What a Year!

I have been so busy.  But of course, if you read my blog, you know that already.  I finished my first semester going back full-time with 4 classes.  At times, it was a struggle.  At times, it was a joy.  Either way though, it is done.  *whew*  But I don't get to sit around and rest for long.  I go back to school for the spring semester with 5 classes on January 9th.  It will be another time with tons of craziness and tons of fun.  I love what I am doing and studying.  As I have thought (throughout the years) about what I wanted to do with my life, being a teacher was not always in the picture.  But I have had some experiences that have taught me otherwise and have given me much happiness with this path.  So I am sorry if my blogging life has taken a backseat at the moment to other things, but I am happy, my family is going well, and time keeps moving on.  I thank all of you who have supported me and helped me through this weird, yet exciting time.  Thanks for all the examples you have been to me and keep up the cheerleading!  :)

First Day of School

Today I started back to college at UNO. I am taking two classes this summer: one on campus and one on the internet. So I bought my books, got my parking permit, and headed onto campus this evening for my First Aid class. The class is supposed to run from 5:30-9:15PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I was wondering how bad this class was going to be with that much time being invested each week.

I got to class and the teacher told me the required text was not required and that I could return it (to the place I bought it online and pay the return shipping). She then gave me a link to the online edition of the text. Lastly, she told us that she had no idea who said the class should be for almost 4 hours twice a week, but the latest we would ever be there would be 7:30PM. This is awesome because I can go workout in the fitness center (right outside the classroom) until 9PM. Then I can head home. Bonus time for me and a stress reliever at that!

I think this class is going to be cake and I'm enjoying the Psychology 101 class. It is much more challenging than I thought it would be, but in a good way. I hope I get a lot out of that class. I'm taking it so I can get into a Child Psychology class this fall, but I am number 6 on a waitlist to get in. I have already moved up from number 8, but if I don't get in off the waitlist, I may just show up on the first day of class and beg the teacher to let me in. :)

A Positive and Fulfilling Experience

As many of you know, I am starting back to college this summer to finish my Elementary Education Degree. I was looking through my many stacks of papers I have received from UNO to take care of one of the many issues that have popped up. On my welcome letter letting me know I was accepted into UNO, it said, "We know you will have a positive and fulfilling experience in your time here with us."

Well, let's see: I've had negative, uncooperative, difficult, challenging, frustrating, and rude. I wonder when I will get to the positive and fulfilling part? But through all of the challenges and troubles I have faced, I have had my resolve strengthened that this is what God wants me to do right now. I still have no idea why it has to be right now, but He has made the obstacles obsolete.

From financial aid, being the last person allowed to enroll for high demand classes, figuring out a schedule, what to do with Bree during the day, and lost paperwork, everything is getting resolved. Maybe not to the absolute perfect world I would like to live in, but pretty close.

I start back with an internet class in Psychology 101 and campus class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in First Aid on May 16th. I have already gotten one of my textbooks online and starting my readings (so I can get a jump start). It will be one crazy, and hopefully "postive and fulfilling" summer this year.

Caution: Big Decisions Ahead!

I have been pondering for a while what my role is in our family. I have known that I am to be a stay-at-home mom right now. But I knew that would not always be the case. Every once in a while, I would feel like I needed to go back to college and finish my Elementary Education degree. The plan is that I would go back to University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and finish the last two years of my schooling needed to get my degree with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education. I need to go full-time though in order to get the financial aid to cover me completely. Once completed, I would be able to be a substitute teacher, working only on the days I wanted to. I would be able to be there for my kids and come to anything they want me for. I could still volunteer when needed. And I would bring in a bit more income (because subs get paid really well around here since there are no benefits given - or needed in our case). But I would just shrug my mental shoulders and say to myself, the time will come soon enough for that.

Dave was starting to have some changes at his work that might cut our income a bit more than we could take and so we started praying to understand if I needed to go back to work instead. Maybe just something part-time. But I just never felt like I got an answer from God about it. So I went forward with faith. I researched job openings in Blair and got job applications. Now for the odd thing: when I went to fill them out, I would get this feeling in my stomach I categorize as the sick-to-my-stomach-this-isn't-right feeling. I told my husband about it because this was a bit of a stumping situation for me. What was I to do if I wasn't to apply for the only jobs I knew about?

When we talked about it, he kinda threw out there (half-jokingly I think) that maybe I needed to go back to school sooner. Instantly, I felt that this was sooooo right for me. I became obsessed! I dug out all my old paperwork from before I stopped going to school and started researching everything out. I prayed about it as well. Now I know... this is what I am meant to do right now. I'm not sure why though. I still have Bree at home during the day starting this fall. At least we have awesome family members who support us and will help out in whatever way they can.

The funny thing is that Dave's work situation changed again and he is back to the income we planned for. Sometimes, I think God must get so frustrated with me that he has to give me a push to go in the right direction. I am stubborn, you know. :)


So I start back this summer with two classes. Unfortunately, there are now new requirements for my degree so it will take a bit longer than the two years I planned. Financial aid has been awarded to me and will cover us nicely. I can only take one class online in all the ones that I have left to take, so I'll do that this summer. Psychology 1010 and First Aid. Psyc is a prereq for the child psyc I'm taking this fall and it (and the first aid) are requirements for the Early Childhood Education portion of my degree. I shall finish school in May of 2014 if everything stays on schedule and all the classes get offered that I need when I can take them.

So if I look like a person running around with her hair on fire at Mach 5, there is a reason for it. :) Apparently, according to God, a good one. Once I figure it out, I'll let you all know. Until then, please pray for me and keep my family in your thoughts. Sometimes, I still feel horrible about not being at home with my kids all the time, but then God fills me with this wonderful feeling that helps me know that everything will come out all right. Just like He planned.