It has been awhile since I updated so here's what's been happening: Not much!
We got out of school and I am glad to say Michael and I had a great school year. Am I happy with his year at the Middle School? Yes and no. Yes because he loved the Middle School and his transition went so much more smoothly than I had thought it would. From some comments by his teachers, it sounds like he is doing well socially; the other students are nice to him and he is communicating with them. The bad part: I feel like he regressed quite a bit this year. Academically, he was doing well at his elementary school because he had a great assistant and his teachers were so good to communicate with me. The Middle School teachers did the best they could, I am sure, but I didn't know until his May IEP meeting that he had been struggling in some of his classes. Why in this world wasn't I told?! We could have been working with him at home yet we never had work sent home nor were we told how to help. Oh well. It is done and I can't change it. I hope for better communication next year and I pray that he recovers what he lost. (Sadly, his teachers seemed to think I was in denial about what he can do academically. No, Middle School teachers, trust me; my eyes are totally open to the horror that is autism and I do not wear "rose colored glasses." I know Michael's strengths and weaknesses but I know he can do better than he did this year. I have SEEN it and his elementary school teachers have seen it as well. Like I said, next year is a new year.
We are getting excited about our trip to St. George Island. It will be here soon and we are planning what to take since we are flying this time. We have been enxiously watching the weather to see how much damage Tropical Storm Debby did to the island. There has been no electricity on the island in days and I have read that the storm damage is minimal so we are hoping that by the time we get there, everything will be back to normal. I am working on my packing list and trying to be reasonable about what we are taking. I am excited and nervous about Michael flying for the first time but he amazes me with how much he can handle so we are hoping for the best. I think he will love it, actually, but we will see. It is my niece's first flight so I am excited for her too. I have been browsing online for a swimsuit and have about decided I need a full body one! Ugh! I have eaten all summer. Michael and I just sit and surf the web. We have got to find something to do. I am doing better about my swimming pool daydreams but still refuse to subject us to the city pool. Like I told someone a few days ago; adults are much more cruel than kids. It might just be a look but if that look is directed at your child, it is devastating. So, we will hang out at the house and count down the days to the pool at the beach house.
My husband and I had a nice conversation a few weeks ago. We were talking about our upcoming anniversary (#23) and how it will be nice that we are flying to the beach that day. Cool way to spend an anniversary! Anyway, he said, "I think for our 25th, we should go on your dream trip." My dream trip is a trip to England. I asked him if he was serious and he said yes. Wow! I have been pricing trips and a friend let me borrow some travel books of Europe. We are talking 2014 so I have a chance to really plan it. Our biggest concern is who would stay with Michael for 10-12 days? My sister is awesome about staying with him but she has a little girl and a full time job so I think we would need a team of people. I think it could work with a lot of planning but we will see. Thinking about my rural, country self in Europe makes me laugh. Talk about the Beverly Hillbilies! Oh me. Hopefully it will all work out.
I finished my last summer class Saturday so I am free until September. Yea! I have five more classes (two this fall and three next spring) and I should graduate with my Specialist in Education (Ed.D) degree in May 2013-the EXACT same day that my sister will graduate with her Associates degree. What are the odds?! I really want to be there for her graudation because she has worked so hard for it and come so far. It is a great excuse for a party for both of us, I think. :)
I will try to do better about updating for my one faithful reader! Until then, stay cool and God bless. :)
