Tomorrow

So the A-Z Challenge begins tomorrow.  As you know, I will be spending the next 26 days going through the music on my iPhone and highlighting some of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy it!  I am looking forward to visiting more blogs this year to read and find out more about the world out there.

So, in planning these posts and looking through my music collection, I realized just how hard it was to narrow it down to one song per letter.  So, many of these posts will mention 2 songs due to my inability to decide which is my favorite.  Thank goodness I don't have more music than I do, then the task would have been even harder and I may have been relegated to blogging about 3 songs per post.  Yikes.  

I am by no means an owner of the largest and most prolific library of music.  Not by any stretch of the imagination.  But I do love music of all kinds and I thought that it would be fun to go through it all.  As I mentioned before I loved going through TV shows last year so music seemed the next reasonable topic.

Maybe I'll mention a few here that you enjoy as well, or maybe some that you could go forever without hearing again.  Maybe you'll find something new or remember an old favorite.  Who knows?  Whatever the case may be, I hope it is a fun April!  

All is well, ready to begin, in Drosche Land.

Take Me Out To the Ball Game

Today was Jackson's first baseball game.

I'm not sure if I've posted about it before or not, but we signed him up for spring baseball at school.  It's with most of his classmates in school, the same boys that he played soccer with in the fall.  The same boys that played basketball together over the winter, but we took a break and skipped that sport.  He had such a great time with soccer and it's a comfortable and easy transition for him into sports.  The familiarity of the players, the coaches (players' dads), practice at school.  It all makes for a good way for him to get into a sport.

There wasn't such a team for Braeden at school to join and we missed the deadlines for all of the teams we looked into.  But, such is life.  He is alright with it, for the most part.  Plus, instead of joining a summer league, he wanted to go away to camp for a week.  We were very supportive about that idea so our funds were allotted to that.  Next year he will be in 4th Grade and will likely be able to play up on the school's JV teams, soccer and maybe basketball.  We are all so excited about that.

Jackson never played Tee Ball like Braeden did so many years ago.  He was too young when Braeden played and then the boys got into soccer.  So it was understandable that we were all nervous about his foray into a new sport, especially because his first time at bat (literally and figuratively) would be coach pitch and he's already broken his nose before.  But we went forward with it, full of timid excitement and eagerness.

Sadly though I had to miss today's opening game for the season.  Braeden was involved in PSIA, an academic competition, and had his Spelling test this morning.  At the same time as Jackson's game.  On the other side of town.  So Amy and I split up and kept each other updated via texts and pictures.  What did parents do before smart phones?  Before cell phones?  Thank goodness we don't live in those dark ages and can instantly remain updated and see the action in real time, regardless of our location.

So, it was a busy day here in Drosche Land.  Braeden did not do as well as he would have liked in his competition and his day fell short of expectations.  However, it was his first time and he now have gained experience that will be valuable next year when we prep for the competition.  Jackson, on the other hand, experienced a day filled with newness and winning.  He himself made 3 runs and his team won the game!  He, as everyone else, was very proud.  Mixed emotions for us all though, cheering up a downed son and cheering on an elated one.  But, such is the life of a parent I guess.

But the day is drawing to a close and everyone is tired and relaxing.  Our weekends belong to baseball until May so many hot, tired, and sunburned days lie ahead.  But it will surely be fun and worth it.

All is well, win or lose, in Drosche Land.

Spring Break

This year it was laid back.  Nothing special or eventful.  But that's not bad, just life.

See, this year Amy and I had Spring Break on differing weeks.  She was last week and the kids and I were this week.  Bummer.  This meant that we could not plan any trips or excursions.  Such is life though.  

So we stayed at home.  Monday and Tuesday were spent lounging around the house.  I did a lot of laundry, finished grading and report cards (they go out next week), mowed the front and back yards, and watched all of Season 4 of Pretty Little Liars (thank you Netflix).  So, nothing too crazy, but it was nice to stop and relax for a bit.

Amy took Wednesday off so we could all have at least one day together.  So we went out for lunch (a real treat as we rarely eat out anymore) and took the kids to see the new Cinderella movie.  Granted Braeden, in all his pre-pre-teen 8-year-old angst was not as thrilled as the rest of us, but he still managed to enjoy himself.  It didn't hurt that we sweetened the deal with a chocolate chip cookie shake for him to enjoy during the movie.  Jackson is always up for a movie, regardless of what it is.  Stella, ever the princess of the family, is now insisting on a pair of glass slippers and seeing the movie again!    Alamo Drafthouse was giving free admission to teachers for this Spring Break week so we took advantage of that!  Score!  Hopefully that will be something they do in the future and we can plan this to be a regular occurrence.  

