I guess I could be more insane.......

I could have 14 kids ages 7 and under.......

All I can say is - wow - I hope that mom - single and all - has some serious help from family and friends - and maybe wins a lottery or two......

I just can't even begin to imagine what it is going to cost to get those 8 babies out of the hospital, let alone diaper, clothe, and feed them for the rest of their lives.

I'm looking in odd crevices hoping to find the cash to send my own six to school and college and I can't even begin to imagine the cost of raising her 14 through adulthood, and let alone doing the work and doing a good job of it......

I think she's going to need some prayers...... I know I would!!!!

Thank goodness it's FRIDAY!!!!

and a long weekend to boot! The kids don't have school on Monday - so hopefully we can all sleep in :)

What are YOU doing this weekend? Any fun plans?

I need to have more sympathy for my kids.....

especially when they're sick.... Cause, usually I don't think they're really all that sick most of the time.... I mean, if you don't have a fever, or you aren't puking your guts out, how sick can you really be ;)

But, since Brady decided to share his stuff with me.....

I'm rethinking the possibility.

I mean, they SAY they are sick, but they still want to eat and get up and play etc.... Me, I just want to lay in bed all day. And...sleep, and sleep, and sleep. Today, I feel like crap..... I've been thinking my migraines have been coming wayyy too frequently, now I'm considering that they're just really nasty sinus infection headaches. It could be because my head is ready to explode, or implode, or something. It's gotta do something soon, the pressure is unbearable.

Yup - definitely not enough sympathy. No wonder Brady was soooo incredibly grumpy all weekend, I hope my family will afford me the same luxury as they did him. Can I just lie on the floor and cry and whine until someone picks me up and gives me whatever I want?

I seriously want to try it.... Bet I don't get the same reaction - darn........

How come when THEY'RE sick, they don't want to do the same...... Oh no, it's sleep a bit, then watch a movie - no that's boring, let's do a craft mommy, or play a game mommy, or color mommy. Sometimes it even gets to - let's PAINT mommy...... Seriously people, it's a SICK day, not a SNOW day :)

Now when I'm sick - you have got to know, that painting or making a mess of any sort is the LAST thing on my agenda....

Sleep, sleep, sleep.....

I'm sure that's how you get better - yup......

I'm sure of it......

and, maybe, just maybe......

I'll have more sympathy next time.......

Sunday Grains of Gratitude........

Another week crossed off the calendar - and what do I have to show for it ;) Hmmmmm- I don't think I crossed anything off my list, I'll have to do better this week :) It's been a bit of a stressful week, sending Brady back to school, having a ton of appointments and the hubs being out of town, but, we muddled through somehow :) It was nice to have a little shorter week with the MLK holiday :) And, we had fun celebrating Little K's birthday :)

This week I'm grateful.....

for friends who stand up for what they believe in, even when it's hard, even when it's not popular, even when there can be repercussions. I couldn't ask for better friends who love and support Brady - they are amazing and I am grateful for them each and every day for their acceptance, love and support of my sweet boy. He loves them too, and I know they have a special place in his heart, and always will.

that we could celebrate Little K's special day! It was fun having it on a holiday so the whole family was home. I'm grateful that our neighbors let us use their hot tub while they were away and that Little K got her wish for a "whole family" hot tub party :)

that we have such a great assistant principal at our school. I just can't say enough great things about her. She has been so supportive and gentle and kind, even when H got in trouble that one time, she was gentle and encouraging with him and definitely used it as a teaching moment. She is definitely a blessing and really a bright spot in our journey this year. It has definitely been a difficult year in some respects, and I am so grateful she's been there for Brady and I.

that so far Brady's latest round with croup hasn't turned into anything more serious. Little K's lasted for about 3 days, and we're on day 2 with Brady. He did sleep from 6:30 p.m. last night til 9:00 this morning, although restlessly, but hopefully that will help. He only woke up a few times "barking", so I'm hopeful it will be short lived. He is super congested though, and that doesn't bode well for the ol' sinus infection. I'm praying the antibiotics he's already on will keep anything from growing....

that Big K got the high school January Science student of the month award :) She's such an amazing student and she works so hard, it's always fun to see her get rewarded for her efforts. She has taken an amazingly difficult course load for the last two years and has done so well. She is naturally bright, but she works so hard to make up for what doesn't come as easily to her, and she often is studying past midnight. She is a very dedicated student and I'm proud of her working so hard to achieve her goals.

