Future Hockey Stars?!

Some of our friend's kids love to play street hockey. L. and K. have watched this and have become quite intrigued by it. Since neither one of them knows how to skate, they hold on to each other to "skate" around the patio. I found them playing hockey today using a tinkertoy and a toy shovel as their hockey sticks! While they may not be great hockey players, they certainly are resourceful!!

It's not an ipod but...

We don't have an ipod in our house, but our kids don't mind. They have a record player that plays 45's, and they love listening to their Golden Books on it. The sound quality is terrible, it is scratchy and the speed never seems to be quite right. The voices on the records are always just a little too fast, or a little too slow! But that's okay, because I remember loving these when I was little, and I'm so happy my kids love them too!!

8 Wonderful Years

I can't believe our N. turned 8 this past August. Even though my other children's birthdays all make me reminiscent of the milestones they have reached, I must say that N.'s birthday is always a bit more emotional for me. This is because we didn't think N. would ever have a birthday. When he was born with a rare chromosomal disorder, the doctor asked us if we were religious people. When we said yes, of course, he suggested we have N. baptized immediately. This is never a good thing to hear hours after giving birth to your child. The chaplain was called and he baptized N. with just my husband, myself, the nurse, and a nun present. N. was then taken to the local children's hospital for more intensive care. N. was born without an anal opening (something I quite frankly had never even heard of before!) and required surgery at 1 day old. We quickly learned this was just the beginning of a very difficult time for N. The next day, we were told N.s heart needed to be repaired. As our children's hospital did not have a cardiac surgeon at the time, N. had to be mercy flighted to an out-of-state hospital. We followed him there in our van. God was so good to us and gave N. the best doctors we could hope for. N.s heart is doing great now, and we expect no further complications with it-Praise God!!

That first year was definitely tough with an average of 3 doctor's appointments a week for various things, plus 12 therapy sessions a week for OT,PT,Speech, and vision. Looking back, I'm not sure how we got through it, but I know that it was Jesus giving us that strength and faith that this is all part of His plan. During that first year I wrote a little book for Noah because I was worried about how I would handle the "Why did God make me this way?" question someday. I called it God's Little Miracle. The story starts off with St. Peter being sad and worrying to God that people are not praying very much anymore. God responds by telling St. Peter not to worry because he is sending a very special baby to Earth that will bring many people closer to Him with all their prayers for this little baby.

To this day I am amazed how many people say that they pray for N. and our family. N. has a way of touching others and drawing them to prayer. God is good isn't He? I am so proud of my little guy that even though he can't say a word, his life says so much.

Beatiful Sunset

We saw a gorgeous sunset while on vacation. Just another example of God's handiwork. L. likes to say that Jesus is a good painter!

Nothing Like a Day at the Beach

This August we went back home and visited family and friends. It was so nice to see everyone as it has been over a year since we made it back. One of the highlights of the trip was taking the boys to Lake Ontario. They had so much fun walking along the water. Daddy showed them how to skip stones. It was so great to see them so excited and awestruck about the beauty that God has made. N. really loved the sound of the waves and smiled the whole time we were there. The boys took off their shoes and shirts and splashed in the cool water. They started off doing a good job keeping their shorts dry, but quickly became soaked! Oh the fun of simple pleasures!

Cookie Thief

While visiting with my family little K. decided that if one cookie is good, more is better! He likes the cream filling in the Oreos and all of a sudden there were a pile of half eaten Oreos on the table. He was caught red handed! Busted!

A Day at the Farm

We went to a local farm with our homeschooling group. We had such a nice time! We actually got to go twice because it rained the first time, so they gave us a raindate for the following week. The kids had a blast riding peddle karts, feeding baby goats, and playing in a shed full of wheat and toy tractors.

Happy Birthday, Mama Mary!

To honor Our blessed Mother's birthday, the boys made her a card, and of course we had to have cupcakes!

L. is riding a two-wheeler

I am so proud of L.! After practicing over the summer he can now ride a two-wheeler by himself. I was so happy for him when he finally learned how to balance, plus I was happy for me that I don't have to run down the street holding on to the back of his bike anymore! Go L.!

1st Day of School

Well, we have officially started our first year of homeschooling as L. is now in kindergarten! L. was very excited, although he quickly realized that kindergarten isn't that different from preschool! I like having a set curriculum because it keeps me on task. We are following a more set routine this year, although it is still pretty laid-back. It is only kindergarten after all!

N. is in third grade now! He seems to like it. He is doing so great with his walking. He got a new walker over the summer, and now he is cruising all around.