I have not posted for about two years now. I have missed it.
The last few years have been full of a lot of ups and downs. Life doesn't always turn out the way that we plan, but sometimes God has a new plan for us. We have to be resilient and meet the challenges of life head on.
I feel like I am in a place to blog again, but I feel a fresh start is needed. My new blog is I Am Brave, I Am Me.
Thoughts & reflections of a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, & a friend
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Friday, October 19, 2018
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
March Goals
I'm game to try new goals for a third month in a row. The nice thing about monthly goals are that each month allows me to reset and reconfigure what I would like to accomplish. Sometimes it is successful and sometimes it is more of a challenge. So, here are my March Goals:
Health Goals
- Get more sleep (7.5 to 8 hours per night)
- Strengthen my ankle
House Goal
- Clean and organize the kids’ rooms
Family Goal
- Encourage everyone (mainly the kiddos) to clean-up after themselves in the sunroom
Self Goals
- Take the time to capture some nature photography
- Have a least one girls day adventure
The sky's the limit when it comes to setting goals. You can make them as easy or as difficult as you would like. Do you have any goals or plans for the month of March?
Health Goals
- Get more sleep (7.5 to 8 hours per night)
- Strengthen my ankle
House Goal
- Clean and organize the kids’ rooms
Family Goal
- Encourage everyone (mainly the kiddos) to clean-up after themselves in the sunroom
Self Goals
- Take the time to capture some nature photography
- Have a least one girls day adventure
The sky's the limit when it comes to setting goals. You can make them as easy or as difficult as you would like. Do you have any goals or plans for the month of March?
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Beginnings and Endings
The seasons are changing!
Woohoo!
Spring is just around the corner!
Isn't this a beautiful sunrise?
The Canada Geese flew over just in time
for this glorious picture yesterday morning.
Winter will soon be a fading memory!
This picture was taken the morning of March 2.
Prairie! What a beautiful sight!
With the heralding of spring I am looking forward to the hepatica, bloodroot, iris, tulip, trout lily, spring beauty, jack-in-the-pulpit, toothwort, violet, crocus, hyacinth, phlox treasures that await.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Winter Beauty
Winter can be magical.
Winter can be beautiful.
Winter can be comforting.
Winter can shine a light.
Winter can be colorful.
Winter can inspire awe.
Winter can be calming.
Winter can be fun.
Winter can hold dreams.
Have a wonderful & blessed day my friends!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
The Spirit
Sorry to be gone so long.
It has been a rocky year for us. It has been a rocky year for a lot of people that I know.
Unfortunately I am not really into the Christmas Spirit this year. I need to pep talk myself into a better mood. This year everything seems rushed. If it can go wrong, it has gone wrong. I have realized when you have an injury, you are less likely to be perky about the holidays. I kind of feel like Cindy Lou Who in the song Where Are You Christmas?
It has been a rocky year for us. It has been a rocky year for a lot of people that I know.
Unfortunately I am not really into the Christmas Spirit this year. I need to pep talk myself into a better mood. This year everything seems rushed. If it can go wrong, it has gone wrong. I have realized when you have an injury, you are less likely to be perky about the holidays. I kind of feel like Cindy Lou Who in the song Where Are You Christmas?
"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
~ Dr. Suess- How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
4 Letter Word
There are so many 4 letter words out there. One that is the very troublesome is HATE.
"I hate this." "I hate that." "I hate (animal name, sports team, type of food)." "I hate you." "I hate."
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines hate as (a) intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury; (b) extreme dislike or antipathy.
What a more wonderful world this would be with less of the word hate. Instead of saying hate we should say dislike. Often when someone hates something, they do not understand it. The best way to conquer hate is to learn more about what you dislike.
"I hate this." "I hate that." "I hate (animal name, sports team, type of food)." "I hate you." "I hate."
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines hate as (a) intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury; (b) extreme dislike or antipathy.
What a more wonderful world this would be with less of the word hate. Instead of saying hate we should say dislike. Often when someone hates something, they do not understand it. The best way to conquer hate is to learn more about what you dislike.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
What A Hoot!
I like barred owls. They are one of the more common owls in our area along with great horned owls and screech owls. Barred owls are just beautiful with their dark eyes and barred chest that provide the perfect camouflage among the trees. Their frayed feathers allow them to move unheard. Their call is fun to make too: "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" That is how hubby and I find each other in stores. We whistle "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" I am pretty good at making the hooting noise.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Changes
This time of the year is all about changes.
Changes in season: Fall has finally brought the first hard frost of the year. Good-bye bugs!
Changes in temperature: It is like a yo-yo around here. One day up, one day down. Time to break out the blankets!
Changes in clothing: Hello fall and winter clothes. Good-bye spring and winter clothes.
Changes in time: Woohoo! We fell back an hour = an extra hour to sleep in this morning!
Environmental changes are good. They give us a chance to slow down and reflect on physical, emotional, and spiritual changes too. What changes are we expecting in the next few months? What changes do we want to make in the coming months? What changes will happen that will take our breath away?
Changes are everywhere. If we do not change, we cannot grow and we cannot thrive. We are continually adapting to the changes in our lives. Some changes are small and some are huge. Some are planned and some are unexpected. Some changes are good and other are heart breaking. Changes are like a roller coaster with ups and downs. The only thing we can control is how we react to each change. Will we take it in stride? Will we roar like a lion? Will we retreat and lick our wounds? Will we crumble and fall? Will we be an example to others? Changes.
I am not sure what the next few months will bring. The last twelve months has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. I hope that life will get easier, but I know there are many more bumps to navigate.
