I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth

I'm still here. I've been thinking about updating this for a long time. But I always use the excuse that I don't have time. Right now, I am making the time.

The kids and I went to California this past summer. I don't remember the drive being so boring. I did it before without the man, and that trip seemed to fly by. But this time. I think it took 3 days to drive down there. It really didn't. Only took 10 hours. That's because when we stop at a rest stop, we stay for a while. Makes for happier children. It was a fun trip. We went to the beach one day. The kids loved it. I had a great time hanging with my sisters. I was glad that my children weren't the ones I had to chase. Kaydee wouldn't go near the water, but she didn't ever go far from where we were sitting. Here's some pictures of the kids from that day:

In May, I was called to be the Relief Society president. I actually served in that capacity for several weeks before I was set apart. It was a pretty quiet summer. It's been getting pretty busy lately. You can imagine that with the way the economy has been, and that the RS takes care of the poor and needy what I've been dealing with. It can get frustrating at times. But I am here to serve.

The kids started school. Lyndon is in 6th grade, Nolan is in 5th grade, Elena is in 1st grade, and Kaydee is in preschool. Here are first day of school pictures:

As if I weren't already crazy, I went back to school. Well, technically I've been in school since Oct. 2008. I was taking online classes, and just one at a time. This autumn, I started at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). I'm taking Biology, the lab, and Introduction to Radiology which is an online class. Some days I wonder what ever made me think this was a good idea. On my way to class that first morning, I was so nervous I was sure I would either get sick or cry. I cried. It was not a good morning. I was fighting those tears hard when I found out I was still have issues with my financial aid and couldn't get my books yet. But then I went to get my ID card and they almost couldn't find me in the system. I really look like I'm fighting tears in my ID picture - the worst picture EVER! Then I went up to my classroom, found a class in session and thinking I was late, walked in only to realize it wasn't my class. In the middle of all this, I'm trying to call Sal because I needed the support and he was in the shower and not answering. So in the end, I found a bench outside and started crying. Then all the people started walking by. I felt like such a loser. But even with all that, I did not feel like the oldest person there. With the economy the way it is, lots of people are going back to school - in record numbers. A bad picture from my first day of school. Pardon the undressed preschooler, she feels the need to be in every picture.

So now I'm still trying to adjust to being so busy. Lots of times my brain feels like an old computer: when too many applications and processes are working, it slows down. And I marvel that my thoughts can go so slow at times - literally in slow motion. It seems so unnatural. But I have an awesome support system: adn understanding husband who just lets it roll off his back when I snap at everyone or shut down, which seems to happen all too often these days; helpful children who are almost eager to do the additional chores recently added to their load; great counselors that help me keep it together; and wonderful friends and family that love me and understand me and put up with me and make me laugh. I know I'm blessed.