Working Mom

Jayden wasn't too interested in the bunny. But he took a really cute picture with his friends Jake and Alexis.

October represents 4 years now that I haven't worked. I took off work for maternity leave and never really came back. God had other plans for me. I have spent the last year volunteering at Jayden's school in his class which has turned into a great opportunity for me. In October I started working at Walton as an assitant teacher. I am there all the time anyways I guess I might as well be getting a paycheck. I am very excited to work hands on with each kid. They are all so special. One of my first assignments was to plan a field trip to the pumpkin patch. This can be a difficult field trip for our kids because they are limited in what they can do. But we made the most of it and took full advantage of our time there. The kids got to feel different textures like the leaves of the walnut tree or a smoothe pumpkin. We even got to take them on a hayride. I think they really enjoyed it. They each got to take a pumpkin home, but not before we decorated it with their hand prints. Each child had to hit a switch to help teacher Amy drill two eye holes in their pumpkin so we could light them up. They turned out really cute. Also the shirt that Jayden is wearing he made in class. It was a white shirt that was tied with rubberbands that made the shape of a pumpkin. Jayden had to hit a switch to help Amy turn on the device that squirted orange dye on the shirt. All of the kids wore their shirts to the pumpkin patch.

Dancing With The Stars

On October 9,10, & 11th Jayden was in a play titled, " Dancing With The Stars And The Planets Too!" The play was at the Stockton Civic Theatre. This was the 18th annual production featuring persons with challenges. It was written and directed by Bobbie Wallinger and underwritten by Thelma Stewart and The Ladybugs. This play featured children from Stockton Unified School District (Walton), School for Adults, and the Alan Short Center. We had 3 shows and they were all sold out. Jayden and his friends in the picture were rolled out on stage during Twinkle Little Star. There wasn't a dry eye in the building. The whole play was wonderfully thought out for each individual. Jayden was dressed up as an astronaut with his wheelchair decorated. The other kids were in the bye bye buggy that was made into a spaceship. It was the cutest thing ever! We are so proud of all the students and thank you to everyone who came out and supported the children. Special thanks to everyone behind the scenes that made it all possible. We'll be back for another performance next year.

Staying busy!

There is so much to catch everyone up on. Last Spring I decided to go back to school. I am back at Delta taking prerequesites for the nursing program. Lucky for me I had quite a few college credits already so taking on these classes didn't seem so bad. My first few classes were online. This worked out perfectly because with my hectic schedule taking kids here and there I could work at my own pace. It's actually been fun and challenging. Before Jayden I would've run from a challenge and now I take it head on. Hmm go figure! This fall semester I am taking Anatomy. This class has turned into a huge challenge for me. I can barely remember my name and this professor is asking me to memorize the body inside and out. Lucky for me I have some awesome girls in my class who have become the best study buddies ever. We have all become friends and are great at pushing each other in achieving our common goal of becoming the best nurses. Next semester I'm off to chemistry and I am sure I'll be wishing I was back in Anatomy. Jose and the kids have been very supportive. Do you know how hard it is for them to let me study? They've been great. It's funny to hear my kids say," Aw man, you have to study again?" But I know I am setting a good example especially for Jeana and Andres. It has become a competition in this house as to who has the best grades. My son Andres has been an enormous help to me. Before I signed up for Anatomy I asked him if he was comfortable watching Jayden early in the morning so I could go to class. He has been awesome. Andres knows how to take care of a seizure, give him breathing treatments, and make sure that Jojo is ready for school by the time I get home. I couldn't do it without him. Thanks son!

Good luck Makaiya

I can't believe that Jayden's first school year has officially ended. I can still remember when I found out that he would be going to preschool and his early intervention program would come to a stop. I spent six LONG months dreading that day. But to my surprise I had a change of heart. Last November Jayden turned 3 and it was determined that Walton Special Center was the right place for him. We met a ton of nice people including Makaiya and her Mom Latrina. Makaiya was so fun to watch. She was definately ahead of the rest of the class. And because of that she has moved on to a higher functioning class at Hoover. It was the right move for her and we are all excited to see how well she does. Ladies we will miss you! Good luck and stay in touch.