Gearing up for summer...

WHEW! That last semester was a doozey! Especially considering my last post was in January! LOL
I will be adding posts and dating them when they happened chronologically, but truth be told my last post was about the anniversary of my sweet Grandma's passing and her photo LOL

So... here's an update:

Jestin took two college classes this last semester (his first ones back to school since his Electrical studies) over 12 years ago. Math was TORTURE. We spent HOURS working problems together... up until midnight on the nights he didn't have class trying to meet homework deadlines. His professor was VERY difficult/demanding when it came to due dates... and for a student who worked full-time as well as attended classes at night {and did side jobs every free moment} - let's just say - it was ALL we could do to keep him caught up! I joked that that was all we did as a family for the last 4 months: eat, sleep, school and homework. All of us. LOL It was C.R.A.Z.Y. Jes also took a Health class and aced it. He really enjoyed it. But I can't even tell you how relieved he was to be done.

My semester was good... I took my Math 1050 class (got an A-), and a Library Research class (got an A) and Intermediate Spanish (got a B+... conjugating verbs was killing me! Yes... my fluency came back quickly... but my brain just wanted to reword the sentence to say the same thing without having to conjugate LOL it was rough)

I also took a Leadership Mentoring class that I absolutely adored! I was working toward becoming a UVU Mentor and was so excited for it! The week before I needed to turn in my application, I was sitting in class and had this horrible feeling come over me. I cried the whole way home. I fought the feeling and fought the feeling.... I didn't want to NOT apply - this was a HUGE step toward my dream of becoming a professor teaching in the Student Success program (and as a mentor I would be  helping to TEACH one of these classes!) It made no sense to me, and so I refused to ask if I should not apply when saying my prayers. But I already knew. Finally I asked. Yep. The answer was "not at this time". I was devastated. The day before the application was due, I got a text from the head of the Student Success Dept. He had heard that I was not going to apply...

He had been in our class "observing" my professor on a day when I taught the class - we had to teach the class twice during this semester to practice the skills we were learning to become a mentor. He told me that I did an excellent job, and that I was an excellent candidate for the UVU Mentor program and he asked to me to apply. I told him that I wanted to - very badly - but that I knew the time was right for me to apply... but maybe next spring I would apply. He told me that he admired my following what was right for me in my life and that he would look forward to my applying and that if I wanted to be involved in the program at all next year just for experience to come see him.

I couldn't believe it! The guy who some day could be my "boss" took the time to send ME a personal text, asking me to apply, and thought I would be a great candidate! I was stunned. And tickled. And It comforted my heart - as I was a little afraid Heavenly Father was telling me no because I wouldn't do a good job! LOL

Anyway... I still get a little disappointed when I really think about it - I really wanted to do this! And to do it with the kids I trained with would be awesome... but I think I know one of the reasons why the answer was "the time is not right"...

Two weeks before the UVU semester ended, Emma and I met with her academic counselor. Long story short... she is a high honor student and had specific goals for her future. Even though she is only going to be a sophomore next year, he suggested a program that her school offers. We did some research, jumped through a bunch of hoops... and 2 weeks later my baby girl had a UVU student ID in her hot little hands. (*sniff*) She participating in a program called "EdNet"... she takes college courses through video conference at her school. If she stays on course, she will graduate with not only her high school diploma... but also her associates degree! :) She is super excited. And super stressed out. It is a HUGE change. But she is up for the challenge ;)

So now... that makes 3 college students in our household! *gulp*

I think that as the mom and the scheduler, with 3 college students, plus 3 regular students... I will have my hands happily full.... and being a UVU mentor would require more than I should probably give while Em is adjusting and Jes is as well. :) It will all be good. And I can "mentor" my own little nestlings *grin*

So... enough about college life...

Cody is doing fantastic in school as well. He came home with a High Honor Roll certificate. He is taking honors math track and if he keeps up with it he will be done with calculus at the end of high school. He is also working on getting his Eagle Scout project completed this summer. He is Senior Patrol leader and Deacons Quorum President. He is a busy young man. He loves listening to music and reading the newspaper.

Cameron has been busy in school as well. He gets really good grades and loves to hang out with his best friend Tyler everyday he can. He took basketball classes this spring. He has also been a great friend to Caleb... they do almost everything together. He loves being an 11-year old scout and was really sad to miss his first overnight campout tonight - He has been home most of the week with his first really bad asthma attack in months.

