No ESY this week for Brad (And I am not happy about it).

Brad is in extended school year (ESY) for the summer. Because he is special needs, Brad will attend until August 7th, 2014, then school starts back on the 26th or 27th. The family has a Carnival Cruise planned for a few days before school starts back. This should be interesting because I never cruised with children before, let alone sisters, and my nephew. I have done dinner cruises, casino cruises, and big cruises with Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

For the next cruise,  I am contemplating Royal Caribbean again since they won an award for Autism-friendliest. I am also contemplating Norwegian since they depart from Houston, in addition to being a Nick Cruise.

I had no idea he was approved for ESY until the bus driver called the night before with pick up and drop off information. I missed the last ARD/IEP meeting of the year because Kalen had a doctor appointment. Next time, I am checking the reschedule box. His final ARD/IEP arrived a few days before finding out he was approved.

The IEP said ESY was suggested but not approved. Don't get me wrong, I was happy to ship him off for 4 hours a day, 4 days per week, but I don't like surprises.

Brad was very happy to get on the bus. He has had no problems since. Especially with three new medications added to his regimen because of his behavior at his regular school. Brad is still having issues at home, but not at school (and I hope it stays that way). I have been getting good notes home from his teacher.

ESY started a week or two after school ended. Now they are getting a week-long break. which irritates me. I need my 4 hour break. I need a break from Kalen too. I was hoping his school would call as well with approval. Brad needs stability and there is nothing more stable than a special needs classroom. (at least I think lol).

I have no idea what to do with him at all. No Car. No Bus Line. I still have school work to complete. Kalen has a WIC appointment. He has had a lot of meltdowns since Thursday. He had a doctor's appoint the other week. The doctor added tegretol permanently. He had prescribed my favorite, carbemazepine after Brad's last blowout at school.

Brad was allegedly humping the tables and chairs. He also hit teachers, staff, and students. Dr. G also added Hydroxysomething to help Brad sleep since Clonidine doesn't always work. 5 medications and the boy still acts out. Part Autism. Part ADHD. Part Puberty. Part Teenager.  Yay me.


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Sisterhood Magazine Review and Giveaway

I reviewed Sisterhood Magazine. I received the November/December 2013: Faith in the Wait issue

The magazine is written from a Christian perspective, geared towards young girls.

What I liked about the magazine:

• The calendar for November and December, which provides an activity for your teen to do each day. Smile at the wind. Compliment your mom or dad. Hug a parent. Clean your room. Go to church. Read your bible. 
• Page 10 has a description of various charities, looking for volunteers, such as Habitat for Humanity and Compassion International. 
• Page 12 has an article, written by Jennifer Metzger about "learning to praise God no matter what."
• Page 20 has an article on deception and discernment, written by Lauren Stycyznski. 
• Page 41 has an article called "Seasons greetings from Satan, my year in review." The article was very powerful. "Satan" discussed how he is responsible for manipulation, deception, abortion, destruction, death, and how he removing Christ from Christmas. 
• Page 44 has an article called "Postcards from Peru". Kids, who went to Peru, for mission work submitted in their post cards to the magazine. 
• Page 57 has recipes. I loved the mini cranberry sticky buns. 

The magazine is available in print, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Kindle Fire. The magazine arrives bi-monthly. You can save $2 off print subscriptions using code SAVE2. The code expires at midnight.

Giveaway:

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Hot Buttons: Bullying and Image Editions Book Reviews (Kregel Blog Tours)

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links:

I read Hot Buttons Image Edition (Hot Buttons Series) and Hot Buttons Bullying Edition (Hot Buttons Series) by Nicole O'Dell, in exchange for honest review from Kregel Blog Tours. I also have purchased the Dating and Internet Editions a few months ago, through Amazon.

The books are written from a Christian perspective. I wanted to review them because I do have a teen niece and a teenager.

