Our Halloween..

Jerry said he was a Ninja pumpkin...Shane was Batman, and Jessica was little RED riding hood.

Our Halloween was WAY better than I expected, we had LOVELY weather, no real rain and only a bit of sprinkles...

The kids completely filled their buckets, both of the kids even got a coupon for one free no-homework day! (We happened to trick or treat at the school secretary's house!)
The kids got a few small toys and some bookmarks, they were more excited to read the bookmarks and check out the toys-- than really look at the candy.
 Shane did have a small issue... he kept breaking the candy bars--- finally we got him to explain why-- "On the commerical for the (Jessica says kitty Kat's) no, it was the KIT KAT, they break the candy bar"   It took about 10 minutes to explain that you only break the KIT KAT right before you eat them-- This child of mine is all about the details.

Monday morning came way too quickly-- We got the kids to school and then went to an appointment for Jerry and then WALMART-- where we saw a woman with a skirt on... the slit was so high I could see her naked, pantyhosed butt! Jerry almost took her picture with his phone, but he was afraid that she might turn around and smack him into next week.  She wasn't small, or pretty so I was a bit worried about Jerry's well-being also.

Then on the way home we got a call from the school, Shane had puked. He's home now, and fine -- he just needed to get whatever it was out of his system.  Tomorrow he will have to miss out on the field trip- :(
- but Jerry needs to go and help chaperon..
Shane keeps talking about how his ...AP is done... (Auto Puking).

 I guess I will be home with Shane tomorrow... at least he's not grumpy or whiny...

sick child= mommy with little sleep

I spent most of the night and most of the morning with Shane -- he was puking... and he had a fever and the chills... so  even though I wanted to post some interesting stuff... I am out of energy and motivation--

I'll catch ya' all on the flip side !  

A craft I have been making... with buttons... you put these things in your hair as pony tail holders....

cheap and fun to make..

Shane made a creation  with pipcleaners and a old toy...

It was a LONG week,and now we are home!

Jerry looks like he's dancin' but I think he was just trying to put on his shoes!

Grandma Jeanne got some playtime in with Shane... awwwww

Looks like some late night planning to me?  This is Little Tony, his mom and I are cousins-- Tony is a year younger than Shane but to see the two of them interact you wouldn't really realize that they are a year apart.  Tony is a large, healthy kiddo-- ! Shane had been a bit obnoxious around the campfire and so he was taking a short break with the heavy blanket and abook in the tent, Tony came in to comenserate?  

We are back! Sunburned, with colds, and sand...sand everywhere...a few bug bites,too many marshmellows and  at this moment I can't find my keys! ackkkkkk 

We all had a great time, the meltdowns were not to overwhelming-- and the kids seemed to really have FUN.    
(this is just some of the family... there were about 16 people missing this year)

Pretty sunset !






Speaking of marshmellows...I found my keys under them! yahoooo!

Our Tuesday

It wasn't terrible, it wasn't terrific, he certainly wasn't timid, and no his behavior wasn't teeny.
But in the end he had the staff chuckling to themselves -- and maybe even smiling a bit.
Yesterday, I kept both of the kids home-- I couldn't figure out if they had colds or allergies-- It might not of been the best choice, but I wasn't sure that the kids weren't going to get worse. As it turns out I think Jessica has a head cold-- and Shane has allergies.
So, today they went back to school medicated--
Jessica had a great day-- she even received the beep-beep award so she came home with a wig-- (that makes me cringe and think of the octo-mom ...ewww)
And also here is a picture of me with my "new" red hair -- I wanted the sunlight on my hair to show the color, but it ended up making me wear my sunglasses and almost squint.

