Kids funnies

LULU Funnies
Lulu spent the weekend at her cousins. (All of the kids were gone last weekend with the exception of Lauren, Angeline and Bear.) While at her cousins, Lulu spent sometime talking with her cousins about how she is going back to school.

She came home and told me the following:

"I don't know if we should go to public school there are bullies there!"

I assured Lulu that if she was bullied she could tell her teacher, or tell Mom and Dad and we would take care of it. She then went on:

"And sometimes the teachers are really vampires. My cousins teacher is a vampire at night. She comes over to my cousins house all the time- especially when she is sleeping and she messes up her room. And I know this is true Mom- because I saw what she left behind- I saw the mess!"

Soon after my explanation of vampire teachers being non-existant- Lulu told me:

"Well- I got to have an Oreo milkshake at the Jock in the Box. Mom you never take us to the Jock in the box!"

David and I made her repeat- Jock in the Box several times just to be sure we heard that right.

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Angeline Funnies

Angeline spent many mornings in the past week getting upset when we were getting her ready for school. She would make all kinds of requests:

"Mom I need to take my Po blankie in my backpack."

"Mom I want Pandy to come to school with me."

and this one:

"Mom can I take the remote in my back pack?"

and then the important questions began:

"Do they have a TV at school?"

(I am not sure if she was hoping to be able to use the remote at school, maybe its universal on any TV and contains DVR episodes of Backyardigans at her demand-at any place- any time.)

Too cute and slightly embarrassing.

(Everything in moderation right?)

Yesterday- she went to school with NO tears for the first time.

We are so proud of her.

____________________________________________________

Dominick Funnies

Dom spent a little too much time in the bathroom this morning. He walked out and had a book in his hands that I didn't recognize right away. Then he started showing me the pictures and I realized what it was...

"Mom- look at this. The Hobo Witnesses left it here last time that they came because they knew we had a lot of kids and we home school. Its the Hobo Witness Children's Bible. And I just read this story in it about this bad angel named Satin."

_______________________________

David, Cole and Grace funnies

Tonight after dinner I was talking with our three middle children. They were telling my about their home school classes today- which are held at a local church. They told me about a sign that they saw on the bulletin board.

It said:

"Men's Sack Lunch Bunch"

Of course they thought this was funny- get it? Cole can be so silly and they were nearly crying they were all laughing so hard when Cole reiterated what his friend had said in reference to the sign:

"I wonder if they are bringing two apples and a banana for lunch?"

(So bad. I know.)

Homeschool Lunch at our House

(Click on the picture to view it larger)

This may not be the scene at our house next year.

On Friday- before my husbands big birthday weekend-

We made the decision...

To "try" public school.

TRY is the key word.

We had to turn in a form to request the school we want

for the elementary kids (Sophie, Dom and Lulu.)

This is the school where Angeline attends.

It is however, not the school where they would normally be placed.

If the kids can't be together at the same school-

we will keep them in the home school program.

As for the other children:

David will be going to the High school.

Grace and Cole are in Junior High next year.

Lauren is starting a high school program at the community college.

Angeline will be in preschool during the mornings.

The paperwork for everyone is officially turned in.

The home school program has worked well for our family this year. It has given us the support financially (each student has funds for activities and supplies/books which is a significant amount)- and support academically (we have a family coordinator who helps us with struggles and just in general with keeping on track for each child). I do feel that when Isaac gets home- he is going to need ample time to adjust and have most of the attention each day.

I want to be available for him in this way.

We have a heck of a lot of time to catch up on.

In July- he will have lived at the orphanage for three years.

Three of his 3.5 years.

That's a lot.

Now- last year I had the same sentiments- but after we prayed we still felt that it was best for everyone to be home. In retrospect- I see Gods plan and the big picture. School ends in a couple weeks and Isaac still isn't home. But by school in the fall- I do hope that he will be here. It will have been THREE YEARS at that point since we started his adoption. To think anything other than his homecoming before fall would be ludicrous. Right?

So now we have made the decision.

To take a home school hiatus.

From here we will pray for peace about it.

And see how things work themselves out- just as they always should.

Freebies!

A while ago I wrote a letter to the manufacturer of Swiffer about their product and my feelings about it. (And no- I don't have "that kind of time" on my hands- I was just having a really passionate moment and couldn't "let it go" any other way.) They wrote me back a nice email, followed up with a letter and coupons and told me about this website:

VOCAL POINT

You should join.
(I am not getting paid to tell you this by the way.)

Last week I got a sample of Mini Wheats in the mail and several coupons- including a Buy One get One Free.

Today came an advertisement from Kashi with a coupon for a free box of Waffles. (We love the Kashi products at my house.)

So go on now and check it out.
Blessings!

