Parenthood--The Offer 3/20/14

Parenthood once again tugged at my heart strings last night. In this episode, Max, who has Aspergers goes on an overnight field trip with his class. His mother, Kristina, was going to chaperon, but he told her that he didn't want her to. The parents talk about it and decide to let him go. They later get a phone call that they need to come and pick up Max. They drive the 2-3 hours to pick him up and he won't tell them what happened. The teacher who waited with Max, also didn't know what happened.

While they are driving home, Max finally opens up by asking his parents why the other kids hate him. He finally tells them that one of the boys peed in his canteen and called him a freak. You can see the parents reactions during this scene and it is heart wrenching. Both parents are visibly upset, and the father is ready to take on this boy who harassed Max. Max tells his parents that he tries to understand his friends and you can hear how much he wants to belong, but just can't. He knows he is different and that he will never understand why they do what they do. He tells his parents that he is a freak. The mother takes off her seat belt and climbs into the back seat to hug him. Of course, Max tells her this is unsafe and that he doesn't want to be hugged, but she keeps hugging him. The father is on the verge of tears. This is how this storyline in this episode ended, and there were no previews about this storyline for next week.

All I can say is bravo for taking on the topic of bullying, Aspergers, and special needs in general. As a parent of a special needs child, I worry that my son will be bullied. He is in 7th grade right now, and so far things are going well. I worry more about him entering high school in another year. Parenthood is one of the few shows to take a realistic look at the life of a family with a child with special needs and so far they are doing a great job.

A Little Bit of Sugar Goes a Long Way

I took Jacob and Elijah to see The Lego Movie this morning. I was surprised that Jacob decided to join us and we had a good time. We snuck in some candy and of course bought popcorn and some drinks. Sugar has always affected Elijah. It makes him moody and argumentative most of the time. I knew this when I let him have Sprite and M&Ms, but he has the right to be a kid on some days. I knew this going in, but boy did it really affect him today.

At first he was argumentative, which didn't make for an easy hair cut after the movie. We managed to get through that and arrived home. He didn't argue much the rest of the day, but his tics were off the chain. He was constantly making noise and chewing on anything he could put in his mouth. His tics have not been this bad in a while. He was full of energy, from the sugar I am sure, and basically drove me nuts. Well, he drove me nuts after several HOURS of listening to him. At some point, it does wear on my nerves.

He finally calmed down some time after dinner and his tics even seemed to subside a bit. It may be a while before I take him to another movie, but we did have a good time while we were there!

Sometimes the Old Way is the Better Way

As I posted earlier, Jacob has been accepted to the Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX. We completed his FASFA information and then TSTC contacted us yesterday. We need to send in a copy of both of our IRS Income Tax Transcripts for 2013. I called the school to find out exactly how to do this, and the gentleman explained it to me.

Last night, I got on the IRS website and found what I needed. I completed the request online and was able to print a copy of my transcript. I actually was able to save it right onto my computer and then send it by email to TSTC. Before doing this, I wanted to get Jacob's transcript. Well, I completed the form online just as I had done mine, but the webpage said the information didn't match what was on the return. I tried again, thinking I had made a typo and got the same information. Jacob then sat down and did it, and again we got an ERROR message and we were then locked out.

I tried again tonight and the same thing happened. I then searched the web for "irs transcript" problem and found a FORM that you can complete and mail in to get a copy. The form then had a phone number you can call to request a copy. I called the number and it took all of three minutes to complete the request. I was NOT told that the information didn't match what was filed(there was information I had to answer to prove Jacob was Jacob) and we should get a copy in 5-10 business days. I will then scan the form in and send it to TSTC. I still don't know what the original problem was when we tried to request it online, but I am glad I could get it done over the PHONE!

ICED in AGAIN!

School was cancelled again today due to icy roads and unsafe driving conditions. The sleet started yesterday afternoon and didn't let up. Elijah was SO excited to have the day off. He spent the day watching TV and playing with Legos. I did get him to complete a few chores with me that we didn't finish yesterday. Jacob slept in and did his chores late in the morning, but has been on his laptop since then. I even ordered us a PIZZA for lunch to be delivered! I haven't left the house all day.

I walked 10,000 steps while watching the Oscars--OK not all 10,000 at once, but I met 10,000 for the day and will add a few more before bed. I completed one quiz last night and one quiz today in each of my classes. I even watched THE WALKING DEAD today! It was nice to get this extra day off and play catch up with my TV. I am also way ahead in my grad school classes, but I'll keep working. I would prefer to stay ahead then have to start playing catch up.

We are off for Spring Break next week, and then in a few weeks we will take Elijah to a Tourette's camp. He is very excited about that!

Jacob Has Been Accepted into College

Jacob applied to Texas State Technical College back in November. He received his acceptance letter a few weeks ago. I have been so busy, that I forgot to blog about this! He is very excited about going to school there. He wants to get his associate's degree in computer maintenance. The school is in Waco, TX, which is about 90 minutes from Wylie, maybe 2 hours on a bad day!

We discussed his living arrangements, and decided on an apartment complex that is on campus. It is not managed by the school, but the complex will assign him three roommates. It is four bedrooms and he will share a bathroom with one of these roommates. They share a common living area, but he will be able to lock up his room. He will have to buy a meal plan for the first two semesters, but I think he will use it! He has learned to do some cooking, but I am sure he won't want to cook every day. We sent in all of the paperwork and a deposit.

I sent his TAKS scores to the school, so they could look over them. I am thinking he scored well enough that he won't have to take any of the exams to test his language and math skills. He completed his FASFA and I completed mine for grad school. Things are moving along. He has to get his final high school transcript sent to the school and he needs a meningitis shot!

I am excited that he has a plan and he is so very happy. I can't believe he is all grown up!