Oh Really Now!

Wow. It's been far too long since I wrote a blog post. I find myself stuck without the ability to really "write" something more than just updates for everyone since life has been a whirlwind lately!

Izzy is now three months old. The time goes way too fast. She is starting to coo and "talk" more and her silly faces and smiles bring be so much delight!

The Eco Mom Healthy Home Makeover contest is almost over. Thanks to your votes were were in the top 20 during the first round! So we are being considered for a $75,000 healthy home makeover. The judges have some tough decisions to make since there are so many deserving families... I will definitely let you all know when I hear something. Of course we hope that we win but we have friends who are also in the top 20 so it would be super cool for them to win too!

Easter was a wonderful and wild time. We had a packed house and thankfully our neighbor let us borrow her chairs. The weather was cloudy and drizzling so we moved all the patio furniture in the garage playroom and had the "kids" tables out there. There was about 25 kids here. The small kids had an Easter egg hunt here around the house and the older kids hunted for eggs down at the fields behind our house. Their eggs were hidden in a one mile radius so they definitely had their work cut out for them.

The Buddy and her family visited and stayed with us for a few days and we went on an adventure up to Canada for a night. More about that later. I miss my dear friend Amy and her family so much and I wished we lived closer. The amount of laughing we did was awesome.

Sophie comes home tomorrow from Nana's. We have had a nice break and we have been able to work through some things with her being afar. We are ready for her to come home and she is anxious and excited to get here. Please pray for a smooth transition home for all.

My husband got a call this morning letting him know that he goes back to work Monday. I am scared. I am. I admit it! Its frightening to think about how I am going to swing everything each day on my own. It was far different when I had other "big" kids around at home to help pick up babies and help when needed. The thought of taking AJ, Jude, Izzy and Isaac alone to the grocery store seems impossible. (Remember that's three kids who aren't independently mobile!) I plan on taking time this weekend to stock up on things so that we can avoid the big grocery store trips during the week. Have I mentioned how thankful I am that my husband is going back to work? I am truly thankful to get the finances back on track, but equally thankful that he was home with us the past six months.

We got word from the bank. We were approved for a home loan modification. Yippee!
So for the next few months we enter a trial period where we have a lower mortgage payment and if things go well, which they will, then they will give us a permanent offer to adjust our mortgage payment. I was so thankful that they looked at our overall income annually and didn't just disqualify us because of my hubby's unemployment on and off for the past two years! What a blessing.

 

I need just one minute

 (photos from Daddy's phone)

I need to ask for one minute of your time.
See my Jude above learning to walk with a walker?
Isn't that awesome?

But what he would love the most is to be

able to get out the front door of our home

without having someone carry him.

And his big sister AJ too...

To be just like everybody else.

And get around freely.

And even someday to go to the

bathroom and take a bath

or use the potty...

without someone lifting them.

Independence would be LIFE changing.

And then outside of our mobility challenges

we have other things that make life hard.

AJ's wears a cpap at night

and takes allergy meds.

Jude has horrible asthma and his skin

ointments now are prescribed by the pound.

He spends a great deal of the day itching.

(Seriously he does.)

And the oral steroids he needs at times

make him very grouchy.

You see we just need one minute of your time...

one minute today.

And one minute tomorrow.

And your vote for us to be considered for the

ECOMOM healthy home makeover.

It would be life changing for us.

To have a healthy, accessible home.

That met our needs and the needs of our family.

CLICK HERE AND VOTE

We are currently in 20th place.

The contest for the finalists ends Sunday.

You can vote every 24 hours.

So that's two votes this weekend.

They are taking the top 20 contestants ONLY

to be considered for the $75,000 home makeover

grand prize. And after you vote...

if you wouldn't mind sharing the link

on face book with others.

THANK YOU!!!

xoxoxoxooxoxoxox

Happier updates

Things are definitely looking up. Oh Happy Day.

We did end up back at the doctor with Jude after continuous non stop tummy troubles. He had rotovirus. But I am happy to say that this morning he ate normally and had normal poop. Praise God. We have never had so many subsequent days with the same child that sick with a tummy bug. And I am so thankful that I vaccinated little Izzy last month. So far, no one else is sick.

