preschool this morning, kids are resting, post of random things in random order then I need to clean.

Kids are down for their rest, and I decided to skip a workout today.  We had preschool this morning (had a lovely time with my momma friends) and we have youth group tonight.  Chili is on the stove for dinner, I called my advisor at OC to figure some things out, and now I thought I'd write a post before jumping into housework (oh dear, there is so much).

This past week has felt very busy!  Last Thursday I dropped the kids off and went out to Bremerton to meet with my advisor.  We were able to figure out what classes I need to finish, and it looks like I should be able to get them all done by the end of Spring Quarter next year, if I pretty much take a full load every quarter (a few quarters won't be as full, which is nice).

Today I found out I do have to go in and take the math portion of the accuplacer, mainly because Renton Technical College didn't have my full score on record.  So, I'm doing that next Tuesday, and I am hoping I will be able to brush up enough that I don't have to take the algebra class.  Most of the classes I need have to be done in a specific order, so if I have to do the math class, it sets me back an entire quarter.  Which is okay, but I would like to get it all done as quickly as possible!  My financial aid came through already, so my only cost is going to be childcare.

The childcare at the school is RIDICULOUS.  I had planned on taking the shortest classes possible so the kids wouldn't have to be in daycare very long.  Turns out, they are requiring them to be there for 6 hours because of when my classes start (I don't have many options for schedules, either).  So, in some ways it's unfortunate, because it would have been very convenient to have them on campus, but in some ways it is better, because now I can go to the closer campus in Poulsbo which has better schedules and less full classes, and just have them in a chidlcare center closer to there.  There are some good options in our area with great programs, as long as they have space.  I know the kids are going to love it.  It will only be 2 or 3 times a week for a couple of hours, so basically like going to preschool.

I am getting super exicted about it though.  I was telling my friend about it this morning, and she began telling me all about her midwife who lives in the area and is super pro getting new midwives in the Kitsap area, since we don't have very many and she is always overbooked.  They are also working on opening a birth center in Silverdale (25 minutes from me), with the purpose of it having shifts instead of everyone being on call 24/7 to help with family life.  It really sounds like there is an awesome birthing community to be a part of here and she has a very professional practice and a great reputation and working relationship with the hospitals in the area.  I just received an email back from her and will be meeting up with her soon to chat.

Lately I have been baking and cooking more, and enjoying it!  I finally got back into writing out a real menu plan and prepping things before hand - meaning Jeremy is actually packing a lunch these days, and we are enjoying a little more variety than what we have when I just throw something random together.  I have been doing all gluten free cooking at home again, too, and amazingly, my husband has actually told me that what I make is "delicious"!  You don't even understand how good it is to hear that.

I have been experimenting over the past year with different flour blends, and finally found one that seems to hold up to most recipes as a wheat flour substitute.  This week I made a deep dish pizza in our new cast iron pan we found (Jeremy scrubbed the rust off with baking soda and I seasoned it - works great!) and my dough turned out almost perfect.

I also did a mass prep day and made ahead a bunch of eggplant spring roles, mason jar salads for work lunches and a cabbage salad, gluten free sandwich bread (which is actually better than the super expensive store bought stuff and I need to make more), muffins and biscuits for breakfasts which I froze, a big pot of rice, and sprouted a bunch of beans.  I made sprouted lentil "meat" balls last night, with almond meal for breadcrumbs.  We had them with pasta, and Jeremy said it was as a good as a meatball.  I reminded him that he hasn't had a meatball in a year, but HEY, he actually liked them and the kids gobbled them up too, so I was happy.

I'm glad to have found a few good recipes I can easily make a head and freeze, because I know once I start school I'm not going to have as much time in the kitchen every day.

Shea has been doing a lot better lately, but he still has his days.  I'm at least glad that they are a little farther in between.  I think maybe the bigger change has been that I have been approaching these situations that come up much calmer.  The days that go better are really because I am acting less childlike.

I have been so happy the sun has been shining the past couple of days!  I have gotten the kids out to a playground a few times this week and Jeremy has finally started working a little bit more (he barely worked the last couple of weeks with the rain) and I am so eager to get out in the garden.  Our chicken coop is halfway finished, and they will be moving out hopefully in the next week and a half, but I have to move all the rose bushes still.

Sunday we visited Sunnyslope for church!  We haven't been there in nearly 3 years, since we stepped down.  It is pretty much exactly the same, but a couple less people, since some have passed away.  Everyone was happy to see us though, and the kids enjoyed being there.  It was nice to finally reconnect.  We went to visit my family for a little bit before heading home.  After dinner we went up and watched the season finale of Downton Abbey with Jeremy's parents.

Ok.  Gotta get moving.  And then I need to start working on math again...I stopped doing it for a little while, because my advisor thought he might be able to get around it with my compass scores.  Not the case.