Welcome to OUR World!: August 2010

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Enjoying Family Time....

Last Night we got to go to Amazing Jakes and celebrate with the Blaylock clan. After chowing down on the buffet and sugaring up on chocolate cake the kids enjoyed getting to do some firsts and I enjoyed getting to watch. Unfortunately my camera phone wouldnt take pictures of it because it was too dark, maybe we can hijack some from Grandma later : ).

They got to play Lazer Tag with Debi, Daniel, Connor and Rachel (Sean creamed them all by 1000pts), they got to do bumper cars and had a blast, they got to ride the train and the carousel. They rode the spinning cups and the frog hopper, played air hockey.... and played several other games as well, and came home with the best goodie bag ever : )....
It was a GREAT night and we loved every minute of it.

Happy 19th Birthday Michael!!!!

The cousins enjoying some time together.....

The Fam hanging out, eating a bunch and partying down at Amazing Jakes....

(Check Back for More Pics Later)

Thanks Grandpa we had a BLAST!!!!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Meeting Peter......

We got to take a trip up to flagstaff to see cousin Peter (PJ) for the first time. He is such a cutie and the kids just ate him up. It was so fun to see them go gaga over him.

Playtime with PJ.....

Trina and PJ:

We had some other visitors as well, Daddy (James) was there and Grandma Diane came down with Trina and PJ; and then Gamma Roni, Chan Chan, Lori and Osias came up to visit. The kids hadnt seen Lori since she was 3, and we had never met her little brother. It was fun to get to see the kids enjoy playing with each other again.

Peter is the cutest little man, we really enjoyed getting to see him and play with him. Cant wait til we see him again. Love ya PJ <3

It was a great visit, very good to get to see everyone again. Hope to do it again soon. Love ya guys <3

P.S.
We are asking that everyone keep the kids Dad (James) in your prayers. He is up against some major medical stuff and we are hoping that all the upcoming tests, procedures and surgeries go according to planned. Thanks!

Last Hip Hop Dance Class.....

I am a little behind on updates, this is from August 7th

The BFF's Getting ready for their performance.....
They enjoy their weekly dance class and time together so much. Its great to see them both smile : )

(video coming soon)

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!