Are you smarter than a 3rd Grader???

Well.....I sure hope so. Life is full of surprises. I was just settling into my new position as a teachers aide and all was going smoothly. I must say that after the first week, I realized that I had learned SO much since I had last been working for the school system. I was so happy to be back...yet, I was longing for more. Soon after I started, I took one of the tests necessary to get back into the school system as a teacher. It was the Special Ed test(here it is called ESE)....and I passed...thank you Darren! I figured I would take some time to study for the Elementary K-6 test. Again, my goal was to start teaching next school year. THEN the teacher that I was working with was put on emergency bed rest due to a high risk pregnancy. I found out this information on a Thursday night...


Sometimes you can't explain fate. There was something inside me that knew I had to make my pitch to the administration. For some reason, I knew I could do it. More importantly, I knew I would be so mad at myself if I didn't at least try. But there was one obstacle. I still hadn't taken that K-6 test! The principal said she would strongly consider me for the position, IF, I could pass that test ASAP. So, I registered the next day and then headed to Miami on the following day to take a 4 1/2 test that I had not yet studied for. I went in thinking "if I pass, great...if not, at least I tried". I checked in, and was told to put my stuff in a locker...immediately I saw locker 22 was open...that was a good sign:) and then I headed in....praying all the way.


As the test progressed, I was humbled. I laughed at myself, "Who the heck did I think I was coming in here thinking I could pass this test?"...at that moment...I surrendered. I applauded myself for trying...but admitted that I was in over my head. So I continued on. I took my time, had a good system, and let the pressure roll off my shoulders...


And then I passed....


I was offered the position Monday morning....


Needless to say, it has been a complete whirlwind! My class has many challenges...but just as many strengths. SO, I am currently a 3rd grade teacher...who would have thought???? Not I. Yet, I am enjoying the challenge of it all. It is very exciting, but teaching is hard. I have great admiration for teachers. I admit, I didn't enjoy school. Now, I understand why.  The format and structure of school really never changes:  quiet in hallway, raise your hand to speak, don't talk or sharpen your pencils when the teacher is talking, the daily pledge of allegiance, chapter tests, spelling words, homework...the list goes on and on. My goal is to connect with the kids and to make it fun...gonna try at least. My social lesson of the day on Friday was "Are you gonna be a leader, or a follower?". Anytime someone acted up...I called them out. "Leader? or Follower?" The real leaders took a moment and answered honestly even when they were following the pack. Truth is, some don't even know they are leaders yet.... THIS is why teaching is so cool. 

Trevor's team, the Brewer's, have been practicing hard. They have their first scrimmage on Thursday and first game on Saturday. Go Brewer's!!!!!!!!!!!!!


This Saturday, March 10th, is also the 11th Annual Food and Wine Festival. All proceeds will benefit Renaissance Learning Center and Renaissance Learning Academy. It will feature a Live and Silent Auction, Live Music and, of course, Food and Wine. This year it is at the Downtown, which should make for a great event. 

Thanks to all that have contributed to the card sales!!!! 



Back in the Saddle Again

Trevor has his first practice yesterday, so yes, he is back in the saddle again. (Can't help but hear Steven Tyler in my head:) Honestly, can't get over how much he has improved since last season. He has matured so much. Trevor"s attitude is just different this year. He is again, one of the youngest on the team but he certainly doesn't act like it. This picture proves that exact point. So, this is the first practice, and who volunteers to catch??? Yep, Trevor. This was after taking ground balls at short and second. I not a big fan of him playing this position....it is the one position I worry about the most. BUT it is the position that I am the most proud of him playing. It shows he is tough, that he isn't afraid, and that he wants to be part of the action. So what's a mom to do??? Next practice is tomorrow. Hard to believe it is baseball season in February...but, we'll take it!!! I watch Trevor play and I feel immense pride...

Darren's spells have settled and we are feeling somewhat back to normal, whatever normal is. Never sure why, or how long these episodes will last. But I am getting better at predicting them. Darren, in general, is a happy boy. But he continues to struggle with the developmental stages that do not match his chronological age. So the growth spurts come in different forms. After the dust settles, I remind myself that he doesn't do all this it to drive me mad:)... he does these things because he is just different. He learns differently, he processes things differently, he loves intensely, and at times, angers easily. BUT, there is no one that I have learned more from.  In the car the other day I made s comment to Darren asking him not to do something or other and he responded "Knock that off Mommy, be happy" another day I handed him a piece of gum and he said, "OH thanks Mommy, I appreciate that".  Ha! He is full of surprised that kid. Trevor and I often say "if we can deal with Darren, we can deal with anyone." I think it is what has made Trevor the compassionate person that he is....and it surely has turned my world upside down and backwards..but for the better. I am thankful. Life would surely be boring without them.

