Cochlear Kids

Almost High School

2013-04-27T07:28:00.000-05:00

I've made it through IEPs for next year without tears. I begged and pleaded with the faculty to fail my sixth grader so he doesn't have to go over to that high school building next year, but they refused! For the next three years, I will have children in two different school buildings, several miles apart which will be a challenge but we'll survive I'm confident.

Gman will have classroom notes provided to him since he relies heavily on speech reading. He did great with AVT (Auditory Verbal Therapy) when he was younger but with several replacement/revision surgeries on his implants, he relies on speech reading to help him "hear" in noisy situations. He will not be quizzed on any films or movies without proper captioning and he will have an inclusion teacher which will help as well. Both of my children do small group testing on any state standardized tests.

Brooklyn has improved her speech reading ability over the years but can't be deemed a master by any means, since she can hear better in a classroom (with the aid of her personal FM) and she is all set for fourth grade. I'm very grateful I work at both schools subbing and hope to be at both A LOT next school year!

Goldenhar Boy

2013-03-22T11:15:00.001-05:00

So I was lying on the O.R. table (it was actually more like a doctor's office-I had no anesthesia) trying to think of anything to say to drown out that LOUD snipping as the surgeon removed skin and tissue deep within my foot (another skin cancer). I blurted out (in a voice that was a little too loud for the awkward quiet) "So where did my other doctor go?" Realizing instantly my voice was off key and too loud I tried to retract some composure as my blood pressure soared with every SNIP, SNIP, SNIP!!!! "I mean, Dr. C? She's not here anymore right? She always used to ask me questions about my Goldenhar Boy."

She knew exactly what I meant when I said the word Goldenhar and she starting spouting off facts she knew to confirm I was referring to the same syndrome, "Does he have any Renal issues?" Our conversation progressed just as I had hoped and I forgot all about what this lady was amputating...

By the time she finished sewing me up, I had agreed to bring him in, next November, to meet doctors from all over as she was in charge of organizing an annual event for doctors to meet with patients who have disorders, dermatology issues, or rare syndromes which might land them in an office like theirs one day. Basically Gage and I will kinda sit around and chat as these doctors make their way from group to group and answer any questions they may have. I warned her Gage was quite the talker and he's used to helping out the medical field any way he can. We know that, not only could it affect his own future, but others that come in behind him with this same rare syndrome...
a doctor will be able to say, "Oh Goldenhar Syndrome! Yes, I'm familiar with that, I met a 12 year old boy with that when I was in Alabama once!"

We are beginning our Spring Break at school this weekend and it won't be long until we are here for the Summer!! Woop Woop!

Swimming with Cochlear

2013-02-24T06:37:00.002-06:00

We were invited, along with a few other families, to try out the waterproof swim gear coming out soon from Cochlear. You really can't see the bags from this photo because Gman needed a swim cap to hold them on his little malformed ears but other kids were able to wear them with a small band holding them in place. Are they completely ready for the market, not exactly but with just a few small touch ups I think they'll be a huge hit.

Did they work? YES! They did the job. His implants did not get wet and for the first time, he could swim, and go under water, and still hear wearing his processors the whole time with only a slight compromise in sound quality. The echo from the swimming area was a challenge anyway but if I took him down to the other end of the pool, covered my mouth so he couldn't speech read, ask him questions....HE COULD ANSWER THEM!!

He had to be very gentle before he put the swim cap on ducking under the water very easily or the coils (magnets) wouldn't hold. He tried the headband the other kids were wearing and it still wasn't enough but a swim cap held everything on great! The best part? He loved it. He smiled and said he liked being able to hear while he was in the pool. I watched him splash and make noises with some of the swim toys just to hear them. That was pretty awesome!

