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Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Whirlwinds and tornadoes
So much has happened and I kept thinking I wanted to blog it all but I kept running out of time.
So school started January and I managed to get my acceptance and financial aid finished in the nick of time (3 days into the semester and only 4 hours before registration was shut down until summer semester, how's that for procrastinating?) It was an AMAZING semester. I had some great classes, educational insight, the revelation that I do in fact want to be a teacher and the equally important revelation that I will be very good at it. I finished this semester having still worked about 20 hours a week as a transcriptionist, attending 3 in person classes and 3 online classes, still taking care of 3.5 children and managed to pull a 3.75 GPA out of it. I'm very proud of my accomplishment even though I'm still recovering from the shock of how overwhelming it was. I sure hate the outrageous tuition cost but I'm very glad of my choice to attend ASU. It really is a great school.
I am still working as a transcriptionist though and I'm not sure how much longer I can. I might cut back in the fall. I should probably quit but I can't see myself giving it up completely. Yes it overwhelms me a lot of the time but I do like my job. If we can manage, I was thinking I might work just enough to maybe take on a small car payment and upgrade the ugly minivan (which I guess is also news, no more giant Ford Expedition).
I sold the Expedition mostly because I couldn't stomach the awful miles per gallon. I was only getting around 8 or 9 and I get close to 20 in the minivan. Still not great but much better. I managed to buy the ugly van for what I sold the falling apart expedition for so it was a wash and it's easier to drive, so overall still glad I did it.
Jim's job was getting increasingly stressful for him and not making him happy anymore which isn't always the most important factor when providing for your family but honestly, I was sick of seeing him unhappy so...well....he hopped a plane to Alaska a few weeks ago to try his hand temporarily at fishing. I think he doesn't regret it (yet) but we're still trying to get a paycheck out of it so hopefully that comes soon. I miss him terribly but I'm also enjoying seeing him try his hand at new things and get an adventure out of it.
I did pretty well for the first couple weeks with him gone but this last week was a hard one, can't lie about that I guess. The girls are increasingly agitated and fight worse than they ever have before. I think that's why I decided to blog today. I'm feeling the need to vent or just put my feelings in writing I guess. I don't want to resort to spanking and Jim recommended some scripture searching which is a good idea and sometimes I think I need to be reminded that I can find the answers I need if I just look in the right places. Going to work on a new parenting strategy this week and figure out how to best handle it. I know my sister and I fought terribly as kids and I'm sure this is some cyclic payback for what we put my mother through. I know they will eventually figure out how to love each other but in the meantime, I need to figure out how to not beat their butts (which I haven't done yet, so it's a preemptive strike).
Ainsley just finished the 3rd grade with awesome grades. Not only does she look just like me but apparently her brain is a lot like mine too. She loves getting good grades, she has a crazy good memory, is a good test taker (her best week of school this year was AIMS week, seriously kid?), and she even got to be tested by the gifted program at her school. Not sure if they're putting her in it but she had fun taking the tests anyway.
Caelan just had kindergarten graduation and I really am not a sentimental kind of girl but I have to admit I got a little weepy watching it. My mom says it's because I'm getting close to my last little one and that's probably true. She was darling, sang her little songs and had a great time. She had a great teacher and a great first year of school.
I also moved the girls to a new school. I'm hoping it's the last time. We have definitely fallen in love with Tempe and I'm tired of the moving around. I love their new school and it eradicated some problems we were having at the other one, which if I had paid more attention upon moving here, I never would have put them there in the first place. I'm sure the school is fine but I think it just wasn't a good fit for me or for my girls. They're happy where they are and Ainsley will be able to start playing her violin at school. Gonna have to get a bigger size for her!
Quinn...what can I say about my little monster. She is an amazing child and I truly understand now why she came to us when she did. The first year of her life was the worst year that Jim and I have ever faced. It was a nightmare that was only tolerated because of a very special spirit that Heavenly Father sent to us at a time when he knew we would need her. She is the happiest, spunkiest, craziest, strangest child I have ever spent time with and I'm very grateful for her at the moment (probably in part because she's not old enough to fight with her sisters yet).
I've also come to a realization this week. I don't like that I don't take pictures of them anymore so I'm going to attempt to be better at that, especially while Jim is gone because I don't want him to come back and be shocked that they've changed too much and maybe pictures will help.
So school started January and I managed to get my acceptance and financial aid finished in the nick of time (3 days into the semester and only 4 hours before registration was shut down until summer semester, how's that for procrastinating?) It was an AMAZING semester. I had some great classes, educational insight, the revelation that I do in fact want to be a teacher and the equally important revelation that I will be very good at it. I finished this semester having still worked about 20 hours a week as a transcriptionist, attending 3 in person classes and 3 online classes, still taking care of 3.5 children and managed to pull a 3.75 GPA out of it. I'm very proud of my accomplishment even though I'm still recovering from the shock of how overwhelming it was. I sure hate the outrageous tuition cost but I'm very glad of my choice to attend ASU. It really is a great school.
