Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Sorry it's been a while

So I'm sorry it has been a while since I posted. I will try to remember everything from the last couple of weeks to catch everybody up.

I took my last final on the 13th. Esther spent the day with Aunt Renae, Uncle Bob and Cousin Cayla. They were supposed to go to the zoo, but it rained all day. She still had fun. When we went to pick her up she didn't want to leave, asking if she could just stay for a couple more hours. Of course we did, who can pass up Uncle Bob's cooking especially after a day of finals.

I spent the remainder of the week shuttling Sam and Kennedy and my parents back and forth to the airport so they could go visit Philip. By the time last Sunday came around I started to think that the people working in the toll booths recognized me. Esther enjoyed the trips to the airport and even though I tried to leave her home a couple of times she didn't let me. Although, she was sad by the short visits and asked several times why everybody had to go see Uncle Philip. I explained to her that Uncle Philip was going to Afghanistan for a long time and they wanted to see him before he left. I also explained the war (in 3 year old terms) and told her we had to remember to pray for all the soldiers over seas, not just Uncle Philip. Apparently I didn't explain it very well, because now she tells people they have to pray for us because we live far away in Colorado America. Esther had fun with Kennedy for the short time she was here and continues to ask when we are going to Montana to so she could see her again.

Thursday the 22nd, Northern Colorado was hit by a series of tornadoes. I worried a little bit as they seemed to be all around Fort Collins and we live in an upstairs apartment, but the worries left after some time in prayer. That evening we picked Sam up at the airport and Esther dreamed about tornadoes while she was sleeping in the car. She woke up warning me that a tornado had hit down (pointing to the left of us) "right over there." I tried reasoning with her, but she was convinced. I finally just told her it was a good thing the tornado hit "over there", since we were "over here." She agreed and the subject was easily changed.

Tragically this same evening our worship leader at church was killed in a car accident. She was 20 years old and a part of both the youth and college groups. Also in the car were other members of the youth group, who were treated for injuries, but survived the accident. Although she is in a much better place, the church is grieving, especially the youth, so please pray for them, as well as her parents and siblings.

Saturday the 24th Aggie Village did Tastes and Sights of Native America. Matt helped organize the event. Ram Nation, CSU's drum group, was there, as well as other dancers Matt had lined up. Esther also danced. With the help of Women's Club we made 4 pots of stew and about 300 pieces of fry bread. I posted pictures of us cooking, I will hopefully be able to post pictures of Matt and Esther dancing later. (I also finished her moccasins and posted pictures of them)

Yesterday was had the annual fire inspection on our apartment. They were here for probably less than 5 minutes to check the smoke alarm and fire extinguisher. She told me they encouraged parents to discuss a safety plan with heir kids and proceeded to tell me of a fire in University Village where the entire apartment was engulfed in flames, one parent jumped out a second story window and the parent made it out the front door. However, these parents did not know where their 10 year old was, worried that he was inside, but later found out he was at his friends house. Esther is now worried that our apartment in going to burn down. She has asked me what will happen to our stuff and will we still get to keep it, etc. I told her that God will provide and IF our stuff burns God will give us new stuff. I must have convinced her because now she is asking when the fire is going to happen. Hopefully after a few days she will forget about tornadoes and fires and just get back to playing.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Hi Again


So this week was not quite as crazy as last week, but almost. Esther went back to pre school on Monday. Tuesday I had a talk with her Master Teacher as well as the Director about some concerns I had. Being the end of the year, it seemed as though some of the student teachers had checked out and weren't as concerned about the kids' safety as they should have been.

Tuesday Esther got her stitches out. It was much worse then getting them in. We had to restrain her in a blanket and hold down her legs and her head (it took me and 3 nurses just to hold her down). Her lip looks pretty good, but there is going to be a scar. The Early Childhood Center is looking into their liability insurance to see if they will pay for it. I was told that they have not had to file a claim in the past 10 years, so the Director did not know how to do it, but was going to find out how. I thought this was very kind of them, since it did happen when they were supposed to be watching her.

I had a final on Monday and have another one on the 13th. On Tuesday I turned in my last paper and my research proposal, my last 2 assignments this semester. It was a relief to get them done and over with. Friday was Esther's last day of pre school. We are now on a search to find cheaper childcare arrangements for next year.

I don't really have a lot to say this week. I did forget to tell you last week that we are now official Colorado residents. I posted a picture of our license plates as proof. I also finished beading Esther's moccasins and have them mostly sewed together. I will post a picture next week when I have the bottoms sewed on.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

What a Crazy Week


Well this has definitely been a busy/crazy week. I am thankful that the semester is nearly over and I have no first year teachers next year. I like to give everybody the benefit of the doubt, but I am a strong believer that graduate students should not be guinea pigs and new professors should have to get some experience with the undergrad students before taking on a Master's level course.

Tuesday we received a call from the Early Childhood Center asking either Matt or I to pick up Esther because she split her lip open. When I got there there was blood all over her white shirt and yes quite a split in her lip. The 4 (maybe it was only 3) student teachers in the kitchen with her told me she was hit in the face with a tire swing. I expected a little bit more of an explanation...was she on the swing and fell off?...was she pushing somebody else?...was she playing alone or with other kids?... and most importantly of all was there somebody watching them? None of these questions were answered. I kept her home the rest of the week and am having a hard time with the fact that I have to send her back tomorrow.

I have one final tomorrow. It is the last day of class for two of my classes and I could not be happy enough. I have the final draft of my research proposal due on Tuesday and haven't even looked at it since last Tuesday. I suppose that is what I will be doing this afternoon. In my free time this week (between studying for my final and keeping up with Esther) I finished her hair ties. They aren't edged yet, Matt is working on that. I think they look alright since they were my first ones, so I included a picture. I also had a chance to start her moccasins. Hopefully they will be done by the time I post next week.

Well we are off to church. I'll chat with you all next week.