What the heck?

I was driving to work yesteday, listening to the radio as I usually do, unless I am talking on the phone. I drive thirty miles on rural highway to and from work everyday...talking on the phone is fairly safe. But I digress. I was listening to Man Cow radio show and they were interviewing someone from the Ashley Madison agency. This is a dating agency for married people who want to have affairs...online dating for people already in relationships. I just checked out their website and their tagline is "Life is short, have an affair?" This is one of those moments, when I have to stop and wonder, what is our world coming to? Life is short but eternity is forever and last I checked, many considered adultory to be immoral and a sin.

During the interview, the statistic that the U.S. infidelity rate was 84%. Wow. That's all I have to say about that.

But what really got me and what I feel compelled to share is that Man Cow made a comment about this being the "Devil's Website". "It's not the Devil's website. There are almost 5 million registed members," argued the spokesperson. There could be ten million users, and it still wouldn't make it RIGHT. I was taught that two wrongs don't make a right!

DSP Recognition Week

This is from an article I wrote for the newsletter at work:

September 14th – 18th was recently designated by the U.S. Senate as National Direct Support Professional Week.

What is a Direct Support Professional?

DSP’s, as they are commonly referred, provide hands-on care to a wide range of individuals including people with developmental disabilities. DSP’s are the “hands, feet, and heart” of the direct service profession. DSP Recognition Week provides a unique opportunity to organize events, rally people and generally draw attention to the noble work of more than 3.2 million DSP’s in the United States.

I would also like to take this opportunity to share information on pending federal legislation, the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act, H.R. 868 in the U.S. House of Representatives that would provide options to states for increasing wages for DSP’s. I encourage you to visit http://www.youneedtoknowme.org to learn more. I also encourage you to contact your U.S. Representative to request co-sponsorship of this important bill. Contact information for your policy maker can be found on http://www.house.gov/

*****************************************************

This subject is very near and dear to my heart. I got through college first working as a DSP, later supervising DSP's and at my current job, I train DSP's. I have been blessed to work along side some amazing people providing services and supports to people. These people unselfishly give so much. My experiences have made me a better person. It is time to give recognition to this PROFESSION!

Daddy Dollars

This is a Daddy Dollar. I read about this in the September issue of Family Fun magazine (which is one of my fave magazines and is very reasonably priced and no I don't get a kickback if you order, it's just that good). The concept is just a reward system. Kids get to earn Daddy Dollars for doing things around the house. In the article, the Mom would give each of her kids $3 Daddy Dollars for each morning if they were up, dressed, teeth brushed by 7:30 am. I made a list of chores and posted it on the fridge. Here is mine:

Ways to Earn Daddy Dollars
Clean your room $5

Make your bed $2

Put your trash in the trash can $1

Get up, dressed and teeth brushed by 7:30 am on school days $3

Pick up living room $2

Put away toys after you use them $1

Feed the animals $2

Vacuum under the bird cage $2

Help Mom fold or put away laundry $1

Sleep in your own bed $2

It can be customized to your household. Then kids can spend their Daddy Dollars at the Mommy Mall. Again, you can customize this to your household and by using true motivators for your kids. The idea is the stuff they can buy should be easily obtainable, inexpensive or free, so you can reward them as soon as they want to purchase. I plan to buy a grabbag of little toys/stickers/candy as well. Here is my Mommy Mall:

Mommy Mall
Trip to the playground $5
30-minutes computer time $2
Cook a recipe with Mom $5
McDonalds for dinner and play time $20
Sleepover $20
Bike Ride $2
30-minutes cartoons $2
Watch a movie $3
Reading with Mom/Dad $1
Trip to Bonkers $50
Trip to Chuck E. Cheese $50
Trip to the movie theater $50
Trip to Amanda’s for a snack $5
Soda from machine $2

I also posted some rules:

Mommy Mall Rules
1. Daddy Dollars can be earned by helping out around the house, being responsible, listening to Mom and Dad and other things

2. Daddy Dollars earned will be kept in the bank envelopes and kept on top of the refrigerator. A balance sheet will be kept on the fridge

3. Daddy Dollars can be used to shop at the Mommy Mall

4. Daddy Dollars can be saved to buy larger items or used for smaller items

At three, I don't know how much Kate will get the whole concept but we will help her. I think Kaelyn will really get into it. I'll keep you posted.

