Answered Prayers

So what has happened the last few weeks?  Mostly just life.  We are busy through the week with school, homework, karate, scouts, etc.  Eric did have to get a spacer in his mouth which has caused some adjustment on his part.  He is not supposed to eat gummy candies and he is recognizing that there are so many candies he should not eat.  Between that and Rubie going to a therapeutic program with diet restrictions, we might get a little healthier around here.  During parent/teacher conferences a couple weeks ago, Mrs. Bingham again brought up us seeking some professional help for Rubie to help her with her lack of focus.  Of course Mrs. Bingham cannot tell us what to do like see a doctor or suggest medication, but she has seen how medication can help.  I don't really feel like medication is the best option because then she will need it maybe the rest of her life and what are the side-effects.  I'm not opposed completely to it, I just want to try something else first.  Earlier in the year I visited some of the therapists around town.  I felt good about one particular program, it was more than just seeing a therapist, but they couldn't really give me much idea of how they would really help Rubie or what her issue could be and the amount of treatment is open-ended.  With insurance not really paying for it I was really hesitant and had a serious talk with Rubie.  She has done a little better, especially because she is aware that she needs to concentrate on focusing.  Her focusing is bad at school but at home, it causes contention and behavior issues, especially between me and her and it takes so much of my energy and attention.  Well, after our talk with Mrs. Bingham I was searching on-line and found Brain Balance.  They happen to have a center right here in PG.  It is an intense program and their 1 term of 36 sessions costs as much as a year tuition at AHS.  The idea is that some brains, the different halves have developed at a different rate, or the connections between them have not developed as they should.  Through different physical activities, one-on-one work, and learning, etc. the connections are built and the person is taught how to use those new connections.  The testimonials are overwhelmingly amazing.  This sounds just like what she needs.  Rubie of course would be on the low-end of the spectrum of the kinds of kids that they work with.  But I don't want her to struggle her way through school.  I want her to be able to take advantage of all opportunities and experiences that come her way.  I don't want her self-esteem to suffer because of this.  If this is right for Rubie and our family, the Lord will provide a way financially for us to pay for Brain Balance and AHS.

Already I know that because Sunday Scott and I fasted that financially a way would be made.  Of course I have thought about what I could do to contribute.  While serving in the lunchroom yesterday, the lunch lady, Brooke, asked if I would be interested in her job next year.  I did not even realize it was a job, I thought it was a volunteer position.  She only gets paid $10/hour, and it requires about 2 hours a day.  But the biggest benefit is a tuition credit.  One student gets to attend AHS and we don't get charged.  I would be working for the tuition.  The hours and commitment would be right and I could make it work.  It just isn't certain yet because her son has not made up his mind.  But it was a direct answer to our prayer and fasting that the Lord is aware of our prayers and hears and is going to help provide a solution.

Grandparents Day and Spirit of America Speaks performance

Today was Grandparents Day at AHS.  Eric and Rubie came home with invitations so we sent them to Grandma Jeppson.  She was planning on coming and things were working out well for that.  Cassie was able to work from home today and so Grandma didn't have to worry about Ben and Cassie's children.  But then the weather has been cold and snowy all week.  It was snowing early this morning and Grandma was worried about the drive.  Somehow she convinced Grandpa to come and join her.  Yeah!  Just in case no grandparents were able to show up for the kids I planned on Sam and I going to the school.  I also knew it would be better for Sam to sit through the performance of the program in the morning versus the evening.  Maybe.  It just depends on how tired he got.  The 3rd and 2nd graders sing a couple of songs at the beginning of the program and so it is required of them to be there during the matinee performance and the evening performance.  I dropped Eric and Rubie off at the front door.  Grandma and Grandpa were already inside waiting by their classrooms.  Then Sam and I had to navigate through the snowy crowded parking lot.  We made it in after the classes had started.  I went into Rubie's class first and then into Eric's.  Sam did better in Rubie's classroom because the kids and grandparents were working together on a questionnaire.  Grandma was with Rubie in her class.  Grandpa went with Eric and in his class they were taking the time to have the grandparents or other guest introduce themselves and share what they remember about being in 3rd grade.  That was cute.  I had a brilliant idea to take headphones so Samuel could watch shows on my phone as needed.  After a while in Rubie's classroom he needed to do that.  Then we were excused to go to the Patriotic Program.  Dad was already in the auditorium and had some chairs saved close to the front.  Sam wanted to sit at the top row of the bleachers.  That was a great idea for him and soon other families with small children came to the top as well.  He watched and listened to some of the program sporadically, but mostly he had on the headphones with the phone.  Other kids and parents were jealous that I had that.  It allowed me to enjoy and catch almost all the program.  After the program the we could take the children home.  Since the weather was beautiful and sunny mom and dad agreed to have lunch with us.  Where to go was an issue because Sam had a lot of energy.  They agreed to go to Chick-fil-a.  We had the reading vouchers for a free cookie or ice-cream cone.  They also have a play place, and it is better than McDonald's.  The downer was that it was SUPER crowded and we had to wait for a table after we had our food.  Even then it was crowded and noisy.  But ok.  Dad was a super good sport today, and so was everyone else and that made it special and enjoyable.  Hopefully tonight Scott will be able to attend the evening performance.  Otherwise I'll just drop Eric and Rubie off and go do something with Sam.