I was gone for a few days, and now I'm forty!

So, this week has been busy- Jessica to PDX for her check-up, me to the podiatrist for the "map pins" out-- and released to drive, my 40th birthday on the 1st,Then 1st time with a physical therapist, helping out at the school with the kids, grocery shopping with the kids, tomorrow a birthday party, then church and maybe a BBQ at a lake.

Emotions have been running high lately.... the weather has been warm and I have been alot less patient-- I have also found it tough to actively ignore bad attitudes. My feelings were a bit hurt- and although I kinda knew that would happen-- I was still saddened by the selfishness of other people.

It was  VERY nice to be released to drive, but then when I talked with my PT, she explained that I need to step up my game-- and start using my foot "for real" I have been really reluctant to put my foot to use.  So, now I am trying to follow her instructions and do my exercises every night and every morning, I am also using ice on my foot to help the swelling dissipate.

I am learning that I may be able to drive, but spending all day wandering around on my foot --isn't the best idea.

I am so glad that school starts next week, the kids have been so energetic,talkative, and just FULL of motion-- this Mommy.... needs a break!

Jessica seems to be changing her way of interacting with me, and I'm curious if she is just testing the waters-- or if she is really changing into a mouthy soon to be 10 year old. I am not ready to have such challenges with Jessica... I've got my hands full with Shane...     I may have to call for renforcements!

Learning Lessons

I have been learning some lessons recently~

• when taking the whole family to lunch,then Walmart, then grocery shopping-- make sure the ipod is FULLY charged before leaving.
• Explaining why mommy can use the computer to watch YouTube videos ...without "earning them"   Shane has to earn time on the computer -- Mommy and I quote :"just gets to do what ever she wants without earning anything!"
• Trying to purchase all the school supplies at one store, like Walmart is impossible!

I am also still trying to figure out if Shane needs his medication -- It seems that he is alot more flexible while on the medication, but that is my observation from the school year.(in comparison with now)
 Since we have been on summer break, I don't know if his behavior issues are because of the lack of routine-- or because he is having a harder time managing his SPD.  I also believe that because I am not able to drive is causing some attitude adjustments.  Usually, during the summer I try to take the kids to many different parks for the free lunch programs, the free family movies, the library  and the water spray parks-- this year we haven't done very much of that. We have also missed more church than I like--.

I am also trying to finish sewing the seat covers-- I have two sets of 30 to do and I am about 5 away from being done with the first set. {I should be sewing right now}

At the end of this month I have some appointments that will be challenging for me-- On the 30th of August, Jessica has her yearly check-up appointment with the kidney Dr. in PDX at Doernbechers. And then on the 31st, I have an appointment for my foot... to possibly get my map pins out of my foot-- and maybe... be released to drive.  Then the 1st of September is my 40th, the kids go back to school on September 8th.

I wonder why everything always ends up in a very small amount of time--darn..it -
 I wish these things could of been more spread out during the summer.

Maybe it was just the heat?

Last night Jerry came home from working a hot,and hard 12 hour shift.--
 I asked if we could grocery shop and he said Yes! (Such a Good husband I have...)
 So, the kids Jerry and I went grocery shopping!
I don't normally enjoy grocery shopping and with the kids? Not my idea of a good time...
But... we were out of cereal
and I wanted to see "the world" (cue: the sarcastic comment here!)
We had a list and we did a pretty good job of sticking to it... Shane did have a moment or two of despair and frustration,-- but Jerry was really relaxed when dealing with him, and by being so mellow -- Shane was quicker to stop the unwanted behavior and start doing the appropriate behavior! 
I wonder if I am being too impatient with Shane-- and because I want his attention, and response so quickly I am the one that is creating the bump in the road to good behavior? 
hummm...  I am going to do some thinking on this, and maybe try some testing with Shane.
Maybe it was just the heat? Maybe mom(me) was just overdone?

Garage Sale,Grocery Store Etiquette

Is there such a thing as Garage Sale Etiquette? http://www.drdaveanddee.com/etiquette.html

This is a picture out my front door-- apparently there is a block long garage sale-- happening today!
The street is not very wide so it has been kinda funny to see people and cars try to navigate the small space there is ...  It got me to thinking, if you weren't apart of the block long garage sale-- but you just happened to have stuff on your front yard-- how would people react? Would they just walk into your yard and start picking things up? And then how would you as the homeowner react? Would you run outside yelling and screaming?  What would happen if you were cleaning out the garage and yet people thought your stuff was  apart of the sale?

Garage Sales are such a fluid thing-- they often don't have an official, beginning middle and end.--
{Well at least that is my observation.}-- I would imagine that there are people-(not me)- who will start a sale at 8 am on the dot and stop that sale at 5pm.-- But I really think that doesn't happen very often. 
When you go to a garage sale do you discuss,out loud ~ what you like or don't like do you whisper to your neighbor-- "This price is too high?". 
So, many things about a garage sale are not clearly stated-- should I dicker/bicker about the price? Should I ask to try out the item? Should I even touch the item?

