Have I Done Enough?

A new school year is upon us again and I am filled with dread. Yes me.

You see my youngest child, R2, has dyslexia. And each and every school year has been a fight for me to make sure he receives the accommodations the law says he is entitled to.

In the very beginning of his diagnoses I used to walk out of our 504 meetings feeling as if my heart had been ripped out of my chest and feeling as if I had been defeated. After our meetings, I somehow always managed to hold it together walking down the school hallway until I reached my car and then I would turn into a crying mess.

 When R2 began third grade I began to really educate myself about my rights as a parent and my child’s education regarding dyslexia.  I no longer wanted to feel crushed. I wanted the school district to do everything they are required by law to do. I showed up to our first meeting of that year with a 3 inch thick red binder. The look on the 504 coordinators face was one of complete and total shock.  I printed out more laws and information that I’m sure no other parent has even come close too. I spent weeks reading laws and interpretations of those laws. I also learned that a school does not always have your child’s learning as their best interest. It is a business for them, but not for me.

So when she began stating incorrect information regarding dyslexia accommodations, I would open my book find the laws written not only by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) but by the U.S. Department of Education as well. I had done extensive research and I could quote a few of the laws from memory but I wanted hard evidence to show her where her statements were incorrect. As one point during our many meetings she asked me if she could have a copy of the STAAR guidelines provided by the TEA. While I know I could have easily pulled out my copy for her to make one for herself, my reply was short and simple.  “I’m sorry but no you may not, you can find this information by doing a little research on the TEA website, just as I did”.

So here we are at the beginning of a new school year and my anxiety is already in over drive mode. Did I do enough preparation last year that this year will be an easier process. Did I do enough last year that R2 will have everything he needs in place as the school year begins? Did I do enough last year to ensure that his teachers are well informed of his accommodations provided in his 504 letter? Did I do enough that moving forward to Junior High School in the next school year will be an easy transition? (Yes I am already worried about Junior High and it’s a whole year away). Did I do enough that he will make significant progress this year? Did the private tutoring we did over the summer stay with him? Did I do enough?

This thing I call “mama guilt” can and has racked through me with such destruction I am left feeling destroyed. While I know in the overall scheme of things I’m a good mom and I have done everything I could/can to help him, its times like this and throughout the school year I am left feeling overwhelmed thinking I haven’t done enough for him. I haven’t done enough to help him adapt to this learning disability that does not define who he is? I don’t want him to have an advantage, I just want him to have a level playing field.

Have I done enough?

Still Ballin'

Well I thought we were done with baseball for a while and it turns out I was wrong. 

In the upcoming weeks R1 begins conditioning with a new coach for the 2016 season, which by the way is months away. He said wants to be in shape and ready to go before the season starts. I can't say I blame him there. Catching is hard position to play and so if he stays in shape during the off season making the transition to game time will be easier. 

R2 had a tryout with a select team. He has been wanting to play select baseball for a few years and we finally decided to take the plunge with him. So this past weekend he had a two day tryout. And let me just say it was HOT! Nothing smells better in the summer breeze than the smell of burning turf. Not really. It was 102 degrees yesterday and R2 played catcher. When the second to last inning was over and he took of the catchers mask and slowly walked off the field and I knew at that moment he was feeling the heat. I walked over and made sure he had plenty of Gatorade and reminded him to drink it and drink it often and to let me know when he needed more.  

He did good and he was proud of the effort he put forth. And because he knows me so well and how I worry and get nervous for him and his brother, he told me, "Mom if I make the team great and if not then that's OK too, there is always regular season ball." What a great attitude to have. I'm proud of him. 

So I guess we are still kinda baseballing around here and I'll take it!

Hardware

Well the boys baseball season ended a few weeks ago but not before R1 and his team brought home a little hardware

Yep his summer league team took home second place in their world series. R1 even played a few other positions to just try something different and he did great! I am really proud of him. 

Way to work!

Happy Birthday Hubs

Happy Birthday Hubs!

In honor of his birthday I thought I'd post a few pictures. Hubs, I hope your birthday is awesome and the boys and I love you!

This one was taken not to long ago, it was opening weekend for high school baseball.

Having a little fun and at R2's basketball game. GROSS!

Disney Trip 2014

This one is a few years old but I love it. It took forever to get them to pose like this.

1000

This post marks my 1000th post. 

