Double or nothing

A few weeks ago we were encouraging C to rip out a tooth that has been loose for at least 2 months. Finally it was only hanging on by a thread (or whatever holds our teeth in place), and sticking straight out. I just couldn't take it and she wouldn't let me pull it. I encouraged her to move it around until it came loose. She went to bed with it still not removed and came out distraught about 20 minutes later. Turns out that she ripped out the tooth next to the super loose tooth (don't worry it was almost ready to come out as well). This resulted in a fair amount of blood which freaked her out. I ripped (gently pulled - it didn't need much coaxing) out the other tooth the next day. So, the tooth fairy made a double night visit. She still has a card under her pillow for the tooth fairy and the next time she visits. (She thinks a note is part of the deal and why shouldn't it be??)

Halloween and a scary tail/tale

Halloween was eventful this year...pumpkin carving, baking, classroom volunteering, trunk or treat, trick or treat and missing cats. Let's start from the top. The kids had a lot of fun this year carving the pumpkin. Finally neither of them are grossed out by the insides of the pumpkin.The final product. The kids always like to add the green ears on the pumpkin.

I also did some baking for the C's classroom. I think the spiderweb cupcakes turned out great. Good news is they were also yummy! I spent the part of the afternoon helping out at C's school party. The kids had a parade, and party. C was a ballerina
And H was a soccer zombie - all his idea.

The cat also decided to enjoy Halloween. Chewy followed a family around the neighborhood as they trick or treated - he had to pick the only family who is completely afraid of all pets! We tried to get him to come home, but he wasn't having it and continued running around after all the trick or treaters. I can only imagine that he was thinking - "this is great everyone is out to play". We figured he would just come home later, but another neighbor lady thought he was lost, rescued him (took him to her house), and put found signs up all over the neighborhood the next day. He hasn't run away since, and doesn't chase "fraidy" neighbors anymore either.

Behind on all things blog

Hi all! I am pretty behind on posting things we have been up to. Especially things that have accompanying pictures. So hopefully you will learn soon be able to read about:

Halloween (including a special story)

C's first gymnastics meet

Scouts

Roller Skating

Summer family day

Missing teeth

And anything else that happens between now and then

So, stay tuned maybe some of this will even appear tonight - in the meantime enjoy an new blog photo - courtesy of Cooper, my lovely friend and wonderful photographer!

up in flames

So about 4 years ago the kids got a dvd player. I had been telling J to get them one, but he wasn't convinced. Then one day (several days after getting my tonsils removed), he invited me to a party for the company he did business with. I couldn't really eat, but I wanted to get out so we went. I wasn't much of a date (too weak to enjoy myself, in too much pain to talk, and couldn't swallow real food yet). When I got there I found out they were giving things away. We came home with a water bottle, nice coat for John to use at work, and a portable dvd player. Let's just say we have enjoyed the dvd ever since. I would even say some have abused it (meaning C and H a little). C loves to plug it in an watch a show with popcorn (of course) at least a couple times a week. Well a couple of days ago while she was enjoying this favorite activity the plug started on fire. Luckily it tripped the circuit and didn't cause much damage, but the DVD is now toast (burnt toast). Good thing we gave H one a while back when C started abusing the other. Now we have to keep track of it so we have it for trips! PS No one was hurt in the burning of the DVD player.

SND, PhD

So yesterday it became official - I can now put PhD at the end of my name! Lots of hard work, but the defense went well. Since then I have had a lot of attention (which is a little uncomfortable for me), and now I am back to work trying to make the final edits to my paper. As it turns out they aren't too bad and I had anticipated this as part of the process since I know my committee members very well by now.

The kids started calling me Dr. mom, but I asked them to stop. It just felt too weird and made it seem like being a Dr. came first over or is more important than being a mom (which I don't think is true at all).

Anyway, you might wonder if I feel different, excited, happy, etc. The best description is relaxed and content. Yep, 12+ years of higher ed (more like 13.5 for me) and I feel content. Guess I better get used to it since I am not getting another degree.

Thank you to all who sent kind messages yesterday and who continue to congratulate me!

4 days

Lots can happen in 4 days. Take for example the last 4 days in my life...

-J injured his eye with a bungee cord (hifema). He has strict orders to do nothing for about a week.

-C learned to tie her shoes!

-Bad health news for my brother - we are praying for you and your family!

-J's dad broke his hip - apparently not a horrible break but a few days in the hospital and then a care facility for rehabilitation.

-Plus all the ordinary happenings - things eaten by the dog, school stuff, teaching, etc.

Also in just 4 days I should be Dr. D! Hope everything goes well, I am both excited and nervous.

