Takin' a break

I decided to take a break from school (ends up that I had a year left...not 6 months). It's been two weeks of bliss since I finished my last class. No homework. No participation. No stress. Loads of people had been giving me advice to stay in school and finish it out. But let me tell you...it just isn't working out for our family. I work hard to get good grades and that hard work takes time. Hard work + time = good grades = tired mommy, messy house, and stress. On top of all that, I have a very time consuming calling in Young Women's. And we are trying to get pregnant with our 3rd (which is the main source of taking a break...).

We thought we could push through it if I graduated in December and was due in the Spring...but once I discovered that my graduation wouldn't be until May of 2012....I knew it would be too much. I've already had pretty high blood pressure and will need a stress-free environment during my 3rd pregnancy. With Emerald and Charlie, I had Toxemia (high blood pressure) with a few months of glorious (insert sarcasm) bed rest.

Life has been good since school is over. Basically I do whatever I want with the kids, whenever I want. That is what being a stay-at-home Mom is all about, right?

Introducing....Christa!!

The hamster. I can't believe I haven't blogged about her yet! We got her a few months ago from the Missionaries in our ward (they knew someone who was giving away a hamster for free). Although I still really, really want a nigerian dwarf pygmy goat, I guess a teeny hamster will have to do for now. Here are some pics of "Christa" (Emerald named her after one of her BFF's).

 Emerald LOVES her new little friend and likes to take her out of her cage and let her explore/get lost all around the house.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Emerald drew a picture of Christa and "all of her little poops".

Christa's cage is stinky (it is a MUST to clean it every week), but we love her cute, teeny, fuzziness!