Big Boys become Men Sons

Danny 20, Jeremy 22, Tyler 19

All three of our oldest boys are about to embark on new journeys in their lives. I believe that they are all at the crossroads of early adulthood- and although they don't have a clear map laid out ahead of them, they are trying to find their way.

As most of you know, all three of our boys were laid off a few weeks ago. They all worked for the same place and because of the economy- they (like so many others we all know) were affected. They have spent the past few weeks looking for work, scrambling for rent money, going through the unemployment compensation process, and through all this- I think that they have found themselves with their feet firmly planted in adulthood.

In a few days Jeremy leaves to go traveling for the summer and then plans to start college in the fall. Danny and Tyler are leaving in two weeks to go visit family for a month and take some time away from friends and girlfriends to determine if college, the military, or something else is the "plan" for the immediate future.

I had blamed my personal parenting difficulties on the fact that its "not natural biologically" for me at age 35 to have sons as old as Jeremy, Danny and Tyler. I have struggled for many moons about how much to shelter and do for our adult children. And as I have said before- this is the hardest time of a child's life to be their parent. You desperately want to keep them safe, and make things as easy for them, and guide them all the time, to get involved in their relationships with friends and love interests, you want to tell them how to do it, whats best to do, what worked for you and what didn't, and definitely you want them to take the straightest path from A to B that is possible!

I no longer think these trials are because of my age, I think that they are the same struggles that parents go through no matter what age they are! The old age argument to be the friend Mom or the Momma Bear Mom- but really having to be BOTH at the same time.

(And to my parents- I am so sorry- I put you through the wringer during these years of my life.)

You will teach your children to come to you with anything. You will create an environment of comfort and kindness that gives your children peace about talking openly with you and sharing with you their experiences, fears and hopes. Then there comes a day when they tell you things that will make your head spin.

They will make choices and do things that make you want to lock them away somewhere and give them mind-altering controlling medication so that you can determine their every move. You will wish that you had never let them really feel that they can tell you anything. You will have to find balance in listening and wanting to tell them to stop telling you everything. You will wish that you had taught them conversational editing. This balance in doing and saying is something that especially for Mothers comes absolutely with self control, determination and force. It is nothing that comes naturally at all.

Be prepared. I wish that I was. I thought that I would know just when to step in and just when to step back. When to advise and get involved and when to just listen, pray and let them find their own way.

I also never knew how different three boys could be from one another and all the while how they all could have the same hearts. How they could be so giving to others and so gentle and loving with babies. How at times they would be so giving they would sometimes be too giving to the wrong people. That they would all lose sleep over friends dilemmas and how personally they would be affected by slowly finding the world outside of their own. How the negative things are so superficial and the positive things are internal and everlasting for each of them.

I am so proud of each of them. For paving a path and finding their way- even through the bumps and rough spots.

It's their time to measure up:

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King Jr.

And I think that a fitting quote for me could be:

"The ultimate measure of a Mother is not where she stands in moments of parenting bliss but how much self control she has when she sees her child- albeit adult child- needs to be picked up and held and she is able to refrain and still maintain composure."

And my husband and I would like to know:

When has this look become trendy?

Hairy hair crazy birds in beard knicker wearing big boot dirtiness

Carhartt is not fashionable- especially dirty carhartt.

And as God would have it there are more boys to come.

David (below) starts high school next year.

And at 14- is the oldest son at home.

I am taking what I have learned and applying it immediately.

(Photos were edited with Corel Paint shop Pros Time Machine.)

Download a free trial of it HERE

Tagged and playing along!

MeMe tagged me so here it goes... thanks MeMe! I hope that everyone plays along.


8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
1. Our son Isaac coming home from Haiti (someday soon hopefully)
2. Having a quieter than normal weekend
3. Seeing Salem become a Mom for the first time- she is going to be fabulous
4. Summer, sunshine and enough Vitamin D in the Pacific Northwest
5. Going to India someday with my best buddy
6. The day when all my children have straight teeth- that will mean the braces are paid for
7. My 21 year old step daughter accepting responsibility for her actions and embracing LIFE
8. Someday owning a smaller vehicle

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Pray, pray and pray more
2. Skipped my work out
3. Learned a lot about Killer Whales on Earth Day
4. Ate ice cream (light but tasty)
5. Cried
6. Thanked God for all our blessings
7. Felt sick to my stomach (post ice cream)
8. Fretted over decisions that need to be made

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Have control over getting my son home from Haiti NOW- and this families children too
2. Help Haiti more- especially this woman and this awesome giving family that I adore
3. Let her go for real- yes still- its hard to completely turn this over to God
4. Find families for two girls on two different continents that are super special to me
5. Not go to the Children's hospital at all for a long time (healthy kids are a blessing)
6. Be more confident about my home schooling
7. Have a garden- and really take care of it
8. Find those "melt in your mouth" peppermints year round- not just at Christmas

8 Shows I Watch: (when I have the time!)
1. The Hills
2. Biggest Loser
3. Oprah
4. Taking the Stage (this is really good!)
5. Top Model
6. Big Love
7. Desperate Housewives
8. Extreme Home Makeover

8 People I Tag:
1. The Buddy
2. Kika Kim
3. Reeka
4. Kendra
5. Bekki
6. Kathy (whose children I wish I could bring home too!)
7. Salem
8. Jamie

I'm on my way...