Here's the website where you can create Daddy Dollars. The girls think it is so funny to see their Dad's face on the dollar. I just hope I don't get busted for counterfeiting.

http://www.festisite.com/money/

The Great Mouse Massacre

Those of you on Facebook have already heard this story but I have to share it here too for those of you who aren't.

Sunday, we went to Petco to get some flea treatment for our new dog, Donnie Barko. His name is really irrelevant to this story but I like saying it. Anyway, while there, Kevin decided that he needed some pet mice, three in fact, one for him, one for Kate and one for Kaelyn. I said no but the pouting and whining wore me down, all from Kevin, I might add. He picks out a fancy cage with running wheel and multiple levels along with a fancy price tag. Good thing the mice only cost $2.79 apiece! I consented to the purchase with the exclamation that I would have nothing to do with these critters.

A side note, Kevin told me yesterday, that when he was having the clerk get the mice out for him, the clerk asked him if the mice were "feeders". Kevin said he was standing there with the fancy cage in his hand when he asked that. Kevin said he was thinking "Yes, we like our feeder mice to be really happy before they become lunch." We had a good laugh about this yesterday. A little foreshadowing here.

So we have all been fascinated by the antics of the mice family all week. The three mice recipients talked long and hard before deciding on their names. Kevin's mouse became Willard, Kaelyn named hers Agent Jaurez and Kate chose, what else? Kate. Despite running on their wheel all night and stinking to high heaven, they were really cute to watch.

Kevin called me this morning and says he has bad news. He then proceeds to tell me he was laying in bed when he heard a crash. He found that our cat Sam Henry had jumped up and knocked the fancy cage off the computer armoire and then proceeded to have a tasty snack of Willard and Kate Mouse. We think Agent Juarez got away. That or he was fully eaten. Kevin was near tears and I really dont' want to have this conversation with the girls when I get home. Each morning this week, the first thing they did was run and look at the mice and comment on what they were doing. It will be a sad night in our house tonight. Luckily I have time to come up with a good story before then.

Like they left home to seek their fortunes.

Go Diego Go! Go Iguana Go!

While trying to get through the first day of school chaos at our house this morning, I was sidetracked by the episode of Diego that the girls were watching. Kaelyn brought it to my attention as I was crossing the living room looking for Kate'e shoes. "Mom, look, the iguana is pooping strawberry seeds."

What? I stopped in my tracks and took a look at the TV. Sure enough, it did look like the iguana was pooping. But surely not! Getting out the door on time temporarily forgotten, I used the DVR to start the episode over to figure out what was going on. It appears that the Strawberry Festivale may have to be canceled as a strong wind has blown away all of the strawberry seeds. Diego to the rescue! His green iguana can eat strawberries and then take then to the field to be pooped out. Really. It was the strangest thing I have ever seen. I watched it over and over and then had to go wake Kevin up, get him out of bed and make him watch it. And then I had to come to work and Google it. Amazing.

My favorite part is when the iguana urges Diego to hurry as he "really has to go". The iguana does this little dance, and you can tell that if an iguana had butt cheeks he would be squeezing them, trying to keep those strawberry seeds in long enough to save the festivale. He looks so proud as he walks along the field rows, pooping out little piles of seeds. Then later, we get to see a picture of his intestines with the poop and seeds inside. And at the end of the show, the festivale is taking place and everyone is enjoying the scrumptious strawberries. Delicioso!

Must See TV at it's finest!

First Grade

My baby starts first grade tomorrow. Why does that seem so much older than kindergarten? She isn't too thrilled about it but I think she will be once she gets started. They have seventeen in their class this year. That's a lot of six-year-olds in one not very big room. We had to stop by her old kindergarten room while attending Open House last night to say hello to her teacher from last year. There are only six kids in kindergarten this year! So last year she had seventeen, this year six...what a difference!

So tomorrow we will get up early and take first day of school pictures in front of the tree in our front yard and I will walk my baby to school as I silently cry that another year of her childhood has passed.

Enjoy every minute of it sweet baby, it goes so fast.

Pictures to come.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samual Johnson or Ann Landers.

