Reality...

Reality is a good thing..face it everyday head on! Right in your face... Well, sometimes I think I stick my head in the sand. No, I do! To me my kids are PERFECT!!! In every way. But not everyone feels that way. Not everyone is comfortable with the way Jovan walks..you can see it in their faces. The adults turn and stare..why? Because he is considered a child with "special needs". He can't reach things very well..okay. Oh, he needs help with his bathroom needs..okay. He doesn't always walk "standing" up..okay. THAT'S OKAY!!! My son tries just as hard if not harder then every other kid! He fights to be a typical kid.. THAT'S OKAY!!!

My reality when it comes to my son.....well, I fight for him too!! In school I try to make sure that he is putting in and getting out what he needs. (he is still learning English and letters..etc) At home he is expected to keep his room clean, help out where he can..collect garbage in his and his sister's room. Dust, fold laundry(learning that), put clothes away, hold dust pan for the sweeper, there is more..but you get the idea. Sound tough and unrealistic? Not to me. We are a family and we ALL do our part for each other in our home!! He enjoys helping..he enjoys a challenge..I don't expect perfection..but contribution, YES!

That little boy is my son and I hope and pray that God will lead me and teach me and help me with Jovan's upbringing and teaching. (And of course my hubby as well!) I want Jovan to know about God and have a personal relationship with him..that is the most important lesson I must teach!! And that lesson is taught everyday!! Thank you God for my son!!

Now, when you look at my little girl you see a beautiful "normal" looking child. You don't see her lungs fighting to pump oxygen through her body to help her live every second of her life. You might not ever see her take pills before she eats..or do her CF treatments EVERY day without fail! She is also considered "special needs". Okay.. She does all of that to live..everyday all day long!! That is her life!

The other part of our wonderful girl that we are learning about is, that she has a beautiful mind. A mind that works in a special way. She is the most helpful loving sweet girl I know. She knows many, many things. Her mind has trouble with some concepts..we are now (and have been) working on boosting that up. We have mommy school..and gym activities, and bunch's of other things. I also expect her to contribute to our home!! Chores..you betcha!! But, with my kids they really enjoy helping mommy and daddy! My daughter is the best! I am so thankful to God for my wonderful daughter!! I love her to pieces!!!

Bottom line..my kids have special needs, but they are the most PERFECT kids that God blessed me with. We strive to be there to help them at every turn of life!! That is my take on reality.. Perfection!!!!! Given to me by my heavenly father! Thank you God!!!

HI...

How is everybody? We are fine, but this mommy has NO clue this week on which day of the week it is. Monday I read the calendar for Feb. and brought the kids on the wrong day! UGH!! Then just a few minutes ago I got excited because I thought it was Friday. Is it? NO!! Bummer!!

But, notice the color..I am off to Super Target!! WAHOO! Not! Every penny is accounted for and this run is for meds for K and milk!! Maybe M&M's? That was Jovan's first letter in the alphabet!! :) hee hee

I have more to say today..but later when the kids are outside. Off to ST with the kids! The subject will be special needs.

See ya! Have a great day!

Confession and Excitement...

Okay first the confession...um, early early yesterday morning I was so excited to (yes, there is a confession coming first..just wait) be a mom that I missed my kids and wanted to wake them up. So, my confession is that I wanted to be selfish..and disturb my children because I (it was all about me) wanted them. Now granted I did contain myself..and let them sleep! :) But, when they got up I was thrilled to death!! And so much happier then if I would have woken them up!! :) My children were home the day before and asleep in their own beds!! I must be crazy!!! God is so good to me!! I am a mom!! Something I have wanted to be since I was FIVE!!! I watched my mom take care of us and my dad, and I wanted to be just like her!!

Now for the excitement part!! I get to be a mom again!! An unexpected blessing from God!! And we are getting our stuff in order..I am arranging a fund raising dinner at church. Getting things together to have give aways to raise money. So we are working towards moving things along..And it is exciting!!!

The kids are home for the fourth day in a row. I am thrilled to death..but I am also excited that when it warms up they can go outside! :) hee hee They have LOTS of energy!! And they LOVE LOVE going outside to play!!!

Did you get them?...

All of the posts I did in my head? My gosh there were days and days that were done! :) In my defense..my mind is not connected to my computer! And if it was you all would still be reading and not quite caught up on all the reading!

First of all Happy New Year to all of you reading this in the states and also today is the New Year for the people living where my children are coming and came from. My wish is for a happy and blessed year!

Now, let's see...ALL of last week was SO BUSY!! I do believe it was the busiest week of my life!! Monday Jovan had two doctor appointments. One for a pre-op, the other was a general surgery doc to review him. Tuesday was school. Wednesday..doctor apt for Jovan, this one for seeing if we could determine info about his stature. Thursday was school and the meeting proceeding Kristina's IEP meeting. Now the meeting had nine other people then me. Eight of which told me all the things that Kristina couldn't do. My heart was ripped out of my chest. All I could think of was my daughter, the little girl I love tries so hard to "get it" and wants to be like every other typical child. She knows that she is a little different..I can see that it bugs her! So, it was just so heart wrenching to hear it out loud from strangers! Perhaps I am a bit sensitive? You bet! I know that..but that is MY baby!! Born from my heart!! Anyway, after many many tears I was okay and ready to move forward! UFFDA