I just realized today...

that by the time I graduate with my PhD, I will have been in college almost as long as I was in public school K-12. That is a scary thought!

Trying to get the Big D done and off to my committee by Friday - so need to go back to editing now.

I love sun

We have had at least a week to 10 days of consecutive rain/gloom around here. Some places nearby even got 13+ inches in a few days time, which caused some serious flooding. We got less, but it has still been yucky. Well today the sun is out and I have to say I am loving it. Even though I am in my room making edits to the big D, I find myself more energized and happy with the sun around. For those of you who get to soak it up all the time - note my slight jealousy. I guess it's true that "you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone"! One week until the big deadline - gotta get back to work now!

A must read

Hi all! I think I posted about something like this a while back - but it has been at least a year. I don't usually get on my soap box, but this is way too important to stand by and do nothing. I came across this article preparing for the class I teach and I think it is one of those that you really should read. For example, did you know that a literature review of a number of studies indicate that apprx. 90% of parents who find out their child will have Down Syndrome during pregnancy will have an abortion? That statistic makes me feel ill. The article is one that expresses the movement to try and get parents faced with the decision to terminate a pregnancy more information about what raising a child with Down Syndrome is really like. I know parents of children in our area are also trying to have a similar movement here, but doctors are very resistant to having parents meet with families who are raising children with Down Syndrome. Having spent time with children with a variety of disabilities I don't doubt it is a challenge, but I believe the reward outweighs any challenges. Anyway, here is the text of the article for you to read for yourself. Warning to all who proceed - prepare to be outraged!

Prenatal Test Puts Down Syndrome in Hard Focus

By AMY HARMON

DETROIT — Sarah Itoh, a self-described “almost-eleven-and-a- half,” betrayed no trace of nervousness as she told a roomful of genetic counselors and obstetricians about herself one recent afternoon.

She likes to read, she said. Math used to be hard, but it is getting easier. She plays clarinet in her school band. She is a junior girl scout and an aunt, and she likes to organize, so her room is very clean. Last year, she won three medals in the Special Olympics.

“I am so lucky I get to do so many things,” she concluded. “I just want you to know, even though I have Down syndrome, it is O.K.”

Sarah’s appearance at Henry Ford Hospital here is part of an unusual campaign being undertaken by parents of children with Down syndrome who worry about their future in the face of broader prenatal testing that could sharply reduce the number of those born with the genetic condition.

Until this year, only pregnant women 35 and older were routinely tested to see if their fetuses had the extra chromosome that causes Down syndrome. As a result many couples were given the diagnosis only at birth. But under a new recommendation from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, doctors have begun to offer a new, safer screening procedure to all pregnant women, regardless of age.

About 90 percent of pregnant women who are given a Down syndrome diagnosis have chosen to have an abortion.

Convinced that more couples would choose to continue their pregnancies if they better appreciated what it meant to raise a child with Down syndrome, a growing group of parents is seeking to insert their own positive perspectives into a decision often dominated by daunting medical statistics and doctors who feel obligated to describe the difficulties of life with a disabled child.

They are pressing obstetricians to send them couples who have been given a prenatal diagnosis and inviting prospective parents into their homes to meet their children. In Massachusetts, for example, volunteers in a “first call” network linking veteran parents to new ones are now offering support to couples deciding whether to continue a pregnancy.

The parent evangelists are driven by a deep-seated fear for their children’s well-being in a world where there are fewer people like them. But as prenatal tests become available for a range of other perceived genetic imperfections, they may also be heralding a broader cultural skirmish over where to draw the line between preventing disability and accepting human diversity.

“We want people who make this decision to know our kids,” said Lucy Talbot, the president of a support group here who prevailed on the hospital to give Sarah and two teenage friends an audience. “We want them to talk to us.”

The focus on the unborn is new for most parent advocates, who have traditionally directed their energy toward support for the born. But after broader testing was recommended in January, the subject began to hijack agendas at local support group meetings.

A dwindling Down syndrome population, which now stands at about 350,000, could mean less institutional support and reduced funds for medical research. It could also mean a lonelier reduced funds for medical research. It could also mean a lonelier

world for those who remain.

“The impact of these changes on the Down syndrome community is going to be huge,” said Dani Archer, a mother in Omaha who has set aside other Down syndrome volunteer work to strategize about how to reach prospective parents.

The 5,500 children born with Down syndrome each year in the United States suffer from mild to moderate mental retardation, are at high risk for congenital heart defects and a variety of other medical problems, and have an average life expectancy of 49. As adults, some hold jobs, but many have difficulty living independently.

“There are many couples who do not want to have a baby with Down syndrome,” said Deborah A. Driscoll, chief of the obstetrics department at the University of Pennsylvania and a lead author of the new recommendation from the obstetricians’ group. “They don’t have the resources, don’t have the emotional stamina, don’t have the family support. We are recommending this testing be offered so that parents have a choice.”

