normal

Things are back to normal at our house. Clarification: normal doesn't mean perfectly behaved children or spotlessly clean floors. But praise God the behavioral challenges have decreased tremendously from the previous weeks.  Bryce and I enjoyed a quiet afternoon playing Rush Hour and Boggle Junior while Kinsey took one of her once every 2-3weeks nap.

I injured my finger early today. Tonight Bryce inspected it thourougly and wrapped it with a bandaid. A few minutes later he said completely unprompted "lets pray for it" and asked God to heal my finger.

We can't find blankie at the moment. We looked thoroughly and can't find it. He is sad but decided a different blanket would do until I can find it. So many small things like this I find encouraging. And I think it is a good thing to write them down so when challenges develop in the future we can reflect on God's prior and future blessings.

hard things

update// we've had a calm weekend. so thankful. also thinking it might be anxiety from school. might ask teachers to add in more sensory breaks. and once its warm enough to go outside in the snow, that will help too. thank you for praying! 

This month has been hard. Multiple meltdowns a day. And with an older child this proves more difficult and exhausting to navigate. What are the triggers? Did he get enough sleep? Eat? Is he anxious? I called the doctor (we are on a wait list for more therapies) and the nurses response was "are you ready for medication?" Answer: we're not. unless melatonin counts.

So I research: try to limit talk and touch when in a meltdown.Give him space while he "reboots." Kinsey said at the dinner table "I think he needs some more time." Wise words for a 4 year old.

Lee is an amazing dad and so patient. Dear friends watched the kids Saturday so Lee and I could go on a date. And we took the kids bowling yesterday and they had a blast. And after another hard day today. Tonight he came down the stairs and with the gray blanket asked me to sit with him. In complete quiet he fell asleep on me. The words "Be Still My Soul, the Lord is on Thy Side.." came to mind. His mercies are so evident among the weariness.

If you pray, please pray for our wisdom. For Bryce to turn to Christ for comfort.

I came across this video done by Joni and Friends tonight. It is long and just scratches the surface but good and worth watching.

happy (almost) wednesday!

Today after kindergarten I asked Bryce if we should go to McDonalds after picking up Kinsey at preschool. McDonalds is not my favorite by the way, it always feels germy and loud. And usually there is at least 1 incident of my kids hurting someone else's feelings on the playground...but it is also winter and going somewhere after school helps break up the day.

All of the sudden he says he wants to go to Dollar Tree instead. So picked up Kinsey and headed over. We collected a few new coloring books, craft supplies and it worked out so well. He even went up to a sales associate and offered to help her put things on the shelf. I had to stop him after 5 or 6 shampoo bottles or he probably would have helped all day! I could tell it really meant a lot to the lady working. 

So its been a good day. The kids are playing legos listening to bare necessities from the jungle book. I'm thankful. And I'm writing it down before I forget.

winter

I admit it. Winter makes me feel extra grumbly (especially when we are trying to get out the door in the morning and its -9 everyday, or its warmer and snowing). But there are good things too. Like enjoying a night by the fire with the kids. It makes you slow down and just enjoy time with family.

The word "long-suffering" has come to mind rather frequently lately. I think trials are hardest when you know there isn't a quick end in sight. Parenting especially with some unpredictable special needs, long distance from family are a few factors. And yet I think part of what brings joy is taking notice of the good moments. The sweet times of laughter and knock-knock jokes. Taking life for what it is rather than wishing it away for something that may or may not happen. 

Since Christmas I've noticed something new in our family. Our kids are fun to be with. I don't mean they weren't fun before. But we can do things together we enjoy like board games, card games (modified), an occasional video game. And they are little encouragers. When I tell them I'm having a hard day (usually related to the weather) Bryce pipes up "Valentine's Day is coming!" or "the snow will melt soon!" I love that. 

favorite colors

typical conversation at our house this morning...

Kinsey: what is your favorite color?

Bryce: red

Kinsey: but what else?

Bryce: just red

Kinsey: but what else? gree or purple?

Bryce: just red.

Kinsey i like orange and yellow and purple and pink and blue!...

(in the end she convinced him that he likes orange too)

happy saturday!

Lee and Bryce went sledding with friends this afternoon and we are very happy that it is above 20 degrees today. Earlier this week the kids and I made snow ice cream. It was a success! I'll probably post a few photos of how we made it on the other blog next week. Happy Saturday!

gingerbread houses at preschool

Lee and I attended Kinsey's Christmas presentation at preschool for Christmas break. She was so excited to have us visit! Afterward we made gingerbread houses. Of course Lee made it modern with a flat roof :)