Back tracking

So after a good night sleep I figured I better backtrack and fill everyone in on a little more about my family. Seems a little silly to say we are doing great when either you don't understand what has happened or you know our struggles the last couple of years and that was just not enough information. So let the backtracking begin.

Two years ago we yet again moved. This time to Kansas for a school for Shawn. He is now a Major in the Army. The school was only a year. Sonora up to that point had been doing ok in school and was again starting to have seizures. From the time we started changing meds everything went downhill for her, seizures were all day and night, she couldn't focus on school and nothing seemed to be helping. During this time, Evret was born and we muddled along. Come July (one year later) we moved to North Caronlina (Fort Bragg).

Another move meant changing doctors yet again for Sonora, which was really for the better. During this move Sonora was upset, tired, and really just wasn't doing well. We started seeing Dr's at UNC Chapel Hill and for First Grade, put her in a self contained class room so she wouldn't have so many distractions. I should say that during all this the boys were doing just fine:) Well, long story short, 2 shunt revisions, several medicine changes, and almost a year later, (about May) we FINALLY got her seizure under control. So for about 2 years Sonora had constant seizures all day and night. I am not even sure if she learned anything in that time or if its all a nightmare to her.

So, anyway, we had a decision to make last spring too. Shawn was deploying late summer, early fall and we could stay at Fort Bragg or move to MN with my parents. My Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in April and all our friends were moving from our neighborhood so we were leaning toward MN. But, change is not always good for Sonora and it meant leaving our good Dr's. Well the piece of crap school the kids were going to helped clinch the decision to move when they started switching everything around and were going to have my kids at two different elementary schools and refused to let her redo 1st grade, even though I am pretty sure she barely remembered most, and refused to main stream her. So we moved and since then, it has all been good.

Our little town has stepped up and has down EVERYTHING they can for Sonora. She is repeating first grade, they have mainstreamed her 100% with a full time para, and they keep me informed of everything she does. The best part, Sonora is READING!! I can not tell you how much that means to me. Carson is in K and LOVES it. I work at ECFE at the school as the Parent Educator two mornings a week and Evret gets to come with me. School is wonderful!! Oh and I need to give a special thanks to my cousin Nico, whom advocated for Sonora last year before we even moved. We could not have done all this with out you:)

We bring Sonora to Gillette Children's and for the first time I can say we love EVERY Dr we have seen. Their team approach is amazing. And as for my parents? Well my Mom is going through round two of treatment. I have taken over all cleaning and cooking duties. My parents both help teaching the kids to read and play with them, but best of all is the relationship between Sonora and my Mom. They are cuddle buddies and come 7 at night Sonora is excited to cuddle with her Grandma. They both needed each other I think.

And that brings us to today, Wednesday of MEA week here in MN. The kids are off for a couple of days and Sonora turns 8 on Friday. To all my family, friends and followers I wish you good night and a prayer to all those who have craziness in their lives. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I followed my light back to family and if god, and the Army, is willing, this is where we will stay for a couple more years.

Nap time

I can't wait for the day when my children no longer need to nap.  Although I greatly appreciate at times the extra two hours to get some work done, I would also enjoy not having to stop everything we are doing because it is time to take a nap.  My son who is two naps almost everyday and my daughter who is almost 5 rarely naps but when she needs one there is no doing anything else.  The thing is we plan on having at least one more baby so the nap cycle will not be broken for quite some time.  Ah, the dream continues :)  

A super mom

I thought it would be a good idea to let you all know why I called my blog Super mom.  First, I want to say that there are many super moms out there.  In fact, I think most moms qualify in some way as a super mom.  I am a wife of an Army officer.  My husband is currently deployed for the third time and thus I have been left once again to take care of the children on my own.  I do not blame my husband for this, we have chosen to stay a part of the Army and thus this life.  I am also a mom of a child with Spina Bifida and thus increased medical needs.  We have been fortunate, our daughter as the doctors first said is, "the best case of the worse case scenario".  As a result of the increased doctors appointment and rehab appointments I have not been able to work.  I am hoping to start my writing on a small scale, here blogging.  So, to those of you who need advice, a laugh, or just some insight, please enjoy.