Izzy's head rash is clearing up nicely. We also had her at the doctor this week to make sure we were doing the right thing. The doctor, my husband and I spent lots of time laughing because I always google and research what the child's ailments are before I go. Then I ask specific questions of my doctor and give medication suggestions. I can't help it. I just like to be aware of what is going on BEFORE I get there. Its hard to wait for the appointments to start! So he said next time just to call him and let him know what to prescribe since apparently that's all I need him for. (He was kidding of course, love our family doctor, love him! I also found out that he worked in Australia for several years so we have that Aussie connection too.)

So all in all things are looking much better for the Buddy's visit this weekend. That's right, my Buddy and her whole family including my god child Ava are coming for a vacation visit to our house all the way over here on the other side of the country. We are hoping for at least 24 hours without rain and enough time to feed some 40 so odd people coming for Easter lunch at our home and a massive Easter egg hunt down at the high school fields if we can pull it off. We aren't sure where everyone is going to sit, but we have asked guests to bring chairs. lol

And I am not able to sleep at night not only because of Izzy's needs but also because its hard to contain all my excitement. Truly. Its been a long darn time since the Buddy and I have gotten our families together for an extended visit. And I miss her. And I can't wait! We have some special things planned for the kids. And for my hubby's birthday on next Monday.

Speaking of my husband...it was he who cleaned the pantry. And the garage pantry. And behind the stove and fridge. And I am really appreciating his OCD tendencies and excited that I am getting my house back in order after the months of being pregnant and drama that ensued thereafter. Regrettably so, my husband will be going back to work before I know it and then I will have to figure out how to wrangle the troops all day long on my own. Unfortunately his first job back to work might be out of town. (Let the panic attack begin!) My husband has also put on an additional 15 pounds in these months he has been home. He spends all day doing Mister Mom duties and barely allowing enough time to take care of himself. I think he finally gets what I go through! So today I am pleased to say for lunch he ate salad with me, with all the vegetables. And that was the first time I have ever seen him eat salad solely for a meal. Change is good folks, especially for the waist line.

In a little while the therapist arrives for a several hour-pound it out- therapy session with our whole family. We are so thankful to have such a lovely wonderful therapist that gets our family. And especially thankful that she does house calls.

Jude lost his very last binkie this morning and so far we have made it four hours without going to the drugstore to buy more. This is progress. He has asked for a new binkie no less than 240 times in the past four hours. We are trying to hold strong.

More soon about the house.

I hope your having a wonderful, joy filled day.

Guess who...

 Guess who has been having some issues

with trying to get things organized?

Someone pulled everything out of the indoor pantry

and wiped it all down, and lined everything up.

Who is the mystery OCD person in my house?

Adoption situations... families needed!

On hold for now...several families inquired who would be perfect. :)
I will post again later if more are needed!
Yeah!

So many things to say...

See how little Izzy feels above? I am feeling the same way!

 I thought I would do a mass update since I have every good intention on doing some blog posts that are more fun but lo and behold, "life" keeps getting in the darn way.
1. Jude has been really sick to his stomach for FIVE full days now. We spent an entire day at the children's hospitals (2 locations for different appointments) and took all the Little's with us for Angeline's appointments. We spent several hours in between appointments in the playroom playing with the kids. Surely we are thinking that he picked this up there because much too much time has passed since we all had the stomach flu. And he is miserable. His little bottom is red raw, poor guy. And last night Daddy took him to the ER after he was acting lethargic and we were worried about his hydration and VP shunt. The shunt looks OK, but he is still sick. If he isn't better in another 24 hours we are going back to the doctor for some stool cultures. Pray for Jude.

2. Speaking of Angeline's appointments... her feet are starting to turn in again. She has had some trouble walking since December its progressively gotten worse. We were told by her fabulous orthopedic surgeon that we can avoid surgery soon by being proactive and doing some stretching and casting... for four weeks in a row starting mid June. Angeline will be missing her last day of school and her preschool graduation party to get casts on but we haven't told her yet. We aren't sure how well she is going to be able to walk in the "walking casts" and its just a big stinky bummer that she has to go through all this again! We were also informed that 110% of kids with Spina Bifida and club feet need continued care for their feet as they grow and so more surgery and/or castings will be in store for years to come. Ugh. Here's to hoping she gets pink casts! Another health update for Angeline... she has been having her eye turning back in again so we are patching one eye four times a day. She goes back to the eye specialist in a few months and if things are better that means another eye surgery. Between casts, patching, cathing, etc. That's a full time job just managing Miss Angeline's health care needs. And she is SO over it all! I forgot about the emotional/social aspect of raising a child with special needs and how much that becomes the focus of the health care as they get older. It trumps any amount of pain and discomfort that she is continuously having to go through.

