yesterday PLUS an announcement

I got up & got a bunch of chores done yesterday morning...

lots & lots

and

it felt good.

(the hallway inside the garage door)

As I walked through my house in the morning light, I was struck by how much I love this house. It's far from perfect & needs a lot of work- in so many areas...

But it is my dream home. It looks like me & Brett, it's has my personality all over it.

It says family to me.

 Ya- I like it here.

***

I headed down to the hospital to pick up Chloe.

I had permission to take her off grounds for the whole day 12-8:00 PM- Woo Hoo!

We headed straight to lunch at Stan's! 

Gyros & Cheeseburgers with onion ring & fries.

 Oh man- that beats hospital food any day.

(Wende sent Chloe a big pack of sharpies because she knows how much she loves them, she isn't allowed to keep them there so I put them in her room when I got home.)

I had a package for Chloe 

(I usually do)

Full of little things she needed from home AND gifts from kind people-

 kind people that I love more than anything in the world.

 So many people have sent me down with little things for her!

I have never once asked- they just do.

I appreciate them & hope that angels bless them & their posterity forever more.

Is there anything better in the world than someone doing something kind?

Not something huge - just something kind.

Something thoughtful and kind and- for my sick child?

(tears)

People are so good.

A sweet family in our congregation -Hi Jennifer- sent a big envelope full of art work from everyone (she has six beautiful children) for her room! Each child & both parents made all these darling things for her.

 Pictures & jewelry... SHE LOVED THEM! Just loved them! She can't keep the jewelry but it is here for when she gets home. People send her quotes & letters & things to hang up in her room- nice.

We had so much fun eating lunch & going through these things and- just being together.

When Megan was just a tiny baby- we lived less than a block from this little drive in, Stan's. We were very poor college students. Every Monday Brett would head over there with our leftover change and wait in a very long line. Monday nights they had 1/2 price ice cream... good memories.

We headed to Target- then the mall

And found lots of cute things on sale for school etc. 

It was such a GREAT day. Really, really good day.

Brett & Trent came down & met us- Plus these two cuties for dinner!

Are they cute or what?!

This is Jack's sweetheart Emily. 

THEN

it happened.

All Hell Broke Loose

-oh boy-

The restaurant was crowded, Trent was overly excited, there were so many choices on the menu, he started throwing baby fits. Then the baby fits got bigger.

 Chloe started to tic. I started getting upset, Brett was calm.

I was so very embarrassed with Jack's girlfriend there. (So embarrassed, really.)

 Then it escalated to the point Brett had to take him out to the car and go home.

 sigh- it's been a long time- since we've had an episode like this. 

I apologized to the waitress & servers & Emily & tried to blame the autism, teenage hormones, whatever? 

It was rough.

(we both got new shoes)

We finished up our dinner & headed to a different mall- crazy I know!?

We only had one hour - so we had to make it quick.

While Chloe was mesmerized by the make up counter, I headed upstairs in JCPenney.

I went up the escalator & gasped out loud (for real) as I walked in on this display!

It's been YEARS since I've been in a JCPenneys- I was so impressed!

Chloe tried on lots of make up- she loves it & for sure doesn't need it.

 Isn't that how it goes, when your young & don't need it you always want to wear it... now I need it & I sometimes forget to even put it on! I don't want to - but now & then I go out in public & there I am-

 one eye with mascara on the other forgotten-- and I think Trent can be embarrassing!?

Then it was time.

 I dropped her off. Again.

And started my long, one hour, cry fest-- home.

Back to the house that I love.

I love it much more with my sweet Chloe in it.

It's really not the house, but the people who live in it & have grown up in it.

I don't write much about her illness because it is intensely private. I don't want to make anything harder for her than it already is. I love her. I love all of my children & never want them to suffer.

Thank you for praying for her & us.

I love it when people tell me their children pray for her.

 Those are my happiest moments, knowing that children pray for her. 

How could Heavenly Father not hear the prayer of a child? 

Speaking of children 

Here are a couple of cuties and an announcement - if you haven't already heard.

 (Finn in front- Crew in back)

Dear Heavenly Father -

Please bless the children & the grandchildren- all five of them!

one full week

 It's been a week now-

since the first day of school for this guy!

 One of the hardest weeks I can remember in a long time.

I let it get to me.

I spent the summer worrying about a new school, so many changes, jr. high in general, leaving the comfort of the special ed. teachers we know so well. Trent is not your typical kid & definitely not your typical special ed. student, not to me anyway.

