Back to school, and on their own!!

One by one the kids are heading back to school. The first one to move out was Noelle! On August 8th she moved to an apartment! So unbelievable! We are so proud of her. Technically due to her large amount of absences over the last two years especially, Noelle has one semester of high school left. She will begin Hawkeye Community College in January. She will be there for two years and then pursue her BSN at Allen Nursing School. Here are a few pictures of her apartment. She has two roommates that were assigned to her. They are doing well so far.

August 19th Teme headed back to school. He is in the 8th grade.

August 21st the big guy headed back to Ames. He has changed his major to Chemistry with a teaching certification, with the goal to teach high school Chemistry. I think this is a good fit. In fact, I have been encouraging him in this direction for awhile. I actually felt the need to ensure that he did not change because of my pestering. I would hate to be responsible for an unhappy choice. He assures me it was all his decision.

His room is TINY! And I have laughed at the difference getting a girl off to her own place for the first time versus a boy, especially Jake. So funny.

Sabrina will head to second grade tomorrow. I will definitely add photos later.

Jake's health scare!

Overnight June 12/13th I received a phone call from Jake. He had been taken by ambulance to the emergency room in Ames after passing out while studying. The person that called emergency services did not wait for the EMTs so we actually had little information. After a CT scan and some blood tests Jake was released and I took him back to his house to rest and then we brought him back to Waterloo.

Friday Jake had a good day. He just rested. And we attended Sabrina's dance recital that evening. Saturday morning about 5 a.m., I heard someone up and decided to investigate. Jake was up with a severe headache. Since he had passed out the night before, I took him to the E.R. again. They did another CT scan. Jake had begun to be very confused. Unable to answer simple questions, like his name. It was very scary. Apparently our local hospital does not have a neurologist on call on the weekends. So Jake was moved by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals. (The same hospital Noelle was taken to when she was having seizure like symptoms in November.)

As soon as we arrived they gave Jake another IV and starting treating him with heavy antibiotics in case it was Bacterial Meningitis. The ER doctors gave us three scenerios: Bacterial Menengitis, Viral Meningitis or a brain bleed. All very scary. Jake had his third CT scan in less than 48 hours. They did a spinal tap, on the third try:( Jake was still very confused. At last we received the news that Jake had Viral Meningitis, the least scary of our options.

Jake was admitted to the hospital for what turned out to be four days. Part of the reason that he had to stay so long was due to one of the antibiotics he was given. It formed crystals in his kidneys and we had to wait for proper kidney function to be restored. They also did an EEG and MRI. The EEG showed that Jake had had a probable seizure Thursday night in Ames. Due to Iowa law, Jake is now unable to drive for six months. He was also put on anti-seizure medications for 6 weeks. The MRI showed that Jake had incurred no permanent brain damage. Obviously, a huge relief. He was very scared when he could not answer questions properly.

Jake spent his 22nd birthday in the hospital. The last time he was in the hospital he was not even a year old.

So thankful for the way God took care of Jake!

Fun Easter weekend!

Jake arrived in Arizona Friday late afternoon! We assumed with the time change he would be hungry, so we went to Rehab Burger on our way to the hotel.

We sat out on the patio. And listen to the burger Jake had: PBJ & Bacon Burger, "Freak your mouth out with this ridiculously delicious flavor combination. Peanut Butter, Grape Jelly, Bacon and Siracha Sauce." He had peanut butter and jelly dripping everywhere:)

Saturday morning was chilling with pancakes and "Ridiculousness".

Saturday late morning we went to the Phoenix Science Center. We started out with a starfish dissection, lego building competition, tug of war and a wheelchair race.

Then some yummy Asian food and happy hour! Noelle and I had gotten take out here but never eaten inside.

Lots of delicious gluten free options including flour-less chocolate cake!

The afternoon brought an amazing floral bouquet from my parents. Thanks mom and dad! And Noelle colored Easter Eggs. She was rather possessive about the whole process and would not let anyone help;)

I was a little disappointed that we did not make it to a church building for Easter service, but the kids and I watched our home service on the computer. Not quite the same, but nice. One of Noelle's fellow Lyme patients had an Easter gathering and we stopped by. It was very fun and I loved introducing Jake to everyone. Noelle and I got to wear our new "Easter" dresses.

Noelle had a lot of pain toward the end of the afternoon and Jake's plane was delayed but all and all it was a great weekend. Hope your Easter was as amazing. Don't forget to thank Jesus for His amazing sacrifice!

Woo Hoo

I am so proud. I have to post. Some of you know that Jake took a year off from Iowa State to reorganize:) He went back in the fall, and he made Dean's list!!! Yeah, Jake.

Hoover Hawks

Teme is playing seventh grade football for the Hoover Hawks, and it is a trip down memory lane. Jake also played for them. In ninth grade, I was a cheerleader there. Wow.

