

Friday, October 31, 2003
3:21:00 AM CST
Feeling Hopeful
Hearing To tell the truth....its 3 in the morning...nothing is on! Edit Entry  Delete Entry

Five years from now...

 

Five years from now....where do I see myself?  What will I be?  Where will I be?  I have many questions of where my life will be in 5 years.  Here are some of my goals that I wouldn't mind achieving by then.  I would like to be in a different home.  Hopefully one with 3 or more bedrooms and 2 baths.  I hope to have atleast one child if not two.  I hope that I have taken some classes in photography and have been doing some odd little photography jobs.  I hope that my "bracelet" business has expanded into something really great.  Maybe a bead store or maybe a custom jewlery shop, where I can custom make bracelets or necklaces or whatever.  I hope that Kent has moved up into his career, hopefully where he has an office job and some normal hours.  So far, these are all my goals.  It will be interesting to see what happens!

So let's see..  I am in a different home.  It is 3 bedroom and 2 bath.  We don't just have one child or even two.. but THREE (totally didn't see that 5 years ago.. that's for sure!!!)  No classes for photography but I am gearing up to return to school.  My bracelet "business" just wasn't.. umm... lucrative enough, so no to all that.  Kent has moved up in his career but not to the office job.. yet.  He's working on it though.

So, it was interesting to see what my goals where then and where I'm at now.  So.. 5 years from now what do I see...

I plan to be done with school and working.  My kids will all be in school so I'm hoping they are active in their activities and that I'm involved greatly in their school.  I hope to see Kent in an office job, working normal hours (surely it will happen in these next 5 years.. right?).  I hope we have traveled at least some.  Maybe even out of the country??  I just hope we are all healthy and happy.  Oh and in the next 5 years.. I hope to see McCain as president. ;o)

My Littlest

These are from this morning before heading to the doctor.  Look at those little blue jeans!  And those socks.  My momma bought him a ton of those socks and they look like little tennis shoes.  They even have the little laces and all.  So cute.

The boys' recheck at the doctor

I took the kids to the doctor today.  Both of the boys had rechecks for their ears.  Jon Kent's ears looked great and his lungs sounded fine.  So he is all healed up.  Nathan still has a slight right red ear.  And he has a slight wheeze when he takes deep breaths.  He is on another round of a different antibiotic because the last one upset his tummy.  I have to take Nathan back October 7th for another recheck of his ears and for his 6 month check-up.

Last night Nathan slept some what better.  He woke up 3 times and was restless.  I can't wait until he gets to sleeping better, if only to wake up once.  I keep feeling his gums to see if I feel a tooth, but so far nothing.  Just a lot of slobber.  Both of the older two cut their first one right around 6 months, so we'll see.

Singlehood

Well being a single mom is the pits.  It's only day 2 and I'm tired.  Who knew Kent helped so much?  Bath time is about to kill me.  Eh.. Last night wasn't so bad.  I got all three kids bathed and in bed in about an hour.  Only problem was... my sons don't like to sleep.  Jon Kent has to sleep with his flashlight despite the fact he has 4 night lights in his room.  Nathan is teething or his ears are hurting or something.  But he was up about every 90 minutes or so through the night.  We have a doctor appointment tomorrow, so if it is his ears we'll know then. 

 I have gotten a lot done during the day.  I'm currently fall cleaning and purging stuff that we really don't need.  I took like 5 bags of "stuff" to a thrift store drop off.  Jon Kent and Zoey didn't understand the fact that I was getting rid of their toys and clothes to give to kids who don't have as much as them.  But they finally kind of got the idea.  Tonight when I went to the drop off place I put the bags into the bins (they kind of look like large trash cans) and I got back in the car.  Earlier I told the kids that I was going to drop their stuff off so that other kids could have it.  So I get back in the car and Zoey asks me, "Momma, do those kids live in those trash cans?".  I couldn't help but laugh.

Another Zoey funny:  Kent's grandparents took them to town to spoil them... and as they were in line at Wal-Mart there was this lady behind them that Zoey had chatted with.  As they were leaving the store Zoey kept looking over her shoulder seeing the same lady behind them.  Finally she turned around and said, "Hey.. are you following me!??!"  LOL.  That girl is a hoot.

Well, that's it for me.  It's my bed time.  Yall have a good one!

 

Our Family Weekend

This past weekend we made sure to have a good time as a family.  It was the last few days we would have with Kent for two weeks, so we wanted to make it special. 

