quick update...

Jack started at a new school in a class that is focused on higher functioning autism. It seems to be a great fit so far. This past parent teacher conference they raved at Jack's brilliance. I hear this across the board from other parents and such, so sometimes it makes me wonder if this is just positive reinforcement to parents when you're on the right track? It's still good to hear. With this new school, the bus comes and picks Jack up right from our front door. Which is mostly nice, the downside being the get ready and out the door by 7:10 AM.

LRE meeting...

I have a meeting today with Jack's school. (A new school as well, district, and barrage of people claiming to want what is best for Jack) Apparently they aren't equipt to handle Jack. The most interesting phenomenon that I have found true with ALL school districts and the education of our children on a whole. Is that they use their jargon and acronyms as though they believe we are to know them as if it were common place. I find myself having to rush home and research online. I'm not knocking this current district, nor the school. They have been far more help to us than the previous. It's just the ability they have to instantly make me feel as though I haven't a clue. Does your child have an IEP? Have you had to go to a LRE meeting? Do you have a 1060J form or a BAC or LBD forms filled out? Yeah some of that was made up, but it's how it feels sometimes. Use real words people! I think the acronyms are about the only government feel the school decided to implement. I could think of five better things to use. I've also come across the differences between districts and what they decide to call things, again call things what they are. Just because you've decided to call a behavioral class a "Cluster group" doesn't change what it is. They love to tout they're successes but they seem to try to hide the rest. I am really sick of the politics and games that seem to be played by schools. There really needs to be an overhaul and big changes should be made. Do I attempt to? Or do I recess back and pull kids out and find new innovative teaching implements such as K-12. Leave the old behind for the new? I'm halfway there already. Wish me luck.

What a difference a month makes!

So it's been longer than a month since my last post, but I'm referring to the month of December. So very much occurred to our family in that month, that my head is still spinning and I'm not certain this life is even mine anymore, it doesn't resemble my life... But that isn't entirely a bad thing. Change is good and I am seeing many benefits of this drastic change. I don't recommend these types of changes for everyone and if it can be avoided chose the easier route. I also must thank all whom had a hand in safely getting my family to our new home within 4 days and all before Christmas! Freezing weather, snow and rain. But we had our tree up and had our Charlie Brown Christmas. The kids so excited for the new home said, "Mom, this was the BEST Christmas EVER!" Which totally made it worth it. Jared is still having gout flare ups nearly every other week. Fresh cherries that are in season somewhere and being shipped to us are staving off some of the full blown attacks. He has begun his physical therapy here and has found his niche in the transfer to the Jordan Landing store. It truly has been a blessing and more things are fitting as though they were meant to be. Jared hopes to learn Spanish to help further and show dedication to his job. We have many in our ward that could help him practice. For now we are still sorting and unloading boxes. Many trips to the D.I. and Dump ahead of us. Thanks again for everyone's support, concern, and care... We love you all!

Elderberry Jelly...

Last Friday I went to Provo with my Dad. We were getting some more work done on the new van. Before returning home we drove up Provo canyon and stopped at Bridal Veil Falls. I've never actually been there as far as I can recall. My Dad said the Elderberries were ripe now and told me how he used to pick them as a kid and his mom would make Elderberry syrup and Elderberry Jelly. I've never jarred canned or the like myself. Dad climbed along the edges of the steep hill making me nervous and picked a grocery sack full of ripe Elderberries. And gave them to me. They appeared much like what I imagine Barbie doll grapes life sized would be. They also made me question, are you sure these are edible? Dad always knows. And he gave them to me. I tried to make some Elderberry Jelly. Followed an online recipe. WHAT a labor of love! Those aren't the easiest things to clean nor tediously pick. I only completed a third of the bag before calling that a batch and ending up with 4 pint sized jars. They sealed correctly, no popping sounds. I sieved the seeds too. But mine isn't set up like the picture, that was online. Mine will have to be called syrup. But it is done and Dad will get a jar, hopefully it will taste good. I still have my doubts.

The Unicorn and the Wasp

My Dad came out to help on some basic maintenance on the new van. He was going to just switch vehicles and head back home. But we don't like to do things the easy way! (sorry Dad). We said our goodbyes and then saw that the driver side front tire was on its rim. Completely flat tire that then had to be changed before going anywhere. While my Dad changed the tire, a HUGE, GINORMOUS, EWH insect buzzed my head and then landed on my Dad. I first thought it was a flying grasshopper, bad enough. Then seeing the black and yellow and that... I guess stinger? Any bug enthusiast' out there? The hand in the picture to show its size, is Duncan's. I know, let the highly allergic kid place his hand next to it. (It was frozen at that point) Duncan said that he would like to, "run some tests on it tomorrow".

Jack's heart

Jack is a warrior in his own right. A fighter that has overcome much pain and struggle. He will carry this burden his whole life. Those that don't know him well and those that first meet him would not know off hand what burden he holds for such a young man. He is active and happy and doesn't choose to wallow in grief. I hope that he may keep strong with that strength as he gets older.

We went in for a few important heart appointments these past few days. First was his ECHO. We didn't get quite the glowing perfect WOW appointment that we'd hoped for, but it is not the worse we could get either. Jack's ventricle function has slowed. It's time for a heart medicine. We've been able to get by with only one tablet of low dose asprin a day previously. And the Cardiologist would really love to put him on a drug called Enalapril, but Jack is highly allergic to it. So this new medication I must be careful with and remember not only to give it to him each day but about the same time each day. They will be periodically testing his blood.

Yesterday Jack got his EKG and slew of tests. We get the unpleasant task of donating poop to the lab. This has put Jack into stress and has, since receiving the news, not been able to "go". We waited most of the day in Bountiful since we needed to get it to the lab 1 hr after ... going. Jack was also hooked up to a halter monitor. Thank goodness it wasn't for a month like the event recorder. He will get to take it off this morning.