Trying to get a full load

I only heard back from the biology teacher with bad news, so today I tired again and heard back from the history teacher. He said that the class should be full since he has sent out add codes to those before me, but not everyone has added the class. He said that I should come to class on Tuesday and once he calls role if there is any open spots I can have one.

I originally tried to add only online classes, but I'm impatient and went ahead and am trying to add on campus classes with the hopes that I will actually get into some of those. If all works out this time, I will be adding 2 history classes so I won't have to go to summer school at all and I am extremely stoked about that! That would mean I would have a good 2 1/2-3 months off! That is if we get to stay here in San Diego. If we go to Hawaii these history classes transfer, but don't count toward the GE requirements in Hawaii.

The history classes that are needed in Hawaii are also acceptable here, but they are not the ones I want to take and since I figured it's my education I would take classes that interest me. Bet in the long run I'll end up having to take another history class, but oh well at least I'll know US History better.

Please oh please oh PLEASEEEE!

UPDATE at the bottom


I need to add 4 credits to my schedule to make me full time and since class already started everything is full. I have been checking the schedule everyday hoping that one will open and I can add it. I also have been playing around with adding a class that I would enjoy since all the ones I "need" are full. Today I sent an email to an accounting teacher that said there are 2 spots open to get the add code. BUT then I realize that I can send an email to any teacher that I want, so that is exactly what I did. I really need my biology class to stay on track with my transfer course plan and history so I wont have to go to school next summer. I sent emails almost begging to be added and now I have to sit and wait. If I can get into biology it will be a miracle and I would be ever so grateful!

Once again I'm doing the waiting game with school, fun!!!

UPDATE: the biology teacher emailed me back and said, "Sorry but the class is completely full and closed. Pls try next term." I'm bummed!

It's a miracle, the sun is shinning on my education

For whatever reason I somehow slipped through the cracks and was awarded financial aid! My appeal went through and even though Brandon and Milie both didn't get any due to BAH, I did. I ran off today and bought my math lab access code before they figure out that I too fall under BAH and shouldn't be getting any aid. My English teacher says those books will be in by Friday so lets hope that they don't figure it out before than! :-)

Back to school

After a full year of school and only a two week break, I'm back for another fall semester. Things didn't pan out perfectly so I did my back up plan and dropped my on campus classes and will only be taking online classes again this semester. I also did the last part of paper work for the kids to go to the after school program. So now I will have my days to do all my homework and who knows what else.

Oh on a better note, my academic standing changed to good instead of being on probation, so I called to see if that means they finally finished my appeal. All it meant is that they are planning on doing it this week and "hopefully" (is what she said)they will send me my letter this week. She also said that they are behind and that is probably why Milie hasn't heard anything about her financial aid yet.

There must have been a lot of dropped classes cause I checked into adding another online class, but I kinda feel like taking it easy since I haven't had a break in awhile and could really use one.

There is some sunlight at the end of this tunnel, I finally found out how to get some aid from the military and am taking the orientation next week and then they will give me a credit to use at school worth $3000, not bad huh?

Thank you Texas

Tonight we went to the Macy's so I could get a new swimsuit. I haven't gotten a new one in YEARS! The last one I bought was right after I had Ethan and he is 6 1/2 now! I thought it was about time, you think? ;-) Luckily they are all on sale since it's the end of the session so I went looking through all the racks. Buying a swim suit is even harder than buying a dress due to my "blessings" After the first one Ethan says, "Mom your boobs are falling out" straight face and all like it's just the norm, maybe that's cause he was with me while I was trying on dresses. After none of them worked, I walked them back to the rack and the sales lady had just put some back and there was the one. After having kids I haven't looked at anything other than a one piece, but this tankini was too cute to past up. And guess what, it fit me! I was able to cross the straps to get extra support and now I'm loving it!

This is the swimsuit, but mine is brown and the dots are white, burnt orange, and red"ish". I only wish I looked like that in it ;-)


But here is the best part, even though it was 50% off being from out of state Macy's offers an additional 11% discount for shopping out of state! Everyone knows Macy's is my favorite store and I have NEVER heard of this. I just bought my dress and could have used this discount. All you do is show your out of state license and they give you a coupon for the extra 11% off!