Changes that I would like to see:
- The kids helping more with keeping the house clean.
- Figuring out how to effectively relay information to my son.
- Slowing down, breathing, and eating healthier.
- Remembering to ask God for help more often.
- Figuring out how to lessen stress in our lives.
- Taking time to give more hugs and more kisses even when the kids are driving me up the wall.
What changes are happening in your life? What changes would you like to see?
Changes in season: Fall has finally brought the first hard frost of the year. Good-bye bugs!
Changes in temperature: It is like a yo-yo around here. One day up, one day down. Time to break out the blankets!
Changes in clothing: Hello fall and winter clothes. Good-bye spring and winter clothes.
Changes in time: Woohoo! We fell back an hour = an extra hour to sleep in this morning!
Environmental changes are good. They give us a chance to slow down and reflect on physical, emotional, and spiritual changes too. What changes are we expecting in the next few months? What changes do we want to make in the coming months? What changes will happen that will take our breath away?
Changes are everywhere. If we do not change, we cannot grow and we cannot thrive. We are continually adapting to the changes in our lives. Some changes are small and some are huge. Some are planned and some are unexpected. Some changes are good and other are heart breaking. Changes are like a roller coaster with ups and downs. The only thing we can control is how we react to each change. Will we take it in stride? Will we roar like a lion? Will we retreat and lick our wounds? Will we crumble and fall? Will we be an example to others? Changes.
I am not sure what the next few months will bring. The last twelve months has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. I hope that life will get easier, but I know there are many more bumps to navigate.
Changes that I would like to see:
- The kids helping more with keeping the house clean.
- Figuring out how to effectively relay information to my son.
- Slowing down, breathing, and eating healthier.
- Remembering to ask God for help more often.
- Figuring out how to lessen stress in our lives.
- Taking time to give more hugs and more kisses even when the kids are driving me up the wall.
What changes are happening in your life? What changes would you like to see?
Monday, October 13, 2014
Happiness in the Small Things
Ahh!! New sheets!
So fresh, so crisp, so wonderful!
Nothing like new sheets!
I splurged with my birthday money a few weeks ago and purchased a new set of sheets from Target. We just finally put them on the bed last night.
I love the burnt orange color and white pattern that runs across the fabric.
So fall like and not too girly!
Heaven! A freshly made bed is just heaven!
We even took the time to rotate the mattress. We should do this more often, I woke up without my back hurting. Yay!
Besides these wonderful new sheets, I also like new hot-off-the-press books. The smell of a fresh new book is glorious and is also a rare treat!
What do you like to have that is new?
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
101 Things
There is always 101 things that need to be done. It can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes I cannot tell the difference between up and down.
Now that school has started, we have the homework battle with Pumpkin each night. We are trying to discover techniques that may help us proceed in a faster manner. I search the internet for ideas in the evenings. I dropped by the library and check out books for ideas. We did a change out with our kitchen table to help with our homework battle. Another post will be dedicated to that soon. Friday morning I am heading up north to a parent training session to see if I can glean ideas in general that will help us to help Pumpkin. We have met with his teacher and principal twice so far this school year and we are just starting the third week of school. We do have a great teacher this year and we are working with her on Pumpkin's social hurtles and quirks. Next week we go back to the childhood behavioral pediatrician to explore the possibly of medication to help manage the ADHD, so we can work on teaching the needed skills for the ASD. I am so glad for the weekends which give us a short break of the homework battle.
Housework has turned into a formidable mountain around here. Between being sick all summer, having an injured foot, and now homework it has been a challenge to get even the basics done. I have attempted to train the kids, but more often than not they are more of the problem than the solution. Laundry is getting washed, but unfortunately it has been hanging out unfolded in the laundry baskets until they are empty or reclaimed for another load of clean laundry. Surfaces are piled high with clutter, papers, STUFF. Dishes are hit and miss. I think that I need to have a cleaning party, one room at a time of course. Any friends up for the challenge?
We did have a friend come by this past weekend. He fixed the leak under our kitchen sink and removed our garbage disposal for us. I know, a lot of people love their garbage disposals. But, I did not have one until we moved into our current home. I really am not fond of them. Why would someone would want to send stuff down their drains and into their pipes to risk having a blockage thereby having to call a plumber? We have an older model house and I know that we have some tile collapsing in the front yard, so why take the risk of causing more harm than good. I am happy though that I can now return all of the stuff that was under the sink, back underneath the sink. The under the sink supplies have been sitting in a tub in my kitchen for the past three months.
I am attempting to relearn how to type. Ugh! Apparently the rules for composing with a computer have changed. Instead of two spaces after a period (which is what I was taught by a teacher in high school that threated detentions for not following directions), the new rule is one space after a period. I guess this is because in this fast paced world, they want to save as much room and space as they can. Apparently the two space rule was created to help separate sentences when using a typewriter (which once again, I learned how to type on) and is not necessary with a computer since the spacing is more uniform. Up until last week at work, I had never heard of it before. I looked it up on the internet and quite a few well-known sites did talk about this change. So I am attempting with much error to reteach myself how to type. This is a quite a challenge, since it has been ingrained into my brain since my freshman year of high school. Try it for yourself to see how hard it is to conform.
Well, I guess that I should think about hitting the sack. Tomorrow will be another long day. I just have to remember: One day at a time. One breath at a time. This too shall pass. Before I know it life will get easier instead of more challenging. At least I hope (wink, wink).
