Summer is almost here!

Summer is almost here and it's just in time!  I don't think any of us could stand another week of school!  A friend was kind enough to point out that this will be the first summer I've had 5 kids.  Wow, that's a lot of kids, isn't it?? lol  I am going to have to be creative to keep them busy.  Three of them will go to VBS.  Kennedy will go to Spina Bifida camp for a week (her favorite week of the entire year!).  Karrigan will go to church camp for a week.  Other than than, we will just wing it.  I know we will swim a lot.  We will hit the library often, have friends and cousins over, rent movies, take day trips and look for free/low cost things to do around town.  
 Nolan had his end of third grade awards.  He got several, very important awards, most of which I can not name off the top of my head! lol  But they were awesome.  I know he was recognized in Math and Writing and Art.  But there were a couple more.  

 

 Nolan THE MAN!  Moving on to fourth grade!

 

 

 Markus, watching the events.

 A lovely summer gift from the birds.

Mac got his casts off!!  The doctor loved the way his feet look.  I am tickled!!  I can't get over it.  He is now wearing short leg braces (AFOs).  They are camouflage and so stinkin cute! He will wear them during the day and for the next two months he will also be wearing them at night.  The hospital gave us special shoes to fit over the AFOs.  He doesn't NEED special shoes, they are just easier to get on and off.  But they make his feet and braces look huge!  He had his first bath in over two months yesterday.  I can't WAIT to see what Mac is gonna do.  Go Markus Go! 

Mac WITH casts

Mac WITHOUT casts

The first time in his AFOs.  I know he will give the quality of the braces a good run for the money!

 

 First bath in over 2 months!

Thursday morning, going to visit Grandpa.  Still getting use to wearing shoes! 

                                          

First bath in a while.

That's right, one wasn't enough!

Random picture of Kennedy! lol  Taken on Wednesday.

Big Mac Rap

Nolan and his buddy Bryce were in the "Talent" Show at school.  They did GREAT! 

Big Baby, lookin all cute, waitin for the show to start.

Nolan and Bryce

Displaying his shirt

Big Mac Rap

News flash- This just in.....

BLEEP my kids say!

Reagan (7) styled my hair and was so proud of her work.  She said "Mommy, you look so pretty, you should wear a DRESS today!".

Karrigan- "Is it possible for a dog to be born French?". 

Me- "Nolan, will you hand me my sunglasses?  They are right there on the floor board."  Nolan- "Here ya go but you look ugly in glasses". 

Feet...6 weeks later

Today Mac had his long leg casts removed and the pins in his feet taken out.  He was molded for AFOs (ankle foot orthotics, small leg braces) and recasted with shorter casts that he will wear for 4 weeks.  The doctor was thrilled with the way the feet look.  I am thrilled that we are down to only 4 weeks and that I can see his little knees! :)  I took lots of pictures of his feet while the casts were off.  They are a bit gross, just warning you. 

Waitin to be called.

Right after the casts were removed, the gauze is to protect the pins until the doc came in to removed them.

New, shorter casts!

Big Mac!

Nolan woke me up at 5:20 this morning, he had thrown up in his bed.  My children have "issues" with puking.  They do it in their beds, on the couch, on the carpet, never seem to even make an attempt to hit a trash can or toilet!  He has thrown up several more times today and has napped off and on.  My father in law was kind enough to let Nolan come hang out in his bed while I took Markus to the hospital.  I am T I R E D.  But being away from home two days in a row, the laundry is out of control.  I hope to get a lot of it done, while watching a new series I picked up on Netflix, "Heros". 



pictures

It's a rainy, cold Monday here!  Everyone who should be at school, is. :)  Mac and I are watching Toy Story 2 and doing laundry.  Here are a bunch of random pictures from my cell phone.

Grandpa and Mac at breakfast

Chocolate chip muffins!!

Reagan

Kennedy

My love, Bella, meeting Bruno.

Reagan and I

Nephew Levi

The ugliest dog EVER!! We met her in a McDonald's parking lot. She had only a few teeth and a few hairs but was super sweet and adored by her owners. gross

At cousins- Karrigan, Mac, Reagan and Nolan

Mac wasn't feeling well, Sally was happy to snuggle.

Pinkie up!

My new favorite quote.

Braums

Reagan and Markus, at Reagan's doctor.

Reagan and Markus at Markus's doctor.

Kennedy

Bad Markus!

Lunch at school with Reagan

A bird fishing, very cool!

Karrigan can hurt you with her swing!

duh

Nolan with cousin Levi



Wow

What has two thumbs and is a terrible blogger??  THIS GIRL!  Wow, I have been awful! 

We are free to formally adopt Markus any time now!  We just need the cash-o-la for the attorney and he is ours!  Markus is doing GREAT!  He is so, so big now!  He is signing 5 signs now on a daily basis!!  He is physically growing and changing too.  His little face is so full of expression, his eyes shine with wonder, his feelings are now easy to recognize.  He is so full of curiosity!  He is  motivated for what he wants (which is usually to make a mess).  He is such a joy!  He will get the long leg casts off next week.  He will get shorter casts (below the knee) and keep those for 6 weeks.   He just had a great check up with the Urologist.  He continues to receive Developmental Therapy to work on his speech. 

Reagan is getting over a nasty case of bronchitis.  She is scheduled for nasal and sinus surgery on May 19th.  I pray this is the miracle she needs to breathe better and FEEL better!  Her school work is improving a ton, her reading and math are really great!  She is super excited that her hair is growing out, finally!  She has the slowest growing hair in history!  She is enjoying playing soccer (although she is terrible at it).  She also has a new friend, they play together almost EVERY day.  The little friend lives across the street and is a precious little girl. 

Nolan is... well... Nolan.  He does awesome in school, without even trying.  He makes terrific grades at the "gifted" level, but could care less about his work.  He lives for his DS!  He never does "nothing", he is either out on his bike with friends, playing a game, doing chores, doing homework, on the computer, etc.  When there is nothing left to do, he goes to bed.  He doesn't stay up late watching tv, he just goes to sleep. 

Karrigan scored 100% on her taks tests!!  She was super stressed about the test, so it was awesome that she scored well.  There is one more test, she will get the results in the next week or two.  She rocked her softball game today!  She made all A's, one B on her report card.  She is nervous and excited, planning for MIDDLE SCHOOL next year!!  I think she has made up her mind to take band. 

Kennedy is doing great also.  She is staying healthy.  She enjoys school and is keeping her grades up.  It's so funny to watch her do typical "teen" things, like bob her head and sing the lyrics to a song.  Or play games on her itouch.  She also does "teen" things, like want to sleep alllll day and stay in her room all the time.  She has started massage therapy (jealous?? i am!).  She gets an hour massage once a week.  It sounds like a luxury, but it really can help her.  Her leg muscles are so tight, they stay in a "sitting" position all the time.  Also, her shoulders and back get tight and sore from wheeling herself. 

We only have a few weeks left of school!  Yikes!  What we will do all summer?? 

I am currently reading my first "Cross" book.  I think there are tons of Cross books in the series.  It's really good, but disturbing as well. lol 

Thanks for reading! I will not wait so long till my next post!  :)