Helping With Reading

Since my recent "unfortunate unemployment", I emailed the teachers I know and told them that I was available and wouldn't mind helping in any way I could.  I think I hardly hit the send button before hearing back.  :-)  I'm now helping with Guided Reading in JES 5th grade.  It is a GREAT time.  I have a good group of kids and I love the books that were picked out.  There's something about just being at school that puts me in a good mood.  Probably because I'm not in charge of teaching them, or guiding them.  :-)  I have the life of a Grandmother when I think about it.  I get them for an hour - I can wind them up and then send them back.
:-)  Anyway.....

As I was talking to Jack about being there - I'm in a hallway that Jack doesn't go down often - he asked if I could eat lunch with him after I was done helping.  "I'll buy your lunch if you want to eat with me, Mom."

Is that not cute?  He'll buy my lunch with the card that he gets from school with my money.  :-)  Oh, he's so like his father.  :-)

Magic Class Truly Magical

Jack had a Magic class at the Park District last night, and as I was sitting in the waiting area I noticed there were JBSRA members floating around .  A Special Needs team then walked in and asked where the gym was, so I decided to go find out what they were playing and watch for a while.  As I approached the gym I saw Aaron, Mark, Kelly and a lot of the other people we know from Adult Basketball.  They were playing volleyball so I took a seat and watched. 

As usual, I teared up.  I just love to watch them.  The vast majority of special needs people are by far the most inspirational, happy, and positive people on the planet.  They make you acutely aware of what's REALLY important in the world.  They take the world truly as it is.  I always feel very honored to share the world with them. 

When I picked up Jack from his Magic class I asked if he'd want to go watch.  Well, of course.  :-)  I really like that about Jack.  He seems so at ease to celebrate with others and to high five adults he only knows through Sal's things. 

The funniest thing was that night when we got home and showed Bill and Sally all of Jack's magic.  After the whole "show" was done Jack had things for me to sign school the next day and when I asked Sally what number the day was and she answered, Jack popped off with "Sally, how do you always know what day it is?"
"I'm magic, Jack" she replied with the most sober face.

Boy, ain't THAT an understatement!  ;-)

Mabel Blog

http://www.mabelthemenace.blogspot.com/     I've started a Mabel blog.  I have NO idea where it's going to take me.  Come, lets journey together. :-)

Sick

It started as a runny nose, then on to my chest and has really set up camp there.  It's been two weeks and I'm still hacking.  That icky part where you can't get "it" up or down.  Ewwww.  AND with it is this stiff neck.  Not a meningitis pain when bending neck forward or backward but a  pinched nerve kind of pain all the time.  :-/   It just stinks. 

Bill got it and so did Sal.  Sal was very minimal and Jack seems to be totally unaffected.  Like I always say - there's no germ ever going to invade Jack's body - too dirty.  :-)   Kind of the same reason that Mabel never gets sick. 

Big garage sale here this weekend.  Got rid of a lot of stuff in the garage.  Of course Bill's already made plans to fill it next weekend.  :-)  He has so much fun out there.  

I'm seriously thinking about doing daycare out of the house again - but not too soon.  I'm really enjoying my free time and kind of "finding myself" (and my house)  :-)

Aunt Jill comes next weekend.  Sally has been talking about it all month.  I'm hoping that she will be able to help me understand my new sewing machine and help me pick out some fabric and patterns. 

I've also been asked to help with guided reading at school.  I can't wait.  We start next week.  I can't believe what some people consider acceptable books for their kids.  There's just such crap out there.  It's just all junk - no rhyme or reason or plot.   Not to mention how people read.   Just sad.  I know in the grand scheme of things it's not the hugest problem, but like the teachers in middle school and high school - I feel MY obsession should be the most important to everyone.  :-) 

LOTS of problems with the school board lately.  I could go on and on and on about the horrible behavior they have shown lately.   I just shake my head at people who get SO upset about how things are and how our children behave but set examples of the WORST behavior.  When are we going to hold ourselves to a higher standard?  Kind of like signs I see (or people for that matter) that call the President stupid and stupid is misspelled.  This is the price of freedom.  Of everyone having a say.  Even the stupid ones.  :-)

And while I'm on the subject ---- could we ALL please, both sides, STOP with the Hitler references.  NO ONE is like Hitler.  It not only waters down the evil that he was but also shows a genuine lack of knowledge of history.  I just squirm every time I hear someone compare anyone to Hitler.  We will NEVER know the depth of atrocities that were committed by that man (thank God).   I'll step off my soapbox now.  :-)

13 years ago

13 years ago - I was in Hinsdale Hospital having slight contractions and the Drs were trying to figure out how to stop them and keep me pregnant.  It was a little touch and go that week.  When we left the house on Thurs the 11th we were SO excited.  We were high fiving and calling everyone to tell them we were headed to the hospital because my water had broke. 

Later that morning Wilk came in with a very serious look on his face.  Things weren't as far as we thought.  Sal was early and they were scared she wouldn't be able to eat or breathe.  I'll never forget how very quickly the mood changed. 

So, they managed to keep me pregnant 3 more days and on Sunday when contractions started they decided maybe we should bring her out - c-section.  Well, there was something I didn't think would happen.  The only chapter of the book I hadn't read was the c-section part.  :-) 

As I look back I think I may have been in shock.  It seemed very out of body for me.   Things seemed to steamroll along that Sunday.  Surgery prep, epidural, extra IVs, being rolled here and there.  I remember a LOT of tugging on my tummy - I felt I was being moved down there and then all of a sudden the Wilk was holding up this bloody baby and Lannie was saying "2:10 and it's a girl and she's so pretty and she's POOPING!"   :-)   Being strapped down and not being able to hold her right away was a nightmare. 

