Proud Momma!

Tonight I feel blessed.  Megan was in her first Christmas recital, which she did awesome and she stayed focused. Most of you know that Megan has a difficult time at night and I never thought we would ever be able to enroll her in an activity. Thank you Ms Tami for opening a dance studio where Megan is able to be a princess in a Godly way and where she is understood! For also having a Christmas Recital that reminded us that Jesus is the reason for the season!

We also got to enjoy Makenzie's talent tonight. Her art work was on display at the Art Show before the school board meeting.

I felt bad that Chris and Mason were not able to join us on this great night, but Mason has been sick since Saturday. Thank you Chris for letting me enjoy being a proud momma tonight and taking great care of our youngest!

What a Week!

 I have to say that I think every activity that the kids are involved in was scheduled last week! It all started on Monday with speech, musical practice and cheer, Tuesday - speech, musical practice, dance and 4H, Wednesday -  Musical Performance x3 for school (had to have hair, make-up and costume on before arrival to school) an appointment, History Day and Religious Education, Thursday -  Show Choir practice, 2 appointments and musical performance, Friday - Musical performance and Saturday ended with Thanksgiving with my family. I am glad that this week is a bit calmer! Although I am blessed to be able to work at the same school as 2 of my children and have the time off that they do weeks that are so busy seem to make me think more about how much I would love to be at home full time again if I could! Especially when the house becomes a disaster and dinner is on the go!

Mason

Wow I haven't written in a month! It seems to just zoom by now that we are back to school and activities! Mason went to the geneticist and the developmental pediatrician this week. The geneticist has recommended a skeletal survey and bone age scan and  to see an pediatric ophthalmologist. The skeletal study and bone age were done on Wednesday and now we just have to wait for results. If these come back normal then we are having to "play the waiting game" as I call it and just keep treating the symptoms. There are some things that they can't diagnosis until 4 or 5 years of age. Apraxia is one of those and  we have had at the top of the list, but can't be diagnosed until 4/5 and as the geneticist stated there is no test for apraxia and it is not clearly known what causes apraxia. Also his speech therapist at Munroe Meyer says he has the symptoms of apraxia, but is not old enough yet to tell for certain. For now we treat the symptoms . It brings peace to know we have at least ruled out some major syndromes and that we have the BEST team of doctors, therapists and teacher helping us. If you would like info on apraxia go to www.apraxia-kids.org or you can ask me:)

 

Bike Stunt Gone Wrong!

Makenzie on Friday decided to ride the neighbors bike down a couple of stairs and it did not work in her favor. I took her into the doctor and thankfully they were able to see her right at closing time, so I was able to avoid the ER! She fractured her thumb!! So today I had to take her to the orthopedic doctor and they casted her hand/arm. For as swollen and black and blue as her thumb is she does not have much pain which is a good thing (she is usually my whiny one when it come to pain!) It is her right thumb of course just as we start back to school! They are thinking 3 weeks of the cast and 4-5 weeks in a brace so it will be awhile before she gets full use back:( I have to say I was surprised Kenzie even did this stunt. She is my overly cautious and worry wart of a child, so I have learned she is a little braver than I thought! I always thought Megan would be my first one to break a bone!

A Week At the Fair!

This was the first year we spent a whole week at the fair. This was Mikayla's 1st year in 4H and after seeing how fun it is her sisters want to join!  It seems it will become part of our life every July for awhile. I have to say even though I am exhausted I had loads of fun! I think all my kids were born to live on a farm, so are next house may have to be on a farm. Since this was Mikayla's first year I made her limit her entries (a lot of 4Hers do 10-20 projects!!)so she showed her dog and guinea pig and also did table setting. She has a lot of ideas for next year and I can already see the wheels turning! She received 4 purple ribbons, 1 blue, and 1 red. The girls also had a great time helping their friends with their animals. They cleaned out chicken and rabbit cages. Helped with sheep and got to help out with the Llama show. Mason's highlight of the fair was riding the train ride! The smile on his face was priceless!

Getting Sophie used to the pigs next to the arena!

My niece Molly's first fair and dog show.

Update on Mason

After a month of waiting I am able to answer everyones questions about the genetic testing. The neurologist ran a series of genetic tests and the results were normal. I was happy to hear those results but my question to her was why are we being sent to a geneticist if they were normal. The answer I received was they have a few more tests they can do and will be another set of eyes. We also are being told to keep going to the developmental pediatrition. From what the doctor is telling me she knows something is going on but with no answers all they can do is treat the symptoms. We know his soft spot is still not closing and the ventricles are larger on the left side of his brain but was he born with them that way or did something happen (maybe when he had meningitis)?? We also went back to the Child Health Specialty Clinic today. Which was good for me since I have many questions and sometimes I feel as if I am running in circles and is what I am doing the best I can do or is it too much! We talked about Apraxia and Autism and we are going to add additional speech therapy. We have made progress in alternate communication using signs and pictures which comes in handy when we can't figure out what he wants. Thank you to everyone who has been praying and thinking about Mason. I know there are quite of few of you who have been waiting anxiously right beside me for these test results and even though I don't have an answer I at least know that you will be right beside me for the long haul.

