Last week was crazy. It was busy and crazy. But in a semi-good way. I’m very fortunate to be staying at home…I love it! It’s where I’m meant to be. But with that comes the responsibilities of other things that I might normally hire someone to do. Since I’m home though, money is tighter and, well, I have more time. So I’ve been typing a lot. I will tell you why I’m typing so much later on, but basically, I’m at the computer all. day. long. It kind of hurts my eyes. And the work I’m doing is tedious, but it’s getting done.
When I’m not typing, I am wanting to work on my Etsy!! It’s up, but I haven’t “broadcasted” it yet, just because I’m still tweaking stuff and adding new products. I suppose if youwanted to take a peek you could. The name of my shop wouldn’t be hard to guess!
This weekend we escaped the heat and went north to my parent’s cabin. We took advantage of our park pass and went to the Grand Canyon again (3rd time this year, yay!). We are spoiled because my brother works there as a tour guide (seriously, he’s the best. If you’re thinking of going to the park, go see him for an amazing tour of the Canyon). We had a nice little picnic on the lawn of El Tovar. We got ice cream at Bright Angel Lodge, and just had a relaxing day, mostly! Here are a few pictures from our time there.
Only YOU can prevent forest fires!
Mason, Emma, and Uncle Geoff.
We're working on sitting lady like with dresses. :-/
Okay, folks. Off typing again. I’ll be updating with some fun stuff shortly! Happy Monday!
What did you do this weekend? Seems like so many places had crazy weather. How did you escape?
As I write this, I am on a train headed to Disneyland Paris. Now, if you know me, this does not surprise you. I am a huge Disneyland fan! We’re on day 4 of our Paris trip and I am having a wonderful time. I’m seeing so many great things, and learning a great deal too:
- people here are skinny for a few reasons: they walk everywhere, there are tons of stairs, and their food is amazingly fresh. I have hardly eaten anything processed!
- I am independent. Give me a map to the city and I’ll go anywhere. I feel very safe here, and the metro system is easy to use. I could definitely live in a big city.
- the French have been very nice to us. The men are super nice, really. Very helpful. We have only encountered two unkind people. And they were women. Hmm
- macarons. I don’t even have the words to describe them. Wow.
Here are a few instagram photos I’ve taken so far. Enjoy!
We decided very last minute to head up north for the weekend and beat the heat in the valley. It has gotten to be about 105 at home. Too hot!! The highs in Flagstaff are in the 80′s. Perfect! See you Monday!
Happy Sunday, friends! Today I am seeing Les Miserables with my family. Three of my cousins and my aunt are going. I absoutely love Les Mis. I think I’ve seen it 2 times, maybe 3! On My Own is just one of my favorite songs, I have so many.
Do you go to musicals? Which one is your favorite?
Yesterday Emma spent the day at this private school “shadowing”. I was nervous but excited for her. As I told you yesterday, she was very excited to be at a new school to try out. I was tempted to call during the day to check up on her, but I didn’t. When I picked her up at the end of the day, I came a little early in case the director wanted to chat with me. I didn’t see the director, but sat in the office with 2 other parents and the secretary. The secretary told me Emma was just a doll (no surprise there, right?) and that she fit in perfectly. The two parents that were in the office immediately introduced themselves to me and told me their kid’s names. If my mouth hung open it’s because I was a little shocked. I’m not used to such kindness and warmth by parents (strangers) at school! Sorry, I’m not!
I spoke with the teacher, Emma had a great day, and despite being a bit quiet she even met some new friends! I was so happy and so relieved. And this morning I received this email from the director:
Jessica,
Emma had a fabulous day and fit in perfectly. We could really design a scripted education program for her and with our small instructional environment she would really do well here. We would love to have her be a part of our school family. I hope this happens.
I will be as supported as possible with this process. Please keep me posted on all the district details that occur.
Thanks for allowing her to spend the day.
Regards,
Director
Of course this email made me extremely happy! Just knowing we have the support of the school we want her to attend is really so special. It means we found the perfect environment for her.
To switch gears a little (okay, a lot), I wanted to write about something that’s been on my mind a bit. But I’m not sure how to vocalize it, so just bear with me. I think it takes very special people to “be a presence” in the lives of children with special needs. Certainly I feel that God put Brett and I in this position of raising Emma because he knew we could do it. He knew that Emma would be raised in a supportive and loving family. And not just our immediate family, but our extended family. We have wonderful families that absolutely cherish and adore Emma (and Mason, too, of course!).