I was right. My worries came to life. I tried so hard to prevent it. I called & stopped in & visited & introduced Trent to his new teachers. We went into the special ed. office & tried to communicate what his & our needs were. To PLEASE prep his many teachers about his Aspergers & Tourrette syndrome, OCD etc. I know this all sounds really difficult- but it's not. It's about compassion.

Trent is such a sweetie really. He just has these- quirks. If you know about them it's not that big of a deal & they don't disrupt other kids. Kids are the best- 4 out of 5 times that there is a negative experience it's not from another kid- it's an ignorant adult. 

That's what happened.

A couple of ignorant adults, acted like ignorant adults & I am so disappointed in the whole human race. Okay, okay I do frequently over exaggerate, but still I just couldn't believe it.

 I just can't understand how adults can be so mean?

He was teased into a frenzy, (aspergers kids don't typically understand teasing) called stupid, asked to spell Gullible, told to shut up, stop it, move seats, leave class, staring- people constantly staring- oh gosh. I was so mad. SO MAD

 (p.s. he was not called stupid by a teacher- but yes it was an adult)

Believe it or not- one of his teachers had never ever heard of Tourette syndrome? 

I guess we are over saturated with it here- but still I was surprised that an educator? There are a couple other students at his new charter school with Tourette & many others with Aspergers - sigh.

It's all taken care of now.

I think- it's a new week.

lots of apologies & the special ed. team is very apologetic & frankly they are doing their best.

They have already all fallen for the kid- and I can tell that it's going to get better.

Big sigh.

I cried & cried & visited the school again. 

I blabbed my mouth off about it to anyone who would listen (while sobbing of course.)

I gave a presentation on Tourette syndrome to his math class- the kids were awesome, and now the special ed team has every thing (all paper work & explanations to the teachers- kind of like I asked them to do?) To be fair- these are fantastic ladies!! Just like all other educators- overworked, understaffed & trying their hardest.

Through it all - Trent is so happy.

He has hardly noticed it all. He was really stressed & uncomfortable of course, but he has totally forgotten &  thrilled to go to school- well maybe not thrilled, but he likes it. He loves the uniform, the 4 vending machines (serious OCD over the vending machines! but if he has a good day & turns in all assignments he gets some change for the machine.)

He loves having a locker! 9 different classes & teachers, air conditioning- lunch in the big gym. 

And

He is making friends.

He went there- only knowing one other student (girl in 9th grade) in the whole school.

TRENT YOU ARE SO BRAVE, SO KIND, SUCH A GREAT BOY.

I know it's hard.

I want so bad to take this away & make it all better.

But- I have learned so much this week.

I have learned that-- I can't always protect you. That YOU can do hard thing, but that you need practice at doing hard things. All these experiences will help you become a stronger, happier adult. 

Most of all- I learned that all of these experiences are harder on me than on you.

I'm so glad you are my boy.

all in all- if I could, I still would take it all away. 

guess who turned 13?

August 3rd was my Trent's

13th birthday!

It's hard to believe my baby is 13- 

yet it isn't hard to believe at the same time.

Does that make sense?

Lucky for us

This MOVIE came out on that very day!!!

(I saw that it was coming out on his birthday months ago so it was in our master plan to go)

Ethan, Wende, Chloe & I all went together & it was so cute...

Love this movie series people- LOVE IT.

The second one is my favorite- but hey, how about more movies for kids/boys that are not full of violence? 

seriously!

We headed over to McDonald's for a quick lunch & this was a dilemma.

The Asperger's in Trent was quite concerned that according to the rules on the sigh- the play land was for kids 12 & younger. Gee whiz-- Only 13 for 1/2 a day & already discriminated against as a teenage male? (that was sarcasm) I assured him that since he had only been 13 for a short time I was sure it was okay.

That night we had a little family get together since Grandma & Grandpa were coming into town!

Of course... I have no photos of them.

(Oh man? What in the world? I tell ya- I've been working a lot this summer & my mind is mush- that's my only excuse & I'm aware it's not a good one. It's good to be busy but it's hard to remember everything!)

Trent was chomping at the bit to open presents ALL DAY.

To the point that Brett & I almost couldn't take it anymore!!!

We succumbed & let him open one present (a new watch- which is already broken- which is precisely why I told Brett to buy, "whatever the heck watch was cheapest"- I knew it wouldn't make it a month)

He got a new pocket knife- for scouts since the tip busted off the one he bought at scout camp.

and

he got a new wii game which he was greatly anticipating.

