Wrapped up in a year

I found this one sitting in my drafts and thought I would dust it off and share.  Enjoy.............

Over a year has passed since I posted, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been a lot to write about. Somehow as we get older the days get seem to get shorter and shorter. I suppose I should have listened to the quote I often heard growing up: the older you get the faster the days seem to come and go.

My oldest now in 2nd and youngest in Pre-K. Both of my children now have IEPs for very different areas of concern. 💞

Getting the 2nd one into the RECC program was not so easy. After a lot of back and forth and a bit of luck, we transitioned our youngest out of general preschool and into the RECC program.  If it were up to the tests and the standard system, we would never have gotten into the RECC program.  The first year in RECC was fantastic. Not only did our 3 year old grow tremendously in numerous developmental delayed areas, during the year I was asked back 2 times to revise his IEP and asked if it was ok to add services.  In the 3 previous years of dealing with IEP meetings for my oldest son, I never once had the school ask me if it was ok to add services. In fact, I had to fight tooth and nail for every service my oldest obtained from age 2.5 to present.  I felt extremely blessed to be asked if it was "ok" to add additional services that would ultimately assist my youngest in being a well rounded, happy socially accepted  and successful student,  During the first year of RECC with my youngest, he went from barely understandable and constant tantrums to partially understandable and seemingly on the track to happiness.

Fast forward 6 months.  Now half way through his Pre-K year, and thanks to the Speech, OT and PT specialists he is well on his way to being ready for Kindergarten.  A little kid who went from being introverted and unsure of every word, step and move he made to a kid who would tell you what he wanted, walk up stairs like he had been doing it for years and climb and slide like it was a piece of cake - making me think - who is this kid and how did I get so lucky.  Then reality hit once again - academically he wasn’t getting what he needed to set him up for kindergarten success The areas he was growing in, slowly but surely was based on hard work, consistency, collaboration, determination and once again a dream team of specialist surrounding me.  

Many nights I find myself wondering why I got so lucky to have such an amazing support system around me. Why was I surrounded by people, old and new that felt it necessary to take my kids under their wing, spend time with me to help me truly understand what it is I am dealing with, no matter how different each child's situation and still to this day are my foundation, my rock, my support, my kids advocates and my path forward.  Then it hits me - or someone reminds me - I’m not lucky I’m a survivor, a concerned mother determined to collaborate with, listen to, and yes, sometimes push forward the team of educators supporting, guiding, encouraging and sometimes underestimating my children. 

For those that read this, thank you! For those that know someone who may benefit from reading this, please share!  Paying it forward is so important because going through this journey is More Than Any One Person Can Handle Alone!

#Bloom
#Ittakesavillage

#Movingmountains