HOME SWEET HOME!

We are so happy that Baby Bear is free.

However- we still aren't totally convinced that his issues are all GI related. The folks from Neuro developmental visited today- and they aren't totally convinced either. They agree its possible- but are still leery that something else is going on. We will be watching him extra closely- and he goes back to the hospital next week two days for more tests and appointments. Certainly he has had a ton of GI stuff going on- but never had a shunt issue before. Now the two are related and that's a bit scary.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and I will definitely keep you updated on his appointments next week and the plan for the future. It's going to be wonderful to have the family all together again- at least for the next day.

Tomorrow Grace, David and Cole are going on a church retreat for the weekend. My hubby has a birthday on Saturday- I am still hoping to plan something close to home so we can monitor sweet Bear and his health- and still be able to celebrate with some adult time.

Baby Bears eventful day

Baby Bear pulled his IV out. Then they allowed him to start having clears so as long as he was taking enough bottles- he is IV free for now. Now is allowed to start drinking his Neocate formula, and he is a much happier baby. His head seems to be looking a bit better- his fontanel isn't bulging and hard- its "full" but "soft". (Remember because of his prolonged hydrocephalus- he has a VERY LARGE fontanel that goes from the middle of his head all the way to his forehead. It is also wide- perhaps an inch wide- and typically sunken in.)

The theory is that although Bear didn't have much more than a bunch of gas in his belly- that extra pressure in his abdomen caused the VP shunt in his brain to not work as it should. (The shunt actually does from his brain, down his neck and into his peritoneal cavity- where the CSF- cerebral spinal fluid is drained.) Both dh and I think that his belly wasn't nearly as full, gassy and hard and its been in the past- but we are truly hoping and praying that they are right.

So far they haven't tapped the shunt and are going off the CT scans to see that his ventricles are the same pre and post his fontanel filling. Keep on praying- we can feel your prayers and Gods grace over baby bear. He is so happy now that he is allowed to have formula once again-

And he is quite the flirt with the nurses.

More tomorrow.

Nigh night...

Finally...

The Neuro surgeon came in finally!
They think its NOT a surgical issue. They believe its a GI issue causing the shunt to not work as it should. So they are going to let Bear have clear liquids and continue to help clean out his system. Then he will have some more scans/x-rays of his shunt/ventricles. From there they will decide what needs to happen.
The prayers are working- we can feel them! THANK YOU.
More soon when we know more.
Blessings all.

Day two... update #1

Bear has been NPO since 4am.

Still waiting on the NS folks to come see him.

Its now 11am here and no sign of them.

The nurses have been calling them to get some answers.

Getting antsy... that's a severe understatement.

Bear update #3

Bear is getting admitted.

The docs think his ventricles are even smaller than before.

I know this isn't making sense.

They are hoping his gassy belly is the culprit.

The gas might be causing the shunt to not work properly.

They gave him some meds and he is on clears for the night.

They will see him at 4am and re-evaluate.

He is very upset and hungry.

He is on the surgery schedule for the morning just in case.

Keep praying. More soon. Thanks.

Bear update #2

CT scan done- Bear's ventricles look the same.

(Meaning that they haven't gotten bigger in the past month.)

This is good news- but they are perplexed.

Why is his fontanel "full" and his head bigger. (16.5 inches today)

10 days ago it was: 16 inches

Yesterday: 16.25

Today: 16.5

Bear had an x-ray (shunt series) and blood work.

Waiting on results.

His shunt isn't even that pronounced because of the swollen head.

(The docs noticed that too.)

Praying for an answer soon.

Thanks for loving Mr. Bear.

Bear update #1

(This picture you can kind of see his fontanel full...)

Seemed the same all day.

Went to the pool.

He started throwing up.

We are home now packing up.

Then headed out to the hospital...

my hubby is working on the way so we will pick him up.

Keep praying...

Prayer request for Mr. Bear

Mr. Bear might be having a shunt problem.

His head yesterday was measuring a bit bigger.

His Fontanel which is normally sunken- is full.

His eyes appear a bit more sun-setting.

I have taken him to the PCP.

We called the NS and the hospital.

They said to wait and see.

He has not vomited and is acting normal.

It's hard for me to wait... dh too.

Praying for a clear answer today.

Thank you for the prayers.

Climbing

Here are some pictures of my family rock climbing.

Or technically- I guess you call this bouldering.

They had a blast.