What a night, I found an awesome swim suit, found the new dream boat, and I'm going to bed earlier tonight since I have plans this weekend! (most of you know that going to bed earlier is a big deal for me since I tend to go to bed around 5am)

I've been schooled

I guess my day dreams are even a bit out there. I have been informed that my "dream" boat isn't all that and I should look into a better deal, so what do you think I've been doing for the past few hours? Looking and comparing! I was told to look into Mastercraft and Nautique. Here is the Mastercraft I like...



And here is the Nautique I like...



Thanks Keith for looking out ;-)

Day dreaming

I grew up in Oregon/Washington playing outside, climbing tress, riding my bike everywhere, going camping, fishing, and always in the water. Brandon grew up in Dallas and he didn't run off for the mountains to spend family time or take the weekend to head off to the ocean. He played baseball, no problem with that it's just I miss the activity level I once was used to (plus my physic does too)

Luckily we have Angie and Keith who are active (their from Oregon, it's in the gene there) Angie helped me pick out a bike so I could start riding again and they have also blessed us with the opportunity to go out on their boat with them. Brandon has only gone once (I've only gone twice actually)but it was a blast and it has sent me day dreaming.

FOREVER I have wanted jet skis, there not too much to handle and the boys would really enjoy them. But now I am on this boat kick. I day dream about spending family time out in the boat and watching the boys wake board and knowing how much of a dare devil Ethan is I know that he would be the kid that is out there flipping in the air and everything.

Boats don't come cheap, but that hasn't stopped me from looking and I think that getting one someday isn't out of the question. By the time I graduate and Brandon is picked up for LDO it should be our gifts to ourselves for our accomplishments, don't you agree?

Here is the one I am in LOVE with...


She is a Supra Gravity 24 SSV

I wish I had better pictures cause she is a beauty plus she sits 16 people so all the friends could fit. If we went out and bought a boat today this is what we would end up with...


Looks like fun huh? ;-)

Milie to the rescue

I have been stressing out about school; when will my appeal go through and if it does how long will it take to be processed, and once all that is resolved who is going to watch the boys for my first week of school. And then Brandon had to add to all the drama by making chief and the Navy not being able to decide if they are going to let us stay here in San Diego or not, but that is another post to come.

Yesterday afternoon AFTER I had already logged into the college web site to check on my grades that my Drama teacher STILL HAS NOT posted! She calls and says there is an opening on my English class that is on the web. I hurry and log on and drop my in class one and add the online one. You should know while I was doing this the availability was going down, and there was only a few seats left. I was shaking and worried that I just gave up my seat in class and won't be able to get in the online one, but it all worked out.

So here is my plan if I don't hear from the school by tomorrow about my appeal then I'm dropping my Biology and History class so I only will be going online again this semester. I think even though I'm dropping half my load it will be best especially since we don't even know if we are going to be staying in San Diego anymore. Plus I will now have my days free (other than homework time) since the boys will be in the after school program.

Maybe I'll get a job ;-) Haven't had one of those in a few years. Brandon had provided very well for us and it allowed me to stay home and raise the kids, but I guess since they are school age now there is no need for me to sit at home and twirl my thumbs. I'll let you know what I decide.

Thank you Milie for saving the day and giving my mind a rest so I don't have to stress anymore!

MUI

So tonight we were running errands and Ethan was complaining that he wasn't feeling okay. I asked him why and he said it was becasue he was up all last night drinking!
Let me fill you in last night Ethan would NOT go to sleep so I left him with the TV on and went to bed. I thought he would pass out, but obviously not! Back to tonight, Brandon and I just looked at eachother with pure shock on our faces, and I had to ask him to repeat himself and again he said he was up late drinking, as he said word for word, "I drank too much last night!"

