We bought a house....again!

Two years ago YESTERDAY, our offer was accepted to purchase our current home.  We believed we would raise our boys here.  We loved our new home and couldn't wait to live here for many many years to come.  Boy how things change!  We had some problems with the the school district here and decided that for our family and our boys' specific needs, we needed to get into a different district.  We researched neighboring districts and spoke extensively with each of them and picked Pleasant View District as where we wanted to move.  Things moved quickly after that!  We looked at several homes and fell in love with one and put an offer in contingent on the sale of our house.  It was accepted and we listed our current home within 2 days and had 2 offers on it within 2 weeks.  We accepted an offer and scheduled closing for 30 days!  EEK!

It's been a whirlwind!  We are excited and sad and overwhelmed.  We so love our home here in Davenport and will miss a lot of things about it, but are super excited about our new home as well.  We are moving into a neighborhood that is amazing and into the exact school district within PV Schools we hoped to find a home within.  We are sacrificing some square footage in our new home, but that was to be expected as our current bedroom situation is beyond excessive.  Each of our boys has a gigantic bedroom space that we knew we wouldn't be able to find in a new home.  We are also sacrificing a bit of yard space...our current home is on a double lot and though our new home as good yard space, it is much smaller than our home here in Davenport.  All things considered, we are feeling so grateful that we got into the location that we did and that we will FINALLY have an attached garage.  Ha.  It's the little things, people! :D  We look forward to being in this amazing neighborhood and only a couple of blocks from our boys' elementary school where their cousins also go to school!  We have visited the school more than once and know without a doubt that for our family, this school is going to be incredible.  Cason will be attending preschool at a separate elementary school in the district which we just can't say enough about.  The difference in the preschool he will attend compared to where he would have attended here in Davenport is like night and day.  It is just such a relief to us that he will be in such a great environment!

So the next few weeks will be nuts.  We are moving into our new home on Good Friday...the 18th of April!  We are thrilled that aside from some paint and minor cosmetic changes to make it our own, the house is move in ready.  We are anxious to get the move over with and get settled into our new home!

Yikes...it's been a month!

And a crazy month!  We have listed our house, bought a house (contingent on the sale of ours) and spent time with Wes in the hospital and then spent time at home with him while he continued to be sick for what seemed like forever.   I need to post more details of everything soon, but have a list of things I need to do for now!  More later...

365 Days of Thankful - Hot Tubs in the Snow

Thankful for friends with hot tubs! :)  I needed something to relax me and it was even better to sit in there with the cold weather outside!  Tate loved it and so did I!  A much needed treat today...thanks Jeannie!!!

Cason's Education

It's strange...you take your child to a doctor you don't like, you change doctors...no questions asked.  Your decisions as your child's parent and advocate are respected and appreciated.  However, when it comes to that child's education, you express your concern with the room where they will be spending 6 hours a day, 5 days a week and you're stuck.  Take it or leave it.  You're told that the district knows what the best placement for your child is...the "district"...the people who some have never met your child and others have met him briefly.  It's absurd.

This is the experience we're having with Cason.  Cason has been dealt such a crappy hand.  He was born to a mother who had such a troubled past that she didn't have to tools to care for him appropriately and keep him safe.  I don't believe that she is a bad person, I don't believe that she sought out harm to Cason, she just was ALSO dealt a really crappy hand in life.  They were homeless at times, they jumped from home to home and then he was hurt...hurt in a way that in an INSTANT changed everything about his life forever.  He almost died...it was thought that was going to be the likely outcome, but he didn't.  He fought and lived.  He was removed from everything he knew...good or bad, it was what he knew.  He was in the hospital and then moved in with a family he had never met, forced to endure hours upon hours of therapy.  He was an innocent child who didn't bring any of this on himself.  He suffered for so long.  He was then moved again, to our home where he continued to endure hours upon hours of therapy and doctor appointments each week, he was forced to wear a helmet 23 hours a day that was sweaty and compressed his skull to help reshape his head.  He had to sleep in the helmet, it was uncomfortable for him.  We vowed that we would spend the rest of our lives doing anything and everything we could to make things in his life as good as we could for him...so he could grow and progress to his maximum potential.  He deserves nothing less.  Period.

Throughout the first year when Cason was with us, we changed several of his doctors and therapists to better suit Cason's needs.  There were never any questions asked...these medical professionals who had years of training and experience, many of who contributed to saving Cason's life RESPECTED OUR OPINION AND WISHES as his parents.  They never made us feel like they knew better than us what he needed.  We educated ourselves and made decisions according to all of the facts, what we knew as his parents and all of the research we did.  We don't take lightly his medical care and therapy he receives...we don't take any care he receives from others lightly.  We are very particular about his environment and that his needs are being met in the healthiest way possible to help him progress in all areas.  It is our job as his parents and his advocates and we want nothing other than the best for him.

