It's over . . . .

The crazy week at work is over. We had our Spring Program last night and it went swimmingly. My kids totally shocked me. McCartney didn't perform hardly at all and Harrison who told me that he was in no way going to sing on stage did great! I must say in her defense that there were probably about 600 people in the audience and it was probably disconcerting.

We had special activities each night at work and I went from being a cashier at a book fair to being covered in sugar, spinning about 300 cones of cotton candy to making 250 bags of popcorn and then dressed-to-impress last night. What a week. I'm glad it is over.

This weekend the backyard needs some attention and then Monday morning will bring a tonsillectomy for McCartney. . .

A few random thoughts from some regular reads . . . .

Well, I've been so busy that I don't have a life so I thought I'd comment on some of yours. . .

Congrats to AWB on the beautiful granddaughter. I pray for health and happiness. I also pray that she is a stanch democrat and drives her grandpa crazy! LOL

Thanks to Joe over at Every Life has A Soundtrack I has the song Santa Monica by Everclear stuck in my head. He was talking about Fetcho taking a businees trip there. Ever since I can't get that beginning guitar rip out of my head. I think I have listened to it about 15 times this morning alone.

This whole Kelty sign thing stinks of Fries and his illegal sign over Clinton back last fall. The city ordinance says: in 154.131 I-2 (2) In any other zoning district, such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and 6 feet in height. Such signs shall be permitted in addition to other permitted signage. The signs may be located in a required yard. It is an illegal sign and there is nothing more to say about it. I do however like the fact that the republicans are fighting like a bunch of catty girls over the 2 candidates, I can't wait to see who wins the primary and see who files behind them in the standard party line. Oh, and by the way . . . It does look like a toothpaste ad.

The Virginia Tech shooting . . . horrific! Covered nicely by my hubby.

Patty told us all about her race on Saturday. I got lost in the story. It makes me think I could run with her at my side . . .Yeah right! LOL Talk about a pep-talker and a motivator. I'm so glad I found your blog! You inspire me daily.

Laura had quite a week with some revelations and some soul searching. She continues to amaze me with her perserverance and attitude.

If you have yet to jump on over to Mimi Smartypants' page, you suck! She is my favorite read. Is it sad if I only check it about every 3 days because I get too dejected when it isn't updated? Yes, yes it is. Who could not adore the loving description of her other half . . . LT normally is pretty handy, but plumbing is not one of his things. Drinking whiskey, looking at girls, and .NET are his main things. Plumbing is not even in the top ten. Read her, NOW!

Once again, Kari has hit the nail on the head about discipline. She talks so well about how she is proactive with her kids instead of reactive. Reactive dioesn't make a darm bit of difference with kids who have frontal lobe damage due to prenatal alcohol exposure and it is equivalent to banging her head against a wall. It could do us all some good to deal with all our children in this manner. Kari continues to inspire me.

All the rest of my favorites have to wait . . . work is calling . . .

What a week . . .

I have had a rough week. I have been struggling to come to terms with Dustin's modified schedule and all that means for our household schedule. Due to this, Robert has less time for keeping up with the housework since most of his time is spent watching every move that Dustin makes. It does however allow us to have a chore chart for Dustin, but that requires even more supervision. So, it has been a restructuring of our routine.

It is also my busiest time of year as I work diligently on our special celebration week coming up in the next 10 days, and working on the big move in August, (with committee meetings and measuring and organizing and ordering and all that) as well as firming up the summer schedule of field trips and activities. I have new staff to train, orientations for families to do and First Aid classes this week and a HUGE slideshow presentation to put together. AGH!

Back to Dustin, is behavior has gone downhill at home probably due to the routine change. He is so out of sorts that I have had to return to restraining him (holds not shackles LOL) and deep pressure to calm him. It sucks and makes me feel like a horrible parent. Hopefully it is simply because of this schedule change or the absolutely CRAZY weather and we will even out soon.

I am off to a day of shopping with my mom . . .WITHOUT kids. That should turn my mood around!

Religion, a bunny, and Cadbury eggs . . . .

I purposefully neglected to post an Easter post the other day. Everyone has a take . . .truthfully I didn't want to get into it. For me it is personal. To be honest I feel guilty for the lack of "Churchinesss" we have displayed lately. I love my church. For goodness sake I work there. I have grown up in the building. I have had my issues, who hasn't, but I believe it is a place where God is present and I devote myself to my faith. I think I struggle with Easter being non-religious more than I struggle with Christmas. Not only does the birth of Jesus have nothing to do with a fat man in a red suit, but the supreme sacrifice of Jesus has nothing to do with an egg decorating rabbitt. Wow. I sound quite fanatical. I am not a nut who doesn't allow my children to believe in Santa, and they actually get Easter baskets, I'm not sure how that last sentence sounded so crazed . . .

