Playing Catch Up - Part One

Last week was Spring Break. We all enjoyed some time away together with family and friends. On Tuesday, we headed to the Birmingham Zoo with Corey, Alisha, and Will. We all had a great time together! I've posted some pictures from the trip. On Wednesday we headed up to Nashville to spend time with family. My mom and I took Joshua and Abby Kate to see "Horton Hears a Woo!". It was such a cute movie that we all enjoyed. Thursday, Jason and I took the kids out to Opry Mills. We are not really big "mall" people, but we enjoyed a little shopping. We followed up with lunch and DESSERT at Cracker Barrel. It was really great! While in Nashville, we were also able to visit with my sister-in-law, Tara, and her family. We really enjoyed our Break!

Our family at the zoo!

Checking out the fish and turtles.

Joshua and Abby Kate enjoyed playing together.

My big girl!

Jackson and the girls getting ready for his first train ride.

The boys getting ready to ride the train.

Abby Kate and I posed for a quick picture in front of the train.

Happy Easter

Jackson at Nine Months

16 pounds, 27 inches

I now have 5 teeth!

I can scoot backwards on my belly.

I'm finally sleeping through the night!!! I usually go down around 7:30 and wake up around 7:00!

I love to play with my Baby Tad, Tigger, and blankies in my bed when I wake up. I also like to kick my monkey crib toy and pull all of the ties on my bedding.

I can sign "eat", "more", and "nurse".

I love to eat puffs, cheerios, goldfish, and bread.

I can say "Momma", "DaDa", and "NaNa".

I've tried some new fruits and veggies this month. I loved Mango and Blueberries. I really did not care for the Asparagus. (Momma even had a hard time making that one. She gagged the whole time!)

I can wave hello and bye bye.

I follow Momma around by "rolling" after her.

I can imitate sounds. I especially love imitating my Daddy's sounds.

I've started going to the nursery and Sunday School. I really enjoy it and Mom enjoys being able to actually pay attention during worship and class.

This picture is totally blurry, but the look on Jack's face was worth putting this one on here.

Alright, enough with the pictures, Mom!!!

Weekend Fun

I hope that you have all had a great weekend. At our house, we really enjoyed our time together with each other and our friends. On Friday, Alisha and I met up to make another trip to a consignment sale. I think that Jason is beginning to tire of all of the sales, but I'm always on the lookout for a great bargain.

(By the way, have I ever told you about the steal of a deal that I got on baby food a few months back? Well, if not, I'm going to tell you now. As you know, I make all of Jackson's baby food. Whenever we go out to eat at someone's house or a restaurant, I always take the store bought stuff - You've got to love Gerber's! I had several coupons from Gerber's on their Organic 2 packs. Now usually, I don't really care if it is organic or not, but I thought I would hang on to the coupons and wait for some sales. Well, one finally came at our local Publix. They had 4-2 packs for $3. I had a coupon that if you bought 6-2 packs, you could save $2. Well, I bought 12 - 2 packs, spending $9.00. With my 2 coupons, I had already saved $4.00. As I was leaving the baby food section of the store, I noticed that Publix had some $1 off coupons on the Gerber Organics. If you bought 3 - 2 packs, you could save $1. Well, I grabbed three of those $1 off coupons (for my 12 packs) and proceeded to the check out. In the end, I purchased 12 - 2 packs of Gerber Organics. I paid $9 and with all of my coupons, I saved $7. Yep, that's right, I got all of that baby food for "on the go's", for only $2!!!)

Okay, where were we... oh yeah, consignment shopping (just wait, I'll fill you all in on my steals after all of the sales are over). Jason and Corey hung out at the house with Jackson and Will. We were able to all share lunch together and just have fun catching up.

Jason and I picked up the kids that afternoon from Preschool. This was only after he had spent a good 30 minutes on the phone with the insurance company. A lady pulled out in front of him a few weeks back and we are in the process of getting the claim filed, so they will pay for his truck to be fixed. For dinner that night, we decided to try a new pizza place in town. It's called Marco's and it is so delicious!!! The kids really enjoyed it, too. We always fudge a little on the rules on Friday nights, so we all ate our pizza in the den and watched some television. Later that night, I finally opened up the latest Nicholas Sparks' book and began reading. I really love his books and this one is not going to disappoint. I don't know what it is about his books, but when I buy them, I don't begin reading them immediately. Instead, I sit on them for several months before even opening them. I think that I've learned to pace myself. I used read his books in one sitting and then the months seemed to go on forever and forever as I waited for another. Any good authors you all would recommend?

