Sunday: The Day of Rest?

It's Sunday. The Sabbath day. And for many of us moms  out there, it is not the day of rest so much as it is the day of stress, meetings, flying cheerios, and crying (not just the kids).

Now, don't get me wrong. When I was a young adult and Relief Society President I really liked Sundays! I got to flirt with boys, wear jewelry and cute clothes, study, and keep up on lessons. Now?

Well, now I have a husband cuter and more amazing than any guy I could've found in college, and yet I find myself getting angry when he can't read my mind Sunday morning.

The bag needs to be packed with snacks and drinks. Why are you napping?

Somebody's poopy. Do you smell that? I'm going to just walk away and wait for you to figure it out...you didn't smell it. Fine.

Why am I getting everyone dressed? I'm not dressed. You are dressed.

So while I'm thinking hypocritical thoughts and getting angry that once again my oldest daughter has lost her shoe  in her messy room I've asked her to clean a million times, I'm wondering if I read my scriptures this morning.

Nope.

I had to get medicine for Isaac, medicine for me, breakfast for the kids on fast Sunday, and whatever else my morning is filled with that makes me late for one o'clock church (sad but true).

And as for jewelry these days? The less, the better. It usually ends up being a baby toy within minutes anyway and then later in the repair shop (aka my kitchen or messy drawer) for months.

And clothes? Any dress or skirt that isn't touching my ankles is likely to give someone a free show of my underwear. It just happens. You pick up a child and your skirt goes with it. Or one tug on your skirt from a toddler and it's over.

So today?

Wonder of wonders, Miracle of Miracles!

Although it didn't start out the best, church was a blessing.


First, Isaac got through Sacrament meeting (out in the foyer) without a tablet and only one moment of escape. Then, he went to the Primary room. This is a new thing and today our helper, Gayle, stayed with him instead of Jeremy.

Then Jeremy and I decided to try and take Eliza to nursery. I've taken her a few times and stayed with her but this time she stayed without me the whole time. I got to go to classes-it was weird! 

When I came out of Relief Society, our last class of the 3-hour block, I found Isaac still in his wheelchair of comfort happy as can be.

The teachers put his class downstairs so that he could go in his chair. Gayle took him there and, according to his teachers, he folded his arms and did what the other kids were doing. I was shocked. I think they were surprised as well.

My favorite thing I heard is that he called some little stuffed buffalo the teachers brought for the lesson a puppy. So now they are going to bring it each week he comes to class. It makes me smile how he loves dogs. Puppy is one word he says regularly that everyone understands.

Needless to say, I came away from church today on a cloud. Isaac actually stayed the whole three hours and did good. I don't remember the last time that happened. It gives me hope. I just hope it lasts!

New School for Isaac

Guess what!

More and more as Isaac grows I realize how much Heavenly Father loves him. 

Things fall into place, people come into his life, and opportunities arise.

Most recently, his preschool teacher called me Friday morning and told me there was an opportunity for Isaac.

This is the day Isaac picked out his first outfit ever. If you can't tell, he is sporting red, black, and white plaid shorts with a bright orange shark shirt. I was so proud he picked them himself! AND that morning he was trying to put shorts on by himself. Granted, they were dirty ones from his laundry basket and he had both legs in one leg hole, but it was still cool.

He was supposed to start at the same school with the same teacher on Wednesday. 

However, after meeting that day with several teachers and coordinators, I found out that Isaac will now be starting at an all-day preschool where there are only eight children accepted. Here are some things I'm excited about:

• Each child has one on one time with a certified, trained individual all day as well as the regular special ed teacher 

• His time with speech, occupational, and physical therapists will now be significantly more

• ABA therapy (I know it doesn't work for everyone, but we will see) and behavior assistance  

• Potty training program (all children from the class last year were potty trained by the end of the school year!) 

This is a new sensory thing we started doing more often! Shaving cream in the bathtub with nothin' but a diaper on never felt so good. He loves it! I can't wait to see what they have available at his new school.

• Assessments to spot the “holes” in his development, then the use of specific programs to help fill those holes.

•  More sensory! Plus they have some awesome equipment inside the classroom and on the playground.

I am really hoping to see some great improvements over the course of the year with Isaac. Let's cross our fingers and pray!

He is definitely school ready! He put his shoes on by himself!!! I don't even care they are on the wrong feet! Look at that!:) It's the little things. Can't wait to see what else he'll surprise me with this year.

New dog!

Hey it's been awhile-did you miss me? What, you didn't miss all the dog drama around here? Cuz if you did, I've got more!

Actually it's not so much good drama as it is great news!

Despite my last post of saying what our decision was, I flip-flopped A LOT. But I will save you that background story. In the end we stuck with our decision.

You know, the one I already felt good about but doubted and got all confused again? Yeah, that's the one.

And might I just add a little reminder here for myself, regarding both Roxy and Daisy and everything we went through to get where we are now:

Doctrine and Covenants section 6:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

"Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?"

So yes, considering the rightness I felt in getting both Roxy and Daisy, given we didn't want one dog to begin with, we now have two dogs to fulfill two purposes.

Oh, and without further adeu, here's Isaac’s official service dog, Daisy, AKA Roxy’s sista from anotha mista. She is a purebred black Labrador. She is 8 months old, so only one month older than Roxy.

Roxy is on the left. Daisy is on the right. I didn't get many pictures of her
because she was only with us a few days before going to training.

Daisy licks you to death and isn't nippy at all. She jumps up on everyone all the time, but never barks. And I'm pretty sure she doesn't pee every time a new person comes (like someone I know;) She is small, but has a lot of power and energy (just like Isaac). And most importantly...drum roll please...she isn't scared of people!

You guys, I've learned a lot about service dogs and the business surrounding them through this crazy journey. I'd say the most important thing in finding a service dog is their temperament. I know, it seems like a no brainer, but it's true.

Now, even saying that, we love Roxy and her temperament-as a family dog.

I know that many who have met Roxy think she is "psycho," as one person lovingly put it, but she is a sweet, tender-hearted, cuddly puppy. Because Daisy will be solely for Isaac, it will be nice to have a dog that Jeremy can take camping and hiking, one I can cuddle up on the couch with, and one Millie and Eliza can love as well.

Another bonus is that the two dogs get their energy out playing with each other. I don't have to entertain Roxy so much, so it makes some things easier. played with each other and it wore Roxy out. She also was let nippy. I think it will be good for them to have a friend.

There are some small concerns with Daisy, like her smaller size, since Isaac will get much bigger. She also tends to run when she does get scared, which is rare. This is an issue with tethering. This is when Isaac is tethered to her. If she bolts, it wouldn't be good! But we are continuing with training and it looks like most of it will be here at home so that she gets a lot of interaction with Isaac.

This also means I have a new part-time job for the next four months, so we will see how that goes....

But I am hopeful that this is all going to work out. I don't want to go looking for another dog! But don't worry, we wouldn't keep three dogs!

I'm just happy to be moving forward and am excited to see how things work out.