Great Weekend

I really needed this weekend to be good.  I had a very busy and trying week with work and school.  I about broke down several times.  We has some friends over on Saturday for the OU/TX game.  I worked on the house and school work until they got here with every intention of going back to work in the evening.  Lucky for me though our friends stayed for dinner and some cards.  I was really able to let go of work and school stuff and finally relax.  Today, Sunday, I did some school work, met with my group for a project and still made it to Emma's make up soccer game.  It finally feels like fall for Texas outside and for the first time since school started, I feel mentally ready for a week.
I don't know what this week brings, or the next month, or year, but I've got to try and enjoy my weekends without getting behind on grad school and regular school work.

WOW what a week

This past week was so busy.  I was at a conference on Monday and Tuesday and Jeb had to wrangle all the girls for those two days.  As always, he did a great job.  Wednesday I had class.  By this time I hadn't really seen the family since Sunday evening and I was about to have a melt down.  A friend from highschool died on Tuesday and I was an emotional wreck.  I have gotten two huge projects for school done this weekend, which makes be take a couple of breaths.
Today is beautiful here.  It actually feels like fall.  Emma and I decorated the house.  I think I need some more decorations... we'll see what I find!  Emma also rode her bike and did an amazing job!  It's the best she's ever done.  Santa brought bikes to both her and Gwyneth two years ago and they were a little to big.  I think the size of Emma's bike is perfect for her now!  She was even crossing the street and making the turns with confidence by the end.  I get little time with Emma, so it was great to have this experience with her.
As we start a new week, I hope it is calmer than the last and that I get to spend some more time with the kiddos this week!

Life is so Precious

I am again reminded today how precious life is.  A friend from highschool has been put on hospice after she has been fighting stage 4 breast cancer for about 2 years.  She has two precious little girls and a great husband.  I can't even imagine going through what she is going through right now.  To know you are going to die soon and to have only a little time left with my girls and Jeb.  I just don't understand why some of the most vibrant, passionate people leave this Earth so early in life.  I don't think it is fair at all.  She is 32 years old, Kate was 29.  They have/had things to still do.  So many say that God must have needed them in heaven, but really?!  Adelea has 2 little girls to raise, how could anything be more important than that.  Please spend time with the ones you love and pray for Adelea and her family.

Weekends

I'm always so greatful when Friday rolls around.  But my goodness, weekends can be so busy.  Yesterday Emma played her first soccer game of the season!  They played great and they look like they know the game a little more than last year.  I'll try to post a picture as soon as I learn how to.  Gwyneth had theatre and they found out they will be doing a little performance to "One Short Day" from Wicked and she is SOOOO excited!
Some of my co-workers and I are blinging some shoes for a friend so Gwyneth and I took a little trip down to Harry Hines.  I really think I might do some of the Christmas shopping for the girls down there.  Real cute and inexpensive stuff.  My brother-in-law Matt was able to stay with us last night.  He was in OKC for his last fellowship interview and then came down here to get his flight back this morning.  It was great to see him.  We don't get to see him much.
Today we have the first meeting for Girl Scouts.  The troop is now Brownies, so we are going to decide some activities we would like to do and a the Try-It's we want to work on together!
Graduate school has been good.  I ended up not having any classes this week.  Monday was a holiday and Wednesday my building was flooded!  I'm trying to stay on top of things and will be doing more reading today for my Wednesday class!

So much RAIN

Today we had soooo much rain.  My class was cancelled because the building was flooding.  We got to enjoy a wonderful dinner and so much needed family time.  We shall see if we have soccer practice tomorrow. Can't wait for the kids to be in bed so we can watch some more Mad Men!

Two weeks down

We have made it through two weeks of school!  For Emma, the first week of Kindergarten was a little stressful.  Her first 3 hours of Kindergarten, EVER, was in Spanish, no English.  This happened for the whole week.  She slowly adjusted but every after we had a LONG meltdown period.  After the first day of school, we (Emma and I) decided it was better if she went to bed a little earlier.  It was amazing how much this helped.  She is starting to talk about her new friends now and I think she is slowly moving forward with the Spanish.  I am so excited that she is getting the opprotunity to be bilingual!!!
Gwyneth loves 2nd grade and her teachers.  All of her friends are adjusting to not being in the same class.  We had a couple of friends over to watch Camp Rock 2 on Friday and that was a lot of fun!
I have started my Master's classes.  I'm not sure how everything will continue to be balanced, but this week went really well.  I have submitted my first reflection and got good comments on it.  I know I will learn a TON in the foundations of bilingual education class.  There are some huge projects and lots of reading, but I know it will be worth it! 

Tomorrow... very emotional stressful day

My mantra for Saturday the 7th will be "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."  I have a bracelet with this quote on it and I wear it especially on difficult days.  I have this bracelet because my best friend Kate had one when she was in the hospital.  Tomorrow is the third anniversary of her death.  On top of this, I am the crazy one who signed up to take my GRE tomorrow as well.  I remember the day she died and the days following very clearly in my head.  It's not a place I like to go back to.  However, I also found out I was pregnant with sweet Amelia Kate that day.  What does it say that I registered for the GRE on this date and didn't even think about the actual date?  I knew I needed to take it before school started and have enough time to study and I picked this day.  Someone I was talking to said perhaps I suppose to take the GRE on the 7th, ensuring Kate would be on my mind and that she would be there with me while I take it.

I miss her so much.  We had been friends since we were 4 and best friends on and off through out that time, but for sure the last 7 years of her life.  I just simply can not believe she is not here anymore and that it has been three years.

Giving this a shot...

I've thought about setting up a blog for a long time.  I decided while procastinating studing for the GRE to set it up today!  We'll see how it goes!
I have 6 days unitl I take the GRE and a busy week of professional development as well.  Looking forward to next Saturday at about 4 pm.