Chapter 41: Big Step! & Updates

Well, it's 55* outside and I am avoiding housework. Thus, the updating of our family blog!

In just under 2 weeks our little family will be headed to a new home but also returning to a previous lifestyle that we've secretly missed; College Life.

My classes start on the 24th of this month and I am feeling waves of comfort and reassurance that now is the time for me to finish my education. I am determined to succeed. I know that with my previous experiences, I will be able to better appreciate what I am about to embark on and recognize the importance of the time that I, as well as my little family, will be putting into this journey.

There are definitely things that I am nervous about, but I love myself a good adventure! Luckily, the little neighborhood we're moving into (we snuck a peek earlier this summer) is filled with little bikes and yards covered in FisherPrice and PlaySkool toys. My girl is going to have little buddies everywhere! There are several rugby clubs that meet near our house so my Rodney will be able to do what he loves without having to travel very far! I will be absolutely enveloped in graphic design classes and rekindling my love for 3 Dimensional Art as well as moving into a new home and new community! I see nothing but progression for our family and I couldn't be happier!

I can afford to slack a little bit today because I am so far ahead of schedule as far as packing and dejunking my house so I am enjoying hearing my little girl giggle over Rango while my phone sits on speakerphone for the 50th minute of being on hold with a government office. I plan on eating a corn dog and taking a nap after I'm done with my call. :]

Until next time, but in the meantime, here is a picture that I love.

Chapter 40: Can't Sleep

I am generally on a normal sleep schedule, but lately I can't seem to get back into a routine. We have had an ER visit, too much sick, schoolwork, math tests, new shifts at work and not enough sleep in this house recently and it is taking a toll on this Mama.

And yet everyday we are still breathing, still doing well in our studies and our jobs, but we're definitely still tired.

Now that it is officially Spring (and 80* today!), I have lost sight of the hibernation I might definitely would have enjoyed in the winter months. This must be what it feels like to be a Mama.

I am the only one awake at the moment and while it isn't very late, by my count anyway, I am not enjoying the silence. All I can think of is how much I would love to go for a walk right now just to give myself a distraction or to wear myself out. Only problem is, I'm not in Laie anymore and don't fancy myself a good mugging while aimlessly wandering through my neighborhood.

My eyes are heavy but my mind is, too. This creates a dilemma in my search for sleep.

Chapter 39: First Week of School

The first week of class is always a good indicator of how the quarter will go...Unless you're stubborn like me and refuse to let the next three months go that way!

Not to say that this week went poorly, because it didn't, but I was able to get a better grasp on some of the things I had been struggling to understand about some of the classes I am taking. Most importantly, time management for online classes.

I wasn't slacking or looking for distractions (like some people I know...oh wait, that's still me) but I realized late in the week that one particular class had a LOT more reading than I had anticipated. So, there I was just a few hours before the due date of 3 assignments, all of which I had assumed were minimal considering it is the first week of class and all, suddenly coming to the realization that I had about 10 times more reading to do in preparation for said assignments than I had originally thought. Thank goodness for being a speed reader and still being able to retain information.

I also learned that the class I thought I was going to loathe the moment it started turned out to be the most satisfying to complete homework for and the class I was sure would be the most fascinating is turning out to be a bit more dull than I had anticipated.

All around, it has been a successful week so far! To top it all off, my sweetheart told me he was proud of me for doing this. I knew he was, and he has told me before, but he had timed it in such a way this time that I felt my heart flip a little in my chest. Yep, he's a dream boat. Whatever that means. :]

Chapter 38: Update

It's been a busy few weeks!

Miss Mollie had her 2nd Birthday!

We went for a quick trip to Seattle to see some family and spent a full day at the zoo!

First time seeing a gorilla!

"Come here, monkey! Awww!" Hahaha

This guy was making an awful lot of eye contact with me!

And my sweet husband got a NEW JOB (Hallelujah!) where he is so much happier and comes home feeling like he put in a good day's work!

Rodney turned 27 yesterday, and we had a big yummy cake covered in Peanut M&Ms (his favorite!) and a new couch! :]

Oh, also...Today is my first day of school. Doin' this thing for REAL this time!