Now that school has started, we have the homework battle with Pumpkin each night. We are trying to discover techniques that may help us proceed in a faster manner. I search the internet for ideas in the evenings. I dropped by the library and check out books for ideas. We did a change out with our kitchen table to help with our homework battle. Another post will be dedicated to that soon. Friday morning I am heading up north to a parent training session to see if I can glean ideas in general that will help us to help Pumpkin. We have met with his teacher and principal twice so far this school year and we are just starting the third week of school. We do have a great teacher this year and we are working with her on Pumpkin's social hurtles and quirks. Next week we go back to the childhood behavioral pediatrician to explore the possibly of medication to help manage the ADHD, so we can work on teaching the needed skills for the ASD. I am so glad for the weekends which give us a short break of the homework battle.
Housework has turned into a formidable mountain around here. Between being sick all summer, having an injured foot, and now homework it has been a challenge to get even the basics done. I have attempted to train the kids, but more often than not they are more of the problem than the solution. Laundry is getting washed, but unfortunately it has been hanging out unfolded in the laundry baskets until they are empty or reclaimed for another load of clean laundry. Surfaces are piled high with clutter, papers, STUFF. Dishes are hit and miss. I think that I need to have a cleaning party, one room at a time of course. Any friends up for the challenge?
We did have a friend come by this past weekend. He fixed the leak under our kitchen sink and removed our garbage disposal for us. I know, a lot of people love their garbage disposals. But, I did not have one until we moved into our current home. I really am not fond of them. Why would someone would want to send stuff down their drains and into their pipes to risk having a blockage thereby having to call a plumber? We have an older model house and I know that we have some tile collapsing in the front yard, so why take the risk of causing more harm than good. I am happy though that I can now return all of the stuff that was under the sink, back underneath the sink. The under the sink supplies have been sitting in a tub in my kitchen for the past three months.
I am attempting to relearn how to type. Ugh! Apparently the rules for composing with a computer have changed. Instead of two spaces after a period (which is what I was taught by a teacher in high school that threated detentions for not following directions), the new rule is one space after a period. I guess this is because in this fast paced world, they want to save as much room and space as they can. Apparently the two space rule was created to help separate sentences when using a typewriter (which once again, I learned how to type on) and is not necessary with a computer since the spacing is more uniform. Up until last week at work, I had never heard of it before. I looked it up on the internet and quite a few well-known sites did talk about this change. So I am attempting with much error to reteach myself how to type. This is a quite a challenge, since it has been ingrained into my brain since my freshman year of high school. Try it for yourself to see how hard it is to conform.
Well, I guess that I should think about hitting the sack. Tomorrow will be another long day. I just have to remember: One day at a time. One breath at a time. This too shall pass. Before I know it life will get easier instead of more challenging. At least I hope (wink, wink).
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Duck, Duck, Goose!
The most tenacious creatures we have in our yard are the Canada geese.
They are here in the summer.
They are here in the fall.
They are here in the winter.
They are here in the spring.
The only time they leave is when the pond is iced over.
They will fly right over our heads when on approach to the pond and when exiting the pond.
Right before dark, they fly east to spend on the night on the local lake.
In the morning, they return.
It is interesting to watch a goose fight.
The geese like to stand on top of our house and garage, then honk until they are honked out.
They like to walk down the driveway, then walk up the sidewalk towards the stoplight.
They will not hurry if they are standing in the driveway and you are attempting to drive on the driveway.
They leave green squishy goose droppings everywhere.
One pair of geese has had their nest on top of the neighbor's porch overhang for the last two years.
They will chase you if you get too close to their young.
There was once a goose that we called War Goose. He would not let anyone cross the bridge to the other side of the pond, unless you carried a really big stick and even then you never turned your back.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Count Your Blessings
"Count your blessings! Name them one by one!"
I have a wonderful, supportive husband! Yay!
I have two quirky, lovable children! Yay!
After eight weeks of the unknown, I have found out that I do not have cancer! Yay!
I have had a chance to take some cool nature photography! Yay!
I have some really awesome friends that have offered encouragement and advice! Yay!
After seven weeks, my very first bladder infection is finally gone! Yay!
We have an official diagnosis for Pumpkin! Yay!
I have some amazing prayer warriors that have been keeping my family and I in their prayers! Yay!
I treasure the words of encouragement and support from my school teacher cousin, nearby mother-in-law, and nearby sister-in-law.
We were fortunate to have a friend sell us a relatively new iPad mini for Pumpkin! Yay!
Over seven weeks, my ovarian cyst has gone from the size of a lemon to completely disappeared! Yay!
I am thankful for my faith in God! Yay!
I am not quite there yet, but I finally starting to feel half-way normal again! Yay!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Ode to Hubby
I love my hubby! Even though I have been sick for the past six days, he has been remarkable helpful.
Here are some of the little things that have made me smile:
- He took a few hours off work Saturday to take me to the doctor.
- He braved the zoo by himself with the kids.
- He gave the kids ice cream for dinner one night.
- He grilled me a hamburger.
- He is a wonderful daddy!
- He took Princess to her six month eye doctor appointment.
- He went with me to Pumpkin's special education meeting.
- He made me rye toast.
- He brought home pizza, then put away the leftovers, and did the dishes.
How did I get so lucky??
Here are some of the little things that have made me smile:
- He took a few hours off work Saturday to take me to the doctor.
- He braved the zoo by himself with the kids.
- He gave the kids ice cream for dinner one night.
- He grilled me a hamburger.
- He is a wonderful daddy!
- He took Princess to her six month eye doctor appointment.
- He went with me to Pumpkin's special education meeting.
- He made me rye toast.
- He brought home pizza, then put away the leftovers, and did the dishes.
