Children and Schools

We have had a variety of schooling experiences over our 21+ years of raising children.

Just to give you a picture of where we are right now, we have:
1 Senior in college
1 Freshman in college
1 Senior in high school
1 Sophomore in high school
1 8th grader
1 6th grader
AND a husband who is a professional student....

We have had children in public schools in 4 states, and have homeschooled in 2 states.  Jason and I never attended public schools...we were both products of private Christian schools.

While our children have been in public schools, we have experienced a LOT. We have seen schools that ranked among some of the best in the nation, AND schools ranked as some of the worst.  We had a child attacked and permanent damage done, for which no one was held accountable.  We had schools on lockdown.  We had some exceptional teachers, and some that were not-so-good.  We had a teacher proposing to meet with a teenaged child in her apartment, alone {she was fired}.  Our children were exposed to other children on drugs, children who were abused, and children who were abandoned.  Our children have also experienced a high quality education, musical and sports opportunities, for which there has been a high level of support on all levels of the schools.

Our children have been able to take languages - Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, German, Italian, and French, as well as Latin.

All of our children have had musical opportunities as fit their giftings - one plays the flute and piccolo, and is learning guitar; one plays all brass, percussion, and saxophone; another plays flute, piccolo, keyboard, and saxophone; one plays French horn/mellophone; and 4 have been in singing groups.

One of those children is going on to study music on a college level, and has thought about going back and teaching music on a middle school and high school level.

I have been thinking recently about the opportunities our children have had, at relatively little cost to us.

Our oldest child was in public school in South Carolina for Kindergarten (when she took Japanese) and for most of her 1st grade year, and then we moved a second time within that year, and started homeschooling.

There was a point in time where homeschooling was the only option I was comfortable with using.  I bought into the thought-process that if *I* did everything right (homeschool, no TV, no R-rated or PG-13 movies, limited vaccines, correctly disciplined, memorized enough Scripture, attend AWANA, attend the right church, etc.), my children would turn out "right".  Yeah, that turns out to have been [at least] misleading, and likely blatantly false.


We eventually put our children back into public schools, first in Montana, and then when we moved to Virginia, and now in Massachusetts.  I was petrified.  I had never had much exposure to how public schools worked, or what was expected of parents.

For the most part, life with children in public schools has been good.  The school system in Virginia Beach offered opportunities that we really benefited from...an academy system within the district, with specialty schools, International Baccalaureate middle and high schools, GREAT band programs, peripheral music programs, exposure to students from a WIDE variety of backgrounds and countries, and a host of really good kids that our kids became good friends with.

So far, our experiences with the schools in Massachusetts have been positive, as well.  The schools are much smaller than those we experienced in Virginia, with a much lower student:teacher ratio, more money for special things like iPads for all of the kids 6th grade and up, and no band fees for involvement in the band and guard programs.  We have also not had to purchase school supplies, which is a VERY welcome break from our experiences in Virginia, Montana, and South Carolina.

Back when we had our first child, and I thought about sending her off to school, the thought was overwhelming, and I couldn't see very far into the future.  Now that child is a college senior, and is putting together funding to take her GRE and apply to grad school.  I don't know what the future holds, for any of my kids, but I know that God is in control of that just as much now as He was way back when I thought *I* was the one determining how well they turned out in the end, and I am very grateful for that!!  I am also grateful that our country provides for the education of its citizens, and for the variety available within the public school system.

Back to School, 2014 Edition

This year we have reduced the number of schools represented by our crowd.

Jason is in Grad School, yet again, through Liberty University Online.










Frances is a Junior at Columbia International University.

Jonathan is a Senior in High School.

Heather is a Junior in a different High School.

Justin is a Freshman at the same High School Jon attends.

Leah is in 7th grade, in Middle School.

Katherine is in 5th grade.

For a change, I am NOT in school!!



Happy First Day of School, 2014-2015!!

I've been MIA

The last 27 days (since I wrote) have been full.  Jason started back to work.  I have been working.  The kids have had Christmas plays, and Christmas concerts, and Christmas parties.  We've been BUSY.

