5 years of education converging on this point in time...

 I picked up my regalia this morning.  Is it bad luck to see the official garb before the official graduation ceremony?

I really don't care.  This is the culmination of a 5 year education goal:  1 year of Gen Ed for all of those science, math and stats credit I needed to take, 2 years of undergrad in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and 2 years of Speech-Language Pathology.  I had to try the whole kit and caboodle on as soon as I got home.

Although, I have no idea how I am supposed to really wear the hood.   Check out the sleeves - those are different, too! 

Okay so I am not great at the whole selfie picture thing.  I certainly don't have the practice for it.  But check it out.  I graduate with my Masters this month!

Countdown to grad school

Titres, skin tests, CPR certification. All the stuff I didn't know I needed to have before grad school is now messing up my trip-to-Utah plans before school starts. Grad school also wants my immunization records. As another 40-something classmate has also found out, we can't get those records because they no longer exist. I've had a few booster shots in the past two years that will count, but it looks like I will need a few more.

I've spent over $500 on textbooks for this upcoming semester, including 5 books for neurology alone. I love neurology but I will admit to some apprehension of the seeming insurmountable workload from that class alone. I need to pay tuition this week, too, and give information on my insurance for my SHIP waiver.

Kids school supplies have been purchased as well as most of the school clothes they will need. Still waiting anxiously for information on meet-the-teacher night as I still don't know who they will be.

Slowly things are being checked off my to-do list. I will admit to a small bit of anxiety in the realm of "Can I really do this?" But I know that this goal of grad school is a righteous goal and I will have all the help I need to accomplish it. God is great. He will not leave me alone.

I've been marveling at all the huge milestones our family will see during my two years of grad school:

* Firstborn has an interview this Sunday to be ordained an elder after which we will start marking off the checklist of everything to be done before his mission. He can turn in his papers in November. He'll leave for his mission sometime in February. He is hoping to serve in Africa like his grandparents.

*Secondborn will turn 16, be ordained a Priest which will allow him to bless the Sacrament. He will also start driving and dating (in my church, dating doesn't start until you turn 16). If you ask him which one he is more excited for between driving and dating, he will certainly tell you driving.

* Thirdborn will turn 12 and be ordained a deacon, which will allow him to pass the Sacrament. This is a big deal and he is so excited at the thought.

These are huge milestones in my church and my kids are really looking forward to them. Here is to the next two years. They will be monumental.

Bachelor of Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Giving my stole of gratitude to the man who help me the most, lifted me higher, strengthened me, and believed in me. And he is darn handsome, to boot.

Walking across the stage felt like pageant walking (head up, shoulders back, don't forget to smile and make it look natural, DON'T TRIP!).

Lots of cheers and "GO MOM!" and woot-woots.

Being thrilled for myself and my sister CSEDers (Dave, you also count as a sister CSEDer, brother). We worked so hard for this!

In awe of my family's love for me.

In awe of the extravagant flowers they presented to me as I walked out with my fellow students. Whoa, does a tiara come with this?

Wishing my parents could have been there. They will be in two years when I get my M.S.

Things To Celebrate

ISATs (Idaho Standard Achievement Test) was underway last month. Moms know the drill: make sure you kids get a good night's sleep, a good breakfast, and be sure to send them off with a positive attitude.

I remember taking standardized tests by filling in bubbles on a paper test using a #2 pencil. No longer. My kids take state standardized tests on the computer. They are immediately given their scoring when they are done. Not sure how I feel about my elementary kids seeing that score. At least I wasn't sure until last week.

Thirdborn came running home to announce the news: "MOM! I scored 'Proficient' on my Language ISAT!" My jaw dropped. This is the kid who was diagnosed with dyslexia, disgraphia, Audio Processing Disorder, and a Language Disorder. He has been in language therapy with the school's SLP since he was diagnosed. He just scored 'Proficient' and he wanted to celebrate.

I talked to his resource teacher yesterday. She confirmed that he did indeed score 'Proficient' on his Language ISAT. She took him around the school to let him share his news to all those who have been working with him. This is a very big deal. So tomorrow (when we all have an hour) we shall celebrate ISATs. Thirdborn wants to go get a milkshake at his favorite place.