Above is Sophie- with her new short hair cut.

She really loves it and it looks adorable on her.

But she looks so much older!

And yes, in one of these pictures you will see my husband.

He is at the top of the wall.

And yes- he did hurt his back just two weeks ago.

He doesn't like to miss out on any fun.

Jeremy is really looking like a mountain man these days.

Or a pirate.

That's what Bean thinks of him.

She thinks its funny when he says ARGH.

(So do I.)

Angeline's school on Friday was OK.

I left her with the teacher in a hurry.

And she cried for the first part but then

she calmed down and started having fun.

She only stayed for a little over an hour.

This week we are planning more short days.

A slow transition is best for her.

Pray for her heart to understand.

In the end- I believe it will be OK.

For now- I will drive her to school.

I am dragging this morning.

No Caffeine.

I have to go in for a fasting blood test.

(Nothing wrong, don't worry.)

I am sporting a new diet and lifestyle.

With the help of my doctor.

I have been keeping up the working out.

Boot camp helped get that going.

And last month- I lost 14 lbs.

I have a ways to go- but feel great.

So the blood test is in order to keep

the momentum going. :)

Have a wonderful week everyone.

This week is a week of many choices for our family.

My husbands birthday is next weekend.

I am trying to plan something fun.

A get-away for US.

Any suggestions?

(Within a couple hours drive would be best.)

And its that time of year where we have to

make our school commitments for next year.

Woe is me.

This is always hard for my family.

We are praying and hoping for guidance-

or at least peace with our decisions.

Responsibility

This morning was Angeline's first day of school without Mom.

The plan was for Angeline to get picked up by the bus with Lauren.

Lauren would ride to school with her and then the bus would bring Lauren home.

I was planning on letting Lauren be the goodbye person at the school because

I thought it would be easier on Angeline then having to say goodbye to me at school.

Angeline was so excited especially when she got her back pack on and it was almost time!

We had her walker and stroller right out front. The plan was for Angeline to use her walker to get to the bus. Then we would put her in the stroller, strap her in, wheel her onto the bus lift and then lock the wheels of the stroller. The bus driver would make the lift go up and meanwhile I would be on the bus to take Angeline out of the lift, stroller etc. and into her car seat to ride to school.

The bus pulls up and Angeline is so excited she races towards the bus in her walker.
We get to the bus with the stroller and Angeline in her walker. The bus driver remarks how well she is moving in the walker and suggests that we allow Angeline to get up the steps on her own. I explain about the stroller and she says:
"You can't put a stroller on the lift."

So we let Angeline crawl up the steps onto the bus. Then we ask the driver where she is supposed to sit and we hear:

"Anywhere."

Then we ask where her car seat it. We are told that she doesn't have to sit in a car seat- she can sit right on the bus seat. I say- "well that's OK for today- but she does need a car seat- because she can just unbuckle a seat belt."

While the bus driver is showing me her super tricky technique of flipping the belt buckle over once its fastened on Angeline- she says- "there you go Angelina- do you think that she will be smart enough to be able to undo it now Mom?"

Um... yes. She is capable enough and smart enough to get it undone I tell the bus lady.
But since Lauren is riding to school today with Angeline and can sit next to her- she can bring the car seat when she comes tomorrow morning. Fine.

Then she says this:
"Last week I had a kid unbuckle himself and fall onto the floor and he had a seizure."

Great- thanks for letting me know. Yikes.

Angeline then bursts into a sob. She wails and cries for me to come with her. Since I was standing there in my sweatshirt over my pajamas I was really thrilled when Ms. Bus Driver with tact says:
"Mom- why don't you ride along today too?"

Gee thanks again for your magical mouth. I truly appreciate you saying that in front of my screaming child. So then naturally I have to go- I can't say NO- I am not going! PJ's and all... I scream out the bus to the kids who are watching out the window to let them know Mom and Lauren will be right back.

Off we go. Angeline is thumping about and crying harder. She is scared about the bus, scared about the no car seat, scared about going to school without her Mom.

We get to school and the teacher and bus driver get into it about getting her off the bus.

(Stroller, walker, lift, wheelchair, car seat, lifting, hurt backs, can't can't won't don't shouldn't.)

Magical ladies-really. Between these two women they have nearly 40 years experience working with children who have special needs. Yikes.

They leave it at a communication breakdown and agree that it will get figured out later. I interject that I will be picking up Angeline today after school so we don't need to get it figured out right now etc. Meanwhile Angeline is off the bus and screaming louder in her walker for me. The bus driver has to leave because she has an appointment. I leave Lauren there and have the bus take me home. Once home I change my clothes at rapid pace, get Jeremy out the door with Cole and David- drop them at the dentist and head back to the school to pick up Lauren.

Once at the school I peek in the preschool window and after nearly 25 minutes- Angeline is sitting on Laurens lap and screaming still.