Caleb was baptized this month. It was a wonderful event (I am sure you saw the post) He is so very excited for summer and the freedom to play and play and play. He still struggles some with his reading, but we are going work really hard on it this summer and see if we can't get him back on track :) Caleb still loves his sandbox, and his newest passion is water balloons. He is SUPER excited to go to Seven Peaks water park over and over, and go on hikes, and have his friends come for a week, and go to San Fransico over the Fourth of July & Six Flags!

And so... we are gearing up for summer!!!

Time to plan some fun, some work, some service and some memories! What about all of you? What are your big plans for the 3 months of freedom ahead of us???? :)

*Squeal* I SOOO don't mean to brag... but I am in shock! My first full time semester... and an Algebra class that was complete torture... and DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

I earned two A's and two A-'s!! WOOT WOOT!!
All that discipline and really hard work DOES pay off!!
:) It's a wonderful day!! :)

My Art Class

For my Art credit, I decided to take Intro to Drawing this semester.

 

I figured - heck! I just learned how to write again... maybe this "stick figures only" girl might pick up a tip or two that would be helpful.

 

It has been H.A.R.D.

Good deep brain stretching hard.

Learning how to walk again or do math again hard.

But it is stretching.

And it is coming...

 

And here are a few of the drawings I don't shudder to allow others to see...

Enjoy!

(Oh! And did I mention it is fun?)

Our fireplace

(Done in pencil) 

My purse

(creative of me huh? LOL) 

(pen & ink)

A Happy Fall Scene

(pen & ink)

Barbara Streisand Characture 

(pen & ink)

Bottle

(Charcoal - my first item beyond basic shapes) 

Flowers

(pen & ink with water color)

 

It's been a fun adventure!

I look forward to being done and going back to graphite though... so far it is the medium I like best ;D

Randomness by me

It's been a while.
I mean a long while.
I have every excuse in the book to list why I am not posting and keeping up on this blog of ours... but none really do it justice. I truly have just let other things take precedence.
And that is ok too I suppose. :)

Here are some quick highlights from our household... and hopefully I will get the past posts with pictures up asap ;)

• HUGE milestone on the stroke recovery front: Number processing is back! I was sitting in my Math 1010 Chapter 3 Test and was about 4 questions in, when WHAM-O! There is was!! The pathway in my brain was blazed!! I whipped out that test in 30 minutes... and got a 100%!!!!!! I sobbed all the way home! I *knew* I knew how to DO the math... that wasn't it... it was just like trying to keep a speeding-freight-train-on-its-track to hold more than 3-4 numbers at a time in my head! And then, poof! Just like that... it was there! A-mazing!! I still am just SOOO utterly thankful!
• The next day I did my math homework... Prior to the pathway healing, I was taking anywhere from 3-4 hours (once in a while up to 5 hours) just to accomplish 10-12 homework problems. (I know... it sounds like I am kidding huh?  Really, I am not... it was rough!) That next morning... I did a set of 12 problems in 30 minutes and another set of 12 problems in 40 minutes! I really just can't believe the difference! And the joy I feel! YEA!!!!!!!!
• And ya know... I thought I might be a little insane to take 13 credits this semester... but now that math homework isn't taking me a full day, 3 days a week, the rest is cake! As long as I manage my time and balance housework with homework I am good! :) It is a lot of fun and I love my classes!
• Emmalee was in a play at school. It was called "The Curious Savage". She did great and it was super cute! Will post pics soon!
• Caleb has started a "book group" with my friend, Laurie, in our ward, and it really makes him feel important to go... which in turn is increasing his desire to read. He is getting better every day and I am so very proud of him! We are also almost half way through the Book of Mormon for him... he gets baptized in just 6 months!
• Cameron and Emmalee started piano lessons this school year. Our good friend Annie Mead teaches them. They are both loving it and practice a ton! BTW - we are babysitting Laurie's piano and that really helps! We love it! Guess I better start saving my pennies huh? LOL
• Jestin has finally slowed down at his job. He started with this company in April... and worked 60-70 hours a week with only Sunday's off clear up until Labor Day weekend. He is trashed, burned out, just plain bone tired. They did give him 2 days off when Brent and family were here in July (pictures to come), and I made him take Labor Day Weekend off to go camping with his family (pictures to come). He is looking for another job. They have started laying people off, and he wants to get a job before he looses his job. This job has been HUGELY beneficial to our financial recovery from the last few years and we are very thankful! We are just ready for that long-term job he can settle into for years to come. (Oh! I can't wait!!)
• Oh! And speaking of settling in... his desire for a new job SOON intensified after Conference weekend! (And I need to hit the books hard and finish my schooling ASAP) Both Em and Cody were excited to learn that they can go missions sooner than planned... and I spent most of the weekend feeling very blessed and kind of sad with non-stop tear trickles (it AWESOME!)... they both can leave just months apart if they want... in a quick 4 1/2 years!! I will "loose" half my little brood in less than 5 years! That really has put Jes and I in planning mode. There is much we want to accomplish and DO with them before they start leaving home... time to get some goals on and some plans going! And we both will probably have to work to support them through their missions so we need to get that squared away as well :) It is nice to have a solid family plan ahead of us :) and I am so stinkin' proud of these two and the lives they are leading! How did I get such fantastic kiddos??

