Tommi had appt number two at the Riley Adolescent and Gender Clinic today. I think Laura (our NP) thought she walked into the wrong room with all of the interaction and good news Tommi had to share with her. It was noted his depression and anxiety was much less today and with the second Depo shot he should see less break through bleeding and that will make life even better. I was so happy sitting by him in clinic today. He was cheery and confident and proud to share his growth with Laura. And he didn’t flinch at the shot, even though I know it hurt. We celebrated with a trip to Kung Fu Tea for a Oreo Wow Boba Tea…his new obsession.

I have a binder I take to all of Tommis medical appointments and so I had it with us today. It has all of our treatment options and decisions for Tommi written in it beginning with his ADHD diagnosis of April 2012. When we got home he asked if he could look through it and then spent the next hour pouring over my notes and the medicines he’s been on and the efforts so many have made in his young life to make things better for him. Maybe for the first time ever, he got a glimpse of understanding at what his village has done/is doing for him. There are my notes, as well as notes from Scott, Jodi (early counselor), Mrs. Sellers (2nd/3rd grade), Mrs. Clarey (5th grade), and Brad. It’s chalk full of info and he loved looking through it.

AND…..Tommi finished 8th grade today! Now to a 12-week summer! As of right now, he will do 9th grade with connections academy as well. But we had a long talk this afternoon and a listing of pros and cons of online, in-person and hybrid school options and he’s seriously considering his choices. I’m praying for hybrid or in-person.

It’s been a lovely day with this kiddo.

We are in a season of change in the VonBlon household. So many changes coming in the coming weeks that if I sit down and think about it all, my head starts to spin. Normally in times of transition, Tommi is reactive. He’s anxious and mean and you can set him off at the tip of a hat. But he’s been, for the most part, the picture of emotional calm this past month.

He started a mood stabilizer medicine 5 weeks ago. It’s made a vast difference in his anger and annoyance. But he’s remained anxious at times. To the point that he has realized he may want to take some anxiety meds again. So today at his psychiatry appointment, he told her everything that’s been going on, better mood and better sleep, asked her about his dental trauma and then asked Dr Kledzik for anxiety meds. she was blown away by his amount of talking and the info he gave her! He even asked to talk to Brad this week about a concern he had.

Jackson returns home this weekend, that is always a rough transition for Tommi. He’s been talking about J coming home, so hopefully this transition goes easier for Tommi. J is such a presence, not in a bad way at all, but our dynamic changes when he’s home and change is tough when you’re autistic, anxious and routine based.

And Tommi has been really talking about and asking questions about college and apartment living and jobs. We had a real conversation about culinary school. About him wanting to go somewhere with a campus. I REPEAT….Tommi is talking about moving out of my house sometime in the future!

And last night, Todd and I went to the Kenny Chesney concert and Tommi didn’t initiate a text to me at all. He wasn’t upset when we left, he told us to have fun and waited up for us to “make sure we got home ok and that we had a good time.”

I’m so impressed with this kiddo recently. Taking charge of his schoolwork, being so considerate, being helpful with the dogs, the cats, the laundry and cooking, and being my “coach” as I change my nutrition and fitness habits. Now if I could just get him to clean!