Behling Family 2014
Monday, February 23, 2009
Teeth
Buddy lost his first tooth tonight! What an end to the day. He's so excited that he wants to go to the dentist and ask when the big tooth will come in and when he'll lose the next tooth. Then he asked if I was the tooth fairy. Since Santa and the Easter Bunny aren't a mystery, neither is the tooth fairy. He's still excited though. He can't wait to tell his friends tomorrow.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Better School Days?
This morning bright and early I had an appointment with an assistant principal at Bug's high school. So, I get dressed and Dude and Buddy to school (late since I couldn't just drive in pjs today). Since I hurt my back the other day (another story...) I left Bear at home to watch Seuss. I just didn't have it in me to have the type of discussion needed with the school administration and deal with a toddler at the same time.
It didn't start off well. I get to the school and the lady I was to meet was not there! ARGH! Can the school do nothing right?! Apparently she had been called to attend a meeting at the board at the last minute. The district seems to like last minute. (On Wednesday they cancelled school at 6:45 for snow - kids were already on their way since school starts at 7:30.) So, upset, I asked if I could speak with the interim principal since our actual principal is on administrative leave for alledgedly propositioning a parent. She was willing to see me after she attended an IEP meeting. Since I have to attend those fairly regularly for Bear and Dude, I completely understood and was willing to wait.
Finally I was called back to her office and told that I had about 15 minutes before she had to leave for a board meeting. So, I went into my tale of woe and how Bug has an incompetant teacher that doesn't review the tests once they're taken and that multiple tests should be written if the teacher is using a test bank to write the test. I said how we'd been having issues since the beginning of the year from the geometry teacher appearing to dislike Bug, the typos being missed on a test bank test for FOUR years (who gives the SAME test four years and DOESN'T catch that type of an error?), and that this teacher only reviews a limited amount of homework, has gone over a couple of quizes, and NO tests once the work is completed. It's truly an outrage to me. I don't understand why the board changed policy about three years ago and allows students with unexcused absences to make-up their work and merely being docked a letter grade. In my day we got zeros and then the english teacher goes and tells my mom that he misses me in class so Mom realizes that I've been ditching class. Luckily I don't have THAT problem with Bug. According to her teacher, "She's ALWAYS here."
The interim principal listened politely and informed me that the board had changed the policy about the unexcused absences and make-up work due to pressure from PARENTS. Who heard of such a thing? Whatever happened to making the kid face the consequences for ditching school by getting a zero and getting car keys taken away like happened when I was in school. That's something that needs to be reversed. Anyway, back to the point, the principal changed Bug's schedule so that she no longer has the "teacher from @#%^" and just flip flopped her biology and geometry courses. That way she stays in an honors class, which Bug wanted, and still gets away from that particular teacher. One of Bug's friend's at school described a teacher (not Bug's) as "Satan on Earth." Obviously he had a similar experience at that school which is why he is now home schooled.
Bug's been in counseling for three weeks now and is doing better. Hopefully this doesn't send her over the deep end since she does have friends in the geometry class she was just transferred out of. I didn't request the change, the interim principal just did it. But, I'm satisfied, kind of. I'd like to see some policies changed anyway. I can see that Bug may be in a different class, but if the fundamental policies don't change, the boys are in a world of hurt in a few years.
Right now Bug's looking at doing an online high school, either Keystone or Maeser Academy, and telling her friends that her days in the high school are numbered. Our problem right now is that we can't keep her in orchestra doing that. I'm still taking that issue up with the superintendent of schools. That office is going to take the issue up with the board. Since there is a bill in front of the legislature in Nashville, it could be something that the board is willing to look at since they'd get additional federal funding for allowing home schooled students to attend a few classes at the public schools. I've decided that's a fight I'm willing to wage. Even if it's too late for Bug, I still have four boys to send through the system. Speaking with the superintendent's office yesterday was a good start. The gentleman I've spoken with is going to go to the deputy superintendent and then the school board to see if they will change the ruling about allowing partial enrollment. As he, and my mom, pointed out, if the home school students come for a few classes, the school gets more federal money. The superintendent would LOVE to have more money to run his schools.
It didn't start off well. I get to the school and the lady I was to meet was not there! ARGH! Can the school do nothing right?! Apparently she had been called to attend a meeting at the board at the last minute. The district seems to like last minute. (On Wednesday they cancelled school at 6:45 for snow - kids were already on their way since school starts at 7:30.) So, upset, I asked if I could speak with the interim principal since our actual principal is on administrative leave for alledgedly propositioning a parent. She was willing to see me after she attended an IEP meeting. Since I have to attend those fairly regularly for Bear and Dude, I completely understood and was willing to wait.
