They love-

Josie loves, loves, loves-

• Swimming
• S'mores
• Bob Marley (still)
• drawing
• her sister
• twirling
• building tents out of the coffee table
• riding in the combine
• Bunny
• going out to eat

Marie loves, loves, loves-

• ice cream
• her sister
• Daddy
• sleeping in mommy/daddy bed
• dancing
• her bird blanket
• reading books
• going someplace (until she realizes she has to be strapped into her car seat to get there)
• peachy o's
• bath time

They both love mermaids. This morning I dressed Marie in a hand-me-down tanktop with a mermaid embroidered on the front.
Josie, as soon as she saw it: "Mommy, I LOVE that tank top, I want one like that".
Me: "Josie, it used to be yours when you were two".
Josie: "Well, I love it and I need it now".
Me: "I don't think it will fit you".
Tears begin to well up in her eyes and she does that thing with her mouth that lets me know she might just wail about this tank top issue.

Me: "I'm sure Marie would let you touch her mermaid whenever you want". Add that to my list of sentences I never thought I'd say.

Moving, finally!

Yesterday I packed the first box and took it to the new house! This has been a long time coming. Carpets are cleaned, I need to finish washing kitchen and utility room cabinets and then we're done with cleaning. I'm going to work on slowly moving over small, non essential stuff. Like, Josie's entire closet. That kid has more clothes....

So, we're moving!

Yesterday I took Jo to swim lessons at 5 and Marie and I got in the pool too! This was Marie's first time in the swimming pool and she loved it. The moment we were in she started talking and yelling and didn't stop smiling the entire time. She got chilly after about 15 minuets so we weren't in long but she adored every minuet. As soon as she was warm again she wanted back in. Stinker.

Sunday we went to Home Depot and stopped at McDonald's for dinner after. Josie got to play on the play place and after she was done, Daddy helped Marie play too. They have a piano that kiddos can walk on and Daddy helped her "walk" her tiny feet across. She was so funny, and huge smiles the entire time.

I am so grateful for the moments we get to see her doing normal kid stuff. Its amazing how a trip to the pool or playing at McDonald's are such huge deals for Marie. She is after all a normal kid, and I'm grateful for Luke and for the opportunity to help her do regular kid things.

So, we're moving and I will be a busy Mama this week. This morning we need to get rolling because I'm going to the beauty shop to get my eyebrows done (finally, yay!) and then Jo has gymnastics and I'm going to try to fit a little cabinet scrubbing in there too!

It's been cooler and rainy here. This is perfect weather for filling the heads on the wheat, and it looks beautiful. If you can imagine, it's like the fields around the Emerald City. Miles and miles of emerald green. We've had a few more severe thunderstorms but luckily everything has missed us so far and we haven't seen the White Combine as Luke calls it (hail). Lord, please don't jinx us by my saying it out loud.

I had my two week checkup for Baby last Thursday and all is still looking good. We're 31 weeks today, 9 weeks until Baby arrives.

Ugh! I'd better get moving! Nothing like racing around like a crazy woman (truth be known I love every minuet and so does Rie, she loves being busy)!

Need to brag on my Rie...

I just got Dr M's write up from Marie's recent neurology appointment. His overall impression is, and I quote "Leigh's Disease with actual improvement in neurologic picture".

GOD IS GOOD!!!

Chinese food, flowerbeds, sleepy heads...

The title is sort of my day in a nutshell. We are going to pick up Chinese and have a picnic with Daddy at the new house. There are times that it amuses me, I am 150 miles from the closest Target but I have Chinese food a few blocks away. In a tiny farm town in NE Colorado. Whatever, that was random.

This morning we were at the new house working on flowerbeds. They have not been tended in at least a few years. I feel a little like a detective, "what is that plant", "who would put that here", "why are there so many f---ing mums?". I didn't say the last one out loud, I try to only curse in my head. It's a lot of work. I'm getting there but honestly don't think I'll be done getting the beds up to speed until next week. That said, I'm a pretty lucky girl that my pressing chores include gardening, filling nail holes in the walls at this house, and touch up painting. My life is simple:)

Marie loves, loves, loves this new routine. The last two days of spending the morning outdoors at the new house, home for lunch, a nap and then going out again in the evening is her cup of tea. She loves being on the go, and she is lovin' this sunshine. She's still napping now, I need to wake her up. Little Mama went down at 1:30 and it's 5:15. That is a healthy nap. I love to see her get some really good, peaceful sleep. I don't know if it's a side effect from the damage to her brain from the Leigh's or what, but sometimes restful sleep is hard for her to come by.

Miss Josie is also loving the warm weather, mostly because I let her wear flip flops to preschool. I know, I am unbelievably cool. We are barefoot people, if we play our cards right Marie, Josie and I may not wear socks again for at least three months. Wouldn't that be fantastic?

This is a little rambling, I'm a little tired and sunburned, sitting here feeling number 3 wiggle around and getting ready to sort of wrap up this day. I hope that everyone has enjoyed this warm stretch as much as we have been! I've got my camera in the car and am going to try very, very hard to snap a few picks of the new house tonight. Luke's been hard at work with his Dad's help, it looks a lot different than it did before already.

