First Week back to the grind!

Well the first week of school for us has passed. It has been a busy one, but not a bad start. Slightly different than what we expected, but we both expect it to change a little. The day before public school started, Troy had a teacher work day and a surprise to me, Dr. Wappet came in to do our compassion training. Dr. Wappet is a director and professor at U of I who has a background in special education and mental health services. He taught most of us (I say most of us, because I have a health minor so much of what he spoke about I was already familiar with) about stress, what it does to the body and how kids experience the same problems as we adults do. I already understand most of what he spoke about, but it was interesting to hear about the specific effects on children and how we can help them. It was refreshing to hear a professional encourage movement and relaxation to general education teachers, including stating that "taking PE out of the school is one of the worst mistakes we could make". Go Doc! Anyway so that filled most of my Monday, that and getting the classroom ready for the week. After discussing our schedules more, it was decided that I wouldn't work Thursdays anymore. I do wish I could have the option to some of that experience, but there wasn't really one. I suspect that they will need more help in a few weeks once school gets underway, but for now I'll be using Thursdays to study and sub. School hasn't even started for one district yet and they've already called me for two days to sub in September.
I had my first real day of school on Tuesday with Rielayn and we were both worn out after our first full day of school. We attended PE, an assembly, and recess, and cut out a picture of his hand on a heart for his mom. He did really well and taught me a few signs already, but was awfully quiet on the bus ride lol. He was gone the rest of the week with his family, but he returns this Tuesday. I think I'm going to like my classes this fall, especially my disability policy class. We haven't met yet, but we've started reading a novel called "No Pity". It's a great read and I suspect we will have some great discussions about having or not having pity on those with disabilities. The professor is also Dr. Wappet! My language disability course is taking some getting into, but the most recent chapter included some applicable tools for students so I expect it to get better.
John is doing well and really loving his new Jeep. He says he really loved the Subaru, but he loves the jeep more now than when he first got the sub lol. It's a good thing cuz I'm not going to let him get rid of it, we're going to have way too much fun with it. Yesterday he spent hours putting wires throughout the jeep and setting up his ham radio. It's actually really cool and everything locks up if needed too.

The hitch came and he attached the hitch cover we had from the truck. I don't know how, but I had forgotten we had it and was excited to be able to attach it again! We are expecting the rack for it on Tuesday so we can put the tent on it and then we'll be set. We will have A LOT of fun with this rig! His class is going OK, he's happy to not have to go to campus and be able to study from home. He and his dad are "attending" the class together from his dad's place and they're going to do the homework together. The only thing that is making it difficult for him now is that the material is dry, the professor is not that interesting, and he knows some of it from work already. He says it will get better and he still enjoys it over the other option. I think as he actually starts diving in and doing work he'll enjoy it more.
Other than a few walks with the pups, some tasty food and a few fun nights this weekend, that pretty much sums up what we have going on. John is going hunting tomorrow with a buddy and I'm going to be working on things for the classroom, studying, and going for my last long run before my half marathon on Sunday. We were hoping to go camping, but our friends couldn't make it and the weather wasn't that great anyway. Until next time TTFN!