I love you Bubba

Hey Mom and Dad - please have Marcus read-

Hi Bubba-

I hope you are having a great time at grannie and papaws- I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you and the choices you have been making-

I am proud of how well you ran on Saturday too- Have grannie and papaw show you the pictures below here.

Keep making those great choices- Remember you can do this- you can- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Remember your Reward for Fun Sunday is Chili's -

LOVE YOU BUNCHES and see you Friday-

~Mommy

I was reading..

a journal that I wrote in to keep track of Marcus' behaviors-from a little over a year ago - and can I say oh my word we have come so far so so far- I was amazed -
You see sometimes when you are in the forest it is hard to see past the trees (did I get that right PD) I am always in the mode of being with him and knowing he has referrals and meltdowns and suspensions and on and on...
but I am so glad I have a journal his behavior- because I would never have looked back to see how far we have come-and see past the forest-

We have come so so far- it will be 5 years in a few weeks that this young man was chosen for me- yes chosen for me- I truly truly believe he was chosen for me - come on when I pray specifically for a boy 3-5 years old that is a little challenging- God delivered- He chose me- who else would have dealt with all we have gone through- no one no one but me- I often think of where he would be - but that does not go too far- anyway- God knew I would be able to handle all we have been through-although at times I did not think I would get through-
He has placed significant people in our lives to help us through- to utilize the wisdom they have and press on towards the goal of Marcus being successful-
I am often told "I would have gave him back" - well honestly at times I would have too- and yet I keep pressing on knowing - knowing that God has a mighty plan for Marcus- and that Marcus is an awesome kid-
God knew what He was doing and it has taken me this long to know what I am doing- I still am learning but I have - yes I have come so far- You learn a lot when you have a child with emotional and behavioral issue- what have I learned?- and this is from looking and reading the journal I have of his behaviors

~ that you are often looked at differently when your child throws down a melt down in the store and you have to leave in order to get refocused-does not bother me anymore- others have no clue what may have happened
~calmness goes a long way and so does consistency-
~the first 4 years of a child's life is so critical for there socialization and development
~its ok to ask for help- and when you do you build a great support team
~communication is a key component in a child's life to those who work with him
~My strength is not my own but comes from Him
~on my knees is so powerful
~Unconditional love goes so far- love love love- and keep loving no matter how hard it gets
~keep persevering keep thriving- keep going no matter what
~Knowing when I need a break- and ask for that break-
~I can do ALL things through Christ

I am amazed at how far we come- and yes we still have far to go - and yet the journey keeps getting better and better-

Clearwater meet

It was a fabulous day today- from the meet to getting paperwork done for Marcus-

He did well very well at his last meet of the season- oh practice will not be over just the meets for him

so we ended the season with 2 -1st place finishes and 1 best time- these are moments of a proud momma- I even cried a little when he crossed the finish line first- such a boost to his self esteem-

Enjoy the pictures--

Today was a good day

Today was a good day-
Marcus has had a good week-so thankful for that
Brenda and Sarah watched him the last 2 days- tomorrow we have a meet in Clearwater and Sunday he will be with mom and dad until Friday

We met with Mr Carini for the plan over the summer and this year I am looking forward to the summer- it is great when you have the support we do- we meet 2-4 hours a week with him to work on school work - have fun- and work on behavior issues

I am very pleased with the meeting and will be implementing what was planned as much as I can-- so mom and dad please adhere to what we plan- it will work- and Marcus is excited about it

Last Day of School Today

Awesome- Mrs Crossley- we will miss you next year not being in your class- Mrs Burns- we will miss you cause you are not going to be there full time- and Mr Carini- we will see you over the summer cause you are such a dedicated behavioral specialist- no words can ever express how much of an impact these people have on our lives

Some of Marcus' classmates

Today was the last day of school and ended a time period of 3 years with Susan Crossley - Marcus' teacher- He has had her since 1st grade and will be missed next year- However - we will have a new adventure with Kris Madley- who is another awesome teacher on the team in which Marcus is apart of. Sandi Burns which is a significant part of the team will be missed next year but will be back to substitute- and of course there is Andrew Carini- behavioral specialist who Marcus and I will be spending some of our summer with-helping to keep Marcus on task and focused all summer to transition into 4th grade smoothly- How awesome is that-


Marcus and Marcus ( my Marcus cried when Marcus left because he goes to 6th grade next year)

I do ask where did the time go? it just seemed like yesterday I was driving to Seffner to be with Aunt Lori for VPK. Now - we are going into 4th grade again I ask where did the time go

Track meet photos - June 5th

Marcus in the black shirt and one piece (3rd at this point)

My niece playing with Aiden (coach Gig's son)

Marcus resting

Marcus resting

Two of the coaches- Coach Gig and Coach Earl they are awesome

I have some of the best villages

Well- it does- and I have some of best villages I am a part of and each one was represented today at the track meet- My family- my sister and her kids came out- My church family- Bill Letaw came out to watch- Our school family- Susan Crossley came out with her kids to watch- and of course the track family - Unfortunately the meet ran so long Susan and Bill were unable to stay but it meant so much to Marcus and I that they came-

As I was sitting there today I realized how much people love us and care- we often do not think about it- and to see the excitement in Marcus' eyes that these wonderful people were there to support him and show how much he is loved- meant so much to me.

Each part of out life was represented today-and I just loved it- wow-

So thank you all for loving and caring about us the way you do- we are truly blessed for the people in our lives- and I am so thankful for all that you all do - teach, guide, love, encourage not only Marcus but myself