Grief

A 41 year old man went to bed last Tuesday night, never thinking he would never wake up again. During the night he suffered a massive heart attack due to hardening of the heart from smoking. His kids are in Ted's Greek school class, they cancelled class last week because of this. I am very surprised at how much this has effected me. I keep thinking back to when Peter passed away, and all that goes with it. That woman right now is living in hell, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It will take time before she feels again, before she can think clearly, before she feels like a part of the world. My heart aches for her and her kids. I passed along the information for the support group we used to go to, hopefully that will help a little bit. We stopped going because they could not accommodate Helen, they lost her one night. She had gone into the playroom with Noah, and when I went to pick her up at the end of the night, she was gone. My kids found her wandering around the church...we never went back. Grief is a wicked thing to deal with, it can pop up it's evil head at anytime, no matter how long it's been. This has triggered my sadness about Peter. It didn't help matters that Katie had her First Reconciliation (confession) the other day. Any big accomplishment we have in this family, I feel Peter's absence even more. I am doing my best to ride the wave, but sometimes, it's very hard.

Next week is Catholic schools week, there are a lot of events scheduled. On Monday they have the annual carnival, I'm helping with Katie's class by running their game. It's usually the room mom, but I don't think she is much help, because the teacher asked me a couple weeks ago. On Tuesday the whole school, well, except the Kindergarten class, is going roller skating. There will also be the annual student/faculty volleyball and basketball games. Thursday is the trivia game where the kids break into groups by color. Ted's team is called, "The Red Riding Hoods" and Katie and Robbie's team is called, "The Brown Barbie Dolls"...kind of funny! Grace will be having a pajama party on the day the rest of the kids go to the roller rink. They will get in their Jammie's, have popcorn and juice, and settle down to watch DVDs. The kids really enjoy the week, especially since they don't wear uniforms all week! I have to go out and find brown shirts, I don't think either one of them has one!

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue

School

I was just telling Sherry the other day how hard it has become to come up with an original blog. I feel like you have heard it all before, that is why I haven't been blogging on a regular basis. I think I need to start taking notes so when I sit down to write, I have ideas. I also need to be careful on what titles I give to my blogs. I am now receiving on a daily basis, spam from Japan on some product that has something to do with sex, yeah right!?!! I also just received a spam dealing with sleep aides because of my blog titled, "Insomnia"...UGH!!!

Most of the kids are doing well in school, Katie is doing much better now that she sees the reading specialist. Grace is having some difficulties starting to read, I work with her every night, hopefully that will do the trick. I have no complaints about Ted, he received six A's and four B's on his last report card. Robbie on the other hand...not good! I told him if he doesn't get those grades up he will not be involved in any sports this summer. He can do the work, he just does it in such a hurry that it's sloppy, with unnecessary mistakes. He doesn't want to take the time to find the answers in the book, even though they are right in front of him. Helen's teachers have been talking to me about changing her program, they even went to check it out at another school. The head of special education came into Helen's class one day and noticed what a challenge it was for her. She is the one who mentioned to the teachers about this other program. Well, she wanted Helen changed ASAP, and is still wondering why she hasn't been moved yet. I told her teachers I don't want her moved until next school year. Helen has a terrible time adjusting to change, and by the time she would maybe be used to the change, it would be time for school to let out for summer vacation. Months would be wasted on this transition, why not wait until a new year? When explaining things to Helen it takes a lot of times before she somewhat understands, and even more times until she fully understands. I would have months to prepare her, which, in my opinion, would be perfect. I can take her to the new school and we could walk around, or better yet, maybe they have a summer school program there for her. It would benefit her best if we just waited. Her teachers now have designed a special program for her, and they have no problem keeping her for the remainder of the year. I have a feeling I'm going to have to fight to keep her there. Her IEP is coming up, this should get very interesting. I will definitely keep you posted on the progress.

Katie is starting her basketball tournament this week-end, Robbie's starts in two weeks. I really enjoy watching them play, I hope Katie keeps it up. She has been talking about not joining the team next year, I think she was frustrated and a little scared. I saw at her last game that she had more confidence and was a little bit aggressive, but that's a good thing in basketball.

