Life is full of discoveries. I am amazed that even on the eve of approaching 40 I am still learning so much and am so eager to learn. If I could stamp a word over this week I think it would say, “overwhelmed.” I started my “back to college” this week. It has been quite an adventure.
You know when you watch those time travel movies and there are all kinds of new technology introduced? That’s how I kind of feel. Being back in an academic setting has brought back many memories of my previous college years. Funny though, how I was a completely different person. The “Then and Now” is so interesting I can’t help but compare.
I am taking 3 classes online. That was not even a possibility before. They were starting to use “remote” classrooms. It was a new idea that teachers would lecture on video and the classes would be broadcast on PBS or a special local channel. Students who were ahead of the game, recorded their classes to VHS. And, if they had a really fancy VCR, they could record it without even being home.
Every class has emphasized “no cell phones or texting during class.” That was not an issue before—hardly anyone carried around a big brick cell phone back then. And texting—I would have been like texting? What’s that? Sending your textbooks to other people? Then, if someone explained, “Oh, it’s like online chatting just on your phone.” I would have been like, “What? You can’t do that.”
All of the teachers have made their email and cell phones available to students. Before—you had to catch the professor during his office hours or leave him a note. And, as an added bonus, all of your classmates can become your friends on Facebook.
Powerpoint is the new way to lecture. One teacher walked in with his jumpdrive and plugged into the computer that was in the classroom. That’s new. In the 90’s someone would have said, “Jump what?” Or what is that tiny little thing on your keychain, a 16 MG memory chip. No…it’s the equivalent of a 2GB hard drive. And then, I would be like, “What? That’s impossible. That’s like putting the storage space of 50 of my Mac’s on to that little chip.” That’s right—at least 50 of my Mac’s. And, I was really cool because I had a computer. No one had computers back then. At least not in college.
I think I have changed as a student. I thought I was a nerd back in the day, I have grown into an even bigger nerd. I can’t stand being late and I’m over cautious about neatness. In math, I typed my homework, included all of my information and put it in two columns with lines dividing each problem. The poor girl next to me said, “Were we supposed to type our homework?” I responded, “No, I’m just anal. I have issues—as in psychological disorders. You know, lots or problems that have initials—OCD, ADD, ADHD.” She just said, “Oh.”
I actually love to sit in the front row and be early as opposed to previously sneaking in just under the wire and grabbing a backseat. I’m very worried about getting perfect scores now. I used to just be glad to pass—although I would do average or above.
The first day of my math class, we had to take a pretest. It included a section on your perception of your abilities and ideas towards math. The last part was actual algebra problems. I gave myself high marks for confidence, but failed miserably on the skill section. I smiled as I imagined the teacher looking at my paper. He probably thought I was a little out-of-touch with reality. I’ve just been through enough in life, that I know I can do anything I put my mind to. I don’t think I believed that in my twenties. I also have gained a lot of life skills over the years that I have kind of taken for granted. I’m not at all afraid to talk to the person next to me and ask their name. I’ve been much more outgoing. In fact, I enjoy reaching out to people and making them feel more comfortable.
There’s still old fashioned fun about buying new notebooks, pens, pencils, and highlighters. The hard chairs and teachers lecturing hasn’t changed. History is still history, and math is still the same bunch of formulas. I’ve kicked myself many times over the years for not finishing my degree when I was so close. But, I don’t think I really new what I wanted to be when I grew up. It’s taken me a long time to discover myself and what it is that I actually want. I wish I could have known sooner, but life is a journey. Even if you get to where you’re going, you don’t stay there very long.
Not a care in the world, enjoying the warm summer days. They were eating ice cream after playing in the sprinklers.
They discovered a fun little hiding spot in the dryer.
The boys on the front patio at 7 pm. It's still nice and warm outside. Hopefully the neighbors don't mind their love of running around in nothing but their boxers.
They had a blast for their birthday. It was the most fun thing they've ever done. The anticipation leading up to the day--and the day of. I don't think they could contain themselves. Lane kept shouting, "My birthday too!" So we had to include him in everything. We took pictures of him with a cake and we wrapped a few presents for him.
This is supposed to be me....can't you tell? I don't know what I'm doing in this. Maybe flying or falling.
This is my last week of a two jobs...Yeah!!! I've worked a month straight with only 2 days off. And, one was on the twins birthday, so it wasn't really a day off. I'm downloading my camera and came across some of these pics.
For Father's Day I am taking pictures of the kids and having them framed in 11x14 format. I am trying to do it all myself and it's taking alot longer than I planned. I wanted to capture each of their personalities at this time in their life. And, I am trying to do it without Brant finding out. Not so easy.
Here's the two best friends...unless they are fighting. Pictures ARE really worth a 1000 words. This IS Madi and Porter's relationship. She is definitely in charge; he is by her side waiting for the next order. If you mess with "her" Porter she will come after you. She's very protective of him. He is of her too, it's just that she's such a tough little cookie she doesn't need it that often. Porter's outfit was picked out by Mom--and in his true Tom Sawyer-like boyishness, he prefers to be barefoot. Madi's outfit was selected by her--after two or three other tries. She digs boots, hair bows, and dresses. (All provided by her cool, stylish aunts.) Mom is none of those things. I could look at this picture forever, and I am sure in 10 years or more it will bring a tear to my eye as I look back and remember my today with my little cherubs.
We took the kids to the coolest dentist's office. It was a Children's Office and was totally decked out for the kids. They had a blast, and on the way home they wanted to know when they get to go back. Now, that's a good dentist.
I love that the Car Wash was almost as exciting as talking about Disneyland. Our car was SO dirty. I noticed it yesterday when I was coming out of the church building yesterday. It was so bad it was really embarrassing. This morning I decided to take it through a wash. The kids were in their underwear on the couch watching cartoons. I thought they would enjoy it as they have never been to a real car wash before. We loaded up and I tried to explain it all to them. They are so funny to watch. How can a car wash be this exciting? I guess it's all in how you look at it. I had to snap a picture with my phone. They look like little trailer-trash babies, but that's because I decided last minute to load them up--knowing we wouldn't be getting out of the car and that we could load up in a closed garage and return under cover!
My kids are in such an entertaining stage right now. I love just watching them play together. They have such an interesting dynamic between them. Each combination has it's own personality. When the three of them are together, Madison is the leader of the pack. She dictates what they do. Porter always wants to follow her around and play with her.
We set out for our first real family camping trip on Lane's birthday. (Last Friday.) I was so excited. I thought the kids were going to have so much fun. But, I am really a novice when it comes to camping. Brant, on the hand, can go anywhere and camp. He actually lived in a tent for awhile--before I met him. 
