Dani's First Day of School!

Here is Danielle on her first day of high school.  High school...I can't believe we have gotten this far when statistics clearly say that most kids with FASD don't make it through to their high school years.  Boy are we as parents proving those statistic taking people wrong!  I love it!

She was so excited.  She has great classes, great teachers and a great group of friends who look out for her during the day.  I worried for nothing.  But the stress is starting to wear on her.  She is home sick today from church due to a cold, this tells me that she isn't sleeping like she should, that there is too much excitement or stress or something going on.  On her second day of school, she was asked out by two boys to the homecoming dance.  Our rules?  She can go provided it's with a big group and I am a chaperon.   Such a mean mom aren't I, but our rules are no dating until we are 16 and then it's in groups until 17.  It worked with her sisters and I won't bend the rules, especially with her.

Her summer was extremely hard because there is no place for a kid like her to go to be looked after so I had to put a lot of restrictions on her but in doing that, she would sneak around and then I would find out after it happened and then the discipline and restrictions and taking away of privileges.   I hated it, next summer will be different.  I am looking into some summer camps she can be a resident counselor and be involved with other kids like her.  How was everyone's summer?  Challenges like mine?  Well, let's thank God for school!

Where the Heck Have I Been?

I apologize, I have been here but again with no internet connection.  But I am back and will get caught up.  But first I have to download my pictures so that I can get caught up on summer activities along with Danielle's first day of school.  Lots going on so I promise...be...right...back!

Let's Build Something Together!

I am sitting here in my easy chair, with my husband on the coach and Danielle in the shower and I just watched the commercial for Lowe's and their slogan "Let's build something together" struck me really hard.  I know they were talking about building something literally but like I always do I took it a step further like building relationships, or building experiences or building blocks to get ready to go back to school.  Danielle just got back from an over night hike with her church leaders and a few other girls her age.  They hiked in three miles, camped and hike back out using those big back packs. She had to carry her sleeping bag, her clothes and packed in her own water.  I wasn't worried, I knew she would do good because of how she took the bull by the horns and packed her own backpack.  Last night while Mike and I were having dinner a monstrous thunder and lightening storm  came through and went right over the mountains the girls were at.  Anyway, long story short, this morning Mike was pretty concerned that Danielle would come home traumatized because of the storm.  I just looked at him and gave a little snicker.  He said "I am not giving her much credit am I?"  I said "No, your not.  She's come along way baby!".  Just like I thought, when she got home she was great, said she had a fantastic time and no, she was not traumatized.

So, to make my point, we build something together...confidence in our daughter!

If It's Not One Thing...It's Another...I Think!

Well...I think we are heading into a direction mom may not be ready for and I believe this direction has got me a little nervous.  You all know that Dani has found her natural brother and he has been adopted by a wonderful family and I see nothing but great things for him...but Dani has been showing some anger lately to the point to where she told me last night to leave or she would hurt me.  Come to find out she is angry because she is up here in Utah and her brother is down in Texas.  I can't say that I blame her because I don't but there isn't anything that can be done in this situation accept keep talking on the phone, plan for visits, etc.  I am proud of Dani though, after her little outburst last night, she came to me and said she was in trouble and needed to talk to her counselor.  We were lucky to get in to see her this afternoon and of course Dani knows what the reality is and she was given some new tools to help her through this.

I know what I am going through with my daughter doesn't compare to what you other parents go through with your kids but believe me, we have been there, we have walked in your shoes it's just that the trials are different as the kids age, there are hormone changes, meds need to be adjusted, just a whole lot of changes.  So please understand, we've been there and you will get there too.  Not everyday is perfect in our household and it never will it's just finding creative ways of handling each and every day!