Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Hi My name is Tracy and....
it's been nearly 2 months since I last blogged....LOL
Ok, I really need to get back into it. I really want this to be a journal...who cares if no one else reads it? At least it will be there for me and the kids right?
Everyone's been sick, well taking turns being sick with a cold...in the house over the past two weeks. That's kept me pretty busy.
I was invited to be on a focus group representing the County (the largest school district in the US) for futures planning for children with special needs. I am awaiting word of my first training session.
I've also been struggling with other issues that I won't get into here. In a way, I wish my Survivor Blog was still active so I could vent some things there, but alas, it wouldn't make me feel any better to write (or type) it all out. I don't know that anything would make me feel better.
This year for Halloween, Harley was mostly Batman. As you probably know for the past three or four years, he has 'mixed' his costumes to something he likes. This year he wore a Batman bodysuit, a Davy Crocket Hat, a pair of purple cat ears and his Spy Kids glasses. Cute, it really was...and someday I will get my pics uploaded to PB or here....
Zac was a brown bear, the cutest one I ever did see...he insists he was a brown cat...OK, that's fine too. Then since Tyler refused to wear his costume Zachary also wore a leopard costume with a really long tail. He kept telling me "mom, hold my tail".
Tyler in his great hard headed way, refused to wear a costume again this year. We almost had him talked into wearing the leopard, but then he decided he didn't like it. He again this year wore the "construction worker" costume...which is simply putting on a bright orange vest. Even then he refused to put it on til it was DARK outside. Still he cashed in on the candy :D
Oh about 3 weeks ago, he ended up with staples in the back of his head. He was on a playground and slipped on the equipment, successfully bashing a hole in the back of his head. This was my first "staple" experience. I swear this will be my first child to give me a "cast" experience as well HAHAHA.
I think I will just work on uploading some pics. I really miss sharing them. I don't know that anyone here will be viewing them that hasn't already seen them on Facebook (the best place to catch me now), but I hope you enjoy them!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
...more school and stuff
Harley's been excelling at school this year. He does really well with his new one on one aide...Today they were able to get the staff at CP over to the school to give his aide some training on how to deal with Harley when he gets frustrated, and they even put Harley into a couple of situations where last year, he was very frustrated, but he had a great day. He didn't even sleep at school today!! WTG Harley!!
Of course, now that he's doing better at school behaviorally he's been having more behaviors at home and CP...but those are good places to have behaviors...much better than at school.
We are already discussing options for next year (gulp!! Freshman in High School?!). I am concerned that he will not be able to handle the 'block' schedule at our 'neighborhood' school. They have just this year started a Challenge program there, so I figure sometime between now and Halloween I will start to contact them to see how it's going and what a typical day looks like. With all the budget cuts and funding issues it's not clear if we will be able to get Harley at 1:1 for next year. The staff at his current school has already started the paperwork and asked that we get ARC involved in case it gets denied. His placement for next year will hinge on his support for next year. I do not believe (nor does his current school officials feel) that Harley would be successful at our neighborhood school unless he has 1:1 -- so if the 1:1 is denied whether it be because of funding issues or his being "not bad enough" -- will guide our decision in which school he will attend in the LRE and FAPE guidelines.
Yea, I've been busy...school meetings, guiding Robert, getting ready for Kelly's 17th birthday party (and of course her driving experience as well!)...Andrew's work schedule is just as screwy as it's always been.
The end of this month we will see where Zachary stands in his speech delays. He's been doing amazing as well and may not need extensive EI support...maybe just two sessions of speech therapy a month?
The first of October Tyler will start attending school again too...his last year of preschool...it was so sweet to see his face light up when I told him that next year he will be in Kindergarten!! He's growing up so darned fast...I just know he's gonna be a learner and a leader!!
That's the most I have for an update this week. Hope since I can't seem to come and update as much as I would like (please friend me on FB as most of my news goes there now)...that I can at least stop by once a week...we'll see how that goal gets met I suppose!?
Over the last two weeks a friend and her children were supposed to move in because they were going to be homeless. Thanks to getting input from some friends I trust very much I was able to look at the situation and realize she was conning us and there was just no way we'd ever get her out of our house...not only that but after discussing it further with her she had no intention of paying a dime towards the bills that would increase as a result of adding 4 people to our household...I just couldn't have that. I may have lost someone I *thought* was a friend...but I don't think she was ever truly our friend anyhow...and either way, whether she moved in or not it would have ended badly...so may as well get it over with now right?
