Ten Things Thursday
1. I am so very thankful I got to spend yesterday with ALL of my family.
2. We always have weather on Thanksgiving that doesn't require scarves & snow boots. (Usually it's shorts.) As much as I adore winter weather, it's much easier to transport food, when you're not worried about killing yourself on the sidewalk.
3. This is the first Thanksgiving since we had only TWO chitlins and they were in highchairs, that Hubbo and I can sit down--SIT DOWN--to eat. We won't have to rush. Hubbo won't have to stand outside and feed son#2 standing up or share his food with him. And I don't have to rush around refilling son#3's plates. I might even talk to people. I am seriously thankful for this.
4. I am a very thankful that my children all have tender hearts & care about other people's feelings. Most of the time.
5. What good food my family can fix!! You have no idea how good my Grandma Bible's dressing is. And everyone has something that's their thing. I'm thankful that we all get to eat as much as we want today where I know in some places, some people don't get that luxury. I better eat extra today.
6. What cool people have taught my children over the years! We ran into Ms. Ann, the paraprofessional from son#1's elementary school days. She was so excited to see us and catch up with our family. I know there's no way every teacher can be as close to each student but I appreciate & am thankful those that have worked with our family, are.
7. I'm thankful we got to ride in more comfortable space to OKC yesterday & to Pryor today. Thanks to a friend who GAVE us a put-put car. It's a very well kept church lady car. I'll take it! No car payments--another thanksgiving! Saving moo-la right now is important while son#2 is away. I am sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop with the cost of Camelot. We all know castles ain't cheap!!
8. Sounds silly but I'm so happy the major stores decided to start Black Friday shopping at 10pm-Midnight. I'd rather just stay awake then get up at 4am.
9. I'm thankful for toys. Let's be honest. It makes traveling easier or keeping them out of my hair while I bake. Yay toys!!
10. While son#2 is away, the brothers are getting to have their own rooms/space. With them being 13-1/2 yrs old and 5-1/2 yrs old--I am GRATEFUL they are out from under each other. I've convinced myself they argue less now.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
New Things, Good Things
New Things,Good Things
Lolly called today since we won't be there in person this week for therapy.
Her updates on son#2 were encouraging and she had some funny stuff to tell me.
Seems son#2 is getting good at putting his shoes on by himself & keeping them on for longer periods of time. (20 mins) Those who know us, know this was a big, big deal. And we're on the third pair of shoes since he's been down there. These are velcro and easier for him to figure out.
When trying to work with son#2, LaToya had been letting him slap her hand as in "Give me five!". But after a bit she started yanking her hand back so he'd miss, and son#2 thought this was hilarious. Then he figured he'd use his other hand to hold her hand still so he could hit it. After she started moving her whole arm back & after he had a giggle fit, son#2 used his other hand to hold her whole arm still so he could slap her hand. GREAT problem solving skills!! Now if we could just channel that into motivation to learn other things...like potty training.
We did get the "mood med" moved down from 8pm to 5pm. That's still progress I guess.
They are finding it easier to give him all the meds together---ADHD, the "mood med" and the Zyrtek. They mostly all have to be in food so I suppose I understand.
I suggested putting it in his afternoon snack but those are usually 100 calorie packs of crackers, chips or cookies so they can't mix the liquid/powder meds in.
Son#2 has had a few scratching aggression issues this week but no episodes requiring holds. WHEW! That makes Mama Bird happy.
He also hitting a good stage with the toileting process. Son#2 doesn't want any Pull-Ups on that are wet or anything else. He takes them off immediately. Which at least it's a closed campus & not in public, right?
It's the small things.
I had concerns that son#2 might get bored over the weekends, but they went to see the Smurf movie last weekend and this Sunday they have an outing so there can be a deep clean on his unit. I also inquired about getting son#2's cottage a therapy ball or two ($12 a piece) or a mini-trampoline ($35). Lolly said they could have the balls & may wait until it's too cold to do their Fit Walks outside. At least with the ball I could put his name on one in big letters so they couldn't loos that right?
She did mention they might pop them but I know how much son#2 loved his ball at home, so I'd love to see him have something he enjoys to occupy him on weekends especially. Lolly has to see about permission for the trampoline. Here's hoping!!
