Diego wanted to type on his dad's computer last night. I didn't realize he was actually typing an email to me. Here's the content of that email:
I love very much.I love seeing you every day.I like going to school with you I have a good time.Thank you for buying me Wii games.I enjoy playing them. My favorite one is Mario kart.When I look at you I feel different.I liked the cars you got me.I like to play with them thank you for buying them for me.I hope you have a good day tonight.It was fun when you tickled me.When I go somewhere I miss you.I love to play with you every day.I see hearts in your eyes when I look at you.It's okay if you cry.
Love,
Diego
I'm glad he said it is okay if I cry because his note did bring tears to my eyes.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Another Milestone in FASD World
Today marks a significant milestone in Diego's life - his last day of third grade. He embarks on the journey to his last year in elementary school next Fall (I'm already talking Fall because it's going to be a loooong summer!).
Diego's done some incredible things this year. Maybe they're not measurable feats for a lot of kids his age but it's amazing he was able to overcome many of his sensory and relational issues to master them:
1) He started third grade reading at fourth grade level and advanced to the 4.2 level by mid-year
2) He learned the multiplication tables to 12
3) He wrote interesting and funny stories in his journal
4) He was chosen to participate in the Tri-County Science Olympiad (his team came in 5th overall) - his comment about not 'winning' was, "Mom, it's okay that I didn't win. I worked hard and did my best, and tried really hard."
5) He was chosen from a group of his peers to participate in a writing workshop that took place after school for a month
6) He was able to eat lunch with a group of friends without supervision by his teacher/para-pro - and he didn't run away!
7) He memorized "The Fifty States That Rhyme" song and sang it in front of his class (ask him to sing it for you the next time you see him)
8) He had one incident where his para-pro had to call me to explain something that happened.... one... for the entire year...
9) He won several awards for reading and writing during the end of the year program
There are more but this post would get far too lengthy. Diego has continually surprised and amazed me, he is beating the odds for an FASD kid, at least for now. And I am so very proud of him.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Moms
A friend sent me the following in an email today. I have seen this before, it circulates around this time of year, Mother's Day that is. But today I really needed to read this again (thanks, Michele!) because today I am really missing my mom. She went to heaven 4 years ago today.
If your mom is still with you, call or visit her... be sure to tell her you love her.
In loving memory of Mom, Alberta Faye Frye 9.8.30 - 5.6.05
Mothers
Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade....
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion..
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
If your mom is still with you, call or visit her... be sure to tell her you love her.
In loving memory of Mom, Alberta Faye Frye 9.8.30 - 5.6.05
Mothers
Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade....
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion..
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Walking Kindergartners
I spent the day walking groups of Kindergarten students from their classrooms to another room across the school building where they were being tested for reading skills. During the course of the day I was asked some serious questions by my 5 year old friends....
What color are you? Correct answer would be: white. Apparently my tan makes me look like I'm a different nationality?
How old are you? Correct answer would be: you don't ask a woman her age. According to one group of youngsters I must be at least 17. When I told them my real age I heard how their grandparents are that old and they are almost dead so I must be almost dead. One little girl looked at me like she wondered how I could even be upright, let alone walking at my age.
Are you a mommy? Correct answer would be: yes. Obviously I'm waaay too old to be a mommy.
Why are you so tall? Correct answer would be: I have no idea. Answer given after the I have no idea answer didn't work: because that's the way I was made. Not good enough. Next answer: because I grew this tall. Nope, not going to fly with this tough crowd. Final answer: my mom and dad wanted me to be tall so they stretched me until I was this big. That satisfied the inquisitive bunch... not really, we were back at the classroom and I deposited them before yet another question.
What school do you go to? Seriously, guys? Didn't you already decide I'm too old to go to school?
What color are you? Correct answer would be: white. Apparently my tan makes me look like I'm a different nationality?
How old are you? Correct answer would be: you don't ask a woman her age. According to one group of youngsters I must be at least 17. When I told them my real age I heard how their grandparents are that old and they are almost dead so I must be almost dead. One little girl looked at me like she wondered how I could even be upright, let alone walking at my age.
Are you a mommy? Correct answer would be: yes. Obviously I'm waaay too old to be a mommy.
Why are you so tall? Correct answer would be: I have no idea. Answer given after the I have no idea answer didn't work: because that's the way I was made. Not good enough. Next answer: because I grew this tall. Nope, not going to fly with this tough crowd. Final answer: my mom and dad wanted me to be tall so they stretched me until I was this big. That satisfied the inquisitive bunch... not really, we were back at the classroom and I deposited them before yet another question.
What school do you go to? Seriously, guys? Didn't you already decide I'm too old to go to school?
Monday, April 13, 2009
40!
It dawned on me yesterday during worship at church that it was my birthday. No, not the anniversary of my physical birth but the anniversary of my spiritual birth. I accepted Christ on Easter Sunday 1969 at the age of 9 years.
I remember it very clearly; my family went to Easter Sunrise service with Berean Baptist Church in Adrian; the service was held at Island Park that year. My sisters and I were able to walk to the park for the service as my parents drove along behind us (we only lived a couple of blocks from the park anyway).
Mom and Dad packed all 5 of us girls into the station wagon and took us to Sunday School followed by church service. I had been hearing about Jesus all my life but on that particular Easter Sunday, the Holy Spirit really made an impact on my 9 year old heart... it was as if I was hearing for the first time about how Christ died for me. My heart was nearly pounding out of my chest at the end of the service as I walked forward to tell the pastor that I wanted to accept Christ into my life.
