Well, the School Psychologist finished the Autism Assessment on Natan and guess what? She said he has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Umm...

a) We already knew that.

b) He was diagnosed last year by an MD.

c) I live with him. I knew this long before any doctor ever mentioned it.

I remember mentioning that I thought something was "up" with Natan about six months after he had arrived home. I was told by MANY people that he was just adjusting. I'm his Mama. I knew that wasn't it. And a few people were awful to him because of his behavior. I always felt so terrible, knowing that there was a reason but not having anything to say in his defense.

So, this diagnosis last Spring was a relief. Finally, I had something to say to the idiots who have treated him unfairly. It's not an excuse, but it is a pretty good reason.

My biggest pet peeve? People announcing to us, "Oh, he's not Autistic--he's fine" or "Well, he'll grow out of it." FYI--denial is not supportive.

In fact, we've had to step away from people who just can't accept his diagnosis and repeatedly tell us the doctor is wrong. In fact, one person marched into my kitchen and stated, "I don't care what that doctor says--he's fine. He's not Autistic."

The thing is, we have always been OK with this. We can't change it. We think he's fine too, just the way he is. Unfortunately some people can't handle him or love him with his new diagnosis. Our kids are too important to us for that kind of attitude.

****

On a very exciting note, we are heading to see the Harlem Globetrotters tonight--I found a great discount online after some major searching! The kids are super excited! We have a dinner packed (saving money by not eating out!), and they are under orders to take a nap this afternoon--no grumps at the Arena!!

****

George says he is more than ready for the upcoming Talent Show" at the church. He will be performing his "Singing Robots" routine. He picked a sequined costume that used to be Jason's...nothing more to say!!!!

Our Jolly Holiday in Review

First Stop: Lunch at the Varsity! Some Naked Dogs, please!

Loving' the hotel room!

Loved our dinner at Mimi's Cafe!

Fernbank--LOVED it!

Received this email this morning. Cookie and popcorn sales are an integral part of Scouting. Mimi has certainly gained confidence from her first selling experience, and I can see where this will be an excellent teaching tool as the girls get older. At our next meeting, all my girls will be signing their names to a letter to send to our Representative--so glad I'm an American...I can actually do something now!

Here is a condensed version of the email:

Proposed Georgia legislation would require a sales tax on all nonprofit fundraisers in Georgia including GIRL SCOUT COOKIE and BOY SCOUT POPCORN SALES. This significant financial impact would take money away from Girl Scout programs, camp support, financial aid and proceeds from the sale that support troop activities and community service projects.

House Bill 385 is a part of the 2010 Special Council on Tax Reform eliminating various nonprofit sales and use tax exemptions and specifically calls out the cookie and popcorn fundraisers by Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

The consequences of this legislation:

• Requiring our Scouts to collect sales tax is not fair and not feasible.
• A portion of the funds earned by our Scouts for their many leadership, camping and community service programs would be diverted to pay sales tax.
• Hundreds of children especially in rural or financially distressed areas will not be able to participate in Scouting due to a reduction of services resulting from these sales taxes.
• Camps are likely to be stressed due to reduced funding.
• The administrative burden placed on councils to remit payment of sales taxes to taxing authorities would divert limited financial resources away from program support.

"I don't need a nap!!!!"

"At this rate, we'll never get where we're going..."

We've had a great week at Chez Montague! School is progressing, much to anti-home schoolers chagrin! Natan is still doing well and we have an IEP meeting coming up to discuss his options for next year.

*****

We have two more sleeps until our Jolly Holiday! SO EXCITED!!! Jason is officially on Spring Break and we all couldn't be happier! I will be sure to post pictures upon return!

*****

We celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday all week--read lots of great books--the kids can read some all by themselves. Made lots of crafty things, and had a birthday party tonight with Jason.

*****

Mimi started Soccer last night--I loved watching her out there on her own, making new friends, and having fun! And, she's a pretty good player! George is still enjoying baseball, and we are still trying to get Natan in the Sunshine League for kids with special needs.

