School changes

We have stopped homeschooling this year and the kids are all going to a school for their age group.  Grace has started at the local high school, and Andrew and Charity are both going to the Christian school at our church.  There are lots of adjustments going on, but the kids are doing very well. :)

Grace started school a week after the others started, but she was very excited even if it was VERY early in the morning.  She takes the bus that comes into our development, but it comes at 6:41 in the morning!  This is going to be different!!!

Andrew and Charity on their first day of school. They were thinking about a great idea of taking a picture every day all year to see the changes. However, that only lasted 2 days......then reality hit and to stop and get a picture every morning was not very practical.  We are typically getting some things together at the last moment. 

Grace's hair

So, I had promised Grace that we would get her hair done this week......and of course, the week came to an end.  So, we went out today to get her hair braided. I left her at the salon while I came home and did some other errands.  Then Charity and I went to check on her 4 hours later......she looked good, but only about halfway done.  So, we hit the Walmart and came back again.....uh.....nope, not done yet.   So, we went to get something to eat and come back......still not done.  ok, we just sat there and waited....they closed the shop, and around 9:30 this evening we finished and came home.  Grace is hungry and tired of sitting and having her hair/head pulled.  But, she looks great! 

When she first got up, I thought to myself, "what has happened to my little girl?"  She looks so grown up!!  Thankfully I didn't have to do this one myself.  8 hours of braiding!!!!  Wow!!  Well, worth it though to not have to do her hair for 2 months! :)

interesting thought...

Tonight as I left work, I realized that I was feeling guilty for going home!!  Now, mind you, I left when I am supposed to leave!  But, the last couple of months it has been very hard for me to leave work on time due to the load of work needing to be accomplished.  So, even though the day was busy, I completed what I could and left on time.  As I walked out the door, I spoke with a co-worker and told her how I was feeling.  She simple said, "Don't.  We all worked hard today". 

WOW!  What a revelation!  Nursing is a 24 hour job.  I can only do the work that is able to be done in my shift's time.  But, many times, I am trying to complete a task (and the charting) so I don't leave it for the next person!  There are many things that are required of us when we admit patients, and that is what I struggle with.  I don't know where to draw the line and leave stuff for the next person to complete.  Hopefully, I can keep this mindset. 

I can make a choice to not feel guilty!!  I did do a good job today!  I worked hard!  I did the best I could do with my patients.  So, I need to leave it there.  Brain training.....hard work!!

Busy, busy, busy

Life has kept us so busy that I have not been able to get on here since Thanksgiving!!!  Wow, since it is now June, I think I should update a little.  However, I am just getting a week to take a deep breath after being head-deep in activities!!
So, I am just going to show a couple pictures from the play that the kids were in.  :)  Grace, Andrew, and Charity were all in NVP's production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

Grace was a flower in these pictures and then on her main week, she was a principle flower....Daisy....who had speaking parts too.
Andrew was the caterpillar in the first week shows and then he participated in the ensemble the next week.
Charity was a clock and card for both weeks. 

This is a homeschool theater group.  The cast had 68 students ages 8-18 all working hard at getting a great production together.  Our directors are homeschooling mothers and are absolutely fabulous at what they do.  They really are able to bring out the drama in each child and teach them many things about the stage.  There is much socialization, for those who are worried about that! We just had a cast party where it was full of emotions since many of the kids will not be returning due to military moves and other personal reasons.  My kids will not be in this particular group next year because we are not going to be homeschooling. I have mixed emotions about this.  But, I feel that God has been leading us in this direction. 
So, I will have to get back to blogging when the dust settles. :)

Thanksgiving Day

I had a very quiet morning sleeping in to prepare for the night shift work, but then I joined Brian and Sarah as they went to her family's house to share in a Thanksgiving dinner.  Everyone was relaxed and welcoming.  We had a delicious meal prepared by her grandmother, mom and brother. :) I made a pumpkin pie to add to it, but when I counted, there were 10 people and 5 pies!!  We had plenty!!

So, after that, we had already planned to come back to my apartment and spend time with Dan and Jocelyn too.  They being night people... :)  Daniel, Jocelyn, Brian, Sarah, and I were able to hang out together until around 1:30 in the morning. 

The "girls".....my daughter-in-laws!!  Love them both!! :)

Momma with Brian and Sarah....yes, I am happy! :)

Dan and Jocelyn with me.....I love this pic :)

Now, I appreciate the sacrifice that was for Sarah and Brian....they both were exhausted!  And, even though Dan and Jocelyn appeared to be in a good and alert state......I am sure they were exhausted too! I am hoping that they all will go home and sleep for a couple days before they need to go back to work. :)  

I had such a great time just sitting, talking, and watching them interact too.  Not to mention, Brian and Daniel were able to help me understand this new tv's settings, and now I have abilities with the tv that I never knew I had! :)  hee hee  They are great kids!!

One more picture for the books! :)

This was taken with his ipad.....cool technology! :) 

This was the whole group hanging out around the coffee and tea in the kitchen!! :)  Daniel took many other pictures that I am sure will make it to facebook....LOL! Don't believe them! :)

Thanksgiving

Well, here I sit, after being canceled from my regularly schedule night to work due to low census, and I am wondering what to do with myself!!  sigh.....
I should be enjoying the quiet for a moment, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day!....but, I feel kind of lost.
I really should be spending this time counting my blessings!!
God has definitely done so many things in my life that I would never get to sleep if I started truly counting those blessings! God has given me a home to live in, health for today, and a family to love.

It has been a joy to see the older boys grow up and become independent adults.  They have taught me many things over the last few years!! I enjoy watching them as they branch out into their own interests doing things that they are gifted in.  One of them just blessed his momma by treating her to a new tv and tv stand. (That might not mean much to you all, but it meant the world to me!)

I truly love having 3 children still at home that I get to train and watch as they grow into the special person each was meant to be!

I love the beauty of the earth that God has allowed me to see.  He paints the sky for me each evening, and tells me He loves me with the colors of the trees!  Simple pleasures, but so satisfying! To know that there is a God who loves me and cares for me is more than enough!
Well, I guess I will wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, and then read a book, knit, practice the piano, take a bath, uh......I will figure something out! :)

extended family time

Today, the kids and I were able to get out for a bit and celebrate the wedding of Paul Jay and Nicole. I was able to visit with my sister and my brother for a little too. 

My brother and his wife and my sister with me at the reception for Paul Jay and Nicole.

Sharon and Frank (parents of the groom! :)  )

Frank and Darlene

Frank with me

 The kids got their first real feel of a pool stick!  Andrew was able to get some advice from his uncle before playing with Charity, but then he and she played for quite a while.  

Charity taking a shot at pool while Andrew waits his turn

Grace wasn't interested in playing pool, but she enjoyed talking with the adults for some time.

Grace joined in the picture with Uncle Frank and Aunt Darlene

 I enjoyed seeing everyone for a little bit and catching up on what is going on in their lives. 
I must say that these kids grow so fast!!