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.
Resolutions
I was talking with a friend the other day about school starting and she had a great point that really got me thinking. The back-to-school time of year is kind of like a New Years for moms. Its true! Its a time we mothers (of school aged children) set all of these resolutions and goals for that school year.
But I'm hoping that unlike New Years resolutions, these School Year resolutions won't fall apart after just a few months. Its worth the effort if I can hang on to even one of these goals! I'm really going to try.
Ok, so wanna hear mine? (This is in no particular order.)
Resolution #1 ~I'm going to iron uniforms this year.
I really tried to purchase polyester uniforms for the girls this year. That glorious fabric that doesn't wrinkle or turn up at the bottom hem. But for whatever reason, all brands that have that fabric run wide. Or at least- wide for my string-bean children. So I bought them "slim" jumpers in a khaki/cotton material. And unless they're ironed after every wash, the bottom hem will start rolling up. So I'm going to be a little more domestic and iron my kids uniforms.
On a side note: I was ironing uniforms yesterday and Emily asked what I was doing. "Ironing" I said. "You mean you're flattening our clothes?" Emily asked. Hmm... something like that. "Yes," I replied. "Can you flatten my shoes too because they're really crumpled." "No I don't think that'll work." I wasn't even going to ask what exactly she meant by crumpled shoes....
Resolution #2~ I'm going to wake up 30 minutes before the kids need to get up.
I should tell you, I come from a long line of southern women who never leave the house with out "putting their face on". This baffled me as a child. How do you put a face on and take it off? But now, as a grown woman with very blonde eye lashes and an uneven skin tone... I get it. If you've ever seen a mom drop off her kids at school or standing at the bus stop wearing sunglasses and a hat on a very overcast, dark morning- don't ask. It means she hasn't had time for a shower and barely made it out the door. Give her some grace.
This year I want to get myself ready for the day even if I don't have plans to leave the house. I will. I must. I resolve that my husband will not come home to a wife wearing no makeup and sweatpants. But if I don't get up before the kids do, it won't happen.
Resolution#3~ I'm going to pray with other moms.
Two of my best friends and I had our first babies within weeks of each other. Then, we blinked. And now they look like this.
I love that they are still best buds after all these years. :)
So we're going to meet, weekly if possible, to pray for them. I know that we each pray for our kids. But there is power when believers get together and agree in prayer. (Matthew 18:19) And these three snaggle-tooth kiddos represent 10 more younger siblings! Yes. Prayer. Lots of it. Bring it on.
And that's it for my resolutions. Lets keep the list short, I think it'll have a higher success rate that way. :) We'll see how its going in six months.
But I'm hoping that unlike New Years resolutions, these School Year resolutions won't fall apart after just a few months. Its worth the effort if I can hang on to even one of these goals! I'm really going to try.
Ok, so wanna hear mine? (This is in no particular order.)
Resolution #1 ~I'm going to iron uniforms this year.
I really tried to purchase polyester uniforms for the girls this year. That glorious fabric that doesn't wrinkle or turn up at the bottom hem. But for whatever reason, all brands that have that fabric run wide. Or at least- wide for my string-bean children. So I bought them "slim" jumpers in a khaki/cotton material. And unless they're ironed after every wash, the bottom hem will start rolling up. So I'm going to be a little more domestic and iron my kids uniforms.
On a side note: I was ironing uniforms yesterday and Emily asked what I was doing. "Ironing" I said. "You mean you're flattening our clothes?" Emily asked. Hmm... something like that. "Yes," I replied. "Can you flatten my shoes too because they're really crumpled." "No I don't think that'll work." I wasn't even going to ask what exactly she meant by crumpled shoes....
Resolution #2~ I'm going to wake up 30 minutes before the kids need to get up.
I should tell you, I come from a long line of southern women who never leave the house with out "putting their face on". This baffled me as a child. How do you put a face on and take it off? But now, as a grown woman with very blonde eye lashes and an uneven skin tone... I get it. If you've ever seen a mom drop off her kids at school or standing at the bus stop wearing sunglasses and a hat on a very overcast, dark morning- don't ask. It means she hasn't had time for a shower and barely made it out the door. Give her some grace.
This year I want to get myself ready for the day even if I don't have plans to leave the house. I will. I must. I resolve that my husband will not come home to a wife wearing no makeup and sweatpants. But if I don't get up before the kids do, it won't happen.
Resolution#3~ I'm going to pray with other moms.
Two of my best friends and I had our first babies within weeks of each other. Then, we blinked. And now they look like this.
I love that they are still best buds after all these years. :)
So we're going to meet, weekly if possible, to pray for them. I know that we each pray for our kids. But there is power when believers get together and agree in prayer. (Matthew 18:19) And these three snaggle-tooth kiddos represent 10 more younger siblings! Yes. Prayer. Lots of it. Bring it on.
