Moving Mountains...

In a few days, it will have been a year since Julianne got invited to Miriam School to see if it was a school appropriate for her, and I suppose to see if she was appropriate for them. That day was the beginning of what I term as Julianne's new beginning.

A few months prior to that, I went to their open house. It only took minutes to have a striking reaction that THIS was the place for her. Oh My God, I found what I had been searching for for years for my child. To actually get her to be able to go there, would be impossible.

But as the open house continued, and I saw all the children there getting what I had only imagined for my child...and listening to the people giving the tour say the things I had been yearning to hear for years from her educators, I cried. Yes, embarrassing, but I did.

ALL of the help she needed...would be able to be given to her in ONE location, with a TEAM of people...instead of getting help at school, going to extra help somewhere else, speech therapy at another place, and occupational therapy at yet one more location. And pretty much none of these places contacted the others to see what could be done to help...except for her wonderful speech therapist who tried. She even came out to her school to sit and observe and see how things could done differently....but unfortunately the school didn't really keep her updated like we had hoped.

Back to topic.... As I drove away from that open house, I had an epiphany. I wasn't sure how...but I was going to somehow "move mountains" to make this happen. I had to. But how?? This school is expensive. Really, really expensive. Things raced through my head on how we could make this work. Basically, a miracle would have to happen.

And that is exactly what happened.

and Team Julianne was formed.

That speech therapist I mentioned above, who cared enough to come observe her at school, on her own time in an effort to see how she could better help Julianne...has continued to be one of Julianne's biggest fans and supporters. Because she cared more than the usual person, Julianne has a chance at a future that has a shiny outlook.

So, here we are, a year later. It has been the best year ever for Julianne. It has been better than we could have ever imagined. The team of people that work with her are Amazing (with a capital A). They have learned so much about Julianne, and why things are the way they are for her...and in doing so, they learn how best to help her. All the people there love her, and are simply fantastic.

So, I thank the Team Julianne members...those I know, and those I don't know, for allowing my daughter the chance to live her life to her potential. And I thank Miriam School, and all who make that place a family, for being so wonderful.

And I thank God, for showing me that anything really is possible.. .

A splinter of me...

I didn't go searching for it. I didn't even know I wanted to find it. So, by accident tonight, I found something within myself that I didn't realize was there.

I found a part of me, my childhood, my present and my future...all wrapped up in music. Let me try to put this into words.

While scanning youtube tonight, I had a fleeting thought that I would like to hear an acoustic guitar melody that my dad would play whenever he would break out the guitar. So, I called my mom, and had her ask dad what the song was called. (Is it called a song if there are no words??) Anyway, he said it was called "Under the Double Eagle". Wierd name, I thought. So I thanked them, hung up, and went back to youtube.

I absolutely adore youtube, because no matter what in the world you are looking for, you'll find it there.

I started listening to some of the videos of people playing this on the guitar...and little by little, it became clear to me that this was more than just a guitar solo to me. As I listenend, I found myself smiling, and taking a journey to "back then" in my memory. I was/am/will always be a daddy's girl, and oh how I loved when he played music. The mere sound of this tune made my stomach fill with butterflies, and feel a strange happiness that isn't usually there. Oh how I miss hearing him play. I think maybe I should teach myself how to play this tune, because I love it so much.

I then began to think about why this tune made me feel so happy...and strangely enough, happiness that could easily turn into tears. I decided it is because this tune is a piece of me. I feel that if I were broken apart to see what I am made of, somewhere, there would be a splinter of me that was made up of this song.

This little story probably makes absolutely no sense to anybody but me. Sorry about that. But if I may share.....here is a what a splinter of me would sound like:

WWSD?

Sometimes it becomes blazingly clear to me, the fact that 1) I daydream way too much while driving and 2) I over think things all.the.time.

Here is just one example of that:

One day last week, while doing my usual drive to or from somewhere...(honestly, I don't even remember where I was going or where I was coming from. That really isn't all that strange, considering that lately, I rarely remember much of anything that I need to do, or should have done or was going to do)... So, while at a stoplight, while daydreaming about something else, I see on the back window of the car in front of me, this:

What Would Scooby Do? ...you know, a take off of the infamous "What Would Jesus Do?" campaign.

