FIRST DAY!

Here I am! I made it through my first day. Of course today was more like a trial run because we split the class in half and took each half for only 1 hour. We had 5 for the first hour and 2 for the second (I know, that's not half and half). One student has a really bad cold, so we won't get to meet her until next Tuesday.

Overall it went really well. The first hour we had 4 boys and 1 girl. The girl was a bit timid, and I couldn't blame her with all those boys! For the most part the kids listened and followed instructions. The second hour was awkward with only 2 kids. Time seemed to go really slow and it was really quiet.

I am still a bit nervous about the job. I like to know what's going on and how things are supposed to go before everything actually happens and unfortunately for me, my employers seem to be more of the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type people. Which I can be when I'm comfortable, but since I'm not comfortable it's really aggravating. I made mention today to the other teacher that I work really well with explicit instructions and I would rather do things the way she wanted the first time instead of having to be told afterwards that I did something incorrectly.

Case in point.. Last week I asked what the dress code was. I was informed it was casual, but no jeans. Ok no problem. Today I find out that khaki shorts are not ok. What was I wearing today? Khaki shorts. Ugh. I didn't have to go home and change, but it was rather frustrating that it wasn't more clear last week to avoid this problem. So I pressed a bit and found out that dresses and skirts need to be past the knee (which makes sense since we'll be on the floor alot). Again, information that is needed when buying clothing for the new job!!!!!!!!!!

I'm trying not to tense up about the situation. I know it will work out ok, it's just that perfectionistic nature creeping out.

On a different note, we got back the IOWA Test Scores from last year for our middle son and he scored a 95% overall and in Vocabulary he scored a 99%! We were blown away! I am so proud of him!

CHANGES!

Ok, so we've been in school for a week now and I have yet to create a new routine for myself. This is going to be more difficult than I thought!

Oh and did I mention that I have added a couple things to my schedule so that I won't be so lonesome without the kids? Yeah, now I work 10 hours (from home--God is so cool) for The Crossover, I took a new job at the Sonshine Center (a preschool/daycare center) where I will be working 6 hours a week (an hour more than I thought), I'm still my daughter's Girl Scout Troop leader PLUS I added on being the Girl Scout Recruiter for our town (there are 3 of us on a team), also I am getting involved in a ladies' bible study on Friday mornings in the Ashmore area and they have chosen a daily devotional type book PLUS I have volunteered to lead a bible study out of my home once a week through my church which also happens to be a daily devotional type book.

I suddenly don't feel so lonesome--lol.

It's good, really it is. I have only cried once over my youngest going to Kindergarten, which is a grand improvement to when my oldest went--I cried every morning on the way home after dropping her off--for the whole school year.

Now I have to find balance. And no, Brian, I am not going back to school this year--but I do appreciate you encouraging me! I think my plate is full for now.

So more on the new job after my first day. I met the kids Tuesday night at the Open House, it will be interesting! Lots of nervous parents!

I appreciate your prayers!

SOAP BOX TIME

I can't believe how our justice system is weak on sex offenders. If you haven't heard, Ronnie Johnson, 53 year old male from rural Kansas, kidnapped, raped, and then tied a 13 year old girl to a tree stabbed her three times and left her for dead. The man was placed on probation in 1988 for criminal sexual assault with a victim under 18 and then his probation was revoked in 1992 for aggravated criminal sexual abuse with a victim under the age of 13! HELLO??????? What is he doing out? You can read the story here.

I also saw on WTHI Channel 10 news this morning that this man also victimized his step-daughters. The one who was in the interview said the abuse occurred as far back as kindergarten through age 14, happening at least once sometimes twice a day.

I am definitely for harsh penalties for sex offenders. These offenders are known to repeat the crime. Check out this site to read about a study done in 1994 about sex offenders. It said on average, the offenders only served 3½ years of their 8 year terms and compared to non-sex offenders released from State prisons, sex offenders are 4 times more likely to be rearrested for a sex crime.

What is the deal with our laws? Why aren't we doing a better job protecting our children and other innocent victims? 1 time can be attributed to a mistake, too much to drink, a problem, but when someone harms another person and pays their "debt to society" and turns around and does the SAME CRIME again--come on. It's time to put these guys away for good. And yes I know that means higher taxes for more prisons and guards and space. So be it. We gotta do something.

Ok, I'll step down. It just sickens me is all.