I would imagine that all these questions are much like the questions that plague our SPD kids -- and even our regular kids have -- navigating the "social world"!

I find myself doing a ton of pre-talking before we go somewhere-- lately I haven't been pre-talking too much-- I have a head cold and I am just trying to "get through" life. 

We went grocery shopping yesterday and I forgot to talk with the kids about how I wanted the groceries packed in the bags...  I had a moment of anger and frustration when Jessica was just putting items in...."willy nilly" Shane was just happy to keep pressing the button to move the conveyor belt -- he would take the  items off the belt and then press the button again.

I really think that if I had not been dealing with a head cold I would of managed the situation better-- .
I didn't yell or scream at the kids but I moved them both out of the way and finished the sacking of the groceries all by myself. Later after we were home, I thought about how I had just let a teach-able moment pass -- I could of done a MUCH better job of pre-talking and then showing what I wanted done.

I was annoyed that I let the moment pass-- I was also annoyed that I let others' who seemed to be SUPER impatient motivate me to just do it myself.  

Why do we have to be in a hurry to do everything?? Why can't we just slow down and breathe?
I wonder if these questions are the ones that prevent our SPD kiddos from responding quickly to a request?
Maybe if I slow down my expectations--
 maybe that will allow my children the time they NEED to comply with a request?
anyway.... just thinking... and wishing this head cold would STOP holding me back! .... geez I'm impatient! :)
haha ha

Head Colds,sharing, and Carnival

Jessica had a head cold this week and she ended up staying home two days from school, Shane was being a loving and sweet brother -- First she helped him practice for his upcoming play-- and then he read her some 5 minute bedtime stories-- Such a lovely sight I am SO GLAD I have this picture.  Jessica ended up missing the field trip to the Enchanted Forrest-- she had a slight fever and so I kept her home. Jessica was nice enough to share her cold with me -- so I took a nap! Part way thru the day Jessica ended up feeling much better-- and she convinced her Daddy to take her fishing-- so that I could get some rest- ?  It worked out fine they went fishing and I took a nap--   Then we borrowed our neighbors' teen aged daughter and went to the Carnival! 

This year at the Carnival we had a slide and a bounce house-- Shane spent a good portion of his time,energy and tickets at both... He even got complemented by the Teacher who is a Special Needs teacher, for doing such a GREAT job of waiting in line EACH time...  I am SO PROUD of my son! 

Shane even tried cotton candy for the very first time-- he was with Jerry so I missed the picture but Shane... like a true child that loves sweet things-- Liked the cotton candy! Jerry explained that it was just spun sugar and so Shane was happy enough to tell me

 "Mom, I ate the cotton candy and it just disolved on my tongue...-- cool huh?"

I just smiled and said yup--!

 Kudos go out to Jerry who did NOT let Shane eat the WHOLE bag of cotton candy-- he instead handed the last quater bit of it to the neighbors daughter who was helping us. :)

One of Jessica's favorite things is to get her face painted-- last night at the Carnival, she got a Monarch Butterfly on her face! It's still on her face this morning!  If you look in the back ground of this picture you can see Shane in a blue camo jacket... playing putt putt golf!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is one of the fun things that we had at the carnival last night... putt putt golf-- Shane had a lot of fun-- thank you to the lady who was nice enough to fetch the golf ball when it got hit to hard.





It did rain at the Carnival and a lot of people got wet... but I had brought along our POP-up and so we stayed mostly dry... although the wind did make me cold a couple of times!
In years past Carnival has been a huge stressful event-- this year I volunteered only to do certain things, of course I ended up doing more-- but I didn't feel so used and abused -- as I had in previous years!
It was a great evening... and now today is grocery day and both the kids are home with me...
I asked Shane last night if he would help me remember the grocery list-- he kept saying, mom we have to have ice cream!  I am buying that child of mine some ice cream ! I bet he will do fine today!

Blog Carnival, topic :SPD Sensory Processing Disorder

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dq0aBLWo8JM4%26feature%3Dautofb&h=7cebf

This is a short video by Rick Dancer -- a great guy who used to report the news, -- he even interviewed me once-- Rick is a great voice for the special needs community~ he understands the fine line between being Politically Correct, and being thoughtless with our words.

There is SO much more to Rick-- pop over to his sites and watch more videos and read his wordshttp://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rickdancer.com%2F&h=7cebf. :)

The kids and I survived yesterday-- it was grocery day and they were both home from school-- although Shane could have done a better job of listening-- there weren't any huge meltdowns -- and I think I got a good majority of the things on my list!

WOW! Color me impressed!

So, Hartley-- over at Hartley's Life with Three Boys is having a blog carnival --

and the Topic : Sensory Processing Disorder

Shane has not yet been called retarded-- and although we do get some looks when we go out-- we have,so far avoided the~ in your face comments. Recently, when I picked Shane up from school -- we had to walk his laptop back to the regular classroom- where all the kids were getting ready to leave the classroom. Shane asked and received permission to hug one of his friends' -- It was bittersweet to see Shane and all the other kids interacting-- he was bumping and crashing-- but the kids were stepping out of the way so that they wouldn't get knocked over. What broke my heart-- was when I tried to get Shane to let go of the hug and walk out of the room.-- Shane wanted to be with all the other kids and just .... "be normal" -- I was trying to explain that we needed to walk out- before the other kids started to fill the hallways.

