Pomp and Circumstance

For the 2011-2012 school year, Vincente and I have been participating in a neighborhood co-op preschool with three other families from our ward. When I was making the certificates for their graduation, I realized that we didn’t really have a name for the preschool, and “neighborhood/ward co-op preschool” just wasn’t going to cut it. The park where we had the graduation, as well as the subdivision we live near/in, is “Jordan Meadows” so that’s what I named the preschool. The other moms seemed cool with it, but I apologize for stepping on any toes. I made the certificates kind of last minute.

Cassie, one of the moms, had the kids for the last two weeks of preschool and so she helped them prepare a graduation program. It was really cute and really well done. There is a video of a few parts of the program at the end of this post. Please excuse the droopy lens cover. Our camera has seen better days, that’s for sure.

I have really been impressed with how much the kids have learned this year. More than the content, though, I am glad they are learning how to pay attention to a teacher, listen, and obey. And how to interact with other kids their ages. Vincente has really learned a lot in preschool, even if he still doesn’t like writing his name. We’ll be working on that part.

The kids actually came up with a lot of the program on their own – they wanted to march, so Cassie had them march while they counted to 25 (the “magic number” they are supposed to know for Kindergarten this fall); they wanted to play musical instruments, so Cassie had them make some instruments (you’ll see those in the video, too).

We all took family pictures out in the shade. The weather was perfect and Cassie made some delicious and moist cupcakes with the cutest little homemade decorations that said “Congrats Grad!”

I am so glad that we went with the co-op preschool. It really was a fantastic idea, and we’re all talking about doing it again this fall with the younger siblings! Joseline probably had almost as much fun hanging out with the kids in preschool as the big kids did.

And here are the promised videos:

Second (er, first?) Honeymoon

(sorry in advance for this super long post – but I think it will be worth it for you to read!)

Our first honeymoon was to McCall, ID where we stayed in a friend’s cabin (for freeeee) and were going to go to Brundage (see picture below) for some fun snowboarding and enjoying each other’s company.Well, unfortunately for us, December 2005 was not very snowy in Idaho, and McCall was not as much of a winter wonderland as perhaps it should have been. Therefore we elected to spend all our time staying in the cabin making yummy food and… well, you know, hanging out.

Then on our way home to spend Christmas with our families, our car broke down as we drove down the road out of McCall and we ended up spending the night in the bunk house of the cabin (another family had already took up residency in the cabin for Christmas – but they were friends of Russ, too, so it wasn’t totally awkward).

Thanks to a lot of really nice people, we ended up with our car in Boise, and us finally sleeping on my in-law’s couch at 5am Christmas morning.

Needless to say, our honeymoon was not very… honeymoon-ish.

So when Russ told me to book a flight to Puerto Rico for the second week he was going to be there for a Spanish language immersion trip, it was like a second chance for our honeymoon.

Since the hotel was paid for by Russ’ work, we only had to pay for my ticket to get down there. It wasn’t too expensive, even though we bought the tickets last minute, and I think that we might just have to take a trip to Puerto Rico again sometime. It was really fun.

We stayed in a Marriot Courtyard hotel right on the beach in Northern Puerto Rico, just outside San Juan. The entire beach was mostly hotels, and some apartment buildings (I think the building in the left side of this picture is an apartment building). The Marriot was really nice – they even had a poolside bar. I spent most of my time lounging on the beach and reading while Russ was in classes, and then in the afternoons and evenings we got to go out exploring.

Hurricane Irene made an appearance the day before my flight arrived in Puerto Rico, so our adventures were a little more… adventurous. It rained a lot because of the hurricane. Apparently the weather had been great the week before I got there, and then after the hurricane it was mostly cloudy and rainy all week long. But that didn’t stop us from having a swell time. There was also damage all over the island that was still being cleaned up. Not to mention all the power failures. I think we only saw a few working traffic lights while we were there. More often than not, the traffic was horrible (which I learned was not necessarily because of the hurricane – it was more because of how Puerto Ricans drive) and one intersection we were stuck in for a while because none of the lights were working and I think it was the intersection for people getting on and off the highway.

