Juls? Juls?! You there??

Yup, that's about it now....Juls is off doing her thing and she rarely thinks of her poor little mother ; )
Luckily, I'm thrilled that she's off and running and acting like the typical college kid.  We connect every day either by talking or text.  Her cell service is really bad at the house so many times we'll catch up just while she's walking home at night.  She had a tiny bout of home sickness last week after our return from Utah.  She had a little tear and Jyana's shoulder to cry on and all was well.....still not wanting to come home for the weekend so how homesick can she be?  One day last week when I knew I'd be at the school helping Brandon in ceramics I mentioned to her that maybe I'd see her.  Her reply (which she said twice) was "I can't promise anything"!

Last weekend we had Julianna come home on Saturday because we had some guests coming into town that wanted to see her.  This picture is Juls enjoying "real food" her words exactly.  I'm glad she misses it, it's a good sign.  It turns out that most of her meals are bought on campus.  She is making pretty good choices and staying really fit with all of her visits to the fitness center and constant running around.

Our guests that spent Sunday night here were Deb Evans and her daughter Eliza from the Ashland area.  Deb is the reason that Julianna is at Edgewood College today.  When we knew we were moving here my friend Ann Marie mentioned that Deb (an acquaintance of ours) had been researching colleges that have programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Ann Marie thought she'd mentioned one in Madison and sure enough she had.  Long story short, Juls is here and attending school. Eliza had an interview this past Monday for next fall at Edgewood.  We enjoyed getting to know them and wish Eliza all the best in her college search, Juls would sure love to see Eliza in the Cutting Edge program with her.

Julianna has been enjoying her classes still and on Wednesdays her Engaged Citizen class goes to a local "old folks home" to visit.  Last week she was teaching and playing Skip bo (spite and malice to us old timers), which is no easy job.  She's been mentioning this one guy "OJ" that has wonderful collections that he's very proud to show off.  She's loving going there to visit and I'm sure is really good company for them.

I have been having fun at "my" ceramics class with Brandon.  He is doing very well and loves producing the art pieces.  He told me on Monday he would like to be a "Mexican artist" : )   He also mentioned that his art is for display purposes, for everyone to enjoy.  I love his attitude!  I have become quite envious of the students in the class making all these beautiful things and frustrated now that I am not "producing" art.  I may be having to take the dang class myself next semester!

College life continues...

Things are going very well for Juls, even better than expected!  Last weekend she was home with us and enjoyed every minute. 

restocking the kitchen for week 2

After the first day or so at home she was letting down so much and getting soooo comfortable that we thought we'd better pack her right up and get her back to school before she changes her mind and wants to stay home for good.  Alas, she went back happily (see above photo) and started another week.  On Monday she said to me that she thought it would be a good idea to stay at school the next weekend because of the Friday night Winter Frost Ball and the Super Bowl party on Sunday.  I agreed that it was a great idea....knowing I'd miss her but what a fantastic (and fast) step she's taking towards independence, and it's only week two.

Juls and her roommate, Hannah

Classes went well this week and Julianna enjoyed everything on her schedule.  Besides classes she was at the gym, library, study time, lunch and dinner dates and going off campus on the city bus with a partner.  When I asked her what she liked best of all her answer was walking around the campus because "if feels like I'm at college". 

The Winter Frost Ball was on tap for Friday night.  Juls roommate/mentor, Suzi, had volunteered to have some other CE girls over to do hair and make-up and she was going to put on a dinner!  What a ambitious woman Suzi is, she pulled it all off beautifully, including getting everyone to the shuttle on time to head to the dance. 

 

Vavavoom!!  Everyone looked fantastic!

When we got to the house to take a few pictures it had been almost a week since Neal had seen Julianna.  He noticed a change in Juls in the way of confidence and just plain brightness.  She is already a different person....2 weeks of being independent and spreading her wings really shows!  

Neal and I bought tickets so we could go into the dance for a little while.  It was a blast seeing Juls run around with all these new found classmates and friends.  She was in her glory!  And we got to know some of the professors that Julianna has a little better.

Julianna and Jyana!!!  The cutes little pair you've ever seen!!

This next week I get to start my new volunteer position at Edgewood.  I was asked by Dedra, the director, how I liked ceramics.  She needs an aid to accompany one of the CE students to his ceramics class twice a week.  I am so excited to start "my" college course of ceramics, I can hardly stand it.  I hope I get to make something too.  I will also be one of the parents on the interviews for prospective students for the fall semester.  That is going to be interesting and fun too.