Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Our girl hikes in heels
Those of you who know our daughter, knows she LOVES shoes. Emma loves heels in particular. So today when I told Emma pictures were going to taken on Daffodil Hill. Emma choose out her dress and of course her shoes. True classic Emma style, heels were the shoe of the day. There is no doubt this girl of ours can hike, climb a tree and get muddy all in heels!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A new oncologist...
so Clark went to schedule his check up appointment/blood work with his oncologist. The doctor who replied (promptly I might add) said Clark's oncologist is no longer available. I am not sure what that means in doctor speak.
Clark's new oncologist is one we both met with a few months back. She is smart, witty and we both LIKE her! A huge bonus and a prayer answered.
So prayers please as Clark in the next several weeks schedules his follow up stuff to make sure Chester and his cousins have not come back.
It will be 2 years ago this month he was first diagnosed. It seems so long ago and some days it feels like yesterday.
Clark's new oncologist is one we both met with a few months back. She is smart, witty and we both LIKE her! A huge bonus and a prayer answered.
So prayers please as Clark in the next several weeks schedules his follow up stuff to make sure Chester and his cousins have not come back.
It will be 2 years ago this month he was first diagnosed. It seems so long ago and some days it feels like yesterday.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Homework and School
So when I was asked to voice my opinion on Moms Talk: Is There Too Much Homework? I was excited by the comments when I cross referenced the article to my personal Facebook apge.
To see the full article go to
http://livermore.patch.com/articles/moms-talk-is-there-too-much-homework.
I do not have permission from the authors on my Facebook page to reprint their posts nor did I ask this time. I realized though I wanted to add a few comments of my own about homework and school. My comments are not meant to offend. My comments are for my family and might not work for yours.
1. First off stop blaming the schools if your child was not educated or not getting an education. Get involved and change the system. If you cannot change the system, change your perspective and move your child to a school where they will be educated. Or home-school. Or add educational tools to your child's life. You are their primary teacher from birth, take advantage and stop the blame. If your child is not educated it is truly your fault along with the schools.
2. Most teachers teach because they have a gift. I know many will disagree, but I think of all the teachers I had throughout the years and with the exception of a few, most wanted to be in a classroom and most wanted to have students learn. Give them a break.
3. Vote. Demand from our politicians that our education system needs an overhaul. Become part of the solution.
4. Work in the classroom. Work in the classroom. Work in the classroom. Become involved. Know the teachers, know the administrators, know the parents and the kids. If you work for a business, become a partner with your local school. Show them your best practices, teach them alongside the teachers.
5. Stop the blame. You are responsible for your child. Not the government, not the school and not the teachers. You are. If your child is not educated, what does that say about you?
Yes, I write this as Emma is about to only hit kindergarten. I am not an expert in all subjects taught in school in fact very few but I have family and friends who can assist where and if the school I feel is lacking.
Clark and I are Emma's primary teachers not the school. A revolutionary thought I think for some. Emma is not an island when going to school either. We, as her parents are her biggest supporters and will embrace her educational years alongside of her.
Here is my opinion from the article if you do not want to click on the link from above.
Contributor Kathleen Schoening says:
Recently, I attended the open house for those with children entering kindergarten in the Livermore school district in the fall. They highlighted the expectations of what the child should know: letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc. For the class of 2024, it is called kindergarten ready.
Great, Bring it on. Also, bring on the homework. My child and many of her peers already know most of the kindergarten-ready information, so what will challenge them?
My child is no Einstein, but we as parents have read to her since birth. We have spell words and are working on numbers. Colors and shapes happen when playing games. All of those things also are reinforced at preschool and church.
We do not live in a district in which every school is top-rated but our immediate community neighborhoods schools are. We also placed our daughter’s name in for the public lottery for the Livermore charter school. Charter offers music, art and science but the community school offers well the community and there is much to be said about that in a pretty good rated school system.
We know families who are choosing to place their children in the dual immersion public language school program across town.
We want what is best for Emma and what is best for our family. Homework is part of the plan no what matter what school she is in. If she struggles, we will help her find out why. Schools make you work and the best part of working is learning and that is critical to education. School is not a daycare provider. Schools are a joint supplier of our future generations' minds. Let us, together with the teachers and administrators, create an environment that produces a child who loves to learn and that will build character and responsibility.
So bring on the academic rigors for our child. We as a family are ready for it. Here is to the class of 2024.
To see the full article go to
http://livermore.patch.com/articles/moms-talk-is-there-too-much-homework.
I do not have permission from the authors on my Facebook page to reprint their posts nor did I ask this time. I realized though I wanted to add a few comments of my own about homework and school. My comments are not meant to offend. My comments are for my family and might not work for yours.
1. First off stop blaming the schools if your child was not educated or not getting an education. Get involved and change the system. If you cannot change the system, change your perspective and move your child to a school where they will be educated. Or home-school. Or add educational tools to your child's life. You are their primary teacher from birth, take advantage and stop the blame. If your child is not educated it is truly your fault along with the schools.
2. Most teachers teach because they have a gift. I know many will disagree, but I think of all the teachers I had throughout the years and with the exception of a few, most wanted to be in a classroom and most wanted to have students learn. Give them a break.
3. Vote. Demand from our politicians that our education system needs an overhaul. Become part of the solution.
4. Work in the classroom. Work in the classroom. Work in the classroom. Become involved. Know the teachers, know the administrators, know the parents and the kids. If you work for a business, become a partner with your local school. Show them your best practices, teach them alongside the teachers.
5. Stop the blame. You are responsible for your child. Not the government, not the school and not the teachers. You are. If your child is not educated, what does that say about you?
