Blowing Smoke about bad grades

Well, you all know I've been paranoid about flunking my class last semester. In fact, I was fairly convinced that even if I passed, it would be by a scant margin. If you want to know all the gritty details, just read the mournful former posts.

I finally emailed my teacher to find out how the scores settled. Here's the email I just back from my Prof.

Elizabeth:

Your average for Sign to Voice class was 92.7, which is an A of course.

Congratulations on achieving your Novice certification! You were one point shy of Apprentice (Level 2). I believe the score they show you is the lower of your two scores in ASL and PSE, so you probably did better in the other mode. And you’ve now had an introduction to the testing system – you’ll perform better next time based on that alone.

Take care.

Tom

Can you believe that???? Ha! Well, I passed! Ha!

Paradox in Parenting

I've been really struggling with my parenting lately. Read: I'm losing my temper multiple times every single day.

Last night, I wrote out the entire problem, including an example scenario so I can take it with me to see a counselor, which happens this Friday.

Then, I asked Royal to read my "Problem Description". To summarize for your sake, basically I ask the children to do something over and over, each time getting angrier. I think I should be making them happy, so I "try" to be polite and sweet on top of not happy. Then, I lose my temper and start yelling. Then I feel guilty and hate myself for awhile. Repeat cycle.

Finally, I'm ready to ask his opinion. So I say something like, "Okay, Dear. I want to stay calm with my kids. You know I believe my anger towards them is almost always irrational, and I do not know what to do differently. What do you think I could do that I'm not doing?"

He said, "Well, the first time they disobey, and you feel that first tiny inkling of irritation, send them to their room immediately. Let them be alone, and when you feel better, call them back out to try again."

So, that sounds obvious and simple. I determined to follow that advice.

I pictured screaming, whining children, furious at their merciless mother. I pictured children alone and in their rooms for hours at a time. I had some concerns.

But, I determined to follow his advice.

Today was day number one. Boy was I wrong. The children each only got sent (or put) in their rooms once or twice each. There was only one crying fit for about 5 minutes. I felt calm or even happy the ENTIRE DAY. (And Royal hasn't come back yet. Its 9pm.)

But, amazingly enough, the children were happier than usual by day's end. I just couldn't believe it. I thought they were going to hate me.

dec 2009 family photo

Merry Christmas to all!

This was 2 full years ago. Can't believe it. Now Mae-Mae is 9 months old! Jim was 9 months in this pic.

I'm going through and backing up family photos today.

We aren't snowed in, but we are pretending just for fun... Grace had the day off, and we have acquired a Kinect! You guys have to try this. (Especially you, Grandma Lori! I think if it can see you, you'll love it. It sometimes struggles to "see" tall people.)