torn

okay. in going through my college credits, i thought i had 54 with this last class i took. then i realized that i did take some classes with central texas college, and so it looks like i'll have more credits that i originally thought... which is good, and bad. the two classes that i need to take for my associates degree are: ifsm 201 and libs 150 (stop laughing; it's a requirement, and i had signed up for it once and had to drop it due to scheduling conflicts). well, here's the problem. if i have the extra credits from central texas college and they transfer, then i won't need to take the stats 200 class that i've signed up for. however, everyone who took the stats class last term got an A in it, and i have a friend who will give me her notes and book, and if i major in sociology, then it's a requirment. oh and if i take it now after having taken math 103, then i don't have to take the placement exam either. however, i could finish my degree earlier by just taking ifsm online and using my ctc classes for the rest of my credit hours.... but i don't have enough cash to take all three classes! (not to mention that would be a little much on the workload front!) *sigh* decisions, decisions. plus, i don't think i'd do that great at the online thing, not to mention onsight classes are way shorter! (eight weeks versus something longer). alright, i think i'll just go ahead with the stats class and libs 150, and keep my fingers crossed that they offer ifsm 201 on site here next term. then hopefully if i get my credits transfered i should have my two year degree!! i know it doesn't seem like much, especially considering that it's taken me ten years for a two year degree, but hey, things take a little longer when you have kids! (and lack of motivation)...
okay, if you read this far, you rock. i realize this post sort of sucks, but i had to kind of work things out in my head. and this is the best way ;)

some days are longer.

everybody has their secrets.
the things that they can't escape in their dreams.
nightmares from the past
that seem so innocent and sweet.
some things we can put a face on.
some things stay so very undefined.
you never know what's underneath
the layers
that everybody wears.

i'm so crafty.

okay. one of the worst things about having a baby who takes a binky (or pacifier for the rest of you) is that when your baby loses it in the middle of the night, you inevitably have to get up and go find it. this is not as easy as it sounds when it's it's 2:00 am, and you are stumbling through the dark trying to hurry before the other kids get woken up! well, since i don't really like the regular binky holders (the ones that are plastic and attach to the shirt) i decided to come up with my own creation. the binky bracelet! here's some pictures. that way it's easy to find and i don't have to worry about her rolling onto her tummy and being uncomfortable with the typical pacifier holders... i'll let you know how it works out tonight!

here's some pictures of olivia graciously "modeling" it for me :) (and yes, i know her binky is upside down; that's how she rolls)

rose colored specs.

in the grand scheme of things, life is this short precious gift that we take for granted. we spend more time complaining and finding things to be negative about than we do living. i think that the best thing about living in a third world country is that it's a reminder to stop and appreciate what you do have. we tend to cover up ugliness and be afraid of all the things that are a harsh reminder of the real world.
sometimes you have to open your eyes.
sometimes you have to remember that life is not a tv show and there are no do overs.

k-town and adana trip.

we went to k-town and adana all day saturday, but i don't want to post too much until i get the pictures to put up. it was a super fun girls day out! aren't you jealous?? ;)

happy birthday andreaNA! ;)

tonight was fun. we threw a small surprise party for our friend andrea. we had it at nuri's (dreamland carpets.) that's the thing to do here, birthday parties at carpet shops! we took a bunch of pictures, but of course they are all on shane's camera, so i'll have to wait for some copies, before i put them up. it was nice though. he catered it, and we all had fun talking and then got to look at some carpets :) god, i love turkiye!

anyways, the pictures are from the walk home. how cute are the babies in their wagon, and the big boys w/ their daddy? it as a bit chilly, but it was still nice to get out and about and get some fresh air. then i took a few pictures of the kiddos before bed!

daddy and the kids on the walk home.

a close up of olivia and brandon.

daddy and brandon before bed.

olivia before bed.

happy new year from the trail family!

the battle between good and evil.

guess who won? ha ha!

the trail kids :)

the three muskateers