that Brady is doing so great at soccer games lately, with all the cheering and noise. I know it still bothers him, but he is coping with it better and the same thing with the dog barking. I can tell it still hurts his ears, but he is finding ways to deal with it. I'm hopeful that someday it won't bug him as much and he'll actually go and cheer himself, a lot, at his siblings games or other sporting events. He loves to watch football and basketball on tv, so I think once he is over his sensitivity to sound he will love to watch it up front and personal too. I know his Dad would love to have a football game buddy for the college games ;)

that I had a chance to complete my unit commissioner fast start and youth protection training online this week. I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed in my calling - but I am feeling much more of a testimony of scouting. I don't think I'll ever be as much of a die hard as some of those people at roundtable, but, I definitely see the benefits if the program is run right, by people who have a vision of scouting. In our ward, there just isn't that vision, and it is kind of sad :( I'm thinking that by the time Brady starts cub scouts, I'll probably get called in there a lot to do things, and maybe I can make a difference :) Wow - what a change for me, the apathetic scouting mom ;) The Lord can definitely help with a change of heart :)

that the meeting with Mrs. W. went fine. I so do not like conflict or confrontation. I was nervous to meet with her, and I'm grateful it went well - except for her freaking out about someone tattling on her for being mean. That was a little dicey. Honestly, I'm grateful I had the chance to see where she is coming from and to understand her better. I feel sorry for her, because for some reason she is just not capable of the deeper feelings, understanding or relationships that come from truly opening your heart up to someone. She doesn't have the vision, even though she thinks she does, with the "We are all alike, we are all different" motto in her classroom. Deep down, she doesn't want to be responsible for educating Brady and I don't think she believes in his abilities at all, she may not even think it's worthwhile to educate him academically, although she never came out and said anything like that, so who really knows. I feel sad for her that she will never know Brady's perfect and unconditional love that he has given her - because even though she has been unkind to him and hurt his feelings, he forgives her and still loves her. She doesn't understand that....at all. It was good to see her as she really is, and I feel sad for her, because she really is missing out on some great things.

What are YOU grateful for this week.....

Some people have it, and some people don't......

although I believe everyone can have it - if they let themselves.....

Our little heart-to-heart was....ummmmm......both interesting and enlightening.

Mrs. W. was amazingly angry and offended that anyone would say that she's been mean to Brady and that I would listen to them - except for maybe at the beginning of the year, and even more amazingly unwilling to admit that her methods of discipline even cross the line from being "firm". She told me that since I have high expectations of Brady and want him to function and fit in to society, then he has to follow the rules. I'd already thought about it long and hard all and week and I knew that she would do the same to ANY child that didn't follow her rules, but I personally think that she could redirect with a little more kindness, after all, they are only five years old! And, I thought she might feel a little more sensitivity to her student who was upset about the whole thing - but nope - just a lot of being offended and feeling resentment.

The truth is - I DO expect Brady to follow the rules and learn to act just like the other kids, but I also know that he doesn't learn things quite as quickly and that it will probably take him a few more tries to "get it" than your typical kindergartner - one would think that she would "get it" too, and show him some patience when she's redirecting him. I just found from our conversation that she just isn't a really warm and fuzzy person. She is more about programs than children, per se, her programs are great, her nurturing abilities, well, maybe not so great.

But, she honestly thinks she is a nurturing person and she told me that she loves Brady and is happy to have him in her class. She told me that she sees the positive that having Brady in the class has done for her students and that her class motto is "We are all alike, we are all different".

So - can I blame her for being the way that she is? She thinks she is something totally different, she sees herself in a totally different light than I see her. She sees her treatment of Brady as being "helpful" in teaching him how to function in the real world. She sees herself as having high expectations for him - well socially anyway - I don't think she has any expectations of him academically. She sees her programs and her including him in her "fun" activities as what a general education teacher should be doing. She also doesn't get why I don't want him in special education full time.

We have two totally different visions. And, I don't think she's willing to change hers.......

So - here we are - with two choices - keep him or change him....... With four months left of school....

What to do....... what to do..........

p.s. through this all, our administration has been great - especially our assistant principal - she is amazing. Brady and I are lucky to have her for a friend and supporter!

p.p.s. Little K shared her croup with Brady - so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it only lasts two days for him and doesn't turn into something worse.

Life is always an adventure!!!!

Going to have a heart to heart with Mrs. W this afternoon......

wish me luck.....

I honestly just want to try and understand what she's thinking and where she's coming from - I just don't get her......at all.........

Last week's happenings :)

Little K's celebration!!!!

Her brothers went shopping for her and spent their own hard earned money and bought her some cute webkinz :)

Grandma and Grandpa bought the best gift- a Calico Critter house - how did they ever know that Little K has been wanting it! These are Little K's latest passion - I only wish they were as inexpensive as Littlest Petshop toys or even webkinz ;)






Bubbles was my very helpful helper when I finally got around to taking the last tree down......

NOT!!! The whole Christmas season she didn't climb the trees once (the garland on the banister, yes, but the trees - nope) So I guess she just had to try it out once - just for fun :)

The girls had a great time at the black light dance :) The theme was White and Nerdy - so for their day date they all went to the thrift store together and bought outfits for their dates. Big K says she found the best things for her date - notice his stylin' pants ;) They had a great time. I'm pretty sure C might actually wear her stuff again - she's such a wild and crazy girl LOLOL

Ever seen the movie Groundhog Day??????

