School Decisions

I have been trying to make the decision on what school I will be attending. I know that I need to finish a degree program. There are just a few questions that need to be answered: What program do I need to complete? Where should I go?

To really start this story properly, I would have to go back to September of 2007. I was at Women's Conference and President Thomas S. Monson (at the time he was the First Counselor in the General Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints) gave a talk that spoke to me more than any other conference talk has spoken to be in my life. More specifically two paragraphs spoke to me loud and clear. He said, "Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. Statistics reveal that at some time, because of the illness or death of a husband or because of economic necessity, you may find yourself in the role of financial provider. Some of you already occupy that role. I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such.

"Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life." 

At the time, I didn't feel like I had a reason to question the relationship I was in. It wasn't great, but I didn't get married to get divorced. The person I was married to at that time had a full time job that was providing for us, and he was going to school. We were temple recommend holders, and lived the lifestyle that went along with that (at least that was what I thought). When I told him about this talk and how it really made me feel like I needed to go to school and get an education, he told me that I couldn't go because I wouldn't be able to handle the temptation and might cheat on him. (For those of you who know the story of my divorce, this is quite an interesting response.) I still couldn't shake this nagging feeling that I needed to go to school.

Skip ahead almost two years. The ex revealed some devastating news, and we separated for the first time. I could make decisions for myself. I started looking into schools and decided that online school would be best because I would have to go to work and leave my kids for the first time and didn't want to leave them for school as well. I decided to attend Everest Online University online and started less than a month later. I love it back then. I felt like I was finally accomplishing this goal that felt like a dream for what seemed like forever.
Now here I am, married to my best friend, someone who respects me, pushed me to reach my true potential, tries to help my reach my goals, and love me with all my quirks. I have been kicked out of school now twice. The first time during my divorce for not attending classes, and the second time for my GPA. I am being recruited back to Everest Online University, but I am trying to decide if it is really the right fit considering it has been four years since I started and I have yet to finish my two year degree. I have looked into other schools, and really like the idea of going to BYU-Idaho's online program. The only problem I have with that is as a transfer student they want me to have a GPA of 2.5 or greater. Mine was far lower than that. I looked into CSU Global Campus, but it just doesn't feel right for some reason.
 I am putting more research and thought it school than I have in the past. I have prayed about it a few times. For now, I feel like I should go back to Everest for at least a little while and raise my GPA so that I can open up more options. I don't think that I will finish my degree at this school because they make it really difficult to stay motivated by making me jump through hoops just to get signed up for classes each term. I know that I need to finish a degree program, I need to set an example for my kids, I need to have more opportunities for greater income and better jobs, and most of all, I need to show myself that I can accomplish a long term goal that I have set for myself.

Dates With Mom

At the beginning of the week, with with advise of both my ex and current husbands (who knew they would agree on anything), I started a reward system where the kids could earn a date night me. I got out an empty jar for each of them to decorate and told them when the jars were full, I would take them out for some one on one time. I made pom poms at the end of the day. The more good choices they made, the bigger the pom pom. I was a good idea, but I may have made those a bit big. All three kids earned a date with mom already. I took Sean out last night, and will be taking Eric this afternoon followed by Noel tonight. They all chose to go to Dairy Queen. This could be pricy. I am going to have to find something smaller to fill these jars. The idea was supposed to be me taking them out about once a month. At least it was a good kick off to the reward system though.

This is Sean and I am new to blogging. So for starters, yes I am allowed to do this so, I'll just show a pic. All I said was " I'll just show a pic." I never said WHAT pic. I'm done cause my OLDER brother and my YOUNGER sister are annoying me. So I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Becoming Active

 My husband and I have been doing things to be more active. We have been riding bikes and training to run a few 5Ks at the end of the summer.  I have been doing some Zumba and Yoga DVDs as well. We are doing this to improve our health mostly.
This healthier lifestyle appears to be rubbing off on the kids. Last summer, they didn't want to do anything but sit and watch TV or play video games. They would complain if I even suggested that they do anything outside. This summer they complain more when we tell them it is time to come in. They do still complain at times that they are bored, but mostly when the neighbor kids aren't home to play with. They have in the last week randomly gone out to ride their bikes with  no prompting.

Circus Train

 

On my way home from work today, I had to stop and wait for for a train. I first, I was really frustrated because I got there just in time to see the crossing gates go down right in front of me. I was ready for the regular boring freight train to go past. Much to my excitement it was a circus train. Not just any circus train, THE circus train! I saw elephants through the windows. People waived to me as they passed by. You would have thought that I was a kid with how excited I was. I came home and told my family about it. I was expecting ooh's and ah's and questions about what I saw or didn't see through the windows. They amused me. I'll give them that. I will just hold on to my memory and excitement. It was awesome!