I hope everyone had a good weekend and Father’s Day as well!  I think Brett got to do exactly what he wanted: a little of everything!  Relaxing, putzing in our yard, a trip to Home Depot AND Starbucks, and grilling.  I’m a little bummed because I got both he and my dad gifts for the grill from Sur La Table.  Both turned out to be broken.  I’ve never had this happen before, so I’m hoping it’s just a fluke.  But it’s not very fun to open up a broken gift!  And now I have to go back to the store to exchange.  The hardest part of that?  Just exchanging and not buying.  Seriously, that’s a dangerous store for us.  And I’m on the hunt for some cute straws.  I know, random.  But we were at a friend’s house last week and she had Mason jars for glasses.  Fun and inexpensive idea, and so cute with fun straws!

We’re on the countdown for Paris, too.  There are some things that need to get done before we head out.  First and foremost, get my a$$ in gear and lose a little extra padding.  I have some ideas.  And I just need to put them in motion.  One thing I’m doing with a friend is the Belly Fat Cure.  It’s sounds like a fad, I know.  But the philosophy rings true.  Limit the carbs you take in, and those carbs you do consume, make them whole grain and as unprocessed as possible.  Totally easier said than done for this carbo-holic!  But it’s definitely attainable.  And I need to get my blood pumping again.  My weekly training session is awesome, but it’s not enough (of course).  So, that’s what’s on the table.  Oh, and a haircut.  And a trip to H&M for leggings.  Need.  Perfect for an over-seas flight, don’t you think?  And lastly a trip to the Bose store.  A guy on my last flight let me try out his noise canceling headphones. Oh. My. Love. These will be perfect on the long flight so hopefully I look like this:

Lastest on the school situation.  It’s been kind of nice to not stress about meetings.  Tuesday the director of the district will visit the private school that we hope to place Emma in.  So I’m curious how that meeting goes.  We already know the director of the private school will do what she can to help Emma’s case.  Yay.  Positive thoughts, please, for Tuesday.  If you would.

Tomorrow I’ll give an update on Emma’s new medication.  The jury is still out.

A few weeks ago we had our family portraits taken by our favorite photographer, Keith Pitts of Keith Pitts Photography.  This is the fourth sitting we’ve done with him.  We’ve known him since Mason was a baby.  To say his work is beautiful is quite an understatement.  There’s a reason we keep going back to him, and it’s not just for his exceptional eye. He knows us.  He gets us.  He’s followed Emma’s story.  He knows her.

The thought of a family photo session with anyone else would create huge anxiety with me.  But not when the photo shoot is with him.  Even when Emma’s been in a “mood” (and he’s seen her in some pretty nasty “moods” before), he can still capture her spirit and her beauty.  That, in and of itself, is huge talent.  Because at that precise moment I’m not even seeing  by beautiful daughter!

He featured a few of his photos on his blog.  You can see that post here.  But here are a few of the photos that he took of us.  If you’re looking for an amazing photographer in the Phoenix area (or elsewhere…he travels!), please do me a huge favor and check out Keith Pitts.  I can promise you, you won’t be disappointed.

p.s. these pictures were taken at Papago Park.

This past weekend was spent up north with family.  I had my cousin, Great Aunt, and Great Uncle here from Kentucky.  We spent the weekend up north and on Saturday we made the trek to the Grand Canyon.  My brother is a tour guide there.  Pretty cool, huh!  Anyway, the goal was to get to the Desert View by sunset.  But more on that later.  Here are some pictures from our time with the family!

Me and my cousin Stuart

I had never seen an elk in real life before…let alone this close!

Me, my Aunt Libby, and my Mom. We were facing the sun, hence the horrible squinting I'm doing!

Mason and Oma

Stuart, Uncle Frank, and Aunt Margie

I love this picture…she's in awe.

Oma and Emma

The day of the IEP meeting, Brett and I were able to get away for the weekend.  Turns out it was a much-needed weekend away!  Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for keeping the kids for us.  As I was dropping the kids off and going through the run-down of the weekend, Emma was pushing me out the door telling me to leave!  It was great. I knew they’d miss us but when the kids are pushing me to leave, it makes me happy knowing they’re happy to stay there.