As we maneuver the waters of Brady's education (and chart a new course and discover things that seemingly have never been discovered before.....) I feel like I am the star of Groundhog day.....

I really hope we can get it right soon........

as of today - I have two choices - leave Brady in Mrs. W's class and restructure his day and hopefully find ways to cut down on both Brady's and Mrs. W's frustrations, or, move him to a new class, at a new time, with a new teacher, and new kids - of which I do not know a single one.....not one......

There are some pros to the move: less kids - only 22, and a seemingly more nurturing teacher.

There are also lots of cons: the aide Brady really likes isn't there in the afternoon, the afternoon special education class is a lot lower functioning so with fewer peers and more behaviors, he might not be able to have one of the afternoon aides go with him to the regular education class, and would therefore not have the support he needs, and we don't know a single child in that classroom :(

I'm just not sure what is exactly the right thing to do. The administration at our school has been wonderful and helpful in really trying to make things work and help Brady be successful. We have the most wonderful assistant principal, who will probably be going on to being a full time principal in another school - she is amazing and I will miss her dearly next year if this happens. She is so deserving though, and will be a great principal - maybe we'll transfer to her school LOL

So - that is where we are in the midst of our groundhog day. I almost feel like I'm back to square one, except that Brady is more grown up and really has progressed in a lot of ways. I love my boy and would not change him in any way, I just wish that everyone would see him the way that I do, it would definitely make educating him a whole lot easier ;)

And........ off we go again........

Today is a day for the history books......

No matter how you voted, or what you believe in - today IS a day that will go down in history.

TEN whole years - who can believe it!!!!

I can hardly believe that you are one decade old today! I'm not sure how that happened, but I am so glad that I get to be your mom :) My little spot of pink in amidst all those blue boys :) I know you want a baby sister, but you are just going to have to settle with being my baby girl forever :) You are such a great girl - so fun to hang out with and always great to be my helper! You are Brady's favorite person in the whole world (even more than me, I'm thinking) and you are such a good sister to the other kids too.

I love your cute smile, your determination on the soccer field, your enthusiasm for life. I love your compassionate nature, your reasoning about things in life, and your practical side :) I'm sorry you got my cleaning and organizational skills, but I'm sure you can overcome them someday.... Your spunk and love of all things pink and girly (except hair things - go figure) has made my life-long girly mom dream come true :) Of course amongst all that bling, you can hold your own with the boys too! You're very well rounded ;)

I love singing your favorite songs to you at night, and that you are so patient with my non-singing talent :) I love that "I love to see the Temple" and "When I am baptized" are some of your favorites :) I love hearing you play the piano and develop your talents, and you made a great reindeer in the school play at Christmas :)

I think you might be following me in your math talents, but I'm sure you can overcome that small inherited trait, as well :) You have really come along in your reading fluency, and I think it will match your comprehension here soon! I'm proud of all your hard work :) I think you must be one of the spunkiest, funnest, most social girls in your class (probably much to your teacher's chagrin) and I hope you will use your social skills wisely to be an "inclusive" friend and not an "exclusive" one. I think you do, for the most part, and I'm sorry that a sleepover for 20 is not possible ;) Hopefully the latenight will suffice (and that I will survive).

You are wonderful and I'm grateful for the 10 years I've already had with you! I hope you have a wonderful day! I love you, my big 10 year old princess!!!!

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.......

Another week gone by...and are my Christmas decorations all down yet? Maybe by Monday!!! So much happening in the world these days - so much happening with the inaugeration and plane crashes and the economy. I keep huddled here in my little bubble wondering when it's all going to implode on our little world - and hoping and praying it doesn't ;) Some people call it being in denial - I like to consider it as looking on the bright side, being optimistic ;) Not that I'm not getting my 72 hours kits in order or working on my food storage, cause I am, but, I still have hope that things can turn around :) That may all change here soon, but, I'm going to have faith that everything will work out, somehow!

This week I'm grateful....

for Brady and the things he teaches me every day. I love this little boy so very, very much and I cannot for the life of me figure out how people can't be touched by him. I can't figure out when he gives so much love to his teacher, that she can still be so cold to him and see him as a burden and not see his unique gifts and potential. Can he be a pain in the hiney? Sure he can - he's not perfect, and I'd be the first to admit that. But, he has so much to give, and it breaks my heart that she is unwilling to see that. I handed her such a great opportunity to really make a difference in his life and in the lives of his classmates, to really shape a lot of children in such positive ways, and she threw that right out the window with her unwillingness to see Brady in a positive light at all. It breaks my heart for him, but the kids have made up for her intolerance and indifference - they have been amazing to Brady. Sure there are a few that want nothing to do with him, but the majority really look out for him and genuinely care about him - and that keeps me going. That and the fact that he comes up and gives me random hugs and kisses and tells me he loves me in the sweetest little voice - it just melts your heart clean away. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father lets me be his mom.

