Things going on.

Alright so I'm going to do this entry in bullets so that it's easier to follow than it would be if I wrote it out in jumbled form.
First let's begin with Claire:

• Claire is doing very well. She's working hard in both of her swimming classes and is now getting praised for all of her effort in Tai Kwon Do. She looks forward to the three classes every week and is really making great effort in all.
• Claire is no longer in homeschooling. She has been taken out and placed into Great Western Academy. This choice was made Tuesday, September 20. While Claire is a smart girl and likes a challenge, the homeschooling was more than an ordinary challenge. Claire had been dealing with a lot of struggles which made her confidence level plummet after working on an "About me" paper. This "About me" paper had 9 sub-parts to it which ended up taking Claire 13 hours to complete. This was the turning point for all of us. Derrick was working with her on this because I am a stickler when it comes to any type of English based subject. He was patient with her and attempted to give her multiple hints on how to improve her writing. Claire became so upset and frustrated with the entire thing that she would just erase the entire page when an error was pointed out, and start all over again. When she was told she didn't have to erase, but instead place a line of sorts above where the error was to help input the information that is needed, she just felt it was inadequate and became more and more irate with the entire activity.
• Claire has been enrolled with Great Western Academy since Wednesday morning and she began school on Thursday. 
• Great Western Academy is a school that we attempted to get her enrolled with from the very beginning, but they were full when we tried. This school has their stuff together. While filling out paperwork with them, there was a contract that both Claire and I had to sign in regards to Anti-bullying. It stated that it would NOT be tolerated and that if it occurred than the child is dismissed from the school immediately. This contract really helped me feel comfortable with having her placed within that school. This contract of course doesn't mean that there aren't going to be kids who do not bully, but it does mean that the for occurrence will be the last from that individual. That's a great relief right there.  
• On Claire's first day of school at GWA, she actually witnessed a bullying incident. She ran over to help the girl who had been punched in the stomach and on the ground. Claire asked to be excused from recess to escort the girl to the office to get her taken care of. Claire went into the office and told the administrator what happened and the man asked who it was, if Claire knew his name. Claire, of course with being her first day, was unaware of the boys name and so she was asked to point him out as she was escorted outside with the office personnel. She pointed the boy out and in return the boy was told to go to his classroom and get his stuff and they called his parents and he was taken out of that school that very moment. So, yeah, they definitely do not play kindly to those who do not obey by the contract in which was signed, and for that, I'm so thankful. 
• Since Claire has begun, she has stated that reading has been challenging and she's having some difficulties with some of what they're reading. I did see some definite issues with her comprehension while she was homeschooling and now that I know about these issues, we as a family, will be working on improving her comprehension. 
• Also, at GWA, she is able to enjoy specials that include Spanish, Art, Library, Gym, and another class I can not think of at the moment. But, I really believe that she'll excel here because the classes are done in moderation, which is great. With her being enrolled in K-12, she was unable to really have the variety of classes if she was hung up on one in particular. 
• At GWA, she's also required to wear a uniform. I personally believe this is the best idea because of how kids are now a days with picking on one another for clothing choices. This policy really helps eliminate the issues that city schools have been dealing with for so long.
• GWA is a K-8 school. This is awesome! This allows her to really grow up with her friends w/out the fear that they'll be separated once middle school arrives. The kids come from all over Columbus, too. There is no limit to where they live, they provide a bus to go to their home and pick them up daily. 
• Claire has really begun to be happy again. With how I was attempting to not only be her Mom, but also her teacher, guidance counselor, and coach for her additional "after school" activities, it strained our relationship. As the lady at K-12 stated, "Your daughter can have her Mom back and not resent you for trying to be too many other people to her." It is very true... She was already resenting the homeschooling and it was only a matter of time before she resent me, also.   

Alright, so that's Claire in a nutshell. Things are looking good for her, and thank goodness for that!

Now onto what's going on with me:

• I am attending school full-time again. I have decided that I am going to get my Medical Billing and Coding Certification. I am very close to being able to obtain this, thanks to all of the classes I have taken for Medical Assisting. I have 30some credits until I can have that in my hand, and 60some credits until I can get a degree within it. 
• I'm still working the route and am not having a lot of issues with keeping up with it now that Claire is in school. Claire is helping when she can, and that is a great help, for sure.
• I was referred to a Cardiologist for my 100+ pulse rate per minute. I went and saw him a little over a week ago and now have a stress test and echocardiogram set up for Thursday the 6th of October to find out why my heart is beating so rapidly. 

Now onto D:

• D is working full-time and still going to school full time. He's taking classes that really interest him, which is great. Sure the classes are a bit challenging, but ultimately, they're going to mold him into what it is he wants as a career. 

And now onto the house:

• Next Friday we get our floors installed for the upstairs! This will leave the stairs to be all that needs to be done. We're going to get an estimate on completing those done after the upstairs is finished. 
• We're going to be painting the upstairs prior to the floors getting installed. Claire has decided that she is going with a blue tone that will complement her love for Dolphins! We're going to start looking for appliques that have Dolphins along with other sea life so that her room is complete with how she really wants it. D and I are going for a more modern look which will make our room so cozy!  Bye-Bye red carpet! *puke*

And last but definitely not least, the animals:

• All of our animals are finally doing well. After a long struggle with Mei Mei and Harley skin conditions, we've been able to narrow down the issues and take care of it. Apparently wrinkly dogs have issues with their skin, due to Vitamin E. Their body doesn't produce enough to help with all of the rolls on them so their skin continues to crack, in which makes the dog itchy and in result makes them bite at their "fur". We've also got them on a great flea treatment that helps with any kind of bugs getting near them attempting to bit them. That's a great help also. All of our kitties are back inside and are still adjusting to being back inside with one another. 

I think I've touched on everything I have wanted to within this post. I hope everyone is doing great and that they're able to enjoy the Autumn ahead.