What would Scooby Do?

What would Scooby Do?

So, while thinking about what Scooby would always do, it was then that I began to realize, that I was a whole hell of a lot like Scooby.

You see....Scooby was a scardey cat (or scardey dog, really) who would rather eat than pretty much do anything else. I too, am afraid of most everything...and if given the chance, would opt for a snack or meal over most anything.

Interesting thoughts, don't you think....

And then the light turned green, and I continued on my way.

Halloween 2010...

PICTURES:

Jessica Pea, like the vegetable!

Have you ever felt so blessed to know somebody, and think that your life is such a better place because of them? Well I have. Actually, it isn't a "somebody", it's an entire family. The Asinger family.

I grew up on Wright Ave. Down and across the street by about 5 houses, lived the Asinger family. Theresa was the youngest of all the kids. There is Mary, Margi, Kathi, Tim, Tom, Joe, John, Chris and Theresa. That is not in complete order, but Chris was my age, and Theresa was a year younger than I. I can't remember the specific year Theresa and I became friends, but I do remember she was still in a crib. :)





When I think about my childhood, my teenage years, my twenties, and up until this very day, there aren't many memories that don't include Theresa and her family. I remember the good times like when Theresa spent the night once, and we used all our Barbies and make up and made up wonderful, hilarious plays, which involved the infamous "Apricot Facial Scrub Domestic Violence" barbie. Good times good times. I remember the always feeling like a part of the family. An unofficial Asinger, if you will. They were all always so accepting of me. I remember going to family reunions, parties at "Aunt Mary's in the country", and late night Tripoli games at the Asinger dining room table. Some random memories also include walking through JC Penny watching Kathi bust a move to an erythmics song, on the eve of her hysterectomy, walking to National Grocery Store late at night to visit Theresa the salad bar queen, rock a bowl's, skating in the tennis courts and so many, many more.


I was honored to be the only other person in the delivery room for both of Theresa's children, one of which is my fabulous Godson, Joesph. There were more Asinger's in my wedding than Walewski's I think, lol....Theresa, Jessica and Joey. Theresa is Allison's Godmother. We are family, regardless of the blood relation.

In the process of knowing the Asinger kids and Mom and Dad Asinger, I of course was there for the cousins...mainly Jennifer, Jessica and Adrienne. They were also like my sweet cousins, or little sisters. I loved, and still love those girls.


And one of those sweet girls got married last night. Jessica.

Jessica is and always has been an amazing person. As a child, she was a strawberry shortcake look alike, and as funny, smart and cute as could be. Jessica's childhood was less than ideal, in many regards, but she was always the shining light of the darkness. She was always the girl everyone knew would be OK. She had a way about her that was determined and talented and loving and sweet....and every other positive thing you could come up with. And the girl could dance.

I remember when she went off to college. Going to college isn't something my own family is too familiar with, and she was the first to go to college in her immediate family as well. I remember being so proud and happy for her. Then when she moved to Arizona, I remember thinking how awesome she is, and how proud I was that she was brave enough to go and start a new life, far from those who loved her.

Fast forward to last night. If you knew Jessica, and you knew what she has been through, and the what she has fought and survived, you too would feel the love in your pit of your stomach like I did last night. When I saw her walk though the door with Alex last night, it took my breath away. She was absolutely beautiful.

Jessica was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.

Part of her beauty comes from her smashing good looks, but the other half is her fantastic heart, and love of others. She is just beauty inside and out.

I was so moved with her beauty, and knowing some of her journey to get to where she is.

So back to how I started this story...The Asinger family was at the wedding last night, of course, and it was just a beautiful thing. My life has been made better by knowing all these people.

I love them.

I love you Jessica! Have happiness till the end of time sweetheart!!!

Say Cheese!

Today was a beautiful day. It is the beginning of September, and for the first time in a few months, the weather allowed you to have your house windows open. The kids played outside in the backyard while I cleaned, and I was able to hear them! The sun was shining and warm, yet in the shade you would be at the perfect temperature if you had on long sleeves. There was an ever so soft whisper of a breeze. It was pretty much as close to perfect as you could ask for.