The good news in all that though is that a room got finished in our basement. Another section of our deck got done as well so now we have an additional 'terrace' on our deck to help with the mud pit where grass will never ever grow :D At this point it's looking like, hopefully by this time next year, each child will have his/her own room. That would be sweet. I may change the 'sitting area' in the basement into some sort of crafting area for scrapbookking and/or sewing...but unfortunately I can't keep anything like a sewing machine in Harley's sight so I don't know if that would work anyhow...we will just have to see how things pan out as we rearrange the family dynamics, room wise.
Most of you following along also know we have been struggling with secondary infertility for nearly 3 years now. I have finally let go of that and we will no longer be trying to add to our family. I am happy with the children I have and there has to be other plans for us...I am just too old to consider bringing another child into this world...especially with so many 'parentless' children out there. Again, something we are looking at for the long term so I won't even bother going into too much detail but as most of you know, we have always been interesting in trying to become a foster or host home...we will see how life progresses in the next few years...
I see there actually have been people visiting this blog so it just might be worth it to keep this blog going....I was thinking of letting it die down and eventually just shutting it down. I know I am not the most talented writer and it's probably somewhat boring but it's still a record to go back and read to remind me of what our challenges and joys were and are over the years.
Now to find an old pic ... Tomorrow IS Thursday....LOL
HARLEYISM
"but Mom, I NEED redbox movie"...no Harley not on a school night....his response: But I only go to school during the day mom!! I DO NOT go to school at night...I NEED redbox"....(and nope, he didn't get Redbox)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
First week of school is done and over
Harley had a successful week. Only twice a note came home saying he was trying to sleep at school...once he had fallen asleep on the bus (what's strange is that morning he was wide awake getting ready for school!).
They are still in the reviewing stages of work from last year. I am braced for behaviors once they start challenging him, but who knows? Maybe he will surprise me?
We went right back into the 'school year' routine...therapies after school with Creative Perspectives and in-home therapies on the days he doesn't have CP (and Wednesday).
We had our family therapy session with Mike this past week. Only Andrew, the littles and I attended. We discussed how Tyler is beginning to mimic Harley's behaviors more and more and becoming increasingly aggressive. Mike warned us this will most likely get worse before it gets better. Right now Harley & Tyler are at about the same functioning level emotionally and socially - as I've mentioned before Harley's pretty much plateaued at a 4 to 5 year old level on an emotional/social level. He's been at this level for a while, so I have a feeling this is the highest he'll get.
I was discussing his recertification with his in home OT this week. I was asking if she felt he had a short-term memory loss. At first she said no...but as we discussed it she feels that if it's a auditory reminder or request, then yes, he has a memory deficit...So I'm not sure how we are supposed to list that on his recertification - since we are only supposed to list yes or no?
We are starting a 'new' behavior training program here at home for Harley where he earns 'tick marks' for preferred/compliant behaviors and loses them for unpreferred/aggression/non-compliant behavior. It's been working pretty well since Thursday morning...he earns time on my laptop...which really kind of sucks since he plays and navigates the web in such a way it slows my computer down and I am afraid he will click on the wrong thing and get through my virus software:O He's already crashed the computer that DDRC gave him a couple of years back. Hopefully we can figure something else out soon so he has a different computer other than my laptop to use for his reward.
Kelly's first week of school went well...she did her homework, I didn't get any calls that she missed any classes. I think this year will go much better as now we have BIG leverage. She's turning 17 in about 4 weeks and expects to get her drivers license. She's been reminded all summer that she will NOT be getting her license on her 17th birthday because first she needs to prove to me that she can be responsible enough to attend her classes and keep her grades up...besides she doesn't have a vehicle she can drive to/from school, friends around, etc. Right now we are down to one vehicle (my newer van) and I cannot be home without a vehicle more than I already am--besides Andrew needs it to go to work.
Robert's been a challenge. He's been slightly (ok, more than slightly) depressed that he no longer gets to go to school. We DID warn him of this...he's been on a job search but with the economy the way it is it's gonna be a hard, long road and his frustration levels are not the best when it comes to waiting. Voc Rehab is working with him in the hopes that they can find him a placement with the additional supports and accommodations he will need to be successful with his disabilities. His therapist and psychiatrist are still suggesting we apply for SSI disability benefits for him, but I really don't want to give him an easy out to never work...which is the way he will see it if he can sit at home and collect money to be disabled, he would have no desire nor drive to attempt to find work or even volunteer opportunities.