They left with her.  Bill left.  The doctors all talked about the Bears game and about Disney - I think someone was going to go there soon.  They left.  A nurse came in and wheeled me to some room and put all kinds of warm blankets on me.  That felt so good but then the shaking started.  I shook like one of those bumble balls.  I'd try and talk myself down "relax, it's ok, stop, you're fine."  The shaking would stop and then the blood pressure bag on me would start up and the shaking would start all over again.  It was horrible. 

After a while someone came and got me and took me to my room.  They asked me to crawl from gurney to my bed.  Being all numb, it felt like I was crawling on a cloud.  At one point I even asked the nurse if I was moving at all.  It felt SO weird.  I made it through the night and kept looking at a Polaroid picture of the little girl.  The next day was awful - I felt like a truck hit me, but seeing Sal was GREAT.  Bill came and held her while I watched.  They laid her on my bed and I was able to feed her and to play with her.  She slept - A LOT.   We had to wake her every 3 hours to feed her.   3 days later we were both able to come home. 

13 years later and she's more than made up for that 5 pound start she had.  And she still wants to eat every 3 hours.  :-)

Sal woke this morning and announced to the house in her big outdoor voice, that it was her birthday and that we should all be wishing her a happy birthday!  We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast - with candle and sang to her.  She packed her goodies up in her back pack along with a note for everyone to join her at Culvers tonight.  Granpa and Granma called.  Aunt Lonnie called.  She was so happy to hear from them.  She has gotten mail all week and every piece is met with an expression as if it was the best one.  She's something.

Happy Birthday, my dear Sally.  May you always be as happy as you are now.

Fall Returns!

I love this picture.  I don't know who any of these kids are - I'm guessing at least one belongs to someone I went to school with.  This is the front line of Central Panther football.  I wish we would have done this in our year.  :-)  I remember our guys looking MUCH bigger.  :-)

God, I LOVE this time of year!  The windows open, the crisp mornings and wonderful afternoons. 

School's IN!!!

Oh, thank God, school has started.  I kissed Sally's bus driver on the lips when he pulled up to take her away.  :-)  jk   She is SO excited every morning when we get ready.  Jack is doing well too.  They both love school.  I like that.

Behavior program is back for Sal and she's doing well.  I love to listen to her stories when she gets home.  I'm really enjoying being home for them.  (her mostly)

Jack had curriculum night at JES last week.  It was interesting.  In our packet of things (ie: sample report card, what they expect him to master in 4th grade etc.) was a sample copy of a referral and an expulsion.  I'm lost as to why these are included.  I mean - *I* know that if I do horrible things I will go to jail - I don't need to *see* jail.  I never once got a referral in school - so I never saw one.  Hmmm.  As I told Jack - "this will be the ONLY time I'll see this".  Maybe we don't expect enough?  I EXPECT Jack to do his best - yes, I expect that he will get in trouble at times but I also EXPECT that being called down will suffice and he will NOT have the problem again. 

Jack literally clothes lined himself last weekend.  He was playing in the Hot tub and as he jumped out he did his Jeff Hardy stuff and hit his mouth almost exactly where his stitches had been.  We took a little trip to BMC.  As we were waiting for the Dr he was telling me that he was going to invent a TV/Computer that would be only for rich people.  "Just so I know, are we rich?"  I asked.

"Oh, yeah..." he answered like I was an idiot.  :-)  That made me smile.  Things are good in Jack's world.  He's found a whole gaggle of brothers at J&J's.  Sally is getting better at not being *too* odd for him.  The bossing still sends him up a wall - but he's learning to deal. 

School Registration

Lot happening this week.  Jack got braces put on Monday - stitches were dissolved and looking good.  Sal registered for 7th grade!  Jack registered for 4th grade!   It's crazy to think of them being so old.  *I* don't feel any older.  :-)

Tonight both of my darlings are sick.  Sal's been having accidents all day  and then after registration, Jack complained of a headache and wanted to go to bed.  They've both been asleep since 7pm. 

It really stinks when they're sick. 

Our good friend, Oscar (coach of Sal's basketball and swim team) has had a pretty nasty accident and has been put in a coma to stay for over a month.  I don't know a bunch about it - Sandy told me on fb.  Just never seems fair.  He's a 20 something and has SUCH a good heart.  We had the best time with him at State and other tournaments.  He is SO good with the kids.  He was the one that as he watched Sal do the back float (ALL limbs moved a lot but the body went no where)  you could see in his face he was fighting everything not to jump in the pool and push her.  :-)  Things don't sound good for him at all - but I hope that someone has got the info wrong and he'll be fine.

Jeremy got home from vacation today and Bill is on cloud 9.  :-)  They're at the shag tonight - I'm the good Mom who stays with the sickies.  :-)  I'm so glad that Bill has a friend like Jer.  It's good for him to get out and kind of download.  Jeremy is good for him - even if he's a republican.  :-)  

The Jubilee starts this week (the Village's fest).  We've had talks all year with Jack about why we were not attending Village functions.  He's had quite the civics lessons this year.  We explained to him that even though Daddy's job would probably never be in jeopardy (he's been there over 20 years) it's the fact that you must stand for what's right.  Even if it makes no difference - it makes you able to lay your head down at night and know you did what your head and heart thought was best. 

