Happy New School Year

Today was the first day of our new school year.  Overall, one of our more successful beginnings.  Little Miss M followed directions, completed all assignments, and seemed to take joy in the start of the new year.  Mister B also has gone about his day with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication.  So nice to see.  On the other hand, does such a good beginning mean tomorrow will be a nightmare?

Here are the obligatory 1st day mug shots.

A moment of sibling love caught in the moment.  They were laughing together.

10th grade!  Seriously, can not believe it.

My baby girl! 8th grade, her last year before I have 2 high schoolers!

Gearing up for the new school year

It has been a wonderful summer.  Okay, it is not over yet since school for us does not start until after labor day but the dog days of summer are on the decline.  Summer always seems too be too quick but for some reason this one has seemed to go faster than others.

Summer swim team was a lot of fun and this year both kids won awards.  Mister B received a plaque for Most Improved Swimmer (meaning his attitude, work ethic, being a team player has taken a big leap from years past) and Little Miss M received a trophy for MVS (most valuable swimmer) in her age group.  She earned 30 points for her age group throughout the season.  Lots of excitement for us at the end of the year pizza party.

Mister B has been busy life guarding at our town pool and loving every minute of it.  He is a true water rat and happiest at the pool.  He truly does not understand why his friends do not want to spend every minute at the pool.  Earning a paycheck has been exciting for him, too.  Who is that FICA guy and why does he take all my money?  He is now the proud owner of his first checking account and debit card.  He is now learning how to put 10% aside for retirement and about budgeting.

I am finally getting my behind in gear and getting everything together that will be needed for the new school year. Organizing the books, making sure we have all the textbooks, checking for items needed for experiments, and so on, and so on. 

It has been a challenge for me this year to get motivated because the past year and a half my husband has been having serious health issues.  Debilitating health issues.  We went from doctor to doctor and ologist to ologist trying to find out what is wrong with him.  No one knew but they all offered up various treatments for his various symptoms.  Until finally someone suggested he find a Lyme literate doctor and get tested.  Best advice ever. 

We saw Dr. Lesley Fein.  We spent 3 hours with her for the initial consult.  Prior to the consult you have blood work done.  You bring all your medical records with you and she reviews your blood results and all your records.  All while taking a compete medical history.  Asking questions about where you grew up, jobs you have had, the diet you had as a kid and the one you follow now.  More and more questions.  While asking all these questions she is reviewing and making notes and miracle of miracles she is coming up with hypothesis as to what may be ailing you.

She initially did not think it was Lyme disease even though his blood work did show exposure and active at one time.  She was suspecting a type of heavy metal or pesticide toxicity.  Then came the exam.  Where she quickly discovered he was showing all he classic symptoms of Bartonella (another tick borne illness) so she ordered up more blood work and a brain spect.  Then she said that even though she suspects the bartonella we would be remiss not to follow up on the toxicity theory because just because he has one does not mean he does not have the other, too.  She then told us she would research who she thinks we should see and get us a name.  Here is a list of supplements you should start taking.

A couple of weeks pass and Good News!  Blood work tested positive for Bartonella and your brain spec shows you also have Lyme and here is the name of a doc to see about the other issues.  Here are scrips for heavy duty antibiotics and continue taking supplements.

Finally appointment with Dr. Robban Sicca.  More Good News.  You clearly have hypothyroid and have probably had it for 20 years and it has never been diagnosed or treated.  Here is a scrip for armour thyroid.  More testing to be done on metals to see if that is also an issue and a test for adrenal fatigue.  Waiting on results.

I know what you are thinking-how is all this bad news good news?  It is good news because we finally have some answers.  He is not nuts he really is sick and he can be treated.  Treatment will probably take months but he should experience a total reversal of the Lyme and Bartonella.

Now that my hubby is on the road to recovery I finally have the mental fortitude to start looking at the new school year.  Here is hoping it is a good one.

I love to watch you swim!

I recently read this blog post:
http://www.handsfreemama.com/2012/04/16/six-words-you-should-say-today/

It was a bit eye opening for me.  I realized that I am that mom.  Full of constructive advice (criticism), everything a teachable moment, how to be better, stronger, faster.  But did I say those 6 words "I love to watch you play."?  No, I didn't.  I certainly thought it. I kvelled with pride as I watched them cut through the water doing their best.  But I didn't tell them.  I felt I should let them know how they could do better next time.  Seriously, what was wrong with me?

For the last swim practice of Spring Training I went in to watch for a few minutes.  Parents are not normally allowed on deck to watch (I get that, who wants a bunch of parents watching you do your job) but it was the last one so I took a peek.  Afterwards as each of my children emerged from the locker room I told them "I love to watch you swim."  I can't say I noticed any straightening of the shoulders, the pressure is off moment but what I have noticed in the past few days is a difference in our relationships.  It seems everyone is a little more willing to spend time with me.  "Want to come to the market with me?" I get a yes when in the past it would have been no.

I still feel an urge to "help"  all the time but I am working on controlling myself.

