The out-of-doors Harris style...

Normally when the Jerry goes out...with the kids I stay home and clean house or go to the library-- this weekend I went out with Jerry and the kids to enjoy the weather....



Shane was grumpy and whining, up until this moment when he got to pee-- all over the flowers!
(He kept saying I 've got to put the fire out.. I hope I have more pee later to put out more "fire")
We left before he had to pee again...!
I cartooned me... maybe not the best picture I have ever taken...but I love the background!

Look at my hubby.... he is kinda cute... since I took the picture and cartooned it, don't cha think?

This is when Jerry was trying to show Shane and Jessica all the different fish swimming, the kids couldn't see much since they didn't have sunglasses on!

It was a warm day and fun ... in the end was had by all!

~tomorrow I have a meeting at the school to talk about the field Zoo trip and hugging... I want to demand that we (Shane and I ) can go on the field trip--

and if not I will pull Shane out of school..

but, today at church our pastor suggested that we give whatever angst

we are dealing with up to the LORD and let HIS WILL be done...

so I plan on praying hard about this issue-- Will you join me?

Thanks!

Mushy brains?

Yup, I think my brains have turned to mush~
Between the Classic Oregon Spring Weather-- sun,rain,clouds,cold,wind,sun,rain--- etc.
And things that are beyond my control -- I find myself happy and yet still frustrated with Life.
*my daughter (7 years old) finally figured out how to run her own bath-- (I found out why she wouldn't-- the water was too loud for her! -- I told her she could be in charge of how fast and loud the water was--- and that seemed to completely solve the issue! Yahoo...)
*My dear husband is gone fishin' --- he is searching for the elusive sturgeon that is just the right size. (I don't mind the fishing, but does he have to be gone the WHOLE day?? and when do I get a day without the kids?)
*A person from my past is back -- and although I want to be supportive and helpful-- her life is such a train wreck.-- She asked me to write a letter -- praising her parenting skills-- I can't do that and feel like I didn't lie-- and yet I don't have the guts to tell her that. (This is a friendship that might need to become an acquaintanceship..)
*The school wants to have yet another meeting about getting Shane more help-- via an IEP--- but there was mention of Autism, and/or emotionally disturbed child.
(In my opinion-- neither of these..."labels" fit Shane) [I DO HATE LABELS....]
It's nice that the school is finally aware that Shane needs some "more" support-- but they only see him at school -- in a classroom that is disorganized and noisy-- not in an space where he seems to do fine. [home and church]
And yet though all of Shane's behaviors' he is at the top of his class academically!
* I want to do some major cleaning in the house, but -- I need to get a sitter for the kids so that I can really focus and get things done! Getting a sitter that can manage Shane, will be a challenge.
* My cousin, Elizabeth is super cool -- and she and I are bartering-- I need a Pampered Chef can opener and she needs some Pj's for her son --so we will swap one for another---
ah, The Joy of getting what I want!
I was happy that Megan Joy is gone from American Idol-- her attitude just got on my nerves,plus I think that she really needs to be with her child.(This is not criticism -- just my opinion)
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and I have many who I will be praying for,Bethany, Christopher and his mother-- and some in my family.
Ah, well I must run and get Shane from school---
edited to add .... Now I hear from the teacher that the date for the meeting will be changing-- too bad they can't bother to keep me in the loop!
Tomorrow, I also have an appointment with the Developmental Pediatrician -- I am going to bring the Direction Services person with me so that I can have another set of ears.-- The last time I spoke about what the Developmental Pediatrician had to say-- during a meeting-- it wasn't received with much respect. (At least that is my view...)
And we also planned a meeting with Shane and the Developmental Pediatrician so that she can see how Shane is now...
Oh, Lord, I need some positive imput...

Details = Get 'er done?

This meeting was informative --- and detailed !
We all worked with the Shane's schedule to tweak it so it will work effectively for Shane and also the classroom.

• take tangible rewards away and instead use positive specific praise--- I totally agree with this --- I was really getting overwhelmed with the "stuff " that Shane wanted to "get" ---
• My goal is to have Shane understand that his behavior affects-other's and his job is to be appropriate and thus-- he would get positive feedback.!!!!!!
• They are going to try to make the time in the sensory area a regular thing
• At the very end of the meeting we talked about time-outs-It was suggested that two things at home (battleship game and music) (I do agree with this) would be taken away if he hits while at school,and then has to come home.
• As a part of the red card Shane would be reminded that if he continues to make a bad choice, then there are consequences.
• I really think that Shane will gain more, by pre-talking about appropriate behavior -- as opposed to adding another consequence at home for a behavior that is mainly happening at school. (The school counsler wanted me to impose another task at home--for Shane not completing a time out)

I am struggling with how to communicate effectively with the teacher ~often when we talk she wants to be super detailed about what he did to who and when---which I perceive as negative input and she always wants to talk about he did it for no reason.... AGH!...

