Can I get an AMEN?

AMEN!

Church was GREAT today....
I saw a friend and missionary Sally who is home from China... trying to fill her spirit with some positive love.
Shane had a GREAT interaction with one of the ladies who leads worship at church-- It was lovely to see him initiate a hug with this lady, and then have a short conversation with her that was positive and complementary.... WOW...  seriously this was SO AWESOME... I almost had tears in my eyes.
So, often we go to church and I pray that he will see other adults and kids interacting and he will learn some of those social cues that aren't so black and white.... Today-- I saw HOPE... I saw Shane getting the love and fellowship part of church! yipppeeeee ...
Jessica has been hooked on reading about Greek Mythology and Shane is interested also-- so on the way to church-- Shane was doubting that GOD was -- all the things HE is ... and I was trying to explain that our GOD performs miracles everyday... but that we don't see -- if we don't believe.  I imagine that I will have to have many more conversations about this topic ... but it was great to see that at least for today-- he gained a new appreciation for why church is GOOD for us. 

Simply put.... GOD is GREAT, even better than a cup of coffee on a cold rainy day!

Lessons that I have been learning!

I have been learning lessons... left and right. :)
I have always thought that if you have a family connection with someone then-- you relate to them in that correct relationship title.   If I have a cousin I have a cousin type of relationship--  I am now learning that this is wrong. And that I can have a relationship with someone that doesn't match the name... or title of the official relationship.  I am also finding out that I can have a relationship with non-family members that fill a need for a family relationship.   I'd like to know why it took me till I was 40 to figure that out!
It's been kinda busy around her lately and it seems that, will be status quo for a while.
I am currently fighting off a cold that gave me the ability to cough often and in fits of agony, it also left me without a voice, -- Oh-- what Joy.   I blame my recent visits to the Dr.'s office... I was not sick with a cold until I went to that germ factory !

Shane and Jessica are home from school today, because it is a furlough day-- I had asked them to let me sleep in ... they tried-- but alas I woke up at my regular time!  I stumbled to the coffee pot and then back to bed-- finally the coffee was ready and I made myself a cup and camped out on my bed to wait for the coffee to work. After a while I felt motivated to check emails, and of course Facebook. 
Shane loves to be helpful and so I had him turn on the computer and get me on-line...  I walked in and set my coffee cup down -- the next thing I know Shane is trying to show me a penny he found and then-- the coffee cup spilled all over Shane from his chest to his knees!  It was amazing to see how calm he was about being wet and sticky... What progress he has made!    I sent him off to shower and I cleaned up my coffee.  Later he asked Jessica to play hairdresser and comb his hair... she was happy to do this-- the final look was "Just like Justin Beiber except naked"--- (Shane loves to be and say the word naked--- although when he said this he was in his underwear.)   A while later the kids were "playing" and Jessica scratched and pinched Shane on his side---
 I took some time and medicated the scratch and then when I saw how deep it was I requested that Jessica write an apology letter.
This is what she wrote    "Dear Shane, I am sorry for giving you a bobo. And yes I will play video games with you.As soon as I give you this letter I hope we can play video games.  With dearest apology Jessica!"

I am so impressed with both of the kids, not only did Shane graciously accept the apology letter but he was very sweet when they played the video games-- he and Jessica are still playing together and they are taking turns-- and sharing... WOWOWWWW. I am so very happy!

Next week the school board is having a final public meeting to talk about the funding short falls for our district and I am planning on going and getting up and speaking. I am a bit nervous but I am feeling like this is a thing I should do.

I also have the Scholastic book fair coming up and so I am going to be busy planning and begging for volunteers-- I hope that I can do a good job of being motivating and encouraging.

One of the teachers at our church also asked if I would be willing to teach a Sunday School class... they already have a great curriculum but they need an adult to teach the class and keep the kids on task. I feel honored that they asked~ but a bit nervous that I won't be as skilled as they think I am. prayer, Lot's of prayer.