My good friend is renewing her vows with her husband at Mass on Saturday. They have been married for 25 years, she just turned 50 today! Happy Birthday Catherine, and Happy Anniversary Catherine and Doug!!:o)

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue

Insomnia?

Can you have a little bit of insomnia? I don't know, but I do know I am having problems falling asleep. Is that even considered insomnia? Ever since Peter died, I have had times where I can't sleep. I think I always had the issue, but when Peter was here he would talk to me and rub my neck, which relaxed me. One more reason to miss that man! Now that it's the end of the week, I am running on empty. I am hoping tonight I fall asleep a lot easier because of that.

We have had a lot of snow today, we really haven't had that much so far, unlike everyone else around us. The lake has been the reason for that, and also the reason for the all the snow today. We are now getting lake effect snow, which will be blowing and drifting during the night. I think the kids will have school tomorrow, no, I'm hoping they have school. I need to run a few errands and it's much easier doing them on my own.

Nothing much to report on the kids. Robbie's team lost all their games during the basketball tournament, they were a little bummed, but learned from it. Katie starts selling Girl Scout cookies tomorrow, YUM! Grace is scheduled to speak with a speech therapist, just to see if she will outgrow the issues, or needs help with the pronunciation of the "R". Ted is doing awesome in school, and Noah is starting to become more independent every day. Helen had her thyroid medicine adjusted and is doing much better with her appetite. I need to make a mental note about that, so that the next time it happens I know to get her to the doctor.

Hopefully it won't be long until I'm asleep!

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Happy New Year!!

Happy 2010 everyone!! I hope all of you had a happy and safe New Year's Eve, we stayed home. We had a bunch of snack food, and made sundaes...YUM!! I'm hoping the first few minutes of the new year are not an indication of what lies ahead...Toby had an accident on the hallway carpet! It was probably all the excitement, from either it being midnight, or from the treats the kids ate!! It's the start of a new decade, I'm hoping this one will hold a whole lot of happiness, not just for me, but for my family as well. I am also hoping this is the year for It'll Fit'll!! I too have been waiting anxiously for product, Helen looked so cute in those jeans! I don't think she would be able to fit in them now, she has gained some weight. On Christmas Eve day I received a note from her doctor (thyroid), the light went on!! She has had such an appetite lately, well, it's because her medication needed adjusting. She is not getting enough synthroid, so her thyroid is out of whack. One of the signs of hypothyroidism is increased appetite, that is definitely Helen. I am hoping with the increase in her synthroid she will stop eating so much. She was getting into food she is not supposed to eat, all filled with gluten! I have to take her for blood work in a month. I am finding more and more new gluten free products at the grocery store I shop at, it's been wonderful. Betty Crocker has even come out with gluten free products! I made her brownies, they taste just like the regular kind. The problem before was finding a good recipe that didn't taste grainy, for some reason, that was hard to do. It's good to see how far they have come with gluten free food.

We are just hanging out today at home, I've got a turkey in the oven, and I've already made the Greek New Year's cake. That's the cake you put the coin in and whoever receives the slice with the coin in it, they have good luck all year long. The kid's can't wait! Robbie has a basketball game tomorrow, his team has been playing in a tournament this week, tomorrow is the last game. Then it's back to our regular schedule on Monday!

I hope everyone has a good week-end, and again Happy New Year!!

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue

Why Not Both?

Why do you have to choose sides? Why can't you celebrate the birth of Christ and also believe in Santa? I was raised knowing the main idea of Christmas is Jesus' birth...not Santa, he was a bonus. I was talking to someone last night who doesn't have Santa visit their house, her five year old daughter does not believe. It broke my heart, I believe the magic of Christmas is believing in Santa along with the miraculous birth. I know when I found out the truth, Christmas was not the same, the magic had somehow lessened. There is the debate; if you never had it, how would you know what you're missing. There just seems to be something in the air at this time of year, Santa's are everywhere, why not let them believe. Is she going to be one of those kids that spills the beans to her friends at school, therefore, putting doubt in their heads? I hope they will explain the importance of keeping the information to herself. My kids last year questioned whether he was real or not, Santa, not Jesus, because of kids in their classes knowing the truth. Maybe it helps that they go to a Catholic school and everywhere you look you see the celebration of Jesus' birth. Advent wreaths and mangers in every room, along with a Christmas tree(with nun ornaments!) in the lobby and Santa's too. They are getting both events at their school, so if that's happening there, is it really so bad? I know one day they will loose some of the magic, like most of us have, I will not be the one to help it along. So if you ever come to my house, you will be greeted by our gigantic Santa in the yard. Once inside you will see the manger under our tree, along with the advent wreath, made in art class, hanging in the computer room above our mini manger. In my opinion, we have the best of both worlds!

