Tomorrow we head out bright and early for our two day trek to Florida

to visit Grandma and Grandpa.

But before we do that,

we used our season passes to Six Flags today

and our accompanying "Get a friend in free" tickets that were valid this week,

and took some great friends of ours with us today.

Blowing mom some kisses!

We really lucked out and although it was free friend day,

and summer,

and HOT...

there was NO ONE there!

Unfortunately that meant I got very few pictures of Olivia

as she was out riding all the big, fun, rides with the big kids! :)

It was so hot that some of us felt quite ill for periods of time during the day.

But we made the best of it,

stayed cool when we could,

drank LOTS,

and played in water areas.

Though that didn't stop me from almost passing out

taking two girls to Raging Bull and not being able to ride myself!

I had to sit and sip water to keep from keeling over on the spot!

I have now discovered that my stomach is catching up in age to the rest of my body.

I rode Superman, but don't think that will EVER happen again! LOL

I barely made it without getting too too nauseous and ill!

I am CONTENT to be mom.

To go on things my kids can't ride without an adult.

But otherwise to sit in the shade and provide a respite,

a place where kids can use as "home",

as "base",

and find that we are there waiting.

I LOVE watching my children have fun.

I find such JOY in their JOY.

And I am CONTENT.

Sometimes in our crazy life...

All we need is a good friend...

And a mom there to capture the moments that matter...

I think God delights in our Joy,

provides our safe "base",

and is content in all things "US".

We ate out tonight since our cupboards are almost BARE in getting ready to be gone for a month. While Braeden, Olivia, and I (bad mommy!) ate ice cream at the end of our meal...

Liam instead chose a side salad with Ranch... his new food of choice... and it was good to dip those leftover french fries in too!

Braeden is now Braeden again. :) My heart is happy.

His behavior and aggression continued from my last post and on Wednesday I was called by someone at the day treatment center to let me know that they had met with the doctor (I've NEVER met her!) and that they decided to increase his meds, yet again. I couldn't believe it. She went on to tell me that she had asked the doctor my question as to whether or not I could pull his meds while we were out of state if his behavior continued. The doctor had said that she didn't think it was wise, but that I was the parent. ???

I was told by our school social worker that parents who pull meds can be turned into DCFS for medical neglect. Obviously not optimal as I'm a teacher, a foster parent, AND working on an adoption.

I called the doctor myself. I left a message after getting the third degree about why I was calling as opposed to talking with the hospital staff, and she called within the hour. I was impressed by that. I was also VERY impressed with her as I spoke and explained the situation.

I told her about Braeden. I told her (again) that this is not an aggressive kid we have been working on controlling through medication, but rather an EXTREMELY active kid we were working on calming educationally through medication and have now been left with an aggressive and angry kid in his place. I said that we were going through the very same patterns as his last round of meds and that an increase wasn't going to help. I asked if we could please just stop all meds, take time on our vacation, and then once back I would make an appointment with his new doctor and revisit his needs again. She agreed with ME that that was a reasonable request. We stopped all meds as of Wednesday afternoon. We also decided he would continue in day treatment through Monday so they could watch him and then we would touch base once back from our vacation. (We'll be gone about a month.)

Thursday I picked him up from class at 2pm. Not even 24 hours off of meds and the person who brought him down was amazed. She said he was "so much less aggressive, interacting with his peers, but was very hyper." Um.... HELLO! This is what I've been telling you!

Friday his report stated "No aggression." Just amazing isn't it! (Said sarcastically!)

I haven't seen this happy, giggling, Braeden in quite a while. I also somewhat blocked out just how active he really is! :) But I would MUCH rather work with that than the "other Braeden" we were left with.

Have you ever seen the movie "First Do No Harm"? I hadn't. But I watched it through Netflix last night and was in tears. It was about a boy with Epilepsy, true story, and how the drugs he was prescribed completely changed him. Many of the changes were just what we saw ourselves in Braeden. I wept.

I know we'll still have to "start again" in July. I dread that day. But I also know that a teacher can't realistically teach a child THIS active with 25 others in the room. And I know it's affecting his academics as well. I just wish there was an alternative. (IF I were able to work from home, or was married and could potentially stay at home, I THINK he MAY do well from a homeschool curriculum, unfortunately not something I can truly entertain at this point.)

I have been doing some research of my own and have discovered some natural supplements that are said to help SOME children with focus and activity needs. I want to get a good baseline of his behavior first, and then will try some of these myself. Would be great if that was our answer!

Yesterday was National Donut Day!

It was also our last hour of school.

Our tradition for the last few years has been to do lunch and jumping at our local jump place.

Since Braeden is still in day treatment through Monday,

we changed it around to do dinner and jumping instead.

Each of the kids were allowed to invite one friend.

Unfortunately the friend Olivia wanted to invite never returned her calls. :(

But all still had LOADS of fun!

After a great meal at a local buffet, we headed out to do some jumping. :)

Braeden's friend "K"... they are two peas in a pod

and talk constantly about getting married one day. :)

Liam's friend "E"... they are such good buds!

The boys.

Today and tomorrow are laundry and packing days

as we ready for our summer trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Florida!

We're leaving Wednesday and hope to meet up with a special friend on our way! :)