The Memorial Service

Today was the memorial service. It was a beautiful, funny, poignant, inspirational event. I was honored to be asked to sit with the family. It was almost like a reunion, many friends from the past had come to pay their respects.

I just left my friend's house. It is quiet there. All of the funeral preparations are over. The family has headed back home. Her other boys were in bed. We sat there, she in her pajamas, I in my sweats, expressing to each other how we felt about each other. We are a funny pair, neither one real comfortable with baring our souls. I told her about how sweet it was that her family thanked me for being such a good friend to her. But, as I explained to her, I couldn't be any other way...she was the other half of me...and often, the better half. You know how twins are? They can finish each other's sentences and feel each other's pain. It's like that with me and Tracey. So, to reciprocate, she told me about how she has told her boss again and again, how she will never have another teacher to work with like me. How she and I could take one little idea and expand and modify it to teach the children we were charged with. It was her way of telling me I am special to her. And, as I sit and reflect on it, tears roll down my face, thankful to have her in my life.

Ever heard of the 5 love languages? They are words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. I definitely feel like my strongest love language is acts of service...that is how I let people know I love them, and how I best receive love from others. Tracey is the same way. Which is why we don't need to hug or share sappy words to know that we care about each other. We show it through doing...driving her somewhere, loaning me her computer, etc.

Sigh...I believe it is time to rest.

Basketball Banquet

Tonight was the Urbana Tigers Basketball Banquet. The special guest speaker was Bruce Douglas, the former basketball player (and uncle to our coach). I think maybe some of the dads were more excited about meeting Bruce than the kids were, LOL!

Josh received the award for "Most Coachable"...which means that he was the one who did exactly as he was instructed at all times. You know Josh, always out to improve his game!




A little side story....


You remember the post about how wonderful Josh's coach is?? And how absolutely sweet and precious Coach's girlfriend is?? Well, today was Jackie's birthday. Paul did a beautiful job making it special for her, even though she had to spend the evening at the banquet. Check out this picture and just guess what she got....

and she said "YES!"

Rest in Peace

My dear, dear friend, who I have been privledged to call my best friend for about 9 years, lost her son yesterday. This wonderful woman is grieving the loss of one of the four boys she adopted many years ago. She opened her home and her heart to four boys with special needs, but now there is a empty place in that incredibly large heart. Please pray for her and the three boys as they learn to do life without one of their own.

One step closer...

I am getting closer....I am beginning the last of four entries for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards portfolio. Now, that does not mean that I am done with the other three entries. Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I will pour over each entry repeatedly to make sure that every single word choice is correct. So, I would not go as far as to say that I am 3/4 done...

I spent a little time purusing the Illinois State University website last night. I found out how to order my cap and gown, where I can order graduation announcements, and that they actually have processed my application for graduation. I feel a little like a bride preparing for her wedding...what do I wear?? How will I let everyone know about my good news?? And what songs will I play at my party after?? What kind of food will I serve??

OK, back to reality....graduation is months away, and this portfolio HAS to be postmarked by March 31st. So....it's back to writing I go....

Happy Birthday Josh!

Twelve years ago, I was laying in a hospital room, marveling at the miracle that lay in my arms. It had been a long nine months, wondering, "Would this one make it?" We had lost our first baby very early in the pregnancy, and I was scared that something would go wrong with this one, too. But, after several reassuring sonograms and a very active little guy moving around, I slowly came to realize that not only would this baby make it, but he was a strong one.



Now, he is twelve. Daily, I am amazed at the incredible human being that developed from that little jelly bean-shape on the sonogram screen. He is smart, he is funny, he is talented, and, best of all, he is a good person. While I do think his daddy and I have something to do with it, I also think that there is something innate in him, something that placed by God's hand, that allows him to know right from wrong, and how to be a good friend. Something that makes him the Josh we all love.

Happy Birthday....

to me :)

My beautiful roses amid the chaos of my desk...thank you Ken!

Yawn......

