Reading Restaurant

Deborah's class did a "Reading Restaurant" tonight.  I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but it was really awesome!  When we arrived at the classroom, Deborah was whisked away into the classroom while all we waited outside with all the other parents.  After a few minutes of listening to busy, excited sounds escaping from the room, each of the parents were individually invited by the hostess (aka the teacher) to join their little chef.  

Our chef was darling!  It's amazing how big she's getting!

She had prepared a menu for us.  The "appetizer" was a sample of her story writing; the "salad" was another example of her story writing, the entree was a story that she wrote about EACH member of her family.  For dessert, we had a choice of three of her favorite books to choose from.

The video below is her reading one of her favorite books.  You have to turn up your volume pretty loud in order to hear her and there's a lot of background noise; however, if you listen pretty closely, you will hear that she's using a funny voice. It was a book about an Italian family and their pizza business.  It was really, really funny to listen to her talk. 

Enjoy!

Need a Good Giggle?

We were sitting at the dinner table and I gave Ryan a few things to play with on his tray.  After several minutes of being entertained, I realized I should be recording.  This went on for several minutes.

Can you watch it without smiling?

One Step at a Time

It started with just a simple phone call to a college financial aid office.  I needed to know if there was a reason we didn't receive an anticipated tax form, and I was hoping to learn that I could still use the tuition amount for a tax credit.  What happened was truly miraculous!

To really appreciate this miracle, I'll need to share with you that it's been a really tough few months.  I suppose I had foolishly thought that I had survived my "big test," or "big tests" depending on how one looks at it, and it would be a matter of enduring well and becoming more like Him.  Even as I type that last phrase I think, "How foolish that I didn't assume there would be many more really tough times."  But, I didn't.

This morning I was feeling the pressure of looming deadlines and as my whirlwind of thoughts caught up to me, I felt like I was out of things to do to help.  So I followed the best advice I know, "When life gets too hard to stand, kneel."  And, that's just what I did.  I prayed.  I really plead with the Lord. 

Perhaps you've had moments like that in your life, too, when you have really plead with the Lord.  Perhaps, too, he has answered your prayers, as he did mine today.  Do you ever stop being amazed by His power, His love, and His mercy?  I'm embarrassed to say that I have had moments when I have wondered if He was listening, and moments when I really didn't understand His plan, and even some when I doubted that He had a plan.  Perhaps that is why I am so amazed that He still hears me and answers me when I come to Him.

Today it might have been enough to have just given me an affirmative answer that I can use the tuition as a tax credit.  Instead this gentle, fatherly voice walked me through finding exactly what I needed for my taxes, and then asked me a few, obviously inspired questions.  We then had a conversation that was a miraculous answer to my morning prayers.  While I still don't have all the answers I need, he gave me a message of hope and reminded me that Heavenly Father always seems to give me the next step.  He always lights the way, sometimes it is just one step at a time.

Back on the Bike

Ryan had the opportunity to ride a tricycle at TEAMability this week.  He LOVED riding this blue one.  He was able to keep his head up the whole time and he especially enjoyed being able to ride it outside while the wind was blowing just a bit.

He was even able to move himself on the bike without any help.  Of course, he could only pedal just a little bit, and it was always backwards, but we'll start there, right?  This cool little bike costs a cool little $3,000.  Amazing, isn't it?!? 

Shots

We have a tradition in our family that whenever someone gets a shot (or shots), we let them choose between getting donuts or ice cream.  It was Johnathon's turn to get 3 immunization shots, and let me tell you:  he was impressive!

No one likes getting shots, right?  He was a little freaked out when they first mentioned shots.  It's been a few years since he's had to have any, but then we talked about how we have choices about how we'll respond and how we respond can often affect our experiences.  We talked about how if we get really tense when we get shots, it actually can make it more painful, but taking deep breaths can make it a bit better.  BUT, I reminded him that it was entirely HIS choice how he wanted to respond.  Then I sat down and continued the discussion with our wonderful pediatrician.  Meanwhile, Johnathon CHOSE to watch a BrainPop video on Immunizations. 