I am completely lost for words now and don't know what to think. I ask him what was he drinking and this is what he said, " I drank way too much milk and water!" All Brandon and I can do is laugh. He said he stayed up and poured glass after glass and thought it would be fun to stay up all night and "drink" ;-)

Oh FYI; MUI stands for milking under the influence

6 days and counting

I just realized that I will be going back to school in 6 days! I start school on the 25th while the kids don't start school till September 2nd. That leaves me with a week of school and no daycare becasue Brandon will be out to sea (as if he could watch them with his busy schedule)

I have been trying everything to come up with a plan. I called YMCA (they want $160 per child) I called CDC and they said that I have to call daily to see if a spot is open for a drop in and it's NOT a guarantee, I called CHD and I have to fill out all kinds of paper work and hope that I get approved before the end of the week plus I have to have a referral from the good ole' Navy who won't answer the phone so I can figure out how to go about that.

I'm starting to freak out, I need a plan and since I can't come up with one I'm having "issues"

This up coming Fall semester is becoming the semester of hell and it hasn't even started yet!

Anniversary planning

Brandon and I had a relatively small wedding and a quick trip up to Seattle for our honeymoon because he had to leave in a few days after to go back to Hawaii to go out to sea. So pretty much my move to Hawaii was the big excitement.

We had talked about re-doing our wedding on our 5th anniversary, but that came and went and I don't really think even really thought about much. But I feel robbed of my special day where I get to get all dressed up and pampered and feel like a princess for the day, so we talked about re-doing it on our 10th anniversary.

I started looking around and getting prices and was really all for it till I finally realized that all the money we would be spending could be a nice down payment on a house.

So here is the new plan, we will be taking a true romantic getaway for our anniversary and even though we have 2 1/2 years till it comes we are saving now for it and I hope and pray that we end up here...




I can go on forever with pictures, here's to you Bora Bora!

Waiting Game (that's not much fun)

Most of you know that I have been going non-stop for the pass year to school, and I have learned that summer break is much needed to rest and not burnout, but summer semester is done and I have been waiting on final grades to be posted. They were due August 14th, but for whatever reason my teachers were able to be extended to the 18th. My psych teacher did her part, but my drama teacher is another story.

This lady should not be allowed get away with all that she does. First off summer semester is 8 weeks instead of the 16 weeks of a normal semester so everything is bunched and you do twice as much each week. Since I went completely online at the start of each class they assign all assignments so I plan out when and what I'll do each day so I try not to get over loaded with all my reading.

Well, she not only did this once but twice; she would assign an assignment and then not put up the link to where we needed to post it and then she would go MIA for days! Everyone in the class would be emailing eachother asking if they knew what was going on and she would come back out of nowhere and say it's all due the next day (all the work that was missed while she went missing) in the end she said it was due to a family emergency.

Class has been over a week and a half and she still hasn't graded a single paper that I have written. I feel so frustrated with this teacher and I just have a gut feeling that I'm not going to get the grade that I expect to get.

FYI if anyone is interested in taking Drama down here in San Diego stay away from Carol Whaley!

I found the one

I think I figured out why I never shop for dresses...I did NOT fall short on the chest area and I am a modest person who doesn't show cleavage. Everything I tired one was over kill, but finally last night I found one that I can work with. This isn't the greatest picture it was done with my camera phone to send and get opinions before I bought it.



Excuse little man in the back, he was done with shopping about an hour before I finally got to this point. (It wasn't all about me, we went school shopping)

Here's the shoes


Here is a closer look


I got the dress and shoes cheaper than what the dress I "thought" I wanted alone cost, oh how I LOVE a good sale!

When was the last time?

Now with DVR you can live your life and come and go as you please and don't have to worry about missing a show. But I LOVE


Meet the cast,

From left to right, Tom and Trina Decker, Bruce and Susan Miller, and Janet and Roger Thompson.

I LOVE

And


Even though he is married to her,


I want him to break free from his shell and tonight he did. I was SO proud and cant wait till next week to know what comes of it. I found out that Swingtown is from the director of Big Love and Rome, another 2 HBO shows that I love and would plan my schedule around to make sure I wouldn't miss it. I was deeply sad when they canceled Rome, I miss my Pullo

and Lucious

(he wasn't the same on Journeyman)

Okay enough TV talk, I'm going to bed (to watch TV) ;-)

Look at what Hannah did

This is what my 17 year old sister did,


She actually did it back at the beginning of July, but it has taken her this long to post a picture.

