Sunday: Jeff ran the Nike 10K in Lima. Jeff rocked the 10K last Sunday by finishing in the top 110 out of about at least 8,000 runners! He finished at about 41:00! We're so proud of him!!
Monday: I had a crazy start to the week by running into a sharp curb and blowing a tire! Yes, female driving at its best. In my defense, I wasn't going fast, I was merely parking at a friend's house but got too close to the curb and blew out the tire. Thankfully Dave was right there to come out and fix my tire and take it to get air. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but I was dropping off Sophia with Mende and on my way to sit in a meeting all day. Needless to say I was late to my meeting. :o)
Tuesday: More meetings, but no flat tire. I sat with my colleagues to discuss mission business from 9-4pm, then came home to get dinner going while Jeff picked up the kids.
Wednesday: This morning I met with Dorothee and began the process of taking back over the Peru Personnel job. We spent the entire day going through files, protocol for certain events, transferring emails, and discussing the ins and outs of my new job. Though I have done Personnel before, it has taken on a whole new entity (in my opinion) and is much bigger than when I did it previously. I'm looking forward to taking it on again, but am a bit overwhelmed at the moment.
Thursday: I did it!! Not only did I drop the kids off at school, but I managed to drop Jeff off at the airport and get back to our house successfully! I was so excited to make an official airport run, knowing that this is part of living in Lima, but the exciting part was that I didn't get lost! Yay! I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon with Dorothee finishing up the transferring of the Personnel job.
Friday: Jeff is now gone for a week so today I played a bit! :o) Annie called me and wanted to know if I wanted to go fabric shopping with her...of course I did! So we took off for a not-so-great part of Lima and found exactly what she wanted. Then we spent the rest of the day with her, hanging out, until the kids were done with school. Brandon's friend, Gabriel, had a sleepover here and the kids all had a great time.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Random catch up post
Two weeks ago, I ran my first race, it was only a 5K, but for me it is the start to a new chapter in my life. I started running last summer with my sister-in-law in an attempt to try to get into shape. I have never been a runner, never enjoyed it, or actually ever even tried it. So Betsey encouraged me to get out with her and start running...we started with a "shuffle" and then upped it to a slow jog/walk routine. As the summer wore on, I was up to about a mile (I know, not much) and then I hurt my foot.
So I took a break until January of this year when I went to Dallas with my Mom on a business trip; we woke up early each morning to get to the exercise room to be the first ones on the treadmill. I thought I was doing great running each morning at a whopping pace of about 4.5 on the treadmill...insert laughter. I returned to Wheaton and convinced Jeff that he needed to add me to the couple plan at the Wheaton College fitness center and started going each morning to the indoor track. Soon I graduated to the treadmill and then before I knew it, the winter was over and we were headed back to MN. I ran off and on throughout the summer and then hurt my foot and back again and was out.
We came to Peru the middle of August, and finally the end of September I was able to start up again...I really never knew how much wear and tear your body takes from running, it seems I just get into a routine and then get hurt...such is running. Finally, on October 30th I ran my first official race, the McDonald's 5K. It was so much fun! My goal time was to run the race in 30 minutes or under...my official time was 30:36! Just 36 seconds off my goal. I now know what to expect, what it feels like to race, and how to better pace myself. One of the highlights of my experience was that I started the race and ended the race with friends! Some of the teachers in the boys' school were also running, and now we've set a new goal for ourselves, we are all going to run "La Vuelta a San Isidro 8K" next month!! Viva Peru!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Life in Lima
We live in an area of Lima called La Molina. It's conveniently located about 2 blocks from a major supermarket, and within driving distance from other major shopping areas. I can literally run from my house to Starbucks in 5 minutes. Just in case you wanted to know that. I drive to a large supermarket, called Wong, every Monday morning with Sophia...and if she behaves herself, she gets to ride in the mechanical car at the exit for just 2 soles (60 cents). She is a great shopper, and loves helping me pick out tomatoes, apples, and bananas.
A typical day for Sophia and I would mostly be spent puttering around the house, running errands, and cooking/baking meals or desserts. We so enjoy spending time together, and we have such a special bond that I wouldn't give up for the world.