Now that we are past Christmas, and getting ready to head back into school and work, I wanted to take a second to say thank you to everyone for your encouragement over the past year.

2011 has been a tough year, a year of learning and growth to be sure, but tough, and I am glad that it is almost over with.  Hopefully, as we adjust to a "new normal", and the new year, I'll be able to get on here a little more often.  For now, I'm going to go get some coffee....

Week (and month) in Review

Bullet-points, or I'll not get it all in...
This last week has been BUSY...

• Thanksgiving, November 24
• Heather's birthday November 25
• Drive back to VA from SC on Saturday, November 26
• Church on Sunday
• Put the "not-boyfriend", 2 little girls, 1 neighbor girl, and the 14-year-old to work raking leaves...4 bags out to the street.
• Kids back to school on Monday
• Jason and Laura raked 10 more bags of leaves out of the back yard.
• Laura finishing final projects on Monday
• Monday also included kids to venturing, one kid to PT, and Jason to a birthday party.
• Laura back to school Tuesday (ALL day)
• Tuesday the dogs got out and wandered the neighborhood for 4 hours...lots of worry and tears...
• Wednesday was a work-day, and shopping at the exchange.
• One kid to PT on Wednesday.
• Thursday was a work-day, and a relatively quiet evening at home.

November also included:

• Jason completed his year in Bahrain and arrived home on November 5th.
• Frances got her class ring stuck on her finger, and had to have it cut off. 
• I had to get two tires replaced on our 2008 van.
• We traded in our 2008 van for a 2012 van...2 weeks after the tire change.
• We all survived another month of school.
• We got the new Christmas tree set up...but no decorations on it...still need to find the box of ornaments.  

I know it's not November any more...we're going to a Christmas party tonight!!  And two kids are going to a Leadership seminary.  And Jason is running a 10-mile race tomorrow.  Whatever happened to calm and quiet weekends?!?

Where I prove that I *can* be organized (pictoral proof for my husband, who doesn't believe me)

I took one of my "free" days this week, while four of the kids were at Operation Purple camp (post to come later, with pictures...), to lay the foundation for just a bit more organization in my life.  Which revolved around school supplies, and the intense need for a place to store and organize the ever-growing need for supplies. 

So, I compiled my list...this is for *4* children.  The four youngest...

And I went shopping (of which there are no pictures...because I was alone!!)












And I bought out the store.  Maybe.
You can see (if you look carefully) that this receipt goes on *forever*.







And I brought the lovely supplies home, and plopped them on the kitchen table so as to get some picture of just how much crap was involved in my children's "free" education.  For which I am not finished purchasing supplies.  And have spent an insane amount of money on...and not bought one single stitch of clothing. 












THEN, I actually ORGANIZED them, in NEAT piles, in the closet...ready for use. 

$175.00 later, and we are about half-way to being done with the school supply shopping for this year. 

We're having SO much fun!!! (REALLY, we ARE!)

Life is hectic.  Always.
We have too much on our plates - nothing new.
The kids are involved in a lot.
Dad isn't home...
...so mom gets to play several roles at once...
...not news.

Things are getting ready to get a LOT busier. 
Today was Justin's school picnic for the new middle school he'll be attending in the fall.
It was HOT.
Four of the kids went with me, and we were all miserable.
Justin got to meet a bunch of kids that he will be starting school with in 35 days.

This next weekend involves back-to-school shopping
(along with the whole rest of the state, since it is tax-free weekend).
I hate Hate HATE shopping...
...especially when there are thousands of other people bent on doing the same thing.
Should be fun.

Next week sees the beginning of band camp.
For two kids.
At two different high schools.
Competing high schools.
Should be a blast...that lasts for 2 whole weeks.

Then, during the second week of the above band camps,
the other four kids will be at Operation Purple camp.
All week.
They should have a BLAST!!
(and mom's a little jealous!)

THEN, after driving back up to pick kids up from camp,
MY classes start the following Tuesday.
I am SO looking forward to that. 
It probably won't be a ton of fun,
but I AM looking forward to getting back into the books.

Finally, two weeks later, my kids head back to school. 

