Monday, September 15, 2008
The countdown is on!!
So my dear husband, When I bring home Bullwinkle, don't cry, your still the man!!
Anyone who may read this, if you are a deer hunter, grab your doe pee and your gear, and we will see you in the woods! The early opener is only for Does but it is never to early to spot where Bullwinkle is hanging out!! Be ready for him on the 1st of October with your bow! As for me, I can't wait until next year when Sissy is old enough to give it a go!!!She has passed hunters safety and is just waiting for the Birthday. I am getting out numbered in deer camp! There is a saying,"Go hunting with your kids and you won't have to go hunting FOR your kids!"
Monday, September 8, 2008
September? Already??
They were so little and still had their umbilical cords, now they are 4 weeks old and MONSTERS! They eat like little pigs from the bottles and are so stubborn they will not eat any other food. So if anyone wants a kitty...tee hee!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Another Bike???
So now we are re thinking our policy on gambling and considering a family vacation to a casino.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Discharged
I have really learned a lot the last couple of weeks. Life is so uncertain that you just never know when you are going to receive THAT phone call.
I am so blessed. I have an amazing husband that I am so in love with and the most wonderful kids that never were upset or frustrated when Mom was at the hospital so much lately. They really tried to pick up the slack around here and did a wonderful job at it.
My brother is on his way to recovering and that in of itself is such a blessing. Being only 1 year and 2 weeks apart we have always been incredibly close.
Most of all I have learned that family is the most important thing in my life and I will not let anything get in the way of that. No matter who or what tries to come in between,your family will always be there for you, I have to believe that.
There is an old saying keep your friends and family close and your enemies even closer, I really understand that now. There is a person in our midst that really needs a lot of prayers right now. That has tried really hard to drive a wedge between our family. I pray that she never has to go through what she has put the family through in the last couple of weeks and that she understands that being a miserable person is not healthy. Pray for her to come to peace with whatever demons she is battling and find a way to overcome them. Pray for her to begin being truthful to herself and others around her that do care. The last two weeks have shown me that you can not always depend of tomorrow being there to make things right, you must start today.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Still hanging in there...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A few fun pictures
He can't say no to those blue eyes and sweet little grin.
Meanwhile, knowing that Daddy was with little sister and Mom was taking pictures, the rest of the clan found a little trouble to get into.....
Apparently they want to be tattoo artist...nice real nice....
All the hopes and dreams and wishes you think of for your children this in not a profession I saw coming.
Now it is bath time. Until next time.......
Friday, June 27, 2008
It's your birthday baby!
(p.s. You must get that look from your dad!!!)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Our vacation
Brutus had a great time as well, but really missed not being able to take a bath!
Due to all the storms that we have recently had the water level was pretty high and slowed the fishing down but we still caught a few...some were big....
and some were small.....
and some were just perfect
All in all a wonderful time
with lot's of smiles
And a few giggles
And a little bit of poison ivy...
couldn't get us down!!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A few pictures of life in general
The coolest grandpa on the planet, for sure.
So as were are counting down the last 2 days of school, keep your eyes peeled for swans on attack and enjoy the outdoors! Wishing you all a great day!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Five favorite things about Meme
Five things found in my bag:
1. Chap stick.....always a couple of different brands..never leave home with out it!
2. Pictures of my kids.
3. Band aids....my kids are accident prone to say the least.
4. Motrin...you just never know
5.nail trimmers
Five Favorite things in my bedroom
1. The collage frame of all of my babies as sweet little babies
2. The hand prints my kids all made for mothers day......priceless
3. A picture of my parents on their wedding day
4. my bed, it is the only place in my house where I can relax and have some quiet time
5. my dresser, It is really big and has a great big beautiful mirror behind it. Very pretty
Five things I am currently into
1. Being an advocate for my son
2. Trying to share our story and journey with autism in hopes of helping someone else
3. Trying to enjoy the Michigan weather and get my yard in shape.....the Michigan weather part is tricky though.
4. Planting my garden. I can't wait for all the fresh veggies!
5. I love to watch Lost and my name is Earl. Definitely my fav's right now
Five things I have always wanted to do:
1. Go on a second honeymoon.
2. Spend a weekend with my sister. She is my best friend and I miss her a lot sometimes.
3. See real mountains in person. I have seen them on t.v. of course but would love to see them up close and personal.
4. learn how to water ski.....kind of dangerous for my clumsy self....but would like to try!
5. take a nap, I have needed one of these since my kids were born!! tee-hee running out of ideas!
People I would like to tag:
Well I am very new to the blogging thing and have a very small readership okay well maybe two people so...............
my dear sister destini....tag....your it!
http://www.glimpseofdestini.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Know your rights......