Tyler's new school year has yet to start. He's going to be a 'senior' in preschool this year. They have changed the location of his schooling this year and he will have all new classmates. He usually excels in his school work, I'm just concerned about his behaviors.
Zachary continues to improve on his speech and may or may not qualify for Early Intervention services...it's a tough call at this point according to his speech therapist. He will be evaluated by DDRC in October or November and depending on how he does at that meeting will determine if he begins school in January of 2011 or if he will need to wait and start in September.
We were able to help one family with school supplies this year. No others came forward for help (at least not that I saw). The moderator at the local freecycle started her own private group for helping people and I think she's been denying any requests for that kind of help and referring them to her other group. It's sad because she's made it difficult for people to 'join' her other group if she has a personality conflict with them...so that's really reduced the number of people I can help.
I have a friend who has been struggling putting food on her table and am trying to help her out...but many times she won't take the help. I feel so badly for her and her family. I do not have a LOT of money and cannot help her out with a whole week's full of groceries at a time, but I try to send little things over as I hear she's in need. I wish there was more I could do to help her but I also understand her need to try to find other ways to provide for the needs of herself and her family.
There's many other things I've been working on over the past few weeks and really really want to start updating my blog more often so that I don't have such long posts in the future. I'll try to post more updates on the goings on in our lives in the coming days, but I think I've given everyone a pretty good picture on the things we've been working on this past week.
They are still in the reviewing stages of work from last year. I am braced for behaviors once they start challenging him, but who knows? Maybe he will surprise me?
We went right back into the 'school year' routine...therapies after school with Creative Perspectives and in-home therapies on the days he doesn't have CP (and Wednesday).
We had our family therapy session with Mike this past week. Only Andrew, the littles and I attended. We discussed how Tyler is beginning to mimic Harley's behaviors more and more and becoming increasingly aggressive. Mike warned us this will most likely get worse before it gets better. Right now Harley & Tyler are at about the same functioning level emotionally and socially - as I've mentioned before Harley's pretty much plateaued at a 4 to 5 year old level on an emotional/social level. He's been at this level for a while, so I have a feeling this is the highest he'll get.
I was discussing his recertification with his in home OT this week. I was asking if she felt he had a short-term memory loss. At first she said no...but as we discussed it she feels that if it's a auditory reminder or request, then yes, he has a memory deficit...So I'm not sure how we are supposed to list that on his recertification - since we are only supposed to list yes or no?
We are starting a 'new' behavior training program here at home for Harley where he earns 'tick marks' for preferred/compliant behaviors and loses them for unpreferred/aggression/non-compliant behavior. It's been working pretty well since Thursday morning...he earns time on my laptop...which really kind of sucks since he plays and navigates the web in such a way it slows my computer down and I am afraid he will click on the wrong thing and get through my virus software:O He's already crashed the computer that DDRC gave him a couple of years back. Hopefully we can figure something else out soon so he has a different computer other than my laptop to use for his reward.
Kelly's first week of school went well...she did her homework, I didn't get any calls that she missed any classes. I think this year will go much better as now we have BIG leverage. She's turning 17 in about 4 weeks and expects to get her drivers license. She's been reminded all summer that she will NOT be getting her license on her 17th birthday because first she needs to prove to me that she can be responsible enough to attend her classes and keep her grades up...besides she doesn't have a vehicle she can drive to/from school, friends around, etc. Right now we are down to one vehicle (my newer van) and I cannot be home without a vehicle more than I already am--besides Andrew needs it to go to work.
Robert's been a challenge. He's been slightly (ok, more than slightly) depressed that he no longer gets to go to school. We DID warn him of this...he's been on a job search but with the economy the way it is it's gonna be a hard, long road and his frustration levels are not the best when it comes to waiting. Voc Rehab is working with him in the hopes that they can find him a placement with the additional supports and accommodations he will need to be successful with his disabilities. His therapist and psychiatrist are still suggesting we apply for SSI disability benefits for him, but I really don't want to give him an easy out to never work...which is the way he will see it if he can sit at home and collect money to be disabled, he would have no desire nor drive to attempt to find work or even volunteer opportunities.
Tyler's new school year has yet to start. He's going to be a 'senior' in preschool this year. They have changed the location of his schooling this year and he will have all new classmates. He usually excels in his school work, I'm just concerned about his behaviors.
Zachary continues to improve on his speech and may or may not qualify for Early Intervention services...it's a tough call at this point according to his speech therapist. He will be evaluated by DDRC in October or November and depending on how he does at that meeting will determine if he begins school in January of 2011 or if he will need to wait and start in September.