Well, Saturday was a good day. We headed out to Guntersville to visit with our friends Lane and Kristen. Oh, and we also ate at this great place called Top 'O the River. They have these great fried pickles! We really enjoyed getting to see them! Jason also headed out to pick up Abby Kate's new bedroom furniture with Jon. Thanks Jon!

Today was a great day. We enjoyed lunch with our friends Stacy and Jon. When we ask Joshua what he is going to do this spring (play t-ball), he always tells everyone that he is going to play t-ball with Lawson. They are such great buddies.

Well, don't really know if anyone else is still reading this now, but I hope that you all had a great weekend. We had a great time visiting with all of our friends. I am so very thankful for the friendships that we have. God has truly blessed our lives with these and other relationships. I am glad that we were able to take the time to be with others and with our own little family.

The kids have Spring Break this week, so we will be doing a little bit of traveling. Jackson has his 9 month appointment tomorrow, so check back tomorrow afternoon if you want to read up on "all things Jackson". Also, I don't know if you've noticed our little March for Babies Campaign total over there. We are ecstatic about all of the money that has been raised "so far". A BIG thank you to all that have contributed!

"Jesus says you need to share"

Both kids are sitting in time out right now. Abby Kate did not want to share her sunglasses with Joshua, so he took matters into his own hands. Joshua shoved Abby Kate making her fall to the ground. Joshua's punishment was a "Big Time Out" and Abby Kate is having "time out" for not being nice with her words. As I was walking past the time out chairs, I overheard Joshua telling Abby Kate that "Jesus says you need to share Abby Kate". Just had to share that one!

Guess Who Looks Just Like Daddy

Jason

Jackson

Jason

Jackson

Jason

Abby Kate

Jason

Joshua

I think that Jackson looks just like Jason. Abby Kate has always looked like Jason, but Jackson is looking more and more like him. Everyone says that Joshua looks just like Jason, but I don't really see it in the baby pictures. What do you think?

A Day at the Garden

Today, I took the kids to the Botanical Gardens. We were able to get in for FREE, since it was the Community Free Day! We all had a great time. It was not crowded at all and we were able to walk around the whole park. The park was "decorated" with lots and lots of dinosaurs. The kids had so much fun looking for the "next" dinosaur. Joshua and Abby Kate spent a good amount of our time at the Garden Railway. They loved watching and listening to the train chug its way around the miniature town. The Aquatic Garden was a huge hit. They loved looking in the ponds and seeing the BIG fish! We walked along the Nature Trail, but it was pretty brown. We finished off our walk through the gardens at the Children's Area. They both had so much fun in all of the different play areas. Of course, Jackson loved watching the both of them run around and play. We had a great day together at the Botanical Gardens.

Some Ideas From Your Friendly Neighborhood Mom

When I have the time, I like to read up on my Parents and Parenting Magazines. I always find good advice or some great ideas that I would like to use one of these days. Since my motto is, "Less is More", I tear out the page that the idea is on and make a nice little pile, discarding of the magazine itself. Well, my pile has gotten a little big, so I need to purge. I thought of no better place to "store" all of these thoughts and ideas, than my weblog. Who knows, maybe someone out there can find some of these same ideas beneficial to their everyday living.

• Make a photocopy of the fronts and backs of all your credit/debit cards and IDs. Keep the photocopies in a safe place in case you lose your wallet. You'll know your account numbers so you can cancel easily.

• Turn recycling into a fun family project. (Our house is all about trying to "go green" this year!) Teach the basics, and then put the kids in charge of the items that are not breakable. Leave the glass to the grownups! Label the bins with a photo of the item so it will be easier for your child to know where to put certain items.

