Revolution of Love

Revolution of Love

Do small things with great love.

Speech Therapy, Pre School & Discerning God’s Plan

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John-Paul and Andrew



Six years ago Bella went to a local Catholic preschool. I loved the fact that it was small, family oriented and shared the love of the Catholic faith with the children. Bella is in 4th grade now but Andrew started his first year at the same preschool. I don’t know if I’ve shared this on the blog before but we were worried about Andrew because he had a serious speech delay. At the age of 3 he was speaking like a 2 year old who is just beginning to talk. Now at 4 years old he speaks much better but he is still going to speech therapy to help with pronunciation and clarity, especially with some of the more difficult consonant blends. When Andrew started school in September he was often quiet in class. Foremost because he was shy but I think he was also a little uncomfortable not being able to speak as clearly as the other children. Slowly, he came out of his shell and is speaking more in class and with his friends.
I’ve been busy lately with the spring fundraiser for Andrew’s preschool. Last week, I had to attend a meeting at the preschool in the morning. At the end of the meeting, Andrew was playing outside having recess with his class and I watched him without him knowing. He was riding a tricycle with some of his friends, talking and laughing with them. He was happy and the same playful little boy I see at home. I was pleased to see that he was now comfortable at his school and with his friends. I am also grateful to his two teachers who have met with his speech therapist so they could better help him in the day to day learning of class. It brought peace to my heart to see him happy and doing well.
Unfortunately, this road has to be traveled a second time. John-Paul is showing the same speech problems at the age of two and we recently started him with speech therapy as well. As I mentioned, I had to attend that meeting at Andrew’s preschool and I was a little concerned because I’d have Matthew and John-Paul with me. I knew Matthew would be okay but I wasn’t sure what to do with JP. The principle offered to let JP visit the 2 year old room until I was done with my meeting.
I was happy for the opportunity because although we usually don’t put the kids in preschool until they are 4 years old, I was feeling like I needed to put JP in next year at the age of 3. He doesn’t have the same personality as Bella and Andrew. They were/are more sensitive and have a tendency towards timidity and they were more than happy to spend their time at home with me. JP is more adventurous and independent and he is not afraid to be around other people. I could see him benefiting from going to school sooner. At least this would give me the chance to see how he reacted in a classroom setting.
That morning when I took John Paul to the classroom they were starting circle time and I worried that my rambunctious boy would not sit still. He was a little nervous and clingy at first, but he soon became interested in the activity and had no problem letting me go. I went to my meeting and over an hour later returned to JP’s class and watched him unnoticed. (I secretly love to spy. 😉 He was doing great and babbling away. I felt very at peace seeing him there. And I knew he loved it because he was so upset that he had to leave early.
I have been praying about what I should do with him in regards to school and his therapy and everything finally seems to be falling into place. I talked to the Brian, to the principle, to his speech therapist and prayed about it and I think Brian and I are going to try and put him in the preschool this March three times a week for a few hours. I never imagined having my two year old in school, but then again, when Brian and I got married we never imagined doing anything but homeschooling. We may still be homeschooling in the future but for now, this is where we feel God is calling us.
It is very difficult, and a little foolish, to get my mind set on one fixed way of doing things in regards to our family life. Circumstances change. Situations come up. Children have their own unique needs. As I grow older, and hopefully wiser, as the years go by I have to adjust my plans accordingly. There are some things that remain fixed – we will always try to love and serve God above all else – but the means of attaining that can change. I think the most important thing for me is to continue to learn to quiet myself down so I am able to hear the Holy Spirit whispering to my heart and then I have to have courage and trust in God’s grace that I can follow through on whatever he is asking of me. These are things that don’t come easily but I think Lent is a perfect time for me to put it into practice!
Please say a prayer for me, Brian and the kids that God continues to guide us on the best road for our family. Thanks!

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{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol 22: Pebble Beach, CA Edition

round button chicken



~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~




Thanks to our complimentary stay at Pebble Beach last weekend, I have lots of photos to show! It’s a little out of order so the story makes more sense.

{pretty}




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The view from our balcony.




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At sunset the Bagpiper plays his tunes to mark the end of the day.




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The “Lone Cypress Tree” on 17 Mile Drive.