When the nurse came in to give Johnathon his shots, Johnathon was totally calm, smiling and really did SUPER!  I was amazed and incredibly proud of him!  Johnathon, being the super intelligent kid he is, recognized by beaming face, and immediately negotiated an extra half hour of computer time AND ice cream.  :)  But, since it was early in the morning, and the HOT sign was on at Krispy Kreme, we stopped by to get a donut and returned to school with the promise of ice cream after school.

After school, Dad suggested picking up all of Johnathon's favorite mix-in's to make homemade shakes at home.  So, that's what we did.  He choose Twix, Butterfingers, hot fudge, caramel syrup, and oreos.  Then he topped his shake with heavy whipped cream and cherries and sprinkles.

Snow Day

Today was a snow day in southern Texas.  No, we didn't have snow, but we did have a lot of ice and since we don't have any thing to deal with the ice and no one really knows how to drive on it, we all stay home.  The whole city shuts down and we get to hang out with our families.

Deborah and I talked about Random Acts of Kindness and what kinds of things we could do for others that don't cost money.  While looking for ideas on line, we found several projects on Pinterest that were lots of fun.  Be watching!  You might just be the lucky recipient of her extra kindness during the next few weeks!

We also found this fun Valentine's day craft from HandsOnAsWeGrow.com 
 

Remember, I'm not really the crafty type.  So, when I say it was easy, you know it must be E.A.S.Y!  I really liked the way it turned out.  Here's ours:

Minute To Win It

Sometimes Mom's Need Help with the Baby ...





Sometimes you need to help organize things, maybe sort the toys ...





And, we always work better as a team ...





Of course, sometimes, Mom may want you to help with dinner. So, you might want to learn how to handle the noodles. But, watch out! Don't burn your hands!





Don't forget the floor always needs to be cleaned after dinner!





But, when dinner's over, the night's not over, there are always things that need to be picked up...





I think you've done well and you've earned a treat. Just one more challenge...

TeamAbility -- Hula Mat

Today at TeamAbility they used a "Hula Mat."  It's a great device that is essential made from a typical gym and circus grade hula hoops.  They worked with Ryan on learning how to roll from side to side.  The mat helps to teach him how to roll.  You can watch the video and I think you'll understand it better than I can probably explain it.  He's done this a few times now and I can already see progress from the first time.

Ryan's First Day at TEAMability

Today we took Ryan to the new therapy location, Team Ability. It was amazing!  Ryan's nurse and our good friend Tami came along.  (If you know Tami, you'll know she's a great photographer.  Well, today, she was a great videographer.)

We had the most amazing day! Ryan took what I'll call his "first steps." I'll apologize in advance to my other children, but these moments were better than my other children's first steps.

If you're only going to watch one video, this next one is the ONE to watch.  

What you didn't see in that amazing video is that he actually picked up his right leg all by himself and lifted it up over the box.  The box is filled with white Styrofoam peanuts, which he apparently really enjoyed touching.  He also "walked" all the way across the box and made his way to the other side.  I wasn't really sure what he was wanting when he got there.  We tried turning him around.  I tried offering him the choice between the Styrofoam peanuts and the river rocks, but he didn't really seem to want either.  We eventually turned him toward the river rocks.  He spent time hovering with one foot in the peanuts and one foot on the rocks, seemingly comparing the two.

If you're one of the people who've wondered how much Ryan thinks, let me assure you:  he was making choices today.  Not only did he obviously know where he wanted to go, but he seemed to know how to make his legs help him get there.  It was awkward motion, but he did it.  And, yes, I cried.  I've never seen my 5 year old son take a step, and today I saw him lift his leg over a box to move himself into the box.  Yes, I cried.  And, I've watched the video more than a dozen times now.

I've skipped a lot of the in between stuff, even though Tami was so awesome at taping every single moment of our hour.  Later, he made his way back to me.  At first I thought he was telling me he was all done, but then he started hugging me.  Well, I'll just let you watch this ...

I think he was sharing his joy with me.  What do you think?

Why Not?