We were able to help one family with school supplies this year. No others came forward for help (at least not that I saw). The moderator at the local freecycle started her own private group for helping people and I think she's been denying any requests for that kind of help and referring them to her other group. It's sad because she's made it difficult for people to 'join' her other group if she has a personality conflict with them...so that's really reduced the number of people I can help.
I have a friend who has been struggling putting food on her table and am trying to help her out...but many times she won't take the help. I feel so badly for her and her family. I do not have a LOT of money and cannot help her out with a whole week's full of groceries at a time, but I try to send little things over as I hear she's in need. I wish there was more I could do to help her but I also understand her need to try to find other ways to provide for the needs of herself and her family.
There's many other things I've been working on over the past few weeks and really really want to start updating my blog more often so that I don't have such long posts in the future. I'll try to post more updates on the goings on in our lives in the coming days, but I think I've given everyone a pretty good picture on the things we've been working on this past week.
Monday, August 23, 2010
What did I miss?
Er, maybe it's more what did the readers here miss?
Vacation, our first in nearly 10 years....FUN! Buena Vista Colorado...pics coming eventually...they've been uploaded, just gotta get them up.
Throwback Thursday....Even have an old pic of my grandmother I was going to post...or the pic of my dad from when he was about 10....
Back to school!? Yes Already!! Harley's in 8th grade...Kelly's a junior in high school...Robert's *considering* getting a job (he better consider a little harder). I didn't even take any "first day back to school" pictures today...how sad is that? But then again, Kelly looked like most teens do...big shirt and ripped jeans...Harley? Well, he was dressed like Harley always is :D
Toilet drama...for those that have been following this blog for a while, you've seen the picture of Harley's "toileting position"....we've been through so many toilet seats (and toilets) because of his stand/squat/hover/hug the tank position. Andrew replaced seals in the toilet yesterday because they were leaking...today Harley broke the brand new seals...and the bathroom flooded...Oh Joy!! Any chance we can get a stainless steel, one-piece toilet installed in our house?! LOL
So yeah, my writing sucks lately...my updates are virtually non existent...but if you still visit and still enjoy this blog...let me know? I feel like I blab on and on and about a bunch of nothing anyone's interested in anymore :(
About two more weeks and Tyler starts school. Four more weeks we have Zac re evaluation to see if he starts school in January -- and if not in January he will for sure start next year in September...I will have 4 of my 5 children in school...and each one of them in a different school, in a different direction!! Holy cow, I better make sure my van is well maintained and winterized...it's gonna be a whirlwind year come this time next year!
Vacation, our first in nearly 10 years....FUN! Buena Vista Colorado...pics coming eventually...they've been uploaded, just gotta get them up.
Throwback Thursday....Even have an old pic of my grandmother I was going to post...or the pic of my dad from when he was about 10....
Back to school!? Yes Already!! Harley's in 8th grade...Kelly's a junior in high school...Robert's *considering* getting a job (he better consider a little harder). I didn't even take any "first day back to school" pictures today...how sad is that? But then again, Kelly looked like most teens do...big shirt and ripped jeans...Harley? Well, he was dressed like Harley always is :D
Toilet drama...for those that have been following this blog for a while, you've seen the picture of Harley's "toileting position"....we've been through so many toilet seats (and toilets) because of his stand/squat/hover/hug the tank position. Andrew replaced seals in the toilet yesterday because they were leaking...today Harley broke the brand new seals...and the bathroom flooded...Oh Joy!! Any chance we can get a stainless steel, one-piece toilet installed in our house?! LOL
So yeah, my writing sucks lately...my updates are virtually non existent...but if you still visit and still enjoy this blog...let me know? I feel like I blab on and on and about a bunch of nothing anyone's interested in anymore :(
About two more weeks and Tyler starts school. Four more weeks we have Zac re evaluation to see if he starts school in January -- and if not in January he will for sure start next year in September...I will have 4 of my 5 children in school...and each one of them in a different school, in a different direction!! Holy cow, I better make sure my van is well maintained and winterized...it's gonna be a whirlwind year come this time next year!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Throwback Thursday - December 1985
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
What's better than taking the kids to the park?
Taking ALL five kids (plus one!) to TWO parks!!
Kelly's always saying "Tyler's MINE!"
Harley!
Robert....He really enjoys having younger siblings so HE can enjoy the playground equipment...even though he's too big for it!
BOO!
Kelly & Troy with Zachary
My smallest sweetheart!
my younger gymnast!
A rare pic of all five together!
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