Oh no!! You turned the page!

Now really. Who doesn't love "The Monster At The End Of This Book" with dear, loveable, furry Grover?

Pomp and Circumstance

Big M's info for commencement came in the mail today! I became verklempt reading through it all. I was imagining dropping him off to line up, waiting to get seats in the coliseum, seeing him walk across the stage to accept his diploma. Just imagining it all made me tear up!

I can't express how profoundly proud I am of this man.

And how glad I'll be when this stage is over. It's been a long, rough road and we're almost done!

Counting down

I think I might lose my mind

This is Big M's LAST semester of school. He graduates May 16. May 17, I will be going into hibernation to recover.

Since this is his last semester, he has to take the remaining classes whenever they're scheduled regardless of how inconvenient it is.

The semester started out with an online class on Monday nights at home from 7-10pm. Ugh.

Tuesday nights are worse: 7-10pm at school. That means bed time is totally up to me and my bad back.

And now he has added a class on Wednesdays. 5-7pm.

I seriously might lose my mind. Or poke my brain out with a q-tip. Or give myself a lobotomy with a knitting needle.

In my house, the witching hour begins at 5pm. The kids are suddenly cranky, unruly and extremely hyper. Feeding them and getting them down for the night lasts until 9pm sometimes and it's physically, emotionally and psychologically draining at times.

Or am I just a crappy mom who can't cope? I wonder.

The first day of the last year

The final year of school for Big M is about to start. Classes begin on Thursday and our countdown to graduation has begun.

I am so very proud of my husband. He had worked long and hard to keep good grades while working, attending school full time and still finding time to be a daddy and a husband. He has passed up opportunities to hang out with coworkers, to be in a fraternity that could help his career, to do all sorts of things in favor of coming home to his wife and children. At times, we came second with his time, but we were always first priority in his efforts. Finishing school means a future for our family - a career in a stable industry.

Last semester was the hardest of all the semesters for this major (Chemical Engineering). It really worked him and at times he felt defeated. His biggest fear has been failing a critical class that would require him to stay in school for an additional year. But he was able to pass, if not master, amazingly difficult classes. This year is supposed to be a breeze, especially compared to last year.

So, here's to an easy final two semesters of school, to successful job hunting and to finishing your degree in Chemical Engineering, my love. I'm so proud of you that it makes me cry with joy, pride and love.