Give me a D-O-N-E!

What does that spell? Done! What am I talking about? Class! That's right, tonight I finished my last class for my admin certification. I'm so glad to be done studying, writing papers, and paying tuition! I'm not sure if (well, when, I guess) there will be more school in my future, but for now I'm going to enjoy life without it. Woo-hoo!

Thanks, Mom!

Moms always seem to know when you need them. A week ago, my mom and I were talking and she decided to book a last minute flight to come spend the weekend with me. I hadn't seen her since January, which is way too long, and with so much happening in our lives, we needed to spend some time together. My mom got to town Friday morning, and we spent the weekend relaxing, watching movies, sitting by the pool, and catching up. She headed back to MN this afternoon ... it was a quick trip, but a much-needed one. Sometimes only a mom can make things right, and I'm so glad mine was here to do just that this weekend. Thanks, Mom!

**Side note: I have had many requests for baby news. While I remember writing a while back that baby news would be the primary purpose of this blog, we've been in the midst of a "baby news scare" of sorts. Please don't panic or worry ... I think everything is going to be perfectly fine. However, I wanted to let you know that while I've been avoiding baby updates and belly shots on purpose, I do not intend to continue doing so for long. I'm a little over 16 weeks now, and feeling great. More soon!

Wish Me Luck!

Tomorrow morning I take my admin certification test. This is the assessment that tests everything I've learned in my classes, and determines (based on my score) whether or not the state will grant me certification ... yikes! If I don't pass this time, I can always take it again, but I'm not even considering that an option. A passing score is 240 on a 300 point scale, which is the equivalent of an 80. It doesn't leave a ton of wiggle room, but I'm not going for any records, either. I'll gladly take a 240 with a smile. I'm nervous, and more than ready to have it out of the way. After tomorrow, I wait until scores are posted on July 11th. Nothing like a little more waiting in limbo ... Wish me luck!

"Inundated Iowa"

There's plenty of news to report in Dallas, but as I grabbed The Dallas Morning News from the driveway today, I noticed the headline above. Cedar Rapids made the front page. The flooding there continues to worsen; many are seeking shelter, the hospital has been evacuated, and the drinking water has been all but cut off, according to the article. I'm sure many of you have seen coverage of the storms and the flooding on the news this past week, and unfortunately for the people of Iowa, the conditions are not quickly improving.

We have friends who live in various parts of Iowa, including Cedar Rapids. Please keep these families in your thoughts as they face the dangers and frightening reality of the flooding and possible evacuation. Also keep in your thoughts the many in Iowa whose livelihoods depend on the quality of the land; a successful harvest is at the mercy of the storms.

The Summer of 2008 will surely go down in the record books in Iowa; lets hope for relief shortly.

12 Weeks, 6 Days

I wanted to share with you a new baby picture. I went to see the perinatal specialist today, who conducts tests (through sonogram and blood work - no harm to the baby) to determine whether the baby may have certain developmental abnormalities. At this point in the pregnancy, she'll look for Downs Syndrome and a couple of other more servere disabilities. Later on, around 18 weeks, she'll be able to see whether all of the organs are forming correctly (without holes, etc.) ... at least this is what I understand of the process; I'm sure many of you can correct me if I'm wrong.

Her machine was very high-tech, and the clarity at which we could see the baby was amazing. She showed the view from the top of the baby's head, and we saw both parts of the brain (yea). We also saw the spine, arm and leg bones, fingers, the bladder, the stomach, and other organs that just the doctor could make out. It was incredible! The doctor told me that the organs are all in the right places, and everything that should be there is there. The baby's heart rate, which was 173 last time, has dropped to a healthy 156.

The doctor got a kick out of the fact that the baby was bouncing around non-stop, making it difficult for her to get the right shots. She said, "This is a wild one ... you'll know this one's personality well before birth." YIKES!

No More Pencils, No More Books

School's out! Around February, I was wondering if this school year would ever end, but when the final bell rang yesterday, I found myself in a serious state of shock. Where did the time go? Technically, I'm on contract to work today and tomorrow. However, our school is undergoing serious renovation this summer (it actually started in April and will completely finish August '09), so we had to be OUT by 6:00 yesterday evening, and we can't get back in until August 1st. So, grades are in and everything is boxed up (that makes 4 moves for me in 5 years) ... and we're officially done!

The close of this school year was more bittersweet than usual. Sweet for all of the obvious reasons, and a little bitter because I'm really going to miss teaching English. It's so rewarding when I can find something to spark a 13-year-old's interest in writing and literature and I know I'll miss that challenge. The teachers reading this will understand what I mean when I say it is so hard to part with certain materials, even if they won't be used again. I managed to pack full just one lonely, large plastic container with the items that I hold near and dear. Many other items I'm "handing down" to the new teacher taking my spot, and I hope she'll do them justice! Isn't it funny how we get so attached to lessons, management styles, just a way of "doing things"?

A side note: My friend, Christine, is leaving teaching this year ... just for the time being, I think ... and I don't know what Congress will do without her! She was my first real mentor in education, and I know I've become a good teacher because of what I've learned from her. I'm sure she's feeling the same nostalgia in packing items, and possibly parting with some. I'm not sure there's anyone who could replace her and serve the incoming students even half as well as she has in her tenure.

For those of you who cannot relate to the teacher talk, I'll stop. Sorry. Steve and I traded cars a couple of weeks ago just for fun. Yesterday as I was driving to school, I heard a relatively normal "beep, beep" from his car (same sound it makes when it needs gas) and then the word STOP started flashing on the dash. I panicked, but because I was within feet of the school, I decided to STOP once I pulled into a parking spot. The message on the dash then said, "check coolant." Great. Steve came to school and traded cars with me, hoping to get his to the dealership. Before he could make it there, though, the car started to overheat, and he had to be towed from the Academy parking lot. Once he got to the dealership, he was told that they probably won't even be able to look at his car until Friday, and while they don't give out loaner cars, they'd give him a free ride back to work. Gee, thanks for the perk. So, after lots of running around yesterday and a lengthy wait at the train station, Steve managed to get some work done, pick me up from school, take me to class, and then pick me up from class. I know many people survive with one car, but it's pretty much just a pain in the @#$ for us. And the real kicker is that we just finished paying off Steve's car ... it's only fitting that it will now completely fall to pieces. Anyone reading who has come into lots of cash recently and would like to share??

Today is day #3 of a wind advisory here. Not sure what the advisory advises for or against, but it sure is windy. I'm calling it quits on doing my hair for a while.