We're Home

Ted and I returned home last night after a fabulous trip to Wisconsin. Friday night we went out to eat with family for a fish fry. Afterward we went to my aunt's and everyone sat outside and talked. The weather was perfect and not a mosquito was to be seen.
Saturday we went to the family picnic. My cousin Linda and I spent about 2 hours sitting outside and talking. The weather was beautiful. Only a few of my cousins and their families were missing. I hadn't seen most of my relatives in at least 5 years. That night Ted and I had dinner at a restaurant called Burrachos (which means drunk in Spanish...it's the 2nd burrito shop I've seen with this name). The burrito was awesome. We split one since they are so big. We then went back to the hotel and rested.
Sunday we were off to Pepin, Wi, birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We had to take 2 cars because there wasn't room for all of the adults in my car with a carseat and booster. My cousin Amy's children are great and it was so much fun to have them with us. My cousin Katie also went. I loved spending time with her too. The day was overcast and it sprinkled a few times for a minute (maybe). We visited the Pepin Museum, the replica cabin, a store, and a neat restaurant. A farmer was baling hay next to the cabin so we sat and watched him for a while. Payton loved yelling, "Shoot the hay!" each time the baler tossed a bale in the hay wagon. The restaurant (The Garden Pub and Grille) was a little sandwich place that had all outdoor seating. We sat in the section that was covered by a roof. They had a water garden with a fall and River and Payton went out and watched it endlessly while we all continued to visit. On our way back to La Crosse we stopped in Nelson. Wi for ice cream and to buy cheese. Without the car ride we spent 6 hours sightseeing and having family time.
Monday was a very early day for us. We had to leave by 7:30 in order to be to the clinic on time. We spent about 2 and a half hours at the doctor. I have learned that I'm allergic to almost everything I always was and then some. While being tested for an allergy to citric acid I ended up in respiratory distress. So, the updated list of allergies so far is as follows: Dust Mite, Ragweed, Grass, Trees, TCE, Alternaria, Cladosporium, AA Mold Mix, Aspergilius, Penicillium, Formalin (formaldihyd) , Hamsters, Grain Dust, Soybean Dust, and Citric acid. All of these were in the severe to very severe range except Fomalin which was mild. We are waiting for blood test results on the following allergies: Baker's Yeast, Corn, Eggwhite, Lemon, Milk, Orange, Peanuts, Soybean, Wheat, Candida Albicans, Cat Dander, Cockroach, Dog Epithelium, and Guinea Pigs. So, I've started my treatment for the first group and once the results are in on the second group I'll start that treatment too. I have to go back in 3-6 months for a follow up. Ted was allergic to 13 things. Most were in the moderate range with 4 being severe and 2 mild.
Monday night we ate at my aunts house and visited with family again. This time the mosquitos chased us in the house.
After the doctor we went to my Aunt's house to visit with Amy and Katie some more. My parents were there already. We had lunch from Coney Island. We had a nice visit even though a bird flew over and dropped a "gift" on my head.
We came home yesturday after buying a new yard game that Ted played at the picnic. It's called Lasso Golf. Ted had fun and we found it on sale at Shopko. Now he sees that they sell them here at Target.

Fingers crossed

I have been online all day searching for my best friend from childhood. I think I have found her. I sent an email to the address I found connected with her name. I lost touch with her 4 or 5 years ago. I hope I have found her.
T and I went to the new Maid-Rite in Plymouth. I'm going again on Monday with Fran and Laura. Long story short...I grew up less than a mile away from the owner-in Cedar Rapids. Her family moved to Indiana 2 years after we did. We are the same age and everything!
I have to visit the library today. A book I requested has come in. I also have a few items to return. I love books.

Friday

I had very weird dreams last night/this morning. I am amazed when I hear the average dream lasts 3 seconds because my dreams seem to last at least 30. Here are the 2 I remember:

#1. My Uncle John was receiving an "I Care" award for saving a person's life at work. We were all there to seem him get the award. Yay Uncle John! (background info...Uncle John works in a school. "I Care" is part of the social skills/peace education program I use in my classroom)

#2. I was in church sitting next to my friend Lori and some of my friends from high school. Church was in my high school auditorium. Tree 63 was singing "Sunday" and Lori told me she didn't like the song. I though to myself, I feel so comfortable it's as if I'm wearing pjs. I looked down and I WAS wearing pjs. Then we all decide to walk around looking for our husbands who are missing. (I woke up before I could embarrass myself. And, the part of "Sunday" I heard in my dream was: "It’s Friday, but Sunday is comin'. Yeah, it's Friday, but Sunday is comin'." Ironic, since today is Friday and all.)

I must begin a dream journal because I've had some great ones in the past few months.

Another side note...spell check says "pjs" should be written as "pj's." I say that's incorrect because the "s" is not showing ownership and it is not a contraction. Am I correct?