The only negatives I could see: I would prefer a brighter color (not clear) because we go to lakes a lot, should one come off, I'd like to see where it is. Also, the bottom of the product needs to be less "stiff". It rubbed into his neck and was uncomfortable. It didn't appear to be a problem with everyone depending on the child but more than one person had this issue. I like the fact that they will be affordable but we would probably use like 10 a day during summer with both kids and both ears so it would be nice if you didn't have to rip the bag open to get the processors back out and reuse them all day and just throw them away at the end of the day.

My friend Lisa was there also and she did her best to "drill" Cochlear for inside information on the N6's or the next processors due out in Fall from Cochlear. We are holding off to upgrade Brooklyn until the new ones come out so we are hoping they are as awesome as they plan. Sounded to us like they will be better for the kids in classrooms and possibly come with a lapel mic for teachers to use in place of FM systems since the new chip would make things easier for the kids changing environments. We shall see and our hopes are high.

Not so Good

2013-02-12T16:45:00.000-06:00

Well, we thought we were doing great.....however, after MAPping both children today, we popped them into the booth and obviously from the chart, they hear great with their cochlear implants...
(You need them to hear within or above the speech banana if at all possible which both of my kids do, thankfully)

...the bad news? They don't hear great in noise. In fact, you can see from the numbers over to the side, that they both drop to less than 1/2 of clear understood speech. Brook uses an FM in class and she does really well with it, however, little man has abandoned this as of fifth (really fourth) grade. So, he's trying a noise program right now (which he doesn't love) but he'll either adjust, use the FM again for class, or settle. I'm hoping the new program will help him out. I can't imagine only getting 46% of the information all day long.

On a lighter note, this is the difference in words they create outside the booth door while waiting on each other........

She innocently works away at Bat, Sunroof, and many other common words, while he is completely amused by his words Spaz, and turds...(boys)

Brooklyn is good for another year while Gman will go back in a month, see how the new program is working and we'll put him in the booth with this program and see if he can up his numbers any. Brooklyn doesn't seem to be that bothered in ordinary situations and since she has an FM at school, I'm not as worried about her numbers.

Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction

2013-01-05T19:03:00.000-06:00

I finally got around to reading the final reports sent from UAB from that study my kids participated in for kids with hearing loss to test their vestibular (balance) system. Here's what was determined: they both have Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction. Gage is a little more severe as expected and Brook can compensate with some of her issues. For example, she can figure out how to balance and an unlevel floor when she can't hear or see....poor Gage however, falls completely over, can't balance at all. She knows how to use her sense of feeling to adjust her balance, Gman falls back without any chance of staying on his feet. They suggested the kids take Karate, and stated Gman might improve with swimming or tennis while Brook could benefit from Dance or Gymnastics. We actually have thought about putting them in Karate anyway, so might actually look into that! Here's the post from when they did the study last year, with pics of what all they did.

Here was the quote about B's test:

"OVERALL IMPRESSION:

 Brooklyn has bilateral vestibular hypofunction. However, she has learned to use remaining vestibular function for gaze stability. She has not learned to compensate for balance."

Gage's test result quote

"OVERALL IMPRESSION:

 The results of this study show that Gage has bilateral vestibular hypofunction which contributes to his inability to see when his head is moving quickly. It also contributes to his inability to balance when his eyes are closed or when the surface is not stable. Try some of the following exercises to help this problem.

Gaze Stability:

Work on focusing on small letters or pictures while turning your head quickly (e.g. walking, running, or swinging). Try to focus your eyes anytime your head is moving. You can even turn your head side to side while trying to read a book (for a minute or so).

Balance:

Work on standing on soft surfaces (thick couch cushion or foam mat) with the eyes closed; work on standing on one foot with eyes opened and closed (try to get up to 30 seconds); work on walking tandem (one foot in front of the other)."

Good stuff and informative from UAB! Thanks for inviting us to participate!

