School is underway...

First week of school. No pictures because blogspot is being wonky.

 

My two preschoolers are doing fantastic.  They both love their class and teachers.  Reese has loved waking up to me telling her it's time to get ready for school.  I have never seen a kid so excited about school!  The girl is so smart.  She has her letter names, sounds, and signs down flat.  M. has a friend he has been talking about all week.  Apparently, a little girl has dubbed M. as her boyfriend.  Don't know how I feel about that...  ;)  More about M. at the bottom... 

 

My kindergartner had the toughest transition but is now happy and adjusted.  He loves school.  He just didn't love saying goodbye to Mommy that first week.  C is doing a dual language program, so his kindergarten year is 90% Spanish.  And, he is loving all the Spanish.  Language (foreign, sign language, secret spy language, you name it!) is something he's always had a strong interest in, so I am thankful we have this opportunity to participate in a program that is so perfect for him.

 

My big little first grader is so excited each morning to head to school.  Her Special Olympics physical exam is waiting to be signed by her doctor.  I can't believe my baby is old enough to start participating in Special Olympics.  She is such a celebrity at her school.  Whenever we go out in our neighborhood, she is greeted with a "Hi Darah!" by a teacher, student, coach, parent, etc...  I love that she is so loved by so many.

 

And, mama went back to school.  Although, it's really mainly an internship, which feels more like loads of fun, than school!  I will be working a lot of people with autism, behavioral issues in conjunction with speech/language issues, and several adults who have Down syndrome.  I like that I'll have some variety in my caseload and also like that I'll get some experience in behavior issues and how to address those and still provide speech and language therapy. 

We've had such great evenings and weekends as a family lately.  I am loving this season with them all.  We are praying hard that we will be able to adopt M.  He is doing so well and is so secure in our family.  The transition we've seen from when we first met him to now is night and day.  He was soooooo timid and scared when he first met us.  He refused to talk to DJ and I and any adult.  He wouldn't cry at all.  Even if he got hurt.  He now has a very healthy range of emotions and cries if he is hurt, but also is comforted by hugs and kisses.  He loves to have conversations with us and is much more comfortable around all adults.  His favorite thing to do with me is snuggle and with Daddy is wrestle.  He spontaneously tells me "I love you, Mommy" which melts my heart.  He asks to stay with us for forever, and it's torture to not say, "OF COURSE!!!"  Please pray about his situation.  There is a decision being made as to whether he will return to the family who lost custody of him in the next few days/weeks/month (the timeline is sketchy when dealing with CPS).  But, things could start rolling soon, and I *think* a 30 day countdown begins tomorrow for them to make their decision regarding his return to this other family.  Please pray for wisdom and that the decision would truly be in M.'s best interest.