Yes, I know it's been 5 months... but life has been in full swing here.
We're hanging in there, but we're broken. In lots of ways.
We have one another. We have faith. We know God will help us find our way...
We appreciate your continued love, support and prayers.
Monday, February 18, 2013
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...
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!!!!
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!
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!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Bieber Fever for Ella's birthday
We certainly surprised her! We've been holding onto these tickets for almost 2 months now. Ella had no idea we were able to get them. Anytime she saw the concert advertised, she would BEG Troy to try to get tickets and he'd say "honey, they're all sold out."
Well tonight, after a LONG wait for me, we finally gave her the gift... disguised in her birthday gift from us. She knew she was only getting one package to open from us, and you can see the disappointment on her face. She was really hoping for a wedding Barbie and Ken...
The concert isn't until October... so more waiting. But a friend gave her the new CD at her party this weekend, so she's already learning all the words to sing along! We are going with 3 other dance girls and their moms... the girls have been finding out one by one. We'll have dinner together in a few weeks to tell them ALL at once that we're going together! Can't wait for that!
Well tonight, after a LONG wait for me, we finally gave her the gift... disguised in her birthday gift from us. She knew she was only getting one package to open from us, and you can see the disappointment on her face. She was really hoping for a wedding Barbie and Ken...
The concert isn't until October... so more waiting. But a friend gave her the new CD at her party this weekend, so she's already learning all the words to sing along! We are going with 3 other dance girls and their moms... the girls have been finding out one by one. We'll have dinner together in a few weeks to tell them ALL at once that we're going together! Can't wait for that!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Auditions week
Last week was just plain crazy! Ella wanted to audition for the dance company, and Miss Jessica told us she was ready. She's spent the summer working on technique and practicing. Last week they had intensives everyday, and worked on the routine for auditions. She dance Monday morning, Tuesday morning, Wednesday night, Thursday morning and evening and Friday morning and evening... auditions were Saturday morning.
The song is "Kansas City" and this video is her group practicing about mid-week, so they got even better before auditions Saturday morning. It's short, but REALLY fast and packed with lots of stuff!
She was pretty intense, especially since they were practicing and doing the same routine as the girls who were 8 year olds. She puts a lot of pressure on herself! They audition all the girls 12 and under at the same time, so I think she was pretty intimidated, but she did a great job. She remembered the routine, her across the floor kicks and leaps and technique looked great!!!! I took a few photos while they were stretching in the purple studio. Auditions were in the blue studio and parents had to wait outside.
More than an hour later, she was done and about 5 that evening, the list was posted. Ella made it! She's in company 1, which is the 6-8 year olds. She was thrilled and had to call the grandparents, and all her friends who also made company. She was on the phone for about an hour straight. We're so proud of how hard she has worked for this... and a little intimidated as well, about the time and costs that lie ahead! Our first company meeting is this Sunday and we'll find out which dances she's in, when the competitions take place, etc... We know we're going to Nationals in Branson! Glad it's close to home this first year!
The song is "Kansas City" and this video is her group practicing about mid-week, so they got even better before auditions Saturday morning. It's short, but REALLY fast and packed with lots of stuff!
She was pretty intense, especially since they were practicing and doing the same routine as the girls who were 8 year olds. She puts a lot of pressure on herself! They audition all the girls 12 and under at the same time, so I think she was pretty intimidated, but she did a great job. She remembered the routine, her across the floor kicks and leaps and technique looked great!!!! I took a few photos while they were stretching in the purple studio. Auditions were in the blue studio and parents had to wait outside.
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| Splits to the middle |
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| Splits to the left.... |
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| and splits to the right. (Splits 3 ways!) |
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| Practicing her candy hold |
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| Pretty much DONE with me taking photos and this point! |
More than an hour later, she was done and about 5 that evening, the list was posted. Ella made it! She's in company 1, which is the 6-8 year olds. She was thrilled and had to call the grandparents, and all her friends who also made company. She was on the phone for about an hour straight. We're so proud of how hard she has worked for this... and a little intimidated as well, about the time and costs that lie ahead! Our first company meeting is this Sunday and we'll find out which dances she's in, when the competitions take place, etc... We know we're going to Nationals in Branson! Glad it's close to home this first year!
School Daze!!!
How did this happen so quickly??? I guess because the last week of summer was spent dancing and dancing and dancing... more on that in my next post. Both Ella and Alex started back to school this week! Ella is a 2nd grader, Alex surprised us this summer and was suddenly ready for kindergarten! Just a few photos of the amazing first days. (Ella on Wednesday and Alex on Thursday) They are growing up so quickly!!!
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| Ready for school! 1st day of 2nd grade! |
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| Ella and Sanaya waiting for the bell |
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| Wonderful new teacher, Mrs. Simpson! |
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| Already busy searching for supplies in her school box |
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| Ready for Alex's 1st day of kindergarten! (Somebody is watching out the window) |
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| LOVE THIS ONE!!! (especially Max giving them the stink eye!) |
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| The wanted a hugging picture... who could refuse that?! |
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| He went right in and hung up his backpack on the hook with his name. |
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| Found his desk and his name tag... |
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| Almost forgot this one! He was quite proud of the new MONSTER backpack! |
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