Finally I was called back to her office and told that I had about 15 minutes before she had to leave for a board meeting. So, I went into my tale of woe and how Bug has an incompetant teacher that doesn't review the tests once they're taken and that multiple tests should be written if the teacher is using a test bank to write the test. I said how we'd been having issues since the beginning of the year from the geometry teacher appearing to dislike Bug, the typos being missed on a test bank test for FOUR years (who gives the SAME test four years and DOESN'T catch that type of an error?), and that this teacher only reviews a limited amount of homework, has gone over a couple of quizes, and NO tests once the work is completed. It's truly an outrage to me. I don't understand why the board changed policy about three years ago and allows students with unexcused absences to make-up their work and merely being docked a letter grade. In my day we got zeros and then the english teacher goes and tells my mom that he misses me in class so Mom realizes that I've been ditching class. Luckily I don't have THAT problem with Bug. According to her teacher, "She's ALWAYS here."
The interim principal listened politely and informed me that the board had changed the policy about the unexcused absences and make-up work due to pressure from PARENTS. Who heard of such a thing? Whatever happened to making the kid face the consequences for ditching school by getting a zero and getting car keys taken away like happened when I was in school. That's something that needs to be reversed. Anyway, back to the point, the principal changed Bug's schedule so that she no longer has the "teacher from @#%^" and just flip flopped her biology and geometry courses. That way she stays in an honors class, which Bug wanted, and still gets away from that particular teacher. One of Bug's friend's at school described a teacher (not Bug's) as "Satan on Earth." Obviously he had a similar experience at that school which is why he is now home schooled.
Bug's been in counseling for three weeks now and is doing better. Hopefully this doesn't send her over the deep end since she does have friends in the geometry class she was just transferred out of. I didn't request the change, the interim principal just did it. But, I'm satisfied, kind of. I'd like to see some policies changed anyway. I can see that Bug may be in a different class, but if the fundamental policies don't change, the boys are in a world of hurt in a few years.
Right now Bug's looking at doing an online high school, either Keystone or Maeser Academy, and telling her friends that her days in the high school are numbered. Our problem right now is that we can't keep her in orchestra doing that. I'm still taking that issue up with the superintendent of schools. That office is going to take the issue up with the board. Since there is a bill in front of the legislature in Nashville, it could be something that the board is willing to look at since they'd get additional federal funding for allowing home schooled students to attend a few classes at the public schools. I've decided that's a fight I'm willing to wage. Even if it's too late for Bug, I still have four boys to send through the system. Speaking with the superintendent's office yesterday was a good start. The gentleman I've spoken with is going to go to the deputy superintendent and then the school board to see if they will change the ruling about allowing partial enrollment. As he, and my mom, pointed out, if the home school students come for a few classes, the school gets more federal money. The superintendent would LOVE to have more money to run his schools.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Another (Better?) Day
Well, in the world of teenage sulleness, the day didn't start off very well, but by the end of it, Bug was talking to me again. None of the shouting matches that resulted yesterday. I spent the morning talking to my mom remembering all the %$#^ I put her through 20 years ago. Bug is more emotional than I was, and probably always will be. I'm pretty much convinced now that I have a sheltering type of mechanism that tries to shut my emotions down so I don't get hurt in certain situations. Probably a result of the abandonment issues I had as a teen, just a side affect of being adopted. You never know WHY the birth mother gave you up. Bug probably wanted to figure out if I could give her up. Nope. Guess not.
She did go to a counseling session with Joe today. It apparently went fairly well. She wasn't thrilled about all of a sudden being picked up from school early to go to see a therapist, and even more put out that said therapist gave her "homework." She's to write letters to people that she "hates." Luckily I didn't hear my name on the list. She mentioned her geometry teacher instead. One up for Mom! I'm not as low as the geometry teacher at school! (Frankly, the teacher's an imbecile and shouldn't be teaching an honors class...)
After all the stress of yesterday and the thought of doing all the dishes before dinner, I decided we were going to eat out. Since Buddy had been promised pancakes (and I hadn't gotten eggs yet...oops), I took the kids to IHOP then we had "comfort food" of ice cream for dessert. We deserved it after the emotions of yesterday. I don't know if Bear got food poisoning, or just over ate, but by the time we got home, he'd vomited all over my van. What a day! I swear, if it's not one thing it's another around here. I've either got a teen having a nervous breakdown and hating the world, or sick kids.
