Embarking...

2010 has already and is still becoming a year of many changes.  Many new doors are opening for all three of us.  Opportunities that we can not turn down.  Opportunities that will mold and shape and change our schedule and comfort zones.

This spring, the kiddo is still being homeschooled by me.  Now, however, I am changing his work load to reflect more and more what he will find in a school setting.  I am teaching him classroom manners, which we haven't had to do, well, because we are at home!  He is learning to work quietly.  He is learning to finish tasks (especially those he dislikes, like handwriting) within a time limit.  He is gearing up to start at a local private school in the fall.  At first, he was timid about the change.  Now, though, he is realizing that he will have much more interaction with other kids and adults and is excited.  (One reason we chose this school, in addition to its 'outside the box' teaching, is because kids off all ages have the chance to interact with each other.  The kiddo will be spending the bulk of his day with kids his age, but will also have opportunities to learn from the older and younger kids)  I am sad that homeschooling is coming to an end, at least for a time.  I enjoy teaching the kiddo.  To see his face light up, to see that 'light bulb" click when he gets something...It's priceless.  Still, there are changes coming, and I know my limitations.  Homeschooling, for now, will have to come to an end. 

In addition to preparation for a classroom setting, the kiddo is continuing his martial arts training.  He seems to really enjoy it, and it has certainly given him an outlet and a focus that I could not give him here.  He just earned his Green Stripe, of which we are so proud.  Next week, on the same days that he has his martial arts training, he will also be starting soccer practice.  Back to back.  (sigh)  I know it will wear on him, so I am altering our schedule now so that he can have some quiet or nap time before we have to go to these two things.  We have already spoken to him about the possibility of giving one up if it is too much for him, though, at this point, I fear I am more worried that it will be too much for me!  HA!  Needless to say, he wants to do both, and so we are willing to give it a shot to see how he does!

Of course, any changes in the kiddo's life means changes in my own life.  That goes without saying; just as changes in my life affect his life and my DH's life.  Personally, the biggest change in my life right now is the fact that I am 'normal' again.  After my ablation last fall, I have returned to the land of moodiness, mood swings, abrupt tears, sullen silences, rash outspokenness.  These things have not been apart of my life since just before the kiddo was born, and I forgot that those things, which are normal for most women, were once normal for me to!  Learning to live with these womanly things has been trial and error for me and my loves.  The kiddo is not used to me being emotional, certainly DH is not, after living with my zombie mode for the past five years!  We both agree though, that this is still somehow an improvement on zombie mode!  LOL 

The next biggest change, which I am still working toward, is my opportunity to return to school.  I was hoping to start in January at the school here in town.  However, as they were not Veteran friendly, and refused to view my AA as an AA, I have been forced to push back my schooling.  I will be dual-enrolled, starting in April, working on a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies with a concentration on Fish and Wildlife Management.  Yup.  I wanna be a Park Ranger!  This degree/career choice has offered its own set of challenges already.  None of my military training, or previous college experience really applies to this degree.  However, I KNOW I am not cut out to be a Nurse, and I am certainly not interested in a Business Degree, no matter how beneficial it could be someday.  I have no head for math or business law and terminology.  Animals, though.  Animals, I can handle.  I am a creation admirer.  I am not hippi-ish, but I am in full support of conservation and education so that we take better care of the world and the creatures that the Lord has put in our care.  I love being out of doors, hiking, exploring, catching rare glimpes of creation that you would normally only see on Animal Planet or Discovery Channel.  So... I am embarking into the world of online education, and college classrooms, something I have not been apart of since before I joined the military.

Of course, home life must go on.  I am working on so many little projects, crafts, a book, soon will be starting gardening again.  There are projects I NEED to complete, and many more that I NEED to start (in efforts to clear out closet space and purge 'stuff' we don't need anymore.)  There are home projects that DH is intent on starting; home improvements, repairs, etc that should not wait for too long as waiting could result in damage.  Then there is our devotion to each other.  Time spent together.  Trips to get away.  Excursions to help us enjoy and stay in tune with one another. 

Then there are the opportunities that DH is in the midst of.  He too will be returning to school soon.  That in addition to new challenges and undertakings at work have him both excited and stressed.

Finding balance will be key.

Ha!  The three of us are stressed!  LOL  Life up to now has been very easy-going for us.  We are used to doing what we want, when we want, and never have to worry about one thing canceling out another.  So 2010 is the beginning of a new chapter for us.  We are about to embark on a journey together and separately that will challenge us, motivate us, deter us, and Lord willing, cause us to come closer together.

We could certainly use your thoughts and prayers!