Miracles

A few weeks ago we had a parent teacher conference for Sammy.  This was a night I will always remember.  

Sammy has struggled in school.  At the beginning of this, his 3rd grade year, we were told his reading level was at a 1.8.  First grader in the 8th month of school.  He was a third grader.  I knew he struggled and reading was hard for him; however, I was not prepared to hear how far behind he really was.  My heart broke for him as his teacher told us that there was a possibility of him being held back in 3rd grade if things didn't improve greatly.  He has a sister that is just one year behind him in school and she excels.  He would be demoralized if he was held back and had to be in the same grade as his younger sister.  That night I cried for him, a lot.  We prayed for him and we set up a plan, with the teacher to help him.  

When we talked to Sammy I told him right out where he was and that I knew he would get better.  I knew he could do this.  It was going to take a lot of work from him and us and we would do all we could to help him.  I know he was hurt when we told him how far behind he was...but Sammy didn't let this hurt stop him.  I think it motivated him.  Thank goodness for the competitive spirit Heavenly Father blessed him with.  

He began receiving reading help each day with a Title I teacher.  He had extra help with his teacher daily.  We set up a routine for him to read to us each evening.  It was painful to sit and listen to this after a long day when I was already tired, but we did it.  

We saw glimpses of improvement...slowly yet surely.  I started to notice him reading on his own...just picking up a book and reading it.  I never thought that day would come.  I saw him fluency improve.  His comprehension improved.  He would remind me that he was waiting for me to come listen to him read at night instead of hoping I would forget.

Then, in November his teacher told us his reading level had improved to a 2.6!  He improved an equivalent of 8 months in just 3 months of school.  We were so proud of him.  When we told him he just beamed.  He knew he still was behind and needed to keep going.  But, he had the witness that came after his faith.  He had faith to do what we asked him to do each day and the witness came to him when he saw it was working.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when we went to his conference.  These conferences are only held for students that teachers feel a conference is needed.  I wasn't surprised one was scheduled for Sammy because he is considered "at risk" this year academically.  As Joel and I went to the conference I was nervous.  I wanted to know how he was doing, but I didn't want bad news.  I thought he was improving and I was hesitant to hear differently.

As we sat down with Mrs. Kahook she said to us, "I love Sammy!  He is such a sweetheart!"  Then she told us she scheduled the meeting to let us know how much Sammy has improved. She went on show us that he had improved his reading level to a 3.9!  That is over 2 years growth in a little over half a school year!  That is incredible!  

She then told us that she has seen such an improvement in his behavior in class. At the beginning of the year she would constantly be reminding him to sit down, get back to work, finish his work, pay attention.  She said at recess and gym he was this happy, funny, outgoing, energetic kid; however, in the classroom he was quiet, reserved, sullen, and tried to be as "invisible" as possible during instruction time.  Now, she said, he is the same kid during class as he is at recess.  He participates, raises his hand to answer questions, pays attention, and on task.  He's the same kid at recess as he is in the classroom.  It's amazing what a little bit of confidence can do for a kid.  His Title I teacher told us that he is a leader in their small group instruction.  He makes correlations in the texts they are reading, he comes to group prepared, he helps the other kids remember to be prepared for instruction.  She said he is a natural leader.

I have never before been to a conference when I felt so grateful.  Grateful for an amazing teacher that has turned Sammy's life around.  Grateful for Sammy's hard work even when all the odds are stacked against him.  Grateful for answered prayers.  Grateful for the peace and comfort that we have been given.  Grateful for the miracle that is happening before our eyes.  When we got home I found Sammy on his bed reading.  I climbed up to his top bunk and told him how much I loved him.  I told him everything we had been told at his conference.  I thought his face would crack from the smile that filled his face.  And his eyes, they sparkled.  I held him and tears ran down my face.  As I left his room he said to me, "Mom, you were right.  I can do hard things!"  

Yes, Sammy you can do hard things and you do hard things amazingly well!

6 Month Pictures

Jazz Band

Thomas is playing the String Bass in Jazz Band at Kimpton this year.  He was asked by Mr. Newman at the beginning of the year if he would be willing to try it out because they didn't have a bass player this year.  He had never played it before but exceeded all Mr. Newman's expectations the first time he picked it up.  The Band paid for him to have a 1 hour lesson with a Bass Professor from a local university to learn some basic techniques specific to the bass.  Then they sent him home with a bass to keep here to practice.  He loves playing the bass.  It is fun to watch him "dance" with his bass while they are playing.  He has practice twice a week for 2 hours each.  They were invited to a prestigious Convention in Cleveland this year.  That took place last weekend.  We are indeed blessed by the amazing music programs in our school district.  

