Avery’s second IEP meeting

I know a lot of you are eager to find out how Avery’s second IEP meeting went that we had on Monday of this week.  I can honestly say it went a lot better then the first one. We all agreed to Avery starting K4 in the morning next year and then after that she will go into a kindergarten class for the rest of the day with two pull out periods of resource time for 40 minutes each at her home school where her sisters will be at. I did not get an aide/shadow for next year as of right now. we are going to see how it goes..Part of me just wants one in place bc she will need one later but as of right now there is two teachers in the class and so they think she wont need one. and I am afraid that Avery would be glued to her/his side too and become dependent on them. This way she has the independence. We added a few more goals that I wanted and now we just have to figure out all the pull out periods and stuff like that.
Sadly they were completely different I think bc I had an advocate with me. I asked for the notes again at the end of the meeting and they tried to not give them to me but my advocate wasn’t having it. so I got a copy of them. Im not sure the kindergarten teacher really realizes that she was at a IEP meeting and what we set for her is what she NEEDS to learn and be taught bc she kept commenting on and showing me stuff that the kids are doing and what she EXPECTS them to know bc this time and so on..and I made one comment about how something was going to have to be accommodated and I swear I could of dropped dead by the look she gave me..so next year might be very interesting. my advocate noticed eye rolling a few times over some things I was saying..and at the end of the meeting when I brought up an aide..everyone made themselves perfectly clear how they really felt..that basically they all feel like I am setting my daughter up for failure and I am going to make her fall between the cracks!
So fast forward a couple of days to the award day..and I ask the principal if there is going to be an all day K4 program bc I was told there was not going to be..and then her teacher told me that there was going to be..and anyways the principal told me that we wont know for sure until the beginning of July but they are going ahead like they are going to have one. So  I said well I think I would like her in K4 all day instead if there is going to be a class..and she said well we can just start it next year the way we have it and can always pull her later and put her in that class if we need too..and I said well I don’t want to start her on one routine and make her learn that one and then a couple weeks later change it up and make her learn a new one..and so then the principal says..well  I want to make sure we are challenging her too…Umm SAY WHAT???? What did you just say??? I think my mouth hit the floor..bc just a couple of weeks ago you wanted to put her in a self contained classroom and then at the beginning of this week you made it clear that I was setting her up for failure by putting her in a general education classroom and now you are worried about challenging her..I think she may be bipolar..not sure…doesn’t make sense to me…so either she is starting to see the light OR she wants to leave her where she is so they can come back and tell me Oh well we tried it and it didn’t work..bc they think she is going to fail..not sure..im still not sure about what I am going to do for next year..I might want to change it again.after this comment..I am thinking all day k5 instead but I want the summer ot think about it…
Oh all the decisions..I need a break..my head needs a break..all of this is exhausting..just plain ole exhausting. So for now I am just going to take a break and think about it all..

Teacher Gifts

Destiny and Brielle picked out what they wanted to make for there teacher’s this year..I had a few ideas pinned to my board on pinterest and then I let them pick it out..and of course they picked out the same thing…but that’s ok..they both did there gift all by themselves..it means more to them and to the teachers so I  just let them do it..There teachers are with them so much of the day during the year and really teach them a lot and just wanted to do something small and show our appreciation to them…
They picked teachers treats..lots of treats in the inside of the jar..and then you glue crayons around the jar..



For the top of it I probably should of added vinyl so it looked a lot better but like I said I really wanted them to do it al by themselves..the reason why they picked orange and purple for there colors is bc both of there teachers are huge Clemson fans and that is there colors..so they even thought of that..:)


This is what I made for Avery’s teachers…I just took a mason jar and bought some dollar store ABC letters..and then put them in the jar..and some some cut flowers (bright ones..I was so excited to find them at Bi-Lo:) and wrapped  a wet paper towel and tin foil around it and then put it in the jar..and tied some ribbon and a little thank you tag..and all set..They have did sooooo much for Avery this year..and I really just wanted to thank them..bc I really appreciate what they have done.they have been awesome..

The back of the jars…they thought they were cute and really liked them..

End of the year awards

So Im going to do a little bragging about my older two bc I can bc its my blog:)  I couldn’t be more prouder of them..they had did an excellent job this past year..
Destiny got the principals A honor roll..for getting all A’s all year (not sure where she gets her smarts from…not me) …she got an excellence in social studies which doesn’t surprise me bc she loves history..For her class award that the rest of her peers in her class voted on “She got the most fashionable.” and the art teacher gave out awards to one in each grade…and as she was describing the student that was about to get the award I am thinking to myself well that isn't Destiny..and then she called Destiny..needless to say I was pretty shocked..apparently she is a different child at school.. She was going on and on about how they are very patient..and if something goes wrong they remain calm and try to help work out a different solution..and so on….she isn't like that at home at all…she is 10 going on 30…so you all can imagine:) But she has really worked hard all year so I am really proud of her…
Getting her classroom awards…


Destiny with her 4th grade teacher..I have to say I am happy how this year turned out..I was super nervous and so was Destiny when she heard she was getting her..but everything worked out

Destiny getting her art award from the art teacher..


