A Year

Oh what a difference a year makes!  This has been the most difficult year in a long time for us.  I remember driving to UCLA when Mia was a baby multiple times a week and then as she got older and her health was more stable, there were less visits.  We reached a point of only driving down there every few months.  That was so nice.  Then this past year, her seizures have returned and we can't seem to get them under control and because she's having some growth spurts, her scoliosis has worsened.  It seems like combined with me trying to teach school, teach my own children, be a wife, be a mom, the extra doctor visits had just pushed me over my limit.  I was barely making it.  I look back and can see that it is only because of God's grace and care over me that I did make it. 

Anyway, we decided as a family, that I need to cut some things out and so the first one to be cut was me teaching.  After two years of part time work, I am back to being a full time mom.  I'm thankful that we are able to do that because I know not all families are able to make that work.  Since I am not working, only Mia will be staying at Legacy.  The boys will be starting a homeschool program called Engineering for Kids.  It's two days a week and they will be doing math/science stem projects at their program.  They will learn some basic computer programming and since their teacher has a passion for art, they will also get some art lessons when they are there.  Seems like a dream kind of school to me, especially for my math/science oriented boys.  Then on their off days, they will be home with me and I will be teaching them all their other subjects.  This is very similar to the Legacy schedule and we seemed to thrive with that, so I'm looking forward to tailoring their needs on their off days.  Mia will also be at Legacy on the same two days that they are at the EFK's program, so that means that this mama will get two days to do her own appointments and even go to the grocery store alone! 

As for Mia, we have had some different doctor consults about her scoliosis and we are going to send away to a few other doctors for one or two more opinions and we will go from there.  Prayers for wisdom would be so appreciated with this!  And prayers for a new medicine that we are about to start for her seizures would be welcomed also.  Thankfully her seizures aren't debilitating at this point, but none the less, we would like zero seizures. 

Look at how big these kids have gotten!

Happy 5th Birthday Asher!

This year Asher wanted an icecream cone themed birthday party, so he got cupcakes in the icecream cones.  They turned out cute.  Isn't he getting so big?!

Pumpkin Patch!

Do you know how hard it is to get one kid to look at the camera and smile?  Well, try 3.

This is the best we got!

Happy 10th Birthday Mia!

This year we had a quiet birthday at home for Mia.  We had family come over and she had a game night for her birthday where everyone played games with her.  She is a game lover, so this was right up her ally!  Here are some pics from her birthday. 

The horse was supposed to go on the cake, but it was too heavy!

Off to the side is just right!

So sweet!!!!

Everyone wrote on the chalkboard what they love about Mia.  :)

Happy 7th Birthday Calvin!

Dearest Calvin,

Today is your birthday!  Today you are 7!  It's hard to believe that the little baby we took home from the hospital is growing up into such a nice, young boy.  You have a zest for life and learning and we love it!  You are inquisitive about so many wonderful things and really enjoy learning about science topics, like dinosaurs, animals, and space. 

Today is also Solar Eclipse day.  The first Solar Eclipse that the United States has seen in many years.  That's kind of neat that your birthday ended up being the day of the Solar Eclipse.  We watched it live on the NASA streaming page and went outside and looked at crescent shadows on the ground.  We watched the world turn a little bit darker in our town, but not completely because we weren't in the path of totality. 

Saturday was your party, an ocean themed party.  You had so many nice friends come for the party.  It was a fun time and there are some pics of your cake (which was decorated partially by you) and the games played. 

This year you start 1st grade and we are so excited for the things you will learn.  We love you so much Sonshine!

All our love,
Mommy, Daddy, Mia and Asher

The octopus was intended as a bean bag toss game, but then you and your friends quickly figured out that it was perfect as a stage prop for taking pics in!