Yes, we are having fun...
...we are enjoying the last 35 days until school starts.
Kids are swimming.
Mom is working.
Kids are spending time with friends.
Mom is cleaning.
Kids are watching TV and sleeping in.
Mom is making shopping lists.
...and playing computer games...
...and sleeping later than I'll be able to soon...
...and spending time playing virtual Scrabble games with dad....
...and having lunch with friends...
...and blogging.

I *should* be overjoyed...

We are quickly approaching Jason's two weeks of R&R, and I am working on finalizing details of all that has to happen while he is home.  There will be a LOT happening during that time, including he and I getting away for a couple of days, a wedding, visits with friends, and a few other small surprises to cram into 15 short days. 

I *am* excited to see him.  I really am.  I know that all of us will enjoy the time with him, catching up on the last almost 8 months he has been gone, getting Daddy hugs, snuggle time, and long talks.  I look forward to having him here to have another adult to talk to, and having that male presence that the kids respond so well to. 

On the other hand, I am also already feeling the dread of him leaving again.  This is not an adventure any longer.  The days are dragging, and I am just ready for him to be HOME for good.  I am tired of trying to sort things out by myself.  I am not good at organizing things, time-wise...he is.  He is a GREAT cook...and he enjoys cooking.  I don't.  There are so many little ways that I miss him...his presence, his smell, his hugs, his big booming voice yelling at the football games...the house is *so* empty without him here.  

Meanwhile, I am already anticipating that pain again.  Because 15 days is NOT enough.  And when he leaves again, we'll have another 4 months.  There will be Operation Purple camp in August for the 4 little ones, Band camps for the oldest two, Steel drums performances for Jon.  School will start again...Frances starts her senior year, Jon his freshman year, Heather will be in 8th grade, Justin starting middle school, Leah in 4th, and Katherine in 2nd grade.  I will be starting my second year of grad school.  We will settle into a routine again, and somehow will accomplish all that has to be done.  

But there will be a hole where he belongs...one that he gets to fill for 15 days...reminding us how much we miss him.  And then he'll be back to his work...back to being in a time zone that is 7 hours different than ours, sleeping while we work, and working while we sleep.  And, as much as we LOVE Skype, it just cannot substitute for having the real man here, in person.

So, honey, I just want you to know how much you are missed and loved, and how much we wish you could be here with us to celebrate you when we get up tomorrow.  Thanks for being such a GREAT Dad to our kids!!  Can't wait to see you SOON!!!

One of *those* mornings...

We all have them...the morning when we D-R-A-G ourselves out of bed, stumble to the kitchen to start the coffee...only to realize that not only is there no milk left, but we forgot to get coffee last night, too.  Ugh.  I guess I'll start with tea today. 

Sheesh.  I really could *EASILY* go right back to bed now that the kids are all out the door to school.  Unfortunately, there is way too much to do this week to even consider it.  I'm sitting here trying to figure out how my "nice, quiet" summer without school has turned into this craziness. 

I am preparing for Jason to get home for R&R  (YIPPEE!!!!), going away with him for a few days, a wedding, friends coming, a farewell party for another friend, the end of school for the kids, and filling out paperwork for camps, as well as working.  Yes, I am working again.  From home, thank goodness...because there is no way I could finish everything else if I had to put in my time at some other address. 

Okay...it is time to get back to work...washer and dryer running, dogs sleeping, another cuppa in hand...yeah, I believe I'm ready....

Is it May already?!?

Life sure does have a way of getting the way of things like writing!!  I signed in today, and realized that it has been more than a month since I wrote on here.  Meanwhile, I finished another semester of grad school (Yay, me!!), with its accompanying bjillion papers, projects, and exams.  We survived Spring Break for the kids...and have only six more weeks of school before they are out for the summer and we are preparing for Dad's R&R.  Now things are picking up with kids' spring/summer activities.  We have Scouts Venturing camp-outs and meetings, baseball practice and games, and end-of-the-school-year activities, the biggest of which, so far, is the Ring Dance for eldest daughter...

So, in honor of Ring Dance...PICTURES!!!

