We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Thanks to all of our veterans who have served our country and to all of the soldiers who are right now. Thanks also to the families behind the soldiers. Happy Memorial Day to all!
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Trying to stay focused AND positive :)

Thanks for all of your comments on my previous entry, you all are the best :)
I found out yesterday that in order for me to take the CNA class I have to add it to my application and then redo my grants, which could take awhile. Since it's a certificate program and not a diploma one like the LPN the grants wouldn't cover all of the expense. So I'm thinking is it really worth it? I mean I don't need it to continue on with my LPN. I'm just hoping for that letter in August saying that I am in the clinicals this fall. I know patience.

So after a morning of worry and not knowing what to do, I go to class and when I come home there is a message on my answering service. I had put in a few applications here and there, testing the waters, and I have a job interview TODAY! It's for a christian bookstore for a possible assistant managers position. I'm thinking maybe this is a sign?? If I have to wait for clinicals in the spring then I can continue working and stash money away so when Ben does get out we have extra. He will get a monatary amount when he gets out but me being me and this being the military who knows when that would be etc so I want to be on the safe side. If I get in the clinicals this Fall, I had put on my application that I'm in school so I'm sure they would be willing to work with me. If this interview doesn't pan out I am going to send out my resume to a few doctors offices that are hiring receptionists. Gotta start somewhere :)

Tomorrow is the last of Ben's cortizone shots in his back. Friday Matthew and Caitlin have their promotion ceremonies....emotional week ahead! Better go and finish up last minute studying...I have a test today over the endocrine system, blood and the heart, OH MY! :)

Oh and my step nephew, Nathan, made it home safely from Iraq thank goodness! He found out that in January he has to go back :(

Things....

Things just aren't working out and I'm not sure why....Ben and I had this "plan" we've been working on. The plan includes me getting in the LPN program this Fall, do my clinicals and then graduate so that will be just enough time for him to get all of this military review/chaptering/retiring out of the way and then when I graduate, get a job, he can get out and we will still be covered. Things just have a way of putting a kink into all of that and at this point I'm not sure what to do....I feel so defeated. I have worked so hard, worked my tail off, to get good grades and do everything else around here. It sounds like I won't be going into the LPN program until the Spring of 2006, waiting list from hell. *sigh* So now what am I going to do.....I have an option but then that means continuing on with school this summer. I'll find out for sure today, I'm just really down....

Whew!

My first test this week, over 3 chapters, I made a 94 and my midterm, over 9 chapters, I made a 96!! I had no idea my brain could actually retain all of this information! lol It seemed like all I did was study so today after class it's major catch up time on the house. The fun never ends....

The kids are gearing up for their last day of school in a couple of weeks. This year just flew by. Matthews 5th grade promotion is on the 27th at 1 and Caitlin's is on the 27 at 4 for her 8th grade promotion. Of course they are on the same time. I will be an emotional wreck by the end of the day. I remember crying when Caitlin was promoted from 5th grade, happy tears but tears! Then they have birthdays the first part of June.

Ben is going to be gone for most of June. His unit is deploying back to Iraq in November, no thank God he doesn't have to go since he has that medical profile and they are going to either chapter him or retire him, but he is helping getting them trained to go. He has been so tired and its only going to get worse. His pain level is very high and I'm worried. He has another appointment on the 25th so we'll see.

This weekend we have nothing going on. It seemed like for the past few months every weekend was so busy we couldn't catch our breath. This weekend we are hitting Tybee Island. The water temp is up to 72 and I hear it calling my name :)

My Mother's Day

I hope that all of you moms out there had a wonderful day :)
We went to the early service at church and were greeted at the door with some small bouquets of yellow and white daisies. Nice surprise....Justin made the cutest card at church too. He was proudest of his flower that he gave me on Friday. At school they planted flowers in OJ containers and decorated them, too cute!

We came home and Caitlin fixed brunch....yummy crepes with your choice of peach, blueberry or strawberry toppings.

My good friend Julie invited us over for a Mother's Day dinner, Matthew helped her cook. Everything was really good. I received some pink carnations, #1 mom keyring, homemade cards, giant size hershey bar with almonds and a very romantic card from Ben. It was a really great day and I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family :)

Now it's back to reality, studying for 2 tests back to back. If I'm not here in the next couple of days you'll know why.

Prayers to Jackie who is giving birth to her son and waiting on her hubby Brad to get there, he is deployed in Iraq and hopefully he has made it by now.

Mother's Day

The family is like a gardenwith joy for all to share,With tender, growing blossoms that thrive on love and care, And when the flowers are gathered for a very special day,They make a bright and beautiful happiness bouquet. ~Mary Loberg

Wishing all of the moms a very special and wonderful day :)

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

I am the wife of an American Soldier. I am a supporter of the United States Army - an encoura gement for the protectors of the greatest nation on earth. Because I am proud of my husband and the uniform that he wears, I will always act in ways creditable to him, the military service and the nation he is sworn to gaurd.I am proud of my husband. I will do all that I can to protect and provide for my family in his absence. I will be loyal to myhusband and to the vows that we made as we entered the covenant of marriage.I will do my full part to carry on the valuesand goals we have set apart for our family and I will continue to instruct our children in the same manner.As a soldier's wife, I realize that I play a vital role in my husband's decision to become a member of a time-honored profession - that I am doing my share to keep alive the principles of freedom for which my country stands. No matter what situation I am in, I will never do anything, for pleasure, profit, or personal safety, which will disgrace my husband, his uniform or our country.I will use every means I have to encourage my husband to be the best soldier that he can be.I am proud of my husband, my country and its flag.I will fly the flag and will always remember the sacrafices made by my husband and by generations of men and women that have served our beloved country. I will try to make my husband proud of the manner in which I accept his decision to defend my freedom andthe freedom of all American citizens -for I am the wife of an American soldier.

* From www.sgtmoms.com

Thank you to all of the military spouses everywhere....

Frustration

I've felt this way for the past few days and I'm not sure why....maybe it has to do with everytime I look around something else needs to be done...I'm behind on errands, laundry and just feeling down in general. Not sure why but I am. Hopefully I will snap out of it soon! I think I just need some "me" time if that makes sense but at this rate I might get that in 2007,lol.

I really do like school but its frustrating right now too. We covered a whole chapter on muscles in one day, yes ONE day! There is so much info its not even funny. Now we are on the nervous system. We have still one more chapter this week to go over then we have a test over those 3 on Monday then our midterm over the first 9 chapters Tuesday. This Mother's Day weekend will be me studying....I just keep reminding myself that in the end it will be so worth it, all of this will be.

Caitlin finished her term paper and handed it in yesterday. It was on the Great Depression. Matthew has an upcoming Band concert Thursday so he gave us a mini preview of it last night. Its amazing how well he is doing after just a few months ago he could barely carry a tune on his trumpet. Now we know what he is playing :) Justin keeps telling me that he will be in 3rd grade next year but he wants to keep his teacher he has now. This week at the school is Teacher Appreciation Week. Yesterday they were suppose to hug their teacher, today they will make a card for them and tomorrow they are suppose to bring them something sweet. Matthew says his teacher loves Hersheys so I went to the local wally world and bought a king size hershey bar and Justins teacher is getting one of those Symphony candy bars, mmmmm!

Ok off to get the day started or at least attempt too. Have a good one :)

Happy May Day! I can remember growing up when we use to place flowers on doorsteps of our friends and neighbors in celebration of May Day. It seems like that fun tradition has gone away. Wishing all of you a wonderful May :)
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