So we feel the exact same way about his education.  We know Cason better than anyone else, we know what triggers his sensory issues, we know what environments are comfortable to him and what environments will set him off.  We know that if he is distracted or uncomfortable, there is no way he can learn and grow to his maximum potential.  So the classroom environment was very important to us.  We had specific types of instruction that we wanted him to receive every day and we were invited to do a tour and visit the classrooms at Children's Village West where he would be attending preschool.  To turn over care of him when I've had him by my side all day every day since the day he came to live with us was going to be extremely difficult.  Not only was I personally going to have to adjust and let go a little, but in order to do so willingly, Sean and I wanted to make sure that we were comfortable with the place where he would be going, where he would be spending his days.

Our visit revealed a lot to us.  It was clear where he was comfortable, where he let us put him down and he explored.  It was so obvious where he was uncomfortable and distracted, where he was nervous.  It was also an obvious decision as to where WE were comfortable, the environment that we knew we would not be afraid to put him in each day, the environment that provided a very healthy learning environment for Cason's individualized needs.  We took several factors into consideration...the factors that would affect Cason's sensory issues, the size of the classroom, the other children in the classroom, the environment where Cason would be receiving his one on one instruction and Cason's demeanor in each room.  We wanted to be educated on what was out there and as it was always stressed in his IEP meetings, we are an equal part of the team so we felt it was important to be fully informed not only for our peace of mind, but in order to help make the best decisions on Cason's behalf as a PART OF THE TEAM.

After that visit, we left the school feeling pretty good.  We spoke with the principal that it seemed clear to all of us that Cason would fit best in a certain room.  The principal stated that she could tell as well and we left looking forward to Cason starting school...for the first time ever.  We had been nervous for months about it prior to this.

At Cason's eligibility meeting it was again stressed how we are an important part of the team.  We were joined by many therapists and Cason's teacher, each who had worked with Cason weekly for the last couple of years.  Each of these people being in the room brought me comfort...they KNOW Cason, we know them, trust them and know that they only want what's best for Cason...that he isn't just a number to them.  There were a few people in the room from the district whom we did not know as well as the principal, nurse and a special education teacher.  The meeting was formal and uncomfortable.  It felt almost like a courtroom setting...so strange.  Everyone had their faces buried in paperwork that detailed Cason's history.  One of Cason's teachers, when his vision was brought up just casually said something about how the only accommodations necessary in regard to his vision would be that he has adequate lighting.  Well obviously...wouldn't that be the case for all classrooms to have adequate lighting?  I didn't really think much of it.  Apparently the district took that statement by the horns and went running.

Following the meeting, every person who has worked with Cason and KNOWS Cason was excused from the room so that the others could "make a decision for classroom placement".  We were not a part of the team in THAT decision.  Rather, the principal asked if she could take us to another room that she didn't originally invite us to visit previously because she felt like it was brighter.  We agreed to visit the room with her and the minute we walked in, we knew this was not a great environment for Cason.  The room is in the basement part of the school and is very large with not a single window and TONS of fluorescent lighting.  That lighting is not good for Cason with his sensory issues...a softer, natural light needs to be present.  In an environment like that, Cason's self stimulation behaviors are enhanced and he will bang his head, spin around, fling his head back and forth, hit himself, etc..     Furthermore, the so called "classroom" where Cason would be receiving his intensive one on one instruction was in the stairway...with a major echo.  Cason HATES echoes.  He can't be in a hotel swimming pool area because of the echo, he cries, his senses go crazy and he certainly isn't able to focus.  We were confused as to why the principal felt this classroom would meet Cason's needs.  We explained that the light in that room was not good for him and we still knew that the other classroom was the best fit for him.  Her response, "okay, well we'll just get some more lamps in there then!"   Again, we left feeling like we were all on the same page and excited for Cason to start preschool.

An hour or so later, after the ever so private placement meeting was complete, the principal called me to tell me that despite our concerns, the district knows that the basement classroom was the best fit for Cason.  I expressed that this was not going to work for him, that WE know Cason best and only are looking out for him, that we aren't trying to cause a problem, but we did not want him in that classroom.  She kept bringing up the light and how it's brighter in there.  I asked if she would like me to have Cason's teacher for the visually impaired contact her to discuss this matter as I knew he agreed with US on this topic.  She agreed and said she would get back to me after talking with him.