To keep myself entertained I took a lot of pictures of the beach and the waves. I won’t bore you by posting all of them here. Our hotel was really close to the airport, so you could always see (and hear) planes taking off right by the resort. The water was pretty cold because of the hurricane, but Russ told me it had been really warm the week before. Apparently the hurricane brought cold water with it – or churned up the colder water from the deeper parts of the ocean. Regardless, it was a lot of fun to play in the ocean. The salty water reminded me of living in Monterey and visiting the ocean there. I love the ocean, and I was really glad to visit it, even if it was cold (it wasn’t nearly as cold as the ocean in Monterey! Even “cold”)

One afternoon after class, Russ told me to meet him on the beach for a surprise. I was super excited, because I love surprises! He took me down the beach a little way to a guy at a makeshift looking booth with life jackets strung up between two palm trees. Obviously I knew what we were going to be doing as soon as I got there. Jet skis! Woo hoo!

Well, that’s what I thought until I got on the thing. It freaked me out. I was puttering along when Russ (who was sitting behind me the whole time) took hold of the accelerator and showed me how to ride that thing. I was screaming probably the whole time, “You’re going to kill us! We’re going to drown! Don’t make us crash! AAH!!!” After a little while I realized that I was indeed not going to flip over (Russ told me that it was usually the small jet skis that flip over, and that you’re actually less likely to flip over when you are going fast – not sure if that is true or if he said all that just to get me more comfortable driving like a crazy person). It worked and I ended up making some pretty crazy waves and jumpin’ ‘em like a mad woman. It was super cool, and I am glad he got me out there and got me comfortable – because that is something I would never choose to do on my own. That’s one of the things I think I like the most about being married to Russ – he gets me out of my comfort zone and shows me things that I would have never discovered without him. (disclaimer: the picture above was taken after our ride – we did indeed ride with life vests on. I promise)

We spent a lot of evenings playing in the pool with the other wives who had come out. The hot tub was really nice, and the pool was comfortable (although I spent most of my time in the hot tub – I don’t really like cold water). Russ likes to swim, but me? Not so much. I like to relax in a hot tub, and that’s about it.

Lest you think we were beach bums the whole time, we wives went on a tour of old San Juan with the guys (this was part of the language immersion program). We went to the old Spanish fortresses, and also walked around downtown old San Juan as well.

The old castle was definitely my favorite. In fact, when I first got to Puerto Rico I saw these cool looking turret things on everyone’s license plates and I told Russ, “If we have time, I would love to go there!” I also told him I wanted to go to a fresh market place and buy some mangos and avocadoes and all those other yummy things you can’t really buy in the states (especially not in the mountainous desert). While in Puerto Rico, I ate the most scrumptious mangoes (probably 4 or 5 of them in the 6 days I was there), star fruit (delish!), avocadoes (who knew, they're supposed to be bright green when they are ripe!), and don’t forget the monfongo (mashed plantain) and churrasco (grilled steak – yum yum yum). I think I ate the best I have ever eaten. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

Back to that castle. Because I am a sucker for history and museums, I really enjoyed myself. It was interesting to learn a little more about the history of Puerto Rico – how it was so important to people trying to trade in the Americas because it was really the first “civilized” place between the Eastern and Western hemispheres. After all that water it sure was a nice place to land.

We also learned that San Juan is going to be using the old water collection system that the Spaniards built at the fort. They are in the process of updating it and getting it ready for their own use. I think that’s the smartest thing I’ve ever heard of. Of course, conservation of both history and natural resources are some important things to me, so it’s neat to see a city doing both! Using their history to conserve natural resources. Smarties.

Of course, the best part of being there was getting to spend “grown-up” time with Russ. We’ve had kids since we were married (practically – Vince was born a year after we were married) and we’ve been doing to school or moving across the country with all this military stuff. It was really nice to settle down for a while, and the trip to Puerto Rico for some time away was icing on the cake. Yummy yummy icing. This is my favorite picture from the trip. We were getting kind of bored (and tired of walking around) on the San Juan tour, so we stopped to take some smooching pictures. I think this one turned out the best.

