Do You Know The Story About The Boy Who Cried Wolf?

I'm beginning to feel like that boy.
I'm busy, but I'll post. But then no post.
I'm still busy, but I'll post. But then no post.

But, I really am busy. Busy enjoying life as it is. And it's different from last year.

Working full time is kicking my butt. Teaching the Adapted TKD is kicking my butt. Being on my son's school PTA Board is kicking my butt. But I love it all.

And why, if all this is kicking my butt did I find myself checking out the PhD programs at GMU and UMD again, for the umpteenth time? Especially when I post on Facebook that there is just not enough time and where does it go?

In other news, hubby and I had 2 new firsts for us.
Adam's teacher conference - NO ISSUES!! Well, spelling and grammar are weak, but that's what spell and grammar check are for as far as I'm concerned. No behavior issues, no social issues. Grades are at an all time high since kindergarten and 1st grade. The few times he didn't have his homework he went on his own to her and told her so and then told her she could expect it the next day. If it gets loud in the room or he's being easily distracted he asks to finish his work in the hallway. She says she sees NO Aspie stuff at all (ADHD yes, but no spectrum).

And

His annual at the pediatrician - no issues to talk. Just a refill for the low dose of meds he is on and a check of tummy, throat, etc. Shortest nicest visit ever.

All this only confirms his ADOS testing in the spring where he tested off the spectrum. Is he really 'recovered'? Or are we just in a really, really good spot thanks to tons of behavioral interventions and 2 parents working together?

But, regardless, I'm just really enjoying life right now. And this new 'phase' Adam has been in. Such a different, but at the same time the same child he's always been.

Next post I'll be sharing how we're entering the world of GIRLS (or rather, how Adam is).
Just hopefully, I won't keep you in suspense very long!

Read more!

Waving a Small Hand Hello (again)....

Umm. Hello out there (waves hand). If there is anyone out there still....

I'm still here, although I know it's hard to believe with all this lack of posting. But it's a good lack of posting. Not a too-much-to-say, lost-at-words, stuff-I-can't/shouldn't-write-about lack of posting. It's more like a I'm-busier-than-ever, but it's all-OK-busy.

• Loving my job - which I knew I would as I subbed this position 3/4 time last school year. Switching to full time has been everything I expected - loving the challenge and hating trying to find that right balance.
• I'm on the PTA Board at Adam's school. One of my (main) duties is writing the monthly newsletter. Which doesn't sound like a difficult job, but wow is it way more time consuming than I thought it would be! It doesn't help that our newsletter has won the state's PTA newsletter award a few times in the past few years, so I've got big shoes to fill.
• The Adapted Tae Kwon Do program is going strong. Really strong. And we continue to have students transition successfully into the regular TKD program too. It's been so incredible to see so many kids with disabilities succeed at TKD, the joy on the parents faces, and the reaction from the other parents and students at TKD that yes, even if you have a disability, you can participate and have fun and make progress in a sport. So much appreciation to our Master for letting us try this program a year and a half ago!
• Missed the cut-off for the BCBA exam by one day and also 80 hours (I need 1500 hours of supervision). So I'll be waiting till March. But I'll have more time to study too (in theory at least!).
• Adam is starting the year off flying to the moon. He (for the most part) has finally learned that if he takes a 10 minute break after getting home, then does his homework and focus on it then wow, hey, there is time to play!!!! before dinner and bed!!!! As opposed to arguing about said homework for 2 hours, still having to do it, dinner and bed. He usually has ONE math worksheet on Fridays - a whooping 20 minutes, but since it's Friday, he hasn't made the connection that the same principal applies on this day too. Always a work in progress. His teacher is amazing and has had many positive things to say about him (which, unfortunately we aren't always used to due to his weaknesses taking front and center stage so often). I could really get used to this (as I find some wood to knock on)!
• And speaking of math - he's in the GT (gifted and talented) Center, which I knew meant math was one grade level above the actual grade he is in. But what I didn't know was that 6th graders learn 7th AND 8th grade math so that if they do well they go to Algebra I in 7th grade. My little 11 year old is learning Pre-Algebra!! And he's loving it! I think it fits his black and white mind so well. He's been hanging his tests on the fridge after each unit.

