(Jonas was still sleeping...too bad Luca wasn't... ;-) He makes my mornings rather interesting... that is putting it very nicely!!! lol...
23 hours ago
Monday, August 31, 2009
1st Day of School...
Since I have been a lazy blogger, these pics are a week late. Hannah and Micah started school August 24th. I have a 3rd and a 1st grader now... Where has the time gone??? With no further ado, and I really need to get to bed so I can function in the morning... Here are the pics...
(Jonas was still sleeping...too bad Luca wasn't... ;-) He makes my mornings rather interesting... that is putting it very nicely!!! lol...
(Jonas was still sleeping...too bad Luca wasn't... ;-) He makes my mornings rather interesting... that is putting it very nicely!!! lol...
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A New Song...
I have heard this song for quite a while, but I just started 'really' listening to the lyrics. In light of the issue with our school transportation and the road that lies ahead for all of my kids with 'special abilities'; this song is perfect. The title of my blog is Moving Mountains because this is what we have been doing since the birth of Hannah. Only with God's help and the drive that he has given me, I assure you that my 4 older children will have all of the rights and privileges that Luca will 'just be given', because he does not have any challenges.
I hope the school corporation does not hate me by the time all my kids have passed through!!! :-) But if they do, and my kids have not been shafted because I have fought for them, then I will be okay with being known as "that parent"!!! God has in-trusted these children to me and I will not let them down!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gosh, heart beats faster just typing that! God has gifted me with a passion and a drive for those that the world deems as 'less', and watch out if you are in the way when it is released!!!!!!! :-0 lol...
**The one part of the song that doesn't totally fit is, "sometimes you're gonna have to lose". For those of you that know me well, and I am sure that it is a fault of mine, is that I do not take "no" very well. In my mind, "There has got to be a way!!!" I am sure that my mom got a lot gray hairs over the battles that I fought with them, because what they said, "just did not make sense to me"!!! :-) See Mom and Dad, God gifted me and you just had to refine 'the gift'!!! :-)
I love you both for raising me the way you did!!!!!!!!!!
I hope the school corporation does not hate me by the time all my kids have passed through!!! :-) But if they do, and my kids have not been shafted because I have fought for them, then I will be okay with being known as "that parent"!!! God has in-trusted these children to me and I will not let them down!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gosh, heart beats faster just typing that! God has gifted me with a passion and a drive for those that the world deems as 'less', and watch out if you are in the way when it is released!!!!!!! :-0 lol...
**The one part of the song that doesn't totally fit is, "sometimes you're gonna have to lose". For those of you that know me well, and I am sure that it is a fault of mine, is that I do not take "no" very well. In my mind, "There has got to be a way!!!" I am sure that my mom got a lot gray hairs over the battles that I fought with them, because what they said, "just did not make sense to me"!!! :-) See Mom and Dad, God gifted me and you just had to refine 'the gift'!!! :-)
I love you both for raising me the way you did!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Our Voices Were Heard...
Here is an article that was in our local paper (The News Sentinel)today...
----------------------
FWCS transport change irks some parents
By Ashley Smith
of The News-Sentinel
The parents of students with special needs in Fort Wayne Community Schools received an unwelcome surprise last week: Their general-education students would no longer be permitted to ride the special-education bus with their siblings.
The announcement came as a shock to parents, who made their voices heard at the board meeting Monday night.
“I got a call from the transportation department. … There was no phone number left,” said Jennifer Littleford, mother of four children, two of whom are high-functioning autistic children. “It was just, ‘We’re not doing it this year.’”
Parents were told there were issues with the general-education students riding the bus such as disruptions, Littleford said.
For Littleford’s children, who in past years were allowed to ride together, it wasn’t the need for the transportation; it was the need for the consistency.
“It compounded their school day,” she said, explaining that it may it be harder for them to learn.
But for the Hubley family, it was a bit different.
“Who’s going to help her get off the bus?” Rebekah Hubley, mother of four children with special needs, asked as she held her daughter, who is blind. “This has affected a lot of people.”
With young children, Hubley says she doesn’t know how she will get her children to school.
In the past, the district followed a standard that if there was room on the special-education bus, then general-education students could ride. And many parents are not asking that their children be taken to different buildings. In fact, Hubley is asking that her children – one special-needs and one general-education – be taken to the same preschool.
“Should it be a blanket statement that everyone can come back on the bus? No, I don’t think that’s the answer,” Hubley said. “I think that needs to be worked out one-on-one with the parents.”
Superintendent Wendy Robinson said at the meeting that the district is looking at the issue and will be in contact with parents.
