4.0

I have NEVER EVER been able to say that I was a straight A student. Guess being 36 instead of 18,  responsible for the bill yourself and a role model to 3 kids makes you push a little harder. Whatever the reason, I made all A's this semseter!!! I am just a little bit excited since I was ready to quit about 6 weeks ago. Merry Christmas to me a couple of weeks early ;)

only one

thats it. thats all thats left. 1 more exam.  I have an A in both of my classes. I feel confident one will remain that way but the other, probably not. I have an 800 point cumulative final.  O well, After this week I am not going to know what to do with myself.  Thats a good thought anyway. We closed on our land last week and hubby says he's starting ASAP. I go back to school Jan 14 so he says I have 5 weeks to get it all together. No pressure. Lets just throw Christmas in there... and I have absolutely nothing to do ;) And we were invited to go on a last minute trip with some friends of ours and that kind of has me a little wound up. I want to go, but I am a planner. I don't do well getting 25 days notice, guess I have to learn to just go with it. Really, in the scheme of it all, those are minor details. Ones that I am thankful to have the chance to deal with.
My grandpa went back to the oncologist. His original cancer is the same. No bigger, no smaller. But there are 2 new tumors. One in his sinus cavity and one on his kidney. They had to put their (my cat that they inherited) to sleep this week. Its about to be more than they can take.
Little man is still having a hard time. We put him in wrestling with hopes that it will be a good outlet for him.
Speck gets his braces any day now. And some orthotics in his shoes on Thurs. He is super duper flat footed and has a lot of pain.
Sis just gets sassier by the day!
Hubby leaves for the last of his big hunting trips this week. And I work dayshift tomorrow, then I'm off til Jan 10.
Nothing too extraordinary around here.

36 days & NOT mom of the year

Yep, I'm not getting any kind of award anytime soon. I missed Sisters first field trip. Not because I didn't know about it but because I just couldn't make it with all that I have at school right now. Little man has had a hard time adjusting to the move so we planned a skip day for just us. He ended up with my mom because I had to work on school. I missed his Halloween party because I didn't know about it. Ends up my oldest one wanted to dress up and didn't  tell me till about 5:30 the night of trick or treat. I havent talked to anyone much less seen anyone since, um,  I don't know how long.  I'm pretty sure its going to be the death of me. This is one of those classes that you have to have before you can move on. A specific "order" to things I guess you could say. My issue with it, besides the fact I just cannot do it, is that its stupid. I will NEVER EVER use it again. If it had something to directly do with patient care I would understand the necessity. But its not. even. close. and to make it even better, my instructor is one of those really really book smart people without any common sense. I spent 2 hours talking to him yesterday and I am no better off than I was before. I've had 3 tutors that couldn't even begin to do it. I have finally found one that is pretty good. The problem is making our schedules fit.  I have quizzes due Fri, Sat, Sun, a 100 point test Mon and a 400 point test Thurs. I was supposed to work today but instead I am sitting in front of the computer without a clue.  And this will be my routine for the next 36 days.

not ready for this part

Nobody gets a "how to" manual with kids. There are lots and lots and lots of things parents have to learn as they go. This is a topic I am just not ready to deal with yet. But, nobody asked my opinion, so too bad for me I guess. My oldest is 11. He is a sweet, caring, friendly (but shy) kid. He doesn't like for anyone to be upset, especially with him. He will do almost anything to keep everyone happy. Unless of course it involves his brother! My issue with all this sweetness is that he is also kind of a follower. He's not quite vocal enough to always stand up for himself. I know he knows the difference between right and wrong, but when something is kind of in the "gray" area, I worry.  He hasn't ever asked to get Facebook. And thats good because I would say no. He did ask last week about Instagram. So I let him. Last night he was showing me his pics of the dogs and his sister and his whole whopping 4 followers. That was all fine, except for one of the followers and her comments. I did a little research and apparently my first impression isn't too far off. She is entirely too aggressive for my taste. There are a couple of inappropriate pictures (nothing too major) but all the same, pictures that I don't think should be on a 6th graders Instagram page. The comments that go with them are even worse. And they appear to be from older boys. One more reason I wasn't thrilled. I know this is part of growing up. And that I can't protect him from everything. All I can do is keep talking to him, and most of all keep listening to him. I just wasn't ready to do it yet.

too close for comfort

or maybe just a little quality family bonding??? depends on how you choose to look at it I guess! The big dog has adjusted fine. She still sleeps all the time. The little dog now lives in a kennel in the garage. Mean. I know. but I came home from work yesterday & she had not only eaten the rug in the living room floor but peed on it too. and climbed on top of the dining room table and eaten a very expensive flower arrangement. Little man is having a hard time too. Its just week one. We will adjust, right???

our new normal

We are through moving. I think. There is stuff stored in several different places. And as much crammed in here as we can get. Its going to be an adjustment for sure. But a house is just a house, you make it a home. And thats what it is. We are all together and happy and healthy. (except for little man's poison ivy :)
The boys went to deer camp this weekend and speck shot a deer. That makes 12 for him!
I did 2 homework assignments and took 2 tests this weekend. I have a MAJOR one on Wed. Time to get busy.

1/2 & 1/2 (only not really)

we are still "living" in the house but our stuff is at the rental. more than 1/2 is in storage. I'm already looking for things that I boxed up and can't remember where they are. O well. I think we have decided where we are going to end up...I THINK. sis is having a hard time with all of it. she is soooo super clingy and fussy all the time. The boys just think its an adventure and love it that I have let everything be so messy. Its driving me nuts but I can't do anything about it. My MIL is coming tomorrow to keep an eye on the kiddos so we can finish some stuff up. The final inspection is Monday @ 9 then we close Friday. WOW!! I really never, ever thought this day would come. I have mixed emotions. I'm not really sad but I don't handle change well. Even when the change is my idea :) I'm packing, moving, cleaning during the day & doing homework at all hours of the night. & having to do laundry at the laundry mat until my washer & dryer are delivered next week! Right now I think I'm gonna lose it, but in a month I'll look back and smile, right???