Corralling Shane when the hallways are full of kids is futile.

Shane just doesn't get the vague social cues of the other kids-- he doesn't realize that although they like him-- he can at times be a little too much. He is getting help with gaining these social skills --but because social issues are so grey-and not black and white- it's a tough topic to help Shane learn.

Oh, how I wish that this part of Sensory Processing Disorder would GO AWAY. --- I can handle dealing with the need for compression, I can handle it when he needs a break, but the hardest thing for my about SPD-- is when Shane realizes that he is not in fact, normal or typical--.

I keep trying to tell Shane (and myself)

he is normal and typical for a kid with SPD.

I guess that my biggest struggle with having a diagnosis of SPD-- is this grey area between normal and not-- Shane can often look typical-- but then when he is near a meltdown- or in need of some sensory input-- that's when he looks different. Different is the part that gives you the lump in your throat that makes it hard to swallow.~ it makes you feel like you haven't done enough parenting with skill-- or like you haven't been aware of Shane's cues for a break-- or for more or less sensory input.

I know that Shane only has SPD...

but -- sometimes I just wanna stomp my foot and say -- HE ONLY HAS SPD....

Then, I stop and breathe-- many other smart,sweet,magical kiddo's have more than just that silly acronym SPD--(they seem to be dealing with all their kids' diagnosis with skill, attention to detail and grace-- look at them-- they aren't-even breaking a sweat!)

Why can't I just manage this? Why can't I just realize this is our normal and get used to it?

Why do I, want normal so badly? Why do I feel the need to compete with what I see?

Lord, I just pray for more GRACE --

Friday fun?

It's Friday and I am not quite ready to leave to go grocery shopping-- I wanna hear Sugarland perform on GMA.
Shane just did about 5 tasks by himself so that he could earn 45minutes of video games. Jessica--- she wrote a short story--
See Kristi... our kids are alike! :)
I am also going to keep her spelling/missspellings ---

Bob the mealworm

by Jessica 3rd grade

It was a school day. My pet for science was a boring old mealworm.

His name was.Bob. I took him out of the glass vile,I was trying to write a story about an insect.I decied to write about Bob. Bob the mealworm, He read it to the class they loved it to! he wrote.on my paper A+++. and Thats why I have a lot of friends!

The End

Rain, rain and more rain... did I mention the rain?

It has been really rainy here in my neck of the woods---
and although I enjoy the rain for the green grass and lush greenery -- ahem...
I have had ENOUGH rain.... God, are you listening? Please STOP the rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jessica might get to go on a sleep-over for a few nights this weekend-:)
- Jerry is working all weekend, and Shane and I will have to find, something to do. I bet we could find a matinee movie to go see--

I also have a new sewing machine -- her name is Lily-- My Aunt Pasty who is a stellar sewer, and quilter decided to let me foster Lily. I have been reading and re-reading the manual and I think I successfully threaded the machine--. (If you want to know a bit more about Aunt Patsy-- click below this post on the words thank you Aunt Patsy and you can read a previous post about this SWEET lady!)
My only dilemma is -- how to not spend every waking moment with Lily? :)
She is a Husqvarna 540 and she does SO many things~ I can't wait to spend some quality time with her!

This morning Shane was really hungry and a bit distracted-- I think he is going through a growth spurt and because of that he forgets to talk-- he ends up like a caveman pointing and grunting-- I hope I can stock the cupboards with enough food tomorrow.(This behavior makes me nervous for when he is a teen!)
Grocery day and both the kids are out of school-- I am not going to complain that my Friday may suck.... I am going to THINK positively that Jessica and Shane will be helpful and willing to help me expedite the process of grocery shopping!

And now I need to go do some dishes and laundry... Oh, Joy?

I'm over the Moon....

C' mon... sing with with me~    to your own made up tune...

I 'm over the moon

I'm over the moon...

The flowers aren't in bloom

and I have gunk in my head...

but I'm over the moon!

LOL.... so Sorry it's Friday, (TGIF, TGIF,TGIF, C'mon chant with me...) , the sun is shining (55degrees!~ ), I GOT A BOOK in the mail (see below ), We have dinner plans with the  fun, wacky, family The DAVIS', the shower is closer to getting done(the house smells of caulk...yuck...), and I treated myself to some new mascara!

And after how the week started off -- this is a GREAT way to end it.

The book that came all the way from CANADA is  Not just spirited by Chynna Laird....

She even signed it.... yahoooooooooooooooo

(Shane made this at school-- it's his version of a corn snake... it's name is KYLE... It is REALLY cool -- the picture doesn't show the details or the texture)

{Shane was annoyed that I "made" him stop swinging to take this picture...}

I am going to read it and then share it... eventually-- (But only, if you can pry it out of my hands..)

