Today I ugly cried at a school meeting....

When I got that call that there was a baby at Hasbro I thought it would be temporary. I figured I would snuggle this little nugget until his Mommy and Daddy could reunite with their child. I couldn’t fathom leaving a child in the hospital’s care for months on end, I didn’t know that was even possible! I was so blind to what he had gone through. For months his future was in limbo. We fought so hard. There was so much wrong with the process and the entire system as a whole. Many times I lost my hope in humanity . I was angry. How could anyone do this to him? Why did this happen? How many other children are alone? They may be in the care of someone else but that does not mean they are not alone . This baby needed someone in his corner . Hell, he needed a whole army in his corner and that is what it took to make sure he stayed with us. Adults made poor decisions, a lot of them and it continued while he was in the system. I thought the fight was over the day we adopted him. I’ve never had a child with as many needs. Physical, mental…emotional ! Our family put the work in. WE all put the work in. It has not been easy. I ugly cried at the conclusion of an IEP meeting today l. I tried to keep it together. I cry when I’m angry and I was angry. I wanted him to qualify for more services . I advocated. I felt foolish. Why can I not just be happy that we helped him progress as far as he has? It hit me on my way home . I cried out of LOVE. This tiny human fills my heart with so much JOY. I did not give birth to him, we never planned on another baby! I love this child with every fiber of my being . He is the most amazing addition to our family and despite all of his challenges WE have persevered. I want him to have every opportunity to succeed. It was hard to sit in a room of strangers and discuss his challenges . They’ve known him for one hour. How could they make all these decisions based off of one hour? I could write a novel with all we have been through. For now I will continue on doing what we are doing . He’s surprised me time after time . We got this. 

Mattress Shopping

We have had our mattress for about a decade now an are long overdue for a new one.  I am not feeling the "memory foam" and do not want to commit to something I may not like in the future. I am definitely a "pillow top" mattress kind of girl! 

Here is to hoping Park and I can compromise on something decent and affordable before both of our backs go out! There is nothing I despise more than furniture shopping (Maybe car shopping). Pushy sales-people are not something I want to deal with regularly. 

AFC Championship

Today is a great day in New England as we will face the Colts in the AFC Championship. We are all excited for the game :) We will spend the day with friends/family and watch the game together this evening. I will include the recipe for my awesome Buffalo Chicken Dip that will be a main feature tonight :)

                     Buffalo Chicken Dip

            GO PATRIOTS!!!

Return from my Hiatus

I have decided to come back to the blogging world because I feel like the years are floating by with minimal documentation. Sure, I post an overabundance of pictures via social media but I feel the substance behind those images has been lacking the last few years. I have a seriously horrible memory and some of these blog posts brought me back to a time where some of the moments may have slipped my mind.

 I have had to go and deactivate some of my previous posts because my mindset has changed. I have no desire to whine on a blog and am far more optimistic about life than I was 5 years ago. Don't want all that negativity weighing me down :)

While I could go on and on about the changes that have occurred in our family dynamic , I am sure I will have plenty of time to do so over the next few posts :) The main change would be the addition of one family member, our son Tyler . We thought we were so done with the three girls and never dreamed of having a boy. A SON, that word still blows my mind. We have been blessed with the happiest, most easy-going little man. We are so lucky. I could gush about it for hours on end. He's perfect and I am so proud to call him ours.

Tyler- days old

Our Awesome Kids

Ridiculously Happy 6 Month old

So, I am not entirely sure on what direction I would like to see this blog go in. I suppose I shall put some more thought into that :)

Editorial in Times

I am still really upset the HIPPY program has been cut..grr Pawtucket School system. I called to have Hailey put on the list for PRE K and got a massive attitude...I just want her to get the best start possible. I had no idea my editorial was published on Friday, thankfully Anabella brought over a copy for me. Here it is if you did not get the chance to see it.

Over the past school year my daughter has taken part in the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program in Pawtucket. The HIPPY program allows parents to be involved in educating their three, four and five year old children while preparing them for further schooling. Parents are provided with the HIPPY model packets and supplies necessary for instruction. They work one on one with a home visitor who comes weekly to the student’s home. This program has helped my daughter immensely and I am distraught at the thought she will not reach her HIPPY graduation at age five due to the program being cut.

After learning the HIPPY program was being cut from Pawtucket schools, I looked to my three year old daughter with heaviness in my heart knowing an amazing opportunity was being taken from her.

As a parent I strive to take part in helping my daughter achieve an education. Being involved brings us together and allows me to work one on one in preparing her for kindergarten. I would not have been so successful had it not been for the HIPPY program. Many children who do not attend traditional pre-school are often less prepared then those who have. This program allows parents to help educate their children and get them on track to being prepared for school. Without this program, our young pre-school age children will be missing out and the parents will lose the guidance needed to prepare their children for their academic journey. By this program being cut, we are targeting our most vulnerable children who deserve the right to be prepared for school. We often hear that “our children are our future” and with the HIPPY program I was confident my daughter would have the best start to embarking on hers.

SNOW IS FOR SUCKERS

I hate snow, I despise snow..I looooaaaatthhee snow. It is cold, it is wet, it is messy, it is dirty and I just can't stand it.


I cancelled Kammie's doctor appointment today because the thought of shoveling the porch, and cleaning off my car while two kids scream inside for my attention (all before 10am) was way beyond my train of thought today.






So I spent the day decorating. Hung up Park's gigantic stocking and realized mine is smaller than everyone elses (figures).

New Hampshire-Ham Arena Dec 09'

Due to the fact that I had to work 6 days this week while dealing with mental and physical exhaustion, I have failed to blog! We left for Conway New Hampsire at 10pm on Friday. While we were there I got Park to take Heather and Hailey skating at Ham Arena. I love that place..
Hailey was wearing the smallest size skates available..but Santa is bringing her a pair for Xmas.