Phew...for now!

March 29th came with a big sense of relief, at least school relief. I was up early putting final touches on my paper on restorative justice which was due last night in class (Criminology). I'm fairly pleased with my paper, although the true test is how the teacher feels about it! This is my last paper-type-thing for at least a month! I still have a final exam mid-April, but heck, no paper to write for 4 weeks feels like a vacation!

I think all are relieved around Nepper's Landing. I have a giant stack of books and DVD's to return to the library. I'll be able to dig out the computer desk from under all the papers and photocopies. And most importantly, Mommy will be able to return to reality (er...sanity perhaps!). I really have been quite good about this paper, meaning I didn't write it two nights before it was due, so that did help to reduce the stress, but it does seem the night before there always is a bit of a meltdown...on my part at least.

Rob is learning to somewhat expect this from me (sadly). I told him this was fairly normal college behavior. The night before, no matter how prepared and beautiful and fantastic your paper is, a bit of a good 'ol fashioned freaking out is always in order. Not sure why, but yes, you can see why everyone is relieved that Mommy will be taking a break from paper writing for a little while!

So I'm done Criminology mid-April, although I am considering doing two more courses while I can (I'm still on a free bursary until the end of July). Once Criminology is done, I have completed UVIC's requirements (they said I needed an additional three courses to what I already had for credit junk). So I've done that, but now I can bring two extra courses with me into the program (so I'll have 33 credits instead of 30 credits). I figure, heck, while its free, I better do it.

But the frustrating part is that getting a hold of UVIC seems to be more challenging that most of my courses! I think the problem is that right now is that it is a huge application time, so they staff are fairly preoccupied with those things, and really, all little 'ol me really wants to know is if I can take these two courses (like if UVIC will accept them). Grr. So today, will be my 5th or 6th phone call, and lets just say, I'll make it fairly clear, I need to talk to a real person...NOT a voice mail!

I had originally considered doing two courses in MacEwan's Spring session, which would total 6 weeks, 3 hours a day, and I would be DONE two courses. Intense - yes, Brilliant - yes, Crazy...absolutely! But time is ticking (and I'm getting fairly tired of school!), I'm thinking I'll only do one of the two courses (so 3 weeks at 3 hours a day), and do another by correspondence. As long as I don't have the same professor I had for my History course I'll be happy! (She ended up giving me a B in the course, or 75%. "Which is an above-average grade in a first year University course"...sigh). I'm looking into more Sociology courses, as I have really enjoyed the two I have taken thus far. Fascinating stuff.

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Beyond school, life has been plugging along for the Neppers. I find preschool keeps life busy. This week is Spring Break so that means no preschool, and I'm actually kind of looking forward to the break. No need to rush out the door by 8:30am two days a week. I'm still trying to master that art!

The kids are wild and crazy, as usual. Did I mention Gabe runs everywhere now? He has also really started with some new words in the past two weeks, which is always so exciting. Although he's waved Bye-Bye for a long time, he finally said it this week. Seriously...the cutest thing ever! He's also figured out that if he says "Have" and points at something, we'll get the picture that he wants to have the said item. Fairly sweet. Last night right before Rob came home, we walked into the kitchen, he looked out the window and said "Daddy, Da da." Sigh, melt a Mother's heart I tell you!

Then with Abbi, some things she says are just so stinkin' adorable you wish she would never learn the correct way to say then. Like back when elephants were hemiants, sigh, that was one of my favorites. Some of her current Abbi lingo includes the remonica (speaking of the harmonica). "Can I play my remonica Daddy?" Another new classic is the motorecycle, speaking of her tricycle.

Our church does a big "Palm Parade" on Palm Sunday, so the kids get all dolled up, and then they come into the sanctuary waving palm fronds. I wasn't about to pay $20 per Easter outfit at Zellers, so knowing me, you bet I went to Value Village. I figure my kids looked just as cute, and their Mama saved some serious money!

Gabey's (most adorable) sweater vest, khakis & brown suede shoes. VV Total $11.77

Abbi's outfit - white cotton butterfly dress, cardigan sweater. VV Total $7.48

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On Saturday of last weekend we went to the Home & Garden Show. It really wasn't all that I expected it to be. Way too corporate in my mind. I said to one friend, don't plan on going unless you have $10,000 to spend on some area of your home. Whether that be new roofing systems, a furnace, landscaping, etc. Just not much for the little guy - I mean lets be serious, I collect Airmiles and redeem for Rona GC's to renovate my home ;)

I didn't take too many pictures, but here were some of the things that did inspire us (or just plain make us want to cry looking at the price tag!).

First, riding the LRT, or train as we tell the kids, is a sure-fire way to keep them happy. $5.50 not only gets us downtown, but we get free parking (at the LRT station), and two happy kids. Not to mention they get to ride it again on the way home (which they can look forward to). Sheer brilliance I tell you!

Funny thing was is neither of us thought to bring any money (assumed you could use a credit card). So I was literally scraping out my wallet, and digging around the bottom of the diaper bag trying to find money. I came up with $2.70...and you need $2.75. So we had to bum 5 cents off of someone. Then one of us just rode illegally...but keep that on the downlow. I wouldn't want the train police after us!

Gabe on the train.
Abbi on the Train.
Even Mommy on the train. I always get after Rob for not taking my picture, so he did, and then I didn't take his...oops :)
Rob's dream stove (in the price range of $10,000 or so). Beauty!
We took some pictures of trellises. We hope to build one over our backyard.
This decking is impressive. Just 2x4's with a funky (a little too orange for my liking) stain.
I'm actually loving this concrete planter box...and my husband just happens to be capable of such a thing. Hmm, front flower beds perhaps?
I think this BBQ is hideously ugly, but interesting nonetheless. Not to mention all the fake plastic meat is slightly disturbing.
This was a swanky display of a really funky interior design company. I was thoroughly impressed that there is little strands of what looks like tinsel woven into the carpet. My Mom always said I was part crow because I love shiny things.
Mom, sadly they didn't bring in your penis chair for the show...
So there you have it. Fun at the H&G. Rob's parents got free tickets and gave them to us. So thank you for those!

This Easter long weekend we are making our way up to Fort St. John, BC to visit our friends Jason & Anna. Should be fun. I'll post some pictures when we return. I'm looking forward to a little getaway...even if it is only to FSJ. I may possibly also be meeting up with my bio-Dad Henry. He lives 5 hours South in Prince George, so we would meet halfway at a coffee shop. The details of that are still being worked out.

I thought I would leave you with Gabe's latest trick. He's discovered just how fun and fascinating maxi pads can be. I'll make sure to whip out this picture when he's about 12 and he'll be utterly mortified!
Have a good Tuesday!