Week 4 @ The Dahlhouse: Meetings & Projects & Trucks

Week 4 at the Dahlhouse was hard week.  Some weeks just are.  So much going on and trying to hold down the house while Mark is busy working (traveling) can take it's toll after a while.  My Monday was insane and there were moments where I wasn't sure if we were all going to make it though.  I found this quote that is so true.  On Monday I was a little bit of everything all rolled into one mom.  

Monday I had a big meeting for Luke at his school.  It wasn't because anything was going wrong, but because sometimes you just are hoping things can be better, and hopeful everyone can be on the same page.  No matter how many of these meetings I sit in over the years, they are never easy.  Even when you are all on the same side.  A lot of meetings feel like "us vs. them."  However, I am happy that this meeting was...them with us...working with us...to make sure everyone was up to date on Luke.  Monday, Mark was in Pasco, so I was flying solo on this meeting.  Mark is my rock and it's difficult to go to these meetings without him.  He is incredible source of support.  Luke's tutor; however, was an amazing support and additional advocate for Luke.  I was so thankful she was there.  I did well...despite choking back some tears at times.  I surely didn't want to cry, although I easily could have.  Even though I know all the truth about Luke and his special needs...it is never easy to hear others talk about it.  I keep going...one foot in front of the other.  Advocate...advocate...advocate his worth.

Birthday prep is underway during this week at the Dahlhouse.  I can hardly believe this little guy is going to turn two in just a few weeks.  Seriously...where has the time gone.  It has flown by.  I am really enjoying this stage.  He is funny, opinionated, strong willed, sweet, loveable, has his own personality and likes...he is joy!

Matthew LOVES his trucks!  I am so excited he is getting his two year pictures taken this next week with our favorite photographer: Brienne Kristen Photography.  And the theme will be....you guessed it "TRUCKS!"  I was looking through the newborn pictures she took of Man Cub (2 years ago) and can hardly believe he was that small.   

Projects were accomplished this week.  Luke completed his Revolutionary War Timeline.  It was a major class project for Humanities; but Luke did an amazing job.  I am very proud.  He made it out of sheetrock.  I am also excited that he will be getting to see these places when he goes on the DC Trip.

This is what was happening when I was working with Luke and not paying attention to Man Cub's every move.  Goldfish, board games and toys!

His favorite toys are anything with wheels!  He will say "choo-choo," "car," and "bus".

Grace had an ortho appointment this week.  Braces are getting closer and closer for her.  She is excited to get her teeth her fixed.  I know it will give her more confidence.  

I found this little gem when I was cleaning out the diaper bag.  Seriously!  This girl!!!  I LOVE her!!! It's glamor shots at Chuck E Cheese.

 Brother bonding.

Mark and I went to the Portland Auto Show this week and Man Cub tagged along.  Vehicles are another one of Matthew's love languages.  He LOVED getting in and out of all the cars.  He walked around saying "beep-beep".  People thought he was the cutest!   I agree.

We call this the "silent fit".  Matthew protests when he doesn't like something.  He doesn't yell or cry.  Just lays there and makes faces at you.  In this example we made him get out of the car and he didn't like that idea.  He went and laid down in the middle of the Toyota display.  Awesome.  We are obviously winning at this parenting thing.

I love this picture...we are in my dream car.  Someday!  It is a Land Rover Range Rover.  It was pretty much the best.  I am grateful for a busy, crazy, loud life, and to get to do the job of advocate for my kids.

Week 3 @ The Dahlhouse

Around here during week three, I found Man Cub lining up all the things.  He discovered lollipops and is very happy stealing them from anyone who has them.  He has started really repeating words that we say, which is very encouraging to me.  He has still yet to put two words together...but I am believing that time will come soon.  Meanwhile I enjoy his jibber jabber and sweet personality. 

I celebrated my one year anniversary with VIPKID. This is the online English tutoring company that I work for.  I can hardly believe that it has been one year.  I have taught approx. 670 classes and 270 different students.  Our family has been very blessed by the little extra income that comes in each month. 

Poor Miss B took a hard fall at recess this week.  I got a phone call from the office that she had cut open her lip and wanted to come home.  Can you blame the girl?  I think not. I picked her up from school, and the minute she saw me walk through the office doors she burst into tears.  Her chin was pretty scraped up to, which I think has bothered her more than her lip.  She enjoyed her afternoon home (and the next day off school too). 

Still stealing lollipops.

Still lining things up!

Almost two years old and I still get to rock him to sleep (sometimes). 

Still lining things up!

Playing with Grace at Chuck E Cheese.  She really is the best with him.  I love to watch the two of them together.

Playing with Luke.  He loves Matthew so much too.  I love how good they are with him. 

