Just an Update

I'm getting to that point again where I feel like I'm doing great on posting pictures of what we're up to but not great at explaining the thrills of our day to day life.  Since we've had big changes to our day-to-day lately and since the children are all *miraculously* sleeping at the same time at this moment, I am going to avoid my homework by posting a little about our day-to-day life right now.

Our day-to-day really starts with the nights.  Nights have been rough since we left Saba.  A few things have factored into this - our big move from Saba to Grandma and Grandpa Brunson's was an issue of course, but to add to that, Gracen cut 4 teeth at once and all of us have been sick.  The first few weeks here all 3 kids were waking up multiple times at night - because they needed a drink for a sore throat or because they were stuffy or because mom wasn't there and they were in an unfamiliar place or just plain "because!"  Needless to say, I've been mostly a zombie since we've gotten here and it's made handling the days parenting alone a little tougher.  We've got two bedrooms here at Jaron's parents' place and I've been shuffling us around to try to figure out the combination that equals the most sleep for all of us.  Staying up late to do my class would be a lot easier if I didn't have sleep habits that resemble those of the mother of a newborn!

I started an online class at the University of Phoenix a few days after we got here.  It is a junior-level psychology class (Cognition) and is a pre-requisite for starting my master's in October.  It's definitely been keeping me busy and consuming most of my "me" time.  When it's finished, I will take a 20 hour "History and Systems of Psychology" refresher course and I'll be all set to start my master's degree at the end of October through an online degree at Sacred Heart University, a Catholic school in Conneticuit (I joke that my undergrad is at a Mormon school and my MS will be from a Catholic school - maybe I can find a Jewish school to take me for a doctorate?!).  I know what most of you are thinking - why am I doing a master's at this crazy-busy time in my life?  Mostly because of our student loan situation.  It is not easy to get loans from Jaron's school in the Caribbean so our best option for interest rates, etc, is for me to become a student as well.  And when I think about it, it's something I've always wanted to do and when is my life NOT going to be crazy-busy?!  Carpe Diem!!  I'm really excited about doing the master's.  It's in Applied Psychology and I plan to take the Community Psychology emphasis to be able to work as a career counselor or in public agency situations.  I get almost giddy when I read the class descriptions so I know this is the perfect program for me.  It's really kind of a crazy story - I've been looking for master's programs ever since we got to Saba and I've never found one that fits my needs "just right" until now.  I "stumbled" upon this one and everything has just worked out for it.  I have no doubt that doing this program right now is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing and that is a VERY comforting feeling.

Outside of school work, the kids are keeping me running  I love it when people ask what I do for exercise.  I tell them I do my best to keep up with my kiddos!  Alden is almost 4 1/2 and is growing up so fast (I know, EVERY mom says that about their firstborn).  I can't wait for the opportunity to put Alden into school.  He is such a smarty pants and loves to learn new things.  This morning while we drove to Target Alden saw what he thought was an airplane at a distance and told me how if he only had binoculars or a telescope that he would be able to see it better to make sure.  He then proceeded to describe to me what exactly a telescope is - the shape and the layers of glass, etc.  It amazes me what this kid picks up along the way!  NOTHING gets by him!  I am also eager to get him into the social situation that school will provide.  He is so eager to make new friends.  Alden is still having difficulty grasping the fact that the United States is not an island and that even though his friends have also moved back to the States, Ohio and New York are still very far away!  A few weeks ago I found Alden his first bike and he is LOVIN' it.  Everyday he spends a good deal of time out in the driveway riding his little Huffy on training wheels in circles.

I found 2 1/2 year old Eli a little plastic tricycle on Craigslist and although he can't quite reach the pedals, there is no stopping him.  He scoots around on that thing, doing his best to keep up with his big brother and won't let anyone push him on it.  Eli is into everything trains right now but he wouldn't pass up any toy with wheels on it.  Eli is still very attached with his mommy and who can blame him?  He's had 5 moves in his short life and even fewer babysitters.  So I accompany Eli to nursery every Sunday and can't usually even go downstairs without him calling for me to wait for him.  Sometimes it is challenging to have him so attached but I think I need to revel in it a little more.  In no time, I'm sure he'll need me much less than I want him to!

Ten month old Gracen is growing in leaps and bounds.  Besides the mouthful of teeth she's gained here, she's also been changing fast in her motor skills.  She frequently stands up in the middle of the room on her own and loves to climb so I'm sure taking steps is coming up soon.  Yesterday she got herself stuck trying to climb up the backside of a kitchen chair.  She's mastered going up the stairs and has tumbled down them a couple of times.  Gracen loves to be included in whatever the boys are playing with.  It's fun to see her grow cognitively as I catch her doing things like trying to put socks or shoes on her feet or brushing her hair with a brush she finds.  This girl can't pass a mirror without smiling and waving to herself - it is too cute!  Her hair is finally starting to grow but I can't quite figure out how to make any kind of ponytail out of it.  I can't believe Gracen is going to be one in just over a month - I have enjoyed her happy and fun baby personality so much!

In about 2 weeks we will leave for a trip up to Canada to see my family, who I haven't been back to see in about a year and a half!  We're very excited for that!!  I tell ya - ONE DAY I will convert my husband to Canadianism - just you wait! ;-)

Speaking of my husband, we get to see him on Skype a few times a week but I chat with him on there everyday.  We sure miss him!  It's amazing what being apart can do for your marriage - I recommend everyone do it at one point or another.  We just come to appreciate each other so much more - we are able to better recognize what each of our roles in our family are and how we complement each other in them.  We sure love you Daddy!

And that, my friends, is us at the moment!