Where In the World...

Did you ever watch the show, "where in the world is Carmen Sandiagio?" I didn't, no I was much too old for that. And I only watched it for the a capella group who sang on it. Well, it was pretty fun. You ask where I have been, well no where near as exciting as the place on the show. But I'll give you a hint...it has walls and ceilings. Not enough? It's cold there...actually it's currently snowing!

Give up? As much as I'd like to tell you I've been somewhere exotic, doing important things with important/ famous people. I have not. I have been here...not entertaining the masses. But apparently my entertainment value has been missed. So I'm back by popular demand.

So what have you been doing, you ask? Well, many things. Let's see...where should I begin? Some bullet points might be in order. Here is what I've been up to not in any particular order.

• Going to parenting class. This has to be one of the most important things I have ever done. I don't want to burst anyone bubble and contrary to popular belief...I do not have all the answers. I have struggled with being a parent. What is the right thing to do and when? How help is too much/ too little? How in the world do I raise these kids that God has in trusted to me. In a notshell, I struggle. I read pleanty of books, talked to friends, family therapists, teachers, guidence counselor...you name it. I hear that I am doing a great job, but feel that I am lacking in so many areas and ways. External critisism has become internalized, has hit me pretty hard, and makes me question my abilities.

But along comes a parenting class that speaks to me. It is called Parenting on Track. It follows the Adlerain teachings of psychology and the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (S.T.E.P.) that Adler wrote. It has made an enormous difference in our family. We are all doing our part, most of the time even willingly. The kids are doing more for themselves and I don't play maid all the time. It's not without it's hitches. It's so easy to revert back to the old way...you know the one that doesn't work. But the most important thing that I have learned is that my kids have learned all their behavior from me and that I need to shut my trap and let things play out. When I do things run much more smoothly.

When I went up to thank her for all that she has taught me she told me to tell my friends and to have them go to her site and request for her to come to your area. If you ever have the opportunity go for it she is funny and great to learn from. She also has just put out a DVD/ audio set with workbook that is her class recorded. Probably not near as funny and adamated but it has all the information. I really want to get it, but (here's the cleancher) it cost a big chunk of change. If you order or request her to visit your area, tell her I sent you and maybe she'll give me a free copy! That would be great!

That's taken up the last 4 weeks. So what else..?
Sweetie Heart is doing great in school. She was just evaluated in reading and is reading a level 28, which means nothing to you because it didn't to me either until I asked. At parent/ teacher conference we were told she was reading at a level 16, which is where they expect them to be reading at the end of 1st grade. The literacy specialist and her reading teacher evaluated her again at the end of last week and had to keep getting harder books.