This next week is going to be very busy around here, if I don't get a chance to write, everyone, please have a very Merry Christmas!! For those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, sorry to have wasted your time with this blog. I hope you have been having a wonderful Hanukkah season.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Nasty-Gram

No, I didn't get buried in all the snow, in fact, the only thing we got was a rain/snow mix! I know I have said how busy things have gotten around here, so I know you all understand when I miss a week. It has been hard for me to come to the computer and write this blog. My husband used to tease me about having such thin skin, meaning...I'm too sensitive. Just about every week I sit down in front of my computer and pour my heart out to all of you. Some people are surprised at how open I am with you. I have to be in order for you to understand what it's like being a single parent of six kids all under the age of 12, and one of them having Down Syndrome. I know I'm not perfect, and I'm sure there are things I have done that many of you disagree with, but to send mean comments, is that really fair? If you're going to send a nasty-gram, at least have the courage to sign your name. I am deeply hurt when something like this happens, and it makes it difficult for me to share my experiences with you. I wish I had the thick skin my husband had, there are traits of his that wore off on me, that wasn't one of them. I ask that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. I will be back next week, hopefully I can put this behind me and share once again.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Black Friday

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday, we had a nice relaxing one. It was just Sherry and her family, and my brother Rick and his wife Anne Marie. My brother John was in Arizona with his family. Sherry was the chef for the day, I helped, it was at my house. After dinner, my Aunt, Uncle, cousin and his family came over for dessert. I was exhausted by the end of the evening. The kids and I got into our jammies and watched Home Alone, they fell asleep one by one. It was a good day!

Last Friday I took the kids to a swine flu shot clinic, I didn't realize how crowded it would be. We waited in line for almost an hour, going through two check points. Helen was starting to loose her patience, she wanted to keep walking once we started, and got so frustrated when we had to stop and wait again. She was starting to stamp her foot and say, "Go, Mom, Goooo!" At the second check point I asked them if there were anyway we could move ahead in line in order to get Helen the shot. I explained she was loosing her patience, and what would happen if she lost them completely. She would have a "meltdown" and would not cooperate when receiving her shot, in other words...it would get ugly. They moved us right on through and not only gave Helen her shot, but my other kids also. I knew someone who was a couple of people ahead of us, and they told me it was another 1/2 hour waiting from that check point. I made the right decision. I don't like using Helen for an excuse, but it would have turned into a nightmare very quickly!

On Monday I had Helen's conference at school, it went okay. The problem we are having is, Helen's program is really geared for higher functioning. If we moved her to the next level down, it would be the low functioning program. There is NO in between, which is not good. They used to have something for that group, but they did away with it because of the funding. Helen's teachers are going to meet with the supervisor of special education and see if they can't do something about it. Helen is not the only one with the problem and if they see a need, maybe they bring it back. I am ready for the fight, I'm just waiting on the teachers. I will keep you posted on the progress.

I put up our outdoor decorations today, it's not much, I don't do lights, I don't know how to put them up. I hate to say that our 12 foot Santa is on the injured list, the kids are very disappointed. I went to change one of the lights and found the cord had broken. It actually looks like it had been cut. In order to get to the cord you have to unzip the compartment on the bottom of his foot. I thought maybe my neighbor got frustrated during the night with the light and went out and cut it. I highly doubt it though, he would have to know about the zipper. I'm going to have a friend come over and take a look, maybe he can fix it. It's always something!!

Well, happy black Friday, I hope those of you brave enough to shop found and got what you were looking for!

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue