Well we head down to Grand Rapids on Monday for our little one's MRI on Tuesday morning. We have learned recently that it is at least both his sagittal and metopic sutures that are closed. I have been sick all week with what I was told today is a serious case of bronchitis and yes it is contagious. It really wiped me out this week and I am trying to be extra careful not to give it to the little one. They will not be able to sedate him for the MRI if he is sick, which would mean more waiting.

My daughter has been amazing while I have been pretty much laid up in bed. She made dinners, and kept the house running. I owe that girl big time.

Well I better sign off and get my butt back in bed before my head hits the desk.

Boy, has it been a bit since I last posted. Life has been busy, as I am sure everybody's is. The kids are doing well. My daughter has been baby sitting quite a bit this summer. She is seperating her money into three different categories. The first is for a trip to Bulgaria that her school choir is planning for next spring. The second is her spending money for a shopping trip that she and I usually go on before school starts or shortly after. The third is just her spending money. It is interesting to watch her split this money up. She is currently out of her spending money, but has a job tonight. I have to say that I am proud of her for starting to take some financial responsibility and applaud her efforts.

We had two young ladies from Czeck Republic stay with us this past weekend. They were over with their choir to sing in a Voices Without Borders concert that was in our hometown this year. They were my daughter's age and were a joy to have in our home. They performed quite a few times in the area with the grand finale being last night with all of the countries present participating. It was a wonderful concert and "our girls" were amazing. It was quite the experience to see all of these children from around the worldsing together at the end of the concert. The girls left today for Chicago.

Our youngest is doing well as far as settling into our family. He now knows that this is his home and treats it as such.lol On the flip side we are in the process of Dr visits for a condition called craniosyntosis. What this means for him is that his sagittal suture (on his skull) has fused together early. We are taking this one appointment at a time. I have to admit that it is nice to have a little one in the house again that drops everything to run and greet me when I walk in the door. His enthusiastic mommy, mommy, mommy and the leap at me always makes me smile.

My middle child has decided that he is the boss and has been quite vocal about letting us know this. I am not really sure why he has gone into this mode, but it really is not working for me. This is the current area of work in progress for me.lol He is an amazingly athletic kid. He is currently taking my bike and leaving his in the garage. His little six year old body is able to balance this bike and he loves that it can go faster than his. He has no fear. Wear your helmet is a repeated phrase in our house.

Bringing two brothers together

Our youngest joined our family the week before Thanksgiving. We recieved that call about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. Although we had saved our son's clothes for just such an event, we had thought that that need was gone since grandma had had him for the last couple of years. We had a garage sale just last summer and sold or gave away all of the clothes that we had saved. We were ready to move on with our lives as parents with both kids in school. I had been taking college classes and had planned my internship to be starting right about when I knew the kids would be in school. Well you know what happens with plans, they get a few kinks and sometimes you need a do over. That is what happened here.

It started with a call from DHS asking if we might be willing to have Justin join our family. Before my head started spinning I let her know I would have to talk to my husband and family and took her name and number. She said o.k. but it needed to happen soon. Oh boy, my brain was working overtime about the reasons we should/shouldn't do this, how we could do it, how would our kids feel, could we really give this little guy the attention he so richly deserved and would need. I called a couple of the aunts up to discuss this with them, they have become sisters to me in many ways, and their thoughts and opinions were needed here. Then after the kids went to bed I told my husband of the call and we decided that we both needed time to process and come up with our thoughts before talking more about it. We talked the next day and then with the kids that night. We decided as a family that night that we would call and tell her yes.

He joined our family a week later, the week before thanksgiving. Seeing the boys together has been amazing. Yes, they have their brotherly squabbles, but they also get along unusually well. It is funny to see the youngest suck his thumb exactly like his older brother used to do (two fingers up over the nose). Unfortunately, they had him join our family through a gaurdianship, which has caused much head ache and frustration. This will be another post.

A new blogger

This is the first time I have ever tried to have a blog. It is funny that this is not even what I set out to do. I was going to set up an account so that I could reply to a blogger and look where I ended up. It may be interesting to see where this goes. I am thinking that this will be a way that I can keep in touch and update all of our family members that are spread around the U.S.

Tonight I went with my daughter to her schools high school dance concert. Kudos goes out to all of those involved in this production. It was very good and we both enjoyed it immensely. She showed her appreciation a little louder than myself. I enjoy doing these things with her and I know that time is precious and passes by so fast. It is hard to believe that she is 14 already. Speaking of her age, I would like to take a moment to wish her birth mom a very happy birthday! It is hard to believe that you are 20 - 14. I hope you did something special today...

The boys had a pretty calm day today with lots of laughs. Listening to their laughs almost makes you forget the mischief they are up to.lol The 6 year old brought in a dandelion today to surprise me with this treasure that he found. His little face was so serious and so excited at the same time to be giving me this prize. It was touching that he took a couple of minutes from his busy life to bring it in to me before running off with the little neighbor girl to make sure her mom recieved a flower too. They ran out the door with him saying "come on "H" we have to give one to your mom to". He can be so thoughtful of others that it still surprises me sometimes. He goes from rough and tumble boy to sweet and thoughtful boy so quickly.

Well I need to sign off for now and hope to add a few pics and such soon.

Have a wonderful night...