Back when I started this blog I knew I liked to write but never once did I ever think about how one day I'd be writing a 1000th post, Hubs didn't event think I'd make it past my third post. And to be honest I had my doubts too. 

But here I am!

I've sat down one thousand times and told the internet people about me, family, my love a baseball, and what truly happens when you run out of specific things in your house like Sour Patch Kids, Oreo cookies, and paper towels. 

Before I started this post I took a look back at some of the things I blogged. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me smile, but it made me feel a small sense of accomplishment. 

I started this blog and I've continued to keep it up. Not every day like in the beginning but I've popped in from time to time to let the thoughts from my brain explode on to the page and craft a story that will one day take me back to a certain time and place and make me feel things I haven't felt in along time. Kinda of the way a song or smell can instantly propel you back. You just instantly remember that specific time.

So here's to the first 1000 and hoping I can continue on to the next 1000.  It's been amazing!

Home Plate

This has been my view for the past few days. Actually not just that but the entire baseball field with one of my favorite players.

It is my happy place, even in the 146° heat.

That is all, carry on and PLAY BALL!

Happy 15th Birthday R1

Happy 15th Birthday R1!

You make me laugh, everyday. You make me angry, everyday. You make me smile, everyday. 

I am so proud of the young man you are becoming. I love you and I hope you have wonderful birthday. 

 

Just A Little Date

R2 and I had date night last night. R1 would have gone with us but he has been at camp all week. 

R2 and I went to one of our favorite places where they cook Japanese food on the grill right in front of you. So we ended up ordering two different sushi rolls, soup (I know it's 100 degrees  in Texas but they have the best soup) and shrimp and fried rice. It was yummy!

And then he and I went to the movies to see Inside Out. It was cute and Hubs told me it would probably make me cry. The boys love to make fun of me when I cry at movies. Like at the end of Toy Story 3 when Andy dropped off his old box of toys at Bonnie's house before he left for college and then Woody and Buzz sat on the porch and watched him drive away. Yes I cried. I like a baby crying big crocodile tears I cried. And since we are being honest, it took me about 5 times of watching it before I quit crying at that scene. I still get choked up but no tears. So when the part came that Hubs thought I would cry, R2 looked over at me to make sure I wasn't boo hooing and then proceeds to hand me a tissue. I look at him and tell him I'm not crying. But he didn't believe me and then put his hand up to my eyes to make sure they weren't wet with tears. Oh that boy!

Anyway, It was a great night and he was a perfect gentleman. He even gave me a good night kiss on the cheek. 

Girls Gone Coastal Weekend

Two weeks ago a friend of mine invited me to on a girls weekend to the beach. Of course I jumped at that chance and I'm so glad I did. 

There were six of us total and I can not even begin to describe all of the fun we had but I can tell you was there was a lot of laughter, a ton of food, and more memories made than I can count. I'm so thankful I was able to hang out at the beach with them for three days.  

Thanks ladies, until next year!

Girls weekend night #1

Girls weekend night out #2

 
 

Ah Sweet Summertime

Well summer is in full effect over here. We've been out of school for almost a week and things haven't slowed down at all. 

R1 has summer baseball twice a week and workouts every morning. R2 started Rocket camp yesterday. And in a few weeks R2 starts his summer tutoring program again.

And in a few more weeks R1 leaves for camp. He comes home for a few days and then leaves again for another camp. 

I love summertime. I like there are really no set schedules to keep. We do not have to be up at a certain time. Things are kinda spur of the moment. Which is a nice pace compared to the crazy that is known as the school year. 

So with that, I hope y'all have a great summer with some wonderful family time. 

And Just Like That, He's a Sophomore

Yesterday was R1's last day of school as a Freshman. Where did the school year go? I swear it feels like he was just starting his high school career. One year gone, poof, under his belt, no longer the underclassman. 

I can not even begin to tell you how proud I am of him this year. He made all A's most of the year and if not all A's then it was all A's and one B. He was involved in so many school functions and extra curricular activities that I never knew if we were coming or going. He only missed one day of school. He also received several awards at the awards ceremony.

I watched him make decisions that will ultimately affect his future. I watched him step up to the plate when it mattered the most, on and off the baseball field. And the best part of all was I had a front row seat to cheer him on.

I love you R1! You make me and your daddy so proud. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments this year. They are hard earned and well deserved!