After I had cleaned enough to see that I had done anything at all, I felt empowered enough to take the kids to the park. I felt like that would be a "Good Mom" thing to do. I will admit, I don't do it often enough, because truth be told, I'm lazy. So, in my "Good Mom" mode, I put Juli and Audrey in the wagon. Mason and Alena both rode their scooters, and neighbor friend Jordan rode her bike. Off we went, and walked to the park.

"Yay!" I thought to myself. "I'm actually doing something fun with the kids! I can say I wasn't a total failure as a mother this day" I told myself.

We were at the park for some time. Of course, my lazy self sat listening to my iPod while constantly scanning counting the kids, to make sure none of them escaped. This was nice. I was in the shade, with that above mentioned whisper of a breeze. The kids were running, climbing, pushing/shoving, swinging, laughing, and all sorts of park stuff. Life was good.


After we had been there about an hour, Audrey decided she wanted to take her shoes off. That of course, was not OK with me, if she wanted to run around the playground. So I made her sit on the bench by me. "Let's take a picture of this perfect, "Good Mom" moment," I thought.

"Say Cheese!", I said to Audrey. She made this crazy looking face. (See picture) So I say, "Let's do another one"....

Then it happened. The slap in the face that brought me out of my "Good Mom" day dream. Audrey decided to sit Indian style for the next picture.

I didn't take the next picture. Because it was at that moment, that I realized that my sweet little red headed child, at some point in the day before we left to go to the park, lost her underwear. So, there she sat.....for all the world to see....

It was suddenly time to go home. "Good Mom" left the building at that point.

Not Just Another New School Year!

Every last day of school, I know in the back of my mind that the "next" school year is looming right around the corner. I am on "Team LOVE summer vacation". Strangely enough, there is another Team out there called "Team GET back TO school". But for me, I soak in the almost three months of not fighting with kids to get up, go to sleep, do their homework, or brush their hair. I enjoy not having to worry about getting FIVE lunchboxes ready, or making sure I have all pieces of uniforms ready to go, or having to worry about classroom drama or lost school papers. I LOVE the ease of getting up when they are awake, going to the pool, and wearing flip flops every single day. I love sprinklers in the backyard, trips to the snocone stand and most of all, I love daylight hours before I wake until just about the time I am ready to call it a day. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

The end of summer 2010 had a slightly different feel to it, however. This coming school year will not only be all the bad things that I described above, but also full of new and exciting things! I welcomed this new school year with sadness AND excitement.

Four of my children will continue to go to Immaculate Heart of Mary School. Sadly, a lot of families, and a lot of my friends children have decided to go to a different school this year, for reasons that have not been made known to me, and that is OK. They will be sorely missed, but I wish them all the luck in the world. However, I will say that I am so glad that my children are returning to this school. Having had a St. Louis City Public School experience, I can tell you that there is a LOT to be said about IHM. For our family, I love being able to walk to school. I LOVE knowing so many families there. I LOVE that it isn't such a big school. I LOVE that talking about GOD is encouraged and not against the law. I LOVE Mrs. Zambo, lol. I love the "Village" there that helps me with my children. Yes, there are plenty of things that could benefit from change. But at this time, as long as we are able to afford to continue to send our kids there, I thank the Lord. It is going to be a great year. I KNOW IT!

Now, the biggest excitement of this year is the school change for Julianne. A miracle has happened, and we are able to send this wonderful child to this fantastic school, Miriam School. After being in a classroom of 30 children for the past two years, she is now in a classroom with 9 children. NINE children who share the same struggles as she has. She is welcomed every morning with hugs and "Hello Julianne"'s. She gets to take breaks from learning to bounce on bouncy balls, dive into the ball pit, do ALL kinds of OT things. When I pick her up, she is chewing gum, and this first week, has been exhausted! This school is a dream come true. I've said it 1000 times, but I just know she is going to blossom here. This would not be possible if it weren't for some great people in this world, who believe in Julianne, and trust that she is going to be as great one day, as I know she will be.

So....here we go. School year of 10/11. I had my boy start Kindergarten. My baby baby started preschool. My oldest started 6th grade, and my sweet middle child started 4th. And Julianne...well she is officially "ungraded", and I LOVE that.