Indian Summer Days

Forgive me, that was not exactly a "politically correct" title but it just worked. I have loved these warm days we've had recently - it gave me a chance to enjoy my tan from Jamaica a little longer (shallow, I know). Eli completed his third season of soccer, Sadie didn't play this Fall since she's trying out clogging this year. She might have to go back to soccer....but it's early so I'll give her some more time to improve on the dancing. Eli is definitely improving on the soccer field - which isn't saying a whole lot since he was pretty puny the last 2 seasons. I just want an A for effort, which he got this time, and a few goals. He had fun, too, and is seeming to learn a little about the teamwork concept ("what, there's other kids out there?"). Last night I watched (and cried - if you have a beating heard you would have, too) an ESPN special about a high school kid with Cerbral Palsy who wrestled four years with only 1 win, but it made me realize the character building that sports can accomplish - which is not related to winning...AT ALL. I would be much prouder of Eli if he were that kid's teammate - carrying him off the bus and cheering him on, than if he became some great soccer player with a college scholarship. 

It's so hard to get everyone to smile at once - even while sharing a sugary drink. One thing I will NOT miss about soccer season is the endless pleas for slushies....mainly from Steven. He bought the "souvenir" cup from a couple different trucks and he and the kids ate a ridiculous amount of sugar last Saturday, between the soccer game and a local Fall Festival. 

I love this girl - I'm so thankful that I get to keep her home this year. Even though her strong personality and "leadership potential" (a nice way to say bossy) are challenging at times, I feel closer to her than I did the past couple of years.  

She at times seems closer to Eli, too, even though they have their fair share of fighting. I think they've figured out that life will just be a lot better if they can be allies. 

They had the prettiest horses from a local farm, one that mainly does therapy work for special needs people. It was a no-brainer to pay for a few rides.

This little guy is making me tired. He's so sweet, and funny, and full of life, but man is he difficult. If I say the sky is blue he swears it's green. Every day he doesn't like what I pick out for him to wear (he has these "up pants", aka shorts, that he is obsessed with - I think I'm going to have to literally hide them away until Spring so we don't fight the battle every day). I think we need to re-institute the nap. 

 Eli has really surprised me with his school attitude. I really thought he would be my challenge - but after teaching him how to hold a pencil and crayon he can't stop coloring, and often asks me to start school. It helps that his work is mostly fun - but if I can convince him early that learning IS fun and keep it that way then we all win!

The Sunday after we got back from Jamaica we were hanging out with some friends after church at Wendy's. Mary Jo had a scary little episode that we think was a seizure - and it made me realize she had done something very similar several months ago. I was taking Sadie to the doctor for a well check the following day, anyways, so I added Mary Jo on. He wanted her to have an EEG and see a neurologist. We had the EEG done this morning - she was enjoying having Mommy and Daddy to herself until she had to get 22 leads glued to her head. None of my children will just relax in my arms and fall asleep very easily, especially in that situation, so I hope they got what they needed for the study. We meet with the neurologist Monday - and I'm preparing myself for a "wait and see" diagnosis - in other words he probably can't diagnose it as seizures and we'll just have to watch her to see if she does it again.  

This was after the EEG this morning waiting outside the hospital for our car - she had recovered and was her usual spunky self. She's not giving us any other reasons to be concerned - she's trying to talk in sentences and repeats everything we say. Whenever I read a book or Steven picks her up to dance with her she quickly says "gain" (again) so we'll keep on going. As we head to put her to bed at night she always says "sing...ah ah me" (sing, Jesus loves me). She clearly says Sadie and Eli, her two favorite siblings. David still has some winning over to do after his abuse in the first year, although they've started playing together some lately. Whatever is going on in her little brain I know that she's in the Lord's hands and I trust Him, He knows how precious she is to us - she's His child, first. I'm thankful to the One that made us, sustains us, and gives us peace when we are tempted to worry. Jesus said in John 16.33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world."   

Jamaican me Crazy!

Steven and I were married for 10 years in March and decided to take a big anniversary trip - I put it off until September so I didn't have to rush weaning Mary Jo, plus I wanted to be sure she was sleeping through the night before I left our Moms to deal with that for a week. I felt like I prepared for the trip the entire month - I did lesson plans in advance, made freezer meals, pulled out the kid's winter clothes. Sometimes vacations with little children (even when they don't travel with you!) feel like they're more trouble than their worth - but this one was NOT! We're kinda boring, I guess, because after looking online at some other all-inclusive resorts we just decided to go back to the same resort we went to on our honeymoon - which is still absolutely wonderful. The resort had grown about twice as big as it was when we went 10 years ago but still had the same open, peaceful feel. Here is a picture of the outside of our unit, there are several of these with about 12 rooms a piece. 

 Here is the inside of the room - I love the open windows and private balcony - and maybe the maid service more than anything else. Something I don't think I cared about as much 10 years ago - but someone making up my bed and tidying up my room not once, but TWICE a day? That's paradise!  

Neither one of us are very good at selfies - this is the best Steven could do. It was sad to leave the kids and I had some dear friends praying for me to keep my anxieties at bay, but we quickly remembered how to enjoy each other's company again without the many distractions of every day life. For the first time in 13 years (since he started working) Steven actually turned his phone off. He didn't get an email, text, or voicemail for almost a week! He and his phone really needed that space. And I enjoyed his attention immensely!  

 I really am such a foodie - I got excited about every meal. I worked hard to get my weight down for this trip then went and ate whatever I wanted for 6 days - thankfully the scale was more merciful than I was expecting when we got back. The food was absolutely delicious - I don't think I felt hungry the whole time we were there (we just ate the next meal because it was time to :)).  I counted up the number of meals I normally prepare, serve, and clean up in a typical day at home and was so thankful for the break. This is a picture of dessert one night.... cheesecake I think? It was just such a pretty arrangement!

Ten years ago we were there in April - I of course had been tanning some so I wouldn't be pasty white at our wedding, Steven had not. So, of course,.he got an awful sunburn on that trip and had to go to bed early one night with sun poisoning. I guess I was being nostalgic but I was a little skimpy with the sunscreen for myself the first couple of days on this trip and I got pretty pink on my back - add that to a jellyfish sting and I was miserable for a few hours. One thing they still have at the resort is a lot of activities available at no extra charge, one of them being a Sunset Catamaran Cruise. Steven remembers wearing this same shirt on the same excursion 10 years ago. What a cutie I married. 

This was our view - it really must be one of the most beautiful beaches in this world. I couldn't help but marvel at the awesome power of our Lord, the colors he gave us and the amazing views, it's hard to capture in pictures. 

This was my favorite place to be. With a book, of course. Then when it gets hot you can take the white squishy seat off and float on it in the ocean or pool. It's just perfect. 

We met some nice people, enjoyed playing raquetball (I'm terrible), ate way too much, talked about how much has happened in our lives in the past 10 years. We are so thankful for the blessing of marriage - that God saw fit to bring us together all those years ago. I think we're more in love than we were 10 years ago (sorry to get mushy).   

I can't possibly post without talking about the kids - they did great and were well taken care of by their grandparents (all 4 had a part, and Aunt Leslie! It takes a village with this crew). If not for family I couldn't have left them, so thanks especially to our Moms! We were able to Facetime with the kids a few times which was great to get to see them, and they see us and where we were. The little 2 did not understand, I know, and David has been a little unhappy with me since we got back. I tried to show him some pictures today and he just threw the phone down. Hopefully they'll understand one day that a marriage needs time, too. And he wouldn't be here without ours! I'm getting back in the groove of everyday life - missing the maid and the food from Jamaica. The maid and cook here is just not very good. :)

Goodnight!