In late February, Jessica will be performing (playing her violin) as apart of her first Strings Concert.-- I am proud,excited and nervous for her--. note to self: remind her to practice every day. :)


Meanwhile I have been walking,every other day or so- with Aunt to try and get fit. I am also working on a rag quilt that I have created from scraps-- I don't think it's going to turn out like my original idea-- but I want to get it done. 
Jessica has been a crocheting machine.-- I think every skein of yarn she has, is part of a project that she has started!  Shane has been spending time with Jerry working on his cars that he made with the Erector set -- It is lovely to see Shane tell Jerry his plans-- and then Jerry show him how to implement those plans.

Yikes, I just noticed it's time for lunch-- I must go and feed the kids-- and myself!

Hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. day.

Odds and Ends.

Last Sunday at church, we were singing the last song-- It happened to be a song called We Will Remember-- There was this young good looking man who got up and started running (yes he was really running ) around the sanctuary-- with his hands raised in praise.-- It was SO AWESOME... I found out his name is Andy... I heart Andy!  He was motivated and inspired to show HUGE praise for our LORD and gee-- it gave me goose bumps! .


Jessica is only in fourth grade, and yet she has decided that she is going to read Little Women.
Shane is in second grade and he is knee deep in the 39 clues series.

I am nervous about the future... are there enough books in the world for them to read? Will I be able to keep up with all the things they read??? Should I start looking for a tutor-- for me?

Tomorrow night, Jerry and I are going out on a DATE without the kids!!!! His work is having a Christmas party... I am hoping that I can find some cute shoes and maybe a dress to wear -- so I look like a REAL grown- up. I really want to try to wear some fake eyelashes... 

Last night the weather was very strange, we had a couple times when the rain turned into hail... and it hailed SO much that the yard and street were almost all white.... It was SO loud I was nervous that the hail might just break through the skylight!

I have been feeling yucky-- not sick just dealing with female stuff... and so I am not very motivated to be doing much. I am going to go see the DR after the new year and seek some answers?!

This weekend we have grocery shopping to do, either cutting a tree or buying one, a book fair at Barnes & Noble, movie night for me with my sister-in-law Danni... and church and then.... school.  I hope I can keep up my energy and keep faking the happy face.

And now I leave you with a funny fish video....

I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying lovely family moments of Joy and Peace of the Season!

Thanksgiving

Today, Shane didn't do his best at church... and then when I asked him why he took about 20minutes to tell me. -- I told him he needed to do something for me -- so that he might be able to earn some video game time.  I thought he would complain or struggle with me about doing this-- nope... he was very happy to do this.
I printed out a few verses from the bible -- and then I had him read them out loud.  I thought about having him memorize them-- but for now this is just him reading the verses.

If it's sideways... so sorry... it's the computers fault!

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...

Hallloween

Halloween--
Not my favorite holiday-- when I was a tween I got bullied and my candy taken a few times--
I enjoy making and seeing the costumes-- but the whole idea of taking the kids to strangers houses and asking for candy?  Seems VERY odd to me.

Yesterday -- the weather was a bit dry... and so Jerry the kids and I got to together with a friend I know who takes LOVELY pictures and we spent an hour trying to get some good family pictures.   If I ever decide to do this again... I plan on having a drink or two before -- I was WAY TOO picky about things...