So, overall, life is pretty damn good right now. And instead of blogging about it, I've just been enjoying it. But I should be back soon. That balance between working full time and everything else has got a light at the end of the tunnel, and I think its the sun, not a train heading towards me.

To keep you busy in the meantime, though, head over to Every Day I Write the Book. I just finished reading the October EDIWTB book club selection - Cost by Roxana Robinson - a definite must to put on your to-read-list!

Read more!

On Monday

I start my new job. After several interviews with no offers, teachers reporting back to work, and kids going back to school, I finally got an offer.

The best part - it's a position that I did last year but now I'm contracted. A position I absolutely loved. A position that uses everything I learned in the ABA/BCBA coursework from the past 2 years.

Summer may be over, but I'm not sad. I'm excited to start this new adventure :)

Read more!

The End Of Summer

I haven't been around much this summer.

At least here on this blog.

But maybe in real life too.

It's been a long summer. Happy, stressed, frustrating, upsetting, relaxing, learning, and hopeful times.

I think I'll be ready to start writing again soon.

Read more!

"The Dangerous Days of Daniel X: Watch The Skies"

Once again, MotherTalk has offered me (well, actually Adam) a book to enjoy. Adam loved The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, and now James Patterson has written the second novel in the series.

And here's the scoop from Adam:

What did you think of the book?

I thought it was a really good book and it had a really interesting plot to it. I think that Number Five sounded really cool and I really want to have the powers and surgical operations that he had.

Who was your favorite character?

Daniel X - because he is so awesome at crime fighting and he knows all these martial arts and rocket launchers.

What was your favorite part of the book?

My favorite part was when Daniel X's Dad turns the minivan into a big giant computer tech crime fighting place. I also liked the part when he destroyed Number Five.

Compare the first book to the second book?

I think the second book was a little bit better because I was introduced to more characters. There is a lot more action and fighting too. I also liked the second book because it had a plot that caught my interest more.

Would you be interested in the series continuing?

Yes, I would love the series to continue.

What do you think will happen to Daniel X in the next book?

I think he will fight the vicious villain Number Four and work his way down to Number One.

Thanks MotherTalk & James Patterson for allowing Adam to review this book. Head over here to see what others are saying!

Read more!

Obligatory Pre-Blogher Post

Around the blogosphere are lots of posts about getting ready to go to Blogher. So I suppose I should do one too.

Except I'm not going. No particular reason. Just not going.

So - you all have fun, share stories, and have a few drinks for me. OK?

Read more!

I'm Right Here, You're Right Here

Right where we both belong. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bumps in the road? Yup. Who doesn't? Do we flatten those bumps out? Yup. Are some bumps bigger than others? Yup. Sometimes the bumps pile up faster and faster, but we always flatten them somehow.

Last night we were sitting in a restaurant. I was talking about yet another friend who is getting a divorce. Adam commented that it seems like a new trend. What with both is aunts leaving their husbands this year and some other friends of ours splitting. You answered that you had no desire to join that trend. I immediately agreed. Adam smiled.

Marriage is work. But that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. Somehow the concept of work brings negative thoughts. But you love your job - it's work, but you love it. Same here. And our marriage, our family? It's a job. It's work. But we love what we have built. We love what we have.

I'm right here, you're right here. Right where we both belong. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

This post has been inspired by Michael Miller's book What Happened to the Girl I Married? the July book club for the SV Moms Group. Michael writes about staying at home to learn what it's like for his wife. And by doing so, falls in love all over again with his wife and finds out what happened to the girl he married, as well as what happened to the husband he became.

Read more!