Isobel's first day of school :)

(Guest blogger: my hubby;)

If you think that's a happy face, you should have seen the one we didn't capture on film. In fact, Bettie and Eva didn't see the happiest face of all (hence the guest) because it happened just after Isobel's and my mad dash to her first bus, which we would have missed if we'd waited for Eva's usual performance. (This performance - they happen nearly every time we go anywhere - had to do with a pair of shoes, I believe.)



We made it in time and Isobel hopped on the bus. The driver handed me a form, told me which bus to look for in the afternoon and other "matters of consequence" and then started to pull away. I then realized I wasn't sure which seat Isobel was in and started a quick search so I could wave goodbye.




There she was: Second seat back, my side of the bus, grinning, waving and actually pumping her fists as she rode the bus to her first day of kindergarten.




Missing the bus wouldn't have been too serious, since after the bus pulled away, I walked back, grabbed Eva, got in the car and drove to Isobel's school. I probably beat her there. I had to drop off some supplies, but she wouldn't ride with me.

After finding a place for the supplies, I followed all the other parents into the classroom. The kindergarten kids sat on little letter mats in the front of the room and the parents, along with Eva and a few kids who preferred to sit on daddy's lap for an extra minute, sat on little chairs behind.

The teacher read a story about a scared raccoon who used a kiss - left by his mom in his hand - to feel better on his first day at school. Isobel watched, never looking back at her dad. Eva fought for (and was denied) access to the dolls, cash register and other toys in the room.



The raccoon's mom taught her baby (and the teacher taught all the kids in the class) the sign for 'I love you.' When the story was over, the teacher told the kids to stand up and turn around. All the kids turned around and looked at their parents. Except Isobel. She did a 360 and looked back at the teacher.

Then the teacher said to sign 'I love you.' All the kids signed it to their parents. Except Isobel. She signed it at her teacher.

Then the teacher said to 'Wave goodbye to your parents, and we'll start school.' So Isobel turned around to wave. It may have been the first time she'd thought about me since entering the class, so she wasn't really sure where I was. She located me eventually, waved and gave me that big excited smile one more time.

My Husband is SO CUTE!!!

This is the highlight of my day yesterday. DH and I were trying to get things cleaned up and organized - still. So we were going thru things and deciding what to put in our storage closet out on the balcony. I asked DH to get something from storage (I think a hammer and nails to hang pics) and he promptly went to get it. Well, in his rush, he opened the door and smacked into the screen! :) It was SO funny that we laughed for like 20 minutes. When he came back into the house, his forehead was black with dirt from the screen! We laughed another 20 minutes:) He finally remembered to go wash that off. We moved on to bigger and better things like boxes and putting together bookshelves. DH had to go get something out of storage to finish putting the shelves together. When I came into the room where he was working, I noticed a bit of black on his forehead...and then on his nose, too!!! I asked, as politely as I could, "Did you run into the screen again?" He was so mad that I had found out! The proof was written across his face! I caught him. He wanted to hide it because it hadn't been as funny to him the second time - but he forgot to check is face for evidence. I about died!!! I am still laughing as I write this. What a wonderful day! I love my husband!! :)

I finally met the woman who made all this happen...

So, yesterday was the last day of training (wahoo). Like the silly girl that I am, I didn't check my schedule. I showed up at 8 (like I had been all week) and went into the directors office area and asked where we were meeting. I was informed that we weren't starting til 9. So I called Bryce to come back and get me, but he didn't answer. So I sat outside on a bench and read files. After a while a woman came walking up-and past me-noticed the files and said, "Are you new?" "Yes." "What is your name?" "Bettie Petersen." "OH, FINALLY - I'm Joanne" and she gave me a hug. Well this was the coordinador of our program, the woman who is related to a family that I am good friends with...the woman who called me and offered me a job right before I was planning on going to Seattle. She has been very encouraging and kind to me about everything. I have talked to her a bunch of times on the phone and e-mailed her several times but never seen her in person - so we finally met. It was nice. We talked about our mutual friends;) and we talked about how funny it is that we hadn't met. After the presentations, she took us to lunch and I told her about some of her mannerisms that remind me of her sister. She was happy to resemble her sister in any way. She gave me a note from my friend - which also made my day.

