Early Celebration

My hubby gave me an anniversary present early...my all time favorite ice cream...hokey pokey! I was so excited! He found a company in California that imports New Zealand ice cream and had them overnight some, it was probably the best gift ever. It is so delicious and creamy! I love it!
His gift has yet to arrive, so I'm hoping it will be here soon. We will be celebrating 7 years! I can't believe it has been 7 years already, in some ways it feels longer and in some ways it still feels like it was only yesterday when we said "I DO."

I'm hoping that I will be feeling good enough to do something on our actual day since I will be recovering from surgery...usually we go back to the park we got married at and have a picnic with the kids and simply reflect on all that has transpired.

He has made all my dreams come true and I'm extremely thankful for that - after all this time I'm still in awe of him and the life we have created.

"The course of true love never did run smooth..." Shakespeare - A MidSummer Night's Dream

It's almost here....

Surgery is near, in five days it will end. It's been a long journey which started in October of 2008 of the initial testing of my sister and myself and yesterday we did final crossmatching. I had several more testing done and met with the doctor to ask any final questions.
I'm comfortable and at ease with my decision and with the approaching surgery. Friends keep asking if I'm nervous, but surprisingly I'm not...it could be because I just finished my graduate program and so I've been thinking of that and I'm surrounded by my children and they keep my mind to busy to wonder about it, but I've never felt like I'm putting my own life at risk. Don't get me wrong, I realize there is that risk, but it has never crossed my mind that it is a possiblity. I'm more nervous for my mother than myself, as this is her third, but I also know that my mom is a strong person and a fighter, so that helps.
A part of me also realizes that what is meant to be is meant to be and that at some point, I have to rest my fate in the higher spirits to watch over me and my mother. Everyday is a gift and I live my life in that manner because one never knows when it is your last. Each night, I reflect on my day, what went well, what didn't, but mostly reflect on the people that impacted my life either shown through the generosity of friends or what some are missing by not really knowing us. It's weird how you can be connected to someone you've yet to meet and how distant you can be with someone who is suppose to be so close, but that is life. And I want to enjoy it for all that I have.

I don't feel like I'm doing something extraordinary, I feel like I'm doing what is needed to help my mother. I know most people are unaware of the need for organ transplantation and most will be unaware until it impacts them personally, at least that was the case for me. The statistics are shocking, yet most are unaware....every 12 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant list and an average of 17 US people die everyday while waiting for an organ. How would it appear on the news if 17 people were dying everyday in the war...something to think about.

Anyway, if it crosses your mind, keeps us in your thoughts.

"The essence of life shall never be known by a human being as long as that person seeks to observe life like a viewer and subject. The absolutely essential nature of life can only be comprehended by merging fully with the flow of life, so one is utterly a part of it." 365 days of Tao

Party Painting Weekend

It all started with new decorative pillows for our couch...and turned into a weekend of painting. We painted the living room and the kitchen; I'm completely exhausted and at times wonder how and why we get ourselves into these situations. On the up side...I completely love what we have done.

The living room is two colors (I can't remember the names of the colors), but two walls are almost like a chocolate brown and then the other two walls are a lighter neutral shade, almost like a grayish taupe. We used the lighter color for the kitchen as well - we only use Behr paint because you only need to use one coat of it and covers up everything nicely.

We eventually are going to be painting the kitchen cabinets white and putting frosted glass on the inside of the cabinets and we also plan to get new countertops. So sometime when we have the extra cash we will tackle that project.

I'm done for now - I don't think my body can handle any more bending and stooping, when did I get so old?

Bittersweet Moment

Well, last night I completed my last "client" presentation with my team for our professor. Once we finished, he stated that we really put a lot of time and effort into this project and that it showed, he said he was rather impressed with our details and definitely believes that we could perform this work in the "real" world. He gave us all "A's" for the class!
I was pretty excited - I thought this class was definitely more challenging and most likely to be something we would approach in the real world, so I was really nervous in the beginning, but afterwards, my biggest takeaway is the confidence that I can do this work. This class really challenged us to big all our knowledge from the previous classes to produce a complete training plan with budget, etc..and we did it.
So, I'm done...I still have to wait for my digital story project to be graded, but I'm done. It's a bittersweet moment. I've dedicated two years of my evenings, weekends, family gatherings for this moment and I'm somewhat sad about it. I've really enjoyed this program, it was hard and at times pushed me to frustration and tears, but again, no one said it would be easy. I'm definitely going to miss the team projects, but I've formed bonds with people I've never met face-to-face with and somehow my life will be lead a little different from what I have learnt from them.