It feels like she wants to blame me for all of Shane's bad behavior and she wants to take credit for all his good. Geez... I don't need or want to argue and have a power struggle with the teacher, my one and only goal is to get Shane back on track to succesfull appropriate behavior. Preferably with no hitting or hurting and with much more positive interactions.

I know that Shane is not behaving,and in fact he is at times combative and violent, but I also know that this is mainly happening at school, not very much at home--

I cannot control his behavior at school. I can and I will continue to talk about what is appropriate, but only Shane is in control of his body.

How I wish this First Steps would of started at the beginning of school, so that we wouldn't be where we are now... (At the beginning of school I wrote up a letter that had alot of how best to deal with Shane ideas, and most of them are very close to what First Steps looks like--- bummer it took 6 months and all this staff and resources to get 'er done!)

I hate to worry about the future, but I am nervous that the teacher may not be as clear with her directions with Shane and that will cause a decrease in his good behaviors.

Some of the phrases at home that seem to be working are: Show me calm and still, show me listening--- Shane you have two ears and one mouth--- he needs to use his ears more, and then use appropriate words when he is frustrated and upset.

Thanks for listening to be whine and complain!

I know that Shane is a good sweet kid underneath all the stuff..!

I also found out that the kids don't have school tomorrow and they are also off on Monday---

AAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKK --- I will have to make up some stuff to do...

humm...

time to find the homeschool stuff, maybe I'll make a game out of picking up their rooms...

Or maybe, I just take them outside and chase them around the trees!

Shane has been so very sweet while at home today, he even shared two cookies with me!

He seems to be sweeter and more willing to ask for help, he also seems to be listening more, I think it might be the medication? ah, well whatever it is I plan on keeping this new sweeter boy on that same path!

And so another week begins

Positive things first--
We "stripped" the Christmas tree and removed it to outside--(where the kids used it for some imaginary time --)
We removed a bunch of old pots and pans that were hand me downs -- and really not fit for much except boiling water!
We FINALLY removed the changing table that we had used for both the kids--- I had been using it in the kitchen to use as a staging area for sewing and crafts--{I don't happen to have a craft room and the kitchen table doesn't work well for me} The changing table was tall enough that I didn't get a kink in my neck or back-- but it was time to pass it along to someone else! I think that my hubby might be willing to create a work area (bench/table) with some of the features , that I liked from the changing table.
okay now the other stuff--
I found out that this computer just isn't enough for my new camera--(I only have Windows 98 and dial-up) so I have to find another way to get my pictures and video from my new Kodak Easy Share camera to my computer..
-- any ideas?
I know I can take my memory card to Walmart and pick the pictures I was developed- but what about the video?-- can the video and pictures all go on a CD? I need to look into this.
I missed Shane's therapy appointment today, because I ... simply forgot! --- Shane has been a pill recently and so I made him spend some time outside, hopefully getting rid of the bad attitude.
Jerry does have extra days off-- but he will work tonight for someone who happens to be sick.
On Saturday, we went to visit my Aunt Sue,my Parents, and Grandparents ~I was going to share a video I made of Jessica giving my Dad a pedicure... but since it's on the new camera that will have to wait. It was wonderful to see my Aunt -- she is so different than my Dad in her outlook on life, she is flexible and non-judgemental-- even though Shane was being a pill -- she didn't comment in a negative way-- or even seem uncomfortable.
Ah, the Joy!
Because removing the pots and pans,the changing table, and the Christmas Tree took so much of the day we missed church-- and I didn't get to the library--
So, I am planning some serious prayer time -- maybe I wasn't asking for the right thing, I plan to broaden my requests to see if I can get some help!