Back to School

And so it begins again! August 22 (coincidentily our 26th anniversary) Noelle and Teme went back to school. Noelle is a senior!!!! And Teme is in 7th grade. That day also took Jake back to Iowa State after a year hiatus. The 26th saw Sabrina starting first grade and Jake starting classes.

We covet your prayers, as usual. Noelle's schedule is very heavy for her. She still wakes up with nauseau and a headache almost everyday. We are still seeking more answers health-wise. But in the meantime she has 3 traditional setting classes and 3 PBDA/online classes. Six hours of class is a lot for her weak body. She accomplished so much this summer, I know she can keep up the great work!

She took her first college course, her CNA class. She passed with an A!! She will still need to pass the state liscensing exam in the next couple months. This is the first step in her journey to become a nurse. It is required to be admitted to nursing school. Last night she wrote her essay for her admission to Allen College. She will be pursuing her BSN which will include 2 years at a community college and two years at Allen.

Teme's academic life may look a little different in the future as well. At the urging of his teachers we had Teme tested for learning disabilites at the University of Iowa. Teme was diagnosed with an intellectual disability, so eventually he will transition from ELL services to special education services. We will be meeting with his school next week to go over the official report from the U of I. This is a whole new ballpark for us. Please pray that we can navigate these waters successfully and always be good advocates for Teme. As I watched him leave football practice the other night I was struck again by how well liked he is. His ELL teacher has been able to observe Teme outside the ELL classroom this year. He said, "I wasn't that popular in middle school!" We have a fairly steady stream of boys that come over to our house to play basketball with Teme. I just pray that his learning difficulties never interfere with his friendships or his athletics.

Jake had a successful first week at school!! He has a tiny dorm room in an upper classmen dorm. His roommate is a noncommunicative recent immigrant. Quite a shock, I think, for Mr. Social. He is talking about running for dorm president. He said, "It will look good on my resume." I said, "who are you?" Kidding. He was very successful in his year off working at HGS/Toro. He was promoted to Team Leader and was interviewing and training new employees. When he left his bosses encouraged him to come back as an intern next summer. I pray that God inspires him with a course of action for his life. I pray that God gets a hold of his heart! I pray for a fantastic Christian Mrs. Hoss some day.

Then there is Chatty Kathy, I mean Sabrina. This morning she did not want to go to school because it is boring. It is going to be a long 12+ years. She missed two days last week with a fever and we are struggling to get her make up work done. She just is kind of a complainer right now. I just hope I am not modeling that. I need to project joy. There was some discussion about Sabrina repeating Kindergarten. I pray that we made the right decision. She has just 11 kids in her class, nine girls and two boys. I would certainly think the small class size would be an advantage.

Well, that is the back to school update. Have a great year!

Family Vacation

My extended family (parents, sisters and their families) spent 4 days and nights at Craguns on Gull Lake in Minnesota. Jake, Noelle and I were only able to go up for about 24 hours due to Jake's job, Noelle's nurse camp and her PICC line. The trip was meant to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. I think everyone had a great time. I got to celebrate my 47th birthday:)

Boys Trip

Scott has the wonderful opportunity to win a trip every year. This year he won a trip to Southern California. So Jake and Scott hit the links in California! Jake is much more of a golfer than Scott. But all was fair and Scott took Jake paddle-boarding;) Apparently Jake had an amazing drive on one hole and landed on the green in one. I think their foursome was happy to be playing best ball!

And yes, for those of you that don't know my family very well. Jake is 3 or four inches taller than Scott. And Scott is taking antibiotic for Lyme disease, which is why he is all covered up playing golf. Noelle and I both had to do a double take.

Prayers needed

What a crazy world we live in. Please pray for those affected at the Boston Marathon yesterday. I think it feels personal because Scott's sister ran the marathon in a previous year. And Scott has a goal to qualify. He was less than two minutes off last time he did a marathon. It just makes the world feel so unsafe...again.



On the home front, Jake is trying to quit chewing. I think he is on day three. I really pray he can do it! Then I pray he motivates his dad to quit! It is such a disgusting habit and the long term effects are potentially awful! I always tell Scott that our marriage vows did not include self-inflicted mouth cancer! Go Jake!!



Noelle applied to nursing camp for this summer. Please pray with us that she is accepted. It is so important to her and since she is such a planner it is driving her crazy not to know!!

Education Dilemas

Throughout our parenting it has felt like almost every year we have had to make an educational choice. What school? What grade? Should we send our five year old or not. Both Jake and Noelle started Kindergarten at five, with May and June birthdays. They have both attended public and Christian schools. Noelle has home-schooled and used an online academy through the public schools. Sabrina is in a Christian school. We pondered and pondered whether to send her at five. Two schools tested her. One said no, and one said maybe. You would have thought this would have been a clear indication to wait. However, with Noelle's illness and other factors in our home we felt it was time for Sabrina to go to school full time. All of the other programs were half days. So we sent her. Now we struggle with, "Do we repeat Kindergarten or send her on?" I feel like if she had a less strong personality it would be an easier choice. Apparently she is bossy at school now. What would she do next year when she is the only one who has done all of this before?? I love her teacher. But would it be better to change schools so it is not so obvious that she is repeating. WOW!