I got absolutely no flack about not getting to ride rides or go to the fest.  I'm very proud of the little goober sometimes. 

Parents of children with autism: We struggle alone - KansasCity.com

Parents of children with autism: We struggle alone - KansasCity.com


Good article. It IS lonely. And yes, people DO shy away from you - but you learn that it's probably for the best. It's THEM that are missing a pretty fantastic kid.

The thing with Sal is that she's that nursery rhyme. "When she was good she was good and when she was bad, she was horrid." And the horrid part doesn't seem to be able to stop sometimes. It can become a very vicious circle.

I'm to the point that I'm not sure I really want a cure. Who would she be? I love Sal - just the way Sal is. I only wish I could understand the meltdowns more. I wish we could find a cure for the bathroom accidents. I wish she could do more with her hands. But that all makes Sal who she is. She is the TRUE test of love unconditionally. Some people don't pass that test. :-)

It IS exhausting, and I can empathize with the mother that killed her child and then herself. I am by no means excusing that - but I know where she's coming from. I pray every night that I live just one day longer than Sal. And mostly because I don't want her to go through the heartache of loosing me and then being all alone in a world that doesn't quite make sense to her.

I always look to the mothers of the adult special needs. THEY are the real hero's. In those days there was NO info about this stuff - and yes, they were looked down on BIG time! I get those comments - but I just slip one of the business cards I have made up that explain what the problem is. I LOVE the look of shame on their face after they read it. :-)

I also love hearing mothers "complain" about the VERY insignificant things in their lives. Sal has really put things into perspective for me. I also SO appreciate the people that take the time and DO come into our lives. I tend to gravitate towards REAL people who have kind of a dark humor. They seem to "get" me more. They don't gasp if you say how really TIRED you are of your kid. :-) There's not many, believe me. You can't pretend to be something you're not with Sal - she'll call you out. She's like a horse in that way. :-) I think that's why they all seem to gravitate toward her.

Back to the cure thing. I don't know if we'll see it or even if I want to. What I want more is TOLERANCE. It's a fine line - I expect her to do what she can - I expect her to try and hold it together but I want people to be tolerant when she doesn't . Not to treat her as a baby but to expect her to succeed but be ok if she doesn't. Crazy, crazy life and since I know no other - I'm very scared to change it. :-)

Friends from the Hood

We all went into Shorewood the other night to meet Allen and his Mom, Mary Ann - who - used to live down the street from Bill and his family when he was growing up. Allen is Special Needs.

I always find it so inspirational to meet people and their families (namely Moms) who did it all BEFORE law 501 and inclusion. BEFORE a lot of the stigma was lifted (it's still there - but not NEAR as bad). I have to say - I was not let down. Talk about neat people!!!!! Mom is divorced (80% of us are who have Special Needs kids) and she raised 3 boys!!!! Talk about cross to bear! :-) I have ONE boy and find it VERY difficult. :-)

Allen is GREAT! Mary Ann did a FANTASTIC job. He's handsome and very well mannered. He has a job and has worked there for over 25 years! It just gives me such great hope for Sal. Boy, if we can get her to where Allen is - DANG! And again - I remind myself he came through the era where we knew SO little. I got some GREAT advice and felt very supported.

What a great night.

Vacation Cont.

Monday we went to see Brad and Becky's new house - NIIIICCCEEE!!! We also visited Illini West High School and sat in Mr Gooding's office. I told my kids it was to be the one and ONLY time they would be in a HS Principal's office. :-) He must be pretty good at his job - he has TWO secretaries! :-) So Lincoln and Jack has to part ways. Dang, they had a good time.

Tuesday the girls went to Quincy and bought fabric and stuff for my tee-shirt quilt. I went home thinking I would make it and kind of wound up giving it to Aunt Jill to do. :-) Figure she needs something to occupy her time. She just doesn't have enough to do. :-) We had a really nice time, though.

Wednesday we went to the horse show at the fair. Mary Scott got 3rd in her class (and there were 17!) . Tod and Rachel bought a FEMA trailer and fixed it up to live at the fair for the week. Two of their 4 children show livestock. We hung out there for a while. Rachel amazes me. I thought *I* was patient and tolerant. I can't handle the chaos like she does. What a nice trailer though - until you think about someone called it *home* and not "vacation" for a week.

We always have such a great time with the Perry's. Our kids all get along so well. I hope that continues. Jack got to stay and spend the day with them at the fair while the rest of us went back to Aunt Jill's to get ready for Maddux's birthday party that night.

We picked up Jack from the fair and headed into Quincy. We had to kill a little time before the pizza was ready so we headed over to West Quincy to get gas. Jack was amazed that we went to a whole other state "just to get gas". We also showed him the barge on the side of the road that had floated over when the levy broke in 93. We then picked up the pizzas and headed over to Upper Morman Park. The kids had a GREAT time until..........

Jack fell while playing on the playground and went headfirst into a metal step. Since I've lived with Jack for 9 years now I don't get too shook up when he starts to scream because he is SO dramatic! But the blood was gushing pretty good. We got him laid down on the picnic table and put some ice and pressure on it and let him chill. He fell asleep and the rest of us got into a squirt gun fight where Aunt Jill/Grandma Jill got doused with a whole cup of water. I hung out with Uncle Mike and since he's in a wheel chair - the rule was you couldn't squirt him. :-)

After about an hour I checked his mouth again and got new pink blood. Ok, bleeding that doesn't stop kind of bothers me and so we decided to make a trip to the ER at Blessing Hospital.

