Thursday, May 29, 2008
A Few Weeks In Pictures
My wonderful oldest daughter turned 12 last month. Here she is with one of her best friends, getting ready to blow out the candles.
We went to my niece Jessica's wedding a few months ago. Here are all the kids outside the church. It was a hot day and Paige wasn't looking very happy.
The older boys left there jackets on for this photo and then off they came for the rest of the day. I can't blame them, it was really blazing hot that day.
There were bubbles on each table at the reception and Paige quickly grabbed some and started blowing. This is her innocent look. She was hoping I wasn't noticing how she was taking the bubbles off of ALL the tables.
Zachary had his Baseball Awards Banquet last night. I can't believe he only has two more years of high school. I have let the kids know that they can go to college up to two hours away and THAT IS IT. I think they assume I am kidding. I am not.
Now, I am going to be brave and actually show you a picture of myself. I hate to have my picture taken because I really need to lose 40 pounds. When I see the photo I always ask myself "Who is that person"? and am then shocked to realize it is actually me.
Are you ready? Here it is......Samantha and I getting ready to leave for American Idol.
In case you can't tell, I'm the chubby one on the right. Don't you love Samantha's shades (and Paige's art work on the wall next to us)?
I keep thinking I really need to work on losing weight before we go to Ethiopia. I don't want our new kids to be shocked by there new mama's chubbiness. This picture makes me a little more motivated. Nothing like sharing your inner feelings with the entire blogisphere to really get the motivational juices flowing.
Well, I must go now. The family is watching Survivorman and he is teaching us how to survey if stranded in the desert. I don't want to miss him eating the live scorpion. They just look oh so yummy. Really. I mean it.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day Weekend
Eight games in 3 days.
One trophy.
Two happy sons.
Here's youngest son celebrating with his team.
He's the crazy one on the left (front) who looks like he is smelling his arm pit. I'm sure it didn't smell pretty after all those games.
One trophy.
Two happy sons.
Here's youngest son celebrating with his team.
He's the crazy one on the left (front) who looks like he is smelling his arm pit. I'm sure it didn't smell pretty after all those games.I am so thankful to live in a country where my children are free to play in baseball tournaments on this very special weekend.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all the men and women who gave there lives so my children could live there's.
Friday, May 23, 2008
The Yellow Water
Those of you who have been reading here for a while know that our youngest child, Paige (4), has some speech and developmental delays. When she started in her preschool program six months ago she was testing as a two year old for her developmental age. I just had her IEP meeting (individual educational plan) and was told she is now testing at 3 years 2 months.
She has made fantastic progress and her verbal skills have just exploded. We are so thrilled!
There is one area where Paige was refusing to leave her "baby" ways and grow into a "big girl".
Toilet training.
She refused to go to the bathroom in the toilet. She wears underwear all day long and then when she has to go "pee" she would either put a pull up on ( pee in it, take it off, throw away, put Cinderella underwear back on) or go stand in the bathtub and pee.
Doesn't it seem like using the toilet would be a whole lot easier????
We were aware (and had talked with the school psychologist about this) that this behavior was more about control than not being able to be potty trained. Basically, she was potty trained. She just didn't go in the toilet.
I had been patient with her and hoped she would just start using the toilet like her friends. It never happened.
Two weeks ago I decided enough was enough. I threw all the pull ups away and told her she HAD TO USE THE TOILET. She was a big girl and nothing else would be acceptable.
This kid is so unbelievably stubborn. For 9 days we went round and round and when she was finally tired of being disciplined for not complying, she went in and very unceremoniously used the toilet for the first time. She has stayed dry (night and day) now for about 10 days and I am so glad this little war is finally over.
We are still have some "pooping" issues but she is coming along and I think this will be resolved within the week also.
The first night, after she finally decided it was easier to just use the toilet, I was praying with her before bed. I was going on and on about how proud we were of her, and I guess I went a little overboard. In the middle of my prayer she puts her hand over my mouth and says "say Amen".
"I pray now" she tells me.
"Thank You for the yellow water in the potty, Amen" she says.
Oh how this girl makes me laugh and smile.
I am also very thankful for the yellow water in the potty. Now, if only the brown bricks could join it for the party this mom will be singing the Hallelujah chorus.
