As it turns out....

The lettuce free salad turned out really good. Broccoli. Califlower. Tomato. Mushrooms. Cucumber. All free. Fat-free ranch--2 points. Lots of fiber---makes for rumbling in the tummy later on.

Today my only problem turned out to be REALLY hungry children. Getting dinner on the table in such a hurry causes me neglect counting my points.

Counting for most of the day.....I know how many points I had going into dinner. That is good.

More later.
Love in Losing,
Jenny

Spring Time

All is well here.

James had visit two with the psychologist. She talked with him about emotions and different ways to express them. Something must have helped, because he had a perfect week at school. He and Kevin had time together all day Monday while I was at work (Easter Monday). Kevin also spent time with him right before the dr. visit. James' name did not make it on the board once this week.

I am so proud of him. He is doing so well. We are hoping that he continues to do well once he starts summer school for kindergarten.

Emma continues to do well. She is no longer expressing the creepy interest in boys. It may not be creepy later, but it is for a 7 year old. Emma is a bit upset that they will not be able to go to Northwest with me in the fall. See, we were going to allow the kids to go there mostly because the special education program is better there (only my opinion). James is going to need that in order to be successful in school. Our request was denied, temporarily due to numbers. We MAY be able to attend, but won't know until August. That is a bit too late......we are going to register James for kindergarten in Festus and transfer them both later if we need to.

Things around here are well. Kevin remains sober. He is even attempting to quit smoking. It is a hard thing to do, and I am proud of him for trying. The school year is almost over and Kevin will be on the day shift for the summer real soon. This will be good for all of us.

WE are planning a trip to Chicago to visit Uncle Joe this summer. The kids loooove to go see him and the sites of the town. We have a week off between regular school and summer school. Not sure what we are doing for that time....Texas, sights of St. Louis, ????? Emma wants to go to California, but I think that will have to wait until next summer or maybe a long weekend in the fall/winter.

I am going to take a week-long class giving me 3 credit hours towards my Masters +30 which will eventually give me a bit of a raise....and will be helpful at retirement time.....summer I turn 53 with any luck.

Things are less crazy around here now that we have our remodel finished. See facebook for pictures. Still need to put up some of the "put-together" look including the new furniture.

For the Loyal Reader....sounded like a good title, but has nothing to with the blog.

Haaaaay! (That was supposed to come out like a rapper hyping up his posse.)

I'm still here. Maintaining. What are YOUUUUUU doing? ( Emphasis on the YOU like the Bud light commercials.)

Today I want to talk about portion control. And the story goes like this....

There is a man who works in my building who is doing the online WW. I am supportive of anyone trying to lose weight, whatever the means. Although, I have to say that I am a big fan of the Weight Watchers program. DER. This man has also be very supportive of me and my students. I care about this man. However,...

He came to me for advise one day (which I don't mind), because he realized that he was having trouble. After week one, he lost 10 pounds. After week two, nothing. Now you tell me what is wrong with this. He has to have 33 points a day (I now, right? It'd be nice, huh?), and is having a hard time making it. Only twice this past week did he actually do it.

In talking to him, I found out that he also is not counting his points correctly. Nor is he portioning his food. From the school salad bar he was going to have for lunch a salad with cheese (no measuring tools there, only tongs) and ham (again, what was that portion size?) with dressing. He claims that it was a four point meal.

Are we asking ourselves these questions when we eat out: How much am I having? What kind of cheese is it? What kind of dressing is it? Is there a lower calorie dressing available? Are there veggies that I can put on it? What filling foods can I add?

Here is my beef: Why are you coming to me for wise words, then shooting down everything that I have to say? I have worked the program (more than once), I know how it works. Not only that, but I teach the program. I know of what I speak when I say that you MUST EAT ALL OF YOUR POINTS EVERYDAY and when I say that PORTION CONTROL IS A GOOD IDEA. I thought it was great that he planned out all of his meals and was sticking to it. Lots of research was done.

All of the tools of the program fit together like a puzzle. You can't see the beautiful finished product if one of them is missing....all you will see is the hole. Everything works together. To optimize your weightloss, you really need to do it all. Try not to overwhelm yourself.

1. Write down everything that goes into your mouth.
2. Eat all of your points everyday.
3. Portion control. Measuring is best.
4. Eat Filling Foods.
5. Monitor yourself and your hunger.
6. Attend a meeting. Stay for it. Sometimes the weigh-in is just not enough.

John, in case you ever read this: I love you, but stop being so stubborn. Sometimes we don't need to know the WHYs to everything. The program does work.

Today's diddy: "It works when you work it, and you're worth it. " AA

February

JAMES.....
We saw the neurologist who recommeded that we see a psychologist. We only went over test results the first visit. We have visits two and three scheduled for this month and next. I know that we are going to learn great things with this woman, but right now I think one of James' biggest problems is that he does not get to see his dad enough (Kevin works the second shift). James had great behavior while Kevin was home on spring break. Good news is....Kevin will be on the first shift starting at the end of May.

