Going batty back to school

Well one of the perks of living with my parents is the wildlife we get to see! The other night a bat flew into their house and decided it would be fun to fly around for awhile. Of course I screamed and scared the poop out of Drew. Tony came to the rescue and got the bat downstairs and out of the house. I just don't like them at all ever since I was in high school and heard my cat chasing something up and down the hall. Lo and behold it was a bat that we had to trap in a little plastic trash can (this was after I crawled into my parents' room so it wouldn't get me!). The bats are fun to watch in the evening OUTSIDE but I would rather they not come in and say hi!

We are back to homeschooling. After many months of praying, we decided that this is the best option for Austin's education. His school wasn't bad, but it wasn't geared toward kids who excel. We are doing a unit study on pirates right now. Aargh! Although Austin has told me he doesn't want to BE a pirate he just wants to LEARN about pirates. It is pretty fun so far and we are starting a book soon that looks really good, about a ten year old boy who becomes a pirate and keeps a diary. It should be a lot of fun!

My nephew is turning two next week. Two years old wow! Austin teaches him stuff as part of his school, this week they are working on the color blue. We also played "Simon Says" today and Jack really got into it. He loved to copy whatever Austin did - even tried push ups! It is very cute. Drew just loves watching us play and laughs and laughs when we do something funny. I'm sure by the summer he will be ready to run around with us outside (can't wait for the warm weather!)

Bye Coach Dungy

Coach Dungy (of the Colts for anyone who doesn't know) announced his retirement today.  I can't say that I am surprised, the last few years have been a wait and see after the season ends.  But I will miss him being the Colts' coach.  He is a man of such faith and integrity.  I am proud that he coached the Colts and won the SuperBowl the right way.  Tony has read his book and I have read part of it and his story is amazing.  You really should read it if you haven't!  I just have such respect for that man and I haven't even officially met him (although I have been in the same building - just across a football field).  

He will be missed in Indy (and Fort Wayne).

   

Snow Day!

Today was a snow day for Austin.  I guess it was really slick in the roads, I didn't go out at all so who knows?   Tony went in to get Austin up this morning and he was lying there listening to his radio for delays and he said "2 hour delay!!!"  Woohoo!  So he came in bed with us for a little bit and when I couldn't take his 'I'm not going back to sleep but I will lie here and TRY to be still' any longer I said just go watch tv. Then later he burst into our room and said "Imagine schools cancelled!"  He was so excited, but maybe not as excited as my mom (teacher)!  

Since Austin didn't have school he got to watch the tree guys partially take down this tree that is growing right next to my parents house. It has bent the gutter it is that close.  He loved watching the pieces crash to the ground and see the big parts of the trunk be lowered with the rope.  He got to go outside and see a man waaaaay up high at the top of the tree before he cut off the top part. He said it was really cool but he would never do it.  Austin seems to have inherited his dad's fear of heights.  I guess he won't be my skydiving buddy!  

The only bummer about no school is when it's yucky and there isn't enough snow to have fun in.  Austin doesn't use up enough energy so he is a little crazy in the evening.  But bedtime is here and all will be well.  I wonder if he will have a delay tomorrow . . .   

Last one for 2008

Well I think this will be my last blog until NEXT year!  Seems like such a long way away . . .  : )

2008 was an interesting year to say the least.  We moved out of our house, moved up to Fort Wayne and are ending it still at my parents' house.  Did not see that one coming.  We are planning on being here until beg. of April so we can bank some income and not have to move in the snow (hopefully!)  

 

Austin is back in school and is doing great!  He loves to be around other kids I can tell, I am not as thrilled about some of the stuff he learns from those boys :)  BUT he has a great teacher and the kids are good kids.  I have fun when I volunteer on Wednesdays; inside recess = Uno time! Austin is in 3rd grade reading and math and loves math which is great.  I always wished math came easy to me but it didn't.  He has also started cub scouts and is enjoying that.

