God is Good!

I often think of blogging.  I have friends that blog on set days and they talk about their families, their hearts, their recent project, or whatever is happening in their lives.  I don't want blogging to be a 'have to' but rather, a 'want to'.  I also feel like I need something newsworthy to say in order to blog.  That most likely isn't true but, I feel like it is!

So, here are the highlights of the last few months in our household.

Alexander turned 3.  Where does the time go?  Three is so grown-up!  He's begun preschool.  Learning, songs, numbers, colors and about Jesus.  He loves it!  Somewhere along our trip he picked up three grandsons.  Nate, Forrest and James.  Everyday we hear of new adventures these three go on.  They take planes, buses, and cars to various places.  They frequently call Alexander on his cellular phone to update with him their plans.  What amazes me isn't so much the story that Alexander weaves about these three but the details of their stories!  I am often left wondering where he learned about something that has found its way into his Grandson's lives.

We went on a crazy, fun, sad when it was over, road trip.  We saw family, old friends, met some new friends, and I was able to introduce my children to people who have been influential in my life.  We were in the Mid-West during the heat wave.  It was definitely an experience to remember.

With Alexander in preschool, I have found a friend to walk with during that time.   We'll call her Ms. K.  She has two girls the same ages as my two.  So, while our older babies are in preschool, we bundle up our younger babies and go for a long walk.  Pretty soon we decided to walk on non-preschool days.  We both leave our houses at 4:30 AM (yup, while the rest of the world is sleeping).  We meet half way and then go for an amazing walk.  Our current goal is to exercise to lose weight and feel better.  Ms. K is a wonderful (crazy) friend and I appreciate her company every morning as I groan about getting out of a nice warm bed to go out into the cold dark morning for a walk.

Which brings me to my health.  I'm not really sure where I stand with all of the lab tests and such (my last labs haven't been sent to me yet).  What I can tell you is that I've been seeing doctors and getting labs done for 10 months.  I'm feeling better but not overwhelmingly better.  I think that after being on meds, and doing what I should be doing for most of this year, I should feel incredible.  So, next week I have an appointment with the doctor.  My plan is to come up with a different plan.  In my opinion, I should be feeling stellar!  Stay tuned!!!

We haven't spoken about Dora.   Well, she's a little gem.  She is learning words.  She is quiet until she feels she's being left out of something and then she speaks up.  She is very into reading books.  She has two dollies that she's never far from.  She also has a shoe fetish.  REALLY??  I'm not sure what to do with that most days.  She brings me different shoes to try on about every 30 minutes.  Its fun to watch her but boy are we going to be in trouble when she realizes what shoe stores are!

We've spent lots of time in the last few months at the park, riding bikes, doing a few crafts and loving life!  Below are a few pictures for you to enjoy!

I plan to blog more in coming weeks.  We'll see how it goes.  My next blog will be about obituaries.  Have you ever thought about what people will say about you when you die?

My sisters and I

My Grandparent's head stone

Alexander and Bob going for a ride

Alexander and Sophie

Sisters!  (My mom and her sister)

Watching the Blue Angels

Carving Pumpkins

Grandma Necklace, Dora and Mommy

Alexander the Firefighter

Playing Music!

Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant at the Puyallup Fair

Sibling Love

It was a long day . . .

It was a long, long, long, did I say long? day in the car.  We drove from North Western Wisconsin (near LaCrosse) to Racine, Wisconsin (which is on Lake Michigan) to see Sister Evelyn again.   


We had a nice drive in the beginning, saw lots of corn fields, some small lakes, stopped for lunch at Wendy's, and then just before we got to Racine we were having some snacks in the car.  After all, what kind of a road trip would this be without snacks.  The kids were eating Veggie Straws (Alexander's snack of choice) and I was also giving them M&Ms.  That was the first mistake!  After about five M&Ms Alexander thought it was a great idea to shove one up his nose.  Yip, our first emergency stop involved an m&m, a nose and tweezers.  Did I mention that m&ms melt in your nose, but not in your hands??  It didn't take long to fix him up and then we were back on the road again!


