Would you believe we are STILL eating things out of the freezer? It is like a bottomless pit in there. But this week is short, and this week is Thanksgiving, so I am sure everyone is making their favorite Thanksgiving meal, anyway.
For those of you who don't know me very well should know that Mat and I don't eat turkey. And the reason we don't eat turkey is because we don't LIKE turkey. (Did you think I was going to say to "save a turkey"??)
Yuk.
For many years on Thanksgiving - especially when we didn't have children, and even when Arlingoton was small, we went out to eat on Thanksgiving. Yes, I do believe restaurants should be closed on Thanksgiving so those people can spend it with their families. But since they weren't, we went to give those poor workers some tips. And eat pie. It was all good.
We lived far away from family for the last 8 years, so for just the few of us that there were for awhile, it didn't make sense to make a big dinner. Every once in awhile, we went to someone's house to have Thanksgiving, but most years - we spent it together. Our little family. Eating pie. Wait, do I have a point?
Not really. Except that this year, we will be eating in. We were going to have some people over, but we are in a mess here while we do some home projects, so we decided it would just be the 5 of us. And ham and rolls, and veggies. And of course......pie.
I will see you all tomorrow!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Fundraising Fun
Since I don't have any pictures to share, I will update you on a few upcoming events. Yeah yeah - no pictures. I am terrible. Blah blah blah.
First of all, Finley had her last horseback riding lesson this past week until the spring. It was hard for her to say goodbye - she has really enjoyed going. And her teacher is wonderful. I video taped her lesson for the telethon, so hopefully I can share that with you eventually. She had so much fun. She had done really well with the horse therapy, and I am so glad she had a chance to do it. We can't wait for it to start back up in the spring.
And big news - today Cainan put his face in the water in swimming. That was a first that he did it on his own (not one of his awful parents making him). We were really proud of him. He put his face in three times and didn't die. It was amazing. I bought him a happy meal for lunch to celebrate.
Fundraising for Finley's Fighters and RDH12 is alive and kicking. Along with the telethon here in my neck of the woods, the wonderful folks of Connellsville have two more up and coming events that I want you to know about.
called “Christmas in Connellsville”. Poinsettia will be sold in town, several
churches will be offering tours and bake sale items and business will be doing
fundraisers for non-profit organization. Linda Cordaro’s law office which is
located on the street behind St. Rita’s church has offered to have a cookie sale
fund raiser for Finley’s RDH12 foundation. The hours for the sale that day are
from noon until 5 PM. Students from Connellsville High School National Honor Society will be there
helping with the sale. Along with the delicious homemade cookies we will be
selling wrist bands, Finley Fighter t-shirts, Braille shirts(custom made) and
have a donation box for additional funds. Please come support our city and the
Finley Fighters and buy some cookies.
So plan on stopping by! As we get closer, I willl remind you again. The cookies will all be home made and super yummy! Come by - all donations will go to the telethon total, and presented the day of the telethon, so show your support.
------------------------------------------------------------------
My parents recently got a call from one of the teachers at Zach Connel Elementary School in Connellsville. She told them that over the last couple years instead of buying gift exchange presents for each other the students in third grade(and maybe some other grades) have chosen a charity to give the money to. They have been talking to the kids about Finley and decided her foundation would be the recipent of their collection this year. In the past they have put a huge paper Christmas tree up on the wall near the main office and sold small paper decorations to hang on the tree but she said this year they are borrowing the chain link idea from the high school and are going to sell red and green links for 25 cents and hang them all over the school. Since the kids will be giving up their gift exchange the staff is buying them little candy snacks and every time they purchase a link they will be able to pick a little snack. They are going to run the sale starting this Monday November 22nd through Dec. 22nd. My parents told her about the telethon and said what we could do was the next day, the 23rd. maybe one of them could call in and identify themselves and the fundraiser and then make the donation on the air- she thought would be really cool. They are also having a couple dress down Friday's during Dec. and that money is going to be included in the donation. And they wanted to buy wrist bands and t-shirts which is also very exciting! I wish Mat and I and the kids could be at these two events, but I hope the people of Connellsville know how grateful we are for all of their support. We feel your love.