The Cards are BACK!!! And Emotions are High!

Hi Everyone,

I am happy to announce that the cards are back! I will be selling them once again and have gotten permission from Darren's Principal...ALL proceeds will go directly to Renaissance Learning Center. It is a small way to give back to a school that is doing so much for Darren. If you are interested, please email me and I will send out a pack to you. Each pack is $20....we have 50 packs to sell! I would love to be able to hand over a check to RLC for $1000.

We just got word that Trevor did make the 9 year old minor league team. Practice starts on February 16th. All are excited! Trevor continues to do well in school and absolutely loves playing outside with his buddies. One evening a couple weeks back, Trevor, out of nowhere says "Ya know mom, we have made a lot of progress here in Florida.  You and Daddy have new jobs, Darren is doing good at school, and I have a lot of friends....lots of progress." So mature for his young years. But he is right. Lots of progress.

Darren is once again going through some changes. We are at the stage where we are trying to lessen his outbursts by replacing his actions with words. Not an easy task. He understands the concept of "feelings" at this point so are we are teaching him that his words MEAN something. That it is OK to mad. It is OK to be sad or frustrated. But it is NOT ok to hit, spit, or scratch. It is proving to be a difficult transition for him. He is used to expressing his frustration in this way....but we are finding that when he can calm down and express himself and have his feeling validated...the spells are weakening or are over in a shorter amount of time. Progress for sure. School is on board and we have been working on keeping things consistent across all environments. This process will be a tough challenge, but I believe it is crucial. Darren is a passionate soul and his actions can be just as passionate...I can't change him...but I can help him learn how to regulate his emotions a little better. This video is an example of a successful attempt. Not all attempts are like this:) It is a learning process for all.

I am really enjoying my new job and am so happy to be back in school system. My goal is to get a teaching job for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.  I didn't realize all of the on the job training I have been receiving these past eight years. I am ready to mix my passion and my knowledge to help other kids and families that struggle with Autism. As I have said before, early on...I chose Special Education....then it chose me right back...now, I just live it.

We hope that all are well and happy:)

January 2012

New Year's Day

It's that time again.. time for BASEBALL! Trevor had tryouts this weekend. This is the first sport he has played since we moved here. It was a gorgeous day...74 degrees...beautiful facilities...and baseball in the air. The tryouts were very organized and Trevor did great. I love that he is a confident player. He stepped right out there like the Spring season had just ended. At the end he even got on the mound to pitch like it was nothin'!

Darren was checking out the rest of this amazing complex, which consisted of many baseball fields, 2 playgrounds, and lots of fields for soccer and lacrosse etc.

The first week of January, Trevor attended a Baseball Camp at Roger Dean Stadium.  This is where the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals have Spring Training. His camp was held on the practice field for the Cardinals...and I must admit that I was jealous of my 8 year old. The field was perfection. The dirt was lovely, no rocks, no bumps...and the outfield grass was as sooooo smooth.  Heavenly! Trevor had a good time and learned a lot. Again, it was so well organized. There we no boys wrestling and being goofballs...they were there to play...that was made clear on Day 1. I liked that:)

Here are just some more pictures from our latest adventures. Needless to say, We love Florida. 

Ain't no mountain high enough

A rare still moment

Gotta go go go

SURPRISE

True Happiness

Focused on the game

Thank god for this boy's patience

Yesterday we were able to spend a couple hours at the beach.

Paradise

Happy Holidays

Well, I must admit that I did not have time to write a Christmas letter this year:( So I thought I would send a quick update with some pictures of some of our Winter Activities. I must say that it is hard to even type Winter because it is between 70-80 degrees everyday. The boys are still wearing shorts to school and I think that Mark may never wear jeans again. It is truly gorgeous weather. Our windows are open and we can walk around the neighborhood and look at all the extravagant Christmas lights. We are blessed with a a wonderful neighborhood. Kids galore! The boys are so happy and enjoy playing outside with their crew everyday. Trevor is one of the oldest and had taken on the role with a great sense of responsibility and pride. The crew has accepted Darren and they play with him when he is willing and allow him his time when he needs it. Couldn't ask for more. 

Yes, Darren ran from Santa once, then came back and did his best to smile. Santa was kind and patient...thank you Santa! We will leave more cookies for you this year.

