Sunday Grains - on Sunday!!! Woot woot :) I know, I know - I need to get out more ;) ha ha ha
What a busy, busy week! I guess it probably is not any busier than anyone elses, it just seems so overscheduled and busy to me. I like lazy pajama days at home where I can clean at will, check my email, and maybe talk on the phone and catch up with a friend or two :) I guess I did have some of that at the beginning of the week while Brady was home sick - but that was so long ago, I've already forgotten it ;) LOL
So many things to be grateful for this week!!!
This week I'm grateful........
that Brady is finally feeling better - yahoooo!!! Poor guy was kind of miserable at the beginning of the week and covered in petechaie - which always freaks me out! But, he gets that from time to time from viral infections, so I am pretty sure that is what it was from, since it is gone now. He is feeling much better!
that Brady's x-rays, blood draw, and PT evaluation for his back (scoliosis) went well. He was super cooperative and cute and in spite of having to wait for almost 2 hours to do our x-rays - he was patient and good and happy! I'm so very grateful they got the blood they needed with the first stick, and he was so good - reassuring himself - it's okay, I'm fine, it's okay. Blood draws always make him so nervous - but he is so patient with them. He is a needle watcher though - I always have to look away LOL We don't have the results yet - hopefully his WBC count will be back up in normal ranges and we'll get some info from the x-rays on exactly what is causing the curvature in his spine, since it seems to be worse in some positions and better in others, for now. I know it is just from his low muscle tone, so if it is just positional, that is fine, but I don't want it to become permanent. So I am interested to see what the films show. The PT suggested we go see a spine specialist at the children's hospital - so I will probably make an appointment for that.
that H did not have any missing assignments this week - hallelujah!!! It's a miracle ;) I wonder if Brady will be better at keeping track of his assignments and turning them in than the other boys? It finally kicked in for J in highschool - that gives H one more year. I think I might go crazy by then though ;)
For the Hubs help with homework and hanging out with Brady while I did YW things :) Now that all the kids are in YM/YW and I am too - we don't have any sitters left at home! So when we are all go on Mutual night- it's party with Dad and Brady :) He has been great to help with Brady's homework (which I am grateful we now have - bet you thought you would never hear that outta me!) and hang out with him, even when he needs to be doing other things ;)
that Little K is rocking her soccer game lately :) She told me all those training sessions with the mean trainer and evil older premier girls actually were worth it the other day :) And I can see it - although it was a tough commute down to do them, and the other girls really were mean and the trainer yelled a lot :) Not really our cup of tea, but apparently she is now grateful she did it and I am too. It think it comes from playing with girls and boys who are so much better than our girls were, so they worked harder to try and perform at that level. She has had some nice goals, great assists, and overall is just playing well in her indoor league :) And - she is having lots of fun too - they just love to win (which doesn't seem to happen on the outdoor field that much LOL)
for J's help with Brady :) He kept an eye on his a lot this week while I was preparing for Little K's party, or picking H up from play practice, or a multitude of other things ;) He took his turn going to scouts with him - we have too many cub scouts for just two leaders to keep an eye on all of them and Brady - so I usually send one of my boys to 'help' :) I'm grateful for the two cubs each week that rotate to be Brady's buddies and help him feel more integrated and a part of his troop. He is often much more open to doing something/going somewhere when prompted by a peer than by an adult or member of his family :) We like to use peer pressure in positive ways (although he really is always watching, and picks up the bad stuff as well as the good ;) And - for MY friends who called and offered Brady a ride with their boys - it is so much more fun for him to go places WITH friends, and he loves loves LOVES it - so I really am grateful when they call and ask if he wants to carpool :)
for the faith of Mormon pioneers. Our youth are going on Trek this summer, so we have a big emphasis on pioneers and the Willy and Martin handcart companies (because the youth will follow the trail for 3 days that these handcart companies took and end in Martin's cove (I think?). The faith that these people had was incredible, and to read of their experiences and hardships - one would think it would be easy to lose your faith in God in having so many difficult experiences - but their stories of courage, of determination, of perseverence - touch my heart - and I am grateful for their sacrifices and for their testimonies. My ancestors were pioneers, and they were some of the first to reach the Salt Lake Valley - but they came in wagons - not in handcarts - which although treacherous and difficult - was nothing like the handcart companies had to endure. I am grateful for them, for their enduring to the end, and for their histories and testimony and faith. When the hubs and I got married, our sealer talked at length about the pioneers and the sacrifices they made, and how important they are in our lives - and I really didn't appreciate all he said and imparted to us that day (because I really thought he should be talking about marriage and our lives together and eternity LOL) but the stories and struggles of the pioneers touch my heart, and I can't help but feel the spirit when I read of all they went through, all they endured for religious freedom, freedom from persecution, and just on pure faith, that the Lord would take care of them, and that they could be together and able to practice their religion without fear for their lives and be with their families forever. What amazing people they were, and how grateful I am that my ancestors (and my mom, who is a convert) accepted the gospel, because I can't imagine what my life would be without it.
And - for Nicole - Brady's aide :) She is so darling and cute and patient with him. I am grateful that she takes the time to try and understand what he is saying, to help meet his needs, and to really know him :) I know it isn't always an easy job to get Brady to do what he needs to do - especially when it involves work and things that are hard for him - but she makes it fun, and persuades him in silly ways, and works so hard to get him to learn, and to do the things he needs to. I'm grateful for her willingness to learn more about Down Syndrome and being open to try new things and tweak things to work for him :)
and last - but certainly NOT least - that Little K's late night/slumber Birthday party went well :) She had about 17 friends over and they partied their little hearts out :) I'm grateful her invites turned out cute, her friends all came and mixed well together - sometimes that is hard when you are mixing neighborhood, school, and soccer friends - the games were fun (thank heavens for the internet - what did we ever do before it ;) - everyone let Brady be a part of the whole party (he loves them when they are at our house - he spent the entire time til we made him go to bed - 7 til midnight - in the center of it all - watching and running around and playing games with all the girls - and they were so patient with him and included him in everything!) - and they didn't stay up ALL night - only til around 2:30 ;)
What are YOU grateful for today???
