School's Out

(Pre-School graduation day for Jaimee)

Wow! Time goes by so fast! It's already summer and so much has happened. Jaimee graduated from Pre School, Nathan from Kindergarten and JD from 6th grade! All the kids were right where they needed to be and got the helped we prayed for. How blessed we were with amazing like-minded teachers and therapists who worked so hard to help each of our children excel in all areas. Jaimee's teacher was especially a gift to us in more ways than I can describe-if only we could keep her always! :) Love you Connie! Don't ever stop what you were born to do!

Jaimee has done so well with her Developmental Vaulting Therapy or what we just simply refer to as horse therapy. Nora is her instructor and works hard at this program. We have seen great things come from her therapy-all of them and boy does she have a lot! Below we have her with two of her therapist from California Children's Services. She has about 4 that work regularly with her and they have been amazing all year long! Jaimee is such a hard worker and willing to do and try anything and they adore her for that!

Some of the things that might interest those who follow her progress: Jaimee walks mostly on her own however someone is always nearby to spot her, although at home where she is most comfortable she walks freely. Jaimee is also potty training quite well. She has even initiated some independence in this area and we are hopeful to have her fully trained within the year. For those of you who intimately know Jaimee's history in this area you will appreciate what a triumph this will be! :) Jaimee is trying so hard to run, and for those wanting to continue to pray for her, pray for that. I recently had a dream about her and she was running just like any other kid and it was beautiful to see. It may take years but we have already watched a miracle unfold over the coarse of a year so lets just keep that faith going for her. Most of Jaimee's therapy is concentrated on her core. The more that gets strong and balanced, the better off she'll be. Jaimee is speaking so well! You wouldn't believe the things she comes up with. On her IEP progress report her teacher commented that beside Jaimee working on her speech timing she was working on her comedic timing! She is such a crack up! And she'll tell you she's funny after cracking a joke which is even funnier! Her speech test scores were awesome! Jaimee can really say anything she wants to, it just takes some time to get it all out. Her speed has and will continue to increase over time. Jaimee is processing the world around her much faster. She still has some improving to do in that area but she is making really great progress. She is able to get herself in and out of sitting/standing, chair or bathtub, whatever it may be she does it pretty well most of the time-still falling and needing assistance here and there but is not afraid to keep at it-she shows enormous courage and strength-she really never gives up but asks for help when she has tried her best and cannot do something for herself. Someone close to us was at our house and while observing Jaimee over several days she just kept saying, "Jaimee's BACK!" She's the same in so many ways-she's even getting some of those crusty, pouty-lipped looks back (thanks, but no thanks). She also had some familiar tantrums, cute gestures, sweet inflections in her voice like before and yes, in general is "BACK". A sure sign of progress was that a couple of days ago we went to see her neurologist and she said "her progress is such a miracle she doesn't have to come back again." What a blessing! And yet to help her with all the kinks left remaining we'll take what her neurologist said about still needing "time and therapy" and stay on the long, enduring, but ever-rewarding path of recovery. Another milestone we have reached, but which doesn't come without having to keep in check ones resolve to forge onward.
Some other recent events:

APRIL- Spring Break, visit to the San Diego Temple and Ben 10! Ben had a birthday at the end of April. We had a military standoff in the backyard 10 year old style!

MAY- JD earned his 1st Class Scout Badge, Jaimee turned 5! Memorial Day at Zuma:
Although Jaimee got sick on her birthday, she had fun with the friends and family that were already in town to see her.

JUNE- JD and Ben both got wards at school, the kids had their graduations,we went to celebrate the last day of school and Happy 7th Birthday Nathan!: Whewwwww! I'm worn out just reviewing all the crazy but fun times we had.

So now that school's out we have been enjoying a slower pace schedule and having fun at the beach on a regular basis. I absolutely love, love, love living back near the ocean-didn't realize how much I missed it!

JD and Jaimee are back in summer school for just 19 days and part of that JD will be at scout camp but he is doing well and even tutoring other kids in his class in math. Jaimee continues on with therapy and I am home having fun with Nathan and Ben as well as home schooling Ben through the summer.

As for Jeff, he continues to machine away at the shop trying to grow his business. I was recently voted in as a new member of the Northridge Hospital Foundation where I will work to raise money for various programs but will focus my efforts on the Pediatric Trauma Center which we hope to open in the next 6 months if all goes well; providing an invaluable service and asset to our children within a 100 mile radius of the valley. I am also the new Young Women Secretary and I start school next week to finish the last 2 years of my bachelor degree. I'm studying at the University of Phoenix online program majoring in Communications. When I finish I hope to use my education and talents to work in some capacity with the hospital and its foundation to help other families and the professionals that serve them.

So that's it! Enjoy our family update! Hugs and love to all!

Mardee