We went to the Sienna Center and had supper (that's what they call it in the Midwest) with Sister Evelyn.  We had a delightful conversation with her, had supper with her and the other Nuns, a walk along the beach, and then back in the car.  It was nice.  The Sienna Center is located on the lake so we went for a little stroll knowing we'd be back in the car for awhile.  When we got back into the car, it was my turn to drive.


From there it was a big adventure.  Between my two back seat drivers, our TomTom we call Gabby and two children who always need something it was comical.  I only missed our exit twice and had to turn around.  We also drove by the White Sox Stadium (this is where my husband will be disappointed that I don't know the name of the stadium), saw an amazing heat lightning show, drove through a HUGE windmill farm (all with blinking red lights), and saw a few trains.


Our intention was just to drive a little ways but, then we got into Chicago and then we were into Indiana and then why not go all the way? So, at 1:22am Eastern Time we pulled into Shelbyville, Indiana, very small quaint town south of Indianapolis.


We are settled here for a few days visiting with friends, relatives, and friends that are like relatives.  We're also thankful for a great bed, air conditioning, and a very sound night's sleep!

Family and Home

  FAMILY

What makes you appreciate your family?  What defines family for you?  We spent the weekend with about 100 members of our family.  Some young and some not so young.  We ate, swam, talked, laughed, ate, drank beer, danced, and ate some more.  We are from Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan, Washington, New York, Maine, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.  We try to get together yearly and most of the aunts and uncles do, its the rest of us that are hit or miss.

We had a good representation of all of our families!  My cousins who are mostly in their 40's haven't changed much but their children have grown like wild weeds.  Taller, more mature, and moving into different stages of life.  Its fun to hear of their adventures and of the turns their lives are taking.  Two of my cousin's children have graduated college this year and will be teaching in the fall.

After our large family gathering we were invited to "The Farm".  One of my cousin's had been a dairy farmer.  All growing up it was so exciting to see the cows, help milk them and start to understand a little of the process it takes to get milk from the cow in Wisconsin to my breakfast table in Renton.   Several years ago they sold the cows and began leasing the farm land, however they still live in the farm house with the big red barn.  Alexander got a ride on the four-wheeler to the neighbor's berry patch to eat raspberries.  He also pet a horse and saw some cows up close.   Our time on the farm was shorter that I would have liked but, we have other adventures waiting.

HOME

After leaving the farm we went into a more rural area of Wisconsin (if one actually exists) to visit my dad's old buddy and his wife (Rich and Paula).  I was a little anxious because traveling with two children is one thing but imposing them on someone else is a completely different thing.  It turns out I had absolutely nothing to be anxious about.  Paula hasn't met a child she didn't immediately fall in love with and Rich just takes her lead.  Before dinner was served, she had loved on both of my children with the kind of love only Grandmas are able to give. 

Rich and Paula have a house on the corner lot.  They have swings, pool, sand box, they've turned their garage into an air conditioned family/dining/relaxing/tv watching room.  They have spices in the tool box and tools in the refrigerator.  In other words a kids' paradise.  They have seven children, 19 grandchildren, 7 great-grand children.  All of which come and go at all times of the day and night.  Each person is greeted with a big hello and a hug.  Anyone that enters through their door is immediately part of their family.

We have spent two days alternating between the swing, the pool, and driving toy cars on the sidewalk.  Alexander has learned to pump his feet to make the swing keep going, swim using arm floats, and has realized he can trap Dora into the car and push it so that she's not bothering him.  Miss Dora has  learned that swinging is fun, she has to swim with an adult (after much protest from her) and that whatever her brother is doing is worth investigating on her own.  Its been two days with some great people, hearing new stories of my dad's wild days, and encouraging Alexander to fly a little further from the nest. 

Life on vacation has been fantastic so far!  Well, other than the record setting heat we've been having although with a pool and an air conditioned room, the heat is just a slight inconvenience.