I have to go in and hold her and make her feel better at this point. My hope was that one of the teachers might have interjected and held Angeline- helping her through the morning- and letting Lauren leave. Surely there has been a lot of preschoolers before Angeline who cried and cried.

They would have known how to handle it. They are truly lovely experienced teachers in a very organized program.

So I held Angeline and she kept crying that she wanted to go home. She didn't want to be at school. She wanted to be at home. She wouldn't let me set her down and all my grand attempts at distracting her weren't working. Finally she went with Lauren and would play for a few moments sitting with Lauren. And then break into tears. Play again for 2 minutes- cry more etc.

I asked the teacher if I should leave Lauren and sneak out... she said no- we needed to stay since we said we would. ?

So I stayed. Lauren stayed. Bean cried more.

Meanwhile my cell phone rang- Sophie was calling upset because Dominick called her a "boy". Sophie got her hair cut yesterday really short. (She has been wanting it this way for a long time and truly its adorable- Dom was just getting a rise out of her and it worked- because she called me.) I mumble something quietly into the phone that resembled something like:

"If you don't ignore him and let me get through this with your little sister I am going to be very upset. This isn't fair. Please let me deal with this when I get home and only call if there is really an emergency."

I hang up. Brush it off- get back to Angeline. All the while feeling really bad about rushing out on the kids back home without a plan. Typically when I leave we talk about expectations etc.

The teachers phone rings. She answers it and tells me that the phone is for me. The first thought was- how did the kids at home get the phone number here? Geez louise.

Its the lady from the district office. She proceeds to tell me that I need to get a wheelchair for Angeline to ride on the bus. She tells me to try the Lions club. I explain to her that I have already done that and they did loan me the smallest wheelchair that they have. Its for a 12 year old and doesn't have a buckle in it. It wouldn't be safe for Angeline to ride the wheelchair that's too big, with no buckle, on the bus. She agrees but tells me that we have to get something for her because no one can lift her.

This has been one person after another, phone call, email, meeting after another trying to get this transportation thing figured out. This is really ridiculous.

I ask her if I can just come over to the district office and we can talk about this. I want to talk with the director because I can't clearly get an answer about what the rule is regarding lifting, or the bus lift, or what the driver can do, or what the teacher can do, everyone is telling me something different. She tells me that the director of special services is REALLY BUSY. Too busy to meet with me today- but I can talk to his receptionist about scheduling something.

Uh. my. gawsh.

I then tell her- I just need to know the law- the actual law about lifting a child. What does it state? Its not OK for getting on and off the bus- but is OK from the stroller to the car seat- or OK from the lift to the walker? What? What? What? What is it??

She says: "Well it all depends on the teachers contract- why don't you ask Ms. G. the preschool teacher- your right there with her!"

So I say: "Ms. G. what is the rule about lifting a child in the teachers contracts?"

She says: "I am the preschool teacher and not in charge of making transportation decisions."

I then tell the district lady on the phone and she says- "Can you get Ms. G. on the phone."

(She clearly- isn't happy.)

And then it was time.

Time for us to go.

Enough is enough.

I was there.

I have a lot of responsibilities and like I have said time and time again.

"I have no problem with having a large family and parenting all these kids. I will handle all of the things that goes along with being a Mom to many and a wife. What I will not do IS YOUR JOB. I will handle my responsibility... but if you are asking me to do your job- the answer is NO."

So I teared up. I gathered up Angeline. Lauren grabbed the walker. They asked if we were coming back. I said... "I don't know- this is why I home school."

Today was an experience of people not being responsible. Not doing their jobs. Not communicating well and certainly not being professional. I was stuck in the middle of 10 different people giving me 10 different opinions.

I just want my child to have a preschool experience. I want her to have the therapy she needs. I want her to do these things in a happy and healthy SAFE way. Since its the law that you transport her- then its your job to figure out how your going to do that safely. Not mine.

Stop making it my problem. Stop putting me in the middle of it. Stop talking about it in front of my child it upsets her. Stop stop stop. We are done.

Later at home I got a call from the district office that they are going to purchase a wheelchair for Angeline. Its going to take awhile. They offered to hire a cab to take her to and from school- or for them to pay me mileage to take her. I don't mind driving her AT ALL and I don't need the school to pay my mileage. I just don't want to have to be in the middle of this drama.

So hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I pray so- for all of us- especially Angeline.

Easter Recap

We had a great Easter. The only thing missing was our family that lives far away in Ohio and Arizona. Holidays are the hardest time living away from most of our extended family. The kids woke up Easter morning to very unexpected Easter baskets and treats. I told the kids that they could eat something from the baskets right away- before breakfast if they wanted- but just one thing because I didn't want anyone throwing up at church.
Lulu proceeded to eat five things at a rapid pace- before I noticed.