As we were checking in it dawned on us that we had been there almost 13 years to the day for Bill's finger that he cut while preparing Brad and Becky's rehearsal dinner.
:-) Jack was a real trooper. He got 4 stitches up on the upper gum and lip. We were in and out in about an hour and a half. We even saw the helicopter land. (the same helicopter that took Uncle Mike to the hosp after his accident).

Thursday was our traditional trip to HARNESS RACING! Ok, I could seriously get addicted to this. I LOVE watching the races and also LOVE betting. We do this thing where - as soon as we get there we go through the book and read all the names and each kid picks who they think will win in each race. Sally got 5/8!!!!! And on one of them she picked a real long shot and got more than $16 (we only bet $2.00 on each race). I picked 2 - Big Daddy Woo Woo (who I bet on last year too) and Natalie - I pick them for things that mean something to me( "Natalie's Nightie" was the play my sister was in this year) . I obviously have NO connection to the universe. :-)

Friday we drove back to Bolingbrook. The ride was HORRIBLE! I think Sal had held back the autism so much that it all just came spilling out! :-) Also we ran into construction so 4 hours quickly turned into 5. Mabel wasn't too keen on coming back either. As we packed up the car she slipped off into the pasture and just didn't listen when we called. :-) Aunt Jill hung back and pretended to not be going anywhere while we took off for Granma's and Granpa's. Mabel came back and Aunt Jill grabbed her and brought her into town. :-) She's been depressed ever since. You can tell - she wants to be a farm dog. :-)

She had the BEST time being out and without a chain ALL week. When we left she got to stay outside and be with the big dogs. :-) When we came home she was ALWAYS ready to come in and get out of the heat. Poor Tiny was really miserable. St Bernard hair is NOT meant to go though IL summer humidity. Aunt Jill lets him in to cool off and he sets up camp in the downstairs bathroom (the tile is so cool there). What's really funny is as you turn into the bathroom to use the facilities here is this HUGE dog just laying there. Sally wanted to know how she could close the door and we had to tell her to just go with Tiny in the way - he doesn't mind.
:-)

Vacation

So we're home from the big vacation. What a trip. We had such a good time! We stopped in to Granma and Granpa's when we arrived. They *love* to see Mabel - esp Granma - she's a BIG fan. Ha ha ha. We were served fresh corn on the cob and BLTs with Ts from the garden. It was very good. We visited a while and heard about Gma's gun. Yes, my 81 year old father bought my 79 year old mother a Red Ryder BB gun. She wants to scare the blackbirds away. I'm not sure who is crazier.

When we got to Aunt Jill's we have to 'catch up' with all the animals. It was raining a little and Tiny didn't want to come out of the garage - he's very delicate you know. :-) Aunt Jill is housing a horse (Kitkat) and a mule (DR) for a neighbor in exchange for mowing of the fields. The mule is really kind of cool. He loves to chase Mabel. :-)

Bob Cat and Miss Kitty came out to greet us, but Booger stayed in the red barn and from what I understand only comes out to meow when he's being fed and then hides back in the shadows. My sister has some real strange animals. :-)

Brad and Becky and the boys came out and we had Jill's world famous lasagna. Sally has asked me over and over to make that (and you know how well Sal talks sometimes - lasagna doesn't sound like lasagna when she says it). Lincoln stayed overnight. Lincoln and Jack are definitely cut from the same cloth~ :-)

Saturday was Kid Day at the fair - which means arm band day and they can ride rides from 1-5. As always it was the HOTTEST, STICKIEST day, but we packed up, found a halfway un-muddy parking place and headed in. They had a BLAST! Rachel and her crew caught up with us and so did Cindy and her grandkids. Maddux and Bill appeared a little after we got there and you should have seen the welcome he got. All the boys hugged and then ran to get in line at the bumper cars. :-)

Aunt Jill rode rides too. Maddux drove her into Lincoln's bumper car and Sal was Lincoln's backseat driver. Lincoln is VERY headstrong and Sally *loves* to tell him what he should do - they're like oil and water. :-) But at a fair - EVERYONE gets along. :-)

We played our two games at the end of the day and then headed to Golden to picnic in the park with Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike scooted himself over while Aunt Jill walked. I pulled my traditional "run in to pee" at Mom and Dad's. ........When I was growing up my grandma lived only one block away and there were MANY times when the siblings came home for the weekend that I literally ran down to Gma's to pee and ran back (we only had one bathroom).

Lexy (who had been sick) and Mick met us and we dined on sandwiches, chips, bananas and grapes and of course chocolate cake. It was a lot of fun and my home town park has a GREAT playground.

Oh the Places You'll Go

We hit the road tomorrow. Stop 1 is Gma and Gpa's for lunch (a tradition) then on to Aunt Jill's. Sat is ride day at the fair. All cousins are going with and maybe Uncle Mike - though we're trying to talk him out of it because it's 1. SO hot 2. VERY bumpy ground 3. He's a pain in the butt. :-) (But #3 has never stopped us from taking him before) :-)

Friends are showing steers and horses - which will be a lot of fun for my kids to see. Mary Scot gets to stay over at the fair with her steer - they actually sleep in the stalls with the livestock. Jack couldn't believe that. Whole different world for my guys.

