50 States: West Virginia

We decided we'd like to take the kids to all 50 states before they leave for college.  We're collecting shirts, too, to turn into a quilt for each of them to take with them.  We started last week with a trip to Wisconsin.

Because I still get tired so quickly, we decided we'd start easy and go to West Virginia to see my godmother, Beth.  It was so nice to get a visit with Beth and her husband David.  Typically, we come out for big events they have for all the cousins in their family, and we don't get to spend a lot of time with them one-on-one, so this was special.  We went to a place called JayDees, which was a combination waterpark/Chuck E. Cheese/putt-putt and they also had a nature center, which was like a fantastic children's museum and was only $5!! The kids had a ton of fun walking around to each of the rooms, although we could only spend an hour because the nature center closed earlier than the rest of the facility, and then we took a short train ride on a mini train so the kids could "pan" for gemstones, which is always a huge hit with Logan who's my little collector.  After that, we went to see Despicable Me 2, which the kids really loved, especially the boys.  The adults all had fun, too, as it was a cute love story without being too lovey-dovey :)

Beth and David were so kind and hospitable, and we enjoyed being with them.  They've totally changed their diet over to organic and mostly fruit and veggie based, and we really enjoyed all the yummy food they had for us.  My kids chowed down on berries, grapes, tomatoes, broccoli, and of course the roast turkey they fixed us for dinner.  We left early in the morning, but we had a great little visit and it was such fun to have Beth and David all to ourselves :)

50 States Before Graduation
2 Down (Virginia, West Virginia)
48 More To Go!!

New CC Group

We're very fortunate in our area because homeschooling is growing, and so is CC! Our area was recently assigned a new community, and while it is very hard to say goodbye to our current community, because I'm still not driving and tire easily, it will be a great advantage to us to be part of a group that's not across town.  In our area, across town can easily mean an hour round trip. 

On Thursday night we were able to go and meet the new director, who is quite lovely.  I'm so excited to work with her over the next year or two, as she's military, so you never know when these wonderful people will be assigned out of your lives!

Going to the meeting on Thursday was a little strange for me because this was the first group of people I've been around who will only know me as an "after".  Our current CC group, for example, knew me before I was sick and loved me while I was in treatment.  They know the Kristina that still exists in my head, who loves to organize and coordinate and plan fun events.  They know Cycle 1 Planbook Kristina and Field Trip Kristina and Tutor Kristina.  Kristina who says "Yes" to everything.

Also, Kristina with hair.

This new group of people will only know post-tumor Kristina.  Kristina who gets tired and needs help and "can't tutor this year because I'm not sure if I'm up to it".  Kristina who says "no" a lot. I kind of hate this Kristina. 

I know that this Kristina is temporary, but it's weird to put myself in a group where I'm just an after.  Hopefully as the time passes, I'll get back to my old self- it's just on my mind.  I know first impressions are important.  There was also a friend of mine who came to the meeting to support a friend who is new to CC, and she asked me after how I tell people, which I had to admit, I didn't really know.  I've never spent time "introducing" my status to people before.  Usually they either know me and are aware of what's been going on with my brain, or they're strangers and don't ask.

Just more new experiences, I suppose!

Anyhow, the main point is that we're excited about our new community, but will miss our old one, too.