for my big girls. They are just so cute and funny and fun. Sure they have their teenage moments when I want to pull my hair out. Sure C got a ticket for parking in front of a fire hydrant, which she assures me was covered with snow and behind a fence and sooo impossible to see! Sure they don't always do their chores or the things I want them to do without complaining or grumping. But, they are wonderful girls, giving and kind, tolerant and caring, smart and funny, they make good choices, they are mostly obedient and responsible. They are good, good, girls and I am sooo grateful for them every day!

for my funny J. He can be so exasperating, but is such an even tempered and sweet boy. He puts up with being tiny with style - he rarely complains, and lets me tell him that good things come in small packages without blowing me off. He has such a big heart for such a small boy and I know he will grow into a wonderful young man. I love his plethora of useless information that he keeps in that big brain of his, and although I am frustrated with his reasoning, since he is capable of so much more, I have to laugh inside when he tells me a B+ is still a good grade ;) He really is such a great kid, and I'm grateful for him :)

for my goofy H, who has the biggest heart, and yet gets picked on the most of all my kiddos. It must be BECAUSE he has a big heart and is so sensitive that this happens. I'm grateful that he is so good at doing his jobs and really trying his hardest at almost everything he does. He's working so hard to get all his homework in on time and being the best he can at everything he does. He's really improved his soccer game and is trying his hardest to get straight A's :) He had a great report card this time around and I appreciate all his efforts. He's a little bit of an antagonizer in our family - loves to see other people's reactions, but, he is also has a strong streak of kindness and helpfulness in him, as well, which I don't always think people notice. I love my H :)

for my Little K, who will be one decade old tomorrow! I can't believe it - 10 whole years have passed since she came into our lives. She is a little ray of sunshine on a cloudy day sometimes. She is so sweet and just loves being with me. She loves doing arts and crafts and cooking and baking and just being together :) She was my little spot of pink, mixed in amongst all these boys :) Our little princess. My little girly girl - who is also a bit of a tomboy :) She is so excited to turn 10 that she can barely contain it - counting down the days and planning her birthday party :) I'm so grateful for her and her cute and fun personality - she never fails to make me smile :)

for friends who love and support Brady and I. This education thing has been a pain from the minute we entered the public school system, and I'm so grateful for all my friends that listen to our woes and do their best to show their support and help us through them. I'm grateful for their love and appreciation of Brady, that they take the time to get to know him, to see who he really is, and recognize his strengths and help with his weaknesses. I'm grateful each and every day for them and that they're willing to share our journey with us.

that the hubs and I got a date last night. Oma took the middle three out for their birthday celebrations (Little K's present birthday, the boy's past birthdays), and the big girls were at a date dance at the school, so the hubs, Brady and I went out for a little dinner date :) Brady was so excited to go to the "restaurant", and kept saying it over and over in the car - "going to the restaurant, going to the restaurant". We went to my favorite Japanese place where they cook in front of you, and Brady was, of course, fascinated by the fire and all the elaborate cooking moves (we told him it was Kungfu cooking - as he is enamored with KungFu Panda these days ;) He loved his noodles and ate every bite - with his fork. I'm sure the people at the table with us (two different groups) probably just saw a little boy with down syndrome that wasn't the neatest eater, but we saw a very excited little boy who had a great time watching, who ate every bite with his fork in a fairly mature way :) He didn't get down once from his chair, he kept his napkin in his lap, he used his utensils properly, tried some shrimp (but ended up not liking it - but didn't spit it out - which is good for him!) He did GREAT :) It was a lovely date - thanks honey!!! Brady - shhhh - don't tell the kids we went to mom's favorite restaurant :)

that we did get most of Christmas put away and taken to the garage :) I think that by tomorrow it will all be put away. I'm bummed the screamin' deal tree didn't work out, but I am happy to have it gone and out of my living room :) Maybe we'll find something on clearance or black friday next year :) The house looks a little bare without Christmas up, and C did try and talk us into leaving the downstairs tree up all year (she's keeping her little one up in her room apparently, and going to decorate it differently each month LOL) but it will be nice to have it all clean and back to normal again :)

that I just enjoyed my family this week. Little K was home with croup a few days, and although I was sad that she was ill, it was kind of nice to have her and Brady home with me :) It eases me into sending them all back to school next week, since Christmas vacation wasn't nearly long enough :) We had a lot of doctors and dentist appointments and that isn't going to change for the rest of the month (thanks to most of the kids having mouths full of cavities - new years resolution - make sure they actually ARE brushing their teeth when they go into the bathroom each night!) C and Brady were the only ones (including the hubs) without any cavities. I go next week, and I'm sure I have a couple - sighhh - I have such soft teeth that it's probably inevitable.... We're usually in a hurry after those appointments and the kids have usually missed lunch at school so it's given me an opportunity to take each one out and have some time with them - sort of like those one on one dates we used to do :) I've enjoyed chatting with each of them this week - or texting - as the case may be ;)

What are YOU grateful for today???

