Collin's Graduates From Kindergarten

Friday morning marked the first major milestone in Collin's "Quest for Education". Yes, the completion of Kindergarten is never to be taken lightly. For Collin it truly is a great achievement. Most of you know the problems he had with his hearing and speech. If not, I'll give the short version. When he was around three we took him to the pediatrician because we were concerned that he wasn't talking yet, and if he did it was impossible to understand him. This of course ended up in great frustration for him and for us. They referred us to an audiologist who after a doing several intense tests told us that he was only hearing about 20% and needed to have hearing aids. As a last resort they sent us to an ENT, who said that there was a small amount of fluid in his ears, not enough to affect his hearing, but they wanted to put tubes in anyway. After surgery the doctor told us that he had never seen so much fluid on a child's ear. It was packed in so tightly that they couldn't detect the movement when they did the tests. This almost completely corrected his hearing, there are still a few decibels that he can't hear, but within normal range. This whole hearing thing affected him in so many ways. He started out in the Early Intervention Program where he was diagnosed with several different disorders, put in Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy. When he turned four he started Speech Therapy through the public school system in our area, we took him three days a week. After that he attended a special pre-school where he had very intense therapy five days a week for a year an a half. The therapist described it to me like this. "Imagine learning a new language by cassette tape, only with lots of static and other background noise". This very much explained why he sounded like he was speaking a different language that us. We are so pleased with his progress, he stills struggles with phonics some, but is doing wonderful in every other area. His therapist told me that she thinks after next school year we will be able to discontinue his therapy. So here are a few pictures of the big day, along with a video of his solo. Sorry that I didn't get the whole song. I was so intrigued that I forgot to start videoing.


The whole class

With his favorite gal, Janessa

Everyone who new Harold when he was little always tells me that Collin is his replica. After looking back at old pictures I discovered that it is really true. Here is Harold at the same age.

Collin's picture from this year


Together


The whole family, not sure what Ethan's doing.

"God's Little People"

Landon's Wild Ride

I sit here writing with Landon on my knee. You see this is a rather difficult week for him, it's the last week of school for his big brothers. They are beside themselves with excitement over all the activities that are taking place, and Landon is feeling a little left out. So I decided to give his self-esteem a little boost by doing a post for him. On Sat. we went out boating for awhile, when we left he adamantly proclaimed that he was not going to ride in the tube. After watching his big brothers bounce along behind the boat for awhile he decided that he was brave enough to try it. I made the mistake of videoing his ride and therefore have had to watch the video with him over and over. He was very excited about the prospect of it going on my blog for all the world to see, or at least all those relatives and friends who are interested in seeing such a thing.

So without further ado here is the world's bravest four year old (if only in his own opinion).

The Perfect Day

This was filmed in honor of Kimberly and Tara.

Our State of the Union

On May 25, 1996 Harold and I "tied the knot". Yes, for those of you who are doing the math, we will have been married for twelve years on Sunday. It never ceases to amaze me, that time can pass so quickly without us even realizing it. Harold, always says, "Times fun when you're having flies". Well we haven't exactly had flies, but we have been busy. I've posted a little pictorial journey of the past twelve years. It is a little view of how our family has grown. No, not weight, kids.
Here we are in 1993, our senior year of high school.

In 1997, Harold graduated from HS Bible College and we moved to TN. Harold attendend Moody Aviation. I worked as a CNA in a local nursing home and went to nursing school

In 2000, after having three miscarriages, God blessed us with our first son, Ethan.

Then just fourteen months later along came Collin.

In 2002 we moved back to Fl and began our ministry with Missionary Flights International. A year after that Landon, boy #3, was born.

Last, but certainly not least, came our fourth and final son, Dylan.

I've posted the video to the song "Holding Hands" by Steve Green. The longer we are married I find that the romance isn't so much in the warm, gushy feelings as it is in the commitment. I still remember the first time Harold held my hand. It took him awhile to get up the nerve to finally reach over and take mine. Oh boy, I don't think my heart could have pounded any harder. Now it just come natural. If we are walking along our hands just naturally come together without giving it any thought. I still love the romance of it, but I love the trust and commitment even more. Several years ago we were having an intense disagreement about something. I was very righteously indignant with my dear husband. He said to me, "Kayla we are going to talk about this holding hands". Since then we've made this our policy for any major discussions. So I can truthfully tell you today that the state of our union is strong, and we're still "holding hands".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdX15209s6A

