Life Amongst Us

This is what Joy wants when she gets home – puppy and her ipad!

TVI working with Brother – love seeing this. 

Jason replaced our garbage disposal.  Yea to having that working again!

Jessi went to a YW sleep over.  She had fun, but loved their zip-line the most!

Lizzy and Jason went to a 50s Daddy-Daughter Dance – so very fun!

Lizzy wrote this poem for Jason

For you,

You are Dad,

I am Proud,

You are silly,

I am willy,

You are my Dad

And I love you.

Brother had his big meeting with JCPS – the big turning three meeting.  He is scheduled to be assessed in JANUARY, with a placement meeting in FEBRUARY!  Again the incompetence, sigh.  Oh well.  Other than the fact that they can’t get their act together, everyone was very nice.  We continue to move forward.  Grateful his therapies are not dependent on the school or he would have nothing for three months!  What a blessing he has Medicaid!

Therapy evals this week – yea!  Really impressed with these ladies and their knowledge!  So excited that they are excited to work with my babies.  They could see and we talked about what we have been working on the past 7, 6, or 3 years and what we need to do to keep moving forward.  It’s all about progression!

Sammi brought home some of her art work – the ribbon name is my fav!

Because of VIPS, I can braille again!  Finally able to finish brailling another bed time story.  Sorry, Goodnight Moon, you now have competition!

Oh, and Brother has discovered hair – yea!

Waking up to frost and ice – cold! Joy was freaking out about her bye-bye (her word for the van).  But I saw this perfect snow flake/ice crystal on the deck and had to take a picture – love it!

What a lovely evening – the fire, books, music.  It was awesome!

We painted Lizzy’s room and got her a few new things – she loves it!  I had a purple room when I was 11/12. :)

Joy reading to her babies! Love her nurturing nature!

A Sliver of Hope

Today I am feeling the happiest/most hopeful/lightest (can’t pick the right word) I have felt in a long time.

Today Bella went to PT and ST and because I was bringing her in late to school, I was able to speak with her teacher face to face.

The PT didn’t see a girl in a wheelchair.  She saw a spunky little thing that wants to walk, jump, and dance.

The ST didn’t see a girl with limited communicative abilities.  She saw a funny little thing that is full of thoughts she wants to share with the world.

The teacher and I were able to discuss Bella’s weight loss, fatigue, and skewed test results and I’m feeling more hopeful about the upcoming IEP meeting.

I have needed this.  People who SEE my children.  People who HEAR me.

Isolation is a terrible thing.  Feeling like you have no one in your camp against the system is a hard and crushing feeling, a hopeless feeling, a feeling that you can’t possibly win.

On the other hand, partnerships with therapists and teachers, that is an awesome thing!  TOGETHER we can bring these children along so they can reach their highest potential.  When we are working together to help them, I am happy.  They are my life.  If they are happy and progressing, I am happy.  How grateful I am to people who dedicate their lives to helping children!

Jefferson Memorial Forest

Sunday afternoon we went for a drive.  It was a touch nippy, but what a great place!  We’ll have to come back – especially next Fall!  It would be breathtaking!

We walked up a small part of a trail – so cool!  We meet a man down at the lake who was fishing.  He caught Rainbow Trout!  My Dad and brother would love that!  (Jason and me too!)

Most of the color is gone from the trees now, but we are trying to preserve every bit we see.

Lizzy was our photographer for most of these pictures!

The Rest of the Week

Jason loves the sunrises here!

Some of the leaves Sammi brings me home.  She loves that they are each unique!

Joy playing “Five Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed!”

Some mornings it is so cold!  Lizzy wanted her picture taken. 

Some afternoons it warms up really nicely outside, so we have to enjoy it!

Sam and her milk mustache (we were eating the extra cookies we made for the Harp Recital) “Got Milk?”

Bella LOVES Rachel and the Treeschoolers.  Miss Rachel has a basket in one of the episodes, so she found one and had to play with it!

Bella wanted to walk around in her new fancy shoes!  She is so cute!

Jason and I went to Temple on Saturday Night!

(Jason’s words)

I love the insights and knowledge that can be gained from attending the Temple.

When facing challenges in life, it does not help to surround ourselves with what could have been or running away from what seems uncomfortable.

Challenges great and small will always find us with or without Satan’s help. Satan will use our challenges against us when doubt and depression rise to make us sink farther away from happiness and joy.

Thankfully we have the gospel of Jesus Christ to pull us through. By studying scriptures, living the commandments, and having daily prayer, we can be assured that Christ will be there to carry us through.

I know my family is meant to be in Kentucky at this time. There are many events that have placed us here, but ultimately it was the still small voice that told us we were to be here. No matter what diagnosis our children receive or how messed up the schools seem from what we are used to, we know deep inside we are where the lord wants us.

Winter is coming, but spring will follow.

There will always be challenges, and our faith in Christ and his direction will always be there to pull us through.

Now I just need to get my next visit to the Temple scheduled.

Jessi’s Harp Recital

So very proud of my Jessi!  Not only is she new to this teacher, she only gets to practice when she can make time during Orchestra class at school since her instrument has to live in the Orchestra room.  She sounded beautiful tonight!  She played “Above the Clouds” by Voltz. 

Love ya Jessi Ann!