That big question, "Why?"

So, why is it that, with all of the homework that I already have to do, I am supposed to also do my son's kindergarten homework? And for that matter, why do kindergarteners have homework?

Why do the people you expect to be the last to disappoint you end up being the ones who inevitably will?

Why does money never stretch as far as you'd like it to?

Why is it that when you go for that last cookie, or that anticipated bowl of cereal in the morning, it usually ends up being gone, or the milk carton is empty?

Why does Monday always have a "feel" to it?

Why do we put our faith in men (mankind, not males) when we know they will let us down?

Why can I never admit when I'm wrong, but expect that of others?

Why is it that the lady who sits by me in one of my classes cheats off of me, "borrows" my study guide, and lies about how much work she did outside of class? And why do I allow all of this to go on?

Why are my children so weird?!? :-)

Why do I tend to ask questions that I know have answers I don't want to hear?

Why? Just, why?

Those were the days...

Sometimes I find myself looking back on some really great times during my childhood, and I wish I could just be 10 again. Like, when we would go to Rick's Roll-Arena in Owasso and roller skate for hours on end. I'll often hear a song on the radio and tell Ryan, "Hey! That song reminds me of roller skating." He usually just smiles or tells me it reminds him of HIGH SCHOOL! :-) Nevertheless, there are those magical times as a kid when it seemed like nothing could touch you.

I long for those days sometimes. As I inch closer and closer to my college graduation, I find myself reflecting back on those worry-free times. Those times seemed to have passed by so quickly. I can't even imagine what my parents must be thinking now about them. If they went by that quickly for me, they must seem like a flash to them.

Anywho...with graduation getting closer, I am getting more and more nervous. Why? I think it's because this is one of the biggest things I've ever done. It's in the top 5 of the biggest days of my life. First, of course, is my wedding day. Then come the births of my children. And then I think it's this day. Obviously this day is going to be special for what it is. But I think I find it more profound because this is the first time I've ever done something for myself. I have worked so incredibly hard for this. I'm doing this because I know I can. This isn't so I can get a better job at work, especially since I don't work right now. That doesn't even matter to me. I could go out and get any job right now and be perfectly content. But this is for me. This is something that I've always wanted. And now it's only months away. It's 6 months away! And I want everyone I know and love to be a part of it with me.

If I had graduated 5 years ago, when I probably should have, I think I would have been proud and felt accomplished. But somehow, I think it means more now. I've had a lot of obstacles thrown in my way. I have two small children who need their Momma. And I make sure I make the time for them. But I also have to make time for school. So there is this constant battle in my heart over who needs what time, and what needs to come first. But something remarkable happened to me the other day driving Alex to school. We were at the stop sign at the park near our house, and I hear this little voice in the back say, "Momma, you and Daddy will NEVER stop loving each other." That little angel knows that family is the most important thing to me. He knows how much Ryan and I love each other. So all those times where I thought that I might not have been showing them enough how important they were to me, all three of them, I guess I have been. From the mouths of babes, huh?

So, for those of you who have supported me and encouraged me in this endeavor, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really couldn't have done it without all your kind words, prayers, and even distractions (when I really needed them). It has been a long hard 3 years, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Please come and celebrate my graduation with me. It would mean the world to me to have all my friends and especially my family there with me. This is for you, too! I really believe that. I want to thank you all for helping me along this journey! I know it's still 6 months away, but the way I see it, it's JUST 6 months away.

Who knows, maybe in 6 months, I'll take the kids roller skating and really show 'em who's boss!

Reese's Story (October 12, 2009)

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Snow White and the seven dwarfs. And the handsome prince came to her castle, and she fell inside of the forest, and she fell in a little tiny house full of cobwebs, and all there is these little tiny guys named Sleepy, Dopey, Happy, Grumpy, Doc, and there was Bashful and Sneezy, yeah and then there was a bunny that Snow White found and all the animals runned away and all got in holes in the trees. And then all the dwarfs came home and the door was open and they found lights were on and Snow White cleaned their house so they made it dirty. The queen gave Snow White a poisonous apple and their was these dirty dishes and she dust chair and said, "What a pile of dirty dishes!" Then she flapped her rag out the window. This deer put this glove on a racoon. This racoon looked with meany eyes. The queen made her eat the poisonous apple. That was not very nice to laugh at her when she was dead. Then Snow White had her funeral. The seven dwarfs were sad. And even Grumpy was and Bashful and Dopey and Doc and Sneezy. Then there was this guy that was trying to get Snow White's heart. But he said he couldn't do it. The queen was being mean. She was trying to get this bird to go home. They were all glad Snow White was awake. And then the prince took her to the castle. Then she found pretty flowers but not wild flowers. I watched it all the times, and I love it.

**You can't tell me that isn't the greatest story you've ever read.**