Kar...Up and Running..

He's Running.... Walking.. You name it.... He's a lot more Bruised up as well, from all his Independence. I love this stage, however.... my cleaning is done at night now.. he's into EVERYTHING!!

Girls Weekend Trip

Too bad it was not longer, went to Lincoln City for a MUCH needed girls trip. It was SO much Fun! I was bummed that I forgot my camera, however my friends were clicking away.. Thanks Gal's for a Great time! Can not wait to get together again :)

Just to be able to sleep in, not worrying about feeding time's, bath's { for the boys.. } going to the outlet mall, and being able to go into the shops with out screaming, and yelling.. and million's of stares. Bliss I tell you! I loved just hanging out doing NOTHING.. and then, doing facials, with this mud mask, that Truly left my face silky smooth.. Thank you to San,Sar ..{ abbreviated.. } for listening to me, I know you are all in my life for a reason, and I truly am so grateful for each one of you!

Thank you for Email me the Pic.. { I figured it out... lol.. }

Are you ready.. for a picture???

Keep scrolling...

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ok.... here I am..

IEP update

Well... The IEP went actually really good. The three of us going in to the meeting really showed a united front for kaid. I read a letter I wrote about kaid, and brought a picture of him, and placed it in the middle of the table, { mom I think you did that though.. thank you :)| All in all, Kaid is Going BACK today to the original school. I had major doubt about this, however given the experiences that happened, it was just not a good start, 30 days from now we will meet again to discuss kaid's placement, I am hopefully that this is going to be good for him. It is in a push-in class, meaning that when ready she moves them in to GenEd. Well... I will post more.. he's going back today, Friday and he is So happy. I am going to the Beach for a MUCH needed Girls Weekend! Oh... man, I can not even wait!!

Tomorrow,Tomorrow, I love you Tomorrow..

TOMORROW, TOMORROW I LOVE YOU TOMORROW, YOUR ONLY A DAY A WAY!!

yes.. that is the fav Annie, in our house. Tomorrow is the huge important IEP for Kaid. I have been preparing all day, researching information, making sure I have my documents together, I am so happy my mom is going to be coming with me. Tomorrow is such a special Big day to Shine, and to be showing them really who kaid is, and what we need... There is just no way we are going to place him with more restrictions, what parent would?

Oh, Side note.. How sweet is this, I am on the computer, 6:05pm, the boys are playing in Kaids room, and I hear Pure Sweet laughter coming from Karson, as I peak in, I see kaid playing patty cake, and reading " Kaids" verson of Lighting McQueen. In our house it's call Babeen! Love it! every now and again I hear, " ok? ok? " from kaid.. He's telling karson, it's OK his Bebe fell out, he's looking for it. I was watching him, and he had 1 finger out, with a shake, saying " ok. ok" oh.. I just love these boys!

Beautiful Ridgefeild

Day 1 of our Week long excursion started out driving to Ridgefield, WA. I am not too sure what made me drive here, but Man I am So glad we did. Packing up the boys, for the day, was the hardest part, as for some reason they just wanted to be couch potatoes. What a Fun Filled afternoon! I have never been to Ridgefield, and let me tell you, I am IN LOVE with the beauty, of untouched land! driving down the road seeing cow fields { extremely friendly, I might add}As we drove down the road, the cows were So amazingly friendly.. as soon as I parked my car, they came trotting along.. the boys just loved it! We drove through the little historic downtown, one that if blinked would surly miss. Growing up on Bainbridge Is. Washington, this reminded me of the Island 20 years ago. I would say that I am not a Country girl at all, I do love to be able to drive to the closest, " Mall" to get what we need, or produce, however living here I would not mind at all.

I had intended on taking the boys to the Wildlife Reserve, however driving up to the road, I was not going to even attempt. My new wheels did not really want to venture down the long gravel, pothole filled road. I was pretty bummed, as this is why we came out. I might have to come back with a larger car to see with this lovely place is all about.

