Good to be home

I never knew that having another set of hands around would be so valuable - but that was tested this past week with Chad gone to the Farm Show in Boone. Chad returned home last night, just in time to pick the girls up from school before he had to head to a plot night. It was SUCH good timing because Ana had to do a blood draw to make sure her body is adjusting to the anti-seizure medicine she's taking and Chad has been the one to hold her hand during all of those tests because I was recovering from surgery. He wasn't able to go with us to her blood draw, but he was able to give her the words of encouragement that she needed and to give me the instructions as to how he handles things!! She's a tough cookie. A cute story from that appointment - she has a ritual of needing to go to the bathroom as soon as she gets to the room, so we expected that, but when she got on the bed to prepare for the draw she insisted that she had to tell me something (the whole time the nurses are preparing her arm for the draw). When she finally convinces the nurses to stop so she can tell me what she needed to tell me they finally stopped what they were doing and Ana said to me "I love you mom" in the sweetest little voice - as if she'd never be able to tell me again!

The kids have been ecstatic to have Chad home again - and honestly, I am too!! For some reason it's easier to have him gone for 4 days when he's 14 hours away than when he's only 2 1/2 hours away!!!

Home sweet home...

Never thought I'd be posting to this as much as I am, but have had an emotional day for some reason. I think it's the quiet moments when Kale is napping that I think about things the most. Not really sure why - if it's because Chad is gone this week to the farm show so I'm pondering things a lot, or if it's because I'm constantly thinking about Ana and what we will find out in Rochester at the end of September, or really what it is. One thing I do know is that I am reminded more and more every day how special my time with the kids is, and has been, while I am home with them. I watch how much Kale is changing every day and I feel so blessed to be experiencing every single minute of it with him. He is such an amazing little boy - even if he is rough and tough and is ALL boy. I even love him when he is driving me absolutely crazy! Then I look at my girls, at how much they have grown this past year, and feel so proud at who they have become and hope that I have at least had a small hand in that. They are such amazing young ladies and wonderful big sisters - Kale is so lucky to have them to look up to. I pray that all three of my kids grow up to be strong individuals and keep the wonderful sweetness that they have. One thing I hope I can at least let them know every day is how special they are to me, how much I love them, and how very proud I am of everything they do. They truly are the best parts of Chad and I and I hope that the world around them sees just how special they are. I just want to say "thank you" to Chad also for allowing me the opportunity to experience the life with my children that I am able to have. Your hard work and sacrifice doesn't go unnoticed!! Thank you everyone for allowing me to put my feelings down in print as well!!!

Sweet, Sweet Music

As I sit here posting a new message, I am listening to the music being created by my children with pots and pans. Most days I would cringe at the sound of pans being banged on because I know that my children can't hear my screams to quit, but today, I'm changing my ways!! I've found since the girls have started school, Kale desperately misses them, and if he wants to bang on pans with his sisters - more power to them. I'll just take a couple asprin tonight!

For anyone that hasn't heard what is going on with Ana, I will try to explain quickly so you understand the rest of the paragraph. Mid-July, Ana began to have what is called simple partial seizures. Simple, in the fact that she doesn't lose conciousness, and partial in the fact that they only affect her left arm. All testing up to this point have shown nothing, so we have the hopes that she will rid of them just as quickly as they began. Until then, she is on anti-seizure medicine which has stopped them completely. Now to the news that I wanted to post...she has an appointment with the pediatric neurologist in Rochester, MN September 29th. They plan to do another EEG and we could possibly be there for a few days. I'm hoping it's just a day or two so she doesn't miss too much school. We will keep you posted as to what we find out during our visit.

Where did my baby go?

Please bear with me as I hope I figure this whole "blogging" thing out!!! Some friends of ours have a blog and I thought to myself, "really, how hard can it be?" I'm finding that my computer knowledge is lacking since I quit work!

Two candles on his cake already, where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday that we brought him home and I quit work. What a wonderful day it was though, and we all had such a great time. It was absolutely beautiful outside which allowed the party to continue in to the evening hours. Kale is so blessed to have his cousin Matthew, who's birthday is 11 days before Kale's, to celebrate birthday's with. This year was especially nice because their Great Grandma (Kerber) Langan was back from Arkansas to celebrate with them!! Thank you to all who were able to make it and for the gifts, cards, and birthday wishes.

The girls have started their first FULL week of school. They are enjoying school so much and have so many stories to tell me when I pick them up. The funniest things since school began have been: while picking them up the first day of school, they said to me "Mom, can we have a snack when we get home? All we get at school is JUICE!" I had to chuckle because I am nagged at least 4 times a day as to when they are going to get to have snack. I'm thinking my grocery bill should go down now! The other being their P.E. teacher telling me that he was informed that he didn't know the rules for Simon Says. He laughed saying that Mia was more than willing to tell him how it was played - then I had to tell him that she made up her own rules and for some reason believes they are the real ones. I miss the girls terribly while they are in school - the house seems so quiet without them, but I am LOVING the amount of things I can get done in a day!!

I believe I have safely made it through this first blogging experience!! Until next time!