And of course - there is the grand event - the telethon. I get a little more excited each day, but also a little more overwhelmed with what we need to do. Things are going smoothly, just busy. I got permission to put fliers in the staff mailboxes at all 5 schools in my district which will include information about Finley and our RDH12 Fund, and then posters will be hung around each of the schools. Plus, the businesses in that town will also put up posters and information about the telethon. It is very exciting. We have also been in contact with everyone who is going to be part of the telethon that day, and have been getting videos lined up to show that day. Mat and I were given the task of filming Finley around the house and also outdoors. It has been fun. So please remember - December 23rd - the telethon for Finley. As we get closer, I will give you the address to watch it live and also to call in if you would like. Our goal is $10,000, but if we could get that $20,000 mark, I would be so excited.
Stay tuned for all the upcoming events and mark them on your calendar. We need your support and we thank you!
See you Tuesday.
First of all, Finley had her last horseback riding lesson this past week until the spring. It was hard for her to say goodbye - she has really enjoyed going. And her teacher is wonderful. I video taped her lesson for the telethon, so hopefully I can share that with you eventually. She had so much fun. She had done really well with the horse therapy, and I am so glad she had a chance to do it. We can't wait for it to start back up in the spring.
And big news - today Cainan put his face in the water in swimming. That was a first that he did it on his own (not one of his awful parents making him). We were really proud of him. He put his face in three times and didn't die. It was amazing. I bought him a happy meal for lunch to celebrate.
Fundraising for Finley's Fighters and RDH12 is alive and kicking. Along with the telethon here in my neck of the woods, the wonderful folks of Connellsville have two more up and coming events that I want you to know about.
FINLEY FIGHTER’S COOKIE SALE
On Sat. Dec. 4th the city of Connellsville will be hosting and eventcalled “Christmas in Connellsville”. Poinsettia will be sold in town, several
churches will be offering tours and bake sale items and business will be doing
fundraisers for non-profit organization. Linda Cordaro’s law office which is
located on the street behind St. Rita’s church has offered to have a cookie sale
fund raiser for Finley’s RDH12 foundation. The hours for the sale that day are
from noon until 5 PM. Students from Connellsville High School National Honor Society will be there
helping with the sale. Along with the delicious homemade cookies we will be
selling wrist bands, Finley Fighter t-shirts, Braille shirts(custom made) and
have a donation box for additional funds. Please come support our city and the
Finley Fighters and buy some cookies.
So plan on stopping by! As we get closer, I willl remind you again. The cookies will all be home made and super yummy! Come by - all donations will go to the telethon total, and presented the day of the telethon, so show your support.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Zach Connel Fundraiser for Finley
My parents recently got a call from one of the teachers at Zach Connel Elementary School in Connellsville. She told them that over the last couple years instead of buying gift exchange presents for each other the students in third grade(and maybe some other grades) have chosen a charity to give the money to. They have been talking to the kids about Finley and decided her foundation would be the recipent of their collection this year. In the past they have put a huge paper Christmas tree up on the wall near the main office and sold small paper decorations to hang on the tree but she said this year they are borrowing the chain link idea from the high school and are going to sell red and green links for 25 cents and hang them all over the school. Since the kids will be giving up their gift exchange the staff is buying them little candy snacks and every time they purchase a link they will be able to pick a little snack. They are going to run the sale starting this Monday November 22nd through Dec. 22nd. My parents told her about the telethon and said what we could do was the next day, the 23rd. maybe one of them could call in and identify themselves and the fundraiser and then make the donation on the air- she thought would be really cool. They are also having a couple dress down Friday's during Dec. and that money is going to be included in the donation. And they wanted to buy wrist bands and t-shirts which is also very exciting! I wish Mat and I and the kids could be at these two events, but I hope the people of Connellsville know how grateful we are for all of their support. We feel your love.
And of course - there is the grand event - the telethon. I get a little more excited each day, but also a little more overwhelmed with what we need to do. Things are going smoothly, just busy. I got permission to put fliers in the staff mailboxes at all 5 schools in my district which will include information about Finley and our RDH12 Fund, and then posters will be hung around each of the schools. Plus, the businesses in that town will also put up posters and information about the telethon. It is very exciting. We have also been in contact with everyone who is going to be part of the telethon that day, and have been getting videos lined up to show that day. Mat and I were given the task of filming Finley around the house and also outdoors. It has been fun. So please remember - December 23rd - the telethon for Finley. As we get closer, I will give you the address to watch it live and also to call in if you would like. Our goal is $10,000, but if we could get that $20,000 mark, I would be so excited.