The joys of Goldenhar

2013-01-02T13:20:00.000-06:00

According to the latest data (collected by me today) Brooklyn has 24 teeth, which is probably normal, she is now nine years old. Gage on the other hand has a total of 19. There are a couple of more that will likely come through but at this point I don't see past 21 teeth in his near future and the ones he does have, aren't actually full healthy teeth. They are called pegs. Despite his wishes to be able to go to the dentist and just walk out with a cleaning, that simply doesn't happen for him. There's always talks of other procedures, other appointments, other doctors, and future surgeries.

This is all a direct result of having been born with Goldenhar Syndrome. This is sometimes referred to as Oculo-Auriculo-Vertebral Spectrum. This spectrum covers several categories of people and those with Goldenhar Syndrome are some of the most severely affected of this particular group (read more here). There is no known cause of this syndrome at this time and it actually took us years to reach this final verdict, having floated between this and CHARGE syndrome and Branchial Arch Syndrome for his first years of life. I can't stress how much easier it is to walk into a doctor's office or E.R. for that matter and name a syndrome rather than say, "They don't know what syndrome he has yet." Even though it is a very rare syndrome, they can at least take a minute, google it if necessary and have an idea of what they are dealing with. Along with severe ear issues, ADHD, and dental problems, he has a dermoid in his eye, which is similar to the skin tags he was born with, only we haven't had this removed since it's unnoticeable at this point. It is much like a skin tag, only under his eyelid, unseen unless he pulls his lid back. (I completely freaked out and went into an all out panic when I discovered it when we were making faces at each other one day when he was a toddler.) He has his vestibular issues we've grown used to and his slow growth.

He hasn't had an easy road and never really will compared to many of his peers, but he does amazingly well. He has friends, he is bright, he is lazy, he speaks well, he listens when he wants to, he misbehaves, in other words, he is "normal". He will still have the jaw distraction surgery after puberty sets in, and we can only pray that nothing unexpected and more serious pops up to catch us off guard. He certainly isn't looking forward to having his jaw bone lengthened and wearing a metal contraption around his face, but we hope that it will help align his teeth better so they don't wear down as quickly. One day, he'll likely wear dental implants for the missing teeth and his mouth will likely look prettier than mine but until then, he'll just have to use what he has, eat softer foods that require less chewing (I'll take his steak!) and he'll continue to grow as big as The Lord meant for him to be.

Even though he awoke with 22 teeth and had three removed by the dentist today, he's in good spirits. I fixed him a large peanut butter/vanilla milkshake for lunch. He had his ears tuned up last week, and his next appointment will be in 6 weeks for another tune-up. Until then, he'll be hunting, playing, inventing, schooling, and being a boy....ahhh, the good life!

why match socks??

Lil Updates

2012-12-11T06:00:00.001-06:00

I have become the terrible blogger. My kids have even updated their blogs and I have not! I'm telling you, between my two jobs (sub-teaching, accounting office), home, PTO, church, kids, husband...basically my busy and fun-filled life, I barely have time to sit at the computer anymore.

Brook: We are still hoping to upgrade her "ears" around March or so. She needs *and deserves* an upgrade since she's had these processors for over six years...and if you have kids, you know how much wear/tear these things go through in six years no matter how well you take care of them! She is also about to have a birthday...the day after Christmas but we celebrated early and had a very small pizza party Saturday. She wanted to invited EVERYONE but unfortunately that wasn't allowed and the ones she did invite got struck by the nasty virus that is going around the school....she almost didn't make it herself but got well in time to go for pizza w/a few family and friends.

Gage: He is great. He's a boy (lol). He has not used an FM system all year long (at his request) and his grades are pretty average now of what we would expect from him. He enjoys school, and he's really enjoying church these days. He wakes up each morning with his ADHD in full swing but right when I'm about to pull him down from the cabinets, walls, rooftop *lol*, he'll brighten my day by belting a church hymn from his breath and my day totally changes. We work closely with our doctor to manage his ADHD and we seem to have it under control for the most part.