Isn't she beautiful?!?  I can't believe she is a Junior already..and that next year we'll be visiting colleges!! 

We have to think about next year ALREADY?

Next SCHOOL year, that is. 

This year, we have children in THREE schools.
Three in elementary school.
Two in middle school.
One in high school.

Next year...well, we'll see.

In the city where we live, there is an Academy system within the public schools, which allows children who are interested and gifted to focus on particular fields early in their schooling careers.  Our oldest daughter has been in the Global Studies and World Languages Academy for three years now, and will be graduating from there next year.

Our second child has applied to 3 different academies, so has the potential of being able to choose from 4 different high schools for next year.

Our third child will be finishing her time in middle school next year, and will be applying to some academies the following year.

Our fourth child...well...he is entering 6th grade this year, and is an outstanding student.  For the middle schoolers, there are two different magnet schools that he has applied to, so we are waiting to hear on that one.

The two youngest will also be staying put next year.  Thankfully.  Because I don't know that I could manage thinking about ANOTHER school.

As it stands, if you're still with me...We have the potential of having children in 5 different schools next year, as well as my husband and I both being in separate graduate school programs.

Total household size:  8.
Total schools represented (potentially): 7. 

I need a personal assistant...and I think we should be a poster-family for continuing education.  Oh, and I MISS homeschooling...things were a LOT less complicated.

...And now that vacation is over...

All of us went back to school on Monday.  All. Of. Us.  I was ready for the kids to go back...what parent wasn't?!?  Me?  Not so much.  I found out that I had gotten used to sleeping in, and not having to be anywhere, doing things around the house that had been neglected. 

Two of my classes have started back.  The one on Monday...not ready.  I still don't have a practicum site.  If I don't have a practicum site by next Monday, I will have to drop that class and pick up another one.  I do not want to do that.  The one last night?  Not ready.  And that class is going to be the one that kicks my butt this semester.  10 quizzes, one midterm, two probes, and a final exam.  I'm already feeling a bit overwhelmed.  The one tonight...I am looking forward to, though I'm not ready for it, either. 

On the up-side, I have PICTURES from Christmas!!  And SNOW!!  And I'll get those up and posted one of these days soon.  Until then...time to get crackin'...kids to get ready for school, shopping to do, and a meeting this morning. 

Have a GREAT day!!

School Pictures!!

It is that time of year again...the annual parade of the school pictures...except that one of our children somehow was overlooked this year, and we didn't end up ordering her pictures.  However, for your viewing pleasure, here are the remainder of the kids.

Jonathan "Jon" is 14 this year, and in 8th grade.  

He is playing the trumpet this year, and wants to try out for the baseball team.  

Heather is now 13, and in the seventh grade.

She is playing the flute in band, and was playing the alto saxophone for Jazz band, but we are unsure if that will continue since she broke her wrist.

Justin is 10 years old, and in 5th grade.  

He is doing very well in school, and is practicing presently for the geography bee.  

Leah is 8 years old and in third grade this year.

She is loving school, and thoroughly loves loving torturing all of the animals within range.

Katherine is six years old this year, and is in first grade.  

She really enjoys school, though the adjustment from kindergarten to first grade has been challenging.

God has richly blessed us with some beautiful and talented children, for which we are ever-so-grateful!!

Camera woes...

I took some more pictures...we had a friend from SC visit, who will also be deploying, and we had to get pictures with "Uncle Dave", but now the camera and computer aren't communicating, and I don't have the energy or patience to work through fixing it. So, I will get it fixed...eventually. Right now, I am dealing with a mid-term (10 essay questions!!), a paper, two extra (seminar-type) classes, and six busy and sad children, as well as a cat that has gone into mourning. I think I'm going to call it an early night, and get an early start on things tomorrow.

On life and studying

As I am sure you are aware by now, my life and stress level have accelerated recently. With starting grad school, I have had to make quite a few changes, including cutting back on my work level (paid work), and really revisiting my study habits. Doing that and preparing for my husband to be gone have made me realize how lazy I have gotten in recent years. That's not an easy or nice realization. I don't think of myself as lazy. Or, maybe I should say I don't *like* to think of myself as lazy.