Firstborn competed at the Idaho HOSA (Health Occupation Student Association) state competition last month as part of his Sports Med program. His PSA video won first place at the state competition and will be taken to nationals this summer. If he wins, the award is scholarship money. He is thrilled just to make it to nationals. Also, Firstborn just got a job(!) as a developmental therapist. Turns out, having a sister with Down syndrome, a CPR certification, and experience from all the volunteer work he has done with DS foundations and Special Olympics makes him very marketable as a DT. He is thrilled to have a decent paying job with benefits. He has no time to celebrate, so that will have to wait when he graduates from high school at the end of the month.

I get to celebrate Mothers Day on Sunday, graduate from ISU on Monday, and celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary on Tuesday. Might as well start the party now. Today is Cinco de Mayo. And my twin sister's 22nd wedding anniversary.

Uncertain Future and Tender Mercies

I've been quietly avoiding my blog for specific reasons.

Uncertainty. Pity party. Frustration. Worry.

I've prayed for months. I've gone to the temple. I've tried to have great faith.....and then wondered if I didn't have enough faith.

Trying to sell myself to grad schools has been a trial. I sent grades. I sent what I thought was a great letter. I sent good GRE scores. I sent my heart in three cyber envelopes and one snail mail. All in hopes that some university would say "We like you! We really like you!"

Vanderbilt sent a lovely rejection letter. Seriously, it oozed southern charm. I was slightly sad but not too much because that was my long shot. I was over it by the next day.

Florida State sent me a terse rejection email. I was devastated. I thought I met all their criteria. It was a great school and really close to my Georgia grandmother (as in I could head over there for Sunday dinner and spent days off hanging with her. I would have loved that opportunity!) It was a hard blow and I really grieved.

Then I worried. What if no one wants me?

The University of Utah sent a rejection letter. I don't think they ever received my GRE score. I tried to find out what was going on before the deadline, but the secretary I called was rather terse (every single time). I think she was having a bad day (week/month) and didn't want to mess with my problems.

Mr. Wonderful took me to the temple. We talked about what would happen if I didn't get accepted anywhere. After all, if three universities didn't want me, why would my own university want me? What then? Do I wait and apply again? Do I chalk it up to a great experience? We both knew that it was divine inspiration that I go back to school. I finally had to just put it all in God's hands. His plan is the best plan (isn't that what I have to keep learning?) I finally tried to humble myself and say "Heavenly Father, I trust you."

On April Fool's Day this came in the mail. But it was no April Fools:

My university wants me. I am going to grad school to become an Speech-Language Pathologist.

I AM GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL!

I shouted this to my entire neighborhood. Those who were out washing their cars heard me. I'm sure the angels heard me. I called Mr. Wonderful. I called my twin sis. I called my BFF who was so helpful when I admitted that the rejection letters made me feel .......well, not worthless but certainly not wanted.

My university has faith in me and I am so grateful to them for their confidence in me. The program is highly competitive to get into.

This morning I woke up with a reassurance that my Father in Heaven is well aware of me. We are definitely meant to stay here. Secondborn has a wonderful opportunity in an advanced high school. The programs available here for Thirdborn and The Love Magnet are so much better than other places we've lived. Firstborn will be able to leave for his mission from here (ohmiheavens, he leaves in less than a year!) The kids are relieved that we are not moving and that they don't have to leave their friends, teachers, and schools. There is a relief of not having to sell our house. I'm grateful that we'll be staying around our ward family, close-ish to our immediate family (well at least we can get there for weekends away), and I am beyond thrilled to be going to school with my classmates who are also kindred spirits and very much like sisters.

My future is more certain. I can't control much in my life,

but at least I know the direction I am going.

Believe. Hope. Endure Joyfully. Welcome 2011!

The textbooks have come. Sticker shock over the $150+ price tag of my Educational Audiology paperback textbook as well as the $50+ price tag of Topical Diagnosis in Neurology textbooks whose size I can easily fit into my purse. I can already tell you that my Neurology class is going to be incredibly tough. Still, I am looking forward to it.