Kids and croup and poop, oh my.......

ahhhh - the joys of a new antibiotic. With Brady it's always like playing russian roulette - well - on a less lethal level ;) Antibiotics are tricky things with him, you never know quite how they're going to react in his digestive system. Apparently Clindamycin and Brady's ummmm, intestines, don't quite agree with one another - and it ain't a pretty thing..... Twice today - covered shoulder to toe - who knew that such a small boy could have so much poop in him???? Needless to say, that reaction x 4 weeks, presents an interesting school attendance dilemma..... We'll be addressing that shortly......

And, Little K has come down with croup. Hopefully the worst of it is over, she was pretty raspy and tight this morning, but going out in the really really cold air we've been having and a steamy shower seemed to help a lot. I'm keeping my fingers crossed she hasn't passed her germs along to her little brother who totally adores and idolizes her. He's been happy that she's been home sick though, he's enjoyed having someone to play with and hang out with. He's always asking her to help him with his games or to play MarioKart with him :) I love watching their relationship blossom. I've always felt badly that I didn't have him closer in age to her, and that with them being 3 years apart chronologically, and more developmentally if I did him a huge disservice. So, I've loved seeing how much Brady loves her and follows her around and how much her letting him join in with her games and activities and friends occasionally has really helped with his communication and interactions with others :)

And, we made our semi-annual trip to the dentist - with the dangers of croup and poop and all. Luckily, all went well - no croup, no poop - I'm sure the dentist has no idea how blessed he is :) Brady was the only one of the younger 3 that was cavity free - yayyyyyy Brady. And - miracles do happen - he layed there and watched Nemo and did GREAT at letting the dentist brush his teeth, scrape off the tartar, check for cavities and decay (not quite up to x-rays yet - but there's hope!!!) and brush on the the fluoride! He sat backwards in my lap, with his head in the dentists lap, and did so well. I was so proud of him, even when he didn't like it, he was patient and didn't cry, scream, whine, or even squirm much at all, and after biting the dentist about four times at our last visit, he barely nipped him when he was rubbing fluoride on the inside of lower teeth. That is huge for my HUGELY orally defensive little boy. It gives me much hope, as the dentist sees orthodontics in his future -sighhhh.

So, here's hoping for less poop, less croup, but definitely not less kids ;)

Sunday Grains of Gratitude......

Another week down - and we're approaching the middle of January - really? My baby girl is going to be a decade old in a week or so, and I'm so not ready for that! Things are starting to get back into somewhat of a routine here, minus Brady going back to school yet, and Little K being "sick" on Thursday and Friday. We have a bunch of appointments this week too, so it may be a bit before we're totally back into our groove, oh, and we do still need to take down Christmas ;) Maybe today ;)

This week I'm grateful......

that our new pediatrician is willing to look into some other possibilities and try and figure out Brady's chronic sinus infections. They make a huge difference in his development and learning because when he has them he doesn't feel well, then doesn't sleep well, then doesn't behave and concentrate well, and can't focus and learn the things he needs too. And, he's really grumpy and unwilling to put effort in, because he's tired and doesn't feel well. He also doesn't eat well and loses weight. He was up to about 40 lbs, but dropped about 3 lbs over Christmas break due to this infection. So, I am so grateful that she is willing to continue to try and find solutions to help Brady feel better and progress.

that I accomplished about half the things on my Monday list :) I'll carry the rest over to this week and see what I can do to get everything checked off :)

that my 4 younger kids cleaned MY room yesterday morning - without being asked - as a surprise for me while I was away at a cub scout meeting.

that my cub scout meeting/church meeting was really great! I was so dreading going, since I went to Roundtable on Thursday night and there were a ton of incredibly fanatic scouters there - it's like some secret combination ;) But this was a great meeting. Vicki Matsumori came and talked, as well as David Pack who is the LDS relations liason to the BSA and they really put a great spin on scouting in the church. The spirit touched me and testified to me that scouting, done the right way, with the right leaders who have the ability to really influence and inspire boys can lead to boys really gaining the responsibility and character traits they need to fulfill full time missions and grow up to be good men and worthy priesthood holders. It made me think back on the hubs scout leaders and what an influence for good they had on his life when he really didn't have a worthy priesthood holder in his home after his dad left. They really helped shape him, and he will tell me stories of scout camps where he really came to understand who he is and grew into the man he is today - a good man :) I want my boys to have good scout leaders like that - so far - ummm - a little wishy washy - but that's human nature, I guess, and everyone is busy and just trying to get things done in this very busy world we live in. The meeting made me want to do better and to want to help the cub scout leaders I'm over be better leaders - to be more in tune with the boys they serve and to see it as more than just a church calling or one more thing to do, but as the possibility to really do good and make a difference in boys lives. I'm grateful I went and had an attitude change :) I still think some of those life-time scouters are a little out there though......

