I miss writing!
I have to remind myself that at the very least, I want this to be a repository for the boys to have in the future. That’s my primary motivation. I also have to give myself grace for not finding the time to write more consistently.
Here are a few quick snippets of what’s been going on. I plan on writing more in detail about things soon. Really, I mean it!
- Welcome Oakley!!! This little cutie has turned our lives upside down – in a good way! He came home to us in August. In the same way living with Graham has opened up the special needs world to me, Oakley has opened up the dog world to me. I’ve had 3 dogs before, but I was always out of the home working and raising human babies so I didn’t take the time to do all of the things that dog mommies do. I can’t look at him and not smile.
- Alex got his driver’s license. And voted in his first election. And is in his senior year and doing all of the things seniors do to get ready to go to college. Big, big year for him. I tell moms who have younger kids to enjoy every morning they get to snuggle up and wake up their children in their rooms. It really does go by fast. Apparently, I blinked.
- Joshie is preparing to go to high school next year. This year he grew taller than me, so I am now officially the shortest person in the house. He no longer plays cello since the strings teacher at school left and hasn’t been replaced but has been keeping up with running both track and cross country. He refuses to place any of his school books in his locker and therefore carries around a backpack that feels like it’s weighted down by bricks. Why, oh why?
- Graham’s home program that’s been focused on teaching him that aggression towards others or himself is not an option has been winding down. Our funds for financing it are just about wiped out. We are currently in the process of transitioning to phase 2. Details to come soon. I wish we could keep the current staff that we have – they’ve made so much headway with him! People like to get paid though, ha.
- Hubby is enjoying his new career as a chaplain. I think he misses many aspects of being a pastor. The nice thing is that one of his priorities is meeting and spending quality 1:1 time with hurting people. Even though he is there to support and encourage patients and families, many times it is them that is encouraging to him. I’m really proud of him.
- Next week is Thanksgiving! My favorite holiday of all (tied with Easter). We are so very excited to have our friends – the Vickerys – travel out to stay with us for a few days. Seems that each visit from out of town friends or family spurs home projects. This time, hubby and the boys re-did the backyard lawn (aka dirt and sharp pokeys — we’ve been in a drought!) which is growing in nicely. We also decided to start on my list of external-front-of-house projects. Pictures and progress soon!
- I have been obsessed with making yeast dough and baking all sorts of different breads, crackers, desserts, etc. It’s so much fun for me. Pictures and recipes soon! I’m navigating my way through the days trying to figure out what my new daily routine is. Between changes in Graham’s home program, new puppy needs, and a new larger washer/dryer set (I’ll explain later!), I have not yet found my groove. Lists. Must make my lists.
- It’s been cold here. And by cold I mean that my home thermostat registered at 61 degrees this morning and my car reported it being 39 degrees outside. (I’m a California native girl – don’t laugh) I’M FREEZING. I think my lips are turning blue. I opened up my dryer after it was done and ooohhhh, I tried to crawl in with all the warm towels. I’m not kidding. But every year, I play a game with myself to see how long I can hold out before turning on the heat. As I went to wake up my little Joshie this morning, I asked him if he was cold and would he like the heater turned on. His eyes lit up and smiled as he said yes, so I said I would. See how that works? I’m totally okay with justifying it for the comfort of my boys.
Till next time!
