Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Term is almost over


Kids are sick, and I am fighting it off. Fortunately, I am done with everything except my finals, and my portfolio for my University Seminar class, which mostly consists of final tweaking of my papers, and a self-reflection essay that is only a page long. So I'm not feeling stressed. The Sociology final is a take home essay, and I am pretty confident I will do well on it. I have only a week until the term is over :)

I got some awesome pics of my youngest son yesterday. It snowed 6 inches and stuck, which only happens 1-2 times per winter here.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Week 3 of Fall Term

Doing well so far in school. I am not feeling overwhelmed at all. I have plenty of time to work on my homework while Nick is at the Y. I am enjoying the spirited discussions in both my classes. My USEM teacher is awesome. I am so inspired by her. And the other students may be young, but they are so eager to learn and so involved. So different than my previous college experiences :) I am so happy right now!

Cassie is doing well in school too. Her grades right now are 2 A's, 2 B's and 2 C's. I think she'll pull both C's up by the end of the term, but even if she doesn't she is really trying and I am very proud of her. She even is getting up a half an hour early on T/TH so I can be on time for class. No complaints about having to help out more and I am just so thrilled she is being so helpful! :)

Lane also has been helping out a lot, watching the boys T/TH morning and taking them to school. He also finished the gravel path that he started this summer without me having to nag anymore :)

When life is good it is amazing!

Friday, September 22, 2006

Registration Today

Today I registered for my Fall 2006 classes. I am taking 2. Because I got in so late I had little to chose from, and had to wait list one of the classes I wanted to take. I will be taking a writing class, and a sociology class. I have figured out how I want to take the rest of my prerequisites before starting the nursing program, and I hope to finish those by Spring 2008. I don't really want to start my major until Fall 2008 so that my youngest son will be in school all day and won't have to be in daycare as much. This semester I won't need any daycare during class times, since I am taking a 8-9 am class T/TH and a 4-6pm class T/TH. My 14 yr old DD will babysitt for the evening class until DH gets home, and DH will watch them in the morning until I finish class and then he can go to work. DS in middle school
will take the bus, and DH will drop off our other school age son. I will drop off DD on my way to class and pick her up on the days I need her home earlier than the bus gets her home. This is going to be wild! LOL

I felt rather odd on campus with all the young kids. I felt like I should be one of the parents bringing their kid, instead of the student. But once I got to the transfer student orientation I felt o.k. They weren't too much help for me, but I will make an apt with my nursing advisor and hopefully that will help clarify what credits I still need before I apply. Thankfully next term I will be able to register early and hopefully get the classes I need!!

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

My H.S. student!

Yesterday we met with DD's High school counsellor to set up her schedule for the year. She is now enrolled in 7 classes. She will be taking

English 9
Health Sem 1/ PE Sem 2
Global Studies
Japanese I
Study Skills
Drawing/Painting 1 & 2
Algebra A

All I need to do to get her ready is buy her a cell phone (prepaid) and enroll her in the weekend freshman overnighter. They have a sleepover to let the kids get to know each other before school starts.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

What a day!

Yesterday I took Cassie to do her standardized testing to comply with the homeschool law to get tested after 8th grade. On the way home she tells me she WANTS to go to Public H.S. now. After the initial OMG butterflies, I tell her o.k. if that is what she wants :) We registered her this morning, went to do the second 1/2 of her testing in the afternoon. When we got home, it was off again to register Max in middle school, and Jake in 3rd grade.

A lot of papers, and then home to file them and fill out the rest of my own application. I took the first real action on my college plans. I called SCCC and U of I for my transcripts to be sent, and left a msg at my H.S. I'll call them again tomorrow since the person I needed to talk to was out to lunch.