3. Our house situation... well I did talk about our issues with Bank of America a long time ago. We have continued to work towards getting a home loan modification through the Making Home Affordable program. And I am pleased to say that finally have nearly a year and half our file has gone to under writing and we should know in "30 days" if we are approved or not. We are praying for favor because it would make a huge difference in our financial state if we had a lower mortgage payment. However... they don't count unemployment as income and since my hubby has been unemployed recently we might not be approved. (Even though he is going back to work in a few weeks, Praise God.) I wrote a letter explaining that, so praying for favor! I know that it makes no sense to "not make enough money to qualify" since its for people who don't make a lot of money.

4. Speaking of our home... we live in a completely NON accessible home and as Angeline and Jude are getting older we are realizing how much this affects them. They long for complete independence and freedom. I did apply for the healthy home makeover, you can vote for our family HERE. Not only would this mean a healthier "green" home and living for all the kids. But it would mean less allergies and asthma for Jude and prayerfully a ramp for our front door so that my kids can get in and out of the house! So please take a moment to vote. You can vote one time each day and they are going to pick the winner from the 20 families with the highest votes. Thank you!!

5. I have given my baby a rash on her head twice now because I wasn't keen enough to figure out that she is allergic to those darn hair bows. (The 2ND round of the rash is going away now.) Lesson learned!

 6. Guess who comes to visit in a few days? :)

Last weeks adventure part 1

After leaving home, driving and

crossing the northern border of the USA...

we looked for HOPE in Canada.

Apparently HOPE can be found

in British Columbia in case anyone was wondering.

We arrived at the first destination...and

Dad took the kids for a hike up the big hills.

Mom sat in the car and fed Izzy.

It was sunny and glorious outside.

Photos taken by Grace and Dad.

I was thankful that AJ still fit in

the backpack carrier. And thankful

that Dad was still able to trek up

and up and up with her on his back.

(And that the big boys took turns

carrying Jude!)

My kids are so silly.

Justin Bieber eat your heart out.

Cole and David need haircuts I think!

And finally they found what they were

looking for...the waterfall.

From looking at this picture it would

appear that my husband crossed the fence

with all the kids in order to get a good picture.

Not recommended or would have been

allowed if Mom was there!

I think they found hope too. ;)

From my girl...

(lauren and sophie, hot springs 1/11)

Blue Birds by Sophie Blue birds fly around and even though I’m one of them I sometimes feel as if I don’t want to be. Thinking about having to fly all the time, making nests over and over again just makes me want to be something else. Then I noticed that I was always thinking about all the ways why I didn’t want to be a member of the blue birds, So then I remembered all the good things and possibly the fun things as well and I saw all the cool things I would miss. And I finally realized I want to be a member of the blue birds, to be with all my real friends who love me just the same.

Wiggle your toes

This evening I was sitting on the floor with AJ folding laundry. I had just been thinking about something that her teacher told me at her conference and IEP meeting a couple weeks ago... that Angelina figured out that she wants to be called AJ all on her own. No one helped her come to that choice. And the reason being was a reason that I hadn't really thought about. I just assumed it was because we have a cool neighbor named AJ- and Angelina wanted to have a nickname just like hers. But no, it was because AJ is shorter and happens to be much easier to write than Angelina or Angeline. My sweet girl really struggles with her fine motor skills. She has a wonderful memory and knows all her letters and most of her letter sounds already. But she has a heck of a time writing letters, even writing her name. We have known this all year. She doesn't like things like coloring or drawing because they are too hard for her. I watch her practice writing her letters on the dry erase board and her hand just shakes, she concentrates and tries so hard, its heartbreaking. But dear AJ doesn't like making mistakes. And she doesn't like things that are hard for her. And I so wish I could make it easier for her!

So as I was sitting folding laundry, thinking about the things that she will struggle with next year in Kindergarten... she said to me... "Mom I can't wiggle my toes without using my hand to make my toes wiggle. And I want to be able to wiggle my toes without using my hand."

Oh gulp.

Isaac was sitting with us and he quickly showed us how his toes wiggle without him using his hand to make them wiggle. My husband jumped in and made a motion to Isaac to STOP. He was making Angeline feel bad, but of course it wasn't intentional, he just wanted to point out his toe wiggling skills.

Double gulp gulp.