Stay tuned for all the upcoming events and mark them on your calendar. We need your support and we thank you!
See you Tuesday.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Growing up too fast
Our eldest, Arlington, is going to be 8 soon. I can hardly believe it. 8 seems so old to me. Has it really be almost 8 years since I became a mother? Why do I still feel so inadequate?
Having an almost 8 years old has been trying at times. She is whiny, and temperamental. But she is also funny and witty. She makes us crazy, and she makes us smile. I am worried what the teenage years will bring.
Girls at this age have their own set of challenges. The moodiness does not come without a price. And sometimes that price leads to hurt feelings and harsh words. Arlington is a girl who likes everyone. She argues with us, but rarely with her friends and classmates. She wants to be every one's friend.
But this year she is finding that not everyone has the same attitude. There are girls who want to just have one friend, and have excluded our girl in their activities from time to time because of that. And her feelings get hurt. Mean words have been directed to her on more than one occasion for no reason except.....just because.
Don't get me wrong - it is typical girl stuff. Girls at this age are caddy, and mean, and tricky. So I am not surprised to hear that some of this is happening. But what I need to teach Arlington is how to deal with it. And also to make sure that she never falls into the place where she is being mean like that to others.
We got a few books to help guide us and her. We read them together at night and talk about any question she has. We have chosen:
and
and then one to learn about growing up:
It is hard to believe it is time to talk about these subjects with Arlington, but she is now old enough that questions come up. I think it is very important to be straight with kids, and use proper terminology. And I want to make sure Arlington is comfortable coming to us with any questions she may have and know we are going to answer her the best we can.
Arlington is in a good place with her friends. She is learning how to deal with getting her feelings hurt and letting it roll off her back. She understands that no matter what, she needs to be nice to everyone all the time, and she knows she can talk to us about anything that happens during her day. I am proud of her and hope she remains the open minded, open hearted girl she is.
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday Arlington was sick and didn't go to school. She woke up with a fever and a headache so she and Mat stayed home for the day. She was feeling much better by the evening, so returned to school on Tuesday.
Tuesday before she went to school she had a hearing test. She had failed her hearing test 3 times at school - she was reversing what side she heard the sound in. But she tested fine at the ENT, and had a normal exam. So I was glad about that. We don't need any more drama.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday Finley and I had a busy day. I took Tuesday off so I could take kids where they needed to go. I took Arlington to her appointment and then dropped her off at school. Then I met Finley's teacher from BESB at her Kindergarten visitation day. Finley has been doing great in Kindergarten. The teacher and principal have been wonderful with her and I am so glad the principal suggested her visiting each month. This will definitely make the transition next year an easy one. I had a chance to watch her in Gym on this day, and we are lucky because the gym teacher has a degree in adaptive PE. So that is going to help a lot!
After the Kindergarten visit, we had a chance to sit with her principal and talk about her spring IEP and what goals there might be in there. I think we got a lot of good information on the table, and BESB was able to ease her mind about what they would provide and what the school needed to put in her budget. She wanted Finley to stay for two sessions of Kindergarten (both afternoon and morning), but BESB thought she would be bored because it is just a repeat of the information, and Finley already has most of the curriculum learned. the principal said she just wanted her all to herself so she could protect her. I thought that was really sweet. But since it is half day, Finley will be getting on the bus and will be going to daycare in the afternoon. Not my favorite option, but we don't have a choice.
But it was a great meeting. We are so lucky to have this principal and this school. We picked the right place to live!
--------------------------------------------------------------
After Finley and I left the school, we grabbed some lunch together and then headed over to the high school that is running the telethon for her this year. As you may remember from a past post, the high school in the district I work for has an annual Holiday Telethon that raises quite a bit of money for a non-profit each year. Friends of ours nominated Finley and the RDH12 Fund for Sight and we were chosen as the benefactors. It is going to be a fun month, but a lot of work goes into this telethon.
