guitar lessons

Trevor is not quite ready for guitar lessons, but I think he thinks that Uncle John is supposed to provide those lessons.  In the van today, Life In the Fast Lane was playing and I was singing along.  Trevor was singing along too, but only on the title line.  I asked, "Trevor, what instrument is that?"  He said, "Ummm....guitar."  "Right, do you want to learn to play your white guitar from Taylor when we get home?"  "Uh, no, because that is a different kind of guitar."  "What do you mean?"  "That is a electric guitar, like I have at Aunt Jennifer's house, you know, the flame guitar, like bubba has."  Yeah, so, I am not sure how my brother-in-law will feel about knowing that Trevor has claimed his guitar, but I am sure that he has already started teaching Trevor to play. 

holy moly...

wow, that was bad.  my first spanish test (first test, actually) for this semester did not go well.  i will be lucky to get a b.  i feel like crapola.  i have so much to catch up on this weekend, because i didn't get enough finished last weekend.  i really shouldn't say that, because i have been doing a lot, just not enough of what i had to do was school related.  i will definitely have to push hard and get caught up this weekend at all costs.  of course, i could change the priority of the things that need to be done to focus on schoo; but there are some really (in my eyes) vital things that need attention, even more than school.  i am also getting a little cold and the kids are all not quite well yet, too.  so, everyone is tired including dad.  i have to admit, i have cried a few times this week just from the exhaustion, disappointment, and stress.  but, crying is nothing new in my life and i am sure that one good run or a nice workout will cure me of it.  hopefully we can get the mat to the school for the new MMA club.  some guys are trying to start it at my school, and we don't have mats yet.  there are several guys with enough experience to teach me things and the president is an instructor in several styles of fighting, so it looks to be super fun.  the club will allow me to combine my downtime at school with a workout, so i am really excited about that.  also, i am putting some effort into finding someone to grapple with trent.  i think he will really enjoy being able to get back at it with someone his own size.  the club is coming together, but not yet official with the school, so we will see.  so with the bad comes a little good.  other than spanish, my classes range from easy to super easy, so i should have no trouble recovering from this slow, disorganized start.  still, i am pretty disappointed that i didn't get it fixed before this test.  if it would have been a test in any of my other classes it would have been no problem, alas such is life.  so now, back to mine. 

just a little bummed...

I am trying to remind myself to look at the bright side, and in reality, my life is very bright.  But, there is some stress and sadness that leaks through some days.  We had a great time with friends last night, but for me, the knowledge that my relationship is changing so dramatically is bringing the pleasure down a notch.  And, combined with the stress of trying to finish homework, clean house, and play with my kids, all in the same, always too short weekend is turning out to be a bummer.  But, the kids keep me laughing (mostly) and I don't have a lot of homework (and none of it is difficult), and the house isn't too messy, so.... I will now shut my face, stop whining, and get back to it, and with a smile...

am i so beautiful?...

thankful that my kids rock so hard...

the morning routine is really going well.  everything runs a little earlier for the kids than last semester, but, they are all adjusting fine.  taylor helps fix breakfast, and lunch for everyone, and can even brush Jewel's hair in a pinch.  he made scrambled eggs for us this morning.  everyone was dressed and ready by 6:30, they ate (i forgot) and we were out the door by 7:05.  perfect.  tomorrow he wants to make his famous whole grain pancakes for us.  the routine is made better by all the cute things that the little ones say. jewel asked me, "can you make my pretty?" and patted her head.  "do you want a ponytail?"  "Yes!"  so we both had matching yoga pants and t shirts and ponytails today.  trevor started charming his preschool teacher the minute we got there with his very overused knock knock joke.  (the one where they say boohoo and he says, "what are you crying about it for?" not exactly correct, but that is how he says it.)  now, chemistry.  

Jewel is Three!!!

so.....

