Weekend at home

I am so happy to report that we had a wonderful weekend at home with Oksana!  We picked her up Friday from school and took her to order new glasses.  The ones she is wearing are not in good shape, but we refused to buy new ones while she lived in residential since they don't take good care of things.  They are pink and she can't wait to get them!  Friday evening we went to a spaghetti dinner that was a fundraiser for a family adopting a child from China.  The girls loved it!  The boys had other plans so they didn't go.  By the time we got home the girls were exhausted and ready to go to bed.

Saturday we spent the morning just relaxing and hanging out.  I mentioned last time that seating was an issue and that she was trying to do things she could do before but can't  now.  We borrowed a chair that worked great for Oksana.  I think I only had to pick her up once or twice the whole weekend!  We also had a heart to heart with her about her body and what is happening.  We encouraged her to listen to her body and trust it when it is telling her it needs rest.  It made a great impact on her and she did so much better this weekend!  Her aunt came over for a little while and she got to meet her new cousin for the first time.  She loved that.

In the afternoon we went to see Anya cheer at a local college.  Two of the buddies on the team are cheerleaders at this college and they arranged for our squad to cheer at the half time of the basketball game.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  My favorite show yet.  Oksana did great.  She got ticked off once but it was easily resolved. Anya absolutely loved that Oksana got to see her cheer.  When she was doing her cheer she saw Oksana and started yelling her name!  Anya was one of my biggest fears when it came to bringing Oksana home and she has blown me away.  She has really taken on the roll of helper and has accepted her back without a second thought.  I think she sees the difference.

Saturday evening we watched a movie together and the girls were off to bed to get ready for Sunday.  Sunday morning Oksana was back to church for the first time in probably 8 months.  We kept her with us and just hung out and visited people during the service.  I have to admit it was awkward for me.  Oksana has changed a whole lot since she was at church last.  The difference is shocking.  I felt like all eyes were on us, but I'm not sure anyone knew what to say.  It's a large church so the ones who know us know the situation but it's still very different to hear about it than to see it.  Oksana loved being back though and when she comes home for good one of her respite workers will be her one on one so she can go to children's ministry with kids her age.

Sunday afternoon we had lunch and prepared to take Oksana back to residential.  She didn't want to go and we didn't want her to, but we kept saying "This is your last visit at home" and then she would say "Because next time it's for good!"

She did have a couple of times this weekend when she got ticked at us.  It was actually good to see since I didn't want this all to be honeymoon.  She worked through her frustrations fairly easily (compared to normal) and we moved on.  I was very pleased.

So here's where we are going from here.  Tuesday we had an IEP meeting to decide where she will go to school but she is pretty complicated so we didn't make a decision yet.  For now she will transport from home to the school she is currently attending.  More on that as it develops.  Luckily we have a great team working on this and I adore her teacher at her current school so it is all good.  Today we meet with Crider and Regional to work through any last minute details before she comes home.  Friday we have a family therapy session with her.  As of right now I'm thinking we will keep her at residential over the weekend.  Then on Monday she will go to school, I will head up there in the afternoon to fill out all of the discharge papers, and then I will bring her home for good!!

It's been a crazy journey, but we are so at peace with where we are right now.  I know struggles will come but this 6 months has brought much healing to our hearts.  Here are some pictures from cheer:

She wasn't too sure about them at first but once she figured out they weren't so bad it was kisses all around!

Ashley is Anya's buddy for cheer and she is also a cheerleader at this college.

Anya insisted that they all get on their knees!

The mascot that she is touching was so sweet!  She (I found out it is a female in the costume) sought Oksana out during the game to interact with her.  She loved it!

Anya's teacher and two paras came to see her!

Anya's respite worker and her sister.  They are awesome!