home, sweet home

some changes are on the horizon for the hess family.  without going in to too much detail (because it could go on forever if i get on my soapbox) we are moving.  the county we live in, gwinnett, was going to move carson to yet another school for 2nd grade so that he could still receive smaller teacher to student ratio and more individualized instruction.  he still needs quite a bit of "hand holding" to get his work done in a timely manor.  he understands the skills, just needs extra help to get it done.  he is our day dreamer, shall we say.  anyway, our home school where brooks goes doesn't have enough resources available to make this happen (imagine me saying that with a very big throat clear and angry face because to me it just doesn't make sense, but i am just one parent and have been told that it would not be the best use of tax payer dollars and that there is no recorded data that moving a kid, with special needs mind you, around from school to school to school is harmful to their self esteem.  i call BS.  just sayin'...i'd like to see how they would handle it if it were their kid being yanked around.  soapbox, sorry.) and the current school he's at (his second school.  kindergarten program was at one school, 1st grade is at another and who the hell knows where 2nd grade is) can't service him either.  the moment i heard the words out of his teacher's mouth i saw the for sale sign in my head and made it a reality just a few days later.  it's a shame that a county so large with so many resources can't make a kid with special needs feel welcome and like he has a place in this community, too.  again, soapbox.  don't even get me started.  this could go on for quite a while. 

so, where are we going (because our house is SOLD!  30 days on the market and it was snatched up--much more to come on leaving good ole deerhaven trail.  many tears have already been shed).  we are moving just a few miles over to buford city.  we have heard so many wonderful things about this school system.  it's actually been ranked the #1 school system in the state of georgia.  and they have seen carson's IEP (individualized educational plan) and are ready to accept him with open arms.  hopefully, no more moving around.  he will see consistent faces from year to year just like it should be.  so we are now a buford wolves family.  the boys will finish out where they are at but come next school year they will be in the same system.  halleluiah, can i get an amen!  we should be breaking ground on our new house any moment now and will be done (fingers crossed and prayers answered) and moved in by the end of august.  we lost out on a house we desperately wanted so we just decided to build on one of the last lots in a wonderful neighborhood.  it is going to be an incredibly stressful time but all well worth it.  we're making a change that's not just for us but for our kids.  i pray every night that it's the right change and that the boys (and shelby one day) thrive in their new school.  all good things!  i just keep saying it to myself, all good things.  

our new home.  or at least where it will be built if it ever stops raining long enough for them to start!

and just so the neighbors know how we roll, shelby decided to undress in broad daylight.

daddy to the rescue.