The funniest Thing!

Ok, a slight confession to make in order to tell this story- I know that I am an old soul, but I really enjoy the O'Reilly Factor on t.v. I don't get to watch it often because the boys usually dominate the t.v. with cartoons and kid friendly movies. But last night, we only had a few minutes of down time before our evening walk and I decided to check in. So the kids and I sat down to view some current events.

On the screen sat O'Reilly, one of his Blonde commentators and the steadfast Combs. Of course a heavy discourse and charged discussion was folding out in front of us. It was heated. Hands were moving, voices raising, and body language showing great angst.

In the middle of all the revelry, my Aaron (the most hot headed of my children) turns to me and asks "Do these people know they are on television?" Yes, I answered. "Well, " He said, "Don't they know not to argue in public!"

I busted out laughing. I love the brains of my children.

Why do we have 4 bedrooms?

Okay, I know this might be a little unorthodox, but, more often than not, all three of my kiddos like to sleep in the same room.

Right now, I am listening to a little voice sing her own made up song. This sound is coming from Isaac's room. Nathan shushes our girl and commands silence only to be told by one of the boys that they like her singing.

Each night Nathan and I witness the same strange dance to see what room they will all choose and if our oldest will join in or decide that he is above the slumber party atmosphere. When the room is chosen, then beds have to be created. Pillows, blankets and bodies are all arranged depending on who gets the floor and who is stuck with the bed.

Finally, after many wiggles and multiple kisses, a song is sung to lure the group into slumber. However, it usually just prompts singing and requests for more songs. When lights go out, sleep enters the room gracefully wrapping all the children up. Most of the time, the littles ones end up cuddling together during the night or someone comes to find us and snuggle in the wee hours of the morning. I don't mind because I love their little heads tucked under my chin. I love their calm quiet breathing.

One day, I am sure all the children will decide the the privacy of their own room is way more cool than all piling up together. But that night is not tonight and I am grateful for the little voices that travel from their slumber party to my ears as I type this.

Little Sayings

I have to admit that I crack up at the little conversation pieces that children come up with. The way language comes to them lends itself to just the cutest little things. I know this is not unique to my children. Even I changed English to fit my own needs as a child. When I was a kid I called those big green jumping bugs Hop Grassers and I still say that my stummy hurts sometimes.

Today I got a real laugh out of Sarah's response to the pop music I was singing along to in my personal "swagger wagon".

I still chuckle as I remember the words "Mommy! Please be quiet, I can't hear my book!"

School is out..It's Medical Visit Time!

School ended with a whirl of activity. Aaron was shuttled up to Oklahoma for a few days of fun with Grandparents Stevens on their microfarm, while Isaac immediately went to Camp Gap which is a Texas sized version of Falls Creek or Windemere (for those of you that know what that is).

I stayed home with Nathan who began teaching summer classes this week and Sarah who daily asked where her brothers were.

We have managed to get in one good afternoon of swimming, but most of the week was filled with Medical Tests to get Sarah on the path to wearing "big girl" underwear.

One of the many challenges of living with any form of Spina Bifida is the toll it takes on a persons ability to use the restroom in the usual way. Most people with SB will use self intermittant catheterizing to create the same ability that the rest of us do just because our bodies tell us to.
In order to get there with Sarah, we visited Children's Medical Center in Dallas twice to have a Urodynamic Test ( a pressure test) and a DMSA (a kidney function test). In the middle of all this, I thought we might as well schedule all our Dr. appts for her and we went to Scottish Rite for our six month evaluation. This was a littany of professionals who, over the span of 2.5 hours saw my little girl. All of this was exhausting for her and me!

However the end of this very long week has come, and a new chapter for Sarah has begun. We have been cathing her for two days now. She woke up this morning and asked immediately to get her underwear on and for me to help her. She is a strong girl with determination and much patience - Thankfully! Right now she just watches me cath her (which is way different than cathing a boy where all my expertise lies), but someday she will do it herself and be completely independent.

I thank God for modern medicine everyday and for the U.S. medical system which does not throw these children away as damaged, but knows that with a little help they can rule their lives and be as accomplished as anyone else!