Oh my!

I can't believe it has been over a month since my last blog. I've been super busy finishing up TOSS which is an intense field internship necessary to my degree program. I thought that the end of TOSS would be a moment to celebrate. I was surprised to find myself quite sad. I got attached to the students that I had been working with and I will miss being in front of the classroom. Most of my peers are going on to student teaching next semester, but I still have 3 courses to complete before I can do so. So now I must remove my teacher hat and go back to being the student this semester.

I have recently applied to Huntington Learning Center as a tutor. Normally they only consider certified teachers for this role, but they were willing to speak with me based on my progress in the teacher ed program as well as my transcripts (which are quite impressive, if I must say so myself). I had an interview last Monday and am still waiting to hear a response. If I get the job, it would be a huge growth opportunity for me professionally. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Lexi is doing great in first grade. She is earning awesome grades and has been named Student of the Month for the month of December. She loves reading and math yet excels in all subjects. She cracks us up all the time with the little things she says. Speaking of cracking...recently she came to me and asked if popping your back was the same as crapping your back. I had to quickly explain that she had misunderstood the word and hoped that the explanation would stick.

Abby is calming down a bit. She no longer has to be entertained every waking minute of the day. She enjoys building tall towers with blocks and follows Lexi around at every possible chance. She hates when Lexi gets on the bus in the morning. She wants to go too. She'll throw her mini-backpack that doubles as a diaper bag over her back and put on her shoes and say she's going to the "buth". When the bus leaves, she is very heartbroken and can only be calmed by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or candy. She's got quite the sweet tooth and can be coerced to do just about anything for candy. Anything, except going on the potty. She's in a weird phase where she doesn't want her diaper changed even when she needs it. In fact, she typically only agrees to a change if she can do it herself. This is usually a sign that a child is ready to potty train, but she will not sit on the potty. Quite frustrating!

Stefan's working as a seasonal driver's helper with UPS to assist us through the winter. He's been working so hard and his body is paying for it. I assume that, by the time he's done with his seasonal role, he will start becoming accustomed to the rigors of the job. That doesn't help him now, though. He's looking into getting a part-time with UPS as a sorter so that me and the girls can get better insurance. Hopefully that will work out and not interfere with SGL Lawn Services in the spring.

We had to say good-bye to a member of the family. Our yorkie, Brandi, was attacking our poodle, Cassi, to the point of drawing blood. The behavior progressed to a point where it was not just dog fighting, but it was an attempt to kill. The vet suggested Prozac, but we could not afford it nor did I think it was necessary since her focus was purely on Cassi. I suspect that Cassi probably has cancer or some other disease that Brandi could sense and so Brandi was trying to kill her off-the whole wolf pack mentality/survival of the fittest mindset. We searched Craig's List and found a woman who was looking for a yorkie for Christmas. I was upfront and honest about all of Brandi's faults with this lady but nothing would break her. She wanted Brandi. Before I took Brandi over to meet her, she had purchased pink dog dishes, a puppy dress, and a jingle bell collar for her. I was very comfortable with the home and the people and so...Brandi has a new home. Hopefully, Brandi's life will be happier there where she can be the center of attention and not have any other dogs to compete with. Regardless, I still have Brandi's stocking hanging from the mantle. I decorated before Brandi left us and I can't bring myself to take it down yet.

Anyway, I think that about sums up the last month. Looking forward, I will be attending a class to become a substitute teacher for the county just north of us at the end of February and will being taking the first of my certification exams in March. Still busy times.