One of his batteries died yesterday in class and went for a few hours with one "ear" but made it fine. I was at work and he said he didn't want to bother me so he just "made-do" for the remainder of the day. He is due for MAPping just after Christmas while they are on break from school and Brook will go for her yearly in January!

That's it from the Blakelys. Have a very merry Christmas!!

I am thankful they are deaf

2012-11-21T07:35:00.000-06:00

If you had asked me eleven years ago if I was glad my first born lived in silence, I would have said no. The experts told me he would learn to speak though it would be limited and at a much slower pace, and that I needed to narrate everything I do. When I woke in the mornings we put his prosthetic "ears" on knowing he would only hear certain parts of my words but we were to spend our day talking...about everything. If I walked to the kitchen I sang, "walk, walk, walk," with every single step in hopes that one day, he would learn that everything, even motions, had names, sounds, labels. By the end of the day, I rarely even answered the phone and had to force myself to speak to a tired husband when he came home from work, because my words had been given to my child.

There were days I thought would never end and when he finally got his cochlear implant, we had to start over again. Sister came along, and we were blessed to start it once more for her so words became part of our life. I learned to describe feelings and emotions, we stopped at every tree, we smelled every flower, we listened to every bird. Eleven years have passed now and I can honestly say that I'm thankful my children are deaf.

My busy world slowed down for years as they began to grow and learn. Each day, I'd step outside my door and wonder if there was anything else left that I could give my children and something new would appear. Their little face would light up with excitement and tears would run down my cheeks as The Blessings poured in day after day.

I had no idea that The Lord was crafting me all this time. HE was teaching me how to see HIM, how to feel HIM, and how to teach my kids about HIM. HE was teaching me to write with the same words I taught my children only they became more than just words over time. HE taught me to notice everything and then translate what my eyes and heart could see. Today, I am thankful HE lets me feel. If my world had not slowed down a few years ago to absorb HIM, I would not have the relationship with Christ that I do today. He took something very close and special to me, my children, and had them teach me how to hear HIM.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Blakely Updates

2012-11-20T05:23:00.000-06:00

I think my child blogs more than I do now. That's what happens when you have two jobs, two kids, a husband and a wonderfully fun place to live! I keep extremely busy these days between all of that and PTO and church so I have my excuses for not blogging.

We finally have Brook's FM working again on both ears. She's back on track. Even though she's only in third grade, I never have to tell her to do homework, she just does it. The other kid is a different story and his grades reflect that! He just got his ears MAPped again so he's hearing better for now and will go back next month as usual. His nose bleeds have picked up once again. We were supposed to get that cauterized before, during another surgery, but we never had it written down for the surgeon to do, just a verbal thing, so with Gman's complications it got overlooked. We may end up having to take him back one of these days for a little procedure to fix that. He hates nose bleeds.

We are excited about Thanksgiving this week, and look forward to family time. I've actually been put in charge of two casseroles for the first time ever so let's hope they are edible. I'll be gone ALL DAY LONG on Friday for my annual shopping trip and we plan to put up our Christmas tree this weekend! I have so much to be thankful for and everyday is kinda like Thanksgiving for me so say your prayers, and let HIM know what you are thankful for this year!

Trunk or Treat

2012-11-01T06:11:00.001-05:00

Our first Trunk or Treat at our church and the picture of my trunk decided to do a disappearing act on my phone! It wasn't that special but we had blue and white lights all in the trunk with snakes and candy everywhere. I did capture some other cute trunks though and Brooklyn being a rock star. Gage was too mature to dress up at the church event (lol) and he was too busy running 90 mph with his church buddies so I never got a shot of him.

I will tell you that even at close range, it is still to this day harder for Gage to "hear" in the dark which means he uses lip reading quite a bit. I don't mind I assure you in fact I encourage it with him. He's had way too many surgeries and although there was once a time he didn't rely on it at all, he needs the visual. Brooklyn is actually a better lip reader now than she used to be. She used to not be able to read speech at all, I could say watermelon and she's say shoe??? My mother actually pointed out that she was doing better (I didn't believe her at first) after Brook had spent the night with her, and sure enough...she is. However, during the day with her ears on, she doesn't need it at all.