Almost Over....

I got my feedback from my graduation portfolio on Friday, it was all positive and I passed the ILT program. My portfolio is http://www.denafife.com/, if you are inclined to check it out. I just need to finish my last two classes and I will get my MA in eLearning Implementation and Design....wow...I really can't believe that in just two more weeks I will be done.
I have submitted my final digital story for class today. You can check out my story below



I'm working on my final team project, which we received really great feedback on our client presentation, so I'm pretty excited, I'm working with a great group of individuals, a part of me will miss all the team projects and interaction from the program.

I'm not sure what our plan is after school, we want to move to New Zealand and I've been eyeing jobs there, but it's not a good economy anywhere at the moment.
I've had a phone interview already for a position, it is a really great company, but I'm not entirely sure yet about going back to work. Our plan was when both the kids began school, but we definitely could use the additional income. We decided that we will not worry about it unless I get offered the job and then we will start having discussions because at this point there is not need unless it becomes a reality.

Once school is over, I have about 16 days to really work it those exercises before the surgery. The last month I've pretty much thrown myself into the final projects and portfolio work so I haven't had a chance to really get much exercising in. I told my mom to be ready to work it hard and get our butts in gear. Till next time....

Birthdays and Celebrations

Yesterday my sister and her fiance tied the knot - nothing fancy. They went down to the courthouse and then we went out to dinner to celebrate. I'm happy for her, for them both. He is a good guy and wish them all the best. Welcome to the craziness (but he should be used it to by now).
Today, we celebrate my momma's birthday. Happy Birthday Mother!!! May it be full of laughter and delight with a touch of sassiness.
The kids have been singing all day - they told me they are practicing the song they are going to sing for her because the Happy Birthday tune just isn't enough for sweet pea. I think she also drew about a dozen pictures and stuffed them in the sack for her. So we will stop over once the hubs comes home and have a mini-celebration.
I'm also one step closer to graduation....I finished my graduation portfolio, which is a collection of my work through the ILT program. Feel free to check it out at www.denafife.com - I'm glad it is done and now it will just go through a review process and then I need to finish my last two courses and tah-dah...graduation. I got an email indicating that the summer graduates will have the graduation ceremony with the fall graduates, which is in December. I haven't decided if I will attend or not, it would be nice as it was a long process and I'm really proud of what I accomplished, but we shall see.

Another late night

Here I am staying up late trying to finalize my graduation portfolio as well as stay current with my two current courses. I am definitely feeling overwhelmed and really, I mean really look forward to graduation. My last day of class is August 8th and surgery is August 18th, so I have ten days to whoo-hoo c-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e!!
And of course, feeling overwhelmed as it is, there continually seems to be a pile of laundry and a mess of anything and everything laying around and my little man decided that momma needed just another dose of reality by coloring our front door and windows. How and when he did this is beyond my reckoning, I'm starting to think he has super powers - he can move at lightening speed. So, on my to-do list is to pick up a Magic Eraser...I hear that they take crayon marks off and let's hope it does, I already have to repaint the living room. Oh and this is in addition to the "picture" he drew in his room that I posted about on my FB page, which I did allow him to keep. His reason for drawing in his room was good, "My elephant needed a friend," he said. His reason today, "I don't know why" and he got to spend 3 whole minutes in his room and then he came out and said, "I sorry."
My sweetpea is on strike, she informs me that she will not be picking up her toys and that under no circumstances am I allowed to throw them or give them away (a practice I have done in the past). I told her that was fine, but I would be taking her good tickets away and that she would not be starting her dance class next week. She said she will begin picking up tomorrow morning, but nicely asked if I would help her.
The hubby and I have come to some conclusions on a few things and this was actually in the Randy Pausch book, "always tell the truth." We do, but we don't especially when feelings or high emotions are involved, but if we don't then the behavior continues. So, you have now been forewarned...if you ask me something and you get a response that you typically didn't get, I hope you understand...no more sugar coating...well perhaps a sprinkle here and there.
I could go on as it has been a busy short week, but I'm tired and have more work to do tomorrow.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!!