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Endocrinology appointment, peeling the skin off toes, horseback riding, chicken pox, feeding a stray cat and catching fireflies...sounds like 

a typical day to me!

We discussed how we are choosing not to do a $3000 blood test that takes 3 hours to find out if we need to do growth therapy for at least 5 years at $40,000 a year.  We managed to leave the office with only an order for an updated x-ray to check Nate's bone growth delay. Thanks Doc for supporting us!

The toe...I can barely look at it.  But, he is leaving his slippers on better.  Chase used up the bandage tape taking care of the animals.  I should get some more.  This started during the his chicken pox.  It really was a transfer of behavior.

He has trouble with peeling his nails and the skin around them.  I know I can't just tell him not to pick at his fingers without giving him a replacement behavior.  I tried.  I just couldn't find a behavior that is preferred over the picking.

But what a way to end the day.  

The fireflies were out.

This is also why I let Samantha get away with not doing too many chores.  She is quite busy being a sister and therapist to her brothers.  Although I am not sure she would agree with the not 'too many chores'.

 
Package arrived from Nicole today.
 
What a sweetie!
Something for everyone.

Off working and playing, but still thinking of her family.  The boys love their Disney plates.  I think it will help with Nathan's eating.  He liked having each place filled with something. He ate all, but a bit of hamburger.

I know it is the norm for parents to have a hard time when their first one leaves the nest.  And, I do miss her.  But, when I think of how far she has come and that she is so happy it fills any hole in my heart with joy and peace. 

So how do I teach my children about Memorial Day.  Of course the older ones have understood for years.  But when the boys are still learning so many of the basic things in life how do I explain that there are those who have given up their life so that they have the freedom to choose.  That so many of the services and therapies they enjoy are not a global right.  That we are so blessed to live with these freedoms.

I decided to start simple.  Teaching them has to start so very basic.  Our first step is to identify family members who have served or are still serving our country. These are not all of our family that have served, but it is a start.  I don't like to post this without including them all.  So if you are a family member please send me pictures to honor others who have served.

Uncle Bill   We thank you for giving your life in service.

Grandpa S.

Cousin Ryan

Cousin Bob   Currently serving.

Dr. Duncan has a free webinar tomorrow.  I think I am going to join in on the Thursday one.  It will give me a few days to figure out how it works.  I guess I can google how a webinar works.  Anything Dr. Duncan says is worth stepping out of my comfort zone.

Register here:

Topic:How to set up a successful ABA learning area.

Chase has discovered the index cards and his new colored pencils.  He has been making me lists all day.  

  
 Words first, now picture cards for my chores.  Including recycling.  (Pictured below)

 But before you "Good job Mom" me.  Check out this 'entry' and you will see who really put the time in to teach Chase how to recycle.

I am so proud that my daughter is making good friends on her internship!

You teach them when they are young to choose their friends wisely.  I never addressed the issue of aliens.  So glad she learned never to judge...she might have missed out on this precious friendship.

Ok...I am charting this so if it happens again I will have the date and the proof.

One

Two

Three

We know that you only get the chicken pox once.  But you should still keep good records and organize your pictures.  And, get your children diagnosed so there is no question later.  

Because I have questions!!

Why has Sam had it 3xs now.  Nathan at least twice.  And, Chase possibly three.

I learned my lesson...

Welcome to our home Hyalophora Cecropia silkmoth!

 Thanks to Annette for providing this site and Grandpa for the searching the database to identify our guest.  We found it waiting for us as we loaded the car yesterday morning, it spent the night and took flight late this morning.

 

Life is beautiful!

 

Ok...I just have to post this!  It cracks me up every time I look at it.  Especially since I know HIM!

And, I was the one who sent him to the corner in during his sister's band concert in which there were a couple hundred people in attendance.  Just so you know, the plastic cover lifts right up!

Today's Music "Lesson"

On the way to school I turned off the radio because I could hear Chase singing.  After a valiant effort he said, "It's not working.  I can't do the words."  So we talked about learning songs and tried to pick one to work on.  We decided on 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame'.  Which opposing Miracle League teams sing together at the end of each game.  We still have work to do and I can't decide if I should correct him and tell him it is "buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks", not "buy me some peanut butter and fruit snacks".

Well while still feeling the joy of a job well taught...it backfired.  It backfired during Samantha's band concert.  Luckily band instruments are loud.  We still exited after her three songs.  She was so beautiful tonight.  It is hard to believe this band has been playing for than 9 months.