Pumpkin Patch

2012-10-15T06:02:00.002-05:00

So B is down to one "ear" inside the classroom. Both of her processors are working fine but part of her FM system is out for repairs so she has to make do with listening to her teacher via one ear until the other FM battery cage is repaired. It shouldn't take long so hopefully next week or so, it'll be returned.

We took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch with our church yesterday, they loved it! Even my Gman who is too big for all things childish. They had a band, they had food, they pumpkins, they had hay rides and huge jumpy things...My kids didn't go in the enclosed jumpies but they did do the slides.

they were supposed to make silly faces

She needs new ears

2012-10-07T07:23:00.000-05:00

Gman had his much needed MAPping session this past week. I was in survival mode and trying to get well from a wild form of crud that unleashed inside my head and lungs, so I'm just now feeling bloggy!

We had hoped this tax season (around March or so) that we would have been able to upgrade Brook's processors. She's had them for years and they've been out of warranty for quite some time. However, with all of Gman's surgeries, we have always had extra parts to make do if something broke. We just never got around to it and the cost of such an upgrade is very steep. Like just under three grand steep (that is just a guess-our insurance will cover 80% of an upgrade-they are just under 20 grand for two ears-but we would have a trade-in credit with two of her old processors from what I can tell...

The bottom line is that by this next tax season, we will have enough saved back to upgrade the child to new ears. That is going to be hard with Christmas around the corner but she needs them, she wants them, and she deserves them. I am very excited about it and will be praying that we accomplish this and get that baby some new ears!!

She goes in for her annual MAPping in January and we will know more about the finances, and possible upgrade at that time. Gman is still going every six weeks at this point and will be MAPped again before our Thanksgiving break. He needed lots of changes on both ears this time, and he did so well...he actually earned a prize!! Blakelys never earn prizes there (they just give up) so that was a real treat!

We are torn between going to the 300th cochlear implant celebration next Sunday with The HEAR Center to the ever-so-awesome McWane Center or the Pumpkin Patch with our church. We signed up for both and if it rains we have decided to attend the science center (my kids have been recently already) and if not...Pumpkin Patch here we come!

He's 60

2012-09-29T08:13:00.001-05:00

For years this same art lady has been at G's annual appointment at this clinic in Children's Hospital. He loves seeing her because that means that the four hours he spends in there, won't seem like four hours...and I can't imagine sitting in there that long without the art lady!

This is sort of a review by a team of people including a dentist, surgeon, nutritionist, social worker, etc....that's why it takes so long. So what did we find out?

He's four feet five inches tall and he's 60 pounds!!! Finally. We waited years for him to reach 20, then 40, and now at 11 1/2 years old, he's sixty pounds.

The plan is the same for his mouth. No orthodontics yet because he still has baby teeth in the back, keep up with the dental work (regular cleanings, etc). The dentist will sort of get us by with partials (later on) and whatever temporary magic solutions he has to keep him eating and chewing properly until he reaches age 17 (or there about). We need to let him grow as much as possible before breaking out the big guns...which may include jaw distraction (lengthening one side of his jaw to match the other side), braces, dental implants...a whole lot of work! But for now, we deal with what he's got and be thankful he does have some teeth.

He goes Tuesday for MAPping, which he needs desperately! He is struggling at home to hear/understand what we are saying so I know he has to be struggling at school. He's such a good speech reader though, he manages well...another reason to be thankful.

Lake Winnie

2012-09-29T06:32:00.000-05:00

Thanking The Lord for double sided tape and hats...

...because this "kiddie park" is for big kiddies! Some of those rides at Lake Winnie put the free fall at Six Flags to shame. But I knew we were in for a hot, sweaty, fast and wet day at this amusement park so I put extra tape on the kids' cochlear implant processors so we didn't have an "ear" fly off! If you want to know my real thoughts on this park, click here!

