Time for an update

Merry Christmas!
Things are finally starting to settle into place after all the adjustments we've made in our lives recently. I stay busy all the time running from job to job and home again, but we've all fallen into our own routines and its not that bad. John is on his winter break from school. I'm so proud of him, he made a 4.0 GPA this past semester. Thomas is enjoying school a lot. He made "Student of the month" for December. Nathan is starting to talk more. He has the same personality of his daddy, hard headed and out spoken. When you point your finger at him and tell him NO, he points his finger back at you, scowls, and says NO. Its hard to believe how the time has flown. It seems like it was Thanksgiving yesterday and now its already Christmas Eve. As busy as our lives have gotten in the past 3 or 4 months, and as stressful as things may have seemed, I still have to say that life is good.

Where does the time go?

Is it really October 11th? The time just flys bye these days.
Life is pretty good. I have issues some days with the fact that I work so much now and I'm not there every minute of every day for my boys. I really enjoyed being a stay at home mom. I feel that if there is a way for a mother to do that with her children its important that she does. There is so much you miss when you are out working and not at home with the children. I've only been a working mom for a month and I've already missed a handful of important events. Things like Thomas getting on the school bus for the first time.
Work is going well. Last week I got offered a job as a site director for the before and after school program. This is a big step up from a site assistant. The site director is in charge of the entire program for the school that they are working at, where as a site assistant is just there to help the site director implement plans that have already been made. So hopefully I will be stepping up to the site director position in the next week or so.
I really enjoy my work at JCPenney. I like working hard keeping the store organized and looking good and meeting and greeting each and every customer. I hope to eventually get offered a full time job there and a pay raise. That will be somewhere down the road. I'm still in only my first month which is considered the probational period.

Update.

Just dropping in for an update. Life is still CRAZY busy. I'm so exhausted that sometimes I feel like I'm turning into a mindless robot that does what it needs to do on auto pilot. However, there is an up side which is that I'm making enough money to pay the bills and of course my 20% discount off of sales prices at JC.Penney's.


My mom has been here visiting since September 16th. I believe she will be going home October 6th. That will be a very hard day for me. She has been so incredibly helpful with the kids and supporting me and John in the midst of all this chaos.

John is doing great in school. The math seems to be easy for him. Chemistry, he has to work a little harder at. History is not hard, just time consuming with all the reading and papers he has to write. and English seems to be a breeze.

My birthday was September 20th. I can't believe I'm 24 now. My mom threw me a little party and John's dad and step mom and Aunt Cathy came over for dinner. It was really nice. I really enjoyed seeing everyone. I miss my sister in laws Debra and Erin and friends from the moms group so much.


I have a short break from work today from 9am to 2pm. I am busy cleaning the house for Thomas' party this weekend and also the arrival of my godmother today.

Thomas has a birthday on Sunday. My baby is going to be 4! We are having a family birthday party for him on Saturday evening. I have to work all day Saturday so John, My mom, and my godmother are going to be putting the party together and then hopefully I will make it to the party before everyone goes home!

I think that is everything for now. Drop me a line on face book. I miss you all. Sorry is this blog seems scattered. Its always rush, rush, rush these days. Off to do laundry and more tidying before back to work. xoxoxoxo

Got a minute to catch everyone up to date.

Right after I wrote my last blog both employers called me within 20 minutes of each other to schedule my training. I am now working in the Mens department at JCP in the Chesapeake Square mall and at North Shore Elementary school in Suffolk with a program called Champions: A before and after school program that partners with the Suffolk and Norfolk public schools. My schedule is CRAZY. I'm busy pretty much every day of the week all day long. If I'm not working at one job, I'm at the other and at night I'm off from both of my jobs but spending time with the boys while John is at School.
Speaking of school, today was Thomas' first day of Pre-k. Of course I was at work when Thomas got on the bus this morning :0( ... but John took pictures.







John got Nathan dressed and they met Thomas at school to make sure he got there ok and everything was fine. The cafeteria lady gave Nathan a pop-tart for breakfast while they were waiting for Thomas. When the bus got there John said Thomas walked into the classroom, hung his book bag up and got right to work playing with play dough. John gave him a hug and kiss goodbye and left and Thomas was OK with that.
I'm SO proud of my BABY. He is growing up SO quickly! You don't realize how fast the time is going until you reach one of these milestones and it reminds you just how much time has really passed. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. I can't wait for Thomas to get home and tell me everything about his first day of school!


I feel like Life is a balancing act right now and I'm still trying to get in the groove of things, but overall life is good.