What's really gone on at our house this week?

So, I've been emotional this week. I think that's okay... Luckily it's only part of my day, the time that I vent here. The rest of the time life is happening all around me. In no particular order, this is what's been happening here this week!

• I decided that I *might* overuse commas, just, a, little, bit.

• Josie hurt her toenail at church awhile ago. Her right be toenail to be specific. She caught it under a door and it nearly ripped completely off. A new one is starting to grow out, but the old nail was hanging by a thread and she was constantly snagging it, and it hurt, and it would bleed and there would be D.R.A.M.A. So, I decided it was time to clip it off. I tried, and she kicked my hand away, screamed, and cried. I tried again after getting her beloved Bunny for her to hold. No dice. Finally, after 15 plus minuets of negotiations just so I could help her by clipping this dead toenail off I gave in. I admitted that there were Peeps hidden in the basement and if she'd just be good and let me get that nail off she could have one. Feeding your children marshmallows at 9 in the evening right before bedtime= results.

• I have got to do something about the back of Marie's hair. It's a mess. She's constantly getting these little dreadlocks. I need to get it cut, but it's so pretty I hate to. The plus side is that Marie thinks it's absolutely hilarious when you try to brush her hair and she giggles the whole time.
  

• I considered banging my head into the wall this morning after Josie threw up and I discovered she has a fever. Again. I decided against the head banging because I would like to sell this house and a buyer might think the dents are unattractive.

• I get heartburn every time I drink milk or eat chocolate. It is not fair, I want those things. I keep trying to eat them, keep getting heartburn, and then keep hoping maybe that will change. It is a vicious cycle. I thought about soy milk, but it's just not the same.

• I am so sick and tired of snow, cold, wind, colds, bugs, and the fact that my buds on the crab apple probably froze off this morning. I'm finished with winter. God, I know you're listening. I would like a different season now.

• I learned that I cannot go to the beauty shop without buying nail polish. I always have the best intentions, I don't need yet another color. Besides, by now I'm just buying another of a color that I already have it just has a different name on the bottle. I ran in to get my eyebrows done and came out with a hot pink that Josie and I can't wait to put on our nails. I think I have a problem. It's called "Feelin' hot, hot, hot". I was sold.

• I caved and used the money I have been saving to buy a much-nicer-than-I-actually-need new digital camera to instead buy a glider for the baby's room, and rugs for my new entry and dining room. Luke and his boring practical-ness are getting to me. I have decided I will just start saving again because I want that camera. I am having my third baby and will finally have a chair to nurse in, now I'll have no excuses for sleeping all night in the recliner like I did when Marie was a newborn.
  

• Marie ate a 1/2 a peanut butter cookie all by herself yesterday. I just crumbled it to bits and she loved it! Little monster :)

• Josie wrote on her marker board all by herself "I am mad at Dad". The then changed it to "I am sad at Dad". Now it reads simply "I am happy". I don't really know what he did to tick her off, but apparently they resolved it.
  

• As evidenced by my purchase of the glider and rugs, I have not succeeded at giving up online shopping. I think it's okay, this Lent God has tested me in other ways. Jesus keeps being what I come back to as the answer. I'm learning, I'll call that progress, and I think the Lord's okay with that.

• That said, I've been spending way to much time on Etsy. Dont' look, you'll wind up spending money.
  

Happy Birthday Marie!!!

Happy Birthday to our amazing, sweet, naughty, full of life and joy girl! We are so blessed to have you in our lives and cherish every moment spent with you!
Love,
Daddy, Mommy, and big sister Josie



Shots of the birthday girl this morning all smiles and spunk!

Clean bill of health.

Yesterday Josie passed her hearing test with no problems. She hears just fine and there was no trace of fluid in her ears. The doctor believes that when her hearing tests took place she likely had a cold and fluid in her ears thus the test wasn't accurate. He thinks that every time Josie gets a cold it probably settles in her sinuses (I agree) and she just won't hear as well during those times.

He said not to worry about random ear infections either, which is happy news. Her patches on her eardrums from the removal of her tubes last May healed nicely, and there's no need for us to go back.

Soooooo nice! A worry lifted, one less doctor to see, and it's good to know Josie is hearing us!

On a side note, Marie was so much fun yesterday. I did wind up going into Wal-Mart with Luke and Josie, but I put Marie in her sling (it's a Peanut Shell) and we walked through. We picked up diapers and were checking out the baby clothes. They had a little t-shirt and leggings outfit hung right at Marie's eye level and she reached out with her hand to touch the flowers on the t-shirt. She was so excited, and was able to reach with her hand and actually make contact with what she was aiming for. She seemed to like the pink and red combo better than the green and blue. It was so much fun to see her excited about something though! She does interact with the world, she does notice things, and when she wanted to she reached right for it.