I started out reading the image edition. I struggle
with self-image and self-worth, even as an adult. I started highlighting from page one. O'Dell had wrote "the teens and tweens of today aren't willing to take God's word for it, or for our word for it--after all, what do parents know?" Most teens listen to their peers versus their parents or God. For me, I was a decent teenager until 18. I did not do drugs. I did not have sex. Never seen detention in my life. Did my homework. I was afraid of my grandma, the disciplinarian. My mother left the discipline up to my grandma, which is why her kids turned out so wonderful (insert sarcasm here). My biggest problem was my mouth. I didn't cuss much but I was quick with sarcasm and arguing with folks.

I was (and still is) an outcast. I wasn't popular. I didn't date. I didn't have sex.  I was (and still am) antisocial. I didn't go to football games or dances. I didn't hang out with the "Black folks" (as someone told me). I joined AFJROTC in high school. I read books, wrote poetry, played on the computer, and made decent grades.

I couldn't wait to turn 18 and start living and experiencing the things, I felt I was missing out on. Those developmental and life-learning experiences.

I see the kids today: Having a lot of sex; doing drugs; missing a lot of days out of school; making bad grades. I don't understand it because I never been there (as a teen).

Some of the issues discussed in the Image edition includes weight gain; eating disorders; celebrity influence; and body piercings.

Happy Birthday Brad #itsallspecial

My oldest son turned 13 on Saturday. I never thought I would see this day. God works in mysterious ways. I definitely never expected to have a 13 year old and a 2 year old in the same year. A teen and a terrible two. yay me.

13 years ago, I also never thought I would be mother to a special needs kid as well. Brad has Autism and ADHD. He also has sensory issues, in addition to high cholesterol. Brad was slow in multiple areas. He started walking about 8 to 9 months, but he walked in secret. He did not officially walk in front of others until he was 1.

He also was slow to talk. His first word was mama. This was followed by eat,drink, and daddy. His vocabulary has picked up over the years, but no one knows the full extent since some words, he don't use until they are needed. He still struggles with three and four word sentences. His favorite: I don't want that.

Other words, I was shocked he said:

1. Ketchup
2. Ice cream
3. Close the door
4. Kalen (his brother's name)
5. Eugene (my nephew's name)
6. Ice
7. Egg

Brad also struggles with social skills. He is a loner, like his mama. Every now and then, he will play with his brother or his cousins. 

Brad also struggles with going to the potty. He went from diapers to pull-ups to depends. In the past year or so, I got him to pee in the toilet more, but he still has accidents and he struggles with #2. I also have an additional challenge of the toilet lock. I have a toilet lock because my youngest likes to drop things in the toilet. This year, I have lost two Boost Mobile Innuendo Phones and my iPod. I currently have a Kyocera Hydro because it is waterproof. I also have to replace the iPod, since I need it for school. (Mturking, contests, giveaways, selling stuff on craigslist,etc)

I am looking forward to another 13 years. Brad will be 26 years old and I will be 46 years old. Of course the baby will be 15 years old, I think. An adult and a teenager--that should be fun.

Damn Teenagers

What do you do when you see a teenager doing something stupid? Do you say something, hoping they would change (because they probably wont)? Do you tell their parents? (and they probably won't listen and accuse you of lying, even if you have proof).

Some teenagers today, think they have all the answers, but their solutions are stupid. Don't want to listen. don't want to do their homework. Don't want to go to school. Some want to get high, do drugs, and have lots of sex. but not always fond of the side effects of sex (STDS, KIDS, and EMOTIONS).

i was a good teenager. I went to class. I loved ROTC. i did my homework. never got detention, suspension. no trouble on my academic record. I was an average student, who did not talk to boys, until I was 18, and far far far far away from home. Then the trouble started, but I had my high school diploma. nothing more gratifying than being dressed in an elaborate gown, with a diamond-shaped hat, with tassel, walking across the stage, and being handed a diploma. YIPPEE COW YAH. More kids need to take my educational example. the rest...we leave it at education