I am still working as a transcriptionist though and I'm not sure how much longer I can. I might cut back in the fall. I should probably quit but I can't see myself giving it up completely. Yes it overwhelms me a lot of the time but I do like my job. If we can manage, I was thinking I might work just enough to maybe take on a small car payment and upgrade the ugly minivan (which I guess is also news, no more giant Ford Expedition).
I sold the Expedition mostly because I couldn't stomach the awful miles per gallon. I was only getting around 8 or 9 and I get close to 20 in the minivan. Still not great but much better. I managed to buy the ugly van for what I sold the falling apart expedition for so it was a wash and it's easier to drive, so overall still glad I did it.
Jim's job was getting increasingly stressful for him and not making him happy anymore which isn't always the most important factor when providing for your family but honestly, I was sick of seeing him unhappy so...well....he hopped a plane to Alaska a few weeks ago to try his hand temporarily at fishing. I think he doesn't regret it (yet) but we're still trying to get a paycheck out of it so hopefully that comes soon. I miss him terribly but I'm also enjoying seeing him try his hand at new things and get an adventure out of it.
I did pretty well for the first couple weeks with him gone but this last week was a hard one, can't lie about that I guess. The girls are increasingly agitated and fight worse than they ever have before. I think that's why I decided to blog today. I'm feeling the need to vent or just put my feelings in writing I guess. I don't want to resort to spanking and Jim recommended some scripture searching which is a good idea and sometimes I think I need to be reminded that I can find the answers I need if I just look in the right places. Going to work on a new parenting strategy this week and figure out how to best handle it. I know my sister and I fought terribly as kids and I'm sure this is some cyclic payback for what we put my mother through. I know they will eventually figure out how to love each other but in the meantime, I need to figure out how to not beat their butts (which I haven't done yet, so it's a preemptive strike).
Ainsley just finished the 3rd grade with awesome grades. Not only does she look just like me but apparently her brain is a lot like mine too. She loves getting good grades, she has a crazy good memory, is a good test taker (her best week of school this year was AIMS week, seriously kid?), and she even got to be tested by the gifted program at her school. Not sure if they're putting her in it but she had fun taking the tests anyway.
Caelan just had kindergarten graduation and I really am not a sentimental kind of girl but I have to admit I got a little weepy watching it. My mom says it's because I'm getting close to my last little one and that's probably true. She was darling, sang her little songs and had a great time. She had a great teacher and a great first year of school.
I also moved the girls to a new school. I'm hoping it's the last time. We have definitely fallen in love with Tempe and I'm tired of the moving around. I love their new school and it eradicated some problems we were having at the other one, which if I had paid more attention upon moving here, I never would have put them there in the first place. I'm sure the school is fine but I think it just wasn't a good fit for me or for my girls. They're happy where they are and Ainsley will be able to start playing her violin at school. Gonna have to get a bigger size for her!
Quinn...what can I say about my little monster. She is an amazing child and I truly understand now why she came to us when she did. The first year of her life was the worst year that Jim and I have ever faced. It was a nightmare that was only tolerated because of a very special spirit that Heavenly Father sent to us at a time when he knew we would need her. She is the happiest, spunkiest, craziest, strangest child I have ever spent time with and I'm very grateful for her at the moment (probably in part because she's not old enough to fight with her sisters yet).
I've also come to a realization this week. I don't like that I don't take pictures of them anymore so I'm going to attempt to be better at that, especially while Jim is gone because I don't want him to come back and be shocked that they've changed too much and maybe pictures will help.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Beginnings and Endings
Been a rough few days for me and for a lot of reasons I think.
Quinn had her first birthday and it was, as expected, a bittersweet realization. My tiny little baby isn't so tiny anymore. She growing and exploring and my days of cuddling my own little infant are done. Thankfully, she still likes to cuddle, but it's different now.
We also had our ward Christmas party last night and I kind of lost it in the middle, I'm ashamed to say. All these emotions came flooding in, remembering last year's party, remembering friends, Maricopa, what life was like a year ago, what I pictured my year was going to be like with Quinn and all the other expectations that come with reflections at the end of a year.
We really do have a great ward here but I'm still mourning the loss of what things used to be like I suppose.
Today was slightly better and I just have to constantly remind myself that everything happens for a reason and our trials in life are given to us not only because our Father in Heaven knows we can handle them but because there are lessons we must learn.
Relief Society today was on The Final Judgment and we will be judged on our actions and what is in our heart and I found it comforting to know that despite all the hurt that we've gone through this year, that our Heavenly Father knows our hearts and knows how hard we have tried despite falling short along the way.
A new year means a chance to make new goals, make new friends, go back to school, watch my baby start to walk, my 5 year old start to read, and my 8 year old learn to sew and I am determined to find the most joy in those things that I possibly can and to have the patience it takes to help these beautiful spirits conquer these small but important steps on their way to bigger and better things.
Quinn had her first birthday and it was, as expected, a bittersweet realization. My tiny little baby isn't so tiny anymore. She growing and exploring and my days of cuddling my own little infant are done. Thankfully, she still likes to cuddle, but it's different now.
