boating

Not sure how we were fortunate enough to all get the day off today, but we will take it. We thought it was going to be a great day to take the boat out, but Mother Nature obviously had other plans. Matt worked on getting everything ready the night before so when we woke up we ate breakfast then headed to the lake. The last time we were here I got a boating ticket so I already wasn't too keen on the idea of going again but I knew it would make everyone else happy. I can't say that was the outcome of the day, but it was nice to use the boat we are paying to keep in storage. As soon as we got there we could see how choppy the water was. We were hoping we could find a inlet and the water would be a little smoother. It was very choppy but we took it slow enough and found a place to stop and fish. Daddy had to jump out on the shore and tie the anchors around a couple of trees so we wouldn't move, but it worked for a little while at least.

With not much luck catching anything, the kids quickly became impatient. We put the poles away and ate a little lunch. We were going to try a couple more spots to fish but the water was extremely choppy we decided to call it quits. As we were trying to make our way back to the doc the wind started to take our sun shade. I had to drive as Matt took down the shade. I didn't feel comfortable driving trying to steer away from the rocks, trees, and mountains in the water. I quickly gave the wheel back to Matt and found myself holding on for dear life!

What was supposed to be a nice relaxing day on the lake turned out to be nothing of the sorts. I can't wait to be back in Nebraska and have our nice boating lakes back!

Last buddy baseball game

Such a bittersweet day! We love our Thursday and Saturday evenings and the friends we get to share it with. Baseball nights are something we look forward to. Tonight being the last night on this season makes it so bittersweet; the chaos of being the coach, assistant coach, announcer, batting order coordinator and so much more but the memories and amazing time we shared were worth all of the chaos.

Since Matt's schedule changed at work he wasn't able to be there for the majority of the game. Mom had to fill in for all the positions and was a bit overwhelmed. But honestly I would do it again in a heartbeat. Every smile, every high five, every hug, every cheering family member makes every bit of this worthwhile. So as this season ends we will sit down and put our feet up and relax for a short time. A very short time, because bowling starts soon and baseball is always around the corner.

transition meeting

Since we had a meeting before the meeting, I felt like I didn't have to prepare as much for this one. I didn't feel like I was going to have to go to war, but I was still wanting supporting documents incase I needed them. I'm so nervous for next year but I have no clue what is in his best interest, other than moving back to Nebraska! I'm excited about the opportunity to have the boys go to the same school again, I'm excited for the growth we will hopefully see with another year of kindergarten and full day schooling, but I'm nervous. I'm nervous about a new school building for him. I'm nervous about all new friends and teachers. I'm so nervous for this LEVEL C! What I'm being told is that he will only be pulled for math, reading, and writing but will be with his class for calendar, recess and as much as possible. I know as a teacher how much juggling and finagling his schedule and other's schedules this will take. I'm nervous about how much time I will be able to be in the classroom to make sure he is getting what he actually needs.
Of course, there were quite a few people at the meeting. There was an extra district representative as well as the school psychologist and principal from Sonoran Heights. There was one question I really wanted to ask but for some reason it just didn't feel like the right time to ask. Jayen's teacher seemed slightly annoyed or upset about having to be at the meeting. I'm hoping she just had other things on her mind. I really wanted to ask the principal and Mrs. Scott if Jayen could be in her class next year. It is such a unique situation that his current teacher will be moving schools the same year he is. Since she has prior knowledge of him and knows him better than any other teacher, she would be able to work with his schedule a little more than others. Since he will be out of the classroom for his core subjects it will be harder for another teacher to get to know him the way she does or would with her other students. Mrs. Scott, however, sat beside me with arms crossed and leaning on the back of her chair. She didn't seem like she was in the mood for anything. Especially not asking for her compassion for my son. I let the subject go and was hoping to email Mr. Frasier another time.
The final decisions were that Jayen will be able to repeat Kindergarten again next year at Sonoran Heights. Compensatory services were also offered; Jayen has been offered full Kindergarten for the rest of the school year. We also discussed extended school year services and have agreed Jayen will participate. The meeting went well. I'm excited for what next year will bring for him.

Meatoplasty

Today is surgery day. I didn't sleep well last night. I had to send Brilyn off for her first sleepover since we had to be at the hospital by 6AM so not having her home made me a little uneasy. I also was worried about leaving Dalan at home until he was dressed and ready for school. He was going to have to be responsible to wake up and walk over to the neighbors house once he was ready. Ok, I really didn't worry about him too much, more so for the neighbors since I know he will continuously ask what time it is to make sure he is not late for school. I was also extremely nervous about Jayen going under general anesthesia again. He has done fine every time but I still worry. Nothing scares me more than seeing him go from a screaming fit to lifeless and unconscious.

We had to be at the surgery center by 6:00AM but we weren't scheduled for surgery until 7:00AM. It was a long wait in a crowded room but we eventually were able to go back. He knew the drill right away. He took of his shoes and stood on the scale then immediately turned around and put his feet against the wall to get his height. Yep, done that before! After saying hello to all the doctors and going over the procedure and follow-up they were ready for him. I was a little upset but also relieved that we didn't help put the mask on him; he didn't have to see us be part of the group that was going to hurt him.

Less than 30 minutes later the doctor came out to the waiting room to get us and said everything went well. Jayen was in recovery and we could go back to see him. A nurse called us over and we followed her to his bed. He was still out of it. The nurse seemed like she was in a bit of a hurry to get him out of there. They were wheeling patients into the recovery room in a continuous stream.

