The Northview Orchestra leaves for their Spring Break Trip down to 
I can't get enough pictures of Dylan in his tux. He is so handsome!
Tonight they practice their performance for us
Playing Disney favorites like "A Whole New World"
They did an excellent job!
Dylan and Ben PfiferI remember the days not too long ago, when I absolutely dreaded my appointments to renew the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for Luke and Kyle (and even at one point Dylan). There's nothing like having a bunch of "experts" sit around a table and inform you of the many things that your child struggles with and future struggles that may be experienced. I have walked out of many of these meetings overwhelmed and despondent.
Today I was able to have a different experience. The High School experience at Southview High School for Kyle has been surreal. We started the school year with me informing Kyle's case manager, Mandy Ballantyne of all of the do's and don'ts with Kyle and her looking at Kyle and saying "Kyle we are in High School now. We don't need your mom to know every little thing you do. High Schoolers don't behave that way in High School." I scoffed at her thinking "Just wait sister. You will see!"
I have been pleasantly surprised to be free of any behavior problems from Kyle. I have not received one phone call this year regarding behavior. The Dean of Discipline doesn't even know who I am. In addition,Kyle has remained on the Honor Roll each quarter this year.
When we sat in his IEP meeting, I was informed that we needed to remove the behavior element from his IEP because there wasn't any evidence in the last year to support it. Initially, I was struck with fear. There is security in knowing that there is a step by step process and goals for Kyle when it comes to his behavior established in his IEP. On the same note, I am so grateful to have had the reduction in stress and not only witnessing in Kyle's maturing, but hope that there may be an end in sight of constantly dealing with Kyle's behavior problems. Makes me think we are on the right path for him. I am so grateful for the right people being in the right places at the right times to help my children. Mrs. Ballantyne is exactly what Kyle needs.
Tonight as I was standing at the kitchen counter, shredding chicken for dinner and trying to get Nicholas to complete his homework the following conversation ensued...
Nicholas: "Mom, why are you still wearing your pajamas?"
Me: "Because I worked last night Nicholas."
Nicholas: "Do you work tonight?"
Me: "No, but my idea of a good day is NOT having to get out of my pajamas."
Nicholas: "Then can I have a good day tomorrow." (meaning not going to school)
He's a quick one I tell ya :D
Recently, I received my job evaluation which was exceptional except for one area. Our floor has incorporated a Peer Evaluation component into our job eval format. One of the comments made in one of my peer evaluations referred to the fact that I don't always communicate kindly with my fellow co-workers. I was greatly disturbed by this, not because I disagree that I can tend to be harsh at times because I know I can, but moreso because we have been counselled in our Unit Practice Council to hold our peers accountable and be willing to say the "hard" things to them to ensure quality patient and nursing care. This seemed to me to be a contradiction, one moment I am being asked to hold my co-workers accountable, and in the next moment I am being marked off on my job evaluation as a result. Because I have a difficult time not internalizing things, I have really been struggling with this.
Today, I was really touched when I came across this quote by Gordon B. Hinckley...."I come to you tonight with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we try to 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. Now I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man or woman who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his or her course.
"What I am suggesting is that you turn from the negativism that so permeates our modern society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom you associate, that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my wise father would say: 'Cynics do not contribute. Skeptics do not create. Doubters do not achieve.' "
I've decided rather than allowing this experience to make me feel badly about the kind of person I am or to defeat me, that I will grow from this. I have made an index card of this quote that I will carry with me. When I feel the temptation to be unkind, I will read this quote to remind me that we all need a little more kindness in this world.
Our assigned table
Mom and Dad sat with us
The kids loved these chairs..they pretended they were their thrones
Luke with his royal guards
Dylan received his class ring today
He designed his own ring. This side has a cello
This side represents his artistic side
He chose the purple stone...even though his birthstone is topaz We were blessed to celebrate another birthday with Gramma today. This year has been tough on her with her body and memory really declining. She announced to me in January that she was ready to move on to the next life. Tired of the constant pain and feeling very little quality to her day in and day out. As heartbreaking as this was to hear, I understood where she was coming from. We have been a part of that day in and day out and continual struggle that she has.
With this in mind, we are especially grateful to have another birthday with her. We went and celebrated her birthday with her favorite people...her children and grandchildren, eating her favorite food (seafood) at Red Lobster. Happy Birthday Gramma! We love you more than words