Friday: We took the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese's.  They had a ball.  Jon Kent loves, loves, loves to play the games and shoot basketball.  Zoey just likes going from machine to machine putting tokens in.  She is happy as can be with a handful of tokens.  While we were there a "robot" Chuck-E-Cheese came out and did a show.  Zoey went running to see him but about 15 feet away put the brakes on and rethought her plans.  Both of the kids weren't too sure of him.  He was kind of freaky if I do say so myself.  After eating and playing we headed home.  That night I made homemade sloppy joes (none of that manwich stuff) and fries.  The kids were thrilled when we told them we were going to watch a movie while we ate.  So they got to have a "picnic" and movie.  We also baked cookies for desert.

Saturday: The kids had their first soccer game.  It was a hoot!  Jon Kent is #6 and Zoey is #4.  They play in a league of 2-6 year olds.  To make it easier and fair the rules were adjusted for them.  It's a smaller field, smaller goals and no goalie.  Only 4 kids from each team play at the same time and if you put a 2 year old in on one team, you have to put a 2 year old in on the other team, etc.  The kids had a good time.  And while the league doesn't "technically" keep score... we won 13-6.  Woohoo!  After the game we took the kids for ice cream.  Later that night we had a "family date night".  We took the kids to a local steakhouse and ate.  The kids love going there and always ask if we can go and "eat some steak".  They both love steak dipped in ranch.  So we did that and then took them to Wal-Mart to each get a toy for being so good lately.

Sunday:  We just hung out as a family for most of the day.  Kent cooked us all waffles for breakfast and the kids played video games with their daddy and built numerous creations with building blocks, etc.  It was a relaxing day to end a busy weekend.

Kent will be gone until the 26th.  This is the longest we have ever been apart.  It finally hit me today after he left and I was doing laundry that it will be 2 weeks before I see him again.  I know it will go quickly once it's done but looking at it from here, today, it seems like such a long time.  I honestly don't know how military families do it.  I guess.. they just do.  Anyway, I've got some videos of the soccer game and pictures from our weekend, so please enjoy!

RIDICULOUS!

Why in this world is gas $5-6 a gallon?  I know all about Ike and them having to shut down all these oil places, etc.  But really.. we don't know if anything will come of these storms and yet all the gas stations hiked up their prices and most in my town are even out of gas all together.  All because people are panicking.  This morning it was like $3.65 at one gas station and now they are saying before night's end it could be $6.  Ridiculous.

Random Pictures

Enjoy my "mess" of pictures.

Just Don't Forget

The media hasn't been buzzing about 9/11 this year as they have in years past.  Makes me sad to think that we are already forgetting.  I know we, as a country, have a lot going on right now with the Presidential elections and such, but we all need to take a moment.. or really several moments.. to remember what happened 7 years ago today.  We need to remember that our freedom was attacked, our country was wounded and citizens were lost.  Let us never forget how we felt at the moment we found out.  Let us never forget the images of what we show.  Let us never forget the cries of the families as they grieved in front of the whole world.  Let us never forget the pride in country that we felt as we all stood up together and helped each other through that horrid time in our history.  As we move on from this day to the next.. just don't forget.

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Jon Kent singing about his troubles

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A Jon Kent funny

Let me set the scene:
Jon Kent is playing a guitar (it's actually a play shovel) and he is singing a song that he is making up as he goes along.  He is walking all around the living room just a singing away....

Jon Kent: :::singing::::
Me: Jon Kent, what are you singing about?
Jon Kent: All my troubles.

Feeling better...

After Kent got home I was able to verbalize to him all my anxieties and worries.  He helped just by listening.  He helped by letting me sort through all my thoughts.  What I've learned today from all this: 1) I'm pretty grumpy when my mind is over loaded. 2) That I do a lot from my emotions and not so much from my head.  Which isn't so much a bad thing.. but it can make things complicated at times. 3) That despite what it feels like at that moment.. life does go on and the day does end.  So don't think it's a life and death situation because it always isn't. 

                                                    *~*~*~*

Nathan is trying his hardest to sit up on his own.  He has been semi sitting on his own for awhile.  He'll hunch over and put his hands in front of him like a puppy dog does when they are sitting.  He's been doing that for a few weeks.  But now he is starting to straighten up a bit.  Whenever he is laying down he will try his hardest to pull himself into a sitting position.  So it won't be long now.  Jon Kent was sitting alone at just shy of 6 months (5.5.05, actually) and Zoey was sitting by herself at a little over 5 months (5.6.06, lol).  So in the next few weeks he should be doing it.. How exciting!!

