Experiencing a New Normal

Today we took Will back to the eye Dr.  We have been patching his good eye for two hours a day, every day since January in hopes that it would strengthen that weaker eye and no surgery!  I was so proud of him for reminding me about his patch.  He would even wear it for longer than two hours if I didn't remind him it was time to take it off.  I really thought that it was helping - I hadn't noticed it crossing near as much as in January.  Well....it didn't work.  The Dr. told us that it might have helped by about 10%, but he still recommend we go ahead with the surgery.  He said that it would be a more fine tuning surgery and should last longer than the previous one.  I'm sure hoping so.  Jon even asked if he would still have to wear his glasses after this to which the Dr. answered yes!  However, he did say he has been wrong before, but more than likely he will for sure need them for another year.  I personally think he look...

Well a couple of weeks ago I was doing a little cleaning around the house and decided to wash the entry way rugs.  The weather has been so crazy that they were getting pretty dirty.  I went down to check on them to see if it was time to put them in the dryer when I noticed the washing machine was making an odd noise.  It was on the spin cycle, but not spinning.  I thought, great I broke it!  I had shoved all the rugs into the washer so I would be done with it in one load.  Now I had to put soaking wet rugs into the dryer and dry them several times - so in the long run I should have split up the rugs.  Well, I mentioned to Jon that the washer wasn't working quite right and I needed to do more laundry, so he took a look at it (the next day).  He couldn't fix it so he called the repair guy out to see what they could do.  They arrived and I kid you not they were here like five minutes!  He told me that it was beyond repair and I would n...

I was really hoping to blog about this yesterday, however we were very busy with an event at church that I had to wait until today to talk about this.  A year ago (March 24) we attended the biggest party of the year!!  Our dear friends held a benefit for our family - "Raise Your Hand for TJ!"  It was more than I would have ever imagined.  The committee consisted of close friends who were thoughtful enough to listen to our wishes (I felt like I was acting like a spoiled brat on my requests).  I wanted something that represented TJ - it would have to involve music, dancing and overall FUN!  A few of the committee members would fill us in on different details, but I had NO clue it was going to be all that it was.  I remember going early to check things out.  I was overcome with emotions the minute I stepped foot into the door.  There were inflatables, games, face painting a photo booth.  Lime green was everywhere....

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the day we took TJ to the Serenity House in Oskaloosa.  I remember that day all too well - it was a Monday.  Let me rewind a couple days before that.  Friday we had had a special meeting with all those that were helping to care for TJ.  We met in this room with doctors, nurses - all those we had begun to love and trust as family.  I remember them telling us that they didn't know if there was anything more they could do for our precious son.  Tears were shed, hugs were given and genuine love was in that room.  Arrangements were being made for us to come "home."  The weekend would pass by and Monday was soon upon us. I was absolutely scared to death to leave that hospital and all the people we had gotten to know, trust and love.  How were we ever going to manage each day without them.  It felt like the days after TJ was born and we were taking him home for the first time....

So I've been inspired lately by some blogs I read to declutter my house.  And to be quite truthful I was getting tired of all the piles and messes everywhere.  It's been a SLOW process but I've been trying to tackle one room a week.  I figure one room a day is setting me up for failure.  Also, it seems our schedule doesn't allow for me to do one room a day - I just don't have a whole entire day at home anymore it seems.  So for the last week I've been working on the kitchen.  I started with the pantry.  It seemed like I was running out of room to put food away and other things I have in our pantry.  I've reorganized it and threw out a lot of unneeded things.  I really wish I would have taken pictures of all what I've done - you would have been impressed - I know I was!!  Next I worked on four cupboards and two drawers.  These are between my fridge and pantry and seem to just be a catchall.  One cupboard is designated just ...

This year the boys did UPWARDS.  What is that you might be asking.  "Upwards Sports is the world's largest Christian sports league for kids.  They provide a fun sports experience based on healthy competition, Upward Sports Leagues help kids develop skills for the sports arena and values for life. Upward Sports uses the universal language of sports to connect with kids at a critical age and help them discover and build athletic skills, values, self-confidence and a life-long love of the game.  At Upward Sports, families matter. Our leagues give families all the benefits of participating in team sports while protecting them from hectic travel schedules and the win-at-all costs mentality that burns out young athletes. With just a 1-hour practice and 1-hour game each week, Upward Sports fits into busy family schedules while promoting the values that matter to you. Coaches and fans won’t yell at your child; they’ll cheer for them instead! "   (All this inf...

One year ago today was when our journey with TJ changed to a downward spiral.  However, honestly looking back there never really was an upward part of our journey.  I remember it as if it were yesterday.  I started off the morning exhausted and beyond tired from the lack of sleep the night before.  I was frustrated and completely worn out.  Carol came over to ride with us to Iowa City.  We had an appointment with Dr. O first and then we were to go to radiation.  But that's not the way it would end up.  We went back to the exam room to wait for the dr. when TJ started his screaming fits.  It would start with "I can't stretch" - in a normal tone - to repeating it several times over and over as his voice became louder and louder to the point he was screaming, shaking and beyond angry.  I remember Dr. O's concern.  I think she was about as scared as I was and at a complete loss at what to do.  We tried to go over and...

So, about seven years ago we (should say I) decided it would be fun to have a dog (again).  Let me rewind just a bit.  When Jon and I first got married we lived in an apartment in New Sharon, so we couldn't have any pets.  Once we moved out to the country I got a puppy - Hunter!  He was a good dog, other than the fact he would bring up dead animals to the house.  Well when we moved from the place we were renting to where we live now - Hunter never would really stay around.  Not sure what ended up happening to him - he just ran off and never came back.  Then when TJ was about three and Anthony was six months old we got a black lab - Shadow - from our baby sitter's niece.  It was a bit of a wild dog.  I remember being outside working in the flower beds - I would set up the pack and play for Anthony to hang out in and it would never fail - TJ would jump in every time because he was so scared of that dog.  Come harvest time, Shadow didn...