I am going to go very part time this semester- just one or two classes to get my feet wet and get back into the student groove. Then more next semester if I get enough student loans. I am really hoping to get a scholarship :)

Right now the plan is to try to get my B.S. in Nursing, then go on for my Masters and become a Nurse Midwife. I think I can do the whole thing in 8 yrs. (2 yrs part time, then 4 full time for the Nursing program, then 2 for the Masters) If I can't do the Nurse track, then I'll do the Education track and become a Teacher. One way or another I am going to have a career that will let me put my kids through college and retire on my own merits :)

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Back to school

This is our last full week of Summer vacation before the kids head back to school. I am taking DD to her 8th grade testing this week, 5 hrs of testing so we are compliant with OR homeschool law that requires us to test at the end of 8th. Then she will just have 1 more set of required tests after 10th. Registration for my boys is on Wed, and then the week after that we go back.

Littlest DS goes back to daycare/preschool on the 4th of Sept. I will be very happy to have him get a break from me. He's been a handful lately.

Rocky had his second week of puppy school. He socialized very nicely today instead of hiding under my chair. Made buddies with the german shepherd on our right and the St. Bernard pup on our left LOL. I was happy to see him come out and play :) His sister is in the class and he got her to be less shy too and actually wag her tail :) Last week they were the only 2 hiding under the chairs. It's the Chow in them I guess LOL. I gave him a bath today and he tolerated it much better than Taffy. Now he is all fluffy and clean :)

I found out this week my brother and his wife are having a baby :) My first niece or nephew on my side! It will be their first and they are due in March. I am so so happy for them. They waited a long time and I was worried they might wait too long. I know my brother will be a great dad. I just wish they lived in the U.S. Japan is so far away :(

I decided today that I must go back to school. I really feel like if I don't then I never will and I really want to get the show on the road. I need a career where I can definately make enough $ to justify the degree, and help pay for my kids college too. I am feelign the financial pressure of only 1 income and I know at my current stage of life I have to pick something that can pay off right away.

I know I am smart enough, and have the aptitude to do it, so I am looking seriously at Nursing with a fall back option of Teaching if I don't get in to nursing school. Around here those are two areas they actually need good people!

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Fantastic Trip

Visited my mom and stepdad in ID with all the kids and the dog. Probably the best visit we've ever had with them! DH stayed home and worked. He watered the garden for me and enjoyed a kid free 11 days watching TV and working on the gravel path we are putting in on the side of the house.

We had moderately hot weather, but still tolerable without A/C. I took a bunch of photos of the kids skipping rocks into the Snake river :) Taffy and my parents dog Trevor took a few days to accept one another, but they played pretty well by the time we left.

I got to relax, decompress and read a lot :) Rarely get to just do whatever I want these days. How nice it was!

Came home Thurs and got a flat tire in an extremely fortuitous location- caught it before it got 100% flat in the last town before I'd have gotten stuck in the middle of nowhere!! 2 new tires later and we drove home safe and sound.

Then yesterday we went to the Circ Chimera http://www.circuschimera.com/ with my dad and stepmom. WOW that was cool :) The kids had a great time. The best part was the contortionist. She was unbelivably flexible! Just incredible!

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Blue is my color

http://zenbear.com/personality_test/insight4.html

I'm definately a blue! I scored 32 Blue, 24 Gold 9 Orange

The Blue personality type is more difficult to describe than the other colors because the Blue's goals are somewhat nebulous, even in the mind of a Blue. However, more than anything else, Blues are in search of themselves. They are absorbed in the act of becoming. While the other colors go after straight-forward desires, the Blues are involved in a perpetual search for self. In a sense, their purpose in life is to have a purpose in life.

Blues are in search of themselves
The quest for self-actualization is never-ending. In a paradoxical statement of purpose, Blues want to become who they really are. This search for identity can cause some Blues guilt, since they feel what they are now is not all they should be. They may go from place to place, idea to idea, seeking their own uniqueness and an elusive unity with self.

Blues need to feel unique
Blues hunger for an identity that is unique. Blues must feel unique. They must feel that they are special. To be just one person among millions--a cog in the machine--is to be nothing. In whatever role they are in, Blues need to be appreciated for their unique contributions. They want to make a difference in the world. They need meaning in their lives.

Blues must be true to themselves
‘To thine own self be true’ strikes at the heart of Blues. They value integrity--not the kind of integrity that a Gold might value, dictated by societal conventions and ethics--but integrity of self. They must be true to themselves and their inner potential. To be in harmony with themselves, Blues must be genuine and authentic at all times. To do any less would be to lose the self they are seeking.

