Our family is at a cross-roads. Our son Prince will be leaving elementary school behind next month, and we have some very big decisions to make in regards to where he will be attending middle school next year. Ordinarily, you just send your child to the local public school, but our situation is a bit more complicated than that. First off all, we have several options. There is the regular public school (which if you knew me you would realize that I am very anti-public school in our area), there is a charter elementary/middle school, there is a charter middle/high school, and there is a special charter school for all ages. If you are not familiar with a charter school, these are free public schools (and not the kind that I am against like in my first statement). Our kids have gone to a FABULOUS charter school for the last four years. In our household, we LOVE charter schools.
If this decision was for Princess, we would probably just send her to one of the more traditional charter schools. But alas, this decision is not for Princess. It is for Prince. That might sound like a double standard, but in this case it is not. For any one that is not familiar with my son, just to look at him you would think that there is nothing out of the ordinary. That assumption would be incorrect. Prince was diagnosed with early onset bipolar disorder, ADHD, ADD, anxiety, and depression. We are also thinking that there are some sensory issues coming into play lately.
Depending on how he is currently responding to his medication, his mood changes. At the moment, Prince is in an up cycle. That is to say, he is manic. For the last several weeks, his behavior has been getting harder to control. This last week it came to a head (at least that is my hope). For him, when he feels out of control, he regresses with his behavior. Over the last weekend, he literally has been acting like a three year old. According to the doctor, this is most likely his "natural" state when out of control. They have increased his medication, and we are hoping to avoid this getting any worse. In fact, this episode is the worst one I have seen from him to date. I feel like the increased medication is working, but time will tell.
This leads me back to the big decision. Do we put him in a traditional-style middle school that most likely will not be able to fully support him when it comes to these types of issues? Or do we put him in a school that will definitely be able to support him, but is not a school for "traditional" students? What types of behaviors will he pick up from this type of school? I love that we have so many options, but none of them seem to be the "perfect" fit. How do I as a parent make the best choice for my child? We have been praying over this issue for weeks.
We attended a walk through of the special school today. I have to say, we were pretty impressed with what we saw. After talking with the staff, seeing the students and how they are handled, and then watching a staff member with Prince while he was literally flying through their hall, I believe we are ready to make this next step. I believe that we are making the correct decision, and pray that everything is working out as it is supposed to. I am putting my anxiety and worry to the Lord. I know that my son is in the best hands possible, the Lord's.
We are a God-loving family, and life for us is wonderful! We love to stay busy with our children, read the bible, and just spend time as a family. Even though life for us can get chaotic, we would not change it for anything!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Family ties
It is official, my baby sister is back in Utah! Yes! Can you tell I am just a wee bit excited?!? She is the baby of the family, and almost like my own child. I hated having her move away, and as of two days ago she is back!
On another note...it is very physically and emotionally draining to have a child with health problems. Prince has mental health conditions, and he has been having a really rough time the last week or so. We are hoping the new medication dosage will help him out. I know he is tired of it, and quite frankly, so am I. I know that the Lord has a plan for him and for us. There is a reason for everything, and there is always something to be thankful for. In this instance, one thing that I know I can be thankful for would be the patience that I am learning. Patience has always been one of my weaknesses, and it is definitely getting better. I am also eternally thankful for having Prince in my life. He is such a joy, and a sweet boy. He is a pleaser and hates when people are upset with him. I am really working on giving him patience and understanding during this current trial.
Princess has been struggling with Prince lately too. She feels like he gets all of our attention, so we make sure she gets special one-on-one time with us. She also is struggling with understanding of what is going on with her brother. She is at an age where she is starting to comprehend that something is not right, but doesn't fully understand it. We are doing what we can to help her through this as well.
If you could pray for our family right now, and pray that the doctor will guide us in the correct direction we would be grateful. Thank you!
On another note...it is very physically and emotionally draining to have a child with health problems. Prince has mental health conditions, and he has been having a really rough time the last week or so. We are hoping the new medication dosage will help him out. I know he is tired of it, and quite frankly, so am I. I know that the Lord has a plan for him and for us. There is a reason for everything, and there is always something to be thankful for. In this instance, one thing that I know I can be thankful for would be the patience that I am learning. Patience has always been one of my weaknesses, and it is definitely getting better. I am also eternally thankful for having Prince in my life. He is such a joy, and a sweet boy. He is a pleaser and hates when people are upset with him. I am really working on giving him patience and understanding during this current trial.
Princess has been struggling with Prince lately too. She feels like he gets all of our attention, so we make sure she gets special one-on-one time with us. She also is struggling with understanding of what is going on with her brother. She is at an age where she is starting to comprehend that something is not right, but doesn't fully understand it. We are doing what we can to help her through this as well.
If you could pray for our family right now, and pray that the doctor will guide us in the correct direction we would be grateful. Thank you!