Green Eggs and Ham with a side of cake--Vinny was asleep in the sun room--poor kid can't make it past 4:00 without a nap these days!

Me: "Oh, look--the Flinstones!"

George: "How do you know about the Flinstones?"

Me: "I used to watch it when I was a kid."

Mimi: "Ohhh...that's why it looks so old."

So, our friend Angie filled in for her son who was going to hang with George at baseball practice tonight. Jason had musical rehearsal and I had Tussahaw rehearsal. All at the same time. She claims to have had a blast being talked to incessantly by Mimi and reading to her! Angie is a teacher by day, so this was likely not the down time she had planned!

My favorite quote of the night from Angie:

Angie: George--Good job! You have a good arm!

Mimi: He's had it for a long time. Since he was born.

Our other friend, Lorna, had Natan and Vinny. We now owe to amazing women--will have to be sneaky if we can accomplish payback!

Thank you, ladies. We needed your help and are eternally grateful for it!

****

fyi...the Tussahaw Young Singers is starting to get there and sound good! What a nice group of young people! Now on to my next project...

****

Now if I could just find the 2 missing bathing suits all would be good. I think I am only working with 10% at best of brain power!

****

Finally--who needs more Girl Scout cookies? You know you want them! lemons! Mints! Trefoils! Dosidos! I got 'em!

Mimi and I had a little GNO tonight after Girl Scouts...QT and Walmart! On the way home she stated that she had too many boys to keep track of and was hoping for some girls in soccer this week! She then had to clarify that she did not include Daddy because "He is not a boy...he's just a Daddy."

*****

We are almost through Cookie season in GS--I will happy to see the end of it! If I eat another Samoa I will burst! More time on the treadmill!

*****

We are gearing up for our little Jolly Holiday this weekend--just an overnight thing, but we are super excited just the same!

*****

Back taking the Nexium for my vocal chords. I think it's helping, but I'm just not sure. I did some more research and it seems that a mere drop of acid on vocal folds can cause swelling. Mystery continues...

*****

Still no referral. Beyond frustrated at the wait. It just plain sucks.

sweet somethings...

Mimi, while watching me get ready: "I don't think you need makeup, Mama. You're pretty without it." I'll take that.

George, this morning, came to me and said: "I did some laundry. I didn't want you to have to do everything by yourself." I must be ding something right!

And...on the hoarse voice front. I have done more research--wait--doesn't my ENT get a boat load of money to do what I am doing for myself?? Well, I'm back on Nexium. Screw the holistic route. I thought it was working, but now I'm thinking not.

I *heart* Western medicine.

No we wait and see...

Still no referral and it's driving me crazy. Adoption is just like being pregnant and giving birth. You wait and wait, and then you have this intense, emotional experience. For me, there is little difference. Anyone without kids, or anyone who has not adopted, may not get that. Oh well.

On that note...just to refresh...I consider our adopted children my flesh and blood. They are as much a part of Jason and I as the other two. There are those--and shamefully, those who know better--who do not see Mimi and Natan the same as George and Vinny. How sad for them. They just do not know what they miss out on. Someone even said to me when we had just adopted Ellen, "I wasn't sure if I could love Ellen like I love George." Someone then defended that person's comment when I repeated it. To those two people, I say, "You aren't really capable of real love then. Obviously. Don't say those things to me. They are not good things to say. And don't defend those who say them. Love my four-almost-five equally or not at all.

There, Tom. Is that better?????!!!!! P.S. George found a GA tech picture frame and asked me if he could have it when he goes there. Amen to that!!!!

OK

I got nailed tonight for not posting--not naming names!!!!

So much happens in a day around here, and then when I get a minute to write it down...I can't remember ANYTHING!

***

Something funny happened after choir tonight--George was sitting on a chair waiting for me, and I NOTICED that he had not worn underwear today and was wearing shorts...OMG. Thank goodness he had been in the front row for rehearsal!

***

The Tussahaw Young Singers is off to a great start! Had good auditions and a good first rehearsal. Hardest part is choosing music! Trying to plan our first concert for early June...

