Update

So I have thought about writing an update for days now. The weird thing is that everything is actually going well for the kids -especially Parker, but yet I am scared to write that because...maybe it will jinx things? I know that seems silly. Since my last post things have been going really well. We have only gotten one call to pick Parker up after he got upset and didn't want to ride the bus, but we realized it was a late start day and Jeremy thought I have him his morning meds but I thought he was so he didn't get them..whoops! We officially had our IEP evaluation result meeting last week and it went well, he qualified and we go back in two weeks to sign the final drafts. It has been such a relief things have been going well at school because work and life is crazy without all that extra stress.
Report cards came for both boys and they both are actually doing pretty well. Payton and Parker have been been enjoying basketball and got signed up for spring and fall football leagues. We were able to get Presley registered for 4 year old preschool at Prairie which we are excited for, we will have one year (next year) where all three kids will be in one building! Life is good...busy....but good.

Testing Results Are In.

A few weeks ago I took Parker back to his doctor to meet a psychologist who was going to do some psychological testing to help us get further answers. Today I went to meet with him to review the results. Some things I was surprised about and others not so much. His main diagnosis is Anxiety. I knew that, he does not do well with change, he worries about failing at things and has always been anxious especially when it comes to school. The next diagnoses is Depression. I was a little shocked and maybe its because on paper it seems real. I know that he is tearful easily and he reports that he gets sad and misses his old school and on days where his behaviors are challenging he cries that no one likes him. He has lots of friends, he excels in sports, its hard to see your second grader with a diagnosis of depression because it looks so different than what I think of as depression-which is more of an adult problem -or so it isn't. The last diagnosis was Oppositional Defiant Disorder-ODD. I figured. He has always been tempermental since he was little and does not do well when he feels he does not have control but once again, it is sad to see it actually documented. I fear that we won't get it under control and his future is in jeopardy as an adult. I was reassured that we are doing everything we can and children with ODD if caught early enough can learn to rewire his brain in regards to his way or the highway and the good news is he does fairly well at home with Jeremy and myself and school is mainly the issue. I will say since starting the Risperdal along with the Buspar he has really been doing better. He still is having some oppositional or avoidance like behaviors with tasks at school and has only had a few melt downs but he has not been anywhere near the point he was prior. Before we were going out every other day to get him or calm him down and now we have been out once only because he was crying and upset and it was time to get on the bus and he wouldn't. He hasn't tried to hurt himself or others and has been much less destructive to property at school when he is upset. He is actually back in his main classroom the majority of time with built in breaks and continues to do counseling weekly. Thursday Jeremy and I go in to find out the results of his IEP evaluation and what services it would include if he qualifies. I never in a million years thought we would be dealing with any of this. It not only breaks my hurt but makes me worry daily how he is doing. It is almost some days to the point I just want him home all the time because I know he will be fine then, but, thats not the answer. Parker tested average to above average on intellect on his psychological testing and that we are thankful for, he is very bright, loving child and I do not ever want him to loose that. More to update later this week after our meeting with his doctor on Thursday and the school IEP meeting.

Giving Thanks and Birthdays!

After celebrating a wonderful Thanksgiving with our friends and family today we had the blessing to celebrate our boys' birthdays with their friends. We were able to rent out Bender Pool and had friends from their classes and basketball teams. We were even able to invite some family friends and family to the party. The kids all played so well can made out pretty good!

Throughout the break we have kept a close eye on Parker and notice off the zoloft he has still been quick to become upset and overly emotional, nothing to the extreme of what has happened at school but enough we are somewhat worried about how next week will go after break. We decided tonight to start the Risperidal so we can observe him ourself on this new medication rather than having to start mid week and not knowing exactly how he acts on it during the day. So, he had his first dose tonight. More to come on that I guess over the next week.

Tomorrow is going to be a day of relaxing together and working on the endless boxes still needing unpacked and a house that still needs decorated. Its amazing how when you add in school, work, day to day stress, basketball tournaments and practices and the basic weekly needs of running a house hold that even a Type A person like myself looses the motivation to truely unpack. I am not sure if I am just tired from everything, I am starting to relax when possible and do not want to do anything but that when I finally have a second, or if I am not mentally prepared to claim our new normal-even if I am happy about our new home.

It was also nice this weekend that Jeremy and I even got a few nights to ourselves finally, something that never happens. My parents took the kids home Thanksgiving evening and we got them back this afternoon before their party. Jeremy and I were able to go shopping a bit, go out to eat, hang out and enjoy spending time together...something that we take for granted with everything we have going on in our lives. I am so thankful for everything we have in life and the people who are in it.  Things to remember, just breathe and be thankful.