Brother and Sister?

OK, well it's no secret I'll probably never have any more children, but on this day it was amazing as I watched and snapped pics of Spencer and Bubbles(the dog) playing as if they were a brother and sister. It's amazing the connection Spencer makes with Bubbles and how loving Bubbles is to him. Spencer hits @ Bubbles and Bubbles takes it, never once getting mad or upset with him....that would be 1 difference between 2 "real" siblings. Bubbles licks, kisses, nips and gives Spencer all kind of attention. On this Saturday, I thought it was so cute how Spencer was trying to urge Bubbles into his bedroom to play. He would try and lure her by flinging a sock @ her then take off down the hall. Bubbles didn't follow. Finally Spencer got her in there and I left them alone for awhile and then went to check on them. I opened the door and there they were both on top of his bed "wrestlin'" around and Spencer laughing out loud. What a memory and what a thought.....even though Spencer will probably never have a sibling, he has one in his doggy, Bubbles, who loves him and us unconditionally always!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cupcake Makin'

It always seem like I put off things.....and boy I did this time. I should have started cooking with Spencer years ago, but on the weekend time just seems to get away from me with the "have to do" things...you know, cleaning, washing, organizing, folding clothes, ironing clothes, cooking, groceries.....the list goes on. So by the time I have time to cook with Spencer I'm wore out! On our snow day I made a decision that yes this day was the day we were making something....no matter what. So I said @ 10am we'd start, I do better with a schedule. So we did and what fun we had. One of his classmates for Christmas bought all the students the cutest apron and chef hat with their names embordered on them....so we put that on and got busy. Check out our slideshow! It was fun and the beginning of many more days cooking I'm sure!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

SNOW?

This was sight out my back door on Tuesday morning after getting up and starting to get ready for school.....then I find out there is no school in S'burg Co. Districts...WHAT????? I mean come on now.....I would rather go since I'm already up and not have to make it up. Well we have to make it up. It's all weird, but I'm hoping for some REAL SNOW between now and spring!!!! Some good snowman making snow, some good sleigh riding snow and some good snowball snow. I miss that!

MLK Day

Martin Luther King Day.....I'm not really sure, but I think I understand, but then again I don't because I have not been through what some people have been through with racism. I'm just not talking about the Blacks, but the Jews, Indians, Hispanics, Asians, Middle Easterns, people with Down Syndrome, people who have disabilities, people with glasses or braces, people who are overweight, people who are skinny, people who are tall, people who are short and my list could go on and on. I truely believe that on that day when MLK gave his speech he was not talking only about people who are Black or White, but for all people with differences! Let's face it, aren't we all just a little different from each other? So on this day I think about all people who have ever experienced racism, not just one group! Thank you MLK for giving all people a dream to hold on to! Just my thoughts!

It's Been Way To Long!

Here it is a little over 24 hours of 2008 left and I have not posted since the 18th of Dec. We left town on Dec 20th and just returned last night. It was a great trip, somewhat tiring from all the running and visiting, but we enjoyed the visit. We attended Mike's extended family Christmas Party, went to the church I grew up in to their Christmas Program....brought back so many memories of when I was a kid, went shopping, had Christmas eve with my family, Christmas morn breakfast, watched Spencer and his toys, to the in laws for Christmas, went to see Marly and me(GREAT MOVIE!), Mike spend alot of time hunting with his brothers, loved my Mountaineers beating NC, attend my neice Tracy's 30th birthday celebration and the last day just relaxed before hitting the road....here are a few pics of the trip and all the activities. I can't believe this year is gone...where does time go? We all definitely need to slow down and enjoy the simply things in life more especially our family & friends and stop rushing. That is my New Year's resolution....to take things more lightly that I have no control over and enjoy just watching my son play and learn in his way and as the song goes ".....take time to smell the roses." I pray that you and yours have a Happy New Year and God richly blesses you in 2009!

Family Pictures

12 1/2 years in SC....wow can't believe it......time sure does fly and Spencer is 7, Mike is 36 and I'm, well.........a real woman never tells her age! My friend took these pics of us on Sunday for our Christmas cards, which by the way are very late.........don't think we're mad if you don't get it until after Christmas!!!

