I check Xanga so often and am encouraged by so many wonderful people out there!!  I just don't take the time to gather my scattered thoughts and put them down in writing.  (and scattered they are most days...)

I'll try to recap since I haven't blogged since April.  Can that possibly be?  April?  Wasn't that just a couple months ago.  I could have almost had a baby in that time...LOL.

This past summer, we went to Florida to visit with family.  The children enjoy visiting with their cousins and, of course, going to the beach is a great highlight.  You don't get a prettier beach than the Gulf of Mexico!

This past fall, the twins started school.  They were so eager to go, and when I found out that my wonderful sister-in-law was going to be their teacher, we all were excited.  Sarah taught Andrew the first year she started teaching.  I thought at the time that she would be a great person for my brother to date.  Well, I waited to get up the nerve to see if she was dating anyone.  (she actually was when I asked and I dismissed the possibility).  It ended up that someone else had mentioned that she should go out with my brother.  They got married a couple years ago.  Now she is teaching the twins.  They.love.her!!  It's funny to hear them call her "Mrs. Shank".  They wanted their teacher gift to her to say Aunt Sarah AND Mrs. Shank.  Hee HEe. 

With all of the children returning to school, I started to dream again of returning to school myself for my master's degree.  I have always thought that I would eventually get back to school.    I started an online class when I only had Rachel and Andrew.  When the second class was about the start, the professor said that we would be spending hours each day on the class.  I knew I wouldn't have the time and so I withdrew from the program. 

(one night as I was studying...I just needed to close my eyes for a second.  I could hear what was going on around me, but I felt paralysed.  Just so tired.  Well...I felt the children put my hood up on my head.  I didn't care...I couldn't move.  I then heard them taking pictures.  This is what you get...LOL.  I think I look like an orange monk!!)

I recently started classes at Penn State.  It is a combination "live" class via Polycom and online.  A great blend.  The campus I go to is literally walking distance from my house (about 2 miles away...but I KNOW I could walk it..LOL).  First semester is over and I am breathing a sigh of relief.  It is so difficult to juggle family, work, and school, but I kind of thrive on the challenge.  I am in a Master's of Science in Nursing program with Family Nurse Practioner classes.  I don't know exactly WHAT I want to do when I finish.  I have always worked Critical Care.  Outpatient care is totally different.  I'm hoping that I will have a better idea after I have completed some practicums. 

Although my life is far from "boring", I don't necessarily feel it is blog-worthy.  I take some pictures and think "now this would make a great story", but then I don't have the energy to put it down in words.

~~

Tuesday I got together with my mom, cousin and sister in law for our annual cookie exchange.  It is so fun to just get together and chat.  (and of course the selection of cookies you bring home is great).  Mom made some wonderful fudge.  It literally calls my name from the counter top.   Great stuff!!

I am eagerly looking forward to getting together with family this Christmas season.  I work 3 12 hour shifts over the Christmas weekend itself, so our family is getting together the following weekend.  My sister and her husband had a baby before Thanksgiving and I can't wait to get my hands on him. 

Blessings to you all, Friends.  sorry I haven't blogged...  I read your blogs and am inspired!!

Merry Christmas!!  May you have a wonderful New Year!! 

I was reading another post this morning and realized that our thoughts were along the same line this morning.  The springtime just reminds me each year that God is faithful.  The ground is dark and bare, trees look like lifeless branches and everything seems dead. BUT...it doesn't take long for signs of life to spring forth everywhere.  Buds, green shoots, crisp air...  Love the thought of renewal, rebirth, a fresh start!!

Lamentations 3: 22-23  "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness." 

Genesis 8:22  "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

Just a picture I was reminded of when seedsower gave us the photo challenge for the week.  This was taken last year when I took a walk with the girls.  It was fun to have shadow tag "fights" and try to make critters with our hands/shadows.  I liked the hearts the best.

It's so dreary and rainy and cold here today.  No sun = no shadow.  (don't know how to make it more profound than that)