Two Months with Jackson

 

Two months ago I met Jackson.  This was my first glimpse of him.

 

It took him a long time to warm up to me.  The first few weeks were filled with a little boy grieving intensely.  Jackson would cry and become limp like an infant.  He refused to eat by himself and he reverted back to not being potty trained.  He cried at all hours of the night and was very sad during the day, and I could hardly get him to smile.

Upon arriving at home, it was only a matter of days before Jackson began eating on his own.  He warmed up to his daddy and siblings almost instantly.  Before long he was smiling and babbling with them.  However, he still wasn't too sure about me.  

Jackson is finally beginning to trust me.  This past week I headed out on my own for a bit, and the girls gave me hug as they always do.  Jackson followed, arms wide, wanting a hug too.  Ahhh!  Warms my heart!  He is beginning to giggle when I tickle him or do other goofy things.

 

Jackson had his first haircut a few weeks ago and was a perfect angel!

Jackson loves being outside and will play on his bike, in the sandbox, or watch the fish for hours at a time.  Jackson loves to push the limits.  When told "no", he will intentionally do the inappropriate behaviour over and over again.  If we say "no" too harshly, his eyes get really big and he sniffles, usually not crying, but very sad and hurt.

 



Jackson and Raina have a special bond.  They play together a lot.  But mostly they get into mischief!  It may be jumping on the couch, throwing tomatoes in the entrance, making their sipper cups drip water all over the floor, taking all the toys and dumping them all over the play room, or wandering around looking to make a mess somewhere.

 



Jackson loves riding his trike and learned how to peddle very quickly.

 



When he's not on his trike he can often be found with a larger bike, walking it around...and dreaming of being big enough to ride it. :)



Back to School...so Far. ;)

 

Our school year has not started as I had hoped.  I knew it would be chaotic and unorganized, but I had hoped by the end of the first week to have found a bit of a comfortable routing...NOT!!

 

Instead we have basically had no school at all.  The boys both started their on line courses only to discover that they were both placed in a grade one year above their level.  We've been waiting for this glitch to be corrected.  It still hasn't happened.  Needless to say the boys are getting frustrated.  They are convinced they will never catch up.

 

Malia's curriculum arrived on Friday.  So as soon as the boys' schooling gets sorted out, we will begin school in full force. 

 

So, instead of focusing on school we have been going to appointments, and enjoying the unusual warm temperatures.  We reached 32 degrees last week and made an impromptu trip to the lake.  We barely fit everything into the Tahoe. 

 

It was the perfect day and just what we needed...actually it was a fraction of what we needed!  lol!  We could use an entire month of relaxation with no demands!

 

The boys enjoyed the boat and were determined I wouldn't get a picture of them.  Haha!  I got some keepers!

The girls spent the better part of the day looking for and collecting snails.

 



 

And Jackson enjoyed the beach and a little snooze...much to my delight!

Now if only homeschooling could always be this enjoyable and relaxing.....:)

Raspberry Pickers

These are not the greatest photos, but I love them!  The girls were so very proud of all the raspberries they picked.  Malia can pick half a pail in the time it takes me to pick a pail.  She's my little berry picker and loves it!  She'll even come and ask if she can pick raspberries.  :)

 

 

Back to School

I've been having a difficult time writing this post.  My heart is heavy and I am sad and, at the moment, completely overwhelmed.

It's that time of year again.  Time for the kids to go back to school.  Usually I'm kind of dreading sending the kids off and spending a quiet, but wonderful day at home.  I miss my kids when they're at school.  However, after the first week, I love my 7 1/2 hrs with my little kids.  I love nap time and the much needed time to get things done...or to have some quiet time.

This year is different.  We have decided to school all of our kids at home.  Alex and Morgun will be taking on-line classes, with Saskatchewan accredited teachers and Saskatchewan Curriculum.  Malia will be home schooled.

 

I have mixed emotions.  On the one hand, I'm sad to see my kids miss out on all the wonderful things public school offers...Christmas concerts, musicals, extra curricular things, friends, etc.  On the other hand I'm so thankful that we will no longer have the rushed mornings, crazy after school rush with moods flaring, running to Taekwon Do and other activities, and then hurrying to get to bed on time.  Most of all I'm so thankful we will not be dealing with the bullying.  I suppose that is what makes my heart so heavy and sad.  Sad that bullying has played a huge part in our decision to keep our kids at home.

