T=Travel, TAG, Trousdale, and Time

We're officially on the ground and settling in.  Jeff started in his new position yesterday.  What a change of pace for him!  Mellow co-workers, a fantastic manager, and an even more beautiful territory...that he gets to see in the daylight.  We're still processing what took place in under 3 weeks and still are in shock that we're here.  His only disappointment--he has to keep the truck he was assigned for another 75,000 miles before he can get a brand-spankin' new one.  Diesel trucks have a longer life expectancy by Verizon's standards these days.  Bummer ;)

Jessica met with the NTPS Assessment Counselor last week and was given a 2 1/2 hour test to see if she qualifies for the gifted program.  She has been recommended by 2 of her previous teachers and missed out on attending the PEP program in EVSD last school year because we were new and missed the deadlines.  I asked about the testing dates when we enrolled here last week--and the last date for new arrivals was 4/11.  Pure luck.  She was one of 86 kids tested for 27 seats. It's a self-contained program that will meet at a different school then the one she is attending now.  What's 4 schools in 4 years when you're so smart and adaptable!!  (What a blessing that she is though!)

Two of Ashley's classes did not transfer directly over.  River Ridge made some concessions and placed her in somewhat equivalent classes.  She's grumbling...but that's nothing new.  We've been informed that Bio-Med is NOT Biology a hundred times and Digi-tools is nothing more than typing...and a complete waste of a credit--for which, I totally agree.  While starting in a class with less than 2 months till the end of the school year is totally crappy--that's life!  Next year will be so much more grounded--and something to look forward to after a great summer of getting to meet lots of new people and go river rafting, on a pioneer youth trek, and to girls' camp.  Seminary is good though, but not a lot of girls in this group of 20 or so.  And 6am instead of 6:45am, with a 15 minute drive...is definitely harder on me then her!

Being the new kids at school, brought out all the stops for testing--hearing, sight, reading, academics, etc.  This school is fast in their findings.  We've had second and third opinions for what we mostly already knew.  The most immediate of those needs that they addressed: Nathan's seat positioning requirements for his hip and Braden's hearing and sight--still deaf, but needs glasses very soon.

Nathan and Cameron already went on their first scout camp-out, up the coast, to Fort Worden with their new troop.  What a hardy welcome and introduction to the pouring rain!  [Look at the size of that troop!!]  Things they will remember for next time: bring a coat, bring your own mess kit, and having water-proof anything would be nice!

Our visit with Dr Trousdale is coming up in a couple of weeks. Nathan has been doing a countdown...more for Missouri than Minnesota though.










We have to address Nathan's growing impingement around his total hip replacement and see what Dr T thinks about all the new ossification in the surrounding muscles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6YbGWLCvX8
 A leading total hip surgeon in Spokane said that we may need to consider seeing a pediatric oncologist for radiation of the bone before further treatment. And to make things even more convoluted--Shriners' is waiting for the go ahead to work on the right hip after the health of the left hip is determined. No pressure in this visit!!

Then it's on to St Louis.  The kids have been counting down since we were in triple digits.  Not only are we in double digits...but they start with one!  We still ironing out transportation details and I've made calls to the Mayo for our housing referrals--so we are closer than we realize.  You'd think it would be easy to find the items for traveling amidst the chaos of a major move.  It may take the next 2 weeks to find a suitcase; but if all else fails, we'll be checking in cardboard boxes with Southwest instead.