We won the battle

We won one battle and still fighting the war. What battle you ask...

In December 2011 I received a call from the school VP that my son had pulled a fire alarm and was suspended and I needed to pick him up immediately. I was at a loss for words, and rushed to the school, stressed I would be greeted by the fire department and cited by the city. I arrived, didnt see any fire engines. Ran into the office only to be greeted by my son in the office and not one administrator insight. I asked my son what was going on, "I don't know" he said as we walked out to the car.
Me "are you suspended?"
Him "no"
Me "did you pull the fire alarm?"
Him "no"
Me "why are you being sent home?"
Him "I don't know"
Me "what happened?"
Him "We were bowling in PE and I bounced the ball, it hit the cover to the fire alarm, the cover fell off, I tried to pit it back on but it was broken and started beeping"
Me "did the fire alarm sound, dud the fire department show up?"
Him "no"
Me "then why did they call and say you pulled the alarm?"
Him "they questioned some girls who don't like me, that said they saw me but weren't even around and they said I pulled it."

So immediately when I arrived home I emailed the school VP to address the situation. No response. I sent my sin to school the next day as we had not been informed how long the suspension was for. He wasn't sent home so I assumed he was telling the truth and all had been forgotten. About a month later I resent my email along with an inquiry as to what the event had resulted in. A week later I received a phone call from the school VP stating that Brandon had indeed been suspended and they had forgotten to file a suspension and would be doing so immediately. I lost my cool, realized I had lost my cool and got off the phone as quickly as I could.

You see I have dabbled in Education Law, along with my parents who both are genuine advocates to those who are unfamiliar with Ed Code, and knew it was illegal/that the statue if limitations had exceeded to file a suspension. I phoned my mother who was as equally upset and and uttered that according to California Education Code 48911 they must notify me in writing of the suspension and establish a parent teacher conference within two days of the suspension - neither occurred. The next day the written notification if suspension arrived via mail and the date had been post dated to the date the incident occurred (one month earlier).

So immediately I forwarded this information to the Principle. When I was not responded to I contacted the Superintendents office to appeal the suspension. I was referred to the Assistant Superintendent and another month passed and finally, after mentioning that they were now in violation of Ed Code 48911 (g) and 48914 that states I have the right to appeal the suspension to the district Superintendent, I was informed (by email) that the suspension was being removed from my son record.

I must admit I was hesitant to open my email. Normally it's just something else, another excuse that the have and I have to debate it, or prove their are wrong. I was having a good day and wasn't sure I wanted to ruin it. But refreshingly it was what (somewhat) I wanted to hear. The Assist Sup was having all record of the suspension removed from my sons file and from their electronic records. Although my son wasn't found innocent of the incident, the actions of doctoring paperwork by post dating the suspension, and failing to abide by CA Ed Code suspension procedures, was reason enough to dismiss the suspension.

I was torn to tell my son of the news. I wanted to relieve him of the stress the suspension and accusations caused him and let him know it was no longer in his records, but was fearful he'd ask how and would be hurt furthermore, that it wasn't because they truly believe him innocent. Nonetheless I told him. He didn't ask how it came about but was grateful I pushed the issue and felt some relief!

So.... YAY!

As I mentioned in my opening though...this is only one battle won. The war may never be over (been going on since he entered 1st grade) but at least they (the district administrators and school administrators) know, I know my and my students rights. I know where to look. I know who to ask.

Bittersweet

My cry baby seven month old is on the verge - and I mean the VERGE - of walking! He's crawling, climbing, standing, playing, talking and happy as can be that he is mobile. He's tested a few times letting go of the furniture. I can see his little cogs spinning as he plots out how he's going to make his next move. Although I want to so nothing more than push him down and hold him so he won't start walking, I can already see how much more happy he is. He's wanted nothing more than to keep up with his big brothers.

You see he's spent the better part of his first few months crying. I mean crying. Nothing could settle him down except nursing. We still do the baby shuffle at times but not nearly as much. He's become independent and much more capable of playing alone.

Like my title states, this is all bittersweet. I'm happy as a mama bear that my cub no longer cries and pulls at me as much as he used to - but sad that he is on his path to the rest of the world.

All I can hope for now is that time will move slowly, and that he will stop for hugs and kisses along the way :)

My sunshine \/\/\/

Dying

Wow! It's so expensive to die. I've never had to deal with funeral rearrangements in my life before until this past week when my nephew was killed in a car accident.,
Every time someone asked for payment it felt like he died all over again. I'm sure we could have let the funeral home take care of all the arrangements and we could have just paid one lump sum but all of them seemed to have their hands full with other people who had died and we just wanted to make sure everything was what we wanted.
Makes you think, what am I leaving my family to deal with when I pass. Do I have life insurance? Is it enough? Will they get it in time?
I can't say enough though about all the family and friends that came to my brother in-laws side. Everyone pitching in, helping, cooking, and just being there was amazing. He really is blessed to have such a great family and so many amazing co-workers and friends.
We never know when our time will come. Life is a short yet glorious journey. Live each day to the fullest. Tell the people you care about that you love them and hold your babies!

I miss you everyday Jake.

New App!

So I recently switched gyms! Was at golds gym but they didn't have a variety of aerobics classes and well the gym itself made me somewhat uncomfortable. Although it is the most reasonably priced gym in town, it just didn't make up for feeling like a piece of meat everytime I walked in. Rovellas on the other hand is much more family friendly and only a few dollars more a month with a ton of aerobics classes! I love step!

Completed a second day of step! Man are my calves sore! Just what I needed to start the new year!

But down to business- I have this uber smart phone, maybe you've heard if it, the iPhone :) and I found this app (for free of course) it's called My Fitness Pal. I can track what I eat, what work outs I've done, set a goal weight, and chat with friends about it for motivation! So far I've lost one pound in just three days!!! Really it helps me stay conscious of my calorie intake and burned calories. It also helps me see what I'm actually putting in my body.

I'm really excited about it and FINALLY dropping these last ten pounds from pregnancy.

Check it out if you get the chance and add me as your friend.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
facebook.com/myfitnesspal

Cheap and easy!

Every year for Christmas I bake! The tons of goodies I make for Christmas are wrapped and delivered to close friends! Except this year. This year I made mini center pieces. They are small and cute and easy!

All you need is:
Glue gun
Glue
Pinecones from your yard or your grandmas
Pieces of ribbon
Tinsel
A couple of flower bushels from the dollar store (poinsettias work beat for the Christmas season)
Small glittery ornaments
And whatever you see that appeases your holiday style
And cinnamon

Glue the pine cones together as well as possible trying to hide the glue as much as possible. If you have good glue you won't have to worry about the ornament or piece falling apart.
Decorate to taste and voila!

If you sprinkle the pinecones with cinnamon prior to decorating you will get that wintery smell.

Cost per piece is about $1. And worth all the compliments and smiles from your friends!

Enjoy!!!

Happ Anniversary, New Year, and Birthday Babe!

Matt and I have been going steady for 2 years. Our lives have grown and changed so much in a short amount if time, but we couldn't be happier!

We rang in the New Year at the hill Billy oasis, aka Missy and Jesse's side yard! They had a bonfire and everyone brought over their tree to burn! It was a great night spent with great company!

And tomorrow is Babe's birthday! He's spending today golfing with his friends and on Friday we will be going to a Sharks game via limo! So excited!!!