Trusting in God's Plan...

With all the uncertainty in our family these days, I have learned that I have no control over the circumstances and am learning to give it to the Lord.

In 2-3 weeks, Matt's temporary job of 18 months ends. We had a few possibilities of this job becoming permanent, but it is just not looking good. We are trying not to worry and are planning ahead. Times like these, I just have to lean closer to the Lord and trust that His plan is perfect.

And despite uncertainty, we are definitely going to Disney. We have the funds set aside for it and I could never disappoint the kids at all. No way! We are just going to have to be creative and tighten that budget until Matt gets a job. We appreciate prayer in this situation!!

Spring Break!

Today marks the beginning of Spring Break for my kiddos! Sadly, my break doesn't happen for another 3 weeks (sigh). They will be spending the week at my mom's and I am trying to plan a big event for them next Saturday if Matt doesn't have to work and if my dear friend is available. Hopefully they will have a little fun this week!

It's amazing how fast this school year is going! In a few weeks, I'll be attending Carleigh's 1st grade transition meeting and I am now trying to rationalize how my kids are grade schoolers! Each day, they amaze me with new words and concepts they have learned this year. Cody can read most any sign when we are out and for him....that is AMAZING!

Carleigh and I enjoyed watching the first season of "Punky Brewster" which used to be my favorite kid show of all time since "Punky" was the me age as me. It's cute because NOW my DAUGHTER is enjoying the same show! She calls her "Peppy."

Let's Play Ball!

We have two official Angels baseball players in the family! Cody and Carleigh will be on the same team. This will be Cody' second year and Carleigh will be the rookie. We are looking forward to evenings at the ballpark watching them have fun and play with children similar to them. We are so thankful to have an organization that allows children with disabilities a chance to play and belong to a team! Opening Day is Sunday, May 1st. If you would like to come, just send me an email!

Let the countdown begin!

In less than 3 months, we will be visiting Disney World! To make it an anticipated event and to help the kids understand when the trip will be, I am creating a "Countdown to Disney" chart. And to be a knowledgeable mom, I bought a book about all 4 parks and will try to get all the tips so that our trip will be awesome!

Carleigh keeps telling everyone that "I'm going to Disney World!"

Wordless Wednesday

Gotta Brag & Prayer Request

Brag Moment:

When you have a child with special needs, you REALLY celebrate the accomplishments! Well, today was Cody's year IEP meeting to discuss if his goals were met this year and to create new goals. Last year's goals were more behavioral and adaptive. For second grade, his goals are more academic and I am so excited about them!

His special education teacher just enjoys him so much! It's such a good feeling and relief when you know that the professionals really care and enjoy your child! She said that Cody can confidently read 81 out of 100 Fry sight words! Amazing! Last year, he was reading 20 - 30 sight words. He is also reading all color and number words plus more words that are not on any list. Just the other day, I was working with Carleigh on her "All About Me" book since she is Star Student of the Week this week. Cody came over and read all the words on the front cover!

His teachers and therapists said that he has quite an interest with words and loves to read. (Like his momma no doubt!) And he is now successfully cutting with scissors. Now if he could fine tune that writing....he would be in excellent shape! Yay! So happy about my little man! He makes me so proud and goes to show that he can accomplish ANYTHING he puts his mind to!

Prayer Request:

Carleigh has to have an ultra-sound Monday and another more extensive (and uncomfortable) test next Monday morning. The pediatrician and I are both concerned about a few things. However, I am really hoping that these tests do not show anything!! My mommy heart is so concerned for her!

Happy 6th Birthday Carleigh!

Today, my daughter turned 6 years old. Where did the time go? I cannot believe she is 6 years old! It seems like yesterday when we brought a 2 day old baby home from the hospital. She was 5 weeks early, but was a whopping 6 lbs! She was such an easy baby and we saw "hints" of her personality even as a baby. Happy Birthday Carleigh!

Carleigh's 6th Birthday Party!

