2 years later and we're settled in our home and I'm half way through nursing school!

I can't believe I got into nursing school at Sac State last year. It has been a crazy journey so far. I have so many mixed emotions: excitement, fear, and LOTS of guilt! I will never again be the same stay-at-home mom I was before nursing school. I will miss that part of my life so much. It's all I have known for the last 19 years after all. But on to new adventures! I am hoping that this year of nursing school will be more enjoyable than last year since I will be working on OB and PEDS. School starts in September, so we'll see.

The kids are all doing great. Alysha moved home, Andrew graduated from high school, Michael just got his driving permit, Megan just moved up a level in dance and will be in pre-point this year, Zack is going into the 5th grade and is an avid reader and Zane is the snuggly-est 2nd grader ever. Kip's business is slow still, but we are hopeful that things will pick up.

Overall, I think we are doing pretty well with all the changes life has thrown at us. Next year (after I graduate) will be a very different and exciting new life for us. I think it will be great!

So, we have moved

So, we have moved.....What does that mean?

     It means more than I ever though it would. I didn't realize that staying in the same area for 16 years would mean that leaving would be that hard. I mean people move all the time. Right? And, after all, we only moved 29 miles away.

     Moving means that I have to make new friends and get out of my comfort zone. Which, of course, I have done before. But that was so much easier when I was comfortable in my surroundings. Here, I am not comfortable. I don't know my way around the surrounding streets, let alone going into town. So when I talk to someone and they say, "Oh, you know where ??? is?"
I say, "no".
They say, "you know, down the street from ???. On the corner of ??? and ???."
I have to say "no" almost every time. I will learn these things, I know. But making new friends is just as confusing. It is so much easier when you have some old friends by your side, landmarks. I have none. NO ONE knows me here. No one knows my likes or dislikes, what I'm good at or what I'm bad at. No one knows me at all. It is a very strange feeling to be a stranger to everyone.

    Moving means I appreciate the little things. Their names are Alysha, Andrew, Michael, Megan, Zachary, and Zane. Everything is different for them too. For Alysha, she did not move with us, so she is getting her first taste of grown up freedom and responsibility. I miss her every day. That has been the hardest for me. The other kids have been forced to be friends with each other. That has been fantastic to watch. I have seen Andrew teach the little ones to play baseball or a new game and really spend time with them. I have seen Megan become a little mother to Zack and Zane and take care of them like only she can. And Michael and Andrew have been forced to spend more time together and become better friends. (I have also seen more arguing than ever before!) But overall, I think their relationships have gotten better. And they all miss Alysha and appreciate her even more when she comes to visit.

     Moving means my sweet husband has so much more to do. He has to drive further to work and so he gets home later. And when he gets home from work the "honey do" list is waiting. He is a good sport about it all and still manages to spend time with the kids, tuck them in at night, and take me out every week. (Yeah, I know I'm lucky!!)

     Moving also means the things I expected. Peaceful country mornings with only the sounds of wild birds, roosters, and our peacock Kevin (named after the bird from Disney's UP). Kids riding quads around the property all day making dust and getting sunburned. Helping them fish and catch pollywogs in the pond. Watching them shoot a bow and arrow into hay bales. Picking fruit from our trees and planning a garden for next year. Sitting on the porch in the evening watching the kids play tag and hide and go seek in the dark. This is what I expected and it is even better than I predicted.

     So, essentially,moving means our world has turned upside down for a while. I don't like being upside down, it gives me a headache. I look forward to feeling right side up again.

March

March means two birthdays in our family. This year Andrew turned 16 (on the 30th) and Alysha turned 18 (ont the 31st). Two very big birthdays!! I cannot believe that they are both so old. It makes me very glad that I still have little ones. Since Zane only just turned 5 in February I still have a while left for hugs and stories and other mommy things.
School is coming along slowly. This fall will mark my last semester in community college, though I am graduating this spring with an Associate degree in general sciences. I finally feel as if I am making some progress. I am anxiously awaiting the results of my nursing application into ARC's nursing program but and I am applying to Sac State's BSN program this fall.
We are looking forward to our move this summer and are nervous but excited about making new friends. I am planning my decorating ideas and keep searching for cute new things for our new home.
So many things to look forward to with Alysha graduating, I am graduating and we are moving hopefully wonderful things are in store for our family with these new adventures.

I can remember my husbands aunt say "Nothing tastes better than thin feels" I am starting to think she is right. I have now lost 30 pounds and feel great!!! I am content to "taste" things that sound good but rarely EAT them! I am proud to say I bought a pair of size 6 jeans today. I am proud of me!

Disneyland

Okay, so Disneyland is so fantastic!!! We had such a great time and I think the older kids (Alysha and Andrew) really liked that they could be on their own a bit and do what they wanted instead of hanging out with the younger ones the whole time. They spent the first three days doing their own thing mostly, with my brothers. The last two days they chose to spend with us and we really had fun with them. It was nice to get away and have a fun vacation. Zane turned 3 while we were there. He wouldn't wear the birthday button so no one said Happy Birthday, but it was still a fun day!!I can't wait to go back again.

Going Back to School

Okay, so I've been taking classes at ARC to work towards nursing school. I really wish that I had finished back when I didn't have a family to worry about. Since I am starting chemistry tomorrow I am worried that I won't have enough time to study and be Mom at the same time. Kinda CRAZY!! But I love them. I guess I will do the best I can and be insanely busy for the next 4 months!

I'm so grateful that Alysha had such a great time at EFY this year. I think she really needed the time to get away and be with her friends and have fun. She was greatly missed by everyone in the family! Andrew is being a great big brother to everyone and shows me daily what a kind person he is. Michael is becoming more and more helpful and kind to his little brother Zane. He is very bright and loves to read big fat books. Megan is the princess of the house and loves the attention from her Daddy. She is so sweet to Zane and Zack and really looks out for them. Zack is so obedient and tries very hard to be good. He hates getting in trouble! He can also read, which I did not realize until I sat down to read a story to him and he could read most of it to me, WOW!! Zane is the baby and loves everyone to dote on him. And he loves the snuggles and hugs. Maybe we'll learn from Logan and potty train this month, we'll see. And Kip is the best husband in the world, what can I say, he is fantastic! Can't you see why I love my life?