So here is my stand on it, I having 7 tattoo myself am a lover of ink, BUT I regret ALL of mine! The best quote I've heard when it comes to inking yourself is, "A cheap tattoo ain't good and a good tattoo ain't cheap!"

Hannah's isn't bad, it's just HUGE! What is she going to do when she has another baby down the road (years down the road!)

I tried to tell her to really think about it especially the location, but when your young and impulsive this is what happens.

I think that you should be 25 to get a tattoo because most before that end up covering up or having to alter it.

Thanks to the Grandma's

The boys were able to get some new clothes since the Grandma's sent us some gifts cards. The boys LOVE going clothes shopping that is once I get them away from the Wii! They LOVE trying on clothes and putting on a "show" for me. They come out and strike a pose and (take this term lightly) twirl around. It's great fun for me and I love when we get a chance to do this.

On the way there Gavin was telling me that he wasn't going to go to school even though he was getting new clothes. We had a quick debate about it and I love how the boys think they can tell me what they are going to do. In the end, we're working on him accepting the fact that he'll be starting school in a few weeks.

Here are a few pictures of the boys with some of their favorites...




There are a few things I need to say about these pictures,
1. I know my boys have "issues" with taking pictures and for some reason can't get a simple smile out. It is ALWAYS a process. Maybe it's because I love taking pictures and I have somehow gotten into their heads
2. Yes, they will be getting hair cuts asap, knowing me that will be the day before school starts ;-)
3. Yup that is a Wii wheel strapped to Gavin. It's there from the moment he wakes up till I have to yell at him to put it down, I'm looking into rehab for him about it

That's my sister!

Most of you know that I have a teenage sister who recently had a baby. Some teenage mother's try their best, while some don't have a clue. Well Hannah has not only stepped up and is a great mom (thanks to all the practice she had with mine, toot toot) But she isn't just sitting around and expecting others to take care of the situation for her. She has taken upon herself to enroll in college and starts in a few weeks this fall. We have all heard of the plans, but no action had ever been taken. Today she made all of us put a foot in our mouths because she not only took the test she needed to, she went ahead and registered and everything. I am so proud of her and that she is doing what needs to be done so she can have the best quality of life for herself and Hailey. I love you Hannah!

It's 99.99% for sure

That's what Brandon told me prior to making chief, that no matter what if he made it or not that we would be staying on the Topeka. I took that at face value and made plans for the kids with school and after school programs and even for me with my school. Everything was falling into place (except my financial aid) for us to stay here. My goodness, Angie and I even made plans to fly out and meet the guys on their next deployment!

Once he made it he is told by the command master chief that there is no way in hell that he will allow Brandon to stay on the Topeka and that he would try to keep us on the west coast. WHAT!? West coast? I didn't even plan to leave San Diego! Ever since I have had issue sleeping cause as most of you know I have to have a plan. I need to know what is going on in my life and where I'll be. This is my BIGGEST complaint about military life, the not knowing!

Today Brandon called and said that it is 99.99% for sure that we are transferring to the Asheville which is a good thing for his career and for us becasue it is stationed here in San Diego and they are on deployment now so Brandon will miss it.

Any wagers on if we'll fall into that .01% again and have another change of plans

After two tours aboard the USS Topeka and some great friends it will be sad to leave


Hello, USS Asheville


Hooray San Diego!

Khaki Ball

With Brandon making chief they hold a Khaki Ball to introduce all the new inductees. I have never had to dress up for a school dance and in the 8 years together, I've never gone to Sub ball. I've always been the babysitter or I was out of town and Brandon went by himself. This time around Brandon says I have no choice becasue he has to go and really wants me there. I am actually excited and since it is a semi-formal it will give me a sneak peek into what Sub Ball will be like next year because no matter what I'm going and mom will fly into town to watch the kids so I have NO excuse. Here is the dress I found, what do y'all think?



Now if I can just work on my tan to be like hers ;-) Also I'm open for shoe ideas, I want something I can wear again yet flirty since I'm wearing a short dress




I also found a clutch I like...

Financial aid nightmare

After spring semester I has awarded a spot in the honor society and received an award for a 4.0 gpa, but I still managed to get myself placed on academic probation and now I won't be able to receive financial aid for a year! Can you believe that! After my summer grades post I'll have an overall gpa of 3.75 but financial aid doesn't care, they think I'm the one who is abusing their efforts to help me.

