Kids

The kids are alright. Everything that is going on has been affecting each of them differently. Avery and Sydney are affected emotionally because they see my Mom be sick and they are scared, like the rest of us. Colby and Rusty can sense what's happening but aren't really phased by any of it. Of course Shelby has no clue. Avery and Sydney are in counseling though. I wanted to give them an outlet to talk to someone that doesn't have any emotional ties to everything. It's been going really well.

On a positive note Avery has been playing football, basketball, he's in cub scouts, and he plays the drums in band. He got his report card a couple weeks ago and it was terrific. He has some really good friends and he's really enjoying school this year. He has a great teacher that really motivates him. He still has chronic hearing problems and it seems like he may have epilepsy. His neurologist has been running a lot of tests to figure it all out. Overall he's doing well.

Sydney is taking dance every day, she started volly ball in September and has been doing well. She is still in girl scouts and she auditioned for a musical and made it so she'll be performing at the state fair with her dance school and then in the Snow Queen at Herberger theater. She is also doing well in school and has a wonderful teacher. Recently she contracted a virus in her stomach and that caused her some problems but it looks like everything is clearing up finally.

Colby is doing great. He just finished his first season of basketball. He loves kindergarten and his teacher. We are now going through the process of figuring out how his apraxia effects his learning. He has been struggling academically and his teacher is working really hard with the IT team to figure out the best ways to teach him. We focused for so long on his speech that we didn't focus on his learning as much. I think he processes everything great it's just getting it back out is where the trouble is. He is doing really well though and he try's very hard. He has a lot of friends which is wonderful because we always worried about him socially but he's doing well. He is amazing.

Rusty, Rusty, Rusty...he's doing great. It was a good decision to put him in preschool because he is thriving. He has friends, he's challenged, and his behavior is improving all the time. The kid is just non stop energy. He is always climbing, or running, or jumping everywhere. He only has two speeds, run and sprint. He played basketball with Colby but it wasn't his favorite thing. He just likes to run and then wrestle for the ball. He is the biggest love bug who has a temper.

Shelby is doing great. She says Mama. She crawls at lightning speed everywhere. She gets all over the house. She always wants to stand and tries to stand on her own all the time. She gabs a lot and she is really developing her princess role in the family. She can play the water works like no ones business. I will go running to her thinking she's hurt and as soon as I pick her up she stops. She has her siblings wrapped around her finger, especially Colby.

Overall everyone is doing well. There's always a lot going on but we're making it work.

A change is gonna come...

I'm changing my blog to be all about the kids and what they're up to. I'll add photos and details about how they're doing. Stay tuned for new postings soon...

Get through today

Just get through today. That is my life's motto at the moment. You know the saying "We plan and God laughs", the older I get the more that rings true. I find myself constantly having to adjust my plans to deal with the situations that are presented before me.

My family shares a home with my Mom and my sister with special needs. When we originally decided to live together it was on the basis of helping each other but then there came a time when it was a necessity because my husband and I couldn't live independently. Over the summer we decided it was time to move. We started planning, looking at rental homes, ect. Then my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Everything changed. I know it seems overwhelming to have to battle breast cancer and live with 5 kids, but that's what she wants. She needs help and so I'm here. I personally value the fact that I live with her and can take care of her right now. I value spending alone time with her when we go to the doctor or she gets her chemo. With 5 kids and our crazy, busy schedule I couldn't be there for her if we lived somewhere else. God planned.

My Mom having breast cancer brings me back to the title sentence of "Get me through today". I am doing everything in my power to keep our kids lives as normal as possible. This stems from my childhood and having my sister have constant hospitalizations and extra needs and my Mom being stretched too thin to do much for me. I get it. I'm not sad about my childhood because I know she did everything she could. I respect her. For me though I have a partner and so I can do more. The kids are all very active in sports, dance, music, and school. I want them to stay active so this is never a time in their lives to look back on and be sad. I'm also active because I need that distraction. I go to school full time, I am on the PTA, I volunteer in their school, and I am on my neighborhood activities committee. I am in a constant state of controlled chaos but it works, most of the time.