• Jerry was great he kept smiling no matter what-- I guess he was really happy to just be with me and the kids. Since he works so often his time with us is at a premium.
• Jessica-- she just LOVES to smile and as long as Shane didn't mess with her she smiled-- most times very nicely... although I think there are a few of her with her tongue sticking out!
• Me... well-- since it was my idea to go through this... "ordeal" I was very obsessed with getting everyone to look their best...  I had a hard time enjoying the experience.... Our photographer is a mom herself and so she was doing her best to help me -- have fun and NOT focus on the details. Near the end she suggested that we throw leaves in the air and see if we could get a fun picture--- the kids really enjoyed throwing leaves on me... and I also got a small slug on my shoulder-- oh.....JOY!  Hopefully -- I will get to share a picture of this really HUGE spider that was suspended from a tree-- I told Jessica and Shane to pretend to eat the spider-- I think there will be a fun picture of the kids and I attempting to eat the spider!
• Shane-- humm... this event was a HUGE challenge for him-- I brought the ipod in hopes that he would turn it up loud and while we were posing he would react to the music-- and thus-- get some great smiles.  ya-- it didn't really happen -- we had to hide the ipod out of the camera's view and in doing so -- we couldn't hear the music. Shane was so focused on the ipod-- that he didn't want to look up-- and then he only wanted to smile like a jack-o-lantern.  

I have been busy this week, running errands and doing things at the school-- so the kids and I stayed home from church so that I could get some of the housework caught up.  I love going to church-- but it does seem to take up so much of my day. Jerry and his brother went fishing today-- and later when they get home Jerry will take the kids trick or treating. I haven't decided if I am going with Jerry and the kids or not... picture taking might be fun--. I don't know~

Monday -Jerry has a Dr. appointment, Tuesday Jessica has violin, Jerry and I will be on a field trip with Shane~climbing trees at some local parks...Wednesday I have PT, Jerry goes back to work nights. Thursday both the kids have parent-teacher conferences. 
  Busy, Busy week ahead.

Showers.... rain and baby

I love giving things to others....  Yesterday, I went to a baby shower-- and I got to give away some gifts that I had spent a bunch of time and love working on.  Jessica's teacher from last year is due to have a baby girl in December, and I made her a changing pad, some burp cloths,a small baby quilt and some baby toys.
It was weird and fun all at the same time.... Because I knew the mom to be, thru school there was a lot of the ladies from school there-- however I was the only parent (of one of her students) -- there were teachers, a secretary and an IA, there was also some family and then a wife of the husbands' co-worker.
The school people all knew me and who I was, but I was reluctant to sit with them--- I didn't want to end up talking about the kids and school --when clearly they were at this shower for the baby...  So , I sat with the lady who was connected to the father to be-- she had her daughter with her and so we all talked it was nice.
After a bit the some of the teachers came and sat at our table-- It was fun to hear the conversations -- they are a fun group of ladies...  I do hope that I was well-behaved :) 
There was a moment or two when I overheard a comment that made me think of my family--- and the baby showers I have had...

the picture of the "girl" holding the baby--- that happens to be a third grade teacher who is single and looking-- she sat and held that baby for quite a while during the shower... at first I thought it was just to be funny-- but then I think we all realized she was ENJOYING holding the baby!  I can't wait to see her in the future as a married mom....
I completely forgot to get any pictures of me with the mom to be and my gifts on my camera.... but I know the grandmother to be did get some-- so maybe I can borrow a picture from her...

The family of the mom to be--- was very creative-- and also skilled ~she got a heirloom handkerchief that had been made into a bonnet for the baby-- some really special quilts-- and even some quilts from when she was a baby-- It was lovely to see things given that had such meaning and love attached.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
On another topic, Shane told me the other night at bedtime/tuck in time.... that he wanted to be like all the other kids at school-- I told him, he was and then he went on to say that he "wanted to have no rewards at school for good behavior,  only at home!"  Shane usually gets rewarded during the school day with some free time on the lap-top-- apparently the other kids have noticed-- The teacher has been really good about helping the other kids see Shane as needing a bit extra-- but not so that he looked WAY different. Now there is a new classmate that does NEED a lot of EXTRA and I guess Shane is being motivated by his peers to look more normal...  WOW--  His teacher and I talked about it and she was very impressed-- we agreed that if,on Monday it was still what Shane wanted~ then we would go with Shane's idea! 
I am very pleased with my son... yup!
 I think it's a combination of peer pressure, maturity and not being on the meds ~
seems to have changed how Shane behaves.  I also think that his teacher has been really clear about how she interacts with him-- and that helps Shane be able to predict her response to him.

