I lived through the first year!

Hello friends! 

1 year ago I was a stay at home momma.  My babies were in kindergarten and I was a stressed out girl scout leader who blogged to make herself realize how extraordinary her life really was.  I knew what I wanted to do in life, I was just scared to take that step.

How a year does change things!!!  Well, not really :)  I'm still a momma, and I'm still a girl scout leader... for one troop.  The stress transferred to 5 college classes and balancing it all.  That's also where I realized how extraordinary my life really is.  There was no time for blogging, barely time for blinking!

I could write volumes about my experience, I may still do that... just not today.

Today you get the overview. I can't focus it into a top ten but here is a random list of life's little moments and changes:

~ As I loosed up the reins my kids and hubby took off!  In a good way... they are amazing!!!!  Much more self sufficient, and the creativity in this house makes me smile every day!!!

~My favorite courses all revolve around ecology... science methods (elementary education), Ecology and the Environmental Challenge, and Winter Ecology.   Fun and eye opening experiences in all three classes.  Teaching science will be my main priority.  I became fascinated with owls, and owl pellets.  I am now more aware of climate change and my part in solving the problem.  I can also make shelter out of a pile of snow...

~We found time to take the girls to Disney.  It was my first time as well.  AMAZING!!!!  So glad we went, the girls were the perfect ages at 6 and 10. 

~I made it onto the deans list for the fall semester.  5 classes and my lowest grade was an A-!!!!  Yay, after 15 years I could still make the grades.  Still waiting for this semester's grades.... uuggh!  I'm pretty sure I'll still be on the dean's list... did you know you could have B's and still have high honors... yeah, I learned that too!  Full of knowledge I tell you!!!

~Have you heard of the "freshman 15"... yeah, it really happens, and then some!  I believe it is the need for sitting to study combined with the added study power of M&M's.... but more research is needed to determine an exact cause as to why my pants don't fit anymore. 

~My garden is now in the hands of my darling husband.  He went a little fruit happy with the Johnny's catalog... 6 blueberry bushes, 15 raspberry plants, and 50... yes, 50 more strawberry plants.  We got a few veggies as well to squeeze in there somewhere.  I can't wait for the yummy goodness!!!  Thanks to the early growing season, we already have lettuces, spinach, and sugar snap peas in the garden.  Ahhh... Spring gives hope to a better growing season!  I'm still not over the tomato blight of last  year, such a sad experience...

So, there's a little snippet of life as I know it.  Totally random, crazy, busy, and wonderful!!!! 

Until next time, happy spring everyone!

Dear Santa

Yesterday, in my language arts for elementary students class, we were discussing the journal writing / letter writing genre. To emphasize personal letters the class was asked to write a letter to Santa. Here is my letter:

Dear Santa;
I have picked up the slack for you for years. This year it is your turn. My children have written you letters. I cannot wait to see what you bring since I am turning the shopping over to you this year.

Thank you,
Maine mommy of 3 very good kids

I just realized I had my 200th post!

And I didn't even know for weeks. That figures! I thought I'd make a big deal out of it. Something special...

Something special these days is that I still have time for occasionally blogging and reading my favorite blogs... trust me that's the only me time I'm getting!

I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to enlighten all of you with my new found wisdom. The wisdom that comes with going to school full time for elementary education then coming home to be a full time mommy. It's really amazing and I'd love to share... if only I can find the right words.

I will... soon... stay tuned ;)

Thank you lord for a rainy day

Because the rain gave us:

....a cancelled soccer game,
... a postponed girl scout event,
... a reason to light a cozy fire and candles.
... time to catch my breath,
... time to finish up on homework
and catch up on housework.
... time to play a game with each of the girls.
... time to prepare for family and friends about to arrive.
.... a cozy evening to enjoy homemade wine and laughter.

Thank you lord for this rainy day and all my blessings!!!!

Summer entries need their closure...

Hi friends. I put the garden to bed today. What a depressing year. By the end of the season I was just not into gardening anymore! Maybe a winter will change my mind but I'm not so certain.