Another milestone

Today Rusty is 3. I can't believe three years have already passed. He is such a unique character and everyday he gets even funnier. He is full of energy like no other. I actually would not be surprised if when he gets to school they say he has ADD or ADHD. He is always jumping, climbing, running. I don't think he knows how to walk. He is a true boy throughout. He loves cars, motorcycles, planes, and dirt. He loves to wrestle and battle. He'll take on anyone no matter size. He loves to dress up. He does have a genuine sweetness to him though. He tells me I look nice all the time. He gives out lot's of hugs and kisses. He thinks he's helpful with the baby. He loves his Papa (My Dad) like no other. He is a combination of all the kids. He has Avery's athleticism and charm, Sydney's stubbornness and intuition, Colby's sweetness, and Shelby's beauty. So on this day I celebrate Rusty. He makes my life challenging, fun, full, and above all worth every moment.

I'm alive! Alive I tell you!

So since it's been 2 months since my last post some of you may have thought I had passed on. I have not. Crazy as it sounds you get really busy when you add a 5th kid into the mix. The fact that I am a neurotic volunteer doesn't help either.

Now that I am officially a Mom of five I can honestly say it's been rough. Not as rough as when I had Rusty, but rough. Shelby has colic and that has been a hurdle I have never jumped before. She does seem to be getting better but there were two weeks of 5-6 hours of crying when I felt like walking out the door. I didn't. I had a couple great people that had experienced colic too talk me off that ledge. They let me vent and cry and that helped. What made it hard was it was always the wind down of the day. She would start at 4 or 5 and then cry till 9 or 10. That's hard. That is dinner, hw, baths, and bedtime. She still cries but not as long. That being said some have asked if I regret adding a fifth kid? That is a very bold NO! She fits with us. She is a wonderful little being and I am so grateful she's in our lives. All the kids adore her and that's huge.

In kid land. Avery is in football and basketball leagues right now. He has always loved basketball but became interested in football this year through recess. He has decided he just wants to be a receiver. It has paid off for him and he made his first touch down catch at last Saturday's game. He has now decided that he will be playing these sports in High School and College. I don't even want to think about him becoming a 4th grader let alone in College! Syd is doing terrific in dance. Her recital is in June and she is in four performances. She has her costumes hanging on her wall and is becoming more excited as the time gets closer. Colby and Rusty have started Itty bitty sports. It's this great program where they try out a sport for 2 weeks each. These past 2 weeks were Soccer and they did great (Miner coercing :)) Last but not least is Miss Shelby who, aside from colic, is wonderful. Her hair is staying brown and her eyes blue. She smiles more for the fan than us but you take what you can get. She is a great nurser and is getting some luscious thighs.

Finally, yes, I am going back to work. I'm going into Insurance Sales. I'm studying right now for my exam and license and then I'll start selling, hopefully by summer. I am very excited and nervous but mostly excited. I haven't worked in 5 years and it's going to be a new juggle but it's best for our family. We are looking to move over the summer while the kids are out of school(not far just on our own). This will help that come to fruition.

I'll post more frequently from now on so it's not a HUGE catch up. Let's see how this journey pans out, I know I'm interested.

Really?

Why do people ask a very large, tired, grumpy, and swollen pregnant woman who is this close to popping if she plans on having more kids? Right now I am so over being pregnant I could sell one of the kids I already have. And quite honestly I don't really have an answer to this question. I'm 28. Do I want more kids? Maybe. Do I want to get pregnant again anytime soon? Absolutely not! Do I want to plan out my life for semi strangers? No. I know some people are just being polite or making conversation but I would prefer to talk about my hemorrhoids than if I'm having more kids. If you really want to know ask me when I can see my toes.