Cons:
- Aedan started on medication for ADHD and anxiety which made me feel like the world's worst mother who has failed her child day in and day out and every day he has to take it.
- Nathan was gone most of the month. Through all of the following "fun" stuff.
- Aedan had a nasty cold and a stomach virus that kept him home from school and resulted in me having to restart meds all over again.
- Ariana had a stomach virus. When a 2 year old has the stomach flu, it is virtually impossible to keep up on the cleaning and laundry. Something I am not good at anyway.
- Ariana had an ear infection immediately following the stomach bug which meant days on end of cranky and crabby attitude. These things combined meant I slept on the hide-a-bed for several nights running.
- The furnace went out on the coldest day of the month. Yep. It was a Lennox for those who want to know. The furnace is 12 years old and relay switches are built into the circuit boards. If the board goes bad, you can possibly replace it for roughly 1/2 the cost of a new furnace IF and only IF you can find the replacement part. After it has been discontinued 2 times and before it blows out the other electrical in the furnace. Which it did the morning after I called to have it looked at. The circuit board was $1000 installed and the 2 fans were $650 each or I could get a brand new Carrier (easier to find replacement parts and had a 15 year warranty) for $1940.
Pros:
- Aedan started on ADHD meds. I had more anxiety over this than anything else. I didn't want a zombie for a child. I didn't want his personality to change. I didn't want to deal with the side effects and weight loss and overall hazards of medicating a 6 year old. Now I am wondering why we didn't start it sooner.
- Within the 1st day, his teacher noticed a drastic improvement in focus and ability to maintain tasking and complete projects.
- I noticed that he is able to string together coherent sentences and maintain a level of conversation well above the average 6 year old.
- I also noticed a lack of impulsive behavior. I have never really considered him an impulsive child until I saw the difference in him.
- He is able to play with his sister productively
- He is able to complete daily tasks without redirection such as dressing for the day. (Prior to this he would put one leg through his underwear and wander off to do something else. No exaggeration.)
- He doesn't worry constantly over the most menial things
- He is able to complete homework in 5-15 minutes as opposed to 45-50.
- He has an interest in his toys and playing outside again.
- He plays appropriately inside and outside
- He is not doing things that are hurtful to himself and others without knowledge of why he is doing them
- I do not have to rely on the TV to calm him down.
- He can eat a meal without bouncing in his chair, kicking something, banging on the table, or getting up 10 times.
- He is not a zombie child.
- Nathan was able to return home for the week of Thanksgiving. On his previous schedule, he was going to miss every holiday except Christmas. Now, he has been home for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and although he will miss Christmas, he will be home for New Year's and Ariana's birthday.
- Thanksgiving was FANTASTIC! My brother hosted Thanksgiving this year at his house in Boise. My sister was able to fly out from New York and we had an awesome time. We spent 4 days in Boise enjoying each other's company, watching my kids jump on the trampoline, visiting with his kids, and generally hanging out.
- My sister came back to Idaho Falls with my parents and spent another 5 days here with us. Mom and Doris and I were able to catch a movie on Monday evening and we had a riot of a time (although my mom is doubting ever taking my sister and I in public ever again.)
- My father's health is improving, slowly but surely.
- I got a new furnace.
- I was able to get it for $1940 which was $300 less than the quote, and I got a $25 off coupon for using Angie's List. Awesome.
- They were able to install it within a day and my house is much warmer. I never realized how much the old furnace sucked until I got the new one. I have to keep the thermostat lower now and that will probably save us money in the long run.
- My kids are all better and back to their normal. They say silly things, do silly things, sing silly songs, and generally are a joy to have and be around. They lift my spirits and each other's spirits. They are amazing.
- My birthday is tomorrow and I am excited to celebrate another year of life.