***

School is still motoring along nicely. I love hearing them say, "I love ______!" A validation of sorts. They are really loving reading through a set of "How and Why" books that a very generous friend gave us. Learning about moon shadows, falling stars, clouds, etc. And they're eating it up!

***

We have "On Demand" again after years of having only basic cable. I have to admit...I am LOVING it! No more crappy shows while I run on the treadmill! My current favorite addiction: "The Big C" on Showtime. I can squeeze in two episodes for a really good run!

Mimi was looking at some money today and wanted to know why there was a picture of Beethoven on the money. I think she was disappointed when I told her it was actually Washington.

Pics!

Some photo updates--the rest have been uploaded to Picasa.

Daddy/Daughter Girl Scout Dance--1980s theme! Jason wore his Band/Tuba jacket...'nuff said!

Our Girl Scout Daisies at Thinking Day!

GA Tech Womens' Basketball--LOVED it!

Natan lost his first tooth! The Tooth Fairy took it and now he wants it back!

Our wonderful day trip to Savannah--loved hangin' with my kids! The concert the end of the day was worth the trip!

happenings...

Lots going on...

1. Natan lost a tooth the day after we got home from Disney! He was VERY proud!

2. Had 20 kids show up for Tussahaw auditions tonight--I am SUPER excited to get this choir going!

3. Jason laid a new floor in the basement playroom last weekend.

4. Savannah day trip was great--I managed four kids along River street! They had a blast and can't wait to go back for longer and do a Trolley Tour!

5. Gearing up for our annual Chinese new Year party!

6. Signing up for soccer (Mimi) and baseball (George) this weekend.

Just stuff

Mimi: "OK, boys! I hid the treasure very goodly so you'll never find it!" (During a inventive very game of Treasure Hunt).

George is already planning another trip to Disney and tells me constantly how much he misses it. Well, so do I. Can't we just move there???

Mimi and George are doing very well in school--and I am once again grateful for this extra time together. I am fortunate to be the one seeing them take those first steps in reading, spelling, math concepts. Not to mention seeing their joy in learning about dinosaurs, the body, life cycles, communities, countries...so much!

If I could do a better job with Spanish, I'd feel 100%! C'est la vie! Oh wait, that's French...

Heading to Savannah with Jason tomorrow for the day. Looking forward to introducing the kids to some Southern history. And Pralines...yum!!

And we're back!!

And we're off!

All our bags are packed, we're ready to go...

And you know the rest! We are packed and ready to hit the road tomorrow!! Kids still have no idea where our mystery trip is taking us! I am trying to convince them we're headed to "Barbie Land" and they are slightly worried, given their fear of and distaste for Barbie or any other kind of doll!

I think they'll be pleasantly surprised!

*****

Heard from our adoption coordinator. She said "hopefully in the near future." No idea what that means, so we're still just waiting! It'll happen...

It was suggested to me a few weeks ago that Jason and I not complete this adoption, since we "have a lot on our plates." It's funny, because I don't recall asking for advice or an opinion...

We like what's on our plate. We wouldn't change one thing. And we are just as excited for our new arrival as we have been for the other four. This is our family.

Mimi

The other morning I was snuggling with Mimi and, out of the blue, she said: "Thank you for choosing me..."

Comments by ZingerBug.com

Surviving!

School closed today and then again tomorrow--just got word. What else can Jason and I paint?

We will still have our school--having fun with uninterrupted teaching! The curriculum has ramped up and is moving more quickly now--and M and G and are doing great with it! I remain amazed at what we are capable of in our little classroom!

And, very excited to get mail today after no delivery for two days!! There is something nice though, about being stuck somewhere, not because of poor health, but just because you can't drive on your driveway or road! I have to say I am feeling more relaxed than I have in years!!!!! Although...how many more times we can watch E.T. is beyond me! I forgot about some of language in it! The kids have learned some new and interesting words this week that they don't even hear from me!

*****

Getting ready for our week away starting Monday!

Trying to convince GAG to come down this weekend for our adventure...PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

Baby, it's cold outside!

