{ONce upon a Dream Meet}

Talk about the worst day to loose battery power and a full memory card and forgot my spare.

The girls finished up their year with a meet. They did so good in gymnastics. Sadly these are my only photos. I took a few videos shots on my camera. So sad I didn't have more of Addison. I was so proud of them.

You can see both Alix and Addison in these next few shots.They had such a cute number before they broke off in their rotations.

{Playing Catch-up}

Okay first of all on the catch-up post is Alix and her school protect that she made. She was so excited to use moms' art stuff and create poster for school. Her study she did was on sleep in conclusion she found out that the majority of 3rd graders on are not getting enough sleep. She is not one of them.

   Next is Mother's Day! I loved my mother's Day. I seriously didn't lift one finger. Jon wouldn't let me. He was so sweet to make my day so relaxing and special. My kids did a fabulous job too! They made such special cards and presents. I loved them all but most of all I love the four kids that give me the reason to be called MOM!

The next thing on the list is saying goodbye to our House in Malverne. Yes we moved like I said earlier. We will miss this house. NOTHing wrong with it what's so ever. NOthing. We loved it we just didn't love the school district. Lakeview fed into the Malverne school district and we had to many incidents that I felt like it wasn't safe and appropriate to raise my children. Which is sad sense the town of Malverne is darling we are just not rich enough to afford Catholic school {that's were everyone goes too rather then the public schools in malverne} and even though we really considered in making it work we realized it would be cheaper in the long run to just move to a better school district, but like I said in earlier posts... Malverne wasn't a wash. It had it's purpose and we are so grateful we came to our Malverne home.

We had so many missionaries {6} and friends come help us with the move! The missionaries even helped clean my house which was even a bigger help and of course along with my Best Friend Christy who always does so much for me. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by people who love to serve. What a great example they are to me.

Here's us trying to settle in. Lot's of work at this point but it's been a while now and we are pretty much settled in.

So much stuff we have. I can't believe how much stuff people have given to us and what people throw on their curb. We laugh and say all the time we should of sold everything before coming here. New yorkers throw everything away.

 We found that Jack and SAndy followed us to our new house :-} Well at least Jack in this photo.

Addison was in Daisies and what a cutie she was. First year doing it. She made so many great friends. Here she is with Grace as their troop marches in the Malverne Memorial Parade.

Here's Brian and Kathleen our great friends in Malverne. They were following Alix and Billy as they walked with the Mayor of Malverne.

This guy was our neighbor two doors down.

I can't believe Malverne has this many fire trucks. We are such a small community you would think 1 maybe two.

Mason loved them!

Loved them. I'm telling you. He was so happy.

 Cutie

We had the best spot cause we saw the parade start and they looped around town and ended near us too. We were excited that the kids had so much fun.

Billy got tired and had to get in the car. Alix stayed with the Mayor though!

Here's Addison holding the flag.

 and her troop

 

Here's Alix with the Mayor. It's the lady. Alix got to hand out Flags with her and Billy.

The District had a Memorial Day Picnic at Grant Park. They do this twice a year. Here are some of my favorite people on the Island.

{50% South African & 50% American causes need to CELEBRATE!}

That's what my kids are 50/50! And because of that I have been feeling the importance of celebrating my children's Heritage and Culture and what better day to do it then on South African's Independence Day!!

We asked Oupa to come all the way from Canada to help celebrate with us and we were so excited that he said, "YES."

We had so much fun making decorations for the big day and Jon took it on to himself to make all the food. We all helped a little {very little} and wow he made up some great food. My personal favorite was Boerowores Pattis! {I know I totally chopped spelling that word}

Mason celebrated by wearing his yellow construction hat. Maybe he figures his S. African Oupa wears one from time to time at work so it goes right. That and he never takes it off!

This is what I contributed to the Braii! My kids favorite Jell-o. Alix informed me I for the black which is politely incorrect and I'm showing im totally racist by not having black. I was going to put black sprinkles on it or sit it on black paper but I didn't. Please know I love the Blacks too!! Please.

Peri- Peri Sauce!!!

Such a yummy Braii!!!

 

While Oupa was here one day we took a visit a minute down the road to a State Park to feed the swans! We loved having Oupa here. We miss him so much and love that he comes and visits us all the time! Can't wait for you to come again.

"Weak Things Become Strong through FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ"

Alix got Glasses. Well we are not sure if these are pernament glasses, but for now she is wearing them until further notcie. See at the beginning of 3rd Grade Alix fell really behind on her school work. I knew Alix wasn't the strongest reader and I kept asking the school if I could get her tested but they would tell me no she is doing too well in every other subject except for reading. Once 3rd grade came all her grades went down to 1-2's even her Math {cause they were all word problems}. See ever sense Kindergarten I tried and invested in programs trying to teach her how to read and I was so proud of her for sticking with it and trying so hard and never getting frustrated. The school finally got her tested and in their conclusion on Alix was confusing, cause she scored superior high on IQ, but supper terrible on academics, like at the bottom of the bottom. They came to the conclusion that she definitely had a learning disability of some sort.