10 days passed and she never contacted me.  Meanwhile, Cason's 3rd birthday had come and gone and Cason was not receiving his services that he typically received weekly and he hadn't started school.  We waited long enough...I called the principal and was given her voicemail.  I asked when he would be starting, asked her to call me and discussed how we wanted to get the ball rolling to get him in school.  I mentioned again our concerns with the basement classroom and went over why the environment in the other classroom was a very healthy one for Cason with his individual needs.  Another week and a half went by after that with no return call.  Finally, one of Cason's therapists mentioned to someone on the team that I had heard nothing and was getting frustrated.  I then received a call, NOT from the principal, but an AEA staff person...19 days AFTER the eligibility meeting and 2 weeks after Cason had turned 3 to tell us that the district did not change their mind and Cason would be placed in the basement classroom.  I said that this would be a deal breaker and that we would not put him in that classroom.  I asked again why they selected that classroom and I was told again, it was because of the lighting.  I mentioned yet again that this was one of the reasons we DID NOT want him placed in that class...that lighting would increase Cason's sensory behaviors.  Then I asked how much say I do have, I expressed my disappointment in the system and having been told that we were an equal part of the team, but they were not taking our concerns into consideration.  I was told that placement is the districts decision and we don't get to have a say in that...only a say in programming.  I was then told that they are not denying Cason an education because they have given him this placement, but that if we decide to not send him, that is our choice.  And I am hearing all of this from the AEA employee and still have never heard a word from ANYONE from the district.  This employee then suggested that we put him in this basement classroom right away and then we can meet in 2 weeks to go over our classroom placement concerns and see how things are going.  She apologized that the first time the district special education representative could attend the meeting would not be for 2 weeks.  We explained that there was no way we would be putting him in that classroom for a single day.  Period.

So as of now, Cason will not be going to school.  We are so disappointed in the Davenport School District's special education program.  We will not quit fighting this.  As Cason's parents and advocates and the people who know him BEST, we will make SURE he receives the educational environment that is best for him to help him grow and learn to his maximum potential.  We will accept nothing less for this child.  He deserves an education and with his individual needs, the environment he is placed in is imperative to his ability to focus and learn.  I believe that to the district, he is a number.  I believe that to the principal of Children's Village West, he is a number.  I have been disappointed with the professionalism and choices of Children's Village West's principal since the day we met.  I will not keep my concerns quiet when it comes to the well being of my children and children that follow them.  Unfortunately, due to the boys' needs, the only schools they are able to attend that can accommodate their needs are schools that this principal oversees.  We have made it clear that if there were another option for us, we would be there.  Unfortunately, there is not.  I will fight for my boys until they get what they deserve!

365 Days of Thankful - Bath Night

I love bath night.  I don't always do all of the boys' baths on the same night for timing reasons, but sometimes I do.  Tonight was one of those nights.  The boys smelled so good and willingly snuggled in together for a picture.  Boy am I one blessed mama!

365 Days of Thankful - Vantage Nine19

I photographed my first wedding yesterday as the owner of Vantage Nine19 with my business partner and friend, Jamie.  I am so thankful that I started this business with Jamie.  We have found that we work very well together and it helps that we really enjoy each other's company! :)  It never gets less amazing to me that I get invited into such intimate moments to capture them photographically.  It truly is an incredible blessing that I found this career, expanded my love for this craft and found an amazing and talented friend in Jamie to grow this new business with!

Very thankful tonight!

365 Days of Thankful - Dear Friendships

So thankful for these kids...I love them all so much (including the not pictured littles Phi Phi and Cason who were hanging out at DeCooks when we took this picture!).  I love the friendships they have with one another.  I love the friendship that we have with Lora and James...a friendship that somehow continues to grow and evolve into so much more.  They are family...I love their girls like family.  And my boys adore their girls too.  When we go more than a few days without seeing them, they constantly ask why it's been so long. :)

Friendships are so important and I am thankful that our kids are building such strong, special friendships!

365 Days of Thankful - Snuggles

This one still likes snuggling...soooo thankful for that!

365 Days of Thankful - Cason

Today it's all about this one...our smiliest boy who is three today!  So thankful for him!

He is 3!

This is a big deal, friends.  To keep this short is going to be hard, but I could write all day about this boy and how incredible he is and it still wouldn't be able to adequately portray what a wonder he truly is.  So I don't even think I will try.

He is alive and that is a miracle in and of itself.  Many didn't believe he would make it beyond 7 weeks of age, but God knew he was supposed to be here.  He has not only endured more pain and hardship than any 3 year old should have to, but he's done it with a smile on his face.  He is the happiest 3 year old in the world, I am certain on it!

