Shes not a little kid anymore...

Today was Caitlin's meeting with her STT team at her new school out in town. Her old school on base is being rebuilt this year (thank god!), so they made a temp school for the time being. I am fine with her being out in town, but I have this nagging anxiety that just wont go away.

The meeting with her teacher and staff went GREAT! There seems to be a lot more resources available this year than there was last year. Also we found out Caitlin's kinder teacher from last year was reinstated and is still working there, as she was at the meeting as well to help Caitlin's new teacher Mrs Woodard, know about Caitlin and her er, well, um, ways lol. Apparently Mrs Woodard is great friends with Mrs Fairchild so it was an extremely productive meeting, and Caitlin was ECSTATIC to see her.

I started off telling the teacher about Caitlin being admitted for the CHOC feeding program, and how she will be gone for 3 weeks. The teacher was very supportive and told me she will put together a packet for 3 weeks worth of homework that they will do in class. Then came the ever so frustrating task of seeing if the had counselors available to Caitlin, as well as speech again this year. Lucky for me her old speech teacher is still going to work with her, and now they are available for Caitlin to get regular counseling for her issues during school, instead of me having to drive around the county for a speech pathologist and counselor. That was exciting for me enough, when Mrs Fairchild brought up the point of having an aide in the classroom for Caitlin if she needs it, and I assumed they would say they didnt have enough staff and blah blah blah, but they said if she needed it she would get it! Also they are going to have either a 4th or 5th grader escort Caitlin on and off the bus so she will hopefully not get lost.

I'm still a littler nervous about her on the bus, not because she is on a bus, but because it is an unfamiliar place with new people, and I am so afraid shes going to get lost or get off at the wrong stop. But I guess this is where mommy needs to cut the umbilical cord.

I have always stayed home with her, and loved watching her learn, but I guess this is where I have to say goodbye to all the quality time we have spent together for the last 6 years. Time for her to be a little more independent, and I hate it lol.

Family Members.

I have been thinking the past couple of days about my family, and how much closer we have gotten over the years even though most of us are moved away. I am really blessed to have a family like mine, who supports every single decision I make, even if they don't agree. I like to believe that every family member has attributed to my personality and I have learned things from each of them.

The first person I think of is my mom. She is one of the sweetest, most compassionate people I have ever met. She puts others before herself and always is there when I need her. I have learned a lot about compassion and giving myself for others through her.

My dad is one of the most driven people ever. He has worked all his life, put himself through college, took in 2 kids that weren't even his, and made a home for our family. His drive has made an immense impact with me, and when I think of what I want to be when I "grow up", I hope I have the drive to work for what I want, and I can handle life like he has.

My older brother Casey, is kind of one of a kind. He is a very driven person too, which I believe he also got from our dad. But the thing I get from him is humor. He finds humor in everything in life. Even from a young age, he would ALWAYS find a way to make the family laugh. When we would get in trouble with my mom, I would count on Casey and his humor to get us in less trouble.

Now for Haley. Haley, Haley, Haley. She is also one of a kind. We often joke how we acquired a Paris Hilton into our family lol. Haley has taught me how to stay young. It sounds funny seeing as she is younger than me, but she knows how to not take herself to seriously in life, but at the same time, knows how to get things done.

Frankie Jr. He is always going to be my baby brother. Me and him are most alike in the ways that we are. He is always there to help people. I think he inherited that gift of compassion as well from my mom. He also is very inspirational in the way that he lets things roll off his back. I don't know if they bother him, but when something happens, he is so go-with-the-flow. I admire that he can do that. I still have trouble sometimes.

Nobu. I get he isn't my brother, he is my cousin, but he lived with us pretty much our whole life, and I classify him as my brother. I get sensitivity from him. He has been through a lot in life, and he is a very sensitive person. He is a gentle giant one might say. He was always a very calming effect in the house growing up, and kind of a referee between my brother and I. I don't get to see him much anymore, but hopefully soon.

I know this is a totally random blog, but I really have been thinking about this a lot lately, because I know you learn from your surroundings, and I think my family has done pretty well :)