She has made fantastic progress and her verbal skills have just exploded. We are so thrilled!
There is one area where Paige was refusing to leave her "baby" ways and grow into a "big girl".
Toilet training.
She refused to go to the bathroom in the toilet. She wears underwear all day long and then when she has to go "pee" she would either put a pull up on ( pee in it, take it off, throw away, put Cinderella underwear back on) or go stand in the bathtub and pee.
Doesn't it seem like using the toilet would be a whole lot easier????
We were aware (and had talked with the school psychologist about this) that this behavior was more about control than not being able to be potty trained. Basically, she was potty trained. She just didn't go in the toilet.
I had been patient with her and hoped she would just start using the toilet like her friends. It never happened.
Two weeks ago I decided enough was enough. I threw all the pull ups away and told her she HAD TO USE THE TOILET. She was a big girl and nothing else would be acceptable.
This kid is so unbelievably stubborn. For 9 days we went round and round and when she was finally tired of being disciplined for not complying, she went in and very unceremoniously used the toilet for the first time. She has stayed dry (night and day) now for about 10 days and I am so glad this little war is finally over.
We are still have some "pooping" issues but she is coming along and I think this will be resolved within the week also.
The first night, after she finally decided it was easier to just use the toilet, I was praying with her before bed. I was going on and on about how proud we were of her, and I guess I went a little overboard. In the middle of my prayer she puts her hand over my mouth and says "say Amen".
"I pray now" she tells me.
"Thank You for the yellow water in the potty, Amen" she says.
Oh how this girl makes me laugh and smile.
I am also very thankful for the yellow water in the potty. Now, if only the brown bricks could join it for the party this mom will be singing the Hallelujah chorus.
Labels: Mom Stuff
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I'm Baaaack
Wow, two weeks have gone by since I had a chance to update the old blog. The word busy would not begin to describe the last few weeks.
Firstly, we have decided not to move. We did meet with a realtor who thought she had a buyer for our house. This statement sent me into a panic attack which made me realize I didn't really want to move. The extra space and land would have been nice but this definitely is not the right time for us. We have way to much going on in our life to take on a move. I feel so much better since we made this decision.
One of our documents for the adoption needed to be redone so I got that taken care of. We now just need to receive all the documents back from the Secretary of State so we can send it all off to the adoption agency. I will be so happy when all those papers are out of my life.
Tyler has had some more testing and the urologist also can't figure out what is going on with him. All the tests have come out normal but he is still having the same symptoms. They are a little baffled, and are ordering more tests.
My mom also has had a health scare but, praise God, all seems to be well with her now. She does have shingles and is in some pain but hopefully those will be gone within the next few days.
Baseball season is still in full swing with All Stars just around the corner. It looks like hubby may be the manager of one of the All Star Teams so our season won't be over for a while. Zach is done with his High School season and starts his travel ball season this weekend. Both Garrett and Zach will be playing in Memorial Weekend tournaments. That means they will have a minimum of 8 games combined. No laying around in lounge chairs by the pool for us.
I have some new pictures I've been wanting to share so I will try and get those up tomorrow. Take care and thanks so much to all of you who emailed to check on me. I'm so sorry life took over and I forgot about my little old blog. I'll try and do better in the future.
Firstly, we have decided not to move. We did meet with a realtor who thought she had a buyer for our house. This statement sent me into a panic attack which made me realize I didn't really want to move. The extra space and land would have been nice but this definitely is not the right time for us. We have way to much going on in our life to take on a move. I feel so much better since we made this decision.
One of our documents for the adoption needed to be redone so I got that taken care of. We now just need to receive all the documents back from the Secretary of State so we can send it all off to the adoption agency. I will be so happy when all those papers are out of my life.
Tyler has had some more testing and the urologist also can't figure out what is going on with him. All the tests have come out normal but he is still having the same symptoms. They are a little baffled, and are ordering more tests.
My mom also has had a health scare but, praise God, all seems to be well with her now. She does have shingles and is in some pain but hopefully those will be gone within the next few days.