I did not become lazy intentionally. I didn't think about it. This "just happened." I DID think consciously about allowing my husband to be more of the leader in our home. Unfortunately, I allowed that to go to such a degree that I have abdicated much more responsibility than I should have. UGH. Now, with him planning to be gone for a whole year, suddenly I find myself having to assume many more responsibilities than I have handled in the last several years. Paying bills. Filling the gas tanks. Making all of the day-to-day decisions for children's activities. For my own activities.

So now I find myself needing motivation that I haven't had for quite a while. Motivation to keep my house clean. Motivation to actually COOK meals. And plan meals. And self-care stuff...like taking showers on days that I don't have anywhere to go. And finding someone to talk to. And staying in fellowship with other believers. And maintaining my own spiritual feeding and growth. So many things that I have sadly neglected or pushed off on my husband.

I am SO glad that he has been able to be such a help to me. I am grateful for this opportunity for him...even though I am going to miss him A LOT. Because, let me tell you, that man of mine is amazing. He is a leader...in our home, our church, and in the Navy. I am very excited to watch him, and watch what God is doing in and through him, especially during this challenging next year.

But this post is about me, and my recent (re)discovery of my own laziness. And I am realizing that I need friends in my life on a (very) regular basis to help me in this process. I have also come to the conclusion that I don't have CLOSE personal friends. Oh, I have a LOT of "friends" - at church, in the Navy community, in our neighborhood, across the country in places we have lived in the past. Sadly, I don't know if I can call on most of them any time of the day, just to dump, or if I could ask for help with transportation problems. I KNOW I can count on most for emergencies...just because they're awesome like that. But, personally, I feel strange asking anyone for help.

See, I have these tapes that play in my head. Tapes that are recordings of things people have said to me, or in my hearing, in the past. Logical or not, those tapes play over and over, telling me all kinds of strange things. These tapes say that people will see me as "too needy," or that people will think poorly of me or think of me as a manipulator if I ask for help. I hear those tapes saying that I should just suck it up, and deal with it, because I was the one that chose to have so many children, so I should deal with the results of those choices. I still hear those tapes saying that only weaklings need counseling - - even though I KNOW BETTER. I hear those tapes blaming ME for everything from world over-population to the depletion of the ozone layer. See...I told you those tapes were not necessarily logical.

So, in the midst of an extremely challenging period in my life, I am realizing that I need to concentrate on developing some very good, deep friendships. And honestly, I don't know where to start. Because I think I have had *1* very good, very deep friendship as an adult (aside from my husband) - and that was/is a VERY long-distance friendship...and I need good, LOCAL friends...friends with skin on, right here, in my house, hanging out, coaxing me out of my house, and encouraging me in the dailiness of my life.

Of mice and men...

...or How the Military can mess with your plans.

First off, grad school is looking less and less overwhelming, as the days pass, and especially so after this last weekend of playing catch-up. I am no longer BEHIND, and finally feel like I actually might be able to keep up. Believe me, this is a BEAUTIFUL thing!!

Today is the second day of school for the kids for the year. Everyone survived their first day back, and mom and dad survived signing away the forests of Virginia...seriously, how many reams of paper did they just waste to send all of that crap home....and that was just for MY children. Oh, but my house was SO nice and quiet yesterday. I got a LOT accomplished!!

My work schedule has had to be adjusted, of late, to accommodate the addition of classes to the schedule. It also means (*ahem*) that my husband thinks he can just add things for me to do, on a whim, and because I work from home I *should* be able to just go and do, at his bidding. Yeah, that creates a little tension in our house from time to time.

Yesterday he called me up to ask if I was *free* at 1:00 tomorrow (today). He is almost at the end of his tour with his current command, and there is to be an awards ceremony this afternoon, and the command wants me to attend. Of course, I said I could be there...I want to be supportive of him!!

But, this end-of-command brings up the real change of plans. The end of one set of orders means the beginning of another. Which means transition. Change. I don't do change...or rather, I don't LIKE change. And this one is a doozie. Jason is separating from this command on the 15th, and will have approximately a month off, after which he reports to his new command, to head out for training before leaving for what is affectionately (*insert sarcasm font*) known as the sandbox. For a year.

