Oh Glorious Days

It is Mother's Day, again... That's right, my oldest two are both finally back in school.

M has been attending school since Tuesday, a great thing since that means he only missed 1 day of school in the transition. He just moved right on into that classroom and is, I am proud to say, doing well. His behavior has yet to get in the way. I think it really helped that his previous teacher (a miraculous soul who enterred his life at a critical time and who, by virtue of sure determination, found ways to help M be a better learner and peer) was able to send along a written explanation of tricks that she found that worked well with M and also included explanations of M's little quirks. So far it seems to be working. I am hopeful that this transition will continue to be a smooth one for M.

C is finally, and gratefully, at the precise school I had hoped she would be enrolled in. I forwarded all the information I had for her, including her most recent IEP and several evaluation reports, the week before we moved to help move the process along faster. These were enough to persuade the local school district that they couldn't, in fact, meet C's needs. I kept trying to tell them that when they so abruptly removed her from this school at the beginning of kindergarten in the summer of 2008. I was really angry about this sudden change and was frustrated at the sense of loss that both C and I felt because the opportunity that was so brisky wisked out from under her was so perfect and met her needs to ideally. Needless to say, the child who came home today from her 1st day of school was GLOWING... Almost literally. She was ecstatic that there were so many signers there. It's the first thing she said to me when she got off the bus... "SO MUCH signing!" I couldn't be more thrilled. Needless to say, all the hard work that C's IEP team put into her latest IEP and all the goals that they listed REALLY made the difference in C's current educational status. I am now confident that C will be able to gain enough language skills upon our departure in a couple of years that I have had a great burden lifted from my shoulders.

Except for the lack of Speech Therapy that M received at our previous location (which was so miniscule as to be practically non-existant... In fact, it was so horrendous that M's speech/language skills deteriorated tremendously during our stay there AND I actually had to threaten legal action... But that's a whole other story. Anyway...) The education and support that M and C received while in California was so tremendous as to, literally, be life altering!!! I cannot thank M's Teacher and C's entire team for everything that they have helped my two amazing children achieve... THANK YOU, ALL!!!

Welcome Home

WELCOME HOME, MY LOVE!!!

Matt arrived safely back in the US yesterday afternoon (1:00pm Pacific). He phoned just as I was walking out the door to let me know they had just landed in Bangor, Maine. He said that was the loudest landing he had ever heard. When I asked him to clarify (since I'm afraid of flying, I had all these concerns running instantly through my head), he said that the cheers that were emmitting from the returning soldiers was both deafening and inspiring. Just hearing the description of their joy at arriving home safely was enough to give me goose bumps as tears welled up in my eyes. I was so happy for them. He called again at nearly 8:00pm last night to tell me that they had landed safely at McCord AFB in Washington and would be getting on a bus for the short drive to Ft. Lewis and his bed as soon as they got their bags off the plane. He said he would call me again as soon as they got back to Post. At 10:00 he called to tell me that it would be a little while longer (they still hadn't unloaded the luggage) and by 10:30 I was wiped out from pure excitement of the day. So, when I still didn't have a phone call I just went to bed. I was smart, though... I took the phone. And at 10:40pm he finally called. Since I had important information about our housing, which he will get today, to impart, I had to get back up. We didn't chat for long. He said he'll call again today to chat with me some more.

But, the important part is...

MATT IS HOME, SAFE AND SOUND!!!

Our next struggle? We're just hoping to make it out to see Matt's mom before she passes away... Which may not be too much longer. She's been bravely hanging on to every last breath, so we're hoping and praying that she can hang on just a little longer... Long enough, at least, for Matt to complete the reintegration training, which is the soonest he is allowed to take leave (unless she passes away, then he can take leave to go to her funeral).