Getting a routine

Yes, it's still summer. All I want to do is enjoy the sunshine, sleep in and read a book. 

But, I have kids and those things don't happen, at least in the way I'm dreaming about. 

One routine that we started just today is potty training Hannah. 

I decided to do it last night. She is *showing* some signs of being ready and it's summer and Keith and Eli were gone all day, etc. 

As we started off the morning I quickly discovered she had no idea what I was trying to get her to do and I had no idea how to go about it. I'm definitely not that mom who has a three step plan for potty training. Eli took forever. 

So my goals for the day were:

Do all in my power to keep Hannah from getting frustrated. 

We both would be encouraged. 

Patience with the process,

And that I would believe in Hannah. 

I will say Hannah exceeded my expectations, especially taking into account that she and I had a hard time communicating, but I think we are definitely on the road to success. 

Now this road may take months but at least we've started. She's a smart girl and even if bribing and prizes don't work for her, I do believe she can be potty trained. 

 

Getting the hang of our new routine will continue to take some time, but the Lord answered my prayer today and encouraged me (hopefully Hannah, too).  I'm so thankful he continues to show me the potential in my girl. 

New to Us

Well, we made it. 

I must admit I've taken almost zero pictures, but here's one of the kiddos on our porch in KY on the last day. 

 

I hope to get one of us on our new porch as soon as I meet someone to take it. 😉

We have met a few neighbors but since we are in the (hot) dog days of summer we rarely see anyone out and about. We have ventured to the neighborhood playground a handful of times and have had the place to ourselves!

Both Keith and I have friends here which is such an encouragement. Some friends we know well and others we haven't connected with in years but it's nice to feel known and wanted. 

We are taking a break from therapy. 

The main reason is Hannah has about 50 days until she turns 3. Early intervention therapy only lasts until the child turns 3. So, we could, in theory, turn in all the paperwork, wait to be assigned a case manager, get her evaluated, wait to be matched with therapists and then only meet with them maybe one time, so I opted against that. 

I think it's best for our family. 

Hannah will start her interviews for her IEP (individual education plan) on September 18. These interviews and evals will determine what services she receives through the public school system and what school she will attend. 

I already know where I want her to go. 

We do have doctors appointments set up between now and then that will hopefully give the school system more info about Hannah. 

And a beach trip, where we will only be in the car 3 hours or less! 

We found the library this morning and our short-lived trip reminded me why we haven't done much of that since Hannah was born. (More on that later). 

But, to focus on the positives, its nice to be in NC. We look forward to all the Lord has planned for our family here and are assured of his goodness in the transition. 

 

 Well, at least I got a pic of one kid on the porch. More to come!

Moving On

 

Ever since Keith and I got married in the Tarheel state, we have always talked about "getting back to NC". 

We had the opportunity to move there before we got married but decided on Austin instead. Looking back, we have no regrets moving to Austin. It was a great city to start a marriage in and where our Eli was born. We both loved living there and found some amazing friends that we still have today! 

We moved to Louisville quickly, for a job and completely felt the Lord's leading.  Eli was only 18 months old. We moved into a house which was much too big for us, but with room to grow.  And grow we did. Louisville gave us 2 more children and sweet early years as a family. However, the complications Hannah was born with hit us from out of no where, as well as a hard work situation for Keith. 

Again, we know the Lord led us here and has provided for all the needs of our family. Big and small. 

So in less than two weeks we complete the circle and move to North Carolina. 

A place we've never lived as a family. And a place I haven't lived in more than 15 years. 

It's exciting to start another adventure. NC has a lot to offer in recreation, schooling and medical services. It will be so nice to be closer to family and in a way start over. 

It's also nerve-racking to think about finding new schools, doctors and starting over. 

We will miss our friends, church family and the countless doctors and therapists who have been with us the last 4 years. 

 

Hannah with 4 of the therapists who have worked her the last 2+ years. 

This move is unlike any I've had before. I'm going back to a place I know, but it will still take some adjustment. I am in charge of helping my kids maneuver the emotions of leaving a place they've grown for their whole life and settle into a place that is foreign. New schools, new church, new doctors, new friends and so much more. It's a big task. 

But with this move, unlike the others, I have the desire to take the bull by the horns and step out of my comfort zone and live bigger. 

I literally have no idea what this means, practically, but I am excited to see how the Lord moves us on this journey. 

Please pray for us as we say goodbye to our Kentucky home over the next 10 days and I will update you next from NC! 

"The LORD will guide you continually,

 giving you water when you are dry 

and restoring your strength. 

You will be like a 

well-watered garden, 

like an ever-flowing spring."

Isaiah 58:11

Suzi turns ONE!

We love you Suzi Faith,

 

When you come into the room you are smiling   

 

You love your sister and your brother. 

 

You had our first family birthday party that was entirely outside! (I finally got a summer baby!)