“But wait! There’s more!” Russ wasn’t done with his surprises. The last day we were in Puerto Rico, he took me on the longest drive ever (seriously, I thought the actual driving through Puerto Rico was the “surprise” part…) and we finally ended up in this backwater, run down fishing town I later realized was on the far north east tip of Puerto Rico. Still having no idea what we were going to be doing (but assuming it had to do something with kayaks because there were kayaks everywhere at this little park where we stopped) we had some yummy fish, and shark, and other yummy foods at the little fish restaurants and stands at the park.

After dinner, we had a little kayak safety training and learned that we were going to kayak through a itsy bitsy canal to a mostly land-locked bay called “Bioluminescent Bay” where these little organisms live that light up when you move them! I don’t have any pictures because it was dark, and my camera is not very good at taking pictures in the dark. Now I am thinking I probably could have done a video. The glowing organisms weren’t super bright, but I bet I could have shot a video. It was fun to splash the water onto my shorts because it looked like I was throwing glitter on my legs. With every stroke of the oars, the water would light up. It was really magical. I thought I was going to get eaten by a snake or capsize in the canal when we were going back and forth from the bay, but it was really not too bad.

Here is a good video that shows what it was like. The glow was more green than blue (the video makes it look blue, but that’s probably the camera)

It was a fabulous trip, with memories made that will last forever. We’re going to have to make sure we take some “all by ourselves” trips more often! It’s so easy to get caught up in every day and forget to get out and do something special with your spouse. Gotta love that big hunka man!   

 

This is a picture of Russ in the rainforest the week before – this is probably the only thing I would have wanted to do and didn’t get to. I guess we really will have to plan another trip to Puerto Rico!

byU

I snapped this photo in Sandy, UT on our way home from a movie. Just a week or so before this sighting, we happened upon a big red truck driving North on I-15 proclaiming a large BYU logo, next to a large Utah logo that was crossed out.

Funny stuff, this BYU/Utah rivalry. In fact, it’s so popular that there is a Rivalry Relay – a 60 mile race for a 6 man team from Rice-Eccles stadium in Salt Lake City all the way up and over the point of the mountain and down to LaVell Edwards stadium in Provo.

I plan to run it. Anyone want to join my team?

What’s Up, Doc?

I am going to design a header for our Family History website! I’ve already been thinking about all kinds of cool things to do. It’s going to be fun.

Word on the street is that we’re also going to have a blog on the website! That will be fun, too.

I’ve been tutoring more for tutor.com. You should check it out.

They’re hiring right now in the following subjects:

· Math Subjects
o Algebra 2
o Geometry
o Trigonometry
o Calculus
o Statistics
· Science Subjects
o Earth Science
o Biology
o Chemistry
o Physics
· Humanities
o English and essay writing tutors who can tutor on Sundays and between the hours of midnight and 3:00 AM Eastern time

It takes a little while to complete the application process (you have to take some subject tests, submit a background check, etc). If you have any questions, let me know. I like it.

I have also been running, doing yoga (Namaste!), and doing a crazy workout in the morning (Basic Training style workout – it’s pretty intense, and Danielle is like a Drill Sergeant. Whoa.)

Trying to keep up with my goals and stuff. I was a little lazy today, but I did take the kids to the pool (oh yeah, we go to the pool pretty much every day except Sunday – for obvious reasons – and Monday, because it’s closed). And I took (and passed) the test to tutor Geometry at Tutor.com. I’m going to take the Algebra, Trig, and Physics tests next. Hopefully I can keep up all my math skills. I still want to start teaching next fall. *crossing my fingers!*

So yeah, that’s basically what’s up around here. Just keeping my head above water and trying to swim to the other side. Hopefully getting a tan and building some endurance (physical as well as spiritual) on the way...

...see you on the other side.

Tidbits

Little Bits of Updating

I wanted to post a generic, how-we're-doing post, but I really wanted to put some pictures up, as well (my posts feel incomplete without pictures these days). So I snapped a few shots of what we're doing around the house right now. This picture is Vincente inspecting the package that is my new desk. He thought it was a bed... not sure why. He likes to help us put things together (like our bed frame, any furniture we bought that needed assembly, etc). His favorite thing to do is use the tools. Heh, when he was helping with the motorcycle the other night, he dropped a random screw into the motorcycle. Russ had to reach in there with a screwdriver and knock out the little stow away screw.