I'll leave you with a poem hanging in Paula's kitchen:

HOME
Where you can be silent
    and still be heard . . . .
Where you can ask
    and find out who you are . . .
Where people laugh with you
    about yourself . . .
Where sorrows are divided
    and joys are multiplied . . .
Where we share . .  and we love . . . and we grow.

Where is your home?



Swimming with Grandma



Alexander dancing with Rich





Alexander dancing with his Auntie



Brothers



Cousins



Sisters



Alexander showing Dora the way



Vacation

Relaxation, rejuvenation, carefree, fun, spontaneous.  These are the words I would use to describe what vacation means to me.  This is one of the first vacations we've taken with the children that wasn't completely planned out.  I've been nervous about what things would be like.  How our children would behave without a consistent schedule, or bed to sleep in.  Meeting lots of people for the first time although these people already love our children and can't wait to see them!

After day two I can say that things are going extremely well.  The flight from Seattle to Milwaukee was a little more than four hours.  We watched things out the window, had lunch, took a nap (yes, both children actually slept), listened to music, and read books.

We arrived in Milwaukee and got a rental car with a surprising amount of ease, and then it was off for a short drive.  Eric brought a GPS.  Although I also brought my trusty maps that I confide in when he's not looking! 

We've seen Sister Evelyn (more on her later) and toured the Jelly Belly Factory!  We tasted some yummy samples, and maybe some not so yummy! 

Today its off to Bridget and Scott's wedding which will entail about a two hour car drive, seeing Grandma and Papa for the first time in several months and seeing my sisters and brother-in-laws as well.  Its going to be a full day and hopefully tonight we'll all fall into bed exhausted and happy!

Leaving the Nest

I never thought that parenting would be easy, but I had no idea the challenges and obstacles one faces when being a Mom.  Last Friday was Alexander's last day of Stepping Stones at Kindering Center.  Stepping Stones is a peer model preschool.  Some of the children have delays of various types (such as down syndrome, speech delay, or in Alexander's case low tone) and some of the children are typical children who are models for other students. 


Lets start at the beginning. . . .
When Alexander was an infant we attended a baby class at Valley Medical Center headed up by one of the lactation nurses.  It was a wonderful group of moms with their babies.  We would talk about a topic of the week, but also about our struggles and challenges of being first (and sometimes second) time moms.  It was here that I realized that Alexander wasn't keeping up physically with his peers.  By his nine month Well Baby visit he wasn't able to do many of the physical things that were on the checklist.  And so at 10 months he began Physical Therapy. 


He began Physical Therapy at Valley Children's Center; however, our crazy insurance would only pay for 10 visits a year and when you're going weekly, well that's a lot of money.  So we were referred to the Kindering Center (a nonprofit neurodevelopmental center that works with children with special needs from birth to age three).  I was so nervous changing therapists.  God has a way of just working things out.  Our therapist came to our home and worked with Alexander.  She brought us a walker that Alexander used when he was learning to walk.  He took his first steps Thanksgiving weekend in Dallas, TX during church.  Eric had taken him to the back of the chapel and he walked from a cement column to a bench.  It would be another 6 weeks before he was walking unassisted.

To qualify for therapy Alexander was tested for gross and fine motor skills.  During this process he was diagnosed with hypotonia (low muscle tone).  Typically hypotonia is a symptom of something else.  So instead of waiting for the something else to rear its ugly head we chose to get him tested.  We had a genetic screen done.  They look over his DNA and determine if there's any significant deletions or additions.  In his case, there's a very small deletion, but at this time they don't even know what that specific gene is used for.  That was a relief.  Our Alexander only has Hypotonia.  PRAISE GOD!

Physical Therapy worked well for a while, but there came a point in his therapy when working with a therapist and his mom at home wasn't going to cut it any longer.  He had a mind of his own and he didn't want to play the silly games we wanted him to play.  In September of 2010 Alexander began Stepping Stones.  It was here that I really began to understand and accept that Alexander has a disability.  His Stepping Stones class has a one way window that I could watch him play with his peers, interact with the teachers, and eat his snack without his knowing I was peeking in on him.

