Oli's speech

Just thought I'd give a little update. Oliver had his 'intake' appointment with the infant and toddlers program here in Maryland yesterday for speech therapy.

It went really really well and I am happy to have the ball rolling and to get things underway. He really is a pretty smart little cookie- he just doesn't talk much yet and I wasn't all that worried about it until it became apparent that he was getting frustrated by his lack of being able to communicate his needs with us.

Oliver is a pretty social little guy, but for some reason he doesn't like new people all that much - especially blonde ladies. So, when Kelly came to do the intake appointment he wasn't happy to work with her. She was able to tell me what needed to be done so that I could work with Oli- ofcourse he didn't really cooperate with me either. When I showed him the picture of a ball- which he says about 500 times a day he completely ignored me- when it was time to see if he could use a crayon on paper and draw a line instead he hid the crayons in the couch. That is just how Oliver operates :) He did however sit with me to try and string some blocks and really concentrated on it and loved doing it.

His 'case' will be presented to the area team from I&T on Wednesday and then I will be getting a phone call to set up an appointment for his evaluation- which has a deadline of August 1st- wish us luck that it all goes well!! He needs to be 25% or more delayed to get services. It is a bizarre twist of fate to be wanting your child to be a certain percent delayed- if he isn't 25% or more delayed we will have to do private therapy which right now we flat out don't have money in our budget for- but I'm sure we'll make it work and do what needs to be done for our little man!!

Good times!!

Rick took a long weekend and we went up to Deep Creek- I don't know how in the world I have lived in Maryland for 7 years (quickly going on 8) and didn't know about this wonderful place until last summer!

We had such a wonderful and relaxing time- and none of us wanted to leave. Rick was even talking about buying a retirement home their :)

As always here are a few pics that I wanted to share- there are only like 500 more, but these are my favs!

Other than that there really isn't much new going on around here!

Oh- except, Mandy- Avery is going to an American Girl camp this week- thought you might like that!!!

Me and my lovies :)


Oliver just hanging out looking at the falls and bein' cute!


Ricky and the girls taking a break on our hike


The girls in the lake :)


Ricky and the kids playing at the playground after having dinner at Uno's

Dancing Queen!!

This past weekend was Miranda's second ever dance recital. It is absolutely amazing to me the difference that one year has made- her class did a wonderful job! They were really on it and having a blast. She loved it- being on stage, dancing in front of the crowd- the whole bit. I am very proud of her! I wish that I could share the video on here, but I'm just not very smart when it comes to figuring that stuff out. Instead I'll just share some photos from the 'dressing room' enjoy :)

Miranda and Abby practicing for their dance~







Proud of my big girl!!



Miranda with her beautiful roses from Grandma Jackie after her performance~

Friends

I miss my friends.

I stink at keeping in touch with people that have moved- this blog was an attempt to be better at updating friends, but I have fallen short here as well.

I just wanted to let you guys know that I am thinking of you always- and that I miss you all terribly and just really really hope and pray that you all will end up back in Maryland with me some day :)

Miss Katie- Korea is so very far away. I think that I am in denial that you are going so far- and for 3 years no less- I know you and the fam will do great, but somehow I will miss you all even more.

Arianne- my sincerest apologies. I am going to call you this next week- it has been far too long and I need to hear your voice and touch base on all thing Jones fam!!

Andrea- Your blog always makes me cry- I love seeing all the pictures of your beautiful family. But it breaks my heart to watch those kids growing up without my kids friendship, and a small visit with you was so not enough!

Tami- my lovely lady that told me that she was forever stuck in MD with me- I just want to send out big hugs to you and your family. I wish that there was something I could do or say to help, but just know that I love ya and I am thinking and praying for you.

Julie- There is no excuse for how long I have been out of touch so I'm not even gonna try and come up with one!! I can't believe how big your kids have grown and I hope that some day we can meet up with you and your family again- watching you as a mother made a bigger impact on how I strive to mother my children more than I can say.

Mandy- I am ever so happy to read that you are happy in Hawaii, but I'm still hoping that you get sent back here!! We need to see more pics of your little men.

Jen- your coming back soon yes??? I cannot wait to hear from you and catch up!!

I miss you guys. I can honestly/sadly say that I haven't made much of an effort to make new friends or nurture many of the friendships that I still have here left in Maryland at the MV ward. I'm being a big chicken- I don't want to make anymore wonderful friends that are going to leave. So silly I know- as I wouldn't give up one day with any of you that have left so I know that I am probably missing out on some wonderful woman- my heart just isn't in it lately.

Okay- pitty party is over now. I love you all!! Expect to hear from me in one form or another soon!!!!!!