January Joys

January was a cold and snowy month.  Lots of snow days from school and delayed start days.  I love these days and the break from the monotony they bring.  We didn't venture outside much, well I didn't, because loading and unloading 3 little ones with coats and all in and out of carseats in bitter cold, snow, and wind is not so enjoyable.  We found fun things to do inside and the older ones enjoyed time in the snow outside.

Sammy and I attended the annual Mother/Son event at his school.  They had Outback Ray come with lots of cool reptiles and animals.  Sammy even got to hold a hedgehog.  He got to touch snakes, rabbits, chinchillas, and lots of other boy type animals.  When we went to have our picture taken he insisted that Jacob be in the picture with us.

 Baking, cooking, and play dough have been favorite pastimes for Gideon and Sara this month.  They have also had numerous self declared "pajama days".

 When there are 2 hour delays for school the result is NO SCHOOL for Joshie since he is in 1/2 day kindergarten.  He likes to challenge me to chess on these days. He is really good at this game too.  He also has really begun enjoying puzzles, Quirkle, and continues to love to draw.

 Thank goodness for our amazing library, especially in winter months!  Sammy continues to improve in reading and likes it more and more.  We were able to attend the 90th Anniversary celebration for our library complete with balloons, face painting, cookies, and crafts.

 We attend story time twice a week in the mornings.  It is good for me because it gets me out of the house and lets the kids get some energy out in a warm place.

 Even in below zero temperatures Spring loves her ice cream.  Chocolate Cake Batter from Handel's is the only choice she makes.

 I am so happy that our children love Family Home Evening.  Josh and Gideon ask many times a week if it Family Home Evening Night.  One night we made Snow ice cream from fresh snow outside.  Sammy and Spring ran out to get the CLEAN snow so we could make some for treats.  UNO flash and 20 questions have been the preferred activities this month during FHE.

And finally, just a silly picture of our Gideon wearing Mary's earmuffs. I guess the earmuffs helped him brush his teeth before bed!

Mission Accomplished

I realized a few months ago that we had not taught Joshie to tie his shoes yet.  Joel has been the one to teach our other kiddos how to tie their shoes.  He is really good at teaching skills like his to our children and I happily let that fall to him.  Life just keeps getting busier though as our kids get older and the time Joel has at home is decreasing.  I decided I better buck up and teach Joshie.  

Not only am I inexperienced in teaching the art of shoe tieing but Joshie is left handed.  This proved difficult for me and him as I struggled to find the best way.  We started and stopped quite a few times over the course of a couple months.  Finally, in January, I decided it was time to take this task seriously.  We worked each day when he got up from his quiet time when it was just him and I.  To say he was less than enthusiastic about learning would be an understatement.  But, he persevered.  After a couple days he finally started to catch on.  I told him once he had tied them 5 times he could be done for the day.  After a couple days of this, and reassuring him it really wasn't taking FOREVER to tie his shoes 5 times, he started to tie them all by himself in the morning.  We agreed if he could tie them by himself for school then he didn't need to practice anymore.  He was sold.  

He is now an official shoe-tieing kid!  He even got to pick out a toy at 5-Below as a reward.  I think I am almost as proud of myself for being able to teach him as I am of him learning so quickly once we stuck with it! :)

6 Months

I am a week late in recording our little man's 1/2 birthday.  Can't believe it has already been 6 months since Jacob has blessed our lives with his arrival.  He is a joy and a snuggler. 

*He is now in the 10th percentile in weight at 15# 6 ounces.

*He is in the 25th percentile in length at 25.75 inches.

*He loves to jabber at us and is actually quite loud.  He has a rather high pitched voice...keeping up with his sisters, I guess.

*He has rolled over from his belly to his back a few times; however, we have never witnessed it.  We just know we lay him on his tummy and we find him on his back, without the aid of his siblings.

*He still doesn't sleep very well at night but he takes a couple good naps during the day.

*He thinks he needs to be rocked to sleep and it usually only takes a few minutes, although I sometimes rock him longer because I enjoy it.

*He started rice cereal a couple days before he was 6 months old and handled it like a pro!

*He is content playing on the floor or in his swing as long as someone is with him; however, his preferred location is in my arms.

*We love his giggles and belly laughs.

*He has really begun gnawing and chewing on things a lot.  

*He takes out his pacifier, plays with it, chews on it, and then puts it back in his mouth.

I love this stage right now because he interacts so much with us, yet he still likes to be held and cuddled.  He is growing so quickly though.   Just like with our other kiddos time just moves way too quickly.

First Food

 Jacob had no problem eating the first time we gave him solids.  Such a bittersweet moment when they hit this milestone.  I guess we have to let him grow up and experience all these new fun things too.