My favorite kindergarten memory

written by Marcus paraphrased by mom

My favorite kindergarten memory was when I was at the other house- I was there for awhile- I am glad I am not now - I lived there with a man who whipped me. Then a lady came and got me she was looking for a child- I am glad she took me to her house where she has cats and a dog. We ran from the house. The one cat I petted to hard and she scratched me.

This in reality happened before kindergarten- time line is not important here- the fact he wrote it down was major -

- on a side note we had a rough Tuesday and I had him tell his coach- I did not prompt him he actually did it on his own- which is another step- so glad he has a great coach who wants to see him succeed

Met with his teacher today just cause I wanted to have a face to face meeting- she gave me some insight- I love them at Lake Myrtle- I love the relationship we have with them- they would do anything to help Marcus succeed

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Well- yesterday after church Marcus was having a meltdown- an anger meltdown- he was not getting what he wanted and trying to go after others and so momma had to get him- well I got him and held him and he was thrashing around and he was in his little fetal hold (sometimes hugging helps him calm down) he was yelling and such- and Pastor Larry simply came over and put his hands on him and began to pray- and it was almost immediately when Marcus went limp and calmed down- I was able to talk with him and the whole thing was over-

Thank you Holy Spirit for your comfort -Thank you Pastor Larry for praying- -

Who has earned his first medals in track...

It was an amazing day yesterday at the track meet- I am so proud of him and how well he did-

He was beaming from ear to ear when he received the first medal and then when he received the second one he was higher then a kite- and he never came down

This was an amazing day for me- I truly saw an amazing change in my son- I mean his form was good - his attitude was good-

all in all a good day

I have spoken before about the Running Tigers Family- they are amazing- our coaches Gig, Mark, Eric, and Earl are truly a blessing to us and speak volumes to Marcus- I can not say enough about them

The kids may run individually but it is a true team sport- each one yelling for another and genuinely happy for one another when they accomplish something

Friday....

Well- Marcus had a great practice last night- hoping he will do as well tomorrow- yep we have our first meet of the season- I will post pictures tomorrow or Sunday-
He has come a long way in the past year- and today proved I have as well- of course I have some amazing mentors that have help me deal with him

Well today he got in trouble at the end of the day- running into the classroom and denying it- then getting ugly - would not sit with his seat belt on - and then had to be taken off the bus- ran from the behavioral specialist -I believe hit him as well and tried to bite him- would not talk with him- when I got there he was in the regressive frame of mind- but hey I kept calm- it is easy to do when you have additional help- and actually Marcus talked with me - we sat on the floor- he admitted everything which was a HUGE step- and he also admitted he brought something to school without permission and new what was to happen- HUGE step- he then spoke with Mr Carini and apologized for all that had happened-

I love his school and the teachers there- they care so much for the success of Marcus- and have so much patience!!! Thanks Lake Myrtle Elementary School you have the best of the best there.

So we are in Clearwater and Lori and Stacy's so we do not have to get up as early for the meet- we do have to be there at 8 because Marcus runs early the 1500 and 800 - he should do very well if he stays focused.

Ever feel like a......

FAILURE as a parent- today I do- Marcus had a good day today but lately it is one thing after another- I have spoken to his therapist and specialist and just need to keep being consistent-

just gets very tiring and when things are not going the way it should I feel like I have failed

And the one thing after another - small things accumulating into one big thing- referrals yes plural- spitting hitting-cussing -(rrrrrr- he learns it at school) hitting with his bag- TOs at school - not the normal ones secured and it is ok I sign a consent form- stealing things at home- defiance - willful disobedience- screaming hollering crying-and this has been Friday and Monday

Would anyone like to switch places for one day ad I mean when he is having a horrible day

I know I know we have come so far and we will have set backs and understand I know and yet when the set backs happen it is so exhausting

I will keep going though-

So I went...

to the Drs last week while on spring break and had some lab work done- its has been a very long time since I have been- when since Marcus came in to my life- I know I know I know not good- but I am changing this year to Flourish (my word) and need to take care of myself

Anyways- good thing I went - cause they found something- I have a Vitamin D defiencey- you know you get it from milk and the sun- (apparently me sitting at track practice or soccer games is not enough for my body to get)