Wednesday night I went shopping for fabric to make a quick quilt.  I had Johnathon and Deborah with me and since I always feel very overwhelmed at picking out colors for projects, I asked for their help.  With a bit of effort ... okay two trips and a near anxiety attack, I found these fabrics and was trying to find three other fabrics to match them:

Deborah and Johnathon were good sports and were giving their opinions.   I had been told my a neighbor who whips up quilts that I needed 3 or 5 fabrics to make a quilt.  After a few minutes, I thought I found a great match for this fabric and received confirmation from the kiddos that it did indeed work well.  However, a grandmotherly ginger shopper with glasses perched on her nose and a brightly colored quilted jacket just couldn't keep silent any longer.  Shaking her head, she said, "No.  These are not fabrics for a man."  Then she proceeded to spend the next 20 minutes explaining to me the art of fabric choices for quilting.  My head was spinning but I was really appreciative.  I really would have appreciated if she had just picked the fabric and put them in my cart.  But, no, after leaving me with advice like, "Don't forget you need texture and movement..." she left. 

I felt more knowledgeable perhaps, but still incapable of matching fabrics.  So, I picked up the two that she used as examples of movement and texture.  Luckily, they came in a "set."  I found all the colors they came in and bought them.  Here's what I  ended up with...

It's nothing fancy, but it was a fun quick project and I'm thankful I was able to do it.   I hope it's enjoyed.

Monsters

Dwight shared this on his Facebook status tonight.  I thought it was so typical of both Dwight and Deborah that I just had to keep it forever.  Here's what he said:

So the other night it was time for my youngest daughter Deborah (age 7) to go to bed, but she was taking her time.
Me: "It is almost 9 o'clock. That is when the monsters come out."
Deborah: "I'm not afraid of monsters anymore. I got rid of them all."
That's my girl...

Pinterest

Don't you just love Pinterest?  I do ... except when I don't.  I don't love that it can eat up a lot of my time unintentionally and that it doesn't always do what I want it to do.  Like right now.  I want to use it to mark this page on education and special needs so I can come back and reference it later; however, it won't since there are no pictures.  Thus, since I try to be a problem solver, you get this boring post.  Thanks, Pinterest.  ;)

We're In!

More than 2 years ago I put Ryan on a waiting list for TEAMability, an amazing organization that offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy for special needs kids in a really special way.  Today we finally moved from the wait list to the patient list!!  HE'S IN!!! 

This answer to a prayer came at the perfect time.  Our current provider just dropped his occupational therapy completely and wanted to cut his physical therapy to once a month because "he isn't making enough progress" and they didn't want to get a denial from our insurance.  Yet insurance just authorized 4 hours each week of physical and augmentative therapies for the next six months. 

I'm so thankful!!

Self Portraits

A little over a month ago, Ryan's awesome speech therapist introduced Lemon Glycerin Swabsticks.

They are like large, lemon flavored q-tips.  We rub one on the inside of Ryan's mouth.  We're hoping it helps strengthen Ryan's suction and swallow so that some day maybe he'll be able to eat by mouth again, or
 at least be able to taste some foods.

Since introducing this lovely lemon swabs, Ryan has discovered his fingers.  You probably already know that this is a very important milestone that most infants do some time during the first year.  Well, Ryan has never brought his fingers to his mouth before.  During the past 9 months, maybe less, he would blow raspberries on his arm, but never explore his mouth with his fingers.

Oh, but now!  We can't get his fingers out of his mouth!  And, it's not just a fingertip, or even one finger.  He typically has all four fingers completely in his mouth.  He must not have any gag reflex.

On one hand ... sorry, just couldn't resist ... it's a wonderful thing, but then on the other hand (yes, I'm still enjoying the pun) there's the excessive amounts of drool that's being created not to mention the red marks his teeth are making on his fingers.

So, you might be wondering what all of this drool and lemon glycerin swab talk has to do with the title of "Self Portraits?"  Let me tell you.

Ryan's teacher asked us to do a self portrait.  She gave us a little cut out that reminds me of a gingerbread cut out.  We've done this before each year.  You might remember his very first drawing in 2011, or you can look at it again by clicking here.

This year's self portrait was extra challenging!  I thought we'd use finger paints.  Ryan really likes finger painting; then I quickly realized the finger paints were going in the mouth with his fingers.  Not a good idea.  So, I grabbed some brushes to use, but Ryan had no interest in holding the brushes today.  Then I jokingly said, "We could paint with mustard."  So, we did ... and ketchup ... and we even tried relish.

Do you see the resemblance?

