Two-year Olds Can Put on their Own Boots

It's a beautiful day here in the Willamette Valley. For all of you out-of-state folks, I'm talkin' about Oregon. It rained last night, the grass is almost neon green and the sun is shinning in that almost summer kind of way.

I'm trying to get old photos scanned (for my husband's family no less!). Gee...I must be some kind of saint. Anyway Joshua, a.k.a. "Little Man" is no dummy. He's already fetched his boots and put them on. Surprisingly, they're on the right foot most of the time, although I never know whether he's left his socks on or not. We have a beautiful piece of property to explore, but alas! there's no fenced-in yard. That means I'll be donning my boots as soon as I can and be outside with him.

I never know what direction I'll head in. Lately he's into picking up spiders running all over the ground or opening the door to the chicken coop. Then there's goat poop that he seems so interested in or mud puddles begging to be splashed in. It's not that I don't let my boys get muddy - I just like them to be outside more than a few minutes before they're covered in it.

I'm not sure how pioneer women managed it all and without a washing machine, no less! Maybe they had more time since there were no cell phones, email, or television. Hmmm...

Blessings!

Back to "Perfect"

My son, Joshua had Kawasaki Disease several weeks ago. Check out the post Kawasaki Disease for the story if you don't know about it. Yesterday he had his second echocardiograph and his heart is back to normal which means Joshua is now even more perfect than before (except for his screeching)! That was an answer to prayer! I used to take my kids to a family doctor and made the decision to take them to a pediatrician (an awesome one I might add). If you have been considering whether to stay with your family doctor or change so your kids can have a pediatrician - make the change!! I have been so glad I did. Pediatricians are generally better because they work with kids, know kids and all the strange diseases and ailments that are peculiar to them.

We went to the Children's Hospital in Portland yesterday for the echocardiograph. What an awesome facility! Let me tell you, if you are down and out and disgruntled about this or that, then just visit a children's hospital for awhile. You will see children in wheelchairs, unable to communicate their needs. You will see children with ballcaps on and noticeably short hair or no hair underneath. It's a big dose of reality to see what some people are dealing with in their lives. There are also angels there, you know. I saw a senior couple who were probably in their mid to late sixties. I do not know whether they were a foster family, respite care, taking care of their grandchild or what the situation was. The boy in the stroller they were taking care of was so malformed. They loved on him and showered him with attention, human touch, and kindness. Many people in their lives receive awards for this or that. I don't know if these folks have ever received one, but I do know that what they do is far beyond what any medal can commendate for.

Let us be thankful!

Debbie

Hot Days

I'm glad to report that Joshua is doing well. He had his echocardiogram a week ago at the Children's Hospital in Portland. There's no dilation of his coronary arteries which means there's no longterm damage to them. There's still inflammation showing up which is fairly normal with Kawasaki Disease. Right now is a window after the onset when he can develop an aneurysm (although not likely since he was treated so early) We are praying that it will be all resolved by his next echo. As you can see from the pictures, he is on the move again and back to a normal toddler.

Nathan has eight days left for Kindergarten which is hard to believe. I've been working the past year as an instructional assistant at his school, so I'll be off for the summer as well pretty soon. I'm ready to apply for my Oregon Teaching License and put an application in at the local district. I know that with the budget there are no new jobs being created. Still, I'm hopeful. The Lord blessed me with a wonderful job before, and I know he can do it again. There's always someone who leaves, resigns, or another job created before the next school year starts. I do know that I probably won't get anything until right before, but I'm preparing now, getting out my teaching materials and familiarizing myself with things again. I'll certainly keep you posted on that!


Well, this has nothing to do with what I just wrote, but I did want to put my two cents in about the new Chex cereals that are gluten free. I was at Winco at "O' dark thirty" one morning when my bleary eyes spotted the large labeling on the front of the Honey Nut and Corn Chex. I was ecstatic!!! Yes, like I've said before, I am hopeful for all the changes that will happen in the next few years. I will be so happy if they can come up with a cure for my boy or at least some kind of enzyme intervention to allow him to "indulge" from time to time. For now, as you can see, he is just enjoying life as a young boy.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and for stopping by!

Debbie