And that's it for my resolutions. Lets keep the list short, I think it'll have a higher success rate that way. :) We'll see how its going in six months.
Potty Talk
I think we need to buy stock in Pampers.
I've been changing diapers steadily for almost 8 years now. We are currently buying diapers in size 1, size 4, and size 5 pull-ups in pink and in blue. That's a lot of booties to wipe every day.
I've got a whole diaper changing station set up under the TV in the playroom. A child locked cabinet is complete with diapers, pull ups, baby wipes, diaper rash creams (Aquaphor and Kroger brand desitin), disposable gloves (for those random explosions and I figure the babysitters appreciate them :)), grocery bags (who needs a diaper genie when you can use grocery bags, they're free!) and a vinyl nap-mat that I pull out to lay them on because there are wood floors in there.
Of course Kate has her own changing station in the livingroom. I don't lay my 6 wk old on the floor in the playroom. ;)
But I have to say, Micah's not being changed on that nap-mat much these days. His potty training is coming along wonderfully! He really only wears one pull up a day and is keeping it dry! He goes #1 in the potty and if I make him sit there long enough he'll go #2 as well, YAY MICAH!!!!
So why do I not switch him to undies? Trust me, I'd love to go back to just having 3 in diapers. Its because (and this is SO frustrating) Micah still won't tell me when he needs to go potty. :( He knows the sign for potty, so it shouldn't be a communication issue. I just have to guess when he might need to go again, usually timing it around the time that I'm changing the little girls' diapers. And sure enough, he'll go. So he's holding it... so long as I don't forget and make him wait too long. If I randomly ask him if he needs to go, he'll say yes every time. Just for something to do. And because he loves washing his hands. *insert eye roll*
From what I understand, this is typical "time training" from the orphanage. They just took all of the kids to sit on potties at set times every day and they learned to hold it until those times. Kinda sad. If any of you adoptive moms have any tips for breaking the time-trained thing, I'm happy to hear it. I wish he would just tell me when he needs to go. :(
So the other reason I'm keeping him in pull-ups is because... I'm scared. Its just the truth. But if you ever saw what comes out of that kid if he accidentally gets milk... you'd be scared too! As long as he doesn't get dairy in his diet, we're good. But when he does, watch out. And I really don't want to clean that out of underwear. Or where ever else it might land.... ugh.
Abby on the other hand, will say "Uh oh Mommy! Pooped!!!!" This is her universal phrase for letting me know she needs to be changed. Then occasionally she'll follow it up with the signs for "wet" or "dirty". Which, as her proud mother, I think is pretty impressive. :) And she really likes sitting up on the potty if and when I take her but shes terrified if anything comes out and wants down immediately. Nevertheless, I'm confident that she's really close to being ready to potty train. At this point I'm only waiting on Mabry.
Mabry turns two this fall and the plan is to potty train Abby and Mabry together. I had hoped to do Abby this summer but ya know, having a baby and all, I've been a little busy. :) So hopefully by Christmas we will have only one more to potty train and five kids successfully using the potty!!!
Then I'm going to buy stock in Charmin.
Montage of baby Kate's first three weeks
Avery Kate has been in our family for almost a month now. :) I can't even believe it. Here are some pictures of her first three weeks of life. What a sweet little blessing she is...
Peaceful Summer
Its time to talk about this new season. And I'm not just talking about the weather.
If you were listening at my front door it might not sound peaceful. There are still 10 little feet stomping running through the house like a heard of elephants, Electric Company blaring from the livingroom, squealing kids flying down the slide in the playroom, doors slamming as the girls come in and out from riding their bikes, the constant running of either the washing machine or dishwasher, and a baby crying because its time to nurse for the umpteenth time today. Even at night, the deafening sound of "rain" is coming from the sound machine in the upstairs hall. But despite the decibels... there is peace.
We're home.
Is it hard juggling 6 kids? Two with special needs and tiny newborn? The answer is actually no. Comical? Usually. ;) Tiring? Yes. But hard? No. Its been pretty smooth. But over and over I keep thinking, there's no way we could have done this in our old house. In this house, we all have our own space. We fit here. And everyone can feel the difference. Its wonderful. :)
And it feels so good to build new routines. I knew that between moving and having a baby this summer, I could not over commit myself. So I didn't. Which means- I have no where I have to be. And it feels great. :) We wake up, have breakfast, the kids play while I clean up/do some laundry/nurse my baby. Then we have lunch, the little ones and I nap while the girls play in their room. When everyone is up, we have snacks, play some more, have dinner, go to bed, and do it all over again the next day. With so much routine, I find myself thriving and growing as much as the kids.
