Priceless Moments

There are Priceless Moments in Life, moments that will live in our hearts a lifetime!  Many of these moments most people can relate, but some everyone can not.  I got to experience a priceless moment today that I know I will treasure forever, because I didn't think I would ever get to.

Last year, I watched my oldest child, my daughter, walk that wonderful walk at her High School Graduation.  This was a Priceless Moment that many other parents can relate, that moment when we see all their hard work pay off... and all of ours!  A moment we all look back on and reflect on it differently, but treasure because of how special it truly was!

Other moments many parents experience, others envy and don't ever think that they will get to experience... that's life right?!

When my oldest daughter was in elementary school it was breeze.  She was quiet and done pretty well in most subjects.  She struggled with reading a little, got help, and done fine.  She loved school because it wasn't a huge challenge and the teachers loved her because she was quiet, not disruptive,  and cute.  On Awards Days I was always that mom who felt proud when she got her awards each and every year.  They are moments that I will treasure and smile whenever I look back on them as long as I am able to remember.

However, my youngest daughter started school on a completely different, lol!  The 1st day of school she was on RED, which was one step from the Principles office and calling me.  I thought "Oh My Gosh, she's going to be like her dad when it comes to school. I better buckle my seat-belt! LOL".

We held her back in Kindergarten because she wasn't quite ready.   We began to see her struggles with Reading early on, but even with lots of help she was still struggling more than we all thought she should be.  Over the years we have been down a long, and difficult path trying to overcome these struggles with NOT a lot of success.

Last year we had a series of testing and appointments that lasted a good year.  When it was all over the Doctor told me that she had a Learning Disability called Dyslexia, among other stuff.  During our conversation he actually came out and said, "I don't think she will ever be able to read and comprehend more than she can now".  Fist off, it pissed me off that he had the balls to come out and say it so bluntly; but more so I was scared.

Awards Days over the years were different.  I wasn't the same mom I had been with my oldest, I was the one hoping that they would call her name where she'd feel like she done good.  The first couple years she got class certificates, but she never received one on the stage at the ceremony.  It was heartbreaking after a few years pasts because she really did try her best and didn't understand why she couldn't get one too.  As she got older I stopped making her go to school on Awards Day, as I had planned to do today!

She is in 7th grade this year.  She still struggles just as much as she did before, but she still tries just as hard!!  She's had one teacher that has truly pushed her this year out of her comfort zone and her grades & confidence have been up.  Last night, she gives me a pare inviting me to Awards Day because she is getting an Award.  She was excited, as was I.  I asked her what Award she'd be getting, but she didn't know!   :)

So, I re-arranged my schedule a little to be able to attend the event because it was going to be a first, a proud moment for her; and me too.  I thought about it a few times last night and this morning, wondering what the Award was for.  I assumed it would be a citizenship or character award, because she has a huge heart and she is such a helpful kid (at school that is lol). BUT she's excited and that's all that really matters.

Today, I sat watching and celebrating all these wonderful 7th graders success.  Something that many of these kids won't recall when they are my age, I know I don't remember mine. LOL   However, I know all their parents will.

When they called her name, I was proud but I was relived as well.  Who says hard work don't pay off!  I was proud, obviously, for the same reason the other parents were and the same as when my oldest would get an Award; but it was priceless!!

Those of you who know us can truly get what I am saying; and hopefully many of you know and have lived what I am talking about! :)

... Just wanted to share a special moment I had and hopefully bring a smile to your face today.  I hope Life gives you a priceless moment to treasure til the next one comes, memories to store for later days to bring smiles to our faces and love into our hearts!!

A New Me: Learning to Love to Read

Today I stopped at the library with my aunt, she LOVES to read!!  While she searched for her books I was talking to the librarian about my daughter.

She was diagnosed with Dyslexia  last year after many years of struggling in school with reading; however, I believe there is an underlining issue that has not been discovered yet (BUT that's a post for another day).  She just turned 13, going into the 7th grade; yet, she's reading on  a 3rd grade level.  It is heartbreaking to watch the struggle and feel at a total failure in helping your child succeed as you would like.

I asked the librarian about books that would be on her level, age wise, that didn't have such huge words (which leave her feeling defeated).  The books on her reading level are for babies, she says, and get doesn't want to even try.

So, the librarian went on a search to help me...

She returns with this book (The Invention of  Hugo Cabret) that was HUGE, like 500+ pages!!   Really!?  I thought how can I tell her that the size alone will intimidate her, after she went and found something she believes is perfect!  She explained how the book was mostly pictures, a best seller, and good one for kids that struggle with reading.  After glancing through it, she's right, half the book was pictures!!

I don't like to read AT ALL; therefore, I probably don't push my daughter, as hard as I should, to sit down daily and read.  However, in my journey to becoming the New Me I want to be I plan to try harder to find things that will interest her where she learns to love reading as much as my aunt (hopefully).

I came home and searched the book trying to see what tactics I could use to make my daughter interested in reading this HUGE book & I came across the author talking about turning this book into an audio book.  Since the book IS mostly pictures, it was interesting to hear how exciting the process was & the analogy.   Check it out...

Cool, huh!!??  and the pictures... this person is truly talented!!!  ((I love to draw;, therefore, they stood out))

I also came across the trailer for a movie that was created, it looks to be a good movie as well.  Maybe once my daughter and I have completed the book we can see the movie!!!

It's exciting, kinda, the movie preview makes me wonder how the author explained this story in the book.  I'm excited in the hopeful feeling that my daughter will get hooked in the mystery and discover her love of reading.  

I'll let you know how it turns out....

