Cheating

So, up until this last weekend, I've been doing really well on my diet. I haven't lost much lately but that's ok, because I'm not in a weight loss phase of my diet. So the fact that I've lost any at all is really really great. Well, that was until Saturday. I really started craving Chinese food. I haven't had any Chinese food for months. Long story short, that little craving cost me over 5 pounds in one day. I'm so upset and I don't think I'll eat Chinese food ever again. (Unless I make it and I modify the recipe so it fits into my diet.) I'm back on the wagon as of today and I vow to not cheat (until Saturday). 

Mayo anyone?

So lately Chris and I have been thinking that we just don't have all the answers we need for Calvin yet. We feel that his current doctors have done all that they can and that it's time for us to look elsewhere. I've been doing some research on the internet and it appears that Mayo Clinic is the place to go when you have Myasthenia. So I called them and the one in Scottsdale will not see anyone under the age of 18. But, the one in Rochester, Minnesota will. So I called up there and I must not have explained my situation correctly to the lady on the phone because she transferred me to someone who transferred me to someone who was like um, I need to transfer you. I finally talked to the right department and they asked me for letters from his current doctors summarizing Calvin's medical history. I wonder just how long those summary letters are going to be. Calvin has a rather extensive medical history. Anyways, as soon as they get those letters, they will call me to set up the appointments. They said I could expect to be in Minnesota 3-7 days and that they try to complete all the testing in one trip so that we don't have to travel back and forth. It is done outpatient so we will need to get a hotel. I feel like finally we'll have some answers. Does anyone want to watch the rest of my children while I'm gone?

Emma has informed me that she is "not a baby anymore." And she would like to use the "glass" plates. Not the baby plates anymore.

Complaining - oh wait - I have so much to be thankful for!

I'm so tired of stomach flu. Today would be day three. These things usually only last one or two days around here. Bought the carpet shampooer on day one. Thankfully only needed it once so far. (However always good to have one of those around with a two year old and white carpet - seriously why is white carpet even available for people to choose?) It's time to bust out the bleach and hose down the house.

However, I am so thankful that I am tired of stomach flu and not facing something bigger. I am so thankful that Calvin's muscle condition is what it is and is not something bigger. I am so thankful that all I need worry about is when will my children stop feeling ill. Not if they will stop feeling ill. I'm so thankful that my biggest concern for Bradley is that he needs to pass off his multiplication tests. I'm so thankful that my concern for Dana is that she...hmmm, no worries about her at the moment. My husband has a secure job, my children are all healthy (well, stomach flu aside), I have everything that I need and so much that I don't need. My life is so blessed. 

Bradley has a friend

So when we told the kids that we were moving away from Queen Creek, Bradley was so excited. He needed new surroundings and new kids to make friends with. He's very shy around kids his age and had not been able to make any real friends in Queen Creek. So when we moved here, Bradley was still very shy and struggled to make friends. A couple weeks ago, Dana made friends with a girl from church who lives pretty close by. When we discovered that her brother was in Bradley's class we invited him over. This little boy is a lot like Calvin. He's had a hard time making friends too. Bradley and him get along really well. Both families are so thrilled that they are friends. 

A couple days ago, when I picked Bradley up from cub scouts, he says that his friend is coming to spend the night. I explained that that is something he has to get permission for. I must not have explained well enough because the next day after school he says his friend is coming to spend the night. I again explain that he needs permission to do that. I called the other mom and it turns out that Bradley's friend is sick anyways. So the next day, Dana comes running in to tell me that the hide-a-bed is ready. I ask her what it's ready for? And she says for Bradley's friend to spend the night. All this time, no permission for the sleepover has been granted. I again explain to Bradley that unless mom or dad specifically say that it's ok for so-n-so to spend the night, that it's not going to happen. His friend was still sick anyways, so it wasn't going to happen permission or not this weekend. I think Bradley understands now how it all works and maybe he'll get to have that sleepover soon. 

It's just so funny sometimes how we think we've explained it clearly. We ask do you understand? They answer yes. And we assume that means they understand. We've realized that we have to then follow that question with asking them if they understand the specific words we've just used. Half the time they don't understand the words, yet, they've just claimed to understand the whole sentence. For example, the other night at dinner we had some pork chops that were quite yummy. As I was getting the last bit of meat off of the bones, I asked the kids "Are you allowed to gnaw on the bones if we're at a restaurant?" 

In unison, "No." 

I ask, "What about at someone else's house?"

Again, "No."

I then think about it for a moment, and realize they probably don't know what the word gnaw means. So I ask them, "Do you know what it means to gnaw on something?"

"No."

Good thing they know not to do it, now if they just knew what it was. But do they ask? No.

Let me clarify...

My sister asked why we would buy a van without test driving it. Let me clarify. We test drove it. We called the dealership to see if it was still available before driving over there. He must've known the battery was bad because when we got there, it took them awhile to get the van up to the front for us to see it. Chris test drove it and when he came back the guy said to leave it running to charge the battery. So we left it running for a while and then when we went to do paperwork, we turned it off. That's when it wouldn't start back up.