• Speaking of recycling, here is a list of the items that can usually be recycled: aluminum cans, most plastic bottles, papers (magazines, newspapers, junk mail), glass bottles and jars, paper bags. These items can almost never be recycled: plastic wrap, styrofoam, items with food residue, and paper with glue or adhesive.

• Weekly Allowance - 50 cents to $1.00 times the child's age.

• Pizza Squares - 1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough, 1 pint grape tomatoes (cut in halves), 1 garlic clove (minced), 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Unroll and slightly stretch dough onto a greased baking pan. Combine the next four ingredients in a bowl. Cover and microwave for 3 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and drain. Sprinkle dough with Parmesan. Top with tomato mixture. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until crisp and browned. Let cool 5 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.

• Best Books Ever - For Babies: Pat the Bunny, Go, Dog Go!, Good Night, Gorilla, Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?, Goodnight Moon. For Toddlers: We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Freight Train, The Napping House, The Happy Egg, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. For Preschoolers: Where the Wild Things Are, The Snowy Day, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Jamberry, Harry the Dirty Dog. For Kindergartners: Bread and Jam, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Make Way for Ducklings, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The Little Engine That Could.

• To Leave With Your Babysitter: Your cell phone number and the address of where you will be. Your home phone number and address. Your pediatrician's number. The number for Poison Control (800-222-1222). The number of a neighbor to call in an emergency. Your kid's medical info. Important house rules.

• 4'8" is the height that kids have to be before you get rid of the booster seat.
  

• Healthy Travel Snacks - Frosted Mini-Wheats, Reduced-Fat Triscuits, No-Sugar Added Applesauce, Kashi TLC Granola Bars, Carrots, Celery, Cherry Tomatoes, Part-Skim String Cheese, Danimals Drinkables, and Bottles of Water.

• Make a shopping cart cover out of a burp cloth. Simply sew a Velcro strip along each edge and snap around the bar to keep it germ-free.

• Place all of your baby's bibs in a netted, zippered bag. This will keep the Velcro tabs from snagging and damaging all of your other clothes in the wash.

• Double-Dipped Strawberries - 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, 1 1b. strawberries. In separate bowls, heat chocolate chips in a microwave on medium, stirring every 20 seconds until chocolate is melted. Dunk strawberries in semisweet chocolate. Shake off any excess back into bowl and place on a wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate 5 minutes. Place berries in mini cupcake liners. Using the tines of a fort, drizzle melted white chocolate over berries. Refrigerate 5 minutes and serve. Makes about 8 servings.

• "Snacks to serve on a playdate that kids will like and that won't make moms roll their eyes" - Bite-size muffins, individual baggies of trail mix, portable bites of string cheese, yogurt sticks, and cereal bars, and fruit kabobs.

• Cinnamon applesauce - 2 1/1 lbs (7-8) apples (recommend McIntosh), 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, or to taste. Peel, core, and quarter apples. Place apples in a heavy saucepan with 1/4 cup water. Add the sugar and cinnamon. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes, or until very soft. If the apples start to dry out, ad a little more water. Spoon the mixture into a food processor or blender and blend until fairly smooth but still a little chunky. Stir in lemon juice. Taste, adding additional lemon juice or sugar, if desired.

• Rent special dresses and suits for the kids at www.gagas.com. The prices are great on a 3 week rental for a special outfit.

• Disney Done Right - Buy your tickets before you go (www.disneyworld.com). Know height requirements. Visit during the off-season - September and October are usually the slowest months. Do it in reverse - Head to the back of the park first and then work your way forward. Go on the most popular rides at lunchtime or when others are watching the parade. If you can't wait until the off-season, plan your trip for the first two weeks in June or the last two in August. This is the least crowded time during the warm-weather months. Call the hotel directly and ask about any discounts or special offers available - Use the local number and not the "800" reservation number. Stay for four nights and five days (at least) - this is enough time to see all of the parks and still have some "down time" at the pool. Choose a Disney resort if possible - This makes it easier to go back and forth from the hotel to the parks. There is usually only a $20 a day difference between the Disney value properties and some off-site hotels. (I have not checked that out. I'm merely believing what they told the readers of their magazine.) See the fireworks from the top - Make reservations at the California Grill (407-939-3463). Plan your itinerary online - you can type in your kids' ages and what they like to do. The Website will give you a customized plan of action. Use a Rider Switch Pass - You and your kid can go first and request a rider-switch pass from one of the employees when they're about to get on. After their done, the other parent can skip the line with the pass. For autographs, meet the characters in front of the Magic Kingdom at the end of the day to avoid the rush when the parks open. Eat right - Grab lunch early (11 and 11:30), the lines usually don't get better until after 2. Make lunch your "big" meal for the day. The rates are cheaper than at dinnertime. Bring your own snacks and bottled water. Take a midday break - the crowds start to thin out around 6:30. Fit in a nice afternoon nap before heading back to the park.
  

