Things are changing for this family. My kids started their Christmas break last Friday and that is always a difficult adjustment for us. Children with special needs can struggle with transitions and change and ours are certainly no different. Angela has an especially hard time when we adjust our schedule during a school vacation. Tantrums, meltdowns, frustration, and more. Did I mention that change is HARD? During school vacations, everything is hard!
We bought the Elf on the Shelf for the first time this year. I have resisted until now, but Angela BEGGED for it, and I gave in. Every night, we have to come up with new mischief for our elf, and it actually has been more fun than we expected. The most fun is that Ang really believes the Elf is wandering the house at night causing trouble. This week, on the eve of Toby's required (by his age) colonoscopy, our elf "pooped" chocolate chips-one of Angela's favorites so far. A really nice benefit of having a child with special needs......they tend to "believe" much longer than their peers.
Another change on the horizon is that Levi will be moving back to our home in Clatskanie next month. So many feelings. We cannot wait to have our son home. He is excelling in his current program and he has grown and matured beyond our expectations. He is ready, and we are too. That said, there is lots of apprehension about his return to a school that has not been a good fit for him in the past. We are grateful for the school staff and their efforts to help us plan strategies to help him be successful. They want this to work, and so do we. Time will tell and that is all I can say. This is the next step in the journey and I have to trust God to chart the course.
In another resignation to change on the horizon, we have scheduled a visit to Perry Tech in Yakima to help Josh begin the application process to attend school there next year. How can I let him go? This child, who taught us that love and family go far beyond genetics, and that love, at first sight, does exist. He will leave our home next year and I am not sure how I will cope. Toby and I were head over heels for him from the moment he entered our home, with a goofy smile and unwavering attachment to us from day one. It was as if HE adopted US, and he has brought us so much joy. How can the time have passed so fast? Those of you who have had children graduate high school and move on know that it never gets any easier, no matter how many times you do it.
I have to admit that I have never been very good at change. I try to put on a happy face, but change is HARD for me. As I approach these major changes, my only option is to pray. This is not something I can do alone. Thank you, my friends, for listening and supporting me through this crazy life!