Well... I better get to bed. I have class all day tomorrow and don't want to more tired than usual! Have a great night all!

Just had the BEST day in a looong time! :) I just took my 3rd math test... and....

((drum poll please))

I got a 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eeeeeeeee!!!!!

I have offically created the final "new" brain pathway from my stroke loss! I can process numbers again!!!!!!!! WOOT WOOT!!! I sobbed with joy all the way home.
I am *ME* again... ALL of ME again!
♥ ♥ ♥ And life is good!! :D Oh SO good! ♥ ♥ ♥

First Days of School 2012

Cameron - Age 10

5th Grade

Caleb - Age 7

2nd Grade

Cody (aka William at school) - Age 13

8th Grade

Emmalee - Age 14

9th Grade

(gasp! HIGH SCHOOL!!)

Off they go!

We sure love our Charter School!!

This is their 3rd week. They are loving it! Cam and Caleb both got fantastic teachers, and Em and Cody are taking almost all the classes they wanted to.

Em even signed up for early morning Seminary, which she absolutely LOVES!

There are less than 10 kids in there and she said it is amazing!

Cody is knee deep in the drama dept, taking both Drama and Theater Tech.

They are happy.

And we have endured our first cold already.

Let the school year begin!

Oh....

And....

Mom - Age "It doesn't really matter"

3rd Semester Freshman UVU

Tee hee hee

Eeee!!! Just got my final grades!!!!!! I got a 3.3 GPA!!!! And I was able to somehow pull off a B in my math class!!! Stroke troubles and all!! WAHOOO!!!! I AM JUST BURSTING!

A week between college classes

 Yep. A week between college classes. I can't believe how time consuming full time mothering, wife-ing, and going to college can be! Add extended family, good friends, church and it's responsibilites, and a hospital trip or two with its subsequent healing and... man alive! WHERE did January, February, March and April go?? LOL

It feels good to have a minute or two not filled with pressures of school work/house work/relationship work all at once.

I have a ton of blog posts I will be throwing up soon, so keep an eye out. *wink*

In the mean time... since it is my blog and I can discuss anything I like... I have a peeve to share. It's not a huge peeve, but it's a peeve none-the-less. I received an email from my soon-to-be english professor for summer semester. Our first reading assignment? Ummm... it's entitled "Gay Marriage. Yes please!"

Ok. So I JUST attended a fantastically bucket filling spiritually uplifting 2 days of BYU Women's Conference, where they spoke a lot about fortifying our homes against the confusion and sin that Satan will persuade us with. It was intense. They mentioned that we, right now as a world, have surpassed Sodom and Ghamorah in wickedness. (*gulp*) I came home ready to do my best to help my children understand what God has taught us, what the gospel really provides for their lives, and how much the Savior has done for them and what they need to do to stay on "The Lord's side of the line" so to speak. I felt like I was ready to "Gird up my loins, fresh courage take" and become a "Lioness at the Gate" of my home.

The shock of this being the first reading assignment made me cry. Really. It did. To be 100% honest... this is an ENGLISH class. Not political science or debate! I do not feel that I need to defend my values, nor endure anyone else's when I am learning how to write better papers and brush up my grammer etc! I have no desire to dig deep into this topic in a college English class! And especially be REQUIRED to do so! We dearly love people that have chosen to follow this pathway... and honestly it breaks my heart for them, because of my testimony of the divinity of being male and female, and our roles as husbands and wives, and of being parents, and the eternal role and purpose of families. Satan is tricky. Sexual desires are his greatest tool for evil because it is at the very root of a family.
I know, KNOW, from my own searching and asking God in prayer, that this is not ok. That it IS a tool of Satans to lead my brothers and sisters astray, and I firmly believe, deep inside their spirits, they know it too. But... our carnal selfish physical bodies are pretty strong if we don't keep our spiritual side stronger.

