Today was our first meeting with The Burkett School for Eli. We basically went in and turned in forms and info for the school to establish residency for us and then we went over questions Tony and I had about the school and what we could expect from them. All the teachers there have their masters in the areas that they teach and the class rooms were cute (and PACKED) because they had different "stations" set up around the room. The kids have pictures of their schedules so lets say Eli gets there in the morning he has his name up and his first picture would be a toy, that means it would be play time. The next might be a picture of a potty and that means it is potty time, a picture of food would be lunch etc... If the kids don't speak it is a way to communicate with them what is expected out of them. It is a very small school, it has one long hallway with around 5-6 classrooms and then they also have what they need for the different therapy he will be getting. 

Our next meeting is November 5 and that is when they will be evaluating Eli, but the lady we met with today said just by looking at his info he will qualify for the school....HOOORAY. Then on the 19th of November we will go back for a parent, teacher meeting and go over all the info and set up an education plan for him so that he will get the best and most effective education while he is there. The lady we met with today said they are aggressive in communication with the kids and pushing them to go to the next step. That is exciting for us because with the therapy he has been getting we feel like it is at a point where we need a "next step" for him to progress. He will go 2 days a week from 8 until 2:30. That is a big day for him but I think he will adjust  quickly. 

On a fun note, Jana and Katie will be here in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to see them :) I will post pics and the fun stuff we did while she was here

Thanks for all the prayers for our sweet little man! 

meeting #1

So we have a date for our first meeting at the school we are trying to get Eli into. September 24th at 10:45. This is just the first initial paper work, getting to know Eli meeting. His case worker (she is awesome) from Early Intervention is going with us and she will also be informing them of evaluations that they have done with Eli and helping us in the whole process of getting him accepted into the school. Seems like a long time to wait, but gives us more time for prayer. I am really excited about the whole thing, I feel like since we pulled Eli out of Mothers Day Out that his chatter has def become more of us hearing some words trying to be said, and his super crazy melt downs have also eased up, he will let us distract and help him now and that is a HUGE relief. So I think the school will just help him reinforce what he is trying so hard to do. 

New to blogging....

so I decided to start a blog for our little family, we have so much going on and I thought it would be a great way to keep everyone updated on all of our happenings. 

All of the prayers for Eli and Sophie starting school have been so appreciated. Sophie is having a GREAT time at school, she loves her teacher and seems to be doing well with the other kids in her class, though anytime I ask her what the names of her new friends are she just says "I dunno, I can't remember". She is such a little social bug and just adjusting really well. 

I had asked for prayers for Eli and a school that we are trying to get him in. We are still waiting to hear on a date for our first meeting to get the process started. This school is for developmentally delayed kids but also has some "normal kids" mixed in the group so they get a good balance, but the awesome thing is that there are only around 5-6 kids in each class and he will get all the therapy he needs for FREE. He will get sensory therapy, speech, and anything else you could think of, he will be covered on every angle :)  This is such an answer to prayer since we are at the age with him that the state has done their job in providing therapy services for him and he was going to have to go to the local public school for that, which we weren't  ok with since our little elementary school is not that great. So hopefully if accepted he will have a place where he can be for the next 2 1/2 years that will help him socially and mentally prepare for kindergarden.

Tony's job is going great and he is finishing up on a new campaign for work and getting some awesome new commercials out on the airwaves all while in the middle of doing a masters program for entertainment business, he is very busy but always such a great Daddy and comes home in the evening and plays with the kids until bedtime .

I got a job, which I am very excited about. I will only be working on Saturdays in a salon down the road from us and it couldn't be more perfect. I know everyone working there and it will be a GREAT way to ease my way back into the work world. 

The one thing I know for sure is God is soooo good and he always gives us exactly what we need, but I have learned that I need to be in his word and open for what He has for us.