Cutting the Cord

2012-09-20T06:22:00.002-05:00

It goes without saying that I love my kids as much as anyone else loves their own...

...but there comes a time when you have to cut the cord. We've worked awfully hard to prepare our kids for the world, and we've worked awfully hard to prepare the world for our kids, so by this age, they have to learn to solve many issues on their own. I will be here for as long as I can to help them when they can't, but there comes a time in everyone's childhood when you learn to face things such as misunderstandings with friends and teachers (hearing loss or not) without Mom having to spend all of her energy every single day worrying about the kids. I have put my trust in the "raising" I have given them and hope that even when they do make mistakes, misjudge, or find themselves on the receiving end of the misjudgement or misinterpretation, that they can talk things out and clear up the wrong.

I have one child that isn't scared or afraid to clear things up, even with adults but she gets mad quick if people don't listen to her so that's what we are working on with her...staying calm, even when the hearing don't listen. I will gladly step in after she's tried her best to resolve issues and I'm very glad she has a strong personality and isn't scared to 'fix' things.

I have another child however, who will only do this to some degree, then he gets scared and runs to me..."write my teacher a note and tell him..." he says. I finally told him one day when he was accused of misbehaving in the bathroom (which is not really characteristic of him, but he's 11-and I live with him, he's capable of anything!)..."No. I can't go running up there or write notes and emails for everything little thing you face. If you are scared to talk to him about it, YOU write a note." I let him know that it's okay to apologize to someone, even if you aren't in the wrong. If they think you are, apologize and move on-forgive them and hope they forgive you...there is a much bigger picture. Sitting around worrying all time about every little thing isn't fun, isn't productive, and according to The Bible, isn't very Christian. You give your worries to The Lord and the trust and faith you have in Him should be enough to move on. I have to remind myself of this too sometimes. It sure feels good though when you've truly let go and let God.

So he wrote a note. It said something like, "I am sorry you got upset with me yesterday. I do not play around in the bathroom, I handle my business and get out..."
It went on a little more but that's what it took for him to move on. Everything was fine, and he didn't have to sit and worry about it anymore. They are growing up...so fast. But so glad they are starting to solve some things on their own. It takes a tremendous weight off of me as a mom. I'll always worry, but giving them coping skills is a benefit to us all.

The Hungry Child

2012-09-06T10:09:00.001-05:00

playing on the cabin's porch

So we are faced with our ADHD challenges as we begin this school year, along with his troubled hearing. He seems to be okay as far as hearing in the classroom, his teacher is male and has the perfect LOUD and STRONG voice. However, I did get a note about his staring off into space and looking around the room (which that one could be hearing related I know). He's given up on the FM system and relies on mapping alone, which is scheduled for the first week in October. I've had my concerns over the last month that his medication wasn't handling his ADHD as well as it used to so I'll have to keep a watchful eye on that situation.

He still isn't gaining much weight and hasn't crossed over the 60 pound mark yet...and he's eleven. He does eat at least one breakfast (bagel w/Nutella or something hearty) before he gets a bowl of cereal and then he sort of snacks for lunch. He barely eats dinner but does another snacking meal instead and by bedtime he's famished. He stays up an hour or so after I do eating anything he can grab (after I've fed him several hearty things before I turn in for the night). I got up at ten last night after I saw his flashlight in the kitchen. He had found something to eat and when I woke this morning there was a note that said, "Val, fix me a bagel AND a bowl of cereal first thing in the morning! I am starving." I felt sorry for him so I'll have to make sure he starts eating the hour prior to me going to bed, because Mama just can't stay up late, I turn into a monster after 8 p.m.!!

