Coming Back

Stacey got a job in NE and will be moving back from FLA. People ask me all the time how I feel about her being so far away or don't I wish she'd move back. I've tried not to go there. I try to be happy for my children when they make choices. I want them to all be in my home all the time but I know I'd smother who they could be so I am more than happy to just enjoy seeing them enjoy their life experiences. (I am happy Stacey's returning to NE because that's what SHE wants.)

Now, if she could just bring some sunshine with her...............

Mimi

I love being a mom. I love being a Mimi. I love being a wife. I got to spend a day with Katie and her family. I could just sit and watch all day. I love to watch the interactions- between children, wife and husband, parent and child, child and toys. I also got to talk to Brett on the way home. We talked about Celie. He's such a great dad. He wants the world for Celie and he doesn't want to screw things up. It makes me so joyous to know he is taking being a "family man" so seriously. I am so thankful for the blessings I've received as a mom and wife. I have been hard on my children and my husband but I hope they know how much I love them. Not love but something so deep I can't find the bottom of it. I think it is close to God's Love, yes that's just what it is God's Love through my family to me. Thank you, God!

See you, Kim.

When I started early childhood special education I was told to prepare for the death of a student because our students are often fragile. Yesterday one of my former students died. I've been sad, sad, sad. It was Kim. She had a stroke when she was four. She could do on her own was blink and breath. I can still remember how her family and community tried so very hard to help her get back some of the skills she had before the stroke. She got little tiny parts back. But only those of us who worked with her regularly would notice. I let her touch snow. She seemed to smiled and reach for it. We smelled flowers, touched feathers, counted fuzzy bunnies, touched velvet abc's and read and read. My heart is so heavy.............. but I know she's running and laughing and FREE!!! I love you Kim. I can't believe you were 22. I thought you were still 4...................

Today I Learned

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY- when you want a child to try new food 1) kiss it, 2) bite it, 3) put a bite in your mouth but you can spit it out 4) chew it but you can then spit it out 5) chew & swallow. This could take a month, make sure they are comfortable at one stage before moving to the next. I know this is for severely impaired children but I think it's good for all children. THAT'S WHAT I LEARNED!

My Ear Hurts and I Can't Enjoy the Scenery

I have had an earache for.............. a long time, I think maybe since Thanksgiving. I'm been on antibiotics and different antibiotics and it's still hurting. So I'm going to the ent dr. I have also been to the dentist but she says it's not my teeth. I think I'll go back to my old dentist and see if he agrees. I just want it to feel better.

I noticed that I love to see the earth covered in clean snow. But I also am getting a stiff neck driving to school almost every day. So I'm trying to figure out how to enjoy the scenery and ignore that the roads are yucky/dangerous. Oh yeah, I can't cuz I drive in the dark!!!