Saturday, March 28, 2015

Vantastic

It's spring break, and it's been full of family time, which has been wonderful. But the most exciting thing that happened this week was bringing home our "new" van. Very gently used by its previous owner, this thing's got all kinds of bells and whistles and is about as comfortable as a converted van can be. We feel very lucky.

The boys absolutely love the thing. They couldn't wait to show the neighborhood kids how the ramp worked and when they actually started sounding like they were gloating, I heard myself say something fantastical like, "Now, kids, be nice. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a wheelchair van." Whaaaat?!

After dinner that first night, all five of us sat in the van for probably half an hour in the driveway. You know, breaking it in.

The second day, I took all three kids out with me on some errands. It was life changing. The boys are not only able, but they love (at least for now), to release the ramp, unhook Keira, wheel her out of the van, put the ramp back up, and do it all in reverse when we get back. Seriously, it's incredible.




This morning we went on our last outing of spring break and our first big family adventure in the van. The five of us drove to Idaho City to swim at the hot springs. A perfect activity for all of us. The boys watched Ghostbusters on the way there and I switched back and forth between sitting next to Keira and hanging out next to Jeff. 


I had a lovely week. I just adore my children. We had several outings this week. Some grand and some not so grand. We explored the new library and learned to play Settlers of Catan as a family. A highlight was when Ronin said to me, "Mom, I like it when we don't have school because then we get to be with you." This almost, but not quite, healed the sting from a Valentine I received this year that said, "Mom, I wish we could spend more time together." Ugh! I was also very blessed this week to get to spend time with several friends who reminded me that even when I have bad days (or months), they aren't going anywhere. I needed that. 

We are figuratively lacing up our shoes for another marathon. The boys start flag football (Liam) and soccer (Ronin) this week. Then next weekend, we have Ro's 7th (!!!) birthday, Easter, and Keira's big surgery on Monday the 6th. As usual, we appreciate your prayers and support. Some of you ask what you can do for us, and our list has become pretty standard: Aside from just being here for us, dinners, house cleaning, lawn mowing, and gas money are always a big help. Jeff and I can't say enough how much we appreciate every little thing you do to show support to our family. Not only has it changed the way that Jeff and I give to and support others, it has been what has kept our heads above water many days. Thank you.  

Saturday, March 14, 2015

How Are You?

So much has been happening. And there is so much to get you all caught up on. I love you all and am so thankful that you are in my corner but blogging has been the last thing on my list lately. So, what I'm about to post is simply my response, via text, to a friend who asked how I was doing. It's honest. I'll tack some pictures on to lighten the mood a bit. Please keep praying for us. Thank you, in advance, for hanging in there with us.

Surviving. Just did sleep study and EEG and started a new therapy program and trying to get Medicaid to continue to pay for her other therapies while she has this therapy, and a new med and looking for a wheelchair van and starting to look into finding a one story house and bilateral hip surgery in a couple of weeks and babysitters are getting a life and are not so much available to us anymore and, oh yea, a husband and two boys who still need/want/deserve attention but I just want to pull the covers over my head because even answering the stupid phone feels like too much work. 




Sleep study...
I'm a good sport.