School updates

2012-09-03T07:56:00.002-05:00

So we've completed two weeks of school and getting ready to start our third. Gage is still having trouble understanding (there's a difference between hearing and understanding) but seems to be doing good in school. He loves how interesting his teacher is and comes home repeating lots of great stories. His teacher is male and has a very loud and deep voice so he doesn't seem to have as much trouble hearing him as he does us at home.

Brooklyn's teacher still hasn't started school unfortunately. She started having issues right before it started and turns out she has MS. She is trying to gain her health and strength back to come in and begin her year so we will say a little prayer that it happens soon, we want her in the best health possible. She is such a kind/sweet young lady. So starting the third week, B will have her third teacher. Hopefully this one will get to stay until the regular teacher returns because it's hard for the kids to understand each preference for each teacher and learn their lessons at a consistant rate (especially when we have to train each one with the FM microphone, etc. and try to get used to each changing voice). But Brooklyn is a champ and is doing way better than I probably would.

I have been busy subbing already. I've been at the local Trade School, the elementary and the high school and tomorrow I go back into the high school again. I look forward to each job since I get a variety of kids who all seem to teach me as much as I teach them (probably more). The down side is that I see needs. There are so many children (at all ages) who don't necessarily have the basics covered. It saddens me, it strengthens me, it burdens me. We don't really have a lot either, but if my kids are hungry, it's a choice. I may not have a full pantry at all times for them to choose from a full menu of items, but there is food in my pantry. There are children who would love to have oatmeal for breakfast on a Saturday, despite being out of Cocoa Pebbles. We are Blessed and I see that every day.

Week Two

2012-08-27T18:23:00.000-05:00

We've started week two of school already here in Bama. Gage is having a difficult time hearing, we're having some issues with one of his processors changing/turning up when you slightly touch the side of it...he's already been kicked in the head (on accident, at PE again-what is it w/these boys?) but so far no issues have resulted from that.

I'm guessing if he doesn't improve (modify classroom/accommodations) then I'll have enforce the FM microphone system that he DOES NOT WANT TO WEAR ANYMORE!!

Brook is doing quite well. She's using her FM system, her teacher unfortunately had fallen ill unexpectedly and she's hoping to come back at the end of this week, so she's had a sub so far.

We went camping this past weekend and had a wonderful time as usual. The kids brought their bikes, they swam, and they fished. One of Brook's processors had issues though and it needed a new part (which was at home) so she had to go a full day with just one "ear". She hated it...but made it just fine.

Other than that, we are just enjoying ourselves. We love our friends, our family, our school, our church...what more could you ask for?

Almost There

2012-08-19T07:09:00.000-05:00

Well, it is Sunday. We will pull up at that school around 7:30 in the morning. I've agreed to stay all day tomorrow and help/volunteer so I might peek in on my guys but for the most part, I'll be helping with the smaller kids. After they get settled, I might walk around and help various teachers as needed but the main thing is getting them all in their rooms, settled, assist with lunch time and possibly getting them to their buses or cars in the afternoon.

We have our supplies already at the school since we attended Friday's Meet/Greet the Teachers Day so all they need is their lunch money for the week and their back packs...which is packed with their supplies such as glasses cleaner, cochlear implant batteries, extra battery cages should they need them, tape for the processors if they need it...

I think we are good to go. Say a little prayer for all these kiddos starting school, and the faculty as well. There's so much opportunity inside those school doors, but where there's opportunity, there is distraction. Pray they look toward opportunity and not distractions...(and I'm not talking ADHD here-I'm talking Spiritual Opportunity/Distraction)

Getting a Job

2012-08-11T07:46:00.001-05:00

Well, we've reached a decision. After eleven years of staying home with the kids, I want ~~need~~ to get a job...a full-time, with benefits, real job. I prefer something with the school system (the high school would be great!) since I still need to think about the kids during school breaks. Ideally, a special needs aide would be PERFECT for me. So, over this next school year, I plan to watch for something to become available. I know The Lord is saving something special just for me, so I will be watchful over the next several months. I can't take just anything because I would be miserable with just anything I know. I'm looking forward to getting up everyday, and making a difference for some child who needs me. Wish me luck!

