I found this fascinating quote today:

Yes, that’s right, I am giving away THREE SKYPE PACKAGES each of which includes a Skype Unlimited U.S. and Canada subscription and a Skype Freetalk Everyman Headset. *note: you need your own web cam to use video skype-that is not part of the prize pack.Amy, Giveaway: Skype Headset & 1 Year Skype Service | Frugal Upstate, Sep 2009

You should read the whole article.

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Well, the first week of school has come and gone with only minimal drama. Although, at the time, it seemed like major drama. The twins’ bus was an hour late the first day! An hour late! And no parent got a phone call (this is what really upset me). I had to call them to find out what was going on. It didn’t get any better the second day, either. It was 45 min late. Friday was it’s earliest day (to my knowledge) and it was still 30 minutes late. This is causing a problem for us. Not so much because no one is home, because Brian is home to get them. But the problem it poses is that, by the time they get off the bus, do their homework and eat dinner, it’s bed time for them. On the days I have to work or have class (currently M-T-Th), they have to go to bed when Brian does around 6:30 or 7. So those three days, they get virtually no play time, and certainly no outside play time. And since the twins just learned how to ride their bikes without training wheels, that is the more coveted thing to do during any spare moment of daylight they can squeeze out of the day.

I’m also seeing just how hard the school/work thing is. Not physically, although I am always tired. I can deal with being tired. I did it the first time around, I can do it again. But what really gets to me is Zach crying in the morning, not wanting to go to school because he wants to stay home with me. I am home with them in the mornings and Wed, Fri, Sat (afternoons and evenings) and Sundays, but I guess that’s not enough for him. I really killed me today to wave goodbye and see him waving at me from the buss, tears streaming down his face. I had warned them all, as best I could, that it was going to be tough this year and that they weren’t going to see a lot of me. But I guess they were not prepared for just how much time I’d be away from them. I think I’ll need to spend some one-on-one time with him, and the other 2 as well.

Please pray that we all get through this school year sane! It looks to be a very long one. I know it will all pay off in the end, when I graduate in may and the boys, Brian and I all see the fruits of our labors. But it’s getting to the finish line that’s the battle right now.

Family, The Family, going back to college, life, school, the kids | 1 Comment »

It’s back to school day for us, and since I haven’t updated my blog in…um…FOREVER…I thought today would be the perfect day to jump back in. I started back to classes last week. The boys have been both excited and apprehensive about going back. Alex was up a bit before I got up at 6 this morning. He was snuggled up on Brian’s side of the bed and as soon as my alarm went off and I discovered he was there, he excitedly whispered “I can’t believe it’s my first day of first grade! I’m so excited!” His brothers, on the other hand, were not so enthusiastic. Ryan was a bit more cheerful when he discovered one of the boys in our complex, who was in his class last year, has the same teacher this year. Actually, they both (Ryan and his friend) seemed a bit relieved. Zach wasn’t able to find anyone at the bus stop in his class, but he’s guaranteed to have 3 from his class last year, so I know he’ll be ok. Alex has Ryan’s teacher from last year, so he had absolutely no apprehension about going to school today!

As for me, well, I’m still falling into a routine. Today is my late day on campus; I have a class from 6-9 pm. Other than that, I’m faring well. I’m staying ahead of the readings, which is good. I hope I can maintain that for the entire semester. I need to do well this semester and next to solidify my grad school entry. Speaking of readings…I must go do some of that now, before my next class. Since I left my dinner at home today (the coffee pot being dead this morning should have been a sign…I also forgot to brush my teeth!), I must figure out what to do for dinner during my 3 hour break this evening. It will probably consist of eating in the Union, even though it’s super expensive. But at least it leaves me plenty of study time!

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