Yippee!!! I know I'm not alone in my joy that school is back in session! I love my kids to the moon and back but the school routine and structure is a welcome return after a very fun, care-free and busy, busy, busy summer!

We can't quite believe that we have a first grader and a pre-schooler... and a baby still at home.  And Cason isn't quite sure where is two favorite people are going every day...  He is not so happy about school but he does relish the alone time and breaking into everyone's toys with no one at home to stop him! 

We are so grateful to have two wonderful schools to support our children and their very unique needs.  Noah is beginning his journey in the MAC - multi-age-class at the Cardiff school!  After just a few days we are already very impressed and excited for his three year journey with these devoted and bright teachers!  Noah misses his YMCA Skate camp but he is so excited to be in class with his buddies.  He started a big boy soccer team and we already

And sweet Cecily is back at Sycamore Ridge in Del Mar.  We miss her teacher from last year but we know that she's going to have a super year ahead with new adventures and new skills to brighten her world.  She is already starting to share her voice and we can't wait to see her vocabulary build and her confidence soar with her newfound abilities!  We recently started a blended food diet - no more formula - and the results are nothing short of amazing. She is tolerating bolus feeds  - bye bye feeding pump! - and she is taking more and more by mouth each day!  Go Cecily!

And then there is our angel baby - climbing trouble-maker - Cason.  He is so very different than Noah and Cecily and each day is a new experience as he surprises us with his determination and his ability to get from one danger zone to the next ... he is definitely keeping life interesting!

It feels like we've been riding a roller-coaster for almost five years and now we're learning to just go with the flow.  We're enjoying the ride and finding joy in the simple pleasures.  We may not lead the wild and crazy high-life - but our live is full of highs and cuddles and hugs and drool and diapers and soccer and dance and mac and cheese and all things kids.  We couldn't wish for a better life and we're only too excited to see what tomorrow brings.  And we'll enjoy the comforts of knowing the kids are at school - being loved and nurtured - while we take a break!

Back to School Pics below!

Onwards and upwards!

Unique OPPORTUNITY for parents of children with special
health care needs

 - Do you want to GAIN SKILLS AND TOOLS to participate in public advocacy for children in the special health care community?
 
-Do you live in San Diego or Imperial County?
 
Exceptional Family Resource Center is pleased to offer an upcoming
training opportunity for parents/caregivers in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Project Leadership will prepare families with the skills and tools needed
to partner and engage in all levels of public advocacy on behalf of children
with special health care needs. The Project Leadership curriculum, designed by
Family Voices of California (FVCA), introduces parents to the nuts and
bolts of advocacy in seven (3 hour) training sessions. Parents will explore how
the legislative process works, discover ways to tell their story that translate
their personal experiences into systems-wide action, learn strategies to
identify and participate in leadership activities, and build valuable parent
network and mentoring connections. Training sessions will be dynamic and
interactive, offering parents the opportunity to learn with and from one
another.
 
Project Leadership is funded through a grant from the Lucile
Packard Foundation for Children’s Health (LPFCH) and offered at NO
COST to participants. Project Leadership’s overall goal is to increase the
number of family members of children with special health care needs who are
prepared and supported to become advocates for health care policy and service
improvements.
 
The pilot FVCA Project Leadership training will be offered to
families by EFRC starting in September, 2013, with a second series to be
presented in 2014.
View All Details of
Project Leadership. Due to the time sensitive nature of
these materials, please complete and return by August 16, 2013 (The
Deadline HAS BEEN EXTENDED – please contact us as soon as
possible).
We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Contact:
Diane Storman at [email protected] or 619-594-7405 Susan Carlton-Bahm at [email protected]
or 619-594–7383
 
More Information:
www.EFRConline.org

Onwards and upwards!

Dear Self,
Today I made a big mistake. I own it. I'm not proud of it. Please forgive me. I can't sleep so I'm reading up on all the great quotes about making mistakes. So far it is not helping me feel any better... 

I know that I'm far, far, far from perfect and I will pray that the person I upset knows that my intent was to help not hurt.  I'm wiping the white board clean and moving forward.  Lessons learned the hard-way are the lessons I seem to remember the best. These are some great quotes but perhaps a glass of wine would work better!

Onwards and upwards!

This picture is slightly blurry and the light is bad but it couldn't be more perfect!  This is a moment of love between a devoted brother and sister. I just love that Noah knows how to comfort his sister.  He just rubs his head against her back and everything is right in her world.  I also love this picture because it shows Noah taking care of Cecily.  He is wearing her Joey Feeding pump on his back so I can make dinner for the family.  I often worry that Noah is doing too much at a young age... I don't want him to look back and feel he was forced into too much responsibility.  That said - I am so proud of him for his ability to step up and care for not just Cecily, but Cason too.  I couldn't ask for a more empathetic and caring kiddo. 

I am positive that it is his love and constant support of his sister that drives Cecily forward.  She is always so excited to show off for Noah and she can't wait until he gets home from wherever he may be - camp, school, the skate park, surfing, a friend's house... he is a busy social butterfly!  Cecily loves her Noah and would follow him everywhere given the chance! 

Over the last few months Cecily has just started to shine, shine, shine!  Her lips are forming letters at a rapid rate and her voice is finding a place in our house.  She is hesitant to form full words - but when she does - the smiles are endless.  She is now able to express 1-3 words at a time to get her needs met.  The execution varies - but the attempts are consistent and growing every day.  Last week she said, "Help me please!" and this week she said, "want bike and more bike, go bike!"  And in addition to those beautiful words  - if you point to an object she'll attempt to name it and will almost always get the beginning sounds correct.  This is a miracle!  She busts out with big words almost effortlessly now and we just are enjoying the moment and the sounds of her success!

I share these stories not to brag but to hopefully inspire others.  We were not sure if Cecily would walk or talk but she is doing both!  When we see her in her leotard headed to dance class my eyes get a little full.  I never gave up hope but there were days when the dream of seeing her dance seemed exactly that - a dream!  I am passionate about the concept of believing something into reality! Cecily puts in the work.  She is put through an extraordinary amount of therapy... but when we see the freedom she gains from the progress she makes we know it is all worth-while.

Cecily is now enjoying being the "teacher" to Cason.  I can get her to brush her teeth, put her shoes on without fussing and even point to objects on demand in the name of teaching her baby brother how to do it!  The family support that we have in our home is nothing short of amazing.  I love to watch the kids interact and play and they all teach each other something everyday.

Life is crazy. Life is hectic.  Life is often a challenge.  But... Life is GOOD! We are so lucky. We are so blessed.  And we are so fortunate to have the support of our community to execute our Cecily's Closet Mission of Giving Program this week.  It has not been easy... but our Project Managers and very generous vendors have stepped up in ways I never dreamed possible to inspire other families into believing the impossible is possible for their kiddos.

Please take the time to read our Mission of Giving profiles as they go live this week.  You will be touched and inspired by how the community (about 150+ volunteers) have worked as a team to shower these families with love.

Onwards and upwards!