So, back to Shane-- and his "Day" he did fine in the early morning and then-- he got mad about something, or his allergies were causing him to have BAD behavior.-- Whatever the reason he ended up having a chair over his head, and then also kicking a teacher-- as the staff and I were talking about this at the end of the day-- none of us felt that his behavior was about hurting or threatening-- he seemed to want one on one attention and that was not a part of the schedule at that time.
Shane ended up in the SPED classroom, with no responsibilities other than sitting and being respectful. His SPED teacher was very clear with her expectations for Shane-- she didn't react to him when he was walking around and waving his arms saying
"What, now you aren't going to talk to me ever?"
"I'm talking to you and you aren't showing me that you are listening!"
then-- he looked directly at this AWESOME teacher and said
" Well, fine then I am going to stomp and march right 'outta this class" ~
he stomped to the door the whole time {staring his teacher down...} waiting for a response from the teacher.
His SPED teacher knew that he wanted adult one on one attention and so she was working very hard at NOT giving Shane what he wanted.

Honestly, I am SO very proud that his SPED teacher really understands Shane-- she was able to show him that his behavior was not desired, and her other students were VERY good at actively ignoring Shane. At one point his SPED left the room, after all of Shane's dramatics-- she needed to re-compose herself!

I think I really need to find an acting job for my son...
I also need to find a nice thank you gift for his SPED-- she really went the EXTRA mile with Shane today--

It was nice to know that the staff did get some laughs from seeing Shane in all his ..."glory?" Jerry and I have seen Shane like this before, but for the staff to see him trying so hard to get attention, and to clearly see how manipulating he was being-- I think it showed them that not all of his behaviors are work avoiding, some are simply an attempt for one on one adult attention!

His teachers and I all agree that he is very smart, and once his behavior gets under control, I think they want him to do more challenging work-- but at this point he is spending SO much time trying to disrupt anything & everything, that more difficult work will have to wait.

The teachers told Shane that tomorrow would be a new day and that he had an opportunity to have a clean slate.-- They also explained that if he was going to be a disruption again that he would have to just sit-- and not receive one on one adult interaction! I hope & pray his SPED teacher gets some good rest this evening and is ready for the dramatics that may happen tomorrow!

When Shane is like this, it makes me think back to when I lived alone and how often I would pray for a husband and kids-- gosh~ God does have a HUGE sense of humor!
He answered my prayers for a husband and kids-- but he also made it clear that I would NEVER be bored again!
Gee, thanks! :) Talk about God, showing up in your life?! :)

Tomorrow, Jerry is going to be gone all day on a guided fishing trip and I hope that I am able to stay focused on being a good, unmanipulated mommy! Wish me luck!

Our Sunday at home

So... Shane has a cough and allergy like symptoms-- and Jessica has a sore throat-- I figure that we will do church at home -- in the hopes that we can "recover" before we have to return to school.
I wanted to go to church and show off my red hair, but I think it's better to stay home.
Monday Jessica has an orthodontist appointment, then Tuesday Jerry is off from work, on Wednesday Jerry is gone fishing on a guided trip all day.

I am going to go and write up Patty's suggestion for Shane and send it off via email, I love having a ..."mentor" mom like Patty who is always right?write? ha ha
(Nah, I love Patty's ideas, I just get jealous that she figures my stuff out before I do!)

Gotta Love Spring time in the Northwest where pollen rules... ?

I don't feel good, wah, wah,wah...

I feel like my head is not my head, and that instead I have a football helmet with spray-foam in it for my head.
I finally decided to call in the professional... and I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow.
I think that I will be taking Shane in also-- his cheeks are red, but he doesn't have a fever... I'm thinking possible fifths disease...--  ? But, I figure that since my parents will have the kids for the weekend, I will get him checked out ...just in case!...
Shane has had a tough time with recess and P.E this week... I am not sure what is going on but I am having a tough time dealing with Shane -- while feeling like cold gravy. yuck!
It's a nice sunny day, a bit windy and I just want to curl up on the bed and close my eyes...

