Small Moments

Everyday I am bombarded with things that remind me of how much older the kids are getting. Everything from: "No thanks mom, I can read it myself", "I can go outside by myself now", "Idon't need training wheels anymore", "Mom, I can get my own breakfast", "Mom, I can brush my own hair" and the list goes on and on and grows bigger everyday about the things they don'tneed me anymore for. And even though I know that's part of life, they get bigger and need me less and less it still stings every once in a while. Don't get me wrong some days I relish in the fact that I don't have to dress them anymore or change diapers or feed them. But I still look forward to those moments when they crawl up into my lap (which seems to get smaller and smaller everyday).

But then sometimes, when I least expect it, I get a glimpse at my babies just being little kids. Playing like little kids do and not trying to prove to me just how big they are what how much they can do on their own. And it gives me a moment, usually a very brief moment but a moment none the less, to see them as the little ones that they still very much are. Because even though they can accomplish so much on their own now they are still my babies and they always will be...

Well I know this doesnt even begin to compare to what our friends in the Northeast are getting hit with... But for us, its a lot! We got a huge snow and ice storm on Monday night that laid down about two inches of snow and ice. And we've been trapped ever since!!!! Yep three days of being locked in the house with three kids that are either on the computer or going crazy. We havent been to school since Monday and I'm pretty sure we wont be going back till Monday. Were supposed to get some more snow tomorrow. The movers should be here tomorrow to start our move to Granbury, so were all very excited to get that started and over with. The house we found is perfect and were all very ready to get moved in and settled in our new home. But for now we are trying to stay warm and not leaving the house!

What can happen in a year? A LOT!

What can happen in a couple of months? EVEN MORE!

Almost everything has changed for The Martin family and yet in the same breath I could say that we are very much the same... We are all very much in love with our family and very happy these days. As you can see the kids are getting bigger and bigger everyday! Carolina turned 7 right before Christmas, George will be 6 in April and Laney will be 4 in less then a week!

I am returning to my blogging and cant wait to update everyone on our day to day life again arond this wonderful crazy beautiful home...

Just an update...

Ok, ok, ok... I so know it has been FOREVER since y'all have seen anything from me. I apologize for that. Life has totally gotten away from me. But here is an update on the goings on around here...

1. School is hard.
2. Raising three kids is hard.
3. Raising three kids while going to school is harder...
4. I got my VA money all worked out, so I am actually being paid to go to school (no pressure there)
5. Laney is potty training.
6. Carolina should be able to read 25 words by the time she graduates from Kindergarden, she can now read over 70.
7. Carolina was tested and placed in the top 3% of all kindergartens in our town and has now been moved into TAG (talented and gifted) classes.
8. George likes girls.
9. Laney likes to get her own way... ALL THE TIME.
10. Ben is enjoying his job, but its getting harder.
11. We still have a house that WONT sell in WA.
12. My new major is accounting (turns out I'm a math geek)
13. We love our two dogs, turns out life is so much easier with two instead of just one.

Okay.... Well that's all I can really come up with right now and I have a huge load of reading to catch up on. Hope this helps let some of you know that we're still alive out here... just really really busy.

Homework

Homework is a new concept to me. Not that I havent had it before, I had plenty of it in high school but something most of you dont know is, I didnt finish high school. I later learned in life (around the age 24) that I have pretty severe ADD. To make matter worse the second year I was in HS they changed to what they called A-B days. So you would have two classes on one day and three classes on the other. Doesnt sound so bad right? Except that we were still there for the full 7 hour school day, which meant on one of those days the two classes where 3 HOURS long! Needless to say this did not mesh well with my then undiagnosed ADD. So first I just stopped going but continued to do all the class work and then I just stopped completely. Thats right, two months into my tenth grade year I completely quit going to school. Now at this point I feel I should mention that I didnt complete my ninth grade year either. A couple of months into that one I convinced my all to accommodating mother that I would do much better if I was home schooled, by me! Back then homeschooling wasnt the machine it has become today. There were no rules by the schools, no one to over see it... just me and a correspondence course. Yeah I dont feel the need to delve into how well that went or even lasted. I'm sure you can guess I got my first book and maybe made it a page in... But my tenth grade year some of my "better" friends convinced me to come back to school. It didnt take long to realize that it wasnt going to work again....

So now as a college student homework is a relatively new concept for me. College is something that I want to achieve at and work hard to be a great student. These days are different, I am not only now on meds for my ADD but that the school actually sees it as a learning disability and is willing to make special accommodations for me. How cool is that? Last night I sat down to try my first crack at hw and I have to say that I went better then I thought it would. I can already tell that English will not be my strong suit. There is a lot of reading and even though I love reading I'm not so great at reading stuff I dont really have any interest in reading. Math on the other hand I could spend hours doing. I'm going to Ace that class I can already tell. I love it. Once I get the basic understanding of something I go to town on it. I did 80 review questions and didnt even bat an eye at it. I think its because math always has an answer, instant gratification. But as for the rest of it... well its gonna take some dedication because I know it will only get harder from here.

I have to say I love my new found freedom and addiction. I love just being at the school. I dreaded the end of the week that on Monday I was having panic attacks about starting. I'm counting the days till the weekend is over and its back to school again. How silly is that? I have spent my whole life thinking of myself as a horrible student and it turns out I just needed to go to college... lol

One week down...

That's right people, I have one week down and only 155 more weeks to go... The first week kinda went by in a flash. I love being at school and love being around so many people. The classes haven't gotten intense yet, but I know they will. I have been blessed with a great schedule that will allow me to do a lot of my homework and studying during the day between classes. I also found a wonderful school for the kids to attend that has perfect hours!!!! So can I get a Woot Woot to that!!!! I'm taking Psych, Art Appreciation, Math and Eng and so far the art class if my fav. Who would have thunk it huh? After that horrible experience I had with the Art Institute. But this one is different, this one wants me to enjoy and better understand the art around me and as of right now it all seems very interesting to me. I'm sure there will be more struggles that I will be telling y'all all about, but as of right now I am just loving this new part of my life. I am so happy that I choose this point in my life to go to school. I was talking to one of my instructors this morning and he was talking about how much he wished he at just slowed down and appreciated college. I feel like that is what I am getting a chance to do. Yes I have three children that keep me very very busy, but I now have this whole part of my life that is all mine. Its somewhat freeing... Well that's all for now... But you know me, if the mood to write hits me it usually hits me over and over again for a couple of days. So I'm sure you will be hearing much more about school and the fam over the next couple of days. Till then, LOVE Y'ALL!!!!

No post...

Sorry about the lack of post guys... Just started school and plan to tell you all about my crazy day tonight! Dont miss me to much yall!!! lol