 I might send it on to someone else via giveaway.... or maybe I'll buy a new copy and then give it away...

Maybe I need to switch to caffine free ? 

So anyway.... I just wanted to say.... I'm Over the Moon!

The Day after~

In our home we now have a
(tired Mommy, 2 energetic kids)
Jerry had to go back to work

We also have a ~

a Wii

an Easy Bake Oven

6 of the 39 clues books--

a bionicle

a camera for Jessica

and other assorted toys--

Currently the most popular is the Wii... boxing--
Yesterday -- Jessica played golf with Jerry and Shane and I think she won!
We only have one controller so everyone "gets" to wait their turn... even Mommy!
Shane gives instruction (coaching) on EVERYTHING--
Watching the kids play is fun -- they get SO wrapped up in trying to get it right.
I shudder to think what I looked like when I was boxing...

I was going to take a picture of the "pretzel" that Jessica and Jerry created in the Easy Bake Oven-- but it didn't last long enough ! It was NOT the greatest "food" but Jessica and Jerry were sure proud--

I went ahead and read the first of the 39 clues book-MAZE OF BONES - so that I could be prepared-- I was able to finish the first book-- it's really good -- I was rather impressed! I started reading it to Shane last night, and now Jessica wants me to let her catch up to us-- . I REALLY want to read ahead of the kids, but I will try to wait for them to catch up to me.

Yesterday was supposed to be our "normal" grocery day --- and we are out of laundry soap,dishwasher soap and other essentials- so we will have to go to the grocery store-
- I am SO happy we have the 39 clues books-- I bet the trip to the store will be MUCH easier!
(Thanks Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Hutch)

Last evening we went looking at Christmas Lights-- in the South Hills--(BIG houses on a BIG hill...) Jerry and I like to joke that it's nice to see how the "other half" lives...
I always wonder if the people in those BIG homes with lots of lights and lots of expensive stuff-- are they happy, do they love their...stuff--?
Jerry and I would love to upgrade our home, but not in a hilly area-- most of the homes were really beautiful and multi storied-- but rather small yards-- Jerry and I would love to have some property so that the kids could explore.

Christmas Eve was a long day, and very fun-- Shane even stayed in his outfit for a good part of the night, and then while at church- when the wax dripped on his hand -- he quickly switched hands and then when the wax dripped again he simply blew out the candle and shoved it at me-- "I'm done, Mommy -- no more candles for me... I'm done,done done..." (LOL!)
Jerry was sitting next to Mary who is dating our nephew Jeff and he accidentally dripped wax on her-- Sorry Mary! --
I kept teasing Jeff all night -- about how he needs to still love me after... he unwraps his gift-- Jerry and his brother Rick gave Jeff a shotgun that was Jeff's grandpa's
(Jerry had bought it for his Dad, and now it was passed down to Jeff,eventually it might get passed on to my kids)--
I wrapped it up to look very different than a rifle... -- Jeff was happily annoyed that I used so much wrapping paper, boxes and plastic wrap-- and then Jeff had to take all the wrapping stuff outside-- that was the ONLY down side!
My sister in law Danni was over the moon to get her new mop--:)
I was happy to get a pink Snuggie! (Danni's mom is now done with her radiation -- from her breast cancer)
Our family also got some homemade sweets that are sugar-free in this tin that is so retro cool-- Thanks to Gail and Steven! I also got this candle that smells SO good, (fresh pine wreath) it has been burning off and on since we brought it home!

Tp,perfection, and weekends without Daddy

Patty, I confess I did tp a bit at your place, but to my minimal defense, I was not alone, and we did not use even a whole roll !

Shane and Jessica recently had a "playdate"-- S and E came over to play for a while, their
Mom had to go to an orientation for her new job!

Yesterday I had to take the kids to the grocery store, and Shane was not behaving as I wanted him to ... I was angry with him, I couldn't figure out why he couldn't stay focused--- Then we we got to the car this song was on the radio-- the kids know I LOVE this song so they asked me to turn it up-- while singing to the song in the car-- I realized that PERFECTION really is my enemy!

Album: My Paper Heart

Artist: Francesca Battistelli

At twenty years of age

I'm still looking for a dream

A war's already waged for my destiny

But You've already won the battle

And You've got great plans for me

Though I can’t always see

(Chorus)

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender

Got a couple rips in my jeans

Try to fit the pieces together

But perfection is my enemy

On my own I'm so clumsy

But on Your shoulders I can see

I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl

I thought I had it figured out

My life would turn out right,

and I'd make it here somehow

But things don't always come that easy

And sometimes I would doubt

(Chorus)

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe

that I can do anything

Yet other times I think

I've got nothing good to bring

But You look at my heart

and You tell me

That I've got all You seek

And it’s easy to believe

Even though

(Chorus)

this weekend without Daddy -

- who is busy getting snowed on while,

looking for deer with horns... :)

[they (the hunters) have only seen deer without horns...]

I hope the snow will help them find what they want!