How did I get so lucky??
Monday, February 17, 2014
Cabin Fever
February is suppose to be the shortest month, but this month is seeming to last FOREVER. Winter is nice. We need winter so nature can rest before all of the beautiful colors burst forth. I usually do not mind it much, but this winter. There are just no words for it. It could be the cabin fever talking by now.
I dream of going outside wearing shorts and t-shirts. I dream of the prairie sway in the warm breeze. I dream of spring time irises and jack-in-the pulpit. I dream of burgers on the grill. I look forward to visiting the zoo and chasing butterflies. I look forward to walking around the pond and watching lightening bugs. I look forward to warmer temperatures.
Instead . . . we have had snow. We have had three weeks of sickness and high fevers. We have had two days of sick homework to make up for Pumpkin. Oh boy! Homework is always a battle. Today, we have freezing rain and snow. As the ice thickens outside the odds are increasing that we will lose power before day is out.
Ice is the part of winter that I like the least. Ice causes broken toes. Ice causes broken trees. Ice causes explosions as power lines fall. Ice causes sirens to sound. Ice causes those blasted sweet gum balls to fall. Did you know that they sound like rocks hitting the house?
Ice brings back memories of the ice storm seven years ago. The ice storm that left at least 80% without power. The ice storm that splintered the power pole that supplied electricity to our house and our neighbor's. That pole crashed into the ground just feet from our bedroom, spilling the contents of the transformer container into the ground. The ice storm that sent electrical workers from across the United States and Canada to our area to fix the damage. I would see convoys of 10 to15 power trucks at a time traveling along the roads in our area. The ice storm that send the National Guard from door to door to check on the welfare of others. The ice storm that took months and months to clean up. The ice storm that still gives me nightmares. I hope and that pray that this storm is not to that magnitude.
Here are some pictures from that storm:
We have been listening to the tinking of the ice crystals against the windows today. We have heard limbs breaking and crashing today. We have watched the ice grow thicker and thicker today. The streets are flooding with the freezing rain because the storm drains are plugged with ice and snow. We have been listening to the sounds of ambulances and fire trucks. It has been snowing for the last few hours. That is sure to add extra excitement to the day. I hope that we do not receive too much snow. The weight of the snow may cause even more damage and destruction to the already ice covered trees and power lines.
In the midst of all that is going on, here are a few blessings. Princess is fully recovered. Pumpkin is on the mend. Hubby and I have yet to succumb to any sickness that has plagued the family. We have been enjoying playing a birthday gift game- Don't Break The Ice. We have been warm and have not hungered this winter. Grandma has completed my long awaited quilt top. Thank goodness for the gift of PBS and Downton Abbey. Last but not least, I am very happy for the blessing of President's Day, so the kids and I did not need to travel in this icky weather.
Well I better go check on my two tornadoes. Stay warm and safe!
I dream of going outside wearing shorts and t-shirts. I dream of the prairie sway in the warm breeze. I dream of spring time irises and jack-in-the pulpit. I dream of burgers on the grill. I look forward to visiting the zoo and chasing butterflies. I look forward to walking around the pond and watching lightening bugs. I look forward to warmer temperatures.
Instead . . . we have had snow. We have had three weeks of sickness and high fevers. We have had two days of sick homework to make up for Pumpkin. Oh boy! Homework is always a battle. Today, we have freezing rain and snow. As the ice thickens outside the odds are increasing that we will lose power before day is out.
Ice is the part of winter that I like the least. Ice causes broken toes. Ice causes broken trees. Ice causes explosions as power lines fall. Ice causes sirens to sound. Ice causes those blasted sweet gum balls to fall. Did you know that they sound like rocks hitting the house?
Ice brings back memories of the ice storm seven years ago. The ice storm that left at least 80% without power. The ice storm that splintered the power pole that supplied electricity to our house and our neighbor's. That pole crashed into the ground just feet from our bedroom, spilling the contents of the transformer container into the ground. The ice storm that sent electrical workers from across the United States and Canada to our area to fix the damage. I would see convoys of 10 to15 power trucks at a time traveling along the roads in our area. The ice storm that send the National Guard from door to door to check on the welfare of others. The ice storm that took months and months to clean up. The ice storm that still gives me nightmares. I hope and that pray that this storm is not to that magnitude.
Here are some pictures from that storm:
We have been listening to the tinking of the ice crystals against the windows today. We have heard limbs breaking and crashing today. We have watched the ice grow thicker and thicker today. The streets are flooding with the freezing rain because the storm drains are plugged with ice and snow. We have been listening to the sounds of ambulances and fire trucks. It has been snowing for the last few hours. That is sure to add extra excitement to the day. I hope that we do not receive too much snow. The weight of the snow may cause even more damage and destruction to the already ice covered trees and power lines.
In the midst of all that is going on, here are a few blessings. Princess is fully recovered. Pumpkin is on the mend. Hubby and I have yet to succumb to any sickness that has plagued the family. We have been enjoying playing a birthday gift game- Don't Break The Ice. We have been warm and have not hungered this winter. Grandma has completed my long awaited quilt top. Thank goodness for the gift of PBS and Downton Abbey. Last but not least, I am very happy for the blessing of President's Day, so the kids and I did not need to travel in this icky weather.
Well I better go check on my two tornadoes. Stay warm and safe!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Life In These Four Walls
We are kicking back and relaxing this morning. Hopefully in an hour we may venture out to the library. I was able to get my grocery shopping done last night. We had chocolate crumble muffins for breakfast and I had mint hot chocolate. Yum! It has been a while since I have cooked a breakfast besides Pop Tarts for the kids. It is always rush, rush, rush in the mornings.