Our First Snow Day

Today, we all woke up to a beautiful snow. This was the first snow for all 3 of my kids. It seems that anytime we get a snow, it is either not enough to go out and see or we are out of town. I captured a few pictures of us enjoying the snow this morning.

Joshua had fun making snow balls with Jason. He also "tried" the snow and did not really care for it too much!

Jackson loved being outside in the snow!

My boys!

Joshua and Abby Kate trying to keep me warm!

Such fun having twins!

We found more snow in the bed of Jason's truck.

Abby Kate loved eating the snow!


Jackson was worn out after having such fun in the snow!




The story of Snow Duck

This was supposed to be a snowman, but when Jason put the carrot nose on, he turned out looking more like a duck. Thus, "Snow Duck" was born!

"Daddy, I thought he was supposed to be a snow man, not a duck!" Nevertheless, the kids soon warmed up to "Snow Duck". Can't you tell how much we love our new friend?

"Here, let's set him on the side of the truck for another picture," Daddy said.

"Oh, no! Our poor little Snow Duck!"


Snow Duck, Version 2.0
Snow Duck Lives!

March for Babies

Our family is participating in the March of Dimes' March for Babies. We are very excited about this awesome work! Please check out our personal page and consider making a donation to a very special cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

Our Preemie Twins

My Baby Boy

Feel free to check out Jackson's 8 month pictures.

Capturing Life Photography

Click on Clients and then type in jackson and hit enter.

If you check them out, let me know what you think.

*You'll also find a picture from Jackson's 4 month photo session in the "Beginnings" Gallery.

Just One of Those Moments

I'm just having "one of those moments". Right now I feel swamped.

I have about 3-4 loads of laundry from the weekend.

I need to make out our grocery list (that never seems to end).

I need to make (yet another) trip to the dreaded Wal-Mart. (There was a time when I actually LOVED going to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, those days are long gone.)

The bills need to be paid.

The receipts need to be entered into the checkbook register and then subtracted out.

I have paperwork to complete for medical purposes.

I have dishes to wash.

Meals need to be prepared.

A baby needs to be fed and changed.

My van needs gas (yet again!).

I need to clean my house.

I need to go to the bank.

The newspaper ads need to be gone through to see who has the best deals this week. Thank goodness for Baby Cheapskate.

I have several appointments to keep this week. (It seems that they all come at once. Between the 3 kids and myself, I think that I have 6 "appointments" this week alone).


I don't know if you are like me, but there are some days that really overwhelm me. I just wish that this stuff did not have to get done. But you see, this is pretty much the same list from last week. I have been putting this stuff off for as long as I can. Now, I HAVE to get it done! This is just one vicious cycle that never ends.

A Peek Into Our Home

We are very proud of our new paint color. It was well worth the 28 plus hours that we put into it. I can only imagine how much time the previous homeowners worked on their color-washing technique. Jason and I can't get over how much difference the new paint has made. We are definitely loving it. I really appreciate ALL of the work that Jason put into making our house our home. Love you baby!

Living Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Back of our kitchen looking over into the playroom

Mantle in the playroom

Playroom

Playroom
(I plan on making a collage area in the playroom to display the kids' artwork soon.)

I'm Just Not As Good At This Anymore!

59 words

Speedtest

I want to know what you all score, so let me know! I am not that proud of mine, but I thought that I would put myself out there. So, don't leave me hanging....


Teaser: We finally finished painting/hanging/cleaning our living area. I will post pictures sometime tomorrow. Don't expect anything too extravagant! I'm not that creative with decorating.