Down day

Oh man, where to begin. John and I have both been un-employed for a full month now. It hasn't been that bad. We've had a lot of fun just spending quality time with the boys. However, I'm starting to freak out now because I don't see the end of the unemployment and the beginning of an income finally coming in again anywhere in site! I supposedly have gotten 2 part time jobs, but neither has called me back to let me know when training starts and I interviewed with both of them 2 weeks ago. It only takes 5 days for the background check to go through so I don't understand what is taking so long. I'm starting to get worried that they changed their mind about hiring me. I've heard over and over again that persistance is the key to getting a job. So I've made calls to both employers. No answer...so I'm just waiting for a call back.
I found out that with the GI Bill giving us a housing allowance and the pell grant giving John a little bit of money each semester to go to school John and I don't qualify for medicaid. Sorry, but I personally feel like that is ridiculous. My expectations may be too high but I feel like my husband is deserving of more than what he is getting after everything he has been through and done for our country. Oh well, I guess its going to be another year for us without health insurance. The good news is the boys do qualify for medicaid! So atleast we don't have to worry about them.

School is going well for John. So far, so good. Speaking of school Thomas has orientation in only 2 days. I'm nervous for him, but mostly just excited. He seems to be starting to accept the idea of going to school. He's come leaps and bounds from a few months ago when we started talking about school. At that time he told us "I'm not going to school, I already know everything I need to know from my science books". I think his change in attitude mostly had to do with the fact that daddy started going to school and Thomas doesn't mind doing anything that follows in daddys footsteps.


I guess thats all thats going on for the moment.

On the homefront:

Well, finding a job has not proved to be an easy task. I've put in application after application online and had NO luck. I am determined to stay positive. I know things will come together. They always do! I found out that one of my friends in the moms group I belong to just got a job at outback in Chesapeake Square. With a little coaching from her on how she got the job I have decided to go to all the main restaurants in Chesapeake square in person and pursue a waitress or hostess job. If that doesn't work I'm also looking into a job at a Christian school assisting with their day care program. So although its been discouraging thus far I'm still going strong!
John got his books for school today. 5 classes=$700.00 in books! I'm SO proud of myself for not freaking out. Having 60 college credits under my belt and having experience with the way things work with text books in college probably has something to do with me keeping my cool. I knew it was coming...Anyway, we just keep moving forward.
Thomas and Nathan got their immunizations today. Thomas had a REALLY hard time with the shots. It came down to physical restraint to get it done. WOW. Talk about your heart breaking for your babies. One of the positives of John not having a job is being able to help get these things done. I stood outside with Nathan while the shots were being given. Thomas kept screaming he wanted ME. I honestly don't think I would have had what it took to hold him down. For a 4 year old that boy is STRONG. Poor Nathan got SIX shots. 2 in each leg and 1 in each arm. He took it like a champ. The younger they are the easier it is to just get it over with and move on. It's funny because if you had been in the other room listening to my children howl and not known what was going on you would have thought it was the end of the world! But as soon as the nurse busted out a lolli pop for each there was silence. Funny how a lollipop can make EVERYTHING better for a child. Wish it was that way for adults ;0).

August 2.

This was originally a blog to keep everyone up to date with all the changes occurring in our lives when John quit his job and went to college. I will continue to blog about that but I find it hard to stick to one specific topic in my blogs. When I get on here to type; whatever is on my mind is what comes out in my blog. Sometimes it can get pretty random. As far as whats happening with John. He has registered for his classes. Starting August 20th John will be taking night classes from 7-9:30 Monday through Thursday . This is exciting because he will have friday, Saturday and Sunday to rest, relax, and study. I'm still looking for a job. Temp agencies are on my to do list for tomorrow. There are a lot of exciting things coming up in the next few months. Thomas Will be starting pre-school September 8th! My mom will be coming to visit from September 16th until October 6th. We are going to Williamsburg for a two night stay at the Ramada inn on September 18th through the 20th. September 20th I turn 24! and then 7 days later Thomas will be turning 4! Lots to be excited about! This is my favorite time of year. There always seems to be lots to look forward to around this time each year. I guess thats all for today.

To keep track of time

Birthday Tickers




Birthday Tickers

Just thought this was cute :0)

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Why not add one more change

Things are back on track.

I don't know if it was miss communication or what, but after John realized what it meant if he stopped working this friday he came to his senses and is now back to working until the end of July. Thank the Lord! Back to the plan.

If I don't laugh I'll cry

So, John comes home from work yesterday and tells me friday is his last day! Don't ask me what happened. It doesn't make sense to me. In my mind I'm FREAKING OUT! I'm a planner and I thought all parties involved had planned that he was working up until the last day of July. We are going to be short 3 paychecks, and yes, 3 paychecks is a lot when its your only income! Now I'm scrambling to find a job. I think I've put in 10 applications in the last 24 hours. At this point I just want a job, I don't really care what it is. Although fast food is my VERY last choice. ....SO,
Today I must be strong and remind myself:

"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure"

I know John and I can do this. We just have to join together and work as a team to get where we want and do what we want to do. Everything will be OK. I have faith......