Last semester, blog peeps. I am getting my B.S. in Communication Disorders in May. Twenty years after my original plan of when it was supposed to happen (albeit with a B.A. in Musical Dance Theater way back in the '91) I am going to graduate.

Can you hear the angels singing? Oh, yeah, I can.

Today's plans include more sticker shock as I go pay my tuition for the semester. Then it's off to practice the organ at church. Yesterday I was called to be the Assistant Ward Organist. I have a feeling my old piano teacher, Sister Larson, is up in heaven pointing her finger at me and saying "I told you that you needed to learn organ!" I have downloaded and printed BYU's The New Organist program and will listen to the free accompanying MP3 lectures from iTunes. BTW, those lectures and printouts are FREE if you are interested. 12 lessons in all and the claim is that it should turn me into an organist or at least put me on the path. BYU also has their yearly organ workshops (this year it starts August 2nd) which I am seriously looking into attending. I used to love their choir workshops.

As for the title of my first blog in 2011, it comes from a talk I gave the last Sunday in 2010 in my ward. Mr. Wonderful, Secondborn, and I were asked to focus on the topic of the 13th Article of Faith. My talk was about the middle: "We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things." I took the liberty of changing it a bit to "....and hope to be able to endure all things joyfully". My goals for 2011.

Midterms week

I can hardly believe that the semester is half over. This has been the hardest semester ever, not just due to the material, but getting ready for the GRE and applying to different schools. I have not written my Letter of Intent yet and need to get busy. I have 3 letters or rec and need two more. Papers to write. Projects to start/finish. Observation hours to accrue.

The Love Magnet woke up this morning acting ornery. Sign #1 that something is afoot. She has had a runny/stuffy nose all week. Sure enough, she now has a fever on the day I am supposed to take a midterm in my Assessment and Intervention class. It seems like every single virus that comes around the neighborhood hits her harder than anyone else. I emailed my prof, who graciously will allow me to take the exam tomorrow or Friday morning. As long as I don't talk to my classmates about the exam. Not a problem.

I'll have to use this day to work on GRE, catch up on laundry and dishes, and perhaps even put a dent in the office that never stays clean for more than 24 hours.

I can do 'hard' for 2 1/2 more years. My question is: Can my family stand for me to do 'hard' for the next 2 1/2 years?

I Spy With My Little Eye......

...custom jewelry made for an SLP.

a tiny newspaper and A-B-C

a cherry red heart that states kids are my passion

a speech bubble, a message in a bottle, EVERYONE IS UNIQUE, and perfect cupid-bow lips

I asked the Divine Miz V at the Cosmic Fun Palace to create a charm bracelet for me to chronicle my journey to become a SLP. I love the results she came up with. I'm sure if you desire something fun and handmade to show off your love for your work, you can count on Miz V to make it so. Check out her work (and the work of Soozcat) on their Etsy site. Just click on their workplace at the top of the paragraph. I have my eyes on the Yoda Lego, R2D2 Lego, and Harry Potter Lego earrings for my next purchase.

I need your prayers

It's finals week for me. I'm worried about 2 classes, and not so worried about the other three. It is just the stress of finals. Please keep me in your prayers. I'll post big after this week about all sorts of things.

Brain....altered

I received an order from Amazon today.

I'm literally giddy with excitement. I just finished a test and some homework. As soon as I finished telling you about this, I am going to dig in and read voraciously.

The Syntax Handbook: Everything You Learned About Syntax.....But Forgot!

Oh. My. Heavens.


I think it's time for school to be over for a while. I've officially lost my sanity.

Dear Teachers and Parents of all kids with disabilities

I am currently working on a proposal and report about the feasibility of teaching basic ASL to paraprofessionals (teachers aides your child utilizes in school) for my English Tech. Writing class. Paraprofessionals are generally not trained.

I have a few questions to ask you. I need answers by July 10, 2009 in order to finish my report.

Moms:

1. Do you sign with your child?

2. Would you be interested in learning more ASL to help your child if help was available?

3. If your child has limited speech, would you want your child's special educators, mainstream teachers, and paraprofessionals to learn a basic form of ASL?