Cason has blessed our lives and taught us so much.  He is a fighter and so much stronger than I could ever be.  He is loved deeply and fiercely by so many.  We can't remember our family without him and wouldn't be who we are today if he wasn't our son.

He starts school next week...SCHOOL!  He will ride a bus with his big brother, wear a backpack and nap on a cot (I'll believe that when it happens!).

He is our baby...he is 3.

And now I am going to go cry.

Happy Birthday to our incredible, strong, loving, snuggly, giggly, happy Cason!

We love you "Saysown" (as Wes calls him which has turned into our nickname for him!) more than you could ever know!

365 Days of Thankful - Hudson's Debut

Today, it was obvious what I would share about being thankful for.  I was able to capture what I believe to be the most beautiful thing in this world...bringing a child into it.  I photographed Danielle and Evan's birth story and it just meant so much to me to be able to be there at such an intimate time.  Welcome Hudson Pahl Coberly!  I truly do have the best job in the world!

Congratulations Danielle, Evan and Family!!!

365 Days of Thankful - Bedtime (and HGTV)

It never fails me...it comes every night. Bedtime and going to sleep to HGTV. :-) Even though MY bedtime is often not until after midnight, I still love the feeling.

365 Days of Thankful - Getting Along

Wesley and Tate have always butted heads.  They are close enough in age and their personalities are so different that they clash often.  There are those sweet moments though when they play.  Those moments when they actually like each other.  :)

Last night, they plotted a sleepover in Tate's room and had so much fun sleeping in the same room last night.  This morning they got out their Play-Doh and had a blast.  I cherish those moments and dream of the days when they actually enjoy each other on a more regular basis.

365 Days of Thankful - One on One Time

Having 3 busy boys doesn't leave much time for one on one time.  And Tate, he needs it...they all do, but Tate cherishes his one on one time with Sean and I.  I am so thankful that Wesley and Cason nap at the same time each day and I've been able to enjoy one on one time with Tate so many times over this Christmas break!  I think he's kinda liked it too! :)

365 Days of Thankful - Boys

Boys...I've got 4 of them to do all the yucky things for me that I don't want to do.  They are a bit young now, but Daddy's been teaching them.  I have a feeling Wesley is going to be our shoveling son...Tate wasn't a fan...at all. LOL.  He will likely be our lawn mower.

I love having boys! :)

(365 Days of Thankful)

365 Days of Thankful - Cassidy

So so so thankful we found Cassidy (thanks to my wonderful friend, Leslie!).  She has been such an amazing babysitter and we are so grateful for her!  Our boys love it when she comes to babysit and we love knowing that they are well taken care of when they are with her!  Please never move away, Cassidy! ;)  Don't know what we'd do without you!

(365 Days of Thankful)

365 Days of Thankful - 12 Years down...

Taking an afternoon nap snuggled on the couch with Sean, I open my eyes and realize he is wearing the same shirt he was wearing the night we met.  Only now he wears it as a casual shirt around the house rather than a going out on the town shirt. ;)

So grateful that though it's been such a challenge and filled with many ups and downs, I still wake up every morning next to this man...12 years later.  My husband for almost 10 years and I still cherish those rare moments when we get to snuggle on the couch.

12 years down...a lifetime to go...in the good times and bad.

I love my husband.

(365 Days of Thankful Project)

365 Days of Thankful - A project I'm willing to try! :)

I have seen this idea floating around about 365 Days of Thankful.

You can learn about it HERE!

We should be thankful...365 days a year.  For the most part, I think I do recognize my blessings every day, but I think I might try this little project.

I don't know that I will necessarily be able to do an image every single day, but I sure will try.  And in an effort to blog more, I think I might post the images and my "caption" (or when I have time, a whole post) here on my blog.  Hopefully I will be able to do it at least a few times a week all throughout the year.

I post things that I am thankful for daily in November, but sometimes I just get down...sometimes I just can't explain why, but it's just one of those days.  And it's the little things sometimes that make you realize how blessed you are and how much good you have in your life.

So to start my FIRST 365 Days of Thankful...this...

Just a snipit of all of the Christmas cards that arrived in the mail this year.  I am so thankful when I look at this...so many family and friends that we love so much and are so thankful for.

How can you look at all of your Christmas cards and NOT be thankful?!

2013 Recap

In my Christmas letter last year, I think I mentioned something about hoping 2013 was a bit more calm than 2012 was.  I think we accomplished that task!  Whew!