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The beach along 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach.



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My happiness was seeing the ones I love the most having a good time.

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Brian and Matthew




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Matthew




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John-Paul and Andrew




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Bella



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Maybe this should have been in the funny category but we were excited to be treated to such delicious food! On Friday, after dinner at the Italian restaurant Peppoli’s we were too full for dessert. However, we were hungry later that night so we ordered their room service dessert special. It was chocolate raspberry cake/soufflé with a raspberry center, a dish of raspberry sorbet with vanilla ice cream on top and hot chocolate fudge to drizzle over it all. Ohmygosh, it tasted so good!


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If that wasn’t enough, in the morning they brought us room service breakfast. It’s a good thing we had a lot of walking planned to work off our meals!
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{funny}



We are truly blessed to have this once a year mini-vacation but Brian always dreads me coming back home afterwards. It takes him a few days to reprogram me to let go of all the pampering, special treatment and being able to use the bathroom uninterrupted. I have to get back into the mode of stinky diapers, sticky hands, dirty dishes and piles of dirty laundry.
He says I’m like Lucy after she comes back from the home show…

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After seeing all that luxury her own house makes her say, “Yesh!” LOL! (If you don’t remember the episode, you can watch it here.)


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Well, I’m happy to report that I’m back to myself again and ready for the next mini-disaster to photograph for next week. 😉


{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol 20

round button chicken



~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~



{pretty}




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The other day I ordered these heart notecards from my friend Caroline at her etsy shop peaseblossom studio. I thought they would be cute for Valentines Day. I was happy when they arrived in the mail in this pretty package.

{happy}




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If you recall, two weeks ago I shared about Andrew’s current obsession with Spiderman. On the weekend he was able to spend some Christmas money at Target. He nearly fainted when we walked down the super hero aisle and saw this Spiderman mask. He knew exactly what he wanted. You can’t tell by this photo but underneath that mask he has a huge, happy grin. (And yes, he still wears his Spidey outfit/pj’s every second he is in our house.

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Note to Self – Never leave the Cheerio box on the sink unattended because a certain two year old may try to serve himself a bowl. (Thank God I caught him before he got to the milk!) Oh, and this is considered “funny” because if I don’t laugh at these things I will lose my mind. 😉

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Finally, after a long day of mischief John-Paul will sometimes just collapse wherever he may happen to be. Don’t ask me exactly how he happened to fall asleep on his chair like this.


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{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol 20

round button chicken



~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~



{pretty}




car.JPGI’m not sure if it would be considered “pretty” but I parked next to this cool car at the market the other day.

{happy}




20b1.JPGMy kids were relatively fast walkers (and late teethers and talkers) but I think Matthew may be the youngest of the bunch to walk at 9 months. Last week he was only taking 1-2 steps. This week he is doing 3-4 steps. I love then they start to toddle!


20b2.JPGMy happy guy makes me smile, especially in his “mama’s boy” shirt.

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20c.JPGI think it is funny how light and curly Matthew’s hair is compared to the other kids. I also think it’s a little funny that people assume I’m the Mexican nanny since he doesn’t look like me. (Hello, I’ve got a tall white husband, people. 😉

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We haven’t heard from our cookie bandit lately but he struck again when I found this in the kitchen…


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I went to the boys’ room and heard giggling from the closet…


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And there was my mischievous fella having a mid morning snack. 🙂


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{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol 18: Christmas 2011 Edition

round button chicken



~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~



I never got the chance to post any Christmas photos last week so I’ll do them this week. 🙂

{pretty}




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My pretty Bella.




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My handsome Andrew.




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My sweet rascal John-Paul, ready to run.




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Mama and her little Matty. (I just wish I we had a pic of Brian too but he hides from the camera.)



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Matthew admiring the wrap of his gift.




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He is finally able to rip paper to his heart’s content.




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Happy with his new red ball.



{funny}




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Matthew is playing with a ball in the kitchen but it kept rolling away.




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He was squealing with delight when he caught it.




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Mr. Smiley.



{real}




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The kids were excited to see that Santa ate his cookies. Matthew decided to stick around and inspect the plate longer.




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“Maybe I’ll have one little nibble…”




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“Oops, Mama caught me with the evidence in my mouth!”