Thursday, April 03, 2008

Back to School

Let me take you back in time:



December 1, 2001 - That day I agreed to: withdraw from college, move to New York and become a nanny for six boys, all under the age of 12. "What in the world?!" You might think, but it all made sense to me. I was an uninspired student. I was attending a school that didn't offer the program I was interested in. I had realized mid-way through my third semester that being a General Studies student with an emphasis in Botany was NOT the same, or even a substitution for Horticulture. The upcoming semester of school I had registered to take an English and Biology class, and then bowling, backpacking, cross-country skiing, water-aerobics, and country swing. I'd come to the realization that I was spending thousands of dollars on electives. It didn't make sense.

June 15, 2005 - This day I announced to the world that I was going to once again move across the country and become once again a nanny. My good friend Laurie has expecting a baby and begged me to come help out. Again, to the general onlooker I was making a crazy mistake. I had a great job - which provided me with a disposable income. I lived in a super CUTE house with cheap rent and a great landlord, and I had the MOST AMAZING ROOMMATES. But I needed adventure. So, I packed all the belongings up once again, the Iowa Idols threw me an amazing going away party, and I headed East.

Because of these seemingly rash decisions my life has changed forever. Because I initially moved to New York I met Laurie and the boys. A few years later she asked me to join in on her adventures again, but this time in Virginia. There I found the man I wanted to spend my life with. I fell in love. We got married and moved to Idaho so he could go to school.

February 3, 2008 - We were talking to Rob's Dad. He was telling us about the classes he's taking right now for his Master's Degree how hard it is to juggle everything. Something he said really struck me - something to the effect of "It's so hard trying to work full-time, be a father and husband, and go to school on the side." He talked about President Hinckley's recent talk about getting all the education you can, and how school is important. He wasn't trying to convince me to go back to school--it just happened that way.

I'd always figured that eventually I'd go back to school. Some time after we are more settled, and we've had a couple of kids--or even when the kids are older. But again I realized, I want to be a Mom to my children. The kind of Mom I have. Not a stressed out college student that has to make a decision between tucking her babies in at night and a late night cram session with schoolmates. I realized then and there that NOW is the time for me to finish my education. I live in a college town with relatively inexpensive tuition. The University here actually OFFERS the program I want, and we aren't planning on having babies until after Rob graduates anyway. THERE IS NO BETTER TIME!

So, I applied. I got accepted, and I'm starting school April 21st. It's five months earlier than I expected to start, but we've got things figured out. I'm so pumped to be starting school again and the classes I'm enrolled for actually excite me! I'm finally getting to take the classes that I want, AND they count toward my major. How cool is that!

5 comments:

LeMira said...

Holy long hair! Wow, I never thought you ever had hair longer than your shoulders. And you know how proud I am of you and your decision. Love you, Girl!

Britt Wright said...

Way to go! Good luck Kristin. I can't believe that photo. It was so long ago, brings back good memories. Are you really going to meet up with all of us in May?

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I'm excited for you. Good luck with school. Keep us posted.

Sarah said...

Man you were a hottie even back in high school. I'm so proud of you! I knew you would always do more with yourself even though we did make bank at AOL.

Unknown said...

Congratulations. I've been considering going back and finishing my degree as well. Fortunately, for me, BYU Provo has an online course of education which will get me the degree I need without ever stepping into a classroom. Hallelujah!