Bubbles Co-Op

Over the past 6 weeks, Valin Smith, Ry' ak  Warner, Emma Roberson, Eden Stevenson, and Samantha Martin have met together to blow bubbles and learn about them together. We made bubble wands from 18-inch strips of wire that we bent back on itself  and used straws to blow bubbles on the table. When they popped, they left a "bubble print", which they could measure with a ruler to tell how big the bubble had been.  We learned that half the measurements of the bubble equals the ratio of the bubble, which is important to figure out the size of the bubble.
We learned what kind of things can be used to blow bubbles, and realized that the most successful bubble blower were the ones that started with the bubble solution in a circle or little squares. Eden was the only student that could blow a table bubble in a bubble, in a bubble, in a bubble,  in a bubble, in a bubble, 4 times. Samantha blew the biggest table bubble, at 14 inches!
We learned a lot together, and had fun together,  and made memories together that we will never forget. The students were all different from each other and the leader of the group, Lori Smith- Valin's mom, came before the group every week in a wheelchair due to a rare form of muscular dystrophy. All of the differences between us went away when the bubble solution came out and we began the lesson of the day and to blow bubbles. The bubble solution meant that things were about to change and get really fun. Bubbles was a great equalizer activity.
Each student has dreams of something creative in their futures. This blowing bubbles activity can be an example of being creative and still following the rules. Valin wants to design Legos. Ry' ak wants to design video games. Emma wants to be a Flimatologist, a person who studies primates. Eden wants to be an artist. Samantha wants to be actress. These activities showed that they will be successful in whatever they do as adults. Their leader is looking forward to watching their futures and knowing where their creativity started!

New school experience-

As you know, my kids began school at Alianza Academy-which was a charter school here in Salt Lake. We went there because of some social problems that both had endured in our local public school the year before. Both kids seemed happy to be back with friends and ready to start the new year. Meanwhile, I started receiving some emails with disturbing information about financial information that had not been disclosed and teachers that were not certified. Apparently, the state school board had stepped in and closed down the Alianza in Magna. We took that as a warning, but were assured that our Alianza was aware of the problems and taking the appropriate steps to fix them. Besides, we were assured that if the state school board tried to shut our school down, there would be a lengthy appeals process that could drag the school out till at least December. We told our kids that there had been some problems in the past with their school, but we had been told that the problems were being fixed. Later, we added that if our state school board-"the people in charge of your school"-if "they" decide to close it, we will have months to find a new school. 

   By this time, school had been going for a couple days and we were all startng to relax. Then I got an email from some one from Alianza saying that my kids' school would be closed next week because of "ongoing problelms." The worst part of it was that they never even offered to enroll the students in another school. They said that was up to their parents, not their previous school. They were quick to say that their students could go back to the neighborhood public school. The appeals process that we, as parents, had counted on to drag school out till December never happened. The students were told that the school received money from the state for school supplies based on their being at least 350 students. This year they only had 270, so they had to close their doors. Whatever the reason, one thing was certain - this sucked. So now what? It was time to begin with prayer.

   What happened next went so fast, it almost hurts my head to think about it. Ethan and I decided to look at the Open Classroom, a co-op school by Ethan's parents' house. Ethan called the school and told the secretary all about the charter school that we had been part of and then it closed, with very little warning. She said that school began on Monday morning and she was almost positive that they would be able to take the fourth grader, but not the seventh grader. On Monday morning, Valin started at the Open Classroom, with me as the classroom helper. I go once a week to help in his class.

   Ethan and I decided our seventh grader would excel with computer based online education. She would benefit from not being distracted. We found a home-school option for another charter school close to our house. The home-school started the next day with testing to see where they started from. She began the next morning with the hope of full-time enrollment next year. Plus, it would help me to have some one else around me during the day.

   So what started out as absolutely horrible and miserable in every way, actually ended up with both kids being content at their own solutions to this problem. Ethan and I prayed about this situation and then were honest and humble enough to agree why this solution would be a good fit for each student. I learned that even though they each left his presence to come to earth, they are still His, more His than mine. He is still interested in their education and how they spend their free time. We are on his team, and I can't imagine a better place to be. 

Early last month, I had a muscle spasm and my seat belt wasn't fastened. I fell out of my wheelchair onto the kitchen floor. I banged up my face and was black and blue and swollen. The worse part was that half of my face was numb. I went to see an internist to see why it wasn't going away. I had a CT scan and was referred to a facial specialist. He looked at the scan pictures and showed me that the orbital bone, the one right below the eyeball, was fractured. He said the break was not big enough to warrant surgery. It should heal up fine on its own. In the fracture, it disturbed a major nerve and that caused the numbness, but nothing was cut or moved, just disturbed slightly, so that should heal up on its own too. He explained that when I fell, I probably hit my eyeball which can do two things: the orbital bone can fracture, like mine did, or the eyeball itself can explode! I am so glad that it happened the way that it did! Now, I make sure my seat belt is always fastened and have increased the amount of anti-spasticity medicine I take everyday so I don't have muscle spasms that are strong enough to make me fall out of my wheelchair. As for my kids, they saw that mommys' face was bruised and swollen, but they were at school when I fell, so they don't know the full extent of what happened. I will let them know when I can explain the miracles that happened. I am grateful that I am still here to raise my kids and be a mom. And I'm sure my family is too.

Hello

Hello. My name is Lori Smith. I live in Salt Lake City, Utah with my wonderful husband of almost ten years, Ethan, and two adorable children, Maryn and Valin. I have Friedreich's
Ataxia, which is a form of Muscular Dystrophy. I use a power wheelchair full-time so my experiences and tales of motherhood are unique because the mom has a disability. I am hoping that this blog can be a look at my life with all of its challenges and blessings. Maybe you can find some ways that we are similar.
To begin, it might be helpful to introduce my wonderful family. Maryn is our beautiful daughter who is eight years old. Valin is our mischeivous son who is almost six. My husband and I met in high school. He was dating a friend of mine and she let him get away. I liked him and we started dating after graduation. Our romance was like a romance novel,including my waiting for him while he served a mission for the LDS church in Brazil. When he got home, we got married in the Salt Lake Temple. We are members of the LDS church; my faith guides me in everything I do.
Well, I'm hoping that I can post to this blog often. I don't work, just at home with my kids. Please let me know who my readers are. We are more alike than we are different. Maybe you can see some similarities already.