I've been wanting to start a blog for a long time. I used to be very good at writing periodically and miss it. This blog is mainly to provide a written account of the goings-on in the daily life of my family, but don't be suprised if I get on my soapbox and rant about something every so often!
I actually created this blog quite a while ago - and even for the last week keep trying to write a first post and get interrupted before I get through the first paragraph. Hence a short first paragraph today!
So what's new with us? In short, life has been very busy. I lost my mind and decided to go ahead and go back to school to work on my doctorate....might as well stop delaying the inevitable. I'm only taking one class this semester, which dosen't do much to speed up my graduation time but I can't sacrifice too much family time. It's too important to me. So I sacrifice sleep instead....I stay up all night doing my work instead of sleeping. It worked for my Master's, no reason it won't work again! My babies will only be babies for so long.
So in addition to my one doctorate class, I'm teaching 3 sections at LLCC, which is the most I've ever taught in a semester. Not much different than teaching two sections, just a bit more grading. It's a good semester, I have great students. I love my job - not too many people can say that. Hopefully when I'm done with my doctorate I can get on someplace teaching full-time. Kent wants me to apply to Hawaii Pacific (which is where I wanted to do my Master's but he nixed that because "he couldn't take his truck"...fastforward to our honeymoon in Hawaii and he was asking my why I didn't apply to grad school in Hawaii....oi.). So I don't know - our family is here, and I don't want to take that away from my kids. I grew up with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins all around, living out in the country...my parents gave me an awesome childhood, and I want to replicate that for my children. That said, I don't think I could turn down a short-term assignment in Hawaii. :-) But that's a long way off. First to survive the doctorate program, which I am a bit worried about just because I'm doing it in Public Administration (emphasis in public policy) which isn't too far from my political science background, but I still have a lot to learn about public admin. My hope is it will qualify me to teach a wider array of courses, not just political science.
Kent is still working at McLeod and really likes it. He usually hauls to Tuscola, which is a good paying run that has him home at decent hours. Problem is Tuscola is shut down (the plant...not the town for you literalists) so he's been running to St Louis and Southern Illinois/Missouri which is still good paying but much longer hours. I shouldn't complain, it's much better than it could be.
What to say about Alex.....my little man is growing up. He started preschool this year He absolutely loves it, he can't wait to go when he gets up, although he has to wait until noon. He's getting so independent and he is so loving and sweet. I think the thing I love most right now is watching him be a big brother. He is such a good big brother to Haley. Yes, they have their moments but for the most part he is very gentle and affectionate with her and loves to try to teach her new things. And she absolutely ADORES him. Once she's old enough to take directions I'm worried because I have no doubt she will do whatever he tells her to do! Of course right now Alex is in farming mode, he's been helping grandpa and grandma out in the field. When he comes home, he's been busy shelling the corn in his room. He's got a bucket full of corn mom gave him, I said he could bring it home if he promised to keep it in his room and picked up. He's doing pretty good with it, it's usually on the floor in a pile, but he's pretty careful not to get it scattered around. He'll load it up in his combine, then move it to a wagon, then one of his dump trucks...then take it to the 'elevator'. So darned cute.
Haley is just growing like a weed. She is so stinking adorable and she knows it. We're going to be beating the boys off of her in about 15 years. She is also very smart and quick to stand up to herself...more than once she's gone after Alex when he has a toy she wants or if he accidently trips her or something! She's got quite a few words and learning more everyday. Her favorite thing right now is simply walking - anywhere and everywhere. Preferably outside, she'd walk until her little legs wouldn't let her walk anymore if she could. For the most parts she's a good girl but I think she's going to be a bit more destructive than Alex was....he was always content to play with toys..she just walks the house looking for something to destroy!!! I can't believe how big she's getting. And she's so loveable. Very cuddly little girl.
Well that will do it for this inaugrural post. Next time I will try to put up pictures! My goal is to update this once a week...we'll see!