Sally is excited to ride rides - even though she's not too into the big stuff and she's getting too big physically for the little stuff. She still likes to go and sometimes Jack can talk her into big stuff and then the faces she makes are priceless. We picnic in the park after rides (another tradition).

Demo Derby on Wed and Harness Racing on Thursday. Would LOVE it if the kids picked all winners and we could walk out of there with TALL cash. Ha ha - we usually bet $2 on each race. :-)

Camp is still going well. I love it that when I pick them up they are FULL of stories of the fun they've had through the day. Jack eats a quick snack and then he's off to the neighbor's. Sal has to download a little - she usually hits her room and plays "camp" with her people.

We pass the Library each day on the way to camp and the carpenter's union has been on strike. Of course Jack asked about it and so I gave him my happy clappy liberal idealism about what unions do. :-) So we began honking each day and waving. Since no other workers would cross the line - there was no one working. The other day they were working (the union got their contract signed) and so we talked about that and at the end of the convo I said "So every one's working, now." And not missing a beat - from the back seat Sal says "except you, Mom." :-) Thank you Sally.

Jack has been very curious (as much as Jack ever is on a subject - his attention span matches that of a gnat) about government workings. We explained that we would not be attending Village functions this year - due to their horrible treatment of Public Works and Police and Fire. As I told Jack that there was little chance that Daddy would loose his job he asked about why Bill attends the board meetings and boycotts things. As I explained that as you go through life you must stand up for what you believe in and always fight for the underdog he piped up with "like when *next door* calls Sally names and her and I go home". EXACTLY!

The kids next door are horrible. I got into it with the "mother" (there's 4 adult females over there). She's one that believes her children. Rooky. Thinks her children don't swear or say mean things to Sal because they don't do it in front of her. Well, there's logic for you! Ughhh. So I'm SURE those kids will NEVER be in trouble with any authority. PAlease! I know Jack is a lying weasel and he knows that I know. :-) Autism doesn't allow Sal to lie - but she does get confused as to when something happens. So you have to decipher things with her. BUT on a good note - the children next door have moved!!!!! YAY! I *think* there's still one female over there - which I'm guessing is Gma, and I think she's staying. But no kids - yay! My kids and Tommy down the street always played very well - until those kids came into the picture. They were MADE to stay outside from the time they got up till night time - and I mean stay outside - so they sat on their front porch and made things miserable for the others. I agree with kids being outside - but you can't just put them out there with nothing. In the summer I allow almost everything to go outside. Sal's dollhouse and people have taken up residence on the front porch. Jack has taken out cards and a couple of wrestlers. I've NEVER seen them or Tommy just sit on the porch and do nothing ALL afternoon. Adults always screw things up. (just ask Jack) :-)

Mabel has been resting up to play farm dog next week. She LOVES being out there - she stretches out as she runs top speed and she's only a couple of inches above the ground. Of course Chunk and Tiny (the *real* farm dogs) look at her like "why waste so much energy pup?" I swear you can see it in their eyes "city dog doesn't know nothin". :-) It's the getting there that's hard with Mabel. She sits in the back of the car and howls at cars that come up behind us. (rolling my eyes)

What Should I Be?

I recently had to attend a "workshop" at IDES on how to get employed. When I explained to the kids where I was going because I got all this "you look nice, Mom, where are you going?"..... I told them that I was going to a meeting where people would help me decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. Since this conversation, Sally has come up with everything from Science Teacher to Doctor to Garbage Lady for me "to be". Seriously, she must have talked for an hour about what I should be. "You work at Chuckee Cheese, Mom"...... "You be a Police, Mom" . It was quite comical.

Because of the insurance that we bought to fund Sally's Special Needs trust - neither one of us is allowed to ride a motorcycle. This has never been a problem till Jeremy entered our lives. :-) He's a big biker and now Bill has the bug. Jeremy, knowing that Bill wants to ride but can't had a brilliant idea to buy a Dune Buggy for Bill! Can I just say - they got it - they went out in it and came back COVERED in mud and the BIGGEST smiles!!!! So their goal is to get it street ready and take trips around here.

Jack has become one of the gang down at Jer and Jen's. All 6 kids treat him like the brother they have. :-) He LOVES being with them. I think he really likes having siblings that don't have so many "problems". It's a nice break for him. Sal and I get some quality time then too. :-) Sally loves to go over and hang in the hot tub. Jeremy dials it down for the kids and they hop in and out of it and jump on the trampoline, swing on the swing set, generally run amok. :-) They're so good to Sal. Jeremy always tells her that she is his best friend. ;-)

I have decided to write a book (or books) about Mabel. The October list has badgered me about it and now friends on facebook say the same thing. From talking to the girls who have had books published the advice is that I should set up a time each day and write. Set a timer and do it. I'm gonna give it a shot. I've been taking a bunch of pictures of her to illustrate the book. God knows she's given me enough data. :-)

We're all looking forward to vacation. We'll be truckstering downstate again, to Aunt Jill's and the Adams County Fair and Brown County Fair (horse racing). There's several people we'd like to get in touch with. Tod and Rachel top the list. Can't wait to see the kids.

Back to my job search. I'm really not looking so much - I've decided to be a SAHM. (Stay At Home Mom). I figure I can volunteer at school, and always be there for Sally's stuff - which is getting more and more. The girl has a social calender that rivals the Queen. :-) I am thinking of going back to school ......again. I don't know.