We love living in Lima, I have even started driving!!! Driving is so crazy. It's like rush hour on crack. Big city driving has never really bothered me, but Lima driving is way more aggressive, you have really be paying attention all around you at all times. If you look behind you, you better be watching in front of you. A good lesson in patience.
A typical day for Sophia and I would mostly be spent puttering around the house, running errands, and cooking/baking meals or desserts. We so enjoy spending time together, and we have such a special bond that I wouldn't give up for the world.
We love living in Lima, I have even started driving!!! Driving is so crazy. It's like rush hour on crack. Big city driving has never really bothered me, but Lima driving is way more aggressive, you have really be paying attention all around you at all times. If you look behind you, you better be watching in front of you. A good lesson in patience.
House Set Up
Have you ever tried to set up a house from scratch? Well, after 2 full months of living in Lima, I think we've finally got our house set up. TWO FULL MONTHS!! We are renting a mission house, and before we came they repainted, put in new outlets, changed the light fixtures, put in new toilets, sinks and showers, and changed out the carpet!
We moved into our house September 1st and started off by buying beds. Next came major appliances, then "minor" appliances, then bookshelves, blinds for the windows, and finally we had a big wooden table made to fit our family. It's a lot of work, not to mention a lot of money! We had raised most of the money from gracious supporters who knew we were starting over in Lima, and two months later we have most everything we need to live and be a family in our house in Lima.
We moved into our house September 1st and started off by buying beds. Next came major appliances, then "minor" appliances, then bookshelves, blinds for the windows, and finally we had a big wooden table made to fit our family. It's a lot of work, not to mention a lot of money! We had raised most of the money from gracious supporters who knew we were starting over in Lima, and two months later we have most everything we need to live and be a family in our house in Lima.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
ICSL-Boys' school in Lima, Peru
We arrived on Monday night, bought the boys school uniforms Tuesday afternoon and they started school on Wednesday morning last week! It was a whirlwind of craziness, but they had already missed the first 2 weeks so we wanted to get them started as soon as we could.
Brandon is in 5th grade this year, he hated the fact that he was missing the first 2 weeks of school, but when we went to pick up his uniforms, the boys in his class came running out into the hallway and called him over. They had been anxiously waiting for him to arrive, even though they had never met him before...they gave him high fives and invited him into the classroom to meet everyone...it was SUCH a special welcome and will forever be a good memory for us.
Jonathon is in 3rd grade this year. He was able to get the last spot in the 3rd grade class as it's the biggest one this year; he was also very welcomed and made to feel special. So far he told me he really likes school and really likes his teacher and class...what a blessing!
Nathan is my 2nd grader and my talker. He has already gotten a "refocus" for talking...Mr. Social!! He has a couple good buddies and I really hope he can make some friends who will be here for awhile. His teacher is new this year and I've decided to volunteer to be the Class Mom for 2nd grade...should be interesting, but I'm excited to do it and make it a good year for them!
Our commute from the Guest House right now is about 40 minutes each way by public bus. The bus costs us 2.7 soles with all 4 of us (Sophia doesn't pay) which is about $1.00, and when I return home without the boys, I pay 1.20 soles which is about 44 cents...so round trip for $1.44 is pretty cheap. If I were to take a taxi, it would cost us about 12 soles which is close to $4.40 one way. We have tried looking for other people we could carpool with, but most parents live closer to the school than we do. It's a big chunk of my day to be on the bus/waiting for the bus for an hour and a half in the morning and afternoon, but hopefully I can learn to use that time more efficiently (like making my grocery lists or whatever) than just sitting there.
In all, we are super pleased with the boys school and I hope to meet many more moms and develop some good friendships this year!
Brandon is in 5th grade this year, he hated the fact that he was missing the first 2 weeks of school, but when we went to pick up his uniforms, the boys in his class came running out into the hallway and called him over. They had been anxiously waiting for him to arrive, even though they had never met him before...they gave him high fives and invited him into the classroom to meet everyone...it was SUCH a special welcome and will forever be a good memory for us.
Jonathon is in 3rd grade this year. He was able to get the last spot in the 3rd grade class as it's the biggest one this year; he was also very welcomed and made to feel special. So far he told me he really likes school and really likes his teacher and class...what a blessing!
