He's 60

For years this same art lady has been at G's annual appointment at this clinic in Children's Hospital. He loves seeing her because that means that the four hours he spends in there, won't seem like four hours...and I can't imagine sitting in there that long without the art lady!

This is sort of a review by a team of people including a dentist, surgeon, nutritionist, social worker, etc....that's why it takes so long. So what did we find out?

He's four feet five inches tall and he's 60 pounds!!! Finally. We waited years for him to reach 20, then 40, and now at 11 1/2 years old, he's sixty pounds.

The plan is the same for his mouth. No orthodontics yet because he still has baby teeth in the back, keep up with the dental work (regular cleanings, etc). The dentist will sort of get us by with partials (later on) and whatever temporary magic solutions he has to keep him eating and chewing properly until he reaches age 17 (or there about). We need to let him grow as much as possible before breaking out the big guns...which may include jaw distraction (lengthening one side of his jaw to match the other side), braces, dental implants...a whole lot of work! But for now, we deal with what he's got and be thankful he does have some teeth.

He goes Tuesday for MAPping, which he needs desperately! He is struggling at home to hear/understand what we are saying so I know he has to be struggling at school. He's such a good speech reader though, he manages well...another reason to be thankful.

Lake Winnie

Thanking The Lord for double sided tape and hats...

...because this "kiddie park" is for big kiddies! Some of those rides at Lake Winnie put the free fall at Six Flags to shame. But I knew we were in for a hot, sweaty, fast and wet day at this amusement park so I put extra tape on the kids' cochlear implant processors so we didn't have an "ear" fly off! If you want to know my real thoughts on this park, click here!

Cutting the Cord

It goes without saying that I love my kids as much as anyone else loves their own...


...but there comes a time when you have to cut the cord. We've worked awfully hard to prepare our kids for the world, and we've worked awfully hard to prepare the world for our kids, so by this age, they have to learn to solve many issues on their own. I will be here for as long as I can to help them when they can't, but there comes a time in everyone's childhood when you learn to face things such as misunderstandings with friends and teachers (hearing loss or not) without Mom having to spend all of her energy every single day worrying about the kids. I have put my trust in the "raising" I have given them and hope that even when they do make mistakes, misjudge, or find themselves on the receiving end of the misjudgement or misinterpretation, that they can talk things out and clear up the wrong.

I have one child that isn't scared or afraid to clear things up, even with adults but she gets mad quick if people don't listen to her so that's what we are working on with her...staying calm, even when the hearing don't listen. I will gladly step in after she's tried her best to resolve issues and I'm very glad she has a strong personality and isn't scared to 'fix' things.

I have another child however, who will only do this to some degree, then he gets scared and runs to me..."write my teacher a note and tell him..." he says. I finally told him one day when he was accused of misbehaving in the bathroom (which is not really characteristic of him, but he's 11-and I live with him, he's capable of anything!)..."No. I can't go running up there or write notes and emails for everything little thing you face. If you are scared to talk to him about it, YOU write a note." I let him know that it's okay to apologize to someone, even if you aren't in the wrong. If they think you are, apologize and move on-forgive them and hope they forgive you...there is a much bigger picture. Sitting around worrying all time about every little thing isn't fun, isn't productive, and according to The Bible, isn't very Christian. You give your worries to The Lord and the trust and faith you have in Him should be enough to move on. I have to remind myself of this too sometimes. It sure feels good though when you've truly let go and let God.

So he wrote a note. It said something like, "I am sorry you got upset with me yesterday. I do not play around in the bathroom, I handle my business and get out..."
It went on a little more but that's what it took for him to move on. Everything was fine, and he didn't have to sit and worry about it anymore. They are growing up...so fast. But so glad they are starting to solve some things on their own. It takes a tremendous weight off of me as a mom. I'll always worry, but giving them coping skills is a benefit to us all.

The Hungry Child

playing on the cabin's porch

So we are faced with our ADHD challenges as we begin this school year, along with his troubled hearing. He seems to be okay as far as hearing in the classroom, his teacher is male and has the perfect LOUD and STRONG voice. However, I did get a note about his staring off into space and looking around the room (which that one could be hearing related I know). He's given up on the FM system and relies on mapping alone, which is scheduled for the first week in October. I've had my concerns over the last month that his medication wasn't handling his ADHD as well as it used to so I'll have to keep a watchful eye on that situation.

He still isn't gaining much weight and hasn't crossed over the 60 pound mark yet...and he's eleven. He does eat at least one breakfast (bagel w/Nutella or something hearty) before he gets a bowl of cereal and then he sort of snacks for lunch. He barely eats dinner but does another snacking meal instead and by bedtime he's famished. He stays up an hour or so after I do eating anything he can grab (after I've fed him several hearty things before I turn in for the night). I got up at ten last night after I saw his flashlight in the kitchen. He had found something to eat and when I woke this morning there was a note that said, "Val, fix me a bagel AND a bowl of cereal first thing in the morning! I am starving." I felt sorry for him so I'll have to make sure he starts eating the hour prior to me going to bed, because Mama just can't stay up late, I turn into a monster after 8 p.m.!!

School updates

So we've completed two weeks of school and getting ready to start our third. Gage is still having trouble understanding (there's a difference between hearing and understanding) but seems to be doing good in school. He loves how interesting his teacher is and comes home repeating lots of great stories. His teacher is male and has a very loud and deep voice so he doesn't seem to have as much trouble hearing him as he does us at home.

Brooklyn's teacher still hasn't started school unfortunately. She started having issues right before it started and turns out she has MS. She is trying to gain her health and strength back to come in and begin her year so we will say a little prayer that it happens soon, we want her in the best health possible. She is such a kind/sweet young lady. So starting the third week, B will have her third teacher. Hopefully this one will get to stay until the regular teacher returns because it's hard for the kids to understand each preference for each teacher and learn their lessons at a consistant rate (especially when we have to train each one with the FM microphone, etc. and try to get used to each changing voice). But Brooklyn is a champ and is doing way better than I probably would.

I have been busy subbing already. I've been at the local Trade School, the elementary and the high school and tomorrow I go back into the high school again. I look forward to each job since I get a variety of kids who all seem to teach me as much as I teach them (probably more). The down side is that I see needs. There are so many children (at all ages) who don't necessarily have the basics covered. It saddens me, it strengthens me, it burdens me. We don't really have a lot either, but if my kids are hungry, it's a choice. I may not have a full pantry at all times for them to choose from a full menu of items, but there is food in my pantry. There are children who would love to have oatmeal for breakfast on a Saturday, despite being out of Cocoa Pebbles. We are Blessed and I see that every day.