So Brett and I headed up north.  My parents were in Eastern Europe, so we had the cabin to ourselves.  Oh yeah, and we also had my dad’s Nissan Z convertible.  Turns out it was the perfect weekend to have the top down!  We met my Uncle Mike for dinner that night.  Had breakfast the next morning at a place worthy of a spot on Diners Drive Ins and Dives called Miz Zips.  Um, they make their own donuts there…and they’re made to order. Hello Heaven!! After breakfast we headed up to the Grand Canyon.  In almost 10 years of being together, Brett and I had never been to the Grand Canyon together!  Seems unbelievable.  We had a great time. My brother works up there now selling and leading tours of the canyon, and he got us tickets to the IMAX.  We drove just a bit visiting various spots and we even had a drink (over-priced, of course) at the famed El Tovar Hotel. It was the perfect day.  Here are some pictures!

Brett would never get this close to the edge!

On Sunday, we stopped at Montezuma’s Castle.  As a native, I found it odd that I hadn’t ever been here!  Of course, my parents will probably correct me and tell me that I had been there when I was 2.  So, let me rephrase by saying that I don’t recall ever visiting Montezuma’s Castle.  It was sooo cool!

I think it’s so important for couple’s to get away when they can.  And I have to emphasize that it’s even more important, I think, when you have a child with special needs.  As you read earlier, Emma’s whole education consumed me.  I couldn’t think of anything else.  And the wheels in my brain just kept turning.  It was nice to have the weekend away to recharge.  And even if a weekend away isn’t doable, then even just a date night is a great way to  reconnect and recharge.  I learned this early on after Emma’s diagnosis.  I needed to trust other people when they cared for her (and of course, not just anyone).  And I needed to spend the time away enjoying the moment, and not worrying about my kids.  Not always easy, but proves beneficial in the end.

Where are some of your places to go?

Today I become a husband-less wife.  For a full week.  Wednesday to Wednesday. That is sooooo long for me because I am spoiled and Brett  hardly ever has any business trips.  But this isn’t business.  He’s going rafting down the Colorado River.  It should be pretty fun, I’ll admit. However, it’s not something I could do for a full week.  3, maybe 4 days.  That’s it.  I have made sure the kids and I have plans to fill our days.  Today it’s swimming at a friend’s house (and tonight it’s sushi for me with a good friend!).  Tomorrow it’s movie day (and for me it’s kickball).  Friday is a pool day at the gym.  Saturday it’s pool day at my parents.  Do you see the trend? Sunday brings us no plans…as of yet.  Might be nice to have no plans.  On occasion I’ll let the kids be lazy and watch TV more than they should.  Have you checked out the Boomerang channel?  It’s filled with cartoon classics.  The good ones…Smurfs, Scooby Do, Flintstones, Johnny Quest- you get the idea! Uh, back to the original topic.

So not only will Brett be gone for a whole week, but he has no reception for a WHOLE WEEK.  This makes me nervous for a few reasons.  First, since we have met (9 1/2 years ago) I have not gone a full week without talking to him.  Even when I was in Europe for 3 weeks with my family and we had only been dating a few months.  Even then.  Secondly, and this has happened before, something could happen to Emma where I have to take her to the ER.  Once when he was golfing up north for a weekend I took her in for a huge seizure she had.  And he was away.  And couldn’t drive immediately home.  Makes me a little nervous.

Oh yeah, he’s not the only one leaving.  My parents will be at their cabin for a long weekend.  My mother-in-law and her sister and mom will be in California the entire time.  My sister-in-law and her kids are in another state. Even my neighbor is gone (and I’ve relied on him before when there was a snake in our back yard and Brett was gone).  Feeling a little isolated here.  Part of the reason why I have made many a  plan while he’s away.

Wish me luck!

tour and picture found here.

8 years ago today I married my best friend. I can tell you that the road we’ve taken has been unexpected and bumpy at times, but I couldn’t imagine traveling that road with anyone else. Every little thing we have gone through has made us stronger as a couple…and I’m so thankful for that! Brett is a wonderful husband and an amazing dad and it shows…to everyone.