But the richness of their children’s lives, parent advocates say, is poorly understood. Early medical intervention and new expertise in infant heart surgery stave off many health problems; legally mandated inclusion in public schools has created opportunities for friendship and fostered broader social awareness of the condition.

With no formal financing or organization, parents are arranging to meet with local obstetricians, rewriting dated literature and pleading with health care workers to give out their phone numbers along with test results. Medical professionals have for the most part responded with caution. Genetic counselors, who often give test results to prospective parents, say they need to respect patients who may have already made up their minds to terminate their pregnancy. Suggesting that they read a flyer or spend a day with a family, they say, can unnecessarily complicate spend a day with a family, they say, can unnecessarily complicate

what is for many a painful and time-pressured decision.

Their goal, parents say, is not to force anyone to take on the task of parenting a child with disabilities. Many participants in the ad- hoc movement describe themselves as pro-choice. Yet some see themselves as society’s first line of defense against a use of genetic technology that can border on eugenics.

“For me, it’s just faces disappearing,” said Nancy Iannone, of Turnersville, N.J., mother to four daughters, including one with Down syndrome. “It isn’t about abortion politics or religion, it’s a pure ethical question.”

Others admit freely to a selfish motive for their new activism. “If all these people terminate babies with Down syndrome, there won’t be programs, there won’t be acceptance or tolerance,” said Tracy Brown, 37, of Seattle, whose 2-year-old son, Maxford, has the condition. “I want opportunities for my son. I don’t know if that’s right or wrong, but I do.”

Ms. Brown has taken it upon herself to serve as a community resource on Down syndrome for prospective parents. She was encouraged when a counselor at the University of Washington Medical Center sent her an e-mail message recently with a question from a patient.

What developmental age equivalent, the patient wanted to know, do most people with Down syndrome reach?

For parents on an e-mail list where Ms. Brown solicited answers, the question underscored the difficulty in conveying the pleasure of parenting a child with Down syndrome to someone who has the option to reject it.

“Verbally,” wrote one mother of her teenager, “she’s at a 6-month level, but what 6-month-old do you know who can climb out a window and dance on a roof?!?!? We joke that she could climb Mt. Everest.”

“If someone had told me Sam would still be in diapers at age 5 — ugh — I probably would have died,” wrote another. “Living through it, not such a big deal. Because you don’t give birth to a 5-year-old, you grow with and love this kid for five years.”

Doctors have long recommended an amniocentesis test for pregnant women 35 and over, whose age puts them at greater risk for chromosomal defects. But because it carries a small risk of miscarriage, it has not been routinely offered to younger women, who give birth to the majority of children with Down syndrome.

Now, with a first-trimester sonogram and two blood tests, doctors can gauge whether a fetus has the extra 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome with a high degree of accuracy and without endangering the pregnancy.

But many parents see expanded testing as a step toward a society where children like theirs would be unwelcome. The Newsweek columnist George F. Will labeled it a “search and destroy mission” for a category of citizens that includes his adult son, Jon Will.

Dr. Brian Skotko, a medical resident who has studied how mothers were told of prenatal diagnoses, found a high level of dissatisfaction. He said that most doctors have little or no training on how to relay a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

When he talked to obstetricians, geneticists and medical students at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston about the subject last month, though, he was questioned sharply.

One doctor asked about studies suggesting there is a higher risk of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome, potentially saddling parents with another caretaking burden as they themselves age. Others take issue with the notion that they do not give parents a balanced portrayal of the condition.

“It’s a mistake to say ‘your baby is going to be mentally retarded, you should have a pregnancy termination,’ ” said Dr. Allan Nadel, director of prenatal diagnosis at the hospital. “By the same token, I don’t think it’s quite fair to say ‘these are wonderful lovely human beings, you can deal with all of their problems and it’s not that big of a deal.’ We strive to have the proper balance.”

Parent advocates have some advice: don’t begin with “I’m sorry,” or “I have bad news,” as many of their own doctors did.

Weeks after Patricia Lanter decided to continue her pregnancy, having learned that Down syndrome had been diagnosed in her fetus, her doctor reminded her that she could still get an abortion in Kansas if an ultrasound indicated the baby would need heart surgery. Ms. Lanter, an emergency physician from Norwich, Vt., has secured an invitation to lecture the obstetricians in her hospital this summer.

In Wilmington, Del., Kristin Pidgeon recalled her doctor’s gloomy forecast for a local hospital audience: “She may be able to count change for the bus,” he had said of her as-yet-unborn daughter. “But what’s going to happen when the bus doesn’t come?” (Her daughter Aliza, now 5, does not yet take the bus, Ms. Pidgeon said, but she does ride horses as part of her therapy.)

