I Love You Because...

An Ethan Update

Okay I realize that I've been more then lax about the blog since the move but I'm going to go back to normal.... VERY SOON! First things first... I thought I'd give everyone the official ETHAN update. Ever since we started working with Fulton County and the asking questions about the special needs departments we've been more then nervous. The first week of school we had trouble even verifying with the school that they had simply read his IEP (Indiv. Education Plan) from Barrow County. The administration at Abbott's Hill Elementary was less then helpful and since we had such a positive experience in the Georgia special ed public education system in previous years we decided to trust the system and take a leap of faith.... 4 weeks after school started and we had already had enough. His teacher had yet to prove she had complied with the existing IEP at all and the administration was not at all worried when we brought up our concerns. He was complaining about going to school, he said he never got help in class and his teacher was sending home work with giant red F's all over it and complaining that he was unable to do it. At home we'd read to him the instructions and he would immediately do it- successfully! Basically, they weren't giving him the little bit of extra help he needed and they didn't believe in him. His love of learning was practically gone, his confidence was shot and he stopped asking questions (which was the biggest red flag for us!). His teacher even discribed him as quiet and well-mannered. It was obvious she didn't know who he was. It was heartbreaking to watch and frankly, pretty depressing to realize that the work that countless teachers and administrators put into him and beleiving in him was useless in the move. After requesting and being turned down for a meeting with the teacher and then an IEP meeting Doug and I both realized that this was not a battle Ethan needed to suffer from. There was no choice but to remove him from that school. 

After a really stressfull week full of researching our options and praying for a little guidance we found the perfect place for him thanks to Georgia's SB 10.

 Ethan is now in a private school, Hayden's Way. About 1/2 the kids that go there are on the Spectrum and the other 1/2 are not. It's only got about 50-60kids but it dies go K-12. Ethans class has 7 students in grades 2-4. The next class up is 4-6. They are very project driven and his fingers are constantly moving as he's learning (like building a small pyramid whiles he's learning Egyptian history). He has only been going this past week but he loves it. His schedules quite a bit different, Tuesday - Thursday 8-3:30. And Fridays the school is open for additional Art, Music, Science and theatre classes. The teachers are in the building and are available for tutoring and homework help all day Fridays as well. He does get a lot of homework over the weekend and right now he hates that aspect the most but I think he'll adjust. Monday's I've scheduled to be his therapy appointments so Lorali doesn't have to be dragged around anymore and he gets the one on one attention he needs. After only a few days we've already seen a major difference in him and his confidence. It's wonderful to see! 

 

New Year - New School

First Day of School! 

That sentence brings me both anxiety and excitement. I'm ex ited for the kids to meet new friends to get back to learning and to have a schedule again... I'm nervous the teachers don't know my kids, I'm scared they won't follow the IEP or BIP and see the potential in them. 

The kids sure were cute this morning though! Lorali said that she wasn't nervous at all but she wouldn't eat, she complained that her tummy hurt and she had a death grip on my hand walking into class this morning. Ethan, of course, was jumping out of his skin with excitement. He practically shoved me into the hall after I dropped him off in his classroom. He was only sad his old teachers and bus drivers didn't move up to his new school with him. He misses his Mrs. Lee and Miss. Becky. He keeps asking if I gave Miss. Becky our new address so she knows where to pick him up at. Last night Mrs. Lee did send him the best video message that brought tears to all our eyes. She was encouraging him to do his best at school and telling him how amazing she thinks he is and reminding him that she loves him. She is definately one of those once in a lifetime-over-the-top teachers that we will all forever love. Even Lorali was wishing she could be in Mrs. Lee's 1st grade class instead of here. 

While I may not yet have confidence in the staff at the new school and I certainly haven't developed the trust that I'm going to have to have for the teachers there is one thing I do have complete faith in and that is my kids.... They are amazing. They will make it successfull and they will work hard. They never cease to amaze me and make me proud to be their Mom. I'm sure this school year won't be any different. Good Luck Today Lorali and Ethan! I love you! 

