How is school influencing my life?!

I am halfway through my fourth term at Kaplan University.  I feel like I have a pretty good flow down when it comes to school by this point.  However, life always throws curve balls, and sometimes I have to juggle and rearrange my schedule to fit school in.  The beauty of online learning is that, that's not a problem!  I can do school whenever I want to, as long as I meet my weekly deadlines.  I do alot of school work late at night, but my kids have started back to school, and I have started back to work part-time, so late nights aren't a great option anymore.  I'm having to find more time during the day to get school done.  I have a very busy life outside of school, but always in the back of my mind, I'm thinking about what I need to get done for school.  I feel like being in school is keeping me sharper; my brain doesn't have a chance to turn to mush.  I also feel really proud of myself and like I am accomplishing something important just for myself, which as most mothers know, doesn't happen alot.  I enjoy school, even with all of its challenges, and even when it feels like I will be doing it forever.

What happened?!

I am deviating from our selected topic for this week, because I have something heavy on my heart.  My baby is starting kindergarten on Monday, and I really have mixed feelings about it. It's so weird, because I have 3 boys, 15, 12, and 5 (yesterday, Happy bday baby boy!) and I actually cried last night at Meet the Teacher night and I never cried with my two older boys.  I even thought, at the time, that my middle son was going to be my last child, and that I was sending my "baby" to kindergarten when he went, but I still didn't get upset and cry.  I don't know what the difference is this time.  He's ready, even though he just turned 5, and he's very social and loves to have friends, but it's me having the hard time.  I know it will all be fine after a few days. Maybe I'm just sad that this part of my life is over.  He's the last one, and this time of my life is over--having little toddlers or preschoolers.  The days of just staying home and watching preschool shows will be coming to an end, and it makes me sad. 

I actually really enjoy school!

I have been back in school since the beginning of December, and until then, it had been 20 years since I had been in college. I had always said I would go back someday, not really knowing if it would happen or not.  I'm so glad I finally made the choice to do it.  I really feel like I am accomplishing something great, and doing something great for myself and my future, and ultimately my family's future.  I really wanted to attend my courses online.  I knew that "going" to class would be extremely difficult with my already busy life.  I happen to really love online learning!  It suits me very well.  I have always been a very organized, task-oriented, list-making person.  So, keeping up with assignments, and having to pretty much be completely responsible for myself has been fairly easy for me.  Having said that, however, I do tend to be a procrastinator, and I have to kick myself in gear from time to time.  I love having the flexibility to do school whenever I want, and whenever I can.  I do alot of work late at night.  That seems to be a good time for me.  Sometimes I wish I could just talk to my professor face to face, and ask questions in a conversation, rather than through email, but typically anything I ask through email is answered effectively.  I do like the anonymity of online classes, but I also like getting together in seminars and talking to my classmates.  I really like doing this blog and reading other people's blogs, because it gives an insight into people that we normally don't get just from chatting in  our seminars.  Sometimes it feels like I will be in school forever, and I do get tired of it and look forward to the break between terms, but I know that it will be worth it in the end.  Nothing that's worthwhile comes easy. 

My First Blog

I'm so excited to be posting my first blog!  It's kind of like writing in a journal, but everyone can see it.  Since my blog is titled "Everyday life with my 3 sons", I think I'll make my first post about my 3 sons :)  School starts 2 weeks from today, and in some ways I am ready, and in some ways I am not.  I love summer!  I love sleeping in and not really having to be anywhere or do anything, and I get to be home with my kiddos.  My boys are 14 (15 next month), 12, and 4 (5 next week).  So, not only is school starting, but 2 of my kids have birthdays coming up soon.  I'm also going back to work part-time as a preschool teacher, and I'm in school myself.  My oldest son is homeschooled (his choice), so I have to get his curriculum together for the school year.  I actually don't have much to do for him before school starts.  My middle son is going into 7th grade.  I had to buy him a trombone, get school supplies, football stuff, sports physical, immunizations, and various other things.  My baby is starting kindergarten this year.  I'm really quite sad about it.  I know he will be fine.  He is very social, and he will love it, but mommy would love to keep him home for another year.  I know the next 2 weeks are going to zoom by, but I want to savor each moment.  I want to not be aggravated with my kids.  I want to not yell at them when they don't listen.  So, that's what I'm striving for.  To make the last 2 weeks of summer the best yet.