The Clouse Girls Update

I haven't written about all the amazing things the girls are doing these days. ;) It has been a busy month for all of us for sure!

Kalin Dawn is just about to take off walking. She has taken about 7 steps so far; if we get her steady on her feet she takes off. Kalin is also very expressive and can tell us what she wants, and doesn't want quite loudly. Smacking her lips means, "I'm hungry", and a loud "AAAAHHNGH" means STOP THAT KILEY! amongst other dislikes. Kalin can sign "more" now, can tell us "no no" by shaking her head and also can wave "bye-bye" like a pro. We think "bye-bye" can also mean "hi" but we aren't quite sure.

Kiley Jeanette now knows her phone number and Papa and Gram's phone number. I think one of her greatest thrills these days is being able to call someone, "on my own!" She can easily count to 12 and sometimes 20.... although that high gets a little tricky. Kiley is recognizing words and can spell "boo", "mom", "stop", and "papa".

Jon and I are off to "the big city" and the girls are going to stay with Papa and Gram for the weekend. It will be Jon and I's first trip away from both of them together.... and speaking for myself I am very excited. I thought maybe Kiley would be a little sad but she's actually excited. She said something the other day like, "remember Gram I can have everything I want?"

Hmmm, whatever it takes huh?

Building a library in 2009!

It seems like people ask me what I do quite a bit, and when I tell them I don't think they really get it. I am a librarian (media specialist is my official title) and I am working towards a library science endorsement (one class away). This was a big step for me; a year off from teaching and then on to a new career/job. After a few months in this position I kept asking myself why I had never thought about becoming a librarian when I was getting my BA. Quite shocking since I have always loved books and libraries.

Recently I did something new as a media specialist that I have never done before, and it was quite rewarding. I got to go back to New Stuyahok (where I taught for seven years) and spend four days putting their gorgeous (that's right I said gorgeous) new library together. They had a new school built in the last year and it is finally almost ready for teachers and students to move into.

I spent about $90,000 on a new collection that included fiction and nonfiction books for students in grades Kindergarten to twelfth grade. We also integrated about 50+ boxes of books from the collection that was in the old school.

Ever wonder how many boxes this would be? Try about 200! But I didn't do this alone, I would still be there if I had tried! I had the help of our tech guys moving boxes and furniture, our curriculum specialist and also the state library coordinator came out from Anchorage to help coordinate the effort. Wow, what a job! A big, big thank you to all who helped. This was such a rewarding experience!

Before.......

During.....
AFTER!

If we look tired it is because we were exhausted!

My Girls- Do they look alike?

Here is a picture of Kalin Dawn at 10 months old. I think this is one of my favorite pictures of her so far....










Going back about 3 1/2 years here is a picture of Kiley Jeanette at about 10 months. Also one of my favorite pictures of her. I can't wait until Kalin gets to wear this outfit!




Yeah I think they look alike. Both simply adorable as can be, no hair, a few teeth- shucks! Of course I am a tad biased but I think Jon and I make some cute keepers!