Violet Update:

Violet came home at about 4PM yesterday afternoon.  She's doing very well with little complaints of pain.  She slept all through the night.  This bandage is a little more intense than in May.  She has two plaster splints that were not there last time, and the bandage extends to her mid thigh. (Last time it stopped below the knee.)  This makes moving a little more difficult.  It's all heavier.  We'll do a lot of carrying today.  But we anticipate her using the walker more and more as the days go on from here.

doing nails with mom after surgery

resting at home with flowers and balloon from Mimi and Grandpa

Other Updates....

Jessemyn's brother spent the summer with us.  He got a job in the area and moved into a rental house in September.   In October, Jessemyn's youngest sister got a job in our area as well.  She promptly moved up and will be living with us until she's got enough saved and finds an apartment of her own.  It's been a blessing having J's brother and now sister with us.

Noah is a sophomore at his Christian Highschool.  He is maturing and really applying himself in school. We're very proud of his efforts thus far.  He's had some interesting experiences with English this year.  He did NOT enjoy the Scarlett Letter; but he DID enjoy the field trip to see Nathaniel Hawthorne's house, Waldon Pond and Lexington and Concord.  (They are currently studying "Little Women.")  While he does not play at school, he still practices his trumpet at home. (Star Wars theme music book helps!)   On Saturday, he will be going down to NJ with classmates to serve those affected by Super-storm Sandy. 

After a year at home, Joseph has reentered public school (as a 7th grader) and is also doing quite well.  It really helps that he's got solid friends!  He's enjoying playing his bass in orchestra and jazz band.

Gabriel is in fourth Grade.  He's been a great big brother to the girls.  Gabe and Mia ride the bus together in the morning and ride home with Violet in the afternoon.  4th grade is the year kids start instruments in our school district. What is Gabe playing? The Trombone.  Will there be a jazz trio in our future?

Mia is excelling in first grade.  What a reader she is becoming!  Her health is good too.  We were able to switch to a recently approved chelation drug that she takes with water three times a day.  What does this mean? No more nasty tasting juice plus a 30 minute wait for food in the AM. AND No more shots at home OR extended hospital stays for the time being.  If this medication works--these will be dramatic blessings!  Please pray about this.  There is a side-affect (showing up in small percentages of users) of lowered white blood cells (which is bad.) But so far, blood tests show that she's doing well. Praise God!

Violet continues to adjust to life in our family and in her whole new world.  We have to keep reminding ourselves that she's only been here for just under nine months. That's not a lot of time!  But she's doing so well in so many ways.  But (as previous posts note) it's not always easy or smooth.  Today's surgery will be another adjustment process.  BUT--the difference in trust in us from May (surgery one) to today as OBVIOUS.

There's so much more to say about each in our crew--but that's enough to cover the basic gist of what's been going on with the kids.

Travel Soccer

This Fall, Gabe played soccer with one of our town's travel teams.  It was a good experience.  The team struggled at times, but I do believe they learned a great deal and persevered well.  It is so fun to watch Gabe play.  There were two games in which he scored THREE goals.  He runs and plays hard.  An added bonus was that his uncle helped coach the team. How fun!

New Normal

Seems like an odd day to be doing all this random posting, what with Violet in the hospital and all.  BUT if you knew our life, you would understand that having multiple hours "stuck" in one place is the best shot at sharing our heart and happenings.  :-)

So things have changed a bunch in our family this year.  The biggest change is that I'm working a significant number of hours outside of our home at our church's preschool.  One of the kids needed some specialized tutoring (read that as expensive) and it has provided some of those needed funds.  I'm thankful for the job for two reasons close to my heart...

I get to keep Violet with me every morning before she heads to Kindergarten.  Still loving on her.  Still teaching her.  Giving her snacks.  Hugs.  Reading books.  Still working on that mom/daughter bond.  Etc.  Etc.  Etc.

I get to make a difference in the lives of others.  Our class is large and I am blessed with a gifted co-teacher.  Together we care for 20 different children, several with very specific emotional needs due to painful pasts.  My heart breaks for the pain they've endured.  The opportunity to love on them and share Jesus with them is a privilege.  My class is a full-day one so the children are there from 7 AM into the late afternoon or dinner hour.  If you've ever wondered if there is a difference in the behavior and needs of children in "daycare" verses kids who are cared for primarily by family...there is!  My eyes have been opened and I'm more thankful than ever that we've been able to give our kids the gift of time at home with mom during their early years.

So, I'm up and out the door before 7 while Randall gets the crew of 5 ready to go to school.  He's doing great!  We've learned important lessons like

Make sure mom picks out the clothes the night before!
Keep a container in the teacher cabinet stocked with brushes and hair clips for little girls!
Remind children that it is their job to remember their winter clothes!

AND

Dad can get much more accomplished in the hour and a half before school than mom....a workout, a load of laundry, school lunches and more!

For me, the greatest lesson has been gratitude.  Having been primarily at home for 15 years, I'm reminded again what a high calling it is to be mom.  The opportunity to shape my children's character, to influence how they see themselves and the world, and to train them up in the ways of the Lord is an awesome responsibility. Working with so many children who haven't had the gift of being home with a mom reminds me daily just how important and special it is.  I miss my kids when I'm at school and I am recommitted to giving my absolute best service to my family.  

I'm thankful for my family that's pitching in to help make things run semi-smoothly at home...the big kids helping get the little ones ready, the bigger boys being self-sufficient in the am, my sister making sure everyone leaves with a kiss on the head.  The important things.  :-)

Sisters

 It's been quite a journey, but these two girls are bonding and forming a good friendship.  Are there rocky times?  Absolutely.  But aren't there tough times for all siblings?  There are LOTS of sweet times of fun and sharing together.  We are so grateful and love watching these sisters grow closer together.

Look who taught her sister how to ride a two wheeler! Amazing!

Enjoying cider at our Preschool/Church Hoedown.

These girls LOVE books.  Violet is SOOO curious and is learning to read.  Mia is already a Great reader.

Yes.  Our daughters on roller blades!  All the more amazing when you remember that Violet has a prosthetic foot!

Delinquint Bloggers

So, yes.  We've surely let down our loyal blog readers these last two-three months or so. We've had some fairly dramatic schedule changes, and we're still adjusting.  But I think it's time for us to reengage the blogging world--so, if you're still out there: stay tuned!  We hope to be more regular.

But first.  We've got a little catching up to do.....

Look, Jane, Look!

Guess Who's Reading?

She's sweet and silly and oh so smart...Miss Violet Xin Ni!

I picked up a Dick and Jane anthology at our thrift store a few months ago (because I love the artwork more than anything else).  She adores it.  Once started, she just couldn't stop herself.  "Daddy, come see!  Come see!  I weedin!"

we're here

This is the happy face that rolled into the or two hours ago.  What a change from last time!  In the spring, she clung to me and cried, a look of deep fear in her eyes.  This time, as we got ready to leave for the drive here, she took my hand gently and stood next to me as if to say, "we're doing this together."  Last time, she clung to me hoping I could save her.  This time, she trusted she was ok because I was here.

HOPING is different than TRUSTING.

And trust looks really, really beautiful.