I still have the bible that my Sunday School teacher gave me after that morning. Inside the front cover it simply says, "Faythe was saved Easter Sunday 1969", signed Mrs. Emerson. How cool is that?
I remember it very clearly; my family went to Easter Sunrise service with Berean Baptist Church in Adrian; the service was held at Island Park that year. My sisters and I were able to walk to the park for the service as my parents drove along behind us (we only lived a couple of blocks from the park anyway).
Mom and Dad packed all 5 of us girls into the station wagon and took us to Sunday School followed by church service. I had been hearing about Jesus all my life but on that particular Easter Sunday, the Holy Spirit really made an impact on my 9 year old heart... it was as if I was hearing for the first time about how Christ died for me. My heart was nearly pounding out of my chest at the end of the service as I walked forward to tell the pastor that I wanted to accept Christ into my life.
I still have the bible that my Sunday School teacher gave me after that morning. Inside the front cover it simply says, "Faythe was saved Easter Sunday 1969", signed Mrs. Emerson. How cool is that?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Double Digits
This is the eve of Diego's passage from single to double digits; tomorrow he will be 10 years old.
The time has flown by yet there have been moments when I look into his face and time is non-existent. You know those standing still while the world revolves around you times. But somehow, suddenly, time has marched on and brought us to this date, 10 years later.
So much happens in 10 years, you know? Seriously, when I try to remember even the milestones in Diego's life... where has the time gone?
Diego has learned to overcome so much without even realizing it. And he is growing up... all too quickly.
He's still my little love though, he always will be. Take this evening for instance. Diego didn't want to go to bed, he was very excited about his birthday and party tomorrow afternoon. The bed time routine went by the wayside and, long story short, he ended up going to bed only by threat of not having his party. He came downstairs five minutes later to hand me a small stuffed heart embroidered with 'XOXO' then fell into my arms sobbing. My little love.
So, happy birthday to my little man! I love you more than you'll ever know or I'll ever understand. You are the reason I rise in the morning and my reason for falling into bed exhausted at night. You make me laugh and cry. You are fun to be with. You work hard to overcome obstacles that would make me want to give up. I am so very proud of you!
Keep growing up, my little one... just not too fast, okay?
The time has flown by yet there have been moments when I look into his face and time is non-existent. You know those standing still while the world revolves around you times. But somehow, suddenly, time has marched on and brought us to this date, 10 years later.
So much happens in 10 years, you know? Seriously, when I try to remember even the milestones in Diego's life... where has the time gone?
Diego has learned to overcome so much without even realizing it. And he is growing up... all too quickly.
He's still my little love though, he always will be. Take this evening for instance. Diego didn't want to go to bed, he was very excited about his birthday and party tomorrow afternoon. The bed time routine went by the wayside and, long story short, he ended up going to bed only by threat of not having his party. He came downstairs five minutes later to hand me a small stuffed heart embroidered with 'XOXO' then fell into my arms sobbing. My little love.
So, happy birthday to my little man! I love you more than you'll ever know or I'll ever understand. You are the reason I rise in the morning and my reason for falling into bed exhausted at night. You make me laugh and cry. You are fun to be with. You work hard to overcome obstacles that would make me want to give up. I am so very proud of you!
Keep growing up, my little one... just not too fast, okay?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Today's Olympic Dreams - FAS Version
While driving Diego to school this morning he struck up a conversation about the Olympics. I thought he might be talking about the Science Olympics which he will take part in next week (I'm so proud of him!). No, he was actually talking about the real Olympics.
Diego asked what I thought he would be good at in the Olympics and I told him he can do anything he puts his mind to. I went on to explain that getting to the Olympics takes hard work and effort with some talent sprinkled in. The conversation went like this:
Diego said, "So, could I be a runner?" I told him of course.
He said, "Do you think I would be fast?" I told him that I know he's a very fast runner.
"What if I was a super hero?" Well, being a super hero would mean you couldn't compete using your powers and besides, super heroes aren't real, remember?
"What if my super hero talent was flying?" Are we still talking about the Olympics because I don't know if there's an event for flying in the Olympics.
"Yes, I'm talking about the Olympics. What if I only flew a little bit and nobody knew I could fly?" That would be cheating and you must never cheat.
"I think I could be a jumper then because I'm a good jumper on the trampoline, is there jumping at the Olympics?" Yes, it's called the high jump or you could jump hurdles.
"I am sure I could fly just a little bit at the end of the jump and no one would know." That's still cheating.
There was a long silence and then in true FAS fashion Diego said, "Well then, I think I'll have to stick to flying paper airplanes and give up jumping."
That's my boy!
Diego asked what I thought he would be good at in the Olympics and I told him he can do anything he puts his mind to. I went on to explain that getting to the Olympics takes hard work and effort with some talent sprinkled in. The conversation went like this:
Diego said, "So, could I be a runner?" I told him of course.
He said, "Do you think I would be fast?" I told him that I know he's a very fast runner.
"What if I was a super hero?" Well, being a super hero would mean you couldn't compete using your powers and besides, super heroes aren't real, remember?
"What if my super hero talent was flying?" Are we still talking about the Olympics because I don't know if there's an event for flying in the Olympics.
"Yes, I'm talking about the Olympics. What if I only flew a little bit and nobody knew I could fly?" That would be cheating and you must never cheat.
"I think I could be a jumper then because I'm a good jumper on the trampoline, is there jumping at the Olympics?" Yes, it's called the high jump or you could jump hurdles.
"I am sure I could fly just a little bit at the end of the jump and no one would know." That's still cheating.
There was a long silence and then in true FAS fashion Diego said, "Well then, I think I'll have to stick to flying paper airplanes and give up jumping."
That's my boy!
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