Friday, April 11, 2014
Faithful Friday!
Today is Friday! I do not know about you, but I absolutely LOVE Fridays and this has been a great one. It started out with sleeping in (how can that be a bad start right?!?). Then the kids and I went with fabulous friends of ours to a family fun center and spent most of the day. All of the kids seemed to have such a great time playing arcade games, miniature golf, riding the go karts and bumper boats, and lots of other activities. It really was an amazing day. Then after being home awhile, my friend brought me a piece of cake from one of favorite bakeries. Sounds like a great day, right? And it gets better. MY BABY SISTER IS ON HER WAY BACK HOME! She will be here soon. I can not tell you how happy that this makes me feel. She has been away too long, and I am so grateful that she is moving back here.
One thing that I have not covered lately on this blog has been my "faithful Friday". I really enjoy writing those posts and will get back into the habit.
Our family's journey of faith has been through some ups and downs lately. A few months back, we left our home church of over five years. I really do not want to get into reasons on here, other than to say that the Lord put it on our hearts that it was time to find a new spiritual home. We started this new chapter of our life with a list of multiple churches that we wanted to into and see if they were the right fit for our family. While we did enjoy several of them, when we attended our new church we just new that we had found our spiritual home. It was very much the same feeling that we had when we found our church home before. When we walked in and attended the service, it just felt right. So, we started the year off right, with our hearts and minds open.
I will be forever grateful for our previous church. We were saved in that church. We have loved learning about the Lord, and all the lessons we have taken into our hearts. We consider the people there our family. While it was and is a wonderful place, we just new that it was not our home anymore. That church will always hold a piece of my heart. It was bittersweet to move on, and taking that first step away was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I know now that what we did was for the best. That the Lord has bigger plans for our family, and I do not know those plans.
We continue to follow the Lord's plan for us. We have not stopped reading His word. We continue to pray and mediate on all that I have learned. We are at peace with this decision and there is no anxiety when it comes to this change. With the move to the new church, our faith is growing. We are walking in the path of the Lord. And that is a beautiful thing!
Some of the passages that we have found to be inspiring lately include:
Proverbs 3:5 (NASB)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 (NASB)
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
Psalm 32:8 (NASB)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Proverbs 19:21 (NASB)
Many plans are in a man's heart,But the counsel of the Lord will stand.
One thing that I have not covered lately on this blog has been my "faithful Friday". I really enjoy writing those posts and will get back into the habit.
Our family's journey of faith has been through some ups and downs lately. A few months back, we left our home church of over five years. I really do not want to get into reasons on here, other than to say that the Lord put it on our hearts that it was time to find a new spiritual home. We started this new chapter of our life with a list of multiple churches that we wanted to into and see if they were the right fit for our family. While we did enjoy several of them, when we attended our new church we just new that we had found our spiritual home. It was very much the same feeling that we had when we found our church home before. When we walked in and attended the service, it just felt right. So, we started the year off right, with our hearts and minds open.
I will be forever grateful for our previous church. We were saved in that church. We have loved learning about the Lord, and all the lessons we have taken into our hearts. We consider the people there our family. While it was and is a wonderful place, we just new that it was not our home anymore. That church will always hold a piece of my heart. It was bittersweet to move on, and taking that first step away was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I know now that what we did was for the best. That the Lord has bigger plans for our family, and I do not know those plans.
We continue to follow the Lord's plan for us. We have not stopped reading His word. We continue to pray and mediate on all that I have learned. We are at peace with this decision and there is no anxiety when it comes to this change. With the move to the new church, our faith is growing. We are walking in the path of the Lord. And that is a beautiful thing!
Some of the passages that we have found to be inspiring lately include:
Proverbs 3:5 (NASB)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 (NASB)
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
Psalm 32:8 (NASB)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Proverbs 19:21 (NASB)
Many plans are in a man's heart,But the counsel of the Lord will stand.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
End of spring break
Tomorrow is the official last day of spring break. I have really tried making this spring break a fun one for the kids. We have definitely been able to pack in the fun! We have gone to the movies, the park several times, swimming, a trampoline park, shopping, lunch, and tomorrow is the biggest day yet! The kids are so excited for tomorrow, and quite frankly, so am I.
Just so everyone knows, I have the best family ever! My husband works so hard for our family. The National Guard is taking him away tomorrow (thankfully just for the weekend). My kids are awesome. While they might drive me bonkers, they are my life. I just love the people they are growing up to be. Prince is almost as tall as me now! He has about four inches to go and he will be taller. I imagine this will probably take place sometime in the next year or so. Princess is as cute as ever. She is such a big helper.
It has been really nice having the last week off of school, definitely a much needed break. I absolutely love my job and my students, but it is getting close to the end of the school year and I am ready for it! In fact, once we get back to school next week, we only have seven weeks left until summer break. That is just nuts!