We actually had a week where there weren't too many appointments.  Matthew's therapy was cancelled due to the therapist having the flu.  Our van still isn't fixed and still currently in the shop.  I was quite frustrated at the amount of time it was taking.  Apparently the painter had the flu too (going around).  So the body shop rented us a van (free of charge) for the remainder of the repair.  I really appreciated the gesture and promptly picked up my rental van.  It is nice to not have to crawl into the truck to buckle car seats.  Hopefully (fingers crossed) our van will be completed Monday.  They've had it nearly two weeks. 

I am happy to report that we are all mostly well.  A few coughs but no one is down or has a fever. This week the kids have worked on a lot of school projects. Miss B had a book talk.  She choose Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse.  She brought in her Barbie dream car with Ken and Barbie.  I wish I could have seen it.  The night before I asked her if she wanted to practice what she wanted to say.  She told me "nope".  "Its my favorite book mom.  I am just going to talk about my favorite part and read some from the book."  OK.  I am glad she is confident.  

Luke had a big revolutionary war timeline that needed to be completed. He finished it up last night.  It was a big project and he worked very hard on it.  It was also really awesome to see how the learning that he is doing in humanities is carrying over to his trip to DC with the 8th grade.  These places and events on his timeline are things that he will get to see in person.  I am very excited for him! 

Work From Home Job...VIPKID One Year Later

Today I am celebrating my 1 year anniversary of working for VIPKID!  I can hardly believe that 365 days have flown by.  What an amazing opportunity and adventure this has been for this stay at home mama of four!  VIPKID is a company that pairs native English speaking teachers with Chinese students.  The students are taught in a full immersion English class; one-to-one.  The company has continued to grow over this past year.  When I was hired there were around 5,000 teachers.  That number has grown to nearly 20,000 teachers and 200,000 active students this past year.  I had the privilege of just signing my third contract.  Teachers are contracted for 6 month periods of time.

This is what my set up looked like in the very beginning (Jan 2017).  I was downstairs moving the computer back and forth between desks so I could use the wall for props.  It wasn't the most effective.  I can recall the heart banner falling down in the middle of a class.  LOL. And it got old real quick moving the computer back and forth. 

My next move was to our upstairs walk in closet.  I taught classes between February and July in the closet.  It was the perfect set up for awhile.  I could contain all of my things and shut the door so my kiddos couldn't "help" re-arrange my teaching materials.

I was very happy in my new space.  I got the swing of the program and began building a base of regular students.  I also enjoyed only being steps from my bedroom and sleeping kiddos.  

Props are a part of this job.  They help bring the curriculum alive for the students and enhance the lessons.  I think I really enjoy props.  I have a few! 

VIPKID is a very fun, young company to work for.  Here I was participating in a prop contest for the VIPKID Instagram account.  I didn't win this contest, but I have received $275 extra dollars for incentives and bonuses through the company this past year.  VIPKID sends teachers to China twice per year, and offers all sorts of fun prizes and incentives throughout the year.  

I enjoyed and currently enjoy designing and improving my virtual classroom.  I love being my own boss, setting my own schedule and hours.  The flexibility has been wonderful, and I mostly teach while my kiddos are sleeping.  You can see a glimpse of the platform.  The PowerPoint is on the left and video chatting with both of us would be on the right in the blue boxes.  There are currently 6 levels of certification in VIPKID.  Some of the levels are even interactive.

In July I made a move downstairs next to a window.  LOL.  After months in a stuffy closet, it was so nice to have airflow and fresh air.  The set up has allowed me to be closer to the router to plug in, and further away from those that wish to sleep.  LOL.

VIPKID has also allowed my children and I to experience and learn about a different culture.  They are always asking my questions about who I am teaching and what they are doing.  This little blonde cutie wants to visit China as much as I do.  

I think she might also aspire to be an online teacher.  I've caught her practicing many times.

I couldn't be more thrilled with this opportunity to really work from home, in my PJ pants while my kids sleep.  I have been paid on time and correctly every month for the past year.  The money is direct deposited into my account the same time each month.  There are a few requirements that you need to be hired for this company.  You must have a 4 year degree (it doesn't have to be in education).  You also need to have a year experience teaching children.  You do NOT need a teaching certificate.  If you think this opportunity might work for you, I encourage you to try it out.  It has given our family a little bit of extra money each month.  You can visit the website here and apply VIPKID WEBSITE.  If you decided to sign up you can copy and paste my referral code.  I will get a small bonus if you apply and are hired.  Here is my referral code: https://t.vipkid.com.cn/?refereeId=3266666
I would also be available for anyone that has questions.  My email address is misscarissa@hotmail.com

This past year has been an exciting experience and I look forward to this next 365 days, as I start as a veteran teacher of VIPKID.  I can't wait to see how much more I grow.  Thank you VIPKID!

