Cool Sunday Morning

I kept my sisters kids last night. Realizing its been about 6 months since I last kept my neices and nephews, I decided it was time. They played in the backyard, painted rocks and acorns, took a bath in our jacuzzi, and ate, and ate, and ate. Between us we have 7 kids. When they are all in the same house its a small army. Having kids brings a certain peace and joy into your life. I learned over time with my own kids that you have to have the patience of a rock in order to get by.

I have not been able to do any project since I started my full-time job. Its rather depressing really. Part of the joys of life is being able to do the things you love, and I just havent had the time to do them.

My kids are really involved in school this year. So between music lessons on Thursdays, Volleyball practice everyday, studying for tests, homework, and church activities there is just not a lot of free time for our family. We of course, are hoping to change that soon.

My husband and I did just take a short trip to Reno over the weekend of September 19. He and I have not been on a trip that was that long for about 10 years. Its amazing how time can get away from you if you are to busy to realize there is time. Reno was an experience to say the least. Lake Tahoe was breathless. The trees, the water, the rock formations, and trails were worth every penny we spent to take the trip. Reno however, that was not a place I would visit again. I was just not impressed with that city. I guess it was just because the only things to do, when you have so little time, is to gamble and drink. I do neither of those now. I will say, we put in 20$ into the slots and lost it all within 5 minutes. That was depressing. I do not see the obsesstion with gambling. To each his own I suppose. We were able however, to spend some alone time with each other and that was wonderful. Its nice to actually sit down, stop, and reconnect with your spouse. Everyone needs time to do that. Which is why I kept my sis's kids.

My cat is calling me. I guess it is time for numnums, so I better go and feed them so they dont wake up the house with their constant meowing. :-)

Blessings to all,
Stephanie

Its getting late

OK so its been awhile since my last entry. 2 months. That's crazy. Time has flown by here. I figured I would stay up late tonight and write on my blog, only problem is my eyes are getting droopy and I cant seem to keep them in focus. Thank goodness for spell check. OK so here's the deal. I am in school. I am studying to be a nurse. Right now I am just taking my pre-requisites. My kids are in a private school. They don't have bus service so I have to drive them back and forth. We are becoming more involved with our church and my children have friends over almost everyday. On top of all that, I still have to cook, clean, do laundry, clean toilets, make lunches, go to appointments, and take the kids to music and games. Now let me tell you about my life for the past 4 years. Its been laid back. I got up when I wanted, not because the stupid loud obnoxious alarm clock told me it was time. I cleaned at my own pace, not at whirlwind speed because you have to make sure you get it done before you drive the kids where ever. I made soap and it was wonderful. I haven't made soap in months now. I took long baths, now I take 3 minute showers and hope to God I can find long pants cause my legs are gonna have to wait another week to get shaved. I home schooled at my leisure. I didn't wake my kids up because it was 6 in the morning and we have to leave the house at 7 because it takes 35 minutes to go 5 miles in school traffic, but rather because it was nearing 11 am and I didn't want them to be lazy. Oh how I miss it. I changed my life and my kids life because my husband wanted me too. Am I happy? Well that's still yet to be seen. Am I happy I am in school? Hell yeah! Am I happy the kids are in school? Well if it were college then maybe, but not since I am paying someone to do what I was doing for free. 9000$ a year to be precise, and I was doing it all on 1000$ a year. So I am not thrilled about that. Life takes naps and then wakes up and starts a race, then slows down again to a rest. I just hope I can keep up during this long race because I am 1 month into it and I want to go back to bed and wait till next year!...:-) OK well that's all for now. Happy Monday!

Blessings,
Me

A New Day

Wow, many days have past and not a word out of me. So here I am again to let the world know what I have been up to.

My life has been interesting as of late. I enrolled in College, enrolled the kids in private school, quit therapy, and am on a roll with my marital relationship. Of course its rolling down the hill, at a rapid pace, that I can not keep up with, so I just decided to let it continue on without me, because I am way to tired to keep up with it.

I am going to be a nurse. Yes, I finally realized what I wanted to be when I grow up. I am 32 years old, have 3 kids ages, 14, 13, and 11, and I am thrilled to finally have this course ahead of me. I can hardly contain my excitement most days. I will be the best nurse (RN) in the country. I am so proud of myself. I have been waiting 15 years to go back to school and finally it is here. I am just so happy!!

I have not made any soap lately so tonight I am going to hit it again. Everyone has been bugging me about peppermint soap, so I guess that will be the flavor for tonight. I gave my soap to my milkman and he loved it, well at least I think he did. I have been buying raw milk for my animals and wanted to share my soap with him, since he is helping me to feed my menagerie. I do love my animals. Have you ever noticed how nice most farmers are. They are so personable and kind. Nothing like bankers. I prefer to keep my farmer closer than my banker personally..:-)

OK well I am off to make a batch of soap. Naturally I first have to clean the kitchen and prepare the area, so it might actually be tomorrow before the soap gets made, but hey, at least I am still doing it, right??!!! :-)

Before I leave I first want to tell you what I have been reading. It is called Live in a Better Way, Reflections on Truth, Love, and Happiness. Its by His Holiness the Dalai lama. I have learned so much from that book. I learning how to free my mind of anger, hatred, and just plain ugliness. It teaches how to fill your life with compassion, love, and understanding. Its truley amazing. A quote from his book. "The ultimate source of happiness is altruism. Success in life depends on determination, will, and courage. And the source of this courage and determination is altruism."

Blessings all,
Stephanie