Blues look for symbolism
The Blues' desire for significance leads them to live in a world of symbolism. They are extremely sensitive to nuances and subtleties in gesture that are often imperceptible to other colors. They will notice the body language of a person that would totally escape the other colors. They look for metaphoric meanings. Because of this, the added dimensions Blues add to communication are often lost on other colors. Blues are also vulnerable to interpreting messages that are not always meant by other colors.

Blues value close relationships
Blues value close relationships. They bring to relationships a heightened sense of meaning and drama. Their relationships begin with enthusiastic anticipation accompanied by a considerable investment of effort and emotion. Unfortunately, many times they end in disappointment that what could have been was not. Blues give time and energy to a relationship freely, especially as it is developing. They are not necessarily concerned that their efforts be fully reciprocated, as long as some response is given. They are highly romantic and appreciate small tokens of love and symbolic gestures. Blues are deeply devoted and loyal friends.

Blues look beyond the surface
Blues try to see beyond the surface to what is good inside a person. Because of this romanticized view of others, Blues will sometimes remain in unhealthy relationships, always hoping that their partner will change. On the more positive side, in a healthy relationship this patience and optimism can help the relationship continue to thrive. The Blue will always look for something more in others, as in themselves. They cannot believe that the visible is all there is.

Blues share emotions
Blues like to talk about their emotions with others. They are good listeners and excellent communicators. Life, for a Blue, is something to share, feel and experience with other people. They want to understand and they want to be understood. The best way someone can show they love a Blue is to spend time talking, listening and sharing feelings.

Blues make decisions based on feelings
Many people consider Blues to be overly sentimental. Blues make decisions based on their feelings, not logic. The feelings of Blues are hurt easily. They are extremely sensitive to criticism. Blues tend to collect mementos, souvenirs, keepsakes and scrapbooks of things that are meaningful to them. They have many things they are unable or unwilling to throw away. Blues will likely have many photos of people and events that are meaningful to them.

Blues need harmony
Blues are not competitive by nature. A competition implies someone has to lose, and Blues want everyone to be winners. In a conflict, Blues will be more concerned that everyone is satisfied at the end than that their side wins. Though they do not give up their own ideas, Blues will often let others have their own way just to maintain harmony. In a group they will often take the role of the peacemaker. They are very sensitive to and stressed by conflict.

Blues are adaptable
Blues have the ability to appear to those around them as whatever those people want to see. Usually Blues will not find it necessary to correct these impressions. In general, they are very empathetic and are content to let others see whatever it is they seem to need or want. They will only share their personal view of themselves with those very close to them.

Blues are drawn to nurturing careers
There are also many Blues in fields such as psychiatry, counseling, teaching, religion and social work. They are driven by a desire to nurture others. Any career that provides the opportunity to help people develop into warmer, kinder, more loving human beings is likely to appeal to Blues. Blues see the potential good in everyone and devote themselves to cultivate this potential. For this reason, missionary work and the ministry attract Blues, as do social work and charity organizations. Many Blues are willing to make great personal sacrifices to help others find their way in life. Blues try to bring out that which is good in others. Blues can also be found in jobs that require a lot of social interaction, such as receptionists or sales clerks.

Professions that involve transmitting ideas and attitudes also appeal to Blues. Thus, many Blues become teachers (especially at elementary levels), even though Golds usually outnumber the Blues in schools. Blues tend to choose the humanities, arts or social sciences as their areas of interest. Regardless of the occupation, they like to be involved with people and communication. Blues in the work force need to have peace and tranquillity on the job. They do not like working in an environment where there is a lot of tension, disharmony or people arguing. They like peace and harmony.

No occupation is completely filled by one color. Sometimes Blues and Golds are difficult to distinguish because they both are drawn to service occupations. To see the difference, examine their motivation and what they get out of the job. Golds want to take care of the system. Blues want to take care of people. As an example, Blues will be drawn to nursing for the purpose of serving individuals and would enjoy helping, supporting, building relationships, and the opportunity to be with and meet others. Golds see it as a job to be done, and it is their opportunity and responsibility to do it.

