Waiting for Spring!

OK friends, it may be March 29th, but there is still a ton of snow outside, and it just barely hit above freezing today. "March Madness" means something a little different to us folks who live up here :).

It has been awhile since I last updated our blog, and not much has changed. I do have to brag on both of my daughters for a couple seconds. As many of you know, neither is very academic.....although, if there was a degree in texting, I'm sure Kaylee would have a doctorate by now! However, this past quarter both of the girls earned the best GPAs they have ever had. Kaylee earned a 3.5 and Jackie a 3.66!! Moving Jackie over to North Pole High was a very good decision. She is finally in classes she can keep up with and that she is comfortable in.

I signed Johnnie up for his first set of swimming lessons. Parents of pre-schoolers are allowed to walk out to the pool with their children, but just until the swim coach comes and gathers them. All parents and visitors must then get into the "cage" (bleachers that have an iron gate separating the viewers from the pool). Jonathan's class has six students. They spend their time in the kiddie pool (3 ft in depth), and pretty much learn to be comfortable in the water through a lot of water games. Well, on that first day I had my camera with me. I was taking a lot of pictures, but for some reason, my camera was being rude and wouldn't focus for me, so some of the pics on this blog are a little fuzzy. The coach had all six kiddos line up on the side of the pool and asked each one to jump in (remember, the depth is only 3 feet, but the kids don't understand that). Four of the six had no trouble jumping in - I could tell they'd done it before. Little Jonathan and another little girl standing next to him both politely shook their heads at the coach when it was their turn. You have to imagine, I'm laughing out loud in the stands completely enjoying the scene. I could hear the coach calming coaxing them to take the plunge, and then Johnnie did the funniest thing! He sweetly put his arm around the little girl, with his hand on her back, and tried to shove her in! It's like he was saying, "Ladies first!" She squirmed away from him and took a few steps back from the pool glaring at him while Jonathan smiled at her. By this time, I'm howling and slapping my knee (people started scooting away from me). I just wanted to tell all the young parents (I was, by far, the oldest one there) who were spending more time talking with other parents than watching their little ones that time flies by way too fast. I wanted to tell them that they need to enjoy the funny things their kiddos do in their younger years, but I didn't because no one would make eye contact with me :).

Kaylee is 1/2 way done with her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) class, and she will be able to take the state test in May. If she passes, she will be able to get a good job at the hospital. Tomorrow we are attending an all day college orientation at University of Fairbanks. She was accepted into their allied health program to take the 34 credits of pre-requisite classes before she applies for nursing school.

Scott is starting to actively look for jobs now. This is an exciting time in our lives. He is finishing up his LAST college class (Business Ethics) and then he is finally done! Scott has been taking college classes part time for about six years now, and I don't think he thought he would ever finish.

The senior parents are getting ready to put on one heck of a Graduation Bash for our kids! Graduation is May 15th, and that evening the seniors will have a lock-in at the base gym all night (from 10 pm to 5 am). We have all sorts of games, food, prizes, music, etc. It's going to be a blast!

I guess that's about it for now. Talk to you soon!!