The kids snuggled in my bed this morning with a Lalaloopsy movie while I snuck to my secret hiding place and inventoried what I had for each child for their upcoming birthdays. I have realize that I need to even out the presents still. Just a couple more presents for Princess and I will be done. Maybe hubby and I can find someone to watch the kids this evening, so we can have dinner together and finish birthday shopping. Sometime today I need to figure out when we will have their birthday party and who to send invitations to. Next weekend is definitely too short of notice, so most likely we will plan for the weekend after that.
Right now the kids are watching Epic. We would be watching PBS kids, but with all of the wind today that station is not coming in too well on the television. Pumpkin is trying to build an elaborate Hot Wheel track out of the couch cushions, pillows, and other various objects like a stool, laundry basket, boxes, and more. Princess is working on getting dressed and snuggling with her Specs Read-A-Lot Lalaloopsy silly hair doll.
Pumpkin is recovery well from his surgery on Monday morning. He had the remain ear tube removed. The doctor also found a cyst in association with the tube so that has been removed too. He goes back in two months for a recheck to see if the hole in the ear drum has closed. Monday afternoon you would of never known that he had had surgery that morning by the way that he was bouncing off the walls. Never boring in our household.
I have heard from the special education administrator that I contacted a few weeks ago in regards to Pumpkin getting an education evaluation. After talking to her supervisor, we are being transferred to another administrator that works more with parochial schools. So hopefully I will hear the new person in the next few weeks. I hope to make some progress soon. Kind of tired of feeling like we are always in a holding pattern.
I talk with the childhood behavior pediatrician yesterday and she has recommended that Pumpkin have an autism panel. It will be about a two month process to actually get to the appointment date, but hopefully it will answer more questions. I really like this doctor and she has talked to me multiple times on the phone and answered any questions that I have. In this day and age you are lucky to just get past talking to the nurse. Anyway, most likely we as parent and probably his teacher will have more paperwork, surveys, and evaluations to complete prior to the appointment. The doctor said that the appointment will be an all day thing, so hopefully I can manage to schedule it on a day off from school. We will meet with a speech therapist, then a childhood occupational therapist, then our doctor who is specialized in autism, and finally a educational psychologist. Then everyone will have a break for lunch. All four doctor will reconvene and share notes and thoughts. Then our doctor and probably the educational psychologist will sit down with us and share their finding and thoughts. The main purpose of the panel is to help distinguish what aspects of our son's behavior are caused by ADHD and what might be caused by high functioning autism. Once we have the information it will be easier for us, the school, and the doctor to determine what are the best methods and treatments to help our child succeed academically and socially. I am going to hate to see how much this is going to cost. I know that we have met our $2,500 deductible on Pumpkin with the surgery he had. So maybe that will be in our favor for all of the other appointments that we will have this year.
Pumpkin is struggling at school, but his teacher is working with us to see how we can modify things to help him improve. Right now math is the largest hurdle. We are working on Touch Math, which works perfect for 1-5 but 6-9 is confusing to him. He did get 100% on his spelling test yesterday. YAY!!!! That has not happened since September. He enjoys listening to the Junie B Jones books so we got him the collection through Scholastic to see if it would help to entice him to read more. He picked up one of the books that we have read in the past and told me all about it, but yet he cannot get a single question right when he takes the computerized AR test at school on the book. I talked with him about trying to read the books today and he told me that the words were too small. Ugh! We will have to figure out a solution to that problem.
I am still trying to wrap my head around everything. I am glad that we are finally starting to understand our son's quirks. It could be so much worse. I keep reminding myself that I survived my mom losing her battle to cancer, survived losing two family members just a month apart, survived my dad's bone marrow transplants, survived family alcoholism, and survived many more hurdles. I am so tired of dealing with the continuous hurdles of life, but I can survive this. There may not be an easy fix. There may not be a cure. But, my son should live a long and healthy life.
I worry though. I worry that Princess will not always get the attention that she needs. I worry that both kids will get teased at school by their peers. I worry that we are not doing enough to help Pumpkin succeed at school. I worry about what the future holds. I try to not plan ahead, because nothing ever turns out the way that I plan. Believe me there are so things in life that I definitely would not have planned. I know, it makes us the person that we are today. Struggles strengthen us and fortify us. God is always with us and picks us up when we fall. It is just frustrating to see how easy it is for others when it seems like our world is a constant struggle.
I know for me, I need to work on finding myself again. I feel like I do for everyone else all of the time. My Energizer Bunny wears me out on a daily basis. I have lost my love for cooking along the way. It is always fast and rushed, so we can get on with perpetual homework. Cleaning usually has to wait until the weekends because there is no time during the week. Then when the weekend comes, I do not want to clean. I just want to relax and unwind. My only escape from the world right now is reading.
Well back to reality and the monkeys. I hope that everyone has a great weekend!
The kids snuggled in my bed this morning with a Lalaloopsy movie while I snuck to my secret hiding place and inventoried what I had for each child for their upcoming birthdays. I have realize that I need to even out the presents still. Just a couple more presents for Princess and I will be done. Maybe hubby and I can find someone to watch the kids this evening, so we can have dinner together and finish birthday shopping. Sometime today I need to figure out when we will have their birthday party and who to send invitations to. Next weekend is definitely too short of notice, so most likely we will plan for the weekend after that.