Baseball season is still in full swing with All Stars just around the corner. It looks like hubby may be the manager of one of the All Star Teams so our season won't be over for a while. Zach is done with his High School season and starts his travel ball season this weekend. Both Garrett and Zach will be playing in Memorial Weekend tournaments. That means they will have a minimum of 8 games combined. No laying around in lounge chairs by the pool for us.
I have some new pictures I've been wanting to share so I will try and get those up tomorrow. Take care and thanks so much to all of you who emailed to check on me. I'm so sorry life took over and I forgot about my little old blog. I'll try and do better in the future.
Labels: Mom Stuff
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
A Sleepy Day
Paige (4) started attending the morning preschool class this week. She now goes four days (Mon. - Thurs.) a week instead of only two. Today is day three and I can't wake her up. She is pooped.
Mom is pooped too! I fell asleep last night with Paige at 7:30 on my bed. No one came and woke me up, so around 2:30 this morning I woke up, my body was done sleeping.
I folded a whole bunch of laundry, picked up the house, and did some paperwork. It was great. A very productive time.
The only problem is that it is now 7:00 a.m. and I want to go back to bed. However, there are children to take care of and take to school. Bummer. (OK, did that just date me?)
I also have a workman showing up this morning to fix a 12 x 12" hole in my upstairs drywall. How, you may ask, did you get a hole that size in your wall?
Well, you see, my wonderful husband decided to wrestle his very large 14 year old son in the hallway. For fun.
The force of there bodies hitting the wall shattered it, creating the very large hole.
As we may be putting our house on the market in a few weeks I thought it would be wise to fix the hole asap.
I'm pretty sure a large hole in the hallway is not a feature most home buyers are seeking.
I think I'm going to lay on the couch and watch American Idol and Dancing with the Stars while my nice workman fixes the hole.
Just think about the story he'll have to tell his wife when he gets home about the crazy lady with all the kids who lays on her couch all day and watches reality TV shows.
Should be a good conversation at dinner tonight.
Mom is pooped too! I fell asleep last night with Paige at 7:30 on my bed. No one came and woke me up, so around 2:30 this morning I woke up, my body was done sleeping.
I folded a whole bunch of laundry, picked up the house, and did some paperwork. It was great. A very productive time.
The only problem is that it is now 7:00 a.m. and I want to go back to bed. However, there are children to take care of and take to school. Bummer. (OK, did that just date me?)
I also have a workman showing up this morning to fix a 12 x 12" hole in my upstairs drywall. How, you may ask, did you get a hole that size in your wall?
Well, you see, my wonderful husband decided to wrestle his very large 14 year old son in the hallway. For fun.
The force of there bodies hitting the wall shattered it, creating the very large hole.
As we may be putting our house on the market in a few weeks I thought it would be wise to fix the hole asap.
I'm pretty sure a large hole in the hallway is not a feature most home buyers are seeking.
I think I'm going to lay on the couch and watch American Idol and Dancing with the Stars while my nice workman fixes the hole.
Just think about the story he'll have to tell his wife when he gets home about the crazy lady with all the kids who lays on her couch all day and watches reality TV shows.
Should be a good conversation at dinner tonight.
Labels: Mom Stuff
Monday, May 05, 2008
Not A Happy Camper
A few weeks ago my kids commented on how warm the pool was even though it hadn't been that hot outside.
Hubby mentions that he found the pool heater on the other night and that is probably why it was warm.
I question him as to how long he thinks the heater was on, and he says only a couple of days while the pump was running. He thinks the kids accidentally switched it on when turning off the spa a few days before.
Well, yesterday I got the gas bill. We have a gas heater on the pool.
Last months bill was $86.00. This months bill was $417.00.
Something tells me the pool heater was on for more than a few days (or hours).
I was calm and did not yell.
I only looked at the offending child with a very annoyed look on my face and tried my hardest not to cry.
Needless to say hubby and I will be checking the pool heater a little more closely (and regularly) in the future.
Hubby mentions that he found the pool heater on the other night and that is probably why it was warm.
I question him as to how long he thinks the heater was on, and he says only a couple of days while the pump was running. He thinks the kids accidentally switched it on when turning off the spa a few days before.
Well, yesterday I got the gas bill. We have a gas heater on the pool.
Last months bill was $86.00. This months bill was $417.00.
