Graduation

Julia and her pre-k teachers - Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Caplin.  These ladies poured in Julia this year and have her right on track to be a successful kindergartener while maintaining her sunny disposition.

We're so proud of our newest kindergartener!

 Jonah's class getting ready to do the gradation walk.

Jonah giving Mrs. Sopchyk, his teacher, a big graduation hug.  

Noah's Ark graduating kindergarten class 

Here's looking at you 1st grader!

Given our history, Jonah graduating kindergarten seemed reason enough to pull Noah and Anna from school so we could all celebrate together.

Always an includer, Jonah invited his therapists to gradation and Ms. Karen (OT) and Ms. Kim (Speech) were able to attend.  Ms. Renee (PT) had to watch the graduation video later that day.  It was so special to have them there to help celebrate.

Mrs. Marmorstone was Jonah's 2s & 3s teacher.  She has stayed in touch and involved in Jonah's story, and therefore couldn't miss his big day.  It was a special surprise to have her there, and we are so grateful for the way she keeps showing up in Jonah's life.

 The diploma makes it official - he's off to 1st grade!

Celebrating graduation wouldn't be complete without a picture with Liz.  Liz has been around forever, but this year was especially important because she was Jonah's 1:1 aide in school.  Getting to graduation was a big accomplishment for both of them!

Getting Jonah to 1st grade was the easy part, in a small, safe, familiar environment.  Getting him through 1st grade is going to take some more work.  That's what this document is - the 55 page IEP that was finalized in a room of 27 people.  Jonah is going to need a lot of different supports, but he is going to start his public school education at our home school in a general education classroom.  We know it won't be easy, but this seems like the right place to give him the best chance to be successful.  He will need a new 1:1 aide, as Liz will not be going with him.  If you know anyone who is looking for a school hours job and the chance to work with a hardworking super sweet kid, let us know.

I would apologize for the long breaks of silence on the blog, but really, the long breaks mean that we're busy living life and not tumbling around the mix emotions that can come with more serious matters.

Last week we were on high celebration mode as Jonah and Julia graduated from their respective classes at Noah's Ark.  Julia graduating from pre-k, although celebratory, was a little less dramatic, as she will be back at the school next year.  Jonah's graduation, however, was all celebration.  As a family, we were welling with pride over how far Jonah has come in the last year - knowing that this very celebration was something that was at one point a questionable dream.  The graduation ceremony opened with the pastor (Pastor Winkler) taking the time to acknowledge the journey that the whole class, but especially Jonah has been on.  It took everything in us to not reflect too deeply, knowing that we'd be a bucket of tears otherwise.  Then the class broke into songs and ceremony.

I don't know yet if every milestone for Jonah will seem that much more remarkable than normal, but for now they do.  Maybe they always will, and that's ok - he has fought a hard fight to achieve each milestone, so why should we not celebrate?  Happy Graduation Buddy - we love you!!!