I spent the evening at a Pokemon tournament. Yes, you read that correctly. I always considered myself a nerd....but now, I realize I have a long way to go to achieve true nerd status, LOL! The boys enjoyed it, and it was not too painful, as one of the boys' friends and his dad went, too. At least I had someone to talk to who also had very little understanding of the whole Pokemon experience (though he did admit to having played a few times with his son).

Next time, however, I will bring a book...cuz without something to do, I might actually learn a lil about the games...and I am not sure that is something I really want! I prefer to remain ignorant of the whole process.

Problem Resolved

Well, the three year warrantee on the laptop paid off. Apparently the warrantee company did not want to pay for yet another round of repairs, as they decided to "junkout" the computer (which was 2.5 years old). This means that they gave us back the original purchase price of the computer to apply toward a new computer.

Soooooo...... last night I tore out to Best Buy to pick out my new machine! I had two friends (thanks John and Shawn!!!) consulting on the phone and together the three of us decided on a pretty Dell. (OK, I'm not sure that a laptop can be considered pretty, unless you count those freaking awesome red ones that were wayyyyy out of my price range.) But, it is black, shiny, and it actually works!!!! To me, that is the absolute defination of pretty.

I am spending the next few days getting programs loaded so that I will be ready to go when the semester starts on Monday....did I mention this is my LAST semester???? YEAH!!!!!!!

Computer Issues

Once again, the laptop is off for repairs :( More posts will follow once I have more consistent computer access.

Bathing Beauty

Well, since all of the relatives have left, and the house is down to just the five of us again, I decided to pamper myself with a bubble bath. Such a girly thing in this house of boys. I spent the day either arguing referee calls (which were some really lousy calls, by the way), cheering for the team, yelling directions at Josh to be more aggressive, or hanging at a restaurant with a bunch of smelly, tired pre-teens. It was time to do something for me.

I gathered my supplies: my robe, a wash cloth and towel, bubble bath, baby oil, iPod and speakers, razor, etc. I was leaning into tub, checking the water temperature when the other girl in the house decided she needed some pampering, too. Yep...Gracie came in and jumped into my bubble bath! (For those who are not that familiar with the family, Gracie is member number 5- a 70 pound husky/lab mix who thinks she is a lap dog) I managed to catch her before all four feet went in and shooed her away. Before I climbed in my relaxing bath....I did remember to shut the door--this tub is only big enough for one!

Basketball Tournament

Josh's basketball team is in a tournament in a town about an hour away. Update 1:

Tigers WIN!!!!

Afterwards, Jake and I headed home in the pouring rain (yes...rain in the end of December...hmmmm...) Josh stayed with the team to ride the bus home. I was almost home when I get a call from a certain basketball player stating that the team was going to Buffalo Wild Wings and that I should meet them there. The boys had a nice time unwinding over wings after a great win, and I had yet another chance to visit with some of the parents and the coach and his girlfriend. Which was another opportunity to see exactly why I really, really like this young man (he's 24) who is leading my son's first experience in school-based sports. Coach is an incredible young man, with a bright future (especially considering the beautiful young lady he has at his side...who is an equally amazing human being).

Christmas Pictures

The family...after Christmas Eve services

Uncle Brad's joke gift....as funny as last year's socks!

Awwwwwww.....Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! (videos to come?)

Jake's Christmas surprise....

Yes, we got Jake a phone. The interference on the video is from my phone dialing his phone. For those of you who are not familiar with Weird Al Yankovich, the ringtone I downloaded was his song "White and Nerdy". Fitting, don't you think?

Jake kept his phone with him all day long, and occasionally would call one of us, just for the heck of it. This is the kind of happiness that Momma's live for :)

Merry Christmas to all

Just a lil clip of Jake bringing us some holiday cheer on Christmas.... the beginning and end are a little rough, but he is coming along :)

A close game

to say the least. But, in the end, the Tigers WON!!!!!