It has been fun watching him grow into his little self this year.  He went from standing on the outside and observing everything and everyone very carefully to being a leader and anticipating the next thing to happen.  He also came to an understanding of friends.  He had two friends that he would sit by or seek out to hold hands with.  It was pretty entertaining!

In the mean time, I was able to sit with other parents and talk about our children.  What it means to be a parent of a special needs child, how to make life easier at home, how to help them without hindering their need for doing it themselves...it was true growing and learning experience for me as well. 

And so it is time to close this chapter in our book.  The Kindering Center has done us well.  They have taken us into their little nest, loved on us, pushed us, stretched us, and now it is time for us to fly on our own.  Alexander will always have hypotonia, but he's learned to adapt well and overcome, thanks in large part to Kindering Center.




Alexander using his walker.  Halloween 2009



Alexander's first day of Stepping Stones.  Sept 2010

Last day at Stepping Stones July 2011





Dora and Alexander reading books at the beginning of class.  July 2011

Celebrating Alexander's Birthday.

Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day! 
I had such a great day celebrating some of the Dad's in my life! 
My Husband.  He has given me the gift of two fantastic children.  He provides for and takes care of us better than I could have imagined any husband doing.  I love you Eric!
My Mr. Bill (father-in-law).  Truth be told, he invited me into his family long before Eric proposed.  He is a gentle soul with a sharp sense of humor.  He loves me as though I'm one of his own.  He has been the greatest Papa to my children.
My Brother-in-law.  He has swept my sister-in-law off her feet in the most gentle of ways.  He is always ready for a great adventure, not afraid of a good challenge, and has two most adorable children.  Oh, and did I mention he took three kiddos for an adventure in the woods behind our house yesterday.  What a guy!
My niece's Dad.  He's shaking up with my sister-in-law and while I personally think there should be a ring involved somewhere, he is the perfect match for her.  Not only is he sharp, has a quirky sense of humor, starting his own business, he also has the most darling daughter.

Last but not least there's My Dad.  He's in Pennsylvania for about the next month living with my sister.  I barely spoke to him.  Although I know he was taken to The Diner for breakfast (one of his favorites!).  He just completed another successful trip to South Dakota to shoot varmits.  He is in heaven on this ultra summer vacation!  I love my Dad!  He has such a gentleness about him.  He is patient, kind, loving, and absolutely LOVES to have Alexander as a shadow!

Happy Father's Day Gentlemen!  I am blessed to have you in my life!

Dora and her Daddy.  All tuckered out after a long day of playing!



Eric's Father's Day gift! 



The Farm

Yesterday was a crazy day for me.  I think I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed and it lasted all day.  I worked last night so I had to get dinner in the crock pot before we left for Preschool.  However, I woke up on time (instead of early) and of course Alexander woke up early.  As I was making dinner, I was peppered with questions and requests and the 15 minute process to throw all of the ingredients into the crock pot took about an hour.  In the mean time I had to get a shower, feed two children (and myself), get dressed, get them dressed, and get out the door.  Big breath! 

We were late to preschool by about 10 minutes and were greeted in the parking lot by Miss. Emily who says "I'm surprised to see you today".  I'm thinking, Really?  We're here every Wednesday morning why would today be different?  Then she says "Isn't Alexander's class on a field trip today?".  Aahh, yes, the field trip!!!!

Dora had her PT shortened by 20 minutes so we could run to the store for snacks and then off to the field trip at Kelsey Creek Farm.  We made it!!  Alexander loved petting the animals and he also planted a pumpkin seed.  He's already requested to go back and see if its growing!

The Cow

The Hen

The Goat

Planting the seed

Dora is too young to pet the animals but she got a front row seat in the stroller!

Ups and Downs

This week has had some ups and downs.    The UPS:  We've had some good sunny days.  Enough that I was able to plant my vegetable garden, flower pots, and begin painting the shoe rack.  Alexander was able to drive the tractor and Dora was able to play outside for awhile as well.  She doesn't like the feel of the grass so being outside is pretty limiting for her right now.