In the Detroit suburbs, Ms. Talbot is still working out the best strategy to drive her points home to medical professionals. When one doctor suggested she had chosen to show them only “high- functioning kids” like Sarah and her own daughter, Megan, she asked Trevor Taylor, who lacks the ability to communicate verbally, to join the lineup.

At the Henry Ford visit, Mr. Taylor, 19, a natural ham, acted out his speech as Megan, 18, read it, before hitting the music and signing along to “What a Wonderful World.”

At the end, he blew a kiss to the audience. Then he hugged his mother.

J bday

J turned 32 yesterday. We celebrated by going to the grange fair - a one of a kind tradition around these parts. Several school districts specifically wait to start school so they don't interfere with the grange fair. I actually have been trying to contact someone via email for about a week and a half and just reached them by phone today - yep they are at the grange fair. For many people around here going to the grange is their only vacation. Even the YMCA programs shut down and downtown Bellefonte is a ghost town. People pass down their tent plots at the grange in their will (sort of like Packers tickets).

While we were there we tried deep fried oreos - they were good, but I prefer the original. We also ate gyros, and some also had funnel cake and cotton candy. I think the best description I have heard of this fair came from a fellow at church who said "Go to the grange fair and you will see all kinds of white folk there." Yep we sure did. We also saw more people sleeping in recliners, using scooters to get around (the mobility kind not kid toy kind), and more heart disease in the works than you can imagine. Let's just say I don't think I could go more than once a year. It was J's first (and likely last) time. We all left with belly aches. But hey, I am not knocking the grange fair - we did have a good time and saw cool things like a black chicken with a white afro (no lie) and a cow that forgot to wipe. So, if you all want to come for a visit make it this time of year so you too can have the experience of a lifetime!

Anyway - it was fun to celebrate J's bday - oh and I also turned in another dissertation draft to my adviser yesterday! Hip hip Horray! Now back to editing another paper - argh.

wimp yourself

H loves the Diary of a Wimpy kid series by Jeff Kinney. We were trying to find out when book 6 comes out when we came across a website that allows you to wimp yourself. Here's what we came up with:

Wimpy H

Wimpy C

Wimpy Mom (notice the backpack - a permanent student?)

Wimpy Dad

Oh and we also managed to make Wimpy Papa (pretend the hair is blond)

and Wimpy Nana from the 80s - you know we have photo proof to back this up :)

Time to lock myself away

Well, I suppose it happens to anyone in my situation, but the time has come to buckle down and get this dissertation done. This past week I spent a lot of time locked away in the room, and more of that is in my future. School starts in a week so I need to get as much as possible done before then. Great thing is, when I block out the world I make a lot of progress :) Still shooting for an early October defense which means a completed dissertation to my committee mid September!

Moving along

I finished data collection for the dissertation yesterday. I finished analyzing data today and it feels good to have that part done. Now lots of writing ahead of me. So happy to have headphones!
In other news J has what he hopes to be his final assessment for his next level as a referee. As long as he gets a pass tonight he is good to move on and take the test - classes, etc. I am very happy for him. Hopefully we get to go out and celebrate Thursday when we plan to have a date!
In other news, we are having a family day tomorrow at a local amusement park. We are very excited to have a day away from our normal (think crazy) schedule. I hope the kids have a blast!

Big D update

I already have 47 pages of my dissertation drafted (10,007 words to be exact)....plus I still have 2 more chapters to go. This is going to be a long one!

Attn all sports fans

Youth conference is in just a couple of days. It promises to be a tiring event for leaders and youth. Just thought some of my sports fan brothers might want to know that Dale Murphy (baseball superstar) will be at youth conference as a speaker. Turns out he is the father in law of my Laurel advisor at church - random but true. Just wondering if Matt has a baseball card he wishes he could get autographed?!

In other sports/church news Cael Sanderson - Olympic Gold Medalist in wrestling in 2004, who is also the head coach of the Penn State wrestling team is in our neighboring ward. His brother, the assistant coach at PSU, is in our ward.

If you want autographs you have to come visit us first!

:)

family visit

Around H's baptism and the fourth of July we had lots of family around. Nana,Papa, Uncle D, Antonio, Aunt L, and Uncle J all came for avisit. During that time we enjoyed a lot offun.Here are some ofthehighlights:

-Uncle D taught C how to

pump on a swing

-Picked wild raspberries with Aunt L & Papa

-H rode his motorcycle

-We went to music in the park

-We did an incredibly hard puzzle

-Papa turned 60 and we threw him a party with lots of fireworks

-Nana tested out aerobics with me

-Some of us went to movies

-We ate and ate and ate and ate!

