Something new....

New things are not always good things.  Kami started to not feel well at school and came home two days in a row due to stomach complaints.  Once she was at home, her stomach would start to feel better and by the time her older siblings were home, she was perfectly fine.  After talking with her and her teacher, I came to the conclusion that anxiety was the problem.  This is something that OHSU has informed us could develop...I was hoping it would not.  We made it through the next 2 days of school, barely, and got into the doctor to talk about the steps we should take to resolve the issue.  We are now to have some tough love with Kami about school, school is her job and she needs to go, she can talk about all her feelings and concerns after school, but before school, no.  This has been hard, but it is working....I just hope spring break does not ruin all the work we have poured into this turn around with school.

Snow time!

Over President's Day weekend we headed up to Mt hood to spent some fun time in the snow!

 While the older two went snowboarding Kami and Kori had fun tubing and playing in the snow.

 It was great that we found a quiet spot off by the 'slow' sledding slops to hang out, the crowds and noise got to be too much far Kami after about two hours and she was starting to melt down.  But, once we got away from everyone she immersed herself in the snow and relaxed.

 After awhile she was able to hit the tub runs again with my cousin and Kori, fun for all!

And two are gone

Kami was having some fun playing with Daddy before bed and took a little bump to her two front teeth.  Well, she came to me a little while later because one of these teeth was bleeding, I gave it a little wiggle and it felt firm in the gum, so I gave her a paper towel to soak up the small amount of blood.  Within the next 2 hours both of her front teeth came out!  Kami was very excited for the tooth fairy to come and retrieve not one but two teeth!

Party Time....

This little girl turned six.

 So, it is time for cake, or in this case, a cupcake!

 Beautiful birthday wishes.

 A great place to celabrate.

 With good friends.

Someone is Six!

Six years ago I held a beautiful baby girl who fought for her first breath.

 Every time I look into her beautiful blue eyes, my heart soars with love for her.

 Someday I will understand how her mind works, how she thinks....

 but, one thing I know is her heart and it is filled with love.

 I feel so blessed to be love by her, my dear sweet Kami.

The Need for Insurance Reform....

I recently had to present a topic for a my Writing 327 class, my topic was something that is close to me, insurance coverage for autism.  We are one of the lucky ones, since our insurance covers Kami's speech therapy.  BUT, we have still spent well over three thousand dollars so far this year on autism related therapy.  Please contact you senator and congressman to let them know that we need the Autism Insurance Reform Bill (Senate Bill 555 and House Bill 2214) in Oregon to pass in the next legislative session.

How to contact you congressman.....
http://www.leg.state.or.us/house/

How to contact your senator....
http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/

New Adventures.....

I ignored my blogs this summer, I was busy with school and kids and it was easy to let go, but now that we are back on a schedule, here I am!  Kami took a break from speech therapy up at OHSU for the summer and had fun with ballet, playing with friends and going to the beach and hiking up at Mt Hood.  But, now she on a whole new path and a brand new adventure!

Kami is in all day kindergarten with her favorite teacher, she is taking swimming lessons and is in a new ballet class.  These are major changes for a little girl who does not take to change well, but she is pushing through her anxiety and doing the best she can.  Swimming is the hardest for her, I am not sure where the fear is coming from, she loves the water, but there is something about the pool, maybe not being able to touch that causes her enormous amounts of fear, but she is facing it!