I explained to them both about how we all have things that are hard for us and all have blessings of things that we do really well. I talked about how AJ can remember things well and she speaks really clearly and is outgoing and friendly. I talked about how Isaac can write well and wiggle his toes but he needs help with his speech just like AJ needs help with her toes wiggling. Then they asked me what I have a hard time with. I told them "my chub-a-lub"- which they call my chubby belly. But I told them I am really fast at folding laundry and really good at baking cookies. They seemed happy with this answer. But of course AJ had more questions.

"So, its my Spina Bifida that makes my toes not wiggle?"

I told her, yes, just like Jude. You both have Spina Bifida and you both have a hard time wiggling your toes. "But Mom, doesn't Isaac have Spina Bifida too?"

Her reasoning was so fair- he is brown like her, he is from Haiti like her, Jude is also brown and also from Haiti, shouldn't they all have Spina Bifida?

I had to explain that Isaac didn't have Spina Bifida. She seemed more upset by this then any of our conversation. She seemed more worried about Isaac not being the same as her and Jude than she did about her toes being able to wiggle. Its her huge heart and her sensitive gentle nature that's her greatest gift above all else. She loves her brother Isaac and doesn't ever want him to feel left out- even left out of her and Jude's spina bifida.

The conversation stuck around for many hours on the face of my husband and I. I could look at him and just know he was feeling that same heavy similar feeling that I was... worried for our little girl. We don't want our children to ever feel less than because they have physical limitations. And we naturally worry more about this than the children themselves do. Isn't that our job as the parents to carry that worry?

But for AJ, the conversation quickly moved on to something more entertaining... BOOBS.

Since we (Izzy and I) spend a great deal of time nursing, AJ likes to talk about Boobs. Her boobs, my boobs, Dads boobs, and even your boobs too. No one is free from the booby conversation at our house. My husband was rolling his eyes being a drama king about cooking dinner since I was feeding the baby. I told him if he could feed the baby then I could cook dinner.

AJ said..."Izzy doesn't like hairy boobs like Dads."

Amen AJ, you got that right! Then AJ had some thoughts for Grace her 14 year old sister... "Grace you don't even have boobs yet! You don't even have hairy boobs!"

Of course no one was free from laughing hysterically hearing AJ talk about hairy boobs. Oh the things that she teaches us about resilience, about life, about not giving up and about how to be happy. Her heart is so pure and innocent and she is the most candid honest child who exudes love to all who cross her path. When you have all those gifts toe wiggling just doesn't seem so important after all.

i.hope

sometimes we call sweet izzy girl

i.hope

(isabella hope-that's her name)

We have definitely been a family damaged in the past months. A family torn apart. One that needed to rebuild and redo some things. One that needed to find healing. One that was in desperate need of hope. Now I do hope- we hope- we found it. The place where HOPE is. And we went there. To Hope. And when we got there we totally lived in the moment. Sucking in each and every smile, laugh and hysterical moment. And we didn't think about yesterday or last week... or the drama of the previous months. We just became hope. We found the healing place, the place where we are truly beginning all over again. The place where we come back even stronger. In the moments before we left to find HOPE, I bought one plane ticket... one way... for one daughter missing her family. To come home to her family who is missing her and who is trying to get past the pain she caused. To a stronger, better, united as one family that wants to welcome her back with open arms. In just a few short weeks she will be home. Home where we moved the HOPE to. That's here. Praise God.

Lazy spring break

Our lazy spring break definitely

needs a little adventure.

TODAY

There is only so much finger painting

that can entertain this crew

even for Jude

Who is calling himself...

"Binky faced Robot boy"

He currently in love with robots.

(and his binky!)

So messy, so fun.

The kids did come up with lovely

paintings and the garage playroom

looks so much better with them

hanging out there.

Isabella slept through the

whole thing. Which was

lucky for her...

because I was tempted to

dip her little feet in the paint.

Oh-yes-I was.

We are off for some adventure.

More soon. :)

Hey Eco Moms

Ever dreamed of a healthy eco home makeover? (I have!) Enter to win by following THIS LINK and let them know that I sent you. If you win, I win a prize. And I like prizes. But I would actually rather win the home makeover. lol Check it out. The prizes are AMAZING!!

IZ

Peek-a-boo Sweet Iz.

I can't decide now if you should be an

Izzie

or

an Izzy.

Thoughts?

Your now 11lbs.

Sweet Wild Haired Iz.

Daughter of a very

indecisive Momma