What We've Been Up To...

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to post.  Life has been crazy as Toby had two hospital stays in April. One for low lung volumes, atelectasis, and backed-up intestines.  The second was for VEPTR - Part II on April 23rd.  So far the rods are staying in place even though they you can visibly see them in his back, they aren't causing any skin issues.  I know prayer is keeping them in place.

So, what else is going on?  All the boys are out of school for the summer.  Toby finished preschool, and will start kindergarten in the fall. 

It's amazing how much he's grown.  This morning, I found him sitting up in bed for the very first time since his back surgery.  He also put on his pants by himself, and is very slowly becoming more independent.  One of my big focuses for the summer are his independence and participating in chores around the house.  We'll also work on keeping up his academic skills, small motor, etc.

The older two boys are also done with school.  Alas, I'm an awful photographer and forgot to take a photo of them on the last day of school (but I will soon, and then I'll have to pretend like it was the last day of school).  Conor won an award for his Regional Invention Convention.  He won a $50.00 scholarship for "Superior Product Innovation."  

The Friday of Memorial Day weekend.  Bruce took Conor and Garrett to the Indy 500 - to see the Firestone 100.  It's like the "Minor Leagues" of the Indy 500.  Bruce said the speedway alone is an amazing sight to see.  Then, the race itself was really fun to watch; it was something out of the first Cars movie, but in real life.  Here's the link:  Firestone 100- it had a really close finish, but I don't want to spoil it for you.  You really should watch it.

Toby also lost his very first tooth.  I was amazed he didn't swallow it.  I was also amazed that he let me pull it out so easily.  I was so proud of him, especially because eating, chewing and moving it around with his tongue have helped it come out so easily - all things that we are working on in getting him to increase his tolerance for solid foods.

We also planted a few flowers and a mini-garden - a few tomatoes, peppers, etc.

Last, but certainly not least, after much prayer, and light reading:

...We are going to home school in the fall.  At first we are starting with Conor, Garrett, and Caris will do some preschool activities too.  The bug bit me last fall when the boys went back to school.  I really missed them, and began to pray about it.  After around a three-four month wrestling match with God, I surrendered to His call.  The biggest reason: God is truly calling me to it.  The other reasons are to have more time with them - to teach them, disciple them, and truly know them. I feel like after they get home from school they are getting the worst of me, and I get the worst of them.  Where does Toby fit in with all of this?  Not sure just yet - kindergarten so far is two full days one week and three full days the next.  I'm praying on the other days, I will have time to do some home school things with him too, and maybe we can dive in with him the following year.  I want more time with him too, but beginning this home school journey with a 5th grader, a 3rd grader, and Toby's special needs felt too overwhelming - like diving into an ocean.  So, we are going to start off this way and then go from there.  I have more to share about this journey, and my new organizational planning for the summer to prepare us for the fall, but it will have to wait...my bed is calling my name.