In talking with my mom, I did realize that I'll survive the teen years with Bug. I still have 18 years left to go before Seuss is out of those years though. By that time I should be a pro...I hope. I must say that from what I hear, I'm glad the other four are boys! Supposedly they're easier since they aren't quite as emotional as the girls.
We're still looking at options for Bug. I'm starting to look at on-line high schools to see if I can remove her from her idiot geometry teacher and the dibilitating influence of some of her friends. I think that it could be beneficial and relieve some of her stress. It would increase mine, but I think I can deal with it better. After all, I do have 20 years on Bug. I keep telling myself, "I'm the mother of five, I can do anything, just not as well as a mother of eight."
She did go to a counseling session with Joe today. It apparently went fairly well. She wasn't thrilled about all of a sudden being picked up from school early to go to see a therapist, and even more put out that said therapist gave her "homework." She's to write letters to people that she "hates." Luckily I didn't hear my name on the list. She mentioned her geometry teacher instead. One up for Mom! I'm not as low as the geometry teacher at school! (Frankly, the teacher's an imbecile and shouldn't be teaching an honors class...)
After all the stress of yesterday and the thought of doing all the dishes before dinner, I decided we were going to eat out. Since Buddy had been promised pancakes (and I hadn't gotten eggs yet...oops), I took the kids to IHOP then we had "comfort food" of ice cream for dessert. We deserved it after the emotions of yesterday. I don't know if Bear got food poisoning, or just over ate, but by the time we got home, he'd vomited all over my van. What a day! I swear, if it's not one thing it's another around here. I've either got a teen having a nervous breakdown and hating the world, or sick kids.
In talking with my mom, I did realize that I'll survive the teen years with Bug. I still have 18 years left to go before Seuss is out of those years though. By that time I should be a pro...I hope. I must say that from what I hear, I'm glad the other four are boys! Supposedly they're easier since they aren't quite as emotional as the girls.
We're still looking at options for Bug. I'm starting to look at on-line high schools to see if I can remove her from her idiot geometry teacher and the dibilitating influence of some of her friends. I think that it could be beneficial and relieve some of her stress. It would increase mine, but I think I can deal with it better. After all, I do have 20 years on Bug. I keep telling myself, "I'm the mother of five, I can do anything, just not as well as a mother of eight."
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Taxing Teens
Who knows how to get through to a teenage daughter? I certainly can't. Today, Bug dropped out of her youth orchestra. Since it was starting to interfere with our church schedule now that we meet at a different time, Joe and I weren't overly concerned about her decision. Truthfully, with early morning seminary and the load of classes Bug has at school, it probably was for the best. She simply doesn't have the time to practice as much as she needs to for that level of music. I told her that she could look at other options in the area for next year, but I wanted her to maintain her music at school at the very least.
Then she blind-sides me and tells me that s has something she'd like to do, but it's not very close. I'm thinking that I'd have to drive a ways to do something with music, but, no, she wants to go live with her grandmother in Alaska and feels that that's something God wants her to do. Well, God hasn't told ME that, so I'm a bit perturbed at Bug at the moment. She still thinks that I don't care if she stays or go since she threatened to leave about a year ago (a few months ago to her) and I just called Joe and said that she was leaving. He talked her out of it then. Now, she's breaking his heart since she seems to be of the opinion that she can just leave and have no consequences for her actions. It makes me want to say she'll never drive, pull her out of the school that is giving her such a negative attitude, and tell her there's no way she's going to Alaska even for a VISIT now.
Helen has taken in foster children for awhile now. I think that it may be her way of trying to make up for the fact that she gave me up for adoption. I told Bug, though, that God gave Joe and Me the responsibility to raise her, that we didn't feel that we'd been released from that call yet. It certainly wasn't a call that he gave to any of our parents, biological or adoptive. She's OUR daughter, and it's OUR responsibility to raise her. There are days I'd love to ship her off for a while and show her that she really does have a good life with us even though she won't admit it.
As for the other kids, we don't have problems for the most part with any of them. Bear is getting active in his scout troop and enjoys passing the sacrament at church. Dude enjoys cub scouts now that Joe and I are doing it and we meet weekly. Buddy just likes to hang out with his brothers and take the occassional day off of school to spend with mom and Seuss. Seuss is just cute and has about four words now, Mama, hot, wow, and choo (his word for train). Hopefully he'll be starting some OT soon for oral motor sensory.