This is most of what Russ does in the evenings - he studies Chinese. You get a nice little view of the desk and hutch we bought him so he would have a comfortable place to study. He looks so intense! Part of their homework is to record themselves doing a reading assignment in Chinese, and they upload the assignments to their Blackboard site for their class, and then their teacher can listen to it. Russ said today his laoshi (pronounced "lao sure" - it means "teacher") was listening to someone's recording during the first part of class this morning and she started laughing. Everyone was like "Oh, I hope she's not listening to mine." You know, thinking that she was laughing because they butchered something and it sounded funny. Anyway, someone asked who she was listening to, and she said "Russ" (well, she said Russ' Chinese name). Later Russ found out that she laughed because she could hear Vincente saying something in the background. Hey, at least it accurately portrays Russ' study environment! We put a fan in the office for him so he can drown out the sounds of us playing in the rest of the house, but I don't think he has it on while he's recording. I particularily recall that last night Vincente was standing at the door of the office, calling for Russ. Little kid loves his Papai.

And here is me, keeping Russ company in the office (I think at the moment he snapped this picture I was actually starting this post). He likes me to be in the office while he studies and does his homework, but I don't really like to sit and watch him, of course, and if I don't busy myself with something else, I end up distracting him. So, I occupy myself with my blog, Facebook, and now I've started messing around with my digital scrapbooking program. It actually looks really really neat! I'm excited to play with it. I'm trying to decide what to scrapbook first - maybe Vincente's first year. Then I'll move on to his second year - try to get those done before Little Sister comes.

I was incredibly productive today, and so proud of myself for it. I found out that I'm not through with the runaround of health insurance craziness... I'll probably get in to see my OB next week, but sorting out the madness that is Tricare is starting to give me a headache. It's like doing some crazy manuevers through that little contraption in Kung Fu Panda with all the spinning things with the sharp things sticking out of them... okay, that probably didn't make any sense - my point is that it's complicated, but as long as I move at exactly the right time, I'll get through unscathed. Okay.

I also got a quote for car and renters insurance, since our insurance company doesn't insure in CA. That's a headache, mostly because it's more expensive here, but we'll only end up spending about $40 more each month for the exact same coverage... except, it's CA, so everything is more expensive... :6

Heh, okay, now for the amusing story about us moving. Every time we've moved in the past, I have done a "family" foward for our mail with the post office. Well, that was all fine and dandy, until we moved out of the house where a bunch of Rowleys were still living... I didn't realize my mistake until we got some forwarded mail that was addressed to Marv (my father-in-law) and I was like... "Oh, man, this could be very bad." Anyway, I called the post office that day and stopped the family forward, and just today I went back to the post office to set up the forwarding for me and Vincente. Yeah, so if you live with your in laws and you move out of their house, make sure that you do an individual forward for each person in your particular family, instead of a "family" move. Hee. Then everyone will still get their bills. I also sent my in-laws all of their mail, so hopefully they don't get anything too late. My SIL's ACT scores came to my house. She probably wants those.

So that's what we're up to. Oh yes, and potty training. Vincente was scared to death of sitting on the big potty, plus he's too little to be able to climb up to it himself, so we've decided to give a potty chair a try. We bought one today, and he seems to like it okay (he hasn't sat on it to actually go potty, he's mostly just playing with it). We're going to give him a little break, since he was so traumatized by us trying to sit him on the big potty (we had one of those cushy baby-seats, and he didn't mind the potty once he was actually sitting on it, it was just the act of getting on and getting off that scared him). I'll let you know how it goes, once he really starts pottying. He did pee in the big potty yesterday! Three times, actually. The first time it was because he was crying so hard about being put on the potty. The second time it was purposeful, but I got so excited about it that I startled him into stopping :) hee hee. The third time, I was really careful not to get too excited, and once he realized how happy I was, he looked down to see exactly what he was doing, and I think it made him really happy to see his pee. It was a new thing for him, I'm sure, since I don't think he's ever really seen his pee before.

It's Official

My graduation, that is!

