Wednesday, September 26, 2012

What doesn't kill you...

Really, that's the point we've come to. It's Ella's turn to have trouble right now. She's struggling in school this year, not that it's something new, but this year, she has noticed that she is different in the way she learns and does things in the classroom. It was a rough start to the school year, and she just didn't want to be there. We talked a LOT and finally she admitted that she was having trouble and was afraid to ask for help. She said "I can't do it and everyone else can" or "I'm embarrassed to ask, because everyone will know that I can't do it."

We've known that she had trouble with backward letters and paying attention, and following directions, but what 5 or 6 year old doesn't. Now that she's 7, it's more obvious that is maybe more than just maturity, it may be a learning or developmental or vision problem. So we've met with her school (second meeting today), we have her scheduled for a full round of tests, and she's meeting with the school counselor to talk about the anxiety this is causing her, and how she can calm herself and just work through problems and questions in her own way, and at her own pace.

It's hard, because she's been so upset and that's the worst thing for us. I don't care if she's a "D" student for the rest of her life. I want her to try her best and be happy. But she's not happy lately. She's become a bad sleeper, she has stomach problems which she's now on adult medication for, and she's been anxious and upset. Usually, she takes it out on us, and while we understand, we want our sweet, loving little girl back some days.

A friend recently said "I feel so bad for you! Two kids who may need IEP's and special help in school!" and I thought to myself, really, that's okay, I'm good with that. When you spend months, even a year just worrying that a child will die at any minute, fighting to keep that child alive, breathing, eating, etc... this seems like a drop in the bucket. Yes, I'm sad for Ella and I want things to be easier for her. What mom wants to see her child struggle. But for us, her parents, this we can take.

It won't kill her. It sounds simple, but it's the truth in this house. As long as it won't take you from me, we'll deal with it. We'll face it together and we'll do the best we can... as long as we have each other, we have everything!

Pray for us and for our Ella. Pray that God will give her some peace so she won't stress so much about this. Pray that we'll find the answers to help her in anyway we can. Praise God for her wonderful teacher that's working with us to make Ella's classroom experience the best it can be. God has a plan for this, and we're waiting to see what that plan may be...


Friday, September 7, 2012

Orange Belt Boy!

Alex earned all 8 stripes on his yellow belt and was ready for his big test last week! They let the parents come in to get video of the entire test. Ella was with me in the studio (you can her her talking to me once or twice)  and Troy was in the waiting area with Max. (also able to watch through the mirrored windows)

We were so proud to watch him and he was so excited!!! We have our first orange belt in the house!!!!






Thursday, September 6, 2012

Troy's 40th (beef and bourbon)

We celebrated Troy's 40th a week early... so we could pair up with Tom (also turning 40) and invite the Minnesota down for the celebration. They wanted steaks and bourbon.. so we went with several couples to Marker's Mark in the Power & Light District.

It was a great night with friends and fun and no kids! I think Troy enjoyed it, and hopefully it made up for the fact that we were traveling with my family on his actual birthday.

Here are the couples who helped us celebrate that night!














Happy Birthday Baby! and welcome to life after 40!