Right now the kids are watching Epic. We would be watching PBS kids, but with all of the wind today that station is not coming in too well on the television. Pumpkin is trying to build an elaborate Hot Wheel track out of the couch cushions, pillows, and other various objects like a stool, laundry basket, boxes, and more. Princess is working on getting dressed and snuggling with her Specs Read-A-Lot Lalaloopsy silly hair doll.
Pumpkin is recovery well from his surgery on Monday morning. He had the remain ear tube removed. The doctor also found a cyst in association with the tube so that has been removed too. He goes back in two months for a recheck to see if the hole in the ear drum has closed. Monday afternoon you would of never known that he had had surgery that morning by the way that he was bouncing off the walls. Never boring in our household.
I have heard from the special education administrator that I contacted a few weeks ago in regards to Pumpkin getting an education evaluation. After talking to her supervisor, we are being transferred to another administrator that works more with parochial schools. So hopefully I will hear the new person in the next few weeks. I hope to make some progress soon. Kind of tired of feeling like we are always in a holding pattern.
I talk with the childhood behavior pediatrician yesterday and she has recommended that Pumpkin have an autism panel. It will be about a two month process to actually get to the appointment date, but hopefully it will answer more questions. I really like this doctor and she has talked to me multiple times on the phone and answered any questions that I have. In this day and age you are lucky to just get past talking to the nurse. Anyway, most likely we as parent and probably his teacher will have more paperwork, surveys, and evaluations to complete prior to the appointment. The doctor said that the appointment will be an all day thing, so hopefully I can manage to schedule it on a day off from school. We will meet with a speech therapist, then a childhood occupational therapist, then our doctor who is specialized in autism, and finally a educational psychologist. Then everyone will have a break for lunch. All four doctor will reconvene and share notes and thoughts. Then our doctor and probably the educational psychologist will sit down with us and share their finding and thoughts. The main purpose of the panel is to help distinguish what aspects of our son's behavior are caused by ADHD and what might be caused by high functioning autism. Once we have the information it will be easier for us, the school, and the doctor to determine what are the best methods and treatments to help our child succeed academically and socially. I am going to hate to see how much this is going to cost. I know that we have met our $2,500 deductible on Pumpkin with the surgery he had. So maybe that will be in our favor for all of the other appointments that we will have this year.
Pumpkin is struggling at school, but his teacher is working with us to see how we can modify things to help him improve. Right now math is the largest hurdle. We are working on Touch Math, which works perfect for 1-5 but 6-9 is confusing to him. He did get 100% on his spelling test yesterday. YAY!!!! That has not happened since September. He enjoys listening to the Junie B Jones books so we got him the collection through Scholastic to see if it would help to entice him to read more. He picked up one of the books that we have read in the past and told me all about it, but yet he cannot get a single question right when he takes the computerized AR test at school on the book. I talked with him about trying to read the books today and he told me that the words were too small. Ugh! We will have to figure out a solution to that problem.
I am still trying to wrap my head around everything. I am glad that we are finally starting to understand our son's quirks. It could be so much worse. I keep reminding myself that I survived my mom losing her battle to cancer, survived losing two family members just a month apart, survived my dad's bone marrow transplants, survived family alcoholism, and survived many more hurdles. I am so tired of dealing with the continuous hurdles of life, but I can survive this. There may not be an easy fix. There may not be a cure. But, my son should live a long and healthy life.
I worry though. I worry that Princess will not always get the attention that she needs. I worry that both kids will get teased at school by their peers. I worry that we are not doing enough to help Pumpkin succeed at school. I worry about what the future holds. I try to not plan ahead, because nothing ever turns out the way that I plan. Believe me there are so things in life that I definitely would not have planned. I know, it makes us the person that we are today. Struggles strengthen us and fortify us. God is always with us and picks us up when we fall. It is just frustrating to see how easy it is for others when it seems like our world is a constant struggle.
I know for me, I need to work on finding myself again. I feel like I do for everyone else all of the time. My Energizer Bunny wears me out on a daily basis. I have lost my love for cooking along the way. It is always fast and rushed, so we can get on with perpetual homework. Cleaning usually has to wait until the weekends because there is no time during the week. Then when the weekend comes, I do not want to clean. I just want to relax and unwind. My only escape from the world right now is reading.
Well back to reality and the monkeys. I hope that everyone has a great weekend!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Words
We use words everyday.
I have this crazy feeling that you know that you are reading words right now.
So here are some of the words that I have used today:
Apple Auntie Another
Bath Bear Blinds
Coyote Crack Cyst
Daycare Deer Demographic
Email Embroidery Ears
Family Friday Frustrated
Glasses Grandma Get
Homework Hug Hook
Ice I've Interrogate
Jokes Just
Keep Kicked Keys
Laundry Lunch Love
Meatloaf Mittens Meeting
Negative No Never
Outside Open Order
pH Popcorn Prairie
QUIET Queen Question
Rainbow Rat Receipt
Snow STOP Surgery
Thank Test Tape
Up Under Uncommon
Vintage Volunteer Volume
Water Window Windchill
eXcept X-country
You Youth Yes
AmaZing Zap
Well, time to think of a few more words for tomorrow!
Egads! More words!
Have a lovely evening!
I have this crazy feeling that you know that you are reading words right now.
So here are some of the words that I have used today:
Apple Auntie Another
Bath Bear Blinds
Coyote Crack Cyst
Daycare Deer Demographic
Email Embroidery Ears
Family Friday Frustrated
Glasses Grandma Get
Homework Hug Hook
Ice I've Interrogate
Jokes Just
Keep Kicked Keys
Laundry Lunch Love
Meatloaf Mittens Meeting
Negative No Never
Outside Open Order
pH Popcorn Prairie
QUIET Queen Question
Rainbow Rat Receipt
Snow STOP Surgery
Thank Test Tape
Up Under Uncommon
Vintage Volunteer Volume
Water Window Windchill
eXcept X-country
You Youth Yes
AmaZing Zap
Well, time to think of a few more words for tomorrow!