So yesterday, Finley and I went to the high school to meet with some of the senior students that would be working on the show and the teacher who is in charge. Finley had a lollipop on the way there, so she wasn't shy at all. She was very chatty and being her silly self, which the kids loved. The girls took right to her, and offered to color with her while I was interviewed.
Yes, I was interviewed. On camera. Without warning. I can tell you I didn't look my best because I had no idea. So, if by some chance you see the video - just ignore what I look like.
The kids had come up with a list of questions they wanted to ask me. Their studio is amazing- definitely just as high tech as a professional studio. And just as hot. I made a mental note of that for the telethon - we need to dress light. I was able to talk about Finley, our cause, our mission. This video will be played on the local TV channel and it will also be played before all the holiday concerts to help people know what this years telethon is for.
They also video taped Finley coloring and doing her thing. We had a good time. We were there for about 1 hour, and it was great that they had a chance to meet Finley. Putting a face to a cause goes a long way. Even one of the boys went home and told his mom how fun it was to meet Finley.
So we had a full day. We were sent home with a camera and we are filming Finley around the house - playing and reading stories, and coloring, and watching TV. They wanted to see her in her own environment. And they filmed her at school today as well, so that should be interesting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cainan has a bad cold. He was sick over the weekend and it progressed into a cold. He has been fine except he washes his hands so much they are cracked and bleeding. I am glad he is washing his hands, but it is overkill.
Cainan has been doing awesome in his enrichment class. We have seen a lot of growth with him over the last couple of months. He can recognize numbers up to 30, he knows all of his letters and can write all of them. He can write his first and last name without help. His control with a pencil has been great, and it looks like he is going to be right handed. He finally picked a hand and we have been working on helping him hold a pencil correctly, and he has figured it out! So he is doing so well - we are very pleased.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of our other RDH12 families has their website up and running. If you want to check it out, please go HERE. They will be joining us the morning of the telethon as well, and we are excited to see them. We are glad we have a family with the same diagnosis as Finley that only lives a few hours away.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some people have asked about donating for the telethon. There are a couple of ways you can do it. 1) you can write checks to RDH12 Fund for Sight and send them to me. 2) you can go to www.rdh12.org and pay by credit card (Master, Visa, Discover). 3) you can wait until the day of the telethon (December 23rd) an call in and make a donation.
Our goal is $20,000. Well - okay - my goal is $10,000, but the telethon is known to make around $25,000. We would be happen with whatever money we get, but the faster we get to our $70,000 goal, the faster the research can start for Finley and all the RDH12 kids. We appreciate your support.
So - I leave you with a picture of Finley with her hair in its natural state.
She is in trouble. See you Saturday!
Girls at this age have their own set of challenges. The moodiness does not come without a price. And sometimes that price leads to hurt feelings and harsh words. Arlington is a girl who likes everyone. She argues with us, but rarely with her friends and classmates. She wants to be every one's friend.
But this year she is finding that not everyone has the same attitude. There are girls who want to just have one friend, and have excluded our girl in their activities from time to time because of that. And her feelings get hurt. Mean words have been directed to her on more than one occasion for no reason except.....just because.
Don't get me wrong - it is typical girl stuff. Girls at this age are caddy, and mean, and tricky. So I am not surprised to hear that some of this is happening. But what I need to teach Arlington is how to deal with it. And also to make sure that she never falls into the place where she is being mean like that to others.
We got a few books to help guide us and her. We read them together at night and talk about any question she has. We have chosen:
and
and then one to learn about growing up:
Arlington is in a good place with her friends. She is learning how to deal with getting her feelings hurt and letting it roll off her back. She understands that no matter what, she needs to be nice to everyone all the time, and she knows she can talk to us about anything that happens during her day. I am proud of her and hope she remains the open minded, open hearted girl she is.
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday Arlington was sick and didn't go to school. She woke up with a fever and a headache so she and Mat stayed home for the day. She was feeling much better by the evening, so returned to school on Tuesday.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday Finley and I had a busy day. I took Tuesday off so I could take kids where they needed to go. I took Arlington to her appointment and then dropped her off at school. Then I met Finley's teacher from BESB at her Kindergarten visitation day. Finley has been doing great in Kindergarten. The teacher and principal have been wonderful with her and I am so glad the principal suggested her visiting each month. This will definitely make the transition next year an easy one. I had a chance to watch her in Gym on this day, and we are lucky because the gym teacher has a degree in adaptive PE. So that is going to help a lot!
