On Monday the kids started a new school year. Thanks to my shared contract I have had the last three days off and it has been fun getting to take them to school and picking them up. But of course with all the excitement of a new year comes all the stress and worry. I am so proud of my three kiddos and all they have accomplished. So many obstacles, yet they continue to defy the odds.
Ry is now in 4th grade and is growing up way too fast. She is no longer a little girl, but rather a young woman. This year she has one of the strictest teachers in the school and we were ALL so nervous. But my sweet girl responded, "I didn't like Mrs. Brandon (last year's teacher) at first and she is my favorite teacher, maybe the same thing will happen this year?" Ry's optimism and positive outlook on life makes me so proud to be her mom. Three days in she is liking her teacher and class. It never ceases to amaze me how much she teaches me everyday.
Jake is now in first and is in a 1-2 combo SDC class. We have been lucky in that he has the same teacher that he had last year. She is really good and patient with Jake, although the year has started a little shaky. There was NO AIR in his class and the heat got to him. The second day of school he grabbed another little boy by the throat and left a mark. He was immediately sent to the Principal's office and we were called. I do not condone my son's behavior and understand that he should be punished. But the assistant principal was ready to suspend him. One of the biggest problems with my kids' school is they label kids. Jake, despite being special ed. and mentally retarded, has been labeled a trouble maker. He got the label last year and the administration does not bother looking at the fact that he is special ed. and "different" from the regular population. He has come so far, continuing to develop everyday, and sometimes he needs a break. I do not deny that Jake does things that are wrong, but feel he also needs to be recognized for how far he has come. I worry everyday when my boy goes to school. Will I get a call from the principal? Will he stay out of trouble? Will he learn the material he needs to? These are concerns parents of regular ed. students have, but they feel like so much more with Jake. Thankfully, today was a good day, and seeing that smile makes my heart happy.
Then there is Luke, should he go to school, should he not go to school? Some feel that he is too sick, that we should just get a home teacher for him. These people show me the negativity and faithless of the world. True last year Luke continuously got sick and ended up in the hospital. We had him in the morning class and he often fell asleep because of his morning medication. After a really good summer and Luke amazing cognitive development Rob and I prayed about sending Lu back to preschool this year. He is in need of social interaction and is ready to learn. We decided to switch him to the afternoon class so that he could get his morning nap, wake up, eat lunch, do his afternoon feeding and medication and then go to school. The afternoon, early evening is ALWAYS Lu's best time of day. We also have his nurse, who's job is to take care of my boy when he is away from us. The problem is that the nurse does not feel Lu should be in school, she does not want to have to go with him to school, and she is completely negative. Finding a reliable LVN with the respite company is HARD. We went through numerous, unreliable nurses before coming across the one we have now. She is good with Lu and takes care of him, and we really DO NOT want to start over with a new one. She is just so negative and has little faith in Lu's amazing strength and spirit. It will take Lu some time to get into the routine and he is in a class with other severely delayed 3 and 4 year olds, but I have faith this is what he needs. Of course if he does start getting sick again, and he does not thrive we will switch to the home teacher.But for now we have faith in the path God is taking out boy. He really is amazing, trying to talk more and more and loves to mimic big kid behavior (including starting to go on the big kid potty). As always the doubters are the ones that speak the loudest and can be very discouraging. Although I dare anyone to take a look at Luke and not acknowledge the incredible little boy he is becoming. Yes, I am scared and nervous for all three of my kiddos this year. But I also know that people do not give them or us the credit we deserve. We are strong and, although Rob and I are far from perfect, we are doing the best we can and focusing on the the incredible miracles we get to live and experience everyday.
On Monday the kids started a new school year. Thanks to my shared contract I have had the last three days off and it has been fun getting to take them to school and picking them up. But of course with all the excitement of a new year comes all the stress and worry. I am so proud of my three kiddos and all they have accomplished. So many obstacles, yet they continue to defy the odds.
Ry is now in 4th grade and is growing up way too fast. She is no longer a little girl, but rather a young woman. This year she has one of the strictest teachers in the school and we were ALL so nervous. But my sweet girl responded, "I didn't like Mrs. Brandon (last year's teacher) at first and she is my favorite teacher, maybe the same thing will happen this year?" Ry's optimism and positive outlook on life makes me so proud to be her mom. Three days in she is liking her teacher and class. It never ceases to amaze me how much she teaches me everyday.
Jake is now in first and is in a 1-2 combo SDC class. We have been lucky in that he has the same teacher that he had last year. She is really good and patient with Jake, although the year has started a little shaky. There was NO AIR in his class and the heat got to him. The second day of school he grabbed another little boy by the throat and left a mark. He was immediately sent to the Principal's office and we were called. I do not condone my son's behavior and understand that he should be punished. But the assistant principal was ready to suspend him. One of the biggest problems with my kids' school is they label kids. Jake, despite being special ed. and mentally retarded, has been labeled a trouble maker. He got the label last year and the administration does not bother looking at the fact that he is special ed. and "different" from the regular population. He has come so far, continuing to develop everyday, and sometimes he needs a break. I do not deny that Jake does things that are wrong, but feel he also needs to be recognized for how far he has come. I worry everyday when my boy goes to school. Will I get a call from the principal? Will he stay out of trouble? Will he learn the material he needs to? These are concerns parents of regular ed. students have, but they feel like so much more with Jake. Thankfully, today was a good day, and seeing that smile makes my heart happy.
Then there is Luke, should he go to school, should he not go to school? Some feel that he is too sick, that we should just get a home teacher for him. These people show me the negativity and faithless of the world. True last year Luke continuously got sick and ended up in the hospital. We had him in the morning class and he often fell asleep because of his morning medication. After a really good summer and Luke amazing cognitive development Rob and I prayed about sending Lu back to preschool this year. He is in need of social interaction and is ready to learn. We decided to switch him to the afternoon class so that he could get his morning nap, wake up, eat lunch, do his afternoon feeding and medication and then go to school. The afternoon, early evening is ALWAYS Lu's best time of day. We also have his nurse, who's job is to take care of my boy when he is away from us. The problem is that the nurse does not feel Lu should be in school, she does not want to have to go with him to school, and she is completely negative. Finding a reliable LVN with the respite company is HARD. We went through numerous, unreliable nurses before coming across the one we have now. She is good with Lu and takes care of him, and we really DO NOT want to start over with a new one. She is just so negative and has little faith in Lu's amazing strength and spirit. It will take Lu some time to get into the routine and he is in a class with other severely delayed 3 and 4 year olds, but I have faith this is what he needs. Of course if he does start getting sick again, and he does not thrive we will switch to the home teacher.But for now we have faith in the path God is taking out boy. He really is amazing, trying to talk more and more and loves to mimic big kid behavior (including starting to go on the big kid potty). As always the doubters are the ones that speak the loudest and can be very discouraging. Although I dare anyone to take a look at Luke and not acknowledge the incredible little boy he is becoming. Yes, I am scared and nervous for all three of my kiddos this year. But I also know that people do not give them or us the credit we deserve. We are strong and, although Rob and I are far from perfect, we are doing the best we can and focusing on the the incredible miracles we get to live and experience everyday.
I love you guys and totally believe in you and Rob and your parenting skills. Your faith in God is strong, and even though life may never be easy, He WILL guide and direct you and your family. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!
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