You Must See This (Especially Tara)

Found this link on craigslist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

Saxon Math

Can I just tell you how much I love the new math program we are using. Alex is like a new kid when it comes to math. He has already improved so much after just two weeks of using the program. Today he was giving William answers to his flashcards (behind my back of course). I was so exctied that we all just ended up laughing and I gave him a big hug (after I explained cheating of course.) Nathan sits with us and he does the work with us. They love the repetition and the meeting books. I just wish I would have found this program sooner.

Still Here

Just wanted people to know I am still here. We have been dealing with well checks, Alex's asthma (finally under control) and laundry. I spent all day today putting up Christmas lights. Everyone here is okay after getting over colds. I am the last one to have it but you guys know as a mom we cannot slow down to be sick. Thanks for all the prayers while Alex was sick. It took putting him back on maintenance asthma medication and three doses of steroids and antibiotics to finally get him breathing normally. Every time he coughs I still panic. They suggested we do allergy testing to determine if something triggered the attack. They can do it now with a simple blood test. No more pin pricks and skin tests. Yeah!!!! Nathan went to see his behavioral specialist and I got yelled at big time. She said his speech delay is bad for his age and he should be in therapy at least twice a week. She said that he is not pronouncing the ending of any of his words unless prompted to. She also said he needs occupational therpay for his sensory problems and his handwriting. He has hardly any strength in his right hand because it is always in his mouth. I never noticed the weakness before until she pointed it out. He really does not use his right hand for anything except his thumb. Along with his loose joints and being right handed he needs therapy. We are trying to stay away from the public school system but can't afford private therapy. I have been doing research all week so I can start doing his therapy at home. So much for keeping this short. I hope you all have a great day today. Have fun opening presents. Yours are in the mail.

More Harvest Fest Pictures

I made sure that I got a good picture of everyone in their costumes. Last year I forgot until we arrived at church and it was dark. The pictures did not turn out well. I had so much fun making these. Mine had to be adjusted because it is hard to nurse in a dress like I orginally planned to make. Daniel was just too cute for words in his costume. Alex, who is normally so camera shy, actually was the first to volunteer to get his picture taken. It was such fun to do this as a family.

Zoo

I am trying to catch everyone up on the events of the past few weeks. Last weekend was too beautiful to not get outside. Carl and I have a membership to the NC Aquarium which allows us to get into zoos and aquariums all over the country, including our own NC Zoo. We went last weekend and had a blast. The boys loved all the animals. We started at the Africa end and walked back to the North America side. It really takes all day as the zoo is huge. The boys were upset because the polar bears were not on display. William also missed seeing the snakes and all the stream life animals as the zoo was getting ready to close. They have a huge play area where everything is made from recylced material. Walking on the rubber "mulch" was weird but the kids had fun flinging themselves all over the place. Samuel was great because he slept most of the time. I nursed him when we got there and then right before we left. The kids had fun and look forward to going back. Carl wants to take William for a Daddy and Me day to see the animals he missed.

Samuel

Okay people, stop complaining. Ha Ha. Here are some pictures of Samuel. It is hard to get ones of him by himself. He usually has a sibling attached to his side. Now you all can stop bugging me. Just kidding. We love you all and miss everyone lots.

Harvest Fest

Wow! It has been a while. I have been so busy. One of the reasons I was busy was because of harvest fest. That is what our church does instead of Trick or Treating. It is set up like a carnival. They have a puppet show and a presentation of the gospel. THen you get hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, nachos, and soda
(real healthy I know). Then they have games and rides for all the kids. It is so much fun. After last year of being the characters from Narnia the boys requested to be the characters from Lord of the Rings. With a few changes from last year's costumes the boys were all set. Esther just needed a little skirt to go over hers from last year. It was too short and I did not feel like making her a whole new costume. Some fabric and a little elastic and she was all set. I had to make Daniel a new costume and alter his from last year to fit Samuel. Carl requested to dress up too so I made costumes for both of us. He was Aragon and I was his elf love (can't remember or spell her name.) The costumes turned out so good and the kids had a blast. Carl has already decided that next year we are going as a basketball team. He will be the coach and Esther and I will be cheerleaders. People always say we are going for our own basketball team anyway. It took a lot of time and effort but it was worth it. It will be something the kids will always remember that mommy made their costumes each year. The kids like playing with their costumes all year and they last a lot longer than the cheap costumes you get out at the store. William is in fact wearing his to Sunday School this Sunday. His class is studying the armor of God. Each kid is to give a presentation of a specific piece of armor. William is doing the sword of the spirit and thought it would be cool to wear his costume.