that we started to take Christmas down - I know, I know - I am soooo behind. It's just so much more fun to put it up, than it is to take it down ;)

that Brady had fun at the center the other day. He is really enjoying working with the other two little girls that are there who are similar in developmental age to him. I watched him interact with them and it was cute. He is talking so much more - we can't always understand him, but he really is putting more and more words together, and it so fun to watch him. I think his abstract memory is improving too, he seems to remember things that I told him we would do. Plus - he's a stinker and knows that sometimes when we go to doctors appointments etc... that we're often in a hurry so we get to go out to eat, as we're going from one thing to another. So, now when we're done with an appointment he'll ask to go to McDonalds ;) He's so funny, and I'm so grateful for him.

that I found a way to get Brady to take that 3x a day medicine with only minimal resistance. I was beginning to wonder how we were going to do it since hiding the powder in his food was not working. He quit eating things because he knew there was icky medicine in it. It appears that just diluting it in juice and putting it in a syringe is going to be the method of choice. He's had some drainage and I'm hopeful that this medicine will really help. We're adding the flonase back in too - so that's several medications for him to take and for me to remember - I'm sooo not good with long term every day medications - if we'd used the pill for birth control, we'd probably have A LOT more kids LOL But, I'm working on it - I so want him to be able to be healthy and free from these infections so he can feel well and progress and really get to be himself.

that I got to see my parents for a day or so on their way back down to their snowbirding playhouse :) After a week in cold, snowy Canada, they were sure ready for some warmth and relaxation :) I think it must be good to be retired ;)

that we were able to talk about goals and job changes for new year. It's always good to have a goal and a plan of action :) Even if we don't make our final goals, it's good to always be working towards something! I'm hoping 2009 is a great year for goal completion at our home - some of them are pretty lofty!!!

What are YOU grateful for today?

I liked the new pediatrician :)

and she has a few ideas. We're going to do some immune studies and a sweat test (apparently chronic sinus infections can be an indication of CF.... apparently there are many different variations of CF ranging from very mild to very severe - I didn't know that.....) We're starting him on a medication for staph in his sinuses, since that is a possibility and singulair in case it's allergy induced. She thinks there's a possibility the reflux-that's-supposedly-not-reflux could be part of the vicious cycle, so we're going to see if this course of medicine changes anything, and if not, then give prevacid a try again.

So - that's our latest course of action, as well as getting up to see the pediatric ENT at the childrens hospital.

So - wish us luck starting this new course of action, and hoping and praying that maybe, just maybe we'll be able to get to the bottom of these sinus issues......

Do you think he could be "faking"?

Okay - here's the deal - Brady hasn't gone back to school yet - not because I'm keeping him home because I don't want to send him (although I don't....) but because he keeps telling me he feels sick.

So, while I don't really think he has the skills or understanding to fake/lie...... there's always the chance that I could be underestimating him LOL It definitely wouldn't be the first time. He could just love sleeping in and hanging with mom and watching movies ;) I know that's what I'D prefer to do every day - over work that is!!

It snowed allll day yesterday, and I was more than happy to oblige and not have to go out in the wintery mess! Sooooo - we stayed in our jammies most of the day and just hung out and had a low key day.

Today we go meet the new pediatrician, and I guess she can weigh in on whether she thinks he's really sick or not ;) I do think he has a sinus infection, and if his headaches are anything like mine right now, I know exactly what he's talking about.... I can't decide if these off and on migraines of mine are sleep disturbance related, sinus related, or stress related - all I know is - I haven't had so many in such a short time for years, and it starting to cramp my style :( Brady has had some congestion and really slept poorly on Sunday night, but has done better the last couple of nights - soooo - who knows. Sometimes his illnesses and behaviors are just mysteries to me.......

Hopefully maybe our new ped. can lead us in the right direction - and be a little more willing to try and tackle Brady's sinus problems - there has to be something to help with them - right????

So - hopefully my "sick" little boy (who runs around and played quite well all day) will feel better soon!!!! Then we can start back to school - whoooopeeeee..........

Back to real life - sighhhhhh.......

in a few hours..... Here I am - awake in the middle of the night - doesn't bode well for the beginning of a crazy week - more sighhhhhhhs :) The checklist of things to do today and this week is increasing incrementally.....

....have Big K's car towed to a shop to find out why it stopped in the middle of the road (possible fuel line rupture.....) Oh wait - didn't we just have over $1,200 work done on this puppy not 3 weeks ago????