Day Two being iced in! Our street and driveway are frozen! Tried some laundry basket sledding yesterday--kids made it work! Video coming..

Another upside to homeschooling: NO SCHOOL CLOSING!!!!

*****

Tomorrow is Day Three of NO SCHOOL for Jason and Natan. Today we took advantage and painted our master bedroom--picked up 2 gallons of paint along with our 2 gallons of milk as the storm began Sunday evening (always thinking ahead!). And, with Jason home, we can go longer in school with no distractions from the younger set. So things are fine here!

Someone said that many of the grocery stores are without food...kind of eerie. We are well stocked between frozen leftovers and Mum's homemade bread and jam!

Happy 2011!

I can just get it in!

Happy New Year!

My Top Ten Random Favorite Things From 2010:

1. My family

2. Hearing Natan yell,"I love you, Mommy!" from the bedroom with no prompting

3. Waffle House

4. The addition of Reggie to our pet menagerie

5. Homeschooling

6. Reading many good books

7. The movie, "Remember Me"

8. Surprising Jason on his 40th birthday

9. Reese's Mega Cups from Jason on my birthday

10. Visits to Georgia by Ontario Aunts & Uncles, D.C. cousins, and Nova Scotians

Phew! Part Deux!

We survived! Christmas was a blast and we even had a little snow on Christmas Day night! Had our usual gaggle of folks over who either do not have family around or who were just spending the day alone. Good food, good friends...complete with Jason's Flaming Figgy Pudding!

Spent Boxing Day with more good food (leftovers) and more good friends...

Now awaiting the arrival of Tanta and Papa on Thursday for more fun, food, and general merriment!

Some photo memories from the past few weeks...

The first pictures were taken at Panola State Park--they were done as gifts so I've resisted posting!

Rockin' Cupcakes!

Natan's friend at Waffle House who always treats us "real good!"

Natan's Rockin' Birthday Party!

Celeste reading "The Polar Express" to the kids--they LOVED it!

Jason's Tortiere...a favorite Christmas Eve tradition

Christmas Eve means new jammies!

Jason reading my Dad's book, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before heading to bed.

Our little GA snow fall!

My favorite little munchkins...

Happy Festivus!

Since I won't get around to it tomorrow with the activities and company coming, "Happy Holidays" to everyone! We are ready.

The 2 Tortieres have been made by Jason as always for Christmas Eve dinner.

Several casseroles ready to go in the oven tomorrow.

Figgy Pudding is steaming--Jason again.

Red Velvet Brownies ready to be cut and served for Xmas Day dessert.

Wine lined up ready for consumption.

Gifts wrapped.

Kids have managed to stay sane in their anxious wait for Santa.

The big question: Will it actually snow as they are predicting?? I dare not hope for too much!

Happy Day!

Five years ago, Natan was born! Happy Birthday, Rock Star!

More craziness!

One more!

Being festive!

Click here!

Decade...

Ten years ago today Jason's parents, Bonnie and Bill, were killed in a car accident on their way through Tennessee Christmas shopping.

We were going to have my Children's Choir at the time perform "Star Journey" the next day but cancelled.

Last night, we performed it, ten years later.

Here is the talented group that I am privileged to direct:

2010

Annual Family Photo:

'Tis the season!

For activities, that is!

Piano recital today was a success--everyone played well, including our two!

Enjoying some delicious, home made goodies from Celeste--wasn't expecting carrot cupcakes, so I'm in heaven!

Christmas Program with 29 AMAZING kids this Wednesday--lots of fun!!

********

Citizenship ceremony was fine--the Lee greenwood song/video at the end was a little on the cheesy side, but overall it wasn't too bad! 157 people, 63 different countries--a racist person's nightmare!!!! I enjoyed seeing and speaking with some of the other people and thought we made a pretty nice looking group!

So, no more Green Card! No more mean immigration people to deal with! Yay!

Now...bring on a referral, and Christmas will be complete!

Thank you, Celeste!

Dear Celeste,

Your bunny is a hit! When she's not holding her, Mimi is primping her and arranging her on the bed!

Thank you!!!!!!