It's been awhile since I've been able to sit and write on here. Things are going great in Fl. A year ago we signed the papers on our home in Michigan to accept an offer on the house up there and it has been a whirlwind year since then. Thank goodness that the kids are as flexible as they are, or else we would have some major issues.
We finally got the oldest monkey his diagnosis of ASD (autism spectrum disorder). We have been trying to get that for over 12 years and by some miracle the first pediatrician that we walked into referred us to Univeristy of Florida to have him talk to a doctor there. Within a 15 minute appoint of talking with the oldest monkey and myself and looking over all his records from schools and drs. past she said there is no doubt in my mind. Let's get him the help he needs now....So with this diagnosis he has been able to get the few accommodations at school that are necessary for him to do well. I am very happy to say that he has been on the High Honor Roll all year and even has been awarded a camping trip and coming soon a waterpark trip in June down in Tampa. (Can I be a chaperone please????) Just Kidding I don't want to embarrass the poor kid :P. Another awesome thing is that Monkey has joined LaCrosse. He has played and plays well. The other night I had tears streaming down my face because he was "normal" to the kids on the field. No one saw his quirky sense of humor or social skills. He was one of the guys. He made an awesome play and was rewarded with High fives and chest bumps. My lil man (5'10 and size 11 shoe at 13 years old) has found his niche and is looking forward to many more years of playing.
Number 2 monkey has been accepted to a Technology Academy for middle school. He tells me he is sooooooo bored with school and homework so I am really hoping that this pushes him forward and farther into his higher thinking. He will be leaving Middle School with up to 9 computer certifications and 3 credits for college. Right now he is thinking of going to school for Criminal Justice. He wants to be an officer and help others. Highly commendable and makes this mama proud. He is loving archery yet, and is hoping to get in a few camps this summer for archery, rifle, and shotgun. He too is a lil man standing at nearly 5'5" and size 10 shoe at 12 years old in about a month's time. Friends, boys and girls alike, come knocking on my door for him to go on walks, ride bikes, or xbox comps. I forsee a video monitoring system in the playroom before too long.
Number 3 monkey has had a year of growth and healing. She started 2014 with equestrian therapy to work through some issues due to a sexual assault a few years early by a babysitter. It helped her learn that she can control situations, even large ones like a horse. She also has began starting to trust boys and men, though she really keeps to herself a lot of days and doesn't like touch unless she initiates it. :( Sad mommy moment and one that I wish I could completely take away, but we are trying to find the learning points from it. This past Fall, she too has been found to be on the ASD spectrum and has been receiving therapy to work through some of the learning disabilities that come with it. We have learned what a wobble seat is, and that it is ok to sit on our knees and rock while working. We also have found that fidgets at a desk will be focused on more than anything else so a clear desk is a must. #3 Monkey is an amazing artist. The pictures that have been coming out of her lately, I have considered putting together into a coffee table book so I can save them forever. She draws tons of girl friends her way and is such a loving soul...
Monkey #4 is really a monkey....He flies through the yard, the house, under the bed, and in the trees. There is no keeping this one still. He has a mathematical mind, though he will tell you that it is not worth learning math because you will never use it...ahhh to be nearly 8 again and think the world gets paid with hugs and kisses and bowls of cereal. This lil one's creative mind leads the younger three on many adventures outside and on MineCraft. Tipping the scales at a full 48#s he is my armful that I hope doesn't grow too fast.
Monkey #5 is currently being treated for another bladder/kidney infection. Her hydronephrosis is still moderately sever in one kidney. The other kidney is on the high side of normal. We aren't talking transplants anymore, but are talking about function and flow often. This past dr appt on Tuesday Monkey was able to talk about what she physically was feeling. A huge step in deciding what direction we are going to do next. We will have an ultrasound scheduled in the near future to look at scarring and kidney growth to determine next medicines and future treatment. Amazingly Monkey is growing perfectly and has one of the most brilliant minds I have seen in a really long time. She will be attending an academy next year that allows her to work at whatever level she is at. She will be mostly in a 1st and 2nd grade room, but will go to Kindergarten on occasion throughout the day so she can socialize with kids her age as well.
Normal..yep we are about as normal as you can get right now. In three weeks ask me if we are still there as we start summer break and have kids going in 15 directions again.