What I did instead-

McCall's 4643
I spent the day sewing this Pj top for my nephew--And even though I used more than one color blue thread-- I still think it turned out...okay-- not nearly as perfect as I had hoped--But still!
I also have to make the Pj bottoms'-- but I think those will go super fast.(I hope)
However I tried it on my son Shane...just to see what it would look like--
and I am worried that it will be too big for Miles!
The middle picture shows the neckline and Velcro that create the closure of the top. I was also pleased with how easy this neckline was--. I thought that Velcro in the neckline was a great way-- for my nephew to get in and out of this top.(He is only 8 months old,but he is wearing 18month-24month clothes he also is very long!)
I might of ~ gone a little overboard with the speciality stitching on the Pj' top-- it's all around the neckline,at the top of the sleeves,the bottom of the sleeves, and the bottom of the PJ top!...
(Miles has beautiful blue eyes, and blondish hair -
-so I though this fabric would bring out the blue in his eyes!)
I still have a second fabric that I will make another set of Pj's out of -- but I am going to send this down to Ca. and see if it fits--- That way I can adjust the pattern for the next set.

I was supposed to be washing dishes,baking cookies,doing laundry,
writing up the complaints I have about Shane's teacher, and also the suggestions for classroom strategies, we have finally come to the conclusion-- that We need to get a different teacher.

Odds and Ends

Shane is home with me today-- he had a tough day at school-- or so the teacher says--
So, I guess I am taking the easy way out and letting him stay home today,I do however have some school things planned for him to do--

I need to get my prayers updated and over sized for Shane---
That will be my work for today, and the laundry,dishes and cleaning!
Ah, the Joy's of parenting!

My sister-in-law Sara,who lives in California, has created a blog for her son Miles-- Miles Roderick .
Miles is a very funny,smart and handsome child-
- I love it when his mom,Sara creates video's and pictures to share !

Monday,just monday!

Manic Monday....Mommy
More Messes...Mommy
Mainly Mommy...Mommy--
can you hear me? Mommy?
There is a blog that has been down during the summer that is now back up and going--
This morning there is a post with a possibility of winning stuff...
here's the link go check it out~
Rock's in My Dryer

I'm not real excited,
but soon I will be 30 plus 8
-- the kids will be back to school and oh, oh, what will I do?

This will be the first time that both the kids are in school at the same time---
I am dreaming of many things...
I only...
hope and pray
that one or more
of my dreams come
true!
*starting a swim class to loose some weight
*organize the house
* keep it to a higher standard of clean
*sew and craft more--- maybe even make some $$?
*help in each of the kids' classrooms~

I will only be "alone" with the voices in my head for about 4 hours-
- I wonder just how many conversations I can finish?

Busy week plus--pneumonia-- Looking for Joy!

My dear husband has been sick lately,
The other night I thought one of the kids was crying, when it was only Jerry wheezing...
So, I begged and complained, -- I even cajoled him-- Finally --he went to the Dr.
[I told him he had pneumonia,cause I am Mom... and I happen to know ALL--cough,cough ]--- and the Dr. was even nice enough to confirm my diagnosis!
Although, he is now home from work for a WHOLE WEEK! I love my dear hubby I do, but with him home, the kids home, --- I will have my hands full of stuff!
Oh, and Shane is all done with EEP, which makes me sad and emotional-- I will sincerely miss Laura,Ivy, Jenny and their willingness to treat me and mine with love and care!
This week we have therapy,I might have to go to court,plans to create the 504 plan for Shane,Jessica has two dentist appointments, one a regular check-up and then also a consultation about braces-
Oh and then on Friday we go camping with my Mom's side of the family and I finally get to meet my nephew, Miles!
busy ...Busy---

Woe, is me... ?

It's that time again, my dear husband has gone off into the "great wilderness"--

For what you ask?...

ummmm... I think it's a deer this time ?
Although, I am not that "into" the hunting thing...
{My sister-in-law goes hunting with the guys and she enjoys it, ~ I -- don't!!!}
I am happy to have the freezer full of meat, but past that --
Let's just say that I have other things I spend my time on!

Even when I was a child, hunting time always meant
an extra time to spring clean again, or remove things
that don't fit and pass them along ~
I remember more than once my Mom,
getting my Dad off to go hunting and
then taking everything out of the kitchen
and painting it, or even moving all the furniture and shampooing the rugs.

I can't say that I have ever...."enjoyed" housework,
but those times when my Dad was gone hunting for the ever elusive deer,elk,bear etc...
Seemed to be great fun for me, we got to eat fast-food, we got to sleep on the floor,or once or twice we got to sleep with Mom !

For my mom and I it wasn't a good hunting trip if Dad brought home an "animal",
but it was good for us...if we got things packed up and given away !

I look back now ~ it was our way of giving back,
I guess you could call it the Ying and Yang of the redneck family! ...LOL!