Reaching Out In A New Way

Moving to a new city comes with all sorts of challenges. 

There are so many things to change. Change your address, change doctors, change therapists, change churches, etc. 

As I’ve mentioned before this change hit Hannah the hardest, but she is coming through. Actually, she recently had her second Cochlear Implant surgery and came through it with flying colors. 

She was back to herself in no time, which completely shocked this Mom. 

While making sure my kids are adjusting well, I forget about all the things that have changed for me as well. 

Some good, some just different. 

I recently went on the women’s retreat with our church. Being the introvert that I am, at first I wasn’t going. But Keith gently pushed and even said “if there was a men’s retreat I would go!” So I went. 

I’m really glad I did. It was a fun and thought-filled 24 hours away from my normal responsibilities that allowed me to meet new people and reflect on all the Lord is doing in my life. 

When talking with new friends I forget they don’t know how Hannah’s story began. They don’t know why she can’t hear, they’ve never known another person who has implants, they don’t know why she’s not talking yet, etc., etc. 

But they also don’t ask. I’m sure I would be the same way in a similar situation, but since no one asks I forget they don’t know. 

So on this trip so many women asked about Hannah. I was able to share our story with others and was even asked how we could be supported better. Tears! 

This is what I’ve been missing. It’s one thing to have friends because they are moms of your kids classmates (not that I haven’t found wonderful friends this way), but it’s completely different to have people want to know you for you. 

I’m sure that’s a large part of why churches put on women’s conferences. Haha. But I’m thankful for the opportunity to dig deeper into the lives of others and embrace this change. 

I’m thankful for those new friends who have taken the time to get to know me and that I can be that person to others!

Lately...

Yes I’ve been MIA lately. 

No reason really accept that every time I sit down one of my kids climbs on me, (which I’m expecting to happen many times before I finish this post) but that’s just this season of life, right?

Life has been full of good things. 

School, therapy, making new friends, spending time with family and more. 

Hannah’s IEP took way longer then we expected, but it seems Wake Co is behind so she just recently started school. 

This made me very anxious at first, but looking back it gave her time to adjust to a new place, get set up with new doctors and have a semester of speech therapy at UNC before she started 4 day preschool. 

I struggle with wondering if I’m doing enough for her, but trying to be at peace with what we have right now. 

I’m sure there is always more that we can do, but weighing that against what’s best for our family as a whole sometimes changes things. This does not always permit us to put all our efforts into Hannah, however much we want to. 

I think we are settling into life in NC. We have found a church that provides fellowship for our entire family and opportunities for us to serve. 

Eli is registered for Kindergarten and I really think he’s ready. This year of transitional Kindergarten has been a great jumping off point for him and he loves to learn. 

Hannah started 3 year old preschool through the public schools on January 2nd. Since we’ve had a good deal of snow she’s actually only gone 6 days so far, but we are hoping this last snow storm was the last. 

Hannah was placed in a developmentally delayed class with other kids who have speech delays plus. Her teacher is great and I have noticed in just the short time she’s been there how much she is retaining. I’m excited to see how she progresses. 

Of course she will have her 2nd cochlear implant surgery in a little less than a month, so that will cause her to miss school as well, but such is life with a complex 3 year old. I am looking forward to how this will change her speech and listening reception. 

Suzi is growing so quickly. She turned 18 months right after Christmas. She is always trying to keep up with her older siblings and continues to amaze us with her cuteness and personality. 

These kiddos keep us busy but we wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Eli’s School

Before we even began the process of moving I started praying for friends for Eli. 

Louisville was all he knew. The friends he had we met when he was my only child and those kids grew up with him over the past 4 years. 

They knew our family. 

They knew our life. 

Even though Eli was excited to move to NC I knew he was sad sometimes. He would often bring up our old house and his old friends and just be sad and that was ok. 

One day after a “new friend playdate” he talked about our old life the entire drive home. 

It was gonna take some time. 

When school started he was excited. He couldn’t wait to go and be with new friends. I prayed the newness would not wear off. 

And it really hasn’t. 

Even though we are almost 2 months in,  school is still the highlight of Eli’s day and he really wants to go!

His school is 5 minutes down the road and there are 10 kids and 2 teachers. 

The teachers really teach about love and respect for others and how to be a good friend. He as learned more about being a good helper and how to put others first. I’ve really been amazed. 

I’m so thankful the Lord provided this school and new friends for Eli. 

When I asked him the other day who his best friend was he said “all the boys in my class”. 😊

 

 

   

Johnny Appleseed 

And they have a Shutterfly share site so I get to see a lot of what they do. 

It’s kind of like being a fly in the wall, just without audio. 😉

Being an older brother to a special needs sister  can be hard. I know there are times when Eli gets lost in the shuffle, I’m just so thankful the Lord knew what Eli needed and allowed that for our family. 

Fall Things

I.Love.Fall

And I love that I live in a place where I can experience the season. 

 

This month we took our first solo (family of 5) trip to Boone! 

It was so nice to be back up there, eat at familiar restaurants, see familiar sights, sleep in a cozy house with no A/C and experience it with my people who had never been there before. 

Eli continually talks about our “mountain house” and how much he misses it. 

 

A selfie as we started up the mountain

At the bottom of the falls

 

  

Everyone did their best walking and keeping up. 

Eli was behind me the majority of the time and I always knew he was with me because he talked the entire time. 😊 

 

After a short break in the afternoon we headed to Blowing Rock for dinner and ice cream!

I am so glad we could enjoy this time away as a family. 

In North Carolina the fall also brings the Fair!

I don’t think I’ve been to the fair in over 10 years but it was just as fun as I remembered. 

As we drove into the parking lot Eli saw the large Ferris wheel so that was his one and only thought as we walked through the gate. 