Various People we Share the Planet with

So, I know that I Facebooked, about his Site, and many of you might be already sick of looking at these picture.. However.. given my week from another PLANET.. I have really enjoyed laughing my head off at these pictures. Some of them, I really question if they are posing, knowing the camera is there, or if they just dress in this attire all the time. Who knows.. Thank you Peopleofwalmart.com for delighting us in non stop laughter!

Enough is Enough!

Today was kaids LAST day at his elementary school. I feel So good about our decisions, I do have to say, I was really nervous that I was just jumping to conclusions, and just being a " phyco" mom. Well.. today, picking him up set it in stone, his pull-up soaked, and he did not have his own pants, on. I am OK with the fact that they put other pants on him, it's the fact that there was ZERO communication in his bag as to what happened. After calling.. and getting no answer I said.. this is NOT happening any more. I called the Director of S.E, talked with her Assistant, and demanded him be removed from this school, and to be placed in the school that I wanted him all along. I know this is possible, I also know that they, ( Meaning the School district, S.E ) is going to try to just " Warehouse" him. I love that term, thank you to my friend I talked with today, that helped me just with being able to vent.. I So know that this process I could not do with out the love and support from everyone. I wish that I could call everyone and tell you thank you for just being there. If you are reading this, I am talking about you.. anyone that takes time to read this. So next week is going to be fun! ( I am not laughing.. lol.. ) Zoo, Omsi, Children's medium.. I am going to tell him he's going to be going to a new school, I know he's going to be a little bummed, however by keeping him really busy... life will go smoothly in the Shannon home. Then comes FRIDAY! Oh Friday... I am counting down the days, hours, Minutes.. Am I excited?? Just a little..... Cant Wait!!!

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." - James Baldwin

I was called from Kaid's Teacher this Afternoon, asking for a meeting, I was excited, to see this step from his teacher, however reluctant, to really Go by myself knowing how emotional I was already. I told her I would be there, and eager to talk about kaid. Walking in to his room, kaid was waiting for me , I could tell ( Smell) a noticeable not good Oder. First things first, I thought.. Breathe.. As his class was walking down the hall to go to the bus, ( leaving us by his room, as are meeting was right after school ) I quickly Checked his Pull-up. I almost Passed out.. With Tears Streaming down my cheeks, I rushed him into the closest bathroom, and layed out little brothers blanket for his head, to change his Pull-up. As I changed him, visibly noticed how, this Business did not just occur, it appears to be quite sometime that he was left this way. Really? How in the world could they not noticeably smell that Oder? I was blown away, yet.. now it's way more serious, this is Major Neglect! I put a smile on my face, as kaid was giving me a worried look, as he was seeing me crying. As I reassured him he was ok, that momma just needed to have a little talk with his teacher. Walking back into his class room, I was filled with emotion, immediately as she walked in, she started talking, catching me off guard. I am not going to post a long one tonight, all I will say is this. Education is extremely important to me, having my son with special needs has truly opened my eyes to truly careless Teachers, Today was a day that I will never forget. Though I will say, he has had some Amazing Teachers as well. So not the case here... His IEP has still not been read, I actually brought my copy with me, as ( HELLO what parent would not be prepared )

His teacher did not have a copy, nor was privy to it.

He's Out of this school, Hopefully Tomorrow will be his Last day.

My Gut told me all along, that this was not a good fit. Tomorrow.. No more MR. Nice mom.. It's Demanding time, Sorry.. it's the way it is. 1 whole Week with Neglect.. That's 1 week Too long!

Legal or non Legal.. This is Ridicules.

Total Let Down ~ School Issues 2 ~

"I discovered early that the hardest thing to overcome is not a physical disability but the mental condition which it induces. The world, I found, has a way of taking a man pretty much at his own rating. If he permits his loss to make him embarrassed and apologetic, he will draw embarrassment from others. But if he gains his own respect, the respect of those around him comes easily." - Alexander de Seversky