I officially passed all of my classes and will now be awarded a degree from BYU! (okay, first I have to pay them like $35 from the MFT fees, testing center late fees, etc... but that's just a matter of waiting for the next paycheck)

I did even better than expected in modern physics! Hooray! And passed complex analysis by the skin of my teeth. 

At least it's over. It takes a big load off, you know... being SURE that I'm finished! My GPA isn't what it could have been, but hey, finishing school with a kid and a husband away on military duty I think is a great accomplishment, no matter the GPA. And I'm DONE!

Sweet. 

Life is way good right now (as long as I ignore my aching hips and back from sleeping on leaky air mattresses...) 

Two more days until HHGs!! 

The Hardest Part Over

I have taken all of my finals that really took any thought. Tomorrow I have a circuit building final, which should be cake, and I have to listen to some English presentations, which I could do sleeping.

AND THEN I AM DONE WITH SCHOOL!

Wish me luck! :)

Getting Better

I have been horribly sick all weekend - bleh. I think I got sick because of all the stress I was feeling this weekend. But I woke up this morning feeling much MUCH better. And I spent all day on campus in the fishbowl making up assignments for my complex analysis class. It wasn't the most fun I've had in my life, but it sure felt productive and it definitely felt good to get a lot done.

Classes are almost finished (HOORAY!) so I'm kind of just holding out until the end. I'm going to show up for textbook buyback on Saturday morning and see how many of my text books they will buy back from me. I don't want to sell my complex analysis textbook back until after I've made my "cheat sheet" for the exam (the one page of notes we're allowed to have), so I'll have to make sure to get that done Friday. I don't really care much about my modern physics final... I mean, of course I care, but it's just to the point where all I want to do is pass that class (which is a D-), and I think I can easily pull that off just by walking into the test and doing the best I can... 

Russ arranged everything for us to be PCSed to California! Hooray! We will do a "partial-DITY" which means we will weigh all the stuff we move in our car, and the military might pay us for it. Other than that, they will move all the rest of our things, and we won't have to lift a finger or pay a penny. And hopefully we'll get a little bit of money, since we're doing a partial-DITY. You'll definitely hear about how all this goes after it is all said and done. But having Russ arrange for everything has definitely been nice for me. I haven't had to do a thing! Which is GREAT!

So ... with a little cash from textbook sell back, and classes nearly finished, and passing grades nearly guarenteed in all my classes, I am a very very happy person. And Vince and I have been playing today - it is SO great. I love that kid... I can't wait for it to be just me and him every day! 

The End of the Rope

I'm at the end of my rope... I hate being alone (that is - I hate being away from Russ). Everything was beating down on me so hard that I did something I thought I would never do... I asked to be released from my calling. I think it will be better for the ward if they have a choir director for Christmas who can give it their all. Right now I don't feel like I can give anything my all, and when I feel like I can give something my all again, it will be my family.

I had to take a look at my priorities and remember that not only can I NOT do everything, but Heavenly Father doesn't EXPECT me to do everything. There is not enough energy in my body right now to be a mom, be a wife, be a student, be a choir director, be a friend, be a sister, be a daughter, and do all of them amazingly. Right now I am going to focus on being a mother and wife, and everything else I'm going to put on hold for about two weeks (that's when we'll be with Russ again for "good" - I use quotes here because I'm sure we'll have to be apart again, but it's the end of this round of separation). 

So, if you need anything, get back to me in two weeks. Because I'm starting to learn how to say "no" more often, even though I would rather help. I'm just not able to do it all right now. It's making me sick. Literally. I am actually physically fatigued and sick because of all the stress. Now I'm saying "good-bye" to the stress and taking the next two weeks one minute at a time, because that's all I can really do.

Whittling Away

Physics paper done.

But I lost track of time and accidently skipped all of my classes...

Now I am going to take my Independent Study Jogging class final exam. Hooray. Don't worry, it's all MC, no jogging involved.

Wish me luck!

(ooh, and after that... getting my brakes replaced... sad day for my car... well, happy day, but the rear brakes are starting to get really bad)

As the trip nears

I just got finished putting together my to do list for the next two days. Things are going to be crazy as we get ready to head south! Well, mostly west... and a little bit south. I was just looking online at where the military housing is there, and if we live in military housing, I will live across the highway from the beach! That close! The city is actually Seaside, and the military housing is about a 15 minute drive from the post, but I just imagined Russ making the drive to work on his motorcycle, and how gorgeous that has to be!

