Welcome to OUR World!: July 2009

Saturday, July 25, 2009

The "Suprise" Party for Andrew....

We had a blast today getting to be a part of
Andrews Suprise 8th B-day Lego/Star Wars Pool Party

Laurri had lots of fun games for the kids......

There was....

The Asteroid Find

The Jedi Training Lessons

The Pod Races

And lots of swimming fun

Then it was time for the
Lego Brick Block Cake
(totally cute and super yummy)

And time for
Presents

Thanks for inviting us guys. It was lots of fun, and I enjoyed getting my baby fix with Matthew as well. You're amazing friends and we enjoy the time we get to spend with you.

(Sean is hiding behind the girl in the pink.... Silly Boy)

The kids and their sisters......

This is a couple days later, but the kids got to have some playtime with thier step sisters and baby sisters on the 20th......

This was the first time we got to see the newest edition.....

Its crazy how much Our two and thier two look alike.....

After playing at the house for awhile they went to dinner and shopping with James and Tiffany and the girls..... And came back with a few things for school.... Thanks for the new shoes, we appreciate them. And thanks for the playdate it was fun to get the kids together again.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Legacy Schools on ABC 15....

We are SO excited that the school is being noticed. Channel 15 came to our Mall Space and interviewed our Site Administrator on Friday and it was on the news that evening. Here is the online link. She did such a great job. Stop by and check it out.

Legacy Schools Mall Space on ABC 15

Monday, July 6, 2009

Michael Recouping (7-5-09)

Heres our little trooper enjoying the star treatment he was getting, being waited on hand and foot. Even after a rough night and all the pain he can still smile. Gotta love him, he is such an inspiration.

UPDATE: (7-7-09) Michael is doing well. Tests have been run; an EEG, CAT Scan, MRI and bloodwork. All came back normal. An LP has finally been done successfully and the fluid was clear, still waiting on the results. He now has a blood patch, hoping that will help with the headaches. As the Nuerologist said there may be no answers and that is not a bad thing. Atleast one more night in the hospital to monitor his reaction to the blood patch and then hopefully home tomorrow. Thanks again for all your prayers and well wishes. Loves to you ALL XOXOXOX

Sunday, July 5, 2009

4th of July.....

We had quite an eventful day.....

We started off the day swimming to cool off, it was pretty hot......

Then it was off for a healthy lunch at Subway.....

After a short stop at grandmas and grandpas to veg......

It was off to the movies...... "Up" was AMAZING..... A MUST see.....

Then a shopping trip and heading for a BBQ and Fireworks......

An unexpected change of plans came when we got the call that Michael was on his way to the hospital after having a seizure. We came together quickly to support one another and we are happy to say that he is ok. He is still recouping at the hospital and will be for another couple days while they run tests to see if we can find some answers as to why and where to go from here. Some quick action from Dad was what made sure that he was safe and help to minimize the danger. A scary evening, but much love was shared by all involved. He is such an inspiration. As much pain as he is in (and as out of his element as he is being in the hospital) he is still in good spirits and eating up ALL the attention. He is such a trooper and such a fighter. We thank you ALL for your well wishes and prayers, they are much appreciated. Loves to you ALL and hope that your holiday was AMAZING!!!!

More About Us.....

Sean is doing AMAZINGLY well (considering), If you missed the last couple updates Sean has been diagnosed with Aspergers (High Functioning Autism). It was a tough road to get to that end result, but we are picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off and moving on in the direction that is best for the little man. Always making sure that the end result will be in his best interest.

Sean was able to be a part of a program this last couple years that has helped immensely with his sensory needs, coping mechanisms, language helps and keeping him on track educationally without the chaos of a "normal" classroom getting in the way. He made so many friends, friends that understand him and his quirks and LOVE him despite them. He was finally able to see that there are people out there like him and he is not alone in the world. We were SO blessed to have that oppurtunity. After a couple months of waiting for the new school year and homeschooling he is back in the program at a new campus and loving it (Pieceful Solutions) they are a God send for us. This next school year they are going private BUT due to a scholarship program offered by the state we are able to continue him in this amazing program AND their new campus is right around the corner from us. Couldnt be happier for them or for our little man. New adventures on the horizon. SO exciting! Check back to see how our Aspie survives the new school year at his new campus!!!

Lexi has had a rough school year last year BUT she is LOVING her new school and her new teacher, her and her BFF (in Florida) are enjoying being pen pals still. Miles cannot come between them, they are still forever friends and always have each others backs. Its nice for her to have a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen from someone who is her "two peas in a pod" bud and will always get what she is going through. She loves her and misses her terribly, but they are making it through. They are both SO excited (AND so are us moms) that we will be taking a vacation to Florida in July to see them. Its been over a year and we miss them SO much. Cant wait. It will be a great adventure; first trip to Disney World, first flight and reuniting with great friends.

After a couple months of being homeschooled last year (which really turned out to be a great experience for both of us despite the added stress at times) Lexi is very excited about being back in a brick and mortar school. She is enjoying the cheer and dance club as well and chapel time on Fridays. Its been great for her to make new friends. This year has been tough again, ups and downs with friends. BUT she is learning to make it through and cope with the fact that not everyone is nice and kind all the time. She has had a boyfriend this year and they are adorably cute together. This year has not been without its drama, but we are expecting that to be the new norm as the kids get older. If we can just make it day by day, step by step we will make it through. Keep checking back for updates on her going ons at school and with her friends.

For both kids this new school year is a BIG change and an oppurtunity for them to grown in their own ways, It has been good for them to have much different experiences and growths. As much as they grow apart in some ways they are growing closer in others. Its been a struggle, but a good life lesson for Sean to be attending Lexis class for some parts of the day. Its good to watch her friends reach out to him, and to hear her want to stand up for him with the couple kids that dont understand him. Hopefully this trend will continue and they will remain close. As much as they get on each others nerves, they both know they have each others backs. We have made it through most of the year and in one peice, thats progress in and of itself =) Hoping this will continue next year as Lexi moves onto her Middle School Campus and Sean moves onto his new campus. This will be the biggest change ever for them, Two totally different schools, new adventures around the corner.

Brandon has been working hard and traveling ALOT (still, some things never change). We have been VERY blessed that he has been able to keep steady work this last couple years or so with the economy the way that it is. And we are hoping that it just stays that way. He is looking forward to our vacation this summer and a break from work. He is getting close to burn out but hanging in there. He is AMAZING and we appreciate the hard work that he does for our family. We love him dearly and miss him like crazy!

As for me: I have been enjoying just being a mom and having the oppurtunity to help my kids learn and grow this last year or so. I was blessed with the oppurtunity to give them all of me and everything they needed this last year. And they blessed me right back with a few lessons I needed to get out of life on perserverance and endurance. I love those guys to peices; and none of it would have been possible without the hard work of my loving husband. He is amazing, and although things arent always perfect between us he never gives up and always fights hard to provide us with everything we need. I love him more than words can describe.

I am looking forward to this school year and being able to take a more stand off approach. Still being involved but seeing how much they can flourish on their own. Still being there to help them with homework and attend their fieldtrips and events. Still helping occasionally in the class, but allowing them space to thrive. The stand off approach has been good for all of us, they are settling into that well. They know I am around when they need me but they are becoming much more independent. Love those little monkies!