It's been a little tougher here lately. You know how "great" (pfffttt) I am with transitions and Sal's been having bathroom problems more and more. :-/ I'm hoping we can be on some sort of level ground by the start of school.

The 4th and All

Whoa - this weekend was a blur. We started Sat morning at 7 am and left for Darien parade. We helped Jeremy with his Prince Patios entry. On the way to the parade ALL children rode with Jen in the van. Bill and were left ALONE to drive the dump truck. It was the most PEACEFUL ride I've had in a LONG time. :-)

The kids all piled in the back of the dump truck at the parade and proceeded to bean people with dum-dums and tootsie rolls through the parade. We had a BLAST! We then retired to THE Shag and had a bar-b-que. The kids ran through the sprinkler, jumped in the water on the trampoline, in and out of the spa, and basically ran amok. :-)

We were ALL tired when we tucked in that night. Sunday we slept in and returned to Jeremy's to participate in Lisle's parade. *I* got to drive the Prince Patio's Explorer and Sal rode with and we both threw out candy. Driving and throwing is no easy task. ;-) Plus, at Lisle, the crowd is VERY close to the vehicles. It was a lot of fun.

Jeremy has a motorcycle with side car on it - Sadie (age 3) rode in there and threw candy. It was SO cute. Jer led the way then Jen, in the "fire van" , me in the Explorer, and Bill in the dump truck. I realized that afternoon that my kids had been accepted into the Fox family when Katelynn gave Jack AND her brother flack in the same tone. :-) Makes me very happy.

We all went to watch fireworks together. Jen took Jack and we took Katelynn. It was really nice to have a teenager in the car . I think it's so great for Jack to be around the Fox kids - to see what it's like to be a little brother (and big brother) to "typical" kids. They actually came looking for the kids on Monday afternoon! Katelynn and Andrew rode their bikes over and asked if Sal and Jack could come to their house. THAT is nice.

Anyway the fireworks were ok. Not worth a public service job - but ok. We managed to sit in the crying baby area of the village. DANG. There was a reason Sal never saw fireworks till she was like 8. It's just too much for some kids. By that time, they're tired and sun beat and just nasty. Don't try and comfort them through it - TAKE THEM HOME! They'll get to see fireworks ALL their life. But this particular family felt it their duty to make sure EVERYONE got to hear their precious scream at the top of his lungs - over and over and over and over. Ughhh.

On the way home, we stopped and got the traditional Frostee . Little Sadie had the best time , there were so many fireworks going off all around that she couldn't stop looking everywhere with her eyes wide open. She is a cutie.

Mabel made it through the night and didn't seem to be TOO affected. At one point in the night Sally asked if there was someone at the door (the booms sounded like knocks to her) ;-)

Mabel has a new trick of getting the pantry door open and getting into the garbage. She brings the whole bag out and goes through one by one while dining under the kitchen table - until you get home and as soon as she hears "oh, Mabel" you hear scampering and then sliding under the couch.

Catch Up

So, it's been a while again. Sometimes life gets a little too fast for me. The transition between school and camp is one of those times. I'm never quite prepared, plus this year, they threw in Summer school for Sal. So far it's working quite well. She gets on the bus around 7:10 and then I take Jack to camp around 8:30.

Oh yeah - I was laid off. I had to take too much time for Sally and it resulted in me being let go. Just as well. I really need a lot of time off this summer because of Summer school. Strange, but the older Sal gets the more I'm needed. Kind of the other way around from a "typical" child.

Speaking of typical child. He's done with baseball - we think. We thought he was done last week but the Hot Rods had other ideas. :-) We had dentist appointments on Saturday and after we were done I suggested we stop by the ball field on the way home and see how the Hot Rods were doing in the play offs. As we got out of the car Karen yelled over for Jack to get his glove - they needed a 9th player. Brought back memories of stories of Swisegood that tooled around the tri-state area with his glove and bat looking for a game. :-) So, we bribed him and I ran home and got a cup and pants and cleats and he took the field. :-) They lost so now it's the Aeros and the Blue Claws to play for the title. The two nastiest teams. Well, not the kids - but the coaches. Seems they really get their identity from how many times their teams can win. Sad. Adults really ruin a LOT of fun things for kids because they put THEIR agenda into it.

Sally is having bathroom issues again. It's SO frustrating! I'm trying VERY hard to keep it together and not get upset and put stress on her.

We've had a lot of storms lately and Mabel has spent the majority of time under the couch. She is hardly small enough to get under there. She has to slide in on her side and when she moves even a little you can feel it when you're on the couch. She's also figured out how to open the pantry door, and get into the trash. We keep (we used to) old empty grocery plastics hung on the door and she figured out that if the door isn't closed tight a Mabel can pull on those bags and the door will pop open. :-) Sometimes I see such glimmers of intelligence but most of the time she just seems dumb as dirt. :-)

My sister is up to her eyeballs in stress, as usual. The Nursing Home, in all their "wisdom" has decided - I have a feeling it's a state thing - that Mike should "go home". He still can't open the door to get out in case of fire - but that doesn't seem to matter. There's a lot of things that make no sense in this decision. He now is across the street from his Dr's office - he can - and has literally rolled his chair across the street for appointments. When he has his UTI's - which are darned near every month - it's MUCH easier for an ambulance to get to the Nursing Home (on County roads) than down a one lane dirt road to Missy's. Not to mention he has a whole bunch of people to talk to now. And if he doesn't care for one of the staff members he has 4 others to choose from. If he doesn't care for a particular at home nurse - he's stuck. I don't know. Like most everything - it's CRAZY. So anyway, it's up to my sister to get equipment brought in to move him and then hire 24 hour care and then see to him at home too - not to mention the insurance and finance etc - that has been almost a 40 hr a week job - oh and yeah - she has a full time job also. Which is the one thing keeping her sane - and that ain't saying much. I wish I could help - but how?