Anywho... This was not what I wanted to do.. I did not want to go into it. My point is... how utterly disappointing to be forced into this corner. :'( And so... I am going to withdraw from this class. Clearly this teacher is seeking to "call out" certain view points and get lines to be drawn. All I want to do is learn... and there is TONS of really GOOD literature that can be used for material for basic English!

It means I will not be able to take the class that is right here in my town. I will be driving 20 minutes to class multiple times a week instead. But to stand on the Lord's side of the line, I will do it.

And in the mean time I will enjoy my week of rest between classes ;)

I GOT A 91% ON MY MATH MID TERM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After hours and hours and hours, and tears and hours, the brain pathways came back just in time for my test!! WOOT WOOT!! God is good! ;D I feel so very blessed!!!!!

First day back to class

Thursday Feb 9th -
Can I just say I love my mommy? She is the bestest!

I got up early so that I could try to take a shower. I was more sure footed this morning. :) Miracles!
I was able to wash my hair with one hand, and slide my arm up the shower walls to do my cleaning. ;) It was tiring, but the independence was almost like a little bit of euphoria!
I got myself ready, encouraged the kids out the door, and gathered my school stuff.
Ma got here about 9 am. We loaded me and my book bags into the car and off we went.
I was really nervous... mostly for the embarrassment of being a limping, foot dragging fool. (LOL)
She parked the car, and walked me to my classroom. We had to wait a few minutes for the last class to leave. Ma set up my computer so I could take notes with one hand, and got out my book. Then she left me there while she ran home to get her purse (she had forgotten it in her haste that morning :/) I was kind of glad... it made it so she didn't have to just sit there for an hour and 15 minutes.

My professor was SHOCKED to see me, as was my mentor! I had sent them messages about what was going on on Monday before I was discharged. My professor told the whole class "That's it! None of you get to call in sick to class if Heather can make it here after all that!" Bwahahaha! I begged him to not compare me... I was just a super stubborn soul who is afraid to get behind! LOL

Class went well for the first 40-45 minutes. But soon, listening to him talk, and the class make comments, and watch him write on the board, and try to process that, and stay upright in the desk, I started to feel myself be a little too stimulated. The last 15-20 minutes of class I had to keep closing my eyes just to keep from crying. But I was there! I took notes. I got my participation points! And it made me happy.

Ma came in just as it ended and gathered up my things. I stood up to leave and realized I had lost ALL connection with my right leg. I had to just drag it to the car. I was overstimulated and it was not workin' anymore. *pout*

We drove to Costco (and I closed my eyes and shed a couple of tears), so by the time we got there, she could push me in a wheelchair and we could grab the couple of things Jestin needed. We snagged a salad on the way home. Ma stayed and ate lunch with me, then left me to rest. I crawled into my bed and did not move for 4 hours. I woke up feeling better.

I did some math homework - and realized that my number recollections were not as bad as they seemed. It was not as easy as it had been before... but it was not as bad as it was before I regained the pathway last month. So... that's good right?

First day back to class. Not quite epic fail... but I would not really call it a success.

I limped pretty bad all evening.

This has got to hurry and get better!! UGH!

College started only 2 weeks ago??

WOW! Can't believe school started 2 weeks ago! It has been a crazy busy fun time LOL
I did post to my FLYSistah's site one night last week... and thought I would copy & paste here and then add from there (Time Saver *wink*)

(copy)
Jan 9th - Tonight was my first class... Math 0990. I have known all along that Math was going to be the hardest thing for me. I knew I struggled with remembering numbers! (Its one of the last major losses from my stroke!) I knew, even though I really need English for prerequisites to many other classes, Math had to come first. I had to conquer it!

I did well the first part of class. I took notes of all the school rules, the syllabus and whatnot. I even understood the vocabulary and remembered information I used to know... long long ago (heh heh)! I was excited! This might be not so bad! I am remembering concepts! And verbage! *happy*

Then my teacher started doing samples "on the board" from a projector thingy, and talking about number this and number that. I was scrambling to thought process the numbers he was saying and writing, and then copying them all down to my notes to make sense! I could feel the overwhelm start to take over... but I kept pushing. I KNEW I HAD to learn this or I would get behind! So I just kept fighting and pushing myself. I spoke to the teacher after class, giving him my Accessibility letter explaining my disabilities (and that was emotionally hard in and of itself) but I was still level and ok on the outside!

