Routines

We are slowly getting back into our routines around here. Avrianna has finished her school work and is outside (she's NUTS) playing with the neighbor girl and Danny is awaiting his first therapy since we've returned from Florida (a month ago today). Wow did we have alot of stuff happen in the last month, amazing! Now I know why I have BOXES (yeah who needs bottle when they have boxes) of wine stacked up, LOL. Gotta have my wine!! Yesterday Danny's vision teacher was suppose to come out but due to the the ice rink that was still in our driveway we rescheduled for next week. Today is Speech and the teacher, Thursday is OT, and Friday is PT.....they all come to the house and do therapy with Danny so at least I don't have to worry about getting him out in this weather or catching one of the wonderful bugs that linger in the schools. He has been doing well respiratory wise since surgery (knock on wood....I shouldn't have even mentioned it as Danny has a tendency to throw me curve balls when I think I've got it under control, LOL) and I want him to stay that way! I've been doing more and more range of motion with him through the day so he gets pretty wiped out by evening. I just feel bad that he has to lay in his bed all day and all night for 6 weeks, poor thing, so the least I can do is give him massages and range to get the muscles moving. That has got to suck being stuck laying down with your legs spread open all the time.
This week Avrianna starts her Theatre class and swimming. She is so excited to get back in the pool again. Not just to swim but to show Ms Stacy how well she is doing the breast stoke and to show her how much more energy she has. Avrianna thinks she can swim alot longer now and she wants to show it off. You GO GIRL!! She was doing so well in swimming before surgery that we were even asked if she wants to join a swim team (she just turned 6). I am amazed! So I am interested in seeing her stamina now after surgery. We've never had anyone in a swim team before so that would be fun. Avrianna has to go in to get some post surgery lab work done before her visit to the surgeon on Friday....YIKES! That is no small feet, she HATES needles, but can't say I blame her. I am going to get creative and take her today before her theatre class tonight so hopefully it won't be too bad. I'm so mean, I know!!
I've been doing some research on Avrianna's Disney Cruise and I think it will be a good time. I'm a lil disappointed in the lack of accessibility ~ it's a great family thing if you're ambulatory. Most of all the ports are not accessible so getting Danny off the ship and going sightseeing as a family is becoming an issue but I am working hard to get that changed. Avrianna was VERY disappointed when I told her Danny might not be able to get off the ship so one of us would have to stay behind with him. That didn't go well AT ALL!! She's such a GREAT big sister to Danny she loves him and protects him so much. I must be doing something right, LOL! At times I wonder what is the best and am I doing the right things, but when I see the devotion they have for each other I know, it's all good.
This morning our adoption social worker came over and we are going to put the adoption process on hold till May. I'm disappointed about it but with the miscommunication, scheduling, our travel plans it's the best route right now. So when we get back from Florida we will be working diligently to complete our home study so we can bring more joy into our lives with another child. I'm so excited!! Just wish this journey wasn't as hard as it has been on us....first not being able to get the lil girl overseas, last minute, and now because of miscommunication another delay. It WILL be all worth it in the long run!!
Take care and thanks for stopping in to check on us. Please take some time to sign our guestbook or make a comment at the end of each post. The kids love it when I read your comments to them. Also if interested in seeing our current house that is for sale click on the link to the left in Our Stories section

Appt, Appt, and more Appts!