We also had our ward Christmas party last night and I kind of lost it in the middle, I'm ashamed to say. All these emotions came flooding in, remembering last year's party, remembering friends, Maricopa, what life was like a year ago, what I pictured my year was going to be like with Quinn and all the other expectations that come with reflections at the end of a year.
We really do have a great ward here but I'm still mourning the loss of what things used to be like I suppose.
Today was slightly better and I just have to constantly remind myself that everything happens for a reason and our trials in life are given to us not only because our Father in Heaven knows we can handle them but because there are lessons we must learn.
Relief Society today was on The Final Judgment and we will be judged on our actions and what is in our heart and I found it comforting to know that despite all the hurt that we've gone through this year, that our Heavenly Father knows our hearts and knows how hard we have tried despite falling short along the way.
A new year means a chance to make new goals, make new friends, go back to school, watch my baby start to walk, my 5 year old start to read, and my 8 year old learn to sew and I am determined to find the most joy in those things that I possibly can and to have the patience it takes to help these beautiful spirits conquer these small but important steps on their way to bigger and better things.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Tears
Actual tears. I'm crying about weaning a baby. Stupid. I'm not ready. I think my body is though. I'm taking 9 fenugreek pills a day just to be able to nurse her twice a day? She's 11 months and I should be proud of that accomplishment but sometimes this little part of me stamps her foot down and pouts and wants to scream "WHY CAN'T ANYTHING GO THE WAY I WANT IT TO GO!"
That doesn't mean that everything that happens is bad, it just means sometimes I want things to go the way I WANT them to go! I wanted to make it to two years (yes, I'm sure some of you will be thinking gross, I don't care, breastfeeding is good.)
On a bright note, I finished project #2. Headband made out of the sleeve of a t-shirt and some knit fabric scraps.
That doesn't mean that everything that happens is bad, it just means sometimes I want things to go the way I WANT them to go! I wanted to make it to two years (yes, I'm sure some of you will be thinking gross, I don't care, breastfeeding is good.)
On a bright note, I finished project #2. Headband made out of the sleeve of a t-shirt and some knit fabric scraps.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Goal time
I've decided that I'm going to make a goal of using all of my fabric stash by Christmas. I'm banning myself from purchasing more in order to obtain this goal. The only exception will be thread, elastic, etc. NO FABRIC! I have a decent stash of quilting cottons, several yards of knits, solid and print, some chiffon's and satins and lots of lace.
Should be interesting. I would apologize in advance if you end up with a homemade Christmas gift, but I would be lying, mwahaha.
Project #1 is a quilt square for a Bai Jia Bei (100 good wishes quilt) for a dear friend hoping to adopt in the near future. Pictures will follow each project. And most will be for my girls of course.
Should be interesting. I would apologize in advance if you end up with a homemade Christmas gift, but I would be lying, mwahaha.
Project #1 is a quilt square for a Bai Jia Bei (100 good wishes quilt) for a dear friend hoping to adopt in the near future. Pictures will follow each project. And most will be for my girls of course.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Priorities
Little Miss is growing just great!
At 10 months:
your child is 17.94 pounds, and that is
at the 17th percentile for weight.
She's on her hands and knees crawling now instead of the army crawl and is still getting the hang of cruising furniture. She has had a few bumps on the coffee table but nothing to dampen her spirits.
The girls are still loving their new school and our new neighborhood and ward. Ainsley's best friend across the street is unfortunately moving soon though. It's been so great having a little friend so close so she will definitely be sad when they leave.
Caelan had her first over night sleepover with Grandma Patty and held up like a champ! She was so proud of herself for staying all night long.
The new house is still coming along. I feel like I haven't had the time to get it all put together but slow and steady wins the race right?
I'm anxious for the cooler weather, even more so since the AC in my car is acting up. I figured I can put off fixing it until March as long as I can make it through the next few weeks.
The 'rents are thinking of ditching Christmas and spending the weekend at a friend's cabin instead. The big kids could ski/snowboard, kids could go sledding. I think it would be fun for sure. I think it would make a memorable holiday for all of them/us.
I feel like there's more to update but of course, it's time to work. So I'll get some pictures up real quick instead :)
At 10 months:
your child is 17.94 pounds, and that is
at the 17th percentile for weight.
She's on her hands and knees crawling now instead of the army crawl and is still getting the hang of cruising furniture. She has had a few bumps on the coffee table but nothing to dampen her spirits.
The girls are still loving their new school and our new neighborhood and ward. Ainsley's best friend across the street is unfortunately moving soon though. It's been so great having a little friend so close so she will definitely be sad when they leave.
Caelan had her first over night sleepover with Grandma Patty and held up like a champ! She was so proud of herself for staying all night long.
The new house is still coming along. I feel like I haven't had the time to get it all put together but slow and steady wins the race right?
I'm anxious for the cooler weather, even more so since the AC in my car is acting up. I figured I can put off fixing it until March as long as I can make it through the next few weeks.
The 'rents are thinking of ditching Christmas and spending the weekend at a friend's cabin instead. The big kids could ski/snowboard, kids could go sledding. I think it would be fun for sure. I think it would make a memorable holiday for all of them/us.
I feel like there's more to update but of course, it's time to work. So I'll get some pictures up real quick instead :)
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