The kiddo came home with more paperwork for me to see. He was all puffed and proud because he is in Probe math. Accelerated math. I thought he was but I never realize it means more than the 'regular' class. He told me he is totally aware how hard he'll have to work and I need to stop worrying. WELLL... I guess I'm over protective!

He announced that in addition to a clarinet or saxaphone, he wants to learn to play the guitar. YES!!!

and I ordered dirt today!

IEP is finished. No specific services except observation and being in the background if he needs it... a nice little off the record note telling me who where what when and how to make adjustments if the placement at Snellville isn't right for him. Bless the special ed teacher who likes my boy. She wanted to know my concerns and totally understood and agreed - Expect what you need from Geoffrey. If he's not up to standards, explain the standards and ask him to perform to them. Don't accept mediocrity because he's different - give him the bar to reach too. Acedemically, he's gifted - socially, he lacks, but works hard on meeting the challenges. Just be respectful and expect him to be respectful.

On the way to school, we talked about how men often supress the creative sides of themselves and never learn to do things like sew and knit and garden and cook - but those who do can often find ways to make big money - he likes money, lol He's talking a lot about being a chef. He said sometimes the kids tease him about how he doesn't like dodge ball and sports. It doesn't make him whimpy to be sensitive or not like to be hit! He said he's gonna make sure his kids know how to play music and sing. lol Conversations like this have revealing little twists.

Well, I guess I've gone on about this enough. The special ed teacher was telling us about recycling in Dekalb county and the big blue containers and bags and Steve finally said his only contribution to the conversation. He said "we have gray bags." The lady looked at him and didn't get it - I said "you are such a smart ass." lol He just chuckled.

He's gonna grab a nap then work on setting my seedlings out. I imagine lunch time will be spent in the garden.

It's a good day so far. Love you all. ~Amber

This morning getting ready to leave for our IEP in a few minutes, Geoffie insists on catching the bus from home instead of going with me. My heart just tears up. Not in a bad way...but having raised so many others, I know that once we let go and allow the growing up to happen, life has a way of kicking in and making it something we can do regularly. If he can do it today, he can do it tomorrow and another day, and another. Big breath...

my kid is really growing up. He's gone from cute and little to tall and handsome and pre-teen overnight. I don't like it. I don't like it one bit.

I was always a hands off, let them manage it mom until Geoffrey - the results of letting him stay a kid have been terrific. Because I got teary, he got teary. He said "Mommy I'll always need you to be here to wait for the bus with me. No other kid has a mom who does it and I love you."  Darned old tears anyway...

I'm gonna leave him home 30 minutes before the bus comes to get himself on it.

Now I'm going to take my coffee and spend the next 10 minutes with the Goddess before I leave.

I don't think the breaths are big enough to help me this morning - letting go... a necessary step in the life of a mother.

OMGs he jut came in while I was previewing this and asked if he could come with me. He said "besides, what's an extra 30 minutes if it makes you happy?" He's gonna work on sewing his pillow.

I think TAPPS will always be my favorite night time song.

We went to check those pots out at Walmart and they were for fountains...way too expensive. So we hit the dollar store. I got several plastic pots that were perfect for herbs and single plants. Steve has promised to work with my direction tomorrow to fill planters and get the veges in a permanent spot. Whatever planters are left to do, I'll give Geoffie a quarter a piece to fill. He likes money. lol

Work has decided to do away with my shift. No more 9-6. I get all worked up over the hours when I think of middle school not starting till 9:20 am. I thought it would put me working 11-8 and I was so upset. I am a complete morning person. Steve reminded me about the work from home and stepped up to say he'd cover me on office days. I'll choose 8-5 for this quarter, but really, I dred the constant change.

We have a new feral kitty who's shown up. It's obviously a female. She's a lovely soft gray. It's hard for Steve because he gets attached and the outside cats disappear and get sick and they need him. He's still grieving for Sky.

Geoffrey cut out felt letters and is sewing them on a pillow. I let him use krazy glue to place the letters, first. He used pink and red felt and a green print fabric for the pillowtop. He had so much fun doing the sewing. We left him home alone while we shopped tonight. It's a big step for me to leave him. 98% of the time, he's better than fine...it worries me in case something comes up though. If we are gonna let him be a normal kid, it's time to teach him to handle it. I wonder with Asperger's if I'm over protective or if I'm on mark. There is no map for this. His IEP meeting is in the morning. This year's teacher thinks we could drop the special ed services all together except for the possibility someone might have a problem with his breathy way of talking. Technically, it's a stutter. You get used to it. I think most teachers will be so happy to have a kid like Geoffie they'll figure it out. But just in case, the IEP stays with him. He asked me what he could do with tiny scrap felt. We decided to put it on the compost pile in case the little birds would like to use it for nest material. How could anyone not handle a bit of stuttering?

So this is my day updated. Did I tell you our Cindy kitty drinks water by dipping her right paw in the water bowl and lifting water to her mouth? She never laps from the bowl. Ya think she's evolving into something? lol

okies... I'm done. Have a blessed night.

~A

This is our second Ostara celebration. What a joy it has been. Geoffie is off from school today so we were able to have our morning ritual. Together we created the alter to the Goddess. We each chose a branch from the Forsynthia - we each cut a daffodil. We gathered holly branches. He suggested setting the sprigs on a bed tray... we spread a crocheted doily on the tray, set the greenery center/back. We placed a tera cotta bunny in front, and our boiled eggs in a pretty wooden bowl next to it. We lit a white candle. Each of us decorated our egg for the Goddess. We then went out back with the tray and buried our eggs! We laid the flowers on top of our spot and we said our thankyou's for new beginnings. Then he scattered a small bowl of bird seeds.

Breakfast is boiled eggs with butter, salt and pepper, muffins with sprinkled powdered sugar and orange juice.

And now, on to work...

bright blessings dear friends.