So of course I had to look it up and this is what I found
Deficient in D?
Vitamin D is the only vitamin that is also a hormone. After Vitamin D is made by the skin or eaten, the kidney and liver help to convert it into an active hormone form. As a hormone, it controls calcium absorption to help the body build strong bones and teeth, and it helps maintain muscle strength. When you are deficient in calcium and vitamin D, your bones break down to supply calcium to the rest of your body. But being deficient in vitamin D can take a toll on more than just your skeleton.
"There have been concerns about vitamin D status in the U.S. because of increasing reports of deficiencies, with an estimated 10 million Americans over age 50 diagnosed with osteoporosis," says Atlanta-based rheumatologist Eduardo Baetti, MD.
"Vitamin D deficiency is associated with low bone mass and osteoporosis because vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium from the diet. Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked with poor muscle strength and other chronic conditions, such as autoimmune disease and some forms of cancer."
The Sunshine Vitamin
D is also the only vitamin that does not need to be consumed in food or supplements because our bodies are efficient at making it when our skin is exposed to direct sunlight (not through a window). But not all sun exposure is the same, and many factors help determine how much we absorb. In general, the further away you are from the equator, the more efficient the vitamin D production, but cloud cover and air pollution can hinder the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Many people living in the Southern United States can get enough vitamin D by getting about 10-15 minutes of sun exposure on their arms and face a few times a week -- as long as they don't use sunscreen, which blocks some of the UV rays necessary to make the vitamin.

Symptoms
Vitamin D deficiency may be characterized by muscle pain, weak bones/fractures, low energy and fatigue, lowered immunity, symptoms of depression and mood swings, and sleep irregularities. Women with renal problems or intestinal concerns (such as IBS or Crohn’s disease) may be vitamin D deficient because they can neither absorb nor adequately convert the nutrient.

So now I have to take supplements so I am not so deficient- hmm sleep irregularities - so me

So I am glad I went- my question now is how long has this been going on-

So blessed

Even when life is not going the way we think it should- or not sure what the next goal in life should be - I have to sit back and realize how blessed we truly are

I have a great son- not perfect and often times very challenging to work with- and yet love him to pieces- he has come along way- we both have

I have a great job- stressful at times but it is life changing-

We have a wonderful family- so supportive so loving and will do anything for us-

We have a wonderful ChurchFamily there for us no matter what- wonderful friends that help in a pinch

We have a great great Trackfamily they help so much -especially Coach Gig in speaking with Marcus and his behavior choices

The team at LakeMyrtleElementarySchool Susan Crossley, Andrew Carini, and Sandy Burns are phenomenal - they are amazing teachers and specialists who love what they do - although I have no idea how they do it because Marcus is only one of the students they have

We have a great team at his Behavorial Care at Baycare in Dade City- wonderful people

So we are truly truly blessed

Encouraging and Embracing

As I sat watching track practice my mind began to wonder as I was thinking of all the things I need to do or that need to get done- plus about dreams and goals and what God has for my life now- practice is a wonderful time to just think- for me-
As I am thinking I begin to listen to Coach Gig and what he is speaking to the kids-He treats each one the same-expecting their best effort- expecting respect-and it does not matter their skill level.
He loves on them and encourages them- He wants what is best for them and he wants the best from them.
Just when they feel like giving up he is there- helping them get through the pain of practice- teaching them what to do when they get a cramp- He is guiding them-helping them and telling them to hold on and not give up-

As I watched this it was like God saying see what I am doing- See I am here to guide you - encourage you - I want what is best for you- Do not give up( I was not giving up anything) keep holding on- I want your best. I will help you I will give you strength I will encourage you-You just need to keep talking with me - Keep pressing into me Keep listening to me.

Ahhh the love of our Father- the simple thing of a track practice to remind us(me)

3 Day Walk Part 3

Will you Donate?

3 Day Walk Part 2

Would you like to donate to a good cause well - donate to the Susan G Komen cause and you can donate here. Would you like to see lives changed? A search for a cancer cure- there is Hope- there is Love- there is Peace- God equips those who are able
and not able

Susan G Komen 3 day walk- Part 1

Will you support my sister in her walk in DC- go to http://www.3day.org/ and go to donate and look up Lori Cole for walkers- we are both participating in the Tampa walk but we will be working the crew and making sure others are safe

Cancer is a horrible disease taking many lives each year- in 90 minutes 30 people will die of this disease will you support us in our endeavor- DO you have a sister, mother , grandmother, friend, aunt, cousin- I am sure each of us has someone we know that has been affected- please play the video on the and watch- be encourage

Three Day Walk for Breast Cnacer

Yesterday...

was HAPPY EASTER FIRST- then HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEXT- Marcus was a littl saddened about having his birthday on Easter and not in the way you think- it was not about sharing the day it was he was unsure why it was on that day-

Anyway- went to Lift Church in Venice - they had a service at the community center and then a massive egg hunt- 10000 eggs I believe- maybe more-

Aftewards came home and celebrated Marcus Bday- with some gifts and the best reaction ever was when he was shown a picture of his new bike which is ORANGE- his favorite color-

Sunday is Coming

I am on vacation

well it starts tomorrow and we are headed to grannie and papaws for Easter and Marcus' Bday they are both on Sunday and he keeps askin gwhy his bday is the same day as Easter-
We do not have a lot planned- Drs appts- etc next week but hopefully will get som ebike riding in
will post pictures later of his bday well SUnday I will