I got into my car to come home, and burst into tears. I sobbed all the way home. I came home to an empty house (the family was cleaning the church tonight) so I walked (ok... paced!) around the house flapping my hands. I felt completely crazy!!!!!!!!!!! I could not calm down! I finally decided to call my friend Amy (her hubby is the therapist) and talk to her. She helped me talk through some of it and I realized something! It is NOT that I cannot remember numbers! I CAN!! It's that when I am given numbers verbally or have to process them from a computer to a piece of paper... my mind cannot take that information and turn around and put it in the right order! It's similar to someone trying to speak Spanish to me too fast! I was once fluent in Spanish (all through elementary school)... but as an adult I have had to slowly process the words and translate them into English from the Spanish I used to understand immediately and fluently and it is stressful! (Perro, de verdad, mi espanol estas volviendo mas rapido despuez de mi "stroke" - hay momentos quando todos mis pensajes son en espanol!) ("However, in truth, my Spanish is suddenly returning very quickly after my stroke - there are moments when all of my inner thoughts run in Spanish!) ANYWHO... long story short tonight SUCKED!!

I just had my first "physical therapy" session since I graduated from physical therapy!!

My mind HURTS.

After my family got home, and we did a quick Family Home Evening, and put kids to bed... I dissolved into tears once again as I explained the evening to Jes. He cried too. He said he thinks that is why I am suppose to go to school. To continue my healing.

To continue my healing.

*sigh*

I am so mentally exhausted, like I haven't been in months, I wanna just keep crying until I can't cry anymore. (which kinda makes me thankful my emotions were taken from me whilst I did my other recovery stuff... good grief! I think my eyes would have been swollen shut and my nose would have never stopped running! Bwahahaha)

SO there you have it girls. My first class. I am not sure I would call it epic fail? But maybe just "holy crap that was hard". I look forward to tomorrow! (heh heh heh... um... yeah....)
(end)

It WAS hard. I cried after the next math class as well.

My other classes have gone well. I am keeping up, and though I am incredibly fatigued, it is expect-able fatigue and I am dealing with it well. This week, I only had Math once, but I didn't cry after class and it only took me 20 minutes or so to clear my mind and decompress. The ability to copy down numbers is coming faster and with more accuracy. And all the concepts have returned. It will be ok. It is just going to take work.
College homework is BIG. LOL. Lots of busy work. I feel like juggling both home and college is an intricate dance - with just a few breaks. It is going to stretch not only me.. but my little family as well. We are getting into the swing of it all though... :)

On a happy bragging note:

Today I finished all the homework for chapter 1 of my Math - 9 sections with 15-30 problems each - and the chapter test today... and I got 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHOO!!!!!!

It may hurt like hell ('xuse my french) but it is coming back!!! :D
(With much thanks from my cute Jr. High kiddos who answer their Mommy's questions and helps her whenever she needs it *wink*)

Wow! 3 posts in a row!

(Aunt Becky will be so proud!)

So... sleeping last night was torture. Aches, chills etc. This morning I took somemore Tylenol and fell back asleep (this time in my bed ;)) after the kids left for about an hour or so.
:) Better! :)
I have a wicked cold sore all of a sudden...
but I feel better.
SO...
whatever.
I will look fantastic for the first day of school.
(heh heh)
Acutally - that is why I thought to blog!
School.

College.

I am old.
Ok... maybe not super old, but post stroke? Lemme just tell ya...I feel O.L.D.
This is a little bit craziness as I try to get my ducks in a row for a life experience I clearly should have pursued at age 18!

(Oh wait... I was a sluffer. A slacker. A 1.2 cumulative GPA? solely because I did not engage in my high school career... I had a super hot boyfriend after all! They would have laughed me off campus! *wink* Who had time for homework and attending classes? Drooling over Jes in metal shop was MUCH more fun. Hmmm... which: #1 - WHY exactly did the Shop teacher allow me to hang out you ask? I did his busy work for him... and really... I am sure he figured that if he let me stay... my hottie of a boyfriend would stay too.
BTW... Jes' GPA? 3.5+.
*sigh*
Girls... don't sell yourself short for a boy! Just sayin'!)
Distracted paragraph aside....

I waver from complete and utter excitement...
to complete and utter fear.

It's very similar emotionally to preparing to go to the Physical Therapist's office during stroke recovery and wondering how epic of a fail it will be... and how much it will hurt before it gets better.
Yeah.
It's similar.
*wink*
OH! But to conquer it!

To succeed!

To smother the echo of a 1.2 GPA... and have proof that I can be brilliant and succeed if I put in the work.
This is SOO not going down on the epic fail list.
NOT AT ALL!

(remind me of this post when I am gasping for air wondering what the heck happened ok??)