20 Units

I'm officially signed up for 20 units this semester. I'm taking six classes. Two of my classes are gerontology classes, since that is my intended minor. They are both online courses...one is Sociology of Gerontology, and the other is a Heritage class, looking at generational differences among the aging population.

The other four classes are psychology classes. On MWF I'm taking a class called learning and memory. The instructor is a self-proclaimed hippie. The class focuses on an evolutionary and selection based approach to learning and memory, and is required for my ABA (applied behavior analysis) emphasis in Psychology. I have two T/Th classes. One is a basic biological psychology class, looking at how our nervous system and other bodily processes influence our psychology. The other class is a cognitive behavior therapy course. I really like the instructors for both of these classes, and the material is already very exciting and interesting to me. My sixth class is just Thursdays, and is called the psychology of disability. I will have my first meeting for that course tomorrow.

I'll need to be spending about 40 hours a week either in class or preparing for class. Phew!

No Foundation

In class this week, I encountered a professor who, in the course of her teaching, asked the class to give examples of areas of science where scientists are working with incomplete evidence. I mentioned evolution as one of these areas, knowing that there are well-documented holes in evolution, and not really meaning it to be an indictment of evolution, but simply a statement of fact. This professor became downright hostile about "believers" who refused to accept evolution. Her tone of voice was not positive as she spoke about this segment of society. Also during her lecture, she had the same demeanor about "conservatives" and fundamentalists who questioned global warming. I actually believe there is merit to both theories. Nothing I have ever learned in a class room or a science lab has ever diminished my faith in God or the sure knowledge I have that 1) this world was created, though the means may yet be uncertain and 2) He is in charge of this world and the events that unfold...all things are part of his plan.

I found myself upset off and on throughout the day as I pondered her words, not so much in my own behalf as in behalf of my those in her class who may not be as strong in their faith. Later while reading my scriptures after praying, I turned to the section of Nephi where he is relating his father's dream about the tree of life, and specifically about the people in the great and spacious building that was filled with people mocking the believers and trying to turn them from their path. The building was floating in the air, and as I read those words, I heard the words: It's floating in the air because it has no foundation. She has no foundation, and has incomplete understanding. Instead of feeling angry, I felt sorry for her. Right away, my anger diminished. I also could see that the burdens she had in her life may have affected her viewpoint, and could be made so much easier to bear if she just understood the gospel and accepted it. I took great comfort in knowing that despite all the mistakes I make, I have a sure foundation in the gospel of Christ, and I'm really grateful for the knowledge and peace it gives me.

Watch out, troubles!

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” - Dr. Seuss = )

Grouchy Mom

Today, I herded the kids outside to work on the branches (from the really big branch) that fell a few weeks ago. We are cutting the smaller branches into kindling and the bigger branches into firewood for the winter. This requires stripping off the leaves first. This, as you will recall, was a monster sized branch. I had planned on paying someone to do it, but the mini-remodel in the breezeway followed by the discovery that my roof needs major repair, followed immediately by the realization that my cooler is leaking...well, let's just say it was no longer in the budget. The kids didn't want to work on it. They were finding every excuse to avoid it. And I was becoming grouchier by the minute as I watched them mess around and do very little actual work.

Finally, I went outside and proceeded to behave in a crazed, run-for-the-hills manic manner as I tore into the branches, grumbling about children who didn't want to contribute to the household welfare but wanted all the benefits of it. Part of me worries that my kids will grow up to be lazy people who can't take care of their homes and families, and part of me recognizes that MOST kids don't want to do such hard work and I'm expecting a lot of them. I also know that as a single mom, if the kids don't help me, we are unlikely to be able to keep up with all that needs to be done around the house.

The children did ultimately help out a little more, and as it turns out, tearing up branches and sweating to death in the August heat did in fact calm me down. The kids and I have done a lot of good this summer, not just around our home, but also at the Bishop's storehouse and at Poverello House. We can do this...together!

Ha, ha!

I'm kind of iffy on country music in general, but I really like this song by Taylor Swift. I dedicate this to all the "MEAN" people in my life. :-) Listen carefully to the lyrics!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYa1eI1hpDE

Yay!

I'm so relieved! Just received word that I  aced the mid-term and my critical analysis in one of my classes. Now I can breathe easier, as I'm almost certain I'll get an "A" in this class...just the final to go. Fall semester starts two weeks from tomorrow. I'll be practicing my breathing between now and then. :-)

Ripping It Out

I spent last night and this morning ripping carpet out of the "SPCA" - Special Place for Cavanaugh's Animals. The breezeway between the house and the garage, for those who are wondering...it's where we house our animals at night, and since it's ugly, filled with steps, and uninsulated, it's not much good for anything except pantry items and kennels anyway.

Some brilliant person long ago decided to put carpet in this room. Oil, grease, dirty water and dirt from the garage, combined with animal accidents (always in the same place) made this room depressing and even more ugly than it already was, not to mention smelly, no matter how often it's cleaned.

So I'm ripping out the carpet and installing tile. Can I afford it? Not really, but I just can't take it anymore. When I arrive home and I'm greeted by odor and ugliness first thing, it affects my mind, and I already struggle somedays with keeping a positive outlook. Tile will be easier to care for, easier to clean, and look better. I discovered that ripping out carpet can be very therapeutic.

Summer of Service

Last week was a busy week! On Monday, the two youngest kids went to a humanitarian project to make hats and toys for people around the world who have been hard hit by natural disasters. Then Monday evening, we helped a friend load up her moving truck. On Tuesday morning, we went to the Bishop's Storehouse to help package food for needy families in the central valley. That same afternoon, Kelly and I went and helped a friend to clean up after their move. Wednesday was faith in God for girls, as well as mutual for the older three kids. Thursday, we went BACK to the Bishop's storehouse (just can't get enough!) and Friday, we served at the Poverello House.

Someone asked me what we were doing all this for. Like most things in my life, I decided to do it for my children. My goal is to raise healthy, independent, self-reliant, grateful, happy adults who contribute and give back to their community. I don't want them going out into the world asking, what's in it for me? I don't want them thinking the world owes them anything. I want them to develop their talents and their gifts, to work hard for their dreams, and to always remember that someone is worse off than they are.

I felt that we needed to spend some time helping others who have less or who need more help than we do currently. I want my kids to grow up grateful, with a sense of self-worth that is unrelated to their score or level on some video game they mastered this summer. I want them to know that every person is a child of God, and deserves dignity and respect. I also want them to develop faith and a testimony of God's love for all of his children, to have a testimony of paying tithing and of service. I want them to love each other.

Another reason is to help the children realize that despite all the things we do without, that we are very blessed. I'm working very little right now and going to school. I'm trying to make a better life for myself and the kids...to set an example for them to finish their education. That means our budget right now is very tight, and getting tighter daily. Taking this step has required a lot of faith for me. I'm not comfortable living so close to the wire. Yet because of prayer, I know it is what I am supposed to do: go back to college, really serve others with all my heart, grow my testimony and be the best mom I know how to be(not necessarily in that order!). I'm not certain of much beyond those goals. However, I know that the children and I are feeling closer and more thankful for all that we have. I wanted the children to know that when we complain about what we don't have, we are forgetting all that we DO have.

We enjoy our time together in these service projects. We have witnessed God's hand in our lives and in the lives of others.  I hope to establish an eternal pattern for myself and all of my kids...serve, serve, serve, with all of our hearts.