It's 2014 ...

And I've been offline.

Things have been happening again, and bottom line is I have been taking a time out to regroup. I have been online AWOL and am still getting a grip on things.

However, New Year, new perspective, new round in this thing we call Life.

I like this message:

Because:

And I will try harder to remember, in times of panic:

Because as long as I can have faith and hold on to that, the sucky things won't win.

Here is my reminder, at the bottom, in red:

Teacher Conference: Progress Report

Yesterday I spent an hour and a half with James' teacher, talking about his work, personality, and ideas for improvement. I feel so lucky, to be working with a teacher who listens to me, even encourages me, as I talk and talk about James. She talked about him almost as much as I did. There are 23 other kiddos in that class. Yikes! Yes, I am appreciative.

But wait -- there's more, and it's awesome.

To quote from the report card: "He has made so much progress since last year ... James has a terrific memory and works well in his Reading Group. He is not far from the grade level standard this trimester."

I wanted to jump up, punch the air, and dance around the portable room like a loon. YESSSSS!!!! I've worried for so many years; remember so well that long time when I didn't know what James' voice would sound like, or if he'd ever talk. Had a meltdown at being told be he tested as mentally retarded and that I should prepare myself earlier rather than later to face this situation. Being scared that my sunny little guy would get lost in the big wide world of checkboxes and categories that are set to Normal and Not Normal.

He's reading. He's writing. He's interacting with his class. He does his homework and he gamely gives math a shot at night with me. And he's almost there.

So sweet. So relieved for him.

So thankful.

It's going to always be up and down. Math will remain an interesting challenge for quite a while (maybe always). We are going to try a drawing/writing journal and addition/subtraction flash cards. I am so happy, because even though we are getting lots of help, James is the one making this happen. And his future is getting brighter.
 

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: True Spunk

He'd already been through the morning routine and a day of school. Instead of going home, which is the usual Wednesday Routine, James was whisked into the van and onto a highway full of very bad traffic and construction work. For 65 miles and almost 2 hours.

Then he got to ride an elevator and meet strange people who knew his Mom way back when. He was exclaimed over and offered lemon and ginger ice cream. He took it all calmly and played on my smart phone. Then we made our way to a waiting area, where he broke down in tears and "Nooooo, Mommy!" until I let him shut himself inside the little playhouse and handed his snacks to him through the window. We waited about 15 minutes.

THEN, he was assessed by a physical therapist for almost 45 minutes. This is what he looked like toward the end of that session:

Then we went home. Except for the waiting room (pre-snack), I never saw him unhappy. This boy has True Spunk, and I love him so.



Come see what others have shared for their Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs. Add your special photos and add some pizazz to the middle of your week.

And while there are a couple of paragraphs on this page, the photos say more. Join the fun and see more stories at Wordless Wednesday