I have had a goal for weeks to write something meaningful on here, but if I am at my computer, I usually get a couple of items accomplished and then I'm interrupted with no chance to finish the other tasks. Today cleaning, meals, laundry, shopping and more will wait. My growing up baby has her hand under her chin and is breathing loudly, though soundly in my arms, asleep. (I'll take advantage of the rare nap in my arms and just type one-handed!) She has had another round of Dr. visits and will be getting some lab work done this week. The GI dr. thinks she will be getting a bariatric x-ray on my tiny girl soon, but the concern of exposure to radiation to us is higher than my concern of problems for this happy, active, intelligent, willing to eat most foods, strong willed little person. Does that even make sense? I go back and forth daily on what I should do and whether there is anything wrong. I don't want to spend my time ranting about a dr. who makes me feel less than I am whenever we visit (which is not often thankfully).
I also don't want to complain about a bureaucratic system that cannot help children with delays because they are not delayed enough or don't fit into the right parameters. I am grateful that for now my four year old is "highly functioning"ish. But I realize that he is almost five and has a low chance of fitting into a normal classroom environment and being happy and actually learning there. But, he is progressing. He is enjoying a structured preschool environment with teachers with whom he has a strong, happy relationship, great therapists who want to see him succeed, and a family who is learning strategies of patience, cooperation and love. He has his own gifts and abilities that will help him get through life.
I also have worries about my "spirited" now seven year old. But while some of the dylexia concerns are starting to be allayed, I wonder if there are ADHD issues playing into his struggles, or if he is moving toward the "gifted" spectrum which has such a variety of parameters too, and character traits that aren't always typical. He is a wonderful kid who tends to keep us all moving and loud enough to match his constant volume and exuberance.
And on to the almost 11 year olds (now 11, since once again I was interrupted before finishing something!) who have been officially categorized as gifted for the past two years, but are just finally seeming to find their niche among peers and gaining confidence in some of their abilities. They had such a great time at science camp recently and they really enjoy their teacher and her style of exciting teaching. Their class recently performed another set of plays (these were not a musical this time), and they performed in a school band concert, playing the clarinet and the trumpet (you may guess which child played which instrument). They are also transitioning into a new level of abilities in their music/piano instruction and they are leaving me in the dust with chords and styles I have never learned.
Since I can't even keep up with the normal daily tasks anymore with our household of busyness, I have a hard time justifying any extra time sitting at my computer, so I apologize if I don't update this blog or check facebook or call, or any of those other nice ways to be in contact with others. I figure this crazy phase of life may not last forever, so I'm just focusing on the needs of my little mess-makers, trying to convince them that no one wants to live with a slob (though at times I wonder if that's what I am when I set down a half finished meal to chase an escaping child out the door, or throw an item out of the way as I scramble to pull someone out of a predicament, or stuff one more item into the trash because I don't have time to empty it because we're already late for somewhere).
Life has been crazy for our breadwinner lately as he scrambles to meet suddenly decided deadlines, attend late night, early morning and out of state meetings, and not feel isolated while surrounded by people in cubicles, but we're looking forward to the chance when he can bring home some bacon and actually eat it with us too. He's always great about jumping in and helping out with homework, dinner, dishes, bedtime, etc. when he can.
Staying healthy has not been easy now that winter has actually sort of arrived here (our garden is now mostly decimated), but at least I seem to be the only one who has no voice, even though the congestion just seems to linger for everyone. It is a humbling experience to go Christmas caroling and just have to mouth the words. I have more sympathy for croaking frogs now, and I hope that I don't sound like this forever (especially since I'm supposed to teach a Relief Society lesson next week in church about the Savior).
I love this time of year, but many of the traditions we have done in years past have not been happening this year. We'll see if our advent calendar opening, treat making, party attending, music playing, mega shopping, card writing, picture sending, gift creating, movie watching traditions are what make our season bright or if we can be happy even if we don't do it all. I am still okay with keeping a tradition of celebrating my birthday later in the day, but I'll even let that one go if it's going to detract from the real reason why this time of year is special. It really needs to be all about our Savior and remembering the gifts he has given to us and continues to give to us, and gifts we can give to him to keep him as the focus in our lives.
Have a wonderful holiday! (Maybe I'll actually post some pics on here sometime--we'll see!) :)