Several nights my sleeping did not go according to plan. I tossed and turned a lot and prayed even more! Friday Jovan was scheduled for surgery. My insides were queasy and I felt ill and nervous! So much so that I wanted to call the whole thing off. Now, of course I trusted God..and gave him up to God, or back to God. My thought was my little boy, the pain, the fear..all of those things. Guess I really didn't let it all go to God. Once we got there it was much better though. Jovan was freakin out! He started crying as soon as we went in the door, we had never been there before. Dan and I were calm until the registration gal asked us for our inpatient hospital co-pay. I then said he is NOT being admitted!! And she said that is what she had down. I said no way and was then told to talk to the nurse. When we told him what the doctor told me, he just said he had a bed ready for him. I said NO WAY! And then we left it at me speaking with the doctor. And of course she said NO WAY as well! She asked us if we understood that if something happened then we would be looking at staying. We said of course!

We waited all day for him! Dan carried him in for the "sleeping" medicine. I am glad that Jovan and I studied a Curious George book about him going to the hospital. We looked at that book for over a week! Talking about it..studying it very carefully. So at the beginning I had George to refer to. Okay, we waited ALL day. I thought I would be so productive and all I wanted to do was sleep! So I rested some and prayed lots. Dan and I talked..then the surgeons came out. One, then the other. Everything was good..for the most part. Let's just say Jovan was made with special insides and leave it at that. He then had an MRI since he was sedated and that was the only way they could do it because he would be moving otherwise.

Saturday was a rest and take care of the kids day. Kristina was at my sister's house Thursday night and all day Friday. It was good to have her home! Jovan was in pain and so sleepy. I cried off and on wondering if it was truly the right thing to do. I know that it was too late for that, but let me tell you that I will be thinking hard the next time he needs something done. Don't get me wrong..he needed those things done.. So we are glad that phase is done.

Sunday we were not sure if we were going to make it to church. Jovan was doing much better, and he said he wanted to go to church. Yes, using English and a sentence. So we got ready and went. He was happy and so were we. We played around after nap time..and just kinda hung out. Of course pizza for supper!

Monday was school and a blood draw for both kids. Oh my, did Jovan scream!!! Kristina just cried..and I cried! So emotional I am!! Then we got something to drink and headed home for a movie. Tuesday was a clean the house, take down the tree day. We usually leave it up till after the Orthodox New Year..this year we were early. Oh, how the kids did chores. I even taught Jovan to dust using a Swiffer. So we surprised daddy with the tree being gone! (He was NOT happy I did it by myself.) The tree went willingly even though it was almost ten feet tall. And I did not get a drop of water anywhere but outside!!

Wednesday was school and Kristina's IEP meeting. That went well. So, we have that in place now. Today is a mommy school day with a LONG recess outside! :) The kids had a blast! Came in dry, but there snow gear was soaked! Had lunch and are now down for a little snooze. Kristina was asleep before Jovan got off the potty! :) After nap is more mommy school and helping mommy put toys away in the play area.

Friday is a doctor appointment for Kristina. A check up. Jovan will be in school. This weekend we are going to try to hang out with my parents. Do something fun! Hope that it works out..maybe the Mall of America? Who knows..

So, that my friends is all that you basically have missed. We are continuing to try and raise funds for our third butterfly that is waiting to join this family of busyness...

Sunday...

We had a really nice Sunday after church. Dan and I watched the Vikings game and only used the last quarter for a nap. :) Then...

We baked little wienies!! Or little red Dachshunds!! Calvin Micheal plopped himself right in front of the heat register! Face first!! It was so cute!! He LOVES to bake! Where ever there is heat! Sun, heat..doesn't matter to him!! Then..

We bothered my grandmother who was laying down!!! It was a blast! First I crawled into bed with the dogs and laid there talking to her..all the while she was telling me to get out and take the dogs with me. She was trying to push me..using just my arm... Pretty strong for an almost 91 year old! :) So then the kids came in because she and I were laughing so loud. Then they got on the bed too! What a hoot!!! She was laughing and giggling and using Ukrainian words to tell us to leave..part English and part Ukrainian!! :) Love her to pieces! So do the kids!!

Well, now Kristina is doing her CF treatments and we had the TV to The Learning Channel. Well, Jovan sat down and started to watch it..I wasn't really paying attention and changed the channel to something else and Jovan said "hey!!" And something else I couldn't understand..when I changed it back he said "thank you mommy". Okay it's alright for him..he has watched it intently for 34 minutes!

Better go..have a few things to get ready for Monday. And I am going to try to post one more time today! :)

Hard to do...

How come it is hard for some people to ask for help? This little chicky HATES it!!! Don't ask me why..so I am going to cut to the chase, as I have written this paragraph over and over several times!!

We need financial help bringing home our third butterfly. I am not sure how we are going to raise funds..but God will provide the funds. It is hard for me.. This was not the case for the other two..so I kinda feel helpless. This is about answering God's call to bring home another butterfly created by Him! A perfect butterfly waiting to get his wings to fly home!

Pray about it..maybe God wants you to give financially? Maybe praying is all that God wants you to do? (That one is HUGE in my book!!!!) And we are grateful to whatever people can do! Or ideas? We have a video camera that we will be taking donations to be able to gift it to you. That will be a little later..I am NOT so blog literate. :)

I did add a Chip-in... Took a few times but it is done. :) Thank you for praying for us!