Really missed talking at you...
Been a while...I have
missed you my friends! I think I had a bit of a mental vacation. I was reading,
as you all know, about Autism. In my search for information, I realized that it
is entirely possible...likely...that I am raising 11 Autistic children. I am
exhausted, as if somehow giving what we are living through a name makes it
somehow harder. It's not. It's always been hard. But now I am convinced that
regardless of the fall out, I need to have a professional step in and help with
actual diagnosis, referrals for school, and other assorted minutia in the life
or any family that has 11 kids with challenges. We started the summer with good
intentions. I was going to home school them lightly, focusing on organizational skills
which are needed across the board. Follow it up with test and note taking
skills, which would be necessary where ever they are schooled. Finally, I would
dip into some literature about the civil war and a Note booking study on the
same. I hoped to follow this up with a trip to some Civil War sites in PA when
we took our annual holiday to see Grandma. However, by one hour into day one,
we quit. My children basically said that they were never going to home school
and why do we have to be so different from everybody else. And can we all get iPhones...I
figured it was going to be a long hot summer, but I had no idea...I was stressed. I think I lost my words. That made me very sad. How about those kids who don't have their words in the first place. I felt so helpless.
Cha-cha...changes...
To the end of
subsidizing a robust treatment plan and being stricter with our whole food
regime and babysitters, sigh, I decided to look for a job :o) Yes, being the
mother of 11 children is a Full-Time Job, but I am an old mommy with a chronic
disease. I have already spent more than 16 years of my life being a SAHM and
now I want to go out!!! Even if it's just to a job. I tried having a position
where I could beef up my writing and hope that went somewhere, however, my
first two foray's were somewhat unsuccessful...I think I need better
equipment!! A little more software. In order to that, I need a job. I know my
husband would probably do this and he is entirely supportive, however, feeling
a little sheepish...like my 6 year old when she get stubborn...My want to do it
by myself!! In my research for the articles for Autism, what struck out at me
is, wait for it...there is really a shortage of qualified teachers in the
United States! OK, in North Texas anyway, and I am not moving back to
Scranton!! Investigating grad school and entertaining enrollment counselors was
fun, but I also found out that TX (and a few other states) has programs to help
individuals with bachelors' degrees segue into teaching. Awesome! In a few
days, I was signed up and getting started. I have to admit I had a bad moment
when I sent an email to Penn State asking to have my transcript forwarded to
iTeachtexas. I asked the enrollment counselor what grades were required
assuring her that while my bachelor's grades were probably not stellar (I had a
great time in college, and that's about all), I had at least 12 masters'
credits that were all A's. She actually hung up on me when I said that about
having a great time in college. Probably thought I was a crank. Anyway, because
of said grades, I am only really qualified to teach Special Ed. Shawn thinks
that is wonderful. I have to wonder how that would be any different than summer
with my kids, but so be it...It may all be moot anyway. I mean, how can I
teach? I have 11 children! I immediately change the look of my blog, utilizing
a picture. I wanted to add the tag line of the actual photo amended just a
bit..."You don't scare me. I have 11 children." I deleted it in the
end. I really don't want anyone to think I am making light of our situation,
but there you have it. My life in a nut shell. We canceled the trip to see
grandma. I went with three of the girls. I decided then that I really, really
need to move on to my plan. Have you ever had a child put ice cubes down your
shirt while you are driving 70 mph on a crowded highway. Welcome to my life...
 |
| before the road trip, Relaxin' in the car! |
And finally, the more things change...
I missed my blog, and I missed you...hey I have seven subscribers now. I am planning on going back to its original intent...talking about God, and Mass, and annoying people with my firmly Catholic viewpoint. Did you miss me....digressions and all! In support of that goal I am starting two other blogs so this can stay firmly about Catholicism, my 11 crazy kids, and eating nutritionally dense food. I'm baaaack...