No words- just tears

After over 5 years in Barrow County Schools and and countless hours in IEP meetings and talking to teachers and helping in classrooms... we said goodbye. 

It was heartbreaking.

 

 

Robot Report

Last week Ethan's teacher decided to take a little different approach to teaching him and assigned him a book to read and learn all about then present a little book report to the class about the book.... she knew the subject matter was perfect for him.

In the story it talks about all the different things a robot can do. He can cook, clean, mow, sing, dance, bake and the very best thing he can do is be a friend. So all the little orange buttons on the bottom Ethan wrote what to do and then the kids took turns pushing buttons and making Ethan do various different activities. When they pushed the friend button he would give them a hug! It was adorable! Since one of the buttons was bake he wanted to make something special for his class and while I was looking up cookie recipes he found Bakerella's Cake Pop Cookbook. There was no talking him into anything else.

He was super happy to share such a fun thing with everyone and so proud of himself for knowing everything about the book. I was proud of how far he's come! This little man works so hard on everything he accomplishes in his life and to see him do something like this at eight was something we didn't think we'd see. He is amazing.

 

 

President's Day

The kids had to go to school today. Make up days from the week we were snowed in.   
 

(translation;
Abe Lincoln was born in Kentucky.
He was our 16th president. He
is on a penny and he is also on a 5 dollar bill. Someone
shot him.) 

I love how much she is learning, I love her cute handwriting, I love having a Kindergartner! 

Why I love living in Small town Georgia.

So Doug got this great new job 3 months ago and I've been pouting about it almost daily ever since. He was supposed to come with us on our trip to Baltimore but couldn't because he had just started, he used to come to every single one of Ethan's Therapy appointments, he used to have flexible hours, he used to only commute 20 mins, he travels a lot now... the list goes on and on. Mainly it was because we were living in Georgia and a new job here meant being here longer. I felt like I'd never get to move out West again. I hated my life here and I needed and wanted a change... and didn't even want to be in the same state to do it. To me living in Georgia represented Doug leaving the church, Doug's family feud, Ethan's Autism, Ward Drama and a million other things that made me miserable. 

In the last 3 months I've learned a lot. 

I wasn't miserable. My life just wasn't what I had planned and it wasn't because of living here. In fact, in the months we been preparing our house to be put on the market there hasn't been a day go by that I realize how wonderful and amazing our little house is, or how lucky we are. I'm not sure why we have been here over the last 6 years. We certainly didn't expect to be here that long and there have been times I felt like it was sucking me in.... But, I know that there has been a reason for it.

 

I love our house that we've improved on so much, I love the paint, the wooded lot, the backyard, the kitchen... I love our small started home and it's going to hurt me to leave it behind.

I love, LOVE our school! Our teachers and the staff. They are so open to learning and seeing the potential in the kids, It's taken a lot of hard work on all of our parts but, I have seen the benefits firsthand of fighting for your kids education and getting amazing results.

I can't believe I'm saying this but.... I love our ward and it's quirks and it's growth and the friendships that have been there all along. I love the chance that I've had to grow- even though I was forced into it, I really think it's the only way I could have pushed my way through the last couple of years and still come out as active and strong as I am.

I love the Magnolias in May... LOVE!

I love living in the cul-de-sac. No traffic, quiet and the perfect place to have the neighborhood kids come play. 

I love the weather that automatically grows a garden- even if you have a black thumb!

I love our Therapists. I love the Autism community around here and I lvoe the support that we've all gotten in our ward, at our OT's and through Babies Can't Wait.

I love our neighbors... well, most of them. I love that Ethan's found a best friend, I love how patient they are with him, I love that Lorali now has friends in the neighborhood and I lvoe that my house is turning into the neighborhood hangout with kids asking to do craft projects, or to help bake here and to come play.

I love my scrapbook room. I should be cleaning it and I'm avoiding it by writing but.... I love it. I love the family space it's turned into, I love the view into the backyard, I love that I'm able to work so easily...LOVE.

I love our local farm stand. Today the kids went and jumped on their bounce house while I picked through apples and pumpkins that had been harvested less then 24 hours earlier. 