State Park

2012-08-04T18:50:00.002-05:00

We took the kids today, to play in the lake. We decided not to camp overnight so we spent several hours, doing nothing...it was great. On the way home, Gage said (referring to a man with a beard about three feet long) "I saw that man looking at me in the eyes. I saw his mouth moving, I knew he was saying words...so I ignored him and went under really fast." No, we don't try to waterproof the cochlear implant processors. The kids like not hearing for the most part. It's just a bonus to them, lol.

Gage is trying to catch fish with a net and Brook is tugging around her doll on a boogie board

We have only two weeks left before school starts back. Brook got a postcard from her third grade teacher today and was so excited! The anti-static mats have been moved and are in place for my kids to use the computers in their classrooms.

VBS

2012-08-01T07:40:00.000-05:00

The Cochlear Kids are having a wonderful time at Vacation Bible School at our church. They are learning verses (and repeating them on cue) and songs (with a little more difficulty but they are doing awesome)...just like the other kids. Church has been the BEST thing for my kids, despite my initial concerns that they couldn't hear well, or sit still (or any other excuse I gave for not taking them regularly). They actually have learned so much, including how to sit still and behave in church!!

Here they are playing water balloon volleyball and yes, Gage's leg is soaked right here...guess he fell a little short at catching those balloons with the sheet but it was all about team work. That night the story was about Gideon and his army of 300 God picked. They made a homemade trumpet with that one and last night after hearing about David and Goliath, they made sling shots. They can't wait to go back tonight and see what they learn.

Three Weeks

2012-07-27T06:16:00.000-05:00

I just did something that I wish I hadn't done...
I looked at the calendar and realized we only have three weeks and a few days left of our Summer break from school. Pretty soon, the kids will go into detox (read that here, lol) and I'll be busy shuffling my subbing job, the accounting office job, my PTO volunteering along with just being a mom.

I must send out my email, to make sure the school has moved the kids' anti-static mats they use for the computers. These mats must be grounded by someone from the main campus (maintenance department) but need to be put into their classrooms in advance.

Oh I vow to lie by the pool all day for as many days as the weather will permit and/or enjoy my babies, because I'm sad that this will end soon! (insert wailing)

Reminding her she's deaf

2012-07-22T13:59:00.000-05:00

As I turned on my phone for the first time today, you know, to check facebook-because it's one of the most important parts of my day (lol), the kids ran into the lake to swim and play. Gman went in one direction and the little lady went in another. We were practically the only people there (at nine-thirty in the morning). I did see a couple of little girls about thirty feet away playing Marco Polo as their voices echoed across the empty beach.

I listened intently to the kids as both tried to catch fish (with their hands) and soon I heard the girl say, "I got one." She was near the little girls at this point and I knew B didn't have her cochlear implants on so I watched and listened. Brook said to them, "I caught a fish, it might be dead, I'm not sure." And she looked down and stared at the fish. Unknown to her the little girls were full of conversation, "put in the water," they said, "if it floats, it's dead."

Brook told them it was dead and threw it and swam back in our direction. No big deal. However, on the way home, I heard her telling her brother about it. She told him that she caught a fish, showed it to the girls and the girls ignored her. I had to jump in and tell her what she'd missed. I told her, "Brook, they were talking to you the whole time. You weren't looking at them, you were looking at the fish. You're deaf remember, you have to look at people when you don't have your 'ears' on." Ohhhh, she didn't realize it.

The Country Sky

2012-07-19T14:29:00.004-05:00

Even though it's not near finished, I had to give you a peek at my new website. I introduce my new space that will have almost anything under the country sky...such as frugal living, stay at home mommy stuff, work from home data, my personal things along with blog highlights...

The Country Sky

go ahead, click on it and check it out!