Hello routine...

I am still working on my self study questions. TC on the other hand hasn't started yet. Very frustrating! Especially when I would like us to have these done by the time I start school again in a few weeks.

JT started kindergarten today. He was so excited....and VERY mad when I picked him up. He was not happy they learned so much all day (he told me he couldn't tell me what they did today because he was very tired) AND the worst part of it (according to him) he didn't get a nap. I don't know why he thought he would nap. He didn't when he went to preschool and I told him they aren't going to be taking naps. We even had him not take his naps the past couple weeks so he could be prepared on what to expect. I guess either way he was shocked. He said he didn't want to go back. He did learn to read a small little book (nothing major, it had a picture of a boy reading and he read 'I read' and another boy eating and he read 'I eat'). He was excited about that.

He is also excited for his glasses. He keeps asking when we can go get them. I hope we can pick them up tomorrow and he can have them for school on Wed.

Although, I do have to say even though I got to sleep in this morning and only worked 4 hours (I took JT to school and picked him up) I am exhausted. I have my registration stuff coming in for me going back to school in Sept and with the papers coming in for David's school it's a bit overwhelming trying to keep track of everything. We haven't even gotten into the full school schedule yet (handbells and choir for TC and I on Monday nights, JT will start piano lessons in a couple weeks, which means he'll need to practice every day. I'll have school every Wed night. TC and JT are going to do Pioneers through our church and all our PTC meetings and everything in between.) And adoption #2. We know God will help us get through all this but after looking at what is on my plate it's tempting to dump it to the side to see what falls off.

Hang on to your hats!

I have lots of news to share.

First news is I am going back to school. I am going be getting my B.A. in Business Management with a minor in Health care Leadership. I took 2 classes this past Spring and will start my cohort in Sept. I will say it is going to be a very long 2 years. I was studying every night and pretty much all weekend. That was tough on my and JT. Every time he saw my laptop out he asked if I was doing schoolwork. I hope and pray that when I (finally) walk across the stage he can be proud of his mom and know that if I can do it he can do anything too.

The other news is we are starting adoption #2. I am excited and petrified at the same time. We will not be going through the agency we used for JT's adoption. We had an informational meeting today and filled out the preliminary application before we left. Hopefully we'll receive the formal application next week and can get started on that. After that is completed we need to attend a few classes. The next round of classes are at the end of July. I hope we can get into those and not have to wait until Aug.

The one thing about this is, of course, the money. We had a little bit of JT's tax credit to claim on last years taxes and because of the new tax law our refund is held up. We were hoping to use that for the homestudy (since most banks and other agencies who offer loans won't issue a loan until the homestudy is complete). I'm now searching the web for anyone who can issue us a loan to get through the homestudy. Prayers will be greatly appreciated.

It's our decision

As most kids count down to the end of the school year I am counting down to when JT starts preschool the end of Aug. A little over 3 months and he'll be in school.

While buying a piano on Saturday, the salesman saw the city we live in and asked how the school district is. I said huge. It's 2 cities with LOTS of kids. He said but the area feels and looks like a small town. I agree. It does have the small farm town feel and that's why we love this area.

A coworker and I were talking about JT starting school and I mentioned how many people have mentioned how smart he is. She asked about our school district and how they should have programs for him if he is an advanced learner. I also told her the district is huge and I worry about him getting lost. Not lost in the school but lost in the system.

Our decision is this, JT (and all future kids) will be going to private school. They will be going to school at our church and God willing to the high school I graduated from (which is a school supported by our church's synod). This decision was fairly simple. TC and I both went to grade school through our church's. TC went to a public highschool and I to a private highschool. We want our children to be nurtured everyday in God's Word. I know the standards the teachers hold.

This is our decision. So why do I feel I have to defend it? Why do people turn up their noses when they hear 'Private School'. TC admitted to me his preceived idea of a private school kid. You know the Preppy dressed kid driving the BMW off to lacrosse. Wrong. When I hear of a private school kid who goes to a Christian school I think of a teenager going through the tough years with teachers who when a student approaches him/her they take out their Bible and pray. They aren't hindered by what the government says. I know the teachers hold the same values I do in how they live their lives. I know that JT will be able to know ALL his classmates. I graduated 8th grade with a class of 6. I walked along with 74 of my fellow senior classmates as we graduated in 1997. I loved going to my 10 year highschool reunion knowing everyone. TC went to his 10 year highschool reunion and had people talking to him he didn't even realize were in his class.