Then we went to church early because Grace was helping out and needed to be there early. The church service was amazing and everyone had a wonderful time. Then we came home- put together a salad and some strawberry shortcake and headed over to our good friends house for Easter dinner and an Easter egg hunt.
It was truly awesome to not have to do a lot of cooking and to still be able to partake in the traditional Easter dinner and fellowship! For dessert our friends had a chocolate fountain and beautiful fruit kebobs and other assorted treats. Let's just say that I didn't stick to the diet very well at that point!

On a side note: The pictures on this post of Grace and Lauren just kill me. (They took them in case you didn't notice.) They are really growing up all too fast! Grace is 12 going on 25- I can hardly stand it. And Lauren is now 17- that's crazy.
Seeing them age- makes me feel so old. Today Angeline asked what was all over my forehead. And I looked in the mirror and all I could see was the wrinkles. Even my three year old is noticing my age- what is up with that?

My sister Nina (below) is in Vegas right now (I am a little jealous I admit- wish it was warmer here) and she left me her little car. I have been spoiled for the past few days not having to drive the big bus around town when I have only a "couple" kids with me. Angeline had her very first riding lesson last week (my sister Nina is a retired attorney, horse trainer, real estate agent). This pony is CinderElla- my neice Zoe's pony.

Angeline LOVED riding and is now going to be riding regularly. Horseback riding is really good for her leg muscles and posture- also her confidence- not that she needs anymore of that. Tomorrow Angeline has her first day of school without Mom- and she is riding the bus both ways for the first time. She is really excited. I am going to cry for at least 10 minutes after the bus leaves- I can already feel it.

Well this blog post took me far too long to write and now its time for bed.
Goodnight!

3 minutes

If you have three minutes to spare- watch this:

http://www.lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

Enjoy the Ride.

This truly blessed me this morning.

And as for the picture- This is Isaac (in pink) and his friend Elijah.

I think the caption for this picture would be:

"WHAT! Elijah gets to go home and I have to wear cupcake pink?!"

Please help us pray him home.

It is time.

Super delicious

Baby Bear- you are super delicious.

On Friday you had some doctors appointments.

And you are now almost 15 lbs.

(14 lbs 12 oz without the casts to be exact)

And 23 inches long

(Nearly round)
You are officially my chubby bubby.

And I find you irresistible.

Friday you had your third pair of "boots" put on.

One of your feet is looking nearly ready for leg braces.

And the other has a bit more moving to go.

Your skin is clearing up well and your head is looking

100 times better.Each day there are four different creams

that go on different parts of you.

You are on new medication for your reflux.

It's stronger, better and helping you SO much.

At one point the docs were talking about you need to see

a pulmonary specialist- but that will wait for now because

you are doing that much better. (The reflux was causing you

to sound like you were wheezing when you breathed.)

Later this month you will see the GI doctor and

we will make sure you are on exactly the medicine

you need to be on.

You are still drinking the Neocate formula.

I could have sworn after I took your casts off on Thursday

night that you were moving your legs more at the knees.

Oh what a blessing that would be. You were so happy to be

"boots free" for the night.

Later this month you also have your Urodynamics

study.So far your Urologist thinks that you are doing OK.

Your bladder was empty all the way on your last

ultrasound.That means that you aren't likely having any reflux

into your kidneys.But it also means that you bladder is likely to be

harder from not having to expand.This means that someday

you will need to be on the same kind of "potty" program that

Angeline is on. We will hear more about all this soon.

At a little over four months you are making good

developmental gains.You are reaching for toys and pulling your

binky out of your mouth and holding it.You love "talking" and

are very expressive most of the time.You have a big full belly

laugh.You love being held and cuddled.

You are holding your head up really well

when your being held sitting.

And you even spend some time in the bumbo!

And your cheeks... adorable.

Your super delicious.

Where's my brain?

It has been a really strange couple days since I wrote the last post. This strange post deserved a strange picture- Baby Bear with his shower cap on- the shower cap keeps his medicated hair oil from running all over his face. (Don't worry, we hold him when he has it on to be sure that he doesn't pull it over his face or what not.)

After writing the last post- I headed North with my van full of kids and "stuff" for an adventure to Canada. I was planning on meeting my sister and her family for a night at the hot springs with kids- then to the BC Aquarium the next day for a surprise.

I called the US border folks and explained the situation with baby Bear being here etc. and they said that its no problem for us to go etc. Since we live so close and travel to Canada often- it was a-OK with them if we went. Now if you know anything about border crossing, you might be able to go back and read the beginning of this paragraph and see where I went wrong.

Yes- I failed at something. I failed at calling Canada or looking at the rules for travel into Canada for people from Haiti. I simply was concerned about Bear's US visa and being sure that it was OK to travel to Canada and get back into the US. Silly me thought that Canada welcomed everyone with open arms- and for the most part- they do...

