They're laying!!

I finally found my first green egg from these layers!! That means that my Easter Eggers are starting to lay AND that at least one of them will lay green eggs. Yay!!

Instruments

And the collection continues . . .

I told Nathan tonight that we need a music room. It's almost gone from a "that would be nice to have someday when we're rich" to a "necessity." For now, here is our music "corner of the living room."

Christmas fun? and Congrats to Craig and Sarah

Last night, Zoey started throwing up, so my plans were shot. I was very excited to do a post about Craig and Sarah being sealed today and have pictures to go along with it, but I'm not there, so no pictures. I am very happy for them and I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there. Congratulations, Craig and Sarah!!

I decided to make the most of my time with my kids and play a game with them. We talked about it and I told them I thought Candyland would be fun to play because it was Christmastime and we get candy at Christmas.

Owen told me that we should play Operation (the kids favorite game lately) because it was more Christmas-y. I was confused for a minute until he explained that Jesus came to earth to help people and in Operation, you are helping people.

Then they decided that they wanted to watch a movie. Owen came up with his new Dinosaur movie (a documentary for kids that has actually taught him more than I ever knew about dinosaurs). He explained that it was also a Christmas movie because the dinosaurs lived a long time ago just like Jesus.

I can't wait to see what else they come up with in the next 5 days that also has to do with Christmas. I must admit, he helps me think of the season in a whole new way.

Karate!

When Owen turned one, I took him in for his well baby visit and the doctor watched him scoot around the office for what seemed like a very long time. He finally told me that he wanted me to see a neurologist to make sure everything was okay. The problem was, Owen would sit up fine, but he would scoot while sitting up. He wouldn't put any weight on his arms. And if you tried to get him to stand up, he wouldn't put any weight on his legs.


I took him to the neurologist and while I was there, his nurse asked if I had tried to get him help through the District Health Office. She got me the paperwork and I filled it out. A few months, and many tests, later; we found out that his speech was great, his small muscles were great, but his large muscles were very much delayed. We began having a physical therapist come out to our house twice a week. She would play with Owen and show me things that I could do with him to strengthen his muscles. He began progressing immediately. Within a few months, she went down to once a week, and finally down to once every other week.

Just before Owen turned three they tested him again and decided that he didn't qualify for help anymore. It was hard to say goodbye to Lisa. She had been a part of our family for a long time, but we were glad that he had progressed so much. He still had a delay, though and things that were easy for other three year olds were still very hard for him. I wanted to help him continue to progress, so I was on the lookout for something to stimulate his large muscle groups.



I kept hearing about a karate class in a town about 10 miles away from us. It was taught by a guy who used to live out here. Finally, the thought wouldn't go away and I called. I actually got to talk to Shon. I told him about Owen and asked if karate would be something to help him. He told me that Owen was a little young for even the youngest kids that he taught, but I was welcome to come and see how he did. He also told me that he had been working with some kids with muscular dystrophy and they had gotten to the point where they could do the karate stances without crutches. The next week we were there and Owen has been taking it ever since. He's doing GREAT!! I've seen a huge improvement in his muscles. He used to walk up and down the stairs with two feet on each step and now he'll walk down normally. He can get into the car or truck without much trouble.


At karate, they have many drills that they do (crab walk, bear crawl, duck walk, etc.) and at first Owen couldn't even make if across the gym when all the other kids would make it there and back. Now he is the last one back, but he usually makes it. All of the instructors have commented on how much he has improved.


The other day I overheard some parents talking about Owen and how slow he was. The mama bear came out in me and I told them about him and how much he has improved. I told them that I was very proud of him and how hard he works. It was hard for me to see others not understanding him and judging him. I haven't heard any more comments.

Karate has been a HUGE blessing to us. Owen loves it and it is helping him so much. I'm glad that I finally talked to Shon and got him in it. My hope is that when he starts kindergarten that he will be able to keep up with his peers, not the most athletic in his class, but just keep up with them. I've seen that that hope might just come true. He's been able to play tag and soccer lately and somewhat keep up. I'm so proud of him!!

Nerf Wars

When we just had Josie, we got adopted by a border collie named Gus. Nathan thought a nerf gun might be a fun way to train him. So, I got him a nerf gun for Christmas. It didn't faze Gus, but Nathan had fun with it. Next, we got a gun that shoots darts, then another ball gun and more dart guns. Finally, last year for Owen's birthday, we got him his own dart shootin' nerf gun. He was ecstatic!! Finally he didn't have to use a cheapy, cast off from Nathan. So, every once in a while, I'll find myself caught in the middle of a nerf gun fight. I'm actually pretty impressed at how well my kids do against Nathan. At first, they would just get upset when they got shot. Then they realized that it doesn't really hurt THAT bad and they could shoot him, too. Now they are to the point where they realize that if he doesn't have any ammunition, he can't shoot them, so they'll spend the time to pick up all the ammunition that he shoots at them until there isn't any left for him. Then, they'll stop the game until Nathan gets his ammunition back and it will resume. I think that's pretty smart for a couple of kids.

Owen's stance.

Nathan stalking the prey.

Jo having fun.

Owen cocking the gun.

Nathan lying in wait.

Everyone getting in on it.

Nathan starts them out young.

Jo hiding. If I can't see you, you can't see me.

Oh, wait, you're taking pictures?

This is my favorite one. Jo is calmly walking up the stairs not knowing what is lurking around the corner.

Personally I think it's great!! The kids love having interaction with Nathan and I think it's a great way for everyone to burn stress and energy. Especially when it's so cold outside.

Sick!!

About a month ago, we all came down with weird sicknesses. The kids all got sore throats and Zoey had horrible diarrhea for about a week. Just as she was getting over it, she broke out in this horrible rash (see the pictures above). It started on her face and moved to her hands and feet, then finally all over her body. It would show up and then within 45 minutes it would be gone and move on to somewhere else. I finally took her into the doctor and they gave her Zurtec and it kept it under control. They figure that she had a reaction to the virus she had. A week later we were back at the doctor where we found out I had strep throat and they ended up treating me and the kids with antibiotics. We were well just in time to go to Utah for Thanksgiving.

Friends

Once a week, I go volunteer at Jo's school while a friend watches Owen and Zoey. Then, later that day, I watch her two youngest while she volunteers in her son's class. She has all boys. It's quite interesting for me to be involved with that many boys. This is her youngest with my Zoey. He loves being in a house that has girls. He always finds the most girly things to play with. Here he has pink Dora sunglasses and he's holding a doll pacifier. He always heads straight for the dolls and the highchair. It's hilarious!! His dad probably wouldn't appreciate knowing that his son is all girl at my house.

Notice the pacifier?