But it was a great meeting. We are so lucky to have this principal and this school. We picked the right place to live!
--------------------------------------------------------------
After Finley and I left the school, we grabbed some lunch together and then headed over to the high school that is running the telethon for her this year. As you may remember from a past post, the high school in the district I work for has an annual Holiday Telethon that raises quite a bit of money for a non-profit each year. Friends of ours nominated Finley and the RDH12 Fund for Sight and we were chosen as the benefactors. It is going to be a fun month, but a lot of work goes into this telethon.
Yes, I was interviewed. On camera. Without warning. I can tell you I didn't look my best because I had no idea. So, if by some chance you see the video - just ignore what I look like.
So we had a full day. We were sent home with a camera and we are filming Finley around the house - playing and reading stories, and coloring, and watching TV. They wanted to see her in her own environment. And they filmed her at school today as well, so that should be interesting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cainan has a bad cold. He was sick over the weekend and it progressed into a cold. He has been fine except he washes his hands so much they are cracked and bleeding. I am glad he is washing his hands, but it is overkill.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of our other RDH12 families has their website up and running. If you want to check it out, please go HERE. They will be joining us the morning of the telethon as well, and we are excited to see them. We are glad we have a family with the same diagnosis as Finley that only lives a few hours away.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some people have asked about donating for the telethon. There are a couple of ways you can do it. 1) you can write checks to RDH12 Fund for Sight and send them to me. 2) you can go to www.rdh12.org and pay by credit card (Master, Visa, Discover). 3) you can wait until the day of the telethon (December 23rd) an call in and make a donation.
Our goal is $20,000. Well - okay - my goal is $10,000, but the telethon is known to make around $25,000. We would be happen with whatever money we get, but the faster we get to our $70,000 goal, the faster the research can start for Finley and all the RDH12 kids. We appreciate your support.
So - I leave you with a picture of Finley with her hair in its natural state.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Much to Tell
But it will have to wait until tomorrow. Be on the lookout for telethon updates! But I went to PTO tonight and it is too late to write a big post. See you tomorrow!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Making Meals Monday
Don't get too excited! I just wanted to post a dessert that I made this week that was really yummy. No - it isn't healthy at all. But it was fun, so I am posting it anyway. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Twinkie Dessert
1 package (15 ounces) Hostess Twinkies (10 Twinkies)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 container (8 ounces) frozen nondairy whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup milk
Additional pumpkin pie spice
Slice Twinkies in half lengthwise and place cream-side up, in single layer in 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Using a mixer, blend together cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and ½ of whipped topping until smooth. Spread evenly over Twinkies.
Combine pudding mix, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and milk. Whisk until well blended and layer over cream cheese mixture. Carefully spread remaining whipped topping over pumpkin. Lightly sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice. Refrigerate several hours or until set.
Makes 9 to 12 servings.
Pumpkin Twinkie Dessert
1 package (15 ounces) Hostess Twinkies (10 Twinkies)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 container (8 ounces) frozen nondairy whipped topping, thawed, divided
2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup milk
Additional pumpkin pie spice
Slice Twinkies in half lengthwise and place cream-side up, in single layer in 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Using a mixer, blend together cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and ½ of whipped topping until smooth. Spread evenly over Twinkies.
Combine pudding mix, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and milk. Whisk until well blended and layer over cream cheese mixture. Carefully spread remaining whipped topping over pumpkin. Lightly sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice. Refrigerate several hours or until set.
Makes 9 to 12 servings.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Interesting news, great news, and hometown news
-----------------------------------------------------
In other news - Finley has become competitive with her brother. Each morning while Mat drives she and Cainan to school, he says she tries to beat him at something. He doesn't allow her to gloat if she "wins" her little game, so instead, Finley has taken to saying "someone is the winner. I am not going to say who, except that the person's name begins with F". What a ham.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A Bit of Randomness
I have a meeting tonight at our kid's school, so unfortunately, I don't have time for a big post. So I will just fill you in on the recent tidbits. Aren't you excited? I know you are. Admit it.
