Off to School!

Devin this morning waiting for the bus. He only teared up three times before his first day of school, so I consider that a success! I cried like a baby watching their bus drive away.



I hope Antonio will take good care of his brother *Ü* Kate misses them both already.

Not sure what I'll do today. Laundry needs to be done, and some phone calls regarding Kate's adoption will be made. Other than that, it's quiet around here. Well, as quiet as it can be with a toddler getting into everything. Ahh, such is life.

Nothing exciting to share this time. Just a few pictures.



This was taken on my 40th birthday. The Wii was telling me I'm 40. The nerve!! I don't need a machine reminding me of how old I am!!!



Here's Kate this morning


Kate a couple weeks ago


Antother one of Antonio's KNex creations. This is some kind of motorized vehicle. He built a carnival ride last night. I'll have to get pictures of that too.

I don't even have a picture of Devin right now. I know, I'll take one in the morning, because tomorrow he'll be starting his first day of public school. We had two IEP meetings last week and they are going to be taking very good care of him. He'll have all his needs met and then some! He'll be in 4th grade like Antonio but in a different classroom. He'll have lots of one on one time with a special education teacher to get him caught up on some academics. He's had so much regression the past two years from being sick and in the hospital every month. We're just going to take it slow and easy with him because he's still getting sick every month, and we don't want to push him. At this point we just want him to go to school and have some interaction with other children and make some friends. He needs to learn to be a productive member of society, and let his illness become secondary to that.
Kate is getting into trouble. Gotta run!!!

Menu Plan Monday

Good Monday morning! I trust we're all getting back into life as normal after Christmas. We had a wonderful time this year at my sister and brother-in-law's new house. My sister has quite a knack for hostessing, and she really outdid herself this year! She hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas at their house! Christmas was a rare occassion this year, as we had both of my parents in attendance (they are divorced) with their spouses, and my brother and sister and I, all together in the same house. Over the years we've all been in separate places, living in different states or spending the holiday's apart, so this Christmas was extra special. A big thanks to Todd and Missy for making this happen!

Here is my menu for the week.

Sunday-spaghetti, salad, apples or applesauce

Monday-chicken breasts on the George Foreman Grill, rice, broccoli, peaches

Tuesday-crock pot beef stew with tons of veggies, buttered noodles or bread, and mandarin oranges for the children

Wednesday-Chinese for hubby, Culver's for Kate and me, and McD's for everyone else

Thursday-The Duggar Family Tater Tot Casserole, corn and pears

Friday-tacos with all the fixin's

Saturday-C.O.R.N. (clean out refrigerator night)

For more menu ideas, head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie.

I'm sure I'll also be baking some cookies one day. My favorite that no one else in the family likes are these no-bake cookies. Unfortunately, I end up eating way too many by myself. Oops *Ü*

On Wednesday Devin will be getting his new power wheelchair. Meriter Home Health is delivering it to our house, and since he won't need it much until summer, we'll take it to school and let him learn to use it there. He'll need to learn to manuver around corners, desks, and people, and he might get tired from walking between classrooms, after gym class, recess, etc, so it's better just to keep it there. I'll try to get some pictures of him with it soon.

Also, be sure to check out my Tupperware store while you're here. Just click on the flashing Tupperware logo on the sidebar. There are sale items ending soon, so make sure you take advantage of the bargains while you can!

In Christ,
Kristine *Ü*

Look What I Did!!

Look over on the side bar at that flashing Tupperware logo. I am now an official Tupperware consultant! Yay!!! As of Saturday, December 27th, I have become a proud seller of Tupperware brand products. I am so excited! I have been wanting to do this for a long time now, and with my husband's help and support, I made the leap!
My grand opening party is January 10th at 6pm in my home. I have invited a few friends and family and am really excited. I, myself have never been to a Tupperware party so this will be a first for me.
If you would like to view the catalog online, and would like to order some good, quality household products, click on the flashing Tupperware logo to go to my very own Tupperware website. It is easy to go through and see what is offered and what is on sale. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Enjoy your shopping!! *Ü*

She Did It!!!

My big girl Kate went potty on her new potty seat today!! She has been staying dry longer and longer during the day, and this afternoon before nap she was still dry from the morning, so I put her on the potty and told her what to do. All of a sudden I heard a little tinkle, tinkle....then a bigger tinkle! I started laughing and clapping and screamed for everyone to come and we all clapped and cheered her on. She smiled really big and was quite pleased with herself. I know this is only a small start, and I'm not expecting miracles, but I was just so excited for her. My baby is really growing up. Waaaaaaaaahhhh!!!

Perspective!

During these economically tough times, many of us are considering ourselves poor. By American standards, yes, my family is poor. But, by the rest of the world's standards, I am rich! I have food in my pantry and clean water to drink. I sleep in a cozy bed at night while the heat from the furnace keeps us all toasty warm. We have a vehicle that takes my husband to and from his job every day. My children are getting a good education. If we are sick we can go to the doctor whenever we want. My blessings are too many to count. Wow. God is so good.


http://www.godtube.com/diostebendiga

Still Among the Living

It's been way too long since I've updated this blog! I am thankful to say that there's been a whole lotta nothin' going on over here. That's why I haven't had much to say I guess. It's nice to have a break in the action for once.
Last week we went to Devin's cyclic vomiting specialist in Milwaukee. Devin is cycling anywhere between 18-22 days; not around the first of every month like I was thinking. The doctor increased some of his meds and decreased some others, and added some new recommendations. It was a good visit. We did find out however, that Kate is car sick! She threw up the first time an hour into our trip, then twice more before we got to Milwaukee. It's a good thing I'm always prepared for throw ups, huh? I never go anywhere without a bowl and a change of clothes. This time it was poor little Kate using it instead of Devin. I just happened to have some of Devin's Zofran (anti-nausea medication) in my purse, so we asked the doctor if we could give her some for the ride home. It's a very safe drug, and we were told we could give her a very small dose, and thankfully she did fine. The doctor said that motion sickness usually goes along with migraines, we had better keep an eye on Kate. I wonder if she's already been having headaches though, because sometimes she lays her blanket on the floor and hits her head softly on it. She's been cranky and totally out of sorts lately. It could be her molars coming in too. You never know, because it's so hard when they can't talk to tell you why they're in pain.
Devin is in an episode today. He started last night around 7pm. We are praying hard that he'll be able to make it to Todd and Missy's for Thanksgiving. Even if he's still not 100% better, I'm sure Missy wouldn't mind him laying on a couch and his fluids and pump have a backpack with it, so we could take that along too. It's just getting him there would be the tricky part. We'll have to see what the next two days bring though.
Antonio is home sick from school today with a sore throat and a low-grade fever. He must not be too sick though, because he managed to pull himself together enough to play the Wii! Lord willing, he'll go back to school tomorrow.
Yesterday we had a good measure of snow fall here, and I took Devin and Kate outside to play in it. Kate didn't know what to think of it all, but I think she had fun in the sled at least.
Well, maybe she didn't like it too much after all. She doesn't look too happy does she?


Looking out my front door at all the snow.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Love,

Kristine *Ü*