A Mother's Dream

Every year our biggest adjustment seems to be with D2.  Things that we have come to learn are just part of the ADHD world.

Last year was tough.  We really felt like D2 had fallen through the cracks.  I was seemingly always at school advocating on her behalf.  Trying to identify ways to help her become more successful.  The feeling that my child didn't matter was overwhelming.  Because she came from a two parent home, spoke english, and was white, it appeared that she was a low priority and as long as she was meeting the minimum, that was fine.  We dealt with bulling that resulted in bruises, being spit on, and called names.  Improper assessment testing and no one taking the time to review her file from her previous school that showed that she was an advanced learner.

We made it through.  I was "that" mom and pushed back when my daughter was pushed aside.  I learned that if you don't advocate for your child - who will?

THIS YEAR!!!!

This year is going to be different.  Maybe Husband is giving me optimism injections while I sleep, but this year I expect great things.  Her teacher is amazing.  He has addressed our concerns, and filled us with hope.  He not only recognized her strengths, but could also see her insecurities.  He wants to work as a team to help D2 develop those  social cues, to apply her coping skills with her personal space issues, and building relationships.

He told me she was smart, he liked having her in class.  For the first time in a long time, I felt relieved.  I believed that she was going to be okay.  THIS year is going to be different.  THIS year she will become empowered to achieve greatness.

I am excited for D2's journey through 3rd grade.  For the growth she is about to experience academically, physically, and socially.

There are no limits to her greatness and I am thrilled she has a teacher who is in her corner this year!!!

Making Sense of the Senseless

Written the afternoon of 16 Sept.

Today my daughter will learn that her teacher died this morning from cancer.  Apparently things were going well until a few weeks ago when it was discovered that the cancer had spread to the bones and was very aggressive.  A long term substitute was hired to start off the school year who would partner with the teacher.

Today that all changes.  Today D1 has no teacher.  I am not exactly sure how she will take the news.  There is no parent problem solving handbook that says "when ___ happens then promptly do ___".  I decided that I would go ahead and come to the school and be here to hear what the administration said and IF D1 needed me, I would be here for her.  I am thankful that D1 didn't yet form that special bond with the teacher.  Only because I think that will make things easier in the process of getting a new teacher.  But is loss on any level ever easy?

Encourage, Listen, & Love.  Yes, that's my job.  I think that best defines the role of any parent.  Isn't that what it all boils down to?  We encourage our children in any situation, both good and bad.  We listen.  We listen to the thoughts, feelings, plans, and dreams.  And it goes without saying that we love.  We love with an insurmountable love.  We do it because that is what we are called to do.  What we are commanded to do.  Love.  By loving, we then teach others to love.

my obsession...

a new happy place...

This past weekend was fabulous. The weather could not have been a more perfect end to summer vacation.  The mornings were in the 60's and that was just perfect for sitting on the deck, curled up with a cup of hot tea, my camera, and my journal.  Even though I live on Wisteria Lane, my deck is a happy place.  It's private, gets the morning sun, and has the most amazing breeze all afternoon.  We even have an abundance of humming birds that I obsess about, spending countless moments taking pictures, trying to get just the right shot.  

Monday morning was my favorite morning on the deck.  My oldest (D1) woke up early with me and joined me outside.  We just sat there and read for a while, then we talked about birthday parties, the start of school, and all about the revolutionary time period.  You didn't see that coming did you?  I loved having this time with D1, she has grown up so much this summer.  I can hardly believe that she is in the 4th grade.  Where did all this time go?  

I enjoyed watching her sitting there, talking about whatever came to her mind.  She is so wise beyond her years.  So mature in some areas, and yet so innocent in many others.  We talked about friendships, and who are good people to have as friends.  Also about the different types of friends.  D1 has some nice friends from school that all have big sisters in high school.  So they are not into playing barbie, American Girl dolls, or singing to Hanna Montana or Taylor Swift.  In fact, they don't even know what they are into.  I want D1 to enjoy being a child.  She has one good friend that she can completely be her silly little self with, and I adore that!!!  Life goes by so fast, that we miss out on what it is to just be a kid.  We fill our child's schedule with one activity after the next - some they don't even care to be a part of.  

Now hold the hate mail, I am not at all suggesting that kids being in activities are bad.  My girls are involved in a few things.  We did learn though, that we have to limit those things a bit so we don't unravel our family.  We zoom from one event to the next and at some point we stop and wonder where did all the time go?  

Some moms were ready for the first day of school.  Some complained it was to long, others to short.  For us, I think summer was perfect.  Yes, we reached our saturation point at times, and we had definitely reached the point where we were ready to get back in the swing of things.  We had a good summer.  We made some great memories.  We made new friends and found ones we never knew we had.  We spent time with family, traveled to New York, PA, and DE.  It was a good summer.

This weekend was the perfect weekend.  It was great to be together, the four of us, playing board games, laughing, and dreaming out loud.  I think I fell in love with them all over again.  

When was the last time you just stopped?  Were just still.  No plans.  Just sit with your kids, your husband and played a game?  Talked about the future?  Asked common questions?  No TV, no computer, just sat and listened to what was milling around in their minds?  Time goes so fast, and we take so much for granted.  We schedule so much in our lives, why not schedule family time.  In fact, schedule it first and make everything else fit around that time.

I can not wait for the weekend, when Husband comes back home, and we can all just relax, and have fun together as a family.  How about you?

Special Parking

Cart Corral at Wegmans that husband thought would work as covered parking.  

I didn't think it would fit.

Turns out, he was right.

Ah, see what happens when the grandparents take the kids for the weekend?

Cleaning cleaning....

I have been trying to get our home clean.  Not just that day to day clean- but the type of cleaning that happens 2-3 times a year.  Some people do a Fall & Spring cleaning.  Mine is Just before school, New years, and just before school ends.   For every step forward I make, my children come along and create 2x the mess.  I know - that's their job - their kids.  BUT!!!  Come on!  Give me something to look back on and see progress!

I think they have been pretty much banished to the basement for playing.  And even then I am checking in and barking orders about putting things away.  I posted about my cleaning on Face Book and my friend asked if I had seen this carton.  I wasn't sure where it was headed at first, but then... well, as my daughter commented - it was a cartoon about me.  HA!  Enjoy.

New Pet?

So we have this critter living outside our front door.  Yes, I said critter.  Anything that is bigger than my big toe is a critter in my world.  It is rather pretty as critters go.  Anyone know what it might be?

Thank heavens for a zoom.  

I just knew this thing would take off at any moment,

 I would fall of the step and smash my camera!

I tried to get a close up of the antenna.  

They look like leaves that you can see each vein.

Okay folks... what is our new pet?  And why wont she leave?