Two Weeks Late...

Ha, not that! I'm just two weeks late in blogging. The ol' computer was down. Sorry, Tricia.

The last two weeks have been busy and full of life. That is the story of my life. The first week back from vacation was the quickest week of my life. Then the week following that was the slowest week. Then this last week was just you normal run of the mill busy week.

My C. He is the sweetest boy ever. And the most annoying. He whines. This is his new 11 1/2 year old trait. It is driving me to the brink of insanity. But, the child has a heart as big as the whole outdoors. At least when it comes to me.

Ever since he was a wee one he has always saved the last bite of something yummy for me. If he has ice cream, the last bite is for me. If he has a cookie, the last bite is for me. If he has a candy bar, the last bite, yep you guessed it, for me. I am thoroughly convinced that this child of mine will be the one to feed me in my old age when I am no longer able to feed myself. When I was pregnant with M, C would rub my belly, rub my back, and when I was in the bathtub would come in and pour water over my huge belly, and talk to me about what's important to a 3 year old. He is my love. He is my champion. If someone offends me, says something negative about me, or in any way is unkind to me, that person is forever an enemy to him. He will stand up for me until the end. He is also my child who has been blessed with a learning "disablity". Because of this, I in turn, have to be his champion. I have to advocate for him in the school system. I have to explain to him, that it is OK to be dyslexic. That it doesn't mean he is dumb.

I have tried to be honest with him about the difficulties involved with dyslexia, I have also tried to teach him that dyslexia is not an excuse for not trying. He will sometimes have to try harder than the average kid. A week ago I found out what a sweet boy I have. A friend of his has an older sister. She is in the 6th grade at one of the local junior highs. She is dyslexic also. She attended a special school to help her learn better how to cope with her challenge (I hate calling it a disability). She failed a spelling test, her teacher called her into class to ask her what was going on. She was devestated that she had to try to explain that she can't spell. That letters just don't go together in the "normal" way for her. She was understandably upset when she got into the car. C was there with his friend, and listened as the sister talked about how dumb she felt. C said, "Why don't you just tell your teacher that you can't spell? I have dyslexia, and I need extra help, so I just have to let the teacher know I can't spell. It doesn't mean you're stupid, it means you can't spell good." The mom called me and told me that it warmed her heart to hear my boy try to encourage someone dealing with some of the same issues. He is a good boy.

He is whining up a storm today. He went to a sleepover last night. I am frustrated with him to no end. I decided that tonight is the night I need to dwell on the positive about him. I know he's tired. I know he's 11 1/2. I know life stinks sometimes when you are 11/12. Just posting about the sweetness of him lifts a bit of the dark cloud I have put over him.

Sidenote: Tricia, I pinky swear that next Friday or Saturday, I will post.