So what's the problem Sheri? Well, you see when you have a child like Dustin, a place like church is not always a possiblity. Dustin cannot sit in service, kid's church is far too stimulating and now he is too old anyhow. Maybe I am simply too worried about him throwing fits and other's seeing that, but I cannot imagine having Dustin in church with us. We do attend Wednesday nights every now and then and we do hit and miss. Everyone I talk to at church would say, "Aw, bring him it's okay" But the looks would convey a very different meesage when he throws a fit in the middle of our 2 hour service. So I have avoided. Right or wrong that's how it is. Some may jusdge me for that, but so be it.

This was part of a sermon was given many years ago by S.M. Lockridge who was a contemporary of Martin Luther King Jr. It has long been a favorite of mine and it has come back into the limelight lately. I thought I would post it as my belated Easter post . . .

A Blessing . . .

Wow. Dustin had a SUPER day at school. I would like to say I am not surprised, but I am considering yesterday's post. I had hoped that being away from the other children would be beneficial and it was. I had also hoped that the aide that is with him developed a good bond with him and he respected her. Apparently that worked out as well. But, Sheri, it's only the first day you say. I know, Dustin however, does not have a "honeymoon" period like most children. Hopefully today will be positive as well.

I looked at PDF that was posted over at Kari's blog the other day. It scared the stink out of me. It said that out of 10,500 births daily in our country . . . 40 babies would later be daignosed as Autism Spectrum Disorder and 100 babies would be born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. YIKES!

Que the horror movie music . . .

Today is the day.

Today, Dustin returns to school after being off nearly 3 weeks. He returns to a modified day of only 2 hours. He returns to not being the room with other students and having a 1 or 1 para-professional (aide) all to himself. I would love to think this will work. Three months ago I would've sworn it would. Now, I am not so sure. He has had so many foul days at school and has been in such a downward spiral there that I'm not certain it will be a positive experience. I hope and pray that it is.

I'm not sure what our near future holds for Dustin. Home this weekend was pretty ugly. He was nasty and disrespectful and could not keep his hands off the other 2 kids or the animals for any length of time. The cat got the brunt of it which ended last night with a jump rope tied around his collar like a leash. He got a few scratches on his face and thigh from that stunt. He ran from me on Friday evening after pulling on the dogs tail and ran directly into the table in the kitchen. It left a wicked bruise on his upper arm. We went to my mom's on Saturday evening for an Easter dinner and we had several melt-downs and I had to apply deep-pressure a couple of times just to calm him down. I'm not certain if we are going through a medication issue or simply anticipating returning to school has thrown him for a loop.

Anyhow, I think I will be on pins and needles all day until I find out how this first day went. I know it is only the first day, but they are so close to labeling Dustin a danger that one day could get him expulsion and home-bound schooling.

Spring Surprises . . .

This week has been nice. Since we returned from our family vacation the weather has been pretty nice. That is, however, all supposed to end today as it should get quite cold tomorrow and may snow by the weekend. Ugh! However, spring has sprung in my heart . . .

As corny as that may sound, I have come to a nice realization. People can be kind and helpful. You see, I am surrounded by kindness at home. Maybe it is simply that I have been refreshed by a week in Florida, but I am content and happy with my life right now. All is well at work, Dustin has been off school, so we don't have that stressor, we have a new therapist who truly seems to understand our families plight, and I have wonderful nieghbors.

Our new renters are the kindest, nicest people you could want living next to you. I thought we had a pretty good relationship with our previous neighbors, but these guys are one in a million. The mom and I have been walking in the evenings. She is a giving, kind and strong woman. She struggles with a pretty seriuos illness, yet she doesn't complain. She is a fighter. She is willing to give you anything you need. She sees someone in need and shares what she has. Her children also struggle with illness, but she is positive and supportive. She gets them out in the fresh air and keeps them active. They are respectful kids and my children love them! I am impressed with her spirit.

We have another neighbor who doesn't have much She has grown pretty close to this woman. I have always liked her and have helped her as I could. I like her, I enjoy her company. Her kids are beautiful. She does the best she can with the life she has been given. It is nice to see that my nieghbor also she's her gentle sprirt and kind ways. I think we are going to have a fantastic summer. . .