Tuesday, January 20, 2009

So long, farewell...

I finally put most of the Christmas decorations away this weekend. I really did not want to say goodbye to Christmas. Mike took down the Christmas lights on the house after New Year's even though begged him not too. I tried to talk him into keeping them up until the end of January but he won. I still have my Willow Tree nativity out. I just can't seem to put it all away. I guess I'm just trying to hang on to the visual reminders of the only thing that brings peace in this life.

Right now, as I'm sure many of you are, I am very busy with keeping up with my family's demands. We have a lot going on right now and our to-do list seems to be getting longer and longer. We're once again at that time when we have to consider what our next move will be. As many of you know, Mike works for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mike's job has provided so many great opportunities for our family for which we are thankful. It has also required us to move every few years which hasn't really been a problem for me in the past. Mike's two year "tour" at PwC's national office ends this July and we are trying to decide where we should go. Due to the financial world being what it is, there are not many options for us. You would think that it would be easier to make a decision with less options. Don't they say only give your child two choices and let them choose? In the past, we've always had several choices to choose from and we have always felt a pull towards one of the choices and then the decision would be made. However, this time, I just feel confused and incapable of making a decision. We're still waiting on some more information that may influence the whole decision making process. Maybe this is all a result of our kids being a little older and we're more concerned about how the move would affect them especially Aaron.

For those of you that don't know, in January of 2007, Aaron was diagnosed with receptive and expressive language disorder with auditory processing disorder. While we feel this diagnosis is correct, we don't feel that we've nailed the complete diagnosis. Due to his delay with developing and processing language, his social and emotional skills are also delayed. Last Saturday, we had Aaron evaluated at two different clinics. I went with Aaron to his first appointment at Pediatric Theraputics. They mostly do occupational therapy there and they help all sorts of children with all kinds of developmental needs. I meet with the specialist tomorrow to discuss her findings but from what she told me Saturday, Aaron's left ear is very week at processing sound. Then that afternoon, Mike took Aaron to a screening at the Brain Balance Center in Long Island, NY. Mike and I went to a lecture last Thursday about the Brain Balance Program and we decided to look into it. So we had Aaron screened to see if he would be a candidate for their program. Well, there they said that Aaron is right brain deficient and that he would be a candidate for their program. So now we're trying to decide what therapies to pursue to help him. More decisions...

It's times like these when everything is hazy and unsure and confusing that I feel my grip on personal peace start to loosen. And I need those visual reminders to keep me hanging on! I just may end up keeping my nativity scene out until July!

Anyone have any advice on life, school, etc..., in San Diego????

4 comments:

Tara said...

As you know, you always have all my sympathy for the challenges you face with Aaron. It can be so tough. Good luck with all your tough decisions.

I'd never thought about it, but getting my nativity back out, may not be such a bad idea. I need the peace, too!

Holly said...

I'm sorry that you're faced with so many big and very important decisions. I hope you can get the peace your looking for very soon.

Justin asked me the other day where I'd like to go on vacation this year and I told him San Diego. We'd sure love to have your family closer, but San Diego does sound nice too.

marciea casselman said...

Mike's family might have some thoughts on San Diego but I didn't realize that you have been in NJ for almost 2 years. I guess time is flying for everyone. I'm glad that you are open to moving because I am so not a mover or a shaker. I like my little house and my little town. One thing to check into might be the availability of help for Aaron wherever you move. Perhaps the people in the clinics where you are taking him might have some suggestions.

Carrie Gibbs said...

Hey Jen, We love you guys. I hope everything becomes clear for you soon. Heavenly Father will guide you.