I did it!

I have officially registered for my LAST semester at UTA!!! I also just sent my application in to graduate! I'm having mixed emotions now. I'm so excited to finally be done, but yet I'm nervous about my future. Will I be able to find a job? I do know I'm not ready to get a "real" job...lol! This Saturday Oct 31st I'm taking my content area test and so I'm stressing over this test! I know, I know this material but I'm a lousy test taker. I do know that my Heavenly Father would not have gotten me this far too have me fail this test. I really am looking forward to actually teaching full time and not just here and there. I did my informal lesson on Tues and I feel it went really well. I find out tomorrow what my mentor teacher thought of it!Oh my! 8th graders are different... but not so bad when you get to know them. Of course I'm still trying to learn their names and just when I do it will be time to go back to my previous assignment. My university supervisor did make a trip to the school I'm at and talked with my mentor teacher and told her to have me jump right in and start teaching! I'm wondering why she did that. It's ok since I love to teach! I think my previous mentor said too many good things about me and so she wants to see how I do with jr high kiddos. I just keep repeating my mantra---I can do this, I can do this, I can do this! Of course I am getting sick right before my test, but I still have to go Sat or lose my money ! I have been wrestling with a decision on whether or not I should change my name on the school record so it will match my teaching certification. I had to use the name of my DL to register for my test so it will match my certification. I know I have sooo many other things to think about but for some reason this is bothering me. My DL and cert will have Miller Elkins, but my diploma just has my middle name and Elkins. I just want to make sure I honor my mom for all that she has done to get me here....So, what do you think?

Stressful Week

This week has been crazy and stressful. Whitney came down on Monday and went to the Dr. for her asthma. (she hasn't had any trouble in quite awhile) The Dr.put her on the usual ; steroids, steroid shot, and breathing treatments. Tuesday came and she was not better, Weds she comes home because she really feels awful. So, Wed we go to the urgent care clinic (where all the patients are wearing masks) The short version of the story is the Dr. decides to admit her. Well, then we have to wait for the admit team ( team of doctors that go to the various clinics and approve admits. I forgot to mention we arrived and checked in the clinic about 10:30am and she finally got into a room about 9:30pm! That's right we waited 11 hrs for a room to become available! During this time they are giving her breathing treatments every 2 hours. Her O2 stats got so low she required oxygen! She really scared us this time. She was so sick and had no color at all. Then the 1st nite there she had the nurse from hades. She was rude and did not practice good sanitary skills. Whitney had to ask HER to wash her hands...But then she had several good nurses who took very good care of her esp. when I could not be there. By Friday she was doing a lot better and was finally responding to treatment. She got to come home today! Thanks mom for picking her up! She is still on steroids and breathing treatments, and she will have to take it easy for a week or so but she is sooo much better. I learned that it doesn't matter how old your kids are, they will always be you babies! Thanks to everyone who sent us prayers and good thoughts. Plus this week I started my 2nd placement which is in a 8th grade History class. All my teachers and my mentor teacher were so great about me taking off to be with Whitney. I went to a review for my English,Lang Arts and Reading content test. I'm hoping it will help me pass the first time I take it , which will be in 2 weeks! Yes, my test is on......October 31st! Some how that seems fitting! So between school, tests, and Whitney it has been a very long and stressful week.. tonight we are chillin, watching tv and being very thankful....

Cute Pics!

These are just a few of Braden's first birthday picture. Can't believe how fast he has grown.

Braden's birthday pictures. Our baby is constantly on the move. He can say "puppy", "baby", "ball", and his favorite "oh"! He is practicing his walking and will probably be running by his birthday!

Update!

As you can tell by my lack of posts this semester has been crazy! I made it through my elementary internship and I fell in love with 6th grade. I had the best mentor who has taught me so much. The kids were great! Today was my last day so in incorporated their review for the Benchmark tests next week into a game of Jeopardy. I had a few computer glitches and I made two mistakes on my slides, but all in all I think it turned out good. I'm curious to see what my mentor writes for my evaluation. I start Tuesday at the junior high! All I know is that I will be in a Social Studies class, but I don't know the grade! I will find out Tuesday! School, well school is school. For some reason the Education Dept decided to change things this year. I have 4 new teachers who have never taught education classes before. It has been really frustrating.If you read Whitney's blog then you know the health issues she has been facing. Now, I have done something to my knee/leg. I went to the orthopedic dr. and he said he thought it was one of three things: rheumatoid arthritis in the tendons/muscles etc. or tendinitis, or a stress fracture. So I go back next week for another x-ray. Until then I'm supposed to stay off of it as much as possible ( yeah right... esp when I have 90+ 6th graders and classes two days a week at UTA and oh yeah, where my classes are there is no close parking!) It is always something in our little world... Our baby is turning one on Nov 4th! Wow! Where has the year gone? He is soooo cute( I know, I'm a little prejudiced) but he is really cute! We had another addition or our family.. My niece had a little girl on Sept 26th. Miss Layla Lauren was 5 lbs and I can't wait to meet her! Our other new addition is due Nov 13th. My sisters are soo happy to finally be grandparents!

This is my niece's baby
shower.

My mom and Braden