Help!

   Great! I have you reading this post. My guess is, it is because of the title. You see, I can see how many people read each post. I find it very interesting that the post that received the most hits, was the post where I asked for help in the title. But, the titles that are not attention grabbers, well those do not get read as much. It will be interesting to see how many people read this post. I'll keep you posted!
     Now that I have your attention, I do want to say a few things. Well, actually, I want to brag a little bit. You see, I don't always get to brag about Colin. I know many times it seems as if everyting is a struggle, and it is. Lately, though, things are good. Behavior is in check, health is in check, and his well being seems to be in check. He seems happy and content, so I will take it!
     My brag session begins now..... SO two things happened this summer that had me thrilled! Thrilled for Colin and thrilled for Me! The first thing is that Colin FINALLY learned how to tie his shoes! Yes! (Remember, he's in 7th grade.) We have been working on shoe tying for EVER (on and off but seriously, forever). I must give credit to my MIL (mother-in-law) because it was actually her that broke through! Her and Colin were working on it and he had more patience for her (and she had more patience for him) and low and behold, he did it! THE best part is, HE did it! and he did it and did it and did it! So, now, I NEVER have to tie his shoes! Yeah, ME! Yeah, him! and Yeah! to Grandma!
     The greatest thing that happened is, Colin created (on his own,pretty much) his own business. A few years back, our neighbors asked us to take care of their cats while they were gone. Well, Colin LOVES animals and he wanted to do it. So I went over there with him every day and we did everyting you needed to do to care for cats. He would want to stay and play with them (I would take a book over and just read while he played with the cats). He even wanted to spend his own money to buy the cats presents! SO for the next year or so, we would take care of the cats. Well, eventually, Colin was able to go over on his own to care for the cats. I would always go over the last day, just to make sure he left everything looking good (he always did). This great care of the cats led to other neighbors needing his services. AND so it began.....
     On his own, Colin designed a brochure to pass out in the neighborhood. I was so impressed with what he had done, I just couldn't believe it! He is pretty savy when it comes to technology. I did help him spell the words correctly (because he really can't spell) and I helped him make the font bigger. For the most part, I left the brochure as he had done without much from me. We printed off copies and he handed them out. He hasn't gotten any new jobs, yet. But, I am not giving up hope. He is still motivated to take care of animals and he has started to create his own little business.
     One thing I sometimes worry about is, what will happen when Colin is an adult? Will he be able to have a job, live on his own? I will always worry and wonder about this. But, I have to say, having a love of animals and the business sense he is developing makes me a little less worried.
     Did you keep reading? Sorry if I mislead you. I hope you, at least, enjoyed what I had to say?!

Go Blue!

     Colin is obsessed with a few things. One of them being Michigan football. And when Colin is obsessed with something, he talks about it NON STOP. As if I haven't heard enough about Jim Harbaugh from everyone else around town, I have to hear it at home constantly. I might also add that Colin has a very active imagination too. So Jim Harbaugh lives in his imaginary world. Colin will go outside all geared up and "play" football. He has imaginary teammates and imaginary scenarios of the game. Jim Harbaugh is his coach. Colin will tell me what Jim is doing and how he is planning for the game. He will say things like, "Jim Harbaugh is driving to the stadium right now."
     He is pretty excited about today's game and refuses to go anywhere or do anything today for fear of missing it on television. He will be glued to the tv, wear his khakis and M gear and probably "play" in his own football game later. Jim Harbaugh will coach him and his teammates to a victory.
     So, I know at least one Michigan team is going to beat State today. Let's hope the other one does too. Go Blue!

One down, nine more to go.

   We made it through one full month of school unscathed. I have to say, this is by far, the best start to school in all of the years since I've had my own kids. Although it was tiring, (I mean, who really wants to get up early and get going right away?) and stressful (but only because it was trying to find a balance with all of the activities) we all had the most relaxing start to school I can ever remember.
     I don't know if I ever mentioned that my husband is a football coach? Probably not. I don't talk about him much because he is an insanely private person, so I keep him out of this. He started coaching before we ever had kids. So my kids, have known nothing else. I, however, have. So if you don't know anything about coaches (in particular football coaches) it is an intense business. Even though the season is 2 months of games, it really is a year round commitment. They are always coaching in the off season. When they are in season, it is very intense. Let's just say from August until November, my husband was not around. I mean, he came home to eat and sleep, but, that is about it. If he did spend any time with me or the kids he was not 100% with us because his mind was always on the game.
     So, this year, he gave up coaching. I had no part of this decision at all (I know better!) A long time ago, when the kids were babies, I asked him to stop coaching. I cryed,I begged, I pleaded for him to stop coaching.  He did not. This past spring, when he was contemplating what to do, he asked me. I said, " I am not going to tell you what to do. You know what I want and I don't need to say it. Whatever you decide to do, I will be fine with."
     So he decided to quit coaching. I have to say, even though the kids have known nothing different, I believe it has made a positive impact on them, especially Colin. My husband was able to spend a lot more time with the kids this summer. He has never been able to because of all of the summer football commitments. He was able to take both boys on separate camping trips so they both had alone time with dad. He was able to participate in Special Olympics golf with Colin. That is something I normally would have ended up doing. He was able to go out on bike rides and canoe trips down the river with the boys or go fishing. All things that he has not done a lot of with the boys. With school starting, he has been able to be home almost everyday to get Colin off the bus. He is able to pick our oldest up from school. He can go to Curriculum night and conferences and all that stuff I always do by myself in the fall. I think all of this has made a huge impact on both of my kids.
     Colin's start to the school could not have been better. He was excited to start, he loves his teachers, and he seems to be making new friends. He has grown up a lot and become more mature. We actually have taken him off all behavior meds! Yeah! He is doing great without them. Oh, he does have his moments but he has learned how to control his anger. He doesn't get violent anymore. He still gets mad (and it can be upsetting) but he doesn't get mad enough where he is hitting me, or calling me really bad names, or destroying things around the house. We are over that. So far, his health is good too. Knock on wood, I don't foresee any major issues this year. I mean, what could possibility go wrong when you have been through it all? Famous last words, I know. AND I am sure I totally just jinxed myself. SIGH!