trying to get info...

I called Kent State and the Department of Education today trying to pin down info. It was like the proverbial nailing Jello to a tree thing.

Me (telling new person my questions...)
Them: "Hold- I'll transfer you."

Get cut off
Call back

Me: telling new person my questions...
Them: This is not the right department...
New Them: "Yes, we are the right department... can't answer that. Don't really know."
Me: "Who knows?"
Them: Hold I'll transfer you...
(Voice mail of them - I leave a message knowing they won't call back.)

Me: *mini meltdown.*
Me: I will not give up. I will not have a bad attitude. I WILL find answers.

Time elapse: 2 hours.
Me: more info now and an appointment with the seemingly all-knowing all-powerful ( not really - no disrespect to God disclaimer ) advisor.
Me: Well I do know more than yesterday. I've got to keep that in mind.

Is it just me or is the red tape and misinformation and office apathy REALLY annoying and potentially costly. I almost signed up for a program today that would have led nowhere. Why is that even an option??????

If you read all of this then you really are a friend. Sorry if it is whiny or confusing. I do feel strangely better though. :)

Sisters

Tara comes bursting through the house shouting, "Em! Naked Brother's Band is on now!!!!" (What a name. It's really a bunch of little kids performing on a kid's network)

Emily jumps up from the computer. "Really!" She runs to watch it with Tara.

I am humbled by their closeness. Oh yes, they fight. But they are also so loving to each other. If Emily gets a popsicle she makes sure Tara gets one too. When Tara comes home from a school party she has stashed a bit of candy for Emily. "That piece is for sister," she says. Love Love Love that.

Sometimes they hold hands in the grocery store. They remember the names of the other's toys and refer to them by name. I find them together one in the other's bed in the morning and don't have the heart to chastise them for getting out of their beds.

I have watched my mother and her sisters all my life. They are close. What a joy to have a sister or two to spend life with. I love my aunts like I love my mom. My hope and prayer is that Emily and Tara will stay close their whole lives. I hope they have each other's families over for dinner and a movie.

Tara just came in and said that Emily just threw a ball at her head and she is demanding justice. Oh well, so much for sentiment! Back to reality....

I formally applied to Kent for a masters of education degree. There are a lot of steps involved. But Jay said to do a little every day and it won't seem so overwhelming. That's good advice.

I am such a dork. I was bending down to get some paper in our desk and bashed my nose on the chair really HARD. I couldn't speak at first because it hurt so bad. Now it's bruised. If it didn't hurt so bad I would laugh at the strangeness of it. But it isn't funny yet. Well, maybe just a little. :)

Tara's school called and said she is "borderline" for needing speech therapy. But she is one of the younger kindergarteners (6 in May) so they sent home stuff for her to work on with us first and will evaluate her again at the end of the year. She says things like-"I wuv you Mommy, and I weally wuv woy (Roy)." Otherwise, she is doing fabulous this first year of her school life. Her kindergarten school is closing at the end of the year due to failures of levies. I am glad the girls got to go to this school but feel bad for the little ones who now have to go to other schools where they may not get as much attention. The system seems broken.

Jay was helping Emily with a book report where they had to use a can. Well, he was smoothing out the edges- you know for safety. Don't want Em to cut her hand. You guessed it.... he cut the inside of his hand while doing this. Our kids are fine. WE are the ones who are so accident prone. Goodness.

Happy Friday!

Life with Millie and school

Right now our dog Millie is trying to get me to play with the rope toy. Jay and Millie and I went for a walk this afternoon. Millie was zig zagging down the road just having a blast. At home she is shedding up a storm. I tried to brush her and she ran away and cowered under the table. What is up with that? Then she wouldn't come to me and I had to pick her up and carry her to the couch to love on her so she would like me again. Oh brother. We joke around with the girls that Millie is their sister. Emily asked why one of her sisters is so hairy! ha ha.

I am trying to go back to school for special education. Kent State is where I graduated and is where I am trying to get back in. Trying to get an advisor or any info is like infiltrating the Pentagon. But I need 9 hours to update my license and then like a zillion more for the special ed. license. I figure it will make me a bit more marketable as a teacher. Anyone who knows me knows how hard it has been for me to work in my field. The thought of projects and tests and stuff is not too appealing but a means to an end.

Have to go and supervise homework, clean stuff and bathe the girls. Been trying to teach Emily to take her own showers. She has had minimal success; she doesn't like water in her eyes. I have tried to teach her to face away from the stream. It is easier to just bathe her with Tara. Got to fight the urge not to take the easier route. I am open to suggestions!

Fun Link (Oddcast Speech Synthesis)

Click HERE for an interesting time (thanks Aunt Delores!).

Notice when you move the mouse around, her eyes follow the pointer. Make sure to enter text and hear the speech!

Hanging out with friends

Today we went sledding, twice in two days for the girls. It was a spur of the moment thing. We all went down the little and big hills. Tara was impressive and seemed fearless going down the hills. Tara seems to have a bit of frost bite on her leg. She showed me on the way home. Anyone have any remedies? She is sitting with a heating pad now. It just looks red and is sore. I don't think it is serious.
Jenny and Eric had us over later. There were lots of kids for Em and Tara to play with. Tara and Sarah Laubach were attached at the hip. Everyone played Guitar Hero II. Ben and Jenny seemed to be the best at this game. The Walls are officially a great place to hang out! The one picture is of Jenny and her son Andy.

Friends are such a gift.

Gratitude

The girls had such a wonderful time. They were tired going up the hills. But the going down part was so worth it!

Then Tom and Sheri got them food and most importantly to them ICE-CREAM!!!!!!!!

Tom and Sheri rule. They really do.

It was so sweet how Tara didn't want to stop hugging Tom.

We just got back from church. One of the things that stuck with me was when the pastor talked about what we would do with a million dollars. He asked us if our first thought would be to buy more or give more. I have to say I would probably think of what I could buy. But that includes buying all my relatives and friends stuff. Does that count? -says me trying to feel better for my selfish ways... sigh....

Emily & Tara go sledding

EM & Tara just left with cousins Tom & Sheri (thanks guys!!)
Will update everyone upon their return!

Emily's Valentine Party

Emily had just as much fun as Tara at her Valentine party. She had fun with her good friend Kyrstin. Lots of sugar and chocolate to go around. But then she came home and was asking for dinner at 3:30! Growing kids....

Tara's Valentine Party

Tara had a Valentine party at her kindergarten today. Jay went and took these pictures. Tara had fun playing Bingo and eating candy as witnessed by the chocolate smile!






I went to see my friend Nancy today. We rented Marie Antoinette. Not a good movie at all. blech.

Em's party is tomorrow. Emily is so excited......

Trying This Out

I have been inspired by several friends to start my own blog. I hope to have lots of pictures and stories to share. I love comments!

Today we are snowed in and the kids have cabin fever. At least they have the dog to play with.


For those of you who haven't seen the kids for a while, here are some pictures:

Happy Valentine's Day / Happy Blog Birthday

First blog post...ever!

Happy Valentine's Day.