Chapter 37: Daydreaming

Daydreaming increasingly everyday about having a house and fixing it up just how I imagine. The future is so uncertain with so many opportunities and options we may take advantage here pretty soon so I know that the possibility of us settling enough to buy a house is pretty low, but ohh how I wish we had a place of our own.

I know it'll happen eventually, when we've found the place that feels right to stay long term, but somehow I feel like we will drift from place to place for a while until things get more concrete as far as work, school, etc... I told Rodney the other night that we should just live in an RV and move from campground to campground...But I can't guarantee my sanity will last longer than a week of that.

I love the "tiny house" idea that is becoming more and more popular, but I really don't mind any dream of a home that's not an apartment. Our apartment is great, it really is. It's so much bigger and cleaner feeling than the one we called home in Hawaii (not to mention all of the amenities that just don't come with a lot of affordable places in Hawaii) but I can't help but dream about how great it will be to have a little more space and most importantly a yard.

We have tossed around living in so many different places, but I feel anxious and that dread feeling in my stomach without having the peace of mind that comes with knowing with absolute certainty that there is a job ready and waiting when we arrive.

I don't know if that is a lack of faith or maybe just the realist in me that doesn't want to make a huge mistake and wind up unnecessarily burdening us with more stress. I'm already prone to anxiety attacks and the last thing I consciously want to do is to put myself and my family in a position where that is inevitable.

I'm not sure what opportunities my own college degree will provide for me when I finish my schooling, but I am hoping that whatever it is will help my little family move forward into another chapter that we will have already been prepared for.

I truly believe that is a factor in why things seem to be moving at a snail's pace in some aspects for our little family. Now is the time to prepare and it would be foolish not to take advantage of this time we are given.

Here's to gaining experiences, education and saving money!

Donations welcome. ;]

Chapter 36: Thank you, Brother Tolutau

When I was still enrolled at Brigham Young University, decidedly a 2-Dimensional Art major, I took a beginning sculpture class.

I had never done any serious exploration with clay and had a less than enthusiastic outlook on how I would do in the class. I went into the class with a mindset that I would fall behind as I had done in so many other classes and that I would have nothing worthwhile to show for it come the semester's end.

It turned out to be the best class that I had taken at that college as well as the community colleges I had previously been enrolled in.

4 years later and I am realizing that I never gave this soft spoken Tongan teacher the proper thank you that he deserved. I'm not sure if he would remember me now, or if he had even the slightest clue as to how down I was feeling on myself when I entered into his class, but his teaching and friendliness helped rekindle something inside me that gave me a new inspiration and direction for my schooling.

He is an accomplished sculptor and well known throughout Tonga due to some of his sculptures that are there now. Even my husband speaks so highly of him and the beautiful creations that many have seen in many places around the world.

Ironically, the first time I met my future husband was at this same teacher's home shortly after Rodney arrived with the new students from Tonga. :]

I'm proud to say that his teaching, encouragement and personal insight on his education (which was strikingly similar to the educational struggles I was experiencing) have been a large factor in my wanting to more aggressively pursue the education that will lead to my personal happiness in 3-Dimensional art.

Thank you, Brother Tolutau for your encouragement and pride in me that was a much needed push in my life. I hope to someday thank you in person for the inspiration of perseverance and kindness alike, and also hope to have that education I am after that will lead to a personal triumph that I am determined to achieve.

Chapter 35: Apartment Garden

Oh glorious sunshine, thank you for finally making an appearance not accompanied by biting wind! I love winter, I do, but if there isn't a sufficient amount of snow to cover up ugly, I'm ready for Spring.

It's HERE!

My own little Miss Sunshine helped me plant a few little vegetables, more for a little fun than anything, and now I feel like turning my balcony/patio into a jungle. I've seen a few plausible ideas on Pinterest, but for now this is what we have.

She was so sweet during this and so concentrated on what she was doing, I loved it! Couldn't get a picture of her watering the planted seeds because I was keeping her from drowning them. Once we finished that and put them in the sunshine I got this face...

...And she says "Mommy, cuddle...nap?"

Sure thing baby girl, and once you fall asleep I'll enjoy my gift to myself (and favorite movie ever) that arrived today :]

Mmmm, David Bowie. <3