 

 

We went to the fair the first day so the animals had lots of energy. 

 

I think Hannah could have watched the chicks for hours. 

  

My barn-raising kiddos

 

The best we could do 

Suzi playing in the PBS tent

  

Hannah’s favorite ride

 

It was a fun-filled day at the fair and an excellent fall activity. 

It is a blessing to live close to fun places and family. We have loved being able to see grandparents often, especially since Hannah has had many, many starter doctors appointments and Mawmaw has helped watch Suzi during those times. 

As we approach the “month of thankfulness” I must say we have lots to be thankful for. 

Even though a move is never easy we have seen the Lord’s hand in so many ways. 

Hurry Up and Wait

This is the story of our lives right now. 

Before we ever decided to move I was hesitant because of Hannah's care. Keith and I talked and prayed about this, often, but don't want one member of the family to make the rules for everyone else. 

This still holds true and we do know the Lord led us through this move, but being the impatient person I am (haha) I would have preferred the transition to be more seamless. 

Of course we are establishing care with doctors and therapist, but what's taking so long is school. We could not begin the paperwork process until we physically lived in NC, so as the men were unloading the truck I was at Staples making copies and delivering them to the Wake Co preschool department. I got a call two days later telling me Hannah's first (of 3) appointment was scheduled September 18. 

Ugh. A whole 2 months from the day I dropped them off. 

I was warned this was a slow process, but two months to get any appointment? Really?

Well, that referral meeting was this past Monday. It went well, I was prepared. Hannah played happily with the speech therapist and we left feeling like the IEP (individual education plan) committee assigned to Hannah should know all about her and her needs. 

Like I said that was the first of 3. The second is October 24 and the third is November 28. 

Hurry up and wait. 

After November 28th she should have a school placement and therapists should be assigned. 

My feeling is since it's so close to the end of the semester she will probably not start until January. 

Had we not moved she would have already been in school since she's 3, but that's ok. I'm  enjoying these last few months with her before she starts school and realize plans are never set in stone. 

Speaking of turning 3, here's a few pictures from the celebration. 

 

 

Hannah turning 3 and the largest balloon we've ever seen. Hands down her favorite gift. 

 

Hannah's always been my best cleaner 😉. 

 

And a goofy picture of how she walked out the door yesterday. No, the pumpkin did not make it in the car. 

So, even though we are waiting longer than I would have hoped to get Hannah into school and establish a routine we are enjoying the moments right now. 

If you would please pray for this IEP process, pray for the committee (led by Tracy) and pray that she gets placed and receives the services she needs. There are 2 different school options (full day and half day) we are leaning towards half, but know that's in Gods hands. 

Please also pray for all of the additional appointments Hannah is having right now. We travel at least 30 minutes one way for any appointment which is tiring for all of us. The hearing tests are especially tiring. Please pray Hannah will do well and not meltdown during these. We have one next Tuesday and another October 9. 

Thank you, thank you. 

"But if we look forward 

to something we don't yet have, 

we must wait patiently

and confidently."

Romans 8:25

Getting a routine

Yes, it's still summer. All I want to do is enjoy the sunshine, sleep in and read a book. 

But, I have kids and those things don't happen, at least in the way I'm dreaming about. 

One routine that we started just today is potty training Hannah. 

I decided to do it last night. She is *showing* some signs of being ready and it's summer and Keith and Eli were gone all day, etc. 

As we started off the morning I quickly discovered she had no idea what I was trying to get her to do and I had no idea how to go about it. I'm definitely not that mom who has a three step plan for potty training. Eli took forever. 

So my goals for the day were:

Do all in my power to keep Hannah from getting frustrated. 

We both would be encouraged. 

Patience with the process,

And that I would believe in Hannah. 

I will say Hannah exceeded my expectations, especially taking into account that she and I had a hard time communicating, but I think we are definitely on the road to success. 

Now this road may take months but at least we've started. She's a smart girl and even if bribing and prizes don't work for her, I do believe she can be potty trained. 

 

Getting the hang of our new routine will continue to take some time, but the Lord answered my prayer today and encouraged me (hopefully Hannah, too).  I'm so thankful he continues to show me the potential in my girl. 

New to Us

Well, we made it. 

I must admit I've taken almost zero pictures, but here's one of the kiddos on our porch in KY on the last day. 

 

I hope to get one of us on our new porch as soon as I meet someone to take it. 😉

We have met a few neighbors but since we are in the (hot) dog days of summer we rarely see anyone out and about. We have ventured to the neighborhood playground a handful of times and have had the place to ourselves!

Both Keith and I have friends here which is such an encouragement. Some friends we know well and others we haven't connected with in years but it's nice to feel known and wanted. 

We are taking a break from therapy. 

The main reason is Hannah has about 50 days until she turns 3. Early intervention therapy only lasts until the child turns 3. So, we could, in theory, turn in all the paperwork, wait to be assigned a case manager, get her evaluated, wait to be matched with therapists and then only meet with them maybe one time, so I opted against that. 

I think it's best for our family. 

Hannah will start her interviews for her IEP (individual education plan) on September 18. These interviews and evals will determine what services she receives through the public school system and what school she will attend. 

I already know where I want her to go. 

We do have doctors appointments set up between now and then that will hopefully give the school system more info about Hannah. 

And a beach trip, where we will only be in the car 3 hours or less! 

We found the library this morning and our short-lived trip reminded me why we haven't done much of that since Hannah was born. (More on that later). 

But, to focus on the positives, its nice to be in NC. We look forward to all the Lord has planned for our family here and are assured of his goodness in the transition. 

 

 Well, at least I got a pic of one kid on the porch. More to come!