Destiny getting her principals honor roll award from the principal..



Brielle also got the principals A honor roll award…and for the one in her class that the teacher gave she got the M & M award..meticulous and magnificent at finishing work and gave her m& m candy..She did it really neat also…each kid got some kind of classroom award that corresponded with a candy..like starburst..bursting personality..and so on..so cute..and she also got Terrific Kid for the last nine weeks..so she got that award in the gym also..she has worked really hard this year too and I am so proud of her..and so glad for summer break so I can have a break in dealing with our mornings..
Brielle going up to get her class room award…

Brielle with her 2nd grade teacher…she is a great teacher..and we love her..I hope the rest of my kids have her too..destiny had her last year for 3rd grade..and then Brielle had her this year..she made a comment..just a simple comment that just melted my heart..she said that she hopes she gets Avery and the twins some day..just the fact that she acknowledged that she wants to get Avery..that’s it..just a simple statement like meant more to me than anything..the other picture is of Brielle getting her principals honor roll award with the principal

Brielle getting her Terrific Kid award…


Did you all notice what the back of the wall in there gym says??? It says ‘Together we can change the world..” the theme of the school…don’t you think that the principal/ teachers should really listen to that motto and apply it to everything????  I mean that is what they are teaching there kids but in reality they cant follow through with it..just sayin’ TOGETHER WE COULD CHANGE THE WORLD..but instead of together..it is I AM GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD>.when it comes to education for Avery at least..lol!

I also noticed that Brielle had a writing piece of her’s displayed in the front of the school..there was a wall with about 5 writing pieces from 5 different kids..so of course I had to take a picture of hers:)

Today is a GREAT day!!!

Today is a GREAT day for us…it is the start of summer for us…and also Avery got her cast off today!!Woohoo!!!  When I picked the girls up from school today..that was the first thing they asked..and when i said yes..that she got it off..they were so excited..i think they may of been a little bit more excited then me..or Avery..it was really cute..
Avery went to the dr early this morning to see if the cast can come off..Can you believe it has been two months already??? and the x-rays all looked good and the dr said that we can take it off..and that is what we did..we took the cast off in the dr room..and Avery sits up and scoots to the end of the table and looks at the floor and then looks back up at me and then looks back at the floor and then looks back at me..and  I gave her the go ahead and she jumped off and walked to the chair..she was so excited..she walks still with a little bit of a wobble but that will eventually go away..but she walks and that is all that matters. Afterwards I asked her if she wanted to put the cast back on and she quickly told me “NO”!!! The dr said that we will give it a month to see how it does and then if she is still wobbling or seems really weak then we will start PT (physical therapy) but otherwise we don’t have to…Can I get a WOOOOHOOO!!!!  One less therapy we have to do this summer..we still are doing OT (occupational therapy) and ST (speech therapy) once a week but they come to the house so it isnt so bad. She still has to sleep in her cast but that’s ok…we don’t care..at least for another month they figure..
Here’s a video of her walking coming out of the dr. office..

Whew… I never thought we would see the end but we made it!!
Today was also the start of summer for us..and we couldn’t be more excited..I am so excited to be done with school this year. I have a 5th grader, 3rd grader, and a Kindergartner..wow that seems crazy..we went to the park with a pizza for our celebration..and I think we are going to roast hotdogs and marshmallows tonight too…
Over the summer I am going to be working Avery..I got a reading program called ereadingpro that I am going to start and also got the workbook and teachers manual for handwriting without tears so I am going to be working with that on her..

Avery’s K4 Program

Today was Avery’s K4 program…She was kind of limited for the song that they did bc of her cast..bc she knows that song and loves to do it..but she didn’t really practice with them at all so she really didn’t know what was going on..so for the most part she did pretty good I think:)

Destiny’s Spring Piano Recital

This past Saturday was Destiny’s piano recital…So the first video was her playing the two songs…The first song was Galloping Ponies..and the second one was Fur Elise…I was nervous for her..I was probably more nervous then she was and I wasn’t even playing..it took me back to about 20 years ago..when I was sitting there waiting to do my piano recital..boy did I hate that..but I never stuck with it.and Destiny has and she has a real talent that God has blessed her with..it just comes naturally to this girl..and she plays so beautiful….especially when no one is watching her..and she just lets it go…she does way better..the first one she did mess up on but I think it was her nerves that got the best of her..