My only complaint... the rainy season has begun... and I haven't gotten our family picture taken yet-- darn...
We are planning an outdoor picture with some really fun casual poses-- I guess we may have to rethink that -- or make plans to have an inside picture. 

Have a GREAT day !

We saw a movie, or two--

Shane and I went and saw Despicable Me

I wasn't sure that it was going to be a good movie~ I had heard that there were somewhat violent undertones to the movie.   We saw it at the $2.00 theater for a matinee -- and also in 3D. (I was a bit annoyed that we had to pay for the 3D glasses and so the $4.00 we should of spent ended up being $7.00... grrrr) This is the second movie that we have seen in 3D and I am not a fan.  The other movie we watched in 3D was How to Train your Dragon-- and the 3D made more sense in that movie, than it did in this one.

All in all it was a good movie, Shane survived it-- mostly. At the end there is a scene where the main character gets up and dances with his 3 new adopted daughters-- think John Travolta (see picture at right)
with SUPER skinny legs and a huge chest and torso like

 The Thing (Fantastic Four)--
 It was incredibly funny to watch,  then Shane had to stand up and dance in front of his seat!

There were some moments in the movie that were odd, for a childrens' movie... like when the BANK OF EVIL, was formally known as Lehman Brothers. The phone call between the main character(Gru) and his mother on his phone was weird, the mother never seemed to appreciate  or validate anything her son had done or achieved.  Then at the end of the movie, his mother's statements, were "Well, you finally made a good parent!"  I guess there was an attempt at sarcasm but it was so mixed in the message that I was left shaking my head..

I did like parts of the movie, but I can't say that I would want to watch it over and over again.
There is a nice part at the end of the movie-- when the main character Gru, reads a bedtime story to the girls that he wrote-- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323594/quotes?qt1250327 "One big unicorn, strong and free, thought he was happy as he could be. Then three little kittens came around and turned his whole life upside down. They made him laugh, they made him cry. He never should have said goodbye. And now he knows he can never part from those three little kittens that changed his heart. "


I left the movie thinking ... geez is this a pro-adoption movie?
I think adoption is marvelous!
.. but I am not sure that a character like
Gru... a self proclaimed villain should be considered for the role of parent! ????
ah, well -- maybe it the movie was just trying to shine a light on adoption and the issues around it????
I don't know but... it was a bit odd.
Thanks... for letting me share my opinion and two cents ! :)

Shane and I also rented a movie from our local REDBOX --  there weren't many choices that I was fond of ...  so we ended up with Where The Wild Things Are. (An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler)

I did not like this movie and Shane did not either.   I remember enjoying reading the book when I was a child and I remember reading it with Shane and Jessica-- but this movie went very far away from the whole point of the book-- at least in my honest opinion.
There was a part in the movie where Max is talking to the monsters and telling them all kinds of fanciful things about how he was a VIKING, and that he was KING... he kept embellishing -- Shane was so annoyed that he asked me to fast forward the movie... he was really upset that there were clear lies in the movie and there weren't immediate repercussions.  
There was a point where Max and his mother have a altercation -- It made me so uncomfortable--. I kept hoping for a redeeming lesson scene to appear but it never happened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Friday, we had a meeting at the school about Shane...
We decided that he would go to school ALL DAY! yahooo!
We decided that he would get his social skills time with an older group of kids, so that it would be less disruptive to his current classroom schedule.
We decided that if he starts to chew his shirt sleeves or neck-- he will be given some Chicletsgum to chew... politely!    I went looking for some Chiclet gum... at Target and I didn't find any-- I went on line and found it at STAPLES-- but when I went to the STAPLES store I didn't find ANY.
 The clerk did point out that I might end up with Elcipse gum  (Eclipse gum is the fastest growing intense pellet gum in the category.)
 (We are trying to make the gum seem to the other kids as a tool or medication-- it is more socially accepted...)  Those of us in the meeting were struck by how odd it was that medication was "normal" and accepted. I think medication has it's uses, but it was just odd -- the how the kids might respond to gum vs medication.

