Best Days EVER!

Well, the title might be an exaggeration, but no lie. Today was one of the BEST DAYS EVER in my life since I had MM.

Why?

Please hang with me while I brag.

My amazing daughter. The one who was born premature. The one who has cerebral palsy. The one who they said would never walk. The one who they then said would never walk unassisted. The one who they diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder. The one who wouldn't be able to be mainstreamed until third grade. Yeah, that girl.

She completed & graduated from regular ed kindergarten. Not only did she pass, she superseded all of their expectations. She did it! I just want to jump up & down & scream with my fists in the air:

HEY WORLD! SHE DID IT! WE DID IT!

She also got an award at the assembly for being the Super Site Word reader of all of kindergarten. She was very proud of herself. Her daddy went & watched her get the award- mommy had to work. A couple of her classmates got citizen awards for always going the extra mile & helping her. She loves those two girls & tells me so along with that they are her friends. They love her. The school has instilled such a sense of community in those children & really take care of MM, encourage MM and make sure she does what they are doing & gets where they are going. Her teacher made an amazing video of the year that she gave a DVD to each student. I bawled my eyes out watching it. My baby is a big girl now. She is going on to regular ed first grade with all of her supports.

This day has confirmed our choices. We made the right one for her & us to mainstream her from the beginning. The children are used to her & know how she is & they love her just the same.

Her second tooth fell out yesterday (finally) after the permanent one has been in, so the tooth fairy came last night. She only left a dollar this time. I am glad cause we go to the dentist for the first time tomorrow. We also go to the eye specialist in the morning.

I am feeling better. I worked all day yesterday & part of today. I leave early on Thursdays to take her to therapy. She had a great OT session. She cut, glued, colored & wrote her name very legibly. She interacted & made astonishing eye contact. She had water therapy. She moved her arms & her legs in a true swimming motion for 5 strokes. First time ever! Her therapist was jumping up & down, cheering. Of course, this scared MM and she didn't do it again.

While I was in the hospital for the week, MM & Daddy came up with a wonderful surprise. Again the kid with all of the above mentioned stuff has learned to pedal a regular bike with training wheels. Wooohoooooo! Watched her do it for the first time Tuesday. Yes, I was bawling then.

She has told me a million times today how much she loves me & daddy & nana & pop-pop.

I got a great evaluation at work which means a great raise. I got a guardian angel award at work for giving good care to someone. It is a very special recognition to get & not very many are given out.

It has been a good week. I know this is disjointed, but I just had to share my great news. This is one of the best days that I will never forget. Honestly, ranks right up there in my top 5 of my life like the day she was born, getting married, etc.

With this, I will leave the lyrics to the song that the teacher used on the DVD. I had never heard it before & I LOVE it. I am going to download it (even if it is by that kook R.K.E.L.L.Y. )


"The World's Greatest"
I am a mountain
I am a tall tree
Oh, I am a swift wind
Sweepin' the country
I am a river
Down in the valley
Oh, I am a vision
And I can see clearly
If anybody asks you who I am
Just stand up tall look 'em in the Face and say

[Chorus]
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
Hey, I made it
I'm the worlds greatest
And I'm that little bit of hope
When my backs against the ropes
I can feel it mmm
I'm the worlds greatest

I am a giant
I am an eagle
I am a lion
Down in the jungle
I am a marchin' band
I am the people
I am a helpin' hand
And I am a hero
If anybody asks u who I am
Just stand up tall look 'em in the Face and say

[Chorus]
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
I made it
I'm the worlds greatest
And I'm that little bit of hope
When my backs against the ropes
I can feel it
I'm the worlds greatest

In the ring of life I'll reign love
(I will reign)
And the world will notice a king
(Oh Yeah)
When all is darkest, I'll shine a light
(Shine a light)
And use a success you'll find in me
(Me)

[Chorus]
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
Hey, I made it
I'm the world's greatest
And I'm that little bit of hope
When my back's against the ropes
I can feel it
I'm the world's greatest
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
Hey, I made it
I'm the world's greatest
And I'm that little bit of hope
When my back's against the ropes
I can feel it
I'm the world's greatest
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
Hey, I made it
I'm the world's greatest
And I'm that little bit of hope
When my back's against the ropes
I can feel it
I'm the world's greatest
[*]It's the greatest
Can you feel it
It's the greatest
Can you feel it[Repeat * while:]
I saw the light
At the end of a tunnel
Believe in the pot of gold
At the end of the rainbow
And faith was right there
To pull me through, yeah
Used to be locked doors
Now I can just walk on through
Hey, uh, hey, hey, hey
It's the greatest
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
Hey, I made it
I'm the world's greatest
And I'm that little bit of hope
When my back's against the ropes
I can feel it
I'm the world's greatest

MM, you have made it!