Nathan is my 2nd grader and my talker. He has already gotten a "refocus" for talking...Mr. Social!! He has a couple good buddies and I really hope he can make some friends who will be here for awhile. His teacher is new this year and I've decided to volunteer to be the Class Mom for 2nd grade...should be interesting, but I'm excited to do it and make it a good year for them!
Our commute from the Guest House right now is about 40 minutes each way by public bus. The bus costs us 2.7 soles with all 4 of us (Sophia doesn't pay) which is about $1.00, and when I return home without the boys, I pay 1.20 soles which is about 44 cents...so round trip for $1.44 is pretty cheap. If I were to take a taxi, it would cost us about 12 soles which is close to $4.40 one way. We have tried looking for other people we could carpool with, but most parents live closer to the school than we do. It's a big chunk of my day to be on the bus/waiting for the bus for an hour and a half in the morning and afternoon, but hopefully I can learn to use that time more efficiently (like making my grocery lists or whatever) than just sitting there.
In all, we are super pleased with the boys school and I hope to meet many more moms and develop some good friendships this year!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Our new journey
Our journey of 18 months in the States is now over and we are back in Peru. It's so strange to be back...there are days that feel like we have never left, and days that feel like we've only just arrived in Peru for the first time. After living in Peru for 8 years, this is our first time living in Lima, and boy are we in for an adventure.
We left the U.S. on August 15th with 13 suitcases to check in, a car seat, 9 carry ons, 4 kids, and our passports--both Peruvian ones and U.S. ones. We checked in at the Minneapolis airport around 7:30am and arrived in Lima, Peru around 11:50pm that night. Aside from losing my camera in Concourse J at the Miami airport, we arrived with all our bags and kids! I'd post pics...but um, that darn camera is still missing.
We left the U.S. on August 15th with 13 suitcases to check in, a car seat, 9 carry ons, 4 kids, and our passports--both Peruvian ones and U.S. ones. We checked in at the Minneapolis airport around 7:30am and arrived in Lima, Peru around 11:50pm that night. Aside from losing my camera in Concourse J at the Miami airport, we arrived with all our bags and kids! I'd post pics...but um, that darn camera is still missing.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Spring, oh Spring...where art thou?
In the past week as I have left for the gym at 6am, I've noticed that the sky is lighter and the birds are singing!! This has got to be a sure sign of spring, right? Then why was it SO cold yesterday???? I am desperate for warmer weather; how have I gotten to be such a baby about cold weather? Living in Peru has spoiled me.
I know it won't be cold forever, but the Northern Hemisphere sure is taking its sweet time to warm up. I will say seeing the bright red cardinals in the trees has made the early mornings worth it though.
I know it won't be cold forever, but the Northern Hemisphere sure is taking its sweet time to warm up. I will say seeing the bright red cardinals in the trees has made the early mornings worth it though.
What I would capture
Smells and moments...amazing what our brain remembers! Just a few weeks ago I was with my mom in a showroom in Dallas, I was smelling candles. Some were nice, some not so nice, but I picked up one candle and it smelled of pine...a light, almost Christmas-y smell. All of a sudden I was transported back to childhood, to a book my brother and I had about Bambi! It was a scratch and sniff book, and there was one page that had a pine sticker that you could scratch and sniff, it was meant to smell of the forest where Bambi was born. I hadn't thought of that book in probably 25 years, but I could see it clear as day when I smelled that candle and could remember sitting on the floor reading the book day after day.
There are moments in life as well, that I'm sure my brain has captured but I just can't remember where they are stored. Why is it I remember ridiculous bits of information, like what I wore the first day of school when I was in 1st grade, but can't remember a PIN number that I use often? I wonder sometimes, when I grow old, if a simple smell, sound, or image will take me back to a certain moment in time. If so, here are some things I'd like to remember forever:
Hugs from my Dad
A cup of coffee with my Mom
My brother's laugh
A kiss from my husband
A joke told by Brandon
Jonathon's cute little lisp and the way he says certain words
The way Nathan's whole face scrunches up when he laughs
Sophia holding my face in her hands and saying, "My Mommy"
And then of course there's...playing ridiculous amounts of card games with my boys, running through Guatemala City in the rain with Jeff and our huge backpacks, seeing the kids' faces light up on Christmas morning, seeing my Dad hug/kiss my Mom, laughing maniacally and being sarcastic with my brother, watching as the kids take their first steps or say their first words, my first date with Jeff in his old, rusted out truck, rooming with my best friend in college, laughing with friends until we nearly wet our pants, the way I feel after reading a good book or watching a good movie, certain decisions made, the taste of a good cup of coffee, watching my brother get married, pedicures with my niece, shopping with my sisters-in-law, Machu Picchu...how could my list ever end?