Our New Game and Conversations with Three Year Olds

Joshua and Abby Kate have come up with a new game. It's called, "What letter starts with ____________?" They absolutely love asking what letter certain words begin with. They are both fascinated with their letters. It is amazing to see them making connections with what they already know.

For instance,
"What letter starts with pantry?"
"P"
"P, just like PawPaw!"
"What letter starts with snowman?"
"S"
"S, just like sky and shoes!"

They both get so excited when making the connections. I am one proud momma!

These questions can go on and on and on. Last week we made a trip to the doctor's office (20 minutes, one way) and I was questioned the whole way there! Abby Kate would ask, then Joshua, then Abby Kate, then Joshua, then Abby Kate, then Joshua........

I finally had to give in and say "that's enough, already!".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The other day Jason and I decided to turn the tables and ask Joshua and Abby Kate some questions. I love hearing their answers. I always wonder where they come up with the stuff that they do.

We found out that Abby Kate wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She wants to have 4 children and only have 1 of those to be a girl.

Joshua wants nothing more than to be a "really, really, big, baseball fan"! He wants 5 children. I think that he wanted them all to be boys!

New Look

I am so excited about my new look! Let me know what you think. My new look was created and designed by Hilary. Check her out! I really love what she did. Thank you so much Hilary!!!

Painting By The Numbers

14 hours of priming, taping, and moving furniture

14 hours of painting two coats

4 movies that the kids watched

2 days of painting

3 rolls of painter's tape

27 light switches and outlet covers

1 trip to the paint store

2 (will be 3) trips to The Home Depot

2 days of removing tape, rehanging pictures, and moving the furniture back

4 days of living in a very messy house

4 total rooms painted (foyer, living room, play room, and the kitchen)

3 kids in the house the whole time

This weekend, Jason and I finally started painting our living room area. We have lived in our house for almost a year now. When we moved last March, I was pregnant with Jackson and did not feel like I should paint. Slowly, but surely, we have been tackling one room at a time. Our living room was by far the biggest and most time consuming project.

Here are some pictures of the way our living area looked before we began painting. As soon as every picture is hung and my curtains are put up, I will post some pictures of the finished project. I am so pleased with the way that it all turned out. However, I don't think that Jason will ever lay another finger on a paint brush again! (Should I tell him that I would still like to paint the kids' bath, the dining room and the study?)

Close up of the color-washing technique that the previous homeowners had done.

One of our many walls

Our little helpers getting their tools ready.

Big sister Abby Kate helping out with a not too happy Jack

Trains and Theology

Today I took Joshua and Abby Kate for their dental appointment. Abby Kate was a bit unsure about the whole thing and gave everyone quite a problem. (I should have known the day that we had ahead of us. Last night when I told her where we were going the next day, she started crying and said that she only wanted to stay home. The same thing happened this morning.) Joshua did great, as he usually does. Since I take them both in at the same time, I usually go back and forth between their two rooms. As I was going in to check on Joshua, I overheard him talking to Ms. Scarlet. I got so tickled listening to what he was telling her.

"Hey, do you know that I have a train in my mouth?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, do you know what he says? He says, CHOOOOOOOOOOO, CHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

Joshua was very concerned about Abby Kate. She was crying and he asked Ms. Scarlet what was wrong with her. She kindly told him that she was probably just a little nervous, but that she would be okay. He looked up and told Ms. Scarlet that "God will be with my Abby Kate. He will make it all better." Isn't that just the sweetest?

Joshua has been asking me a lot of questions about God. I absolutely LOVE the opportunity that I have been given to answer his questions. The other day, he asked me if we all die. And then he later asked me if God wants him to come and live with Him in heaven. I pray that I will be the mother that my children need me to be.

Jackson at Eight Months

14 pounds, 12 ounces, 27 inches

I can sign "eat".

I can clap.

I can sit "totally" unsupported.

I can feed myself puffs and cheerios.

When Mommy holds out her hands, I pull myself up to a standing position.

I make raspberries all the time.

I have started sleeping between 8-9 hours at night.

I love to talk.

I love eating!

I love to play in my basket of toys.

