Too much Christmas!

It's 6:30pm Christmas day. It's been full of all the normal Christmas day festivities as well as church. Kyle has enjoyed the day but is now done! He Kenneled himself to get away from it all. Not a bad idea! Hope each of you enjoyed your day!

Love, Spring.

Dimitri peek a boo!

Merlin

To: Crystal Kunz <morninrun@gmail.com>
Subject: Merlin

Ok so since he is a service dog there are a few limits he has that other dogs wouldn't.  

Wait to pet him until he sits in front of you.

If he jumps or licks you ignore him and move away.

If he nibbles (he is still a puppy) give him a toy.

Trade his toys for the kids toys if he gets them.

No People food

No rough housing. Long slow gentle strokes only.

Playing fetch is fine. Playing keep away or tug of war is not.

No chasing or being chased by him.

Redirect rather than say "no" (strikingly similar to parenting).

Don't use his working commands unless he is working. These words are: come, sit, down, say, heel, bed

Can use: leave it, drop it, off, let's go, Merlin and kisses sound ( instead of come)

Of course no hitting, kicking, yelling etc.

Work with him all day every day. Keep him hooked to you via a 15 foot rope at all times! 

I think that's it. ;) 

Spring

Fwd: Pre teen Lauren

Now she expects breakfast and she is mad because her jacket is Diderot and she can't wear it!  Unbelievable!   How can I not be doing something wrong?  My parents say "she's just like you  used to be dear". Well thats awful and totally guilt provoking.  Takes disappointment of self to a whole new level.  

I hope I never say  that to my kids even if it's true. 

Welcome to 'ground hog day'!  

Spring 

Begin forwarded message:

From: Spring Bean <springcbean@gmail.com>
Date: December 19, 2011 7:00:23 AM MST
To: Capture The Magic Blog <sabean1.climber@blogger.com>
Subject: Pre teen Lauren

It's not even 7 am and she has been rude to me for 10 minutes.  I've heard "MOM!!!" four times. She almost swore when she was telling me to "leave (her) alone". I got a "why didn't you wake me earlier? You know I don't get ready on time?" and a " why are you still up here?" (while I'm journaling this).  I told her "I don't appreciate being talked to like this and I don't want her to wake the other kids".  She said "I don't care!!!"   All this accompanied by the slamming of doors times 5, stomping as loud as she can and throwing things around as she gets ready. Then the precious "how about you go? And help!".

Now why did I want to be a mom and get this kind of treatment before 7 am?  Hey, it's your Education and future. I've done mine.  And I hate getting up before 7:30 am!  This doesn't help my burnout... I don't think I'll survive teenagers. :(

Spring

A day in the life.

It all started at 7 am. Get up and ready for church. Two boys, two girls, one dog, one me. Eight medicines, five procedures, potty breaks times five, church bag, cooler, music for descant, prayer and scriptures. Put hubby to bed from a night shift, kennel the dog leave for church. Arrived five minutes early.

Made it through sacrament meeting and performance. Off to nursery, home for singing time music I forgot. Get diet coke! Back to singing time. Made it through church. Go home, eat Christmas goodies. Drink diet coke. Unpack cooler, clean up breakfast, prep dinner, make lunch, potty times three again (including dog). Change clothes, Send girls out to play and take boys to bed. Kyle plays, Dimitri sleeps I wish for sleep. More diet coke.

Lauren calls me frantically. The dog fell in the swamp! Emergency bath! What's Kyle doing???? Lauren changes clothes again... Kennel dog, iPad for Kyle, start Lauren on homework head to choir.

Play flute, sing, chat, laugh. Head home. Check on the dog, Kyle and Lauren. Dimitri's still sleeping- score! Unpack, clean up, tube feed Kyle, change yesterday's laundry. Get ready for christmas cooking. Wake up hubby. More diet coke. Dinner didn't cook fast enough for him. He eats cereal. Off to meeting then work all night. Bye.