It takes special doctors to treat Emma. Fortunately we are in the wonderful care of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Most of Emma’s doctors are there. We even go to L.A. to see her wonderful neuro-opthalmologist. I will fire any doctors who are not performing to my expectations in their care for Emma.
It takes special friends to “hang in there” with us when we’re going through one of our many trials and tribulations. There are simply people in our lives that can’t handle the challenges that we face. It’s weird to say it, especially because they’re our challenges. It’s shocking to me, though, how many friends I’ve lost touch with because (seemingly) they can’t handle our rough patches. I should say “good riddance” and ” they don’t deserve us, anyway”. But again, as it keeps happening, I get stronger. Yes, it keeps happening. I’m 33, folks! Enough with the highschool BS!
And then educators and people in the field of education. I’ve always said it takes angels to be a good special education teacher. I could never do it. Yes, I was a teacher; yes I have a daughter with special needs. But I could never be a special education teacher. I truly believe the people around her cared about her. And I do believe they wanted what was best for her. I honestly do. But I think that their egos got in the way of admitting that they weren’t able to do enough. And that the environment she was in wasn’t the best one.
And then here’s my other (and last, I think) issue. Mixing friends and business. Sketchy. Now, to be clear, I worked with 2 teachers. One was my college roommate. We had so much fun together. I think it worked out really well. We just really get along and get each other. I hope she’d agree with me on that. But it’s interesting how dynamics change with co-workers turned friends. I’m a friendly type of gal. I’d rather work with people I am friendly with than people who are duds. However, now that things have changed and I’ve left on a “bad note”, it’s interesting to me that I’m really not hearing from them anymore. Perhaps they feel like they’re in an awkward position. If that’s the case, I have one question: “how do you think I feel?” It’s just weird to me. And it’s too bad, too. Because I had fun at the school. I really did. That’s why the evaluation came as a shock. And now I don’t hear from my friends so much. <cue song: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm>
I want to know from the parents of kids with special needs. Or anyone who interacts with families with special needs. Is it just me? Or are friendships tricky for you too? Be honest!!
post-edit: thanks to Kelly of Kelly’s Korner for doing a SUYL with special needs. What a great idea! And welcome to all of you who came from her blog. I hope you like what you read! Leave me some love!
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.
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!
One way to beat the heat in the Arizona Desert? Ice Skating. It was a welcome relief from the suffocating heat outside. We had never taken the kids skating before, but it was something we wanted to do, and Emma really wanted to do. So we did. Ohmygosh did we have fun! Okay, I was sore and Brett was sore. Our feet killed us (those skates suck. sorry) and our backs were hurting but it was sooo worth it! The kids had a blast! Grandma and Grandpa came along to witness the adventure, and cousins Cheryl and Patrick helped us out on the ice. Okay, Cheryl was just trying to keep upright herself, but Patrick-who is an amazing ice hockey goalie- helped out the littler ones. <thank you!> Enjoy these pictures!
Today is the day when my dear hubby packs up the car so that I can take the kids, plus my Mother In Law and Grandma In Law (GG) to California for 10 whole days! So excited. So much planned! And, so lucky that my dear hubby will come out Thursday night and spend the holiday weekend with us too! That makes my load a bit easier, especially since I had the kids for a full week 2 weeks ago. (By the way, I survived that whole week, in case you couldn’t tell) Anyway, this will be such a great time!
On Tuesday, I have a super-secret trip planned for my boy’s birthday (which is on Wednesday). I can’t wait to tell him! And you! And share the pictures. We’re going to have a blast!
On Wednesday, we will spend Mason’s birthday at the del Mar County Fair! Woot woot! Mason is super excited for the “carnibal”.
Thurday: Beach day.
Friday: the Midway and a harbor cruise (perhaps on the duck?) and dinner out with some SD friends
Saturday: Padres game with the family…and a special ride on the Coaster to get there!
Sunday: Happy 4th of July!! What will we do?
Monday through Wednesday we’ll be in Big Bear. I’ve never been there…and I’m SO excited!