For now, our biggest challenge seems to be getting a teenage daughter through high school. It's changed so much from when I was that age. Part of it I'm sure is that we aren't in the sheltered culture of Utah where most people are LDS. Here, she's lucky to know others in the school that are. "Bi-curious" is a word that is flung around along with kids claiming to be gay or "bi." Frankly, I think I worry about this potential spiritual fall than with the gang violence that can permeate schools so much today. It's actually the biggest temptation for me to look at online high schools or home-schooling. I can see both the benefits and challenges of home-school, and hesitate to make the plunge. Plus, I think Bug will hate me more than she already does if I pull her out of school. The other problem I have is that she wouldn't have her music classes since the high school has already said that she must be enrolled there to take orchestra. The dilemas of having teens in the world of today...
Then she blind-sides me and tells me that s has something she'd like to do, but it's not very close. I'm thinking that I'd have to drive a ways to do something with music, but, no, she wants to go live with her grandmother in Alaska and feels that that's something God wants her to do. Well, God hasn't told ME that, so I'm a bit perturbed at Bug at the moment. She still thinks that I don't care if she stays or go since she threatened to leave about a year ago (a few months ago to her) and I just called Joe and said that she was leaving. He talked her out of it then. Now, she's breaking his heart since she seems to be of the opinion that she can just leave and have no consequences for her actions. It makes me want to say she'll never drive, pull her out of the school that is giving her such a negative attitude, and tell her there's no way she's going to Alaska even for a VISIT now.
Helen has taken in foster children for awhile now. I think that it may be her way of trying to make up for the fact that she gave me up for adoption. I told Bug, though, that God gave Joe and Me the responsibility to raise her, that we didn't feel that we'd been released from that call yet. It certainly wasn't a call that he gave to any of our parents, biological or adoptive. She's OUR daughter, and it's OUR responsibility to raise her. There are days I'd love to ship her off for a while and show her that she really does have a good life with us even though she won't admit it.
As for the other kids, we don't have problems for the most part with any of them. Bear is getting active in his scout troop and enjoys passing the sacrament at church. Dude enjoys cub scouts now that Joe and I are doing it and we meet weekly. Buddy just likes to hang out with his brothers and take the occassional day off of school to spend with mom and Seuss. Seuss is just cute and has about four words now, Mama, hot, wow, and choo (his word for train). Hopefully he'll be starting some OT soon for oral motor sensory.
For now, our biggest challenge seems to be getting a teenage daughter through high school. It's changed so much from when I was that age. Part of it I'm sure is that we aren't in the sheltered culture of Utah where most people are LDS. Here, she's lucky to know others in the school that are. "Bi-curious" is a word that is flung around along with kids claiming to be gay or "bi." Frankly, I think I worry about this potential spiritual fall than with the gang violence that can permeate schools so much today. It's actually the biggest temptation for me to look at online high schools or home-schooling. I can see both the benefits and challenges of home-school, and hesitate to make the plunge. Plus, I think Bug will hate me more than she already does if I pull her out of school. The other problem I have is that she wouldn't have her music classes since the high school has already said that she must be enrolled there to take orchestra. The dilemas of having teens in the world of today...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Kids!
Bear turned 12 this month. On the 7th he was ordained a deacon at church. He was able to pass the sacrament on Sunday. He did well, but kept forgetting to give people time to put the cup back in the tray. The priests were chuckling about it, but didn't make it obvious when they put theirs in a different one at the end of the service.
As proud as I am of Bear, I'm frustrated too. I got a call from his school this morning. He hasn't been turning in assignments again and is failing a class. He told the teacher that it was at home, told me all his work was turned in. I don't know what to do with him! I knew he was having trouble with lying, and told him that at 12 years old he should not be doing that. Not that he should at ANY age, but especially when you are asking to have the priesthood. Anyway, I called the school back later asking for them to have Bear call me and tell me where the assignment was. If I could, I'd bring it to him. Then the truth came out, it wasn't really done at home either. So, he's having to work on it in school and turn it in by the end of the day.
I don't understand these kids of mine. Neither Bug nor Bear are turning in their work. They'll do the homework, then leave it home or in their backpacks. Bear's failing one class, Bug is failing two, unless she got an 81 on her semester exam, in which case she'll have a C in History.
Dude and Buddy are doing well in their classes. They like to come home, play for a little while, then do their homework. They both like reading to me or Joe and showing how far they've come.
Seuss still doesn't really talk. He's come up with about four words - Ma, wow, hot, and choo (for a train). The ch sounds more like a t sound, but at least it's something. We're hoping that he'll qualify for OT and work on his oral motor skills soon.