                                                                              She is the little bitty one.  Third seat in.             

Sometimes I get so busy just keeping up...I think no one is noticing us.

 (not saying that is a bad thing)
And there are days I think I am right...and I am so totally wrong!

 About a month ago a man at church stopped Nathan on a Wednesday night and said he had something for him.  He told Nathan how he had thought that he would like a cowboy belt of his own.  Nathan recognized this man not as 'Van', but as 'Woody, the cowboy'.  He placed the custom belt around Nathan and sized it right there.  Nathan beamed with excitement and pride as everyone stopped him to check out his new belt and compliment him on being such a big boy.
 

Nathan wore his belt buckle today.  He usually does to church and even tried it out at equestrian therapy.    

Chase coming down the slide at the Walk.

Make-A-Wish Walk 2012!

I love this organization.  It changed our lives. It brought us hope, joy and memories of a lifetime.  Chase brought his bucket of change he collected for other children to get their wishes too.  

My heart really feels moved to put my fundraising efforts here.  Giving families a chance to feel what we did...LIFE.  Not worry, not concern, not how are we going to do it.  But, time to play and be a family!

We walked the entire 1.5 miles!  First ever complete walk for any walk event we have attended.

Cooling off after the walk.

Loving this year's shirt.  Says, "I'm A Wish Kid".

What a day for brothers to celebrate the Make-A-Wish organization.

TEAM PHOTO

This retirement has gone fairly smooth.  I am still a bit nervous though.  Nathan loves his lego guys to death-literally.  Every couple of months we have to replace his favorite because it's limbs start to fall off and it creates all sorts of issues.  With our earlier delivery of the secret package of lego guys he was able to pick from a wonderful assortment.  I know his sisters are happy we are done with the pink one!  This next choice is quite a bit more masculine.

 

Can you do too much for your kids?  Some may think I shouldn't bother.  But, helping my children follow through with some of their ideas and learning the fun of stepping outside the box can be rewarding.  That is why I helped Brooke make bacon cookies!

Her physics teacher has an intense love of bacon and it often makes its way into the conversation during class.  So she decided she wanted to do something memorable for him.  Thus Bacon Cookies!  My children have always had a great time with their teachers.  Including a desire to show them they appreciate all of the hard work they do, even in high school.  And, I must say these are some very good looking cookies.

What a day...time at the "Horse Patch".  

(Can't tell we like go to pumpkin patches each Fall.)

Chase got another shot at hippotherapy.

He is so serious when he rides.  I hardly recognized him.  His whole persona changed.  It is really interesting.  Grandpa reported the same behavior last week.  You can see the concentration.  That is except when he had Thunder "go fast" and you could hear him giggling.

Is it supposed to make me cry?  Here is Give Kids the World's public service announcement.  It is the most magical place.  I had to really concentrate not to tear up just walking the streets of GKTW.  The pure love that radiated from every person, mostly volunteers, forever made an impression on me, and my family.  I hope to go again.  It is a once in a lifetime experience to stay overnight.  But, once you have been through the gates you are always welcome back to enjoy the facilities during the day and enjoy the friendships.  Now I just have to figure out how to get to Florida!

Driving today it really hit me.  Nathan will be 10 in August.  I fight the feeling that we are out of time.  Early intervention is so important.  I know this.  But, what happens when our children get older.  I fight the feeling that it is all or nothing.  That he past that "point", the point of recovery, getting better or something!  Whatever it is-it isn't.  Not yet.  Early intervention works wonders, but just because our children are getting older doesn't mean they can't learn.  I have to believe that.  I have to know that.  I need to continue to work each day.  As children get older it seems that progress is slower.  But, maybe it's not slower.  Maybe we are just tired.  So strength is the first order of the day.  Mental, spiritual and physical.

He used to talk, read and take spelling tests.  He wasn't injured.  He didn't get sick.  So it has to be in there.  Where else could it have gone?  I need to find it.  Find what works for him.  Reading 'My Stroke of Insight' there was a passage that has struck a nerve with me.  The author spoke of how after her stroke she was in a blissful place.  She was happy.  Only with the constant pleading of her mother to rejoin this world did she make the extreme effort to relearn skills.  To find her way back.  Love and encouragement was what made her decide to come back and not just live in that euphoric state.  Sometimes I wonder if that is where Nathan is.  He is happy again, after going through an extremely sad phase.  But, he is not blissfully unaware.  He knows he can't speak.  That must be my priority...getting his language back.  So I will start again tomorrow.