H's baptism

H was baptized on July 2, 2011.It was a great day. We had Nana, Papa, Uncle D, Antonio, Aunt L, & Uncle J all there! We also had some of H's friends and ward family there. Nana played the piano, Papa gave a talk about baptism, Uncle D gave a talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost, C and I sang the song Baptism, and J performed the baptismal ordinance and confirmation. It was fantastic! H was dunked 2x - just like J and he said "I think it is so cool that I was dunked twice just like dad." Honestly I thought it was kind of cool too - a little family tradition by accident!

We are so proud of H. He is a great example. After he was baptized J asked him how he felt

and he shouted out "AMAZING!"What a great way to describe his feelings. About a week after his baptism during sacrament H leaned over to me with a big grin

and said "Mom I feel clean!" See what I mean - what an example he is to all of us. He is a great big brother, helper, and son. We are so happy to have Big H in our family!

Writing goal

I will be done with data collection for my dissertation in about a week, so things are heating up for me to get the writing done. The past few weeks have kept me so busy with family stuff, kids, data collection, etc. I realized that I needed to set a goal to get myself back on target and make sure I am making enough progress each week.

Here are my goals:

-Write for 20 hours a week - I don't include other work I do such as coding data, emailing, prepping for Fall, etc. I only count writing or research that relates to something I need to write. This week I logged 20.5 hours in 5 days - not too shabby! Plus I feel more relaxed today (my do not work day) since I can see how much I worked this week.

- Turn in Comp 2 to committee by August 1st.

- Turn in draft of dissertation to advisor August 22. I will probably turn in some parts earlier than that.

The list goes on but basically I am trying to get it all done for the December graduation deadlines which means I will likely have an early October defense.

My oh my, C is 5!

I can't believe this much time has passed. How is my baby 5 years old??? Seems like a few years got skipped or something. Her birthday was a bit interesting this year. I had girls camp, but skipped the day activities since J was in Dallas and it has her bday. J was supposed to arrive home at noon, but flight issues brought him home around dinner time instead. I returned to camp that night so we only had about an hour and a half together to celebrate. Seems like that is how my life runs right now. Here's what we did that day:

-C had gymnastics camp in the morning. We brought 40+ cupcakes to share with her friends.

-Looked at the downtown toy store (she always begs to go there)

-We had a pizza picnic

-Went to the library (one of her favorite activities)

-We played on the playground

-Picked up J from the airport

-Went home and opened presents

I went to camp and with dad that evening they:

-Went to pack meeting

-Went to DQ for dilly bars

-Caught fireflies

It was a long day and she had gym camp the next morning - so that was the end of the excitement. She got the following for her birthday:

-Polly pocket stuff

-gymnastics camp & gymnastics tuition and leotard (I'm telling you this could get expensive fast)

-a notebook I decorated at camp

Busy times

So this summer has been keeping us busy. I am a bit behind in my posts, but don't worry I will catch up eventually. Here is what we have been up to:

-Lots of church youth activities (a mutual BBQ, girls camp, with Youth conference this week and a canoe trip in August)

-C's 5th bday

-Family visits

-H's baptism

-Soccer & gymnastics (usually 2x a week)

-Dissertation

I even managed to get stung by a bee somewhere in there - good news: I am NOT allergic!

Strawberry season

I love this time of year here! The other day it was nice and cool so we went with some neighbors to pick strawberries. We ended up with 10 lbs and I have already made 2 batches of jam - with a third to make this week. Yummy. Our jam from last year is almost gone, so I am making a bit more this year.

Preschool graduation

C had her preschool graduation last week. It was fun to see her with her friends and close this chapter of her life. They did a 3 little pigs play whereshe was one of the little pigs and said "not by the hair of my chinny chin chin." That was pretty cute and she said her part very well. The kids also sang a song and then danced on stage to some music, but C just stood still the entire time (unless her teacher came over to wave her hands in the air). I don't think J was a fan of the music - Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus. Kind of funny that she didn't want to dance - she usually isn't shy, but she said she didn't want to do it in front of so many people. Congrats C, so excited for you to be in kindergarten!

Happy Father's Day Dad

Dad,

Happy Father's Day. You're the best dad ever. I like it when you play soccer with me. Thank you for everything you do for our family. Our family would be very boring without you. I love you.

Love,

H

Dad,

Happy Father's Day. I love you. Happy Father's day and I miss you. Come back soon (he left 15 min ago). I will be good while you are gone. I like it when you play Hippopotamus with me. I will take care of you.