Then yesterday and today it was back to binge watching TV shows via Netflix/Amazon/Hulu and relaxing around the house.  I am currently switching between The Slap and Bates Motel.  Equally awesome.  

Hopefully this will be the only year (fingers crossed) that we spend Spring Break apart.  the calendars for our schools are set for next year and we will once again share Spring Break!  We are already beginning to plan a trip to make up for this year's missed fun.  We're thinking Disney World again!  We have been wanting to return since we left last summer so if all goes well in the planning and budgeting departments we will be able to visit Mickey and friends again!

Well, that's it here.  Sounds even less impressive when you write it down but all is well.  It did force us to stop and relax a bit though, the kids have enjoyed the break.  Next week we are all back to normal though so we will see how easily we slip back into routine.  But, until then we will enjoy the last few days/hours of Spring Break.  Depends on if you include the weekend or not?  I do, I think.  May as well make it as long as possible!

All is well, on break, in Drosche Land.

Oily

So you know that here in Drosche Land we are always looking for ways to stay healthy and natural.  Eating, drinking, cooking, living, etc.  Jackson and Stella forever changed the way we live, for the better of course, with their diagnoses.  

We have seen so many positive benefits to the many changes we have made.  It's given us the motivation to continue to research, learn, and change.  We've cut out nearly all artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, chemicals, dyes, and are continuing to work on converting as much of our diet to organic and/or as possible.  It's an ongoing process and we are enjoying it and the rewards it has brought us.

For some time Amy has been intrigued by essential oils.  A friend of hers from her Handbell Choir introduced her to them via the company Young Living.  So, naturally, she began to research, read, and learn as much as she could about it.  Then she brought it to me.  I hadn't thought about it or heard to much about it so I listened and then began to look into it myself.  It was interesting, made sense, and sounded like something that was right up our alley and in line with our lifestyle.  So, last week, Amy talked to my Mom about it, who also was interested.  Amy then signed up to be a distributor for Young Living and they both placed their first orders.  

There are many reasons why we have become interested in essential oils, but I'll focus on Jackson for this post.  As you know from my past posts, his ADHD symptoms have worsened and we believe it is time for a tweak to his medication.  He also has been sleeping very poorly.  It is our hope that, through the use of essential oils, we can help Jackson manage his ADHD via a natural way.  Now, we are not taking him off of the medication, nor do we think we can "cure" him.  That's not at all what this is about.  It is just another way for us to equip him with as many tools as we can to lead a successful life and manage his ADHD.

In addition to the Young Living order, Amy also ordered some diffusing jewelry through Sacred Arrow for us all; leather necklaces for the boys and leather bracelets for Stella, Amy, and I.  As soon as we received the orders we began to use the Peace & Calming with Jackson, via a diffuser in the boys' bedroom at night and his necklace 24/7.  We began to notice results within the first day.  He has slept wonderfully, without waking, for 5 days now.  His behavior has also been a lot calmer; he has much better control over his actions and emotions.  Granted we have been on Spring Break so our schedule has been a lot more laid back and easy, but we have been quite pleased with the results thus far.  Once school resumes next week we will see how things continue to progress.  We pushed back his appointment with his doctor until April since we had enough of his medication to last until then.  This will also give us a chance to see how the inclusion of essential oils continues to impact everything.  

So, that's what is new here in Drosche Land; the next adventure we are partaking in.  So far we are excited about it and eager for what lies ahead.  Like I said earlier, this post was Jackson-centric.  I'll post more about our plans for essential oils for Stella and the rest of us in later writings.  So stay tuned.

All is well, oily and happy, here in Drosche Land.     

Hormonal

No, not me.  Not Amy either.  I'm talking about the kids here.  2/3 of them.

Who knew they would grow up so fast?  Who knew times had changed so much since I was their age.  But, let's not get ahead of ourselves shall we.  Let's begin slowly.  One child at a time.

Stella.  Maybe you have heard about the term "threenager" or maybe you haven't.  Well, it is basically the term used to describe three-year-olds and their attitudes/hormones/drama and how closely related they are to an actual teenager.  Well, if this is true then Stella, who will be turning 3 in June, is on the cusp of this stage.  A pre-threenager so to speak.  

Maybe it is because of her age.  The "terrible twos" giving way to "threenager".  Maybe it's the fact that she is a girl.  Or maybe, just maybe, it is because I'm just a tad older at this point than I was with the boys.  Gasp!  Note, I said older, not old.  Not old.  Regardless, she has quite the personality and makes life, well, interesting.  She's opinionated.  She's loud (oh my girls are so much louder (and screamier) than boys).  She's my little princess.  Yes, despite all of these things, she has me (and the rest of us here in Drosche Land) wrapped around her little finger.  All she has to do is smile at me or hug me and my Daddy heart melts.