12 passengers

Chris and I are now the proud owners of a 12 passenger van. Actually I am. It's only in my name. It was just easier to have Chris stay out in the car with the kids while I did the paperwork on it. It's red. We bought it from a very small dealership in Tucson. So small that they don't have lights on their lot and so they close at like 6:00. It's almost a one man operation. Very small. Anyways, we finished up the paperwork on it and the we're getting ready to leave and it won't start. The dealership is already closed, we were their last customers, and the guy is already gone. He told us it sat for a year so we figured the battery was just dead. Luckily there was a Checker across the street so we took the battery out and over to Checker and they said they would charge it for free for us. It would take about an hour. We figured everyone was hungry so we went to get dinner. In the meantime, Derrick has peed through his pull-up, soaking his clothes. I have diapers in the car, but no extra clothes. So we went through the drive-thru. We finished eating and thought ok, what time is it, is the battery ready? No. Only 10 minutes had passed. Chris has been needing to get a haircut and there was a place right there so he went to do that. The kids and I waited in the car - thank heaven for DVD players. I don't know how we ever survived without them. The lady cutting his hair was so slow. Chris told her we were all waiting in the car and that Checker would close with our car battery there and we'd have to leave our new van in a 7-Eleven parking lot in Tucson and go home. She apparently didn't care. I could see her through the window stopping to talk to other people in the shop. Every so often she'd stop and look at Chris' hair and then cut a little here, a little there. I've never seen anyone do a slower haircut before. And it wasn't even that great of a haircut. It was good. But for how long it took, it should've been fantastic. Anyways, we make it there to Checker a few minutes before they close and the battery is no good. So we bought a new battery and the van started right up. Just to be safe we drove the van over to Checker so they could test the alternator. It was good. So we headed home and I have to say I really love the new van. I was a little worried about driving such a large vehicle. It is bigger than a suburban, but not by much. It was a very frustrating few hours with our new vehicle, but I think we're going to have this one for a long time and I'm really happy about that.

Praying for Grampa

The other night Chris and I were helping the Emma and Derrick say their prayers. Emma said hers first with my help and then Chris helped Derrick. Chris told Derrick to end his prayer and Derrick looks up at Chris and says "Grampa." Chris had not told Derrick to say anything about Grampa and Derrick was not going to end his prayer until he had. We love you Grampa!! 

Dana so funny

So I was able to go to the grocery store sans toddlers today. Yippey!! I decided to take Dana with me, just to spend some one on one time with her. Truth be told I would have rather taken her clothes shopping - that's always fun to do with her. But groceries were on the agenda so that's what we did. After going to the store we stopped by the post office to pick up our mail on the way home. Dana must've seen the sign on the outside of the building that said Sierra Vista, AZ because she asked if we lived in Mexico. I asked her if she thought we did and she said yes. Apparently she thought that when we moved to Sierra Vista two months ago, we moved to Mexico. Silly Dana. Yes we are quite close to the border, but for the record, just in case anybody was wondering, Sierra Vista is still in Arizona. Not in Mexico. I pointed out to her that nobody in Sierra Vista spoke Spanish. She was like "they speak Spanish in Mexico?" Seriously where did she get the idea that we had moved to Mexico?

Dad is coming home

Last night I spent the night at the hospital with Dad. Mom needed to get some real sleep, so she went to Heathers and I stayed with Dad. It was really nice to talk to Dad and spend time with him, however the sleeping arrangements really left something to be desired. The chairs for visitors are not that comfortable to sit in beyond 20 minutes let alone sleep all night. 

Today the doctors gave the go ahead for Dad to come home. He's doing really well and is able to get up and around mostly by himself. He'll get therapy at home for a while and then when he's doing well enough, he'll get therapy at a therapy center. It'll be so nice for everyone to have Dad at home.

Potty Training

So if any of you remember my potty training miracle back before the move. It wasn't so much of a potty training experience as a let the two year old control everything kind of experience. I knew I wasn't ready for it back then but he seemed to be so we gave it a 6 hour effort and then called it quits. He would've done great if I'd had time to really do it. But no. So this week, I decided I was sick of buying diapers. There will be no more diapers in this house. (I did buy pull-ups for at night though.) Derrick has been in underwear all day. It's going pretty well. Only one accident so far. And he's not putting up too much of a fight. He really likes his potty treats so that helps. I'd prefer it if he'd wear just his underwear all day. But he insists on wearing his overalls. Rather complicates the whole situation, but oh well. Give and take I guess. So think happy potty training thoughts for me. :) 

On a different subject, Chris and I have decided that our boys have outgrown our minivan. We're looking at different options and so far the one that seems to make the most sense is a 12 passenger van. Yes, yes, I know, they're huge. But that's kind of why we are looking at them. Brace yourself for a totally obvious observation. Our kids are only going to get bigger from here on out. The 12 passenger vans comfortably seat large families plus friends. Do I sound like I'm trying to sell it to myself? Kind of. I've always been a fan of the oh so comfy suburban, but I'm really looking at that van thinking it might be a better choice.