And again, this may not be most people's choice for their kids, but it is ours and we are happy with it.

School

In 6 months and a few days Little Man starts preschool. We went to church tonight for Ash Wednesday and there in our box, just as our pastor's wife and preschool/kindergarten teacher promised, was the application paperwork. Little Man saw the big envelope and asked what was in it. I told him the paperwork to sign him up for preschool next year. You should have heard the squeal of pure joy come from him. He is SO excited! He has been looking forward to going to school since last year when we went to the open house. (We didn't go this year as we couldn't take the time off.)

He is growing up so fast. I'm excited for him to start school. It's a little bittersweet but a happy bittersweet. He's a great little boy. Smart, sweet, funny, talkative and out right cute. I look forward to seeing how he does in school. Will he continue to be a follower or learn to be his own person? Will we be called in to talk to his teacher because he talks to much or will he be quiet and reserved when he needs to be? Will I be bawling as I watch him sing in the Christmas program? Full of pride for my Little Man and all he is doing in life. Will he work hard at his schoolwork or will we need to be on his case to get it done? Will he have problems learning or will he be ahead of the class? Or will he be smack dab in the middle? Will he have lots of friends? Any friends? Will he like piano lessons when he starts them in a few years?

Those are the questions we parents ask ourselves. It's the joy of being a parent to see those questions being answered as our children grow up. Sometimes the answers are wonderful and sometimes the answers need a little more work and a lot of patience. That is the joy of parenting. It isn't easy but the reward of the success of our children is what makes it worthwhile.

Life and all that goes with it

Wow I didn't realize it's been 3 days since I last wrote. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging after my announcement of possibly going back to school. After talking with a few friends (thank you!) I've decided to take it slow and once Daddy and I are situated (with jobs and a house) I'm going to take a Chemistry class (it's required for the RN program) and see how it goes. I am not a fan of Chemistry (who is?) and actually never had to take it in high school. So I'm very scared on how I might do. Can you see me playing with things that could possibly explode? Eep!

Daddy and I looked at an apartment yesterday, a townhouse this morning and will look at another apartment this afternoon. It's really hard to look when we don't know where his next job could be. I did hear back from one job I applied for and they hired someone else. Fine with me, I didn't really want to move to Duluth. I do hope we hear from the other jobs soon.

This economy is awful (and those who say otherwise really need to get their heads out of the sand). I heard that there are at least 50 people applying for one job. Yuck. I wonder if I have a better shot at winning the lottery...hmmm...maybe not.

We were so busy yesterday I never got my 20 minute workout in. I was going to do it tonight and again I don't think I'm going to have time. This is NOT good. I'm on week 2 and not off to a good start. I'm thinking of doing them back to back and work out Wed, Thurs, and Fri. Or maybe Wed Thurs, and Sat. Since Thursday will be the long, tough workout and I may still be sore on Friday. I'm on a mission to lose this gut of mine before summer.

Doing some thinking

I received an email from my friend, Ann, in regards to a job opening in Wisconsin. Neat! So I applied. It doesn't hurt to try, right? One of the requirements to submit an application was to fill out this long questionnaire. As I was going through it it got me thinking about some things in regards to my career field. What if I went back to school and got my degree to be an RN? I went online to my Alma mater, Anoka Ramsey Community College, and saw they have a two year option for the Registered Nurse Degree. Hmmmm....

I calculated the tuition, it's not bad but I will definitely need financial aid. If I start this summer I could be done the summer of 2011.

But these questions popped up.

Is this feasable with what Daddy and I are going through right now?

Will they consider the fact I already took 4 of the elective classes...almost 10 years ago and let me not retake them?

If so will I be able to handle taking 4 classes each semester? Online and/or at night?

How does this affect us in possibly adopting again? Are we going to have to wait until Little Man is over 5 (when I'll be done)?

Daddy's been talking about going back to school the past 5 years. Will we be able to live with us both in school? Either back to back or at the same time?

I'd love your thoughts and feedback.