..can't breathe...

I do it to myself.  I know I do.  And that fact alone makes it all just sadder.  Ever have a day where you have a list that needs to get done and you get it done all the while adding to the list?  For instance.. today I had to wash clothes, clean the kitchen, clean the bathrooms and iron.  So, I did all that.  The whole time I'm doing that I'm thinking I really need to go through the kids toys.. they have so many broken toys, toys they don't use, toys they are too old for, etc.  Then I think.. well I need to go through their closets and weed out the out grown clothes.  Well.. I need to go through my own closet and weed out the old clothes, etc.  Well.. I just need to fall clean.  So off I go to make a list to start my falling cleaning.  THEN on top of all that I think, I really need to call the college and get with someone so they can tell me what courses I need to take, what tests I need to take to place me in the appropriate classes, etc.  THEN I think I need to make a list for grocery shopping.. and I need to go grocery shopping this afternoon.  THEN I think, I need to rearrange the stuff in the kitchen cabinets and pantry.. just put it on the fall cleaning list....  I'm thinking all this within seconds of each other... it's really crazy.  I HATE, HATE, HATE doing this.  HATE.IT!!!!!  I honestly feel like I'm slowing being wrapped up from my toes to my head until I can't breathe.  The sad part about all of this is the fact that once I do it all.. there will be something else to do as well.  The day of a mother never, ever ends.  Never.

So to fall cleaning.. I made my list.  I plan to slowly get it done when I can.  Since Kent will be away for 2 weeks I guess I'll do it then.  I also have consignment to do as well.  This may be the last time I do it, I just can't see doing it once I start back to school.  My plate is already full as it is.. adding school to do is just going to make it all the more full..  I'll manage.. always do.

In regards to school stuff..  I'm overwhelmed.  Just being honest.  It seems harder to go back to school than it does to just start school.  You know?  I got my transcripts from my previous school, so all I need to do now is get in touch with an advisor with the school and see what I need to do.  I was told actually getting into the nursing program can be quite hard.  Because there are so many applicants but not enough teachers, so they can only take X-amount of students.  And for the RN program you can only apply once a year.  I hope when I do apply that I will be accepted.  That would make it a lot easier because I can just get it started.  Once I'm started I know it will flow a lot easier.. but right now I just feel like I'm treading water.  Ah well.. enough of my griping.

Happy 5 Months!

Today Nathan is 5 months old.  With each day that passes he just seems to learn and grow more quickly.  He is rolling like a mad fool these days.  He is the first of my kids to roll like he does.  He wants to get somewhere.. he just rolls there.  It's pretty funny.  Now, if he would just start sleeping through the night.. or hey.. just waking up once.  I'd take that.. oh well.. it'll happen.  Happy FIVE months to my sweet littlest man!

Rambling.. on and on and on..

Some days I'll be busy doing something or another and Jon Kent will walk by and it will all of a sudden hit me.. "When did he grow up?"  I swear it seems like he should still be little and talking like a baby.  But there he is, playing like a big boy, talking like a big boy.  We have conversations that actually make sense.. at times.  I don't know when it happened, but it did.  He grew up on me.  And to think that this is just the beginning.  That he will continue (if we are so blessed) to grow and learn.  I guess since he's my first it just seems so unreal.  By the time Zoey gets to a new stage, we have been through it already with Jon Kent so with her it seems like she should be doing those things.  Although I was looking at a picture of Zoey we took at the beach and she just looked... beautiful.  Not that I don't always think that, but.. I don't know.. it was just different.  And not to forget Nathan.. he'll be 5 months old in a few days.  Today he was sitting in the highchair watching the older two play and you could see the learning in his eyes as he watched them run and play.  He didn't miss a beat of what they were doing.  It's these moments that make motherhood worth it.  All the unappreciated days just fade away in these moments of clarity, when I can look at my kids for who they are and can see, if only a glimpse, the bigger picture that God has for them and for me as their mother.  It's peaceful.

                                                           *~*~*~*

Kent is going away for two weeks (!!!) starting the 15th of this month.  He is going to a firearms instructors thingy.  They will be will training him, and others from the prison, to be instructors to teach shooting classes and such.  Two weeks, I will be tending to the herd alone.  Two weeks.  I'm really not concerned too much about it.  I'm an adult..  I just hate to the thousandth degree to be alone at night.  HATE.IT.  I'm really hoping to get over that though.  I mean it's just the dark.  Although it's not so much the dark that I don't like.. but what lurks in the dark.  You can ask Kent and he will tell you that I have a wild way of thinking.  That my imagination's wheels will start turning and I can think of 10 things/people that could be out in the woods just waiting for our lights to go out so they can storm the house and attack us all.  Crazy right?  Yeah, I know.  But still..  Anyway, he'll be gone for two weeks and we'll manage.  We always do.