...ever present laundry pile - but mostly just clean clothes to fold and put away (my least favorite part.....unfortunately)

...switch books out at the school - check up on Brady :)

...find volunteers to help daily in H's class. Parents who want to spend their time with obnoxious 6th graders? I'll need some prayers to get those slots filled.....

...make sure J's BIG AP geography project gets completed - ummmm - put on J's list that working on procrastination and prioritizing activities is a HUGE New Years Resolution......

...figure out a rotating soccer roster for C's team's two games a week, pull the $100 we owe today for training and indoor off the money tree - dang it - why won't that thing grow?????

...take Little K's team soccer registration into the indoor place.

...help Big K get her scholarship application in.....check to see if she got accepted to her college of choice - apply to other colleges.

...figure out when C can go to EFY and call and talk to her roommate's mom and see when SHE can go.....

...Brady to the center for some tutoring with LuLu :)

...put together some daily activities that the kids can do with Brady to encourage independence and help to meet his IEP goals - since apparently they still have another 1/3 of the year to work on things, but have thus far mostly only taught him academic things he already knows - insert - another huge sighhhhh here. Motivate above children to teach Brady something of worth, not silly lines from KungFu Panda that make him laugh hilariously, and everyone else laugh that sees him acting out above scenes...... How is it that the kid can quote movie lines, act out whole scenes and do singing and dancing routines from the wiggles, but can't pull the simple answer to the question "How are you?" out of his head??? Seriously - we've got to find a way to make the phrase "I'm fine/good" be seriously funny or turn it into a dance move or something :)

...stuff on goals/jobs/activities for family home evening tonight - find goals from 2008 so we can go over them (already know I'm toast on most of mine - I resolve to KEEP my resolutions THIS year - some how that losing weight and potty training Brady thing just didn't happen - hmmmm - 2009 - FOR SURE ;)

...talk to the store about the Christmas tree - see if they found our missing pieces in the salvage - keeping my fingers crossed that they will and that this screamin' deal will work out!!!!

...figure out what we're doing for Little K's birthday party and the boy's parties from LAST YEAR (I am sooo behind and SUCH a bad mom :( How did this happen that they are 6 and 9 months out from their last birthdays and haven't had a party? I keep offering them money, but they aren't biting....)

...make dentist appointments for all the kids.

...make eye appointments for all the kids.

...take Brady to the new pediatrician, keeping my fingers crossed she's going to work out for him :)

...call and figure out why OT has never called back to set up ongoing private therapy - figure out if we want to do speech there too - as that is covered by insurance and our private speech therapist is raising her rates - again. Once Big K starts college, we'll probably need to use Brady's speech money to help her with living expenses - so I need to figure out a way to still get him services, but help her out too.... Ohhh why won't that money tree grow ;)

...take down Christmas - but - probably not today - that might just put me over the edge ;)

What's on YOUR list for today????

Sunday Grains of Gratitude......

My first grains of the New Year - and - I can't believe it's 2009 already. Time flies when you're having fun, I guess ;) Before I have time to blink, the school year will be over and it will be summer (I'm kind of excited about the warm thing - our windshield frosted over while we were at church this morning - I could do with some warmth :)

This week I'm grateful.....

that we had such a relaxing and fun holiday with lots of time spent as a family. It was sooo nice to have the kids home and enjoy a fairly low key, mostly homework free holiday :) I loved spending Christmas with my parents, and I'm so grateful they could come down and spend a couple of weeks with us - although I'm sure they're enjoying their peace and quiet - maybe something for THEM to be grateful for LOLOL I'm so grateful that we had time to be together over the holidays :)

we could celebrate New Years with most of our kids :) And, that Big K and K stayed around for a while and played games with us and hung out. It was nice of Daddy and K to let Big K and I win :)

that although I don't love church at 9 a.m., I do love that it leaves the rest of the sabbath free for us to study the scriptures and spend time together doing family things :) We were actually there a bit early this morning and still didn't get soft seats :)

that I got to listen to the hubs give his Sunday school lesson today! I'm a substitute primary teacher on top of my stake/district scout calling, but today I just got to go and listen and enjoy his lesson, and to relief society too! I loved my primary class, but it was also great to go and listen and be filled with the word of God on a more adult level :)

that Brady has a cute new primary teacher - who is also my friend - and my former walking buddy :) I think she will be great with him :) It was a little funny because I took him in and told him to go sit by his friends and he did, but then he noticed that his teacher from last year was sitting in front of him, and he promptly got up and went and climbed up on her lap LOL We worked long and hard last year to have him always sit in his own chair, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't try to snuggle up and worm his way into Sister J's lap from time to time. It took a little convincing from Sister W to get him to come with her, but he did :) He was just so sure he was supposed to be sitting with Sister J :)

that I got some fabulous deals at Kohls for winter coats and snow pants for my boys for next year. You gotta love 75% off :) And, after much searching, both locally and on the internet, I finally found some snow boots for J - not for 75% off, but, the fact that I actually found some in his size was close to a miracle. They came and are working out just fabulously :)

that we got to do some fun things this week - from tubing with Oma and the cousins, to playing with friends, to almost finding the Christmas tree deal of the year (unfortunately it's missing a crucial piece - ummmm - the tier closest to the top) so we're trying to see if we can't locate another one or something so we can keep it - it was also 75% off, to going to a movie (and getting boxed in by a cadillac that double parked and as a result taking the movie theater manager, a policeman and 45 minutes of manuevering on my part to get out (not to mention sweating bullets everytime they directed me to within less than an inch from the other three cars - it was exciting!)