Shane watched Dragon Fly TV and now he wants to build a homemade car-- from found items around the house and recycle bin...    I am not an engineer -- I don't know if I am the best parent for this task! yikes!
He has already determined that he will use a egg carton for the car frame... empty thread spools for the wheels, and pipe cleaners for the axels...  I am very proud of him, but scared that I won't have the answer to his many...many questions!

Roller coasters and parenting

http://www.ehow.com/how_2330679_overcome-fear-roller-coasters.html

I am finding out that this parenting thing is alot like a roller-coaster ride-- at first glance it looks like fun, but then when you experience a bit more-- you develop a healthy respect for the emotions of fear/joy/ and thrills.
Because both of my kids have had challenges (Jessica medically-- and Shane sensory&behaviors)
 insert thought bubble here:  I aways thought  end thought bubble.
 that I should get a special pass-- either to the front of the line, or at least my own personal assistant.
Good thing reality knows how to pop these bubbles of mine!
If you click on the link at the top of the page and read though the instructions you might be surprised how much of the advise could be about parenting.
1. Remember the Physics-- (It took quite a while for you to "bake that baby"-- or even adopt and then you had to go through labor and also paperwork)
e=mc2 One of Einstein's great insights was to realize that matter and energy are really different forms of the same thing. Matter can be turned into energy, and energy into matter.

The energy we use as parents---

 shows up as the energy that

creates our children into (children that...) matter.!

2. Keep your Eyes open--  Pay attention to the little things, because all too soon those sweet things-- may change.
3. Pretend you are driving the roller-coaster!  Ha... ha ...  we may be the parent but realizing that parenting isn't about us as an individual is a key thing-- me thinks....:)
4. Start with the smaller coasters.  Uh, yeah.... I recommend prayer for this one-- pray that God, knows you well and that his sense of humor is not on overdrive.---  He won't give you more than you can handle, but he sometimes likes to fill your arms with WORK!
5. Just Do it... yup-- there aren't any short cuts to this parenting thing that I have found-- I have searched high and low, I have begged,pleaded -- I have read books, taken classes and even...spent much time in prayer.   We may not always get this parenting thing right-- but we have the ability to try again tomorrow.

So, anyway I had some challenges with my parenting attitude this weekend--
My kids were fighting -- which is not very normal for them--I asked them to STOP, I even used a loud voice and still they were fighting with each other-- finally in an act of desperation I got a small cup of cold water and --- I flung it on them. Jessica stopped the yelling/screeching  that she was doing and began to cry the ugly cry with her eyes getting larger with every tear. Shane stopped pummeling his sister and looked at me like ~ how dare you interrupt me?-- I was ahead of her-- in the game of ouch--.  I think they were both stunned to their cores-- I had never done something so shocking to them before.
But... it worked it got them to stop what they were doing and hear what I had to say. They both got time-outs and both had to apologize-- heck they even both grumbled that I was being mean and unfair-- I figured that there discontent with me .... was proof that I had done something right!.

Shane didn't do well at church-- our new curriculum has a ton of transitions and Shane went into overload mode -- he wouldn't listen-- focus or anything and the staff didn't call me to help -- so Shane was VERY distracting for the whole group of kids.  I didn't find this out until after church was over and I was picking him up.  I can and I want to be:  able to deal with my son-- but after the FACT... is not the best plan.  So, we came home from church and since Shane confessed in the car that he had made some bad choices with his body-- I had him write an apology letter.

A friend of mine that I have known since I was a teen passed away-- I am very sad-- we had re-connected on Face book-- but I had yet to really talk with her about how her life was-- and share with her how my life is.-- The only thing that about this that helps me manage my emotions-- is that she was a faithful follower of the Mormon religion. So, I know that she is in HIS arms.

