Wow….what a weekend it has been filled with excitement and so much anxiety.  I wish my anxiety would step to the side, at the very least for the happy, fun times in my life.

Saturday started out like any other normal Saturday would. Woke up, ate breakfast, worked out.  The only odd the about it was that my 8 year old wanted to work out with Kristine, a lady in our boot camp, and I only if he could design and run the workout.  He did and it was pretty tough.  After that I had to head out to pick up a donation for my son Joe’s performing arts Youth Company.  Of course I got lost on my way out to where I needed to go.  It was quite a distance but well worth it.  Two ladies that I used to work with opened up a beautiful shop a few years ago.  It’s wonderful!  I couldn’t resist but to buy a few things for myself.

I was headed back home when I noticed my friend Traci called me a few times.  I called her back and she asked if I got her text.  I received a text that I read from her earlier, but she was referring to a different text.  She was calling me to let me know that her son Jonathan received an acceptance letter to a school he and my son Joe auditioned for.  The girl was freaking out!

So, with that said…I needed to know if I should be freaking out to.  She lives across the street from me so I asked her if my husband was home, she said he was.  I then told her to go to my mailbox to see if the mail was still in there, it was.  I asked her to look through the mail to see if we received a letter from the school, WE DID!

I asked her to go to my door and ring the bell and have my husband open the letter.  The next thing I knew there was screaming and screeching at the other end of the phone.  Traci was trying to talk but I couldn’t understand a darn word she was saying.  So it was safe to assume Joe got in as well…WOOH HOO!  I finally was able to speak to my husband…we were so excited that he too was accepted into the School of the Arts. 

I didn’t expect Joe to get in only because he didn’t have any coaching for the audition and just joined the performing arts youth company in the fall.  I figured when he would get denied and he could audition again next year when he had a bit more experience.

Because of that, because I didn’t think my son would get into that school, I feel HORRIBLE.  I felt so guilty.  My husband said he knew he would get in for theater.  When Joe finished his audition for theater I asked how he thought he did and he said, “Great, I’m getting in” and I thought my goodness you’re just like your dad haha.  I envy their confidence.  I love that they have it and I wish I had a fraction of it.

One day, just out of the blue,  Joe said he wanted to go to School of the Arts.  I didn’t know much about it other than it was a performing arts school and you needed to audition to get in.  He wanted to try out for Vocal Music and Theater Arts; Theater Arts being his first choice.  I told him he could audition; we filled out the applications, hired a voice teacher, and prayed.  And what to our surprise…he did it and we are so proud.

Here's a little bit about the school:  The School of the Arts is a county-wide magnet school that blends intensive artistic instruction with a strong academic program for nearly 1,000 students in grades 6-12.  The students receive daily instruction in their major art area and participate in a challenging academic curriculum that includes college preparatory, honors, and advanced palcement courses.  School of the Arts students have distinguished themselves creatively and academincally since the school began in 1995. Applications are based upon auditions in art majors in creative writing, dance, instrumental band, string orchestra, vocal music, piano, theatre, and visual art.  Student may apply in two areas but are only accepted in one.  Auditions are extremely competative.

Poor Joe has this terrible case of middle child syndrome.  Im hoping his acceptance into School of the Arts will cure it. Having an older brother with Asperger’s and a younger brother with PDD-NOS he has assumed a few different rolls.  One being brother, the other rolls are more parental, protector, drill sergeant haha.  Although Joe doesn’t know much about his brothers disabilities he notices their deficits.  He sees that they go to the doctor often, because of this Joe pays a visit to the school nurse regularly.  He has a peanut allergy and begs us to take him to see his allergist.  If he is truly sick and I take him to the doctor, he is excited about it.  It makes me sad to see him feel this way and most of the time I’m really not sure how to handle it. 

While Nick was in elementary he and I would spend many nights sitting at the kitchen table trying to study and complete homework.  Joe would always come over and want to help but I would always ask him to leave.  Not because I didn’t want him there or because he couldn’t help us.  It was only because Nick would be distracted.  Nick loves Joe; Joe always makes him laugh.  Joe would always walk away looking so down.

One of our biggest challenges with Joe is that he is demanding so much attention.  If someone compliments Nick or Justin on something, Joe will pop in and say something about what he’s done or he’ll say that he can do it better.  I know his intentions are not to belittle his brothers, I don’t think he realizes that it does.

He loves to have fun with people of all ages.  He acts so silly and makes so many people smile. He comes oh so close to crossing the line of being disrespectful sometimes.  When that child is making me laugh I have to interrupt my own laughter to remind him to remember who he is speaking to.

Joe is so sweet.  He will ALWAYS climb into bed for a back scratch or a belly rub.  If I’m sitting on the couch he sits right next to me and hugs my arm and talks away.  I love that he does this.  He always wants to talk to TJ and me.  There are times when I want some quiet time but I can’t resist him when he’s ready to just sit and talk about his day.  I take advantage of those opportunities as much as possible; I know they will end one day.

I just love that little boy…couldn’t imagine my life without him.  He’s one of the most caring, funniest, sweetest and handsome boys I know.  I thank God every night for 3 of the most amazing blessings he has ever given me.