Thanks for letting me wine/errr whine !
If I feel up to it, my dear hubby wants to take me out for date night-- while the kids are away at Grandma and Grandpa's...   I really want to do some furniture moving & cleaning while the kids are away I hope the Dr. makes me well quickly!

It seems like I have "all me eggs in the basket of Dr. make me well..."

 I hope I get good news at the Dr's office!

I'll write again when I feel better!

Rain and Rainbows~

Here in Oregon we have rain and sun, wind and rain-- a person never really knows what to wear when leaving the house-- {layers and bring a jacket}
I don't even remember what we did on Saturday-- must of been housework and such!
The kids and I were on our own this weekend Jerry was sleeping during the day and working at night-- on Sunday the kids and I even hit a few tennis balls at the school. The day wasn't very bad but the weather was weird- rain and sun... a bit of wind and then rain again.
 I put the kids to bed at bedtime and then about an hour later Shane was yelling for the choke bucket... He wasn't willing -- or maybe able to get up himself,;     I would lay down and almost get to sleep --then he would yell or squeeze a duck (that quacks...and quacks) he has to wake me up and come help him.   While it was nice that he wanted to keep the mess contained, I was about ready to take that darn duck and .... well I ... really value my sleep-- and I didn't get as much as I wanted.
Now, it's Monday night and even though I served Shane's favorite Spaghetti for dinner-- he didn't each much.--  I hope that this is just a growth spurt and not something else--.
Jessica got her braces re-adjusted today and so now ... she has a rainbow in her mouth! She was SO helpful this weekend, I painted her nails and spent some one on one time teaching her a string game.

 So that's our story of Rain and Rainbows...

We had no leftovers....

It's been a long weekend and,thankfully the kids go back to school tomorrow!

Jerry had to sleep during the day and work most of the nights this weekend-- so the kids were nice enough to just go with my slow pace. I LOVE my kids!

Our tradition is that we spend our Thanksgiving at Aunt Danni and Uncle Ricks'--

It was a great meal, Danni did the turkey and everyone else brought the sides--

I even made the Pumpkin Dessert that I found at Antique Mommy's site.--

Since Shane and I developed a head cold-- I didn't happen to take out my camera and snap any pictures-- bummer-- and my nephew,Jeff-- even brought his girlfriend over for a while. She is a very sweet, and quiet,shy,thin young lady--- maybe I will get a picture of her at Christmas!

When I made the pumpkin dessert I goofed-- and as I was adding the Cinnamon I dumped in too much -- but everyone assured me that it tasted just fine! With this head cold I really can't smell much-- so I think it tasted good-- and although I was going to take a picture to prove I made it-- it's all gone... and I have requests for the recipe! I wonder if Antique Mommy will say I can share? :)

There was almost no leftovers from our meal so the morning after Thanksgiving I went to a virtually empty grocery store and bought a turkey, came home and cooked it-- I LOVE turkey!

Jerry is off work for the next few days so I have a feeling that the Christmas decorations will be going up-- just this evening Shane and Jessica were dancing around our tree that has Christmas lights that play music while lighting up-- If it had not of been so dark I would of tried to take a video. Jerry spent some tome today mounting his antlers-- and then hanging them --
Eventually, when we have oodles of money, Jerry will have his own room to hang them... and anything else hunting related!

Jessica and I decided that instead of making her a brand new dress-(for Christmas)

- we would just take the trim off a dress and then replace it with Christmas trim-- I hope to have this finished by tomorrow-- if I can take the correct medicine to keep my head from throbbing !

Shane says that he will wear a vest at Christmas time-- so I am going to work on that also.

My sister-in-law Danni also gave me a few pictures and one in a frame of our backpacking/hiking trip-- If I remember I will take a picture -- so I can post on here.

If this post sounds off and strange, please forgive me I am under the influence of medication to help my congestion.

Jerry is standing over my shoulder,waiting for the computer-- so I will sign off!

nothin' much

These were our pumpkins... (yes I have paper snowflakes on my windows, it hides the dirt)

Jessica put her headband on backwards--and then requested I take her picture!