Now, I know a lot of people who have been down this route repeatedly. And lived through it. And their families survived. But the last time Jason was deployed was 8 years ago - and that was only for four months. I'm out of practice. And I'm more than a little nervous.

There's a LOT to deal with on the homefront, when there are as many people in the house as we have. It would be NICE to have a second driver while he's gone....but the oldest is terrified of driving, even though she could have gotten her license way back in February. And she is in marching band...which means practices and competitions and football games. And the next two are in band at the middle school....and one is going to be in the Art Club. And then there are activities for the three in elementary school.

Plus, Frances is still dealing with the numbness in her arms and hands, and after a year the doctors still haven't figured out why. All they can tell us is that her nerves are healthy, and everything looks normal. So we have periodic doctors' visits, more testing, and twice-weekly physical therapy appointments.

And then there is my school. And work. And church. See why I'm a little nervous about his leaving? There's only one of me. And there is enough to keep two or three of us busy. And even for all of my advertising and begging, no one has found my clone, or stepped forward to offer their services as my administrative assistant (volunteer position, of course!).

So, that leaves me in the same place as many other military spouses...preparing for being a married single parent, and not knowing how I'm going to be able to do it. I know that I have wonderful friends, and a GREAT church family, and I KNOW that I can call on them for emergencies, and they'll rally. The emergencies are not what concern me so much. It's the dailiness that gets to me. The trying to figure out how to juggle everything, without dropping any of the important stuff. (which is already happening - who am I kidding...I forget stuff ALL the time...even if it IS written in my day planner!).

So, now I am off...I have work to get done before heading to his awards ceremony. And laundry. And dishes. You know...all of those things that have to get done anyway....

Moving right along here

I am *almost* through my first week as a grad student.

I survived orientation. I was overwhelmed. And confused.

I survived my first class. I was overwhelmed. And confused.

Yes, the story continues through my whole first week. My only hope is that it will all start to make sense to me before too long. The pieces ARE starting to come together. I really am starting to wish I weren't working still, AND trying to keep up with school. Because my full-time load? There's more to it than that. There are two not-for-credit classes that I have to take, too. I started one of them tonight...the library class should be easy enough. The writing class is the one that has me concerned.

And I am finding that I am at quite a disadvantage when it comes to technology. Who'd have thought it? Me...the one who is ALWAYS on the computer, getting lost when it comes to Blackboard, Outlook, and all of the other various websites and programs I have to learn. Ugh. My head is swimmy.

Oh, and my first assignment for my first class involved being in front of a camera. Sigh. I'd MUCH rather be BEHIND said camera. This, too shall pass, right? They say it is for our own good. I'm sure it is. But that does not make it any easier for me.

And now, I have to get back to work...billing time is upon me, and I have to get some sleep because I have my last class for the week at 9:00 in the morning.

A new era...

This morning I had a telephone interview with the Admissions Guy at The School. I thought it went really well. He couldn't tell me anything about whether or not I was officially a student, but only that he had to talk to The Committee, and that he'd call me back. Oh, and that Orientation is tomorrow. EEK!!!

So I had to wait. And work my little fingers off, just in case. Because I still have to get my work done.

And the butterflies set in. And I started to second-guess myself.

Except that I was reminded again on Sunday why I am doing this. Our pastor spoke about the giftings that God gives us (you can go watch the sermon here...it is called "Designed With Heart"), and the passions He gives us, and how when those two things fit together, we KNOW which way we are supposed to be heading. And THIS PROGRAM fits that passion. Which means going back to school. Full time. After 20 years. I think I have fallen off my rocker. Maybe. This is not going to be easy....

So, I am working, and butterflying, and fixing meals for kids, and delivering meals to kids, and waiting for the phone to ring, and working some more, and doing laundry, and babysitting...it was a busy day.

And finally, at 4:16 p.m., I got the phone call. I am officially a graduate student in the University School of Counseling. Nervous, scared out of my mind, and slightly insane about cover where I am right now. And everyone has been SO encouraging, but I am still scared, so please keep up the encouragement all the way through the next 2 1/2 years...because I am going to need it.