Egads! More words!
Have a lovely evening!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Random Thoughts
- Sometime soon I will complete the Adventures of Chippy Series. Hopefully it will occur this coming weekend.
- 2014 is here. Where did 2013 go?
- Princess is finally getting a new pair of glasses. A post will appear when her new glasses appear.
- I need to eat more veggies.
- It snowed last night. I gave up shoveling the drive after 20 minutes this evening.
- My favorite Christmas present was a family membership to our local zoo.
- We ate black eyed peas last night. I heard that it was good luck for the new year. It is worth a try, don't you think?
- Pumpkin has had quite a few medical appointments the past few months. Eventually a post will appear once we have a better idea what is going on.
- The Christmas tree is down, but the boxes have yet to make it to the basement.
- There was a photo of me in my pajamas on the front page of the local newspaper. Normally this would not be acceptable to me, but since it was for work I will concede this time.
- Hubby and I are looking forward to Season 4 of Downton Abbey starting this Sunday!
- I think this year, I will try to write something good down in a daily calendar and also write something that I did with the kiddos each day.
- I loathe cleaning these days. I just want to curl up with a cup of hot coco and a nice book.
- I am looking forward to hubby getting his new tooth in a few weeks! Hopefully his facial scar will fade in the next few months from his work accident in November.
- We need to take the time to get a family photograph taken.
- Princess LOVES popcorn!
- Hubby gave me a gift card for Christmas. Best purchase with the gift card was a beautiful dragonfly necklace.
- We got to see my brother and his family a few weeks ago. My youngest niece will be 1 soon!
- I need to take more pictures!
- Pumpkin's favorite Christmas present was a remote controlled helicopter.
- We had a good Christmas.
- I am finally to the point that I am no longer hobbling around on my ankle. Yay!
- I have been enjoying sneak attacking hubby with kisses.
- Princess's favorite Christmas present was a Lalaloopsy with glasses and silly hair.
- Pumpkin and Princess love their newest game: Elefun. Fireflies shoot out of the elephants trunk and the child that catches the most wins.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Life Goes On
I meant to post sooner than now. Famous last words of a parent! (wink, wink)
We visited a pumpkin patch over the weekend and I have been taking some seasonal nature shots with the camera.
Things have been extremely crazy and stressful at work. Anytime someone new comes along it is bound to happen. Hoping that the dust settles in a few months as a new normal is established. Although it is tempting to stay home with the kiddos, especially with all of the problems that Pumpkin has been encountering lately.
Pumpkin is still having a few rough patches at school, but on the bright side we had two good days last week and today was a good day. So we are making a bit of progress. Our pastor has been helping us and suggested have one to two goals to focus on each week to make progress easier to accomplish.
We took Pumpkin to our pediatrician this afternoon. His ears are good, but it looks like he needs to have his tonsils removed. I will have to call the ear, nose, throat specialist office tomorrow. I imagine that if they take his tonsils out that they will either put a third set of ear tubes in or take the remaining non-functioning ear tube out of his right ear. We also talked with our pediatrician about the reoccurring behavioral glitches that Pumpkin has been having at school and she has recommended that we see a behavioral pediatrician. She said that it might be possible that he has some processing problems, but without testing and an official diagnosis she does not want to prescribe medicine. So we are looking into a friend of the family that is planning to open a clinic in town soon. If that falls through we will probably have to drive at least an hour or more to see a specialist. She said that an out of town specialist could take up to six months to get into for a first appointment. I am not for sure if our health insurance will cover any of this, so prayers would be appreciated. In the mean time our pediatrician recommended that we wean Pumpkin off his allergy medicine to see if it has an affect on his behavior.
I have been falling behind on my intent to participate in "Making Your Home A Haven." Week One focused on lighting a candle daily and praying for peace. It took a while, but I did finally find a candle that does not make my allergies go haywire. So far, I only lit it on Saturday. I did better at remembering to pray for peace for my house, peace for my family, and peace for me. It does have a calming affect to repetitively pray for such simple requests. Week Two focuses on a planning a family game night and to pursue gentleness in the home (quiet voices, gentle touch, controlling anger). We have yet to partake in a family game night this week. Hopefully we can play some Candy Land on Thursday or Friday evening. The kids really seem to enjoy this particular game. Gentleness was lacking this evening with nerves frazzled, but we always have the chance to begin anew tomorrow. I am hoping that as I work on this journey that my life with feel less stressed and more blessed.
Well, I suppose a good night sleep would help, so I better be thinking about heading that way soon. Blessings and peace to all!
We visited a pumpkin patch over the weekend and I have been taking some seasonal nature shots with the camera.
Things have been extremely crazy and stressful at work. Anytime someone new comes along it is bound to happen. Hoping that the dust settles in a few months as a new normal is established. Although it is tempting to stay home with the kiddos, especially with all of the problems that Pumpkin has been encountering lately.
Pumpkin is still having a few rough patches at school, but on the bright side we had two good days last week and today was a good day. So we are making a bit of progress. Our pastor has been helping us and suggested have one to two goals to focus on each week to make progress easier to accomplish.