You were crying when you first got in your high chair, unimpressed by all of the attention.  

But everything changed when you saw (and tasted) the cake!

  

So fun to celebrate with friends who have watched you grow this past year. 

And fun to be silly as a family!

 

 

 

And you had lots of help opening your presents. 

 

Suzi Faith,

You fill our family to the top and we are so thankful to celebrate the first year of your life! 

You are beautiful, thoughtful and so much more that we don't even know yet. 

I pray every day that you and Hannah will be close friends and you will have wisdom beyond your years. 

The Lord created you special and for a purpose and I am so thankful to be along on the journey. 

❤️ you!

Summer's Here!

Eli finished 4 year old preschool. 

 

  

Just in time for the weather to warm up and for us to enjoy more fun outside. 

 

 

This summer has already gone by quick (since we are already 3 weeks in), but there is a lot of fun to be had. 

Father's Day memories. And special presents from the oldest kiddos. We are all so thankful for our champion Daddy who leads us well!

 

  

Life if filled with seasons and for us, this one is pretty hectic. But I wouldn't change it for a more low-key life, at least not today. 

"Like arrows in the hands

of a warrior are children born

in one's youth.  

Blessed is the man 

whose quiver is full of them."

Psalm 127:4-5

No Change

"No Change"

That phrase can be perceived positively. 

Like there is no change in location or no change in the time of the event. Everything is as expected, no need to switch your plans. 

Or negatively. 

There is no change in the diagnosis or no change in my answer. "Yes, kids we are going to the doctor, the plans did not change". 

In Hannah's case it's a both/and. 

Hannah had a sedated hearing test a few weeks ago and there has been no change in the hearing in her right ear. 

But also, there has been very little change in her speaking ability. 

Her speech therapist calls Hannah a puzzle. She does everything in her knowledge box to help get Hannah to say more sounds, but the tricky thing is, some days Hannah talks a lot and other days she is completely silent. 

And no one can figure out why she does it. 

Is it because she can't hear us?

Does she not want to hear us?

Is it because she's two and just doesn't feel like speaking at that time?

Yes, a puzzle. 

In a meer 3 months Hannah will have completed her early intervention therapy and will be ushered into preschool. 

This preschool will be specifically designed for kids with hearing loss and I do believe that it will make Hannah speak more. The daily routine of school, the pressure from her peers, etc. 

Right now the professional opinion is not to move forward on implanting Hannah's right ear. The doctor thinks her hearing aid is giving her enough amplification to allow her to hear well. 

I tend to agree. 

We will continue to check it every 6 months. 

There are no reasons to think that Hannah won't speak, and it does seem like she understands everything that is being said, so again it's a puzzle. 

One that is hard to be patient on putting together. 

 

It's Happening

Over the past few weeks our house has been in a whirlwind. 

Keith traveling, kids and runny noses, school activities, birthday parties. 

But also big accomplishments have happened. 

Suzi started crawling!

Of course this happened when Keith was out of town for a week. We found it pretty ironic that he now works from home and he missed it!

 

 

While I'm so thankful for milestones reached it's hard to believe how fast my baby is out-growing the baby stage. 

She is still the one who complains the least in the crew and can light up a room with her smile. 

Last week was also Derby week here in KY, way to go Always Dreaming! Eli and I went and watched the horses practice one morning at Churchill Downs. 

 

 

At first he didn't really understand why we would just go and watch horses, but when I told him I was bringing donuts he was on board. Thankfully, Keith could stay home with the girls while he and I got some one on one time. 

 

Another big thing happened just last night. I know people say kids grow up all of a sudden but this one really took me by surprise!

 

We attended an Art in the Park hosted by our church and when we first got there both Eli and Hannah clung to me because of the crowd, but it didn't take long for Eli to find friends and go off and play with them instead of staying with us. 

While I love that he has friends and independence, this one hurt my mama heart a little. Just a glimpse of what is to come, I guess. 

Of course on the way home he did ask if we would ever leave (a place) without him, which we assured him we would not, so I guess in his independence he missed us too. 

Hannah is doing well. With her on and off colds we have had to reschedule 2 sedated hearing tests. The 3rd attempt is scheduled for May 25th. If you would, please pray she is healthy for this test and it doesn't have to be rescheduled. I am eager to know how much she is hearing out of that right ear. 

 

Hannah posing with the horse she made in playgroup. 

Hannah still has just a handful of words and signs, but seems to be comprehending well. We are looking forward to how she responds to preschool which will start after she turns 3 in September. 

Our family is in the midst of yet another transition which I will hopefully share more about soon. We are encouraged by the Lord's continuing provision for our family and trusting him in the unknown right now. 

Those who know your name 

trust in you, for you, 

LORD, have never forsaken 

those who seek you. 

Psalm 9:10