So here I am with my van full of kids who were beyond excited about our adventure. We had HUGE plans for the next days to come and it was a last minute surprise that they were getting to go. They had worked so hard cleaning up the house and packing lunch etc. Our turn came to enter the gate and talk to the Canadian Border guy. I pulled up and handed him the large ziploc bag FULL of documentation and passports.

He starts looking through it and asks me how many people are in the van. I tell him- one adult- nine children. He tells me to turn the van off because this is going to take awhile. I turn it off and offer to "go inside" so that I am not holding up the line. He tells me its OK- he just has to enter each person by name and their birthday etc.

So after entering everyone and then missing someone- it took a couple tries to figure out who he was missing. About 15 minutes had passed and he started asking me the last of the questions- where we were headed, did we have reservations, how much cash we had, did we have fire arms, where was my husband, what he did for a living, how long he has worked there, etc.
Part way through the questioning another border officer comes in the booth because its time for shift change. He sees the Haitian passport (Bears) and starts looking at it- I could almost taste the maple syrup we were so close... and then the new guy asks-
Where's this Haitian child's Canadian Visa?

Huh?
You need a visa to go to Canada?

Who would have known?

He tells the other guy that they have to send us inside to see what they can do about getting Mr. Bear the a-OK to go to Canada. We pull over, unload everyone and head inside.

We are called up the counter and we explain the situation- then the border woman goes to talk to someone else and comes back to ask me where my letter from my husband is.

Huh?
You need a letter from your husband to go to Canada?

No- I need a letter from the father of my children stating that I have permission to take my children to Canada. I had done this in the past but after NEVER needing the letter over and over again- and no one ever asking me for the letter- I stopped bringing the letter.

Then she says:

"Well you sure weren't prepared to come to Canada!"

Ouch.

I had remembered everything for everyone (10 of us) for a couple days, I brought 2 swimsuits for each, and towels, bathrobes, lunch, catheters, medicine x20, sleeping bags, GPS, shampoo, lotion, goggles x 8, walker, stroller, snacks, drinks, bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, all of the children-etc. etc. etc.
I was SO prepared to come to Canada!

And then the tears start. My kids. So sad- because they aren't going to have any adventure today. They aren't going to get to go to their favorite hot springs and they aren't going to eat any kinder eggs- see the BC Aquarium- or go to the Canadian Superstore.

I asked her if there was anything that they could do.
I could have my husband fax a letter to her- but Baby Bear was not allowed into Canada without a Visa. I would need to apply for a Visa for him from the Seattle Canadian consulate.

Since he can't find his own way home- and my kids can't drive themselves to the hot springs- we all had to leave. But first they had to give me a paper denying our entry into Canada and they escorted us back to the US border crossing.
They said that if we could "lose the little Haitian" and have permission from my husband sealed in blood and approved by the Queen Mother- we were welcome to come back to Canada.
(I am being a bit dramatic obviously.)

Oh Canada.
This stunk.

I then had a moment of panic thinking that maybe the US wasn't going to let us back in. I pulled up- explained the situation and the guy said "Really?- they didn't let you in because of that tiny baby?"
Then he asked- "did you have reservations?" and "are you going to get your money back?" The two guys in the booth said Hi to all the kids and said we were free to come back into the US and apologized for us not being able to go on the mini holiday. They also asked what I was thinking going to the hot springs with "all these kids" and no other adults with me. :) I was very thankful for their kindness and I teared up at their genuine concern. They could see how upset all the kids were and definitely tried to do their best to make light of the situation and tell me how stinky it was.

Truly it was my fault for not thinking and planning ahead a bit better. I could have checked the Canadian website and seen that Haitians need a visa to go to Canada. Another example of privilege for Americans!

My lovely sister had her husband drop her off at my house so when I got home- she was here and took my kids- without myself and baby Bear- back up to the border and to the hot springs for the night. It was a freakishly quiet night here at home with Bear, dear husband and I. I really missed the kids and truly wanted to be there watching them run from hot pool to hot pool through the cold air. So even though I had another break- it really was a lonely one. Everyone had a great time of course- and I am very grateful that my sister was willing to jump in and take my crew to the hot springs without me.

And as fate would have it- Nina (my sister) had a note from my husband and I giving her permission to take the kids- and she had not one second of trouble crossing the border and was welcomed to Canada with open arms.

The rest of the week has pretty much played out in a similar sort of way. One thing after another that I keep doing foolishly! Like forgetting to sign money orders that I sent off for something really important etc.

It's almost a new week right?

Spring Break

This week is spring break.

We are running away today for some fun.

It is well deserved and needed by us all.

Last minute adventures are always interesting.

I will be sure to take lots of pictures.

Dh went back to work today. Praise!

He is still sore- but on the mend.

Yeah.