I will not give up trying to get something that is out of my reach. I am very determined.

I've started rolling over and sleeping on my belly at night. I love to snuggle up to my bumper pads.

"Baby, You're The Greatest!"

Randomness

Abby Kate and Jackson have been fighting a bit of a bug around here for the last week and a half. Abby Kate stayed home from school on Friday and Monday and will be staying here tomorrow as well. On our way to the drug store this evening, she asked if she could go to school tomorrow and I told her yes. Well, when I was unloading the 3 kiddos out of the van to venture into CVS, I noticed that Abby Kate seemed a little warm. After taking her temperature when we returned home, I told her that she did in fact have a temp and would have to stay home tomorrow. She was pretty bummed, but was fine when I gave her some medicine. (What can I say, my kids love getting medicine!)

Here are a few stories from the last couple of days...

Yesterday morning while playing with Jackson and Abby Kate in the den, my front door blew wide open!!! It scared me silly! My heart was racing as I feared that someone had just kicked in my front door! Abby Kate had played with the door a little earlier in the morning and I really did not think that much about it. Apparently, she somehow unlocked the front door and a huge wind gust blew it open. Nothing like a front door being blown in to get your heart pumping!

I took Jackson to the doctor yesterday evening. Abby Kate came along for the ride and was a big helper. Jackson has a viral infection that might possibly be the flu. We are just treating him symptomatically for now. Jackson's iron level was low, so he is on an iron supplement twice a day and will be rechecked at his 9 month appointment (I cannot believe that in a little over a month, my baby will be 9 months old. It just does not seem possible. This time is flying by!) When the nurse came in to get Jackson's blood, Abby Kate stood there and watched very intently. It always takes a while to get a baby's blood from his finger and as the minutes clicked on, Abby Kate started feeling sick. I actually thought she was going to pass out from seeing the blood! Her face turned red, she got really hot, and she complained about her tummy hurting. I quickly gave her a wet cloth to put over her face and had her sit in a chair. When the doctor came back into the room, she was as white as a sheet! As a kid, I passed out once when I stubbed my toe into the end of a hoe. I have also passed out many times when giving blood. She clearly takes after her mommy when it comes to blood.

I got an awesome deal tonight at CVS. If anyone is needing a chocolate fix, CVS has their 14 oz. bags of M&M's, 2/$4.00 with $2.00 in ExtraCare Bucks. I bought my two bags, gave the cashier a $1.00 off coupon, paid $3.24 and got a $2.00 in ExtraCare Bucks. So, when its all said and done, I got TWO 14oz. bags of M&M's for $1.24!!! Don't you just love a deal!!!

Check out what Jackson can do now!

Mrs. Bybee Goes Back To School

"Whatever you do, DON'T let your teaching certificate expire!"

I've heard these words from pretty much every educator I've known here in Alabama. It seems that once your certificate expires, it's a whole lot of work to have it re-instated. I've been told by everyone to do whatever it takes to renew my certificate before it expires.

Naturally, my teaching certificate expires this year! In order to renew, I had to have three years of teaching experience. I taught two years at Madison Academy, and before that I taught one year in Tennessee. I sent off all of my paper work at the end of last year hoping that my year of teaching experience in Tennessee would help me out. Unfortunately, since that year of teaching did not happen in the last five years, it doesn't count. Because of that, I will be returning to school!!! Yep, that's right, I'm going back to school.

In order to renew my teaching certificate I have to take a 3 hour course at a state approved university. Seeing as how the spring semester is now underway, it looks like I will be applying for summer school. I have been on the phone with several universities in the area and I've made my decision based on cost!!! I tried to have the school that I chose mail me my registration forms and enrollment forms, but they told me that I could do everything online! My, oh my, how times have changed.

I must admit, I am just a little bit intimidated about returning to school. Its been 9 years since I've been a student! The ironic part is that Jason graduates in May. Here I was thinking we were done with all of this school stuff, and now I'm the one that has to go back! I'll be sure to keep you all informed on my progress. I guess it won't be that bad: the class is an undergrad course, junior or senior level. But I have to admit that I'm dreading adding "student" on top of all of the other hats I wear (wife, Mom, etc.)! Pray for me!