The Second " First" day, started OK, However when I picked up kaid today, I noticed that his Training pants, were showing, drooping down, soaking his little shorts, his clothes were all dischevled, as well as his Sweet new shoes were tied in complete Knots. When I asked the Aid , he said he did not even notice. It took all my might, not to loose my cool right in front of everyone right there. I quickly put kaid in the car, Dialed the School and began my Numerous phone calls, trying to find out WHY he was not Changed, or helped to the Bathroom. Kaid, will go if you help him there, it appears as though no one did. Now leaving a complete rash on his back side. After having a complete meltdown ~ Again~ after picking him up from school, I just could not believe this was happening. First off, this is DAY 2 of the School year, Do you think kaids teacher called me, to talk about what happened, or to see how to best help him? NOT one call.. Me, I am On it.. Every Single Day, Calling the office. I received a Phone call this afternoon from the Principal, after explaining to her my major concerns and the one major being his toileting. I was told that Kaid's teacher was not able to review the IEP for him, as she just got them last week. Taking a minute to ponder that, I let it marinate for a min, and then told her, This was Not acceptable! I feel like we are in a nightmare, and I can not see the light right now. EVERY child deserves the right to the best and " Least" restrictive environment. What ever the case is, They really are messing with the wrong momma. I Do not want to fight, and seem like I am wanting this, I just will not allow him to be in a class to be babysat. Kaid can do everything, at first though he needs to be directed, with any kids with needs, repetition will make thing better. If it was up to me, He would be Pulled out of this school yesterday, and moved to Charter/Art therapy School. I am learning So much right now though, from being his Voice. I address this issues with the facts, and the rights that Kaid Should be receiving. This Lovely IEP, is Thick, its a blueprint for Staff, and teachers to review to find out more about him, etc... Not having them open it up, to review it.. Very Against the Law...So.. from now on, My blogs are going to be Posted School Issues. I have calls into several people , from the School district hopefully I will be able to discover why this is happening at this school. For school tomorrow, I am going to grab a Hot Chocolate, and walk kaid in to class, and observe for a while. We will overcome this

Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all -- the apathy of human beings." - Helen Keller

A Day To Remember, Forget & Re-Do!

This day Needs to Be RE-done in Every Aspect! First, the Alarm went off at 7:30am, ( school starts at 8:30) Everything was Smooth.. Shower, Breakfast,he brushed his teeth, Stoked to put his new clothes on, even the backpack. This was a scary thing for me, us.. and Kaid as well. New school, New everything... .Arriving kaid was SO excited, signing the Excited sign, giving us a hug goodbye, and then off to his Chair. We all said a Family Prayer, ( in the car before ) So I really felt great about his first day. As I was leaving the Spirit told me, ( Screamed at me pretty much.. So loud.. ) To leave my Cell phone number. Hm.. I quickly jotted it down, and let them know, (Little did I know just how much they would need that in.. Oh, 37 min.) I then ran a few errands, and when arrived home, I noticed I missed a few calls on my cell, I must have had it on Silent. Listening to the messages, my Heart Sank... then, I felt sick, then.. I thought I was going to pass out. This is what I heard. " Hello, this is Mrs. June from King elementary, kaid just bit a teachers Aid

and drew blood, you need to come take him home asap, " then hung up. Was I hearing this right? With Zero pause, I called the school, I could not believe what they were saying. I drove as fast as the speed limit permitted, to the school. Arriving in the Office, I was filled with different emotions; How could this have happened? Kaid has NEVER ever bitten anyone, let alone caused Harm to anyone. I then thought how scared he was probably, and having this the Very First day, the craziness.. was to be Expected, Not biting in any means, but.. Come one.. Kaid is not doing something Intentional! That is exactly how they treated this situation, as though he was intending to harm her. One lady told me he was not to come back to school until Next Monday, He was Suspend!! I can not even begin to explain how I felt, for me & kaid, how truly crushed, broken, hurt, & sad for both him and the TA. The "Victim" was totally ok, he just Broke through her shirt, and scratched her arm, there was blood but no teeth marks at all.

So, This is what happened.. From 10am or so, when I picked him up, I was on the phone trying to figure out what really happened, I received nothing from his school to provide telling me what truly happened. Kids with disabilities, have different sort of discipline guidelines, however nothing was followed. I found out that the TA, that kaid " Bit" tried to confine him, from getting to play with other kids. Clearly in his IEP, it is layed out that kaid has behavior needs, and never try to retrrain him.. funny how, his teacher said she never read it.

