Welcome to OUR World!: October 2009

Monday, October 26, 2009

Zoo Fieldtrip October 21, 2009

We had a blast at the zoo. Unfortunately I dont have many pictures of Sean, I was with Lexis class this time. But we did get to have lunch with him. Anyway, I thought that I would share a few photos. Hope you all have a GREAT week.
We are trying to get over being sick. Gotta love this time of year.

MISS BOND
Lexis Teacher

MRS. TENGEI
Seans Teacher

MISS BONDS CLASS

OUR GROUP
5 VERY active, but VERY sweet girls

THE ELEPHANTS
It took the girls awhile to get the Elephant to turn around and then the friend to come visit, but they were persistent. They were not going to leave til we saw the front of that thing..... LOL!

THE ORANGUTANS
The girls got a kick out of watching the baby, She would swing from that box alot trying to get the lettuce out. And then she would hide under her blanket and wander around up and down the ladder tangled in the blanket. Then she would come out and attack the poor Grandma that was hiding under the structure, and Grandma would fight back she didnt put up with that babies crap.... LOL ..... All the while Mom sat up under her leaf enjoying the view and probably laughing inside. It was hilarious to watch. Typical 3 year old toddler, pain in the tush.... LOL!

THE SPIDER MONKEYS
They were a hit as always, its always cool to get to go in their cage and be surrounded by them up close and personal..... And they were much more active then we are used to (it was feeding time) so it was even more cool.

THE FLAMINGOS
Lexi says they are pink because they eat allot of pink shrimp, but she couldnt find the shrimp in their habitat : )

THE ZEBRAS
Question of the Day: Are they black with white stripes or white with black stripes?
Lexi says both and neither, they are just stripey : ) Gotta love her and her logic : )

POSING WITH THE CAMEL

THE SAFARI TRAIN RIDE
Not sure what was up with her facial expression, she loved the train.

LUNCH WITH SEAN
He was So excited to find us and couldnt stop talking about everything that he had seen and done. It was GREAT to see him so excited about learning.

THE TURTLES
The girls thought it was funny that they kept trying to climb up the hill to nibble thier fingers and it was even funnier that they had algea growing on thier backs.

THE PETTING ZOO (GOATS)
Those poor goats didnt know what hit them. They just wanted to sleep and stay out of the sun and they had a bunch of CRAZY kids coming at them with brushes. They really did tolerate it quite well. I dont think I have ever seen so many preggo goats in my life though. Even the kids figured out why they were so fluffy (as Lexi put it)!

THE BUS RIDE HOME
We were HOT and TIRED but had a BLAST!!!

We saw a WHOLE lot more, but thats all that was caught on film. Hope you enjoyed the pics as much as we enjoyed the fun. Loves to you ALL!!!!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Time Out for Women.....

Ok SO I have to admit that I went into this with an incredibly bad attitude. I was excited when I was first invited, who wouldnt be, getting to hear John Bytheway and Kenneth Cope in person all in one weekend, Woah! But things happen and circumstances change and my heart wasnt in it that evening. I tried to mask it but I am sure that somewhere deep inside someone around me knew that I was there in body but not in mind and spirit. My mind and heart were elsewhere. I had a friend that was hurting and I would have rather been with her, but I had made a commitment and promise and I was following through with it. I am SO glad that I did. Despite the few distractions I had Friday night I was able to still keep my friend in my mind, heart and silent prayers and enjoy the uplifting spirit and beautiful music that was shared this weekend. It was AMAZING, it was funny and there were great stories of people who have come through adversity with the help of the savior. I was also afraid to go because I have been struggling with my faith the last few months and have just been having a rough time in general on a spiritual (and religious) level and I hate going to conferences where it is nothing but preachy; this was SO far from that. It was all about turning to God for comfort but nothing about Mormonism or religion in general. It was GREAT. I enjoyed every moment of it.

Thanks to my mom and dad for providing the tickets and inviting me to go, thanks to Karen for the ride, Thanks to Tami for arranging the hotel, Thanks to my wonderful Eternal Companion for taking care of the house and the kids so that I was able to take some time away, and thanks to my "friend" (you know who you are) for understanding why I couldnt be there in person, but know that I was there every minute with you in spirit sharing my love and hugging you soul to soul. Love ya girl.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Presenters: Brad and Debi Wilcox, Jenny Oaks Baker (Music), John Bytheway and a Teaser from Kenneth Cope

WAITING FOR THE DAY 2 FESTIVITIES TO START

Notice the bags, thats what comes from waking up at 4:30am, Thanks mom you know you will never live that down. We take a Time Out and you wake us up at 4:30 in the morning geez girl, I should send you to your room for a time out.... LOL!!! You know we love you : )

SATURDAY PRESENTERS GROUP

THE MC: Cant Remember her name, but she was hilarious

SATURDAY MORNING
Presenters: Kenneth Cope (Music), Emily Watts and Emily Freeman

LUNCH BREAK AT FRONT ROW
The view was AMAZING and the food was GREAT, we lucked out BIG time!!!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Presenters: Wendy Ulrich, Kenneth Cope (Music, again :) ), and Kris Belcher

Thanks to ALL who helped to make this weekend possible, it was GREAT!!!