And have I mentioned hugs from my Dad??? Man that guy gives good hugs.
There are moments in life as well, that I'm sure my brain has captured but I just can't remember where they are stored. Why is it I remember ridiculous bits of information, like what I wore the first day of school when I was in 1st grade, but can't remember a PIN number that I use often? I wonder sometimes, when I grow old, if a simple smell, sound, or image will take me back to a certain moment in time. If so, here are some things I'd like to remember forever:
Hugs from my Dad
A cup of coffee with my Mom
My brother's laugh
A kiss from my husband
A joke told by Brandon
Jonathon's cute little lisp and the way he says certain words
The way Nathan's whole face scrunches up when he laughs
Sophia holding my face in her hands and saying, "My Mommy"
And then of course there's...playing ridiculous amounts of card games with my boys, running through Guatemala City in the rain with Jeff and our huge backpacks, seeing the kids' faces light up on Christmas morning, seeing my Dad hug/kiss my Mom, laughing maniacally and being sarcastic with my brother, watching as the kids take their first steps or say their first words, my first date with Jeff in his old, rusted out truck, rooming with my best friend in college, laughing with friends until we nearly wet our pants, the way I feel after reading a good book or watching a good movie, certain decisions made, the taste of a good cup of coffee, watching my brother get married, pedicures with my niece, shopping with my sisters-in-law, Machu Picchu...how could my list ever end?
And have I mentioned hugs from my Dad??? Man that guy gives good hugs.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Reflecting
It's quiet in the house, I just put Sophia to nap in the "big girl bed" for the first time ever, I made a GREAT cup of coffee, and I find myself reflecting a bit on life. I think I'm overwhelmed by the Christmas season materialism and I am easily sucked into it, using the fact that we haven't been home for Christmas since 2005 as my excuse to buy gifts for everyone, nearly including the mail man!! I know I don't need to buy gifts for everyone, but it's the fact that I CAN do it that is making me crazy.
I want my kids to not only know the meaning of Christmas for our family, but I want them to not expect a tree full of gifts. I feel like we are all buying into the "want, want, want" instead of just appreciating what we have and how special our family is. I want to have a humble Christmas for the kids, yet I also want them to know how much I love them and during Christmas, that translates into buying THINGS for them. It's a juxtaposition that I haven't quite figured out how to maneuver.
I want to have traditions, things that they will remember in the years to come when people ask, "What are some of the special traditions you used to do with your family?". They won't remember that they got the Toy Story 3 DVD, but they might remember a special thing we did together as a family. So next year, I'm determined to be a minimalist...very few gifts, and more traditions.
I want my kids to not only know the meaning of Christmas for our family, but I want them to not expect a tree full of gifts. I feel like we are all buying into the "want, want, want" instead of just appreciating what we have and how special our family is. I want to have a humble Christmas for the kids, yet I also want them to know how much I love them and during Christmas, that translates into buying THINGS for them. It's a juxtaposition that I haven't quite figured out how to maneuver.
I want to have traditions, things that they will remember in the years to come when people ask, "What are some of the special traditions you used to do with your family?". They won't remember that they got the Toy Story 3 DVD, but they might remember a special thing we did together as a family. So next year, I'm determined to be a minimalist...very few gifts, and more traditions.
Friday, November 19, 2010
My heart swells with pride...and my eyes with tears
So I've written before about the journey we are on with Jonathon. My blond, freckled face, green-eyed son whose smile would melt your heart, and whose lack of control would make you cry. He is one of a kind, and I would not have it any other way.