I love my doctor. I told Doug from the beginning, if we have anymore kids after we move from here, I have to come back specifically for him. 

 

.....Actually as it turns out there are several reasons.

Thankful Thoughts

Today I'm thankful for....

Lorali, who is changing and learning that she has more responsibility then her brother yet, is starting to step up and be a big help and a loving, considerate sister. 

My job. I love it, I love learning and keeping my creativity going. I love getting paid for something I'm so passionate about and I am super excited about the opportunities and ideas that we have planned for the future of the Tombow Blog.

A home that I am so emotionally tied to. Even though I'm frustrated that we haven't listed the house yet, or moved and I want to be house hunting, it's this house that I have loved, that We have worked on and that gives me a place to remember and treasure at every turn. I love tucking Lorali in and being reminded of how excited Doug was to have her born when he built her built in shelves. I love the arch in my bathroom that Doug surprised me with the first summer we lived here. I love the colors I've chosen and painted, I love the backyard we play so hard in, I love my garden and the lessons it's taught me. I love this house.

Owen. No matter how bad my day is, he cheers me up with his teasing and his giggles. He is the happiest boy ever and I can't imagine our lives without him. He is so loving and silly and he adores his big brother and sister. I'm thankful I get to spend so much time with him throughout the day and have him heal me with his kisses.

The phone, of my accurately My Mom. I'm thankful I get to talk to her and be so close to her, I'm thankful for her advice and her encouragement. I'm so happy my kids have their own relationship with her and that she nurtures that. I couldn't live without her and I'm thankful I realize that now. 

Teachers that love my kids and want the best for them. Ms. Lee, Ms. BeHanna and of course the amazing Ms. Stephens. They really do add so much to our lives. During one of the plays I saw in Cedar a few weeks ago, one of the teachers said, "You have reason to be afraid, When I'm done with them, they will be a little less yours and have a part of me in them." I love that and I'm okay with that because these teachers have so much to give and they are so good for my kids specifically.

Ethan. He works so hard to do things that come easily for so many other kids and he is just realizing that on a new level this fall. It's hard to see him go through it but, I love his strength and his determination, I love his resolve and tender heart and am thankful he keeps me on my toes and forces me to become a better parent, I hope someday he can forgive me for the mistakes I've made with him and the pressure I've put on him. 

My journals. THis past week Doug and I stayed up until 2am (stupid) reading an old journal of mine from the weeks we met and through the months that followed then ending with watching me fall in love with him through my writing. It was tender and cute and I am SOOO glad I have that. (Thank You Christine!)

Husbandface. Who not only works hard but keeps me laughing and humble and continues to make my heart skip a beat when he winks at me. 

Cooler Weather. We can actually be outside now! This next weeks menu is being completely revamped to allow for backyard eating and picnics at the park. 

Family Vacations. We're heading to Chad's down in Florida with my sister, April's family and Mom in October. It's going to be fun and a MUCH NEEDED BREAK!  

She says...

(last week)

Mommy says

    How was school today? What was your favorite part?

She says

    It was fun, Recess is my favorite. 

Mommy says

    Why?

She says

    Because the boys always chase me and try to kiss me

Daddy says

    Noooooooooooooooo! 

 

(this morning)

Mommy says

    Today I'm picking you up early today to go to OT with Ethan

She says

    Can you make sure to wait until after rest time?

Mommy says

    Why?

She says

    Because Cole holds my hand during rest time and he asked me to marry him yesterday and today I need to tell him my answer. 

Mommy says

    We better not tell you Dad about that. (and by the way, your answer is NO!)

First Day

Hi my name is Joanna. I have  Kindergartner and a First Grader. I cry on the first day of school and I make homemade cookies for after school snacks because I miss them and I hate that they are growing up so fast. 

Missing School

 Ethan misses school. He misses the schedules. He misses the other kids and most of all, he misses his teacher. 

(translation; Dear Ms. Stephens 
I *heart* you and I miss you. 
I will give you a present.
I lost two teeth. How was your summer.
 Love Ethan)