Sunday, February 15, 2009

Brynley's Busy Day



Friday I flew to New Jersey to pick up Brynley.  I was only a couple of hours late getting out, due to the snow storm.  I had a wonderful visit with his breeder and met his sire and dam.  I particularly fell for Brynley's sire, Gnat.  Yesterday, Brynley and I flew home.  Fortunately, the weather cooperated, and we travelled without incident.  He was a very good puppy the whole way!  Today was his first day at home, and he had many chores to do...
The jackets had to be put away
Teddy needed looking after
"Uncle" Casey needed visiting with
And he had to practice searching for avalanche survivors

It was a very busy first day in his new home. My new boy is here, and I think he is the perfect dog for me!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Stunned

We got the report on Son's dyslexia testing last week.  Although we knew he was dyslexic before reading the report, it still left me stunned.  I spent several days reading and rereading and absorbing all the information it had about my son.  Suddenly, all the years of his struggles in school made perfect sense. The details were mind blowing even to me, as familiar as I've been with his struggles.  His diagnosis is moderate to severe dyslexia and severe disgraphia (that's the difficulties with handwriting that usually accompanies dyslexia).  I'm trying to move past the guilt of allowing my child to be tortured in school for so many years, when I knew something wasn't right.  The good news is, now that we have a diagnosis, there is much that can be done to help him.  I will begin tutoring him with the Barton system just as soon as our materials arrive.  We now know which accommodations, such as books on tapes and a scribe, to provide in school to allow him to effectively demonstrate his learning.  We will also begin diligently working with him to have him learn to touch type.  We spent over $1000 to get the private testing and find these answers. I thank God that we finally did it.
On another note, here is the latest picture of Brynley.  He's the grubby guy on the right.  I go to New Jersey on Friday to bring him home.  I so excited, I can hardly stand it!