LITTLE MISS CUTIE

I have had the chance the last few days to FINALLY get some birthday/1 year picts of Kels. I havent tweaked these at all yet - when I get the time to do some tweaking I will post the finished ones to the photo blog - so watch for those to come.

see what I mean about that foot....she just did not like the grass....

LITTLE MISS CUTIE II

While waiting for Colton's graduation ceremony to start we had some extra time. I had Kaeli help me and I got some fun shots of Kels for her 1year picts - finally

I love this one as it became a consistent shot - her sitting on the grass, pulling at it like she was not sure what to do with it and keeping at least 1 foot in the air - away from the grass. pretty funny

GRADUATION DAY

I took a few minutes with Ceana before her graduation ceremony. She looked so grown up and I just had to try to capture a few moments for her.
These couple of her laughing are because I had her sit on the power box in the front yard. It was the perfect place, but she felt funny sitting on the big green monster box.

It was fun to have some extra time at school too. This is the only spot on the building where the school name is found. It worked great for a pict even though it is kind of far away of her.

The special mixed choir was chosen to sing at graduation. The song they chose talked about moving on and looking forward and still keep memories of where they had been. It was perfect for the graduation ceremony. I got a surprise when I found out that Ceana had a solo in the song. She did a great job and it was fun to see both the girls singing together at school, for probably the last time. I think it was special for both the girls

The other special highlight of the day was that ceana had been chosen, along with 3 other peers, to be valedictorian for their graduating class (about 300 kids). She gave a wonderful talk about continuing to strive for excellence and remembering to just be yourself even when moving forward into such new experiences as high school will present.

I think she will esp remember this experience because it came about in a funny way. Several weeks ago students who would not be graduating were being called down to the principal's office to be made aware of their academic status. Several students in Ceana's classroom had been called down. Suddenly she and another student also were told to report to the principal. She said she was very nervous, wracking her brain trying to figure out what she had done, what she had failed. She was surprised, and VERY relieved, when she found out that she had been selected by her favorite teacher to be valedictorian and THAT was why she had been called there. She was excited to go back to that teacher's class to thank her teacher and share in the excitment of the new adventure.

She wrote the talk herself, and it really says all the things ceana thinks are important and already strives to do. When I get some time, I will either type in her talk or post the video clip preston took.

Ceana received several awards during graduation. One was the academic Presidential award for 4.0 GPA for all of this year. The fun thing for her was that she has maintained that GPA for both whole years at TMS.
The other award she received was through the school WEB (leadership) program. She received a bronze award for serving 50 hours in the community/at school during this school year.
Ceana receiving her official congrats handshake from her TMS principal

Ceana receiving her graduation diploma from VP @ TMS

Parents were allowed to come up close to get picts of the students. I think it caught ceana a little off guard that I followed her to her seat to get a couple of close up shots - it made her laugh that without me knowing it, Ky had also followed me up to the front too. He was all set to sit on her lap for the rest of the ceremony, and was very put out when I didnt let him, which made ceana and her peers laugh even more.

Ceana & Ana have been best friends since Kindergarten. This is their 2nd graduation together.

FROGGY FRIEND

Yesterday as we were getting ready to leave for Ceana's graduation Preston noticed we had a small visitor in the yard.
It was really fun to see the little frog. When our area was still mostly open land we would hear these little guys all the time. It is rare to hear them now with all the new construction, so it was even more of a treat to see one in our own yard.
I got to play with my macro lens a bit, this is nothing fancy, just a try at capturing the little guy as close as possible. He was a pretty good sport for the most part - esp considering how close I had to get with the lens....kind of fun.

AWARD WINNER

Caiden received his very first school award this week. He was the first receipient - along with several other students - to receive a new ACES award. The award is called ACE - this award is given to students who show excellence in Academics, Citizenship, & Effort.
We have heard so many good reports from Caiden's teacher this year so it is no surprise that he received this award. We are so proud of Caiden, he has really improved in so many areas this year - and we know that alot of that has to do with him having an excellent teacher and good peers this year.
Way to go Caiden! We are so very proud of you for all your hard work in school this year!

OUR DRAMA QUEEN

This term at school kaeli has been taking drama as one of her elective classes. She has really enjoyed the class and the teacher. For their end of the year project they put on a play of the story of "Helen of Troy" - with some slight modern tweaks of their own. It was pretty funny and the kids did a great job.
Kaeli's part was Homer- the author of the Iliad and the Oddessy which the play was based on - she narrated the play as well as played a part in a group the kids named "The Homerettes" -in which they sang lines of the play to modern songs such as "The Brady Bunch" and others. It really was pretty funny and Kaeli seemed to enjoy the whole experience. It was a great way for her to end her class time at school.