Only Five days of school so far

Last evening, Shane,Jessica and I went to church to see Jeff baptized ~ Jeff is my 16 year old nephew-- he recently passed his driving test without ANY mistakes... he is dating a very sweet and quiet, young, lovely lady-- and he is an all around great kid. It was so nice that he called to invite us, however, we couldn't stay for the whole church service - it was going to run too late. On the way home both of the kids fell asleep in the truck--
I even went to sleep at ....8:30pm! I haven't been that early to bed in a LONG time...

Normally, when we go to church, I drop the kids off in their classrooms, and then I go to the sanctuary-- but because we were there to see Jeff baptized -- and then leave, I figured it was smarter? to have the kids with me--On Wednesday nights there aren't very many people and so I didn't think that it would be a huge deal if the kids were in with the adults.
When the kids knew the songs we were singing-- they stood and sang...(yelled) the words-- Danni-- my sister in law and I, sat with the kids between us-- and neither of us wanted to admonish the kids for yelling, but we did make eye contact and roll our eyes.. at least the kids were enthusiastic! (Danni was so helpful she went and got them two, "keep them busy bags..." and that seemed to calm the kids down a bit)
After Jeff was done getting dunked... :) I packed the kids up and left-- I felt like I had just given blood and I needed to sit and drink some orange juice.

Then this morning Shane was trying everything he could to stay home,

• I 'm bored,
• School just isn't for me,
• Mommy, I want to stay home and hug you all day,
• Mommy, you can teach me at home...
• I don't feel good, I have bumps in my nose...(that must of been why he has been constantly picking his nose... ewwwwwww gross!)
• Mommy, I think I have the swine flu
• Mommy, my neck feels weird, and my stomach just isn't normal.
• Mommy, I want to play that game with Daddy.
  All this week it has been hard for me to be at home alone while the kids are at school--

I have a ton of things to do... but I worry that if I start a project-- the phone will ring and I will have to go to school to pick up Shane... who has melted down.

I know that this is just "a mommy worry..." and yet I still can't figure another thing to think about.... It is SO hard to try to change the tape that is in your child's head... if the tape in your head is echoing the child's. (Does that make ANY sense?)

So, I did manage to get the kids to school and by then Shane was somewhat willing. I took the time to talk with his teacher, the principal and the special ED teacher -- so that they would be aware that Mr.Smarty pants...Shane... was doing a great job of manipulating his mommy's emotions!

Back when I was "young"...(in my twenty's) I thought that having kids was -- to have cute kids that looked like you -- and to maybe parent, how you would of wished you were parented.
I NEVER thought....that I might have to spend my "spare" time researching how best to convince my kids that I they have to go to school, because their Mom is scared... that she can't home school them.
Now... I have dear friends who home school and I am very proud of them :)
... but I really feel -- that Shane and Jessica will do better if they are at school -
I need some alone time !
Gosh, this parenting stuff... never gets easier does it?
Both Shane and Jessica have really great teachers, so the home school question -- really isn't a question- except that Shane is good at finding Mommy's weak spots...

It was helpful to talk with all the people involved with Shane today-- they all were SUPER supportive of me, and each gave me a bit of advice--- I never would of thought that teaching would involve a counseling degree! LOL I was reminded that Shane might very well be tired, after all he is spending more time in school,(during the school day) this year than he did last year.. His teacher also talked about how quickly he finishes tasks-he seems to be reading ahead of most of the other kids, he is also ahead in math skills. It will take some planning to keep him focused, but still keep in an appropriate peer group.

To-morrow is grocery day, Jerry is home, and Jessica and I are going to gather the light weight stuff that we "need" to go hiking with Aunt Danni...
I am nervous,scared...worried and a bit freaked out-- I know that Danni will not lead me into the Valley of the Shadow of Death... but since she is in SUPERB shape, and I ...am not, I am a bit concerned that I ... may not meet expectations! (It's sad when the mom, is not able to perform like she expects her kids to)

I guess this week is about Wake up calls? ... a wake up call for me to get healthy, and a wake up call for me to find ...an identity that is productive, for being at home and is not ALWAYS associated with my kids?

nightmares,fences,prayers and new shoes

I don't normally dream, and then remember them--- but
I had a dream last night... no --it was a nightmare...
I dreamed that one of my family, who NEVER emails me--sent me an email that said "I saw my grandson Bob at prison and guess who was right next to him? Your bratty son Shane!"

Okay... there are alot of things wrong with this dream/nightmare...

1. The family member who supposedly sent the email, doesn't do email.(ever)
2. That person does not have a grandson named Bob
3. My son is not bratty
4. I would know ...ya think... if my son was in prison?

Now... how do I get this out of my head?????

I know I'll have another cup of coffee!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is a mom, I know-- who has 3 kids, under 4 years old-- and now has a husband who is dealing with depression and a failed suicide attempt... she is a young mom and I don't know how to help her-- I know that she is brokenhearted, in so many ways. -- they are broke and unemployed, the husband will most likely be in the hospital for a while-- How to help? I want to be supportive. Later today we will celebrate her middle child's' 2nd birthday-- I hope the emotions don't overwhelm the day.

