Back to School (do I have to?)

Well, I have two days of freedom left before I go back to school. I cannot tell you how much I have both loved and desperately needed this break. Although I was not happy when it came and it still upsets me to think about. If you missed that saga it is here, here, here, and here


I have transferred to Western Governors University. I am actually looking forward to the new experience. This University doesn't have "classes" it has "assessments" and is competency based. If you can pass the assessment, you get the credit without sitting through a class. They take into account you background and what you currently know. Then with my mentor, we decide what resources would be best for me to prepare for the assessment (text, audio lectures, video, a class, etc.). As soon as I am ready I take the assessment, I can and move on. Some assessments are exams, others are projects or presentations. At least this is the sales pitch. It is an intriguing set up and I want to see how it actually works out.

I was actually scheduled to begin at the beginning of July, but I postponed it a month. In dealing with Joshua's eating issues, I had lost a whole month. I don't remember June happening at all.

So August is the month. But I am not getting enough sleep as it is. WHAT AM I THINKING?!?

Well, for one, I will have to start paying back my loans if I do not return. I looked into deferment due to unemployment, but I would have to be actively seeking employment to qualify.

So do I really HAVE to go back? No I really don't. I could just say no and focus on my family and the other things I have been wanting to do. But I also know that I will forever regret it if I don't. So here I go (full of trepidation)

Life

Life is a very fascinating journey. Our trials, our joys, our growth or lack of it, and how we leave it. Especially curious are the ones who leave this life at a young age. Illness is a difficult trial to deal with. But the sudden ones get to me.

Ten years ago, I lost Tiffany, my best friend from high school, to a car accident. She was 26.

About 5 years ago a newly married young woman from my church ward simply died in her sleep. She was 7 months pregnant with their first child. They were buried together.

Two days ago, a young man Jonny grew up with from Lakeside, Hans Hansen, was killed in a work accident. His wife is pregnant with their second child. They were in our ward when we lived there. I knew them, but not very well.

These are the deaths that I most often ask, "Why?" Why so young? Why at this point? What about those left behind? I do believe there is a plan and a reason; I believe that good will come from all of this. But I am curious why someones earthly missions might be so short. What will they do now?
What of Hans's wife? She was born in Russia and adopted by an American family. Now in her twenties, she looses her husband. Wow! I hope she and her children will be OK.

Back to Zones

We have been functioning on minimal maintenance (if even that) since Joshua arrived. Next week I want to get back to our work zones and do a deeper cleaning each day. I use to think that I had to do one zone a week because that is what was always recommended. This was because they were always trying to tell me "this is all you have to do today so you can do it." Instead, I will work on a zone until it is finished and then move on to the next zone whether it takes 2 days or 2 weeks. What was happening was I was finishing early and then getting a break. This is not good if I am trying to create a habit. The idea is to get into the habit of consistently working through them.

Zone 1 Laundry Room / Garage, Playroom and Outside
Zone 2 Bathrooms and Bedrooms
Zone 3 Kitchen and Dining Room
Zone 4 Living Room and Desk

It is good to have a smaller house!

Now Daniel likes to use the chore cards. Steven prefers a simple list. I wonder if I can accommodate both of their preferences without doing too much myself.

The other trick is working in our rhythm. (Of course the flow of the day is often determined by the level of successfulness of the bed time routine from the night before.) I want to include:

Clean bedrooms
Breakfast
Scriptures
Chores
With feeding Joshua and pumping somewhere in the mix. This is what is messing up the flow.

By this time, they usually need a good break. Now during the school year, this would all happen before we begin school for the day. If we are slow then school doesn't start until almost lunch time.

I need to figure out when I will do my own studying too. I would like to do as much before they wake up as possible, (without starting the day out too late) and then have an hour or two in the afternoon when I have uninterrupted time. (Yeah right, with Joshua?!?)

Be prayerful. Take it one day at a time. Create a victory list.
I think I need someone to report to; someone who will keep me accountable, not to perfection, but to progression.