I am so amazed and humbled by this child that I honestly believed would be in Heaven by now at this time last year. She is something else. My Marie... I absolutely adore her. God is so GOOD!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Father for the blessing of this child. She has taught me so much. And thank you for the gift of your Child, that we may have eternal life in Him.

Am I a lucky girl or what?!

Another side note, we did not buy that t-shirt outfit yesterday. We will though, Marie must get what she wants. Those of you who know us, you know that I might spoil my girls a little bit.... just a little.

A different perspective!

Marie is not supposed to see well, or have a much motor control. Extreme things are not supposed to be pleasant experiences for her. Too much heat, too much cold, situations where her body is forced to adjust to extremes are supposed to be uncomfortable or difficult, or so they tell us. That said, apparently she's not listening!

Happy, happy, happy to be upside down!

Again Mommy! Every time we do this, when I put her upright again she arches her back and straightens her legs and will attempt to put herself back upside down if I'm not fast enough for her!

Josie and I worked for hours this afternoon on our gingerbread house. There was some candy leftover.... until we ate it!

It is getting to be that season, can't you just feel it?!!

Decompressing, macaroni and cheese, and silly girls.

I have spent the last week sort of adjusting. I've been feeling all out of sorts. Going on vacation sort of made me realize how difficult day to day life can be. Or, it made me aware of how things are here... or because I got a rotten cold everything just has been feeling worse even though nothing has changed.

Marie's doing so well allows time that would normally be spent worried about her to think of other things. Sometimes it strikes me that instead of doing dishes, then washing syringes most people just load the dishwasher and are done. Venting bubbles from Marie's belly has replaced burping, and she wears a mask into the preschool when I drop Josie off for the afternoon. Sometimes, when I'm not at my best and feeling a little down I miss how simple life used to be. If Josie got sick I'd cuddle her for a few days and it would pass. If Marie gets sick I call the doctors to let them know, begin praying, monitor her breathing, ask hospice to come and check her vitals, rock her and hold her and love all over her with a little nagging fear in the back of my head. I miss how easy things used to be.

There are days when I feel completely beat down by the hours of phone calls with insurance and medical billing, Medicaid, etc. The hours of additional nonsense that goes on, the fact that Marie's statement of benefits folder from our insurance company is four inches thick. I've learned that medical billing is something I need to keep up on. I can't trust the bills that come in the mail, I have to double check them as we have repeatedly been billed for things that were not ours to pay. The when that's all done there's still laundry, dishes, and trying to find time for Luke and I so that we stay sane. Sometimes, I just feel tired.

And yet, I willingly, gladly take this all on just to have Marie. She repays me in so many ways... Ugh. I just feel overwhelmed. Advocating is exhausting even though I'm passionate about it, and the struggle to find the hours to provide the care that Marie needs and the hours to provide the time that Josie deserves...

On a brighter note, I finally found a really good macaroni and cheese recipe! This has been on my list for some time, and this one is good! Josie loved it, and Marie liked it too pureed with some half and half.

And finally, I've been meaning to do this forever!

FUNNY THINGS JOSIE SAYS:

This is an old one. On Halloween she was worried about her preschool party. She told me, "Mom, in my class there's way more boys than girls". Why are you worried about that? "Because, what if there's dancing?". Then I had a flash, she expected her very first school party to be like Cinderella's ball!

I burned my wrist on a pot on the stove. Thinking I was alone but still cautious I spelled out my curse words. Later, Josie randomly asked me, "Mom, what does S-H-I-T spell?"

"Bunny drinks really expensive juice. I cannot believe how much his juice box costs." How much does it cost? "$300". Wow, what kind of juice is he drinking? She looked at me like I was a total idiot, "Cranberry."

"Daddy, shave your beard." "Mommy, tell Daddy he needs to shave that beard". Luke looks so deliciously scruffy, I have a total crush on him but I guess Josie doesn't like it.

"Mommy, what's inside of an ant?"

"I think that this candy is purple because God loves purple and He made them that way".

"On this night we do a shower, on this night we do a baff. We do a lot of that because Marie is smelly."

"Why does Christmas take so long to get here?"

I'm going to start a new one, because Marie doesn't say funny things, but she does a lot of things, and they need remembering.

THINGS MARIE DOES:

She can wiggle her ears, and she does it a lot when she's mad.

A chocolate pudding beard all over her chin makes her look alarmingly just like her Daddy.

Marie proved you don't need any noise to laugh. Her silent chuckles are one hundred times better than any belly laugh I have ever heard.

I spent several hours peeling, chopping, spicing apples and I cooked them extra long to make the most wonderful smelling, perfectly textured applesauce ever, just for Marie. She did not like it.

Marie rolled over on her side, either by grabbing the leg of a dining room chair or something. I had been washing dishes and she did it in the few moments between me checking on her. I rushed into the dining room afraid that she hurt herself, or she was stuck, or that she couldn't breath. I rolled her over and she grinned at me. I was terrified and she was thrilled with herself.

I suppose I don't have it so bad after all!

• Luke 2:19 NIV

  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.