Dimitris awake. Kyle and Dimitri help cook, then Merlin tries to help. That's it! Bach to the kennel! Dimitri buckled in high chair, Kyle put in front of the tv! Alan calls after his meeting as he drives to work. I love my Bluetooth! Cooking fudge, carmels, peppermint fudge. Yum yum! Train dog, supervise boys and girls who resist their responsibilities. Run the dog. Comfort the dog.

Serve dinner that's finally ready. Cook more and more. Think it will never end. Wish I had a second adult helping me.
Cook, clean laugh try to stay upright?

Package, wash, straighten, sweep, wash, long for the good old pre-child days (long story). Take the dog outside. Breathe some fresh air. Supervise girls doing their responsibilities. Eat dinner, train dog, referee the boys play time.

Clean up dishes, sweep, laundry, dog training, connect with the girls. Prep for friend goodie plates. Plan aheaad for tomorrow. Text a couple peoplle while working elsewhere. Emailed a person or two call hubby to say good night.

Five more medications, three more procedures, pjs times 4-5. Snuggled Kyle, Dimitri, lauren, Sierra, and Merlin!
I'm wiped out.
No faking asleep while journaling. Good nritse

Spring

Adorable moments

I asked Sierra to collect all the ingredients for the Christmas treat cooking. After she finished I saw a diet Pepsi in the pile. I asked why that was there and she said "the recipe called for 'soda'"!

It tickled my funny bone! Merry Christmas!

Spring

Post op recovery period

Today I noticed that Mr Kyle had enough energy to do things other than play the iPad or watch tv most of the day. I hadn't noticed that his energy level was overly "abnormal" until today when he was undoubtedly back to his normal self! He helped pour crystal light and spilled it all over the counter. He kicked the dog, unmade my bed, played Memory on his own, drove a toy truck up and down the hall for a long time, helped set the table (and I had to unset it!), helped tube himself, took himself to the potty twice and was just generally back to normal.

It was nice to see him "return"! It's been two full months since the surgery in Cincinnati. I'm not concerned that this is too long of a recovery, it's actually pretty good for something that major I think. Once the neo-Malone is all healed we should be on our way!

One bummer is that he still has accidents. It's a bit less. Two to four instead of four to six. But when the goal outcome is to stay clean for 24 hours a time any accidents are disheartening. I'm trying to decide how long to "deal with it" before I "bug" the clinic again.

Guess I'll start the next medicine... Sigh.

I'm doing much better! It's been a tremendously hard few months for me, but I'm trying to be patient with myself too.

And I'm adapting. It's still overwhelming when my main job in life is to keep four kids, one dog and a hubby all cared for and their needs balanced. It's an incredible tall order, but I chose this and I'll see that it is done well.

Spring

Dec 2011, age 6

The reindeer food was made especially by Kyle this year! It's the first time ever he has wanted to do crafts anywhere. He loved all the activities! He commented about the colors, the eyes, the nose etc. he listened about the reindeer and paints and Santa. He wasn't scared of Santa and told him thank you. It all seems so simple for typical kids, but year after year when Kyle hasn't participated and has screamed when I try to have him join in. This year, He stayed with me (mostly) and looked at me for instruction. He participated fully in each activity! When he had reached his limits he let me know. "dad, go please!". And we left. What a great kid! It was beautiful to watch! What amazing progress he has made this year. What a victory we experienced tonight. What a precious gift from him, heaven, Katie, Maria, MJ and my patience. It truly takes a village is specialists to raise this kiddo. And look at what everyones hard Work has done. A special cherished boy unlocking his potential. This is beautiful to me. Is simple and easy to take for granted but yet so profound.

Dec 2011, age 6

Kyle painted these ornaments all by himself! He was so excited to paint. I'm so proud of him!

Dec 2011, age 6

Kyles first gingerbread house. I'm so proud of him! And he wrote his name! (the squiggles)

Kyle and Merlin.

We are loving Merlin! He is gentle and smart. Our trainer is proud of him and so are we! He is 16 weeks old now and we all enjoy him so much!

Merlin-isms

Seriously I have to wait?