Silly Cute Child...

I'm getting sick... I'll spare you the details--but

I have a feeling I won't be blogging for a few days,

I think rest and liquids are going to be my focus!
Now, if I could just find the person who gave me this sickness.... grrrrr

Thursday are the kids' parent teacher confrences... they are both really excited to share how well they are doing in school! Ah, Joy!

Talk at all of you when I am feeling more "mormal"

This week

I had a feeling... that this week was going to be rocky-- I was right!
(sometimes I just hate being right...)
Monday wasn't bad, but I was still sore from the weekend hiking.
Tuesday it was curriculum night, Shane and Jessica were in the cafeteria with some teens and adults-- Shane didn't want pizza-- so I planned ahead and made him a sack dinner.Although we left early, Shane was still rather obnoxious.
Wednesday, it was Jerry's birthday and we had to go and see my parents who were in town to organize things for a garage sale at my grandparents' house.
Thursday was Shane's birthday,and he started the day saying I don't want to go to school-- it's boring. Later that day he melted down-- first he got a time out...then the detention--then he was still having a tough time staying still-- He ended up getting mad and scratching the teacher. When you hurt a teacher you get a LEVEL 3...
Last year I almost always would of been called after a LEVEL 3, this year-- the staff was able to work with Shane to get him calmed down and focused.
Today wasn't his best day, but he did take his time-outs and detentions without hurting anyone. He also ran in the hallway with his lap top computer and so for a time he will not get the privilege of using the computer.
I had Shane write a note to the teacher who he hurt, He typed it, while I spelled the words-- he also helped choose what the note said.
Then I wrote a note to the principal,the teacher and his special ed teacher-- thanking them for working with Shane and not letting his bad choices change how they dealt with him.
I am hoping and praying that next week is calmer, and more focused on the good stuff !
Shane did tell me that he thought that,
because he drank chocolate milk at lunch
--that was what caused the Level 3 !
So, I suggested he choose the white milk more often.-- I wonder if he heard me?
Both Jessica and Shane seem to be fighting a head cold-- so I am trying to not... freak out that they have the swine flu...
I think we will try to have a mellow weekend so that Monday will go well!

This week : Eclectic Parenting

I yearn to be Eclectic
in my life~

Most people, when asked their decorating style say they are eclectic, meaning they like a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Eclectic design however is a bit more meaningful than that, though it is hard to describe. When someone answers with the word 'eclectic' no one actually knows what they mean. After all, there are so many design styles that eclectic design draws from.

Well, it has been a week full of things to do -- and in turn things to post about--
So, hopefully you are just, waiting impatiently to read this post?

• The 504 Meeting ~These are the questions, that the principal, wanted to answer during the meeting~
  

1. What is the disability that Shane might have?
2. Does the documented disability interfere with his ability to learn?
3. If so, does an accommodation plan allow him to access general education?
   

Well, I have a new favorite agency, it's called Direction Service
They are a local independent non-profit corporation, funded through public and private donations-- they are also a United Way Agency!
I met with this wonderful person -- to tell the story about Shane and our trials so far--She listened, took notes and asked -- really important questions. She helped me to find another way to ask for what we/I need without, coming across as a parent on a mission to re-program the whole public school system! She helped me to stay organized and on topic. She was focused and interested, she even had questions prepared that I had yet to think of.
************** What an awesome thing! ******************
Today, I feel like we did create some new, better ideas for Shane and his school experience-- although we have yet to put the 504 plan to paper,
we are working on a detailed IPBS...
(I think that means, Individual Positive Behavior Support~ plan)
From what I understand, the school is willing to create a 504 plan, but that they need Shane in school more often to have more data about his behaviors and what might be the trigger for them. Because Shane is at the top of his class academically-- but far below his class in behavior-- this is a challenge .
Next week he goes to school for a longer day,(yahooo!) he will still miss lunch and music and PE, because going to those things involves standing in line and waiting-- (not Shane's best skills).
I asked that I be in the loop with the behavior team - I really think that my input could help get a plan that works, but I am only... a professional mom, not a professional behavior specialist.
The card that they use to help Shane track his behaviors got some much needed details, they will add pictures and then laminate it so that Shane can really see what is the next task and also the reminder to strive for that ever elusive happy face. (I thought the lamination was a great idea, since he likes to rip and tear up things that he doesn't like-- much to the dismay of his teachers and parents!)

