7 weeks

That is how much time we have left until Tom is DONE with rotations. Graduation is right after that -- on May 2nd! We are so close to the finish line -- and can hardly believe it's just around the corner!

I recently saw a quote that made me laugh -- but it was an edgy laugh: "Due to budget constraints, light at end of tunnel is closed until further notice." That is how life has felt at times over the last few years!

We have been making the most of our time together -- and have had the mixed blessing of my being put on call on a weekend night almost every week. While it is a severe cut to our income -- it has been really nice to be with my husband some extra time while he is home.

The kids are growing way too fast! Bryan lost one of his front teeth -- an official snaggle-tooth! He still loves cars -- but (thankfully) told me recently that he didn't want to be a NASCAR driver after all since it "is a very dangerous job." Emily is now working on her writing skills! She actually enjoys practicing her ABC's (she asks to do this of her own will nearly daily). Not only can she spell her name, she can now write it! The writing isn't the neatest -- but I have to admit I'm really proud of her! Colin is now saying his own version of, "Thank you," and often throws things down just so he can say, "Uh-oh!"

This coming fall, both Bryan and Emily will be off to school. So it will just be me and Colin during the school year. Emily has been begging to go to school -- and we're still debating on whether she'll do pre-K or kindergarten. I'm in favor of pre-K -- but if she can't get a spot (our school district does a "lottery" every year -- and only a limited number of preschoolers are placed in its program since the number of children is greater than the number of places available), we'll probably let her start kindergarten. That September 1st birthday can be a bit tricky.