Liberty

Hi folks,
I haven’t given any sort of update on my schooling since I started. I went part time for the 1st two semesters and with good counsel from my husband I decided to kick it into high gear and get this party over with. I went from 6 hours a semester to 12 hours a semester.

When I started the Fall of 2011 I was considered a junior because of my associate degree transferring over. However, I still had 84 credits that I need to get completed in order to get my business degree. So far I have completed a total of 108 hours. I have a small amount of 39 left to go. This means that I am about 75% complete.

Working full time, being a full time wife, mom, baseball mom, and student is insanely hard, but we

make it work. I have a very supportive husband. And my parents, brother and sisters, and friends are constant support who provides prayers and tutoring if needed. (I love having teachers as friends and family members) With our insane schedule and all the homework, I actually manage to only do homework at work and while the kids are sleeping. There was an exception last semester and the beginning of this semester that I had to do homework while they were awake. Statistics and Corporate Finance took every minute of free time away during those classes.

The most amazing news I heard this month is that I will be graduating next year. Just one year away from being completely done.

During our summer vacation of 2012, we went to Virginia for a friends wedding. During this trip we stopped and saw the Liberty campus. It was a lot of fun to see the campus, buy some souvenirs, and see the environment.
 

Race for Grace 5k

The school TJ attends had a 5K that the hosted and any chance Tim and I can get to do a 5K, we will do it!

 

It was tough, felt like we were going uphill the whole way. I am very thankful that Tim pushes the double stroller with 2 kids weighing about 75 lbs combined.

oh and TJ always has to run across the finish line. So the last little bit of the run TJ gets our and races across the finish line. This is always a hit with the crowds.

School Program: Spring 2012

Since Anna was at school near the end of the year she was able to participate in the spring program. She has a blast at school and really enjoyed being in the program.

Amy Graduates

My lovely sister graduated from Texas A&M. We were so happy that we could be there to witness her graduation and are so proud of her.

Program and Preschool

This is terrible of me but I completely forgot to post a few pictures of TJ's school program at Christmas time. It was a very cute program with a sweet story. It was a donkey barbeque, but completely adorable!!!

We found out early December that TJ's teacher would no longer be teaching at his school. We knew this would be an adjustment for him. He LOVED his teacher. It was glorious when I would tell him something he would tell me that his teacher says that too. Even after she left he would continue to tell me what she has told him. Even though my son is at age three and in his first year of school. I am so grateful for his teacher(s) and made sure I told her so. I sent a card in TJ's bag on her last day and told her how much we appreciate her and we will miss her.

When he returned to school after being out of school for a two weeks and then having a new teacher. It was really hard for him to adjust. Thanks to my mom and dad who had to work with him a lot. Especially my dad who took him to school each day and had to work with him and pray with him. He is doing so much better!

Big Step

I've been thinking about this for a long time. Actually I have been for years but seriously thinking for about 6 months.

I started back to school this week.

This took a lot and was a really big step for me... I guess I should start towards the beginning.

In 2005 I received an associates degree in science. Then I got married and got a job to survive. I've been working since then and had babies and just lived life. I have been encouraged by my employer, family and friends to go back and finish to get my bachelors in business.

I really wanted to go back but really didn't want to take the time to do it and spend the money to go to all the classes. I wasn't sure how many classes would transfer and just thought I would be starting basically over again.

Well a few months ago (mid spring) I decided to do some research. Why not get this done and taken care of while my kids are young. I found a few schools that I was interested in and applied. Heck, why not right? If I don't get in then that's just God closing the door.

Nope, I got in. Fine, I'll keep praying that if the doors stay open then I'll keep moving through them.

Ok, so now I need to apply for financial aid. Got some loans.

Ok, the door is still open.

Sent my transcript. 63 of my credit hours were transferred over...Um? Seriously? I'm a Junior? You have got to be kidding me? So all I have left is a few basics and then core classes? Door still WIDE open.

