A Year in Review

How does one catch up on a year?  An entire year gone by?  

I can try with words:

College, books, full-time, studying, friends, tests, juggling, stresses, tears, grades, tests, clinicals, hospitals, patients, scrubs, physical therapy, experiences, kids, life, husband, military retirement, homeschooling, birthdays and holidays, a now 17 yr old, a 14 yr old and an 8 yr old, graduation, elation, changes, happiness, sadness, searching, finding, relaxing, reading, teaching, cooking, enjoying....  Life

And with pictures?

My study spot at school:

Graduation announcement:

Clips of me and a bestie in the class on graduation day:

My flowers on graduation night:

Oh some sweet peace:

Homeschooling books:

A weekend ladies only trip at the end of summer:

On our trip, sending a pic to my hubby:

I had been longing for this for a whole year - to relax and read whatever I wanted:

A day trip with the kiddos to the beach:

Me these days:

It has been a full year. 

Summer Happenings

Here in Southerly Louisiana, it is surely summertime.  Sweltering heat is already upon us.  And it only gets hotter from here...  Hubby turned on the news this morning as he was getting ready for work, and I hear they are already discussing the latest hurricane (thank God no where around here) and a "disturbance" in the Gulf.  I'm so not ready for Hurricane Season, but none the less - it's here!

Here on the home front - we are surely in a summer pattern.  Kids stay up late, and sleep in late.  Which generally works good for me - since I get hours alone in the mornings.  Which I dearly need to survive.  Or at least to flourish :-)  Now, of course, I too could sleep in late - but like I said, I need this time to myself.

I am taking  one last class this summer...before....nursing school begins in August.  Yes, I say (write) that in the most ominous way...

So far, it's actually been really interesting.  But once again, I am finding it hard to get back into the swing of studying after almost a month break.  I so love my breaks...  But boy is it hard to get back in the groove.

In other news:

We have flown a kite:

We have been to the zoo, the park, swimming, the beach...

We have even gotten season passes with a friend and her kids to a water park in Mississippi.  Fun, fun.  Except... Jalyn and her friend run around to all the water slides...  My friend goes with her son on many of the water slides...  And Joshua plays in this giant kiddie area with water slides and all kinds of activities.  While I sit and bake in the sun.  Now, with my fair skin/eyes/hair, I think I should get a bit of a tan.  Especially when my friend lays next to me, getting more bronze by the moment.

But, I should know better.  The only thing getting more bronze on me is my freckles!

However, my poor legs (the one area I didn't apply sunscreen) were nearly fried under the blistering sun:

For today, I think we'll do some indoor activities!

A Break at Last

I took my last final for the summer yesterday!  It was hard, and stressful.  This whole summer has been - with a calculus class on my schedule.  But praise God - it's over!  I also made an A as my final grade. 

Now, I am officially done with all maths, englishs', electives, psychology, and biology.  Now, the fall semester begins in 2 1/2 weeks (not nearly long enough of a rest for me!).  The fall brings Anatomy and Physiology.  Lecture and Lab.  Hard, hard and harder.  That's all I hear about that class.  Each step of this journey seems daunting.  I will up to my eyeballs in nerves, muscles, cells, bones and God knows what else!  I am also signed up for Medical Terminology, I don't need that class, but am told it will greatly help me in future classes.  Keep thinking perhaps I should drop it though - not sure I should add another class on top of A&P.  Will have to think about that one!

But, for now, I shall much enjoy my break.  Aaahhh...  No equations to practice and study, no music appreciation discussion questions.... I can just read my books in peace - the ones I want to read.  And enjoy what little is left to the summer. 

A couple of weeks ago, I took the kids on the spur of the moment - to a beach in Mississippi. 

It was a beautiful day!

Wonderful just to get those feet in the sand!

Joshua drew me a picture in the sand - it was me and him. 

And love.

(Unfortunately, it was SO bright, I couldn't see enough to capture my head!)

But the figure of him is too cute, and of course the heart  : )

An End in Sight

This semester is coming to an end.  Finals are during the last week of April and the first week of May.  Each class pose their challenges.

Here is how I spent a day this past weekend - studying for a quiz in Algebra on Monday and a BIG test in there on Wednesday.  Kinda nice, but I will forever have sand in those books!

Algebra is practice, practice, practice.  I have somehow (by the grace of God) been able to make straight A's in this class - despite it being what I thought was my hardest subject. 

Biology Lab is going great.  We dissect a rat tonight (not great).  Have an A average in here so far.

Biology Lecture is my worse class!  It is so hard, I can't even express it.  It is a TON of reading, and a "Here is your test on 3 chapters at a time, and good luck"- kind of class.  I can't wait for it to be over, and pray I pass the final exam.  I have made B's and a C in this class.  I will be eternally grateful to make a B as my final grade.

Social Ethics has been a challenge.  It is a class where you debate lots of hot topics.  Well, since I do not like debating, confrontation, dealing with highly opinionated people, or "fighting back" (which you need to do in order to get a good grade), I don't know why I chose this class!  I have had a few slight "fueds" in here - one this week.  Freedom of speech is no longer free and surely not welcome if you say anything that doesn't agree with the current wave of thinking.  If you are conservative in thinking - they want to eat you alive.  It makes me sad, and upsets me.  I need to breathe deeply and relax everytime I go on our discussion board!

But, it is coming to an end (thankfully).  I will get a break from the first week of May till the first week of June - not long enough for me by any means. 

Summer begins my last & FOREVER FINAL Algebra class.  Actually is Pre-Calculus.  Joy.  I have been scared by people who tell me how they made straight A's until they got to that class.  Other comments go like this, "Are you serious?  You are taking that class during the summer?  (When the speed is twice as fast)  You are crazy!"  Oh, gee...  thanks for the vote of confidence.....  The good thing is that I have a group of friends who have been in these Algebra classes with me from the beginning - and we are going straight through - to finish the race of math - to finally cross that finish line and be DONE!  So, at least I won't be alone!

Look forward to many more days on the beach - with any book I choose - one to read for sheer enlightenment and pleasure - not for study.

February - At the Beach

Yes, it was cold.  But oh, so beautiful.

They couldn't wait...

Jacob and his friend Canyon - braving the freezing water to run to this "island".

Boys..

Had to make it to this one too.

Their feet were numb when they finally ran back to the sand!

A perfect way to spend a weekend outing.