Helloooo from Nebraska!

Well, here is my very first attempt at blogging. This is BFFE from Nebraska. I went to college with Rae and can you believe it was 10 years ago we graduated?? She's interested in going to the reunion this October at the Homecoming Football game...I'm not sure....we'll have to see where my DH is and about my children......


Speaking of college, I graduate with my master's in early childhood special education next Saturday at 9:00!! You're invited, of course!! I hope I don't trip or need to go to the bathroom in the middle. Nothing will ever beat the beautiful graduation we had in the Willow Bowl outdoors though....


I have an 8 yr old boy who is very active and onery at times, but loves to bury his nose in a book. He's reading the Captain Underpants series right now and should be finished by Monday or Tuesday with all the books (and he just got started on Wednesday). My 3 yr old loves books too, and likes to be onery like his big brother. He knows all his letters and I'm waiting for him to figure out word beyond the STOP sign....I will be chasing the 3yr old this fall up and down the soccer field as big bro plays.......

I'm a special ed teacher who has worn many hats the ten years I've been teaching...I started in New Mexico when my DH was stationed at the Air Force base...teaching autistic and moderately mentally handicapped kids in a self contained classroom....then in Nebraska teaching K-5 severe kiddos with multiple handicaps (cerebral palsy, autism, mental handicaps) that was very challenging and draining. I scaled down to K-3 when they hired a new teacher, and then I decided to go back to school per a federal grant....two years ago! Last year I nearly overdid it with grad school, teaching two Headstart preschool classes plus special ed for preschool, and my family. My DH was online classes for his MBA as well, which he got in June. Anyway, I am now going to work with families at risk (poverty, low birth weight, prematurity, non English speaking, and teen parents) for birth to three as well as toddler special education services AND some preschool special education services. Crazy, huh? I don't have an office to work out of, but do have a classroom that I can't "office" out of...I'm a homeless teacher and the district, like last year, is very lacking in concern over it, and the elementary special education teachers are of no support as they see themselves as overworked as well....so besides feeling a little down and apprehensive, the school year starts next week....but I think once things get started and lined up, I think I will enjoy it. It's just hard not knowing my hours (need to be flexible for the families and to do evening activities) to set up a babysitter for my boys....

My DH has a new job starting in 2 weeks that is two hours from our town...so we will go back to living like we did when he was a truck driver...home on weekends...but he is to be traveling...if he wasn;t in a dead end job (which worked perfectly since he took my 3 yr old to my mom to babysit in that town 30 min from here) and the pay increase is so nice...hopefully in a year we will be moving to the city (closer to Rae), but I hope for a smaller town around there....big believer in small town values....plus I'm a scaredy cat driving in a big city!

After the past years of online classes (two and a half for me, five for my hubby)....We still don't know how to act as a family or a couple...my hubby and I once in a while sit and stare at our computers....but we sure have taken advantage of running around the state and to Iowa and Colorado once we were done!!!!!!!! We enjoyed the Quasi Centennial at Rae's town, if I can figure out how to post picts I will....We loved biking, hiking in Colorado mountains with my parents and bro and future sis in law. Beautiful! We are going to a Kool-Aid days tomorrow and maybe to a waterpark...(me in a swimsuit...think of the poor gal Rae described....) next week to a minor league ball game the night before or the day of the ball game (lots of kid things...an enclosed playground, bouncing inflatables, fireworks on Friday or the last vacation giveaway on Saturday, people watching) and maybe a trip to the gorgeous state park....

Well I hope I didn't go on too long about me....


My thoughts on Rae and her family.....

About Rae...she's sweet, she's stubborn, strong willed, and has a firm stand in her beliefs...even if she does love George W (just kidding, Rae!!). Her kids are a blessing, and she's a great mom, and tries hard in all she does for her children, her hubby, and her family, and her church and community. Her words "telling it like it is" have comforted me and challenged me to be better by acting like my Jiminy Cricket (ie. announcing to my extended family about my church marriage was actually to be a wedded blessing when I was already married to my hubby...almost a year earlier by civil union per Bosnia orders). Rae educated me and gave me appreciation for and some understanding of the struggles of families trying for children (IVF) and the heartbreak and joy that come of it, and of the anticipation and joy of adoption....her strength has taught me lessons of life, and yet her "only Rae" moments have brought me to realize that my not-so-perfect moments (often!!!!) remind me that we are human too, and the fact that Rae can laugh at herself too teaches me humility. I admire that she set her standards for her job, and even though she enjoyed the work, she packed her bags to take care of her children (which were more important) when her bosses crossed her lines....I wish financially I could do that, but she did, and now is doing the most important job that is also the most difficult one of all: a stay at home mom....doesn't matter how clean your house is or what you get done, it's the amount of quality time she spends interacting with her children every day, and with your own kids I can attest to how trying and how they can push your buttons and drive you to your wits end, but how joyous and full of gratitude they can make you...how proud and to treasure those fleeting moments...

DH is a quiet, gentle guy who is very laid back....a good match for Rae's hyperdrive sometimes, they need each other to balance out...his easy going ways with the kids, easy laughter, and a good comforter, I bet. Rae, he did a nice job with the kids during the community church service, handling them well, redirecting gently and showing soft guidance.

By the way, I think Rae should post her beautiful testimony she gave at the community church service. I had a man come up at the waffle feed and ask if "that boy C'man?"....she moved a lot of people. Brave girl!

Miss A is described as a chip off the old block...a normal head strong two year old who knows what she wants....just think of how she will be in a tough situation later in life! She enjoyed watching the parade, pointing and smiling at what she liked...Who will win...I think the dark haired beauty will!

C'man is a sweet inquisitive farm boy! I was impressed with his no fear method of looking for eggs and love of the tractor. Loves to talk with others (I was surprised that he struck up a conversation with an old guy about the flag in front of the old school) and play and run.

The end!!!!!!!!!!!!