Rory

We have adopted again. This time, we adopted a precious little kitten named Rory. He has stole our hearts and kept us laughing ever since. Trigger has met his match. They are too funny together! Kolya and Oliver are still getting to know, him, but they both seem smitten. 

First picture I saw of Rory online. We got him from the HVHS. Adopt, don't shop!!

He's messing with Trigger's tail. LOL

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Jimmy turned 31 on November 9th. He now, tells everyone that he is an old man. LOLOL Not sure what that makes, me. HA! We celebrated at home with his Beauty and the Beast cake, pizza and waffle cone ice cream and Reese cup ice cream. Then on Saturday, we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse with Joe. He kept reminding me for the next week or so that it was his birthday, and everyday I told him Happy Birthday! Anything to make him happy! He is a GIFT. 

Jimmy chose Beauty and the Beast for his cake. 😋

He was so excited to get his "Belle jar" :)

He sat on a saddle as they sang to him. Yee Haw!

And right across from our table, was a pic of g. :)

Happy Birthday Jimmy! Love you so much!!

LIFE

I can't believe it's almost December and I haven't posted since October. I find myself more on FB or Instagram more, and neglecting my blog. I keep thinking I need to write some posts with real meaning or some thoughts that I would like someone to know one day, while I'm gone, but instead I get on here and post a bunch of pics because I'm in a hurry to get done. :( Life has been busy, but busy with appointments and sick kids. The holidays are coming quickly and I haven't got much shopping done. The last 7 school days in a row I have had at least one child home sick. I am hoping tomorrow to get some shopping done. I don't work full time anymore. I miss it a lot, but I really don't know how I got anything done when I did. There were days, when I came home and ran without stopping until bedtime. I got no time with the boys, and everything was done in a rush. I was going through the motions but not being able to enjoy the moments. Once I got diagnosed with Idiopathic Hypersomina, it made the days so incredibly hard to get through. To be honest, by the time I got home, I was getting a second wind. But, during the day at school, I was struggling to stay awake. I was completely exhausted, from about 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. That's the main part of my day that I was hit with unbearable tiredness. I went from working lunch duty, to sleeping through my lunch. When the bell would ring after lunch, I wanted to cry, because I knew that the next two hours or more, I would be struggling to stay awake. It was hell. And what made it worse, was I had no idea why I was feeling that way. It didn't matter how much sleep I got, or if I got a nap in. I never felt better. I wasn't diagnosed until about 6 months or so after I resigned from teaching. So now, that I have a diagnosis, there still isn't any help for it. I did a sleep study and it was done really to rule out sleep apnea. I was prescribed a cpap, because there is some data that shows it has helped others with my diagnosis. But, it doesn't help much. I did discover on my own, that if I try and cut most carbs out of my system, that I am a little more energized during the day. And that has been the one thing that I can do for myself. Not working full time, has been such a blessing. It has helped me be able to pace myself, rest if I need to, and most importantly be the mom that I want to be for my boys. I used to stress so much when they got sick. Afraid to miss too much work, but wanting so badly to be home with my sick baby. I had so much guilt when I missed a program at school, or sent them to school, praying they would make it through the day. Now if they are feeling poor, I am able to let them stay home, cuddle them, take them to the doctor if needed. No stress, just being able to care for them the way that they need and deserve. It's just me, so really this time with them, has been like I said, such a blessing. One thing I know, is that I am truly happy. Blessed more than I deserve. Thank you Jesus.

Happy 15th Birthday Caleb!!

I cannot believe that this young man is 15 today. Where did my baby go? I am so proud of him! He is super polite, very kind, and so much fun to be around. He wears glasses, hearing aids, and uses a cpap and is so good about wearing them. He never complains. And he still loves Peppa Pig! So, he had another Peppa Pig cake, but we all love Peppa Pig, so you can't go wrong there. We had planned on going to a pumpkin patch on his birthday, but it was raining all around us, so we headed down to Holland, Ohio where the sun was out and enjoyed the afternoon at a Fall Festival. Then, stopped at McDonald's on the way home (per Caleb's request), and then came home for cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday Caleb! We are so blessed to have you in our family! Mama loves you more and more every day!!

Buddy Walk 2017

We made it to the Buddy Walk this year, and it was a perfect day for it. The boys had a lot of fun! There's music and pizza and so many families to celebrate with us, the blessing of an extra chromosome! 

 

Liam's new chair came in handy for this event.

 It's nicer than the wagon because he is higher up, 

can't get out (nice for the safety aspect)

 and his back is supported.

Our sweet buddy Brandon!

They have a new handicap accessible park this year,

 and the boys enjoyed trying it out!

My handsome Jimmy,

 the young man behind everything wonderful,

 that has happened in my life!

Russian Festival 2017

Everyone has a great time when we go to the Russian Festival. It's so cool to be surrounded by so many people that are form the same country as my children. The food is delicious (Elijah loved the cookies) and the entertainment is fun to watch. :) Everyone is so kind and welcoming and we look forward to going every year.

Liam enjoyed the music!

That face! LOL

Jimmy loves the Russian food. Me too!

Caleb had lots of fun!

This is Elijah's favorite

part every year!

The birds freaked Caleb out a little. 

I did get him to pet one though.

This chicken was so cute and so soft!

Until next year!