Blues get involved in causes
Blues often have a sense of mission and use their creative talents to convert followers to their cause, whatever it might be. Blues are easily involved in causes, though they will not stay long if the cause does not have lasting significance and show itself capable of helping improve the conditions of people.

Blues have sought many ways to find deeper meaning in their lives. The encounter group movement was largely started and attended by Blues seeking an elusive intimacy and intensity in their relationships. They sought to find themselves and ‘get in touch with their feelings.’ The whole concept of group therapy that involves the open exchange of emotions is intrinsically Blue.

Blues are committed to ideals
Blues often have difficulty limiting the amount of time and energy they devote to work. This is because Blues are drawn to work that matters to them. Blues do not work on impulse; they work toward an ideal. Once Blues make a commitment to a production or endeavor, they are often unable or unwilling to limit their involvement. They can then be unreasonably demanding on themselves and others if it is for a cause or goal to which they are committed.

Blues explore a variety of areas
Unlike Greens, who stake out their area of competency, Blues are liable to move from idea to idea, dabbling in different areas. Like the Orange, the Blue wants to taste the abundance of life. Unlike the Orange, the Blue needs to find meaning in each experience. Blues will often romanticize events. They are more interested in people than in abstractions. Blues think about the possibilities in people rather than in principles or nature.

People matter most to Blues
People matter more than things to the Blue, relationships matter more than abstractions, and interaction is more important than action. As Blues seek to fulfill their potential and find a unique of identity, they come to realize that the process never ends. The important thing is to work toward becoming a final, finished person and help others along that same path.

Blues bring unity to society
The Blue personality is what keeps everyone working together. Blues are the mediators of the world. Blues are those who are always taking care of people's physical and emotional needs. They bring compassion and concern for spiritual matters to society.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Summer Vacation

Well Wed will officially start summer vacation for my kids. I am trying to wrap up all the end of the year loose ends before we motor over to my moms for a visit. I want to go while it is still cool enough not to fry in the metal trailer! Last year the poor kids were so hot. I want my mom cooled off too, she is as bad about being cranky in the heat as the kids LOL. The only other summer plans- go to the ocean for a 4 day weekend with DH and the kids, and lots of swimming and playdates for the kids. Oh and sleep IN!!!

On the career front,

1. Photograpy- looking into online classes, going to spend the summer reading reading reading the many books I bought on it. Thinking about specializing with babies and pregnant moms, maybe even birth photography!

2. Doula - Wouldn't be able to do it until littlest is in middle school, the kids need me too much to be available during the day. Birth is unpredicatable.

3. Midwife- still thinking about it, but the liability issue concerns me. Will have to do more soul searching

4. Author- always there.

5. Landscape Architect. Still not sure how to swing the degree on this one. Local U doesn't have a program. Still looking into online possibilities.

These are the top 5 for now.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

35 and still alive

Long time no post!

I have passed my 35th birthday as of April 7th and I am feeling like I have crossed a milestone. Life is keeping on keeping on. Lots of kids stuff, mostly good. The boys are really thriving in their classrooms and the IEP meetings went well. My littlest is finally out of the "Let's make a big mess" phase and keeping to his toys and games instead of my kitchen cupbords so the carpet is safe once more LOL. He is the one who will end up turning my hair white though ;)

DD will turn 14 next month and is being all the teenage girl she can to make me feel like it's going to be over before I know it. Shooting up in height, a slender willowy emotional young woman who knows how to push all my buttons. Having to learn new parental ninjitsu to keep up LOL. Put parental controls with password on all computers in the house, what a pain grr. To be expected though that she would finally push the boundries. Wouldn't let a stranger just walk on in my home, so no online strangers without being approved by me in a moderated environment. Sigh, being a grown-up sucks sometimes. The sulkiness might kill me before she goes off to college. Also have decided to homeschool H.S. since she is really not ready for the crash course of the social minefield of public H.S. Better to keep her at the learning center where she has friends and is happy and learning. We'll worry about the rest later. Academically she's doing great.