Well, the semester is now clear before me.  I am pretty sure that I have a good idea of how things will go, considering all the various challenges.  Trent is going to be very busy when the plants recover from the freezing weather and start producing, I am ready for that.  It just means I have to get less sleep to keep up with my school work, but I am used to being sleep deprived.  We are getting better and better at balancing our "I care about you" with our "I really want a more separate life", and we are both coming to terms with what this year will mean for us as far as how much "moving on" we are able to do without causing problems.  The kids are ready, naturally.  School for Taylor should be as easy as last semester, not easy really, but it seems to get done without much worry, because it is our favorite thing to do.  So, as I said, when I consider all these separate issues, I get a good idea of what we are going to feel and deal with for the next several months.  I am trying to remind myself that more issues can develop, and that these issues could evolve, but really, just facing what we are facing is enough for now.  I really hate to go into a situation where I haven't taken the time to prepare myself for the emotions and struggles I may face. Now that I have had a chance to think about everything, especially now that I have seen it work for a week or so, I feel much more prepared and I finally feel that this decision isn't going to be a big mistake.   So, I will, at this, my last chance to climb out of the pool, just keep swimming.  Hopefully with a little more purpose than Dori. 

first day for all classes...

so, i have now met all of my teachers and this should be a great semester.  dr. brannan did not disappoint, he is hilarious and interesting.  and, all of my "unknown" professors seem to be very likeable and competent.  all of them have been at the college for over 15 years and it shows.  i hope i can land something steady like that quickly.  ha ha. but, seriously, i am pretty sure that this semester will come together fine.  i know chemistry will be pretty easy, especially after i saw my book.  chapter two covers basic algebra type conversions and significant figures, for real.  i remember a lot more from the subject than i thought i would.  there will be a ton of homework, but, only one paper of any length and most of the homework will be pretty easy and straightforward.  there is a lot of vocabulary in biology and chemistry, but not much of it is new.  there is a lot trigonometry that i don't remember, but it should come back fine and if i learned it once, i am sure i can again.  so, it begins!  hurrah!


so, i'll add a bit about the routine for the kids.  taylor does the same thing he did last semester while i am in class, he watches lectures or shows, or plays educational games on sites i direct him to visit.  he just generally learns stuff and completes activities to earn points for his game.  after school for me, when the babies come home, they play, color, learn, etc.  tonight, trevor wanted to read a couple books.  one of them was a "magic schoolbus" book about the body, so then we had to discuss that for a while.  while we were talking about it jewel was copying some of our sentences, he he.  taylor read chapter one of the chemistry book out loud for me, it was only 5 pages, then we talked about it.  then, there was a rousing debate, thanks to dad, of course, about "what came first the chicken or the egg?" and, the kitchen is clean; now i get to start my homework.  what a fantastic life! 

The "fruits" of 50 Years together...

Ha ha, no seriously, Walt and Jewel have been married 50 years, and their great grandchildren were living it up at the party!  The party was beautiful, the entertainment was hilarious, and the company was wonderful.  Taylor couldn't stop telling me what a great time he had and how beautiful the hotel was.  We all had a fantastic time and even the 2 am drive home and 7 am drive back (to help Trent) didn't deter from the enjoyment.  (The kids slept while I made the drive, thankfully, Mimi and Big Daddy were there.)  Trent had to miss the whole party to sleep and then, at 2 am went to the fields to help with frost protection.  He also had to miss the wonderful brunch to continue working from the night before.  So, we all hope it warms up soon!  Dad is trying to grow some berries here!

Saturday morning...

The only child of mine who still participates in watching Saturday morning cartoons is Jewel and even she did it with a Nintendo DS in her hands.  She was playing a Diego game.  "Can you help me play dis game, Momma?"  Trevor played it until he couldn't take it anymore then he woke Taylor up.  "Taylor, if you get up, we can play racing!" "Mom, I need the nunchuck for this game." Yes, Trevor knows how to play on his own, he just hates to do it.  "Do you want eggs for breakfast?"  "No, I need two hands for this!"  Ridiculous.  Even Taylor wanted breakfast before playing.  Video games are addictive, for real.