Jumping In

Yesterday Deborah discovered that it's more fun to jump into the water without me catching her.  So, the first thing she wanted to do today when we went to the pool was jump in with me video taping her so that she could send the video to Daddy.  She was SO excited for Daddy to see her jumping into the water!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to send it to him while we were at the pool.  But, I told him all about it and he was SO proud of Deborah. 

This video is for Daddy ...

Deborah ...

Deborah just had to try it...

Aging and Parking Spots

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately with the limitations of my body.  Next Sunday I turn 45 and although 20 years ago I thought it would never happen to me, my body is starting to show new signs of aging.  I've had wrinkles for a few years and the grey hairs came in with a vengeance after chemo, but now I have all new creaks and pains.
 
A few weeks ago, I was doing squats--nothing new just your typical run of the mill exercise squat--using only my body weight for resistance when I noticed a pain in my mid to lower back.  It wasn't severe or shooting, but it was enough of a pain that I stopped after finishing only half of the planned squats.

Last week, I started having pain in my right shoulder and arm.  It made it very difficult to lift or even move Ryan.  And, my right hip makes a creaking noise now when I move, much like the old wood floors at my Aunt's house did when I was a child. 

To add insult to injury, I spoke to a physical therapist about all of this and she simply said:  "You're not getting any younger."

The hardest part of accepting all of this is that while I may not be getting any younger, Ryan is getting older and bigger for which I am very thankful.  Somehow I just need to figure out how to make my body stronger and stop this aging process.  I can only imagine how much more difficult it is going to become to move him in and out of the car seat, bed, and wheelchair.  I need to be able to care for Ryan long term and that requires me being able to do all of those things. It's a little overwhelming.

Saturday I was thinking about all this as I loaded the groceries in the van.  When I was returning to the van after putting away the grocery cart, a lady who was walking toward me gently smiled at me and said, "I pray there will always be a parking spot for you."  Now, I wasn't parked in handicapped parking because I didn't have Ryan with me.  However, I suppose she saw the tags on my car and maybe the wheelchair.  But, I thought a lot about what she said and how thoughtful it was for her to say it to me.  She and her husband seemed to need handicapped parking more, even if Ryan were with me.  Yet, the fact that she would pray for me to have a spot was so generous and kind.

While I feel very overwhelmed with my aging body and the need to strengthen so that I may do all that is required of me, I am grateful for the many blessings that I have and recognize that I have been blessed with so much.

Questionable Reading Materials

Today I was having a conversation with Dwight & David about some questionable material assigned for an English class. As we discussed my opposing arguments, Johnathon said, "Would you read that if the Savior were in the room?" and then Deborah, quoting lyrics, said, "If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do? Would I think of His commandments, and try harder to be true? Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously if I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?" 

Seems to be a great standard to live by ....

Slacking?

I'm sorry if it seems to all of you I have been slacking.  I'm sure you've noticed my sparse postings over the past few months and my lack of any postings since Ryan came home from the hospital. 

This semester I thought it would be a good idea to take 8 credit hours in school.  Oh was I wrong!  With all the unexpected emergencies, Jessica graduating and getting her ready and sent off to college, and the beginning of summer, it has been tough to keep up with 8 college credit hours.  I am still managing 2 A's and struggling to pull the B back up to an A.  That B will be why I won't be doing anything fun for the next week -- except math.

I've always loved math until this class.  My family thinks it's great that now I can relate to their feelings about math classes.  Perhaps.

I promise I've been taking lots of pictures and mental notes.  As soon as I get through the end of July, I will update you all on everything that's been happening and give you lots of pictures.

Till then, send me good Math thoughts... ;)

Sunday's Doctor Visit

Ryan had a really good night last night. He has been moved from guarded condition to stable. His oxygen saturation levels have been rising and staying really high. At 12:30 today we took Ryan off supplemental oxygen.  The real test will come when he goes to sleep.

Ryan's lung CT showed that he does have pneumonia.  It was hiding behind his heart.  The good news is there was not a lot of scar tissue!  So, the doctor has asked that we continue the meds as ordered but we can go back to every 4 hours for the IPV treatments.  YAY!

His lungs are sounding a little better.  His O2 sats are hovering right around 94-96 without any supplementation, even when he's napping. The trick will be to see whether he can keep them them overnight.  He must stay off supplemental oxygen with his saturation levels over 92% for a full 24 hours before we can home.