You have got to me kidding me.....

That is what I thought as I drove into the UAA campus this morning. As I pulled out of my driveway before dropping the kiddos off at school, I was so depressed about how hideously brown my grass still is in the 2nd week of April. Spring is always sooooo slow in coming here.
Anyway, have you ever heard the saying "Be careful what you wish for?".....while I was wishing my yard didn't look so...uhm...YUCK, the Big Man upstairs had a little surprise in store for me.....

Let's just say my 42mile commute took me almost 3 hours & by the time I got home this afternoon my yard looked like this...........

I know I am really working on the PMA thing but this seriously put a damper on my mood............

Good grief it is the 9th of April........... I mean it was so bad that the University canceled late afternoon classes (yeah, I wasn't so lucky) & D's youth group was nixed too......in April people.......

I want Spring! I want green! I want flowers! I wanna wear flip flops! *okay...tantrum is over & I promise I'll try to behave from here on out*

And do you wanna know who is just LOVING this? The dog! Look at the crazy mutt! See all the prints in the snow on the deck? Those are ALL from her wallowing in the snow...............

On a more constructive note.....

I did manage to find something in the midst of this "Indian Winter" that cheered me up (if only just a tad)...

I don't think you can make out what the line I have circled says:

Bag refund -0.05

I got 5 whole cents refunded to me for taking my own bag to the store. I carry a Chico bag in my purse & I ♥ it! And mine is pink to boot!

I do it 'cuz I am sick of 10 billion plastic bags taking over my house. I do it 'cuz it is good for the environment. I do it 'cuz this sucker holds a ton......and now when I use it they are gonna give me 5 cents to boot! I love this! You know...if I did this like 2 million or so times, I could put one of the kids through college or something :)

Hey...just humor me here...did I mention how much stinking snow we got today?????

Hmmmm....I think my sour mood is screaming for a Diet Coke, don't you? Better yet, I think rather than putting my "windfall" (ya know the 5 cent deal) into a College Saving Plan, I am gonna start saving for my own Fountain Soda Machine for here at home.....now that would be cool.........

The quest for a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) continues.....

So, it's 11:11pm on Sunday evening & I still have hours of work ahead of me. So rather than whine & complain, I decided to "take 5" and type up a quick entry and focus on a few little things that I am thankful for this evening.....

Let introduce you to my "Best Friend" this semester....well, I mean not BFF like my dearest "Jennicrust" but it sure has gotten me through the past few months! I *heart* Zipfizz Liquid Shots! This stuff puts those popular energy drinks to shame without all the yucky side effects! Love it! Oh & did I mention the one I just downed about 15 minutes ago..........

Next on my list is the one, the only Diet Coke!!!! Seriously, I love this stuff so much that if I was still in 8th grade I'd have "Stacy ♥'s Diet Coke" all over my notebooks! I don't care what anybody says, this stuff is the elixir of life! And it is excellent as a Zipfizz chaser (but only when I am working on a major project)!

Okay...I think this photo speaks for itself...enough said.....

So why am I up so late if you ask?? Well I am working on a major research paper for my Western Religion class. I have been working on this monsters for days now, but I just can't seem to get it 'wrapped up'....

Secondly I have to be logged into the University website at midnight to secure my classes for the fall. One of the 2 classes I NEED only has 15 slots....wish me luck!

Ya know, I was talking to my husband on the phone this evening & he was wonderfully supportive of how hard I am working right now. And while I was tempted to bask in his sympathy for a minute or 10, I forced myself to buck up.......

I told him I am grateful for the following:

~that I have the opportunity to go to school at all (I know there are so many women out there who will never have the opportunity)

~that he is so supportive of what I am doing (he has even turned a blind eye to the ever-mounting housework that needs done around here)

~ that I have an uber awesome Mom & BFF who are willing to help me out with the kiddos when I have class

~ lastly that overall I have the 'ability' to succeed in school. I know that sounds conceded...what I mean, compared to many of my classmates school comes fairly easy for me... note I said comparatively................

Okay...enough rambling...I guess my point is that I am trying to stay focused on the positive things right now. If I start to let the 'negative' creep in ,it can get out of control & well I just can't waste my time or energy on that garbage.....

Update: Score! I got all the classes I needed for Summer & Fall semesters!

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On another note please keep the Smith family in your prayers. Angie's C-section is scheduled for 2pm Monday. I am amazed by this family's faith and their ability to trust in whatever God's plan is for baby Audrey.

Just 10 more sleeps.....

That is what little R. told me as I tucked him in. And this is what he is counting down to....
Seriously.....he is way excited. In fact we all are! My mom, my husband & I are going with the kids on April 16th to see the Cirque Dreams show in Anchorage! And its Kids Day to boot so there will be street performers outside the theatre an hour before show time. This type of thing doesn't make it to Alaska very often. And while I am thrilled my kiddos are looking forward to it, I myself am more than ready for something fun in the midst of all my schoolwork.

So...if I haven't made it clear enough yet, we're excited! Hopefully the show will live up to our expectations! I'll let you know :)

And in case you are wondering about all this "schoolwork" I have & if it truly is all that bad, here is a peak at my "To Do" list for the next 3 weeks! C'mon you know you're jealous! So if any of you have any extra time on your hands & wanna volunteer for one or more of these assignments, I'll gladly share!

And although I am uber busy I am trying to have a more positive outlook these days so I will share something with you that made me happy this week!

I am a summer girl at heart (I know, bummer deal for someone that lives in the arctic) but I LOVE Springtime flowers! Tulips, daffodils..... you name it! And these were so pretty.....and in the bathroom none-the-less. They just made me smile!

Night all!....I am off to bed to read a few chapters from the novel that is 'due' on the 9th!

Trivial details of my life can't compare.....

While I was all geared up to bore you with details about my lame school work & the uber lame book we are reading in my Lit. class (which I admit I absolutely loathe!!), I am throwing those topics to the wind to share with you this link! Please pray for Tricia & that her double lung transplant (that is taking place while I type this blog) goes well! If you do nothing else today, you have to go & read their (Tricia & her family's) story. My thoughts & prayers are with this family....I hope yours are too!

Enough for today...I mean seriously what can compare to the that.............