How (not) to Pick a Pre-School

December of 2006, Jason and I happily/nervously/prayerfully signed papers to build a house in Lebanon, Ohio. It seemed like all the cards fell into place...We were 5 minutes from my parents and 10 minutes from Ridgeville Christian - the private Christian school I attended kindergarten through 12th grade. While I can't say I always LOVED the school, but looking back, I know those wonderful people helped shape me into the person I am (and I like myself :) so we decided that would be a great place for Julia and any more babies we would have.

May of 2007, the school announced is was closing. After 40+ years, they close 5 months after we signed our life away to build this house...nice...leaving a HUGE gap in the 16 yr plan I had for my child(ren).

So when the time came, we went with our very distant 2nd choice. Putting our smiley faces on over-drive, we were certain Julia would hit the floors of mini-acedemia running - and then I met her teacher...She was pleasant, I suppose, but when I saw her, there were no warm fuzzies...I kept telling Jason "She's just not a pre-school teacher" - and he had no idea what I meant until 4 months into the school year, she quit to be an office manager at a dental office. Here's to mommy-intuition! Julia's new teacher was amazing. She hugged the children and just seemed happy to be there...She was a pre-school teacher...but retired after the year was over...

So we started a new year this past fall. Another nice, but no warm fuzzy teacher. She didn't say "hi" to Julia when she came in. She didn't say "good-bye" let alone hug Julia as she left. The few times she acknowledged me were to inform me Julia wasn't using scissors right or Julia hid under the table when she couldn't be line leader. Now I don't expect a parade every time my child enters a room, but I like/expect manners and want to leave them with a smiling teacher who appears happy that she's there.

The day of the Christmas program, her teacher came up to me and said that she didn't know what to do with Julia who was sitting against the wall quietly while 3 boys stood in the hall hitting each other and 2 other girls were crying for Lord only knows what reason....and the teacher is outing Julia. Later the teacher told me she thought Julia was upset because she wanted a solo and the teacher didn't think Julia could do it. I should have ran out the door with Julia in tow at the moment...My degree is not education. It is not in child psychology, but I know you don't put limits on a 4 yr old like that, right? Even if the song was totally botched, I for one, love children singing for that very reason! They are cute and precocious.

After another similar incident, we decided we were done. I know it's just pre-school, but I just couldn't have my child told she couldn't do something, when we tell her the world is hers. If that's their philosophy, we fold. We are out.

We are starting a new school on Monday. Her teacher, coincidentally, went to Ridgeville. Julia met her on Friday. I am happy to report Miss Angela was smiling, welcoming and just a complete 180 from we had experienced at the other school. I gave her a little back ground of our reason for moving and my heart jumped when her mouth dropped as I recounted the teacher's dismissal of Julia's potential. Vindication!

I know this is another ramble of a blog, but I just thought I get the story out there and say...Moms, go with your intuition!

Redemption for My Last Post

I'm pretty sure Julia and Joshua got the point of last Friday morning's madness blog...They shaped up (or maybe I did) and we had a delightful afternoon reading books, making chocolate hearts and snuggling on the couch...I pray/hope/beg for that to be a sign of my life to come!

Maybe God sensed my distress, too, and gave our little family a wonderful weekend :) Saturday was a super-fun snow day. Jason, Julia and the next door neighbors shoveled, played and went sledding in the afternoon while Joshua and I spent some non-cry-cry pants time together.

Yesterday after church, Julia and I hit the streets of Lebanon...Oh how I love my little city - and I love that Julia loves it, too! We went through some antique and consignment shops before stopping in at the Golden Lamb for dessert. Something about that place turns my busy-little-go-getting-non-stop princess into the perfect little young lady. She sits down, puts her napkin on her lap, and uses manners w/out being reminded. She had the whole place charmed and I was so proud :)
We had a toasted pecan ball and the explored the 3 floors of hotel rooms that she loves so much. Then hit the library for some new books....

We got home and everyone suited up for more fun in the snow. Joshua LOVED the sled riding! It was a great way to end/begin the week! (((Smiles)))

SAHM 911

So I stayed at home today...for the first time without Jason since October...and I'm freaking out a little...let me tell you why...

October to February, I work full time for a national tax prep. franchisor as a Media Buyer. I put marketing plans together for 22 markets based on our target demo, then negotiate contracts with TV and Radio stations getting the most umph! for our dollars. Once the spots start to air, I track the ROI repsonse making sure the stations perform at an acceptable level based on phone calls generated by each station. I know you wanted to know all that!

So the end of February is quickly approaching and by 9am today, I realized the harsh reality that I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO BE A STAY AT HOME MOM!

Joshua is teething and is uber-sensitive to every move I make. I told him I had to go potty and he threw himself into hysterics banging his head on the floor. The only times he actually was not clinging to my feet were when I was holding him (which I love, but can't do it all day) or when Clifford was on (and I'm not the "let the TV baby-sit my baby all day" type tempting as it may be).

Julia just runs the house with the occasional walk-by assault on her brother's head while I'm trying to get some house work done and keep up on work issues that need my attention.

So these past few hours have me in a virtual panic thinking of the next 7 months. This will be my life everyday. Even writing it makes my chest tighten.

Please know that I LOVE MY CHILDREN with my whole heart and most of me cannot wait to be the mom I want to be - the kind that stays home teaching them new things, taking them new (free) places and taking care of them as I know time goes all too fast.

Ok. I'm breathing easier now...

So here is my ramble of a blog post...

How Much Do 2 CT Scans Cost?

So Friday, I get a call from Jason saying that he got hit playing basketball...His office is close to the Kettering Y and a couple of times a week, he and some buddies play...good times...

Except for Friday, a new guy joined in and during the last game, he went up for the ball coming down with his elbow on Jason's head....hard....

Now I'll admit that when Jason called me I was fairly certain he was just concerned over a goose-egg, but he was certain he needed to go to the ER and be checked.

When I got there, I knew he was right. The dude was talking so bizarre! His speech was slurring. His word choice was awkward. His humor was off. He had a concussion.

So for the 2nd time in 2 weeks, one of my guys got a CT Scan. Thankfully, his inner-brain was there and not injured beyond repair.