By the way those are my brothers!!! Are they cute!!!! Any single ladies, let me know and I'll hook you up!!!!(JUST KIDDING) Can you tell I'm in the Christmas mood....1 day left before a glorious 2 week break from teaching!! Anyway enjoy our family pics and hope all of you have a WONDERFUL, GLORIOUS, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My Terrific Kid

On Monday I attended the Jaycee/Civitians Christmas Party @ Spencer's school. He was recognized as a "Terrific Kid" by them for Fall 2008. He is doing so great! He speech is coming along and alot of his frustration is because he can't communicate his thoughts/feelings. He went up like a big boy and got his reward. Now Mommie has a bumper sticker that says "My kid is a TERRIFIC KID", but then again, I didn't need a bumper sticker to tell me that. I've always known I have a terrific kid!!! Congratulations Spencer and what a great kid you are!!! Mommie and Daddy love you!

Spartanburg Christmas Parade 2008

Spencer's school was in the parade in Spartanburg on Tuesday night. He was a littly iffy at first, but once the float started he loved the ride and waving to the people. Some friends of ours yelled his name, "Spencer, HI" and he immediately picked them out in the crowd and waved to them. They were so impressed that he heard them yelling at him. I love the fact the school, teachers and support staff were willing to do the parade after school and involved the students. I love his school and he is doing so well! Speech is coming along and recently he has starting saying mum, wt(want), ball, dada, oou(you), plze(please), I, ove(love). I'm so proud of the progress he has made over the last 14 weeks in speech. I am sure we will eventually get it! Enjoy the pics....he had alot of fun!

The Boyce Disco

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Elf Me

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Getting to the bottom of the situation!

Today after conversing with numerous people and a process of elimation we have decided that Spencer's buddy on the way from school is pinching Spencer. Don't know the reason, but as I know from working with any kid, they sometimes don't need a reason. Perhaps Spencer dangled his sock or Elmo in front of his face and he didn't like it, maybe Spencer yelled in his dismay of something and the kid didn't like it. I don't blame the kid, but I don't want my son to have bruises either, so the remedy is to sit Spencer in his harness by himself on the bus and his assistant sit across the aisle from him. That way there should be no more bruises. I have noticed bruises for sometime, but we all know kids do things and fall, etc....but yesterday did it! The bruises always seem to be on Spencer's left side, which is what led the nurse to say this. She has been a great help! So has his teacher and the elementary ed person @ McCarthy. I knew if we all worked together we could get to the bottom of this and what happened. I am so glad I didn't blow my stack and go off ranting and raving, because communication is the tool to any outcome involving school and home!!!

Confused!

OK, you guys all know that I try to do what is right, but right now I want to freakin' raise HELL with someone over the bruises I found up and down Spencer's left arm. What the hell........I really don't know what to do....do I go raise the roof off and demand that if he can't be safe that I want a one on one, or do I let the teacher handle it while I cool down. Ms. Patice is great and I know she will help us get to the bottom of the bruises he is coming home with. I am questioning the bus, Mike thinks another kid is pinching him. A couple of weeks ago the same thing...bruises on his hip and arm. I wondered if it was at the YMCA, but no one I talked to could tell me for sure. I want so bad for Spencer to answer me when I ask him "who did this to you." But he can't and I feel so responsible for it. I am at wits end and need you all to pray for me and how to approach this problem and how to deal with it. Spencer can be a handful but still I have never left any bruises like the ones I seen on his arm this evening. He can pull, jerk, squirm, etc and I tug and pull, but never like this has he ever had bruises. HELP....suggestions would be nice, but know I'm trying not to lose my cool but to approach it in a calm manner. I just want to know what happened!!!

Starting the Holiday Festivities!