Another Kennedy died...so what? My Dad, an avid Kennedy fan (and Elvis Presley fan, but that's a post for a different day), passed on his fascination of all things Kennedy to me. When I heard that Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away earlier this week, I di a Google search out of curiosity. I knew little about this woman. As I read through the list of her humanatarian work, accomplishments and achievements, I was amazed and in awe. Having worked with people with disabilities for many years now, I am thankful for her work to achieve equality and increase opportunities for these forgotten members of our society. What an amazing woman. I urge you to take a few moments to read about her life.

The following is from the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation website.

In memoriam
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
1921-2009

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who for over 50 as a volunteer, led the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation died on August 11, 2009. She was 88.

Mrs. Shriver transformed America's view of people with intellectual disabilities worldwide from one of ostracism and denial of basic human rights and freedoms to friends, students, workers, neighbors and athletes.

During President’s Kennedy’s time in office, Mrs. Shriver advocated for research, services and recognition for people with intellectual disabilities, their families and for developing professionals to work with them. Her work at the Foundation ranged from supporting and advocating for basic research on the causes of intellectual disabilities to recommendations for legislation (P.L. 88-164 and P.L. 88-156) that resulted in the development of research centers at major universities now known as Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRC) and the University Affiliated Facilities, now known as University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD); as well as clinical training programs for professionals working with children with disabilities and special health care needs under Title V of the Social Security Act, which have evolved into the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Programs. Together, these programs have trained thousands of professionals, from researchers to clinicians. This work transformed the field by making it possible for students to see a role for themselves, during their academic careers, in research, training and service.

She also began the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Public Policy Fellowship program, bringing promising professionals and family advocates to Washington for a year at a time, to work on a Congressional Committee, learning how policy is made in Washington.

The Community of Caring program, begun as an effort to reduce teen pregnancy, was built around five core values that empower young people to be responsible and caring members of a community: Caring, Respect, Responsibility, Trust, and Family. That program, a well regarded character education approach to reducing destructive behaviors, is now in schools in 46 states and Canada.

It was from the foundation in 1968, she started what would become the world's largest athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Now, more than 1 million athletes in more than 160 countries participate in Special Olympics meets each year. Realizing the children were far more capable of sports than experts said, Shriver organized the first Special Olympics in 1968 in Chicago. The two-day event drew more than 1,000 participants from 26 states and Canada. At the World Games in 2007 in Shanghai, China there were 80,000 people in the opening ceremonies with more than 7,000 athletes from around the world.

Mrs. Shriver received so many honors and awards including America’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she received in 1984. In May 2009, the National Portrait Gallery installed a painting of her - the first portrait commissioned by the museum of someone who had not been a president or first lady.

Her son Mark Shriver said about his parents…"In the course of our upbringing, they stressed the importance of giving back," he said. "But we didn't sit around having family discussions about it. We learned by what she and my father were doing." Her son Tim Shriver said, in a letter to the Special Olympics Movement “She fought the good fight, she kept the faith, and though she knew the race for equality was not finished, she knew that the army of supports she had hoped for long ago had become a reality that would carry and someday complete her vision. On her behalf, as we prepare to say our last goodbyes, my family and I thank you for your shared commitment to that dream.”

For more information about Mrs. Shriver and her legacy, or to offer a written tribute, go to www.eunicekennedyshriver.org.

New Mindset

I am NOT on a diet. I am NOT exercising. What I AM, is in training for a 5K thanks to www.C25K.com. Doesn't that just sound better?

I haven't "ran", and I use that term very loosely, since high school track, more years ago than I care to remember. I didn't really enjoy it then. But I am enjoying it now. A friend asked last night if I felt any different yet. Physically, no, I don't feel different, except my knees are aching more. But mentally, I feel amazing. I am not a morning person but to have my workout done before 6:15 am in an amazing feeling. Watching the sunrise each day as I move my body is an amazing feeling. Reaching for a goal, challenging myself, making new routines...all amazing. You get the picture.

I feel my life changing. I have logged in fifteen workouts in June so far. I am watching less television. I am going to bed earlier. I feel more in control. These are all great things and I am feeling hopeful. I can do this!

I WILL do this!

Extreme Bathroom Makeover!

I got the best Mother's Day gift this year...a bathroom makeover. We loved our house at first sight, the bathroom was the one sore spot. We only have one and it is small. Really small. And it had really old linoleum and a stained sink and a tiny cabinet. Over the past four years, I have painted it, added a bright shower curtain, painted it again (a different color), added some decorations...and still it was a dingy little bathroom. And to top it all off, I was afraid that the floor was going to cave in at any minute.

