So it is almost a year ago that we moved here to Suzhou and I've done a terrible job documenting the journey so that some day me, the kids, and anyone else, can look back and read about the whirl-wind. I will try to write more regularly on this blog. I think many times I am so overwhelmed by my immediate families needs, my extended families needs, and all the various big things that I'm constantly working on such as what I should be doing to help the kids with school work, reading, behavior, their diet, new recipes, my workouts (or lack there of), my commitments, oh and being a good wife, daughter, friend, sister, etc. Oh and then the biggie, most important, my time (or once again - lack there of - time with God). I really don't know how some people seem to do it all and not lose themselves, there kids, or simply their mind. Maybe writing will help me get the organization that I want and need.
So the big thing on my plate is to figure out how I can help Andrew best succeed with school work and friends. This first year in China feels as if Andrew hasn't progressed much, and this seems like the age that he really should be. As much as I really do like their school, I do worry if it's much better suited for the self-motivated learner, which Andrew CLEARLY is not!!! So after many tears, doctors appointments, and more testing we have increased his medicine for his ADHD/Asperger's, and then the following week try to reduce it with the week and a half off school for Chinese New Year. I so desperately know that medication is not the long term solution for him, or at least I really hope and pray. So I have been reading, reading, listening, and cooking with the intent of changing his diet. A friend told me about the Feingold Diet, with is specifically helpful with people with behavioral problems. They refer to it as food sensitivity. The big book also goes onto say that it has also proved effective with kids with Asperger's. In the same book, it acknowledges that you may need to take the diet a step further to be gluten/casein free. I have been making the Feingold recipes for a few weeks now and have dabbled in the gluten/casein free recipes. I know this isn't probably something you dabble in, but I'm trying to figure out where we are at and what we need to do. Andrew does seem like he is focusing a little better, less explosive, and more engaging. I'll keep working on it. My next big step is to complete all the audio tapes and application for the NACD(National Association of Child Development) to really get to the heart of the brain with this thing. I want Andrew to live the fullest, most joyful life he can here on earth and I can't wait to see his healed being in Heaven someday.
The other big thing is that I so desperately want to lost this 20 lbs. and maybe run the Suzhou half-marathon coming up in April or May. My favorite hobby is working out. Oh if I could just workout 4 hours a day every day of my life I would be the most sane woman.
Experiencing our first Chinese New Years was a treat!! It was beautiful, especially from our 15th floor, lake-view, however at midnight that's not so great for sleeping children. I can't imagine there's a quiet place though in China this time of year. Mitch captured some cool pictures. We also stayed at the Kerry Hotel in Shanghai one night and played for two days. We had a blast sliding down the crazy 3-level playarea. Oh, and I do have the greatest husband who gave me a hall pass to the spa as he took the kids to the pool with our ayi. He is a keeper.
Oh and the next big thing is that we move to Golden Lough, less than 5 miles from where we are on the other side of the lake, in one week. Mitch has his team in from the states all next week so I better put on my full armor of energy.
I will post pictures from our Staycation soon. I feel better already writing down what's going on in life here. :-)