They gave her an IEP that included

-Daily Resource room

-extended testing time

-test read to her

-Daily Reading Help

Well do you remember my great friend Kathleen. her boy Billy who has down syndrome? She told me of an optometrist Dr. Bessler who specializes in Vision Therapy. Billy went there and found that their supposedly awesome doctor in Manhattan prescribed Billy with 3X too strong of glasses {no wonder he hated them so much} Kathleen would hear all these success stories and told me that even though in Billy's case he got better then plateaued and then never seemed to get better so they quit the therapy. Anyway she told me several times to go try it out. Most Insurance don't cover the cost and it is really expensive but because she was a RN and we had the same insurance  that normally is 100%covered I took my chances. I figured I had to feel good and try everything I can. There were parts that insurance wouldn't pay but I guess my insurance they said was the best they new of {which was a big blessing} {I still paid160.00 in copays a month and 360.00 evalution fee and 99.00 for second evaluation. and to think I have their best insurance the majority of people pay over 5000.00 for this treatment} I'm so blessed!
I had Alix tested and found out that she has DOUBLE VISION? I remember her as a baby crossing her eyes a lot and looking a little coo-coo but my baby book made it sound like it was normal so I didn't worry and she was my first do I didn't know any different. I also knew Alix didn't jump early well in fact she didn't jump for a long time but looking back I can see why that was if she would seeing things double, THINGS MUST OF BEEN SO UNCLEAR AND SCARY AT TIMES.

We found that Alix has a hard time focus close then far away and focus close again. So coping the board was nearly impossible and she flunked the copying test the optometrist had her do.

Dr. Bessler put her on Vision Therapy twice a week for 2 sets of 16. She immediately prescribed her glasses and doesn't she look beautiful on her. I really love them on her. I really do. The doctor said they may be temporarily, becuase even though Alix has double vision is becuase her eyes haven't fully developed yet. She said therapy is like a bike wants you learn you always remember. Not like going to the gym and once you stop you get weak again.

It was crazy the moment I told her teachers and resource room teacher her new founding, just the glasses alone everyone saw a huge difference. The glasses are only a +.50 enough to allow alix to relax her eyes has she looks up close at things.

We started therapy the first of April and by the end of the school year in June we saw test scores that 

 were once

30's, 40's and 50's   

are now 

some 80's but mostly 90's and 100%'s

When I went into my end of the year CES meeting I was crying tears of Joy rather than tears of frustration, sadness and failure, emptiness.

Well in fact TODAY. Dr Bessler told me about her test results from her second evaluation to compare for the first time her progress. I should get the papers tommorrow so hopfully I will update them better. 

But Alix no longer sees double anymore. they corrected it through therapy!

She will continue 10 more sessions cause she still needs a little help focusing from far to near and Dr. Bessler feels she could be discharged after that.

I can't tell you how Kathleen and many ways has been such a blessing in my life. I believe it's the reason why I was suppose to move to Malverne even though it was only for a short time {sense then we moved but I'll tell you more about that later.}

If it wasn't for her we still would of been so frustrated and I know what the school was offereing wasn't enough. We are so excited to start 4th grade with a new start. Alix for the first time is picking up books that she never would before without me hounding her. She also was doing homework in 30 minutes rather then the hour and half like before the therapy. 

I've heard this is very controversial in the medical field and even doctors at Jon's work thinks it's crazy but JOn and I don't. It may not work for everyone, but it worked for Alix. and I'm so happy that we did the things regardless the cost to get her to be as successful as she wants to be.

This is a Blessed Day!

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who listened to my prayers and through others my prayers were answered through friends and family members.

Kristie would read over the phone with Alix

Oupa would buy Alix audible books along with the book so she could follow along.

I'm so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love and care for Alix.

 Dear Alix,

 I couldn't be more proud of you not giving up through out all this difficult time, repeatily day after day getting bad marks the entire year until the last 2 months of school. 

I love you and going through this trial and hardship at such a young age will only allow you to be a stronger person and ready for the next trial the Lord wants you to learn. 

Take uncontrolled trials as a compliment knowing the Lord is just molding you into something so grand and more beautiful.

Alix you will be a answer to so many peoples prayers cause you already have been an answer to mine. You are inspiring to me and makes me want to work harder just like you.

Mom and dad are proud of you!

Love, 

Mom

Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

{Showing Oupa the Bronx Zoo}

 While Oupa was here we went to the Bronx Zoo. I love that when Oupa comes he comes just to see us. For how exciting the City is sometimes he just wants to cuddle up with them with a good book and read to them. I did insist we take him somewhere so that somewhere was at the awesome Bonx zoo.

Mason and his eyebrows too bad Oupas not doing his eyebrows then you would for sure see the resemblances.

 MB had to get in the shoulder action after seeing Mason and Oupa.

 MB loves Oupa. so fun to share regular stuff we do with Oupa.

Jon getting a call from work. One of our sister Missionaries went to Jon's Hospital and if Jon was working that day he would of taken out her appendix instead he talking to the other resident about what's going on so he can calm her down a bit not too worry that she is in good hands and she was, but Jon's hands would of been better :-).  {can you tell I'm proud of my hubby?}

 My girls looking cute like always. They are getting so big.

 Heck yah I have to ride too!

Here we are again.

The butterfly garden is always so pretty and full of gorgeous butterflies.

 I'm always fascinated by the gorillas.

 Taking the Monorail around to the see the Asian Animals.

 I love how beautiful this zoo park is. While you are here you totally forget  you are in the Bronx.