I sit her re-reading what I wrote...

and the answer hits me in the head...SWAK.,.. prayer! DUH!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our neighbors' put up a new fence yesterday, in the drizzle... And as I look at it this morning, I notice that it has a few posts that are crooked... Normally that might bug me some... but then the fence should of been ours to repair,(cause it's on our side). But... we didn't see the need, nor have the money-- The neighbors' decided that they wanted to take on the cost and the labor...They are a retired couple and their yard is the nicest in the neighborhood-- Jerry was home and did help a small amount-- but I really don't think they wanted help. In this economy we are spending our money on food,transportation, and the kids.-- Replacing a fence is too far down the list---I feel bad that the neighbors took on the cost and the labor-- but that was their choice. Now, if I could get over feeling guilty that we didn't help much.

Shane got a postcard in the mail from his new teacher, with a nice note and even a picture of her! Shane was impressed-- and so later today we are going to create a postcard for the teacher... Shane can give it to her, when we see her on Tuesday for our meeting. I created a calendar for Shane so that he could mark off the days until he gets to go to school-- now Jessica is asking for her own calendar also! Maybe~ I'll just buy one at the dollar store ?

Shane needed new shoes and so on Friday, all four of us...invaded the local Payless Shoe Source-- we happened to be in two cars and so Jessica and I were there first... the gentlemen who was working there was trying to be helpful-- asking to measure feet--

Miss Jessica, who knows... EVERYthing, started to tell our life story-- I stopped her and said that we were doing a bit of pre-shopping until the other half got there. I looked out in the parking lot to see Jerry hugging and talking with Shane-- apparently Shane no longer wanted new shoes. I wish that we could purchase things Shane needs without having such a "messy" visit to a store. I believe that Shane was just reacting to change, and probably trying to maniuplate the situation, but just being a part of it-- was hard. As he gets older will these types of trips become easier? I did pre-talk the trip and still Shane melted down--- he wasn't on the floor crying or anything, but Jerry and I had to focus all our energies on Shane-- so that he could pick which shoes he wanted. (I know that if he doesn't get to pick, the meltdown will last longer)

I feel like we got parented... geez!

Any ideas ? suggestions? comments?

Busy Week starts now...

Lots of things happening this week...
Monday, Jessica and I go to PDX for the check up with the kidney Dr...
Tuesday, the kids and I might catch a free movie, I need to work on the Pj's, and get our camping clothes washed.I also want to pre-cook our meat that we are taking so that I don't have to worry about raw meat in the cooler.
Wednesday, We have to take Marina, the beta fish to our professional fish sitters,(Thank you to the professionals at the Strauss house!)
& Jessica has an orthodontist appointment. I think this is the day I will grocery shop for camping... I should start a list right now.... marshmellows,hot chocolate,licorice, chips,dip,and what to bring for the pot luck meal???? hummm....
Thursday, Jerry comes home in the am, after working 12hours sleeps till noon and then we pack up and go camping for 4 days...

So much to do so little time...
My big Brother, Peter, his wife Sara and their son Miles can't come camping like they had planned.... and so I am VERY SAD... I wanna hug and love on my nephew... before Christmas!
I wanna sit and drink some wine with Sara,(and whine a bit...)
I want to convince my big Brother Peter to help my son make some paper airplanes.
I want to shot my brother with a Super Soaker water gun.
Too bad they don't live closer or I would beg, and suggest a road trip to see them!

Ah, Joy!

So, yesterday I had many choices of things to do
~go to the school with the kids for a carnival.. and possibly run into teacher, or possibly get roped into working... spend money that I didn't have- for things to eat that I/we shouldn't
~go with the Ladies from church and attempt bowling... (Jerry was late getting home, so this wasn't available after all...) This was $10.00 that I didn't have until Friday...
~go to karaoke and watch other people make complete fools of themselves.... (most of the singers weren't bad-- but the "people" playing pool... they were the REAL entertainment...
I wish I would of taken a picture-- but that might of started a bar fight.... yeah...not my style!

Last night when I tucked Shane in, he requested that he get to sleep in, he asked that I keep it dark in the morning and not "bother" him.... imagine my "surprise" when I hear him in the living room at 7:20am singing the ABC's and reading a book out loud! Normally if we were going to school the kids have to be up at 7am.... So, is 20 minutes really "sleeping in?"
Now the kids are happily playing Star Trek in Shane's room with Jessica, they have most of the kitchen chairs, blankets and flashlights--- Jessica has new colors on her braces -- hot pink and glow in the dark... I think the kids were going to "activate" Jessica's teeth-- and see what happened!

Today is grocery day and it seems like it might be ...fun and interactive... Ah, Joy!

Spam,Idol and field trips

Okay... here's the deal-- earlier this week I got a comment that I believed to be spam--- so after discussing the issue with a fellow blogger, and then trying to delete it and not being successful--

I decided to just monitor all comments---

and since I have such a huge...

and diverse readership...