Boy how exhausting today was. I sat on the phone ALL morning coordinating appts for the kids (well mostly Danny). After hours of moving things around it's all done....I hope. I have 3 full days of appts for Danny on Jan 21-22 and then again Feb 4. He is going to get a complete run down of follow-ups not only from the surgery but also with ALL the specialists that see Danny. 3 days to fit in all the docs, WOW.....I think the list is too long, LOL.
Let it snow...........AGAIN, ugh. I wish I could click my heels 3 times and say "There's no place like Florida", heehee. Time is just not moving fast enough for me and ALL this snow is making it worse. Too dream, sigh!!! We are anticipating another 6" tonight, YUCK.
Danny has been playing possum with the camera and getting him to "talking", so no go there...but I have the camera close and hidden so just maybe I can catch him, LOL. He got a clean over today with a sponge bath, nail clipping, hair washing, and then his favorite a lotion massage. He even gave me those eyes like.....Oh don't stop this is HEAVEN. I managed to slip my hand down the back of his brace and give his lower back a rub down. He LOVED it!!
Avrianna has been back in the swing of things with her school work. It was alil rough to get the routines back in place since surgery but we are pulling ahead once again. We have incorporated the new Wii Fit games that we got for Christmas in for our daily PE. We have a great time playing it together and it keeps us moving inside...hopefully getting Mom in shape too, LOL. Avrianna also got alot of computer school stuff so she was SO excited when I downloaded all of her material onto our old laptop. She has been working so hard and doing such a great job ..... she deserves it!
We are getting more disappointing news in regards to the adoption process. This whole getting the home study done is becoming a ROYAL pain. The social worker is coming out to the house for our meetings which is very helpful for us but to get the "training" done is nuts. Dan and I had already done our 16 hours training but because it was with our first agency the second wouldn't honor it so we need to do it over on their terms. With the first one we were able to due Internet courses so we could do it on our time frame, but with this new one we need to meet somewhere and the options are not working for us. Dan had gone to part of it and was going to finish it in Jan but instead they didn't sign him up for it and now the course is FULL. So Dan can't finish his part and I can't get mine done. I had planned for this and even had gotten someone to watch the kids for us....but now we can't get in. I requested forms twice to get registered with no replies from a social worker and now we are OUT OF LUCK! I am so pissy.....don't go the extra mile to help out a family that wants a child. The system SUCKS right now!
Please keep our good CB family in your thoughts today as today would have been Angel Jayden's birthday. They are missing him so MUCH! To follow their story www.caringbridge.org/visit/jayden HAPPY Birthday Jayden....balloons were sent off your way!
Take care!

Fall Time!

We are back from The Shack and it was wonderful! The weather was great. Great to cut fire wood (thanks Chris for watching the kids for awhile so I didn't have to worry about them), have camp fires, and to just hang out. It rained one evening for maybe an hour, but other then that it was perfect fall weather. Unfortunately we missed the fall colors and pretty much everything had fallen off the trees already, but still it was beautiful. Danny did great, except for his machines during the night, but that I'll take it. For whatever reason his machines decided to routinely start going off at different times EVERY night, so I didn't sleep very well but he stayed healthy, YAY! Avrianna was not totally on her game but did very well. She seemed to be more tired and "off" but we still had a nice time. Here are some pictures of our weekend!
We gave Avrianna an early birthday present....a pink helmet so she's safe riding around on the 4 wheeler with her dad!



Thanks Uncle Tim and Amanda for Avrianna's birthday present...she already has worn the Hannah Montana PJ's, read one book to her brother, and is singing away in the microphone (she'll have to come over and sing you a concert, LOL) You will be missed at the party!
Probably should have her wear the helmet when hanging out on the CAT too, heehee. These two are two pees in a pod!



Here are some pictures of my deer hunter at heart!! :)




I know my Aunt took some great pictures too so once I get them I will post them on here too.

This morning our Adoption social worker was out for about 3 hours for our individual interviews. We need to get finger printed yet, complete a 16 hour training, and then we have 2 more home visits to have. I believe we if everything goes smoothly we are looking at getting completed with the home study process of the adoption around February. Then the waiting game to find the right match for our family. WOW how exciting!
Today during Avrianna's recess the neighbor behind us was harvesting his crops that were across the street from the house. So off she went to see if she could get a ride with him for awhile. THANKS, Allen! Avrianna just loves riding around with you!




Today Danny had Speech, Ms Maria and Mr Scott over for therapy and boy was Danny in a good mood. I think it was because Mr Scott was wearing a spider hat, heehee...I will try and get the picture that was taken, LOL. This is the last week of therapies before we leave for the sunny state. I was in contact with the teacher down in Florida today to make sure things should be in place for us when Danny gets down there. We'll see!
Well going to turn in for the evening. Hope all is well with you! Take care

Adoption

Me AGAIN! Wow three posts in one day, wooooh. We met with the adoption social worker and she was very nice. I think it's going to be a great match! She is very accommodating with our families life style and she's very easy to talk to. I hope and pray this process goes alot smoother then the last attempt. She seems VERY sincere in helping us match up with a child for our family. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to be on this journey again. Avrianna was so happy to see her too as Avrianna knows that this lady is going to help her get a (sister she hopes) sibling. Thanks for all of your support with making our dream of a bigger family come true. Well off to make dinner just wanted to fill you in. It's a GREAT day!

Unfortunatly Danny was sick last Monday and Mr. Dan (PT) was sick today so yet another Monday Danny didn't make it to water therapy. Cross you fingers it works for next Monday! Danny's new wheelchair and floor sitter are going to be delivered here at the house on Friday, during PT so Mr Dan can see his new wheels and talk with Becky about it.
Take care!