Make Lemon Pie

Within the last week I've survived:

• Another IEP
• Teaching Relief Society again. Lesson on Unity.
• Sub 20 degree running weather (6 times).
• Nights with less than 4 hours sleep
• An ear infection. Not my ear but still...
• 5 hours hunched over in the basement using a caulking gun... my poor back.

Tonights FHE lesson was on Optimism. You would never know it, would you? LOL. Truly, the lesson is more for me than anyone. It included a scripture, story, object lesson, and lemon pie. "If life hands you lemons... make lemon pie". The pie didn't set up but I like it that way;)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Congratulations!

Attack of the Mouse has a new little one. What a great addition to the family! I am so in love with this little guy. I am an AUNT:)

Backwards Resolutions

The last thing I need is to set myself up for failure. Besides, I have enough guilt in my daily living to last me for awhile. After reading Jodi's post on backwards resolutions, I decided this is the way to go.

So, in an effort to guarantee SUCCESS and not add to my guilt, I've decided on the following resolutions:

1. I will not learn to sing on pitch this year.


2. I will not give up carbonated beverages.


3. I will not stop running.


4. I will not stop blogging.


5. I will not get super skinny.


6. I will not get out of debt.


7. I will not stop battling my boys to brush their teeth, make their beds, or pick up their clothes.


8. I will not vacation out of the country.


9. I will not be adding another one to our family.


10. I will not stop praying.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Is it OKAY?

I just finished reading Jacolyn's post on "What exactly is your okay?" Jacolyn also has a child with CP and I've enjoyed getting to know her and her triplets via her blog. I haven't had the gumption to write anything regarding the holidays. Truth is, it's been really hard. I am so ready for school to start bright and early tomorrow morning. I try so hard to be positive but I feel like sometimes "its okay" to share the disappointment and frustration because that is what makes this blog real.

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I remember people telling me it would be "okay" after I brought Crew home from the NICU. I knew in the back of my mind that it wouldn't be "okay". Almost 5 years later I realize the outcome is actually quite worse than I ever imagined it would be. I know that sounds horrible. However, it never occurred to me that he wouldn't be able to communicate. I didn't realize how frustrated and unhappy he would be to sit on the sidelines and watch. The days are hard and long.

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It's a good thing that we can't see into the future. This spunky little 4 year old is determined to experience it all. We bought a treadmill the day after Christmas. The roads here are an icy mess and now with 3 of us running we decided it was time to make that investment. What we didn't anticipate was Crew's obsession with the treadmill. In 9 days I've only been able to squeeze in two good runs on the treadmill because Crew insists on joining me in my runs;) I'm tough but not throw 35 pounds on my back and run TOUGH. If he see's anybody go downstairs he screams and cries until he gets his time on the treadmill. This involves me standing on the sides and holding him upright while he walks at .5 mile/hour (grinning) until he is so tired that his legs are literally dragging. This usually takes about 10 - 12 minutes and then he is ready to give it a go again a few minutes later.

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DOING.

We must constantly be doing something. If you've spent much time around me you've heard me brag about how well Crew is doing with his power chair. There was a day when we didn't think he would ever safely navigate the thing. Still, we have our moments but for the most part he is doing great. Unfortunately for me, we do not have an accessible home and so all his "driving" is done outside. As children typically can be, he does not notice the single digits, the frozen toes or the dripping nose. But what he does see are snowdrifts to conquer and ice hills to climb. He is blissfully happy until mom can't take the cold anymore and calls him inside.... and then he is a MONSTER:)

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Tonight, after dealing with two LONG weeks off from school and therapy I experienced one of God's "tender mercies" as he snuggled down with me and fell asleep. I held him and thanked God for allowing me to be his mother, a calling for which I often feel inadequate. I hope I'm doing "okay" with this huge responsibility. I surely do feel blessed to have him in my life. I too have decided after many prayers and tears-- it's going to be OKAY. I don't know how, I just know that it is.

White Christmas

I chipped away at the ice for over an hour today. The best part about it was having my little man keep me company through it all.

Shhhh.... don't tell our sales rep that we dragged his chair through the snow just for kicks. Crew did surprisingly well but it looks like we'll have to adjust the torque if he really wants to climb the snowbanks;

Crew is really enjoying the holiday lights, the cold, and the snow. The other night while driving around we stopped to look at lights and listen to our neighbors synchronized lights/music. I asked Crew if he "liked" the lights and he signed a definite "LIKE" and then clapped his hands. The sign is coming along:)

WISHING YOU A WHITE CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Break

Woohoo! These 3 handsome guys will be home with me for the next 16 days! S saw the movie "Bolt" with his school today. H made two gingerbread houses this week, one at scouts and one at school. Today he had a party with his class. Crew partied it up at preschool also! He came home with lots of interesting treasures. Crew isn't much of a candy guy but he did eat 1/2 of a chocolate snowman today. S doesn't eat much candy either. I guess H will have to make up for his two brothers' lacking sweet tooth (teeth). I'm really craving pizza today. Problem is that S and I are the only ones who would enjoy it.

I don't know how this post ended up being all about food. 'Tis the season;) Have a good weekend.

Artificial All the WAY

With only 10 days until Christmas I did the unexpected today...

Removed tree ornaments

Removed tree lights

Hauled our dried, crispy tree to the backyard firepit in anticipation of future bonfire spectacular.

Vacuumed up a boat load of dead pine needles

Scrubbed and shampoo carpet where tree stand made a stain.

Received refund for Dried Dead Tree

Purchased Artificial Pre-Lit Tree

Assembled beautiful clean 7 1/2 foot tree

Plugged in lights

Redecorated tree

Smiled

Read "The Littlest Angel" to 3 happy boys while snuggling around the Christmas tree.

Indulged in Icecream over Brownies.

Called it a night.

Some days are productive like that! NOT. I learned my lesson: No more live trees for me. It's too much hassle and things get ruined. Oh, and I can get that same pine scent from my Reed Diffuser:)

A Generous Donation

Our battles to get insurance to pay for a power chair have been significant! Its amazing how the loaner chair has brightened our little Crew. We have both primary and secondary insurance. You would think it wouldn't be so hard... but that is Utah for you!!!

Last week I received an unexpected phone call...

Another little boy, JJ, who also has CP and is older than Crew has graduated from his little Koala chair to a newer one. JJ's mom wants to GIVE us his Koala chair!!! I am so touched, and grateful, happy, relieved!

JJ lives in Texas. We are in Utah!

Now I am on a mission to figure out how to get the chair shipped here in one piece. This will be much easier than dealing with insurance, I hope! We are so blessed!