Should I return to school?

This topic has been weighing on my mind for almost a year. Adam and I have had countless conversations about it, and I'm still not sure which way to go. But, I have decided to do something toward this new goal.

The background behind this question-
About a year ago, Adam and I decided that we don't have a very good plan b in place. (Financially or educationally) After all, the oil field isn't the safest job out there, and it's not the most reliable either. Even though his company has pretty good safety ratings, accidents still can happen and we need to do better about planning for unforeseen events.
My degree is in Computer Networking and Information Technology. Lets face it, there's not many options in Clinton, Oklahoma to put that over paid piece of paper to good use. On top of that, that said paper is almost 10 years old, and the technology since then is so much advanced that I would have to get trained to get up to speed for any company anyway. Oh, and did I mention that I HATE what my degree is in? Anyone that knows me, knows that I love to be around people, not cold empty computers.
So, with all that said, if something were to happen and I need to provide for my family, I would have no education to back me up for a job in a little bitty town in Oklahoma. I'd be back to cleaning houses, babysitting, or working for minimum wage at a dead end job with my kids in daycare. Now, there is nothing wrong with those things. I know lots of women that do it. But, it's not what I want for me and our family.

The possible plan b-
As said above, anyone that knows me, knows that I love to be around people. My heart is in teaching and kids. I couldn't tell you the number of times in my life that I've been told that I need to be a teacher. There is certainly a reason that I teach in RS. I LOVE IT!
A couple of months ago, Adam and I started talking about a daycare. It would be something that I could do and take the kids with me. And, it's something that would do really well here. So, I've had this thought in the back of my mind for a while now. Adam and I have talked about it several times, but, I haven't really done anything about it.
Then, about a month ago, I had a dream. I know it sounds crazy! It was one of the most detailed, vivid dreams I've ever had in my life. To this day, I remember every detail. I never remember my dreams. I woke up that morning and was blown away! It lined out everything: the building, who was supposed to help me, how the rooms were set up, the toys and centers, the meal plan, the daily schedule, everything spelled out on how to set up a child care center. The next night, I had the dream again, only the second one was even more detailed than the first. WOW!
So, the next day, I set to work.

Options on getting there-
That next week, I set to work and did a lot of investigating. I researched everything I could find on Oklahoma Childcare Centers. Everything seemed pretty good, until I called about the education requirements. Bummer. I either have to be CDA certified or have some college credits in Early Childhood Development. Plus, 2 courses of labs or 3 years experience at a daycare/preschool.
Option 1:
I can start an in-home daycare for the next three year and take an on-line CDA class for a relatively small financial investment. Pros for this is it's a lot cheaper and I could take the class at my own pace, while making a little money that would more than cover the financial investment. Cons - having to do it from home. I would be surrounded by the daycare 24/7. Another con would be the three years to get the experience requirement.
Option 2:
I can take three classes at SWOSU to get the college credit requirements. I would take one over the summer and the other two this fall. The pros to this are a much shorter time before opening up a center. Obvious con would be the bigger financial sacrifice. And, the having to make arrangements for someone to watch the kids while taking the classes.

So, there it is. Feel free to give your thoughts and/or advice. I'll post the plan of attack as soon as we figure that out!

Life Lessons

I have relearned 2 life lessons in the last 24 hours.

First: I am so extremely gullible. Now, this can be a good thing. But, in regards to the last 24 hours, it is very bad. I have this thing about letting people in. I have been burned so many times, you'd thing I'd have learned by now. Obviously not. Will I ever learn? I really hope so!

Second: Some people live for making other people miserable. Yes, this too I have learned in the past, but somehow it has been buried and somewhat forgotten. I truly will never understand mean people. I just don't get it. I know there are a lot of mean people out there that do a lot of mean things. I mean, I do have some grasp of reality. But, in my head, I just don't understand it.

Yes, these two things go hand in hand. Which leads me to... How do these trouble makers keep finding me. Every time things start getting better for me or our family, something or someone comes along and messes it all up again. Now, I understand that we are here to be tried and tested. Some days, though, I just feel like my life is just a big failure, and that there is no way to past the test. Thankfully, I have three wonderful miracles that keep me sane and grounded.

Round 2

I'm feeling like a bad mom today. Big bummer!

I've known that Nick hasn't been quite up to par, but honestly, I thought he was just wanting some extra attention since Zack has been getting it due to Zack being very sick. **Note to self: Paying attention to ALL children is VERY important!!**

Anyway, I came to the conclusion that it's not just attention seeking on Sunday night. First off, Nick didn't want to eat... big shocker. He's not been eating well for a long while now. He got so upset that he ended up loosing part of his dinner to the trash can. So, and here's the bad mom part, I was frustrated and cleaned him up and let him just go to bed. Well, about 1:30 that night, I woke up to the sound of him going potty. Went to check on him and he was running a 102 fever. Great. The next morning he was still feverish, so he had to miss his Valentines party at school, and we headed to the doctors office. Poor thing. Turns out he has a red and slightly swollen right ear and throat, due to all the sinus drainage that he's been having. So she prescribes him a med for his ear, a med for his throat, and a med for the puking. Worst mom ever!!!

