Tantrums at school now

Well, my fears for Jaimie have come true. She has started to throw fits or tantrums at school. She had a substitute teacher for the last two days and both days, she had tantrums. Yesterday, the Principal took her down to his office to calm her down and read a book to her. I can't tell you how appreciative I am with this school and it's teachers, para's and Principal. They are doing what they can to HELP. Not once have I gotten a phone call, but rather they are dealing with her and trying to help the situation. We are in talks with the Monroe Meyer Institute about Jaimie and it is our HOPE that we can get the help that she needs so she can have a good school year and at home. We've tried dealing with her fits at home for as long as we could, it's now time to see if there's something more out there for her so we can help her. Medication maybe an option and one we at first were hesitant about doing, but it's time to look at that option as well. We just want our little girl to be happy.

Start of a New School Year and Fears....

Tomorrow marks the day of a new school year! I am so excited for my kids and for me. It's been a long summer and if anyone knows what a summer is like or a long time is like with an Autistic child, you know then how challenging it is to keep them busy, stress free and fit throwing free. Not easy and it certainly wasn't easy in our household. Not to mention the potty training dilemma we are still having. Very tiny steps are being made, but we are stil not there yet.

I do have two fears about school though for Jaimie. One, the potty training. Although I know the teachers are well equipt and have had experience with changing pull ups at school and assisting in the bathroom, it stil makes me feel bad.

Two, the fit throwing. Will Jaimie be able to attend school without throwing fits? I feel bad that the teachers may have to deal with it. Although she is in a special education type setting, I still feel bad.

I know my feelings are normal. It is what it is though. And I need to just take a deep breath and get over it.

My positive nature is telling me this year is going to be great with a lot of growth for Jaimie involved. Open House Night went great. She met her teacher, toured her classroom and had a good time. This is the beginning of a great school year. My heart just knows it and that's what I need to keep reminding myself.

Jen ( Mom to Jaimie, an Autistic child )

Summer School, Soccer, Anniversary, Trip and School

It's been awhile since I have blogged so I thought I would go ahead and get caught up now.

Jaimie ended the year great and attended two sessions of summer school. She loved it! We had absolutely no issus with her and going so that is a plus! She learned about sea animals and they read lots of books. Today is her last day of summer school which is one on one attention. It's really been a great experience.

In just a few days, we go on our trip to AZ to visit the house we bought and to visit my family there. We won't be gone long, but that's okay. I know we will have a good time.

Both boys are gearing up for a year of soccer. Jack made the select team again and Kenny will be playing for the first time in a long time. It will be good to have him back in the game. I know he will do just fine.

School starts in 3 weeks. I can't wait! It will give the kids something to do and me my house back again to myself. Gotta love it!

Ken and I celebrate our 20th year anniversary in August as well. Time sure does go by quickly when you are having fun! :)

Well, that's the report for now. Hope you are all having a fantastic summer. Before you know it, we will be greeting Fall!

Jen

Special Meeting and Spring!

April 21st will be the day we meet with Jaimie's new teachers at her new school for Kindergarten next year. I am excited. I think it will be a very good meeting. I plan on bringing a picture of Jaimie to the meeting so the teachers have a "face" to whom we are talking about - Jaimie!

I am relieved to hear she will have special bussing available to her which is great. They come straight to the house and pick her up and come straight back to drop her off. It's such a blessing.

Meanwhile, we are still working on potty training and still getting help from the Monroe Myer Institute.

Spring has finally sprung around here. It's so nice to see green grasses popping up everywhere and robins singing their songs everywhere I go.

Potty Training, Kindergarten and Warmer Weather

Just a quick update on how Jaimie is doing. We are charting her toileting and we are starting to see a pattern which is good. Our next appt. with the Dr. is on the 16th of March to go over it. I am so glad they are helping us out with this so we can hopefully get her potty trained by Kindergarten.

Speaking of Kindergarten, her preschool teacher emailed me about that very thing. She will not be going to the school we thought she would go to for Kindergarten becauase they don't have enough services for her. So it will be between two other schools instead that do provide the services needed to help Jaimie. We missed the Kindergarten Round Up meeting. That's where you go and meet your teacher, view the classroom, but that's okay. I am just glad that they realize they can't meet her needs and are looking at other schools.

Her teacher comes over for a home visit on the 16th as well. Hopefully she will have more information to provide to us about her new school.

Spring is definitely trying to sprung around here. I hear robins singing outside my window and the weather is getting a little warmer. I just FEEL it! With that being said, because of the weather change, some of us in the house have come down with the common cold, me and Jaimie being one of them. Joy!

Until next time, enjoy each and every day with your loved ones!

Meeting at Monroe Myer Institute

We had a "get to know you" meeting over at the Monroe Myer Institute for Jaimie. We discussed such topics as her melt downs, hitting herself, potty training, her ability to sleep through the night now thanks to Melatonin and some of her quirks such as liking to wear her winter jacket all the time. It was a good meeting. We decided the number one priority to try and get under way is the potty training. So, they are going to email me a two week potty training schedule so we can see when she goes to try and help her get trained. Secondly, we will think of ways to cool her down during those melt downs so they are fewer and far between. Medications were brought up, but it's too early to consider it in our opinions. We want to exhaust all avenues first before putting her on anything at this point, but it's nice to have that option. The meeting lasted about an hour and 15 minutes and we are to make another appt. in two weeks. We are hopeful that this will help us to help Jaimie.

4 years strong in my Candle Business!

It's been about 4 years since I made the decision to join my Candle Company and through those 4 years I have had my ups and my downs but I have always bounced back. When I think about how I was 8 months pregnant when I joined, living on my own for almost a year due to my husband, Ken being out of state, finishing up his Air Force career and raising two boys on my own.. I ponder about.. WHAT WAS I THINKING? At a time when many people would say, "I am too busy, life has gotten in the way, etc" I jumped in with open arms and feet fully wet embracing a new career knowing full well I couldn't attend to my new candle career full time, but I could do it with the time that I had and I did. There have been times when I thought maybe I should quit. I have to be honest, there was one time in particular I remember feeling this way but I remembered my WHY. When you sit down and think about your WHY it's easier to get back on track. My why is simply wanting something for ME. Being a stay at home Mom is very rewarding and challenging, but as stay at home Moms we often put ourselves last on the totem pole of life. Although I was about to pop and trying to run a household alone, I didn't forget about ME and so when things get bumpy I think about why I joined my Candle Company. I am so greatful for my opportunity. It has led me down a path I would not have imagined. I have developed great friendships with my partners and others along the way, I've become a better Leader and of course, I have made an income from HOME.
If you are pondering whether or not this opportunity is right for you, I encourage you to go to my website and request a Scent Sample Packet. You may go here to request yours today: http://www.jenouellette.candlebizfromhome.com/b. Listen to your heart and see where it takes you. Find out your WHY. I did, and I never looked back.

Jen Ouellette
Wife, Mom, Entrepreneur