(you have a title...honored readers-- that's YOU!)

you leave me a comment,

and it's not long as it's not spam...

I'll let it get published... !

I do love you non-spam commenter's !

and now ~ American Idol~
My favorites are...Lil' Rounds,Scott, and Felicia but I also liked Kendall and Ju'not--
and the people who got picked by.... the voting public are Lil' Rounds,Scott and Jorge.
Next week we the viewing masses... will once again have to suffer by seeing and hearing Tatiana... AGH! but we also get to hear from, Von Smith,Jasmine Murray,Ricky Brady,Megan, Matt G.,Jesse and An youp -- I think I spelled some names wrong sorry...

Tomorrow I will be "available" to take over for Shane's coach--- while at the Science Factory field trip, I have a feeling that this will be a huge blog topic tomorrow. I had to call and ask --- to come on the field trip-- that conversation was frustrating for me on so many levels--
I wish I knew what would help me (besides a sludge hammer) when I talk with the teacher, I always want to throw the phone at a wall when I get done "talking" with her. Planning ahead of time is not something that she enjoys, and so she just doesn't--- yahoo for her... sucks for me and Shane...
I talked with the staff person S. and she suggested a picture schedule of the different things that will be happening, and since my printer is working....(thanks to Patty!) I was able to create an un-professional picture schedule of Shane's day.We have gone over it a few times and Shane seems to be very excited to go on this field trip--- I hope that I can stay focused on Shane and his behaviors'... I do hope and pray that I can stay positive!
Friday the kid are both home from school and it's grocery day... (cue the mantra, this will be fun,this will be fun...) Saturday, we have to celebrate from afar--- my nephews' first birthday--I pray that his ear infection goes away soon, and that he isn't sick on his important day!
We have to change our clocks.. oh, joy!(I don't know about you but I delegate this task to my husband who likes numbers and buttons-- me--- not so much!)
Sunday we have a birthday party and church. Maybe, just to make the days go smoother we will attend Saturday evening church instead of Sunday late service. And since the 100 days of school is coming up, Shane has to find 100 things that will fit in a ziplock bag...--
(wouldn't 100 worms be funny????)
Well, anyway--- that's what is up with us... what about you?

keeping the Forrest in my mind

This is a picture that came with my new camera's software~ I have to say that I wish I could walk along this path-- I wish that I could feel the lush greenery and the natural quiet of the out-of-doors. It looks like a safe and calm path--
I can just imagine spending some time with the kids and Jerry walking the path and then finding a warm cosy place to sit for a spell and drink some hot chocolate, and eat a scone or biscotti!

Instead... the kids and I are going to go grocery shopping-(Ah, the Joy's?)- today is a normal school day for them -- but I decided to keep them home, we got in late last night from Roseburg, and Shane was complaining about his tummy-- then I realized that breakfast would have to wait until I went to the store for milk! Maybe, not the best Mommy choice, but one I decided to make.

I spoke a bunch of times yesterday with S. the staff person who is teaching Shane, First Steps-- this lady is amazing, she is a mom herself and I really think that she sees my point of view as valid! She found out how Shane had "earned" the [plastic snake] -- and she asked that there would be ...NO MORE tangible rewards until after the training was done-- so that the tangibles did not become a distraction! She also found out why I had not gotten the red/green card home and she is solving that issue.

Although I know that there is stuff to do, and there will be a lot of emotions this weekend-- I am going to try and keep the picture of the Forrest in my head and keep my thoughts positive.

A long time ago,ahem... when I was a teen, I was a Rainbow Girl, and also for a time I was a Job's Daughter-- these are both great teen focused service organizations that are associated with Eastern Star and the Masons'. One of the offices I held was that of a bow station called Nature, I remember how hard I had to work to memorize the initiation speech for that station--- I still remember some of it---
"because it is there, in the still and quiet spaces, that you will commune with God, get his lessons there and let them be impressed on your young life."

Isn't it amazing the things that you retain ?

