This term has been a tough one, in between my job, my kids, homework I had to keep reminding myself I am doing the best I can. Unfortunately, I am having a hard time accepting my best leaves me feeling unkempt and disorganized. My husband believes I have set my standards very high and I need to prioritize and delegate some of my work. He is right but I feel uncomfortable delegating work to my co-workers or disappointing my kids. Everyone has been very supportive and encouraging so I guess it is up to me to get over myself.
Another lesson I learned this term is I am not a bad a writer, I need to continue working on grammar but I can write interesting paper. Since in my future there will be a lot of writing I have gained the confidence and skills to be a good writer. I don’t have to worry about my writing skills.

Proud Mama

I was blessed to watch my daughter compete in public speaking forum with a speech titled, “Feel sorry for yourself, not me”. My teenage daughter is the average teenager that thinks their parents are ATMs but she has one minor difference - she is profoundly Deaf. She took my breath away with her poise, eloquence, and maturity. Who was this graceful young woman?
She told the audience she has grew up with peoples sad eyes which showed the sorrow for her deafness. That she was happy and proud to have parents that speaks her language and acknowledges her deafness but refuses to let it be an excuse. My parents have the courage to allow me to fail and the love to pick me up to try again.
It was wonderful to get a glance of the adult she is becoming.

What Luck!

This weekend I bumped into the parents of a good friend that I keep in touch by e-mail who knew I wanted to get away and have a family time weekend. They graciously offered the use of their “beach cottage” for free. What luck a beach house not a long drive from our home and many kid friendly activities in the area. We were shock when we got to the cottage. Their definition of beach cottage and mine is very different. A house on oceanfront property with a large heated indoor pool with gourmet kitchen is not a cottage. Mansion is what comes to mind.
We had a blast and they have given us our own set of keys to the manse with the orders to enjoy.

I chose Kaplan for the usual reasons it fit into my schedule, I did not have to travel and most of all I am home with my family. Luckily my kids are chatterboxes that seem to enjoy each other and their parents. They understand when my office door is open they are welcome and when closed only disturb me in an emergency. More importantly they respect that rule and I sense their support and pride in me. I know I am being sentimental, mushy, mine are the best Mom but I can’t help it. This morning while they sleep I want to think of them as my angels.
For the first time in a week I am up, showered and dress before the kids, and I am waiting for the baby to shout for her bottle. As I wait, I tried to go over my never ending to do list but my mind kept floating back to my family. Yesterday, we had about 12 inches of snow perfect for skiing but it is raining now. I have to think of something fun for us to do. I’ll let you know what I come up with.

I forgot

This past week I have been overwhelmed with home and schoolwork, we have two newcomers to our home one of which is a 3 month old. Babies are cute, innocent, and bring me great joy however, I forgot about the hours they keep. My little one wakes at least twice a night if not I am up checking to see if everything alright. I’m tired and blinking has become an unwelcome chore. Not only am I tired but I am positive my I.Q. has dropped a few points since I have been having great conversations with the baby in baby talk.
As much as I miss sleeping, I am enjoying having a baby in the house.

I have been challenged on so many levels this week from training the new boss, getting sick, and being called to the principal office. Yes, I was called to the principal office and I was the one who was in trouble. My fifth child is 7 and in the third grade where most of the kids are 2 years older. To keep him with children close to his age I made a deal with his school to limit his educational exposure to the Arts at home. Well, Toby, has been reading my anatomy and human diseases books to further his knowledge of the human body (his words not mine) and sharing his new knowledge with his classmates. The principal and teacher were upset not because he shared the information but they have no clue to what the students are talking about. A few of the questions they have are about heart defects, infections and how diseases are named. The teacher gave them some simplified answers which left them disappointed and unimpressed. Instead of being humble and sitting quietly, I said, “It’s great they have the ability and desire to understand such a varied and difficult subject.”
Principal just grinned and said, “I am very happy you feel that way”.
I will be teaching an enrichment science class on the human body on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons for the months of April and May.

Breaking in the New Boss

Recently, my old boss accepted a promotion however his position has been filled by a recent graduate with a Masters of Health Administration with little experience advocating for special needs children. Although, I must admit that he is great at creating charts and forms for his underlings to fill out. Normally, I wouldn’t care about the new forms but I am having my files audited by the court (every year several advocates are audited by the court system), homework, and a to do list that seems to grow by the minute. The honeymoon period for the new guy is over!
Each advocate has unloaded some of their tough cases onto him. Personally, I gave him a case where the parents call me at least twice a day (each time they call I have a new form to fill out). Also, a case where the child spits, bites and throws up on demand, usually on me. Clients are asking to be returned to their original advocate; however I am very happy for him to handle my clients.
My motto is: Life is easier when you point the boss in the right direction

Welcome

I want to welcome everyone to “Debbie’s World”, a world that considers strange and unbelievable events normal. I am not sure strange is the right word but I do know if an unusual event is going to happen, the odds are in my favor it will happen to me, like the story of my dog.
Let me introduce you to my dog, Buddy a black lab mix. When the family wanted a dog, the advocate in me headed straight for the humane society (lovingly called the pound), we would rescue a dog from a life of loneliness and despair. Who knew this pound dog would cost me 325 dollars in adoption fees and another 200 for supplies (okay, so I did not have to let each kid have their own leash) and vet bills. As I was getting over my sticker shock, I remember the bright and teary eyes of his trainer telling me of Buddy’s good and bad traits. Yet, not once did she mention this ninety-pound dog is afraid of the dark. I had to purchase a night light to keep him out and my huband in my bed at night.
So after years of toes up the nose and cliff hanging on the edge of the bed, John and I had begun to enjoy a childfree bed now, we have Buddy the pound dog.