February Check In

Tuki is home sick today so I am home too.

I figured I need to make a post to at least to acknowledge that it is February.

I actually have this weekend off from classes. For the insane reason that I always need to be focused and "get er done" mentality, I registered for 7 credits of classes this semester in addition to teaching full time, parenting full time etc., etc., That means I am gone two weekends and in March three weekends to attend classes. Will I be able to keep this pace, will our family be able to keep this pace is questionable.. If I find that it is too much I plan to take less credits each semester in the future.

The outside temp is predicted to hit around 40 degrees today and over 40 tomorrow...WOW, I DO love this winter.

There is much talk in the air among fellow gardeners about the types of plants that will grow in our gardens...

Ok I am off to attend to Tuki's needs and then off to feed and water the chickens. Later I plan to work on homework, read a little and maybe if all is well with Tuki, then take a little nap.....

Summary of my last 8 years

of the highlights in my personal life, I won't even address the changes in my professional life..

- Phase 1 remodel of the first floor of my house

- Summited Grand Teton

- Finished my first Master's degree in 1-1/2 years

- ACL Surgery on my left knee

- Phase 2 - remodel - addition of a second floor on to my house

- TMJ Surgery of my left jaw

- The start and finish of three adoption processes

- Mom to three wonderful girls all happen within a 3 - 4 year time span

-plantar faciitis in both of feet thus resulting in less exercise and a ton of weight gain

-diagnosis of hypothyroidism..more weight gain and hard to lose weight

-Biopsy and diagnosis of LCIS in my right breast-still working through the murky waters as to what I intend to do to prevent what the LCIS diagnosis may mean for the future

-Started my second Master's Degree, hope to finish in 2 years

- Started a mini farm and learned to can and preserve on my small acreage in town

I realized this yesterday as I was driving to the second day of my class and the girls were at my friend Pam's home. I was thinking of how my life feels so busy and even though I am generally really happy, I also feel exhausted, mentally that is, of all the items on my agenda on a daily basis. My mind started wandering on the drive, and I saw clearly the last 8 years of my life....no wonder I am mentally exhausted.

I have so many goals in my life, I have never been in want of the next one, but now I feel I'd really like to find myself in a more relaxing, stress free job as I near retirement age...which for me won't probably hit until I am about 67 years old...that is 19 years away....I need to slow it down, maybe after I am hired for a principal job, maybe....

The report cards are in for all three girls, in summary

Mim is doing great but still at a 1st grade comprehension reading level due to her ESL, she excels in math earning an A without any accommodations. The classes with a lot of language seem to cause her the most trouble but she is still able to earn B's in them with some accommodations.

Ve is improving, but the teacher notes as I do that she wastes times before she gets going on her work, and puts in the minimal effort and won't do any work at home or school beyond what she is directly told to do.

Tuki is excelling, those are the words the teachers use to describe her behavior and effort, advanced to excellent. She pushes herself constantly, but I always knew she had this trait since forever.....She doesn't allow her teachers to view her stubborn side, as she saves it for home..lucky us!! :)

Not much to post

we are busy with school

busy with my classes starting again

found out this Sunday that my church is sending a mission's team to Haiti in May...yeah I have been praying and speaking to others about this at church for a while

we now have snow but the temps have been relatively mild considering that it is winter

that is all

AWESOME!!!!

We are back in school

the weather is AWESOME!!!! As I always thought, cold weather really wears and tears on a person's emotional state ....it is already staying light longer at night!!!

I am at peace

Chickens are picking up in their rate of laying again....more egg sales!!

I have been able to increase my morning workout from 55 minutes to 7o minutes since I no longer have early morning hall duty...ie I can arrive 20 minutes later yet still way earlier than I need to
(it is a thing with me, I need to arrive early for work..call it a sickness)

I am starting the energy unit (funded by the grant last year) with my advanced class...way excited to see how it turns out!!

Girls are settling in with the routine

Mim DOES NOT have any athletic practice for nearly 3 months (a consequence), so soooooo much less running on the week nights, and Saturdays are WIDE open except for admin classes, but they won't be starting for a few more weeks

Ve's family Birthday Party

nervous Ve since we all are watching her and singing to her

blowing out the candles

Ve's getting birthday spanks from Uncle W and cousin L....don't worry they were spoofing

Opening her last birthday present

pretty clothes...she sure received her share this Christmas and birthday season

New Years

and I am already feeling calmer....
is it the relaxing, fun and entertaining 11 days we just had off,
is it the anticipation of a year that just has to be better than last year
is it knowing that I am taking charge and slowly advancing my future employment
is it that Mim has been AWESOME this whole break and ever since we had a heart to heart talk and me putting down a major consequence that will stay in place until I see an attitude change
or is it that my attitude is taking a swing upward toward the Pollyanna stance once again

I don't know for sure but I am sure hopeful, and I am wishing others this hopeful good feeling as well.

The End (I hope) of the Beginning

This is what I posted one year ago;

Tonight, today is the end of the old and tomorrow is the beginning of the new. 2010 was a grand year in many respects and a devastating year in others YET, I am looking forward to what 2011 has in store for us as a family and as individuals.....so without further ado...

This is how I started my Holiday letter in December for 2011:

I hope this letter finds you happy, healthy and full of wisdom!! For me, 2011, will go down as a year of extremes. It has been a busy year, a hectic year, a chaotic year, a crazy year, a stressful year, and one that many times left me wondering if the sun will truly come out tomorrow. :)
Needless to say I look forward to 2012!!!

And that pretty much sums up my thoughts...so again without further ado...

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO EVERYONE!!! and here's hoping for a better year in 2012 (at least for me)