School

This is Jason's first semester in the MAcc (Masters of Accounting) program, and things are going well. Over the past month or so he has been interviewing for internships for Winter semester. Out of the top 4 accounting firms, he has been accepted for second-round interviews by 3 of them. They are each flying him out to Dallas during October and November to have one more interview before making a decision.

This semester has been very busy with student teaching. I wake up at 4:45 or 5:00 every morning so that I can get myself and Callie ready for the day. We then leave at 6:30 or 6:45 and I spend the next hour as a taxi driver. I drop off Jason on campus (an hour before his classes even start), then I drop off Callie at Grandmas in Highland. I then drive to Pleasant Grove to the schools I'm teaching at. Although this has been a very difficult and stressful semester, it has been much better than expected thanks to the Lord sending many angels to help, including:

Jason: He helps me with Callie (he's so good at pacifying her) and he helps make lunches most days. He has been so patient in putting up with a messy house, and he is always there to encourage me, talk with me, and have fun with me!

My Mom: She came out to help the first week of school, taking care of Callie all day to cut down on driving time and stress. She has also been a great help and support, even if we are living in different states. I love being able to talk with her frequently during my long drives.

My Mother-in-law: She takes care of Callie all day every day while I'm at school. I am grateful to her for being so willing to give up so much of her time, and she is always happy to do so.

My Grandma Black: She cooks our family a meal once a week (that lasts at least two meals). Since I go pick up Callie in Highland, it's easy to drop by Grandma's house on my way home. I have loved visiting with her each week and her food is delicious! She has really helped make my burden lighter.

My cooperating teacher, Mr. Beck: I worried and prayed all summer long that my cooperating teacher would be understanding of my situation, because that one factor would make or break my semester. I don't think I could have been put with someone more understanding or helpful. He knows my top priority is and should be my daughter and he treats me accordingly.

My sisters: Although we are all thousands of miles away from each other, I feel strengthened and uplifted when I talk with them. Andrea is doing a similar thing right now (only her life is even crazier than mine), working as a teacher's aid at a school, completing her education, and mothering 2 children. Melissa also student taught with a daughter (and was pregnant), so she also knows what it's like and successfully made it through to graduation. They are great sisters and great friends.

I have already learned a lot this semester, and I am striving to enjoy the journey.

At Three Months Old, Callie is:

*Smiling more frequently and readily

*Rolling from her tummy to her back (she's been able to roll from her back to her side for a while): Video to come


*Talking baby talk

*Laughing

*Still sleeping through the night (I don't know how I would student teach otherwise). She frequently ends up upside down, sideways, and with her covers thrown off.

*Eating a TON

*Trying to sit up (when she's laying on her back, she tries to sit up by lifting her head sometimes accompanied by grunting and a look on her face of trying with all her might)

*Sucking on her fingers (no particular one, she just shoves whichever fingers she can into her mouth)

*Starting to use her hands to grab things (my hair, my shirt, my arm, her toys, her clothes, etc.)

*Bringing great joy to her mommy and daddy!