lots of things

Okay. Where to begin?  This is just going to be a lot of stuff jumbled together in no particular order...

Jenna is now asking for help!  She just started doing this yesterday.  Her speech pathologist (Janna Baker, a miracle worker) got her to say it yesterday.  Jenna also use to say, "bebe" (baby), but now she says, "baby!"  She will say other things such as "in" and "out" as well as "bye-bye."  Once, a couple of days ago, she said, "thank you" as I handed her a snack!  She's really coming along with her speech and it is so thrilling to see and hear her blooming.  Only three more months with our beloved speech pathologist and then Jenna ages out of the Sooner Start program :(  We are going to seek private speech therapy after that.  Any suggestions/recommendations are appreciated as we are just now looking into this.

We are now a family of six!  No, I didn't just have twins ;)  We adopted two kitties on Sunday.  Both are front declawed and about three years of age.  Steeler and Callie.  They're extremely sweet kitties and the kids LOVE them.  Jenna enjoys talking to them and I know they have a big part in her improved speech as well.  I will get pictures posted if I can just get blogger to upload images!

Joshua is growing-up so quickly; with age, comes the good and the bad.  He started lying last week :(  Ugh!  Can we just skip onto adulthood, please?  He's still quite the charmer and his personality is second to none.  Love that boy :)  He keeps us in stiches most of the time.  His energy is quite impressive.  Looking back, I know he gets his hyperactivity from me.  I was an extremely hyper child and apparently the hyper gene has been passed on.  No comments from the peanut gallery...you know who you are! Haha!  I will be so happy when we have the trampoline put together so he can go bounce his energy out.  I never thought I would buy one of those...worried about injury and so forth...but he LOVES them.  And, since he is my child, he's going to end up breaking a limb or something else will put him in the emergency room anyway!  My poor kids...cursed with my clumsy/accident proneness.

Jenna has a liver ultrasound coming up (February 2nd).  This just a routine thing, although she has gone too long without one.  The GI doctor wants ultrasounds periodically to make sure bad collaterals aren't forming around her liver and other organs.  With her condition, it's very likely to occur, but doesn't usually become an issue until around 4-6 years of age.  Better to ere on the side of caution though and keep a close eye on things.  She's not your "usual" child.  Also, February 10th, she will see Dr. Palmer from Genetics.  She will be having the micro-ray test done to see if there is anything that was perhaps missed by her previous testing.  A few of her doctors still think she has some sort of syndrome that is being missed.  We shall see.  Later, that same day, she will be seeing Dr. Copeland (her Endocrinologist).  Busy day for little miss.  Nick will be taking the day off to keep an eye on Joshua.

Oh!  So excited about the 7th :)  I have the opportunity to go speak to the high school students at Edmond North.  Every year, they have what is called BALTO (Bring a Light to Others) week and every year they pick a different charity.  This year, they have chosen Children's Hospital Foundation and I get to share Jenna's story and our experience with Children's Hospital!  So exciting!!  Since Jenna can't be in attendance (too many germs and flu season), they will have Jenna's picture on a projector.  It's so awesome to see Jenna's life impact others.  This is just the beginning of what God has planned for her.  It just seems so surreal that I get to be part of it :)  God is good!

Nick's latest project has been building a new storage shed/workshop in the back yard.  Our temporary shed is showing just how temprary it is...it's only a tarp covered frame.  The shed is almost done...he has been working on it for 2 weeks and has had consistent help.  I don't think he realized just how big of a project he was taking on!  250 square feet, plus attic space. 

My latest project...weight loss!  As of this morning, I am down 26.5 pounds :)  Yay!  I don't want to be a fat wife and mommy anymore.  I want to be the mommy that runs along the side lines cheering on the kids and not having my fat bounce and make the sound, "ka-blubba, ka-blubba."  Thanks mom, for that most accurate sound affect :)  Haha!!

I have fallen behind on my Bible reading.  Must make time and make-up for lost time.  I still have the goal to read my Bible in a year.  Speaking of...I could really use a new Bible!  Mine has several pages torn out (thanks to a certain little boy) and water damage (thanks to me).  A trip to Mardel is in order :)  Darn!  Haha!

Okay, time to cozy-up on the couch and watch some cartoons with the kids.  My sinuses are killing me and I need a house cleaning break!