----------------------------------------------
I got a call from transportation today and the "old way" of doing things will be re-instated. I was almost giddy after that phone call. I am amazed that last week, EVERYONE that I spoke with said, "There are absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!" So, this past weekend, I researched all of the laws,(FAPE--Free and Appropriate Education), IDIEA, (Individual with Disabilities Education Act), Article 7, and The 504 plan. Basically these laws are all about the rights of people with disabilities and how the school corporations have to live up to these standards. I knew I was right when I came across this statement. "If there is space available, a sibling of a special needs child, going to the same school, has the right to ride the bus with them." That was all that I was asking: Luca to ride to the same preschool as Jonas. Jonas gets on the bus at 8:05 am, Hannah and Micah, on a 'perfect' day with no delays, get on the bus at 8:20-8:25. Turnstone starts at 8:30am, and I am 15 minutes away with no traffic. There lies my issue: Luca will always be late to preschool. It was too late to enroll him somewhere else. I spoke with the preschool director of our church and all of the morning slots had been filled. There were afternoon, but Luca still naps.
So, starting this coming Monday, everything will be back to 'normal'. I joked with my mother-in-law tonight saying, "Watch, next Tuesday he is going to throw a fit and not want to ride the bus with Jonas..." :-)
So, my advice to all of the parents that read my blog and have special needs kids. READ THE LAWS AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!!!!! You have a voice, and if you feel like something is not right, research it and fight!!!!!!! Be your child's voice when they have none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
----------------------
FWCS transport change irks some parents
By Ashley Smith
of The News-Sentinel
The parents of students with special needs in Fort Wayne Community Schools received an unwelcome surprise last week: Their general-education students would no longer be permitted to ride the special-education bus with their siblings.
The announcement came as a shock to parents, who made their voices heard at the board meeting Monday night.
“I got a call from the transportation department. … There was no phone number left,” said Jennifer Littleford, mother of four children, two of whom are high-functioning autistic children. “It was just, ‘We’re not doing it this year.’”
Parents were told there were issues with the general-education students riding the bus such as disruptions, Littleford said.
For Littleford’s children, who in past years were allowed to ride together, it wasn’t the need for the transportation; it was the need for the consistency.
“It compounded their school day,” she said, explaining that it may it be harder for them to learn.
But for the Hubley family, it was a bit different.
“Who’s going to help her get off the bus?” Rebekah Hubley, mother of four children with special needs, asked as she held her daughter, who is blind. “This has affected a lot of people.”
With young children, Hubley says she doesn’t know how she will get her children to school.
In the past, the district followed a standard that if there was room on the special-education bus, then general-education students could ride. And many parents are not asking that their children be taken to different buildings. In fact, Hubley is asking that her children – one special-needs and one general-education – be taken to the same preschool.
“Should it be a blanket statement that everyone can come back on the bus? No, I don’t think that’s the answer,” Hubley said. “I think that needs to be worked out one-on-one with the parents.”
Superintendent Wendy Robinson said at the meeting that the district is looking at the issue and will be in contact with parents.
----------------------------------------------
I got a call from transportation today and the "old way" of doing things will be re-instated. I was almost giddy after that phone call. I am amazed that last week, EVERYONE that I spoke with said, "There are absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!" So, this past weekend, I researched all of the laws,(FAPE--Free and Appropriate Education), IDIEA, (Individual with Disabilities Education Act), Article 7, and The 504 plan. Basically these laws are all about the rights of people with disabilities and how the school corporations have to live up to these standards. I knew I was right when I came across this statement. "If there is space available, a sibling of a special needs child, going to the same school, has the right to ride the bus with them." That was all that I was asking: Luca to ride to the same preschool as Jonas. Jonas gets on the bus at 8:05 am, Hannah and Micah, on a 'perfect' day with no delays, get on the bus at 8:20-8:25. Turnstone starts at 8:30am, and I am 15 minutes away with no traffic. There lies my issue: Luca will always be late to preschool. It was too late to enroll him somewhere else. I spoke with the preschool director of our church and all of the morning slots had been filled. There were afternoon, but Luca still naps.
So, starting this coming Monday, everything will be back to 'normal'. I joked with my mother-in-law tonight saying, "Watch, next Tuesday he is going to throw a fit and not want to ride the bus with Jonas..." :-)
So, my advice to all of the parents that read my blog and have special needs kids. READ THE LAWS AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!!!!! You have a voice, and if you feel like something is not right, research it and fight!!!!!!! Be your child's voice when they have none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sabrina's Obituary...
This was published in our Ft. Wayne paper today. The Ingle's called Sabrina "HOPE" for all of hope that she brought to their family...