I've written an appeal and now I have to sit around and wait for them to review it and hope that they let me off and everything can fall back into place. I'm just glad that Milie had me call and make sure everything was in place, cause if she hadn't I wouldn't had know why I wasn't getting any aid.

I'll keep you updated with what they decide to do with me ;-)

Farmers Market

One of the things I miss about being a local back at home is the farmers market, here in military life we have what I call second hand veggies and fresh is the farthest they could possibly be. I have finally had enough and for next weekend I have found a local farmers market that not only sells FRESH veggies and fruits and even flowers, but they also offer a wide verity of food to eat while you walk around. So if anyone wants to join me, I will be at the La Jolla Farmers Market next Sunday and as y'all know I have a beast that will fit everyone.

Back to normal

Little man has made a complete turn around and is home and doing much better. Now on what you've missed since I had a mild freak out...Gavin it now part of the two wheel club, here's the video of it...



We also had Bree Week here, and I couldn't let YMCA show me up so we made plans to do things everyday that she was here. On Monday we went to the San Diego Zoo and it's the same as last, but there was this artist "Splash" it was amazing! He was able to paint these in the matter of minutes

(pictures to come, my computer is acting up)

Tuesday we finally took advantage of being So Cal residents and went to Balboa Park where every Tuesday they offer free admission into 3 or 4 different museums. This last week it was Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Centro Cultural de la Raza, Model Railroad Museum, and Natural History Museum. I planned out which one we would go to Monday night so that we could go to all. I had no idea how many people take advantage of this offer and it was a mad house there. We had to park a ways away and we rode the trolley over to the park.

We went to the railroad museum first and it was really neat, small, but neat. The boys LOVED it! It's model tracks all over and the men who build them. It was fun to watch the kids try to chase the train and scream, "look mom it's going in the tunnel, let's go find it!"

Next we were off to the natural history museum and this is after I heard how a waste it was from Milie and Angie, but I actually liked it. I've never been to any other like they have, so I don't have anything to compare to.

Then we went to the actually science museum and that was CRAZY! After a quick walk through and into this area where they take pictures of your shadow and Bree coming out after being pushed around I said I had enough, so we headed over to the culture center. They were painting it and people were just sitting around. I didn't get it, but there was a painting on the wall that I actually liked, so that's all I can boast about that place.

We were all hot and getting tired so we left. Wednesday was a relax day and we spent it at the pool. Thursday was ice cream day and we went over to Cold Stone for a treat, thanks Angie for paying! It's been awhile since I've had Cold Stone and it was good!

Friday, we weren't sure if Bree would be here, but since the guys came home earlier then thought she did and we went on a bike ride and the bark dust took on Bree. She was stabbed by a piece of bark dust! Well it actually punctured her foot! It went through her flip flop and into her foot. Due to the pain she bit her lip and once I got over to her there was blood all over. Poor thing, I had to medevac her by putting her bike into my bike trailer and her and Gavin got in and we rode home to get a better view of the damage.

All in all, it was a fun week, thanks Bree for getting us out of the house. Poor boys have been on summer break for a few weeks now and this was the first outing.

Not as planned

I have some interesting and fun stuff to blog about that has been happening here the past few days, but before I do I want to blog about little man Keaton.

Every parents wants the best for their childern and when they are born they look them over count their fingers and toes and thank God for the amazing blessing, well things haven't gone as planned with my brother and his new addition.

Like I said Keaton was born Saturday and my sister-in-law was discharged on Monday, but Keaton is having some breathing problems, so he had to stay. They have taken blood and ran every test they know of and we were told that they would have answers by today. But once again not as planned! The doctors have no idea what is wrong with him and they haven't been able to get his breathing situated.

I have been told all this through the old school telephone game, but tonight I was able to finally get my brother on the phone. I feel so completely useless since I am down here and they are all way up there. Jeremy is an extremely strong man and has kept it all together for his wife, but tonight I had to cry for him. He doesn't know what to do and he is trying his best to help Terina deal with it all. At the moment Jeremy takes his two girls home each night and Terina has been staying in Keaton's room. She has not left that hospital since she went into labor!

