1st grade

This summer went by too fast, and Sashi is back in School. We have seen some positive changes happening in her overall development. She is really starting to take off, and show the world what she is capable of. We were getting discouraged last school year because she was showing signs of having Auditory Sensory processing disorder, in truth we weren't seeing that her she still was struggling with how to cope with a very stimulating school life. We were working with both her Kindergarten teacher, Special Ed dept, to see what kind of interventions may need to be set up for a successful first grade year. There was a  school staff that discouraged us to not to go through the testing for ASPD, and to give it time. I am so glad I decided to go with their opinion. Sasha is amazing on every level. She is beginning to discover how to control her reactions, taken an interest in her external world, aware of social cues, thirst for knowledge, and just a very inquisitive bright child with a strong imagination. Total 180 from last year. It brings hope and joy to everyone who has witnessed this especially to Scott and I.

Update

I have had writers block for awhile. It shows :) I have no real reason other than I am trying to figure out how to download pics to my new MAC. My heart still belongs to a PC. A lot has gone on since my last post.  Scott took on a new position managing teams of software developers.  He is working his booty off , burning the midnight oil, and liking the thrill of the challenge.  I have been busy as usual juggling my part-time jobs, full-time position as momma, and head of the household.  Sasha has been thriving! She got dedicated to the Unitarian church on Easter. She loves church :) She just turned 6, and with that new challenges as parents has presented themselves.  She is strong-willed free-spirited, and confident. We have to find new ways to adjust to her "Phases," and out-wit her cleverness.  She just amazes me daily with how bright she is.

Soccer 10/12

     Sashi is living it up in her current sports program. We enrolled her in a itty bitty  sports program to introduce her to 3 months of athletic play of T-Ball, Soccer, and Basketball. I think she finally found her niche. Not only does she have a great swing, that girl can kick some ball! We have try to engage her in other physical activities such as swimming, Tumbling, and Ballet. The interest isn't quite there yet.  I think sports suite her aggressive nature.
     On the other hand, school has been a wonderful experience for her.  Sasha is in Kindergarten, learning her ABC's, to read, and to write. Out-of-the blue, she decided to become intrigued with her learning workbooks we had bought awhile back. I kid you not, that girl wants to complete the whole book in one setting. She yearns to learn!
     We are looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday this year, as we travel to Washington state to acquaint Sasha with her new Grandma. This is our first Thanksgiving to celebrate with the extended family! We look forward to this.

Summertime Growth

Summer is almost over, and its been awhile since I last visited our blog. We have grown together as a family, experienced some high's, and some low's. Despite our erratic summer,  it has been full of growth.  Sasha has grown into a lovely little lady and has made impressive progress. We continued her summertime pre-school placement(Same as last year's summer program) and her development is as others her age.  We have traveled this season to Zions Nat'l park, St. George, and will be going to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho in 2 weeks. 

We had an abrupt encounter with Sashi while in Zion. Out of nowhere she said, "I have a Mama, and she lives in the mountains. She left me." I looked  at Scott with eyes of disbelief. I knew this was coming, but now? luckily we have an excellent psychologist that prepared us for this, but seemed to draw a blank at that exact moment. Scott and I decided to kneel to her level, and take her hands and while speaking softly told her the reason she was with us is that her mama couldn't take care of her, and that she trusted us to do the job. We followed that with a group hug. End of story, moving on. I phoned my psychologist when we returned, and he commended us. We were also told that we have hit a good level of trust.

Sashi has experienced a lot of death this summer that has affected her both indirectly, and directly.  Our pugs passed this summer within 3 months time, unexpectedly.  The first death she was just a little whiny, and had a weird week. The second death hurt her badly. She was close to this pug(Female pug,very nurturing animal). She repeatedly watched a video of this pug recorded on my phone and cried. She still has a hard time dealing with the concept of death, and asks when the pugs are coming back. We tell her that they are in heaven keeping God good company.  

  

Sashi's 5th Birthday

 Sashi's Birthday party

 Zion Nat'l Park @ the Lodge.

 Sasha and Papa Zion

 Zion

 Sassy

 Puppies!

Mama and Sasha out to eat.

We still love being parents, and our family bonds so much stronger as time goes by. I pray to God every day how grateful I am to have her in our lives. I have also prayed for another child. I hope our time comes again. Sashi would make an excellent big sister.

1st Year anniversary

 Meeting for the first time 2/17/11

to: 

 Sashi, it has been a  year now since papa and I have known you. What started as a tough beginning for us all, has blossomed into a strong, and beautiful bond. You are such a adorable and bright little lady.  At the beginning of our relationship, it took you almost 2 weeks to smile at us. This was huge  because it gleamed a bit of hope for potential trust.  This past year you have come out of your shell, and eager to learn the American language. You are miraculous our little one.

Sasha's first American Christmas

 Sasha posing in front of the tree @ the City County Building

 Christmas Eve

 Excited about her new dog and bed that glammy got her.

 Papa and Sasha

 In Heber waiting to get on the North Pole Express.

 Santa  giving Sasha  her own bell on the North Pole Express

 Nana & Sasha Christmas Eve

Great Grandma Palmer in her sweet Christmas Sweater

It has been a fun month of December with starting new family traditions, giving, and learning about the true meaning of Christmas.  We planned a lot of events this month to help her  recognize the spirit of Christmas, and all of it payed off. On the night of Christmas Eve we made peanut butter cookies, and left a plate of them along with one Yablaka(Apple) for St. Nicolai. When Christmas morning approached, I filmed her getting out of bed to following her into the front room to capture her expressions. She was just amazed of what Santa left for her almost to the point that she didn't want to accept the gifts. We had to prompt her to open the rest as she wanted us to have them instead. When all of her presents were unwrapped, she went into her room, grabbed her altoid tin full of Coins, and proceeded to give everyone who was there a quarter. After everything said and done, Sashi told us that she wanted to hug Santa.

 1st Trick or Treat

 Silly with Glammy Glasses and so sophisticated!

Glammy and Sasha 

Sasha and her BFF 

I see you! 

  Sasha and her friend

 Happy 4th Bday friend!

 Sasha carving her 1st pumpkin

 Sasha and completed pumpkins

Halloween was so much fun! Sasha took the tradition and ran with it. She was a little scared at first with all the decorated houses, but finally got in the spirit the night of.  Zelda, the good witch of Halloween visited our house the night of and left her a gift. In exchange for the gift, Sasha left 3/4's of her candy in shoes out for her in hopes that Zelda would pick her.