Let's try again

After a 2-year hiatus we are going to start that fun adoption process all over again. T. told me today that the Lord has placed it on his heart to foster to adopt through the state. So, tomorrow I will contact our social worker and start the process again. I bet I can update our home study in my sleep (3 times a charm after all). I think we have to renew our first aid and CPR certification. I become unglued during the tests, I hate thinking I may fail...or hurt someone. Please keep us in your prayers. I think I'm ready for this. At one time after the "failure" I wasn't so sure I'd ever want to do this again. But when Ted told me what he was thinking I felt peace.
Tomorrow also begins the spring cleaning season at our house. Every year when school ends we deep clean. I hope I'm able to purge the house of all that is not needed. Realistically, I'll be pleased just to feel like the house is clean again.

Conversation with a different child

R walked in today at 10:30, only 2 hours late. I check the admit slip which reads, "missed the bus." Funny thing is, I saw her mother drop off her 2 sisters on time. The following exchange took place.

Me
Hi R welcome to school. Your class hasn't returned from the field trip.
R
I missed the bus.
Me
I saw your mom drop your sisters off. Did they forget you at home?
R
Blank stare
Me (walking toward the door)
Okay, let's get your jacket and backpack in your locker.
R
Blank stare
Me
Is something wrong?
R
My mom didn't want to drive me to the field trip.
Me
I'm sorry. Was she running late?
R
No. She didn't feel like it.

R has CP and couldn't walk to the museum (walking field trip, about 1/2 mile). Mom had agreed to drive her and chaperone. Her mom is a bad word.

Oh, remember C? One of my aides saw him in the hallway this morning and asked him if he was going on the field trip. His reply, "No thanks. I'm not in the mood." Oops, I guess he didn't realize this wasn't an optional trip once you return your permission slip and show up to school on field trip day.

Conversation with a child

The following conversation took place in my classroom.

C
I don't believe in God. I believe in the devil (devil spoken in 5 yr. old scary voice).
Me
Why don't you believe in God?
C
Because I want to be cool like the devil. He has horns.
Me
Does your mom know you don't believe in God?
C
She doesn't care. She doesn't believe in God either.
Me
Did she tell you that?
C
No. I'll give you two reasons. 1. She smokes.
Me
Well C, just because a person smokes doesn't mean they don't believe in God.
C
Number two, she's rude (rude spoken with conviction).
Me
Unfortunately C, some people who believe in God are rude. You need to ask your mom about God.
C
I'm not cool like the devil yet 'cause I'm afraid of the dark.
Me
Oh, God is the perfect person to help you with the dark.
C
Really? Hmmmm
Me
Yes, when you are alone and it's dark you can simply say, "God I'm afraid. Please help me."
C
I can?
Me
Yes.
C
Hmmm, I think I believe in God now.
Me
I'm so glad because the devil wants you to think he's cool but he's really bad.
C
Why do you think he has those cool horns?
Me
I don't know.

In the weeks that have followed we have had more of these conversations. Many begin with C saying, "I don't think I believe in God anymore." He is always easily shown that the reasons he doesn't believe are the reasons he needs God most. Then last week he came to me with this:

C
I don't believe in God.
Me
Why?
C
I'm mad at him.
Me
You can tell God you're mad at him. It won't make him angry. He wants to help you.
C
I can?
Me
Yes. Why are you mad at him?
C
Because my mom and my uncle got in a fight and my mom was crying. Then she left and left me and my baby sister home.
Me
I'm so sorry that happened. Was your uncle still home?
C
Yes.
Me
Were you scared?
C
Yes. Later she came home.
Me
God always hears us when we are frightened. What could you have said to God?
C
God I'm scared and my mom is sad.
Me
That's perfect. You could also ask him to keep you and S and your mom safe.
C
Okay. My uncle told me my mom is crazy.
Me
I'm sorry he said that to you. Grown-ups shouldn't talk to children like that.
C
Mmm...that's okay. My mom is crazy.

I will miss this precious child this summer.

Random thoughts

*why did M beg me not to go home sick from work at noon? /Does he hate the sub that was coming? Was he hoping I'd give him more garbage as I clean cupboards? Does he like me even though I've had to be so tough with him all year? He actually told me he'd miss me when he went to middle school.

*MMmmmm, that KFC Famous Bowl tasted good at lunch.

*Why won't this headache go away? I'm not going to be able to see Rush of Fools tonight, wah!

*8 schools days to go, woo hoo!

*I hate field day. I'm praying for rain next Thursday. Is it wrong to pray that a fun day for students will be spoiled for my sake?

*I love cinnamon...I have Hot Tamales next to me right now to prove it.

*I wish I didn't have to unplug and plug things in to use the DVD player in my bedroom. I'd love to watch The Last Sin Eater right now, too bad.