The Dolls In My Past

Yesterday was a day of stunning revelation for me. We cleaned out what remained in our shed at our old house. This included the bassinet that all four boys slept in as infants and a box of my dolls from childhood. I very carefully set up the bassinet and decided to lay my dolls in it for safekeeping. Suddenly it struck me! My dolls were very decidedly male, or at least the ones that survived up to the present day. I made sure that my Mom was aware of this new information, since she was primarily responsible for my doll collection. I just have to wonder if this was some kind of foretelling of my future. The picture that you see here is of my two favorites. Does anyone else remember when every little girl had to have a Cabbage Patch doll or life just wasn't worth living. My parents did their Christmas shopping a little late that year so all that was left were boy Cabbage Patch dolls. His name was Xavier, at least that's what the box said. I named him Jaylen. The other dolls name is Joey. My Aunt Barbara gave him to me one year when she came to visit. My parents convinced me that I must take good care of him since he came from Belgium. I don't know if that is true or not, but he did survive quite well. There was also the doll that was supposed to be the same size as a one year old. He actually started off as a girl. The problem was that he/she had a long red ponytail that grew when you pulled a string on his/her back. We had lots of fun with her until the neighbor girl stuffed the ponytail into the hole it originated from. After that I just dressed him like a boy. Now the fact that the first doll I remember had red hair and was rather stocky must have some significance.

Now I must clarify that I did have some girl dolls, but I also had cousins. Since they are some of my fellow bloggers and can defend themselves, I will tell of the destruction that they heaped upon my dolls. First there was Kimberly, she never really played with her dolls much. They were used more for decoration and she always informed me that she didn't want them to get messed up. Well you should see what she did to the ankles of my Barbie Dolls by making them dance so wildly that their hair would swoosh around. I don't have a picture, but you can imagine how those poor rubber legs looked after being bent so violently in every direction. Next came Liz, whose Mom was working for a surgeon at the time. She took a black marker and made a nice little mid-line incision, complete with staples, down the belly of my little cloth doll. I have found it in my heart to forgive them, but now you understand why the only survivors are boys. The only conclusion that I can come to is that I was just made to nurture boys whether they be plastic and cloth or flesh and blood.

Note of Concern

Landon has taken quite an interest in the dolls that are now in our home. As you can imagine this is stressing Harold to immeasurable limits. His reaction when Landon tried to take the doll on a ride in the van was to be remembered. Last night Landon walked out of the guest room and informed us that he was "putting music on so the babies could sleep", I think Harold's eyes might still be rolling. Do you think that the fact that the dolls are boys makes any difference, or will I have to box them up and store them away again?

Still Alive?

Yes, I am still alive despite the fact that my last post had people writing epitaphs for my tombstone. (They were both older than me) I haven't succumbed to the evils of Facebook either, although I have had fun reconnecting with people I haven't heard from in years. My absence is due to the fact that my life is incredibly busy these days.

I started a new case a month ago that was supposed to only last for two nights. Well a month later it has ended. I ended up working almost everyday. I will say that it was the most fun case I have ever worked. The people were from GA so their Southern Hospitality extended to even the hired help. I got fed things such as fish and grits, and was called "kiddo" on a daily basis. You can only imagine what this did for my self esteem.


Then last week when I thought things were getting back to normal Dylan started coughing again for the fifth time this season. It kept getting tighter and tighter until on Monday after being up most of the night before I took him to the doctor. He was diagnosed with severe bronchitis that was most likely due to Asthma. Now after a week of steroids, antibiotics, and nebulizer treatments he is doing fine. Here you can see just how fine he is.




So with working, keeping up with four little boys, trying to keep my house somewhat presentable, along with doing my best to be a good daughter to my aging parents and a devoted wife to my hard working husband, time at the computer came to a screeching halt. I should probably be doing something more productive right now. Oh well, it feels good to sit for awhile.


This is for those of you who long for the ocean breezes of South Florida. It will also help you understand why I am not a beach bum. A few weeks ago someone told Harold that this had washed up on the beach, so of course we had to load the boys up in the van and go see it.



Yes, it is a 12ft Hammerhead. Someone had already broken the teeth out, so the boys didn't get that thrill. Makes you feel comfy, huh?



I had a whole Mother's Day post planned in my head, but never had time to get my thoughts together. When I have had time to clear my head I plan to be a little controversial and write a tribute to "working Moms". Until then you'll have to be satisfied with a picture of me and my crew on that special day. As usual Landon was having a moment of crisis and Dylan was concerned. Maybe one day we'll actually get a picture of everyone smiling.