The DOWNS:  We've had some rainy days and had to stay inside.  My parents also left today for the next three months.  While they've been planning this crazy trip of theirs for many months, it is always sad to me when they leave.  The first few days are ones of transition.  I have never liked transition much.  Its difficult at its best.  As I was leaving for work today, Alexander said "When you come home will you bring Grandma and Papa home with you?"  Right now three months is looking like a long time!  I know they will be calling, and in a few days we will have a new routine down.  For now their first stop is Helena, Mt to visit with my sister, Rachel.  And for us, we're going to church in the morning, a regular routine that should spark some smiles.  Alexander has been stalking Sam Leyde (our Worship Pastor at New Life) for months now.  He gets so excited at mere thought of actually seeing Sam!

Me and my mom on Mother's Day!

Alexander and his Papa bonding over mowed grass





Alexander driving the tractor

 

Miss. Dora drawing

Ear Infections No More!

Our lovely daughter is a fighter, courageous, and has a very high pain tolerance.  She smiles most of the time, loves to read books and can spot any ball within 20 feet.  She also has chronic ear infections.  She's on ear infection number 9. 

I praise God that she is happy, and tries to carry on with life even though it is so evident that she doesn't feel well.  This ear infection thing has begun to stifle her budding personality.  In between ear infections we have gotten a small glimpse of her laughter, her humor, and possibly her stubbornness (must be her dad rubbing off on her).

Tomorrow morning she goes in for ear tubes.  I'm really looking forward to a little girl that is pain free.  It will be a blessing to discover what treasures lie ahead in discovering our lovely daughter!

Baseball!

Friday night was date night.  It was also the Season Home Opener for The Mariners.  So, of course we would naturally (?) go to the game.  We sat with some friends.  And, that was probably a good thing because the M's didn't play well.  We were wondering if they even showed up but that's a whole nother story for another day.  Anyhow, we did have a good time, I mean we always have a good time when we can leave the children at home for a little grown-up time. 

Some Baseball facts about April 8th I thought were interesting*:

1966  At the Astrodome, the Astros and Dodgers play baseball's first game on synthetic grass.  Thanks to the Monsanto chemical company, who proposed using an experimental playing surface of nylon grass, the plan to play on an all-dirt field, necessitated by the need to paint the dome's glass panes to reduce the glare which prevented natural grass from growing, was alleviated by the use of 'Astro Turf'.

1969  Scoring all of their runs in the top of the first, the Seattle Pilots make their major league debut defeating the Angels, 4-3.

1986  The Mariners' Jim Presley hits two home runs in the ninth and tenth innings helping Seattle to beat the Angels, 8-4 in a dramatic comeback victory on Opening Day.

2008  In the last home opener at Shea Stadium, the Mets are beaten by a pitcher who is older than their ballpark.  Pitching six strong innings, 46-year old Jamie Moyer gets the win in the  45-year old stadium as the Phillies rally to be at the Mets 5-2.

2008  At the Play Ball, Chicago! event in the Windy City, the U.S. Postal Service unveils a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".  The very popular song was written on a New York city train a century ago when passenger Jack Norworth, actor, singer and songwriter, who claimed never to have seen a major league game wrote the lyrics after seeing a sign about an upcoming contest at the Polo Grounds, home over the New Giants.


Before the game, there was a tribute to Dave Niehaus.  It was touching.  His wife, Marilyn, threw out the first pitch.

*  Facts from www.nationalpastime.com

Its Crazy Outside!

A flash of light was followed by very loud thunder that sounded like it was directly over our house.  Within moments it started to hail hard for about 20 minutes.  This may not be signs of spring but its definitely signs of a happy little boy outside with his Daddy.

My Baby Girl

Ear infections.
Middle ear infections are one of the most common childhood problems. The middle ear is a small pocket of air behind the eardrum. You have a middle ear infection when germs get into the middle ear and the area fills up with fluid (or pus), which contains germ-fighting cells. When the pus builds up, your ear starts to feel like a balloon that is ready to pop, which can really hurt.