We had his requested 

"triple layer double chocolate cake"

to celebrate.

It came out a little lopsided which made for extreme frustration on my part...

 oh for goodness sake... but it tasted great.

Trent- what a great kid!

I can't believe he is 13 & starting the 7th grade on Monday!!!

AAAAH!

I have hardly slept all summer from nervous anticipation.

I have literally made myself sick over this for months.

GOOD NEWS- open house was yesterday. We toured the school (again) met all of his teachers, met the special ed team, found & opened his locker, went through his schedule... 

and it was 

good.

Really, it went well- deep sigh.

On the way there- we were talking in the car & I said-

"the good thing about 7th grade is that all you kids are in the same boat."

~oops~

That lead to an all day- repeated conversation- about 

NO YOU ARE NOT REALLY GETTING IN BOATS

I meant you are all in the same situation.

Clear through until bedtime he brought up the boat scenario-

I went on & on explaining until finally-

FORGET THE BOAT- NO BOAT.

He knows that I didn't mean they were getting in boats, he was just trying to figure out the simile.

 ah- aspergers when will I ever learn?

i lOVE YOU Trent

I'm so glad you are my boy

boo hoo.. our last halloween parade & party

I really can't believe it... I know I say that all the time.. but I can't!

Friday October 28, 2011- our last elementary school Halloween day parade & party. WOW

Of course, the blogger moms all saved seats & sat together (plus family & friends) I loved it. I will miss it next year. I snapped some pictures of my favorite costumes & neighborhood kids.

Then there's Trent.

He was so excited to wear his costume, (mad scientist- thanks to Karrie who saved the day) the spooky glasses & jar of eye balls floating in green liquid. Why do I always forget- really? Every year I forget he has aspergers (high functioning autism) and think he's going to have so much fun.

Then I get there & he is mostly out of costume, running through the parade in a panic!

He won't stop to say hi or take a photo.

He just wants to get the heck outta dodge. It's my problem not his- I should remember by now!? He did just great.

The school was all decked out & cute with pumpkins & haunted houses made by the students.

I absolutely LOVE that my kids have gone to this school! A school wear there is Halloween with a parade- a school with a Christmas tree & sing along- A Valentine Tea & Easter Egg hunts. Where kids can be kids. I feel sad for kids who have to be politically correct. Sorry- call me an irresponsible parent who doesn't think being educated is important- I don't care- they have plenty of time to study & learn & be serious. They are kids for Heaven's sake.

At the class party - there was pumpkin bowling

bingo, donuts & apples with caramel dip and crafts.

Something tells me I won't be this sad when my last born finishes up Jr. High?

it's like an indoor roller rink

Yesterday Trent & I went to the mall - while Chloe was at ballet.

We went to the mall because Trent's great aunt sent him a gift card to JC Penneys for Christmas. He hadn't used it yet & the kid is in serious need of new shoes. Not because he doesn't have a decent pair of shoes, oh no- his tennis shoes from fall are perfectly fine. He just refuses to wear them. Instead he insists every. single. day. on wearing these old, dingy, Velcro strap shoes that belong in the GARBAGE CAN.

All because he is too lazy to tie his shoes- well

okay, okay... he does have a little obsession with his shoes being tied exactly right. It's kind of a nightmare. We tie them over & over & tuck the laces in then make sure they are just right and... he hasn't had a pair with laces since kindergarten (at the request of his teacher) because of it. This year -I bought the regular shoes hoping he had grown out of it.

Even still - let me just go on record as saying - I am against huge velcro straps on shoes. I think they are hideous & look tacky. No- I did not buy these tacky shoes... no, no, no. Dad bought them when I had a lapse in judgement & sent him shoe shopping with the orphan look alike.

So we went to Penneys in hope of a pair of shoes- no velco- no laces. They make them, he's had several pairs & some of them are really good looking- but last night- none of them were under $50. Heaven's no- I'm not paying that much for kid's shoes.

In an act of desperation, we went to another store. At this store they had Heely's. You know those shoes with the wheels in them? Lucky for trent (who has wanted a pair for years) they were on super clearance.

because after stopping at chick fila- we took home a pair.

