To Go or Not To Go

This is my question.. and I have questioned myself and my husband for the last several months. I think the end of last year was when it began..more or less because I knew that I had free benefits out there that we can use now..

The big question, "should Shelly go to the University of Phoenix and pursue a college degree since it is almost completely paid for"... I know what most of you are thinking.. especially the parents with kids that attended school, (free education?? Um.. yes.. not just yes.. but definitely without a doubt, no thinking involved yes!!) The thing is that is so real to me is that I have a full plate as it is and still feel like I could manage, papers aren't due until 2:00 a.m. Arizona time and well seeing as they are behind us, I get an advantage.. plus I have become a night owl and the kids go to bed at 7:55 every night (for the most part) In my mind, my chores are completed by then if not shortly after so that I can concentrate on me for a few hours before heading to bed and doing it all over again the next day.

It is almost silly to not go ahead and attain that education at such a great price with little to sacrifice now.. knowing that it will pay off for me in the future. With my military schooling, and some random college courses abroad here and there and a vocational certificate, I have not attained a college diploma and it would be nice if I did.. well because I can.. and did I mention, it's almost more than half paid for?

It's almost as if I have just talked myself into it! Well, there is a plus, my sweet sister in Arizona has a sister who happens to be the military liaison at the University of Phoenix and has so graciously provided me with the necessary paperwork to begin filing for the rest of my VA benefits.. this is the first step. Then, the 2 hour set up process.. the great part about it is that classes begin every week and since it is all done online, it is portable with me. Class time is a major plus I do know that first hand, but the school has an excellent online support system with your professor's direct number and many chat forums that are direct for keeping in touch with study groups and your actual classmates. My brother was able to obtain his degree in accounting with a variation of in-class and online study with the University of Phoenix which is encouraging for me as well.

I haven't decided completely, but will keep it in my prayers for now..all the while continuing to research and make any final decisions. Josh is supportive in whatever I decide to do and I know that he would be excited for me, but worried that I might not have budgeted out enough time in my day to accomplish and that I may get overwhelmed.. I will continue to ask God to give me the direction that I will need to pursue..to go .. or not to go.....

Please continue to keep our family in your prayers!