The boys have been a bit trying lately. They can get along really well but they can also antagonize each other to no end. It is exhausting to be around it. Someone is in tears every 15 minutes. Talan is no innocent bystander either. He is definitely a terrible two now. Joe and I had a date night the other night, compliments of a sleep over at Aunt B's and the first thing we talked about was our collective exasperation with the boys. Don't get me wrong, there are enough cute sweet moments to keep us going but we are just in a rather difficult development stage right now and hopefully it will pass soon. We went shopping at Kohl's and TJ Max on our "date". It was so fun to shop for ourselves. Then we went to dinner at Chili's which no longer has our favorite items on the menu which was a bit disappointing. We were home by 10:15 and then we watched two episodes of Property Ladder which is very entertaining. It was so nice to sleep in! We woke up after 8am which was an absolute delight. Misty was in shock as she was free to roam around for a good 14 hours without little boys chasing her.

Misty is still jaundiced and not eating well but she is alive and her doctor says she is not in pain. I have fluctuated between getting ready to put her to sleep and wanting more time with her. Right now I am just wanting more time with her. She is very snuggly and wants to be on me whenever the boys are asleep or gone. I am just really enjoying her right now and I am emotionally not ready to have her be gone. If she died in her sleep that would be ideal because then the decision would be made for me.

Last night I went to a nursing school orientation meeting, the purpose of which was to explain the application process and to tell us the reality of how intense the nursing program is going to be. Basically 8 units will absorb 40 to 60 hours a week of our time. Depending on which hospital we are sent to for our clinical rotations (St. Luke's is in Spokane) that adds extra time. I filled out the point sheet she handed out this morning and found that I have 53 points right now (assuming a B in my A&P class which I actually have an A in currently). There are 10 points possible to earn on the TEAS test which I will have to take in January and then an undetermined amount of points to be earned on an Interview which will occur in March. Acceptance is based on points and last year the cut off was 54 points. So, I think I am doing fine. They are also talking about starting some students in August 2009 and some in January 2010. I'd be happy starting later as then Talan would be 4 years old and I'd feel less guilty. :)

The other news is that Barclay found a job! She loves it. It pays great and is one exit down the freeway in CDA. She has her own office and she is doing one-on-one therapy. She is still involved with her other job and is also doing a third job which is being a first responder to Child Protection Services during after hours. We are thrilled that she is so happy and it was worth the wait.

The progress of the remodel of Barclay's house has been significant. The cabinets are up, the walls textured and painted, the island built and oven and microwave as well as the gas range are installed. The granite counter tops arrive on Monday. The mantel is up and all the old rock removed. The fireplace wall is now sheet rocked. Above the fireplace is wired for a flat screen TV. The floors will go in next. We are all pleased with the progress. Hopefully the forward momentum doesn't stop during Joe's absence.

Joe is getting ready to leave for CA for a grueling 23 days of catering for Melons. He caters almost every year at this time but it will be hard having him away so long. I pray he is home by Dec 24th. I have decide to stay put this holiday season. I bounced around a lot of ideas and ultimately decided to keep it simple. I get out of school on the 15th. Mason has his Christmas Pageant at school on the 16th and we will all enjoy some down time to enjoy some local activities.

We are definitely going to take the cruise to the "North Pole" and this year when Santa reads our names off the list of good boys and girls hopefully we will hear it unlike last year when Mason fell down the flight of stairs from the upper deck just as Santa arrived so we missed the whole thing due to lots of tears and drama around his boo-boos.