********edited to add-- The principal also said I could find Shane a fidget- it-- something to hold in his hands to keep him focused and busy while he needs to be paying attention to a speaker.-- We are also considering re-visiting the idea of using the weight vest.********

The meeting went over an hour-- but I think... and hope that this will motivate some solid changes for Shane--- (I hate to be negative and borrow trouble, but I still think his teacher is saying one thing and doing another... however I am doing my best to turn the other cheek!)

(I do hope that I get a gold star
for being a ...flexible mommy!)

Okay, moving on--
This morning, my dear hubby and his brother,left to go camping and hunting for BIG ELK.-- He said not to expect him until Tuesday evening, unless he finds his target earlier. I do hope he gets his target, the amount of meat and the fact that ELK tends to be very lean -- is a great thing.
Although, I don't want to see the target until it is nicely wrapped up in freezer paper ready to store in the big freezer.

I also took Shane in to the Dr. to ask about his cough that he seems to have had since the start of school- This was a different Dr. than we usually see-- he happened to have a hearing problem--
So, I really had to describe what type of cough-- geez-- I hope I was clear in my comments!
The Dr. gave us some samples of Singulair -- that Shane will take one at bedtime. Last night I still heard coughing, but I am hoping that with each day there will be less coughing!

At our school the kids get their picture taken by the Lifetouch company --
It is amazing how these pictures turn out--[good & bad]-
As a rule we never buy a big package, but just a small one so that the kids get a classroom photo.
{I asked Jessica, what she was thinkin' when the picture was taken
and she replied, "That's my rabbit look Mom, I want a pet rabbit! "}

We never seem to have a boring moment,
I am really Thankful and proud of my eclectic family ~
((I know I am most likely using that word in the wrong context--but I like it ! ))

Sick day

My dear son ... is sick ---
I knew this was coming on, but I was praying that it would just disappear! ha..ha!
I am not in charge!..God is~great
I am not in charge!..God is~all-knowing
I am not in charge!..God is~loving
So, far it is only a head cold that seems to be in his chest,
but my mommies' heart just hurts when I hear him cough.

although...looking on the bright side...???
He sneezed during a breakfast of sugar free-strawberry jam on pumpkin pie--

and ... it was a very nice... ummm.... specimen! LOL!
Hopefully I will continue to have a ..."bright" outlook on this topic today!

And the voices in my head, start laughing hysterically!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
On another note...yesterday Shane was full of things to tell me... [sarcasm ahead...]
---
"Mommy, do you want to lose weight?"

"Yes, I would like that--why?"

"Well, if you lose weight then you will no longer be in charge, and Daddy will be ~~I like Daddy being in charge, he lets me do what I want ... That's cause, he's cool!"

"So, if I'm not....fat... then I can't be in charge?"

"You have to be big, like a giant to be in charge!"

I might just have to look into shrinking my kids,
and myself so that I can always,...BE in charge!
Heaven, only knows what would happen if
Daddy was in charge, that is the stuff of night mares! AGH!
{I say this only in the most loving way... Jerry likes to eat chocolate,to spend the day watching video's or playing video games,has eaten a ...Nutria..REALLY!--}
Let's just say that Daddy is good at being who he is...(don't say red-neck is a ..bad thing!)
But , Mommy is better at being... the Mom in Charge! {when do I get my pay-raise?}