Thank you all for your prayers! Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of Joshua’s death. (I almost wrote “passing” as that seems a more gentle word. But there was nothing gentle about losing a child at 8.5 mos old! It was brutal, shocking and the most painful thing we’ve ever lived through!) If Joshua had lived, he’d be 7.5 yrs old now. To be honest, I can’t even imagine life with another child in our home. And, I’m not really one to waste a lot of time on ‘what could have been’. It’s only painful. So, let’s change the subject!
Remember last month when J3 declared I made him yucky eggs (the yolk was not runny)? Well today I made him pancakes and he said I did a really good job! LOL He was very serious – almost like it was a job performance review! lol And, I was a bit worried when he caught me adding a bit of lemon juice! I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to try them!
Today Hubs is taking a half day so he can go to J1’s therapy appt with him. The past 48 hours have been some of the worse we have lived through. Lots of raging, screaming and defiance. I’ve been saying that I want J1 off all his meds but last week we had a couple of days where he took much less than he was supposed to (communication problem! 🙁 ) and, well, those were pretty hard days for all of us. We are learning that we might be dealing with Oppositional Defiance Disorder as well as the FASD & ADHD. I hesitate to share this on my blog because so many of you live nearby and I don’t want you to think of J1 any differently. But I also need the support and encouragement from those of you who’ve been here and done this!
What else is new? Well, literally new – a new laptop and new cell phone! Argh – those were frustrating days! And, it’s long story but now we seem to be swimming right along. The only thing that’s not back to normal is my phone. I had a Palm Centro. I hadn’t use the online parts of it for several months due to the cost (an additional $30/line each month!!) but I used it like my old daytimer or Palm PDA. Now I am back to carrying a paper calendar in my purse. And, I have to make sure it is up-to-date with my Google calendar! I really miss my Centro! But last night, Hubs said I could have an early anniversary present and I ordered an iPod Touch! So, I’m hoping with the apps available out there, that I will be able to have my PDA options and even a few more programs to help my day! So, if you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, what’s your favorite app?
I’ve mentioned a few times on Twitter that I’m writing. You know I work for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, right? Well, Summer issues usually have an adoption and special learning theme. And, I’ve been invited to write a Show & Tell article – basically a get to know you article. To be honest, writing it is turning out to be easier than I thought! I really enjoy it! Who knew? In fact, I’m realizing I’m having trouble keeping it short enough! LOL So, we’ll be skipping some things. I’ll let you know if/when they accept my article.
My friend Ashley came over a couple of weekends ago and took family pictures of us for the article. I love the shots of the kids and the big group shot. But when it came to a picture of me by myself (a requirement for the article) – blech! It’s not Ashley’s fault. And, I’m not being too critical. If I looked okay, my hair was flying the wind. If my hair looked good (I know vanity!!) then I was talking to her or watching the kids.  Sigh. I hate having my picture taken but I think I need to give her a call and ask her if she can help me try again. And, yes, I’ll post the pictures soon. With all the computer problems there just hasn’t been a moment to put them online!
Ok – since this post has gotten so long already – I might as well update you on a few other things in my life: my workouts and my knitting! First the bad – working out! No, not really! I’m really enjoying it. My MIL comes over every morning (Bless her!) and I run off to the gym. While I’m gone, she feeds Sissy, gets the boys to wake up and even do a chore or two. Sissy loves this time with her and I love getting a workout in! Then I get home and my MIL heads off to her workout, so it’s a win-win! :D I’m knitting her something special as a thank you!
And, speaking about knitting….well, I’m not 100% sure who reads this – so no pictures of some projects. But here’s a list of the things I’m working on:
- A secret something for a secret someone
- A secret something for my MIL
- A rainbow booga bag for me (low priority)
And, I just test knit a Two-Tiered Tutu for my friend Becca for Sissy! It’s adorable on her and it was so fun to knit! You can buy the pattern here or, if you are not a knitter, I think Becca will be selling them in her Etsy store soon too! Here’s some pics of Sissy modeling her tutu:
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Well, that’s it for me! I’d better get ready for my workout! You all are such a blessing to me. I’m not sure how I could have made it these past 7 years without you all!
I’m glad you were able to make it through such a tough day. 🙁 … (((HUGS)))
I’m not brave enough to workout in a gym. I am more comfortable working out in the privacy of my living room… In fact, I won’t even let the kids see me. *lol* They are usually stuck either in the classroom or their bedrooms until I am finished. *lol* (They don’t mind)
Oh! … I also meant to say that Sissy looks ADORABLE in those pictures! She sure is growing up fast!
Hey Amy,
Just wanted to let you know that I’m really glad you made it. :O)
Also, when I taught public school, I had a student that was classic drug-damaged, fetal alcohol, ADHD, and oppositional defiant. He probably was also a RADish, but we didn’t know about that 16 years ago. In youthful ignorance I was probably doing everything wrong with him. It was my first year teaching and I thought I could win them all over with love. I remember the school counselor giving me a paper that listed strategies for dealing with ODD and that those things DID help, but they eventually moved him to another (more experienced) teacher’s classroom. He actually turned around so drastically that I thought he was probably on some medication too. He actually became kind to me when we saw each other in the halls and that was HUGE.
I just share that to let you know that therapy and medicine DO make a difference. That kid had kept me in tears almost every day, but he really changed and improved more than any of us honestly even hoped.
J1 is very blessed to have you and your husband as his parents and advocates. As Dory says, “Just keep swimming…”
1st off – hugs
2nd – of course I will come back and get more pictures….what about staging some of you knitting or something? 🙂
3rd – That tutu is adorable! I am thinking i need to make one for a little sister or two!