May XX, 2008
To all of the many people that work with my son, XXX XXX,
First of all I would like to thank those of you that attended XXX’s IEP meeting on Friday. I appreciate all the time you took with testing and observations and preparing for the meeting. I understand that it is a very time taking task that I do not take for granted.
Unfortunately, there are some things that I feel need to be addressed. I feel that I was ill prepared for this meeting as I was not informed until sitting in it, that so many things have been changed. That is the first I had heard of the categorical room not being in place for the students, like mine that truly benefit.I feel I should have been notified prior to this meeting as everyone there had the information but myself. I heard, as did others, the concerns that the general education teachers expressed regarding their students and my student. After hearing Mrs. XXX’s concerns on more or less short changing her students to make accommodations for XXX and the fact that she did not feel she could justly give him the necessary equipment to be included in the class that he will be in, and all the other major changes for his school year, I felt as if I did not have much choice as whether or not to sign his IEP. I don’t understand how such a critical component could be removed from a school that teaches special education students. History has shown us that XXX does not succeed well in a general education class room and frequently had to be removed from the class due to anxiety and disturbing behaviors, and that the curriculum was just too much for him even with accommodations. I was told by a meeting member more or less to not worry , after this upcoming year he then will be in the high school where he can again attend a categorical classroom and the teacher of that classroom is remarkable. So, if we all are in agreement, which we have been since he was in first grade, that the categorical room is the most beneficial place forXXX, then why is he being denied that opportunity now? I feel that his education has been compromised already attending school at XX Middle School when we had to remove him from his social studies class because he could not handle the classroom full of children and spent so much time with the social worker to excuse him from class. I greatly appreciate the time the social worker has taken with XXX , but the problem is he did not have a structured social studies program that met his needs. And again last week, when there was an incident at school involving some other general education students that were spitting in his face and trying to talk him in to being suspended. Did the other students suffer any consequence? I don’t know, because I was never contacted or followed up with from the assistant principal regarding the matter after my husband and I left the office. We were told ,however, that she would look into it and was not surprised with the boys XXX identified to her. But in the end, he was removed from a class that every child should be able to attend, without being harassed and humiliated. He has lost his right to attend gym class and participate with other students and is retaking an art class he has already taken. So what next year, when he is struggling next year shall we just pull him from all of these classes and do what with him? Send him to the social worker?
The goals set forth in his IEP are completely out of line and I am quite disturbed that they were even presented to me at all. Mrs.XXX XXX showed us her testing of XXX and where he fell into the categories of intelligence and had it all broke down, so we now have a very clear and up to date idea of where he is in his comprehension and processing levels. We know his reading level now and she made a point of saying that him doing his touch point math impressed her. That is so impressive to me as well, He is finally getting some of what we have been working on and is not incapable of learning something new, so we set goals for him to work on algebraic equations and geometry and fractions. Please let us not forget decimals. That is ridiculous knowing he is working at a second grade level and will no matter how much support he receives and no matter what accommodations are made, he will not meet his goals next year and I believe it is ridiculous to think he will, and is going to place undue stress and anxiety and frustrations on him.
He is a special education student, he is just a boy, and he is entitled to the best education we can provide him. I feel that I was inadequately prepared and felt like I had no choice to consider other options at that point and all of the new information presented to me and was incredibly overwhelmed. I am requesting another IEP and would like this one revoked. I would like also to be steered in the right direction to someone that will act as a parent advocate that will help my family to better understand what Josh’s rights are as a student of special education., and will also participate in the next meeting with myself and my son acting on our behalf that is not a member of the XXX Middle School staff.
I would like everyone involved to understand that as XXX’s mother, I understand completely that it is up to myself and my husband to ensure that he is treated fairly and help to work hand in hand with the school to create the most beneficial program for him and I am committed to doing that. I look forward to meeting with you all again in hopes of creating a more realistic program and setting goals that I feel he can, with a little work, achieve. I know that we all want to see him succeed.
Respectfully,
Sara XXXX
XXXXX Road
XXXXX, Michigan XXXX
XXX-XXX-XXX
XXXXX@yahoo.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Frustrations
Why can't kids see what they are doing to this poor kid. Why can't they understand that Autism is beyond his control, Why can't they see that we are doing everything in our power to help him heal and if he could be totally better he most certainly would. Why do they not feel any compassion for someone that just wants to be accepted and have friends like any other child. Why would they think it is okay to just spit in someones face and threaten to end their life by throwing them down telling them they will get ran over by a bus and the world would be a better place. I wish for one day they could just be inside his body to see what a struggle it is for him every day. I know there are a lot of really good kids out there. Some that have been taught compassion and understanding. To those parents of them kids, I applaud you. I know there is a smaller number of the mean and demeaning kids than the good ones. I know I cannot put him in a bubble and protect him from every bad comment and threat, but right now my heart would sure be better if I could. We are working so hard to show him how to make friends and be a friend and it is situations like this that push us 10 steps back for every step we gain.
