Ok boss

In therapy this morning  I was working with a student on her overall intelligibility of sentences and rate of speech.  We had just finished picking up the swords to Pop-up-pirate.  As I went to put the game back in the cupboard she notice that a sword got left on the floor.  So she pointed to it and ran all her words together quickly, "putitinthebox".  I looked at her with a smile and said, "try that again". To which she responded with emphasis, "PUT-IT-IN-THE-BOX!  OK BOSS?"

Dolly

During snack time I was serving snack to my students, specifically targeting language.  I told one student, "You have crunchy salty popcorn.". As I handed her juice, I said "and here is apple juice for you!". She looked up and said, "Thanks Dolly!!"

She's straight

Curriculum night was tonight at school.  It is an evening where students' parents come in to learn about the curriculum we are using to teach their children.  Between sessions one woman walked into the room and started talking to the teacher I work with in the afternoon, about 5 minutes into the conversation she turned to me and said, "yea, and my son thought you were the teacher!". She further explained that her son came home and told his mom he had met his teacher and she was straight.  She further questioned him what he meant and he said "Mom, she was tall and straight (as he moved his hands up and down his sides), and she had white hair."

Apparently I have no curves....

my candid summer

As I promised myself, this past summer I spent time on hobbies.  Much to the dismay of those in my immediate vicinity; I spent a lot of time behind my camera, using them as targets.  The following are some of my favorite shots.

Window Reflections

Who doesn't like to window shop?

Combining hobbies: Spending time with great friends and taking pictures

For those of you who know me well, know that climbing as a hobby was a good choice for me.  The challenge is there on the physical and mental levels.

This man asked if I would take his picture... So, I did.

Boys find dragonflies to be cool.

Play dough pancakes

Nadia believes she is human.

One of my favorite Little Ladies.   Excuse me A, did you take my sunglasses?

Nothing beats spending time on the shores of Lake Superior!  "A Child's Treasures"

Green bugs

I just love I's expression!  She's so disgusted with something

Pure exuberance with summer time

Nadia... insisted on walking by herself on these cliffs.

Always vigilant to check the door when visitors come. 

Even the seagulls enjoy the beach.

Visited with my Great Uncle Ruben and Helen.  They also happen to be my godparents.

the colors of summer

Red, red, and more red

Yea, this will never happen with Nadia

Jersey cows are beautiful.  Peek-a-boo cow!

Back to school cupcakes.

Brycen gets his black belt in karate.

The agility, focus, and strength of a trained black belt is amazing...

and he is only 9 years of age.

I am proud of my nephew!

goes home

It was the end of the first day of class for some of my students.

Student X grabbed his belongings from his cubby, looked and me and asked: You walk out to bus me?
Me: Of course.  X do you know which bus you are on?
Student X: Yea, the one that goes home.

It's a DREAM

There is a lot of buzz about the divorce rates of couples with a child or children with special needs.  While many of the stated percentages of divorce are empirical or anecdotal, there seems to be little scientific data to support the claim.  Regardless, I will not dispute the fact that raising a child with special needs is difficult.  Many parents face public who simply don't understand their child's disability, additional financial stresses due to the amount of specialized care some children need, differences in beliefs of how to raise a child with special needs, and so forth.

This is what I know from my work in the field of Speech Language Pathology.

1. Couples of children with special needs rarely if ever go on a date just as a couple.  Why?  I have been told it is difficult to find sitters who understand their child's unique needs, and if they find one it is SUPER expensive.
2. Finding a sitter who has the knowledge base and/or willingness to learn how to "sit" for a child with special needs is difficult and at times impossible.
3. Finding a sitter within budget is difficult and in some families cases impossible.
4. I have been told that often times simple daily tasks such as grocery shopping, cleaning, etc... can be a challenge to complete depending on each child's specific needs.

This is my dream in a rudimentary form:

I dream of running a center that provides FREE worry free short term respite care to families with children with special needs regardless of a families income level.

• In addition to the center, I dream of creating an "Angie's List" of therapy/educational places.  
• Providing information to parents regarding: therapies and educational services, diagnosis known to impact learning, and so forth so that parents are able to make informed decisions regarding their child's care.
• Developing a network of entertainment places that are willing to offer parents with special needs discounted and or free rates to activities.
• Offer parents free information sessions from a variety of specialists.

What I would need... Financial supporters, volunteers, an actual building or space for this to happen in.  For my friends and families with children of special needs please weigh in... I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments.

19 States 2 Provinces

Journal Jar: Name all the states or provinces to which you've traveled.

States:

1. Michigan
2. Wisconsin
3. Minnesota
4. North Dakota
5. South Dakota
6. Wyoming
7. Montana 
8. Idaho
9. Washington
10. Oregon
11. California
12. Arizona
13. Utah
14. Colorado
15. Illinois
16. Indiana
17. Florida
18. New York
19. Massachusetts

Provinces:

1. Saskatchewan
2.  Ontario

It appears I have a lot of traveling to do.

9 countries

Journal Jar (JJ) Name all the countries to which you've traveled.

I live in the: United States
I have stepped foot/traveled to the following countries:

1. Canada
2. Netherlands
3. Iceland
4. United Kingdom
5. Finland
6. Sweden
7. Estonia
8. Russia

• At least 5 of these countries I have visited more than 3 times.
• I have lived in 1 country other than the United States.

Grand total of 9 countries I have visited or lived in.
What's your total?