It sounds like to me that the past parents haven't been very involved and Camelot isn't used to having donations or people who help too much.
I'm looking forward to shaking things up a bit & puttin' some sunshine up in there! WHO'S WITH ME??!?!?!
Lolly called today since we won't be there in person this week for therapy.
Her updates on son#2 were encouraging and she had some funny stuff to tell me.
Seems son#2 is getting good at putting his shoes on by himself & keeping them on for longer periods of time. (20 mins) Those who know us, know this was a big, big deal. And we're on the third pair of shoes since he's been down there. These are velcro and easier for him to figure out.
When trying to work with son#2, LaToya had been letting him slap her hand as in "Give me five!". But after a bit she started yanking her hand back so he'd miss, and son#2 thought this was hilarious. Then he figured he'd use his other hand to hold her hand still so he could hit it. After she started moving her whole arm back & after he had a giggle fit, son#2 used his other hand to hold her whole arm still so he could slap her hand. GREAT problem solving skills!! Now if we could just channel that into motivation to learn other things...like potty training.
We did get the "mood med" moved down from 8pm to 5pm. That's still progress I guess.
They are finding it easier to give him all the meds together---ADHD, the "mood med" and the Zyrtek. They mostly all have to be in food so I suppose I understand.
I suggested putting it in his afternoon snack but those are usually 100 calorie packs of crackers, chips or cookies so they can't mix the liquid/powder meds in.
Son#2 has had a few scratching aggression issues this week but no episodes requiring holds. WHEW! That makes Mama Bird happy.
He also hitting a good stage with the toileting process. Son#2 doesn't want any Pull-Ups on that are wet or anything else. He takes them off immediately. Which at least it's a closed campus & not in public, right?
It's the small things.
I had concerns that son#2 might get bored over the weekends, but they went to see the Smurf movie last weekend and this Sunday they have an outing so there can be a deep clean on his unit. I also inquired about getting son#2's cottage a therapy ball or two ($12 a piece) or a mini-trampoline ($35). Lolly said they could have the balls & may wait until it's too cold to do their Fit Walks outside. At least with the ball I could put his name on one in big letters so they couldn't loos that right?
She did mention they might pop them but I know how much son#2 loved his ball at home, so I'd love to see him have something he enjoys to occupy him on weekends especially. Lolly has to see about permission for the trampoline. Here's hoping!!
It sounds like to me that the past parents haven't been very involved and Camelot isn't used to having donations or people who help too much.
I'm looking forward to shaking things up a bit & puttin' some sunshine up in there! WHO'S WITH ME??!?!?!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Frustration
It's been an interesting, sort of stressful few weeks since I last blogged. I truly hesitate to use the word stressful, because on the scale of stress we've experienced, it's not really anywhere near the end of unbearable. So it's difficult for me to come up with the right answer when people ask how things are.
DO NOT GET ME WRONG, I appreciate so much people asking how son#2 is, but it's not a black & white answer. And we all know how much we love to hear "Fine", and go on.
So please be patient with me, if I stutter, stammer or look like a deer in the headlights when you ask for an update.
** Nov. 2 we started a new med--an ADHD med. It appears to have NOT given a bad reaction yet so we're very hopeful. Usually we see a bad reaction to meds right off the bat. He could really use the ability to focus so he is able to learn more of what they can offer at Camelot. So far we have no real progress because they are unable to really get him to focus or give attention to task.
**In our weekly therapy phone call early last week, Lolly mentioned that son#2's "mood med" is given at 8am & 8pm. Now, here at home, when he was doing so well on this "mood med", he was taking it per doctor's orders at 7:30am when he got up & at 2-3pm in the afternoon. You could tell when it was sort of wearing off. And in the mornings he was great about taking it with his orange juice first thing after he got up. So by the time we were getting dressed for school. he was cooperative.
According to Lolly they ONLY give meds at 8am & 8pm. Now, son#2 gets up around 7 or earlier in the morning & goes to bed around 7:30pm.
