Autumn

Wow, that’s one big picture of my cat.  (Not sure what happened.)  I was up literally all night with a sick cat.  She sounded like she was coughing up a lung. . .it was awful.  And, when she sleeps on your pillow and has a coughing episode every 10 minutes. . .it’s hard to sleep.  Plus, I was worried about her and anxiously awaiting the vet office to open.  When they did, I got her in and $280 later, I learned that she does indeed have asthma.  We had problems last year around Oct/Nov. . .so it will probably be an annual occurrence.   She had a steroid injection and we’re hoping to see improvement within 48 hours.  Poor thing is pretty traumatized by the vet visit. . .she’s a very anxious cat anyway.    I’m hoping to get some sleep tonight. :)

Zoo Day

My parents were off work this week for their 40th anniversary and one thing they wanted to do was take their granddaughters to the zoo.  So, today we had a zoo day.  Not only was it a beautiful day, but everyone had a lot of fun. 

Watching the elephants

 

Riding on a lizard statue.

On the move. . .

One of Olivia’s favorites. . .the “gafingoes.”

Thursday, September 29, 2010 - Update

Autumn and Tobey are now the best of friends.  I didn’t think the day would ever come, but now Autumn mothers him and grooms him on a regular basis.  They cuddle, they wrestle, they love on each other . . .just like my sister-in-law, Shelley, said they would.  At the moment, I’m wondering if Olivia is ever going to get through a day of school without crying.  I’m hoping that if my cats have taught me anything, they’ve taught me that things do work themselves out.  We’ve made quite a few changes to Olivia’s school day in hopes that one or all of the changes will help.  I guess Olivia has trouble managing herself.  She completes a task and doesn’t know what to do with herself while waiting for the other kids to finish so she sits and cries.  She doesn’t know how to ask for help, even though her language is there.   She knows how to ask for help at home, although I can better anticipate what she needs and when.  She now goes to school two days a week (Tues, Thurs) instead of just one, but her days are shorter.  I know the shorter day helps (2 hours instead of 3) but it’s tough sending her another day.  Again, I know the reasoning behind it. . .she starts to get used to school, but then doesn’t go for another week.  I’m grateful that her teachers are trying to find a solution.  Please pray that this situation gets better as it’s been tough on all of us.

I did see a glimmer of hope yesterday.  Sometimes, Olivia gets in her cozy coupe and tells me she’s going somewhere.  It’s usually the grocery store or Target, but yesterday she said she was going to school.  (We normally can’t mention the word school without big tears.)   Then, she jumped out and said, “But, I need my back pack!!” She ran upstairs to get it and requested to wear it while driving her car.  I think this is a good sign!! 

Praise You In This Storm

Some days I am so angry at God for taking my son.  Did He not know how much I longed to be a mother?  Did He forget how hard we had tried to get pregnant?  How is that fair?  But, God did a very merciful and loving thing. . .he blessed me with twins.  For some reason, my son was not meant to stay here on earth, but Olivia would be here to help us cope with that.  We have been beyond blessed with the opportunity to raise her, love her, teach her, adore her.  She keeps a smile on my face and love in my heart.  I feel close to Logan just by being with my daughter.  She is our miracle and on days like today that is more apparent than ever.  I will forever miss my son. .. more than I can sometimes even bear, but I thank God every day for my daughter, my family, my friends.  And though I grieve, I will never forget the many blessings that I have. 

Logan

A is for Apple

Olivia and I started our preschool today learning about the letter A. Of course, my 30 minute lesson plan was over in 15 minutes, so I had to add in a few more things. We started the day by making applesauce. And. . .the apples smelled so good cooking in the crock pot that I had to eat a piece and then another and another. I don’t know how many are actually left to make into applesauce. Here is the recipe for those wanting a quick, easy way to make it.

--4 large apples, skinned ,cored, and cut in quarters
--juice from 1 lemon
--1/2 tsp cinnamon
--1 tsp vanilla
--1 T brown sugar
--1/4 cup H20

The Directions.
I used a 4 quart crockpot for the applesauce.
Skin, core, and cut your apples into quarters. Plop the pieces into your crockpot. Add the juice from the lemon, and the water. Pour in the vanilla and add the cinnamon and brown sugar.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. When the apples are super tender, mash with a potato masher or large fork.

Unfortunately, this applesauce was not Olivia approved.  I think it was a little too tart for her.  She made a funny face and immediately asked for “new applesauce” aka Motts.  LOL.

Here is what Olivia worked on today at home. We colored an apple and made an apple book. She is still learning how to work scissors, so I did most of the cutting myself. That is one of the skills we’re working on in OT.

I also spoke with her preschool teacher today. We are shortening Olivia’s day, but adding another day each week. Instead of going Tuesdays from 8:50-11:50, she’ll go Tues/Thur from 10 – 11:50. We’ll see how that goes. She is also going to take Gogum to school with her in hopes he’ll provide some comfort. (I have an extra one stashed away in case he doesn’t make it home.) Please continue to pray for this situation to work itself out. Pray for her teachers, for Olivia (and for mom and dad.)

Happy 40th Anniversary!!

Today is my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary!  Wow!  Their marriage is such an inspiration to me and I couldn’t ask for two better parents.  Happy Anniversary!

My parents at my wedding in 2003.