Monday, February 21, 2011

When you know...

 ...you did the right thing!

Andrew started preschool in September and by the second week I knew something wasn't right.  When he came home from school and I asked him how his day was he would say fine and nothing else.  I would ask who he played with and he would simply say "No one.  I played by myself."   It brook my heart but inside I knew something wasn't right so I went to his teacher and asked her how Andrew was doing at school.  I asked her if he was playing and interacting with other kids and she said yes that he is very happy.  I told her that he says he doesn't play with anyone at play time after lunch and she said no he usually plays by himself but not to worry that is normal.  I pushed all my feelings aside as me just completely over reacting and wanting to protect my sometimes "socially challenged" child.

After a few more weeks Andrew came home and said a little boy stole his juice box from his lunch.  I couldn't believe it...really?  Andrew being Andrew didn't want this kid to get in trouble so he didn't tell the teacher.  The next morning I inform the teacher and she said she was sorry that she would watch to make sure it didn't happen again.  Well the kid did try and do it again, but this time Andrew stopped him (this was after a long talk with him telling him not to let the kid take his stuff). 

A few more weeks went by and it was becoming much more obvious that Andrew was not enjoying school like he did the previous year only I couldn't figure out why.  He started telling me he was sick and couldn't go to school.  He had no symptoms of being sick and I knew he was not telling me the truth so I told him if he was too sick to go to school then he had to stay in his room, in his bed, with no toys, tv or books.  He did!  All day that little boy stayed in his room and he was prepared to do it again the next day.  What child would rather stay in his room all day then go to school?  I sat down and had a very serious conversation with Andrew and he was crying and just said that kids were mean to him.  I asked him who and he gave me two names.  I asked him what they did and he said that they called him names and would poke and push him.   So into school I go and talk to the teacher again.  She moved one of the little boys away from Andrew and for a while that seemed to work.  Sadly there were other signs that at the time didn't make sense.  He stopped eating lunch, he wouldn't complete his work, he couldn't write his name, he wouldn't even practice writing or any other school work.

Then the day and moment I lost it!  During the Christmas program as I am watching Andrew smile big and wave to us one of those little brats boys starts screaming in Andrew's ear. I can see Andrew telling him to stop and then the kids hits Andrew in the head.   That was it for me and that was it for Andrew.  I was not going to let this go on any longer.  I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do in that moment but I knew something was going to have to happen before Andrew started to hate school so much that he wouldn't want to go to Kindergarten next year.   Luckily I had two weeks to think it over because it was Christmas break.

I had a stomach ache about this for the full two weeks but decided the only thing I could really do was take him out of that situation.  I found a new school for Andrew.  Now Andrew hates change and I really thought when I told him he was going to a new school (half way through the year) he was going to flip out, but much to my surprise he was so excited.  I knew then that I had made the right decision. 

Now that Andrew has been there two months I can say that my child is completely different.  He loves going to school everyday.  He gets in the car all excited and tells me tons of details about his day and how he now has friends and he plays with everyone in his class.  He can now write his name and he writes it good something he couldn't do when he left his old school.  The changes in him are amazing. 

When I think back I want to kick myself for not doing this sooner, but I am glad that I did it.  I am glad my baby didn't have to spend another day getting picked on and hating school.  He eats his lunch everyday, he plays with other kids, he has friends, he doesn't "feel sick" anymore and most importantly he is happy!



Sunday, February 13, 2011

Great Giveaway

Hi Everyone,
I am hosting a great giveaway on my other blog Pink Hippo Boutique.
I would love for you guys to come over and check it out and enter to win or pass it a long for others.





Thanks!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A Slight Setback

Well my mom had a slight setback this week.  She was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon because part of her incision is infected.  They wanted to keep a close eye on the infection to make sure they could get it cleared up using a cream because if that didn't work they were going to have to go in and surgically remove the infected part.   Luckily the cream seems to be working and they discharged her this afternoon.  The bad news is they have postponed her chemo treatments which was supposed to start this Thursday.  The oncologist said that once she starts chemo her body will not be able to fight off an infection and that she needs to be 100% healthy before they start it and it is just too risky.  So we wait now for the infection to heal completely and then find out when her chemo treatments will start. 

1 Chronicles 16:11
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Friday, February 4, 2011

My Mom

As some of you know we found out my mom had breast cancer the week before Christmas and then four weeks ago she had a mastectomy.  I went to Ohio to be with her during her surgery and take care of her for the first week after.  Although it was a long week I was really glad I was able to be there for her.  I knew it was going to be emotional, but I don't think that anyone or anything can prepare you to look at your mother without her breast. 

When it was time for me to change the dressing I knew it was going to be hard, but I wasn't prepared for the emotion that overcame me.  I tried to keep it together for my mom, but it was hard and she saw me crying.  In that moment all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around my mom like I did when I was a kid and cry.  Of course I couldn't do that because in addition to her having just had her left breast removed, she suffers from severe RA and just touching her causes her so much pain.  The amazing thing about mothers is they know when they are needed and I needed my mom just as much as she needed me.  She let me cry and then I finished doing what I needed to do and we sat down and played Boggle. 

I love my mom so much and I am scared for her.  I know that God is with her and will help her get through this so I am leaning on Him during this time to get me through it also.  Today she had the port put in because next Thursday she begins the second half of this long fight.  She starts her first round of chemotherapy.