Disneyland 2012

We took the kids for an insane trip to Disneyland.

I'm talking about NON-STOP...morning to midnight....absolute F.U.N.

I can't even describe how exhausted we were.  We were running from ride to ride, giggling, screaming, and momentarily terrified.  

Our friends, Nichole and Ivan, met up with us and gave us sweet discounts because Nichole works at AAA.  

John's only goal the entire trip was to ride the TOWER OF TERROR...

Ella's goal was to see the princesses and the castle....

Adam's goal was go on as many rides as possible and navigate the entire park with Fastpass tickets, strategically planning the most efficient trip ever...

Anya's goal was to ride Dumbo...

Did I mention we were there for opening day of CARSLAND mayhem?

Let us begin:

Hello, Tink!  

We went to see Tinkerbell in her home near the castle.  I can't even explain Ella's sweet smile when we walked into Disneyland Main Street and she could see all the excitement and the castle.  

We were so grateful to take such a wonderful trip.

The Barrys on Space Mountain

Look at Nichole and Ivan making out in the back.

They were recently sealed in the Mesa Temple and we were blessed to be there.

They had just arrived from DISNEY WORLD...a honeymoon/anniversary celebration coast-to-coast.

We, the Barrys, are getting them familiar with the real life of kids and drama.

Ahhh yes, the TOWER.  But not yet, John!

No, you have to wait until the last day at Disneyland.  Just because we're terribly mean parents.

Adam took Ella on the carousel ride at California Adventure... 

While we took John on California Screamin'

5,4,3,2,1....

SCREEEAAAMMM!!

John was in complete sensory BLISS.

So he had to do it again...

3 more times.

Ella thoroughly enjoyed Small World.

We also went on Haunted House, for which we have no photos.

Ella was in absolute terror...so bad that on the next rides we had to hold her down screaming.

I think she calmed down after a while.

Poor little sweetheart...

Adam, John, and strange man riding alone.

These were the rides Ella was able to enjoy.

Breakfast with the characters!!!

Hilarious, fun, great food, and dancing.

Max and Fam.

Tigger and Pooh...ready to greet us for breakfast!

I loved this photo of Nichole and crazy friends!

Dancing with John.

Yeehawww... tractor-tipping at CarsLand.

John was DONEwith photos.

 We were amazed...

And so was everyone else!

Very fast, tummy tickling, super exciting.

Ella's hat is evidence of her attendance.  

She was a trooper through the big kid rides.

She also loved Little Mermaid, Toy Story, Fantasmic, and Goofy's Sky School which we ended up getting stuck on.

We met with Minnie...

Ate obscene amounts of ice cream...

John and Ella learned how to drive...

Went to Lego store...

Slept like beauties...

Smiled...

Drank from road cones...

And YES.

John made it through the Tower of Terror.

There was so much more...the Petting zoo, Indiana Jones, Fireworks, and bread bowls...

What a time!

What a time!

John and the Hill Billies at Disneyland

We got right up front balcony seats for the Billy Hill and the Hill Billies at Disneyland.
While waiting for the show to start, John fell asleep...arm dangling off the rail and all.
The singers came out on the stage and there was John!! Sound asleep!!

So they wanted to get a photo with him...

Watch as he wakes up during their auction...

Jesus Heals a Woman of Faith

http://bcove.me/dtg4iehu

May Summer Kickoff

For my (Anya's) 31st birthday David bought me this spectacular zebra cake.

It was SO delicious!!  I was quite spoiled.

Adam took me shopping, out to lunch, and to go Lunar Golfing... it was a bit ghetto and hilarious.

We finished up the night eating hot dogs at the drive in theater with the kids.  FUN!

We've had a great summer kickoff.  There is a whole lot to do!

The kids are spending each morning until noon on much needed school work.

We are also taking Friday field trips all summer!

John loved the lory feeding.

Ella ran away screaming shortly after this photo was taken.

On the ride home she said, "Mommy I LOVE nature!  It's my favorite!"

The aquarium at the zoo is great too.  The kids were able to pet starfish and sting rays.

We saw a brand new baby monkey, probably only a couple of days old.  

 We went up to the cabin and found this spectacular old fashioned barber.

The cowboy who ran the shop said nothing more than "Morning." to us.

