Setting a Goal

Last year I set a goal for myself to get my MBA, which meant going back to college after an 8 year hiatus. Ugh. So this semester I've put that plan into action, still not really knowing how I'm going to find the time to do this.  Time is such a precious commodity when you work full time, have little kids, and all those other day-to-day responsibilities that come with being an adult.  I only thought I didn't have time for everything when I was working on my undergrad degree!

Despite not having that tiny little detail worked out, I'm officially a Henderson State University Reddie as of this week.  What's a Reddie you ask?  I didn't know either until I looked it up here. Go figure.  I'm fortunate in that I have three universities all within an hour of my home/work.  Henderson didn't require that I take the GMAT because I had a high GPA- score!

Last night was my first class, Marketing Trends, and one of the two that I'll be taking this semester.  It was really odd to be on a college campus again, to have that little parking sticker on my car.  I remember feeling so at home on UCA's campus (where I got my Bachelor's degree), now I feel like a strange outsider.  This is possibly due to the fact that I am kind of an outsider now.  In my class of 13 there are 7 international students (all young), and the remaining 5 students all graduated with their Bachelor's last spring.  So I'm directionally 8 years older than everyone in my class.  The only one with kids and a full-time job. 

I am officially that person.  The older student that we all remember having in our classes, and didn't really socialize with because we were on totally different planets because of all the differences mentioned above.  That's alright with me though; I'm counting on being a pretty hot commodity soon. See, our major project for this class is to work with a real client and create a marketing plan for their business.  Does this sound familiar to any of my UCA friends?  I'm fairly sure we did like 3 of these for undergraduate classes.  Plus my real life experience.  Oh yeah, if I were one of the young'uns in this class I'd be trying to be my BFF immediately! Ha!

One class down, and one more to go tonight.  At least now I can stop worrying about the classwork; and instead focus on finding the time to actually do the classwork!

Letters to Seeley

Seeley Bop,

Kiddo, I had to forgo the short monthly blurbs because you have been ON FIRE these past few months.  You have grown so much!  You're wearing 24 month clothes and a size 8 shoe.  Your big sister only wears a size 9.  So yeah, you're definitely going to fulfill the doctor's prediction and be taller than both your Daddy and I.  It's so funny to see you and Emma standing side by side; you are this close to being as big as she is!  No one believes us when we tell them you are only 18 months old.

At your 18 month check-up I was a little surprised to see that you hadn't gained much weight.  Well, I can assure you it's not because you go without any meals.  I swear that you are eating from the time you get home from school until we put you to bed at night.  Seriously.  One of your most used words is "snack?!".  You are also always on the go.  You're either climbing on something, running around the house, or climbing on something . . . you are a big climber.  Mommy has lots of gray hairs now.  Thanks.  Luckily, the Lord blessed you with balance and agility.  Otherwise I'm sure we would be making at least 1 hospital trip a week.

We turned your crib into a toddler bed this past month also.  Even though you love to climb you had never tried to climb out of your crib until recently.  And you didn't climb out actually, you climbed in!  So, Mommy decided it might be a good idea to go ahead and let you be a big boy.  Now you wind up in bed with Mommy and Daddy at least every other night.  When you were in your crib you'd just roll over and go back to sleep if you woke up during the night.  Now that you can get out of your bed you go to the baby gate and scream "Ma" until I come and snuggle you into bed with me. And if I don't come quick enough you start shaking the gate like some caged gorilla!  Spoiled much?!  That's ok though, you just want some extra Mommy snuggles.

And speaking of snuggles, you are the sweetest, snuggliest thing in the whole world.  Everyone agrees.  I love it when you snuggle up to me after your bath, or in the mornings.  You either wrap your arms around my neck and squeeze, or you tuck your little arms under you like you're trying to get as close to me as possible.  Melts my heart every time!  Pop Pop is one of your favorite snuggle buddies too.  You'll occasionally share your snuggle time with Parker.

Yes sir, you are sweet and snuggly . . . unless you don't get your way.  My sweet little angel inherited his Daddy's hair-trigger temper.  You have absolutely zero patience.  And when you get mad . . . the you-know-what hits the fan.  Sippie cups become projectiles, you turn your body into dead weight, throw yourself to the floor crying.  In all honesty, right now I can't help but laugh when you do these things.  Right now it's cute.  But we'll have to nip it in the bud pretty soon because it won't be cute forever.  Fair warning.

You've also discovered a love of music and performing.  At your very first Christmas program at school you had the entire audience in tears they were laughing so hard at you.  (And the reason this is not on film is because your Daddy forgot the camcorder.)  You were sitting with your class in your little chair on the stage and you were stomping your feet, swaying back and forth, shaking your head.  And smiling the cheesiest grin I have ever seen every time you would look at me.  It's like you were saying "Hey Mom!  Check me out!  I'm so awesome!" Absolutely priceless.  Random strangers were coming up to us after the program so that they could meet you.  My little celebrity!

You are also really interested in the dogs and cat lately.  You insist on feeding Jade every morning. And since you're giving her food, she decides to let you get away with pulling her tail and squeezing her neck.  You also love to squeeze on Bella, who also takes it like a champ.  Pancho, not so much.  He pretty much runs whenever you get close. You don't care for him much either, you're always telling him to "go" or "shut-up".

I'm so lucky to have you and I can't wait to see what new things you'll learn next.  I love you!

Love,

Mommy

Catching up

I was right (as usual): between the kids and the holidays I had 0 time to blog.  Here's what the Johnsons have been up to . . .

Presents from Santa . . .

Fighting over presents from Santa . . .

More presents.  From Mommy and Daddy this time . . .

Followed by an awesome family nap! Ha!

The rest of my vacation was spent with ear infections, a desperate attempt to make room in our house for all of the new toys, and art projects with the kiddos.  Oh, and ironing out the pesky details of going back to school in just a few short weeks to get my MBA.