Josh was in the starting line-up for the first time. As the team ran out of the locker room, I watched Josh run through the warm-ups. I was pretty sure his face would crack, he was smiling so big! (So was his proud momma!) While it wasn't Josh's best game, the Tigers fought hard and came out with the win in this close game.

My favorite part, of course, was the introductions.....

Play it again, Jake

Last year, when Jake expressed interest in beginning band, I was thrilled. I wasn't crazy about his choice of instrument...the trombone, but, finally, there was an activity that I could relate to. I had such fond memories of my time in band, and wanted to give Jake the opportunity to experience them too.

This fall, when school started, Jake was able to be talked into playing trumpet instead of the trombone. He has enjoyed the twice-weekly lessons at school. I am hoping this may be a long term activity for him.

Tonight was Jake's first band concert. Here are a few pics of the proud musician....

And for the starting line-up for the Tigers....

Yep, you guessed it, Josh is starting for Tuesday's game :)

An explanation of National Boards....

I am often asked about my school work. I will frequently refer to it as a thesis, since that is something more people can relate to. This last year of my Master's program is not a thesis, however. At the university I attend, graduate level special education majors have two choices for their capstone, or culmination, year. They can chose to either write a research-based thesis, or complete and submit a portfolio for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. I chose the later option for a number of reasons:

• both options require a huge amount of effort and work,
• if I submit a passing portfolio, my certification will change to a Specialist in Special Education,
• the state of Illinois has passed an unfunded mandate that will pay Nationally Board certified teachers a $3000/year stipend (meaning, teachers get the money if it is available),
• the portfolio required directly relates to the work I am doing in the classroom and will directly benefit my students, which is the reason I went back to school in the first place,
• if I successfully certify, I will be able to "mentor" teachers going through the process and receive payment for that work through the state, meaning more money to be made in the future.

So, there are a number of reasons that I chose this option. It has been a difficult process, as writing for the National Board portfolio is much, much different than writing research papers. The process began this summer with learning to write in that style. I am led through this process by an incredible woman and supported by my classmates. We met this summer to begin learning the process and writing our first entry. This fall, two more entries must be completed. Then, in the spring, the last entry will be done, and we will submit our portfolios by the deadline on March 31st. Following that submission, we will study for the assessment center exercises, which I will most likely complete at the end of May. Then the waiting game begins....scores are not announced until November or December. So, I will know if my hard work paid off in about a year.

In the mean time, I will graduate with a Master's in Special Education in May. We are required to submit a viable portfolio, but graduation is not contingent on receiving a certifying score on the portfolio or the assessment center exercises. In addition to the time and effort involved, there is a substantial financial investment in the process. In addition to the tuition I have to pay, there is a $2565 application fee that had to be paid just to submit a portfolio. The state of Illinois, in an effort to encourage teachers to go for the certification, provided subsidies of $2000 to help with the application cost.

Here is a link to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website, if my rambling on was not enough to put you to sleep....

http://nbpts.org/

"Mama...........MAMA!"

I thought I was dreaming. A little voice calling "Mama!" I look at the clock....4:45 a.m. This is supposed to be the one morning I can sleep in, but here I am, awake. What kind of dream was that?

"MAMA!" Oh no, it's not a dream! I stumble over Gracie as I grope my way toward the door. DH is up too, and we meet at the door and head to Jake's room, where the calls are coming from. Jake is leaning over the garbage can, retching. Poor baby has the flu :(

He is old enough that he has managed to get all the mess in the garbage can. I get him a fresh can, and a wash cloth. He rinses his mouth and settles back into bed.

I climb back between my flannel sheets and sigh....before, I had always brought the boys to bed with me when they were sick. But now, they are too old for that. When I commented on this to DH, he pointed out...."But, you did notice who he called for....mama." Content that my boy still needs me, I drifted back to sleep.

Game 1

Josh's first game was a loss to Bloomington. While disappointing, it was definately exciting for all of us. When I asked DH if he was ready (to leave for the game), he said, "I have been ready for this day for YEARS!" LOL!!