I am the Master

I wrote this post on Saturday the 13th, a week ago, but it took until today to get the pics in!

Holy Smokes!!! What a week!!!!

Camping was super great! Fun time with the family and we got loads of "weather" which put us in the holiday spirit. Friday afternoon turned WINDY and the very blustery day turned into a very blustery night. The wind howled and the rain poured down. Sometime during the night the rain turned to hail and we woke up to an icy wonderland. The wind died down around 10 a.m. and the hail and sleet turned into snow. It was gorgeous! We spent most of the day inside in various locations (the motorhome, my uncle's trailer or the small rented condo) playing games and eating away.

Gavin became ill during the drive up (and by ill I mean that he yacked on the carpeted floor of the motorhome). He had a fever and felt terrible all day on Thanksgiving. He ate nothing more than a slice of bread! On Friday, he was better but still had a fever and later that night I noticed that he had a rash. By the time we got home he was on his way to a full recovery.
Monday started out in normal way, but after nap time Ella would not get up and she did not look like she felt well. We took her temp and discovered that she had a fever and just as we were about to call her Dad, she puked. In my lap. Thankfully it was no more than juice as she had not wanted to eat snack or lunch. She went home and rested, but by the evening she too had the rash. I had my suspicions, so I called to get her and Gavin into the doctor the next day. I had already planned to stay home with her, as Andy had a meeting that he couldn't miss. The doc confirmed my suspicion and pronounced it Scarlet Fever. He put us all on anitbiotics and sent us on our way. I worked on my paper and got my first major revision completed.

The next day, I had a fever and sore throat and Ella slept most of the day. This proved to be a blessing as I completed my second major revision on the thesis and had to have a plumber out to hydro jet our main sewer line to clear it of tree roots.

Thursday dawned with Ella and I feeling great, but not having been fever free for 24 hours, we both stayed home. We went to Target and ran a couple of errands before heading out for our big adventure. I had a doctors appointment to go to, but the tests that they ran didn't take very long so we were off to Burbank to see a special screening of "The Princess and the Frog". It was at the Disney Studios and was really cool. We met up with some friends and had a great time. The movie is super fantastic and they had a big Mardi Gras party afterwards! We got to meet EVERY princess (well, I took pictures of every princess while Ella hid behind my legs and waved). There were games, cupcakes and even an animator who worked on the film and was giving demonstrations. This may have been Ella's favorite part. She sat down at one of the tables and started drawing away! It was a wonderful event and it was even more wonderful to share it with my daughter.Friday we were back to work and school and it was like Monday after vacation all over again! The day really wiped me out. I had to finish our preschool version of "report cards" and write a lesson for next week and by the time the day was over I was ready to fall down. Ella had her dance class and then she and Gavin joined my in-laws for a movie night at their church. Andy and I took advantage of the time, grabbed a quick burger and then did the majority of our Christmas shopping. Whew! Later, Andy proof read my entire Thesis and reported that it only needed some minor cleaning up and a few changes. I slept so well!

Today, Andy worked on cleaning out the motorhome and putting up the Christmas lights while I have spent my day with my bum glued to the couch, computer on my lap, finishing my thesis. I am DONE! I even powered through and finished the 10 page Research Design Proposal!!! All I have left now, is to print both and then create a five slide power point presentation for class on Wednesday. AMEN!!!! I did it! I am so happy and releived and so very excited to spend some time with my family! In fact, I am not sure why I am still here on this computer and not playing Monopoly Jr. with them right now! Oh, wait, I heard whining.... I remember why.

Actually, I am off to make dinner and relax with some cocoa, next to a fire with my family while we watch a Christmas movie.

I did it.... I really did it... my Masters.... I can't beleive it!