Arlington has failed her school hearing test three times. You know, because we didn't have enough on our plate, we now have to take her to the ENT. I am confident it is something minor - she doesn't show any trouble hearing us (especially when we don't want her to), and she is doing fine in school. No one in our family has notice problems, so my guess is - she has fluid in her ears and it is making the sounds that are soft, harder to hear. She will go to the pediatrician on Thursday to get her flu shot and we will have the pediatrician check her, and then we go to the ENT next Tuesday for a full hearing exam. Fun.times.
Finley will be doing her third stint as a make shift Kindergartener next Tuesday as well. She loves going. It really has been beneficial to get her ready for next year, and the principal would like to see her start to come twice a month after the holidays. We are hoping to try some afternoon Kindergarten classes so that we can see how tired her eyes are by that time. I am still holding firm to Cainan needing to be in AM Kindergarten (because by 2pm that kid is STILL wanting to take a nap), and them being separated, but only time will tell if that is what our final decision will be.
Yesterday I presented to the High School in my district (where I work) because we were nominated for their holiday telethon. There were 12 different non-profits nominated, and we are in the top two. So I had to present to two different (large) groups of kids about Finley and our efforts and our non-profit. I did well - I held it together, even when some of the girls got teary. That was a first for me. I just kept sweeping the room as I talked, and that helped. The kids asked a lot of good questions, and it was fun to get information out about our cause. We are hopeful we get the top spot and are the benefactors this year, but if not, that is okay too. We will probably know sometime next week, so keep your fingers crossed. This could be big for our RDH12 Fund.
Mat has updated the Finley's Fighters website a bit. He put some totals of our money made for the RDH12 Fund so far, so take a look HERE. I am going to be making slide shows of the most recent events that took place, and putting those on the picture's pages. Remember - if you have pictures of yourselves or your family members in your Finley's Fighters shirts or wrist bands, send them our way! We want to feature you on the website.
Cainan is doing well. He is making great strides with his enrichment class, and we have seen some improvements. His memory still seems to be a big issue, but it is better. Sometimes he surprises us with what he can remember. He is still the best behaved, funny boy. He is really enjoying preschool this year and has made some wonderful friends. I am anxious to see how he does next year in Kindergarten. For now - he is holding his own. The other day in church he was pretending his crayon was a rocket ship, instead of coloring. Such a boy.
Tonight I am going to my town meeting which is where our school building committee will present their recommendations to the Board of Selectman (for all of you city folks, that is like the mayor and his clan - ha!). I am not hopeful because I have not liked what I have heard so far, but I am hoping to refrain from having to call the ADA in to get Finley what she needs next year. The school itself has been VERY cooperative and willing to do whatever is necessary for Finley. However, they need the funds from the town, which is proving to be much more difficult. So, I am missing my favorite show Glee, to once again go and listen to the same story and give my same comments, and just make them aware that I still haven't gone away. And I am not alone - I have a lot of mommies behind me on this one, so we are going to gether as usual. I am grateful, especially, for my friends Athena, Michelle G, Tammy, and Mona who have stood with me and beside me during these last 6 months.
I know a lot of people don't think that a small group can make a difference, so "why bother". But what if everyone had that attitude? What if, after we got Finley's diagnosis, we said "well, there probably isn't anything we can do, so why bother?" and just let fate be fate? I don't know about you, but that would be about the lamest thing ever. Would you really sit by just because you THOUGHT no change would happen? That is what my biggest problem is with our town. Many people have the attitude that "why bother" because they don't think they will make a difference. When in actuality, I would have rathered give 110% and STILL lose, but know in my heart that I would never have done it any other way. I can always say to my kids "I gave my all to make your school the best it could be." And I can always say to Finley, "we did everything we can to save your sight". No matter what the outcome is, if we just lie down and don't fight for what we want, then what have we gained? Nothing.
If there is change you want to see happen in your school, with your children, in your life, go get it. Don't assume that someone else is going to pave the way. Don't be afraid to be the pioneer, the big mouth, the leader. I have never been anything but, and I am not ashamed of it. I know what I want, and I will try my hardest to get it. And even if I fail, I can't say I didn't do anything in the first place.
