Hi all! It is time for another update. Things are going well on this end . . . Tom and I are super busy as usual but are trying to calm things down a bit.

Tom is working hard as a teacher. He is teaching 9th grade repeaters and 12th grade AP English. In recent history no student has scored above a 1 on the test but he has hopes for a few of his kids. His 9th graders are a challenge (one class is over half identified special ed) but he has found his teaching voice and really enjoys what he is doing. He helped with basketball for a little while, but it was taking up too much time. He just finished teaching an afterschool writing clinic and is going to start tutoring after work now. He is busy but happy.

I am going to school again. I have decided to do the MA program in Psychology instead of the PhD. I will probably transfer into the PhD program but I wanted the flexibility to stop school with the MA (realistically with the BCBA and 2 Masters degrees I can do what i want to do professionally . . . at least for awhile). However, I do think that I would like to get the PhD somewhere down the road . . . it is just a matter of whether I will do it now or later. My classes are going well . . . much harder than the Public Policy program . . . but good.

I have started my thesis and am having a lot of fun with it. I am conditioning aggression in rats and then will extinguish it. I hope to show that aggression can be taught and then reduced in a similiar pattern as happens with kids with Autism to help bolster the argument that aggression is learned and not innate in kids with Autism. It is a fun project.

I am still working for myself. I see private clients in their homes. I am working with students ranging from 2-20. It is fun and I like the variety. I get to take a college class with my 17 year old next semester so that will be fun. I am seeing a ton of progress in my kiddos and really enjoy my job. I miss being in the classroom and really miss the kiddos from my school but I still get to sub and that is a MAJOR treat! Professionally I am really feeling good and can't wait until I have my BCBA.


Oh and in case I haven't mentioned . . . we're having our first baby May 26th!!! :) Pregnancy has treated me pretty well. I have not had much in the way of morning sickness and my energy level has been okay. I have been super sick because of my lowered immune system but am feeling better now. My skin is awful and I am losing my hair haha but all in all I feel good. I just entered my second trimester Yay! Check out the tummy shots in my albums if you are interested (I have pictures from 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, and now 12 weeks). We had a "baby release party" out here to announce the baby and it was a ton of fun! Tom gave a speech and most of our closest DC friends were here. It was a wonderful night. We served baby foods (baby carrots, baby pizzas, baby corn, etc) and Tom made a baby play list of music with songs about babies and songs that had the word baby (like "baby got back"). It was a big surprise to everyone so it was a blast for us.

The due date is wonderful because Tom will be off for summer and I will be off for summer as well. We plan to stay home and enjoy the baby for 3 months and then hit real life again after that. Peter and Catherine are moving out here to be with the baby so that is fantastic!

Anyway! That is the update from here. How is everything?


We will be in CA Dec 25th-Dec 31st so please send me and email if you will be around.

Thanks!

Saundra and Tom