After a long week of training, it was good to have the last day be calming. I felt happy to have met Joanne, happy to have a note from my friend, and happy to be finishing up the week. Now that the week is over, I am feeling much more relaxed. I was very nervous about meeting people, getting all the info that I needed, looking cute, and making a good impression. But after meeting Joanne, I was just happy that she accepted me so easily and that all the anticipation was over. Whew.

So today I am going to hang out with my mom before she leaves tomorrow. See if we can find any fun stores to look at:)

Isobel

This is my Isobel. She will be registering for Kindergarten tomorrow. Whoa. She is getting so grown up. Bryce and Isobel went to register today, but didn't bring important info (like imunization record, birth certificate). Bryce said that she was so excited, but got nervous as they were going in. Once they got inside, she just clung to her dad. It reminded me that she is still young. She's still my little girl and I need to remember that although she acts and talks so adult, she still needs support and love to help her get thru. Man, she has a crazy life ahead. Just imagine - ten years and she'll be in High School and wearing more make-up than Mom puts on her... and kids will be mean to her sometimes. I'm glad she's not there yet:)

By the way, in this picture, it looks like she is saying "I love you!" But she's really saying she's 5. She's excited.

If you get a minute, give her a phone call. She loves to have friends...me too.

3 days down, 2 to go...

Hello. I have been a bit looney today. No, that's not the right word. I've been a bit blah. Oh, and ornery. My supervisor, when she told me all the filing she wanted me to do, told me to stop before it "kills your spirit." I told her it probably wouldn't kill my spirit, but I might throw all the files on the floor. She told me to stop before that happens. :) Luckily, I was able to finish all the files and no fits...til I got home. Poor Mom. I was so tired and done making decisions and being in places where I don't know where anything is...etc. I got home and was trying to make salsa (tomorrow they have a salsa competition at work) and I couldn't find a tupperware lid. I was frustrated because my cupboards are overflowing, but still have nothing in them (like oil and a lid). So I was getting on Mom to help me find the lid and she was getting defensive because she thought I was mad AT HER (which I wasn't - just frustrated).

Bryce thinks it's because I wasn't hydrated enough. Which might have been true. I didn't see a drinking fountain in any of the buildings I was in, only like the Culligan water tanks. However, I didn't have a cup of any sort. I was sharing a room with the jug, but couldn't drink any. I was tempted to put my mouth under the spigot. ;)

I copied all the files on the kids I will have. For now, I'll have 8 families to work with, and two more soon. Most are in Santa Fe - which is good - and I think I'm done filing for a while. One of my friends in Logan talked about the worst part of being a Parent Advisor. She said it's "Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork!" I agree:)

Oh the joys of work!

Well, I just finished my first day of work. I really do love to listen/watch lectures about insurance and retirement and whatnot. However, it's a bit dull. I look so much forward to the day when I start working with families and kids again. I have to say it was a bit eye-opening to be around so many deaf people - it's been a while. I will admit that I was a bit overwhelmed and intimidated because I didn't understand half of their dialogue. However, by the end of the long day, I felt much more comfortable with it all.

I did cry after grocery shopping today. I miss my home, family, friends, Maceys...

But now I'm watching Pride and Prejudice and feel much more at ease :)

Tomorrow is another day.

My Ruthie :)

This is my happy, crazy girl. If I had to pick a favorite picture of her, it'd be this. She has the most infectious laugh. I recommend hearing it as often as possible to stay happy:)

PS. Check out Share's blog picture of Simpsonized Eva. It's her.

Here we go again...

Attempt number 2 at being a blogger. My other one wouldn't let me sign in...bummer. Let's see how this goes.