Speaking of Seuss, he wants lunch. Still have to do the normal day to day stuff even if I am trying to get ready for Christmas. Only one week left, and I barely got the nativity sets up this morning. I need a life! I guess I'm out of luck, though, until my kids are older.
As proud as I am of Bear, I'm frustrated too. I got a call from his school this morning. He hasn't been turning in assignments again and is failing a class. He told the teacher that it was at home, told me all his work was turned in. I don't know what to do with him! I knew he was having trouble with lying, and told him that at 12 years old he should not be doing that. Not that he should at ANY age, but especially when you are asking to have the priesthood. Anyway, I called the school back later asking for them to have Bear call me and tell me where the assignment was. If I could, I'd bring it to him. Then the truth came out, it wasn't really done at home either. So, he's having to work on it in school and turn it in by the end of the day.
I don't understand these kids of mine. Neither Bug nor Bear are turning in their work. They'll do the homework, then leave it home or in their backpacks. Bear's failing one class, Bug is failing two, unless she got an 81 on her semester exam, in which case she'll have a C in History.
Dude and Buddy are doing well in their classes. They like to come home, play for a little while, then do their homework. They both like reading to me or Joe and showing how far they've come.
Seuss still doesn't really talk. He's come up with about four words - Ma, wow, hot, and choo (for a train). The ch sounds more like a t sound, but at least it's something. We're hoping that he'll qualify for OT and work on his oral motor skills soon.
Speaking of Seuss, he wants lunch. Still have to do the normal day to day stuff even if I am trying to get ready for Christmas. Only one week left, and I barely got the nativity sets up this morning. I need a life! I guess I'm out of luck, though, until my kids are older.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Night
Tonight Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. I have mixed emotions about this. I'm disappointed that John McCain didn't win since I fear what Obama will do with the military and the situation in Iraq. At the same time, I have shared some of Obama's views with regard to lower taxes, not taxing the medical insurance benefits that employers give, and I'm also happy to know that some people voted for him even though he is African-American. Of course, in this area, there are many that voted for him simply BECAUSE he is black.
Listening to the closing speeches of this presidential race, I wish that McCain had spoken so elequently through out his campaign. It may have made a difference. But I also think back on this race and wish wholeheartedly that Mike Huckabee had dropped out rather than deliberately staying in a primary race he could not win just so that a Mormon (Mitt Romney) wasn't elected. I think the race would have been a bit different with two very charismatic men in the race. It would have been nice to see somebody with the same moral beliefs as mine in the Oval Office. Now all we can do is hope and pray that Obama does keep some of his promises and that he truly was the best man to run the country. Heaven help us if he isn't...
Listening to the closing speeches of this presidential race, I wish that McCain had spoken so elequently through out his campaign. It may have made a difference. But I also think back on this race and wish wholeheartedly that Mike Huckabee had dropped out rather than deliberately staying in a primary race he could not win just so that a Mormon (Mitt Romney) wasn't elected. I think the race would have been a bit different with two very charismatic men in the race. It would have been nice to see somebody with the same moral beliefs as mine in the Oval Office. Now all we can do is hope and pray that Obama does keep some of his promises and that he truly was the best man to run the country. Heaven help us if he isn't...
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Birthdays
Wow! Yesterday Bug turned 15! I can't believe time has flown by that fast. It doesn't seem that long ago that she was just a little person.
6 Months 
6 Years 
Riding Rose @ Gran's- Age 6
She still would like to ride horses, but more and more I'm hearing about driving. In fact, she would have loved for me to pull her out of school to get her learners permit. Maybe next month when she has a day off of school I will take her for that, but she's not missing school for a permit.
Bug - 8th Grade Dance (May 2008)
We took her to dinner last night. She chose Red Robin, home of the expensive hamburger. It was good, although Joe said we should have just gone to Sonic. We'd never been there before, so it was different. The kids enjoyed it. Bug liked that they had "good music" on. I guess every where else we may go plays old fogey music since she never comments on it.
Apparently, I am closer to the dinosaur age now at 35. (My birthday was earlier this month.) Bug says I'm old, but her grandparents are "cool." Don't know what happened there. How is it that parents know nothing, but grandparents are the all wise and "awesome" ones? I guess I'll just have to get my love from my youngest three, since I'm still "cool" to them.
Next birthday - Seuss, who will be two. Then Bear will turn 12 in December and receive the priesthood. It's exciting to see them grow up.
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