Assume the Position

I can't believe that I'm starting week 4 of my second semester.

On-line learning has become the norm for me.

I absolutely love the convenience, accessibility, and the "no driving."

It's been hard to get motivated this semester.

I think because I thought it was going to be cake

only taking three courses, but I'm wrong!

There is a lot of reading and discussion!

Classes:

Policy

Curriculum Development

Professional Roles

My favorite class is curriculum development because I will

be applying this to my future profession.

Policy, is intriguing but I'm required to be interactive instead of passive

in this class and let me say, I'd rather be passive.

However, I'm working on getting out of my comfort zone and

stating my views/opinions on politics, health care, organizations, etc.

Professional Roles is interesting and reinforces the fact that

Advanced Practice Nurses are professionals, but the

roles are diverse as the profession.

So here is the position I assume when taking my classes.

The environment changes from Library, Panera Bread, couch, dining room table or bed.

But the screen pretty much is always in front of me.

A closer look of my "virtual" classroom.

SO, I think I've found my rhythm in balancing school, teaching clinical, and part-time work.

I love how I can integrate all of my experiences and learn and disseminate my knowledge and experiences to others.

Week 4, only 12 more weeks to go!

Imaginations Flowing

The kids have been busy playing. They have been working hard this weekend. Yesterday, the floor was scattered with "Fisher Price" little people and a miniature city. The next plan was bringing up Connor's box cars and shooting them across the wooden floors. Olivia and Connor played so well together; of course they had their conflicts and little spats, but the outcome was staying together and playing.

Today, the main toy was "Legos." Connor has longer concentration and interest in playing "Legos" and soon Olivia wanders off to dress-up, play with her stuffed animals, or get out her crafty items. She did manage to color Indy with a pink marker in three different areas, not sure if this was from the new stamps she got or just a plain marker...she won't confess.

Connor and his Hotel: it includes a vending machine, escalator, bedroom with a lamp and an alarm clock, parking lot, and shiny floors.
Olivia decided she needed to wear her winter boots while scooting boxcars along the floors.

Celebrations

Celebrating Grandma Roberts' birthday

@ "On the Border"

YUM!

Celebrating free birthday desserts

Marin likes to lick the "salt" off dessert (aka: cinnamon and sugar)
Celebrating girlhood

Celebrating tasty tootsies!
Evan's favorite!

Celebrating free spirit.

Olivia and Marin eating Whoopie pies in their own unique ways.

Celebrating Grandma

Celebrating Grandkids

Celebrating boyhood

Tattle

Olivia: "MOom," she said in that tattle-taling voice, I was thinking she was going to be tattling on her brother.
Me: "Yes, Olivia."
Olivia: "My brain just told me a naughty word." sing-songing the tattle.
Me, holding in my laugh and attempting to be serious, "Oh, what did your brain tell you?"
Olivia whispers, "dumb"
Me: "Oh my, you must tell your brain not to tell you such naughty words anymore."

Bakugan Battles n' Easy Bake Ovens

The kids and I filled our afternoon with games and food. Connor and I battled Bakugans, we both one a battle. Olivia, Connor, and I made a chocolate cake in the "Easy Bake" oven. They took turns stirring the batter and frosting and decorating it with sprinkles. It was very tastey!



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This evening Daddy was chest-pressing Olivia up in the air and Olivia says, " Thanks, because I really need to exercise." hmmm...I guess she has to balance in the air and use her core muscles that could be considered exercise?

Goofball is wearing halloween jammies and a Santa hat!

Road Trip!

Saturday was a busy day for us: Connor had his Pinewood Derby in the morning and his first confession in the afternoon. Then right after his reconciliation service we headed on the road up north to visit some good friends of mine.

The three of us go WAY back. Char and I have been friends since third or fourth grade, we rode the bus together. Jeanne and I have been friends since fifth grade. We've been together for the awkward Jr. High years, sports, High School years, band, chorus, plays, classes, boyfriends, college, and weddings. Then we transplanted ourselves in three different corners of the state.

It was great to together with all of our kids--a total of seven (9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 4, 2!). Char got two babysitters and we set out for a dinner and great conversation. We grabbed every chance we could get to talk, even if this meant all three of us driving the babysitters home! The three of us stayed up until 2:30 am talking and reminiscing. I definitely got my fill of my two good friends and we started where we left off, like we didn't skip a beat. Those kinds of friendships are very precious to me.

Then the next day, we decided to pull a surprise visit at G&G Mehmen's. With only being 2.5 miles away, it's hard not too! Boy, were they surprised! Connor and his cousin Austin had fun playing together and we chatted away with Mom and Dad.

A great weekend and good weather to drive in (which is not so much the case now!). Must get together with my friends and family soon. It's funny how time really flies by the older I get and that time must be treasured.

Olivia's entertainment on the drive: Barbie Laptop and stuffed animals.

silly girl posing with her hat!
Connor decided to pose chugging his root beer for the pic.