Blurbs....

David was going out of town for meetings, and was going to be gone one night. Ruby asked him if he was going to eat bagels at the hotel. She then asked him not to. Because if he did, it would "break my heart" because she wouldn't have any bagels to eat. Oh, my dear, sweet, dramatic Ruby. =)

David asked the kids to be big helpers for Mommy while he was gone to his meetings. This did not appear to happen until we were outside, and I was cleaning up the yard of stuff. (How does "stuff" pop up all over my yard, anyways? =P) Anyways, on this trip, I was carrying one of the kid's bikes out to the barn. Ruby then remembered that she had told Daddy she would help me while he was gone, so she proceeded to grab onto the bike and "help" (aka pull down on the bike, making it more heavy, and pull back, making me need to walk slower) me. It's the thought that counts, right? =)

According to my notes, I mentioned something about needing/wanting/something arms that could reach the fridge from an undocumented location (so therefore I don't remember it). Isaac said that I might need "a special machine" to help me with this. That boy and his machines.

I love how Isaac says "large". You know, that really big one over there. It's very large. Things like that. He's just a cutie. =) I also love how he gets his sister's attention, "Hey, gowos" instead of "Hey, girls!" Now to correct that speech problem......

Isaac got his wish and his sisters came out to the top of the playhouse to blow bubbles with him. First it was Jadelyn. Then, Ruby joined them when she was done with her trips around the garden, and after the girls came inside, Alpine the cat joined Isaac. He was well loved that day! =)

David had to bring the nursing home's minibus to the meetings, so he drove it home after the meetings were over. The kids all got to go for a ride, and boy, were they excited! =) Sometime after, we were having a lunchtime conversation. Isaac wants to know when he can go to school (presumably so he can ride a bus). We then talked about how we were going to homeschool because some of the things that are taught in public school are not things that we want them learning right now. We talked about church school and how there aren't any around here. We talked about how Grandpa was a teacher at a church school and how that church school closed down soon after Grandpa went on disability. We talked about how Aunt Tracy worked really hard to try to get that school re-opened for years, as she wanted her kids to go there. We talked about how it takes a LOT of money to re-open the school. The kids were wondering if it would take so much money that if we had it here, it would fill our house. Or at least our living room (I think). Then, Ruby had a solution. We will just go to our bank and ask them for all our money, which we could then give to Aunt Tracy to re-open the school. I had to educate Ruby that we didn't have enough, and how banks only give you the amount of money that you had in the bank. So, resourceful Ruby came up with another idea - we will just go to our bank, then another bank, then another bank, then another bank until we had enough money. Somehow I don't think she completely caught the gist of my "bank education". ;)

Ruby asked Isaac and Jadelyn to not "distract" her with toys on the day that she has to get her cast/have surgery. Because she is going to walk around and walk around, since she won't be able to with the cast on. I wish we could have it over, already. The "anticipation" (to put it positively) is difficult. Quick update: second-opinion-doctor pretty much agreed with the first doctor as to the plan of care. So, we're waiting on the CMT blood test, and if Ruby has CMT, surgery it will be. If not, casting it will be. Results are supposed to be back on the 22nd of December, but I'm hoping and praying for an earlier date. I'm worn out from waiting. =P

Overheard Ruby telling Isaac that she would help him open a container for the ornaments or Christmas lights or something because it was hard for Isaac, and Ruby is older. Oh, being one minute older than Isaac is something that Ruby will NEVER let Isaac forget! =P

Jadelyn drew a yellow-banana-shaped oval and later told me that it was a "banana!" I was impressed. She then pointed to a round green circle that she had drawn and told me it was an "apple". I was getting really impressed. Until she pointed to another green circle and told me it was a "banana!" Rats. =P

Ruby was helping Jadelyn put crayons away when she excitedly said, "Mom, look what we did! We alternated them!" Then, "there,you have alternated crayons, Jadelyn." I love Ruby's organization (except the fact that she hides things all over the house. And sometimes I need those things. And Ruby sometimes forgets where she hid them. =P) and her big-word-usage. =)