Now, off to make sure I have something to wear to Grad School Orientation.... what DOES one wear to Orientation as a grad student?!?

The end of the school year

I am SO excited! I LOVE having my kids home for the summer! I get more sleep. The house gets CLEANED. The kids get more sleep. I GET MORE SLEEP. Again, VERY excited.

I actually LOVE spending time with my kids. They challenge me. They stretch me. They give the best hugs!

I am also really looking forward to some really focused teaching time with them this summer. We have been reminded again how opposite the curriculum in the public schools is to what we believe. And we are finding that our children are in need of some focused study into what God's Word teaches regarding truth, Creation, environmentalism, friendships, and respect for others. So, I have my work cut out for me.

Meanwhile, there are only 5 more days until they are FINISHED. One full day of school for the high-schooler, and then exams. End of the year celebrations, gathering of the left-overs of the school year, saying goodbye to friends, and making big plans for the summer. And most of my children are sad to see the school year come to an end. They LOVE school.

And our summer plans include sleeping in, trips to the beach, lots of time with friends, some lessons at home, a possible move (across town), a visit with extended family, and lots of fun. And maybe I'll get to hang out on the beach with my drink in hand, relaxing. Then again, maybe not...NOT my scene...

Update on Frances

I was educated on Sunday on some more help that the school *should* be giving us...because Frances can't write on some days, her grades are falling. Most of her teachers are VERY helpful. One, however, considers ANY help to be cheating. Huh? How can accommodating a disability be cheating? Ahem.

So, I was educated. Informed that the schools have LOTS of extra laptops that can be loaned to Frances for her to take notes, take tests, etc.

And I called the school to talk to the nurse, since she seems to be the one that handles anything to do with accommodating students with injuries or disabilities. I talked with the nurse's assistant, who was very knowledgeable of the teacher who is the least helpful/most hindering...hmmm...maybe this is not the first time this has happened?

I haven't heard anything back yet. I will call again tomorrow.

Friday is Frances' appointment with the neurologist. I got the packet from them in the mail, and was both encouraged and overwhelmed. They want details about her monthly development as a child...what month did she sit up? what month did she stand? what month did she say dada? Oh, boy. The encouraging part was that they actually asked these questions...the other neuro....not so much...

I pulled out the baby books. HA! It might have been a good idea to write all of that stuff down, after all........so the neurologist gets "no remembered delays."

I have been talking some more with the physical therapist, who is writing up a report for us to take to the appointment. Her research is coming up empty with anything related to the spine as the cause. It is looking more and more like a CENTRAL nervous system problem, i.e. brain or brain stem. Mom is getting more and more scared....and anxious for the appointment.

Frances is just upset that she's going to have to be out of school for the whole day. Yeah, my kids LOVE school....they're cool that way!!

So please, keep praying. Again, we know God's got this. He has a plan. I just wish I knew what it was right now....because the unknownness of this is killing me. Thank you for your encouraging words, and your prayers...they sustain me....

My brain is swimming

So, remember those resolutions I made? Especially number...[long pause while I go look up the number]....Number 2. Go back to school to get my Master's Degree. Yeah, that one is going to kick my butt...and I'm not even to the applying to programs stage yet.

I've been researching schools...online schools and local schools, as well as some that are neither.

Bachelor's programs, Master's programs, certificate programs...

Application requirements, prerequisites, and GPAs....

Do you know how long it has been since I went to school?!? ANY school?!? Some of those things they are asking for in Masters' programs were not even invented yet when I was in college, back in the dark ages.

Seriously...one program I looked at required 3 to 4 foreign language classes in the last 10 years. Huh? It has been longer than that since I took ANY classes. The last language classes were in high school, and I graduated from THAT in 1987. Yeah, I am *that* old.

Then, as I finished researching the degree I *thought* I wanted, I realized that it was not REALLY what I wanted, so I am back to figuring out which subject matter to study. Ugh. I didn't expect THIS part to be so hard.

How am I going to survive the actually going to school part?!?