She's Climbing!

So this morning, Saraqael climbed this flight of stairs on her own! She surprised both Aaron and I as we were getting ready for the day... I suppose she didn't want to remain downstairs with Mikaela.

I got this video later in the day, to see if she could repeat the same feat. And she did.
Now, to just teach her how to come safely back down... preferably without tumbling!


  

~ Mrs. Arcfide

To every thing there is a season

Next to getting married and having our baby, graduating again this year was one the of happiest and proudest moments of my life.

I am done with classes. I truly am.

I was fortunate enough to finish among the Top 3 of my graduating class.

In 2003, when I first graduated high school, going to college - let alone graduating from college - was an untenable idea. Nine years later, I have worked full-time, put myself through late-night classes, had an amazing man ask me to marry him, moved half-way around the world, had a beautiful baby, and completed over 100 credits and two Associates degrees in 2.5 years.

My life has been one big, happy roller-coaster ride that I would not exchange for the world. I am so thankful to God, for His blessings, and to my husband, our extended family, and all our friends, for their continuous words of encouragement and support.

They were the ones who poured fuel over my fire on days when I felt like I was burning out.
I could not have done it without them.

I am thankful, too, for this little munchkin, who patiently bore with her parents all 2.5 years of her little lifetime they were in school. She was a constant reminder of the more important things in life outside of books - stuff like food, baths, laughter, dirty diapers, and play-dates.

She looks so deceptively calm and composed in this picture. ;)

 

Me walking across the stage.

Oompa and Ooma - the BEST grandparents a girl could ask for.

With My Man ♥ I *love* him so much!!!

The daughter who did not want to take pictures.

My touch of pizazz to the Pomp and Circumstance.

I will always look back on this chapter of my life without regrets, knowing I did my best for myself, for my family. Knowing I pleased my husband, and made him proud. All that sleep-deprivation was so worth it, in the end!

"So, then, to every man his chance – to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity…" - Thomas Wolfe.

Thank you, Ivy Tech!

~ Mrs. Arcfide

A Day to Remember . . .

Two Facebook updates today said it all:

Status #1) Done with the last exam of my very last class. No more syllabuses - surreal!! :)

and #2)  So, while I was at school taking my Finals this morning, Mikaela woke up, took off her diaper, and got dressed - all by herself! It was all good until she climbed on our bed, and peed on her sleeping Daddy. Yeeeaah. ;)

So today has been a good day, filled with cramming, testing, meetings, and other domestic sundries like washing sheets, and hosting - since a surprise visitor joined us for dinner.

I'm dog-tired, but grateful for new mercies every morning. Especially grateful to close another chapter of my life.

Hope y'all are doing well! 

~ Mrs. Arcfide

It's my Senior Year!

When I started my first semester of school back in the Fall of 2009, I had no idea what I was in for.

Well, I thought I had some idea, but I really had no idea. ;-)

After working away at my books each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester since . . . and working on CLEP tests on the side, I'm excited to say that passing my 6th CLEP test today gave me the last 3 credits I needed to finally consider myself a "Senior".

It's my last year of school! (More or less. Preferably less.)

It's the beginning of the end!!

It's . . . it's . . . it's . . .

. . . a wonderful feeling.

And I'm ecstatic. :D

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Friday, May 13th in Pictures

The Program

The Graduate

The Graduate with Graduate-in-the-making.
;-)

The past 22 months "homeschooling" myself through college will always be remembered fondly as some of the most happy, challenging, and productive days of my life.

I'm thankful for my school, and for the generous scholarships they've awarded me.

I'm thankful for my husband, who has been my biggest fan and cheerleader the entire journey.

I'm thankful for my toddler, who reminded me often that Family is my priority when she comes near to gently close a textbook.

I'm also thankful for all my extended family, who believed in me, encouraged me, and inspired me to do well.

And my greatest thanks to God, for the greatest Gift - and every gift I have - from Him.

May the next year-and-a-half be as it has been, in the past.

Junior Year, here I come!!

~ Mrs. Arcfide

Lame Stats

Why, hello world.
I'm a 16 month-old today!!

Current weight: 21 lbs
Current location: Crib
Current mood: Sleepy

~ Mikaela

Mikaela at One Year!

Someone once told me that we realize, in children, the swift passing of time. Goodness knows, I have repeated that to myself often enough, and to several other friends as I marvel how quickly my little princess has grown.

Could it be, that exactly twelve months later, the sweet little newborn I held in my arm is now the same toddling, chunky, kissable baby I see?

And that in the three weeks since she took her first, tentative steps at 11 months, she's already looking more girly, independent, and less like a baby?

I don't want to blink.

~ Mrs. Arcfide