a different normal

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

My Prayer For This School Year

In two mornings, I will be walking Emma into a new classroom, the emotions that I am feeling are out of control. It is such a mixed bag when you are a special needs parent. I know how much Emma loves school, misses having that structure and longs to be surrounded by lots of friends. But.....

I fear so many things as the new school year rapidly. Will her parapro be good and take good care of her, will she get hurt (has happened), will her IEP be put into place and work this year, will her new teacher understand her unique needs and be able to reach her, will her new teacher communicate well with me, since Emma cant always, and so on and so on. Yes I know I worry too much, but it is who I am:) I am working on it and praying about it.

But this school year I am trying to worry about all of that less and pray instead. My prayer this year is:

Dear Farther,
Please watch over my sweet Rosie as she goes back to school. School is not always so easy for her, but she loves it so much. Please help her mind to be open to new skills, her hearing aids tuned to learn, and her voice full of love and respect. I pray that you align special friends near her, who will love her for who she is and protect her from those who may not treat her so nicely. I pray you protect her heart from the pain other's may cause when they are unkind to her and leave her behind because she is not as fast or able to climb like them. You know how she loves all and does not understand those who are unkind. Protect and guide her during this new adventure dear Lord. Give me the peace to leave her and trust in you.

Amen

I am trying, but still afraid. But our uniforms are hung, almost all her supplies bought and her backpack is waiting. Ready or not Thursday will be here soon.. till then I get one more day of Summer love!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Is Summer really almost over

Emma starts first grade in four days, could that really be true? Summer for my school district is really short. They are on a modified year around schedule so we only get two months off for summer. It is good in a few ways but it is hard to believe days of swimming and late nights catching fireflies are already over. Wow!

It has been an amazing summer! I have tried hard to focus on the kids and making great memories. We have done so much and I will try to do a summer bucket list post very soon! I have a temporary desktop so I can do a little more blogging now. yippee!!

So for the next three days, I will be trying hard to fill it with as much summer fun as I can and then I will walk my baby girl down a new hallway at school and start a new adventure. I will discuss the terror a new school year places in me later:) Tonight, I will just go to bed and wake up to a few more fun filled days of summer and the nice thing is it is in the mid 80's around here right now and it will be a great week to play outdoors!

Summer fun!!!

Monday, July 8, 2013

not gone, just broken

Sorry to not have posted in over a month! A lot is going on in our life, and I cant wait to share it all, but my desktop died the day before our beach vacation and it is hard to type a post on a tiny phone keyboard! I hope to be back in business soon! Hoping you are having a fun and adventure filled summer!

The Zook's

Sunday, May 19, 2013

All the World's A Stage........

and Emma wants to be in the spotlight!

The last three days have been full of Emma doing what she loves best, being on stage. Friday night her afterschool music class was part of the Music Showcase, Saturday was her major Ballet Recital, and today at church her Sunday School class said all 11 Bible verses they learned this year. It has been a busy few days full of practices, spotlights and glitter:) I loved being backstage with her for all of it! I love being a backstage mom!

Emma loves being on stage! If you could just see her grins and excitment. I truly think I will see her on Broadway someday. Enjoy some cute photos of the past two days. I have not downloaded the ones from church today however, sorry I am a tired backstage mom.

Here is Friday Night's Music show! She was part of a really cute jungle type dance. It was so cute, and she knew the dance and song very well!

Her awesome Music teacher who gives of her time to teach the new generation to love music and dance. She lead a very talented bunch of kids k-4th grade in a great show.

Saturday was her big dance day! This is the best day of the year for her. She loves the costumes, the makeup and getting her hair done in a bun. (which takes tons of cheap hair gel, water, hairspray and bobby pins!)

Jazz outfit!

Very serious backstage watching a movie between dances!

Ballet

Daddy sneaked backstage to get ready for his number.

Ready for the sweetest moment ever, the father/daughter number. I had not gotten to see anypart of this, and let me tell you...yes I cried a little. It was so sweet! Cant wait to get the video and watch it again and again. Thanks Honey for doing it with her. It was her favorite part of the show. A memory to never be forgotten for sure.

The three amigos, these two girls with Emma are my friends Jessica's girls, and we love doing life with them. We were the backstage mom's for the girls groups and loved it!!

On stage getting her medal!

My Star!

Part of her fan club! Friends from our church who came to watch her! And loved it despite the wait, the heat and the long show. Thanks West Family!

Another fan from church, blessed with a great church support. Alisa you rock!

Papa's Girl!!!

Nana!!!

Fries, cheese dip and her favorite rice and cheese only tacos! She earned them all!

All in all it has been a long weekend but a very rewarding one. Watching Emma shine on stage is so special to us. Seeing her dance and sing after her struggles to walk and hear, is watching a miracle from God and I thank Him for it. She is an amazing child who teaches me daily to enjoy life and when all else fails shake your booty!

Proud to be her mom and proud to be apart of her world. Look out NY here comes Rosie!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

A great day

My Mother's Day was so good this year. My sweet hubby and kids gave me a really cool windchime, which is what I really wanted and new bubble bath which I was out of. I also got breakfast in bed and cute cards.

We all made it to church and looking cute which was doubtful when Taylor was still running a fever Saturday. Where we were greeted by a photographer taking family photos for all the mom's. We stopped and got a photo snapped, before taking the kids to their church and heading into worhsip ourselves. Church was amazing, my parents were there and Angie Smith (an amazing speaker and writer) was the guest speaker. We were handed red roses as we left church which was really sweet. Emma came running out of the kids area with a card she made with a tea bag in it.

It was all amazing! After church we took my mom to get her rose bush for her gift. Just an FYI my church is nextdoor to Home Depot:) Then, my mom, my sister, and my sister in law meet for a yummy brunch. No kids and no cooking for us four ladies! We had a great great time! After, mom and me went shopping for our first beach trip as a family that is coming up! More on that next week.

That afternoon, my sweet family of four headed to the Zook's get together and Daniel's sister house. We had yummy food and celebrated two birthdays and the moms in the room! I ended my day with a long bubble bath with a great book. I would say it was a perfect day, family, fun, laughter and praising God!