summer + lots of change = ?? update

Well, it has been several months since my last post about my lil princess and ALOT has happened. First the changes we have made recently include moving into a new apartment, for the first time in 8 years, clear across town. This means new school, new neighborhood (completely different environment then before), new friends, new routine, new rules (we are now on 2 fl when b4  we were on 1st) etc.  This at first took quite a toll on Jordan but she adapted and has handled everything like a little champ that I know she is! Now let me backup a little, the end of the school year last year was beyond frustrating and crossed lines I could not believe. This included Jordan's teacher grabbing her by her arm onb the last day and dragging her out of the classroom for talking while she was trying to start a movie. I went postal and complained to the principal who assured me it never happened (meanwhile over n hr ltr jordan is still crying her arm hurts), so i went over her head and reported it to the head honcho at the main school district building who in turn gave the principal an earful and the teacher was written up in her permenant file. so then we have the summer.. I wanted Jordan to work on her social skills more n in a different environment so over the summer I have had her enrolled in a nearby daycare in the schoolage group. Expectedly the first few weeks were rough as Jordan had to adjust, learn the rules n boundaries of her classroom n get to know the teachers. They also had to get a crash course in Jordan 101 lol. Once we all understoof each other and the basic do's and don't of everyday life with Jordan in regards to her dx's it has been pretty smooth sailing since. They have done several field trips (movie theatre numerous times, water sprinklers, Jelly Belly tour trip, park picnics etc.) and only once did we have an issu that was bad enough Jordan ended up getting suspended for 3 days. So then we come to the Fourth of July... somneone tell me why after two yrs of difficult lakefront fireworks trips I tried yet again? Knowing Jordan cannot handle crowds, the cold water, loud booms n bangs of the fireworks, or the crowds n chaos afterward? well I did and I swear someone had better hogtie me if I try it again lol. meltdowns n fits galore n never doing that again I surrender! Now onto the move like I said we moved into a new neighborhood which is 110% better then the last, much nicer neighbors and quieter, safer area altogether. Jordan has made a few friends around here particularly a little 5 yr old girl right next door. She is adorable I must say and her parents are pretty awesome haha. They own their house and have both grown up in this neighborhood so were great when it came to who is who n who not to associate with/ trouble etc but overall have been considerably understanding of Jordan's issues with initial understandable moments of hesitation. I like that when she is next door or even outside playing I do not have to be soo guarded as I had always have to be before. We have a nice little corner store like a block n a half away with cheap candy n snacks for the kids that Jordan has showed great responsibility and gone on her own. Well, next week we start a brand new school with all new people that have zero experience with Jordan. So I will be updating soon I am sure! lol

