Little Brown Blog

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Q's Schools

When we moved to Utah Quinton had been given a "green" light from FOCUS to return to a regular classroom. 5th grade at East Elementary in UT was a bit rocky though. To give him credit though the teacher didn't know how to turn in grades or really turn on a computer at all! The best time Q had was when the teacher was out for hip or knee replacement. Q always hated busy work and this teacher gave so many worksheets to these students you could tell he hadn't changed his classwork in too many years.

East was a good start to a new life however we both were glad it was his first and final year at that school.

6th grade was at Tonaquint Intermediate where Q continued to learn from a great SPED teacher to advocate for himself. Tonaquint was a fairly new school in the district and was big compared to East. Q found his way through the halls and I think he loved the different teachers and different class type of schedule. It was a reminder of the FOCUS program from 4th grade. However the student classes were not as small and some of the classrooms were quite crowded. His SPED teacher was very supportive and things transitioned well.

Dixie Middle School was yet again another challenge - if only we could have taken the SPED teacher from Tonaquint and moved her with him. The challenge was that the SPED teachers limited their students by choosing who should have what class and didn't give much credit to the students being able to complete work that they were excited about. Q took Spanish (much to his SPED teachers dismay) and decided he liked it so he took another semester as well. He then decided it wasn't for him. I worked with the English teacher personally so that she could understand how to help him write. Finally I got some attention from the district regarding Q's IEP and things were changed as well as we got to meet his SPED teacher for High School.

High School is another post - I will dig up more pics.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Reviving the Blog?

Only time will tell if I indeed revive this blog. It is great to see the memories here and wonder if I should have kept it up. Instead I moved over to Facebook and that has become too much of others and no longer reflecting upon myself and what I am doing.

A lot has changed since the last post. Maybe I went dark due to the all those changes.

We moved.

I lost my father.

I lost my mother.

Q graduated during a pandemic.

and through it all he and I have had adventures....

I will try and blog on some of those adventures in the future as fun was definitely had.

But first the move....

June 2012-We packed up the station wagon and left everything else behind. I told the neighbors we were going on vacation. We never went back. I had an apartment ready for us to move into and some furniture already on hold here in UT. It was time to make the break from the cold winters and the air that bothered Q's lungs so much and move to where I could no longer hear him breath from across the hall in the middle of the night.

Last day of school I picked him up with a full vehicle and we drove straight from Iowa to Utah with a few sleep breaks in between. I wanted to put the past behind me and Q was ready. I had waited almost 4 years for this. He deserved to breath and be healthy.

He still has that green station wagon. We are still in the same apartment. This is not our forever home.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Spring Break 2012...

We went to CHICAGO!!!

To Lego Land Discovery Center with Gramma Carol!

Where we took a master builder class to learn how to make Cardinals. I couldn't believe how well my mother did as she had only picked up Legos from the floor and doesn't ever remember playing with them in her lifetime. Q was a bit impressed (although he doesn't look so in the above pic) that Gramma did so well with it being her first time building.

After lunch Q decided to try the tracks and see if his car would hold its own on the way down.

Things kind of fell apart from there as he tried over and over to get one to stay together. The track was rough that day. (maybe that's why this was the only track open for him to run his car)

The next day it was raining and we headed off to the Museum of Science and Industry. This is where I went with my Uncle and mother when I was Q's age. It was a glorious day and I can't say enough on how things have changed there but also remained the same. I remembered so much of it yet it held new things to keep me interested. Fine job Chicago. Wish Des Moines would learn how to keep their science center up and running.

Where else can you see trains, planes, automobiles, and a submarine!

Monday, June 6, 2011

School is over for now....

Spring is done and the flowers are up. Some are already gone (irises and peonies) to the point I wonder if they were even there. Q is still struggling and he has begun some medication to assist him. Between helping him and getting my student teaching done I can't believe it is already June!

Due to issues at school, Q will be going to a special school next fall that will focus (ha ha as it is called FOCUS) on helping him learn how to deal with his ODD. During the summer though I am going to make sure he learned all that he should have in 3rd grade. This is due to the amount of time he missed being in a traditional classroom. It's been a hard road so far and I am sure there will be many more bumps along the way for him and I. It's like relearning who your child is some days. I have tons to learn and everyday I am handed more information it seems to read.

Along with summer is an opportunity to relax a bit. I am working part time at a fabric store (I am not spending me entire paycheck) and along with teaching Q I am taking him to the pool and trying to make sure we stay active. Healthier food choices are being encouraged and for once it is not a battle for him to "try" something new. Newest things are mangoes and radishes. He is still finding meat difficult if it isn't pre processed but I am trying to stay away from chicken nuggets and especially hot dogs. It's all in the mix for summertime. Gotta catch a game at the I-Cubs this summer and our science lesson is going to go to the zoo to see the dinosaur exhibit in the morning. Can't wait!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Spring has Sprung!

So busy these past few months. Time flies quickly. Q is struggling to say the least and I won't go into detail here about that. I am getting done with my student teaching and overall I have to say it's been GREAT! It could have been better but then it wouldn't have been as GREAT!

Monday, December 27, 2010

School and the next step.

School is out this year and I am grateful. Grateful I am almost done yet again, and grateful for the strength my Heavenly Father has given me to get through this time. Along with the strength, He has given me the best friends I could ask for. He works in mysterious ways sometimes, but I know in my heart that He will always be there guiding me down the right path if I listen hard enough. I wish I had listened more last year, but that is behind me and now I am where I am because of those events. It all works out in the end if we just give our will over to Him.

Q and I have been reading our scriptures and praying daily and I feel a difference not only in myself and him, but in the house. We seem to be getting ready for a difficult time that is about to come and we will be stronger for this extra time spent in conversation with each other and the Lord.

We have been asked by our branch president to read the Book of Mormon together as a family this year and I am glad to rise to that challenge as it has been a few years since I have read it straight through. We will be switching back and forth from the BOM to the Bible, but still reading.

I will be grading papers soon. I will first be writing up my curriculum and lesson plans. Very exciting but also a large amount of fear as I go along and hope that this is finally the right path.

Happy New Year to all and I hope to have greater news for you soon!

Bag lady...

No not a real bag lady you see in the park. A bag lady as in that is what I have been making lately. My sister got a pattern and we have been going to town. Below is the pattern we have been stuck on for some reason

Then I decided to do a yoga/gym bag in paisley as I love the paisley print in almost any color

Then I did a wheelchair bag for my neighbor who had a stroke/cancer this last year. Needless to say it was great and she loves it.

Now I feel like I can do anything and have actually just completed in about an hour a sleeve for a kindle for my niece. Didn't want it to get scratched and her mom had some beautiful material for her to pick from.

Here are a few more bags I have been working on (or completed).

This is a quilt that my sister and I are doing right now for our mom. She has always been musical and I love the way she gave me a love of music with out letting me know it. I love all kinds of music as long as it is in moderation. I would rather not have any sound at all but I do love all types of music so it is okay if it it on.