As you know, we home schooled Alex last year due to bullying issues and the plan was to send him back to school after Christmas.  When that didn't work, the plan was for him to go back this fall.  After many meetings, and numerous non-school professionals giving their recommendations, we have decided schooling, at home is the best option.  I can not give too many details.  I want to be respectful and professional.

For the past couple of years I have wondered why our "Anti Bullying" campaign isn't working well.  I have come to the conclusion, that in part, we as a society have failed our children by classifying levels of bullying.  There is no such thing as "minor" bullying.  Ridiculing a child for what he/she wears, does, and is interested in is not "minor".  When a child is wearing his/her best clothes and is ridiculed...it's major bullying to that child...especially if it happens numerous times a day, and every day.  Those "little" things are what make our children who they are.  Allowing "minor" bullying is literally tearing apart the essence of who our child is.  I believe we need to be very conscientious in teaching our kids the basics of being a "good citizen"...kindness, gentleness, loyalty, etc. within our schools.

As for why we have chosen to home school Morgun and Malia...

Morgun has wanted to be at home for a few years and is totally pumped about this new opportunity.

Malia on the other hand, is ticked off!  She loves school.  And I love it that she loves school.  However, in the past few months it has become increasingly evident that some of her behaviors need to be dealt with now...not when she's 13.  Our hope is that homeschooling will give us a greater opportunity to fill Malia's "love bank", which in turn will increase her level of trust and decrease her need to manipulate, lie and be in control at all times.

I know in my heart of hearts that this is the right decision for us, and for our kids.  But knowing that doesn't make it any easier.  It just gives me the energy to put one foot in front of the other.

I had hoped to post a few "back to school" pictures of our wonderfully organized day, but that didn't happen.  Our morning was rushed (oh the irony!  lol) with some school work for Malia and orientation for the boys.  Then we headed to the Minor Emergency to have Jackson's ear checked.  His ear began to ooze yesterday.  The only sign that he had an infection.  I feel horrible!  I knew he was susceptible to ear infections due to his cleft palate and had been on the look out for any possible symptoms.  Apparently, our little man has a very high pain tolerance.

Hopefully the next few days will bring some routine and organization to our daily routine...and then I can post some pictures!  ;)



Staycation 2013 Part II

I simply had to post some more pics of our summer.  Some of our best memories are being made at home and doing simple, spur of the moment things.  We've been enjoying wiener roasts...somehow even a hot dog can taste good over an open fire...

 

 

 

 

 

Picking berries....The boys picked chokecherries to make juice and Martin picked some to make wine.  We have yet to try either...could be interesting.



Hmm...came across these trunks...no boys...;)

 



...Chillaxin' on the deck.

Picnic at the Forestry Farm....

 



 

The ride home...Jackson crying and Raina plugging her ears.  We may have exceeded the speed limit.  lol

Lots and lots of swimming.  In fact both girls have learned to doggy paddle about 15 feet.  

 

Yummy lunches with friends.

 

 

 

 

Early morning cuddles...

 



 

 

And beautiful sunsets!

 



 

Staycation 2013

 

This summer has gone by way too fast!  Not that we've really done anything...other than adopt!  :)  We spent some of our time at home enjoying our community.  Bike rides were a highlight and I actually took the time to take pictures of our unique area.  We live near the village where Martin grew up and it's easy to miss the everyday beauty. 

 

The village lane.

The local country church.

The old homestead....

 



...where Martin's folks still live.

 

 

The old corral.

 

 

Showing the boys the old sign from the years of being Dairy Farmers.

 



If you look very closely you can see Henry H. Peters written on the sign.

Some more of the beauty...

 



There is something about the village that takes one back in time.  It still has some old houses with the attached barns and well maintained yards, with a mix of dairy farmers and acreage owners.  It is a very peaceful and quiet place.  It is a place that is good on the heart and soul...and if you use enough of your imagination, you can almost make yourself believe you are in a different country.  ;)

 

 

I said almost...not quite!   lol!  Heh!  You gotta do what you gotta do.  If the only vacation available is home, one must make it interesting.