We took Pumpkin to our pediatrician this afternoon. His ears are good, but it looks like he needs to have his tonsils removed. I will have to call the ear, nose, throat specialist office tomorrow. I imagine that if they take his tonsils out that they will either put a third set of ear tubes in or take the remaining non-functioning ear tube out of his right ear. We also talked with our pediatrician about the reoccurring behavioral glitches that Pumpkin has been having at school and she has recommended that we see a behavioral pediatrician. She said that it might be possible that he has some processing problems, but without testing and an official diagnosis she does not want to prescribe medicine. So we are looking into a friend of the family that is planning to open a clinic in town soon. If that falls through we will probably have to drive at least an hour or more to see a specialist. She said that an out of town specialist could take up to six months to get into for a first appointment. I am not for sure if our health insurance will cover any of this, so prayers would be appreciated. In the mean time our pediatrician recommended that we wean Pumpkin off his allergy medicine to see if it has an affect on his behavior.
I have been falling behind on my intent to participate in "Making Your Home A Haven." Week One focused on lighting a candle daily and praying for peace. It took a while, but I did finally find a candle that does not make my allergies go haywire. So far, I only lit it on Saturday. I did better at remembering to pray for peace for my house, peace for my family, and peace for me. It does have a calming affect to repetitively pray for such simple requests. Week Two focuses on a planning a family game night and to pursue gentleness in the home (quiet voices, gentle touch, controlling anger). We have yet to partake in a family game night this week. Hopefully we can play some Candy Land on Thursday or Friday evening. The kids really seem to enjoy this particular game. Gentleness was lacking this evening with nerves frazzled, but we always have the chance to begin anew tomorrow. I am hoping that as I work on this journey that my life with feel less stressed and more blessed.
Well, I suppose a good night sleep would help, so I better be thinking about heading that way soon. Blessings and peace to all!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Letter to Mom
Dear Mom,
I cannot believe that it has been three years. It just seems like yesterday. Some days are good and some days are bad. Sometimes the littlest things remind me of you. . . puppy chow muddy buddies, snowmen, zucchini bread, just to name a few. Sometimes I am good with it and other times the memories bring tears to my eyes. Even though you are gone, you are still remembered by treasures and mementos that have been tucked away. Grandma has been sharing old pictures with us from when we were all little kids.
Speaking of kids, you would not believe how my kids have changed and grown. Pumpkin is in first grade now. He likes sharks and a game called Angry Birds. He is a lot like brother. I wish I could ask how you handled different situations when we were little. Princess has changed so much since she was 18 months old. She is so talkative that she would blow your socks off. It is hard to imagine that she will be in kindergarten next year. She is very smart and wears glasses like her mama.
Grandma is doing good. We take care of each other. She is my second mom now. Grandma still keeps busy with quilting and takes Pumpkin to and from school. The garden is only about 1/3 of the size that it was when you and grandpa were still with us. Grandpa's rose bed is still doing well, at least when the deer are not using it as a cafe.
Sister and step dad still feel your loss the most. I wish I knew at times what to say to sister. We help her the best we can, but there is no way that we can fill the void and pain of your absence. She had been through so much since you left and I am not equipped with the right knowledge or experiences to really help her find her way again. I wish that you were here to help. Step dad is still having a hard time. Occasionally I see him at church or at grandma's, but he will not join us for meals or holidays. He had a roommate for a while, but the gentleman passed of heart problems this pass spring. Hopefully with time he will recover.
There is so much I wish that I could ask you and talk to you about. I wish that you would of went to the doctor years ago, maybe just maybe you would of still been with us. I wish that you would of been able to retire and enjoy life after work. I wish that cancer would not of won. I wish that you could see your newest grandchild. I wish that you could hug and play with all of your grandkids. I wish that I could have one last hug. I miss you mom.
Love you forever,
Me
I cannot believe that it has been three years. It just seems like yesterday. Some days are good and some days are bad. Sometimes the littlest things remind me of you. . . puppy chow muddy buddies, snowmen, zucchini bread, just to name a few. Sometimes I am good with it and other times the memories bring tears to my eyes. Even though you are gone, you are still remembered by treasures and mementos that have been tucked away. Grandma has been sharing old pictures with us from when we were all little kids.
Speaking of kids, you would not believe how my kids have changed and grown. Pumpkin is in first grade now. He likes sharks and a game called Angry Birds. He is a lot like brother. I wish I could ask how you handled different situations when we were little. Princess has changed so much since she was 18 months old. She is so talkative that she would blow your socks off. It is hard to imagine that she will be in kindergarten next year. She is very smart and wears glasses like her mama.
Grandma is doing good. We take care of each other. She is my second mom now. Grandma still keeps busy with quilting and takes Pumpkin to and from school. The garden is only about 1/3 of the size that it was when you and grandpa were still with us. Grandpa's rose bed is still doing well, at least when the deer are not using it as a cafe.
Sister and step dad still feel your loss the most. I wish I knew at times what to say to sister. We help her the best we can, but there is no way that we can fill the void and pain of your absence. She had been through so much since you left and I am not equipped with the right knowledge or experiences to really help her find her way again. I wish that you were here to help. Step dad is still having a hard time. Occasionally I see him at church or at grandma's, but he will not join us for meals or holidays. He had a roommate for a while, but the gentleman passed of heart problems this pass spring. Hopefully with time he will recover.
There is so much I wish that I could ask you and talk to you about. I wish that you would of went to the doctor years ago, maybe just maybe you would of still been with us. I wish that you would of been able to retire and enjoy life after work. I wish that cancer would not of won. I wish that you could see your newest grandchild. I wish that you could hug and play with all of your grandkids. I wish that I could have one last hug. I miss you mom.
Love you forever,
Me
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