Our Christmas Break

Elijah and I are off for two weeks for Christmas break and Jacob will be home for a whole month. My hone still has to work, but has the next three days off! We have actually gotten to sleep in a few mornings and we are enjoying the nice weather.

I completed my Master's Degree in Special Education from Texas Tech University this month. I am not a certified Educational Diagnostician. I am still waiting for my diploma to arrive in the mail! I can't wait to get it. I was able to print my certification out on the TEA website, and that definitely made it feel more real. I can't believe I have my master's degree! Jacob has only one more semester left in school and he will graduate with his associate's degree in May of next year!

Elijah is doing well. We went to see his doctor for his Tourette Syndrome, OCD and ADHD. She got to see a lot of his impulsivity at this visit. He was persistent at trying to get his way when she tried to talk to him. We are changing his medication a bit, and will go back in about six weeks. She mentioned a genetic test that might help pinpoint which medications would work best for him. The interesting thing, is this was mentioned at the Tourette Support Group meeting we attended back on Dec. 12th. I called the genetic company, and our insurance is not on their list yet, but I was assured the out of cost for me would not exceed an amount that I am willing to pay. I am going to take him next week for a cheek swab and then see what we can find out. The family at the support group meeting said that when they had the testing done, they learned a lot about the medications that would help their son and it has been very helpful. The doctor wants to possibly change his ADHD medication, but it is hard to know what to change him too, but hopefully this testing will help. I am excited about it, but don't want to get too excited

We are very excited about Christmas. Elijah got a new bed, which my hone, Jacob and I put together yesterday. Elijah helped some, but it was a small room and we needed all the room we could get to put the bed together. He did run some things back and forth for us and keep an eye on our progress. He was so excited to get his bed. Jacob's big gift is the car he is now driving. I have a few surprises for both boys. All of my other shopping is pretty much done. I have a few more things to pack. My honey and I want to go shopping and look at some jewelry. We just aren't sure if we want to fight the crowds tomorrow.

We have also been busy baking. I have been making snow ball cookies and will be making pralines later this week. We have also been making truffles! Jacob and Elijah love to help make truffles.

TRUFFLES

 My honey and I roll out the truffles and then put them in the sprinkles. The boys are in charge of making sure the truffles are covered in sprinkles.  They then put them in the mini muffin cups. Every 10th truffles requires a taste test for quality control and we each take our turn testing the truffles. We let them know what time we will be making truffles and the boys make sure they are there, or they know they miss out. We have fun as we make the truffles and it is a nice time to talk! We have made several batches of truffles.



Jacob and Elijah making truffles.

Today my nephew and niece came over and we made Christmas cookies. This is something else I enjoy doing this time of year. We had a lot of fun and the kids got to cut out cookies, bake them, and then decorate them. We use sprinkles on the cookies as well! My honey also has some Christmas favorites she likes to bake. We have been baking for several months. Elijah takes treats to all of his teachers and I hand treats out to my staff.


I am looking forward to 2016. I can't believe how much has happened this past year!! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!


Almost Halfway through Summer

I cannot believe we are approaching the middle of July! It has been a busy summer. My niece has been coming to stay with us on Mondays and Wednesdays. We have visited one museum, gone to one movie and been to the library several times. The library has a "TEEN ROOM" for kids in the 6th-12th grade, and this is the first year she could go into the room. She was SO excited! She and Elijah hang out there for about an hour or so and I read the paper or look for books. We plan on doing a few more things this summer!

Elijah, my mom and I all went to Alabama to see our family there. My grandmother just turned 89 years old and I really wanted to see her. I also got to see several aunts and uncles as well as cousins. It was a long drive, but we had a good time!

My grad school class started on July 7th and boy is there a LOT of work to do. I am not doing many shops for my mystery shops ( I think have three shops scheduled for the rest of the month), so I have plenty of time to do the work. I am driving and seeing two hearing impaired babies this month as part of their early intervention program. Extra pay for me and it is fun to play with the babies, even if it is work. I have also driven into work for a few meetings, but nothing too serious and I also get paid for those. I start my internship in the Fall and that will be VERY interesting. I did get a $7,000 scholarship for the summer class and for the fall, so I really don't need to mystery shop. I got a small grant too. Jacob even got a scholarship for school!! I will be graduating in December!

Jacob has been home a few times this summer. He is taking a FULL summer semester, meaning 15 weeks of school. He will be graduating in May of 2016! He likes his classes and is doing well living on his own. He does listen and take my advice most of the time!

We have had NO 100 degree days so far this summer but that may change next week. Elijah has a few more doctor's appointments and he will be seeing the ophthalmologist next week. HE MAY NEED GLASSES! Just one more thing!!