There was also a death on my father's side of the family-- This Saturday I am going to that funeral at a Catholic church and although I want to go and share in the event-- I get so un-comfortable at catholic events-- I know I don't fit in and it makes me nervous.

Tomorrow we are going to celebrate Jerry and Shane's birthday's --
 at the park with a pinata, a silly string fight and cupcakes.-- I can't wait to see the pictures I will be taking!

And Life...goes on--- up and down and all around. Ya Got yer seat belt on? , ! Buckle UP!

By the way... God does have a sense of humor-- if you check out the video in my next post,  that is one of the worship songs that we sang while at church--  go ahead... call me Undignified!



Just a rant about hair stylists that don't meet expectations!

So, I was having a hard time sleeping last night, I choose not to take my meds-- cause they give me really weird dreams.
I realized that I had not mentioned how VERY annoyed I was at the hair stylist place...

Dear Hairstylist ~
I get that it's hot and sunny and that you may not want to be at work.  I am really sorry if the mere sight of three more heads of hair makes you want to scream. But, honestly-- you are getting paid-- are you not??? Then just do your job.... WELL and you will receive your payment. 
Sadly neither the stylist who cut my hair, or the one that worked with Jessica and Shane did not succeed in getting a tip, and  if I had not been in pain and in a hurry to come home and put the foot up -- then you would of gotten an earful!
Yes, my son has SPD and yes he can be twitchy and twirly... but if you take the time to STOP LISTEN and PAY ATTENTION-- you might realize that he is very well spoke and maybe YOU need to GET SOME SENSITIVITY!  The first thing that Jerry and I said when he sat Shane in your chair was NO CLIPPERS... how hard is that? --- How hard would it of been for the stylist to come and talk to me... the mom, on the crutches.   I could of done a better job of cutting his hair... and I should not be cutting hair... I have a picture of Jessica's bangs to prove why... I should not have scissors near my kids!
Instead .... this stylist.... wasn't cheerful, nice or friendly... if fact she was rather rude and VERY inflexible.   She didn't try to interact with Shane-- she just kept saying that she couldn't cut around his ears and the back of his neck without clippers?    I am STILL annoyed... I wanna go back and smack her.... geeez.
I get that Shane is a handful, but I also know from my years of working with the public that difficult people are part of the job, and if you learn to skillfully manage them... then your heart can grow.... three sizes too big!! (thanks, Dr Seuss..)
Even the stylist who trimmed Jessica's bangs... screwed that up-- and Jessica being the kind,loving heart did not request that the stylist come back to fix what she messed up.
Am I expecting too much? No,.I do not think so-- We have come in before and have had a decent experience,.... but this time-- I am not happy and I am seriously considering writing a complaint.--- to the store.

Thanks for listening... :)
I also need to say That~  I love my husband and my kids who have been trying really hard to take care of Mommy-- who is not good at bed rest or patience.... and these drugs do make me forget to say
Thank you for helping me... Thank you for fetching for me... Thank you for feeding me....
Miss Jessica learned how to make me coffee this morning... she also helped her brother have cereal without making a mess! 

I am so very blessed! 
Now to figure out how to wash my hair in the tub --- without banging my foot or drinking any soapy water!
Also... if you are curious about my foot issues... click on the words my foot below and read some...:) Maybe on Monday there will be pictures-- if they aren't too scary to look at.

and yet More camping pictures!

This is Ally and her dog Little bit....

I say  funky? YES!

Tyler.... had his birthday while we were camping... and he also "got" to wear this... a football that was defective and then made into a hat..

Little Becca -- wanted to "milk the cow" while we were at the Tillamook cheese Factory...

This is my mom and her sister when we went for a walk. This is a cabin that Jannet and Jeff and Ally stayed in ... Jessica got to sleep over two nights with her cousin Becca! -- camping and a sleep-over.... Oh, Joy!