Something tells me the pool heater was on for more than a few days (or hours).
I was calm and did not yell.
I only looked at the offending child with a very annoyed look on my face and tried my hardest not to cry.
Needless to say hubby and I will be checking the pool heater a little more closely (and regularly) in the future.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Getting Things Done
I have had a busy and productive week. I'm ready to relax a little this weekend.
I had Paige's (4) IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting this week. We talked about her great progress in the preschool program and also about our goals for the future. I really like the school psychologist. Not only is she very knowledgeable she seems to have a good grasp on common sense. Something I have found lacking in the doctors I have taken Paige to see.
She sees nothing in her testing that would back up the first doctors diagnosis of Autism. Paige, for some reason, has pretty severe developmental and speech delays. She is making amazing progress and they expect great things from her. Isn't this so much nicer than the doctor who basically told me to not get my hopes up?
She was approved to go to the special day kindergarten class next fall, which we had requested, and she will continue to receive the help and support she needs. I am so happy. This is a wonderful answer to prayer.
My week was also busy running our 14 year old middle son around from doctor to doctor. He is still having his problem. The nephrologist has ruled out, after many many tests, any problems with his kidneys. I am very thankful for that, however, this meant we were transferred over to the urologist who will be doing a test involving dye and catheters and x-ray's. It does not sound fun. Hubby has been elected to go with him for this one. I don't really think a 14 year old boy wants his mother standing next to him for a test like this.
I really liked this doctor. He was great with Tyler and very reassuring. I just want them to figure out what is wrong so they can fix it and this poor kid can get on with life as usual. It seems like he has spent more time at the doctors office lately than he has at school.
I'm trying not to freak out and let my mind go places I shouldn't regarding this little problem. I am definitely continuing my ban on Web M.D.. I don't need to be doing any self diagnosing and sending myself into a tizzy.
Today I also finished reviewing our Dossier documents and I found a mistake on one of them. I was so annoyed. I thought I was all done with the paper chase. Have I mentioned in the last few weeks how much I hate paperwork? Yeah, I thought so. I'm sorry.
Lastly, we are still thinking about the house. I actually got loan approval today just in case we decided to make an offer. Not sure what we will do but it is nice knowing we have options if we decide to do something. I think much more prayer is needed.
I had Paige's (4) IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting this week. We talked about her great progress in the preschool program and also about our goals for the future. I really like the school psychologist. Not only is she very knowledgeable she seems to have a good grasp on common sense. Something I have found lacking in the doctors I have taken Paige to see.
She sees nothing in her testing that would back up the first doctors diagnosis of Autism. Paige, for some reason, has pretty severe developmental and speech delays. She is making amazing progress and they expect great things from her. Isn't this so much nicer than the doctor who basically told me to not get my hopes up?
She was approved to go to the special day kindergarten class next fall, which we had requested, and she will continue to receive the help and support she needs. I am so happy. This is a wonderful answer to prayer.
My week was also busy running our 14 year old middle son around from doctor to doctor. He is still having his problem. The nephrologist has ruled out, after many many tests, any problems with his kidneys. I am very thankful for that, however, this meant we were transferred over to the urologist who will be doing a test involving dye and catheters and x-ray's. It does not sound fun. Hubby has been elected to go with him for this one. I don't really think a 14 year old boy wants his mother standing next to him for a test like this.
I really liked this doctor. He was great with Tyler and very reassuring. I just want them to figure out what is wrong so they can fix it and this poor kid can get on with life as usual. It seems like he has spent more time at the doctors office lately than he has at school.
I'm trying not to freak out and let my mind go places I shouldn't regarding this little problem. I am definitely continuing my ban on Web M.D.. I don't need to be doing any self diagnosing and sending myself into a tizzy.
Today I also finished reviewing our Dossier documents and I found a mistake on one of them. I was so annoyed. I thought I was all done with the paper chase. Have I mentioned in the last few weeks how much I hate paperwork? Yeah, I thought so. I'm sorry.
Lastly, we are still thinking about the house. I actually got loan approval today just in case we decided to make an offer. Not sure what we will do but it is nice knowing we have options if we decide to do something. I think much more prayer is needed.
Labels: Adoption, Developmental Delays, kids