See you Saturday
Arlington has failed her school hearing test three times. You know, because we didn't have enough on our plate, we now have to take her to the ENT. I am confident it is something minor - she doesn't show any trouble hearing us (especially when we don't want her to), and she is doing fine in school. No one in our family has notice problems, so my guess is - she has fluid in her ears and it is making the sounds that are soft, harder to hear. She will go to the pediatrician on Thursday to get her flu shot and we will have the pediatrician check her, and then we go to the ENT next Tuesday for a full hearing exam. Fun.times.
Finley will be doing her third stint as a make shift Kindergartener next Tuesday as well. She loves going. It really has been beneficial to get her ready for next year, and the principal would like to see her start to come twice a month after the holidays. We are hoping to try some afternoon Kindergarten classes so that we can see how tired her eyes are by that time. I am still holding firm to Cainan needing to be in AM Kindergarten (because by 2pm that kid is STILL wanting to take a nap), and them being separated, but only time will tell if that is what our final decision will be.
Yesterday I presented to the High School in my district (where I work) because we were nominated for their holiday telethon. There were 12 different non-profits nominated, and we are in the top two. So I had to present to two different (large) groups of kids about Finley and our efforts and our non-profit. I did well - I held it together, even when some of the girls got teary. That was a first for me. I just kept sweeping the room as I talked, and that helped. The kids asked a lot of good questions, and it was fun to get information out about our cause. We are hopeful we get the top spot and are the benefactors this year, but if not, that is okay too. We will probably know sometime next week, so keep your fingers crossed. This could be big for our RDH12 Fund.
Mat has updated the Finley's Fighters website a bit. He put some totals of our money made for the RDH12 Fund so far, so take a look HERE. I am going to be making slide shows of the most recent events that took place, and putting those on the picture's pages. Remember - if you have pictures of yourselves or your family members in your Finley's Fighters shirts or wrist bands, send them our way! We want to feature you on the website.
Cainan is doing well. He is making great strides with his enrichment class, and we have seen some improvements. His memory still seems to be a big issue, but it is better. Sometimes he surprises us with what he can remember. He is still the best behaved, funny boy. He is really enjoying preschool this year and has made some wonderful friends. I am anxious to see how he does next year in Kindergarten. For now - he is holding his own. The other day in church he was pretending his crayon was a rocket ship, instead of coloring. Such a boy.
Tonight I am going to my town meeting which is where our school building committee will present their recommendations to the Board of Selectman (for all of you city folks, that is like the mayor and his clan - ha!). I am not hopeful because I have not liked what I have heard so far, but I am hoping to refrain from having to call the ADA in to get Finley what she needs next year. The school itself has been VERY cooperative and willing to do whatever is necessary for Finley. However, they need the funds from the town, which is proving to be much more difficult. So, I am missing my favorite show Glee, to once again go and listen to the same story and give my same comments, and just make them aware that I still haven't gone away. And I am not alone - I have a lot of mommies behind me on this one, so we are going to gether as usual. I am grateful, especially, for my friends Athena, Michelle G, Tammy, and Mona who have stood with me and beside me during these last 6 months.
I know a lot of people don't think that a small group can make a difference, so "why bother". But what if everyone had that attitude? What if, after we got Finley's diagnosis, we said "well, there probably isn't anything we can do, so why bother?" and just let fate be fate? I don't know about you, but that would be about the lamest thing ever. Would you really sit by just because you THOUGHT no change would happen? That is what my biggest problem is with our town. Many people have the attitude that "why bother" because they don't think they will make a difference. When in actuality, I would have rathered give 110% and STILL lose, but know in my heart that I would never have done it any other way. I can always say to my kids "I gave my all to make your school the best it could be." And I can always say to Finley, "we did everything we can to save your sight". No matter what the outcome is, if we just lie down and don't fight for what we want, then what have we gained? Nothing.
If there is change you want to see happen in your school, with your children, in your life, go get it. Don't assume that someone else is going to pave the way. Don't be afraid to be the pioneer, the big mouth, the leader. I have never been anything but, and I am not ashamed of it. I know what I want, and I will try my hardest to get it. And even if I fail, I can't say I didn't do anything in the first place.
See you Saturday
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