 

It's Been Busy

The title of this post says it all. Actually it is kind of an understatement. 

The boys have been involved in sports that have kept us on the go more than I care to be. While I love sitting at their games and cheering them on, we have been away from home these past two months more than I want. I love to go and do things but sometimes you just want to be a homebody and stay in your comfort place and take care of your people. 

R1's regular baseball season ended a few weeks ago. He and his team had an amazing season, 8-0. WHOOP! He did a fabulous job behind the plate. I could not be any more proud of him. So now it is on to summer ball. 

R2, well he's still going strong. Basketball season has ended. It was a long season but totally worth it. I mentioned he made All Stars and the tournament was last week. His team lost early but he played with more heart and left everything on the court. Long story short, he got sick last week with strep and played through the first game not feeling 100% and finally just said he couldn't play anymore. As a side note, he played that game before I took him to the doctor. I'm not one of those parents like on Friday Night Tykes that yells at their kid to suck it up and get out there, no excuses! Well I did tell him to suck it up until I could find him some Tylenol or Advil. He is still playing baseball and so far they have only lost one game. Not to shabby for a bunch of 9 and 10 year old kids.

So between both boys and three sports with games and practices it has been extra busy around here for the past two months. Oh and let's throw in there a field trip, an awards ceremony, a banquet, and field day just to add to the craziness. 

However, I see the light at the end of the tunnel, never mind that's just a glare from the sun. 

Y'all have a great and I'll see you in a few weeks when school has ended. 

My Catcher's

It is baseball season and I could not be any happier. My boys are playing ball and my Astros are back on TV. All is right with my world again. 

For the first time ever both boys are catching. R1 been catching since he was 8 or 9 and R2 is following in his footsteps starting this year. R2 isn't playing catcher all of the time but he is learning. 

These boys make me proud every time they step on the field. 

 R1 doing his thing.

 

 

 And R2 doing his thing.

One Of My Favorite Days Of The Year

PLAY BALL!

Livingroom Remodel Take 1

Hubs and I bought our house almost 14 years ago. At the time liked it. I thought it was nice and clean and would a good place for us to raise our kids. (when we purchased the house, R1 was a year old) But I have never been in love with it.

Over time I began to not like things so much and we began saving money to do some home improvements. And the three of you who have been here know that Hurricane Ike took care of some of the remodeling we wanted to do. We ended up with new walls and ceilings, new carpet, new paint inside and out, and a new roof. And after that unexpected remodel I liked the house a bit more but was still never in love with it. 

One thing I have never been a fan of was the tile around our fire place. It's kind of a pinky/mauve/rose color and it doesn't match a thing in my house. But I have always been to scared to change it. What I really want to do is knock it out and replace it with brick and that was not going to happen anytime soon so I've just been settling and basically ignoring it.

Over the years I have become a fan of several DIY blogs. They change the color of paint in their homes like I do loads of laundry. Every week it seems they are painting another room, or doors, or even floors. They keep repeating it isn't perfect but nothing in our house is and it always turns out better than the way it was. And after years of having "I'm throwing paint to the wind" envy, (yes I know that is a corny play on words but it's my blog so oh well) I decided what the heck and threw caution to the wind and painted the tile around our fireplace. 

Here are the before, during, and after pictures. 

 
I can not believe the transformation. I love it! Yep that's right I said love it! Hubs even liked it. It totally transformed the livingroom and now instead of being just that blah ugly can't even describe the color,  it has become the centerpiece of the livingroom. And you know what, it's not perfect but it is definitely better than it was before. 

We liked it so much better that we began to do other things around the livingroom. We hung the TV above the fireplace and added bookcases to wall. You can see we started the shelving while I was still painting the fireplace. Do not pay any attention to the ALL those cords and how the there is more space on the left side of the fireplace than the right side, that was mid project, it's all fixed and pretty now. And now I love my livingroom. There are still a few things we need to do regarding the bookcases and I'll post pictures when we are done. 

And you know what I learned from this small one day project, it doesn't have to be perfect it be pretty. 

The boys of Spring

They're back! Be still my beating heart.

Basketball All Stars

Guess who made basketball All Stars...this kid

Yep R2 made All Stars. So basketball season isn't over for him just yet. 

I'm really proud of how hard he work this season and this is his reward. 

This is new territory for us as R1 isn't a basketball player and this is only R2's second year to play. I'm excited for all of us.