He is feeling some better today. Since nothing he has is contagious, and he's not running a fever last night or this morning, I sent him back to school. With the meds last night, he ate all of his dinner and it stayed down. He ate pretty well this morning and seems to be doing ok. He was very excited to return to school, and VERY bummed he had to miss his party. He tried and tried to convince me yesterday that he's ok to go to school. At least I didn't give in...

On the up side, she checked Zack's ears and they are clear. Just a little red still from how bad they are, but she said he should be good. And she looked at Beth and said to just keep doing what we're doing. Both Zack and Beth seem to be back to normal except for just a very little stuffies. Both are eating well, and full of energy.

In other news, PawPaw did great with surgery on Friday, and him and Nana are back home. The doctor expects no issues and is thinking his 2 six inch incisions should heal fine. I talked to him again last night, and he is in good spirits, and says he feels fine just a little sore. Not the cramping pain like he's been having. So all that sound good. I will be headed down on Friday and check him out for myself! :)

Goings on...

Well, I think we are finally on the mend. Zack has been keeping his meds down since Sunday. He seems to be, finally, getting better. His cough is almost gone, and his appetite has returned.
I am still struggling with Nick at every meal to eat. I've concluded that he's not sick, he's just a pain. I just don't know what to do with that kid!
Beth is back to her Little Miss Piggy eating habits. She's still got a cough, but it's making progress. Well, as long as I remember to turn the humidifier on.
I am feeling better as well. Not sure what I did to my back last weekend, but sooo glad it's feeling better. My neck is still a little sore, but I will take that over the huge back pain. Unfortunately, our chiropractor was sick this week, so we missed our appointment. Big bummer!

Today was shopping day. Not many things on sale that we would use this week.... Except PASTA!!! Yay! I ended up getting 8 boxes of Ronzoni pasta for .25 each. (All 8 cost me the price of 1 regular price!)

In other news, PawPaw is having surgery on his leg again today. He's blocked at the knee and ankle. He's having it done in Ardmore, so hopefully they will take better care of him there. I feel like I'm having de ja vu. I'm just hoping and praying that the outcome will be better. I'll keep ya posted on his progress as I get news.

Sickness Continues

Part of our house is finally doing better. Nick seems back to normal. He went to school on Friday, and seems to be his normal wild self. I've decided this not eating thing is a stage he's at. And, even though it's very annoying, at least he is eating more than when he was sick. I asked him last night if he knew what happens to kids that don't eat. Upon is "no" answer, I told him that kids that don't eat have to go to the doctor and get shots in their bum. At least he ate the rest of his dinner...

Beth is somewhat better as well. Her stuffies are almost gone, and she's not running a fever anymore. I did spot two more white spots last night in her mouth. So, I think her not nursing much is due to teething. I am really hoping she gets back to nursing normally, though, because 10 months is to early for her to quit. She also has new bruises on her forehead, that I have no idea where they came from. So mysterious. She doesn't have sensitive skin like the boys, but looks like she will bruise easily like me. Poor kid.

As for Zack, he is some better. He is eating better, but not back to normal yet. He is hearing better though, and his ears have almost quit draining. He doesn't like his prescription meds, though, and we are having a rough time keeping them down. I'm going to try some new ideas today, and if that doesn't work, I'm calling the drs office tomorrow, and getting a new prescription. He's not running a fever anymore, either, so at least he's making improvements.

As for me, I am running on very little sleep and am very tired. Adam left Friday night and has no idea of when he will be back. Thanks to the weather, they are very behind, and are staying in hotels close to the job to try and make up time. UGH! To top it off, at some point in all my cleaning and disinfecting from all the sickness yesterday, I hurt my back. I woke up this morning, and can hardly bend at all. And when I do, it shoots pain up and down my back. Not good. So glad we are going to the chiropractor tomorrow. Also glad today is Sunday, so we will be staying home and resting. Just have to figure out something easy to make for dinner now...

Sickness

Zack has been sick for a week. He started with an upset tummy and puking last Monday. Then the fever started on Wednesday. So, needless to say, it was a pretty miserable week for the little guy. His skin is so horribly dry, I feel so bad for him. I've been keeping him lubed and medicated, and finally, I think, yesterday is back to his normal self. Then today, he asked for seconds at lunch, so I know he is!

So, I was thinking yesterday that we were finally on the mend. Then last night, Nick woke up sick and puking. Ugh!! Finally got him back in bed, and he wakes up Zack who complains that his ear hurts. Really? (Zack hasn't complained anymore today about his ear, I just think he was sleeping on it and didn't like being woke up.) When the boys got up this morning, we realized that Nick is now running a fever. Man is that kid whinny when he's sick!

So, now I'm just crossing my fingers that they don't spread it to anyone else. The rest of us don't want it!! And, all of this would have been much easier if Zack would have just shared with his brother when he was first sick. Then they could have been sick together, and we'd all be well now. Rotten kids never share when we want them to...