I don't want to forget....

I wrote last week about how EK was having some major GI issues. I called our pediatrician yesterday and asked for an appointment. I just wanted to be sure we weren't missing something like strep or some other reason for her to not be drinking. (She will only take a sip of any drink offered. Very strange for her.) After an exam (checking throat, nose, ears and listening to her tummy), he thought the best course of action was to have an x-ray done. He wanted to see if the metal dental spacer was stuck in her somewhere and causing the constipation and other issues. So, we left the office and drove over to the radiology lab. They were very sweet (I did give them a heads up that she is non-verbal and has severe autism. People tend to be more patient rather than just thinking she's an undisciplined child.) and we got 2 x-rays done. Our doctor's office was already closed when we finished up so they told me I wouldn't hear anything until today. The nurse called this morning to...

It's EK's first day of 2nd grade (technically). She is in a special class for kids with autism again this year. For now, we feel it's the best place for her. Three teachers with three kids most of the day. There are several more kids who come in at the end of the day for social skills. EK should receive a lot of the one-on-one attention that she needs. It's hard sending your little girl off to school all day, when she can't come home and tell you what happened throughout the day. I am thankful that my mom teaches 2nd grade at her school and can keep an eye on her. I'm planning to volunteer more this year as well. I know you can't protect your children forever, but I feel a greater responsibility for her since she can't defend herself.    Lord, I pray you will protect her and keep her safe this year. I also ask that you would help her teachers to be kind and patient in working with her and that you'd give wisdom in finding new ways to get her to ...

Our church ( FBC Keller ) doesn't have children's church. I'm not against children's church if it's done where they are taught about the Bible and not just entertained, but I am thankful that our church has children come to "big church" when they start Kindergarten. I think it's good for them to learn to sit still and more than that, I think they can get a lot out of it, if we teach them how to. Obviously, our EK can't handle going to the worship service. It would be overwhelming for her and disruptive for those around us. I am thankful there is a place for her to learn about Jesus in a classroom  so that I can attend worship and not miss every week. She has had some of the same teachers the past couple years and we are blessed!! I understand that some kids can't attend corporate worship. However, most can attend and learn how to behave. I had AC start attending with me every other week after Christmas. She didn't have to start until this...

Here's EK at 2 years old! My, how I miss that little girl and hearing her talk... Here's my AC at 2 years old. It goes fast, doesn't it??  And, like typical 3rd child, I haven't had professional pictures done for him yet. ;)

How is that possible? This boy has brought lots of joy to our family and worn me out far more than the girls ever did! :) He keeps me on my toes right now, but I love that he's inquisitive. He was so excited to blow out the candles this past Tuesday. He blew them out before we finished singing. He was so proud of himself. (He is looking at Daddy for his approval.) Cupcakes are so yummy, even when they are gluten, dairy and egg free. (These are the best cupcakes I've tasted in the 4 years we've been on this diet. Let me know if you want the recipe.) Upstairs watching cartoons with AC. Love that boy! At 2 years old: Based on my measurements (I failed to make his 2 year check-up so we don't go until October.) Weight: 29 1/2 pounds (around 75%) Height: 34 inches (around 50%) You love to eat! I can't imagine how your appetite will get bigger, but I'm sure you'll amaze me in the coming days. You are willing to try anything, but now will tell...

Have you ever felt frustrated when things are pretty much out of your hands? You have no control or no idea how to make a good decision? I can't tell you how many times I have felt this way with EK. I think that's the hardest thing about her being non-verbal. When she's crying, I have to try and figure out why. Is she hungry? Thirsty? Tired? Sick? Hurting? Bored? I just wish (and I know SHE wishes) she could tell me. This past Wednesday night I went to brush her teeth before bed and I noticed one of her metal spacers (that keeps room for a permanent tooth) was gone! It was there the night before when I brushed her teeth. My stomach dropped, trying to think what happened. My worst fear is that she swallowed it. The only reason I'm worried about it is because that day she also started having issues with constipation. She NEVER has this problem. I have not changed anything in her diet. I did notice on Wednesday she wasn't drinking as much.(Maybe she swallowed the spac...

AC was up at 6:45 this morning! I am so thankful she was excited about school this morning. :) I am also thankful I got three kids and myself out the door on time. EK starts school next week.   Isn't she cute in her uniform? I had trouble keeping up with her, but I would rather have her be this way than having to drag her...    AC and her sweet teacher Ms. Potter Sitting at her desk, ready to start! When we picked her up this afternoon, I asked her what her favorite part was and she said "Well, I'll tell you that recess was not my favorite. There was a wasp nest near the playground!" I'm afraid I've made her nervous. I make them come inside anytime I see there are several wasps in our backyard. :) She did tell me her favorite part of the day was lunch b/c she got to sit by her friends Gracie and Molly. So thankful for her school!! Tomorrow we do our first "homeschool" day. We'll see how that goes. I'll post a picture ...

I had training for AC's school last week. I am really excited about this school year. I know she's going to love her teacher and she already knows 3 of the kids in her class. We went to her class meeting on Saturday to meet her teacher, drop off supplies and learn a little more about how the Kindergarten (or K-2 as they call it) day will go. I have a few more days to organize things before she starts on the 19th, so I have been looking for ideas of things to do with AK. I know that I have to keep him busy or he'll get himself into trouble. ;) Here are a few ideas I found and am working on: Toddler activities  : My favorite ideas on here are #19 and #23. #19 has you add magnetic tape to pom-poms, put them on a cookie sheet and have the child practice their pincer grasp in removing the pom-poms. #23 just has magnets on a cookie sheet which I think AK would love. I found a cookie sheet at the $1 store and will make the pom-poms this week. We alre...

I needed to take a couple pictures of the AC and AK to put on their birthday invitations. I had no idea that I hadn't uploaded pictures from my camera to the computer since the beginning of June. Whoops! Not that I take that many anymore, but still...Life is a little busier now that I have three youngsters, I guess. :) This picture was taken in June. I have a similar picture of AC sitting in the baby doll stroller when she was about his age. Such a silly boy! Look at my big boy! He's figured it out himself a couple months ago. I will say that it made our time in UT much easier. We had about 15 stairs to climb to get to our condo. I would have been a nervous wreck if he hadn't been practicing for so long at home. :) And it was nice that he could walk up/down the stairs independently so I could concentrate on helping EK. This was one morning while watching cartoons. EK usually doesn't sit and watch TV so this was extra sweet. :) Each kid came home with a l...

Lord willing, at this time tomorrow night my husband will be home from Romania! It has been a long 10 days without him. We all miss him, but I am so glad he had this opportunity to go with 3 other men from our church. They had opportunities to preach and they also led a pastor's conference to encourage the men and their wives in that area. I have talked with him for a few minutes each day, but I'm really eager to hear more about their trip and how the Lord worked. Praying their flights are on time and they get home safely!

Tomorrow morning I take EK in for more dental work. Remember back in June when we had to quickly get a tooth pulled? Her crown had fallen out (when it had just been put in just 6 months earlier) and then the tooth got infected. Because we were going out of town for July, I found an oral surgeon who had room to pull the tooth. I was worried it would become infected again before we could get it pulled by our dentist in August. I thought the oral surgeon would be able to put in a spacer as well, but they don't do that. I was a little beside myself, realizing that we put her under in June and then needed to do it again this month. And now, the appointment is almost here. Lord willing, they will put her under and only add the spacer (where the molar was so there is room when her permanent one comes in a few years from now) and clean her teeth. When I made the appointment, the receptionist said "Well, why don't we just do x-rays and do any other work that ...