I'm really enjoying being home full time. I don't get as much accomplished as I thought I would - but I'm getting there.

Blah......

It's been a little tough here lately. Seems I'm just a little stuck. You know how you kind of get in a funk - for really no reason - just kind of zone out of life for a while. I think I tend to do this more than most.

I worry about Sal. Almost every transition brings these kinds of feelings. I *know* she's going to be ok - but I'm always wondering what I could have done better, different.

So, school's out and Sal starts summer school on Tuesday. They both go to camp on Monday. I think both Sal and I are a little anxious about summer school. It's the whole school - camp thing. Once we do it a couple times we'll be ok.

Our baseball team is now 2-10. That sure doesn't show the progress of this team and their heart. They are really starting to play well and they've always been SO good at helping each other through tears and celebrating the success'. They are a really cool bunch of kids. They really crack me up while we sit in the dug out together.

Mabel has been extra crazy lately. She refuses to believe that she cannot chew gum. I find her with some every once in a while and then plying it out of her mouth is a real joke. She tried to hang herself outside one night. We came home from baseball and found she had somehow wound herself around things, jumped down through the deck and when she tried to jump back she got hung up. Her little feet just BARELY hitting the ground. Ugghh - she had me really worried that night - until we all started to get ready for bed and she beat me into mine. Until then she was all panty and laying down and howling if you picked her up. ughh - what a pain.

We have acquired a hot tub - or should I say hot pool. The thing is HUGE. Jeremy found it and we were #3 on the hot tub list. :-) We're getting elec hooked up today. Jeremy's guys made a very nice brick patio for it and we also bricked up the front hill. Things are *starting* to look nice around here - but it's a slow process. When all is done we hope to have a FLAT backyard too. Jeremy is gong to use our yard to dump dirt he doesn't need or can't sell and then we'll buy bricks to make a retaining wall back there. By the time it's done - maybe we can roll our wheelchairs back there . :-) It really would be nice to play horse shoes or something back there.

THE Boy's Birthday

The Boy turned 9 this weekend. He loves to hear his birth story - I recounted all that happened leading up to his birth and then after. I think he just loves hearing how, just as now, he was the center of attention.

We played baseball on Saturday. We lost. Go figure. But again, we were only down one run. AND we only had 9 kids. Attendence is a big problem for us. Jack and Tommy got to go to Chuck E Cheese on Sat night and then Jack stayed over at Tommy's house overnight. (Tommy doesn't like to stay over anywhere - he gets scared still)
:-) Aunt Jill came up and we went shopping and garage saling. We always have a good time.

Bill's gearing up for his yearly garage sale. I'm getting rid of a lot of furniture and clutter. LOVING *that* feeling - HATING my garage looking SO bad.

I was home on Friday and Mabel and I were hanging out in the living room when we heard this HUGE bang outside. *I* went to the window and looked outside - *Mabel* howled once and scooted her big body under the couch. I could be killed and she wouldn't care as long as she could get under the couch. Sadie would have been right next to me looking for what made the noise. Oh, Mabel.

Sally's been having more problems in the bathroom. She didn't go to CCheese because she pooped in her pants. We have noticed that she can tell us exactly where she was when she pooped so we have decided that she is ABLE to control this and thus we have started to punish her. The tricky part is finding something that you CAN withhold AND that means something to her. School is a great thing - BUT - I have to be able to call in to work IF she does poop. It's a fine-line game, that's for sure.

Humor

Humor, like many things is held in the eye of the beholder - it's relative. And for the most part nothing is off-limits when it comes to humor. Well, nothings off-limits to some people. And here is my point: I've recently been criticized for my "crass" humor about my children and husband on face-book. If you're not familial with my work - well, then you prob don't know me and what the heck are you doing reading this if you don't know me??? :-)

My life is CRAZY - yeah, I hear ya - yours is too. But, do you have a 12 year old that still poops in her pants? Do you have to go to yearly meetings to *decide* what route to take in your daughter's education? Do you *pray* that your daughter will one day be able to live alone? On and on and on I could go. So maybe crazy isn't the word - but CHALLENGING!

