Super Long time... Lots to update

So, apologies are not my thing.  I don't think someone should be sorry about living a busy life.  but in any case, I will excuse my absence
,  As the name of my blog indicates, Life Is....  it is about so many things and lately mine has been about survival.  I do not share much of my personal life here, but simply my passions.  I guess my passions are smashing into each other and colliding in a cacophony of chaos. If you do not know much about me, then this will be informative.  If you do know a lot about me, then just scroll down.  I am first off a mother of 7; four amazing children

 and 3 chosen children.  These two daughters in law and my son in law are a perfect fit to our family. I also have an adorable grandson.  These are the most important things in my life.

The next priority (which often take up most of my time) is my full time job.  I work in an elementary school and have an additional 500 children.  I love this part of my life and devote many hours to ensuring a safe, stable, exciting library for those kiddos.  I am truly proud to be a Dragon!

A close partner to my job is my school, not the one I work at, but the one I attend.  I am a full time student getting a dual major in Elementary Education and Special education.  I never completed college when I was younger and through some challenges finally changed my major and settled into education.  When I started this path nearly 3 years ago I had no idea what the end of the road would look like.  Well, let me tell you - it is rough!  Full of switchbacks and steep climbs I find myself struggling to keep up with the rigor and my other responsibilities.  There are more days than I care to count that I am hanging on with bloody fingernails from just the sheer grit it takes me to continue to meet my obligations.  But deadlines loom each week for 1,000 word essays and huge benchmark projects, and observations that must be completed in order for me to become a certified teacher.  I am finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel for some brief moments when I realize I only have 5 more classes until I student teach, but then the light slams out just as quickly when I realize I have 5 more classes until I student teach.  I will make it, and I am so proud of myself for getting this done.  I have wanted to quit more times in my life doing this than I think even parenting (no, lets be honest!  parenting is horribly hard, and this doesn't hardly compare)

The bottom line here is that while my PASSION is creating, and stamping is a huge part of that creating there are so many other avenues I create in my life.  My family, my wee little students, and my schooling are all parts of who I am.  I squeeze in stamping to keep me sane honestly.  My husband will tell you when he sees me getting overwhelmed with life in general, he will ground me to my stamp room to center myself in reality again.  It is my calming force.  Coworkers love to be the recipients of my tender gifts and they always ask me, "how do you have time?"  well folks.. I make the time for the things that are most important.  And honestly, when it is the end of the year and I have so many deadlines looming, I retreat to my HAPPY PLACE and make gifts for the special people in my life who share my day with me!

I love you all, and if you read this far you deserve a PRIZE.  In true fashion to who I am, if you leave me a positive compliment in the comments I will send you a hug in the mail to thank you for your cyber hug!