Love,

C

Dad,

Happy Father's Day! I hope you have a relaxing day filled with phone calls and messages. You are a great dad and Papa and a wonderful example to me. Thanks for all you have done and continue to do for me and our family. Thank you for helping me value education, learning, the gospel, and family. Thank you for encouraging me in all I do. You are a hard worker, determined even when obstacles are in front of you, and a righteous priesthood holder. We are looking forward to your visit for H's baptism. I know the kids have lots planned while you are here - so rest up while you can!

Love,

S

Cat update

Here are a few facts you may not have known about Chewy and Obi:

-Chewy likes to take showers with us. Actually Obi likes them too, but he prefers to come in and play in the water when you are done. Chewy likes the water so much he decided to join C in a bath recently.

Turns out he prefers showers (don't worry no one was injured during this adventure).

-Chewy and Obi have turned Yoda into a cat. I really mean it! He is a push over - he completely gave up the pet leadership position in the house just after they arrived. He gives up his bed (or shares it and there isn't much room), they groom him, and snuggle up with him to sleep. J actually saw Obi trying to nurse on Yoda (maybe we should have told Obi that Yoda is a male AND a dog). They are all very close - sometimes too close.

-You can't leave a toilet seat up in our house - or you will have footprints on the seat. Is toilet water really that tasty? (I think Yoda might have taught them that one).

-Chewy likes to explore the garage. This isn't our preferred place for him, so he generally gets in trouble for that.

-Obi likes to climb. He likes the rafters in the basement. Wonder if he will be mad when it is finished off?

-They like to chew electrical cords. This is quite annoying especially since they chewed up my noise canceling headphones - those are pretty essential to finishing my dissertation and I am annoyed that I need to get another pair.

-Obi likes to try and catch the fan - ceiling fan. He hasn't been successful but I have a feeling he's going to keep trying.

-They love to join you at the table when you eat. This is a no no, but that doesn't stop them from trying.

-The neighbor kids come to our house to play with the cats. They say they are here to play with H & C, but then end up inside with the cats while the kids are having fun outside.

-Both Obi and Chewy like to snuggle with babysitters. Kind of sweet to come home from a date and see a teenager snuggling your cats.

-They also both like to lick sweaty shaved heads. Weird but true. Strangely enough, those with shaved heads don't seem to mind all that much.

There you go, the not so secret facts about Chewy and Obi.

Anni #11

So here we are again. Another anniversary. I can't remember exactly what I wrote last year so hopefully this isn't too much of a repeat.

In 11 years we have:

-lived in 2 apartments, 2 townhouses, 2 houses and remodeled 1 house (plus we just started finishing the basement on our current house)

-lived in 2 states (I know many of you are beating us by a long shot on this one - but it isn't a race)

-had 2 wonderful kids who make this marriage even more exciting

-bought 3 cars (not counting the ones we owned when we got married - Dodge Ram truck, Dodge Durango, and the latest Ford Focus - gotta love the gas mileage)

-had 2 dogs, and 3 cats (currently 1 dog and 2 cats)

Plus, I have been in school almost continuously - that has to say something about the kind of hubby J is to me.

Things we want to do in the future:

-Get S finished with school - for good (I am sure I speak for both of us here and the kids as well for that matter)

-Travel! We really haven't done much of this - but time and money has always been a bit limited.

-Stay together!

Well that about sums it up, been married a while - and want to stay that way! I love my hubby so much and I am happy with the choice I made!

PS Can't wait for our date to celebrate tonight - and neither can the kids. They love their babysitters!

Follow the prophet

C just woke up...school ended for her a couple of days ago and this is the first day she has slept in (yesterday she was up at 7:30). Yes it is 9:45, but I want her to be in a good mood today. Well, my plan worked. She is awake and singing "Follow the prophet" in her bed. Too cute for words really! Also I am impressed she knows the words so well.

"Adam was a prophet first one that we know. In a place called Eden he helped things to grow....Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet don't go astray. Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet he knows the way!"

Turning 8 is great

I am a little behind in all things blog related. Too much is happening too quickly and I am too busy to keep up (did I really use use too and to 4 times in one sentence?). I will start with H turning 8. This makes me feel really old! When I was a mom of very little kids people often said "enjoy it, it goes so fast". I remember thinking each time I heard that, "yeah right you aren't up with this kid every night - 2am doesn't seem to fly by". Well, unfortunately it is true. While the young years seem to drag in some ways, they really zoom by too quickly. So now I am officially a mom of an "older" kid. We spent his birthday doing some of the normal birthday things (cake - or key lime pie, presents), and then went to his soccer game that evening. He was thrilled to have a game on his birthday. He is #16 in the photos. I am sure there will be more soccer photos on this blog in the future. Later this summer Harrison will be baptized and we are very excited for this event. PS His favorite birthday gift was a pocket knife from his dad.