More About Us.....

Sean is doing AMAZINGLY well (considering), If you missed the last couple updates Sean has been diagnosed with Aspergers (High Functioning Autism). It was a tough road to get to that end result, but we are picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off and moving on in the direction that is best for the little man. Always making sure that the end result will be in his best interest.

Sean was able to be a part of a program this last couple years that has helped immensely with his sensory needs, coping mechanisms, language helps and keeping him on track educationally without the chaos of a "normal" classroom getting in the way. He made so many friends, friends that understand him and his quirks and LOVE him despite them. He was finally able to see that there are people out there like him and he is not alone in the world. We were SO blessed to have that oppurtunity. After a couple months of waiting for the new school year and homeschooling he is back in the program at a new campus and loving it (Pieceful Solutions) they are a God send for us. This next school year they are going private BUT due to a scholarship program offered by the state we are able to continue him in this amazing program AND their new campus is right around the corner from us. Couldnt be happier for them or for our little man. New adventures on the horizon. SO exciting! Check back to see how our Aspie survives the new school year at his new campus!!!

Lexi has had a rough school year last year BUT she is LOVING her new school and her new teacher, her and her BFF (in Florida) are enjoying being pen pals still. Miles cannot come between them, they are still forever friends and always have each others backs. Its nice for her to have a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen from someone who is her "two peas in a pod" bud and will always get what she is going through. She loves her and misses her terribly, but they are making it through. They are both SO excited (AND so are us moms) that we will be taking a vacation to Florida in July to see them. Its been over a year and we miss them SO much. Cant wait. It will be a great adventure; first trip to Disney World, first flight and reuniting with great friends.

After a couple months of being homeschooled last year (which really turned out to be a great experience for both of us despite the added stress at times) Lexi is very excited about being back in a brick and mortar school. She is enjoying the cheer and dance club as well and chapel time on Fridays. Its been great for her to make new friends. This year has been tough again, ups and downs with friends. BUT she is learning to make it through and cope with the fact that not everyone is nice and kind all the time. She has had a boyfriend this year and they are adorably cute together. This year has not been without its drama, but we are expecting that to be the new norm as the kids get older. If we can just make it day by day, step by step we will make it through. Keep checking back for updates on her going ons at school and with her friends.

For both kids this new school year is a BIG change and an oppurtunity for them to grown in their own ways, It has been good for them to have much different experiences and growths. As much as they grow apart in some ways they are growing closer in others. Its been a struggle, but a good life lesson for Sean to be attending Lexis class for some parts of the day. Its good to watch her friends reach out to him, and to hear her want to stand up for him with the couple kids that dont understand him. Hopefully this trend will continue and they will remain close. As much as they get on each others nerves, they both know they have each others backs. We have made it through most of the year and in one peice, thats progress in and of itself =) Hoping this will continue next year as Lexi moves onto her Middle School Campus and Sean moves onto his new campus. This will be the biggest change ever for them, Two totally different schools, new adventures around the corner.

Brandon has been working hard and traveling ALOT (still, some things never change). We have been VERY blessed that he has been able to keep steady work this last couple years or so with the economy the way that it is. And we are hoping that it just stays that way. He is looking forward to our vacation this summer and a break from work. He is getting close to burn out but hanging in there. He is AMAZING and we appreciate the hard work that he does for our family. We love him dearly and miss him like crazy!

As for me: I have been enjoying just being a mom and having the oppurtunity to help my kids learn and grow this last year or so. I was blessed with the oppurtunity to give them all of me and everything they needed this last year. And they blessed me right back with a few lessons I needed to get out of life on perserverance and endurance. I love those guys to peices; and none of it would have been possible without the hard work of my loving husband. He is amazing, and although things arent always perfect between us he never gives up and always fights hard to provide us with everything we need. I love him more than words can describe.

I am looking forward to this school year and being able to take a more stand off approach. Still being involved but seeing how much they can flourish on their own. Still being there to help them with homework and attend their fieldtrips and events. Still helping occasionally in the class, but allowing them space to thrive. The stand off approach has been good for all of us, they are settling into that well. They know I am around when they need me but they are becoming much more independent. Love those little monkies!