We had parent/teacher conferences at the boys' school last week, and they went super well. I could not have been more pleased with what the teachers said about our kids, and it was definitely an answer to my prayers that they would each be placed with teachers who would be their advocates this year. Brandon's teacher told us over and over again "what a terrific kid he is, he is charming, smart, witty, and if he were going to be here longer I would have him tested for the gifted program" were her exact words. We beamed of course and had to agree that he is a great kid.
Nathan's teacher also raved about him, commenting on what a sweet boy he is and how he always says, "please" and "thank you" and is polite to others and though he giggles quite a bit, is really doing well in math and finally catching on better to reading. He is in a special reading group where he gets one-on-one help to learn to read...he came from a Spanish-speaking school where he learned all the letters and sounds in Spanish to starting 1st grade here where most kids already can read. He is behind, but the reading specialists are positive that he'll be caught up in just a few months!! His teacher also commented that he tries so hard and she is encouraged by that.
And then we got to meet with Jonathon's teacher...again. :o) She was astounded at what a bright kid he is, she showed us some of his math scores and told us that he's reading 140 words per minute...most 2nd graders start at 50 and end the year with a 90 at best. We talked more about his impulsiveness and lack of self-control...and we all came to the conclusion that he does have good days and he does have bad days...but that his sweetness, in the end, outweighs his lack of self control. She said we could have him tested for ADD/ADHD, but that she wouldn't force this on us because of his only being here for one year. It's unlikely that we would go the medication route anyhow, but we are trying to work on some positive goal setting for those lack of self control times.
We know Jonathon is a sweet kid, but what led me to post about this was because over the past month--really since all of this has been happening with Jonathon, we have had SO many people comment to us about what a great kid he is. Here is what one mom said just yesterday, "I just want to tell you what an encouragement Jonathon has been to my daughter, she isn't very confident and he has invited her to do things and been a good friend to her. I have seen what a sweet boy he is when he calls out 'hello' to me when I just happen to be in the school" and another mom said, "That Jonathon is about the sweetest boy ever! He always says hello to me when I'm at school or if he sees me at church, and we would really enjoy having a playdate with him sometime!" Now, I'm biased and know Jonathon is a great kid...but to hear others praising him, in light of his impulsive behavior, makes me so proud to be his mom.
My kids have all encouraged me without even knowing it...if only I could capture these times in a bottle to store forever.
We had parent/teacher conferences at the boys' school last week, and they went super well. I could not have been more pleased with what the teachers said about our kids, and it was definitely an answer to my prayers that they would each be placed with teachers who would be their advocates this year. Brandon's teacher told us over and over again "what a terrific kid he is, he is charming, smart, witty, and if he were going to be here longer I would have him tested for the gifted program" were her exact words. We beamed of course and had to agree that he is a great kid.
Nathan's teacher also raved about him, commenting on what a sweet boy he is and how he always says, "please" and "thank you" and is polite to others and though he giggles quite a bit, is really doing well in math and finally catching on better to reading. He is in a special reading group where he gets one-on-one help to learn to read...he came from a Spanish-speaking school where he learned all the letters and sounds in Spanish to starting 1st grade here where most kids already can read. He is behind, but the reading specialists are positive that he'll be caught up in just a few months!! His teacher also commented that he tries so hard and she is encouraged by that.
And then we got to meet with Jonathon's teacher...again. :o) She was astounded at what a bright kid he is, she showed us some of his math scores and told us that he's reading 140 words per minute...most 2nd graders start at 50 and end the year with a 90 at best. We talked more about his impulsiveness and lack of self-control...and we all came to the conclusion that he does have good days and he does have bad days...but that his sweetness, in the end, outweighs his lack of self control. She said we could have him tested for ADD/ADHD, but that she wouldn't force this on us because of his only being here for one year. It's unlikely that we would go the medication route anyhow, but we are trying to work on some positive goal setting for those lack of self control times.
We know Jonathon is a sweet kid, but what led me to post about this was because over the past month--really since all of this has been happening with Jonathon, we have had SO many people comment to us about what a great kid he is. Here is what one mom said just yesterday, "I just want to tell you what an encouragement Jonathon has been to my daughter, she isn't very confident and he has invited her to do things and been a good friend to her. I have seen what a sweet boy he is when he calls out 'hello' to me when I just happen to be in the school" and another mom said, "That Jonathon is about the sweetest boy ever! He always says hello to me when I'm at school or if he sees me at church, and we would really enjoy having a playdate with him sometime!" Now, I'm biased and know Jonathon is a great kid...but to hear others praising him, in light of his impulsive behavior, makes me so proud to be his mom.
