It never stops

Yes, Landon is starting school next week (preschool for anyone who cares) and no, I am not going to be here for his first day. Yes, I am very, very sad about it. No, he isn't too sad about it...at least not yet, because I have hyped up all the fun things that he gets to do while I am gone. Where am I going? Back to Liberty, once again. Oh joy!

For my masters program I have to complete 3 week long intensive classes in Virginia. I completed one in January of 07' and bravely (or foolishly) attempted a second in March of 07', 30 weeks pregnant with Noah. Unfortunately, that one did not go so well and I went into preterm labor all alone 13 hours from my husband with no way home but a car ride, alone, through the mountains. It was quite the fiasco. I haven't been back since.

I am dreading this intensive. The class is super intense, as in, little downtime in the evenings and classes 8-5 all week. The prof, from all accounts, doesn't sound too great. But worst of all, I have to miss Landon's first day of school (the one were the parent gets to stay for an hour), next Tuesday, as well as his real first day, next Friday. On top of that, I haven't left TWO kids for an entire week before, and I am a bit anxious about it...and sad. The kids will mostly be with Jon, but my mom is taking them for one night and two days and a neighbor is taking both boys for one entire day (while Jon works) and another neighbor is helping when Jon is in school with Landon. Oh boy...it is all a tad overwhelming. I just can't wait until it is over. The good news in all of this, is that this is my FINAL class. Yes, you read correctly...for real...the last and final one. After this week-long intensive I will have one month of post-work including an exam and a large paper, but come early October, I will be a free woman. I don't even know what that will feel like.

On a much lighter note, we had a fab weekend. Jon's parents came down and we had breakfast out, went on a beautiful mid-day bike ride, went to the beach, grilled out, got ice cream, and even squeezed a tiny bit of shopping in there. Sunday we went down to my grandma's and had a big family cookout complete with lots of swimming. It was a beautiful day. Yesterday we stayed home to recuperate. Jonathan made a special dinner, which we planned to eat early while the kids were still napping. He did such a great job...everything was beautiful. I sat down to a scrumptious meal on the deck and had about four bites before the bees swarmed us (and I am not even kidding you). So we ran (literally!) inside and sat down to finish...err, start, our dinner. Unfortunately Noah chose that moment to wake up and he was not a happy camper. Our nice dinner together was nothing like we were hoping, but oh well...guess this is the life, huh? After we fed the kids we took them down to the beach. Jon and Landon swam and Noah and I took a walk along the shore. It was a gorgeous night.

So we have been busy, and it is only going to get worse. I leave Saturday afternoon and before then, I need to write a rough draft of a paper (which I have not started yet) and read about 250 more pages. Squeeze a parent meeting for Landon's school and a little family time in there, and you have a worn out me. Please be in prayer for Jonathan as he manages this place on his own for a week...and for Landon as he starts school without me...and for me as I drive 13 hours alone and then spend a week away from my family. On a high note, I am not pregnant this time, so I will not be spending 8 hours in the labor and delivery unit of some random hospital, desperately trying to keep my baby inside a little longer Oh how thankful I am that all of that worked out...I can't believe that it has been 18 months since I was there last. Wow.

Thanks friends. I will be in touch!