Yes, I write this as Emma is about to only hit kindergarten. I am not an expert in all subjects taught in school in fact very few but I have family and friends who can assist where and if the school I feel is lacking.
Clark and I are Emma's primary teachers not the school. A revolutionary thought I think for some. Emma is not an island when going to school either. We, as her parents are her biggest supporters and will embrace her educational years alongside of her.
Here is my opinion from the article if you do not want to click on the link from above.
Contributor Kathleen Schoening says:
Recently, I attended the open house for those with children entering kindergarten in the Livermore school district in the fall. They highlighted the expectations of what the child should know: letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc. For the class of 2024, it is called kindergarten ready.
Great, Bring it on. Also, bring on the homework. My child and many of her peers already know most of the kindergarten-ready information, so what will challenge them?
My child is no Einstein, but we as parents have read to her since birth. We have spell words and are working on numbers. Colors and shapes happen when playing games. All of those things also are reinforced at preschool and church.
We do not live in a district in which every school is top-rated but our immediate community neighborhoods schools are. We also placed our daughter’s name in for the public lottery for the Livermore charter school. Charter offers music, art and science but the community school offers well the community and there is much to be said about that in a pretty good rated school system.
We know families who are choosing to place their children in the dual immersion public language school program across town.
We want what is best for Emma and what is best for our family. Homework is part of the plan no what matter what school she is in. If she struggles, we will help her find out why. Schools make you work and the best part of working is learning and that is critical to education. School is not a daycare provider. Schools are a joint supplier of our future generations' minds. Let us, together with the teachers and administrators, create an environment that produces a child who loves to learn and that will build character and responsibility.
So bring on the academic rigors for our child. We as a family are ready for it. Here is to the class of 2024.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Facebook is not real life
I found myself writing that to a dear respected friend today. Facebook is the illusion of our lives in bits and pieces of what we choose to place as our status updates. We can create images of our days by our words.
I realize as I was writing to my friend that people think that Facebook is real life. Now, at times, I can see where people could confuse the two. However, Facebook can never let you feel the human touch of a hand or a hug. Facebook can never let you linger over a long lunch or dinner enjoying not only the morsels of food and drink but also the human company.
Facebook can give you an quick reaction and sometimes; sometimes that is what we all need. Maybe its a prayer request, maybe a congratulation or maybe its I am sorry for your loss.
Facebook can connect long forgotten friends and relatives.
Facebook may give us the immediate satisfaction but is not real life.
So go jump in a puddle, dive in a lake, canoe down a river, surf on the coast, your real life is not on Facebook.
I realize as I was writing to my friend that people think that Facebook is real life. Now, at times, I can see where people could confuse the two. However, Facebook can never let you feel the human touch of a hand or a hug. Facebook can never let you linger over a long lunch or dinner enjoying not only the morsels of food and drink but also the human company.
Facebook can give you an quick reaction and sometimes; sometimes that is what we all need. Maybe its a prayer request, maybe a congratulation or maybe its I am sorry for your loss.
Facebook can connect long forgotten friends and relatives.
Facebook may give us the immediate satisfaction but is not real life.
So go jump in a puddle, dive in a lake, canoe down a river, surf on the coast, your real life is not on Facebook.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Jen's 40 and Fab Party
So we had a friend who held a 40th 80's theme birthday party at a local skating rink. I used to love to skate, but due to bad back I was hesitate. Then I thought to myself when I am ever going to dress up with my husband from the 80's and go to a roller rink. So I skated a bit. Not enough to do damage but enough to have fun with some great people. Happy Birthday Jen!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Relay for Life of Livermore 2011-My pitch-Join Us!
My pitch because no matter how small or big your company is form a Relay for Life of Livermore 2011 team. Or maybe you want to be connected with a team. Or maybe you want to sponsor the event. Or maybe even a poster in your store front (thank you to our downtown stores who are already displaying the Relay colors) Or maybe a few brochures in your lobby because while maybe you are not in a position to be there this year but you might be help to motivate someone who should. So here I go.
Hello, my name is Kathleen Schoening and I am Team Recruitment Chair with the Livermore Relay For Life. Right now we are reaching out to local Livermore businesses to invite them to join us in the fight against cancer. This amazing 24 hour event is being held on June 25th and 26th at Livermore High School.
We are looking for teams and sponsors to participate so that we can Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back for every person whose life has been touched by cancer.
Still not sure and have questions? I would like to talk with you because we would love to have you as part of this incredible community of survivors, caregivers and people who care.
Why do I Relay? I Relay because when our daughter was 2 years old her daddy, my husband was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. For a year, my husband underwent chemo and radiation. Our daughter and I stood by, praying for the day we could say that daddy was a cancer survivor. And now, one year later he is.
So come join us.
This is going to be one amazing year!
Kathleen Schoening
Team Recruitment Chair
Hello, my name is Kathleen Schoening and I am Team Recruitment Chair with the Livermore Relay For Life. Right now we are reaching out to local Livermore businesses to invite them to join us in the fight against cancer. This amazing 24 hour event is being held on June 25th and 26th at Livermore High School.
We are looking for teams and sponsors to participate so that we can Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back for every person whose life has been touched by cancer.
Still not sure and have questions? I would like to talk with you because we would love to have you as part of this incredible community of survivors, caregivers and people who care.
Why do I Relay? I Relay because when our daughter was 2 years old her daddy, my husband was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. For a year, my husband underwent chemo and radiation. Our daughter and I stood by, praying for the day we could say that daddy was a cancer survivor. And now, one year later he is.
So come join us.
This is going to be one amazing year!
Kathleen Schoening
Team Recruitment Chair
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