We had a busy year, but still found lots of time to just BE a family.  Sean and I also found a chunk of time to take a no kids vacation with Mike and Sarah...and that vacation was so unreal...oh my gosh...it will be a vacation we will never forget.  We got away over spring break as well when we spent a week in Florida with the Knutsons.  It was Wesley and Cason's first time seeing the ocean and being at the Florida house.  Such special memories are always made on our Florida vacations. :)

Cason turned 2 at the beginning of the year.  TWO!!!  I can't even believe my baby is 2...and almost 3 now!  He is amazing...simply amazing.

Cason's story was featured in a video for Family Resources and shown at the annual Opening Doors Gala which we were honored to attend.  It's such a great organization...we just can't say enough about their staff and all they do for our community.  It's our pleasure to support them in any way we can.

Wesley completed his first year of preschool and Tate completed Kindergarten.  They both had great years and learned and grew so much!  It's amazing to watch your kiddos learn new things!  They both had wonderful teachers who worked wonders with them.  They were actually sad for the school year to end.

We spent the first couple weeks of summer spending lots of time with DeCooks...Tate and Ava had countless sleepovers.  We LOVE that our best friends are teachers and have the summers free to spend lots of time with.  It's pretty awesome. :)  Then, they kept Cason for 10 days while we vacationed!  They are amazing friends for sure!  Wesley got to spend that 10 days with his previous foster family whom he adores and Tate got to split his time between his Nana and Papa P's house and his Nana and Papa S and aunts and uncles in Muscatine.  The boys had a great time during that 10 days while we went to Florida for a couple of days before leaving for our 7 day cruise.  We cruised to Mexico, Grand Cayman and Jamaica.  We swam with dolphins and sting reys, we zip lined and climbed over 600 feet of waterfalls, we relaxed and ate way too much.  It was simply perfect.

We were so thrilled to be reunited with our boys upon our return and looked forward to the rest of the summer of just enjoying our time together before the school year started again for the big boys...and by big boys, I mean Sean too!  In August, he started graduate school to become a Nurse Practitioner.  It's proven to be a challenge for all of us, but we'll get into a groove.

With August brought 1st grade for Tate, Wesley's last year of preschool and Cason WALKING!!!!  He defied all odds and took off in August.  It was the highlight of my year for sure!  He is now RUNNING everywhere!  Tate turned SEVEN and Wesley turned FIVE!  It's still so unbelievable to me that in a couple of weeks, we will have a 3, 5 and 7 year old.  And they are all going to eat us out of house and home.   We had better win the lottery before they become teenagers so we can afford to live. Ha.

Cason's story was also featured again on Family Resources annual letter they send out to their donors and we have recently been asked if we would be willing to have United Way create a video which will feature Cason's story to be posted on their website.  That will take place in 2014.  He is becoming a little star!  Ha.

Wesley has had a couple of concerning lab results, but with some medication adjustments, we have been able to keep things on track with his health for the time being.  Blood draws continue to be a bit of a challenge as many of his veins have become calcified.  We have avoided a port though and hope that we will be able to avoid that for as long as possible and hopefully forever!  We pray that he stays healthy and again has another year of no hospital stays.

Sean starts his 2nd semester of school in a couple of weeks and we have lots of fun things planned for 2014!  Looking forward to all that is ahead!

We hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas and have a blessed 2014!  Much love to each of you!!!

Santa Came 2013

Don't mind my obnoxious voice in this video!  Ha.

The boys continue to be this excited about everything even today!

Watching your kids on Christmas is pretty much the best thing ever!

Tate named his teddy bear Snowflake and has been carrying him around all over and plans to snuggle with him in bed every night.  He's kind of large to carry everywhere, but Tate says he wants him to be wherever he is.  Oh my.  Wesley does whatever Tate does, so his gorilla (who he claims is also named Snowflake...we will have to come up with something more unique) has been in his arms too.  They have played Skylanders together, done lots of calculations on their new calculators and thoroughly enjoyed every single item they have received.  They have both said this is the "BEST CHRISTMAS EVER"! :)

We still have our Stewart side Christmas on Friday and they haven't received their gift from us yet that we have made a tradition of every year.  Our trip away for a couple of days to a hotel.  They don't know where we are going, but know we are going out of town.  We planned something super low key this year and are just going to Coralville for a night in a hotel with Mike, Sarah, Leah and Kayla and will go to the Children's Musuem at the mall.  They will swim and have a blast.  So excited!

Aside from our kitchen pipes being frozen when we woke up yesterday morning (we spent much of the day blow drying them and using a space heater on them and FINALLY this morning they thawed and we avoided them bursting!), we have had a great Christmas so far.  Sean is working today and the boys and I will head to my parents house for Christmas dinner and hanging out.

Merry Christmas to you all!