Getting into the groove

As we slowly slip into the groove of a new school year, I'm feeling so very blessed.

I was really anxious about Micah and Abby's school situations this year. Though we still live in the same town, we are now just barely inside a different county. Which means Micah and Abby can't go to the same school anymore unless I want to pay out of zone fee's. And not only do they have to change schools, but they'll both be going to different schools.

It was previously written in Micah's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) that he would be in PreK this year, 5 full days. But. This new county doesn't "do" preschool for six year olds (no matter how far behind in development apparently). So Micah has to go to the school we are zoned for and start Kindergarten. *Big sigh* I can't believe my little boy is starting Kindergarten.

So now I'm not only dealing with stress of "figuring out" a new school but also all of the emotions of another one of my babies starting Kindergarten. That's an emotional milestone! And extra stressful for me with Micah because I'm completely NOT convinced he's ready. But when it comes down to it, will Micah ever be ready? Probably not really, no. So here we go... we're strapped in to this wild ride of a roller coaster called Elementary School.

So that's how I WAS feeling. Then we went in for Micah's Kindergarten testing. I got to meet everyone that will be working with him this year. And it was a great meeting! I feel so much better about sending him now. Though its a mainstream class, his teacher has a background in Special Education, he'll have his own TA (teachers assistant), and the best part (to me) is that they are all willing to sign with him! HURRAY! In fact they're encouraging it! Of course he'll still have his speech therapy, we are by no means giving up on the hopes that he'll some day talk. But this will open up communication for him in a huge way at school. As I was chatting with one of the staff, I looked over and his TA was hunched down, looking in his face, smiling and signing "friends". I thought I was going to melt right there. :) :) :) It was like a little wink from the Lord saying "he's gonna be fine".

Now, why is Abby going to a different school? Well, this school doesn't have a preschool program. So Abby has to go to the closest school that will provide special education preschool. Which isn't far at all, but I am sad she won't be at the same school with Micah. And when she starts Kindergarten, she'll likely go to Micah's school... on one hand, I'll be really happy they'll be in school together again. On the other hand, that means 3 schools in 3 years. :(

I haven't met anyone from her school yet. We've got lots of evaluations and meetings before she can start. So I'm just praying the Lord will line up the right people for her.

On a side note, we were cleaning up the playroom yesterday and Abby held up a letter M from a puzzle and said, "Mom. Mmmmm." YAY ABBY!! She knows almost all of the letters' sounds. I'm so proud of that girl. :)

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Meanwhile, for the big girls, we just started a carpool with 3 other families in our town. And I'm super excited about it! I think its going to be really helpful to all of us. We'll never have to drive out to the school on Jake's day off, which rocks. And the girls won't have to spend every afternoon in aftercare which equally rocks. But bless Jake's heart, he's the one doing the morning driving and gets to spend his morning car ride's listening to the conversation of 6 early elementary kids! Lord, give him some extra grace!

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Stay tuned for more school year adventures from the Spencer family.