My honey is doing well and working hard. She hopes to have a day off in a few weeks and maybe we will go shopping. I almost forgot, we have gotten the guest bathroom redone. We are still waiting on the vanity, but everything else is done! I am so excited!! I think that is all for now! How is everyone else doing?

Counting the Days

I am counting the days until Summer break. I have 5 1/2 more days with students and then 1 1/2 work days. It will be a busy summer. I am planning on doing some mystery shopping in June and my mom and I are taking Elijah to Alabama to visit the family. My grandmother turned 89 this month and I really want to see her. It has been two years since I have been back home. Jacob is down in Waco for his summer semester at TSTC. It is a full 15 week semester, not summer school which moves at a much faster rate and is only about four weeks. He has already texted me to tell me he needs some help with math when he comes home this weekend.

I got some good news this week! I received a $7,000 scholarship for graduate school. It will cover my summer class that I am taking that starts July 7th and my Fall semester classes. I am going to call Texas Tech and cancel my school loan! This will cover tuition, books, and any other supplies I need. I plan on quitting mystery shopping come July 1st and focus on school and the family. It will be hard to give it up, because I love the thrill of getting good shops and extra pay. Next Fall is my last semester in grad school and I will graduate in December. I will be completing my internship for my certification as an educational diagnostician, so it will be a tough semester, but I know I can focus on school now and still be able to focus on the boys, my honey and the rest of my family! It is really wonderful that this happened, and I feel blessed!

We really aren't doing much except for the trip to Alabama. I have one two day workshop in June and Jacob's girlfriend is going to watch Elijah for me. It is close enough that I will drive back and forth each day. I plan on taking a few days here and there to go to the movies, visit some museums and plan some other activities with Elijah. We are also planning on joining the rec center here in town. It is a good price and I like to go walking there. The library is right next door, so Elijah and I will go and walk and then go to the library. Once my class starts, it is a good place to work and let him hang out in the teen room. He also likes to check out books and read. I want to have him read to me this summer.  Hopefully, my honey will be able to join us on a few of these days when we go to a museum or go shopping!

Update on Us!

We have had a busy few weeks. My honey and I took Elijah down to the weekend Tourette Syndrome camp back in April. He had a wonderful weekend and we had a great time shopping in Brenham. He is so much more social when he is there and seems to get along with everyone just fine. He can't wait to go back again next year. We both have four more weeks of school left and then it is SUMMER TIME!!


Jacob has been home for the last week, but goes back to school tomorrow. He and his girlfriend are going to PROM tonight! I can't wait to see them all dressed up! He starts his summer semester on Monday. It is a full 15 week semester and he should be graduating in May of next year!!


I finished my semester of grad school on May 3rd, but I had already turned everything in by April 10th. I got an A in both classes and will take one class this summer starting July 7th. It will be 13 weeks of a class crammed into about four weeks, but it is doable.  I then have two classes next Fall and will graduate in December.


Elijah will be a freshman next year and wants to join the ROTC. I am going to let him join and see how it goes. Both Jacob and my brother Alex were in ROTC and really liked it. I think it will be good for Elijah and hopefully teach him a lot about responsibility and how to get organized. We shall see!! Changing schools is always a huge transition for any kid, but really seems to be huge for Elijah.


We don't have any big plans for the summer. My mom, Elijah and I are going to travel to Alabama in June. I have a two day workshop in June also. My niece is going to stay with us a few days in June and that will be fun. Jacob will visit during the summer and we will all enjoy the time off.


I am truly counting down these last few weeks of school. I have enjoyed my year teaching at the elementary level, but am ready for the change that is coming next year. I will fill y'all in on that later! It isn't a huge change, but it is a change! The next few weeks will be hectic with a few field trips, a field day (I hope I survive that), and some high school students visiting us at the  elementary school. I am sure it will all move too fast and summer will be here before I know it, at least I hope that is what happens!!

Snow Days!

Elijah, my hone and I have all been home for the last two days due to the ice. School was cancelled for both Elijah and I. My honey cancelled her classes, because she didn't want to drive out in the ice and I don't blame her! I just found out that my school district has a two hour delay tomorrow morning. Now, being home has been nice. We have slept in and made a nice dessert today. I even got a nap and also got ahead on several grad school assignments.

However, being stuck home with a child who has OCD and tics can be a challenge. Elijah was determined he was going to play outside yesterday. First of all, it was ICE not snow and secondly HE has a nasty cough. He got breathing treatments every three hours yesterday and today. He would NOT drop it yesterday and kept trying to sneak out. He just had it stuck in his head that HE HAD to go outside and play. The tics have not been too bad, but there were a few times I had to ask him to go to his room to watch TV. I could only take the noise for so long and my computer is in the den where I do my grad school work. This only happened once yesterday and once today, so overall it wasn't too bad. I also limit his time with electronics (iPad, Nintendo DS and Wii-U) so he was BORED quite a bit. I played with him some, but there is only so much we could do!