People and Flexiblity

Quite a few months ago, we were having issues with our bank-- even when there was money in our account we were getting bounced check charges-- once our payroll check that was direct deposit was put into someone-else's account-- (who happened to bank at our bank and work with my husband~) So, I was trying to convince my husband to switch to my Credit Union for all our banking--
We had a check that my husband deposited in person on a Friday, and then had withdrawn money--
My husband and I assumed... that the money from that check was available for use-- and so we went on our day as usual! (It happened to be payday)
I went grocery shopping and found out that the money was not available via check card---
So, ~ The checker was really sweet and said, just write me a check-- She told me that she had been through this exact thing recently and that she understood!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Just yesterday,I went to the grocery store-- to buy some food--
and in my hurry to get gas,go home and pee-
(why is it that I always have to go pee and get gas all in a big hurry?---
Why didn't I plan ahead and pee before shopping?-- I didn't have the kids -- so the trip to the bathroom would of been quick- and quiet ~[I think] no comments from my kids AKA the peanut factory! )
I left a bag of groceries behind-- the sweet checker, from the story above,
was the same one who helped me once again!
She was so helpful and sweet--- I have to say is was awesome
to deal with someone who was NICE !
It seems to me that people are all about the : get it done now, hurry up,don't get in my way--
Geez, what happened to waiting your turn and being willing to let others' go before you?
What happened to people being flexible?
Okay... thanks for letting me Rant~ that felt great!
Now , back to my favorite topic... the kids!
For about the last two weeks the kids have been -- well-- shall we say difficult? They were arguing about little things that normally they would do without question-- I had not figured out what was wrong, I was just praying that something would change-- (I thought that they were going through a growth spurt and so they... and I were suffering with "growing pains")
And it did!
The kids were with Grandma and Grandpa
for the weekend and although that is a post (rant) all by itself...
The kids came back on Sunday and WOW!
They were sweet,well behaved, loving and just everything you would wish for as a parent!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On Monday, Shane and I went to Therapy Solutions for Kids--
to see how Shane is or isn't having issues with Sensory things--
pardon, me -- but I must brag-- My Son Shane was SO well behaved during the visit,
which was a hour long--( I bet my mouth was on the floor! --)
He listened, he offered appropriate information, he followed instructions and
there were NO Tears, NO Whining, and NO complaining !
When asked to put his shoes and socks on he complied, WITHOUT complaint!
WOW!
Shane is currently going to "summer school"~
Since it is summer the class is small-- but high energy-- there are I think 6 boys to 3 female teachers.
The lead teacher, Laura-- who has been his teacher since he started this program -- spends a part of each day talking with me about how Shane is/was -- and I keep her updated on how his day is/was.
It works well, for us to connect about Shane -- she often sees him do or say things that I don't get to hear. Yesterday, she told me "I asked Shane what he wanted to be when he grows up, "
he said "I want to be normal -- when I get big"
I was so sad to hear that,
it was like my son had a boo-boo that I couldn't fix, no band-aid would help~
Ah, the sorrow~
I plan to pray for some Joy~

Grocery Day

When I go out with my son on grocery day...

I get looks and frowns~

Being at the grocery store and staying close is tough for Shane, he doesn't enjoy being confined to the cart, and out of the cart isn't very pretty either!
Today while we were out, I made sure to feed Shane BEFORE we went thru the store and to do my best to keep him engaged all thru the store,while trying to remember to get all the things on my list, for the cheapest price possible!
I just checked and I did forget a few things~~~
BUT...
We got a compliment today! ---A very sweet older lady came over and shared that her husband and her had 3 boys, and that seeing Shane and I reminded her of those boys and how she was happy to only have had boys!-- Imagine that? LOL!
I commented that I have a daughter also, and she just looked at me and smiled~
What JOY! ---- Shane was even trying to imitate the mom and teacher on Charlie Brown, while we were bagging the groceries!

And now I am off to re-make my grocery list!

Why is it Raining ? Meet the Robinsons' !

While out driving today, the kids and I got stuck in the car while the rain came down.--
The rain came down with such force, the kids were afraid it was going to come thru the roof.

Jessica popped up and said, "Well, maybe God is mad and that is why he is throwing the rain at us?"

Shane said, "God, just isn't having a good day!, I bet he's grumpy, he needs a nap!

Grocery day is always a challenge for me, because Shane doesn't do well in stores, he likes to be constantly moving, and he doesn't understand/or follow boundaries. I try to keep positive when we are out, but after a while I just want to duct tape him to the cart and get thru the store...!!!!!


However, today while I was at Winco,--- I got a complement! --- Shane had been in the grocery cart, since he hadn't been following directions~~ and he squished my bread--(I know that doesn't sound like a big thing, but I was angry and frustrated...I had asked him to be careful of the groceries, already... and he STILL squished the bread!)


So, I took him out of the cart and explained why I was mad, and what he did, then I asked for an apology, he did and we just ...kept moving...un-loading the groceries on the convayerbelt.(I know I spelled this word wrong, but spell check, isn't even helping!!!!AGH!) The clerk heard my comments to Shane, and said..."Thank You, for talking with your son instead of yelling at him, and helping him to see what he did wrong !"


I mentioned that he has special needs, so I tend to give him more directions ~
then I might if --- he wasn't~ Shane has a short attention span, often I find my self repeating a lot of requests. While at one of the stores, Shane explained that his ears were full of things... and that is why he wasn't listening! So, I guess I need to check his ears for things more often????


On another...more happy note... my favorite movie is soon to be out on DVD...

Meet the Robinson's

Synopsis:Meet the Robinsons
Lewis is an orphan who dreams of finding a family. His journey takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger named Wilbur Robinson whisks him away to a world where anything is possible…THE FUTURE. There, he meets an incredible assortment of characters and a family beyond his wildest imagination, The Robinsons, who help lead him on an amazing and hilarious adventure with heartfelt results. Based upon the book ‘A Day with Wilbur Robinson’ by William Joyce.

I can't wait.... I think that my husband might even buy it for me as a late birthday gift...
I'll have to RE-MIND him that it's in stores October 23rd! YAY!!!!!