Andrew is a complete charmer.  He smiles at everyone and waves to people in restaurants.  Old ladies (and men) love him!  He is a happy baby, but let me tell you I know when he wants something NOW!!  He is a boy with his own time schedule.  It is weird to have one child that started walking on textbook baby time and one who thinks it is just faster to crawl or be held!  He takes steps now but hasn't bought into the whole "walking is better" thing.  He will do it on his own time - as long as he is grooving before his 18 month appointment, I am fine with that!  

Tony is getting ready to start his pre-reqs for PA school this semester.  Hard science classes but he likes those kind.  I may or may not start this semester, Butler is taking its sweet time getting me my transcript.  Maybe I will just start in the summer.  Then I have more time to get used to going back to school.  Hopefully in 2 1/2 or 3 years I will have all the classes finished and be an RN.  Then after Tony is finished w/school we can go on mission trips together and do medical stuff!  That is probably what I am most excited about being an RN!  

For 2009:  

• Lose weight - not be all huffy puffy for running
• More time myself and God - that has fallen by the wayside lately and I can totally tell!
• Focus on goals and don't sweat the small stuff
• Find more fun stuff to do in Fort Wayne with my boys
• Pay off the van (definitely) and possibly the car also

Late Christmas present

Drew walked today!! Took 2 steps then 6 then later 2. I am so excited!! It's what I wanted most for Christmas!

Ahhh the Spa

I went to the spa last night for four relaxing hours.  I had a pedicure, manicure and massage which I have had all before.  And I had a facial which was a first.  It was a pretty good experience.  I felt like I wanted to laugh when she put stuff on my face with what felt like a paint brush.  It tickled!  And she did that three different times.

My massage was by far the best part of the night.  I think I would get one every week if I had the time/money.  It was so relaxing and the only thing I would change would be that I could sleep right there for a few hours after it was finished.  

When I got home Austin said I smelled like flowers.  That is a nice thing to hear from my 8 year old, especially when since I know he tells it like he sees it (or in this case smells it).

Waiting for the ice/icy rain to hit, wondering if Austin will have school tomorrow.  His teacher already gave their spelling test and gave them the gift she made.  Darn me that I didn't send in his teacher's gift today!!  That's what I get for procrastinating - I have known what I wanted to get her for a long time but just finished getting it all today.  And I attempted to make a bow out of ribbon.  It kind of turned out but looks weird.  Oh well my first attempt I can't be too hard on myself.  I have always wanted to learn to make bows so my packages can be really beautiful.  I dream of wrapping packages that look like those in movies and on TV.  Of course with my boys it would only be for my benefit.  Maybe I will just practice and make pretty packages for decoration around the house next year.

Okay I went on a little tangent there.  I am hoping for at least a delay for Austin and we will see maybe no school! 

School school and more school

  In an effort to be able to make some actual money when Tony is in PA school I have decided to go back and get a nursing degree.  Since I have been out of school since 2003 (and even that was part time!) it is FREAKING ME OUT!!!   I think this next semester will be part time since I have some classes done but still a few pre-reqs to get into the nursing program so that will be good to kind of ease back in.  I want to be able to watch my nephew through the summer and then if I go full-time in the fall my sister will have enough notice to find a good place for him.

   I am also homeschooling Austin again starting after Christmas break (99% sure).  I haven't officially pulled him out yet but that's what next week is for!  So I figure he will learn more about anatomy and physiology than any other 8 year old out there!  I am still not happy with his school, I do think his teacher is a great teacher, but the way they do the curriculum is not how it was described to me when I signed him up.  He is in the highest reading group a 2nd grader is allowed to be in, but he is still bored by it.  As for math, he is kind of between 2nd and 3rd grade and there isn't a level for that.  I have been supplementing with stuff in the evenings (since he actually likes to do harder math!)  

  As Tony said the other day, we don't do easy. He is also going to be taking a few courses to fulfill pre-reqs for PA school.  We are going to be in learning mode AND kid mode AND teaching mode AND working mode.  So I'm sure I can handle all this stuff but I think I am just really nervous about going back to school.  Plus if I'm a lot older than the other students it will be very weird!  

   This craziness is the reason we moved back to Fort Wayne where there is lots of family!!