Of course, now Elijah is determined that there will be NO school tomorrow. He is even arguing with me about it. I have remained calm and reminded him that the decision has not been made and we will get up in the morning and see what the news has to say. The school district will call me if there is a late start or cancellation. I am hoping he just doesn't argue with me in the morning and then have his bad attitude carry over into school. At least there are only three days left this week.

Christmas Break is Finally Here

Christmas break is finally here. Jacob arrived home on Dec. 12th and it has been good to have him home. He went out to help my mom at her house today! Elijah's last few weeks at school were uneventful, which is a good thing. It has been crazy at work. One of the other deaf ed. teachers broke her arm and a new student moved into our area. Staff had to be shifted, but we all work well together and we made it to TODAY! We were all so ready for today to get here and my students were also ready.

I have been busy making pralines and snowball cookies. I made cookies with my students at school and we decorated them too. It was a lot of fun and a good learning experience for them! I gave away a lot of goodie bags and had fun doing it. I have a few more Christmas gifts to get, but not too much. I have MORE baking to do! I have pralines and snowball cookies to make for family and sugar cookies to make with Elijah, my niece and my nephew!

I will be working on school stuff here and there to get ahead for when we go back. Grad school starts back on January 14th and life will get busy again! I want to enjoy the next two weeks. Jacob and I have some yard work to do and I am going to have him help me steam clean the carpets. I need his strength! My poor shoulder just can't take it!

I hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

School Year 2014-15

The last three weeks have been a little hectic and crazy. Elijah started the 8th grade back on Aug. 25th and so far things are going well. He has settled in nicely with only a few emails needed to keep me informed of behavior. I started back in the classroom on Aug. 25 with grades 3-5! I have five students who keep me very busy and I am happy to say that my sign skills are as good as they were five years ago! I am really loving being in the classroom!

I also started graduate school on Aug. 25th.  Thankfully, the first week of assignments consisted of "introduce yourself" activities and no real work was required. I am happy to say that all of my assignments that are due by this weekend (Sept. 14th) are done and I am working on next weeks assignments! I am liking the material and as always learning a lot.

Jacob started college this year at a state technical school that is two hours away. Elijah and I helped him move on Aug. 30th. Lets just say, IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE! The major issue that day was getting him a key for HIS room in the apartment he shares with three other guys. Once that got sorted out, we got him moved in quickly. It was an all day event though with getting his wireless services set up and waiting in a LOT of lines! I was exhausted when we left, but had two days to recover before heading back to work.

Jacob seems to have settled in nicely. He texts at least once a day, per my request, so that I can make sure he is still alive. He likes his classes, from what he tells me and doesn't seem homesick. I have talked to him a few times on the phone, but I am trying to let him spread his wings! I think he will come home the weekend of the 20th.

I do miss him, but I am happy for him. Elijah has done well with the transition and as always my honey is very supportive! The cats seemed to have adjusted as well. I am curious to see what happens when Jacob comes home for a visit. If it weren't for the cats, I don't think we would see him until Christmas!

I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well this year for all of us. It is a big year of change. This time next year, Elijah will be a FRESHMAN in HIGH SCHOOL and I will be in my last semester of grad school! YIKES!

Time for an Update

Wow, I just looked at my last post and it was done several weeks ago! I have been so busy with work and grad school! I am happy to say that grad school is going well. I am ahead in both of my classes with my assignments. I have five projects that need to be completed in the next few weeks, but I think I have a handle on them. I really only have ONE more assignment that needs to be done!

Jacob continues to work at a grocery store each weekend. He still likes his computer maintenance class. He will be applying to Texas State Technical College next month! We then need to decide about housing! WOW! His senior year seems to be flying by already.

Elijah is still doing well. He has had a few minor issues at school, but when you compare them to what has happened in the past they are really minor! He is really into Pokémon books and loves to read! It is cute to see him with his nose in a book all excited about what he is reading. He and I went to Tourette Support Group meeting this past weekend and he had an awesome time. He call them the "tic meetings"! Next month we are going to the Perot Museum with the group!

Work keeps me busy, but thing seem to be slowing a down a little. I'll take whatever I can get. The weather has turned cooler and we are all enjoying that. My honey is working a LOT of late nights, and I wish I saw her more. We have plans to go out to dinner with a friend on Sunday afternoon, so that will be nice!

I'll try to post more often, but really there isn't much going on but work and school for all of us!

My Bookstand

Here is the bookstand that ordered, so I can do my grad school work. I have noticed that my neck and back have been bothering me after I do work on the computer for school. It didn't take long to figure out that laying the book in my lap and typing was not working! I went online to Amazon and ordered this bookstand!