I am happy to share that I was offered a job in the county as a full time aide to a 3rd grade girl that has a seizure disorder. I will be her one on one aide and I am thrilled to be back on my career track. Trevor currently attends a school that is K-2...and will be changing to a school next year that is 3-5. Well, I will be working at the 3-5 school. It is a large school, 950 kids. The principal and staff are wonderful and I feel that it is a good fit. I will be finishing up at Saks at the end of the month and then starting my new job on Jan 10. Very exciting.

Over the holiday break Trevor will be attending a baseball camp at Roger Dean Stadium. He is really looking forward to that. Honestly, with our crazy schedules, it has been hard figuring out any extracurricular activities. Hopefully with my new job, we can get Trevor back into the sports he loves...that is the goal.

Mark is still working hard at Ruby Tuesday. He has learned so much in a short period of time. It looks like he could possible get moved to a store closer to home...so keep your fingers crossed! Currently he drives an hour each way...hoping to cut that in half with the switch.

Darren continues to do well at school. He went through his typical rough spell..testing everyone that he could...but he has made a turn and is excelling once again. These cycles are just part of living with Darren. I think we have learned to expect and accept them a little more than we used to. The spells are frustrating, but he always comes out of them stronger...maybe we all come out stronger:)

We miss everyone, especially during this holiday season.  Much love to all!

Waiting for Santa

Our REAL Tree

Christmas Palm Tree

Trolley to Winter Fun in Downtown Abacoa

Here we go!

People everywhere!

SNOW?

Yes! Snow! They shipped it in! Watching kids play in snow in their shorts was certainly a sight!

I think Darren was in shock.

The surrounding neighborhood does a Christmas light display like I have never seen. We went for a walk one night and when I saw this particular one, I started running like I was 8 again.  So cool.

This one had a bubble machine! Unbelievable!

80 degrees??? WOW!

The Neighborhood Crew

Yeah, it's fun to be in Florida!

Life is Good

The Pool in November??? AWESOME!!!

 THANKSGIVING DAY

Come and get me!

The chase is on!

Exhausted!

Gotcha

It is so strange to have our Christmas tree up and our windows open! Today was 80 degrees and beautiful.  The boys have the opportunity to play outside with friends everyday. Trevor peer out the back door looking for his friends...as soon as he spots one...off he goes! We are lucky to have a lot of kids around us and a street full of nice neighbors.  We had a very great Thanksgiving...it was nice just being together. Thanks to everyone for making the boys birthday so wonderful. Your calls, gifts, emails, and cards were all greatly appreciated. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.  And last but not least, we are so proud to share that Trevor got straight A's on his report card!!! Not sure Mark and I produced that...but we'll take it.  We are so proud of how hard he working and how well he has adjusted.  That says a lot about his character and drive. Darren.....is changing. That is the best way I can explain it.  I watch him through a different set of eyes these days. I am learning to accept all that he is...all that is was...and all that he can be.  There is no question that he is absolutely in the school, and environment, that he is best for him. Much love to all! Happy Holidays!

Still Reading.... and the Other is Singing!!

Darren continues to do a great job with his reading. Mark and I had the unique opportunity to literally be "a fly on the wall" as we watched his classroom via computer in the principals office. It was there that we watched him partake in his everyday activities and he had no clue we were doing so. I was nervous. Maybe I would see things that I didn't want to...Maybe I would see really good things that I didn't expect. I thought for sure I would cry. But instead, I just sat there. I took advantage of situation and just watched him. I laughed when he did something good...shook my head when he did something silly...and through this windowpane I saw the same old Darren that we all know and love. When the secretary asked, "How did it go?" My response was "He's still Darren." I am not saying that in a negative way...I am saying it because Darren is Darren. He is like no other child I know.  He has such an endearing quality about him...but a there's a side of him that will test every patient bone in your body.

One major positive thing we saw was how much Darren was watching his peers. He was really checking them out to see what they were doing. At the time they were singing an interactive song. So he would watch...and then every now then..he'd copy them.  I liked that. Darren seems happy at school, another positive. He is learning a ton...major positive. My major concern at this point is bridging that gap between his receptive and expressive language. So much to say...yet so little functional/conversational language. Sometimes the alien noises that he makes to fill that gap seriously drive me crazy. But, Trevor sings all the time...and talks constantly....so maybe Darren is exploring his voice still and just trying the fill the silence with SOMETHING. It is maddening...BUT he is reading....maybe I should just be thankful.

This week, Trevor has decided to be a singer/song writer. This video is a sneak preview. He are hoping to put music and obviously out together some awesome dance moves....I said "Ya know, you could be the next Justin Bieber" and he said "Umm no, more like Michael Jackson."  Gotta love that!

As their 8th Birthday nears, we are so proud of the boys that they are...and believe in all that they can be.