Update on Pauly

It has been brought to my attention that there is a certain someone who checks this blog very regularly and is disappointed that there are not more frequent posts. My apologies... I barely get time to go to the bathroom some days, but I will make sure to try harder to post more often just for you. My only request is that you indulge me with a comment once in a while so I know you're out there.

Pauly has been going to occupational therapy once a week for a month now, and he loves it. It is the one place where he is given complete liberty to run, jump, and crash into things as much as he wants. His therapist's name is Denise, and she is wonderful with Pauly and me. She lets me sit in on all the sessions and is teaching me so much about how to help him. Pauly is learning more and more how to help himself as well, and he is gaining a lot of new skills.

There are so many aha moments. I am definitely gaining new insights on Pauly, and it is changing my perspective in general. I am starting to look at people and situations differently. We can go along thinking our ways are the best and our views are right, but do we really seek to understand where others are coming from? Do we entertain the thought that there are other ways to solve the problem or do we just want it our way? I've always said Pauly is my back door kid; my analogy for problem solving or getting him to complete a task. Most people want to barrel through the front door thinking their way is the best, and they want it done now. Well, I've learned that sometimes you have to let them go through the back door, side door or whatever door necessary, and sometimes you have to wait a little longer than you'd like. My words of wisdom... seek to understand the other person's perspective because there is usually more to it than you think.

Pauly has also finished up with all his testing with the public school. I had requested occupational therapy services through the school district, but it is not a stand alone service, so they came up with a very thorough testing plan to see if he qualifies for any other services. He has had everything tested, and he was a trooper. We will find out next week whether or not he qualifies.

Thanks to all who are praying for us. Your prayers are definitely being heard. Please continue. Knowing the whys makes it easier, but it is still very challenging. There are a lot of changes we are all adjusting to.

Lazy Sundays

Lazy? Well, that is a relative term since it's pretty hard to be lazy in a house of seven. There is always business, but we try to set Sundays a part from the other days of the week. I try to put my "to do" lists away and really focus on quieting myself and enjoying what God has given me. I've been known to even put my feet up and read a book with no guilt. Today, it is gloomy outside, but we're going to make the most of it-together. I really enjoyed watching the kids play dress up together - a simple pleasure and an awesome blessing for sure. Olivia is missing from the pictures because she is at Yai-yai & Papa's house. We are excited because she comes home today, and we are looking forward to dinner together.

Happy 2nd Birthday Gabriella

Our little angel Gabriella is 2 today. We are so thankful that God brought her into our lives. She is a true testimony to staying hopeful and trusting that God has a plan even through the pain. After 3 consecutive miscarriages we wondered if we would ever welcome another baby into our home, but with a lot of faith we continued to hope. We also sent our prayer request to Medjugorie with my parents, and low and behold our Blessed Mother heard our plea; we are so thankful for her intercession. Gabriella has filled our hearts and home with so much joy, and we look forward to watching her grow physically and spiritually.

Gabriella and her little friend are only 2 days a part, so we had a joint party on Friday night. They have 8 children plus another on the way, so we had a full house, but we had such a wonderful time. Good friends are such a blessing from the Lord. I had fun making the girls a caterpillar cake; they had fun eating it. A lot of really great memories were made.

It was a little hard to get a good picture of the girls blowing out their candles with all the little heads in the way; no one wanted to miss out.

Gabriella got a new tricylce from her Papa and Yai-Yai. It hasn't made it's way outside yet; she's still practicing, but she's very proud of her herself and her new bike.

It seems like we have been celebrating for several days, but we got to have her all to ourselves tonight. It was leftover cake and ice cream, but she was excited none-the-less. She blew out her candles like a trooper and ate like one too.

May our Lord and Savior bless you and keep you all the days of your life, and may your love for Him grow as you grow. We love you so much.

Time to celebrate with a day at the park

Today marks the end of our regular school year; yippee! Yes, maybe it seems a little early, but take into consideration we started our school year last July, and we plan to school over the summer after a little time off from the books. I need a little time to get some much needed projects done around the house and catch up on paperwork.

Elizabeth, 3rd grade, has really enjoyed and excelled in school this year. It seems like things are just clicking for her better. We tried a new math program called Math U See, and she just loved it. She is reading all the time which is awesome when I think back to the challenges. She continues to take piano lessons and is a natural; it is wonderful to hear her fill the house with music. She is already looking forward to when summer school starts (she is a little bit of an overachiever type).
Olivia, 2nd grade, had a more challenging year than she remembered in 1st grade; she had more subjects and was surprised to find out that they got harder. Thankfully, I have not found any gray hairs yet, but I know they are coming. She prepared for two sacraments this year, first reconciliation and first communion, which was very exciting and time consuming. She also started with the Math U See program this year, and she seemed to really like it as well. The trouble is getting her to sit still long enough get the work done; she's our go getter. She is learning the love of cuddling up to a good book but would much rather be on the move.Pauly, kindergarten, had his first year of school. Kindergarten is always very relaxed and not too structured for us, but he has come along way. I am amazed at his creativity; his drawings are a prized possession. He is learning to read and loves math. Where do they get it from? Must be their dad. Pauly started occupational therapy which he loves; it is fantastic. We are learning so much and it awesome to see how he is benefiting. Gabriella is about to turn 2 in 10 days, yikes! She is such a character. Not talking a whole lot, but she is full of spunk and personality. We may be in for trouble with this one. She was all over the park; no fear. I thought Elizabeth was going to have a heart attack watching and running every time Gabriella started to climb something. She loves to play school when the kids are working on their homework. She gets her stuff and proudly sits amongst them concentrating on her work.
Then there's Georgie. His goals are crawling and eating people food, and he is tenacious about both. It won't be long before he is fully mobile, Lord help me. As for food, it is a must to keep any and all food out of his reach or he will go after it. He has a very fun little personality. He's always got a drool filled grin for us.
All in all I have to say it has been a very successful school year considering we have 3 in school, and toddler and welcomed a new baby. I would not trade homeschooling the kids for anything. Oh I have my days when I watch the school bus go by and wonder if just this once they could get on it, but overall it is a blessing to be such a part of their learning. To watch them persevere and succeed is a privilege. I am learning right along with them. So many say they couldn't homeschool, but I truly believe God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. When you are in His will, you can do anything. I am so thankful for my faith because I really could not do any of this without God's mercy and grace.

Growing up so fast

Georgie is such a wonderful baby; full of personality. Hard to believe he is almost 7 months old. He will be crawling soon, and then noone will be safe from him.

Welcome to the table of the Lord Olivia

Saturday, Olivia celebrated her First Communion. She was feeling a little shy and a little nervous about so many people looking at her, but she did wonderfully. Despite the forcast for stormy weather, we had a beautiful sunny day; lots of fun and good food. We are so proud of the work she did to prepare for this special day, and we look forward to watching her grow in her faith. May God bless you Olivia.