I had been asking to have the floors redone since we moved in. So for Mother's Day, Kevin tore up the old linoleum and the sub floor and rebuilt it. He then put in ceramic tile and a new pedestal sink. I have always wanted a pedestal sink! The coolest thing though, was that Kevin picked out the faucet handles himseld with no input from me and they were exactly the ones I wanted! Here are some pictures of my bathroom. It's still tiny but I am loving it! It feels fresh and new.

Piano Men

I realized that I haven't said anything about the big concert we went to last week. Was it really only last week? It seems like months ago. Well, in a word, the concert was fantastic! I am not a big concert person but this one was amazing. How can you go wrong with Elton John and Billy Joel? Mom sent me this review that was in the Omaha paper so I thought I would include it here. It describes the concert better than I ever could.

Review: Sir Elton, Piano Man put on an electric performance
BY KEVIN COFFEY
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Sir Elton and the Piano Man sure know how to put on a show.

In front of a sold-out crowd Tuesday at the Qwest Center Omaha, Elton John and
Billy Joel played all of their own hits, plus a few by other artists.

The evening was - in a word - electric.

The two musicians have slightly different styles, but both put on performances
that had fans on their feet, singing along, waving their hands in the air and
dancing in the aisles.

Joel - in a simple black suit - acted like a goofball. He twirled his
microphone, danced on top of the pianos, pantomimed smoking a cigarette while
John performed a solo, walked around like Frankenstein's monster and cracked
jokes between songs (drawing laughs when he referred to seats at the back of the
arena as being in Council Bluffs).

John was flashy as can be, both in his piano playing and his attire. Wearing his
trademark sunglasses, a bright, shiny shirt and a long, black coat decorated in
a rainbow of colors, his fingers danced up and down the keys. And after each
song, he walked around stage shaking hands, waving and blowing kisses to the
audience.

This stop on the duo's "Face 2 Face" tour was more like a face-off. Each
appeared to be trying to one-up the other, which consummated in a piano duel
during John's "Bennie and the Jets."

Like a piano-styled question-and-answer session, each improvised a solo more
complex than the other. The duel ended with Joel and John playing together to
finish out the song.

Though nearly every song was a memorable hit, some songs had some extra depth as
duets. The performers sang each other's lyrics in their own style, giving new
twists to songs such as "Uptown Girl" and "The Bitch Is Back."

As for the audience, despite the priciest seats in the arena approaching $200 a
pop, more than 17,000 fans packed the Qwest Center, filling the arena from the
floor to its highest reaches. Most in the crowd looked like veteran fans of John
and Joel, both of whom have been performing since the '60s. Quite a few young
folks also dotted the audience.

And, boy, was the crowd loud. Whether screaming when the duo took the stage or
singing along to John's "Tiny Dancer," the crowd filled the arena with cheers.

The show started with Joel and John taking the stage together and alternating
songs. John then took the stage with his band, encouraging fans to sing along if
they knew the words (which they did). Joel then took the stage with his band,
leaving the piano only twice (to play electric guitar on "We Didn't Start the
Fire" and do his best Elvis Presley dance impersonation during "It's Still Rock
and Roll to Me").

For the finale, Joel and John took the stage together with both bands. They
played a few more hits together and even played the Beatles' "Birthday" and
"Back In the U.S.S.R."

They finished off the performance with duets of their biggest hits, "Candle in
the Wind" and "Piano Man." Lights from cell phones and lighters filled the
arena, and voices from the crowd sang along to both songs and screamed every
time Joel played the harmonica solo on "Piano Man."

• Contact the writer: 444-1557, kevin.coffey@owh.com

Copyright 2009 Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved

Back to Work

I'm all confused about what day it is. It took me a long time to figure out why The Bachelorette was on Sunday night! Yep, it was really Monday but I was all confused there for awhile.

So, back to work today although it is going to be a short day. Kate started running a fever last night and still had one this morning. She seems fine otherwise, a slight cough but that is all. Poor baby. Grandma and Papa were good to help out so I could come get a few things done at work. Besides blogging, that is.

We had a nice weekend, didn't do much of anything, but that is nice in and of itself. I got the last of my flower planting done and we got new handles for our kitchen cabinets and drawers. The girls and I had a cookout one night...hot dogs and s'mores...can't beat that! There was a birthday party at the lake for my niece on Sunday. Took the girls to Burger King so they could play in the play place. And that's about it.

