As usual our life, once I take a look at it, looks a bit like chaos. I try not to take too many "good looks" and keep my eyes fixed on Christ, but alas they do wonder around at times.
Our decision to simplify the therapy schedule has been such a blessing to me and the children. Soccer has been a real source of laughter for me, enjoying and a bit tiring for the man. And good exercise for Shiloh and Hosea. Shiloh scored her 1st goal last weekend, which was a pretty big deal for her. We had to call all the grands to tell them about it. I heard her on the phone with an uncle, and I can only assume he asked her if she had won her game, as her response was so sweet, "it's not a winning and loosing game........ it's soccer". Thankfully they still think that, b/c we haven't won a game yet :) Mike put it best after the 1st game, "we may have lost, but we won in fun". That still seems to be true with each subsequent game. Mike does a good job making it fun for them.
I've been encouraging the big kids (if 4 and 6 can be big?) to play out in the back yard a lot as the weather has been beautiful for it. I call it 'park weather'. One day Hosea came in from the great outdoors and said, "Mom..... we had a lot of dangers outside. (deep breath) We lost a 'gee joe' (aka GI Joe), and a squids head came off,(pause) that's a lot of troubles (with a sincere serious face and a head nod to confirm he just articulated the whole story)." I loved it, and assured him that was a lot of troubles, but I had a feeling things were going to be ok.
Shiloh is becoming a little reader right now, we've been working through some lazy tendencies in this area, but have found something to motivate her recently and have seen much improvement. She loves our co-op and would tell you her favorite part is presentations and lunch. Along with any other story she could think to tell you as long as you would listen.
Aggie is her sweet self. We've recently had a couple of hurdles. Her heel cords are tight, so when she pulls to standing she stands on her toes, which doesn't provide good balance and she falls often. Thankfully this hasn't deterred her from continuing to try. Her braces use to prevent her from pointing her toe, but her old therapist had that feature removed to allow her to get into a kneeling position to pull to stand, but it would seem it was a bit premature, b/c now she pulls up all wrong and stands wrong, according to the new therapist. So she was casted for some new braces a couple weeks ago to prevent the pointing hopefully and they will also be used at night to stretch her heel cords. I am praying for this to work, if it does not we will need to explore some alternative treatment options that are more invasive for tight heel cords like Botox injections and surgery. As walking on ones toes is not a very practical gait. I see tiny little improvements in Aggie lately, she has started drinking a little bit better from a sippy cup, still not well enough to get rid of the bottle, but better. I guess drinking from the cup at all is better, and well....... she is. Also, at the park she finally understood to make the horse rock she has to hold on with her hands and move at the same time. She didn't actually make the horse move, but that she stabilized herself with her hands was the big accomplishment. This will likely be a key skill in the months to come if there is any sort of walking progression in her future. Additionally on the Aggie front, and a bit on the humbling side. For a couple months now she has developed a behavior in self-gratification, specifically in her car seat. We've been praying for God to give us wisdom in how to handle it, and for it to cease, but it has not. The neurologist said it is common in children like Aggie, and there isn't anything to be done for it. Mike and I are concerned for this sort of a habit to form in her life. I recently bought a baseball protective cup to "block" her while in her car seat, and the behavior has reduced significantly, but please pray for us as we learn to parent in these uncharted waters. Helpful suggestions are welcome.
Additionally in the past 2 weeks we've had 3 family members pass away. Mike is currently in OH attending the services to an aunt, which was the closet relationship of the 3 losses. I also had an aunt pass, and a cousins baby. I am especially grieved for my cousin, as she is my age and lost her baby and mom in the same week. Her name is Kayla, if you think to lift her up in your prayers. She also moved to a different state in that week, upon the discharge from the hospital with the surviving twin. She also has a 3 year old son. Oh how I pray for the Lord to hold her right now.
Enough stories for one night, though I am certain I am forgetting something. I put clean sheets on my bed and got to tuck in all the corners since Mike is out of town, so I am very much looking forward to that. The bed I mean, not Mike being OOT. :)