I don't like reporting that his behavior has gone downhill so much. However, this is the rollercoaster of life; ups and downs with a child who has ADHD. Diagnosed. Unmedicated. All I can do at times is thank God that my teaching career has helped me in knowing how to handle him (at times). I also believe that he will do much better once he is in a structured school setting.
James is in the 97th %ile for height, and outgrowing ALL of his clothes. Pants are all highwaters waiting for spring and shorts weather.

James is a great kid and my favorite boy. He truly is one of the lights of my life.

EMMA....
Third quarter report card turned out wonderful. Emma continues to get good marks academically and behaviorally. She has me worried a bit with the lying she learned from wherever, and the interest in boys. I thought this would not happen for a looooooong time. And wanting to kiss them????!!!! WHAT is that? Come on little girl of mine, be a kid for awhile longer, PLEASE!!!!

Emma is the same height as Meghan was when she was 8 1/2. Crazy, huh?

Although, helpful we do have the snitching problem. And what is up with that sneaky snitch.....asking questions about wether she should tell on this certain behavior of James' or not....in the process, telling on her brother.

REALLY....
I am not a complainer about my kids. I really do love them. They are great.

Kevin is still sober. Everyone is healthy. I have a contract for next school year (although I have yet to receive an evaluation). Life is good for us.

The latest scoop...

Emma is wrapping up the third quarter of first grade, and already looking forward to second. Similarly, James is anxious to go to school. He will be in Kindergarten in the fall. I think he is mostly excited about taking the bus. So was Emma at that age.

James is seeing a neurologist for his ticks. His eye twitches. We won't start him on medicine, but will begin with behavioral techniques in hopes that this will help curb some of his impulsive behavior as well. We really just want him to be successful in school and stay out of trouble. He is such a good kid, and a smart one. He just can't control himself sometimes. My baby boy.

I just celebrated 14 years in education. And no, I did not realize that I was that old. Thank you for not noticing the gray hair, either. Kevin is doing great. Still sober, and a wonderful husband mostly. Everyone here is in good health and is employed. Yay.

We do wish that Meghan would visit more often. High school kids get busy. I like getting to help her with her math. Come back, Meghan, come back.

Happy Spring break everybody.

Child updates, help.

Why does life seem to be so busy this time of year? It is no busier than any other time of year, we just have less sunlight.

Updates:
Emma is finishing her preventative round of antibiotics for her ear infections. James only wears his collar brace during the day, but will soon be able to take it off. We go back to the doctor in the second week in February. Meghan is doing well in semester two of her freshman year at Lindbergh High School.

If anyone can help me out with this, I would be very grateful. How do you teach your kids not to argue back and question every response you give? I feel so disrespected around here lately. Things have been taken away, groundings happen weekly (or more) and now we go to bed super early so mommy doesn't have to listen to it.

Provided we are approved by the district, Kevin and I have decided to send our kids to Northwest R-I School District beginning next school year when James is in kindergarten. We believe that there is much more to offer here over the district in which we currently live. One of which is the lack of threat of the year-round school taking place. There are just sooooo many disadvantages for our poorer school to take this on than we are willing to deal with. (I know. I know. Fort Zumwalt does year-round, and everything is just fine there. They also have the money and resources to give every child the advantages they deserve no matter which cycle they are on.)

It will be a longer ride for the kids every day, but they will adjust. And who knows, eventually, we may move out that way. We would like (obviously for the economy to be better, but also) to have our mortgage paid off. This should happen before Emma reaches middle school.

Kevin has always wanted a bit of land. Moving would make that possible. He would also be closer to work, although the stop signs may make the trip take longer. And, of course we would be closer to where mom and the kids will go to school.

We, of course, will miss the daycare where James goes all day and Emma goes in the morning. They have been truly great, esp. with James. I know the kids will have a good experience at NW.

Not much else going on right now. See you on FB.

Doctor, doctor give me the news......

Sometimes it feels like there is nothing you can do (there isn't) to keep your kids healthy. I have already blogged about James' broken collar bone. Emma just came down the stairs to inform me that her ear hurts. Now the girl has already had tubes put in (and out) her ears. So, it is odd to me that she may be having the third ear infection in less than the same number of months. I suppose this means another trip to the doctor.

James has to go for a follow-up in 2 weeks, this Monday. I am sure he will have to be seen again one or two times after that. Each time, getting an x-ray taken.

I would like to take Meghan to the dermatologist. I don't have a problem paying the bill on this one. I know the wonders these doctors can do. She may be ashamed of it, but I know that she would feel better if we went. I know that I did. Kevin did when he was a kid. At least she is not sick. Kevin thinks it is a good idea too. We in NO way want to undermine her mother's decision on this, but Kevin is the Dad and Meghan deserves the chance to see what s/he can do.

Speaking of Meghan, it was so wonderful to see her over Christmas break. I love hanging out with her. The kids love it too. No homework over break, but sometimes, I enjoy doing HS math, english with her. Wierd, I know. We went shopping together this time. I had fun. She thanked me. I told her that I hope to have as much patience with Emma when I take her as a teen as I have with Meghan.

She is so grown up. I can hardly believe that she is going to be 15 in March. Wow. That means permit time. Snag all the time we can now, she will be away at college in a few short years.

Happy New Year everyone. Enjoy your family.