MoTab shout out

You should be hearing the hallelujah chorus in the background as you read this:

Today is a great day.

1. The rain went away and there is sunshine. A perfect day to weed (that is how you know it is a great day...you want to weed).

2. My data are looking beautiful - I know this sounds weird, but honestly better than some textbook examples. (For the record data is plural so you do need to say data are - not data is. One of the somewhat random things that has been drilled into my head).

3. My first paraeducator entered training today - so I am making great progress on my very unrealistic research schedule.

4. I got a lot done today, and had breakfast with the hubby.

5. J was going to be out of town tonight, but his games for tonight and early tomorrow were rained out so we get to go on a date instead - if I can find a babysitter that is!

Tomorrow will be a lot of data analysis, but tonight I am going to celebrate the good things that are happening!

Sicko

Well after 2 days of data collection my whole family seems to be sick - just a common cold, but still annoying. I think we have gone through 2 boxes of tissues in 2 days. It started with C, then J and I got it shortly after. Now H is complaining of a sore throat, so it seems he is coming down with it as well. Not very fun since my data collection needs to continue - at least the worst of it was over a weekend. Hope to be back up and running Monday.

Great news

1. It has been sunny for several days. This in and of itself is almost a miracle after a month of what seemed like nonstop rain!
2. I started data collection for my study today. This has been a pain to get set up, but I am glad I am finally to this point!
3. See the next post - kitties!
Nice to have a good week after having one that was so rotten!

Newest family additions!

Meet the newest family additions! Chewbacca














and Obi Wan!












The kids are thrilled and the past few nights have been fun with them around. Yoda also met them - Chewy took to him a bit faster but they are all friends now (think lots of licking).














We had a brief scare thinking C might be allergic - her eyes were very swollen and red the day after we got them, but turns out it was pink eye and she is doing much better.

Dissertations aren't for wusses!

So my brothers might try to tell you I am a wuss. In many ways they would be completely correct. I don't really like to push myself physically. I enjoy being room temperature (weather extremes aren't my thing). I can be a complainer if you try to pick on me, etc. All that said...the process of getting a dissertation is harder than anything I have done - and I have done a few challenging things in my life. When all this is over - no one will be able to call me a wuss again!

My dissertation makes me have horrible dreams (bugs falling on me, lions mauling me, getting Fs in a class I forgot to attend, etc), keeps me up in the middle of the night, gives me stomach aches, and more. I really wouldn't recommend it for anyone. The past month for me has been exceptionally difficult (ok really this whole past semester). I am trying to get participants for my study. I need at least 3 pairs of an adult (classroom or one on one aide) and child. They must be in the same classroom, know each other, etc. Lots of requirements for both of the participants. It has been VERY challenging. I have actually had more people say no than yes so far. I had hoped to be collecting data weeks ago, but I am still trying to get another participant instead. I have to be honest, I have seriously contemplated giving up altogether, or trying again in the Fall - it has been that bad. I mean working at a fast food joint has seemed quite appealing. I have cried more than I want to admit and it has just been a dreary forecast in my world.

BUT.........I have a super husband who should consider being a motivational speaker, or a weight loss coach (think Jillian), or maybe a drill Sargent. He hasn't let me give up! He has put up with my mood swings, and listened to me complain multiple times. My advisor also helped me come up with a few solutions which was great, but J has a way of telling it straight and not backing down. Sometimes I want to scream when he does that (ok sometimes I actually scream), but in this case I needed it! Looks like things will likely be moving forward this summer after all (I need only one more participant and I have 4 more possibilities), which is a very good thing because dissertations should be completed as quickly as possible so you can regain your sanity before retirement age! Don't worry though, you all will know when I am finally collecting data!

C's Makeover

C and H have been joining me for mutual lots lately. J has been busy with soccer on Wed nights. H has been lucky enough to join the scout group a little early and loves that. C usually just hangs with me. One week we did makeovers and she ended up being the model. She loved getting makeup on - and all the attention from the girls.Isn't she lovely???

Happy Mother's day

to all you moms out there! Hope your day is great and filled with pampering.

Easter a little late

J was out of town on Easter and about 10 days leading up to it. He had a big tournament to attend and it was actually really cool that he got to go. On Easter I had plans to take the regular photos, but I couldn't figure out where my camera was, so no photos were taken. I found it the following week an we took a belated Easter photo. It was actually good that I waited, because the the tulips were a little late this year - since spring came late. Several goofy faces later we got a few good ones (ok so a bit of goofy in the good shots as well). Hope your Easter was great.