We had a bowling party for Carleigh. Her theme was "Tangled" and her cupcakes were strawberry and vanilla. I made them and I am starting to like making cupcakes! I must say they were DELISH! We brought only 4 home and we made 2 dozen. Yum! She got a lot of cool presents including, Squinkies, two Zhu Zhu Puppies, 3 barbies, 5 movies, Zoobles, an 18 inch doll that looks like her, very cute spring clothes, and much more including money to buy summer clothes! I must say that she is very appreciative of her presents and is enjoying them as I write this!

The party went very well and everyone had a great time. (Please excuse my ghostly color and I did have make-up on!!) Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated our daughter's birthday!

Testing out her present

This was our big gift for her birthday. We also bought her a helmet, horn, Rapunzel doll, Rapunzel lantern and a movie. She is adjusting to the bigger bike and no doubt those training wheels will be taken off soon!

A party is a brewin'

And I am praying I have the strength to get through it! With all my health complications and Matt's crazy work schedule, I am trying my best not it to stop our party festivities this weekend! The fixins' for the cupcakes have been bought and will be baked tomorrow evening after our usual tradition with Matt's parents. His parents take the birthday child out to eat and then we go to ToysRUs to use the birthday coupons they send us. Carleigh is getting.....a brand new BIG GIRL bike from Mommy and Daddy! We are letting her pick it out and we will still have a couple of "surprise gifts" to open at the party.

We are so excited to celebrate our Princess' birthday!

Wordless Wednesday -- Feeling Better!

Not the sound you want to hear....

I awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of what I thought was someone falling out of bed. In reality, Matt slammed the washer lid because he was washing Cody's bed linens because he got sick at 2am. I am surprised I didn't hear him because I am a light sleeper and usually always hears my little guy when he cries at night. The poor boy has the stomach flu again! My premie ALWAYS catches anything and everything! He has had this stomach virus 3 times in the past 3 months!

It hurts my mommy heart to see him or Carleigh sick. When they are lying lifeless on the couch, it just makes me want to trade places with them and in all honesty, I wish I could! Hopefully he gets rid of this virus soon!!

They have each other....

Yesterday, I saw Cody sitting on the couch with his arm around his sister. It was precious to watch. Later that day, Carleigh puts her arm around Cody and says "You're my best friend Cody!" Priceless! There are days that I struggle with parenting two children with challenging behaviors, but this makes it all so very worth it.

I am so very glad that they have each other as siblings as well as having a full-biological link between the two of them. It doesn't matter to them now, but later on, it will be so valuable. I am thankful to have a sister, but times I wish there wasn't such an age gap. Most of the time, they are "twins" in a lot of ways. Despite annoying each other, they do care for each other very much. Ahhhh!!

Rainy, rain weekend

We are having quite the rainy weekend here. Two days of rain creates a LOT of flooding in our backyard that was already trying to recover from the water main break a couple of weeks ago. Rainy days create boredom here and with Matt working every Saturday, I am trying to figure out things to do with the kiddos that doesn't create more messes than necessary. Today, we are having a Video Party and the kids are watching new and old movies that we have had. I love Walmart's $5 bin because I have found some rare "Peanuts" movies and some "Veggie Tales" as well.

I am trying to clean, read a new book, and finalize party preparations. The goody bags have been made, decorations bought, and all I need to do now is to make cupcakes Friday evening. I have also bought one birthday gift and will finish with the BIG gift Friday evening. Carleigh cannot wait for Saturday! She is excited because one of her classmates from school will be coming! Poor thing has to wait another week for her party day!

So blessed

After having an incredibly hard day, it was wonderful coming home to my precious children who give me hugs and kisses. There is nothing quite like it and can change my mood instantly!

Cody knows when I am upset, and so he walked over, got in my face, then he proceeded to hug me. Then, he follows up with a kiss. I am so very blessed to have them in my life and I will never take them for granted! I am so very thankful to the Lord for giving me these incredible blessings!