Celebration

On Saturday we celebrated my dads 60th birthday! We had a surprise party for him! It was great to visit with family and friends:) My dad got a new bike from my mom just in time for Ragbrai. I think it is pretty impressive that at 60 years of age my dad is doing all the things he loves. He is still a ski instructor and spends most of the summer hiking and biking! On Saturday before his party he went biking in the 100+ degree weather, which I think is crazy! Thank you dad for teaching me to enjoy life and not let getting old get in the way!

4th of July

We started the weekend with going to Amy and Joe's farm on Saturday. Of course Mikayla and Makenzie could not just go for one day so they spent Thursday and Friday also helping them around the farm:) We enjoyed food, fireworks, and even got to have grandpas homemade ice cream!! Here are just a few pictures of a wonderful night on the farm! 

Mason and Lucas talking to the pigs

Makenzie making mud for the pigs

Mikayla and Mason in with the animals

Feeding the new baby goat, Buckwheat, he is only 8 weeks old

Love this picture of Megan but I will have to crop out her dirty knees LOL!!

Makenzie's 4th of July nails

Chasing the goat

Riding Dutch the miniature horse

Want a bite mom??

 On Sunday it was on to Sioux City to see the Olson's. We had to take a detour around the flood, but we did get there. It was a great history lesson for the kids to be able to see the flooding as we drove. We had lots of fun in Sioux City!! Here are a few pictures from Sioux City also!

Silly pose of all the cousins

Katie pushing Mason

Chris...Not sure what him and Mikayla are doing??

Mikayla and her Aunt Kim

I keep telling her she should not let me take these types of pictures because they might show up in the future:)

Getting ready for fireworks!

Family Fun at Hitchcock Nature Center

On Tuesday we decided to have an afternoon of family time minus Mikayla since she was with grandma. We took the kids to Hitchcock Nature Center. Hitchcock besides having a tower that overlooks the Missouri has a museum with lots of nature activities and several hiking trails along with a playground. It is a beautiful county park. We ended the day eating at Henry's Diner and even got ice cream from Christie Cream!

Megan getting a better view at "Nature"

Chris and Mason creating animal paw prints

Makenzie experiencing the flapping of a hawks wings

Makenzie relaxing in the flower chair

Megan visiting with the volunteer about what she does as a volunteer...time for 20 questions:)

Mason relaxing in the flower chair...didn't get a picture of Megan since she didn't sit at all:)

Look at how I can walk up and down the stairs all by myself!! Just a couple months ago I could not do this!

Mason getting a better view!

Gift of Gabbing

Chris and I took Megan out for lunch yesterday for some one on one time!! It was great to talk to her about life from a 6 year old perspective. The cutest part of lunch was when a man walked in wearing Army attire. She turned to her dad and asked "Is that guy in the Army and do you know him?" (for those that may not know Chris was in the Army)? Chris replied "Yes he is in the army but I don't know him" just when you think that is the end it isn't...as we are walking out Megan stops at his table and asks "Are you in the Army" Man replies "yes" Megan says "My dad was in the Army." It brought smiles to all who were listening! Megan LOVES to visit with everyone (most would say she gets this from me)and it usually involves 20+ questions (future reporter maybe). Even though it makes me nervous I hope she holds onto this gift of speaking that God has given her.  For me it is a reminder that many of us never stop and take the time to talk to someone and maybe that someone needs a "Megan" to talk to.

1st Lost Tooth

Megan lost her first tooth today!! 

Kept thinking it would not happen since we are just a few weeks from being 7! She actually let her sister Makenzie pull it for her!

Goodbye to the Crib:(

What a day to start my blog! Today we took down the crib and moved Mason into his big boy bed! I didn't realize how emotional this day would be for me because it was not this way with the girls. I almost cried in Nebraska Furniture Mart as I talked with Chris about how this would be the last time we saw the crib assembled. Which is even weirder for me because I have never really thought about Mason being our last. So when we got home I disassembled the crib and it is now ready for storage. I thought Mason would get upset about no more crib since he is so routine but he proved me wrong! He was so excited to put the dinosaur quilt and pillow on that his Grandma Fuller made him:) Currently he is fast asleep in his big boy bed and tears are in my eyes as I think where has the time gone.....