I am sorry for the long post, my heart is really heavy today. Please every morning, tell you children you love them, tell them you can't wait to see them at the end of their day and tell them the importance of being kind to others. A disability can happen to anyone at anytime. You never know when it is your turn or someone in your family you truly care about.
Now, with one eye open, I am back to cleaning my carpets.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Happy Birthday
Thank you for the competition!!I hope that you know how much we appreciate you and your hard work every day to keep our family going. You work so hard to provide us a beautiful home.....and LOOK what we created!!!!!
Could you just explain to him that WE would prefer he slept on the floor??
Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Kids and Critters
my kids relentlessly chased him as a poor scared WILD kitten until they caught him and kept him captive in Sissy's bedroom for who knows how long until we had discovered him living quite comfortably there. Well, my husband is a softy and told the kids they could have him, but no more hiding stray cats in our house. Well now that spring is in full swing around here, all of the stray cats that hang out in our shed, sneak in our garage and consume our dog food and walk all over my car and leave little paw prints in the night, are in mating season and my back yard seems to be the 'special' place.Yesterday, I looked in the back yard and there were 4 cats that didn't belong to us that were just hanging out. Two of them are seen on top of the little hill there ( on my husbands target range) and there is 2 more that ran behind the hill when I tried taking a picture.
So my kids being my kids decided to try and lure the cats to them so they can 'make friends'
In the photo above is Bean hiding behind a cardboard box. In front of the box was a bowl of food and water. Unfortunately for her, she did not catch herself a kitty but it sure kept her busy for quite some time.I took these from the bedroom window in our house as to not disturb the catch in progress. No animals were harmed in the making of this story, and thankfully we do not have any more cats yet!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Growing Up
She was so excited to FINALLY lose her first tooth. She knows that losing the first tooth now puts her in the big kid club! It is so hard to believe that she is old enough to lose her first tooth. She immediately had to call her big sister who was not home at the time to share the exciting news and declare her big kid status.
Last night was a music program for the Sissy and Bean. It was the annual school program and this one was themed around saving the earth and was called Easy Being Green. It was so much fun to watch them stand up and proudly sing their song(sissy my 5Th Grader) and Bean laugh and giggle because everyone was watching her(she is a first grader). I could not get a real good picture. They looked horrible, flash on they were too dark and flash off they were too bright and fuzzy. I need to learn more about the camera I guess. But regardless, It was absolutely a pleasure to be there. They are definitely growing up so fast. This is Sissy's last month of school before Middle school...WOW! Now I feel old! I look at the baby pictures on the wall and just wonder how it went so fast. No Destini, I do not want another one!!! Actually at the program last night there was a woman with a real young baby who pretty much screamed for the whole program. I felt so sorry for her, She wanted to watch her daughter's program but her little one was just not cooperating and I just sighed a big sigh of relief, I am so done with that. I am sad my babies are not babies anymore, But I sure don't want to go back there either. I love being able to take the kids places and do the big kid things with them. I am so proud of the kids they have turned out to be and just sometimes wish I could freeze time for a while.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Spring has sprung!!
As you can see Brutus likes to play outside too!I guess I should have kept the black puppy!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
My favorites.....
Even American dolls need their hair done!
I love fishing.. That is always something we can do as a family...
Although, Ellie is not real impressed, she does not know where to sleep!
I love Darth Vader....our version.....
I also love clean babies....They are so sweet and smell good!
okay well she is still my baby!And...probably my most favorite is a big strapping manly man that is so sweet he can take time out to play a little Disney princes dress up with his princess
I love to laugh... and laugh with my kids!
I love sunsets.....
Last but not least....I love smiles that light up my world.
Show me your"This is what I love posts!!"
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Kids, Kids,Kids
It was really nice to not have to get the kids up in the morning to catch the bus and not have to do homework every night!
Boo was working on a project for school. He had to do a report on a famous artist. It was supposed to be his work with me just helping him to read to him and help him to understand the directions. The artist he was given was Amadeo Modigliano. There was a series of questions that he had to answer on his report, and one was to give his personal feelings on the artwork. His answer was "My personal feelings about is art are that I like the colors but definitely not his art." " I would have liked his art more if he would draw deer or monster trucks" Can't wait to see what his grade is on that one! I try really hard not to correct his answers because it is so fun anymore just seeing his own answers and I hope that the teachers will appreciate them as he didn't participate in class previously. It won't be long and we will be back on Summer vacation and we can really work on his reading.And maybe work on artist appreciation!!
We still have our white puppy! We have named him Brutus. He is such a sweet little guy with a serious chewing problem. He also keeps us very busy. I just don't understand why no body took him....tee hee! I sure tried real hard to find him a great home, okay so I didn't put ALL my effort into it, but I was going to....for a short minute!