My kids have all encouraged me without even knowing it...if only I could capture these times in a bottle to store forever.
And time stands still
This morning I put on Sophia's winter hat. Yes, it's that time of the year, and we were heading out the door to take the boys to school on this very chilly November morning. The hat I put on her head was immediately ripped off and thrown on the floor with a very loud, resounding, "NO." Said hat is not her favorite and if I didn't realize it before, I do now.
Our other issue of the morning was having to leave to take the boys to school when Cat in the Hat was still on PBS. She threw a total fit, and kept saying "Hat" over and over again. How is it that my sweet, quiet, gentle daughter is now turning into a very opinionated 20-month-old before my eyes!!?? And now that she is talking more, she has no qualms about letting me know what's on her mind!
That said, when I put her down for a nap this afternoon and she hugged me, blew me kisses, and said, "Bye Mom"...time stood still. It's amazing to me that such love can exist, that the fierceness I feel towards my kids that would dictate me to lay down my life for them, is a love that bonds me to them forever. It's moments like those that keep me kissing those dirty faces, that keeps me smiling when I throw "clean" laundry in the washing machine simply because the boys were too lazy to put it away, or when my favorite candle stick gets broken because someone didn't obey for the 10th time when I asked them not to throw balls in the house.
I want these times to stay in my mind forever.
Our other issue of the morning was having to leave to take the boys to school when Cat in the Hat was still on PBS. She threw a total fit, and kept saying "Hat" over and over again. How is it that my sweet, quiet, gentle daughter is now turning into a very opinionated 20-month-old before my eyes!!?? And now that she is talking more, she has no qualms about letting me know what's on her mind!
That said, when I put her down for a nap this afternoon and she hugged me, blew me kisses, and said, "Bye Mom"...time stood still. It's amazing to me that such love can exist, that the fierceness I feel towards my kids that would dictate me to lay down my life for them, is a love that bonds me to them forever. It's moments like those that keep me kissing those dirty faces, that keeps me smiling when I throw "clean" laundry in the washing machine simply because the boys were too lazy to put it away, or when my favorite candle stick gets broken because someone didn't obey for the 10th time when I asked them not to throw balls in the house.
I want these times to stay in my mind forever.
Friday, October 1, 2010
A Journey
So we are on a new journey, it involves our sweet boy Jonathon, who is almost 8!! He is a sweet, sensitive, yet impulsive young man. He has a huge heart and while it has been a challenge at times as his impulses swing out of control, I wouldn't change him for anything in the world.
I know each child is different, nothing tells me that more than when I say one thing and they all react in completely different ways. Our journey involves learning how to help Jonathon control his impulses during school, while he is SO incredibly bright, his lack of control causes him to be a distraction in class to his classmates and his teacher. His teacher is very patient and called me in to talk about it, he was so positive, telling me over and over again how sharp he is, and how his impulsive behavior is not affecting his academics, but affecting the way others react to him.
As a parent, it's hard to hear that your kids aren't perfect, that they aren't making good choices, yet it's my job as a parent to get to the bottom of this and be an advocate for my son and help him on this journey. We aren't sure of the next step, we are being encouraged to possibly fill out a Connors evaluation which is a form that parents and teachers fill out when ADHD is suspected. Now-- just those letters bring fear to my heart, probably because I don't know that much about ADHD, but also because it's a label that has so many negative connotations in our society! It makes me think of kids who are out of control, who are overly aggressive, who are mean, who treat others with contempt....yet none of these things describes my Jonathon. His impulses are more like making animal sounds in class when the class is expected to be quiet. He bumps into the wall when his teacher has just asked the kids NOT to walk near the wall. He bounces up and down on the yoga ball when the teacher has asked the kids to sit quietly on them. He has a hard time controlling his impulses and the teacher is concerned that maybe, truly, he can't control them on his own.