SABRINA (HOPE) SAMPEUR
SABRINA (HOPE) SAMPEUR, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis. She was born in Port Au Prince, Haiti. She is survived by her mother, Martine Sampeur; and her long term host family, The Ingle's, of Cincinnati, Ohio and all those who helped along the way. Service is 11 a.m. Friday at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave., with calling one hour prior. The Rev. Kerry Huffman officiating. Burial in Lindenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hands That Heal in care of the Avalon Missionary Church, 1212 Lower Huntington Road, Fort Wayne IN 46819. To visit our website, go to www.handsthatheal-mk1618b.blogspot.com. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.mccombandsons.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ANYONE is welcome to attend her viewing, memorial, and burial. We all prayed for her and now we will all put her to rest, dignified, and celebrate how much she taught us all!
Monday, August 10, 2009
In Honor of Sabrina...
It is with a sad heart that I write this post. Sabrina died around 2:30am August 8th. She was breathing kind of funny when I spoke with Stephanie Mueller, our nurse coordinator for Hands That Heal, Friday afternoon. It sounded like she had the hick-ups. When Steph would re-position her, she would be fine. Heart, lungs, and everything else checked out normal. This continued off and on a few times on Friday, so Steph took her to the ER Friday night. I was camping with Hannah and I never heard my phone... Once in the ER, her breathing became more shallow and within a couple hours she passed away. Her little body was unable to fight any longer. We are all SHOCKED!!! Just the day before, First Steps was evaluating her and writing up a long term plan for her therapies. She was doing "great" for Sabrina!!!
Please pray for Stephanie and her family: Sabrina died in her arms and she is taking this very hard!!! Stephanie has been taking care of Sabrina for the past few weeks. She was her temporary host mom until she was released on her post-op appointment. Her boys loved Sabrina, and Jeremy in particular, is taking Sabrina's death really hard!
PLEASE PRAY FOR HER LONG TERM HOST FAMILY: Sabrina was scheduled to go to the Ingles, in Ohio, August 20th after her post-op check. They were hosting her long term. They were adopting a child from Liberia and trying to get him out on a medical visa, and he died two weeks ago. This family is grieving and needs our prayers!!! Their children are taking all of this incredibly hard!!!
Please pray for Hands That Heal this week: God has blessed us with a Funeral company that is going to donate everything for Sabrina's memorial. I am not sure what all will be involved: we meet with the director tomorrow morning.
Pray for all of the hands that kept Sabrina alive in Haiti and loved her so much while she was there. This little girl has touched so many lives in her short time on earth. To man's eyes, she was the most unlikely vessel to share His love, grace, and compassion. To God, Sabrina was the most perfect vessel to bring people closer to Him!!!!!! She has meant so much, and has taught so many people so many lessons!!!!
Sabrina, may you run and play with all of the other children that were on this earth way too short!!!! May you fly with wings that are full of life and happiness... I can just see (imagine) Berlancia, (a little girl that died a year ago at GLA: she died of Aids) with her big eyes and ornery smile, standing at the gates of Heaven saying, "We have been waiting for you to come and play...you just needed some time down there to finish what He wanted you to accomplish..." Both Berlancia and Sabrina were loved by a "momma", Anna, who is only 20 years old and so wise beyond her years!!! Both girls were abandoned by their earthly mothers, loved by so many at GLA, and were blessed to receive Anna's love like they were her own. Both knew a "mother's" love before they were held by their Heavenly Father!
What the world looks at as "the least of these" we know to be God's jewels and are mandated to love these children as He has loved us!!!" To God, these children are His BEST AND MOST PRECIOUS VESSELS!!!!
Sabrina: Your life on this earth was way too short, but what you taught so many in your 11 weeks, no one will ever forget!!!!!!
Thank you: Hands That Heal is honored and humbled to have gotten a chance to be involved and blessed by you, in your short life!!!