The end result was, I was not ok, with the Suspension. In his eyes he did nothing wrong, no one addressed it at the point, they carried on with there morning, letting kaid carry on as if nothing happened. I want people to understand that, it's not ok at all that he bit someone, it's the fact that, this was 100% not intentional, #2 this should have been handed in the class room with a Time out. After Several atempts to reach the principal to find out what happened, I called the head District office. After telling her the situation, she told me to talk to

the Special Ed, Director ( Highest up you can get. ) She personally called me today, and told me that Kaid WOULD be going back to school tomorrow, and just how sorry she was for how this situation was handled. She advised me that the Principal would be calling me, to tell me as well, She Calls me at 4: 46pm tonight, Not one Apology, just to tell me that Kaid was " Allowed " back to school. We are so disappointed in how this school has handled this, however I am very Optimistic. I know that Kaid will blossom, if it's here, or a different school. It was Heart breaking, pulling him from class today, when he truly did not understand why he was not able to stay. With ANY child, you don't punish them, WAY after the fact, you handle it right there and then..

To be Continued....... Tomorrow.. IS Going to be Kaid's

" Second" First Day of School! Cant' be worse.. right?

Kris, sorry, kaid would just not let me take a good shot of him, back is about it. So Happy..

Truly Hope that He's this Happy for Try # 2 Tomorrow :)

The Eve of Great Things to come..

I was trying to think of what to Title my post, " The Eve of Great things to come" Just sounds the Very best to me given the nature of what is happening tomorrow. Most of you know that we made the move from Washington State, back to Oregon, with this, a whole new transition for our little Kaid. More so for him, as he is a creature of Habit. From moving, getting settled, I began the process of being kaid's voice, making sure Portland Public Schools knew me, and the process of " Transfer" paper work. Kaid was excepted in a Great School, not very close ( as in walking ) I will be driving him to and from just until the bus is up and going for him. His school is 100% all Uniform! Little kaid has to wear Khaki pants, and either a Black, white, or Red polo shirt, or a shirt with a collar, dress school shoes, and Tenny's for playing. We are excited for this new start for him, knowing just how he loves to learn from others. The only Bummer.. Kaid picked out his Backpack this year.. and I had his name embroidered on it.. ( Courtsey of Lands end) When talking to his teacher, she said as of now, no backpacks, the school will provide one for him . Being the Last relaxed non schdduled day, we loaded the boys up in the car and drove to Omsi for a fun filled day of Craziness,So many screaming little kids, mine as well as many many others. BTW, kent and I checked out the Prenatal exhibit. Pretty Awesome, never saw the stages of life so personal, and educatioal as well.

All day we have been preparing kaid for what's to happen tomorrow, every time we talk about school, he does the Sign for Excited, ( Making a fists, and rubbing his chest with both knuckles ) So happy for him!When we got home, he wanted to carry his backpack around the house. For those that have heard the rare talkative little guy, he's a chatter box! After the bath, and 2, then 3.4,5 books.. he kept saying " Baapkak" lol.." hmm?" then proceeded to jump down grab his "bapkack" and nestle next to it in bed. After prayers, and songs.. he tucked the bag to his covers, and closed his eyes.

Later, after emptying more boxes, I checked on him, and had to snap this pic.. I have more to come.. this is with my phone.. so sorry, it's not the best, it's light and grainy... you get the picture though. I wish I would have captured one when he was hugging it. Excited to Spend some Much NEEDED one on one time with my Buggy boy! Karson and I are going to have some Adventures!

You can see " Kaid " on the top. Tradition that Kaid picks out his bag, this year and probably for ever we shopped online. Best way!

Mountain O Boxes

Just a little update.. I cant believe I have a sec to update. We have moved, however not fully adjusted by any means.. The boys are having a pretty hard time. I am working 24/7 to see my beautiful hardwood floors.. 10 boxes yesterday.. I am hoping for doubble that today! Pictures to come..I dont want to scare you with what the house looks like now...lol..

School is on the 8th, so this HAS to be done by then.....