Quite a bit going on here. Marshall's dad is in the hospital. I will keep updates here.

I also went to Danielle's conferences last week. I didn't write anything here because I wanted to talk to Jorge first which I did on Wednesday. She is not imporoving with her speech or reading the way she should be. She is only in first grade but this and next year are very important years to make sure that she is prepared for the rest of her education. The only way to make sure that she catches with the rest of her class is to send her to summer school. This means that she will not be able to visit Jorge in California for her next summer vacation. Last year it was also suggested that she should go to summer school but I was so confident that she would catch up and I didn't want to interfere with the little bit of time that she has with her dad. I feel so bad about this whole thing. Danielle understood that she won't be going to her dads this summer because she has to go to school. She wasn't upset and I think that is because she also understands taht she is behind the rest of her class and she doesn't like that. She is such a smart little girl and I just know that with the extra attention and help will give her the confidence and skills she needs to catch up. Brittany was more upset than Danielle. Even though they fight (often) they are very close and as Brittany said they "have never been separated."

Jorge is hoping to at least be able to take some time off to visit her here over the summer but it won't be the same as staying with him n California. I will just have to keep her busy and make sure that her summer is extra special. My heart is just breaking over this whole thing. I just don't want her to end up hating school. Having a big sister who is always bringing home straight "A's" is something that I'm afraid will also make her give up on school. Growing up I always had really good grades and I didn't have to work very hard while my little sister had to struggle to get C's. I know that she had a very negative attitude and it wasn't until I moved out of the house and got married that she seemed to finally feel successful in school.

My house is an icebox right now! Yes, I remembered to pay my electric bill but I still have no heat! Why? Off Peak Heating! I live out in the country and where we live we are required to have a heating plan that is called "off peak." What that means is that during peak electric use (the coldest days of the year) everyone on off peak gets heat maybe ten minutes out of every hour. We are supposed to have backup propane heat but our house is old and big and drafty so of course that never works. This plan keeps our electric bills down (of course they are low, we don't have any heat!) and keeps the power company from being overtaxed by too much of a demand. Oh well, one plus to off peak heating is that when it gets really cold we bundle up together on the couch under one blanket and read stories. Except for Anthony who never sits still. He is always warm anyway bundled up in his fuzzy pajamas with the feet. Welcome to winter in North Dakota, stay tuned for more snow, blizzards, ice and cold.

The Broncos Won!

Yeah!! I was a little nervous the last half hour of the game especially after calling Bill last week and laughing at him because the Vikings lost. What a close game. I can't believe that the Raiders are doing so well this year!

Got another letter from Gilbert. He is a little nervous that his graduation might be set back. He didn't say why but he does sound a bit discouraged. I just hope he can hang in there. Everyone I talk to says that boot camp seems to take forever but once it's done you realize whey they make it so hard. For Gil, I'm sure the hardest part is the mental part. Having to take shit from someone and at times even feel abused and not be able to stand up for himself. I talked to his old elementary principal last week and he said that the hardest part for Gil will probably be to have to follow orders without wanting to know why he has to do something. Please send as many prayers his way as you can. I know he can do it, but the more strength behind him the better!

Marshall got to use the new snow plow today. Yes, we FINALLY have snow. I was starting to think that winter was going to take as long to start as the election is taking to finish! I am supposed to be making flyers to advertise the snow removal service and I keep finding something else I have to finish first. I have been putting it off for a few days now, so I guess I should get started before I get in even more trouble. :-) Oh, what the heck, just one more thing and then I'll get started. :-) (sorry honey, I am really going to get started now....)