So I'm thinking, a) Why can't you give it to him in the afternoon because by 8pm he's in bed?! Who needs to be in a good mood in bed? b)Wouldn't it be easier on HIM (and you) if he gets it before he has a chance to get grumpy? and c) He can NOT be the only kid there that needs meds besides at 8am & 8pm. Personally I think this is their way of being lazy about meds. Now if the Dr. says it doesn't matter WHEN the meds build up in his system, I'll go along with it. But this smells of laziness to me--on the part of the nurses. I mean come on, this IS their job description. There's one for every cottage--what ARE they doing between 8am-8pm???
**They clipped son#2's nails & got one too close that bled for a very long time. They acted shocked he wouldn't let them stop the bleeding. I wasn't.
A few years ago, he found a green bean can in the kitchen trash & cut his finger on it. THAT was something of an ordeal. Scary. It bled for over an hour & we chased him around trying to put pressure on it & see how deep of a cut it was. He finally ended up in our bed where he sat still in the bedding long enough for the bleeding to stop. When we had called the EMT's, they had nothing to offer & didn't even approach him to look at it. They blew us off saying it happens a lot with kids & pop cans. By the time we got to the doctor the next day, it was too late for stitches.
Son#2 reopened the fingernail owie the next day & it bled all over again. Even though there's nothing I could have done, it stinks to not be there when your child hurts. Or bleeds. That weighs on me & stays on my mind awhile. He's a tough, tough kid, but he still gets scared.
**Like they had to put him in a "hold" the other day because he came in from outside (on one of our hotter days) and he'd been on a "Fit Walk" in a t-shirt, sweats & hoodie. He got into his room & couldn't get his clothes off fast enough & stripped down. Which he isn't allowed to do. So he got mad, they ended up taking him down to the ground. For a hold--they put him on his belly & one person lays across his arms& one across the legs & if necessary (if they'll headbutt the floor) they have someone hold their head still. He understandably freaked out. (I freaked out hearing this.) and was scared. They realized quickly (Thank goodness!) that son#2 didn't understand what he was supposed to do or not do, so they released him. A worker figured out it was too hot in the cottage & to him and they took care of getting him cooled down.
I had told them in the five hour check-in process the day he came, HE DOES NOT LIKE TO GET TOO HOT. It turns him into the Hulk. I think he gets this from me. And his "Hunger Monster" as Hubbo calls it.
**The other night I called SIX times. The calls are supposed to be kept between 6:30pm to 8pm. Well I called at 6:30--he was in the shower would I call back in ten minutes. Sure--I called back in 15 minutes.
"Ms. S, he's getting dressed, will you call back in ten minutes?"
Sure---called back in 15 minutes---no answer.
Called right back in case they couldn't get to the phone...no answer. Called in ten minutes, no answer. Waited five minutes, called again--no answer.
I stopped by 8pm because I knew he was in bed. THIS is what is frustrating. I can no longer get as many verbal updates from the actual people that take care of him, but when I do call to hear his voice, they don't pick up.
** We did meet son#2's teacher---he seems like a good egg. And he again mentioned our son's lack of focus. Which I told him, has been in the last 3 yrs. He used to have much more attention to things. But he is able to make him work for M&M's sometimes. Which is pretty much the only motivational leverage they all have. But always nice to meet somebody & be on the same page.
**When we visited last Friday night with son#2, we didn't get to see much of him. The therapy session didn't include him. But we did get several things taken care of with Lolly that we needed straightened out. However, we had an hour/half to visit with him afterwards. It can only be done in the cafeteria though. Which was NOT clean. The floor was a mine field of food. And son#2 saw we were there for dinner#2.
With no focus he paces around & doesn't want to sit & play with us. Not that there's much place to play, just tables/chairs. What we noticed were other families coming in & bringing laptops, dvd players and toys/snacks to entertain the kids for the hour and a half. We ended up with son#2 bored & wanting to walk/pace outside in the cold & then going to his cottage early. He knew it was time for snack/movie. But he doesn't get that we can't come in there with him. Very difficult to give up extra time with him, but we are learning.
We go visit this Wednesday the 23rd---and the brothers are going with us. We'll have therapy & then take him out to lunch. He doesn't get to come home for Thanksgiving.
And Christmas is still up in the air. I'm just hoping he's not too bored over the Thanksgiving weekend. I worry the most on the weekends because the staff seems less attentive & like they just don't keep them entertained as well.