Week Two @ The Dahlhouse

I started week 2 at the Dahlhouse with a little bit of panic.  I had taken all the kiddos to the Dollar Tree for a treat.  They LOVE to find all sorts of treasures.  Man Cub was enthralled by these Valentine's beads.  Watching necklaces swing back and forth is one of his visual stems.  So I grabbed these for him, and he was very happy.  Fast forward an hour, and I am getting him ready for a nap at home.  I notice him trying to itch his arm.  I look down to see that he is covered in hives.  This quickly spread over to his other arm, and then anywhere the beads had touched him, he had hives.  It was slightly scary for a few minutes.  I quickly put him in a baking soda bath and called my good friend who walked me through what to do and even sent over liquid Benadryl.  Thank you!  Within an hour the hives had subsided and he was back to himself.  Bella and Matthew are my allergy kiddos.  They both struggle with environmental allergies.  Bella has her inhalers, and Matthew already has eczema.  So now I am carrying liquid Benadryl with me wherever I go, because I never know what is going to make him break out.  

This girl keeps me hopping and laughing.  Seriously...she loves all things fashion and makeup and this blonde wig was right up her ally.  I needed a good laugh after the hive incident.  

Matthew has kept me busy and tired this week.  He has this fabulous idea that getting up in the middle of the night for a visit is a great idea.  He has also decided that our bed is a lot more fun than his crib.  Him and I are going to have a long talk.   LOL.  He continued with therapy this week.  We are currently waiting for a referral for an occupational evaluation.    

Miss B continues to gain independence.  On Friday she walked herself into school by herself.  I'm both proud and sad.  I enjoy our morning walks into the classroom, and my morning walks back out to the van carrying a screaming toddler who doesn't want to leave first grade.  Hahaha.  She is also my mini me in so many ways.  I caught her "teaching" to her students.  I sure do heart this girl.

Chinese New Year is quickly approaching and I took the opportunity to send some cards, stickers and postcards to five of my regular students I see the most.  I was worried about how much it would cost to send this envelope to China, but much to my surprise it was only about $6 dollars.  The cards had nothing of value in them so I didn't need a customs form.  Hoping the cards make there way to my students.  The big envelope gets sent to the VIPKID office, and then they distribute the cards to the students.   

My latest read is the book pictured above Little Soldiers by Lenora Chu.  I am almost finished with it and the book has been a fascinated read.  It has allowed me to have a glimpse into the Chinese education system, how they are educated, the philosophy and what pressures my students I am teaching are facing.  I have really enjoyed reading this book.  I didn't quite meet my goal of 12 books last year...I was two short.  This year my goal is to read 24 books (2 each month).  As Matthew becomes older, I am able to spend more time reading (which I really, really enjoy).

I saved the best story for last...I am so excited to announce that Luke is going to Washington DC with his 8th grade class!  This handsome guy wanted to go so badly this past fall.  And when Mark and I told him "no" it nearly broke his heart.  We ultimately decided that given Luke's special needs(meds, schedules, organizational skills), either Mark or I would need to go with him.  Mark's work schedule is crazy, and I am parenting a 1 year old that wouldn't understand if I was gone for 9 days.  It was a difficult decision to make.  

Last week we were approached by a staff member that volunteered to be Luke's personal chaperone for the trip.  This person has had a lot of experience with special needs and understands Luke.  They asked us to reconsider.  I was so honored that this staff member would do this for Luke, however the huge hurdle was the cost.  We hadn't been saving for the trip because we had decide he wasn't going. It wasn't even on our radar.  And the money was due...well...now.  The trip is in 6 weeks.  

My heart was really heavy. As a special needs mama you want your children to be able to do and participate in things that "typical" children do.  You want the same experiences and opportunities.  Many times it just doesn't happen. A lot of times the answer is "no".  Sports is one such example.  Luke would love to play baseball and basketball.  He physically can't run very fast and the eye/ball/bat/hit combo is difficult for him with pitches that are thrown over hand and boys that much bigger than him.  He does play baseball in a special league and we've really encouraged golf, which he adores.   I cried a lot of tears over wanting to Luke to have this opportunity to go to DC now that it was an option.  

We decided to get creative...we had enough money for half of the trip ourselves, and the school had a partial scholarship but that left us $600 short.  I have a hard time asking for help, but I decided I could put my pride aside for Luke.  I am willing to do anything for him.  So I set up a go fund me and poured my heart out.  Within ONE day, the entire $600 was funded and we even got a little extra so he has spending money and we can go to Ross and buy a small suitcase for him.  So many people came together to support Luke, and make this a possibility.  The text messages and phone calls and offers blew me away!  Money was given from people I barley knew, and from people that believe in special needs kiddos having opportunities like these.  I felt so incredibly loved.  So in a matter of one week...Luke got his big wish.  I couldn't have done it by myself, and I will forever tuck this victory away, so that I can think back on it during times when I feel discouraged.  In a world where Luke experiences so many "no's"...this one got to be a YES!