I have a ton of pictures to post so stay tuned!

He Did It!

Woo Hoo! Kris won! Can you tell I am excited?

This was the most amazing season of Idol. I loved Adam but was so happy that Kris won. Adam was always just a touch too theatrical for me. I like the artists that can sit down with their piano or acoustic guitar and sing a song. That is Kris. He doesn't need the fog or strobe lights to make you sit up and listen. So I am very happy with the outcome but truly hate to see the season come to an end.

I didn't get to see the whole show last night, I just skimmed through to the end to see the results. I saw bits and pieces and it looks like it was quite the shindig! I did see Adam's rendition of Beth...awesome! I tried to get Kevin out of bed to see Kiss perform but he wouldn't. I'll show him tonight. And Queen! I love Cyndi Lauper so really enjoyed her and Allison's performance. And David Cook! I can't wait to be able to watch the show in it's entirety.

But for now...YAY KRIS!!!!!

Must See TV

I have been glued to the television set this past week or so...

Joan Rivers as the Celebrity Apprentice. I was glad to see her beat that witch of a poker player, Annie Duke. Side note, Jessie James is a hottie!

America's Next Top Model...I was hoping the other girl would win. I have already forgotten her name, the one with the big eyes. I liked her.

Danny Gokey got sent home on American Idol. Unelievable! I love Kris Allen. I think he is the most marketable of all of them. The teenage girls must feel the same way because someone is sure voting for him. I think it will be Adam's win though.

Poor Izzie! Poor George! The Grey's Season Finale was a big surprise (and heart wrencher).

Who did Mike marry last night? My vote is on Susan. Poor Katherine is way too desperate, even for a housewife.

Can't forget about Pam and Jim!

I agree with the folks that think the Biggest Loser lost too much weight. She is skinny!

I don't usually watch the dancing show but I have it recording tonight just to see their final numbers.

I think that is all of my telelvision shows that have had endings this past week or so. I am ready for some new shows to start to help pass the time until fall.

St. Louis Bound

It's finally time for the Elton John and Billy Joel concert tomorrow night. I am so excited for the concert and the time away. Kevin was in charge of finding us a place to stay and I guess it's a surprise because he hasn't told me but has assurred me that he has a reservation.

Kevin is extremely traditional and unoriginal so I have my suspicions. We will either be staying at the Mayfair in downtown St. Louis or in St. Charles at the Boone's Lick Trail Inn. The Mayfair is a gorgeous, renovated hotel that we chanced upon years ago on Priceline. We got a last-minute reservation in an exquisite suite all done in dark cherry wood and marble. It was impressive. We stayed at the Inn in St. Charles for our fifth anniversary. We stayed in the cottage and it was so cute and fun. The Inn is right on the historic Main Street, which we both love to wander and shop. The best part was the huge jacuzzi tub. Either way, it will be a wonderful trip.

Hypothetical Question

Is it bad that I wanted a new CD to listen to on my way to work and the only thing that remotely interested me was the Hannah Montana movie soundtrack?

I didn't buy it.

Lunch Date

I am so excited for my lunch date today. My dear friend Tisha is in mid-Missouri visiting her Mom and is going to drive over for lunch. Tisha and I became friends when she came to work at a home I was managing, back in 1997. As a manager, it's not a good idea to become friends with the people you supervise, but with Tisha, I just couldn't help it. She is one of the prettiest, sweetest, funniest, funnest people I have ever known. She can tell a story, in her southern accent, that will have you rolling on the floor laughing. She is kind and compassionate, the folks that we served just adored her.

Tisha and I are exactly one month apart in age. My birthday is May 29 and hers is June 29. We came from different areas, had different upbringings, but there was a common bond right from the start. I remember sitting up late into the night, talking and laughing and crying. She had my life story out of me within weeks of knowing me. If you know me at all, you know this is hard to do!

Tisha had to move back south in January 1999 and her move devastated me. This was before email and facebook made it so easy to keep in touch. We've seen each other a handful of times in the past ten years but Tisha is the kind of friend, that makes time irrelevent. We will greet each other today as if we had just seen each other a few days ago. And I can't wait!

TGIM!