Until then ~ Ginny

To Do: EVERYTHING

Seems like the past few weeks have been nothing but chaos!  Tons of things to do, to pay, and to keep track of for everyone else in my life. I'm the one who seems to get stuck handling it all!! I been so mentally drained lately that it appears to be draining my emotionally & physically as well.  I have heard this can happen!

Being stressed out makes me moody, big time!  I hate being stressed over everyday things and money, and it is really hard (even though I try) not to be stressed over the things that I can't change!  I feel sorry for my family (lol) I can be a real B*#@!

When I seen this picture it summed up my feelings lately of being over whelmed with keeping up with EVERYTHING! (lol)  My to-do-list is pages long.. so, it seems!

My mom is disabled and I take care of EVERYTHING for her, from her medication & doctor appointments to keeping track of blood sugars & what she spends.  It's like keeping track of another household along with my own.  I love her and don't mind taking care of the things that she isn't able to, but some things she could do for herself.

My JOB sucks, mostly because they have been messing with my money, which isn't cool AT ALL!!  A few months ago (July) they shorted my hours (as I explained in a previous post) and it still has not been fixed; and don't appear that it is going to be, unless I go to extreme measures to get it!  Since then I had to work less hours due to their mix-up for a few weeks and them I didn't get paid on time once, where I had to wait over a week to get it straight (10 days)... again, their mix-up!!   All of these mix-ups put me in a financial bind; and now my husbands work has slowed down sooner than it does which makes us depend on my paycheck even more.  I made choices that I now regret due to these financial issues, and all those choices have done is make things 10x more financially stressful on myself!!  Is there ever an end to money stress?!  Ughh

We'll get through it,m we always do... just got to hold onto one another and get by.. that's family, commitment, and love!

My daughters struggles with reading and other things weigh heavy on me.  I feel like it is my fault.  Maybe I didn't help/work with her enough when she was younger or something!  Could have done more?  She has such a hard time accomplishing her school tasks and I feel like a 6th grader all over again tackling hours of homework.  I just wish I could find a way to help her more!  I have searched high & low to find things that will GET HER ATTENTION and TEACH her all at the same time.... it's a struggle!!

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*Love this picture...

When I came across the picture above, I was looking for a cute graphic to share about Stress. Instead, I found this quote...

"If I live everyday the same way I did today, what kind of future would that create?" - Jesse Lear

However, the Blog Post that came with it hit even harder, giving some great advise to relieve stress.  It was targeted toward high school/college kids, but I think it would be great for me too!!  It hit the areas that I have been stressed on...

• Relaxing
• Feeling more relaxed & energetic
• Finances
• mental health
• organization
• and getting myself out there to meet people that I could potentially find a new job with.

All of this in a short, straight forward, and informational post that helped some things click. 

This really hit home today, for me! 

*You can check out the post at  http://www.societyfab.com/#!Hot-Topic-Thursday-Productivity-Hacks/cos2/550724ec0cf27b8ab2973e3a

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Stress can be overwhelming and getting a handle on it is the key.  I know I need to stop worrying about things that are out of my control, but I also gotta work on what I can!

Getting organized is something I really need to work on... So that's where I'll start at... for now!!

Knowing there is HOPE

After an annual meeting to discuss my child's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) at school, I was
left worrying more that my daughter may not be getting everything she needs through school.  She in 6th grade and reading on a 3rd or lower grade level.  Her dyslexia  really plays a huge part of her reading and writing skills.

She is SO smart!!  If we read her the information, she has no problem giving us a detailed correct answer to the questions.  However, if she has to do it on her own she spends SO much time trying to get the words right, that she doesn't get 5% of what she read.

During this meeting I was told how the state doesn't allow them to read information on End-of-Grade Testing and reading aloud couldn't happen as much in the classroom either.  She's in Middle School now and things change, but why is it that the State can't see these kids still need help even though they are older, the diagnosis is the same!!  It is so frustrating to a parent with a child who is struggling!

Her teacher told my to search LD Online (www.ldonline.com) because they have a lot of resources that could help.  I came home and went to the site and it is filled with resources that help educate and give ideas for teachers and parents.

I was Inspired by this video, Michael's Successful Summer, that I found as I searched for new ways to help my child with her Learning Disability.  The little boy (in the 1st video) has Dyslexia & it showed how his teacher in a great summer program was able to help him with decoding.  I wish we had summer programs like this where I live!!

The video's in this series on www.ldonline.com discussed many cases of dyslexia that really helped me have hope that things will get better.  I just need to find ways to her her learn in her own way... Now I just need to figure out what ways that is!! 

Differentiating Instruction

A child with a learning disability can become detracted, lost, or confused when in the classroom.  The curriculum or the definitions can be easier to comprehend by these children/teenagers if they are taught differently.  I came across a great tool for Teachers on how to teach differently in order to engage students with different types of Learning Disabilities .  In the video it discusses different ways of learning for these kids. Teenagers discuss there disabilities (Aspergers, ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum) and how the different strategies have changed their learning/school experience.. making their future brighter!


How are you smart?

Many kids with disabilities are VERY bright; yet, they are labeled as stupid in so many words.  I have seen this with my own child's struggles.  She is SO smart; yet, she has poor grades & there always seems to be a focus on what she can't do instead of what she CAN!

The information I have read and watched has given me hope.  The children/teenagers on the video series above have shown me how these students found better ways for them to learn their way and are inspired for their futures!!

I know there is HOPE that my daughter will eventually like to read, or at least be able to do it enough to get by.  BUT getting by just ain't good enough; so, my search for games and other fun activities that help her learn; and programs to help her .. continues!!

Do you know of any places that could help??