Jerry is "resting" on the rocks near the beach while watching a bunch of the kids play in the surf... Jerry had a cold the whole week we were camping but he managed to still enjoy himself!

These are my cousin Elizabeth's boys... and the squirt guns that my cousin Jannet bought for all the kids-- yup people got wet and they even had FUN!

How many people does it take to set up this tent?




Please pardon, the words not matching up with the pictures... I'm not concentrating, I'm just sharing pictures!

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!

Happy Father's DAY!

These are the Dad's that affect our home-- Jerry and my own Father.... (Jerry's Dad has passed away)

Jerry is at work makin the oatmeal, and my Dad-- Hutch is doing the retired thing-- with his jeep off-roading group I think...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are so many Father's that I could mention that I think are stellar... like Uncle Rick Harris, Peter Hutcheson,Conrad Icay , Lynn Prime,Cousin Jeff White,-- I'd list more but these are at the top.

hope you all have a great day--
the kids and I are off to church,
Next week there are two Dr. appointments and then camping for a whole week...

Our Weekend

So, this weekend ~

Shane, Jessica and I went to church-- and the kids didn't have Sunday School class as usual-- so they were in with me in the sanctuary--

This was a HUGE step out of the box of normalcy for Shane and me... (I?)

I am used to dropping the kids off with Miss C - who is an AWESOME kinder teacher in real life.-- and then if things go well-- I get the kids out of the classroom when church is over.

Once in a while they put the number up for Shane and I have to go and deal with a meltdown-- but lately Jessica has been staying in Shane's classroom and she has been able to help avoid meltdowns. (yay! Jessica)

Shane was baulking when we were walking to the sanctuary-- he didn't want to try something new-- I kept explaining that we were going to church and that if he wanted his reward... then he would need to follow directions. (Yup, I bribed my son!)

I took a deep breath and found us seats at the back near the exits--

During Worship Singing-- Shane did okay... it helped that the Worship team asked for the kids to jump around and dance while singing...

My biggest challenge was getting Shane to lower his voice. I did get some looks from some people who must of thought something was wrong-- I tried not to look their way I just tried to stay present in the moment and either focus on Shane, Jessica or Praising the Lord.

I was so happy, and I got to relax a bit- when the ushers brought over bags of goodies for the kids--.

Jessica had been doing fine next to me, but I think she was ready for something to do with her hands.

I kept an ongoing conversation with Shane-- by writing on a piece of paper-- Shane, show me calm body-- Shane you are doing green card work...keep it up.

A while back Shane's SPED teacher made him these cards with funny expressive faces on them-- they have descriptions of what the pictures show-- Twirly,mad,sad,happy,frightened,nervous,tired,confused,--

on the back of the cards are strategies of how to best manage these feelings-- Those cards were a lifesaver to me-- I didn't have to constantly tell Shane what I wanted to see-- I just kept showing him the happy card-- I even used the card to give him some positive reinforcement. When he was doing good... (he was on the floor coloring...) I tapped him on the back and gave him thumbs up and showed him the happy card-- he in return gave me thumbs up back-- :)

We got thru service and then towards the end my nephew,was asked to pray over the bread for communion--(He did a GREAT job! ) Shane and Jessica and I survived!

The people who were behind us were very sweet about not letting Shane disrupt them-- much-- :) After service I went ahead and explained about SPD-- they were very receptive to my comments-- they even mentioned that during service they were praying that Shane would mellow so that we all could enjoy service! It was nice to know that these lovely people had my back! It helped that Shane did turn and say good morning and greet these people quite sweetly... I think the lady liked Shane's blue eyes!

anyway...

That was the BIG thing this weekend... we also had a playdate with a classmate of Jessica's -- I took a bunch of pictures -- but I want to ask her mom before posting.