It's taken a bit- but he's picking it up.
He walked like Frankenstein all night last night, but today--- he's getting the hang of it.
So last night & all day today while the rest of us watch the Olympics like crazy zombies- he has been wheelin' around the house, nearly knocking us all over.
He's in heaven- and even though I'm not sure they are a good idea- guess what?
Heely's only come with laces.
So- he's been having to tie & wear laces all day. We made a deal in the store- if I bought the Heely's he can't obsess about the laces. If they are not- tied just right- or if the laces are a little long- he's gotta just-- you know? let it go.
So- I'm hoping it'll help.
I'm hoping even though I have two dogs & now a kid on wheels running around the house- that it will be worth it. That his "issue" with shoe laces will be cured. Baby steps.
It's worth a try- right?
I love this kid

science fair.... FINALLY!

Today was the big Elementary School Science Fair!

Trent has always wanted to participate in the science fair- since kindergarten!

I'm what you call... "science challenged." Well, that is in the areas he wants to go. I know, I know I should try, it's something he is interested in, etc. Honestly, I am trying but there is something you need to know about trent & aspergers... he has no limitations to what he thinks he can do. this is a great gift & challenge at the same time. Last year the science fair was optional for 3rd graders- Trent came home & announced he was going to build an airplane & fly inside it- around the school. I had to put a stop to that- I hate crushing a kid's dreams - but realistically people?

Thank HEAVENS- trent got the best ever fourth grade teacher who actually is a food scientist. She went back to school to be a teacher so that she could teach kids to love science. It has been such a huge blessing in his life which equals a huge blessing in our lives too.

I talked to her early in the year about many things but especially his love for science and thoughts of doing something crazy impossible for the science fair. She loved it! She directed him into a project that was perfect for him & he has been successful.

Parents were allowed to visit the fair after the judging approximately 11:30. Around 11:45 we got a phone call from the school secretary- trent was pacing the halls waiting for us. We should have been more specific with him that we would be there sometime- not necessarily 11:30 sharp- aspergers is so literal.

that's brett & I in the back talking with the teacher.
photo by trent

The best part of all was Jack is home. He came over too- this is the same classroom Jack presented his 4th grade science fair project in- Trent was over the top thrilled to show Jack everything, introduce him to his teacher & invite jack to stay for lunch.

Even though he didn't eat school lunch- he stayed. What a great big brother.

So- I never thought I would be saying this... but HOORAY FOR THE SCIENCE FAIR.

the last day of school, company edition

7:00 came awfully early on the last day of school this year...

after the all night party & all. None the less- it is a very important day!

Not to be missed!!

I stammered to get the gifts together for Trent's teachers & all the aids, etc. at school. Trent is affected by so many people- not just his particular teacher. I know all kids are... but really trent is more than the average student. With his asperger issues- they know him, & luckily I think they love him as well.

Being the room mom to his retiring teacher-

the kids in the class & I worked on some extra special gifts.

Lucky I got there before she left. Kristy called me & gave me the warning-
She was just running off to a wedding & darn it- I didn't get her photo! shoot golly- I know I have several somewhere...
this is trent & his special ed. teacher.
She is truly amazing- tears-
She teaches a little social class to trent & a few other students with aspergers- plus works on most of his core subjects with him. I will be eternally grateful for this woman. Trent adores her, which makes my life & his so much easier. She is a miracle worker.

I stayed for their annual end of the year patriotic program & flag lowering ceremony.
Love that.
Trent & I walked home together & talked about what a great year of school it has been & how he is now a fourth grader!
***
That afternoon Brett got ready to take off -up to his home town.
His dad is in the hospital again for some severe back problems. Brett has agonized knowing he has not been there to help & was relieved to get there & see what he can do.
Later that afternoon Jack ran to the airport & picked up my darling niece Kylie.

She & I had a delightful time visiting.
She is heading up to her grandparents house for the summer to work before going to art school. She is an artist- a real artist- with unbelievable talent.
(I am looking up some art here that she has won contest for... updated soon, I hope!)

We had a calm- unbelievably calm after the week we've had- night with nothing to do!

We had edemame, hot wings, & milk shakes for dinner, while playing cards- then went out & enjoyed a far off lightening storm on the front porch.

We lit off a few sparklers- just for fun.

Her parents flew in at 1:40 AM - another long night-

from Florida- they were headed to a family funeral in the morning.

We had breakfast together- her family & mine.

Her dad Cody-

I should have taken more photos- but they had to head out.

Just a few short hours later look who came by!!!!!

My sweet niece Johnna & her baby Drax!

Are they beautiful or what!?

My sister was with her too- but like a jerk I didn't take her picture either... I think the lack of sleep was getting to me?

So

Summer Begins-

It's officially here

company

fireworks

babies

and

all