Kaeli as "Homer/Narrator"
The Homer-ettes

KINDERGARTEN MUSIC PROGRAM

Colton's kindergarten graduation started with a cute music program of all the kids' favorite songs. The kids enjoy them so much because the words are silly and have silly actions....

Been To The Zoo....and we're gettin' kind of sleepy
I like to eat, eat, eat, apples and binini's - bininis?

Not sure what song this was, but apparently Colton thought it was pretty hysterical....

First you put your 2 knees close up tight....(Ball & the Jack)

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE

Today was Colton's big day - Kindergarten graduation! It is hard to believe that a whole year has past and that Colton is done with his first year at big school. He has enjoyed his time with his friends and he is looking forward to being in 1st grade next year - even though that will be at home instead of school. He has changed and grown so much since starting school, it will be fun to continue to help him and watch him do so much more in the future.

Receiving his diploma

A happy graduate!

HUMAN PIN CUSHION

Ok, so to anyone who told me that I was going to "LOVE" acupuncture and that it would be "SOOOO relaxing", I just have to tell you - you are CRAZY!

That being said, here goes my commentary on my adventure yesterday....

See these picts - yes, those really are needles sticking out of places that they don't belong...and that is exactly what it felt like.

Not only did I get needles stuck in several different places, but they were also hooked up to ELECTRODES that pulsed and throbbed.....that is a BIG YIKES
My appt started innocently enough - just catching up on how things have been since my last appt, and being able to talk about how completely exhausted I was. Then the procedure started. Oh, I have to mention that while my dr was trying to get me comfy he happened to mention "oh, just so you know, this is painful...." - WHAT? That is so not helpful.....
I asked him to talk to me and explain things as he was going. I was informed that according to Eastern medicine, that all of our energies are renewed/energized by our kidney Chi - and it is no wonder that I am struggling even more since we know my kidneys are already messed up. The needles would go right to the nerves, to release and redirect blocked energy. First I got my middle back/kidney area filled with needles - now I know how a pin cushion feels....then after the needles were in he hooked them up to electrodes that created a tapping sensation (and a dull throbbing) I was supposed to inform my dr if I couldnt feel the tapping anymore and he would "turn up the juice".....huh?
After my back was done, he did some massage therapy on that area and seemed pleased that my back had red spots all over it (indicating better blood flow) - and yet I was not bleeding - that is the part I dont get.
He then had me flip over and put more needles in my feet (BIG OUCH), and in my hands in the space of skin between thumb & first finger (ended up numbing my arm from my fingertips to my elbow), the top of my head (another OUCH) and the space between my eyebrows just above the bridge of my nose. While he was doing the ones on my head I started to cry - not so much from the pain, but from the anxiety and reacting to things. He was kind to check in with me to make sure I was not experiencing pain (supposed to feel like a dull throb), but didnt seem overly surprised at my reaction. The spots he was working in were to help relieve depression and help sleep - I guess initial reaction/relief came through my tears.
Again, he hooked up the electrodes to the ones in my face/head. Not fun, & definately NOT relaxing....
The only way I got through the procedure was to concentrate on the relaxation music the dr put on for me and I also used some visualization techniques that another specialist is teaching me to use in times of stress and anxiety. The music was an Asian flute and piano and I think some other kind of string instrument. I was able to take myself to a beautiful garden, trees heavy with delicate blossoms. There was a pond with a gazeebo where beautiful musicians played the instruments in the music. The garden was within a high wall right on the edge of the sea. I was able to put myself in these places and away from the stress and hurt of the procedure, and the tears streaming out of my eyes.
After the procedure the dr did more massage therapy while instructing me through some special breathing exercises. By the time my appt was over - 90min later - I was more exhausted than when I arrived. Thankfully, he is always kind, knowing that these appts can be tiring, and let me rest until I felt strong enough to get up.....and move to the lab chair where the nurse did a blood draw.....guess it was just my day for needles.
I was able to get a bath with special salts for healing, and also took some ibuprofen for the spot on my head that is still extra tender.

I know that I cant judge one appt and make my decision to go back or not just from that. Because we are having to go "outside the box" for my medical needs, I need to keep telling myself that it is going to take time. I have never responded to "conventional" medicine, and respond even worse now that I have had all my kiddos. I have to be patient and be willing to try new options.....I was told at my last appt that this is not a quick fix, that just like the massage therapy appts, the acupuncture appts will show the help and healing over time - another 8-10 appts or more, and possibly one intensive 90 min appt with just the acupuncture itself.....
I have to admit though, I will not look forward to those appts, and will be truly thankful that a good friend is willing to attend those appts with me as needed....I will only hope that, over time, we will see improvement and I will be able to get back on my feet, and back into life, even if I become a human pin cushion in the process....