There is a great blog that I have only recently found, called lucasjourneyspd.blogspot.com -- if you click on the link-- you can go read and watch two videos-- that are all about SPD-- GREAT information and easy to understand.

Tomorrow I'll get to share some pictures of Shane getting an award at school... Stay Tuned !

I notice that I have some new followers--

WELCOME! happy to have you, please do comment--

I SO LOVE reading your thoughts,ideas,suggestions-- and encouragement!

If you have a blog--send me the link and I'll add you to my list-- so that I can follow you also!

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 --

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?

Jessica's 9th Birthday Party!

Jerry was nice enough to light the candle for Jessica twice... the wind blew it out both times! --- (Thanks to Aunt Sue for bringing the candle,the lighter and the juice boxes and water!)

Look at all the kidlets....calmly eating their cupcakes... awwww Such a good group of kids! There were not tears and no fighting that I saw !

We were finally home, and Jerry was being wacky... he only had about 4 hours sleep....

We ate dinner out, Shane told Jessica..."Come, quick I found a four leaf clover... "

Jessica... said with only a bit of sarcasm "Uh, no Shane that's a Rhody..."

Jessica pulled out her planting supplies and got right to work... I wanted proof that I had been with her,celebrating her birthday-- but I wanted to hide behind the tree...

I have to take a moment and thank those who did some behind the scenes helping-- Katie for the ice, Debbie for sending Lynn,(I hope Lynn gets better soon!) Pam and Jessica for baking the cupcakes, Danni for picking up and bringing My mother in law, and Aunt Sue for being my "Don't worry about it I'll take care of it gal !" Thanks to Alex's mom who brought a gift card even though Alex was grounded.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Hutch for coming with Bitsy all the way from Roseburg, Thanks to Jasmine and the kids... who are SUPER cute and SUPER well behaved for coming...

I was teasing one of the kids ~ :)

"I used to tease you and you would get mad... now I tease you and you don't get mad..."

"Yeah, my Dad told me to keep control of my anger!"

love that honesty!

Thanks to Betsy and her mom for the great and fun gift of a zuzu pet.

Terry,Hop and Bella Mia-- it was SO very nice to see you all-- good thing you made it clear that Bella was your dog-- I think Jessica was ready to take her home!

Thank you to Stacey who kept her sick kiddo's home-- I'll bring your thank you bags by when you are well... or I'll drop them off and try not to get your sickness! :) get better soon!

I hope I didn't forget anyone... Each of you helped to make this day easier... Thanks!

Jessica will be creating your thank you cards tomorrow!

My Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

I don't have much to post today ... but I found this from a previous post.
http://frogparenting.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-things.html

or this from Feburary 2nd 2008
http://frogparenting.blogspot.com/2008/02/in-honor-of-erma-bombeckand-another.html


The kids have had breakfast, I have had a cup of coffee-- later we will go to church.
The kids did give me hugs and wish me Happy Mother's Day, but since we are broke-- we might just have a different version of Mother's Day, a cheap or free one! :)


Happy Mother's Day~

Bike ride to the park with Daddy

This is Jerry and the kids getting ready to ride-- shortly after this picture Jerry discovered that his front tire was flat-- I went home to get a pump-- when I got back and after we pumped up Jerry's tire-- Jessica crashed--I ended up bringing her home in the car, poor girl!

This looked like a lot of "ole time, old west" fun.

This is the plaque that talks about what is buried where Shane was digging.

(big surprise~) Shane was digging in this sandy area

doesn't this look like fun to climb on?

Jerry took the kids on a bike ride-- here Jessica is at the park~
Shane after the bike ride... hummmm which popcycle should I eat first?
Gotta love his hair...
This is a hanging thing of flowers that my parents gave me for Mother's Day
This is a picture magnet that we got from doing the Early Steps study...

Jessica and I have the same look on our face and it seems like Jerry and Shane have the same smile!

I uploaded these pictures in two different batches-- so the text match the pictures-- but not in the order I had planned! sorry it's so confusing...