I have been blessed with a daughter that has chronic ear infections.  She is also one of the strongest girls I know.  These ear infections have to hurt.  My Dora wouldn't let you know that she was having any discomfort.  She smiles, plays and crawls through life as if things are fine.  The only slight indication is that while she has them she doesn't sleep through the night.

Yesterday I spent several hours on the phone calling ENTs looking for one who's schedule isn't booking out 2-3 months.  I finally found one.  Our appointment is at 7am.  That is VERY early for anything let alone a doctor visit.  However, I am grateful that Dora will be seen and we can put an end to this sickness.

Dearest Father, please come and help to heal my baby girl.  She is trying to be so strong but, I know her little body is wearing down from all of the antibiotics and the pain.  Please help her to know your comfort and your strength in this time of weakness.  AMEN.

Less is More

Less is more.  Haven't we all heard this?  Until very recently I hadn't bought into this.  Isn't more chocolate ice cream better? 

Recently my husband and I have begun to subscribe to the theory that less IS more.  Less activities for the children, less commitments to church, friends, each other.  We took a long look at our calendar and marked off things that aren't immediate needs.  WOW!  Is that ever so difficult.

It is easy making a line through things on the calendar.  The hard part comes in when you realize that the thing you put a line though no longer resides in your life.  I've given up scrapbooking, time with girlfriends, Bible Study, and time with my husband.

God is so good and faithful and wonderful.  While we are chosing to play life closer to the vest, He has brought some amazing women into my life.  I recently went on a women's retreat with three ladies.  I've known them all for some time but after a weekend together, these women have helped to change the way I see life.  My eyes are more focused on Him.

Suddenly I feel like all of these things I have marked off my calendar were white noise.  I can so clearly hear His voice and feel His touch. 

WOW!  If this is what knowing Him is about, please let my calendar remain empty.

What is in a Name?

A Name.  What is in a Name?

I spent 33 years of my life with the same name.  My last name was rather long ~ 8 letters to be exact.  If someone was familiar with nationalities and names you could immediately tell what my heritage was.  It was unique.  Most people that shared my last name were either related to me or came from the same area.  My name meant that I belonged to other people.  We were a family and you could tell by our name.

Then I got married.  My husband and I both agreed that I would change my name.  In a conversation months before the wedding this sounded like a good plan.  We would be the newlywed couple with the same name.  You could easily identify that we belonged together. 

The day came and I changed my name.  I would often write my old name.  After all I had been writing it for 33 years.  People would call me Mrs. Xxxx and I would immediately reply with "That's not my name" and then realize that it actually was.  Oops, no, I'm not crazy I'm just having an identity crisis.  My husband's siblings were mostly adopted by his step-dad so no one in the family has the same last name.  No one on the outside could identify that we were related with anyone else.

I was asked to join a group of women as part of a leadership team.  The head of this team usually calls me by my first and last name.  She has a very strong voice and when she says my name she says it with such power.  I often wanted to ask her to please not call me that.  But then the question is what would she call me?  After all she is using MY name.  When I see her children, they all call me Mrs. Xxxx.  I've thought about asking them to call me by my first name.  I mean, its so formal and seems out of place.

Somewhere, somehow, my name has grown on me.  When people call my name, I have begun to proudly stand instead of wonder who they could possibly be looking for.

Have you ever wonder what God calls us?  Daughter, Baby, Wee One, Lost Soul, My Love, Child, . . . do any of these fit?  Maybe he has nicknames for us.  I like to paint my toe nails Red.  Maybe he calls me Red Toes?!

As much trouble as I have with my name, I had with the Title of my Blog.  I wanted a Title that implied God would be present here.  I also wanted it to be intimate and lovely and fun.  So, here it is!! 

Wrapped in His Grace.

I hope as the author and you as the reader both feel Wrapped in God's Grace.