You Make Me Proud

Samantha,

I love you so much.  And you are doing so well.  You are making it through your second full day at Now I Can and you are taking it like a champ.  Yes, you yell and cry at times.  But right after, you are so smiley and it makes everyone here so happy.  I love seeing your progress.  You are already standing taller and straighter.  Imagine what things will be like for you if you can just understand how to stand better.  Your world will be more accessible for you.  You will realize that walking correctly is actually easier...you always do try to make things more difficult than they need to be don't you?  Well, let's work on that ok?

You're a rock star.  Just thought you should know.
Love you,
Mommy

Off to Utah

I can't believe the time is here.  We've been talking about it for so long, and now it's time to go to Utah for Sammy's therapy.  Now I Can.  It seems a little surreal.  I told my sister it reminds me of having a baby.  You talk about it and talk about it and then one day you think "Woa!  I'm having a baby next week!"  Sure, I'm not going to be having a baby, but there's so much rushing around I'm doing and the final preparations...

I'm not sure what to expect.  But I expect a lot.  Not from Sammy.  Or even from Now I Can to tell you the truth.  But I do expect it to be a good experience for our family. 

I'll be posting on this and our family blog -- probably more detailed stuff on our family blog since I'm not doing so hot on keeping this one up.  In fact...I may stop doing this blog and combine it all on one blog.  Not sure yet anymore...that's for another day though.

Until then...Now I Can is what we'll be doing the next few weeks.  Wish us luck.

First Day of Kindergarten

It's so weird to think that Sammy is FIVE and in Kindergarten.  I just can't seem to believe it.  From all reports, she is doing very well adjusting to the all-day schedule.  She is happy and transitions well (which, luckily, has always been the case). 

Just recently I had a phone conversation with her teacher, who I absolutely love, and she informed me that Samantha is starting to mimic more and more.  Everyday she reads them the same book.  Mrs. Boyer said that Sammy gets excited when she pulls out the book.  And then, there are a few parts where a bus driver (in the book) yells, 'NO.'  Well, guess who does it too?  SAMMY.  That's right.  Sammy enthusiastically yells out "NO" when they get to that part in the book.  And finally, at the very end, the bus driver says "YES" and Sammy repeats "YEAH" every time.  Now, that just about made my heart melt.  It may seem like a little thing, but it's a big 'ole deal to me.  As a side note: I'm so happy we have Laura for a teacher.  I knew they were hiring a new teacher.  At our last IEP, the principal told me they weren't sure who the new teacher would be, but she was hoping for one that 3 other schools wanted.  Well, we got her!  She has 30 years experience, knows about the program we're doing at home with Sammy, and is all-around fantastic.  She knows her stuff...is 'old school' good.  What do I mean by that?  She has a ton of experience, believes in what she does, and as new stuff comes out, she's all about adjusting and adding it to her classroom.  It's all for the benefit of her kids.  I love her.  I made it very clear that I wanted Sammy to stay at her school, and I'm so glad it worked out that way (she could have been moved to another school). 

Callie waiting with Samantha for the bus.

All smiles.

It should be easier to get a good picture.  Oh well.  At least there aren't any tears, right?

Here comes our door-to-door service!  We LOVE our bus driver this year.  Dee is incredible.  She's already become a friend and I'm sure she'll be added to our family by the end of the year.  I love love love this woman.  It's also really nice that Sammy gets picked up last this year.  Her bus time is only 1/2 hour later, but it makes a huge difference for me in the morning.  Less rushing, more enjoying.