I can't wait to see the beach. Russ says he loves it. I've heard Monterey's beach is some of the most beautiful beach on the coast! And Russ said the weather has been pretty warm (the highs this week are just barely in the 60s, but that's still better than the 40-50 degree weather we've had here).

Wish me luck on my to do list! Two of the items on my list require a trip to Draper, but I'll be too busy to visit IKEA, sad day... I have to get some parts fixed on my car (the dealer promised them when I bought it, and finally they have the parts and I have the time... well, I don't really have the time, but if I don't get it done now, I'll probably never get it done) and I have to get my active duty military ID card. And then I have to get the rear brakes replaced on my car before we make the trip. And maybe new tires. I think the tires will be good enough to make it there and back, and we shouldn't encounter much snow, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that... I don't really want to buy new tires yet. On top of all that I have two tests and a paper, and oodles of homework that I've been putting off in math.

On a good note, I got a 184 out of 200 on the math MFT (major fields test). Kind of like the GRE, but not nearly as expensive, and probably 100 times easier. I didn't even try, either, so it was pretty exciting :)

Waiting Productively

I'm still waiting for Russ to call, but I've pulled myself out of my funk. I made a to do list today while I was at school, and I was able to get EVERYTHING on my list done before Vincente even woke up from his nap! It was fabulous. Of course, then I realized that I forgot that I need to study for my IS jogging test that I'm going to take tomorrow. But other than that, I'm feeling prety okay. Meaning, I don't feel 100% chipper, because I still really want to talk to Russ. I'm doing all right though - no need to worry! :)

So, while Vincente watches "Nemo" I am going to study for my test.

Almost Free!!

I wasn't going to post again until I was in Arkansas, but I've been able to get so much done this weekend I thought I would post a little quickie before I go to bed.

I took a Physics test, did math and Physics homework, wrote a 10 page (well, about 8 1/2 pages) research paper, and studied for a Religion test. 

Yes, I'd say a very productive weekend!! Mostly in anticipation of seeing Russ this week. I don't want to leave here having a lot hanging over my head when I get back. The status right now is looking like pretty much blissful freedom for my entire WEEK LONG vacation (which, have I mentioned, I completely deserve!!)

We leave early Tuesday morning, and I haven't even started packing yet (I've got to get a few things from the storage unit tomorrow). 

Wish us luck!!

(PS Keep checking for the gender of our new baby!! It will probably be sometime Thursday night - Friday night this week!!!!!)

busy bees

I have been really busy trying to get everything finished for school so I can be ready to go on my TRIP TO ARKANSAS!!! We leave early Tuesday morning. Today I took a Physics test. I've never been so excited to get a 65% on a test 8-o

I have a 10 pg research paper due on Monday, and I have to take a religion test the same day. This weekend is full of Temple sealings (some friends in our ward), BYU football, and ward choir! Then it's back to school for one day before I'm OFF TO SEE MY HUBBY!!! Can you tell I'm excited?

Anyway, I'm writing this post from the kiosk outside my English classroom (about 20 min til class) and I've almost used up all my time. I just wanted to post something quick, in case you don't hear from me for a few days. I didn't disappear... I'm just getting ready for VACATION! :D

one week

I leave for Arkansas in one week from tomorrow. I'm getting super excited. It's going to be nice to have a little break from school and Utah. Not that I'm not enjoying myself here, but I'm just ready for a change. Some new sights. And of course, I'm way ready to see Russ...

... the countdown continues.

Feeling It

Today I suddenly felt something overwhelming hit me ... I am a military wife. I am the wife of a soldier. 

I talked to Russ today, and our brief phone call was frequently interrupted by him responding to some question from a Drill Sergeant, or barking instructions to a fellow private. Finally I asked him why he was sounding so important. He said he's been a Platoon guide for the past week or so, which sounds like it suits him fine!