The second video she is playing her favorite..they have a “Our Favorites” section of the recital where they get to pick a favorite..just one they they really love and enjoy playing where you don’t really pay attention to anything and just play..and she picked The Hokey Pokey..and she did way better in this one..but I love to see how far she has come over time..

This summer Brielle is going to start piano lessons too..she really wants to so we will see If she has the music ability in her..I don’t know if she will stick with it but we will see..Destiny has been so determined to play songs from our church book so she practices all the time  bc she knows that it just doesn’t come over night..but I think we are almost there..and she is excited about that..she played one song out of and plays it over and over and over now..but its ok..we are all used to it by now:)

p.s. I had Avery’s second IEP meeting today..hopefully I can update all of you on that later this week.

Avery-almost 2 month marker in Spica Cast

Its been awhile since I have mentioned anything on how Avery was doing medically..She is doing awesome actually..but it has taken us awhile to get to that point..but we are here...so that is good..Last Monday she started to be mobile….about a month and half after her surgery…she was done..she was sick of sitting on the couch and wanted to go play in her toy room.
So that is what she did..she got off the couch and started walking..I of course panicked  and told her she couldn’t do it..I called her dr in Boston and asked him if it was ok for her to bear weight on her leg and walk around and stuff like she was doing..and he told me that as long as she kept her cast on..that it was fine..he actually said that he expected her to..so I then told her she can do go where ever she wanted too..and that was it…
here is a video of her first trying to walk…

So this was her first day she was mobile..she rode the bike all around..and then I went to go take a shower and found her like this..standing in front of her kitchen..just playing away..and so happy..

and this was later in the day..can you tell she had fun looking at all the books…she loves to look at books..

This is a video of her riding her bike..I wanted to capture it on video so I remembered how she did it

We have been giving her a bath in the bathtub..we have been doing that since one month post surgery..and she loves it..she will stay in there until her water is freezing..she just lays down and hangs out there and plays with her Barbie's..
The last week she has gotten lots better at walking around..in fact she thinks she can do anything..and was reminded today that she cant quite do everything..I was in another room and I heard a crash..well apparently she was standing in front of this bookcase on a little chair and must of lost her balance and fell…poor girl was heartbroken..
Here is video of her walking really good.she is cruising...this girl is CRAZY…but one strong determined little girl… (the piano playing in the beginning is destiny btw)

Avery walking pretty good with her spica cast on

She even tried to ride her big bike tonight but it didn’t work..so all sudden you hear her yelling La-la..and points to her handlebar..and sure enough La-la knew exactly what to do…She pulled her for a ride..:)

Well the 20th of this month will be her two month marker and I cant wait..but we don’t go back to the dr until the 24th so we cant take the cast of until we go back so they can x-ray it..and make sure everything is good..and the bone is completely healed the way it is suppose to be..we did do a one month x-ray and it showed that it was healing good. So hopefully it is good!
I was so worried how she was going to do after we took the cast of and wondered if she would have to relearn to walk and everything..but really I think this girl is strong and she surprises me every time! It might still be a little weak with the cast off though so she might not walk for awhile but I don’t think it is going to be for very long. We will just have to wait and see if she will need PT after wards or not..but I'm thinking she will for awhile..just to build strength back up in her hip..
Recap of the last two months with the cast on..well it has been hard. The days dragged by..and one weeks seemed like a month..well almost but you get the picture..I never left during the day unless it was to a dr appointment..bc it was impossible....physically..my back is shot..since she is walking now I let her walk everywhere..to save my back..we only had one incident where it was MAJOR..she had diarrhea and it went everywhere in the back of the cast..It was soooo gross!!!  It was so hard to clean it up too..but we got it cleaned up..after many hours of scrubbing..and the next day she woke up with a rash..so I think the baking soda was to hard on her skin..I had sprinkled baking soda in the cast while I was scrubbing to absorb the odor..ha..by now you should smell it..it smells like roses;) but the next day the inside of her cast was all starchy and so I spent at least three hours blow drying the cast dry with cold/hot air.It made me sooooo very thankful that her cast is removable...it was very interesting..very.very...take my word for it..but we survived.actually we have survived through all of this..am I looking forward to doing the other side any time soon NO…NO..NO..NO..but in 6 months we will repeat it bc WE HAVE TO!!!  So many people ask me if I am going to do the other side..I really don’t have a choice in the matter..WE DO HAVE TO! and to be smart and save us money in the long run we need to get it done before the end of the year..This surgery has made us met our out of pocket  expense..insurance wise.So to save us money  if we do the other one before the end of the year..then we shouldn’t have to pay anything else..bc the first one we are thinking is going to be around $8,000 just for medical part but we still don’t know bc we only get estimates of what we are going to have to pay and not the bills yet.but I know they are coming...We have already spent $1,000 almost when we were up there for the surgery..just in eating and taxi cab fares and our lodging...and around $500 for the first time that just Avery and I went up there in airline and hotel..and food...it’s a good thing we shouldn’t have to go back up to Boston until the other surgery..that is the plan anyways..to just go back up there to do the other surgery..and at that time they will take the screws out of the side we just did..and then we will have to go back up there one more time 6 months to one year later for them to take the screws out of the other side..and then we are hopefully good and don’t have to go back up there and her dr her can just follow her..but we will just wait and see..
We belong to an amazing body of Christ..and we have received so much love and support from them..I am just humbled by everyone’s generosity. To EVERYONE that has prayed, brought us a meal, donated to Avery’s fund, just showed love to us all..we can not thank you enough…All of your prayers are what brought us through this tough storm in our life. But God is so good and he has PROVIDED everything when we have needed it..and he has shown me over and over again that he is in control and is taking care of Avery. May God bless each and everyone of you. To God be the Glory!
Avery would also like to Thank you!!!!