Happy 13th Birthday Little Miss M!

Today it is official.  I am the mom of 2 teenagers.  My baby girl is 13 (in case you were wondering-today's birthday breakfast is chocolate pudding pie).  She is ready to move into the next chapter of her life and I want her to be my baby.  I know, she will always be my baby, but her moving to the next chapter means I have to move to the next chapter.  I am not ready.  Ready or not, here it comes.

So much has been going on this past month.  Little Miss was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.  She chanted her Haftorah beautifully and read Torah as if she had been doing it all her life.  She also led most of the service.  The Cantor had a nice break.  She was amazing and I am filled with pride and joy over her accomplishments.

A large part of the last month was spent in preparation.  Planning the party, making sure she practiced, making sure Mister B practiced his Torah portion, getting the dress, getting my dress, making sure Mister B and hubby had suits that fit, following up on response cards from people who neglected to respond, and so on.  Needless to say-school light. Summer school this year.

As my daughter enters this next phase of growing up I can't help but wonder what the future will bring.  There is the obvious-make up, more intense school work, clothes.  Then there is the more subtle-boys.  Continuing to instill in her a strong sense of self so she can always remain true to who she is and not go changing just to make some boy happy.

I see a bumpy road ahead.  Or perhaps I should say hilly.  A ride that will be filled with twists and turns and ups and downs.  One that will move super fast at times and other times slow down.  Hopefully, there will be pleasant valleys full of joy and laughter and few dark woods.  Will I be able to think of some more cliches to describe this journey? 

Happy 13th Birthday!

Walkway Over The Hudson

Took a field trip today to The Walkway Over The Hudson (http://www.walkway.org).  It is an old train trestle that was converted into a pedestrian bridge.  Chock full of history and a beautiful walk.

The views were stunning.  We learned a little about the history of trains in the area.  This used to be the only bridge connecting across the Hudson.  The bridge was used to transport troops, supplies, coal, etc. but the interstate severely diminished use of the trestle.  In 1974 there was a large fire and the property was sold to a private owner.  Eventually the funds were raised to convert the trestle into a pedestrian bridge that opened a few years ago.

The weather was great and the walk is a bit over 1 mile in each direction.  After our walk we enjoyed a picnic lunch.

It was an enjoyable day.

April is almost over! Oh my!

I am sorry that I have been so neglectful of my blog.  We are counting down the weeks until Little Miss M's Bat Mitzvah and buried under all the last details.  Lessons with the Cantor, practice your Torah and Haftorah, and don't forget to practice your speech, dress fittings, finalizing the menu, suits, ties, centerpieces, place cards, candle lighting, oh my!  And somewhere in all of this there is some schoolwork getting done.

The swim season ended-The club team they swim on-another undefeated season.  The high school team was undefeated until the last meet.  Still a great year for them, too.  Now they are both enjoying Spring Training.  Need to stay in shape for summer swim team.  Plus, Mister B is taking the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification class.  My baby is going to be a lifeguard this summer.   My baby will be responsible for other peoples safety!  I know he can do it and he is looking forward to earning his own spending money.  But, sometimes I look at my boy and think "What a derp."  He is so smart in so many ways and so clueless in others.

Today we are heading out to see the movie 42 with our discussion group.  It is the wrap up to our stereotype unit.  We spent a few weeks talking about stereotypes and assumptions. We talked about stereotypes about homeschoolers, schoolers, religious groups, athletes, ethnic groups, and anything else we could think of.  We listed different stereotypes we had heard about different groups or people and ones we experienced personally. The following meeting we listened to a poem and listened to a song.  Then asked the group what they thought they were talking about.  They were about love.  At the end after they assumed that the lovers were heterosexual we enlightened them that they were written for same sex loves.  The lesson here was even though you are aware of stereotypes it is still very easy to make assumptions that are incorrect.  We thought a wrap up with the Jackie Robinson story would be fitting.

They continue to enjoy philosophy.  Lots of ethics and figuring out what is truth.

Music class ended early this year because the teacher is having another baby soon.  They miss music but what are you going to do.

All I will say about math is that I now know how to convert slope intercept to standard line equation.  As I wondered back in 9th grade, I still don't know when this will ever be used in my daily life.  And Mister B can do this, too. Little Miss is mastering probability.  I like that one.

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Birthday!

Mister B is 15!

This year he wanted pie for his birthday breakfast!

My baby boy!  He is 15 today.  15!  I am the mom of a 15 year old.  How can this be?  I am still just a kid myself.  What was that line from Steel Magnolias....Time marches on and one day you realize it is marching right across your face.  Or something like that.

In a few short months Little Miss M will officially be a teenager.  I won't have any kids.  Just teenagers.  Maybe I should run for the hills now while i have the chance.

Parenting a teen is so very different from parenting a child.  They are starting to spread their wings to fly.  You are trying to remember what it felt like to be so sure you knew everything and be ready for anything but those fond memories struggle with the responsibility of wanting to protect them and keep them safe from everything and anything.