And then he started talking about doing ROTC while he's enrolled in a masters program somewhere (probably doing something useful like International Relations, etc). He'll probably end up stretching out the masters program over four-five years so he can be a "stay-at-home" dad while I work five years to "pay off" (i.e. have forgiven) my student loans. When he started talking about the ROTC bit, I have to admit I got really excited. That means he probably wants to stay in the military. Which means several things 1.) He enjoyed Basic Training 2.) He realizes that he has a lot of potential serving in the military 3.) I am going to be an Army wife!!

I'm actually really excited about it. Mostly because knowing that Russ really does want to do the Army means that we now have a life-long career. Or at the very least, 20 years, because after that you're eligbile for retirement. 

Hooray! Russ has never talked this seriously about anything career related. He's always either thought he couldn't be sure about his career options, or he didn't really know what he wanted to do. Now he knows. Drive is good.

energizer

I mean the bunny... you know, the one that keeps going, and going, and going, and...

You get the idea. That's how life feels right now. School... well, mostly school. It's like it never ends. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I can't wait for it.

It's like just when you think things are dying down, they pick up again. It's going to be like that until finals... *sigh*

And then, after finals!? Christmas break with my hubby!!! SOOOO excited. Check out my countdowner thingee

<---- over there somewheres. It'll tell you exactly how long until we get to see him again!

Okay, so yes, I am ready to go to bed now. Just had to record somewhere how long I feel like school is taking.

Oh, but yesterday and this morning I kept thinking about the little house I hope to rent near Russ at AIT. I kept thinking about playing in the backyard with Vincente and planting irises and tulips in the front flower bed and decorating the house. I can't wait to live in my own house again. It's going to be awesome.

facelift

As you can see, I've given my blog a little facelift. Mostly I did it because I didn't want to work on my formal proposal for English or my midterm for math (that's what I've been doing all day).

Now I don't have any more good reasons to stay up, so I should go to bed. I really miss Russ... a lot. I put a countdown thing on here too :) Mostly for my own benefit. Just over two weeks... I think I can make it. 

I have to make it.

*sigh*

fun stuff

After going through a little slump where I felt like a crappy mom and I was beating myself up for not spending more time with Vincente doing things HE likes to do, I made a commitment to do better. So here's what we've been up to!

Yesterday we went to the park. Vincente loves swings. He really enjoyed this park. They had two huge tractor tires that you could climb on, around, etc. Those were fascinating as well. I've been meaning to take Vincente to the park more often, and yesterday was such a nice day.

Today, after working on a Math take-home midterm, and after Vincente's nap, we went ice skating! Vincente has been a few times before, but he outgrew his old ice skates this summer, and I haven't had time to take him, so I didn't think about buying him new skates. But then we had some extra money, and I had made this commitment to do fun things with him, so I bought him the new skates. They were supposed to come next week, but they arrived yesterday morning, so off went went to The Peaks ice arena in Provo. The skates we bought for Vincente are from Baby Skates They are the only manufacturer of ice skates in sizes smaller than 6. CCM makes a children's hockey skate in size 6, so when Vincente outgrows these size 5 skates from BabySkates, we plan on buying him the CCM skates. The BabySkates are double-blade, but like I said, no one else makes skates for toddler sizes (not full-boot skates... they make the crappy adjustable, wrap around the shoe skates). When Vincente outgrows these skates, he'll graduate to the CCM Tyke size 6. Those are single blade hockey skates. Then he'll learn how to do hockey stops, cross over turns, the works! Until then, we're just working on getting him comfortable on the ice. Today was great - especially once he discovered how much fun it was to play with the cones. He like skating from one cone to another, and then having me push him around while he held onto one of the cones. If it hadn't been just me and Vince at the rink I would have more pictures, but it's kind of hard to take pictures AND hold up a toddler on ice skates! (especially when you're 4 1/2 months pregnant, and bending down isn't very comfortable)

i have work enough to do

And the sun is already gone down.

Luckily, Vincente is enthralled with the movie Cars, and so I can just hit play, and have freedom to work on homework for 2 hours. YES! The glory of the TV babysitter. I always told myself that I would never do this. But I also told myself I would never be a single mother... HA and here I am, a single mother (not literally, but figuratively). And trying to take care of a kid and go to school at the same time is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I think I've said that before. I doubt this will be the last time I say it.

Off to take advantage of the 2 hours of freedom.