randamach: it's Irish

Oh my heavens, it has been awhile.  Since we last chatted, there have been a few more "happenings" in the Carlson casa or the ol' school house.  Let's dive in.

• One of the kiddos I work with is on the autism spectrum and I adore him more than life itself.  He brings me immense amounts of joy.  A few weeks ago, I saw him in the hallway before school and we were both wearing blue-striped shirts.  So I said, "Hey look!  We're practically twins!"  To which he responded, "Um, not really," and promptly turned and walked away.  He wasn't being rude, he was just telling it like it was.  Then, since he had nothing else to say, he saw it as an appropriate time to exit my presence.  Love him.
• Another kiddo had been giving my para and I grief for awhile, so I instigated a behavior plan last week.  And, what do you know, it's been working marvelously.  I can't wait to see if what we're doing will actually impact him positively in other areas of life.
• Yet another student I work with daily has seemed, as of lately, to be much less intelligent than I earlier thought.  However, after getting to know him better and visiting with his instructional manager, I came to find out that he actually is quite bright but his self-esteem is so low that instead of trying and maybe doing something wrong, he just assumes that everything he does is wrong.  It has been my absolute joy to pour into him and try to show him that he is capable of doing much more than he ever thought.
• I tripped on a pencil while walking through the halls during passing period a few weeks ago.  Yes, a pencil.
• Dans and I are doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University right now.  We're getting all fired up, so beware...  If you ask us (well, me in particular) any financial-related questions, I will promptly get on my Dave-Ramsey-Soapbox.  This is your fair warning. 
• We caught one of the lizards outside.  He is now in the classroom of one of our teacher friends.
• Dans saved up and bought himself a used riding lawn mower.  Perhaps now our lawn will look less overgrown now.  
• I've been taking less pictures as of lately.  I'm considering doing 2013 in pictures like I did in 2009.  I loved that project.
• The gals in my small group from church gathered a few weeks ago to make some freezer meals.  And our system was awesome.  Perhaps I will tell you about that later this week.  So great.  

I believe that is all I have for you right now.  I need to vow to myself that I will stop by once or twice a week.  Friends, this is my vow.  I will be back before October 1.  Many thanks.