So if you're the praying sort, I'd ask you pray for his care givers/staff---that they have patience, love & kindness towards him.
Pray Carson isn't bored, lonely or scared. And that he cooperates & is patient with his workers.
Pray the new "focus med" works & soon. Pray for us here at home that will miss that part of our family over the holiday weekend.
Thank you for caring. Really.
DO NOT GET ME WRONG, I appreciate so much people asking how son#2 is, but it's not a black & white answer. And we all know how much we love to hear "Fine", and go on.
So please be patient with me, if I stutter, stammer or look like a deer in the headlights when you ask for an update.
** Nov. 2 we started a new med--an ADHD med. It appears to have NOT given a bad reaction yet so we're very hopeful. Usually we see a bad reaction to meds right off the bat. He could really use the ability to focus so he is able to learn more of what they can offer at Camelot. So far we have no real progress because they are unable to really get him to focus or give attention to task.
**In our weekly therapy phone call early last week, Lolly mentioned that son#2's "mood med" is given at 8am & 8pm. Now, here at home, when he was doing so well on this "mood med", he was taking it per doctor's orders at 7:30am when he got up & at 2-3pm in the afternoon. You could tell when it was sort of wearing off. And in the mornings he was great about taking it with his orange juice first thing after he got up. So by the time we were getting dressed for school. he was cooperative.
According to Lolly they ONLY give meds at 8am & 8pm. Now, son#2 gets up around 7 or earlier in the morning & goes to bed around 7:30pm.
So I'm thinking, a) Why can't you give it to him in the afternoon because by 8pm he's in bed?! Who needs to be in a good mood in bed? b)Wouldn't it be easier on HIM (and you) if he gets it before he has a chance to get grumpy? and c) He can NOT be the only kid there that needs meds besides at 8am & 8pm. Personally I think this is their way of being lazy about meds. Now if the Dr. says it doesn't matter WHEN the meds build up in his system, I'll go along with it. But this smells of laziness to me--on the part of the nurses. I mean come on, this IS their job description. There's one for every cottage--what ARE they doing between 8am-8pm???
**They clipped son#2's nails & got one too close that bled for a very long time. They acted shocked he wouldn't let them stop the bleeding. I wasn't.
A few years ago, he found a green bean can in the kitchen trash & cut his finger on it. THAT was something of an ordeal. Scary. It bled for over an hour & we chased him around trying to put pressure on it & see how deep of a cut it was. He finally ended up in our bed where he sat still in the bedding long enough for the bleeding to stop. When we had called the EMT's, they had nothing to offer & didn't even approach him to look at it. They blew us off saying it happens a lot with kids & pop cans. By the time we got to the doctor the next day, it was too late for stitches.
Son#2 reopened the fingernail owie the next day & it bled all over again. Even though there's nothing I could have done, it stinks to not be there when your child hurts. Or bleeds. That weighs on me & stays on my mind awhile. He's a tough, tough kid, but he still gets scared.
**Like they had to put him in a "hold" the other day because he came in from outside (on one of our hotter days) and he'd been on a "Fit Walk" in a t-shirt, sweats & hoodie. He got into his room & couldn't get his clothes off fast enough & stripped down. Which he isn't allowed to do. So he got mad, they ended up taking him down to the ground. For a hold--they put him on his belly & one person lays across his arms& one across the legs & if necessary (if they'll headbutt the floor) they have someone hold their head still. He understandably freaked out. (I freaked out hearing this.) and was scared. They realized quickly (Thank goodness!) that son#2 didn't understand what he was supposed to do or not do, so they released him. A worker figured out it was too hot in the cottage & to him and they took care of getting him cooled down.
I had told them in the five hour check-in process the day he came, HE DOES NOT LIKE TO GET TOO HOT. It turns him into the Hulk. I think he gets this from me. And his "Hunger Monster" as Hubbo calls it.
**The other night I called SIX times. The calls are supposed to be kept between 6:30pm to 8pm. Well I called at 6:30--he was in the shower would I call back in ten minutes. Sure--I called back in 15 minutes.
"Ms. S, he's getting dressed, will you call back in ten minutes?"
Sure---called back in 15 minutes---no answer.