and last, but definitely not least - that I am so blessed in so many ways.

What are YOU grateful for today????

Ringing in 2009!!!!!

The gangs all here - well - mostly....... Crackers ready????
PULLLLLLLL!!!!!!
Brady needed a little help from his big sissy!!!!

Look at those stylin' hats - not bad for our crackers being a clearance from Costco :) Gold and everything! The jokes were actually fairly clever too.......




Big K and I even kicked K and Dad's hineys at Rook :) They managed to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory :) They started with a 300 hand and ended up barely in positive numbers :) Not bad for Big K's first experience playing Rook :) Hope you all had a Happy New Year and that 2009 brings you health, happiness, and many blessings!

The holidays are almost over - and I'm so sad......

some moms are cheering their kids going back to school - me - I'm just sad!!!

I wish we had another week or two to keep hanging out and lounging in our jammies! I've so enjoyed our fairly low key holidays - it's been nice. I do think that Big K's friend K thinks I never get dressed in real clothes though ;) I'm sad that we start back at the grind of daily life again at 6:30 a.m. Monday morning - boo hoooooo! Plus - it's the last week of the term/semester, so it's going to be a CRAZY one!!!

And - I'm sending Brady back to Mrs. W's class - such a hard decision for me. I have the option of changing classrooms, but I know that Brady would feel so sad to be away from the great friends he has made in his class. So, even if his teacher doesn't like him - seriously - I can't figure out what her deal is with that - he is such a lovable little guy - he has lots of buddies that do, and that means a lot to him. I have heard from a friend who had a daughter with a disability (Aspergers) in Mrs. W's class last year that Mrs. W was NOT nice to her and didn't like her at all. I think it has more to do with the fact that Mrs. W only likes to teach to a certain level (high) of children who have perfect behavior. It makes me sad for Mrs. W, because she is missing out on some great kids who just may be a little quirky or different. It takes all kinds to make the world - to quote Land Before Time (a favorite of my cute boy right now - good thing we bought all those videos 15 years ago ;) Maybe Mrs. W. could learn a thing or two from our good dinosaur friend Littlefoot - she's taking much more after Daddy Threehorn ;)

But, I am planning to be a much bigger presence at the school in the coming months, helping out more in H's classroom (full of obnoxious kids - and 37 of them to boot!), and just being around and watching and helping in both of Brady's classrooms. It's hard to help in small group, really, because there are maybe 6 kids and 3 adults in there already - and the classroom is pretty small. But, it sure doesn't hurt to observe - so - I plan on being there a lot more - it's one of my New Years Resolutions :)

I'm still so reluctant to send him back, he's been so lovely over the vacation, minus a few earache moments and some tiredness from his late nights. He has played games with us, actually played with his big toys he got for Christmas - the V-motion is a big hit as were the Smash up Shake and Go cars. He's surprisingly good at some of his old V-smile games that he can play on the V-motion, and he can maneuver his way from screen to screen and exit and start different games when he wants to. I'm pretty impressed with these new gaming skills - I guess he really is related to the other boys (and I'm including Daddy in the term here) who live here ;) He's just been so happy and relaxed and really enjoyed himself - I hate to send him back to school and ruin that :(

So - I'll be praying that things go well and that it won't be ruined!!!

But - on a brighter note - here's a quick pictoral update of some of our holiday activities :)


Little K's first time having a friend sleep over - and the ensuing making of pizzas from scratch :)



Playing games and visiting with Grandma and Grandpa!
The big girls were bored one night and dressed the little guys up and did a "photo shoot" :)


Grandpa sponsored a sock folding contest to pair all the socks in the sock bin - we all hate folding socks! His prize money was a great incentive - of course Big K joined in late and still managed to beat us all by folding 70 pairs. I think all in all we folded 353 pairs of socks. That averages out to 40 pairs each? Can that really be true? I know I don't have 40 pairs of socks - there must be something wrong there - cause we can seriously never find matching socks around here........ I'm soooo confused!!!
C got invited to a dance by a good friend of hers :) You'd think with the two feet of snow we've had that he'd be able to build a bigger snowman ;)


It's been soooo fun and I'm just not ready for it to end...... How about you?????