Autism Trials

Ryan has an appointment with the doctor today to see if we can figure out what has been going on with him lately. The last couple of weeks he seems to have been sleeping less, had a poor appetite, and crying more. I feel so bad when he tells me "owie, owie!" and I don't know how to help him. The problem is he usually sleeps poorly, doesn't have much of an appetite, and cries. It's hard to know when it's more severe than usual, but I hope the dr. will be able to shed some light on his recent behaviour. His terrific therapist, Julie, told me today that she once worked with a little girl with mental retardation who had blown out her eardrums on both sides. It had been that way for a couple of weeks before her parents caught on. :( Poor little thing. But I can understand how that happens.

Last night I tried sleeping on the floor of his bedroom to see if it would comfort him. He is usually such a good boy; even when he doesn't sleep he'll lay in bed and sing and squeal happily. (We can sometimes sleep through it but not always.) He usually knows we are just across the hall and is just fine. But last night he really wanted mama nearby. I used to be able to sleep on the floor all the time, but I think that ability has gone the way of my eagerness with rollercoasters! It has been lost somewhere over the last ten years of marriage and children. :) Hope he's okay.

Mama's Little Helper

I have a horrible habit of running a sink full of hot water to soak dishes . . . and then leaving it alone forever. I guess I just really hate washing dishes. So God, in His wisdom, has given me a little boy who loves playing in soapy water. And that little boy can NOT leave the a sink full of soapy water alone. He pulls the ottoman right up to the sink area and starts washing! It has made me kind of crazy to have him do this, but the dishes are getting done. :) Grateful to have a little motivater in my life!

Teaching Character to Kids

Reading, writing, and 'rithmatic are hugely important in our school, but we have been trying to teach character to our kids as well. I came across a website that isn't flashy or exciting, but it does have some basic ideas for teaching character. You can find it here. We have been working on obedience, self-control and patience in the last five weeks. The best part of all? It's helping me too! :)

One Great Vacation

We have been back almost a week now from our family vacation to Lagoon. The best thing we did on this vacation was take Grandpa and Grandma with us. It was so wonderful to let Ryan and Samantha hang with them sometimes so Ethan and I could spend time with the big girls. (One memorable moment: going to Target and not having to carry or push anybody in a cart!) We are so thankful that we were able to get away from it all for a few days. One thing I learned on this trip was that either rollercoasters have gotten scarier or I have become a wimp over the last decade! Either way, it's fun to try doing something you used to love. Sometimes you find yourself loving it all over again!

Back To School

We have been back in school now for over a week. Our neighbors across the street asked me about homeschooling their little girl, M, who is in Kindergarten. After a LOT of prayer and talking with the hubs, we finally agreed to do it. So this year I am teaching a second grader, first grader, and a kindergartner. I know a lot of homeschooling moms probably wouldn't sign on for this, but it is really a lifesaver for me to be able to help financially right now. Here's what our typical school morning looks like:

9:00 Start the day with prayer. We read great books that cover different periods of history and
parts of the world and then I ask questions to help their understanding. Finish this time
by listening to a cd with geography songs (and dancing -- there's always silly dancing!)
9:30 Split up and have individual reading lessons. When the girls are not working on their
reading with me they work on their handwriting at their desks.
10:00 Language arts. Hands-on activities, work on the whiteboard, etc.
10:30 Recess
10:50 Snack time -- we talk about character training (ie. diligence, obedience, patience)
11:00 Science -- we read aloud from our science books and then they answer questions
either at their desks or aloud to me.
11:30 Math
12:00 End of school day!

I love how our days are set up although this isn't a strict schedule. Some days we will have science experiments or craft time. At some point this week we will be making bricks to go along with our learning about the Egyptians and pyramids. School is fun! (Now you can all laugh at me in two weeks when I post about how tired I am. jk!)

Two Years

Our family has fallen victim to the latest (and not-so-greatest) stomach flu. Yuck. I don't think I've ever seen my husband this sick. The kids and I have gotten through it okay for the most part. Now if we could just fumigate the house . . .

Tonight I was cuddling with Sammie after feeding her and telling her what an adorable little person she is. From her squishy cheeks, to her chubby thighs, to her fuzzy hair, to her round little tummy -- oh, I wish I could just freeze time! As I ran my finger across her belly she let out a giggle and I had a thought come to me, unbidden. Tomorrow my Isaac would have been two years old! Two! It's hard to imagine. And yet this anniversary is easier to handle when I have his sister to hold on to.

Does anyone else still think of him? Or is it just Ethan and I? He is so precious to us. Although I don't know what else tomorrow will bring, I think I might have to get his box from the hospital down and hold onto the blanket we held him in. And I'll thank God for the five beautiful kids He's given us.

Lessons I've Learned This Summer

1. Thirty minutes is not long enough to make a sound decision on whether or not you should get an exchange student.

2. Nail polish will come out of carpet if you work really, really fast.

3. Encouraging your kids to submit projects to the local fair is only a good idea if you REALLY want to help finish all those projects.

4. Sometimes the people you least expect end up becoming the greatest friends.

5. You can't count on hot weather for swimming lessons, even in August.

6. Marriage can still be exciting after almost ten years.

7. Holding your breath around bees can keep you from getting stung. (Thanks Tab!)

8. A piece of plywood is not the best platform for a backyard campfire.

9. Yardsales are always hard work, even when you aren't pregnant.

10. Turtles move a lot faster in the backyard when you aren't watching them.