Teachers:

1. Would you be willing to learn a basic form of ASL (no grammar or syntax, just signs) to help teach in your classroom when needed?

2. Would you prefer training as a college credit course (reimbursed), in-service instructed, or DVD instruction in your own home?

3. Can ASL help in teaching children to read (I already know the answer to this one but I need your answer in your words).

TIA for all of your help. I'm excited about this assignment. Please feel free to pass this on to other teachers and moms. Leave comments on this post.

Sincerely,

Scarehaircare

Mom to The Love Magnet who has T21
Student majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Pre-Speech Language Pathology

DID YOU JUST HEAR ME SCREAM? TWICE?!!!

WOOO-HOOO!

Just had word that our Utah house sale has finally funded and we are no longer land barons. No more paying for two mortgages. We are now the proud owners of one house!


WOOO-HOOO!

Grades are out and I earned an A- in Stats. That puts my GPA at a 3.8. Does an A- still count for straight A's? The person with the highest grades in the family gets to pick/plan the family vacay. Secondborn won last year with straight A's. I told him to watch out this semester. Excuse me while I do a happy dance......

Deja Vu

The smell of Anytown USA college book store.

The frustrating hunt to find the texts I need.

The disappointment in not seeing any used books.

The sticker shock of brand new textbooks.

The worry that one of the textbooks I need is completely sold out.

The ache in my shoulder as I lug four classes worth of textbooks out the door.

Orientation Day

Today was orientation at the university. I dropped the younger kids off at the neighbors and headed out.

After parking (the university provided staff to help us with the parking payment machine. I thought the whole apparatus was self explanatory) I headed out to the campus. Parking was on the opposite side of campus from where we were supposed to sign in. Assuming that I didn't know how to read a campus map, the student government lined the walk with helium balloons in the appropriate university colors and colored the sidewalk with arrows every few yards along with encouraging "You're almost there!" and "You can do it!" Obviously, they didn't know I am training for a 5K and walking across campus is a piece of cake compared to running with K.

I finally made it to the right building, signed in and received my packet, and headed into the hall where the opening remarks would be held. A quick glance told me that I was the oldest person there. Everyone else looked too young to be nontraditional transfer students. I made my way to the front and sat down. Opening remarks were fairly predictable. We were told to program the campus police phone number in our cell phones (which we dutifully did) and were introduced to those who would make our transition easy.

Next there was a Resource Fair outside with food. I didn't want the muffins and pastries (my WW mentor would be so proud of me!) and was only interested in the parking information. No interest in the ROTC, clubs, some feminist movement whose table was handing out buttons and talking about how their club was a safe place for women to study. I sure hope I misunderstood what they were talking about as I walked by. I just don't get the whole us-them mentality that they seemed to promote. There was also study abroad (not feasible in my situation), health services, and library services.

Another session about transfer credits (helpful) and then it was time to meet with our advisors. There were only 7 students in the Health Sciences when I walked in and I was the only Pre-SLP. As my major is a combination of two universities, I have to send my transcripts to the other university so they can advise me on which core classes they will accept. I was given a short list of core classes I could take this semester with the admonition that I plan next semester based on what the other university tells me. It was also suggested that I start this semester with thirteen credits rather than the 18-20 I was planning on taking. My advisor said it would "ease me back into the university schedule". Works for me. I can use the extra time to brush up on my ancient math skills before testing to see what math classes to take. There is a stats class in my future that makes me wish Cousin Anna were here to tutor me. At least Mr. Wonderful is an excellent math tutor. I won't be in the stats class for a while yet. Considering how long it has been since I have taken a math class, I have a lot of reviewing to do.

I had forgotten what a headache it is to register for classes, let alone when most of them are full since I am registering so late in the game. I did manage to put a schedule together that fits into my kids schedule. I will be here to take them to school and pick them up when they are done. i will be home all nights but one and we can make sure that Mr. Wonderful will be here during that time. Now all that is left is to pay the bill and pick up the books.

School starts in a month from today.

Remember the goals?

Its official as of today. I have been accepted to the local university and start classes this fall. One step closer to another goal. Stay tuned.....