I finally got a chance to try out the bookstand today and I love it! It is easy to set up and there are clips at the bottom to hold the pages in place. This is going to save my neck and back! I can't believe  I didn't think of this sooner.

Grad school is going well and I am ahead in both my classes by a few weeks. I should be registering for next semester by the beginning of November!

Three Weeks In!

We are three weeks into school and all of us are doing well. Elijah has had an AWESOME start to 7th grade. So far, his behavior chart is working well and he is earning trips to Sweet Frog each week. He loves the yogurt and candy there. Jacob is also doing well. He is enjoying his computer maintenance class, which is a college class. He gets out of school at 2:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and he really LIKES that. He works at a local grocery store on the weekend and likes having his own money. He pays for all of his car insurance and gas! He is even managing to put some money into savings!

I am doing well in graduate school. I am taking two classes and have had five assignments graded! I received a 10/10 on all five assignments. I have turned in one project and am waiting for my score on that one! I am actually a few weeks ahead in both classes and am glad. I have a few projects that are coming up that will keep me busy. I am planning on staying ahead so that I have plenty of time to get assignments and projects completed with little stress!

Elijah and I go to the library each weekend for a few hours. He enjoys playing video games in the Teen Room. He gets to be around other kids and practice those social skills. I take my books and laptop to work. I am able to set everything up and work right outside of the Teen Room, so I can check on him. So far, he has done well, except for last Saturday. He got a little loud and was given three warnings. He had to leave the Teen Room. I am fine with that, because he has to learn how to behave in public. We went again today and he did just fine. He really enjoys going and it is good for both of us!!

First Week of School for ALL of Us!

Jacob, Elijah and I all started school this past Monday. Now, I am a teacher, so many of you may think that I just went back to teaching. I also started GRAD school this past Monday online through Texas Tech! I didn't even get to look at my assignments until Monday night, and by then I thought I was crazy for even trying.

Let's backtrack a little, though. Jacob had a great start to school. He is now OFFICIALLY a SENIOR! How did that happen?? He likes all of his classes and really likes his computer maintenance class. He gets out of school at 2:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays! He is still working at Albertsons, but only two days a week!

Elijah started seventh grade at the junior high school. He also had a great first week of school. He is using his status sheet again, and had NO REDS! He can earn a green, yellow or red for each class. If he gets all greens he can have the iPad that night. We also count the number of greens he gets each week and he can earn a trip to SWEET FROG for frozen yogurt or something else we decide on!

Now, let's get back to me! I rarely get to talk about ME! I am taking two online classes through Texas Tech to earn my Masters in Special Education and Diagnostician's Certificate! I am finding both classes very interesting. As of today, I have all of my lessons for this week turned in and have started my lessons for next week! My plan is to stay ahead, so that way I don't have to rush! I have observation hours I need to complete, but can use all of my hours from teaching last year towards that, so that is a load off of my mind.

I am so caught up this morning, that I even worked on a Power Point lesson for one of the new deaf ed. teachers in my district. I'll be home this morning, and then Elijah and I are going to the library this afternoon. I figure I can work there on my laptop and he can play in the Teen Center. It works out good for both of us!

I'll try to keep y'all posted on how we are doing, but if you don't hear much from me then I AM BUSY!

Big Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow is almost upon us! Jacob starts his Senior year and Elijah starts his first year in junior high school. I return to work, after a week of inservice last week, AND start graduate school. I won't even be able to sign in until after I get home from work tomorrow to check out my classes. 

I am driving Elijah to school and my honey is driving Jacob. She is using his car because her car is in the shop. After school, he and I will go and pick up his car that she will leave at the mechanics after picking up her car. She has to work tomorrow afternoon and can't go with us to get her car! I know it sounds confusing, but we have it all worked out.

Hopefully at some point, I can check on my classes! I will hopefully get to update you all soon on how it all went!

Graduate School

Today's blog is more of an update on ME! I am returning to college and will be working on my Masters in Special Education focusing on becoming a diagnostician. I had been wanting to return to school for several years, but had never followed through. Now that the boys are older and Elijah is more mature(I hope!), I can finally focus on me a bit. I also wasn't sure what I wanted to study if I returned to school, so that had kept me from pursuing a Masters.

I did some research and found that I could attend Texas Tech online and complete my Masters in three years. I can do it in two and a half if I take two classes for one summer. I decided to focus on becoming a diagnostician, because there are very few, if any, diagnosticians in our state that know sign language and who have an understanding of how deaf kids function. I have worked with some great diagnosticians, but there is a piece missing when an interpreter has to be used.

I am excited about starting my online classes on August 26th. I have ordered my books and am all registered. I applied for financial aid and received a grant and a loan. Jacob is going to be a senior and Elijah will be in seventh grade. It will be a very busy year, but in the long run, I think this will give me many more options in my career.  I will let y'all know how it is going!