I was trying to enjoy the quiet, calm, still child of mine when the anesthesiologist came in with another patient and looked at Jayen and asked why he was still here. It was seriously only 5 minutes since he got out of surgery. Jayen opened his eyes enough to allow us to help him eat a popsicle. He was only slightly conscious but ate enough that the nurse was ready to send us away. She asked if we wanted to carry him or if he wanted a wheelchair. I opted for the wheelchair because I knew Jayen would love it. The nurse sent Matt out to go get the car but just after he walked out she got another patient. She was no longer able to help walk us out. I had to carry my purse, a water bottle, Jayen's clothes that he wore when we arrived, his new stuffed animal, the new prescriptions, and Jayen out to the car. He was so lifeless and heavy. I was a little upset that they not only sent me out with all of this stuff but that they sent him out nearly still sedated.

Since we were up so early and all the way on the other side of town, I was able to convince the boys to make a quick stop at Panera and pick up some bagels and cream cheese for breakfast! Even with this stop and the 30 minute drive from the hospital we were home before 8AM. That is how quickly they pushed us out the door! Once home we were able to get about half of a bagel in him and let him walk around for a little bit. He was still slightly out of it. Dad went to go fill his prescription so mom got some good alone time with him. We snuggled on the couch and Jayen eventually went back to sleep. I don't know the last time I was able to snuggle with this little man. We didn't move off of the couch until sister got home from school at 11:45.

Jayen played with Brilyn for a little while before it was time for her to lay down for her nap. Since she was laying down we decided to lay down on the couch again. Jayen was out cold and didn't move until nearly 5PM. My arm fell asleep and the tingling started to hurt otherwise he could have probably slept for even longer.

I don't want him to have to go through this again, but I would give anything to have another snuggle day with him. He is growing too fast and I'm loosing my baby by the second. Days like this remind me to hold on to him a little tighter.

Sky Kids

He's been praying for this everyday for the last 6 months. Every night we ask him what else he wants to pray for and with the biggest smile on his face, he raises his hand in the air and sign airplane. Last November, Jayen had a chance to be a Sky Kid and fly in an airplane. We were so fortunate enough to be able to do it again. I can't believe what this organization does for kids with special needs.

Daddy wasn't able to go up in the airplane this time because he was on call at work and had to be able to answer the phone. It was supposed to be his and Brilyn's turn to go, but she didn't meet the age requirement either. Mommy and Dalan were more than happy to take their places again.

Although he was quiet during the ride and wouldn't talk through the microphone to any of us, I know he had an amazing time. Once we landed he was already asking to do it again!

Thank you Sky Kids and all the volunteers who made this event something my son looks forward to. Thank you for making him feel so special!

He really has friends!

I was going to let dad pick Jayen up from school today but we were both busy staining the kitchen cabinets. I was at a better stopping point than he was so I got to go. I'm so glad I did! I arrived inside the gate about the same time that Jayen's class was lining up. He looked up at Mrs. Scott and told her, "I see mom!". He has to say this to her in order to leave then turns around so she can remove a clip from his backpack. As she was removing the clip two of Jayen's classmates went out of their way to tell him goodbye, one even got scolded and reminded to wait by the wall. On the way to the car another classmate kept turning around and saying, "Goodbye Jayen!". And just before we got to the crosswalk a classmate came up behind him and yelled goodbye then stuck out her tongue at him (in a nice way) and he repeated it back to her.
My heart swelled! He has friends; real friends! Am I making a horrible decision moving him schools now?

Meeting before the meeting

I received an email yesterday asking me to stop after dropping Jayen off for school or before I pick him up for a meeting with the special education teacher. I was being sarcastic and wrote back asking for the agenda; but the response scared me even more. There was no agenda for the meeting but it would be myself, the special education teacher and the school psychologist. I was not sure the purpose of the meeting but decided not to question it anymore. I felt like she wasn't putting it in writing for a reason.
After dropping Jayen off I went to the office and checked in and was escorted to the conference room. It felt so informal but yet so formal with introductions and starting the conversation with, "the reason for this meeting is to go over placement for next year." The two of them had been talking and agreed that there is no harm in keeping Jayen in Kindergarten another year. They agreed that with the shortened school days and amount of pull outs he has that he really hasn't been getting a full Kindergarten curriculum. They approached the principal and he has agreed to sign off on this.
In my head I am still wondering why the sudden change of heart. What changed? I've been demanding this for the past few months and now someone agrees with me.
We also discussed moving Jayen back to Sonoran Heights. If we plan on staying in the district for a few more years at least then we should think about switching back to our home school. This change will hopefully give Jayen a new chance to meet friends in our neighborhood that will be with him from year to year. These friends will hopefully be the same friends he can build relationships with so when he gets older they will continue to be his friend and look out for him. I've worried about this exact situation when we move back to Nebraska. It's always easier to have sympathy and compassion for a cute little kid, but not as easy when they are older.
I like this plan but worry so much about all of it. I worry about the transition to a new school and not knowing anyone (except his brother). There will be a new Kindergarten teacher, a new special education teacher, a new Occupational Therapist, a new Speech therapist, I think the Physical Therapist is the one he had for a short time in preschool, new friends, and new building.
I still have to discuss things with Matt, but I'm happy we had the chance to have this meeting before the meeting. I don't know if this means I have less to prepare and plan for the meeting next week now. But I'm glad they are finally listening to what I thought would be best for my son.