Update

I haven't updated the blog in such a long time! I'm sorry for that. I guess we've all been so busy. But just recently, a newspaper reporter mentioned the blog to me and it jogged my thoughts about blogging. I used to really enjoy blogging, but with other online communication like Facebook, I don't seem to have much use for it anymore. I used to blog to keep my friends and family up to date on family happenings, but we're pretty well connected on Facebook now, so there is no real need. I blogged for the Backpacking Brailler contest, but I don't think I'll be doing too much more of that type of thing in the near future because I didn't enjoy doing the "product review" part as much as I thought I would. So here's an update since the blog left off. No photos, just words. The December birthday party that, again, wasn't: So in early December we were totally excited to FINALLY have a birthday party for JP. He didn't get to have one in 2011, the first year he was home, because our lives were still very turbulant. He was still in a BIG adjustment phase and his overall health was still not terrific. In 2012, I simply dropped the ball. I waited too long thinking I could call a place that he liked a book a party... WRONG! They didn't have any availability until well into February. So this past December I booked a bowling party, way in advance. I ordered a cake. I had favors. The pizza guy was on call. I had a cooler of juice boxes and water. The decorations and balloons....everything was set! And then... IT SNOWED! And I am not talking snow showers, I am talking full-out blizzard! White-out conditions! The roads got so slick so fast no one was going anywhere. So I made the phone calls and the party was cancelled. Sorry JP... maybe 2014?? Spring has brought a new love, therapeutic horseback riding. JP began riding March 1 on a very old gelding named "Snickers" and he absolutely loves it! Without fail, we get up every Saturday morning and make the 30 minute drive to the country, to the horse farm, where JP donns his riding helmet and mounts Snickers for a 30 minute session that includes 1 horse and 4 people... 1 person to lead the horse, 1 person on each side of the horse and 1 person instructing the lesson. JP is put through a series of exercises and tasks all while being asked to "control" the horse. He must use his core muscles to sit up straight, he must speak clearly to tell the horse when to stop and when to "walk on", he must use good judgement to complete the different little obstacles. It's a great activity for him and it's good time to let Mike and Camille sleep in! Both kids finished up the school year with flying colors! Camille is moving up to middle school next fall and that's something that's hard for me to wrap my head around. She also got summer homework for the very first time. It's a big packet and she's going to need to do a little bit each day if she's going to finish it in time. She did a wonderful job in her year end dance recital. She was in 9 dances this year. I am always in awe of her grace an beauty and her ability to remember so many dance steps! I know she's looking forward to getting back to her regular dance routine in August. We're having a good summer, so far. JP has ESY to keep him busy and Camille has gone to sleep away camp with scouts. She is otherwise spending most of her time with her friends. We are not taking a big family vacation this year, but rather day trips here and there when we are able. Both kids still have some camps coming up in August. That's about it for now...

Therapeutic Riding

It is no secret... I love, love, love horses. I used to ride as a kid and, if I had a place to keep one (and subsequently the funds) I'd have a pleasure horse of my own. Sadly we live in a place where horse farms or ranches are few and far between and, unless you have your own property, it's very expensive to keep a horse. When I learned about therapeutic horesback riding and "hippotherapy" and the wonders it does for kids like JP, I got really excited! I looked for a place where JP could ride and found they were few and far between. But, I figured I could handle a drive every Saturday morning, so let's just "sign him up!" Not so fast... The places have limited horse, limited slots for therapy, limited staff. Oh, and you want Saturday mornings? Join the waiting list! So we waited. And waited. I finally received a call from Shadow Equestrian. (Actually my first choice) They had an opening coming up in March and we've decided to go for it. We're supposed to go to the ranch this weekend, weather permitting, to have JP assessed. I am over the moon excited for him... I think he'll get a lot out of it!

``-+ 7

Happy Birthday JP!

About this time 3 years ago, we were waiting to hear from the CCAA (Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs) about our son. We knew it was his birthday and we were anticipating his homecoming (which would take place a few months later). We didn't know what was ahead of us, but we celebrated his birthday by sending clothing and few small toys in box to his orphanage. At home, we purchased a small white cake with blue wintery decorations that simply said "Happy Birthday Jon Paul". I bought a balloon in the shape of a dump truck, something I thought he would like had he already been home with us.

 

The following year, he turned 4, but we were still in the midst of turmoil. Jon Paul was still so ill and integrating him into family life and school. We bought a small cake and celebrated quietly, as a family.

 

Last year things were better and I had every intention of a celebration. This time I dropped the ball. We picked the perfect spot for a small party with friends only to find out the place was booked... every weekend in December... and January.... AND most of February... By the time party plans were even penciled in, it was almost Spring. *sigh*... It was a total Mommy FAIL!

 

This year, I have been more on the "ball" (no pun intended) and we are having a bowling birthday party... JP's first party, ever. I booked the party early and we had a good response to the invitations. The party is this weekend.  He's excited and we're all pretty excited about that!

 

Reading

It's not really that astonishing... I found out this past summer, quite by accident, that Jon Paul could read. He's actually able to read both print and Braille, but due to his significant visual impairment, print is really difficult. Braille is simply easier for him. He's working on typical Kindergarten sight words. In the video below, he's practicing "I", "a" and "like". He can already read most colors, so we added those in and Mike taught him the words to go along with the pictures from the Kindergarten reading worksheet. Enjoy the show. We're proud.

JP's First Golf Tournament

This past summer, JP was invited to play golf with MABGA, the Middle Atlantic Blind Golfers Association junior golfer's division. It's an excellent program and free. MABGA provides all of the equipment, clubs, a bag, unlimited balls, a golf pro and greens fees. I was hesitant, at first, to allow JP to join. He's very young, and I wasn't sure he'd "get" the game of golf. But Norman, who runs the junior program for MABGA encouraged us to come out and give it a try... And golf was a big hit!

This fall, JP participated in a blind golfer's tournament at a course that is situated at a school for the blind and developed especially for blind children who are learning the game. The 9 hole course has shortened holes (much like a pitch and putt) and larger ball holes than you would actually find on a regulation course. JP successfully played all 9 holes, along with his sighted pro, Anthony. He even won a trophy for "closest to the pin"... very exciting!

Sadly, golf is finished for the season. But you believe that JP will back in the spring!

Thank you!

First a huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted, donated or simply said a prayer... I am pleased to announce in just 24 hours, JP's SMART Brailler has been FULLY FUNDED! Yahoo!

In addition to Abby, who won the contest, Tommy and Alden have also been fully funded! So far, 4 out of the 6 kids will have acess to the SMART Brailler! And that's a good thing! So what about the other 2 children, Clay and Adelyn? Well....

It's not too late! As JP is fully funded, we are asking friends who still wish to donate to pay it forward and make a donation to Clay and Adelyn! Click on the link below for details...

SMART Braillers for Everyone!

Community Thank You!

Thanks so much to everyone who voted for JP in the SMART Brailler contest.  While JP didn't win the SMART Brailler... Someone DID and for that we are grateful! A blind child will certainly benefit! (Congratulations Abby!) 

As a consolation, Perkins has offered us a $500 credit towards the purchase of a SMART Brailler for JP. While this is a very generous offer, it still leaves us $1700 short of the purchase price.

I've heard of others who have had success with online campaigns, so if you'd still like to see JP get a SMART Brailler, it can still happen! Click on "Go fund me" below to learn how!

GO FUND ME!

VOTING HAS NOW ENDED, BUT YOU CAN CLICK THE LINK TO SEE THE RESULTS!

VOTE FOR JP CORMAN!

THANK YOU!