Moving on

It has been six months since our beloved Lucy passed away. We've all managed to adjust. Her kitty things were put away, the grass has grown over the spot in the backyard where she is buried, and I finally let the bedroom window blind down all the way. It was lifted up just enough so she could look outside whenever she wanted without waking me up by pawing at it.
We've all started to feel longings for another furry friend. The kids started asking for another cat a few months ago, but Daniel and I have been holding out. I've been saying that we should wait until after vacation so it will be easier, but really I still have my uncertainties. Lucy was ours for such a long time that it's hard to imagine someone else living in her place.
But God has a way of letting you know when it's time and this week I think he did just that. Someone at Daniel's office received an e-mail from his wife about a lady who had some kittens to give to a good home. Daniel looked at the pictures and forwarded them to me. 5 precious little kittens who need a family eased my doubts. It has been so long since we had a kitten in the house. The kids never knew Lucy as a kitten. This would be so rewarding for them and good for us too. We've started debating about getting two - companionship for each other and two cats wouldn't seem so much like taking Lucy's place. We're going to "look" at them tomorrow night. Does anyone ever "look" at kittens and say "Nah, I think I'll pass"?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OWEN!

Today is Owen's 11th birthday. How did that happen? He has grown so fast. Last night I was thinking about the night/early morning he came into the world.
The very first signs of labor started while I was at work that day with a few random but strong pains. I kept my mouth shut for fear they'd send me home right away. I knew it wasn't close enough to worry so I busied myself getting all the plans set out for the substitute.
Daniel had a business dinner that night for some out-of-town folks and I was invited to come along. We went to Kanpai and still I hadn't said anything to anyone about what was going on. The pains were still far apart, but during dinner Daniel noticed me looking at my watch and breathing deeply. He asked if I was okay and I said I think we're having a baby sometime tonight. He was a little nervous after that.
It was finally time to go to the hospital around 9 or 10. The pains were close and strong, very strong. With Sara, I wasn't sure it was time when we left for the hospital, but with Owen, I knew for sure. At the hospital, I was given an epidural immediately and that's when things stopped progressing. All the epidural did was numb my feet and slow Owen's progress.
We were basically in a holding pattern from 11pm until about 5 am. It was not a pleasant few hours. At one point a nurse came in and put me on oxygen WITHOUT EXPLAINING WHY. I was freaking out. What was wrong? Finally Daniel or one of the moms spoke up and said that she was scaring me and to stop it. She finally said there was no need for panic. It was precaution because I was so tired.
About 5 am a different nurse took over my care. She was an older, more experienced nurse and she was very calming. She wedged a small pillow under my back on one side and that's when the action started. Owen had been stuck and this shift was just enough to get him moving. He was born about 20 minutes later!
I think it is so incredible that we forget so many of the moments of our lives, but a mother doesn't forget the details of when her children were born.

If it's spring, it must be testing season

OMG!!! It's testing season! Those of you in school or with children in school understand what this means or maybe you remember #2 pencils, scantron sheets, multiple choice questions... At our house testing season is particularly long and stressful.

First up is the HSAP for my sophomores in late April. Three days of writing, reading, and mathematics that serve as a gateway to graduation. Three days of being with unfamiliar students in an unfamiliar classroom for hours on end, reading from a script and watching the clock for me.

Then there is THE TEST that stresses me beyond all others - the AP Literature and Composition exam for my seniors on May 6. This test determines if they receive college credit for the work we've done all year. Normally, we prep from Spring Break to the exam with practice tests and exercises. This year I'm adding the ever-helpful banging my head against a wall to our pre-testing activities. (This comment will require you to infer for full meaning.) For this one, they are on their own on test day. I'm not allowed anywhere near them for the three hours of the test so I sit and worry.

Next, Sara and Owen will have PASS testing in mid-May. It is similar to our HSAP, but on their grade levels. Here, there's not much I can do except make sure they rest, eat well, and get to school on time. Funny, I never worry about them during testing. I guess it is because I know their teachers are worried enough for us all and I trust my own children to take these things seriously.

This year Sara will also have state End-of-Course (EOC) exams for her two high school courses, Algebra 1 and English 1, in late May. Hopefully, these will go well too.

Finally, we've have the teacher-created final exams for Sara and my sophomores on the last days of school. Yucky to create, yucky to take, yucky to grade. Owen isn't there yet, but his time is coming.

To prepare for all of this fun are endless reviews, studying, cramming, overeating, crankiness, and praying...that's just me. I'm not sure about the kids :-) Though I am not superstitious normally, there is one welcome sign that all will turn out just fine. It is the rose bush that my very first AP class bought for me. It has bloomed and prospered every year and so have my students. As I turned into the driveway yesterday afternoon, I saw the first blooms of the year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PEANUT!

Here's a big birthday shout-out to my favorite 14 year old, Sara Delaney Camp! She may not love this picture, but I do. It's from one of this year's winterguard competitions. As Tyra Banks says on one of Sara's favorite TV shows (America's Next Top Model), Sara is "smiling with her eyes." Happy Birthday to you, Princess Peanut. I'm looking forward to your birthday dinner at Moe's tonight.