Some changes in our lives

Well, a change is happening that I hoped I would not see. Due to economic down falls, the State of MO has cut the funding to Parents As Teachers by 60%. I will no longer be a parent educator. I still fully support the fundamentals of the Parents as Teachers program. It is a wonderful program. I have greatly grieved over this loss in my life. It has been a joy and pleasure working with and serving the families on my case load. I wish them all the best and hope that they will be able to continue with the program and continue to teach their children with the wonderful efforts that they have to this point. There are so many wonderful families in the Joplin School District. Thank you for inviting me into your home.

I have applied and interviewed for a job as a Family Education Support Specialist with Early Head Start in Joplin. I hope to receive this position and to continue to work with families.

Thank you to all my friends and family for the love and support you have given me through these changes.

Our Toilet

When we first moved into our home our toilet in the full bathroom was rocking. I told Bruce about it and he said OK. He didn't tighten it. So, I tried to play handy lady and tightened the toilet. Unfortunately, I made it too tight. It cracked the toilet bowl in the back. It wasn't leaking until a child used too much toilet paper and we had to plunge it then it started leaking out the back. So we had to turn off the water. This was late Saturday night. Since we don't shop on Sunday, it was Monday early when I went to Lowe's. The toilet set we had was a $114 set. We really didn't have that kind of money to put out for a new one. I noticed they had a bowl only for $25. I asked a clerk if it would fit our tank. He said 99% of the time that they fit any toilet and since the bowl was the same brand as our original. I brought it home and Bruce had the old one taken off. When we went to put the new one on we realized we needed some hardware that hadn't come with the new bowl. I went to Wal-mart. They didn't have what I needed so I went to Ace Hardware. While I was in Wal-mart Bruce called and said I needed to find some kind of waxy stuff that was surrounding the hole where the toilet sits. When I was at Ace they showed me a set of the wax ring and hardware I needed. I took it home. We installed the new bowl. When we put our old tank on we realized quickly that we were the 1% of people that have their old tanks not match a new bowl. Our tank sat too close to the wall, we could not get the lid to go on. So, off I went again to Lowe's to get the tank that matched the bowl, $29. We installed that, but it was leaking water from where it bolted to the bowl. We bought silicone and put silicone around the bolts. That slowed the process of leaking, but didn't stop it. The next day we took the tank off again and shoved silicone with a popcicle stick into the hole and then put in the bolts. It is no longer leaking. What should have been a 1-2 hour job accumulated over a week period into several hours of work. Long story short, Bruce said, "Next time we hire someone." The joys of owning a home.

Bullies in Kindergarten

Hello All. I guess I should preface this story a little. Logan got his first write up just days before Christmas break. I won't even get into why. He got another one two days after Christmas break was over. Again, won't get into that. So, when I got a phone call on Tuesday from the school principal, I let out an audible grown. He was quick to say, "No, NO, he's not in trouble." I replied, "then what happened?" He proceeded to tell me that Logan was in the bathroom. There was another Kindergartner in there who kicked Logan in the groin. He also told me that the child had been punished. He didn't tell me what the punishment was. When Logan got home and I asked him what happened he said, "I only said hi to him and then he jumped on my back and kicked me right here, pointing to his groin." He then told me, "but I didn't fight back." That night I had Parent Teacher Conference. The teacher told me that as a mother, I can rest assure that Dr. Storm took care of it and took care of it well. Because of Privacy codes she could not say more, but she said she thought Connor was a new man.

Then, Wednesday while I am trying to check out at the pharmacy, my cell phone rang. It was an excited Joy who proclaimed, "Logan got beat up at school again today." She then told me that while he was waiting for the bus to leave school, a child punched him and slapped him in the stomach. I told her I would call the school. I got a hold of Doctor Storm. He said, yes that did happen and told me he would be taking care of it when the child got back to school the next day. I expressed my concern over the rough week Logan was having and he said, yes, but Logan is making better choices. I am glad he is making better choices, but I am starting to agree with Bruce, maybe it is time for self defense classes.

I've Been Tagged!

According to the rules of this tagging game, I'm now supposed to discuss five things that I am compulsive/obsessive/somewhat disturbingly over-analytical about and then award the "Fabulous Award" to a handful of other blogging friends.

1. I have to have a picture of Jesus Christ in our home. Preferably every room.
2. I like to be barefoot. If I can't be barefoot I want flip flops and if I can't wear flip flops I like open healed shoes.
3. My children are often annoyed by this, but I really don't like stuff on the floor in the living room, actually, all rooms. However, my shoes are often out in my room, but they better not be in their rooms. :)
4. I wouldn't say I am compulsive or obsessive about this, except in not liking it. My least favorite household chore is dusting. Bless Logan for volunteering this morning. He even picked stuff up and dusted underneath. He earned a chip for that.

I don't know if I can state a fifth. I worry a lot, but I don't have specifics that I obsess about. I guess I could list a few things and we can call them number 5....

I like music playing when I clean. I like church music on when getting ready for church. I prefer only church music, classical or Christmas music on Sundays. I put my pants on first, usually, when dressing. I put my right shoe on first. I like to brush my teeth early in the evening to discourage me from eating too late. I do not like carbonation, but will drink it in punch. I drink a lot of water. I am a half hearted cleaner. I prefer milk chocolate over dark, but will eat both if offered. Chocolate is chocolate.

I could rattle on some more, but I won't. Hopefully you have learned something about me you didn't know. Good night and Merry Christmas!

Our Family Christmas Letter

Wow, another year has passed again. We have had a lot of changes in our lives. Two new vehicles, a new home, new schools, and all of our children in school. We have made a lot of happy memories and overcome some trials. We truley have been blessed this year. As a recap this is what has happened to our family!

Bruce was able for the first time to pick out a car that he wanted. We used some income tax return and got a good deal on a loan. He now drives a 2001 Volvo S60. It is sporty and classy at the same time. He is still working at Mikel-Brock. Unfortunately it is not as creative as he would like. He has applied for a new job. Please keep him in your prayers.

I am enjoying my second year as a Parent Educator for the Joplin school district. I am now driving a red Ford Windstar. My Chevy was rearended in March. I miss it. I enjoy sneaking out with Bruce’s car when I can. I was very busy in my spare time this year finding us a home to buy. We moved into our new home on October 24th. It is in a little town outside of Joplin. It is a nice quiet neighborhood and we can’t hear our neighbors shower. When we enrolled the children in their new schools, Bruce leaned over to me and said, “No apartment number.” It was a happy moment for us both.

Joy graduated from elementary school in May. She graduated with honors. She started middle school at East Middle school in Joplin in August. She was elected to the Student Council. Unfortunately, two weeks later we moved. We are now in the Webb City school district. The middle school there is set up a little differently. It has taken her a while to adjust, but she has now made a few friends.

Patience came in first place in the Fun Run in May for the second year in a row. She also came in first in the Boom Town Race in Joplin for children under 12. She enjoys her friends at school and has rekindled a friendship with a friend in our new ward at church. Middle school in this district starts at 5th grade, so she has moved up in the world.

Aurora read the most books in her class last year. She is reading at a much higher level than her age. She is really enjoying her new school. She continues to enjoy playing outside and playing dress up.

Logan graduated from Head Start in May. He started kindergarten in the “trailor” in August. He thought he was hot stuff to be in a trailor class room. He really likes the playground equipment at his new school. It has a fish tunnel. He sometimes has a hard time focusing in class, but for the most part is doing really well.

I hope you feel caught up with our family. We hope you are all well and happy!
Love and prayers to you all!
The VanHoose Family- 203 S Maple, Carterville, MO, 64835, 417-673-3496