I need to take some new Bear pictures.

His head is looking much better.

But his eczema seems worse.

Day to day things change so much with his skin- poor guy.

He is sleeping a bit better at night now that he is on different meds

for the reflux. We are very thankful. He is getting so big and is as adorable as ever.

Still no Isaac news.

Praying for lots of news soon.

Home: pets, birthdays and backs

I am home.

This is a picture of my dog Charlotte. Well- she is actually our family dog. On Grace's sixth birthday we told the kids that we adopted a new baby girl. We had Charlotte all wrapped up in a blanket and we were holding her like a baby (she was just a tiny puppy). The kids all gathered around to see- and SURPRISE- its a dog! Charlotte definitely thinks she is just my dog and spends most of her time at my feet. I love her- she is currently our only pet.

Today is Laurens 17th birthday. (I can't believe it.)

She really really wants her own pet.

We are going today to meet with a bunny breeder and see some bunnies. A dear friend who has bunnies in another state gave us some great information and Lauren has been doing a lot of research. I am not totally sold- but Lauren is of course. Lauren will settle for a fish if need be. She is that desperate.

I will let you know how it works out.

The hot springs were amazing. It was so relaxing and such a wonderful time- I only wish that it could have lasted a bit longer. I definitely missed my husband and children but I cherished my time away to just be. On Sunday night- very late at night- we were out in the pools. (They pump the hot spring water into five different pools all varying temperatures- they actually have to cool the water because its over 140 F at the source of the spring.) So we had a pool walk out room- there are only a handful of those- that means that we could open up a patio door and the "adult" only pool was right outside the door. Because of the minerals in the water (and our chubbiness too)- we were able to float in the pools VERY easily. So we spent time just laying back and floating around an empty pool that we had all to ourselves. Its up in the mountains a bit and the night sky was so clear. The stars were amazing and the moon had a massive ring around it that was causing the sky to glow. It was so utterly relaxing I could have fallen asleep. I needed that peace to regroup and focus on life.

We are talking about a Moms retreat there again maybe this fall if anyone is interested- the more the merrier!

I came home to a husband who was at the ER yesterday morning. He had to crawl out to his truck to get himself there at 5am. He had a sore back from work for several weeks now. Then he took the kids bowling and threw out his back. He is off work for a few days and on vicodan and valium, ibuprofen and lots of ice. I am trying really hard to be an understanding wife- but I admit it- its hard. I am frustrated because I think he should have gone to the doctor weeks ago when it started hurting- or possibly the chiropractor- someone right? I know your all thinking- what a B. I am! But seriously- the man took the final toll on his back bowling - and this is the same guy who broke BOTH arms playing basketball. This is the same guy who does HEAVY serious labor day in and day out. And the same guy who has been skiing, rock climbing, bungee jumping, etc. and doesn't hurt himself.

I told him I was buying him a bubble to live in.

I am a mean wife sometimes.

Oh- did I mention that I didn't know about his back until I was back in the country. (We were in Canada.) And that he didn't want to "ruin" my trip- so he didn't bother to call and tell me he was in agonizing pain. It was far worse to find out so long after the fact... and I was ticked for not being in the loop. He was worried I would come home and not have "my time". And in all honesty- I probably would NOT have come home- but I would have made darn sure he had what he needed from a far. :)

How was your weekend?

I'm Outta Here!

Today Kimmie and I are leaving for the hot springs.

This will be a nice relaxing time for us- and a birthday celebration for Kimmie.

I went searching for some good hot springs pictures for this post.

This is Kimmie and I and a friend in the hot springs.

(I am on the left. lol)

This is Kimmie's co-op working, mountain man,

thawing out from hibernating all winter.

If you look real close on the right- that's Kimmie in the background.

He won't be coming with us- not to worry Smitty.

But we might see Big Foot somewhere anyhow.

This is Sasquatch country.

There are five hot spring pools where we are going.

The one above is the hottest. Its lovely.

Thanks to our husbands for letting us have this big break.

We love you all- but we are beyond excited to have some time away.

Happy Birthday Kim!

We are completely...

We are completely and totally ready.

Ready for you to come home son.

And we know your ready to be here too.

I long each day for that email- saying that your out of MOI.

And waiting on Gods perfect timing.

And hoping that HIS timing is soon-

Because my Mommy heart has grown tired.

If I could speed them up.

Perhaps send a pen.

Or chocolate cake.

Words of encouragement.

Prayers and Blessings.

Hugs and Kisses.

Truly my blood and sweat- whatever it takes.

I could overnight it all and have it there tomorrow.

If it meant that they would just sign NOW.

Sign and give you a passport.

USA will grant your visa.

Daddy will get a plane.

And home to my arms you will come.

And we will laugh and cry tears of joy.

And praise HIM for always being so faithful.

Maybe this will be the week.

We are completely ready.