Our harvest was better than I had expected. we harvested roughly:

30 peppers, including about 10 jalapenos (which we had a ton of last year)
20 tomatoes (yeah, that includes cherries and grapes! What a year!)
lots of herbs! I have dried enough basil and oregano to give as gifts. I have made 2 batches of pesto. I only have enough thyme and rosemary for my own usage but I am still pleased.
a good 4 lbs of lettuce was harvested throughout the year
Corn... well, we ate 3 weirdly shaped, small ears of corn... but the stalks look cute around my mailbox ;)
Potatoes: were harvested early, I had what 10? 15??
Scallions: I had more than enough!
Not one zucchini!!!! OMG!!!
Squash: 15 or so rather small. All from one plant
Cukes: about 20 throughout the season
Cantaloupe: only 2 that were edible size. Quite yummy!
Honey dew: 1 good sized one
Pumpkin: 1 and it hasn't turned colors yet. So disappointed!

I think that's it?? Oh no strawberries or grapes. Maybe next year. There's always hope for next year!!!

About the CSA... it was a bust for my family. My hubby was right, it was just too far away to become part of the routine. I just couldn't get there when I needed to. I think last week was the last day of operation. I probably left $50 on the table. OOPSIE! Lesson learned! I won't try that again next year.

Here's to winter dreams of next years growing season!

A four day weekend...

A BIG thanks to Christopher Columbus and my college! I have a 4 day weekend and each class finished up with tests last week so very little homework! A nice twist is the rest of the family only has three days off... which gives me a mommy day! I love my kids but boy do I miss mommy days!!

This weekend has been filled with baking, hiking, cleaning, snuggling, soccer, bike riding, and time to think.

Oh The leaves are just perfect for peeping! A hike up a new mountain provided great views. Little did we know a cell phone tower would block most of it :( But I did have great reception! LOL! We made the most of it and then enjoyed yummy diner food. Nothing better than a hot turkey sandwhich after a brisk walk up a mountain!

I've noticed since starting classes the family is becoming more independent. It's great! From my view sitting at the kitchen table I get to observe things like pine needle collections turn into bird nests, bag lunches prepared, dishes loaded into the dish washer... it's wonderful!

From my position in the computer room I get a blocked view. I give guidance however, it's a crap shoot whether it's being done correctly or not. For example: Thing 2 really wanted to make a packet of kool-aid she found in the cupboard (god knows why she was in there or how old the kool-aid was... I never buy it). I was busy studying but she was persistent so I said she could do it herself. She was so excited. She came in here and wrote down all the directions.

KOOL AID
1 Cup sugar
2 quarts water and ice
stir.

She was so proud of herself and hurried off to get busy in the kitchen. I finished my project and went into the kitchen. Here I see my girlie with a regular sized cup trying to suck up a gooey mess of ingredients she had added to it... yes, it seems she misunderstood that it was not a single serve recipe! I've never laughed so hard!!!! How I wish I had a picture for you! We spooned the mixture into my big blue pitcher and added more water. She thought it was much easier to drink now! She then took out her pen and added something to her recipe: Big Jug.

Yes, the greatest thing about being busy is letting them try, fail, and learn a lesson. I now sit back and watch the process, add a few suggestions, ask a few questions....

It's funny but I think I was too into it. I wasn't letting them fail. How will they learn if I just give them the answers???

School may also be effecting my mothering. I'm learning in my science methods class to give an inquiry question to the students then let them investigate the activity BEFORE telling them what the outcomes should be. Then we sit down and discuss what they learned. Amazing Results!!!

Like I've said, I should have done this years ago!

After a month I have learned....

~~Husbands can really step up when they need too... thanks honey!!
~~Teaching activities with the inquiry method really gets kids into the lesson
~~My English grammar needs a lot of work
~~I blessed to be at the best school with teachers who really care
~~I spent more quality time with the kids now that I don't see them as much
~~I really can do this, even if it is in baby steps
~~Every parent should take education classes... boy I wish I had this stuff sooner!
~~I'm meant to be a teacher
~~Time flies!