I'm anticipating a smooth transition into the school year as well. While we're enjoying a peaceful summer, I know the kids will be so ready for school when it starts. And I'll be ready too. How sweet it'll be to have time alone with Mabry and Kate. I'm looking forward to lunches and shopping with my Grandmother and my mom... diving back into couponing... soaking in the Word at morning Women's Study... taking my time decorating each room of my beautiful new house... its gonna be awesome. :)
And it feels so good to build new routines. I knew that between moving and having a baby this summer, I could not over commit myself. So I didn't. Which means- I have no where I have to be. And it feels great. :) We wake up, have breakfast, the kids play while I clean up/do some laundry/nurse my baby. Then we have lunch, the little ones and I nap while the girls play in their room. When everyone is up, we have snacks, play some more, have dinner, go to bed, and do it all over again the next day. With so much routine, I find myself thriving and growing as much as the kids.
I'm anticipating a smooth transition into the school year as well. While we're enjoying a peaceful summer, I know the kids will be so ready for school when it starts. And I'll be ready too. How sweet it'll be to have time alone with Mabry and Kate. I'm looking forward to lunches and shopping with my Grandmother and my mom... diving back into couponing... soaking in the Word at morning Women's Study... taking my time decorating each room of my beautiful new house... its gonna be awesome. :)
Now, understand me. I fully believe that my home is in heaven. This is temporary. Never do I want to become so comfortable and complacent that I grow stagnant, not growing in my faith or being effective for the Kingdom. I hope that I can always say that I'd give up all that I have if that's what the Lord was calling me to do. But I also know that I know that He's blessed us with this house and I'm grateful. There are seasons of refreshing and we draw from those for our times in the fire. Sometimes we stand up and fight, sometimes we lay our heads on His chest and just soak Him in. And you never know whats around the corner.
And right now I'm thoroughly enjoying this peaceful summer. Sipping some sweet tea, watching my kids play, smelling my new baby. Aaaahhh, peace. :) Thank you Lord, You're so good to me.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you."
A 7 year olds prayer
This is just too sweet not to share.
A few weeks ago Jake took the two big girls to church while I stayed home with the little ones. Ashley wanted to stay in service with him and I'm not sure what the message was about that day but at some point, she wrote this prayer out on the back of a visitor welcome card. She saved it, brought it home, showed me,I cried, and now she keeps it on our kitchen table because she likes to read/pray it before dinner. :)
Translation just in case :)
God I thank you for my Dad my Mom my sister's and brother and I thank you for my life and for my friends and family and I pray for all those that are in beds all their life without food til they die and those at the dump and at Ukraine that need to be adopted and Jesus name Amen.
The prayer for "those in beds without food" is referring to Eastern European mental institutions. She's really soaked in the reality of what Micah's life would have been like had he not been adopted and is very concerned for the other children with special needs in those countries. Seriously.
"Those at the dump" is referring to the large communities of people living at a trash dump in the Dominican Republic, where Jake was last summer. Her little heart broke when she saw his pictures of people getting all that they had from others' trash.
(And she still can't quite pronounce "adopted" yet, hence her confused spelling of it. ;))
Its so hard to read kids sometimes and I never know how much of what we teach them and share with them is actually soaking in. Until I see something like this. And I don't have to tell you how incredibly good it feels to know that something is getting through and my kids are aware of the hurting world around them. Reading my seven year olds prayer of thanks to God for her life is one of my most amazing experiences as a parent, to date. Thank you Lord for my sweet girl!!
A few weeks ago Jake took the two big girls to church while I stayed home with the little ones. Ashley wanted to stay in service with him and I'm not sure what the message was about that day but at some point, she wrote this prayer out on the back of a visitor welcome card. She saved it, brought it home, showed me,
Translation just in case :)
God I thank you for my Dad my Mom my sister's and brother and I thank you for my life and for my friends and family and I pray for all those that are in beds all their life without food til they die and those at the dump and at Ukraine that need to be adopted and Jesus name Amen.
The prayer for "those in beds without food" is referring to Eastern European mental institutions. She's really soaked in the reality of what Micah's life would have been like had he not been adopted and is very concerned for the other children with special needs in those countries. Seriously.
"Those at the dump" is referring to the large communities of people living at a trash dump in the Dominican Republic, where Jake was last summer. Her little heart broke when she saw his pictures of people getting all that they had from others' trash.
(And she still can't quite pronounce "adopted" yet, hence her confused spelling of it. ;))
Its so hard to read kids sometimes and I never know how much of what we teach them and share with them is actually soaking in. Until I see something like this. And I don't have to tell you how incredibly good it feels to know that something is getting through and my kids are aware of the hurting world around them. Reading my seven year olds prayer of thanks to God for her life is one of my most amazing experiences as a parent, to date. Thank you Lord for my sweet girl!!
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