Called right back in case they couldn't get to the phone...no answer. Called in ten minutes, no answer. Waited five minutes, called again--no answer.
I stopped by 8pm because I knew he was in bed. THIS is what is frustrating. I can no longer get as many verbal updates from the actual people that take care of him, but when I do call to hear his voice, they don't pick up.
** We did meet son#2's teacher---he seems like a good egg. And he again mentioned our son's lack of focus. Which I told him, has been in the last 3 yrs. He used to have much more attention to things. But he is able to make him work for M&M's sometimes. Which is pretty much the only motivational leverage they all have. But always nice to meet somebody & be on the same page.
**When we visited last Friday night with son#2, we didn't get to see much of him. The therapy session didn't include him. But we did get several things taken care of with Lolly that we needed straightened out. However, we had an hour/half to visit with him afterwards. It can only be done in the cafeteria though. Which was NOT clean. The floor was a mine field of food. And son#2 saw we were there for dinner#2.
With no focus he paces around & doesn't want to sit & play with us. Not that there's much place to play, just tables/chairs. What we noticed were other families coming in & bringing laptops, dvd players and toys/snacks to entertain the kids for the hour and a half. We ended up with son#2 bored & wanting to walk/pace outside in the cold & then going to his cottage early. He knew it was time for snack/movie. But he doesn't get that we can't come in there with him. Very difficult to give up extra time with him, but we are learning.
We go visit this Wednesday the 23rd---and the brothers are going with us. We'll have therapy & then take him out to lunch. He doesn't get to come home for Thanksgiving.
And Christmas is still up in the air. I'm just hoping he's not too bored over the Thanksgiving weekend. I worry the most on the weekends because the staff seems less attentive & like they just don't keep them entertained as well.
So if you're the praying sort, I'd ask you pray for his care givers/staff---that they have patience, love & kindness towards him.
Pray Carson isn't bored, lonely or scared. And that he cooperates & is patient with his workers.
Pray the new "focus med" works & soon. Pray for us here at home that will miss that part of our family over the holiday weekend.
Thank you for caring. Really.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Halloween
Halloween was entirely too long this year. It needs to just forever be on a weekend night & be done with it. I'm too old to chase kids & do party stuff for days on end! What is this, college?! Don't they know my metabolism is not in the 20 yr old category anymore? And right on the heels of Red Ribbon week where each kid is wearing different from the other, every day of the ding dong week.
That said, the Fall Festival at church was great. HUGE turnout this year and what a lot of energy from the church members. I was completely impressed. I think it was a great outreach because I saw as many strangers as people I recognized. Son#3 had a friend come and they played till they dropped. While son#1 has impressed me with his completely normal (yet still literal) teenagery behavior. I went over to him to see if he was having a good time & he said:
"Please don't talk to me. I don't want to stand with you." *Sigh!* Yep, he's 13.
Halloween night was a bit sad for me, I felt a piece of our family puzzle was missing & it just wasn't as fun for me. But son#1 went as Darth Vader while son#2 went as a Jedi from the Light side of the Force.
They really enjoyed all parts of Halloween and son#1 even brought his own theme music around with him. *sigh!* That was a nice surprise Hubbo discovered when the first door opened. He did get compliments & we all probably secretly want our own theme music to play as we walk down the street.
*Note to self, back off the pumping up of his self-esteem.
Hubbo took them around the neighborhood Trick-Or-Treating while I stayed in (I lost my voice & have a sinus infection.)and called son#2 at Camelot.
Son#2 got to do Trunk or Treat at one of the director's church down the road. I believe it was the Holiness Tabernacle Baptist church so there may have possibly been some extra "ghosts" around.
For his costume Lolly said that they made t-shirts for the kids according to their personality.
One boy who likes to rip his shirts off (watched wrestling too much I imagine) got a green t-shirt that said: HULK.
Son#2 LOVES to sniff things. Lotion, soap, cleaner, etc. And heaven forbid you're chewing gum, put on smelly chapstick, have a mint in your mouth or his fav--just drank some coffee.
He has no personal space issues with takin' a big ol' whiff of your breath.
So his t-shirt they made said "Scratch & Sniff".
I miss that kid.
Thank goodness we don't have to dress up or do anything but EAT for the next holiday.
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