Then there is Teme. Teme has attended school since October 2010. He is now in sixth grade. His ELL teacher says that he is still reading at a first grade level. He said that many of the new ELL students have come in with less skills than Teme and have now surpassed him. Students are beginning to question if there is something wrong with him. So we enter a new educational realm. He is being tested for learning disabilities. This was not really possible any early due to language difficulties. We will see the school social worker and have him tested at the University of Iowa's Center for Disabilities and Development. We are considering having brain mapping done with a chiropractic neurologist. There are so many issues. Teme never really crawled or walked in a traditional way. He was malnourished. He may have experienced brain trauma. His mom may have drank. Obviously all of these things would affect his ability to learn.

But I so hate to see him relegated to the Special Education classes. He is social, athletic and strives to fit in. I am overwhelmed.

I pray so for wisdom in all these decisions. I pray that Noelle will continue to heal and pursue her academic plans. She is the girl with the plan. She is studying for the ACTs. Which no one else in this family has ever done. Scott, Jake and I all had the same score. She plans to beat us:) Then she will go to Hawkeye, then she will go to Allen Nursing school. We have already visited an apartment, though she won't move in until Fall 2014. I pray for wisdom for Jake. He is still on hiatus from college. He is working hard and has been promoted to Team Leader. He still has no idea what he wants to major in. He will most likely have to retake some classes at Hawkeye before returning to Iowa State.

Jake said to me yesterday, "Mamacita, it is a great day to be alive!" I love that boy!!

Random

Cutest Sheep Ever!

I haven't updated forever.  What's new.  Christmas was good.  Scott's sister, Christy and her family joined us.  I think it went well until the very end.  I definitely put my foot in my mouth and caused hurt feelings.  Hopefully someday I will learn to think before I speak.  Hopefully, I will be forgiven.

After that unfortunate event, we tried to spend some time with my family Christmas night ,as opposed to Christmas Eve.  However, Noelle has been struggling with extreme anxiety this month and she and I ended up coming back home.  Through her Lyme support system she has learned that the antibiotic she is on often causes emotional issues.  Her prayer is that she is clearing out the Lyme stashed in her brain!  Amen to that!

Sabrina tuckered out by Christmas.  The cute afghan is from Aunt Christy

and Scott's mom, Shirlee.  Shirlee started the blanket before she went to be with Jesus in

the fall of 2009.  Christy has worked so hard to finish this blanket for

Sabrina.  Also shown is Sabrina's American Girl doll.  That was her big gift

from us.  Maybe should have waited a year or two, time will tell.

Can't believe it is 2013!  Absolutely crazy.  We rang in the New Year with our besties, Matt and Elke.  I even got to play Jenga Truth or Dare.  Who knew there was such a thing!  I  learned my life hasn't been that boring;)

Jake is doing great at his job answering calls for Toro.  Perfect attendance in December.  It is great to see him take pride in his work.  He still loves to play Magic, the card game.

Noelle is having some days with less pain.  She has played a couple indoor soccer games.  Which, I think, simultaneously makes her feel normal and frustrates her because her performance is not where she wants it to be.  She generally has pain-filled days after she plays but feels it is worth it.  We are planning to schedule a half day of school for this semester. If all goes well she will start back to school next Monday for afternoons. Please pray for the scheduling process and pray especially for Noelle.  She is quite anxious since she hasn't attended school since September.

Teme is having a great wrestling season!  He will try to qualify for a state meet this Sunday in a regional event.  I got an email from his teacher today saying what a great attitude he had today!!  I can't imagine how hard it has been to take in everything he has had to learn and adjust to in the last two and a half years!

It looks like he may have wrestled the 5th/6th grade division in this tournament.

He is starting to wrestle mostly 7th/8th grade.

Then there is Sabrina.  Can I just say WOW!  She went back to school on Thursday.  Which was great because I needed back up.  I love you Miss Smits. I am helping in her classroom a couple hours a week which is great for both of us! We decided to take a break from gymnastics but she is still taking two hours of dance a week.  She loves Hip Hop. 

Gee if I don't ever get out a Christmas/New Years letter I will just have to use this.

Scott and I have had our ups and downs.  Marriage is tough.  Life is tough.  But man this weekend was great!  We have a favorite getaway place just 15 minutes away and Scott surprised me and took me away for the night.  We sooooo needed it!  Two are definitely better than one!!!!

So I think that updates you on the mess of our lives.  God is good.