Next up.  Braeden.  Oh my.  The moodiness and drama begins in 3rd Grade now?!  Really?!  Well, it does here, and in talking to others we are not alone.  I guess 8 is the new 10?  He has always been emotional (gets it from me honestly) but this year it is at a whole new level.  Random drama for seemingly no reason.  Pouting.  Sighing.  Eye-rolling.  You name it, we've got it.  But again, deep down he is an amazing child.  Destined to be a big brother, he prides himself in caring for Stella and catering to her every whim, despite how it may inconvenience him.  He's totally addicted to sports of any kind and excels at them with practically no effort.  He makes me proud.

So, at times these two can make life frustrating and maddening, but at the end of the day I am so thankful for them both.  They are a true blessing and I know that this stage (no matter how long it may seem) will pass.  Years from now I know I will look back on these days and laugh at how crazy they seemed.  I'll probably even miss them, somewhat.  HA!

All is well, pre-teen and pre-threen included, in Drosche Land.

A-Z 2015

Well, it's March.  That time of year again when I decide to join the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  Again.

I've been thinking about it for a while now and I could have signed up long ago, but life (as it tends to do) got in the way and it got put on the back burner.  But tonight I finally decided to sign up again.  This will be my 4th year doing the challenge and it is always a lot of fun.  

I've had a theme in mind for some time, it came easily this year.  I did look back to remind myself of what the themes for the past 3 years were.  2012 - random topics that were accompanied by pictures of said topic.  2013 - Stella and having a new baby.  2014 - TV shows.  I've really enjoyed every year but I think last year's theme was the most fun.  I love TV so to talk about it for 26 days while trying to narrow down my favorites based upon their name was fun.  It kind of inspired my idea for this year's theme, as it is along the same lines.

Music.  Yes, music.  Now, I am by no means a musician by any stretch of the imagination.  But I do love music and have a pretty (for the most part) eclectic taste.  So for April 2015 I will go through my beloved iPhone and pick out my favorite songs for each letter.  It shouldn't be too hard, just taking a couple of thousand songs and choosing 26.  I'm hoping to have as much fun with this as I did with last year's TV show posts.

Also this year I am going to try and schedule all 26 posts ahead of time.  The only reason I think I will be able to do so is the fact that Amy and I have separate Spring Breaks this year.  She is off next week by herself while the kids and I are off the following week.  It's a bummer to have it broken up but we know that for Spring Break 2016 we will be back on the same schedule.  So that makes getting through this year's wonky vacation snafu a little easier.

So, there you have it.  This year's A-Z Challenge Theme.  Just a few more weeks until the blogging fun begins!

All is well, theme revealed, in Drosche Land.      

Déjà Vu

All over again. 

Jackson. His ADHD.

We knew it was a possibility. The doctor said it was likely to happen. Being teachers we knew it was a strong possibility. It's just a fact of life when dealing with ADHD.  I'm talking the medication here. It has slowly been losing its effectiveness. His old symptoms and idiosyncrasies have returned. The inability to focus. The argumentative responses. The fact that he is easily frustrated. The trouble sleeping. It's all been coming back for a few weeks. Slowly. Bit by bit. 

That's ok though. Nothing to worry about. An easy fix. Jackson was due for a doctor's appointment anyway, so when Amy takes him in next week it will be mentioned and discussed. Changing the medication. Maybe the dosage. Maybe the combination. Maybe both. We will just have to see.  Like I said, this is common and to be expected. As he grows and his body changes, weight and hormones, the medicine no longer works as well.  Time for a fix. 

Even though it's normal and nothing to worry about, it is a reminder that he does stil struggle with ADHD, and likely always will. There is no cure, no fix. Nothing to change the way his brain and body work. And that's fine. He is fearfully and wonderfully created. Perfect in his own way. 

The medication has worked wonders so far it is amazing to see the changes that have come. In Jackson's behavior, impulsivity, focus, and self-control. He has grown in leaps and bounds academically as well as socially. This was a big year of changes for our special little guy and he has made us so proud. 

Recently I have been reading more on ADHD and what's going on in that realm. You may. Have seen the hashtag #oneof15m, I know I have used it on social media. 15 million children and adults in America have been diagnosed with ADHD. That's a lot. It's a good thing too that it has become so celebrated and people are becoming informed.  Just in the 11 years I have been teaching, the way we view ADHD has changed so much. With research and medications and diets.  It's become a lot more common and has lost some of the stigma.

So that's cool. As we plan for the changes coming to Jackson's medication and the possibility of ups and downs while we work it all out again, I'm happy to say that he is thriving and is so successful. It's a diagnosis, not a handicap. An explanation, not an excuse. It doesn't define him, it's just part of him. One of many parts that makes him unique and awesome. 

All is well, #oneof15m, in Drosche Land.