I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow!
Just so everyone knows, I have the best family ever! My husband works so hard for our family. The National Guard is taking him away tomorrow (thankfully just for the weekend). My kids are awesome. While they might drive me bonkers, they are my life. I just love the people they are growing up to be. Prince is almost as tall as me now! He has about four inches to go and he will be taller. I imagine this will probably take place sometime in the next year or so. Princess is as cute as ever. She is such a big helper.
It has been really nice having the last week off of school, definitely a much needed break. I absolutely love my job and my students, but it is getting close to the end of the school year and I am ready for it! In fact, once we get back to school next week, we only have seven weeks left until summer break. That is just nuts!
I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Today is a new day...
I am officially off of school for the next week! YEA! I finished my alegbra final today, and passed the class with am "A". I am so glad that this class is over. It should be my last math class for my degree! While I think that math comes easy to me, I find it incredibly boring. (Sorry all you math people out there!) History is my favorite subject :)
Tomorrow is a pretty full day for the kids and me. Prince and I need to have blood work done. I need to submit Prince's middle school registration papers to the new school. I am going to lunch with the girls. After lunch, the kids and I are going out and having fun!
I am looking into going on a girls trip this summer. It has been a couple years since the last time I went away with the girls, and it is definitely past time!
Tomorrow is a pretty full day for the kids and me. Prince and I need to have blood work done. I need to submit Prince's middle school registration papers to the new school. I am going to lunch with the girls. After lunch, the kids and I are going out and having fun!
I am looking into going on a girls trip this summer. It has been a couple years since the last time I went away with the girls, and it is definitely past time!
Spring Break
I do not know about you, but I sure am glad spring break has arrived. My children have been driving me bonkers ;) and definitely needed some fun time. (Just between us, I did too!) Recently I started a second job, and have to say, it is so much fun! I am only going to be doing it one-two nights a week for a little extra spending money and to keep me from going insane over the summer while school is out.
Prince is doing well. We started with a new doctor a couple weeks ago, and have a game plan in place for his medication and behavior. It is going to be a few months before we really have a complete picture, but it does sound promising. He also recently started playing the piano again after quitting three years ago. This change really makes me happy. Prince LOVES music, and he played for a long time. We have a fabulous teacher who is wonderful with my kids! Soccer is also starting up again this week. I can not believe that it is already soccer season!
Princess is a doll like always. She wanted to chop off her hair yesterday, so we let her. While I think the cut is cute and she looks lovely, I miss the long hair. At least when it grows out, it will be super healthy :) Princess is also playing the piano. She started back in September, and is FLYING through the lesson books. She has completed the first level already and starts in on the new set of books this coming week. She has really been loving it! In addition, she has been taking a sewing class. She has already make a bag, and is now working on her first pair of pajama pants. It is too cute!
Brian and I are great. We are getting into a routine with all the changes in working hours, and the new schedule seems to be working. While we both are busy, we are still making it a point to try to "date" and also make time for the kids. I just have to say, I am the luckiest woman ever. My husband is the best, and works so hard for our family. He is an amazing person. I do tell him that, but I probably should tell him more often.
This coming week is going to be great! Starting tomorrow night, I am off of school for a week, the kids are on spring break (and I am to from my job), and we have so many fun activities planned for this week. I really just wanted to take the week to focus on our kids, and let them have fun!
It is super late, so I better sign off for now!
Prince is doing well. We started with a new doctor a couple weeks ago, and have a game plan in place for his medication and behavior. It is going to be a few months before we really have a complete picture, but it does sound promising. He also recently started playing the piano again after quitting three years ago. This change really makes me happy. Prince LOVES music, and he played for a long time. We have a fabulous teacher who is wonderful with my kids! Soccer is also starting up again this week. I can not believe that it is already soccer season!
Princess is a doll like always. She wanted to chop off her hair yesterday, so we let her. While I think the cut is cute and she looks lovely, I miss the long hair. At least when it grows out, it will be super healthy :) Princess is also playing the piano. She started back in September, and is FLYING through the lesson books. She has completed the first level already and starts in on the new set of books this coming week. She has really been loving it! In addition, she has been taking a sewing class. She has already make a bag, and is now working on her first pair of pajama pants. It is too cute!
Brian and I are great. We are getting into a routine with all the changes in working hours, and the new schedule seems to be working. While we both are busy, we are still making it a point to try to "date" and also make time for the kids. I just have to say, I am the luckiest woman ever. My husband is the best, and works so hard for our family. He is an amazing person. I do tell him that, but I probably should tell him more often.
This coming week is going to be great! Starting tomorrow night, I am off of school for a week, the kids are on spring break (and I am to from my job), and we have so many fun activities planned for this week. I really just wanted to take the week to focus on our kids, and let them have fun!
It is super late, so I better sign off for now!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)