Happy Mothers Day!!

Did you all have a wonderful day??? I sure hope so!!
I woke up to breakfast in bed…eggs, toast, oatmeal, and juice..compliments of Destiny..she made it herself..and I walked downstairs fully expecting my kitchen to be a mess and it was spotless:) so that was really nice..
My gifts from the girls…

They had there dad take them to the store to get a bottle of hand sanitizer and a bottle of hand lotion..and then they made the labels for them..Brielle did the Happy Mothers Day one..and Destiny did the Mom one..she made it look like a definition from a dictionary. The paper they made themselves too..they used bubbles and died them red and then put it all over the paper..They are pretty creative!! Here is a close up of the paper.. and then Brielle wrote me a letter too…Jared also planted me some blueberry bushes for mothers day too..so I hope I get some blueberries off of them this season:)

We went to church and then stopped by the grocery store so Jared and the girls could pick up something to make for lunch…They did such a great job..Brielle set the table all nicely..paying lots of attention to details..For my coasters..I have picture coasters..and you can put a picture in them..and I have a picture of each of my girls in each one..anyways she used them and put them in the correct place..so Avery’s coaster was in Avery’s spot and so on…she even put out a bowl of ice..even though the soda was already cold..lol..but set the table all nicely with the silverware too..it’s a special occasion don’t ya know??!!

But finally we got grilled steak and potatoes..and all I had to do was sit down and eat..Awww…that was so nice..I didn’t have to dish any kid up..cut any meat up…get up a trillion times and get something..I actually got to eat my food..HOT…it was really good HOT..I might have to try that more often..hehehe!
After dinner we had a nice relaxing day at home..we were going to go to Strawberry Hill (to get some good strawberries) but the babies were too cranky so we stayed home and put them down for a nap..and just relaxed..
I have always tried to take my picture with each of my girls on there own for awhile now..not necessarily on Mothers Day but at least once a year..bc someday they will really treasure that..and we are never promised tomorrow..so what if the unthinkable happened and I was gone…I want them to have a picture of just me and them..with no one else so they can treasure that for ever..and  even though I am not gone..they still treasure it..bc they ask if they can get copies of that picture of just me and them..so I knew it had been awhile so I snapped a few pictures of each kid with me..
Me and Brielle(8)

I surprised her with a kiss too!!!:)

Whats up with wiping it off Brielle?? hehe!

Me and Destiny (10)

This picture makes me sad…look how big she looks on my lap..someday she will not want to sit on my lap..it will be uncool..but right now..I'm going to just savor the moment that she did want to..

BUT she didn’t want a kiss



and of course she seen her sisters..do the exact same thing..so she has to do it too..little stinker!!

What happens when you leave your camera unattended while you go inside to get the twins..W—E—L—L you can see for yourself..ha!


Can you guess which one is which????  Just in case you cant..;) Jianna is on the left, and Jayla is on the right..

Me and Jianna (2.5)

Me and Jayla(2.5)

I am truly blessed!! God has blessed me with five wonderful girls..

I hope you all had a wonderful Mothers day..It sure is nice to have a break and just be pampered all day..I enjoyed it..Here is a picture with my grandma and my mom that we took when I went home in December..Happy Mothers Day Mom and Grandma!!  love you both!

Happy Mothers Day to all my mommy friends and family!