122 amazing uses for Coconut oil you never knew! :D

1. Eat a spoonful when you need an energy boost.
2. Use it as the base for a homemade body scrub.
3. Use to condition your wooden cutting boards.
4. Use as a super conditioner on your hair (apply to dry hair, leave in as long as possible and then shampoo as normal).
5. Use as a styling agent if you have really dry hair. Just rub a tiny bit on your palms and apply to your hair and style as normal.
6. Keep a little container in your purse for lip moisturizer.
7. Add a spoonful to your dog or cat’s food. Coconut oil is great for our furry friends!
8. Replace nasty, unhealthy vegetable oils in your kitchen with coconut oil.
9. Make healthy Magic Shell ice cream topping.
10. Use it for oil pulling.
11. Use a tiny dab on your underarms for a natural deodorant.
12. Use coconut oil instead of shaving cream.
13. Add to your bath tub for a moisturizing soak (a couple drops of peppermint oil is wonderful!).
14. Use as a makeup remover.
15. Use it to help sooth chicken pox, shingles, or other rashes or skin irritations.
16. Use it to treat athlete’s food, ringworm, or other fungal or yeast infections.
17. Take a spoonful with your vitamins to help improve absorption.
18. Spread a thin layer on cuts or burns to speed up healing.
19. Take up to 5 spoonfuls per day for improved thyroid function.
20. Add a spoonful to your smoothies for extra nutrition and flavor.
21. Use on the delicate tissue around your eyes to help prevent wrinkles and sagging.
22. Use as the base for homemade toothpaste or lotion.
23. Use in place of massage oil.
24. Use on your baby’s diaper rash or cradle cap.
25. Use to help reduce visibility of stretch marks or to prevent stretch marks.
26. For nursing mothers, use coconut oil on your nipples to prevent cracking and irritation.
27. For nursing mothers, consuming coconut oil will help increase your milk flow.
28. Apply to bee stings or bug bites to soothe and heal the wound.
29. Women can use in the nether regions to relieve yeast infections, dryness, and/or discomfort.
30. Eat a spoonful with each meal to improve digestion.
31. If you’re prone to nosebleeds, coat the inside of your nostrils with coconut oil regularly.
32. Helps soothe and heal hemorrhoids.
33. Take to help reduce or eliminate migraines.
34. Use as the base for homemade vapor rub.
35. Mixed with peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, or tea tree oil makes an excellent insect repellant.
36. Mix with baking soda for a non-toxic “Goo Gone”.
37. Use to help detox the body during a cleanse or fast.
38. Use as a metal polish, but always test a small area first.
39. Use as a leather moisturizer.
40. Season your cast iron pans.
41. Use to oil your pans and baking dishes instead of pan spray.
42. Got gum stuck in your hair? Try using coconut oil to remove without cutting your hair.
43. Use instead of WD-40.
44. Use as a personal lubricant (not safe with latex).
45. Take a spoonful to help with heartburn, acid reflux, or indigestion.
46. Use as a natural sunscreen.
47. Mix with a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice and use as a furniture polish (always test a small area first!).
48. Mix with butter and toss your popcorn in it.
49. Use on cracked or rough heals to help smooth them out.
50. Massage into your nails and cuticles to help strengthen them.
51. Use as the base for homemade chocolate candy (like peanut butter cups).
52. Take a couple spoonfuls every day to help overall immune function.
53. Rub the inside of your nose with coconut oil to help with runny noses, allergies, sore nostrils, etc.
54. Use on a newborn’s bottom to help keep the meconium from sticking to the skin.
55. Use as a guitar string lubricant.
56. Massage into tired, achy, or sore muscles (adding a couple drops of essential oil is nice).
57. Mix with oregano oil or tea tree oil and use on athletes foot or other fungal infections.
58. One person started using coconut oil and noticed that it helped their colitis symptoms.
59. Use as a mascara brush cleaner.
60. Brush on your eyelashes for an eyelash strengthener.
61. Use on pimples and acne.
62 Use on toast instead of butter (best cinnamon toast ever!).

63. Research is showing that it may help with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
64. Use a little bit on a damp cloth to clean a scummy shower. Wipe with coconut oil, then spray with white vinegar and wipe dry.
65. Use to treat lice.
66. Use to help prevents stretch marks for pregnant mothers.
67. Mix with garlic and keep on hand for extra flavorful cooking and baking.
68. Use as the carrier oil for homemade baby wipes.
69. Use on warts and/ or moles.
70. Whip in your mixer for a fluffy body moisturizer that stays soft year round.
71. Use on color-treated hair for extra conditioning hair treatment.
72. Mix with nutmeg and use on blemishes (leave on for 10-15 minutes and then wash off).
73. Use to soothe burns (only apply after the initial heat from the burn is gone).
74. Mix in your hot coffee or tea.
75. Use on new tattoos to help with healing.
76. Mix with baking soda for a facial scrub.
77. Use to help control and reduce eczema and/or psoriasis symptoms.
78. Massage into your dog’s skin to help with dandruff.
79. Add a spoonful to your dog’s food to help with arthritis, or other joint/ligament problems, digestion issues, and weight control.
80. Use as a non-toxic flea treatment.
81. Use to soothe hot spots on your dog’s skin.
82. Take a spoonful about 20 minutes before a meal to help curb your appetite.
83. Helps treat thrush.
84. Helps with bladder infections and symptoms.
85. Helps smooth wrinkles and shrink pores.
86. Helps with yeast infections (both internal and external).
87. Use instead of mineral spirits to clean hands and brushes after using oil-based paints.
88. Use to sooth sore throats (let a little dissolve in your mouth and slowly run down your throat).
89. If you wax your skin at home, use to prep your skin and remove excess wax from your skin.
90. Some recommend coconut oil for patients with ADHD and Autism.
91. Use to treat ringworm.
92. Use to make homemade soap.
93. Use to make homemade lip balm.
94. Use coconut oil to detail the inside of your car (add a little to a soft cloth and polish).
95. Use to help with ear infections. Put a few drops into your ear at the first sign of an infection.
96. One person said that it seems to have helped soften kidney stones to help them pass easier.
97. Use instead of shortening for pie crusts, biscuits, etc.
98. Use to lubricate kitchen scissors when cutting sticky foods (like dates, marshmallows, etc.).
99. Mix with oil of oregano and use at the first sign of a cold sore.
100. Mix with a drop of lavender oil and use to help soothe piles and hemorrhoids.
101. For expecting mothers, use to massage on the perineum daily starting at 7 or 8 months (tip from a midwife).
102. Mix with cinnamon and oatmeal for a face scrub.
103. Use to clean the inside of your dog’s ears.
104. If you use a mouthguard, use coconut oil as a cleaner. Just wipe some on your mouthguard and let it sit during the day. Rinse well.
before using. Use a thin layer on the guard each morning to help keep it clean.
105. Use as the base for this homemade deodorant or this homemade deodorant or this homemade deodorant.
106. One person used it to treat a sty on their eyelid.
107. One person used coconut oil to get purple lipstick out of a green rug.
108. Use to help with menopausal dryness (Dr. Oz recommends this).
109. Use on your plant’s leaves instead of chemical-filled leaf shine.
110. Use a dab on a canker sore to help soothe the pain and speed healing.
111. Use to remove chewing gum from your shoe, carpet, or other unsavory areas where gum has gotten stuck.
112. When given to cats, it seems to help with the hairball issue.
113. Feed to your dog to help improve doggie breath.
114. Use to soothe pink eye infections.
115. Some say coconut oil can help with ulcers by fighting against the H-Pylori bacteria.
116. Use instead of soybean or canola oil for frying.
117. Add coconut oil to your soups for added nutrition.
118. Add flavor to baked goods with coconut oil.
119. Make your own peanut butter with coconut oil.
120. Use coconut oil in homemade infant formula.
121. Massage into fingertips to soothe and prevent hangnails and ingrown nails.
122. Use as an udder balm if you own dairy goats and cows.

Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken Spaghetti
Just tried this tonight, super cook will make again :) 

Ingredients
1 whole raw chicken, cut into pieces or 4 large chicken breast
1 pound thin spaghetti, broken into 2-inch pieces
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the chicken pieces to the boiling water and boil for a few minutes, then return the heat to medium-low and simmer, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the chicken and 2 cups of the chicken cooking broth from the pot. When the chicken is cool, remove the skin and pick out the meat (a mix of dark and white) to make 2 generous cups.

Cook the spaghetti in the same chicken cooking broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When the spaghetti is cooked, combine with the chicken, mushroom soup, 1 1/2 cups cheese, the green peppers, red peppers, onions, seasoned salt, cayenne, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir in 1 cup of the reserved chicken cooking broth, adding an additional cup if needed.

Place the mixture in a casserole pan and top with the remaining 1 cup cheese. Cover and freeze up to 6 months, cover and refrigerate up to 2 days or bake immediately until bubbly, about 45 minutes. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).

Easy Fudge recipe (fave here)

Easiest fudge recipe in the world, can't mess it up if you tried. 

1 can Eagle brand condensed milk ( 14 oz ) 
1 1/2 bags of chocolate chips any flavor you wish
1 cup chopped walnuts ( optional )

Toss all ingredients in to a microwave bowl, melt till creamy pour into a 8x8 baking dish, cool for 2 hours cut and serve.

When will this school learn?

So, after all the recent problems/ mistakes by the school now that Jordan is in her Day treatment program I thought (my mistake obviously) that things would begin to improve. This is not the first time they have had a student participate in this particular program and know very well that it is a weekday Monday through Friday deal. Never did I say anything implying otherwise either. So, when The program's social workers calls an hour after she should have gotten there (2 hrs after being picked up from school) saying she was not there and they have not seen her today I was immediately peeved. I called the school and obviously frustrated asked them where my child was. They said oh she is here and in class. What the ??? I ask why she was not put on the van and they tell me the van never came so they sent her back to class, not to worry she is in class. Um am I crazy for not wanting to know why I did not get a call when the van was a no show? It ended up being a mistake on the part of the transportation company BUT if they has informed me immediately they could have arranged a van to transport her out there for at least a portion of the time left! Plus today was supposed to be the first time the Dr there was to see her and determine if meds etc need to be adjusted. So I was furious. OK then we have the fact that she does not get home from her program till between 4 and 4:30 pm. She gets home from school (when not in the program) about 3:20 pm. So had the program not called me, there was no guarantee I would have been home! I was not expecting her until after 4! So once AGAIN she would have been outside in the cold (20's n a lot of snow currently) alone at 8 yrs old. I have an already scheduled meeting with the school tomorrow and this time I am not guaranteeing my temper stay controlled because they cannot guarantee my child's safety and have demonstrated this more times than I care to count. GRRRRRRRR!