After the longest week and weekend ever, I was so happy for Monday to come. Except that I couldn't get out bed for anything. I finally got up, and went upstairs to wake Kaelyn up, and she was sleeping so deeply, I couldn't bear to wake her. I let her and Kate both sleep in. I took them to school and daycare around 10 am so they didn't miss much. It was such a crazy week for all of us, it will take time to catch up.

The recital is over and everything went well. I have tons of pictures to share and will make everyone watch the DVD version when I get it. Highlights of the week included helping back stage for the dress rehersal. Imagine 25-30 little girls (they moved too fast to count!) and six mom's in a very small room for almost four hours. Not so much fun. Someone told the girls that there were bats in the theater so every time we went to go on stage, all the little ballerinas covered their heads and ran. I watched the performance from the audience on Saturday night. It was amazing how it all came together to create a show. I didn't have much hope on Tuesday. Kaelyn lost her tooth backstage Saturday night trying to open her water bottle. That was exciting. We took Kate on Sunday, and she didn't really appreciate the arts and wanted to spend the time going to the potty over and over again. I walked around with her and let Mom and Dad and Kevin watch the show. Afterwards, we went for a celebratory dinner at McDonalds. It was an experience, that's all I can say about that!

Playing Catch UP

My apologies for slacking on my posting. I started last week with a toothache that quickly became a TOOTHACHE. I missed work two days last week...because of my tooth! I finally got into a dentist and they recommended a root canal that couldn't be done until May 26! I did get some Vicodin and antibiotics and the promise that I would start feeling better within forty-eight hours. Forty-eight hours passed and still no relief. I literally cried on the way to work on Friday and Monday because I felt so bad. The crying worked and Mom pulled strings and got me into another dentist. This guy said my tooth appeared to be trying to do it's own root canal...I guess that explains the pain! He prescribed a different antibiotic, more painkillers and I get to go back tomorrow. That I am even writing about this and trying to make light of it, means I am finally feeling human again.

And it is Recital Week for Kaelyn. That means every night this week we have to go to the theater and rehearse for three houses a night. That makes for a very tired kid and mom. Last night went well but it's going to be a very long week. I have a new respect for the dance instructor.

I did catch American Idol when I got home last night. What a great night! I am so loving Kris. I think he is adorable and he can sing too! Of course Danny and Adam were good. I think it will be Matt's turn to go home tonight. No judges save this week. They are all very good, it's hard to predict who will make the final two. If I had to say, it will be Danny and Adam.

What else? I am planning a day long Staff Appreciation Day for Friday. It is finally coming together. I need to go buy some decorations later today.

And that's what's been going on in my world. What's going on in yours?

James

I got a phone call from a reporter the other night. He was writing a story about a man whom I used to supervise when I still worked at Woodhaven. Here is a link to the story.

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/04/16/proud-papa/

Masters Degree

Despite walking through graduation almost one year ago, I have still been working towards finishing my internship. Today, my final internship conference call is scheduled and I will be offically done with this chapter in my life. Soon I will have my Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Administration diploma in my hands.

It hasn't been an easy road. I actually started the program in 2002, almost seven years ago to the day. I got married the weekend before I started school and by August, I was preganant with Kaelyn. I had terrible morning sickness, had just moved to a new home, newly married, so school was the last thing I wanted to do. I made the tough decision to drop out of the program in September. I made the right decision but I did have regrets.

The opportunity came again to reapply in 2005. Kaelyn was now two, so I felt that I could manage her and studying both. This time, Kevin and my sister Tracy, decided to do the program with me. I knew their support would be priceless. Shortly after we started, I was pregnant with Kate. This time I had the support and knew I had to push through and get the program done.

My parents went above and beyond the call of duty in their support of all three of us. Once a month or so, they headed to Kansas City with us, and watched Kaelyn, my niece Lily, and then newborn Kate, all in a small hotel room, while the three of us were in class. We couldn't have done it without them.

We finished classes last year spring and then had to do our 400 hour internship. Mine was going to be a breeze, because I could do it at the place I worked. And then I quit my job. I had to rethink my goals and objectives and basically start over. I worked on my various projects all summer until I started my new job. It really helped me get things finished up.

Today. one phone call, and it will all be done. I am so excited and happy, I can't think of anything else. This has been a life long dream of mine and I am finally acoomplishing it.

I think it's time to start thinking about that Ph.D.