Now We're Getting Somewhere

The hubs and I were looking over the roller coaster path of the last couple of months, and I gotta say we're actually climbing. Sure, there've been a few

dips along the way (an odd calculus course at Ivy Tech!), but I think, by George, we're making some progress.

Here's the track record:

• Son FF is meeting regularly with a therapist. For the most part they talk about movies, music and sports, but they're building a rapport and that allows the therapist to also talk with him about "issues" as they arise.
• Daughter Dearest made the dean's list.
• DD got a new job--independently, without the help of VR this time. 
• FF has been learning how to use Dragon and a new word prediction/grammar correction software program for his writing. S.l.o.w. progress. He's not really a willing participant, but he's getting some of the skills. 
• FF has joined a local Venture crew (a suggestion from his therapist)--Venturing is the new iteration of what used to be called Explorer scouts, a co-ed group of teens who meet, plan, and do. So far, he's accepted despite his disability, and he absolutely loves it. Hanging out with kids his own age who go out and do things in the community and beyond has been priority #1 for FF.
• DD's new job in a deli, means that she's learning and doing a variety of tasks--stocking products, kitchen prep, mopping floors, and--yes--even picking chicken off the bones. Caught between her OCD and Aspiness, this isn't something DD could have done even a year ago.
• FF took the written driver's exam. Although he didn't pass, he was close, and that satisfied him for the time being. 
• DD is doing well in her art history course and is meeting with her tutor for editing help on her papers. 
• FF is working out with a trainer and independently several times a week at Anytime Fitness. He's lost several pounds and really enjoys the workouts.
• DD attended a TedX event with a friend. (I highly recommend this to any young person who's not quite sure where they're headed. Lots of inspiration.)
• If I leave out the container on the counter, FF will sometimes take his meds without the annoying Mom Reminder.  
• FF began working with a new peer mentor. They're headed out to a movie tomorrow afternoon. 
• DD and her therapist are working on goal setting and academic paths that get her to those goals. 
• Earlier this week FF worked for almost 2 hours with his new writing tutor, who helped him edit his latest essay (on March Madness, of course) and showed him a few tricks on Dragon. He's never worked that long without multiple breaks on a writing task. It helps that she's cute and very upbeat.

Yes, DD's calculus class was a frustrating debacle (instructor issues). Yes, FF is impatient about his progress. He wants to transfer to a four-year university where he'll have more social activities. (The revelation that he needs 26 credits to transfer and that, so far, he has no transferrable credits has been crushing.) Yes, he wants to live in a dorm. Now. And, yes, FF wants a job where he can work more than 4 hours a week.  

Patience, my son. We're working on it. On all of it.