Well now it comes down to the final make it or break it decision.

My company offers Education Assistance. Once I got in and got registered for classes I found out what all I need to do. Filled out paperwork, talked to my manager, talk to my manager's manager, talked to HR talked to my manager again, talked to the head of HR, talked everyone over again, defended my case, wrote letters, and then waited.

After waiting for a couple of weeks all while the deadline to get out without any cost to me was approaching quickly. My manager comes over and says "Come to Dave's office" (Dave is her boss and over our facility). I completely forgot that we were waiting on an answer and was worried about what he could possibly need with both of us.

I walked into his office and saw his face and all I could do was smile. You could see the relief on his face. My manager was smiling. They fought like crazy for this to get approved for me. Didn't find out till towards the end that they don't just approve this for anyone. It's nice to know they appreciate me and will vouch for me.

My company pays 90% of tuition, books, and applicable fees!!!!!

Praise the Lord! The doors stayed wide open and I am now in school. I am taking two classes this semester. I decided to just get my feet wet a little and get used to it before I jump in completely. I've just about finished my first week and doing good.

Keep me in your prayers. And thank you to those who have already been encouraging me and praying for me. I'm sure I'll be updating a on this as I go..... Woo Hoo!!!

PreSchool Day One

Well my TJ is now in Preschool. Today was his first day. I took the day off so I could take him on his first day and pick him up.

On the way to drop off Anna, TJ and I prayed the whole way there. We prayed that he would have a good day, that he would have a good year, and he would learn so much that he would be ahead of the game. 

My mom came with us so she could take pictures and manage Anna while I got TJ settled. I was worried that he would get clingy and not want me to leave. It was the opposite. Once we got in the classroom I had to grab him so we could take a picture. When I left I said "bye TJ!" he responded with "bye Mommy" then he turned back around to play.

I did great. I didn't cry or anything. I know it's because TJ didn't cry or make a fuss. That would have made it horrible. But I was still sad...

Then I had to patiently wait until it was time to pick him up. When I got there this is what I saw...

So sweet.

One tired but happy kiddo. He got a sticker on his calendar for today to say he did great.

Learning Train

TJ got this train puzzle for Christmas. I knew he wasn't ready for it being that he had just started talking. At the time he couldn't even say his name.

He could repeat all the letters when we would say them but to pick out the letters and put a puzzle together wasn't going to work.

We've been working with him on pronouncing his words and working on his letters. So I knew he would be ready for this without getting frustrated.

He has put this together a few times and is really loving it. In one sitting we can't do it more than once. If he can't find the letter or picture that is next we have him sort the pictures by color.  

For example if the "F" is on a red cart of the train then we tell him to find all the red carts. Once he pulls out all the red then we have him look for the "F". Finds the letter he is looking for every time.

He is starting school on the 23rd and is really excited about it. It's going to be a busy schedule starting in a week or so.

Fun Times!

Vacation Bible School

This wasn't TJ's first year to attend Vacation Bible School but it was the first year he had a program and the first program he has ever been in.

We were super proud of him and could wait to see him sing and dance. We even took him to ice cream afterward to celebrate.

And here is a video of one of the songs. It is so cute. He couldn't stop dancing and he even almost falls towards the end. HEHE

We are so proud of you TJ!!

PreSchool

Well, we've been looking at different preschools. We want TJ to start in the fall but knew we needed to get the process started and get his spot saved.

Few factors we had to put into consideration:

• location
• cost
• cleanliness
• reputation
• christian school
• flexibility of schedule

We found a school that fits all of these factors that are what we want in a school for him. We can have him have a set schedule but if we need him to go more often or on different days it can easily be changed.  They have before and after school care. He walked into the classroom and immediately got excited. The cost is great. The school is about 5 minutes from my parents house so taking him to and from school shouldn't be a problem.

All this to say.

We are happy and excited to have him start in the fall!