I passed

I passed my proposal which is a good thing. My committee wanted several changes made to my intervention, which will take a while to do, so now it is back to work so I can crank out this dissertation. Man this can be a painful process.

Proposal

Tomorrow I propose my dissertation research project. I feel prepared, but I just don't really know what to expect. I know one thing for sure - I need to bring my A game.

sunshine

The other day it was about 70 degrees for a high - glorious and sunny! It didn't stick around, but I am happy nicer weather is finally at our doorstep. The winters are long here and I am ready for a change. In other news I am still incredibly busy, but try to find time for all of the important things. Some days are better than others with that. The kids are keeping busy with swim, gymnastics, and soon again soccer. No wonder I am tired on Saturdays.

Snow surprise

Last night into this morning early we got about 10-12 inches of snow, wet hard to shovel snow. I know because I spent 40 minutes shoveling the driveway this morning and that was with a little help from the person clearing our road (he shoveled off the top of our driveway with a bobcat). Oh, and H my big helper tried to help as well, but got bored fast. I thought spring was coming - especially since my bulbs are popping up, but I guess we still have a bit of winter left. Hope your weather is more springlike!

buried

I've been a little bad at blogging lately. The reason is I am buried in work. I have a lot of things to get in line so I can start data collection for my study, and time is starting to get short. So, I am afraid you won't hear as often from me, but I will still try to post when I can.

The moment Jamie has been waiting for....

the big news is that I got the job at Penn State! It is a fixed term position for one year, but can be renewed annually. The position involves mainly teaching. I will teach 3 classes (all the same) the first semester and 4 the second (2 different, but one is the same from the prior semester). The classes are hybrid meaning they are taught using online materials and in class sessions. Each class meets for about 1.5 hours weekly. The classes are taught to undergrads in education (non special education majors - PE ed, art ed, gen ed, music ed, secondary ed, etc.). The grading and prep time are pretty intense, but it will be better than teaching 3 different classes with 2.5 hour lengths each (which is what I did last semester, among other things). Pay is great, and we are happy to stay put for a while. Only major drawbacks for this job are:

a) It is not a tenure line position. Less pressure, but also less security.

b) It isn't a research position. All research I want to do would be in addition to this position, so I will probably do less of it.

I see this as something I will do for a few years, but time will tell.

Right now I have to get back to work, I have a lot to get done before August 1!

flexible carrots

C came home from preschool today with some "flexible carrots" (those were her words which are pretty accurate if you ask me). Apparently they were on her lunch tray. I am thinking that the lunch ladies need a little help with knowing when produce is fresh. I am not volunteering to tell them!

Did get me thinking though. First off C is getting too big! How does that happen? I mean really who puts the word flexible in front of carrot. That is just too smart and I can't believe she isn't little anymore - really a girl now, and a SASSY one.

Next, sometimes I am a little like a fresh carrot. A good way to be if you are a carrot, but not necessarily good for humans who need to endure a lot of different things and be "flexible." I have been trying to roll with the punches recently and it has been rough on me and emotional. I mean I should be able to relax and just let things happen occasionally, but often I get too anxious and frustrated to do that. Today I got some good news that I will gladly share in a week or so and it makes me feel SO happy! You know, actually the waiting part was good for me - and I am shocked I am even able to say that.

For all you planners

Anyone who knows me well knows I love to make plans, love to follow plans, and don't really like my plans to be adjusted by someone else (if I choose to to change them though that is ok). So it kinda stinks that I was supposed to travel yesterday and get to a conference (where I am presenting), but I am still stuck in an airport and don't know if I will make my presentation on time. I am sure no one likes this scenario, but it is especially annoying to me. However, I think I am doing well. I slept under one of those tin foil blankets (they are noisy, but warm), I haven't cried or yelled at anyone, and if I miss my presentation - I will deal. The thing that stinks the most is they forced me to check my carry on bag last night and then the flight was cancelled after sitting in the plane for 1.5 hours. This is exactly why I take carry on - so I have my stuff, but now I don't know if I will have my clothes when I get there. I am wearing jeans - not really good for presenting. Hum, so maybe I need to shop now?? I guess there are worse things to be forced to do.

What can you get for $1.75?

Apparently this:

Saturday was half off day at my favorite thrift store, so I went in for a quick look between C's gymnastic lessons, and H's swim lessons. I saw these never worn (at least not that I could tell) Aerosole

beauties...and they were my size. I swear I must have a shoe fairy! Here is my last shoe find at this same thrift store:

These Privo's (by Clark) were also near new but not half price, so I paid $3.50. The resale on these puppies (which I had actually admired online only months before I found this pair) are $70!

We also found a chair for H at another thrift store for $9.

It will go with his new desk J built in the nook of his room. H was very excited. A great day for thrifting!