Kids' School Update and Some Politics

The kids haven't been to "school" in over a week.  Some of it has to do with me, but most of it has to do with the daycare.. or at least the Mother's Day out part of it.  I didn't really like the way it was set up.  There was no real rhyme or reason to it.  They didn't do activities or have a special time for "learning" (no book reading, coloring, etc.).  They had music time, but I think it was only on Fridays.  The rest of the time two ladies sat in chairs and watched the kids play.  I would pack a snack every day for them and would tell the workers where it was in their bags.. everyday their snacks were never eaten.  So they went from 7:30am-12:30 or 1pm without eating or drinking........  The whole situation just didn't sit well with me.  It was just something in my gut that said.. "Umm, this just isn't right."  So, once the kids got sick and contagious.. lol.. we kept them out of school and while I miss having those days free to clean, grocery shopping and spend solo with Nathan, I couldn't justify spending $240 a month for them to be kept and have no "growth" from it.  So whatever.  We found out today that the school district that we are going to send the kids to has a Pre-K program for 3 year olds and 4 year olds.  I think I'm going to call them and see about getting the kids (Jon Kent and Zoey) in next year.  We were told there was a waiting list so I want to go ahead and try to get them on it sooner rather than later.

OK, this may shoo away some of my readers.. but here goes.  I'm a Republican.  Proud of it, too.  I'm not thrilled with McCain but versus the contrary, he'll do.  I like his VP nomination.  I know to some he is just going after the "Hilary" vote.  And he may be..  Smart man, I say.  And now with Sarah Palin's daughter taking spotlight it would seem he made a bad choice.  But I wouldn't agree.  I think the Palin family is doing all the right things.  They have been honest and up front about this.  They are proud of their daughter for keeping the baby (rather than killing him/her) and they have been straight forward that it will be hard for the teen parents and it will indeed be a hard road for them.  They haven't sugar coated it to them.  And at the same time they are proud to be grandparents.  Who, if they truly loved their child, wouldn't be?  In a perfect world the kids would have waited to become parents.. but this isn't a perfect world.  So the Palins are doing what any grandparents would do for their unborn grandchild.. they are supporting that child's parents by being there for them and lending a hand where a hand is needed.  I like what I see in Sarah Palin.  I think she is a strong woman who has balanced being a wife and mother with having a career.  I think she can bring a great spot light to causes for children with Down Syndrome.  She seems to have done well as a governor and I think she will do fine as a VP.  All those who wanted Hilary Clinton in the White House because "it's time for a woman to be at the White House.." well here you go.  She's a woman, she's a mother and in 4 months(ish) she'll be a grandmother too!  Covers all the bases pretty well.

*Note: If you want to leave a comment that's fine.. just know that my views are *MY* views and no comment from anyone will change them.  Thanks.

Thanks

Thanks to everyone who left comments or sent me emails encouraging me with my going back to school entries.  I really, really appreciate it and needed it.  I've been playing and replaying in my mind all the changes that will be coming and how we are going to manage them.  By the time I finish school two of my three kids will be in school themselves and Nathan will be around 2 or 3.  So, I think once I'm done I will see the benefits a lot clearer.  I still worry that I'm shorting Jon Kent, Zoey and Nathan a bit by not having me home full time, all the time.  But like someone wrote to me, they will see me doing something to better all our lives and my occupation will hopefully be bettering to other people's lives as well.  When they get older, I'm hoping the kids will look back to my own experiences and realize that college is important and go and ahead and do it.  I wish now that I would have (at least getting a degree that you want to use someday.. lol).  But like I told Kent, at 18 I didn't see nursing as a career that I would want to have or liked.  I was just too selfish at 18 to even think of caring for other people.  But now, I see the importance of caring for others.  I've been on the receiving end of that on several, several occasions and I would like to return the favor to others.  If that makes any sense at all.  I hope that my kids will look to me when they are older and can understand better and be proud of me.. despite the fact that my time will be crammed with being a wife, mommy and student.  I look forward to the new challenges and adventures but at the same time am really nervous and scared of the unknown.  I don't want to fail at this or give up.  I'm excited though.