So where does this journey lead us? For me, it's a huge step of faith to trust that we are taking steps in the right direction. I want to help Jonathon make goals to help him control his impulses, I want other kids to accept Jonathon the way he is, but most of all, I want Jonathon to accept the way God has made him and be proud of who he is. I love you Jonathon.
I know each child is different, nothing tells me that more than when I say one thing and they all react in completely different ways. Our journey involves learning how to help Jonathon control his impulses during school, while he is SO incredibly bright, his lack of control causes him to be a distraction in class to his classmates and his teacher. His teacher is very patient and called me in to talk about it, he was so positive, telling me over and over again how sharp he is, and how his impulsive behavior is not affecting his academics, but affecting the way others react to him.
As a parent, it's hard to hear that your kids aren't perfect, that they aren't making good choices, yet it's my job as a parent to get to the bottom of this and be an advocate for my son and help him on this journey. We aren't sure of the next step, we are being encouraged to possibly fill out a Connors evaluation which is a form that parents and teachers fill out when ADHD is suspected. Now-- just those letters bring fear to my heart, probably because I don't know that much about ADHD, but also because it's a label that has so many negative connotations in our society! It makes me think of kids who are out of control, who are overly aggressive, who are mean, who treat others with contempt....yet none of these things describes my Jonathon. His impulses are more like making animal sounds in class when the class is expected to be quiet. He bumps into the wall when his teacher has just asked the kids NOT to walk near the wall. He bounces up and down on the yoga ball when the teacher has asked the kids to sit quietly on them. He has a hard time controlling his impulses and the teacher is concerned that maybe, truly, he can't control them on his own.
So where does this journey lead us? For me, it's a huge step of faith to trust that we are taking steps in the right direction. I want to help Jonathon make goals to help him control his impulses, I want other kids to accept Jonathon the way he is, but most of all, I want Jonathon to accept the way God has made him and be proud of who he is. I love you Jonathon.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Quite a scare
So we had quite a big scare last weekend. We were visiting with my BFF Jackie who was up here in IL to visit her sister. We had decided to head over to Rhonda's and all of us would then go to Oaktoberfest and let the kids shine at the zucchini races. We were having a great time, racing zucchini cars that the kids made, singing a little Karaoke, and just hanging out. After awhile we headed towards the stage and food area to get some lunch, Jeff was up ahead with the kid and Jackie and I were hanging back trying to catch up on about 5 years of life. Jeff took the kids to the bathroom and I went and sat down at a table to save enough space for all of us...I assumed all the boys were with him. Poor assumption on my part.
Jeff came back from the bathroom and says, "Where is Jonathon?" So I explained that I thought he was with Jeff and Jeff tells me that "No", Jonathon hadn't been with him. So all of a sudden my emotions flare up, my heart starts beating super fast and we all head out in search of my 7yo. I was truly praying the whole time, trying not to freak out and watching for his light blue sweatshirt. Thom was on the other side of the street looking for him as well...we headed back to where we had been racing the zucchini cars, and there is my poor, sweet little man sitting on the curb, with his hands in his pockets and tears streaming down his face. I was heartbroken.
The short of it is that when we all decided to leave, Jonathon had been immersed in looking for spare change on the ground and didn't see us walk away. When he got up from the ground, we were all gone. I praised him for staying in that spot, knowing that if he tried looking for us, he would most likely never have found us. He said that while he was lost, he found a penny and threw it into the fountain and wished "that he would see us again".
I hugged him often throughout the remainder of the day. I praise God that we found him, that no one stopped to talk to him, and that he stayed right where he had been. This was one of my top scariest moments as a mom...I pray it never happens again, and while we used it as a teachable moment, it's not something that I will soon forget.
Jeff came back from the bathroom and says, "Where is Jonathon?" So I explained that I thought he was with Jeff and Jeff tells me that "No", Jonathon hadn't been with him. So all of a sudden my emotions flare up, my heart starts beating super fast and we all head out in search of my 7yo. I was truly praying the whole time, trying not to freak out and watching for his light blue sweatshirt. Thom was on the other side of the street looking for him as well...we headed back to where we had been racing the zucchini cars, and there is my poor, sweet little man sitting on the curb, with his hands in his pockets and tears streaming down his face. I was heartbroken.
