Summer News

I can't remember if I wrote about this yet or not, but S developed a throat clearing habit the last couple weeks of school. This happened once before, she was sick and had to clear her throat. It developed into a habit that lasted several weeks. This time, it could have started because she had some mild illness, but it continued because of stress. The teachers said they noticed it alot and it was more frequent when she was stressed. She has been out of school for one week. It has decreased in intensity, but at times is more frequent. She was really making a big sound in the beginning, and I think it probably irritated her throat. She most likely really needs to clear it now. It drives me crazy to hear her do this, and sometimes I tell her to stop. I know I have to back off, because my reaction is only adding to the problem. I wish I could be the perfect, always calm and sedate mom, but I can't. I try hard each and every day to improve on my own shortcomings, and each day I fall short on perfection. I just hope it's good enough. I have much more patience than I did years ago, but it's never enough. Our home life is different with no school and her big sisters in and out of the house. One is taking classes away from home and only comes home every once in a while, the other is taking summer classes near home, so she is living home. S just can't wrap her head around the fact that they are out of school for the year, but are now in class for the summer. We will probably go to China for about 3 weeks in July. This is something she is really looking forward to. We are working on eating a bigger variety of food to make the trip easier. Trips to China are never easy, but needing to take 3/4 of the food she will eat in a suitcase further complicate things. We are going to be doing charity work there, so it's important that we make this trip. We are not going for a vacation. As hard as the trip is on her, she really does so well and always has so much personal growth.

We decided for sure on the new school in the fall. She will go to their vacation bible school in a couple of weeks so she will be familiar with the school. I think this will help a great deal. I am really looking forward to this next school year. I am looking forward to being a part of her school experience like I was with the other kids. I really feel like we were both cheated out of a lot this past year. That is why I'm glad we are starting in K again this year. It will be like starting over.

Since we haven't had a schedule, S has been talking non-stop and asking constant questions. I know it's because she is nervous, but it is so hard. This morning, she asked to go upstairs and do some creeping. I think she misses the routine and the special time together. We will do that whether we need to or not. I think that is such a big step for her to ask.