He was done!  Done being sick.  Nine days cooped up (except for a quick trip to the symphony).  He started asking for glue.  When things are broke or not working he calls out for glue.  He searches the house frantically for it.  But it can't fix some things and it frustrates him. 

These are the days he just needs a break.  I am very careful not to pair it with his screaming.  I have to be sly.  I definitely don't promise him things while he is crying out.  But, offer him a distraction.  A way to find some peace.  Still looking too bad to play baseball and absolutely still too weak.  We met up with Grandpa who took Chase to the Miracle Field.  Nate and I went into Sam's Club.  Less than $50 later and only one piece of pizza we emerged calm and relaxed.  Happy to just be outside the walls of our home that usually offer comfort, but after 9 days only felt confining.

There is nothing like waking up on Mother's Day to a prepared breakfast.  Whether it be soggy cereal, undercooked toast or something 'eggish'.  That is except waking up early enough to hear the hushed sounds of your loved ones busy in the kitchen trying to be quiet.  I love that!  Just lying there hoping you don't get caught and ruin the surprise.  This year homemade cinnamon bread from the Hunger Game's cookbook courtesy of Brooke.  And, vacuuming by Samantha.  Chase happy to provide foliage.  And, absolutely loving my print and the long chat from my Florida gal.  And, cuddles from Nathan.  Love you guys!

There are some really good people in the world.  First, Springfield Symphony Orchestra offered seats to Make-A-Wish families for 'The Magical Music of Disney' show performed today.  But, when I went to pick up the tickets and told them that one young guest is recovering from chicken pox.  And, even though he would be scabbed over by Saturday and no longer contagious I was worried.  Worried that his immune system would be weak and that we would scare families.  Because any Disney is a family event.  They quickly hatched a plan.

 A plan that not only allowed him to attend.  But to have the entire balcony to himself.  Well, the entire balcony to his family.  He was quite pleased with the arrangement.  Enjoying it his tired body gave out right before the last song.

But, we had a great time spending the afternoon at the symphony.  And hey, they even had free ice cream afterward.  What a day to be around such understanding, accommodating and generous people.

Feeling so proud at the band banquet...she has dedicated herself for years...improved each year getting higher rankings at districts, completing another year of drumline, marching, and concert band, playing four instruments...  Then I look!

I flash her a disapproving, yet kind glance.  She says...it is a 'tradition'.  Biting my tongue I am rewarded for my patience when I see the server's smile and she gently says, "You're welcome."

 

No, this is not Nathan.  One benefit of your brother having chicken pox is that you get to take his place at therapy.  Many people think the boys are twins.

Dynamic Strides had a great time getting to know Chase.  They even thought he was a bit of a flirt.  He was quite excited when he got home. (Just don't tell him Nathan gets to do this every week.)

Chase is on the waiting list.  We are hoping to do some fundraising with Hope Saves the Day to help support this program.  

So soon Mr. Chase, soon!  Nathan can't wait to get back in the saddle.  He just needs to get healed up.  You may get one more week Chase.  But, time will tell.  Nathan is ready to get out of the house.  He loves coming home after an outing, but he sure loves to GO!  That is part of his bailiwick...going and doing.  He loves experiencing things for the first time.

My Hero!  

He has great strength and he can put on his own costume...

How wonderful are kids?  The world holds endless possibilities for them.  They can be a super hero, a veterinarian or a teacher.  I love spending these early years helping my children figure out what interests  them.  Nicole loved acting, movies, any type of performing and reading.  And now she is at Disney World interning and loving every second.  As well as writing novels.  Brooke has a very serious academic side, but also a drive to perform and compete (mostly with herself).  She is very driven.  Her thoughts range from police work to ballroom dancing.  I can't wait to see what she does with her life.  Samantha...well for anyone who knows her it is obvious what drives her activities.  Animals!  Not necessarily having pets.  But learning about them, reading about them, writing about them and drawing them.  Right now she wants to travel around the world photographing them.  I believe she can and will (if that is what she chooses).

Nathan...we thought pottery for a long time.  He worked with clay so well and loved to watch the potter at Silver Dollar City.  I don't know though.  With Nicole's connection to Disney he may follow her path.  Now Chase, if he had to choose today what his life's work would be everyone knows he would be a teacher.  Maybe an art teacher or coach.  But, his passion is letters.  As he is learning to read I am sure that passion will transfer to words.  If so his opportunities will be endless.