Any and all prays and well wishes are welcomed!

Meet the latest member of our family

Everyone says Mormons have a heard of kids, and well, they're right. My oldest brother Jeremy and his wife had their newest addition August 2nd 7:42 pm, he weighed in at a whooping 9 lbs and 10 ounces, you read that right, and my sister-in-law did it all natural! He is 21.5 inches, trying to be like his Daddy and see how tall he can get.

Welcome Keaton Allen Crandall


Look at fatty, I think he is bigger than my niece who was born in April!


(sorry these aren't the best of pictures, Mom sent them to me through the cell phone and I had to blow them up so y'all could see)

Oh the commotion!

I had to write a review of The Merry Wives of Windsor and all the students raved about how good it was and how much it cracked them up blah blah blah. I thought I would tell my opinion and I said how I didn't agree with the plot and that I don't find adultery and egoistical men funny. OH the up roar I caused, "How can you NOT appreciate the humor of Shakespeare?" "What are you talking about?"

My goodness, all I did was post how I felt and that I think there are other things then hinting at homosexuality and demoralizing a person that are funny.

I did mention that I think that the actors did an amazing job with what they had, there I go again! All I meant is that I think that those actors could pull off any play.

So here is my dilemma, actually it's not a dilemma I am who I am and as I said in my review this is a play for those who love the performing arts and those that only engage themselves in situations that they approve of then they need to stop and think about it before attending this play.

Oh I also got it because I reviewed Romeo and Juliet with such greatness, "How could you agree with the murders in Romeo and Juliet and enjoy that play and not this one?" If they would have read my entire review I said I didn't agree with the killings it wasn't something I laughed about. Overall, my review was that everyone has a different opinion of humor!

Gees, what a day!

Shakespeare Festival part 2

Tonight I had to go and watch The Merry Wives of Windsor; which is part of the San Diego Shakespeare festival here at the Old Globe. I had to go tonight as part of my drama class, after Romeo and Juliet I was actually excited (other than going alone) but it wasn't as good as Romeo and Juliet. It's a comedy and a bit off. Long story short I ended up getting the plot, but I enjoy the drama's better.

To give credit where credit is due here is one of the funniest scenes of the actors from tonight...



For those of you who don't know the play, I'll leave it up to your imagination ;-)

Oh Gavin

I saw this pictures and instantly thought of Gavin and his love for "long necks"



This is a 24-day old Giraffe calf being caressed by its father at the Alipore Zoo in Calcutta, India. Too cute for words

bye bye blues, hello khakis!

We all knew he would make it, but Brandon had doubt since he forgot to sign his packet, but Brandon made CHIEF! We're all so proud of him!

Even though he just had surgery, they have a chief initiation. I believe Brandon has the option to opp out. but I know he wants to be involved as much as he can handle. Here's to hoping he doesn't over do himself and end up having to go back to have anything fixed.

From what I hear they run him ragged and we wouldn't be seeing much of him until pinning; which is in September. So I guess it was kinda nice that he has had the last two weeks off to spend some time with us before he goes gun ho (is that spelled right?) into this process.

I just had to!

The other night Ethan stayed up late with Brandon and I and he kept bugging me so I thought I would mess with his loose tooth. He was letting me wiggle it back and forth and I had the bright idea of seeing if it would go side to side instead, and all I hear is a crunch and Ethan yelping. At this point I had to take out my trusted camera and try to get video of his tooth, but since it was almost 2am the lighting wasn't so great.

Now his poor tooth is just hanging there sideways and IT just had to come out cause I didn't want him to sallow it while he slept. Daddy came over and told him to would be okay and to hold his hand. I tired to pull, but that little bugger of a tooth didn't want to go anywhere (I think it was trying to tell me that I shouldn't have messed with it) anyways Brandon went int to the kitchen or somewhere and Ethan wouldn't let me touch his tooth until Daddy came back over to hold his hand. It was cute.

I finally got my nail under the tooth and was able to yank that sucker out. Here is Ethan moments after...


He was so proud


That's the little sucker that was giving me grief