Tonight we will celebrate at Fleming’s. There will be lots of food and wine involved. And of course, dessert! I’m looking forward to it!

I just noticed the other day that I don’t post much about Brett, my hubby. It’s not intentional. After all, this is a blog about raising a child with special needs. Of course I don’t want anyone to think I’m doing this alone. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! In fact, in all of this he is my biggest support, and I am his. However, when it comes to researching, school issues, doctor issues, etc., he defers to me. Not because he’s not interested. But because he knows that I will get all of our questions and concerns answered. And, not to put him down, and not to brag, but I will do it better then him. In the context of “we”, that is my strength. I believe that after you spend a week in the hospital next to your child, who almost died-by the way, it will either make you or break you. And fortunately for us, it made us so much stronger. I know for a fact that we can get through anything that gets in our way. Not saying our path will always be easy.

One of the strengths in our marriage is that we keep no secrets from each other. It makes life so much easier when there is nothing to hide. We are brutally honest with each other. And truth be told, sometimes he’s more brutal. But I think that’s because he’s a guy.

Brett’s a great father. A wonderful husband. And my bestest friend ever.

Just sayin’

I won’t say his age, but he’s getting up there.  In fact, the last digit of his age ends in nine.  And the first is the number between 2 and 4.  You do the math.

Anyway, this is not a post to joke about his age, although it is easy to do since I’m 7 years his junior.  No matter.  I have a wonderful husband.  The things I love about him are many.  He’s a wonderful dad.  He’s a caring and giving husband.  He puts up with my crap far more than most people would.  I’m still not sure why he does it.  He’s a devoted family man…he doesn’t like to go out during the week so he can spend time with the family (on the other hand, I’m the one who won’t miss a GNO!!).  He’s committed to his job, which is also a family business.  And that leads me to my next point, he loves ALL of his family.  We’re a very tight knit family.  At which point I’ll take the opportunity to thank his mom for raising such a wonderful man!  And all I want to do is wish him a wonderful birthday!!  I love you, Brett!

Do you think they’re related??

I’m so excited about this inaugural post, that I don’t know exactly what to say!  It’s exactly like a first impression…I can make it or break it right here and now.

I plan to make it.

I’m willing to bet that a good portion of the population has been to the beach before. Common beach activities?  Building sandcastles, looking for seashells, swimming, and jumping waves.  And that’s my segue, folks!

My family loves the beach. My husband spent his first 5 years living near the beach.  I have always had a never-ending fascination with the ocean (side note: I wanted to become a marine biologist who studied humpback whales, but changed my career choice when I realized I would have to leave my current land-locked state!) If you didn’t know better, you’d think my daughter was born and raised a beach bum.  And my son, well, he’s finally getting past the “icky” sand feeling, and enjoying getting completely soaked in the surf!

Let me continue to introduce ourselves.  I’m Jessica, wife to Brett and mom to Emma and Mason.  I’m an Arizona native, and don’t see myself leaving anytime soon.  I was a teacher for a short time until I got pregnant with Emma.  I met Brett through a mutual friend of ours.  It was my first year teaching…I was fresh out of college!  He was several years older with a career in the family business and his own house (his own house was so cool to me!).  Brett’s almost a native. He has always said that the only way we can live at the beach is if he can have a house right on the beach and not have to work.  So like I said, we’ll be staying here for a long time.  Emma expanded our family in 2004.  She is this adorable toe-headed-blue-eyed little girl.  We didn’t ever know something was really wrong with her until she had a flu-bug and we went to the ER for (what we thought was) fluids. That ER trip landed us in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) for a week.  I will delve into that topic in a post to come soon.  And Mr. Mason completed our family in 2006.  He is 3 and into all sorts of trouble. Whoever said that it should be called the “terrible 3′s” was right!  He’s a stinker and right now enjoys challenging our authority.  I think the key word here is challenging. That is my family in a nutshell (or seashell, ha!!).

I can’t wait to continue on my writing journey with you!  I’m probably going to leave you with some questions….like “what’s the point?”  I’ll get there…I promise! For now, feel free to comment if you like…I would love to hear what you have to say! (The other night, when I had all these blog ideas popping into my brain, I dreamt that I received 72 comments on my first post! <hint, hint>)