The next leg of her journey (Rogers)

So, Jordan has been going to Day treatment at Rogers Memorial for a few days now minus one snow day (less than my idea of fun trust me). So far, for the most part I hear she is doing well. Now, most kids even the most complicated have a "honeymoon period" I even was sure she would play the perfect angel role for awhile. Not Jordan she started from day one completely honest n showing them her true self good, bad and stubborn. I was nervous about this aspect as well too because if she completely resisted n stayed uncooperative then this would be another dead end. Instead it looks as if she has formed a bond with the nurse at Rogers. This makes me chuckle a little in all honesty because this is typical of Jordan. She finds one person who she can woo with her cuteness, n fall for her every whimper n whine. I am staying open minded with this aspect for the moment since I am very sure their experience will overall trump Jordan's manipulative ploys. They did tell me the other day that they do see definitely can see some sensory issues and they will try tools they have there to see if they can help find things that work for her. One of these I am hopeful for is a weighted blanket/lap pad etc. In regards to the letter I had typed up to the school I have a meeting setup for Friday afternoon so this will be quite interesting. shortly after that I also have our first meeting at Rogers. Will be quite a day most definitely.

One hell of a week!

Well all I can say is WOW! Let me start with what happened last Thursday 2/21/2013. I was doing my schoolwork, and whatever around the house as usual when my doorbell rings at noon. I open the door and there stands Jordan! I was literally speechless and in shock since it was a normal school day, had not received any phone calls of misbehavior, nor had my phone rang letting me know she had left school. So of course I let her in, talked to her and I guess she was not happy with her outfit and wanted to change (fancy dress up day or something *rolls eyes*, and did not eat her lunch since it was an option she did not like so she was hungry) To avoid a huge fight I told her to go change, make her a sandwich while I get in touch with the school. She must have been missing from school at least 15 minutes by this point in time and yet still NO CALLS! So as Jordan is changing, eating etc I proceed to try to call the school. numerous times I reached only their voice mail. I was livid! After another 10 minutes at least the principal finally answered and had no idea Jordan had left the building. I got a load of excuses and I informed them I would be sending her back to school within a few minutes once she was changed and had eaten. So, after wrongly assuming she was going to be watched in the very least the rest of that day she walked out of school again a few hours later during the after school program. This time they did call within about 10 mins of her getting home which means about a 15 minute time period from the time she had left. The next day, we had a winter carnival at the school after hours and I made it crystal clear to both the teacher and the principal that should this EVER happen again I will not call the school nor will I send her back to school but will be contacting the Kenosha Police Department and having them come file a report for child endangerment on the school's part, escort Jordan back to school in their squad and only hand her over to the principal n person. They turned on their butt kissing faces and behind covering acts but I was not impressed. The principal said that due to the flights Jordan could not stay for CLC (after school) anymore but since she is starting Rogers later this week, not a huge deal. Now after some discussion with some fellow local parents I drafted up the following letter and had it printed and given to the school.

Dear Principal ********& anyone else this would concern,

As you are aware, on 2/21/13 my 8 year old daughter J*** P**** whose documented psychological diagnoses (ADHD, Bipolar disorder, Anxiety, ODD, SPD & being evaluated for ASD) causes her to be a flight risk, left the school property while in your care and walked to my home unattended at lunch time. The same thing occurred again later the same day. Within the past two years there have been four such incidences. Hopefully I don't need to go into the obvious safety concerns of an 8 year old girl wandering the neighborhood alone while I am under the impression she is safe at school and you are oblivious to her whereabouts. Per my daughter’s plan she has had previously, it is understood she is to be supervised at all times. Clearly this is not occurring. Either you are not following the provisions of the plan, or the plan is insufficient and needs to be revisited. I am hereby requesting an evaluation for an IEP done as soon as possible, a meeting with you and those who are responsible for supervising her and a documented plan for the future to ensure her continued educational success as well as safety while on school property.  Lastly, I have done everything in my power to help including private therapies, making medication adjustments, and Rogers Day treatment beginning this week.  Now it is time for you as school professionals to help her be successful and maintain positive progress in her education. 

