off the radar

I have been off of the radar for a while in blogdom. Usually when I go off the radar it is because there is actually quite a lot going on and I don't really know what to say about it all. That is the case for me this time. We finished a wonderful summer and began the school year in September. Seth started kindergarten and Lilah began preschool. Both are enjoying school and I have been getting used to the new routine. We do morning classes this year, so I have been having to switch my schedule around to get up early, etc. I am liking it for the most part because I think it is making my days way more productive and I have a a couple mornings each week to run errands with just Isaac, which is easier than doing it with all three. The kids like school and we are working on "following instructions" with Lilah and Seth is working on "putting his wiggles and sillies away" when he goes to school. (Although that conversation spiraled quickly when he wanted to know where to put them because they might fall out of his pocket or get lost in his back pack, etc. etc. etc..... It was all very serious) His teacher has expressed concern about possible ADHD (although he's not a behavior problem, just has trouble focusing), and some other observations that are probably related to Seth's mild cerebral palsey issue. We're struggling with our next steps in this area because we don't want Seth labeled too early with any titles and overall he is doing very well. We have known that his CP could affect him academically, and this new stage of life in school is very much a "wait and see" time as we learn exactly how Seth's brain really works. For those who don't really know, CP is basically just brain damage caused by traumatic birth. Seth has some muscle tightness and weakness, but aside from that we really have no idea exactly how his brain might have been affected from lack of oxygen and are aware that it could show in learning challenges as he progresses academically. We are watching and waiting for now. And he is having fun in school and doing fine in the meantime.

Isaac is enjoying the time alone with mommy and he is actually (knock on wood) becoming a little bit easier to deal with in that his tantrums are lessening and he is starting to communicate and understand things better (Praise God). Josh is in his fourth year of residency and now is the time to start the decisions about next steps. This is all very stressful as we weigh the benefits/cost of fellowships or taking a job somewhere, etc. Much prayer is going into this phase of life because we don't want to do the wrong thing. I have been busy with the Side By Side Detroit chapter and even had the opportunity to attend the leadership retreat in Minnesota last week. It was great to learn more about how to improve our chapter and now I am preoccupied with implementing everything we learned. SBS Detroit is growing steadily and I think God has huge plans for this ministry to women married to medical professionals. It's very exciting because SBS is really the only support system for most of the wives in the Detroit area.

Sidenote: My mom met me to take the kids for the entire 4 day weekend while I was in MN and even watched our 11 week old puppy for us. I just have to say, if I haven't said it before, that I really do have the bonafied "best mom in the world." I seriously could not survive motherhood and residency if it were not for her and am so blessed to have a mom who legitimately understands because she has lived through exactly my life herself. Thanks mom!

So that is the scoop for us these days. We have lots to think about and be praying about in every area of our lives and are staying busy with 3 active kiddos in the mean time. We are also loving all of the Fall fun and have picked pumpkins and apples and been enjoying everything else about Fall right now. =)