Spring Break!!

I must be getting old.  I admit it now.  (Tomorrow I might be in denial, so take it moment by moment people! LOL)  I've been looking around at social media this week and looking at everyone's vacation photos --  New York, California, Colorado, ect. ..... beautiful pictures that look like fun.  We have been home.  And.. it is right where I want to be.  I don't take it for granted like I used to.

We've been working on the home that God has blessed us with.  Yes, the kids would rather be some where else then having mom tell them to get their work clothes on.  But, what a blessing the past few days have been. Digging in the dirt and playing with the worms.  A friend gave me some lilies to add to my collection up front.  So the front is almost full! :)  In the back flowerbed, I'll be replanting some of the plants Ms. Myrtle left me that have been struggling to survive for several years.  The ornamental grass and the cannas are going.  I found homes for the cannas.   It has not much fun digging that grass up.  My thighs might be sore, but progress makes me feel good!

The original flowerbed with overgrown ornamental grass, cannas, daffodils,
and bushes.  There is even tulips in there!  The flowers were so overgrown
with grass  they barely flower.

We finished the front flowerbed and halfway through the side one.  Blank canvas
 waiting to be planted!

So spring break is almost over.  My house is still dirty.  My laundry is still not caught up.  But, I still have that feeling of accomplishment.  We did get some things done around here.  Fall might be my favorite season, but spring is a close second.  :)  My lilies and hostas that I planted last year are breaking through the dirt.  Love it!  We are almost through digging up the years of overgrown stuff.  Bushes are about gone!!  One more left at the end of flowerbed.  I think Ms. Myrtle would like what we've done.  Things she just couldn't do any longer.  We did get to squeeze in a fun day in Eureka Springs. I hope that you've enjoyed your spring break whether it's been all fun or work days or a mixture of both!

Faith and my niece, Abby, sharing some ice cream :)

Momma' Bear Growls Again

This is supposed to be spring break.  We're only getting 3 days off because of all the snow, but I'll take it.  It's to the point when we all need a break, even if it is cut short.  The school year is almost done.  Which is kinda hard for me to believe.  Wasn't it just Thanksgiving not that long ago?  Anyways --  Luke's teachers have had him all year.  The year is almost over.  They should know a little bit about his IEP. (even if it took half a year to figure out he had one!)   They should have some idea what he can do and what he cannot do.  But apparently not.

Not a recent picture, of course :)  Luke and big brother, Joey

Luke's civics teacher has handed him a blank world map and expected him to use the word bank of 55 countries and fill it in.  Seriously.  Ummm.... every hear of a memory disorder??   It's clearly stated that he has one.  It's clearly stated that his assignments be reasonable.  He failed the test twice already.  When I say failed, I mean a very low F.  Luke was about to go on and do it again.  No, I don't think so. 

So, tonight an e-mail went out which included the teacher and the special education principal at the school.  (there is one assigned to spEd)  And we studied the first row of countries in which included North American and South American countries.  And guess what -- with a couple acronyms like Cows Vomit Apples (Columbia, Venezuela, Argentina).... Luke might pass this test. 

His math -- well, it's even worse.  He is not comprehending the algebra at all.  I don't know if it's one of the teachers (he's not fond of)  or if it's the subject.  But, that grade is a solid F and we have to get it up to passing.  Maybe it's the way she is explaining it, but he doesn't get it at all.  It is hard to watch him struggle so hard and the teachers just think he's lazy because his works not turned in.  (and she's one of the special ed teachers!!!)

Luke with baby Olivia.  He was so excited to hold her

In Hebrews God says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."   I know that God's plan for Luke's life (and mine)  included everything we are going through.  It included teacher that did not understand.  It included bad grades that affect his self-image.  It included me having to be the thorn in some people's flesh.  I just wish I could fix it.  Not for myself,  but for Luke.  His struggles very few will understand.  I am blessed to be his mother.  I do love him so much, but I know that God loves him even more.  I trust the promises of God for my life, and more importantly, for my children's lives.

A small catch up!

Hello Blogger Friends!  Have you forgotten about me?  I can't really blame you.  After all, it's been about 3 months without a word from me.  I wish I could say something deep in meaningful about the break...but I can't.  I guess the only deep moment would be that I was living life instead of writing about it.  :)  The south has had some crazy weather.  We've seen snow...and snow... and then more snow.  You'd think that with those snow days home from school/work that I would have written a post or two.  But honestly, my oldest son is 16 1/2 (yes, he informed me of the half last week!)  and as my kids grow bigger, I know my time with them is short.  Snow days are days spent with my kids.  Faith and I love board games.  Then Luke will come and join us.  Joey will want to watch movies with us.  And I know that I only have a few more years of this left.  :( 

Faith and Teddy out during one of the many snows :)

Uncle Brent with Joey and Luke (they LOVE having their pic taken)

Well, I am going to have to go and get busy.  It's a nice Saturday morning.  Faith just went to soccer practice with the coach so I could get some stuff done around here with the boys.  I'm going in to wake the sleeping lions!  They love it when I have a work day planned! :D  Hope you enjoy your weekend with your family.  Enjoy those moments because they will be grown before your ready.