Sunday, June 19, 2011

Morgan's Wonderland

I have a ton of stuff I'm ready to blog about...but quite frankly, I don't have time!

This past weekend we went to Morgan's Wonderland (thanks to the Division for Blind Services) and attended a statewide conference with other families of blind children.

It was an amazing time. Kamden participated in an "open mic" talent show, Kendall experienced her first amusement park, and we thoroughly enjoyed togetherness as we stayed in without any distractions Thursday night and watched movies and ate pizza. We went to dinner with one of my friends I used to work with on Friday, and enjoyed catching up with her and eating yummy Tex Mex.

Kendall did amazingly well. She didn't have any major meltdowns. On the 4 and a half hour drive there, she never took a nap. She did great with the heat (though Morgan's Wonderland is very shaded and air conditioned!)

She proved her travel abilities, and our whole family had a fantastic time. I'm very late in posting these pictures! Like I mentioned before, my braille class is taking over my life. But I took my midterm on Monday, and I'm halfway there. I have to have above an 87% in this class, and if I don't I have to retake the class. And I assure you, I will never take this class again! I want my life back.



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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

MIA

I am officially going to be MIA for the next 5 weeks. I'm taking braille...and it is taking over my life. It is suppose to be the hardest class in my master's program. I thought it would be a nice break from all the philosophy and over-thinking I had to do in my other classes...but unfortunately, it is incredibly difficult. I decided to knock it all out in a summer session. Bad idea. It requires 4-5 hours a day of practicing and studying...even on the weekends.

Kamden is out of school. We've had kids in and out of the house every day. These boys eat non-stop too. So, between my usual responsibilites with Kendall, sleepless nights, and Justin's travel, I am not pleasant to be around right now.

I'm sure nobody wants to read about my self-inflicted stress...so I won't rant any further.

Instead, I will leave you with a few fun summer pictures!

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Kamden's last day of school and the last time to walk the halls of elementary school!

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Kendall's Last Day of School

Kendall's first day of school was just a little over a month ago...but today was her last day. We ended the year with a splash!

I think the pictures definitely speak for themselves. Kendall had a blast. I certainly do not regret my decision to put her in school this year. I could have kept her home this month and started her at the beginning of the year next, but she had an incredible month.

I already see growth in her. She enjoys her friends. She is learning. She is happy.

The team of people who worked with Kendall (her teachers pictured below and many, many others) have all gone above and beyond. Kendall is well on her way to an educational experience with professionals who treat her with respect, dignity, and compassion. We are so, so, so grateful for them.

Today, my heart feels more hopeful than ever for her future. A future where people see her before her disabilities. A future where she is included in everything other kids are included in. A future where she goes on field trips, goes to the library, has pizza parties, eats cake, and splashes in the pool. And is happy. Very, very happy!

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