Judith J (2/25/2013)

So, now the ball is legally in their court and Jordan is set to begin intensive outpatient Day treatment beginning on March 1st. She will be picked up at noon by transportation, taken to treatment and transported home. The fight to get her an IEP will now be mandatory and she must be evaluated for one. Under state laws she will more than qualify under the Severe emotionally something or other but they will be much more legally liable to give her the services she needs. 

excitement :D

I found this on Pinterest & had to share since I think so many parents know this feeling all too well :D

Hopeful yet nervous :/

So.. after months of fighting, battles with Jordan's school, suspensions, and God only know how many therapy sessions here we are 18 hrs away from me doing her intake paperwork for Rogers outpatient Day treatment  Over the last few days since I got the news she was accepted and will be starting soon I feel as if I have been through a roller coaster. At first there was extreme excitement and a glimpse of hope which is still there of course. Since if this pace had not accepted her I was pretty low on the options list and had tried pretty much everything that comes before inpatient or residential. Now after a couple more days and an appointment with Jordan's behavioral therapist I am getting more and more nervous for her. I have become so used to the multiple therapy sessions every week and even if it is slow progress, progress none the less the fact that all these will be suspended while she is attending Rogers has me nervous. I like being in control in some manner and handing over practically all control therapy wise over to this pace is realistically scary. Now, will I? of course because she has been through it before and they helped her tremendously but that doesn't mean that I can't be nervous right? Jordan is a well known "drama queen", and skilled manipulator for a girl her age so I honestly hope that she gives them/ they see her/ heck idk I hope she doesn't only show her good girl side and skate through the program not really showing them the problems she shows everyone else therefore not getting the help she REALLY needs. I think there is is, my biggest concern. Ok, then there is the never ending what if's such as what if she flips her lid? loses control? Tells them she wants to hurt herself (she does it strictly out of attn seeking), or sommething else that raises safety concerns? Will I be able to prevent her from being admitted? Should I? Oh lord my mid is running and I feel like I need a stiff drink asap! Except I don't drink.. well, time to try to get some things done today and think about something else haha <3

Princess photoshoot from January 2013 :D

my fave <3

our own version of normal

Well, After almost three month of occupational therapy, speech therapy weekly and recently behavioral therapy we have limited progress and a couple additional diagnosis  Awesome.. just frigging awesome. Still No iep as the school is on a whole lot of bull and has a million excuses and stall tactics. In my last post I touched on the recent trouble Jordan has been having at school including 2 suspensions within a week's time. Since then we have had another "SIT meeting" and pretty much they are afraid to piss her off and making "accommodations" (their words not mine) to prevent anymore major meltdowns while I work on a few more things on my end. In my opinion they are catering to her, giving her whatever the heck she wants so they don't have to go out of their way to deal with her issues properly and in return she is barely in class, had a ton of hw this weekend n no idea on how to do it. :( This is soo not ok with me whatsoever. I do have a bit of good news if you can call it that. I was able to finally (after almost two weeks of messages n multiple calls) to get a phone assessment done for Jordan with Rogers Behavioral hospital which in short does intensive outpatient Day treatment daily (m-f) like 5 hrs or so a day for about 3 mos unless she progresses n gets discharged sooner. During this time, I would suspend the other therapies she is doing right now until discharge picking up when she is ready. I'm at a point of whatevs will work and deal with details as we reach them and try while she is going to Rogers to settle the rest of my currently chaotic life we could be in a better place by spring/summer. I know there are never any guarantees with complex kids but one can hope a little right? lol

Update from last couple months I've been M.I.A.

Well it has been almost two months since my past post and wow has a lot happened. First we have the holidays.. oh my! Well no injuries occurred but boy was is chaos with the girls during Christmas. Funds were short so while Jordan and Jennifer got gifts they weren't what they had been asking for or much compared to past christmases. Not much else i could do just glad we survived lol. Then we have new yrs which I have never made a big deal of with the girls but this year my neighbor invited us to spend a night at a local  hotel for new yrs eve. Hotel has a pool, it was away from home for 24 hrs, why not haha For the most part it went alright. Jordan had a few rough moments but all in all we made it home in one piece and more ready than ever for school to start again. So with hope we cleaned up post christmas, and got in gear to head back to school That's when the real fun started! I think when they first went back Jordan was "ok" for a little while. But over the last month it has gone from a rough moment once or twice a week to now being suspended twice in the last week with things progressing from rough, to bad, to horrible :(