Things remain busy around here. Even though I really try hard not to commit to much or take on too much, still things are busy. I thought I'd share a few things that have happened this month in a kind of catch up post.
Christopher ran in his first race. It was a 5k on New Years Day.
He has been diligent in training and setting up his own schedule of running to meet his goals. He is planning to run in another race next month. I'm proud of him for setting goals and working hard to reach them, for choosing his own interests and pursuing them.
He is also busy with schoolwork and looking into colleges. We attended a workshop at which several admissions counselors were there to talk about their schools. I can't believe we are at that point! I'm not ready. I know though that he is quickly becoming ready and I pray for us both as we approach this new time.
Rebecca has started doing more babysitting. I know she is a blessing to the moms and to the children. I know this because she has SOOOO much experience with a variety of younger children - typical and special needs and really enjoys them.
She has been wanting to babysit for a long while so she could earn some money. Want to know what she is doing with her money? For the first two months of babysitting she is donating all of it to Anya. I love her heart for others.
She also auditioned for a play this week - and was chosen to be in it. (Charlotte's Web) It will be a heavy commitment for her for the next several months, but also a lot of fun I'm sure.
Joshua is doing well. He is staying healthy (all of us are for which I give thanks daily!). Diabetes continues to be a rollercoaster ride - and not always a fun one! He is still in his "honeymoon" which means his numbers can really fluctuate. Maybe this won't change when he is out of it either. I really don't know. He had his lowest low a week ago - 41 - and didn't even feel it. :-( I think this will make him a candidate for continuous glucose monitoring though I'm not sure if he'll want it. (Another thing attached to you that will take constant readings of his blood sugar)
We weren't able to attend the pump info night last month. My parents had just gotten into town and he wanted to stay home. (Which I think was a really good choice, after all the pump can wait and people are more important!) We'll see about going this month. We are attending a Family Retreat sponsored by the JDRF later this month. I think we'll all be going. It will be nice to try to connect with some others and other families dealing with diabetes. I'm hoping this week-end will be a blessing for all of us able to go.
Isaiah is doing well too. He is really enjoying some of the new games we have (as are the others). The karate on Wii and Civilizations are huge favorites. I'm amazed at all that he learns from playing them and the retention of information from them.
We are still working on figuring out how best to help him learn with some of his unique learning challenges. He is an incredibly smart little boy and I want learning to be fun and interesting and not leave him feeling frustrated. He was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder (this week) in addition to the other diagnoses earlier this year.
It hurts my heart sometimes to know how hard things are for some of my children. I know it could be much harder and that there are children facing much more. I'm praying that working through the challenges that they face will help them cultivate understanding, patience and strength - and that through these challenges they will learn how to rely on God. I know that God has a plan for each one of them and I pray that these challenges will prepare them well for what God has in store for them. While I sometimes wish that the road was a little smoother, I'm so thankful to be walking it with God! I pray that God would give us the grace, patience and wisdom needed to encourage them, prepare them and just love them as they are!
How am I handling the news? Pretty well. I haven't had a lot of "feelings" over it (which is probably good since usually the feelings are stressed and overwhelmed). Am I finally just learning to accept things? Did God prepare my heart? Am I finally learning to rest a little better in His arms? I'm not sure, though I'm certain it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God. Perhaps it's just that He is holding me and all that I have to carry.
I do know that none of this is a surprise to God. He has great plans for each one of us - and these bumps in the road will not deter His plans! I continue to remind myself of these truths - He is good. He is in control. He loves us very, very much!
It's hard to know how much to share sometimes in a public forum like this. I hope that some of what I share will be of help or encouragment to someone else and at the same time don't want to share anything that would be upsetting to my children. Please pray for our sweet boy and all that he is dealing with. Please pray too as I try to learn how best to teach him, encourage him and help him navigate life.
Daniel has lost his first tooth! I can't believe my baby has already reached this milestone! The earliest of all my children. He also got his first tooth the earliest too - at 5 months (yes, I do remember it!).
Daniel and I have scaled back on some of his schooling and are rowing again the Before FIAR books. It's a relaxing time when he has me all to himself. I think it's a sweet time for both of us. He is still little and there is plenty of time ahead for him to be a big boy.
Eliana is doing great. While I've missed seeing our therapists, it has been nice to have more free time in our days and in our week. We have several days now where we have nothing planned! It's nice to have the freedom to make the days what we want them to be.
We've started doing workboxes officially with her and I think it is helping to have some routine in her day. At this point, the routine is more that she is getting more done in a day and that the children working with her have specific things to do with her. I know that actually building some timed routines in her day will be a good thing too, but that hasn't happened yet.
Roger's work is going well and he has a birthday coming up soon. No news on how we'll be celebrating as he does read here.
Me - I'm staying busy. We are working on getting into a good routine with schooling and so far things are going well. I've started a new Bible study which has been encouraging. I'm also going to be doing a new study thanks to the gifts of some sweet friends. I look forward to seeing what God is going to teach me!
This is getting long and I realize needs more pictures, but I'm going to post and more pics will have to come later. Its late as I'm up checking Joshua who has been dealing with lows tonight. Trying to make sure his numbers stay well - and hoping that maybe I can get a nap in tomorrow!
Blessings
Leslie
Posts
I am glad things have slowed a little for you (as much as they can with six children :). Thanks for always being such an encouragement!
ReplyDeleteI have a daughter with Auditory Proccessing issues and I sent you a fairly lengthy email concerning AP to the email address listed on your blog. If that is not the correct email address let me know. I hope you find it helpful.
ReplyDeletewww.squeeli2.blogspot.com
I have never had a feeling like this before, but God has laid something on my heart about you very suddenly. (I promise it's not bad). Just know that I am praying like crazy and very hopeful. I adore you and your family Leslie. You are so special.
ReplyDeleteKristi - I appreciate your encouragment too!
ReplyDeleteKristie - Thank you soooo much!!! Will write back, but just wanted to thank you for all of that information! You are a blessing!!!
Sheri - You have been incredibly curious (and so thankful that it is something good!). Can't wait to hear more and thank you always for your prayers sweet friend! Love you!
Leslie
My son was diag. with DM when he was 11. He was a terribly brittle diabetic those first few years. We had HORRID highs (500's) and lows (teens) where we almost lost him. Once he started on the insulin pump things leveled out greatly. He is still very brittle, but the highs aren't as high (300's) and lows aren't as low (40's) and he is now almost 21 and away at college. If ever you feel you need to vent, feel free. june buga at hot mail dot com .
ReplyDeleteMy 12 yo son has ADHD, ODD and various other learning disabilities that I have not had him tested for, possibly mild autism. I homeschool also, and what I found that works well for him, after trying everything! is Switched on Schoolhouse by Alpha Omega for all subjects except math, we use Teaching Textbooks, which is also a computer program. It is costly, but this has been the first year that he has "gotten" math. The way they teach it works for him. He puts his headphones on ad does all his work that way. When he was younger he would occassionally bounce on a big ball, or squeeze a ball in his hands to stay focused. Now he just moves around a bit and "taps". He is in 7th grade but is doing 10-11 grade reading and some science and social studies. As smart as he is, he still can't write cursive at all and his printing is barely legible. So now I have been encouraging him to type, this is much better for all involved! I have gone back and forth on the needing to write thing, but have decided his emotonal wellbeing, and mine, is not worth pushing the issue. He works on it a little bit each day. Sorry to be so long winded, but when I found your blog and started reading about your boys, I thought, WOW, someone else who is walking a similar path, so I wanted to encourage you. Be blessed.