As Alumni President Harold has to give a little induction speech every year at graduation. He just emailed me his speech for tonight to read over. He included the quote by Robert Louis Stevenson, "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant". This is not only a good reminder for those who are heading out into their fields of service, but for those of us who are Mothers. It is very easy to climb into bed every night exhausted and feel like you've accomplished absolutely nothing, like the people in the next room are still heathens. You'll sleep a lot better if you determine to plant as many seeds as possible during the day and count them before drifting off. It will make waking up the next morning a little easier too, as you look forward to the day when the harvest is ready.
I'll leave you with a few pictures of what life is like around our house. Enjoy!

I bought the boys butterfly nets with visions of little children running through fields of wild flowers with butterflies fluttering in the cool breeze. I should have know better.



These are my handsome and highly intelligent sons. They make me so proud, sob, sob. Okay, they were dressed up for Mix-Up Day. Don't ask about the facial expressions, they just thought they looked cool.



The goal here was to get a sweet picture of Harold reading to Dylan, but as soon as he saw the camera he started saying "sheese".



This is Landon in the helmet that he and his Pawpaw bought at the Thrift Store. He insists that it is NOT too big for him.



Ethan is smelling the coffee he just ground on his field trip yesterday. From the look on his face we may have another addict.

Tidbits

As I write I am watching six little boys swim. This is because eight years ago today I gave birth to my first son, thus starting a chain of events that led up to my continually being surrounded by males. You might think that this would be disappointing to someone who exudes femininity such as I do. Think again, all these male are part of the reason that I feel so feminine. As women our ability to bear children plays such a vital role in our identity. Before Ethan started this chain of little boys in my life, I had lost hope of ever experiencing the child bearing process. Most of you probably know that Harold and I lost three babies before I was able to carry out a full term pregnancy. Every year as his birthday draws near I start reflecting on how God has blessed us so immeasurably. He not only carried us through a time of deep grief, but he also touched me physically and made the life we now enjoy possible. At the woman's conference I attended a few months ago Shanon Wexelberg talked about her struggle with infertility and sang the song that God gave in her time of struggle. "In the Waiting" describes my feelings so perfectly now as I look back. It says "You were in the waiting, in that moment of my life when my hope and faith collide. When my hearts anticipating just how and when you'll move, that's when you prove that you were in the waiting too". I'm so glad that God has used difficult circumstances to mold me into a more grateful person and hopefully a better mother that I would have been before. So as we celebrate today we are not just happy about another year on Ethan's calendar but we are celebrating God's blessings and the gracious gifts that he has bestowed on us.

Last weekend I was privileged to have my best friend come for a visit. She's one of the people in my life who have seen me in diapers, skinny, fat, with strange hairdos, etc, etc, etc, and still loves me. We had a wonderful visit which included late night conversations and coffee. The boys are greatly missing her. She has been a wonderful aunt to them since they don't have one on my side of the family. I'm already having to answer the question "When is Aunt Kimmie coming back?" about fifty times a day. We made wonderful memories, but unfortunately my camera was set on video and I didn't know it. I now have some of the shortest, strangest video clips ever made. Go to her blog to see normal pictures.

Despite the fact that the color is a little off in this picture our door is now a beautiful cranberry color. Thanks so much for all the input that was given on this decision. I didn't realize how many decorators are reading my blog. I should have given you the opportunity to express yourself before my house was done, who knows what splendour I could now be experiencing.

Normally I wouldn't be so open with the information that I am now a year older. On April 2ND I celebrated my 34Th birthday. Thanks to MaryEllen for the picture, it is the most recent one taken. As you can see I am aging, four boys will do that to you, but I didn't realize the effect the noise was having on me until last week. Talitha and I were doing hearing and eye testing for the school. We were having a bit of trouble figuring out the audiology equipment, so she decided to test me to see if it was working. After putting on the headphones and going through the test I proclaimed "It's not working on the right side". "Are you sure?" she asked me. "I didn't hear anything on that side" I replied. So after testing me again and then testing herself she had to bear the sad news to me that I may have some hearing loss on the right side. I tell you all of this for a good reason. Many of you see me on a regular basis and I have a request. If you see me at church or in town and I am being unusually loud, please come to my left side and discreetly yet clearly tell me to tone it down some.

Well I should bring this telling of information to an end. The boys are now home on spring break, so I am looking forward to a week of nonstop swimming and eating. Speaking of eating I will leave you with a little video that may make you hungry for Mexican food tonight. Sorry it's sideways, but it does make it more interesting.