Ella spent her $30 birthday money at Costco on this giant 4 foot teddy bear.

John just had to help.

Everyone in the store was smiling.

Mom and I were busting our sides laughing out the door.

Let the summer begin!!!

Summer Reads 2012

Here is my summer reading list (well, at least for the next few weeks of classes)...

Bullying and Overcoming

I thought I would take a moment in a busy morning to write a few thoughts.  We've had a very difficult year.  Most of our concerns have been regarding John and the many needs he has.

It's no secret that John is being teased and bullied every single day.  Even in his new school, John is "that one kid" who gets teased the most.

Last week, an older kid grabbed John by his backpack and stuffed trash down the front of his shirt.  If you're reading this and are thinking, "Gee, I'm so glad that's not happening to my kid"... you should be.

Try as we may to dress John in "cool" clothes, teach him how valuable he is, and to stand up for himself, John is SO incredibly different than everyone else.  Fitting in is not easy.

For a few years, the children have avoided sitting next to John at lunch.  They called him "John Germs" and say he is "disgusting".  John came home this week and said "I wish I could sit near people at lunch so I could be warm.  They all move away from me and my body feels cold."

This is the dark pit of our family.  This is what keeps me up in the middle of the night.

The kids at school even come up to Ella and give her an earful about how her brother cries all the time.  Cousins and cub scouts jump right in on the teasing/avoidance and John has yet to find his place. We try to keep a distance from more hurt.  John is currently doing cub scouts from home because virtually all of the boys in his pack were being unkind.  Most of the teachers and administrators turn the other way and refuse to hear our concerns.  I guess it's not a problem until someone's life is threatened.  But we refuse to lose John to this beast.

There HAVE been have a few angels nearby.  Some family members and neighbors have been so incredibly warm and open to wrap their arms around John!  I get all teary-eyed just thinking of these sweet people and how they truly have been guardian angels for us.  The give John T-I-M-E and that means so much.  I remind John that there are people in his life, including the Savior who love him dearly.  We're not giving up.

Our homework after school often includes an hour long discussion about the trauma of the day.  Quite honestly, I'm getting a bit tired of it.  It's now time to take further action.

I've been a little bit of a squeaky wheel in the community.  I'm so very grateful for those who continue to work on having a fabulous district.  I stand in awe of their work and accomplishments.  But after speaking with prevention science department, SPED, administrators, psychologists, OTs, STs, parents, teachers, and other district members, I am beginning to understand that the work in this area will take years and we don't have years.  I am still fully supportive of the community but I feel like our family is being pointed in a new direction.  Our children are our first priority.

Some people have suggested home schooling, but I have yet to find a program that offers the maximum safe social exposure that John desperately needs.  Our psychologists and therapists reiterate the necessity for John to be in a very social atmosphere.  I do know a lot about homeschooling and have studied it in my college classes.  I did home preschool.  It can be very beneficial, but I have yet to find a homeschooling group of individuals that aligns with the approach that I value so much.

Many others have suggested their Charter schools to me.  Thank you.  I'm at the mastered-level point now that I can talk with one faculty member of a school and be able to determine if it will work for John.  We have been approved at so many Charter school wait lists I can't even count them.  As soon as I talk with someone, it's over.  Politics and business...that's what it has been coming down to.

We've made the difficult decision that it's time to move to a school district that is more established in autism education in an area that has services for our family.  Ella also needs support and there are very few support groups on this side of town.

The area were a looking at has private education options for John if needed and highly recommended public schools.  One of our behavioral psychologists and private evaluators suggested  two specific school districts he finds holds higher SPED standards and has excellent communication with parents, along with IEP compliance, and substantial support work.  Not to mention substantial graduation rates and opportunities.  We'll keep everyone posted.  Adam and I are desperate for relief.

I'm not sure how long this move will take, maybe a few weeks or months.  Until then, we are working closely with John.  He is having assessments and we are making summer plans for social grouping and networking.  Not to mention Disneyland just to get our mind off things!  I have a clear conscience that we are on the right path and that we've been doing what's best for our kiddos.  We're just praying for additional direction.  How grateful we are for our "angels" in this area!  We look forward with faith and we ask for prayers, please.

For John...

Take a stand.