The short of it is that when we all decided to leave, Jonathon had been immersed in looking for spare change on the ground and didn't see us walk away. When he got up from the ground, we were all gone. I praised him for staying in that spot, knowing that if he tried looking for us, he would most likely never have found us. He said that while he was lost, he found a penny and threw it into the fountain and wished "that he would see us again".
I hugged him often throughout the remainder of the day. I praise God that we found him, that no one stopped to talk to him, and that he stayed right where he had been. This was one of my top scariest moments as a mom...I pray it never happens again, and while we used it as a teachable moment, it's not something that I will soon forget.
Does Fall really have to come so soon?
I know, I'm being a negative Nelly, but I really don't like Fall...because I know it will lead to Winter! I am NOT a cold-loving person, and so that's why even though I'm enjoying the cooler weather, I know that Fall is here and Winter will be too. Sad.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Cousins
One of my favorite things about being in the States is that the boys get to see their cousins so often!! They are having a blast hanging out and talking Legos and playing swords and other fun boy stuff!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Long lost post from July!!
I can't believe I forgot to post about Sophia's broken arm!!! It was such a big event for us!! So one Sunday morning in July, Sophia apparently fell off of a little baby armchair onto her left arm. I went to pick her up from Sunday school and she was crying, though not that much, so they mentioned that she had just started crying but the lady who handed her to me wasn't sure why she was crying. It was a weird cry, one of those cries that you just know something is not quite right. So we got her home and I went to change her out of her dress and noticed that she wasn't using her left arm! I called Jeff into the room, showed him that she was unable to move her arm, and off we headed for the ER. We stopped by the church to try to find out what had happened, as we knew it was something that happened there and that was why she had been crying. Everyone had gone home, except for the Childhood Resource people, so they called up some of the workers and that's when someone mentioned that they thought she had fallen out of that little chair.
In the ER they did xrays and thought that maybe it was just dislocated (nursemaids elbow) and so the ER NP attempted to put it back in...Sophia was crying and the NP did it 3 times and it obviously wasn't working. After about 15 minutes of being out, she came back in and tried to get Sophia to use her arm, she coaxed her with a popsicle, but instead of trying to reach for it with her arm, she reached for it with her foot!! At that point the NP said she suspected it was something more than a dislocation and splinted up her arm and told us to see an Orthopedic specialist on Monday.
Monday I called Gillette Children's Hospital and they got us in right away with a specialist. He looked again at the xrays and couldn't find a break, but he also said he was sure it wasn't dislocated because of the pain and the fact that she STILL wasn't using her arm at all. He said he suspected a hairline fracture in the cartilage of her elbow and ordered her to have it casted.
Sophia picked out a lovely PINK casting material and ended up having to wear her sweet little cast for 3 weeks...it ruined her time of swimming, going to the lake during Family Camp, and not to mention what an ordeal it was to give her baths!! She survived though, and about 5 days after getting it casted started using her fingers and then her arm. It healed well and we are so thankful, once again, that we are near good medical care!
In the ER they did xrays and thought that maybe it was just dislocated (nursemaids elbow) and so the ER NP attempted to put it back in...Sophia was crying and the NP did it 3 times and it obviously wasn't working. After about 15 minutes of being out, she came back in and tried to get Sophia to use her arm, she coaxed her with a popsicle, but instead of trying to reach for it with her arm, she reached for it with her foot!! At that point the NP said she suspected it was something more than a dislocation and splinted up her arm and told us to see an Orthopedic specialist on Monday.
Monday I called Gillette Children's Hospital and they got us in right away with a specialist. He looked again at the xrays and couldn't find a break, but he also said he was sure it wasn't dislocated because of the pain and the fact that she STILL wasn't using her arm at all. He said he suspected a hairline fracture in the cartilage of her elbow and ordered her to have it casted.
Wheaton, IL
Sunday, August 15, 2010
MOVING DAY!
I need to catch up on some other posts, but I'll post quickly to let everyone know that we are moving to Wheaton, IL tomorrow!!! It's a new season for our family, one where all the males in the household will be going to school and the girls will stay home! We are super excited and basically have the cars loaded up and ready to go!! I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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