For the most part, we've done well. My family seems "relatively" normal (and you should meet my relatives) <--- get it, relatively.... :-) I think we've done a pretty good job of grieving in private. So anyway I was told that I should be GRATEFUL for all I have!!! And before you people that know me ask - the person is still alive - for now. :-)

There's a certain kind of "dark" humor that I have found to be of comfort. It's the kind of humor that laughs at the fact that I was ELATED when my daughter UN-buckled herself in the bus. The bus driver was not. But see, *I* was seeing that her hand strength had progressed to where she *could* do that! So, you see I AM grateful. Probably more than *some* people. I'm grateful for the hundreds of things that many take for granted. Eye contact, reading, singing (WAY off key - but singing), speaking so that clerks can understand you, strangers that treat my daughter like a PERSON, soft bowel movements. Ok, you've prob got the idea - I'll stop there. :-)

My sister has a para-pelagic husband now. I guess she should be *grateful* he's not dead. And she is - but I'd NEVER tell her that. Her humor, like mine is a little on the dark side. You have to laugh - believe me - you'd do nothing but cry. And like me she's grateful for the help she's received and all the good things - but she's just as PISSED that she has to go through it at all. We ALL have that kind of something. And even though we probably wouldn't trade our cross that we bear for someone else's, we still have the right to joke about it. It just fascinates me that people think they have the right to criticize how you're living your life when they, in fact, have NEVER even come close to living you life. This person is divorced, I'm not. This person didn't live with their children as they were growing up, they have grand kids, I do not. SO many things that are different - not to mention they have NEVER had a special needs child. So.... to you, the person who told me that I should be grateful..... BITE ME!
:-)

The Junk Yard

Yes, Jeremy and Bill are gearing up for another garage sale and my garage is getting packed to the gills with "stuff". I'm attempting to go through the kids' stuff and get rid of some of *their* "stuff". :-) It's easier said than done, with Sal.

Sal is going to summer school AND she couldn't be happier! She told Gma and Aunt Jill all about it and that she was taking her backpack and all. It's too funny. We still aren't sure where school is - but we have had clearance from HHH. My team this year is another unbelieable one!!! They fight for stuff I don't even realize I want. ;-) If only people would realize how very much above and beyond MOST teachers, aides, directors, etc go.

Bill attended a Village Board meeting last week where the budget was voted on. Public Works got cut AGAIN and so did Fire and Police this time. All 3 Union reps were up Roger's butt explaining to the public how Roger has been lying about the Unions. The really crazy thing is - NO management cuts - AGAIN. So seriously, there's like 14 guys running 9. Does that make sense???? Wouldn't it be common sense that after the last cuts which were ALL blue collar - couldn't you cut down on management? I mean the population of Bolingbrook is not going down much - so you're going to need more blue collars to cover the last cut and now you do it again - when it's said and done will the Foreman run ANYONE? Or just sit in their office?

The real kicker was that *just* after the Public Works people were notified that they lost their jobs - Roger hired the contractors (landscape, etc) back. That's just sad. I guess I'm surprised that there are really those people out there - that their only motivation is greed. I really am green sometimes.

Bill and I have become coaches of Jack's Little League team. It happened something like this: Lisa (board member) called Bill to see if he'd be head coach - Bill said no because he doesn't get off till 5:30 and games start by then but that he would be assistant. Ok. The "Head" coach calls Bill and tells him he can't make the coaches meeting where they draft the kids. Ok, Bill goes. Then Bill finds out that this guy has been to NO coaches meetings and no he can't make practice either. Bill calls Lisa and tells her - he'll be the Head Coach and I will be his assistant. He then comes to me and tells me this. Gotta love that boy. :-/ No, really, it's been a lot of fun. Ok,some parents suck - but the kids are GREAT! We are now
0-5. :-) No, we're not very good. When Jack is one of the BEST players - you know we're in trouble. Don't get me wrong - Jack is ok - he loves to play - but he doesn't love to practice and he's always goofing off.

We have 3 little guys that are the same size, same color of hair, same build and at one point I asked one if I could call him Sal instead of Salvador and he replied "No, um... I'm Andy". :-) We also have another pair that look a lot a like (esp in hats and unifor) and they KNOW I have problems telling them apart and they PLAY me!!!! Saying "No, I'm not Brenden" when in fact, he is! :-)

But like I said - we - the coaches are having a ball. Don't know about the kids.
:-)

Brother-in-law has been in and out of the hosp again and again. The usual - UTI. They have *finally* put a stint in his arm so they can administer the antibiotic at the Nursing Home. I know Aunt Jill was happy to have that done. Trips to the ER in the middle of the night are NOT fun.

My Dad has taken emense joy in teasing the heck out of me about coaching. Asked if I wanted Swisegood's number. If I would make the papers for Winningest Coach. I really would LOVE to see him take Jack for a week and teach him how to pitch - but I'm not sure with Jack's attitude how long he'd last. ;-)

Jack has his spacer in and has done VERY well with it. The gap between his front teeth is getting so big you really could put a couple more teeth in thre but that's what we're working for and then the braces will push the teeth back. Mr Drama hasn't even cried with the teeth thing. Silly boy - if he only knew - he could really get me with this - I'm a real whimp when it comes to the dentist. But no, he takes that cranking 2 times a day like nothing - but a ball just brushes him and he's flopping like a fish. Dennis Rodman. We've even taken to calling him "The Worm". ;-)

The Brick (Sally) is now able to back float with NO floating devices. Ok, so barges move quicker in the Mississsippi - but hey, she's floating!!!!! She just LOVES swimming. When she found out there was no "swim team" in the summer she asked me if she could take swimming lessons. God, I love her. :-)

Jack has taken to getting a baseball game going between our house and Mr Chads. There's not a lot of room there AND he WAS using a league ball. We immedeately went to the store and purchased wiffle balls. My stress level was at tilt. So there's usually 3-9 kids in our yard now. I do like that they're always outside playing.

Mabel has been banished to the garage now, in her cage. She did a lot of chewing and dumpster diving and we scolded and warned so now she's been punished. She doesn't learn. But she's Mabel - what are ya gonna do.