Well it's here, the hustling and bustling of the holidays! Mike said to me last night that the holiday party and outings always make us alittle irritable. Once he asked me if I was tired around 8pm after rushing home to get little man in bed and I said yes. I asked how he could tell and he said I was a little irritable. Tired and aggrevated......yesterday after we sat in our vehicle watching the Greer Parade, I tried to cut through some side streets to get out of town and cut the curb to close and busted my rear tire. He got upset, I got upset and so that was that....now on top of buying Christmas we need a new tire. I'm trying to take things in stride, but sometimes once again I am so overwhelmed that my anxiety is kicking in and sending me over the top. I am trying so hard not to "lose it" and keep my outbursts down. Please send good thoughts and prayers as we continue through this holiday season for my peace of mind and to enjoy the things that are really the reason for the season.....the birth of Jesus Christ! Thanks so much good friends for that! You are all loved and respected. I know we all have our different issues, but I thank God that I have friends and family to help me through!

By the way.....Spencer will be in the Spartanburg Christmas Parade on Tues., Dec 9 with his school. The parade starts @ 6:30pm if you'd like to attend....8 marching bands.....wow!!

WOW Where do I start!

It's been awhile since I've blogged....the holidays, how stressful are they!! We traveled to WV for Thanksgiving...it was ok....stressful though. Mike and I have talked and in order for us to have a restful Christmas vacation, we are making a schedule of what is going on during our time in WV. This way we are not stressed and most of all Spencer is on a schedule. All of us who have children with Special Needs know that our children love structured routine, a place they can chill and do what they like...as for Spencer it is down time in Papaw's bedroom with his laptop and a number of movies and no one else in there with him! Mike and I think this works best for our family and in order for us not to be "at each other" we need to put us first! Spencer is the most important and in order for him to enjoy the holidays.....we need to do a schedule.

Here is a pic of some of the pics from WV! The family during the WV/Pitt game!

Unhappy Rudloph!

While decorating the house for the holidays Saturday I ran across this antler headband that I wear at my school before Christmas. I put them on Spencer to take a pic and he was not happy! I told him just 1 pic and he looked at me with the look that said...."ok lady hurry up and get this over with because I do not like these things on my head!" What a pic....can you tell he doesn't like them but tolerated them for me long enough to get a picture. What pressure we put on our kids to get that picture that we think will be so cute? The things we put our kids through especially during the holidays......a trip to see Santa, which they hate and can't understand why we make them go sit on a stranger's lap that has a strange look and then they freak out and have a meltdown and we look like idiots trying to console them! I'm sure we all have stories to tell....share one with me so I can see how silly I am for asking my child to be tolerant of these experiences! I really don't do the Santa thing because after the 1st meltdown with him seeing Santa I decided right them and there it wasn't worth it! We pick and choose what we want to battle and a picture with Santa is at the bottom of my list! Happy Thanksgiving!

A Girl's Night Out!

WOW is all I can say....what a great group of friends I have to be able to meet, talk about alot of different things, laugh, cry, agree to disagree and just have fun! It was awesome to know that we all share our love for our special children and we have their best interest at heart and that we would do anything for them. But also to share our deepest, darkest secrets(you guys know, but remember it's our secret) laugh have other things in common other than the special needs world, but we always tend to come back to that somewhere in whatever conversation we are in. I love you guys and since my family is not here, I rely on you guys for advice, laughter, tears and whatever I need to make it through. Thank you all for being a very special part of me and Spencer's life...Mike to!

Sunday afternoon

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon then with family! Tammie and Syd were in Charlotte with Ronald and stopped by on their way back. Samantha came over from her Dad's house and we had a great, restful, enjoyable afternoon.....played with Spencer and Syd, watched movies with Sam, helped Tammie with her cookie business online, jumped on trampoline with Spencer, made lasagna for lunch, made homemade mac 'n cheese for Sam for dinner.....what a great day. I am so glad they came and spent the afternoon with us! Syd is growing so much, Sam is a typical teenager(which in a earlier blog she corrected me, she doesn't play a cello, she plays a viola) Spencer loves them both and Mike and I love spending time with all of them! Tammie is a good mommie and loves her girls with all her heart and does a good job of taking care of them! Thank you guys for spending time with us this afternoon...I enjoyed it alot and love you all very much!