Don't know what I've been doing, lol

Gee, I haven't blogged in over a week! I have been reading all the others though, lol, just not writing apparently.

Our homeschool co-op started back up again last Friday. It was good to get back at it. Jonathan didn't go though, he's had an upper respiratory and sinus infection since last week, he just had started on antibiotics last Thurs. so wasn't up to much by Fri. He's doing better now and will be there this week, Lord willing.

It was Anah's first week there. She "seemed" like she was doing well, and since she knew L and M from the birthday party, I thought she would be ok staying with them in the preschool room, I asked her and put her coat and mine together and left them in the room on a chair. I thought since she didn't say "no", which is her norm, and seemed to understand, and didn't follow me out the room, that she was ok. So I went down the hall to pick up the babies for the nursery (where I work) when one of the moms came down the hall and told me Anah needed me. I ran down the hall, because I could hear her sobbing! I walked in the room and it was like a switch turned off. As soon as she knew I was there, she was fine. So, needless to say, she stayed with me the rest of the day. I guess we'll see how she does this week, but I'm not in any rush, I just want her to be comfortable.

I had Anah's IEP today at the school. I have to say, I'm blessed thus far. We live in a small rural school district in western NY. But, considering how unfriendly NY is to homeschoolers, I wasn't sure how it would go with a child with SN that is homeschooled. Just like our preliminary meeting a couple weeks ago, this "official" one was exceedingly easy and pleasant. We will re-eval Anah for services in six months, at which time we may add PT and OT, depending upon what we feel is in her best interests, but at this time I didn't want it because I didn't want her to be overwhelmed with so many changes. She will be going in to the preschool class two days a week (with Mommy as a volunteer helper in the room) and her ST and SE will go in while she is there. She will have a half hour of structured play with the other children then she will have a half hour (if she can handle it) of story time. All this is in an effort to develop her vocabulary. I must say I'm really excited about this for her, I think it will be very beneficial. We will start in two weeks, on Tues. and Thurs. while Jonathan has therapies at home with Daddy :o) . The school district let me pick the days and times that work best for us and even though we are "officially" only having Anah get 2x/wk times 1/2hr, she is encouraged/welcome to stay for the full hour. They have never had a case like Anah's, in that there is an adopted child that does not know the language, has developmental delays and has had total environmental deprivation, so they weren't sure what to do for her and thanked me for being so patient. I told them that it was I who was thankful! Thankful that they were willing to do whatever I felt was best for Anah especially since she was a unique situation. I told them truthfully that I had been anxious as to what would be offered Anah after hearing other parents difficulties getting services for their children and especially since I homeschool, it was a double whammy! And then, that we live in the "unfriendly state of NY" when it comes to homeschooling. They laughed with me at my bluntness, but didn't disagree with the usual consensus felt regarding school districts and homeschoolers in NY. I feel that people don't get enough positive feedback in general. We aren't long in sharing our negative feedback, but when it comes to positive, we can be quite hesitant to share. That is one thing I strive to do more of, share POSITIVE feedback with others and try and limit my negative, unless it is asked for! Not saying I'm there, or even close, but striving.

We had Anah's CDS intake referal yesterday, to get an income waiver for her Medicaid and be eligible for other services for her. Thursday we have Jonathan's re-eval for services with CDS. Yesterday Jonathan also had his f/u on his surgery, all is well in his ears. Maybe Thursday afternoon we'll get time to go see about Jonathan's glasses! Tomorrow we have two therapies then dinner at church before bible study, so I don't want to rush it since I said I'd make chili. The optician that has the Specs4us glasses for children with DS is about 45 mins. away, plus the time there and the ride back, we'd be cutting it too close.

Sat. we are planning on celebrating PJ's birthday since he is home from college this week. His b-day is the 22, but he'll be at school, so we'll celebrate this Sat. We'll also celebrate my Mom and Dad's, so if you guys are reading this, plan on coming over, lol! How's that for an invite?!

I need to get more batteries for my camera so I can get back to taking pics to post. But believe me, the kids are cute! :oD