Check that off the list

The last couple of weeks have been pretty hectic for me. I finally finished my bachelor's degree in nursing. I have been a nurse for 7 years now, the first three as an LPN and the latter 4 as an RN. The end of my college career has been fairly anticlimactic, I am already working as an RN, and since I finished my degree online and approximately 600 miles away from the college I won't be participating in graduation. The best part is though, that I am no longer writing essays (or feeling guilty for procrastinating the writing of essays). This has given me some freedom that I haven't had in a long time. It is amazing the energy that I have found in the wake of graduation. I was able to weed and till my garden finally (my very first garden....really hoping that it turns out!) and am enjoying not feeling like a zombie Mom.

I also finished my first lace knitting project. I have taught myself how to knit using only the internet as my tutor. This has led to some ugly knitting moments but also a huge sense of accomplishments when I tackle something and am successful at it. Now that I have the lace bug I may not be able to stop.

Last weekend I ran the Montana Women's race. It was awesome. I did the fastest 5 miles that I have ever done. There is something about being at a race and surrounded by other runners that always tugs at my heart. And there is something about seeing morons standing at the sidelines smoking that makes me irate. But I choose to not digress.

The most important thing that happened in the last few weeks was my daughter's fourth birthday. It seems completely impossible that this little blonde happy go lucky child is the baby that I held in my arms four years ago. I catch myself looking at her in amazement. I now understand what my mom meant when she used to say that we would always be her babies. There are moments when I want to swaddle Charlotte up in a blanket and hold her close as long as she will let me, which would not be long. It seems as though the ADHD is in the genes, I just need to teach her to channel it. I see knitting lessons in our future.