Friday, August 29, 2008

Joshua's First Day of Kindergarten

My kids are just growing up in the blink of an eye. I have a kindergartener! Me. And since it's full day kindergarten, Joshua's gone all day long. I would probably be crying tears of sorrow at the thought of him being gone for the full day (he's been going to preschool for three hours a day since he was three years old), but with this rough move and transition, I was nearing tears of joy. Joshua just needs structure, routine, and is literally addicted to academics--this is just better off for the both of us. I do admit, I was a little nervous--he is being integrated into a typical kindergarten classroom...but the staff seems wonderful and we had such a fantastic FANTASTIC special education staff in Lawrence to prepare him for school, it made me feel a little better. Here's a handsome picture of our little man. He told me he didn't want a picture, he just wanted to head straight to school. (And yes for the ultra-observent people out there--I am wearing a coat, and Joshua is wearing jeans and a hoodie on the first day of school)

Whitney turns 4


Can you believe my baby is 4 years old!? She's grown up so fast. We threw a party for her, inviting some new-found friends from church (the church is great for that). She had a blast--from her Strawberry Shortcake birthday cake, Strawberry Shortcake-themed games to finally getting her own princess dress up, my girl was in heaven. Happy Birthday Whitney, we love you!


Lucky Number 7


On August 17 Steve and I celebrated our seven year anniversary--I can't believe we've been married for seven years! Little did I know seven years ago what surprises, dificulties, and challenges we would encounter...but I'm sure grateful for our two wonderful kids, and such a wonderful husband to meet life's challenges with. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else! I love you Steve!

Meeting baby Benjamin


My parents and little sister came up to visit us on their way to Ontario. They wanted to see the new house--I wanted to see Laura's baby. Isn't he cute!?

Monday, August 11, 2008

Our Life in the Travelling Circus (Complete With Exotic Animals and Ornery Midgets)

Hello all! We finally got our Internet switched so our connection is no longer dial-up-like, and now high speed. We got home from our trip to Utah last Tuesday, and so here is the update I promised.

Leaving Lawrence was sad and stressful. Packing up our entire apartment really made me really REALLY realize I never want to move again. I wanted to pack up all of our stuff, so I would know where everything was when I unpacked. Lesson learned. Next time let the movers do it. Steve actually got a brown recluse bite on his upper thigh. We really didn't know what it was at first, but after the red, white and blue bulls-eye mark turned into a 3.5 inch purplish/brownish bruise looking thing, we suspected a recluse bite. I didn't take a picture, so I don't have one to post. I'm sure Steve wouldn't appreciate a picture of his upper thigh on the Internet anyways. Lucky, it wasn't worse that we had to go to the ER.

I had great friends help clean my apartment so we could get the deposit back. Daina and Lisa I LOVE YOU!!! Thanks for your hard work. I'm missing all of my Lawrence friends dearly.

After ignoring my children for the two weeks before the move, the move itself, and then flying to Utah for a wedding, let's just say...my children were ticking time bombs. Especially Joshua. We left for the airport at 4am, got into Utah around noon, and ran around doing pre wedding stuff the rest of the night, getting back to Steve's grandma's at 10pm. The kids were FANTASTIC on the airplane and going through airport security. I made a picture schedule so they knew exactly what to expect. Too bad there wasn't a picture schedule for the wedding dinner and ceremony the next day. It was 100 degrees in Utah the day of the wedding, and after pictures and not getting lunch until 3pm, Joshua lost it. With some very ticked off caterers and other people who just don't understand autism, it was time for us to go. It was a beautiful wedding though. Christine looked incredible. Congrats to Dave and Christine!

We are finally home, unpacking our house, and trying to get settled. I feel a little out of my element. I don't know where to shop for the best deals for groceries, garage sales, etc. I guess I'll figure it out in time though. I did find something equivalent to freecycle, and picked up a headboard that I want to paint white for Whitney's room. I'll have to post the pics when I'm done with it.

To all you moms out there--why is it that just as you want to slack off a little, because you want a break because you're life has been a little more stressful or out of whack than usual, you can't because you're kids are feeling the exact same way? What can you do so everyone's happy?

Well, I finish this post with some pics from Utah. Enjoy!

The lovely Dave and Christine. Doesn't she look like Keri Russell to you?


Joshua and me taking a break in the heat.


Heidi and Scarlett--beautiful divas as always


Roomies re-unite--me and Sunny--she's due in just a few weeks. Doesn't she look great!?


Elizabeth and me. We share two loves--English and Cooking! It was so good to see you both!