But we end it on an up. And hope to stay up for a while. To focus on the up. Dream big. Hope big. Keep positive.
A report doesn't define you
After reading through the 36 page assessment we had a meeting with Owen's team. The team of people that did the assessment. 10 people sitting in a school conference room ready to tell Jason and I how Owen did. I was prepared to be a puddle of tears but what a surprise it was to walk through each section and hear the positivity everyone had to share. They put a different spin on each result. The results are needed so Owen get the services he will benefit from. But the people doing the assessment got so much joy from Owen they wanted to make sure we knew how much they cared for him and how proud they were. They shared stories that made us laugh. The reminded us what great foundation skills he has. They uplifted us and showed us how lucky we are to have that team supporting him everyday.
The tests were hard for him, but I think they were even harder for them because they know his gifts. My favorite story was when they told us they were trying to get him to sort objects. One set was for a farm, another set for musical instruments. They handed him a baby chick and asked him where it belonged. He put it in the musical instrument picture. His teacher said ooops that chick doesn't play music. Owen looked at her, took the chick held it up to a tuba in the picture and made a blowing noise. He got it right, the chick plays music.
Transitions are tough
The kindergarten transition. How do we pick a program? It is a stressful process to figure out what is the right choice. We considered moving because we have had mixed results in preschool. I wish someone a year ago would have shown us the opportunities Owen would get to be having now. We have found the perfect fit for him. We toured the program on Friday and to say we were happy is beyond the feelings we had. How do you find a school that seems so perfect? Teachers that say and do the right things? A principal that goes out of her way to talk with us and make us feel good about the situation and who is such a huge proponent of special education? We could not have asked for anything better. Owen loved it as we went from room to room looking at each of the areas he would get to participate in. They even let us join in on a Kindergarten class to see how the typical setting would be for him. The teacher welcomed us with open arms, and turned it from an observation to full participation for Owen. He got to be a part of their "circle time". It was the sweetest thing. he loved it. He didn't want to leave. We didn't either. He will be treated like all the regular kindergartners, their philosophy is exactly what we want. It seems too good to be true.
What was lost is now found
Our beloved Oscar. He has his moments where he can be a pill but we love him dearly, he is great with the kids, never barks, loves to cuddle and life without him just would not be the same. We were faced with that on Friday night. Unfortunately when we had a satellite dish installed a few weeks ago the installer left the gate open. It is on the side of the house that we can't see so we didn't know. With the snow melting Oscar decided to find his way out the gate before we noticed and away he went. We spent until dark trying to find him with no luck. Sent out a message to all the neighbors asking for help. Everyone was on the lookout.
It was so cold last night, I was so worried about our little pup out in the cold longer than he had ever been. Thankfully someone found him took him into their home kept him warm until Animal Control picked him up. I called first thing in the morning to ask if they had him but they were closed. Within a few hours they called us back and confirmed he was there. To say we were relieved was an understatement. Sixty dollars to get our Oscar back but worth every penny.
We found out he crossed the major road by our house. Luckily someone spotted him roaming the street and took him in before he got hurt. Maybe now he has learned his lesson?
A special little girl
We were "introduced" to this family last year. A special ed teacher who works with our friend Tracy (Will's mom). Her baby was diagnosed with DS before she was born. She was found to have a major heart defect and she wasn't expected to live. But this little girl has already had 2 heart surgeries and now a chance to go to Boston to get that little heart of hers "fixed" when no one thought they could. She is only 3 months old. She had a rough week and they weren't sure she would make it through but through many miracles she is on her way to recovery in time for her next big adventure. I introduce you to them because they could be us. They could be any one of us. And they need your prayers. https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/graciedelaney
It's stories like hers that remind us how our worries are so minor in comparison. We have two healthy and happy children.
We are blessed.
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