Arise

Guess what friends??  I started a private practice!  I know, I know, I am crazy.  I have 3 little kids I adore that need as much attention as I can give them.  I have this crazy, random, illness that threatens to take away my functioning (Meniere's Disease).  However, I need to work part time to contribute to the family finances.  So if I need to work anyways, why not work for myself, right?

Best decision ever!  (Well, not really "ever" but it's been a super great decision.)  It was a ton of work (I've been missing in action for the past few months getting it ready) but I opened on August 1, 2014.  In the two months I've been open, I have been able to help several people.  I am definitely feeling very blessed.

One of my goals has been to certify in sandtray therapy.  I've used sandtray for years but decided to take the classes to certify.  Part of the certification process has been to build my own sandtrays.  It's interesting how hearing loss has impacted EVERY area of my life and that came out in the sand.  I've spent my life trying to "prove" myself.  When you have to work harder, think smarter, avoid effectively, fake your way through conversations, manage constant anxiety and constantly try to fill in the blanks, you tend to have to prove your competency again and again.  What the sand taught me is that I've already proven myself, I do not have to keep trying to.  That was very liberating.  I am enough.  (And so are YOU!)

So many doors have opened to me since getting my Master's degree and licensing as a therapist.  Even more doors have opened since getting a CI.  One of these days I'll tell you the meaning behind my business name.  But enough for now, I've got dishes to do and a company to build :)

My Boys

Baby Sean is now 9 months old and sporting a helmet these days.  His head is misshaped due to some complications of infancy.  The helmet is working so well.  And he looks adorable in it.  AND it protects his head from every bump and fall.  Score :)  Joshua is now 4 and a half.  Just before Sean was born, Joshua was diagnosed with hearing loss.  I've suspected it for a while but we weren't sure if it was ear infection related and would be cured with tubes.  Well, he no longer has ear infections but still has hearing loss.  It sucks.  The last thing I wanted to pass on to my children is my hearing loss.  Right now, it's a mild loss.  But that's how it starts with us.  Mild loss can still impact your life in negative ways.  It's affected Joshua's speech, his ability to hear whispers and music, and speech in noise.  I've been preparing him for hearing aids.  He SO does not want hearing aids. {sigh}

The school district audiologist is AWESOME.  Love her.  I appreciate that Joshua's life is starting to fill up with helping, caring, knowledgeable helping professionals.  My guilt is starting to subside.  A little.  He will not start kindergarten until 2015 and will for sure have hearing aids before then.  In the mean time, I am still working on preparing him.  There are a  lot of sorrows ahead.  Lessons too.  I know he will be okay and I am so, so grateful he has a happy-go-lucky personality.  It will help him!