They are staying home.... and we couldn't be happier

Well some of you know we have been trying to figure out if we could get Gracie and Andrew better services or help them by placing them in public school here. We started in late August by contacting the school authorities here about what is available to them. They have come to our home, and observed and evaluated both of them. Today we had a mtg. at the school setting they were considering for their placement. We had a very positive 2 hr mtg....Paul and I liked all the personnel that was involved and we were ready to make a decision about them coming to this placement...until we walked to the actual classroom and we were very discouraged to say the least. The classroom teacher had been a part of our mtg. so we had already met her. There are presently only 3 students in this class and we met them.... and they were very sweet kids. It was just seeing the environment and lack of stimulation, colors and even organization in the classroom. it did not look very welcoming to us and we came away with the same reaction....We are giving them way more than this setting could. We have 20 some people who constantly interact , stimulate and love on them...Actually there have been a few times in our lives with kids that we have felt so encouraged by what we are doing with the kids...Sure at times we wonder are we doing the best we could for them....After today there was no doubt how well we do manage and teach and provide a stimulating environment for our kids. It is not even a " pat on our back" kind of realization it was more like a light bulb of knowledge that we have seen huge changes for the positive, we have watched both of them grow, overcome significant abuse and neglect and there really is no better setting for them than to be home for thier education. We have such a peace about this and are glad we went thru the last few months to reach this conclusion. I have no doubt that if they go to school they will not do as well, they may even regress . So as tempting as it was to consider we are home...coming up with inventive ways to make assistive learning devices like we always have.

I shared the pic of Graice taken last week at her first dentist appt.. We waited almost 2 yrs to take her to the dentist because of her sensory issues. She had to have 2 small cavities filled and she did wonderful . Just to show you how far she has come along...and then the picture of Andrew is one of my favorites...He is just hanging around daddy like any of the kids would....It feels so peaceful in my heart to have come to this decision.