Terrific Tuesday!

I'm very excited about Tuesdays this semester. It's one day out of the week that I don't have to go to work, I have only one night class, everyone else is out of the house, and I get to have time all to myself. I used to feel guilty about my need to have time by myself. Last semester, however, Dr. Corbin graciously provided access to the TTI DISC & Values assessments (for more information look here). Through these assessments, I found validity in my seemingly selfish need to have time alone to rejuvenate. I then decided to schedule a day this semester to do exactly that ...and my homework ...and housework ...and, well you get the picture.

Having completed a number of tasks on my Tuesday "to do" list, I am allowing myself 15 minutes to update this blog. And you get to share in my reward!

Let's start with the gentlemen, shall we?

Mustang Man just told me about his plan to race at Bonneville. This is the place where land speed records are set and broken. Mustang Man's interest started with a movie called The World's Fastest Indian based on this. I'm not sure how I feel about all of this yet, but Mustang Man has already got his plans in motion. He's found a sponsor for a car and paint job. He already has a motor. He's got plans of who to ask to sponsor a transmission and all the rest. In the movie, it took Burt 25 years to achieve his dream of racing at Bonneville. How long will it take Mustang Man?

Stormin' is rarely home these days. His free time is filled with musical pursuits, scouts, or work. He survived his own end-of-semester finals and secured his position as first chair in the percussion section of the higher band. Hooray!

Moose is thrilled about the start of a new semester. Today is his first day of Driver's Ed. It also renews Mother's practice of relaxation breathing exercises. (Hey, I learned a thing or two giving birth to those five boys.) His real challenge is keeping his grades up so we're willing to let him get his license when he turns 16, based on the cost of the additional car insurance.

Camo has big news as well. He will be starting back to his regular school full time in the very new future. He's done a wonderful job with the reintegration process and is determined to continue to be successful. He has worked very hard to accomplish this and I'm so pleased with his efforts. Go Camo!

Big-J is enjoying life. He has a new friend in the neighborhood that was in sore need of a buddy and some extra care. I'm glad to see Big-J reaching out to this young one and pushing the rest of us to recognize the many extra things we have to share with others. My heart breaks when Big-J's friend talks about some of the things that he goes without (food, heat, gloves, someone to watch over him when his single father is at work, etc.). It's a tremendous blessing to be able to share our excess with him.

Panda has been working hard to learn the cub scout motto, promise, handshake, et cetera. He is very happy to finally be a scout like all of his big brothers. He's also enjoying the extra cold weather we've been having lately because that means he can have extra reading time during recess.

Panda is also the kind child that had the following conversation with me the other night while I was preparing dinner:

"Mom, do you know that you can't get married until your 20 years old?"

"Uh-oh. I must be in trouble."

"Why?"

"Because I was only 18 when I got married."

"You mean, [Stormin'] is old enough to get married next year?"

"NO!"

This lovely conversation was followed by Camo explaining to me that he will be old enough to vote in the Presidential election after this one. And he's right! That means I will have three children old enough to vote that year. Two of them will be on their missions. Do missionaries vote? Hmmmmm.

The gentlemen are making me feel old! How is this all possible?

I suppose I didn't help matters by getting married before I was 20.

And then I blinked!