-------------------------------------------------
This poem was just written by Rhyan Buettner, another 'mommy' to Sabrina when she was at GLA. Rhyan was at GLA the day Sabrina was brought there by her aunts, and she was there to witness a mother's tears as she looked at her daughter's 'broken' body.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God Chose Me
God chose me to hold you close
Sweet baby for a moment or two
God chose me to hold his angel
and I cherish the day He gave me you
I held you child for 9 whole months
The dreams I had may never be known
But I loved you baby I promise you that
I held you until you had grown
I held you while I heard them speak,
the women who loved you so
I held you while your name was given
why God chose me I may never know
I am another who held you close
while God granted us your time
I prepared your feeds and nursed your hurts
For those moments, you were mine
God also chose me to hold you dear
for a season of your days
I carried you as we left the land of your birth
and held you along the way
I held you Sabrina close to my heart
Photographs of you play through my mind
I fought so hard to bring you here
Doing the work God assigned
God called me to hold His child
A baby in need of care
All night and day I cared for you
for that time I was there
God chose me to pick you baby
to keep you as my own
I was to be your mommy here
how I wanted to give you a home
God chose each of us sweet Sabrina girl
To walk your road with you
God placed in our arms an angel of his
Until your time was through
He gave you a life, He gave us a passion
and somehow the two paths crossed
He gave you breath, He gave us vision
And through it, your story will never be lost
Author: Rhyan Buettner
August 10, 2009
God chose me to hold you close
Sweet baby for a moment or two
God chose me to hold his angel
and I cherish the day He gave me you
I held you child for 9 whole months
The dreams I had may never be known
But I loved you baby I promise you that
I held you until you had grown
I held you while I heard them speak,
the women who loved you so
I held you while your name was given
why God chose me I may never know
I am another who held you close
while God granted us your time
I prepared your feeds and nursed your hurts
For those moments, you were mine
God also chose me to hold you dear
for a season of your days
I carried you as we left the land of your birth
and held you along the way
I held you Sabrina close to my heart
Photographs of you play through my mind
I fought so hard to bring you here
Doing the work God assigned
God called me to hold His child
A baby in need of care
All night and day I cared for you
for that time I was there
God chose me to pick you baby
to keep you as my own
I was to be your mommy here
how I wanted to give you a home
God chose each of us sweet Sabrina girl
To walk your road with you
God placed in our arms an angel of his
Until your time was through
He gave you a life, He gave us a passion
and somehow the two paths crossed
He gave you breath, He gave us vision
And through it, your story will never be lost
Author: Rhyan Buettner
August 10, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
A Guest Traveler...
Look what hitch-hiked a ride with us on the way home from Pennsylvania...
Nasty, right??? Ryan thinks that the turtle topper created a different air flow, because we hit a bird on our way out to Pennsylvania too. That one was not a huge black crow like our friend on the way home, so he did not get trapped. Luca kept asking when the 'birwdy' was going to wake up... :-) Needless to say, he never woke up. We got home late Sunday night, so Ryan just left it up there, and it was covered with bees and flies the next morning. We do not often pay to get our car washed at an actual car wash, but the next day we did 'The Works"! I have pictures to upload of Ryan getting it off of the van...disgusting, but morbidly hilarious!!!
Nasty, right??? Ryan thinks that the turtle topper created a different air flow, because we hit a bird on our way out to Pennsylvania too. That one was not a huge black crow like our friend on the way home, so he did not get trapped. Luca kept asking when the 'birwdy' was going to wake up... :-) Needless to say, he never woke up. We got home late Sunday night, so Ryan just left it up there, and it was covered with bees and flies the next morning. We do not often pay to get our car washed at an actual car wash, but the next day we did 'The Works"! I have pictures to upload of Ryan getting it off of the van...disgusting, but morbidly hilarious!!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Another showing...
I will just tell you now, I am going to probably be a bad blogger until school starts! I just don't have the time with 4 home, keeping the house tidy for showings, and everything going on with Hands That Heal. There is a little boy coming soon to the states that we will be hosting for about 4-5 weeks until we can find a more permanent host family. He will be here for up to 2 years getting urological surgeries. He will have one surgery this fiscal year at St. V's and one the next fiscal year. Pray that we get the letter from the hospital soon, that is all we are waiting for to get his visa. His name is Georgy if you want to pray for him specifically. He is 11 years old and has been through a lot in his short life. Both of his parents are deceased and he has been living with his grandfather. We will be a good transition for him since I can speak Creole and he will be going to Micah's urologist, Dr. Cain. Both boys will be seeing Dr. Cain August 20th.
I promised you pics and I will keep that promise tonight. I did a lot with silhouettes at the beach and I love them. Also, check out the side pics...they are new from the beach too...
Also, be praying tomorrow morning from 10:30-11:30 EST. We have another house showing. We have been told that it is a single woman and her grandparents owned this house when she grew up. We don't know if she just wants to look at it now, or if she is interested in purchasing it... Pray for the latter!!! :-) We have to move before cold weather comes because I have packed up ALL OF OUR WINTER/COLD CLOTHES. That will be a depressing day if I have to switch out winter/summer clothes!!! Hoping that I don't have to!!!
I promised you pics and I will keep that promise tonight. I did a lot with silhouettes at the beach and I love them. Also, check out the side pics...they are new from the beach too...
Also, be praying tomorrow morning from 10:30-11:30 EST. We have another house showing. We have been told that it is a single woman and her grandparents owned this house when she grew up. We don't know if she just wants to look at it now, or if she is interested in purchasing it... Pray for the latter!!! :-) We have to move before cold weather comes because I have packed up ALL OF OUR WINTER/COLD CLOTHES. That will be a depressing day if I have to switch out winter/summer clothes!!! Hoping that I don't have to!!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Hello...
Just a quick note to let you know that we are back from a week in Erie, PA. We had a great time and I edited a bunch of photos tonight to put up on the blog tomorrow. Actually, it will be today since it is 2am. Okay, off to bed because kids will be coming in to wake me up soon... :-) Goodnight...
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