New blog finally

I haven't blogged in awhile, but nothing new has really happened up until now. I have finally starting looking into jobs I might be interested in starting in August. My number one choice is a teacher assistant in the Suffolk public school system. After looking into this job I have found that they are in fact in need of Teacher assistants in the upcoming school year. Teacher assistants are required to have 38 credited hours of college to apply and I have 60, so I feel that I would be a good candidate. If I get this position I will have all the same holidays as John except Spring break. (Speaking of which, I think its crazy that spring break is different for the public school system and college). Anyway, if I get the job our family would be able to spend pretty much all the holidays together and maybe even go on VACATION! That would be AWESOME. I have filled out the application and am sending it in on Monday. Cross your fingers I get the job. If I don't get the teaching assistant job I will have to start looking for other options, but until then I'm just trying to think positively.
John will be going in to the college next week to take his assessment test for math and English. In a few short weeks he will be registering for classes. John will be taking the majority of his classes online. He is required to take atleast one class on campus to qualify for the housing assitance program through his G.I bill.
Thomas has been to an interview for pre-school and we will find out in mid-July if he has been accepted as a role model student for the other children. If he gets accepted and I get the teaching assitant job we will be out of the house the same hours and John will only have to look after Nathan.
Things seem to be coming together. I'll update again when I have more news.

Thumbs up!

I think things are going smoothly. I got John's DD214 faxed off to the V.A. We are just waiting to here back from them to find out what happens next with his post 9/11 GI bill.

There are only 4 main things that need to be done now:

1-John needs to take the compass test to place him into his math and English classes.

2-We need to go to the college financial aid office and give them a few more papers before
we find out if we qualify to get any money from the federal student aid program.

3-John needs to enroll in classes.

4-I need to find a job to start in August.

knots in my tummy, but its ok.

I have knots in my tummy thinking about the changes that are going to occur in just a couple short months. Change always makes me super nervous. Everything in our lives has always just fallen together and I have to keep telling myself that this will too. Although I'm nervous, I'm also excited. John going to school is such a important step. John and I both want to better ourselves so that our children can reap the benefits down the road. I think John is going to do very well in college. He is amazingly smart and I think he is a lot more motivated these days than he was in high school. I think going to school is going to be good for him. He will finally feel like he is working towards a goal where he can see the end and know what rewards are waiting for him when he finishes. We all feel better when we feel like we have a purpose and we are working hard for something that will pay off in the end. Getting a job is going to be good for me as well. I am hoping it will give me an opportunity to re-discover who I am, on my own, without my children attached to my hip. I enjoy straight forward, hard work, with fairly instant gratification. I think I will definitely find that at my job. I'm thinking of applying for waitressing. I think I would be good at it. I have a fairly charming personality and I don't mind running around and working hard when I know it is going to pay off at the end of the day. I also think the hours would work well with my lifestyle as a wife and a mom. Anyway enough about the future. Right now my job is to watch these boys and they are wanting my attention.

No such luck

Spent a long time yesterday trying to get the scanner to work. No such luck. Now on to plan B...I just wish I knew what plan B is! John says its buying a new scanner, but nothing is wrong with my old scanner! The computer just won't recognize the drive and something about TWAIN, Blah, blah, blah. I don't know, its a language I don't speak! I'm probably going to have to get a copy of the form and send it snail mail :0( I can tell you one thing for sure; I am not spending half of another nice day inside trying to make the scanner work and making zero progress. I'm off to the park with my boys.

Grrr

So feeling inspired by my own blog yesterday I decided to give the forms that needs to be filled out another shot. Come to find out I've been filling out forms requesting compensation and pension-neither of which John is eligible for! I was actually happy to figure this out because the form that I actually needed to fill out was MUCH shorter and easier! I was wondering why the V.A. wanted to know about John's exposure to mustard gas in order to go to college.... I got the form finished but then I was suppose to attach John's dd214 to the form before submitting it... Of course the scanner wouldn't work! So now I am at my next bump in the road and hoping that today I will have some luck fixing the scanner so I can finally submit this form!

Holy cow!

I'm officially Overwhelmed. I have a lot of responsibilities resting on my shoulders in order to ensure a smooth transition from our current way of life to our new way of life in August. There is so much "stuff" to do. Most of it is stuff that I have to do for John. The majority of the stuff has to do with financial aid and the GI bill. There is all this paper work that has to be filled out and submitted. The questions make no sense and are a complete and total nuisance in every sense of the word... I should have known that anything to do with the military would be nothing but a nuisance, I only experienced that for five years. Not to mention that it is extremely difficult to concentrate on important documents when you have a three year old and a one year old running around. I can't work on it during nap time because I can't get the boys to nap at the same time and I have a difficult time working on it at night after they both are asleep because John has the internet and its online forms that need to be filled out. A lot of this stuff has deadlines so I am going to have to pull it together and find a way to get it done...even if it drives me crazy.

John's School Count Down