Heads, noses, wrists and legs, wrists and legs

I know that this post is a week past due, but the past week has been very, well, challenging to say the least. We had a wonderful 4 days with Chali and Jen! We took all the kids to the park and had a picnic. The weather was amazing. I took them back to the airport last Monday which was really hard for me to do! I miss my girlie.

We've always had really difficult nights with Josh, but now the days are becoming tough as well. They say 6 weeks is the honeymoon stage and now we are running up on 2 months, so honeymoon is over. We are working really hard with him on discipline, cause and effect (which he doesn't understand yet) and anger management. It's a long, tough road ahead, but we feel that with God and good people surrounding him, it is possible! He is actually sometimes saying "yes ma'am, and please and thank you" without being prompted now.

Well the results of Mom's MRI...fractured tibia. Owie! We are thankful it isn't muscular though and doesn't require surgery! Mom is still getting around with the help of a cane, but she's moving a bit quicker now. She's not in as much pain anymore which is so great! She is still needing to ice it each day though, because there is still swelling in her knee. I think she twisted and sprained her knee as well, not just fractured the tibia. Her next appt is on the 23rd. She gets the cast off of her arm and recheck the leg/knee. She is thinking she will be able to drive after getting the cast off.

On an exciting note, I am coming home to surprise Chali on her birthday! I am so excited, I feel like a little kid! Originally, I wasn't going to be home until after mom got her cast off and could get around well enough to keep up with Josh, but she insists I be home for Chali's birthday. She has some people lined up to help out. I am nervous about leaving her though. I know she can handle herself, but Josh is another story. He is my kids times 10. I am trusting that God will provide and knows what the heck he is doing. =)

Mom and I started to get sick about 3 days ago. We both have colds. No fun. Yesterday, we all stayed in our pjs. The kids played most of the day by themselves. That is one huge thing we have to be thankful for...Karis and Josh get along really well. They played games, hide and seek, mommy and daddy and blocks all day. I feel a tiny bit better today. We are drinking lots and lots of cold care hot tea and honey. Well, looking at the computer makes my head hurt even worse, so I'm going to call it quits now. Hope everyone is well!

Update on my Mama and what's going on with us

Well, as some may already know, on Sept. 21st my Mama fell and broke her wrist and messed up her knee. She lives in a condo on the 3rd floor with no elevator AND has a 6 yr old (extremely active) foster son. I immediately figured out how to get Chali to and from school for the next 2 weeks, packed Karis and I up and made the 11 hour drive down (13 hrs for those of us with a 3 yr old in the car.) Jee and Kim are our lifesavers right now! I enrolled Chali into afterschool care and Jee and Kim are taking turns picking her up and helping Austin out when needed. How wonderful you two are! *muah!*

So, Mom is very fortunate to have wonderful neighbors who had been taking care of her. She and Joshua were staying with a retired couple on the first floor before I got here. Another neighbor had been taking Josh to and from school every day. She is still taking him most days. The day that I came Mom tried again to scoot up all 3 flights of stairs on her butt and made it! Geesh! She is all casted up on her right arm with a pretty blue waterproof cast. I keep telling her she needs to let me sign it! Haha! She has been rolling around the house in her office chair. Her neighbor gave her a cane to use and she has been getting around a little with the cane. However, she said today that the pain has not gotten any less. Tuesday she went back to the dr. and he said they needed to do an MRI b/c it's not getting any better. He thinks she may have a torn meniscus. Yesterday I took her for her MRI and we find out tomorrow what the results are. She asked about how long she would be out of work because, you know, those bosses, they like to know these things. He said the crystal ball says mmm at least 4 weeks or so. Oh boss lady is gonna love that.

Meanwhile, taking care of Joshua has been very challenging for me. He needs a whole different level of discipline that I have not really had to do much in my mama days. Joshua's been having a difficult time because his mother missed his first visitation last week and is now back in jail. He has not seen or talked to her since his birthday in mid August. So please, please pray for him and us.

Joshua and Karis have been having fun together though. Josh really loves to have someone to play with. (at all times) They are starting to bicker a little like brother and sister but it's very minimal. We bought some games to play with the kids and we don't think Joshua has ever really played games before...other than video games. He is loving it. He absolutely loves music! He asks every day, "I can turn the ipod on?" So several days ago, I said, "Let me see you dance." He just looked at me. So I said "Can you dance?" And THIS is what he does! We have a b-boy in the house! I apologize it's so dark. My phone doesn't have flash for video.

I asked him if he'd ever danced before and he said no. I cannot believe it! He is a natural! Mom wants to get him a little cd player for his room so he can just have at it whenever he wants. I have other videos of him dancing to Austin's and my song "Hanging" but they wont send because the file is too big. I need my card to transfer them onto, but of course it's in IN.

Chali and Jee are flying here tomorrow morning!!! I cannot wait! I have missed my Chay SO much! Phone conversations with her have been fun but I can't wait to kiss and hug her. The cutest thing though are the conversations between her and Karis. Overexcited and squeally "Hi Karis!" "Hi Chali!" "I miss you!" "I miss you too!" "I'm flying on a PLANE to see come see you!" "I know!" Oh I love it. Precious memories.

I will update tomorrow or this weekend when we find out the results.