DH is happy at work, life is actually pretty humdrum but that is a real blessing. Giving me more time to read and try to figure out the fancy camera I bought myself. It's a Canon Rebel XT. Very fancy digital SLR with all the bells and whistles. I can't do more than point and shoot with it yet but I mean to become an expert with it.

As far as my career search goes I feel just as far as when I started sometimes. I need to be able to express myself, learn things, use all the HAB gifts I have and still make $. A tall order. I am stumped for now. Fortunately I have another year before going back to school and small one in Kindergarten. I know I can figure it out. I have been playing with the idea of being a midwife. In Oregon it is really the easiest state to do it. I have to see about the legal liablility coverage though. There is a school here where I live. I could also be a doula. I made it through 4 labor and deliveries of my own without meds, and I was a coach for my friend when she had her baby. I love pregnancy and birth so maybe that is a path I could take. I need to feel it out though, it requires a lot of time away from my family at odd hrs. But maybe when they are older. Something to let bubble underneath my subconscious.

Monday, February 20, 2006

Just something fun

http://kevan.org/johari?name=Becca+Anne

Click on the 6 qualities you feel best describe me

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Latest and Greatest

Medical stuff seems to be in the air in my house,
DH is now sleeping much better and no more snoring and apnea now that he has been put on a CPAP machine at night to help keep him breathing! He was starting to fall asleep typing at his desk at work and I was watching my husband slip away. I am so grateful for modern technology!!! He also has been having major dental work done this month- 2 crowns, and today he got the first one put in. He is in major pain and may still lose the tooth :(

Jake went to the ENT yesterday- everything checks out there so no need to have any surgery. I am supposed to monitor his sleep and report back if I notice any apnea.
His blood tests last month for allergies came back with everything fine except a severe allergy to cats, and a low allergy to dogs. We have had 3 cats since he was born! We have a dog. He is now on an antihistimine and I am still considering how to keep the cats out of his bedroom. I may have to resort to putting the cats outside, and making them a "cat house" with heat lamp. I am so torn because we love our pets so much, but between my allergies to the dog, and Jake's to the cats I feel like a bad parent for trying to keep them :( But I know all 4 of my kids would be miserable without their beloved pets! A no win situation!

As for me, I'm still way too overweight, not eating right and I know I need to make some major changes for my health. I am going back in for my follow up allergist apt in late Feb, and hoping to take the allergy shots soon afterwards. It will be a several year committment with weekly, then monthly shots. I am afraid, very afraid LOL but I know its for my own good. I am managing well on my asthma meds, Advair + Zyrtek seem to be the magic combo for me right now. We'll see when spring hits with all the pollen!

I bought a new camera, a Canon EOS Rebel XT. It is a digital SLR camera. I considering Professional photography as a career option. It's not on the list I came up with, but it fits into my love of celebrating life, working with people on my terms, spatial ability (composition), detail orientation, specialist nature and introverted need to work in a field where I control my own work schedule and environment. At the very least I will be able to take much better photos of my kids! At heart I am an artist, and photography is a really fun medium to play in.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

What Color are You?

BLUE
BLUES are motivated by INTIMACY, seek opportunities

to genuinely connect with others, and need to

be appreciated. They do everything with

quality and are devoted and loyal friends and

employers/employees. Whatever or whomever

they commit to are their sole (and soul)

focus. They love to serve and will give

freely of themselves in order to nurture

others lives.

BLUES, however, do need to be understood. They have

distinct preferences and occasionally the

somewhat controlling (but always fair)

personality of a confident leader. Their code

of ethics is remarkably strong and they

expect others to live honest, committed lives

as well. They enjoy sharing meaningful

moments in conversation as well as

remembering special life events (i.e.,

birthdays and anniversaries). BLUES are

dependable, thoughtful, nurturing, and can

also be self-righteous, a bit worry-prone,

and emotionally intense. They are like

sainted pit-bulls who never let go of

something once they are committed. When you

deal with a BLUE, be sincere, make an effort

to truly understand them, and truly

appreciate them.


What Color Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla