School, you say? Yes, I'm back in school. I'm taking a Sign Language class at Macomb Community College on Thursday nights. It's 3 hours, although the teacher's always letting us out early (which really frosts me! I'm paying good money for this!!!). Anyway, it's amazing how quiet it is in class seeing as how we're not supposed to be using our voices at all (a nice break from these loud girls of mine!). Our teacher is deaf, and she communicates mainly with sign language and some writing on the board. She DOES have a little bit of a voice, which she uses when she's trying to communicate some deeper concepts. I have GOT to be the oldest one in my class! Last Thursday when the teacher had to leave and cancel class, leaving us with a few instructions, I ended up answering everyone's questions and collecting the roster sheet, etc. The one boy said, "Since you could understand everything the teacher said, why don't you be in charge?" LOL!

OK, the girls' tests. Two weeks ago, the girls went in to Children's Hospital yet again for overnight EEG's. This time went much more smoothly than last (when they wrapped Cherry's head too tight, and she had welts on her forehead longer than a month!). I talked to the nurse practitioner today, who informed me that their numbers (percentages of epileptic brain activity) were exactly the same as the test from 4 months ago. Kind of a bummer. We're trying to figure out whether the medication is doing any good. They were already doing "better" BEFORE they started the clobazam, so we're not entirely sure whether it's doing anything or not. She said that Dr. Chugani would probably suggest higher dosages for both of them since they are currently not at a very high dose. We're waiting to hear what his recommendation will be. He'll most likely call back today or tomorrow.

We tried to get Charity into the Hearing Impaired program (where Trinity's at), but to no avail. Because she is testing well in all areas except for speech, they are only approving speech therapy for her right now. They said if we see any change in her at all, we can get her in for another round of testing, and see what the results are then. Of course, we tried to explain to them that we think the HI program is the best spot for her now so that she can learn as much sign as possible in preparation for any decrease in speech or comprehension that may occur due to the nature of her disorder. But, they're stickin' by their original recommendation. That really frosts me, too, because you know it's really all about the money and their budgets. So, we are going to enroll her into morning half-day Kindergarten. Since our home school doesn't provide half-day Kindergarten, she'll be bussed to Westwood Elementary (our "home" school), then picked up by the Pinewood Elementary bus (the school that offers the half-day options) at Westwood. How crazy is that? She has a bus layover! LOL! Anyway, we figure if she's in a program at the school every day where a teacher can be watching her and documenting any abnormal behaviors in speech or comprehension, this could only help in getting her into the HI program next year. And if she does wonderfully through this upcoming year, then I guess she doesn't need the HI program at all. They DID approve her for speech therapy, so she'll be able to get that at school.

Awana started a few weeks ago, and the girls are both Sparks this year. How cool that they can be together for that! It's been a bit of a rough start for Cherry, too, being able to memorize and recite larger passages (just like it was for T last year), but she's amazing me in the same way T did!

My sister and two of our best friends (Stephanie and Kim) joined a women's KCC study: Daniel by Beth Moore. It's a video study with an accompanying work book which is a bit homework-intensive, but we are all LOVING it! We have a small group, where we go over our homework, then all the small groups gather in the chapel to watch the video that goes with the upcoming week's homework. This is my first Beth Moore study. People have told me that I'll either love her studies or hate them. I don't know WHO IN THE WORLD could ever not enjoy her studies if they're all like this one. We've only done one week so far, yet I'm already amazed by the things I've learned!

We're going to New York City for a family trip from Saturday morning to Tuesday evening! We are all so excited! Mike and I have been there before, and now we get to share the craziness of the biggest city in the world with the girls. They are going to be floored!!! Since our flight leaves at 6am Saturday morning, we're spending the night at a hotel near the airport Friday night. I think just flying on a plane will be so much excitement for them, the trip could end right there! LOL!

Well, I guess that's enough for now. Check in again soon . . .