Ruby was being the "Mom" for Isaac, and "baby" Isaac just wasn't settling down to sleep like Ruby thought he should. Which prompted this outburst, "I have to stay up late when you keep messing around." Oh, Ruby...you have no idea....=)

I looked out the window last Sunday to see the sweetest thing EVER. Walking from the barn to the house were my three kiddos. Isaac holding Jadelyn's hand, and Ruby holding Jadelyn's other hand. Then, when crazy Hickory would charge at them, Ruby and Isaac would circle around Jadelyn to protect her from having the dog jump on her. Seriously SO SWEET! I love moments like that. Hickory kept pestering them, so I had to go save them. My sweet little heroes! =) Ruby also informed me that while we were at Noah's birthday party, Noah's Daddy was acting like a lion (or Ruby was pretending he was a lion. Or something. I need to not get this far behind in blogging. =P), and Ruby was protecting other kids. Ruby and her no-fear. Except of this surgery/cast/blood-draw business. =P

Ruby had been very excited about Jadelyn's upcoming 1/2 birthday. And she had great plans. To sing "Happy 1/2 birthday to you! Happy 1/2 birthday to you! Happy 1/2 birthday, dear Jadelyn! Happy 1/2 birthday to you!" She forgot that on the actual day, but on the big day we went to Wal-Mart. I had completely forgotten that it was Jadelyn's half birthday. Until Ruby informed the lady behind us in the check-out lane that Jadelyn turned "2 1/2 today!" Ruby, my walking calendar. =) Today, she said, "today is....wait.....don't tell me.....1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11....December 11th!" That girl.

The other day, Ruby came out of her room. Jadelyn was lying on Ruby's new bean bag (for positioning her comfortably when she's casted). Instead of the usual, "Hi, Ruby!" Jadelyn called out, "Hey, sister! I on your Pack 'n Play!" Ruby, of course, quickly informed her that it is NOT a Pack 'n Play, but a beanbag. =P

Jadelyn likes to say "7 clock" when asked when something will happen. If Ruby and Isaac ask her when they can have the toy she is playing with, she will answer, "7 clock", and Ruby and Isaac will then start quickly counting from 1 - 7, inform Jadelyn that it's now 7 o'clock, and then ask for the toy. Well, Jadelyn doesn't always fall for that now. She also answers "7 clock" when asked "why" or maybe even "where" questions. Not helpful to get a response of "7 clock" to those types of questions. Just so you know.

The other day, after Jadelyn screamed (for the millionth and second - or maybe more =P) time in her life, Isaac asked, "why does she always scream?" Ruby piped in, "she's saying, "Mommy, may I have a consequence, please?"" Ha!

Today, I asked Jadelyn what her name was. "Jadelyn", she responded. (Not "Nini! =O) Then, I asked what her middle name was...pause...."Jadelyn", she responded. So I then asked her what her last name was...."hmmmmmm..................Stinky Poo!" Oh, dear. Guess I should be more careful with my nicknames. =O

Tomorrow is Ruby and Isaac's 5th birthday. I simply cannot believe it. 5 just seems so....OLD. =O It was a little sad for me saying goodnight tonight to my 4 year-olds for the last time. How does time pass so quickly?

Grandma...

Today at 12:05pm, my dear Grandma fell asleep in Jesus. Ruby, in particular, has had a lot of questions about this. "Is Grandma still in her bed?" "Are her eyes closed?" "Does she know she's dead?" All questions have been answered to the best of my ability. Ruby gave me a snippet of childlike wisdom (not verbatim, here, 'cause you know, I have memory issues). "Jesus said it was okay for Grandma to die, and that's why she died even though we prayed for her." Yes, even when it's hard, I will trust that Jesus knows what is best. The next thing my Grandma knows, she will be seeing Jesus' face when He comes to call her home. And I'm still incredibly thankful that I was so fortunate and blessed to have that sweet, dear, strong, patient, amazing lady as my Grandma. I love you, Grandma. Thanks for being you.

Notables....

Last night Ruby told me that if I had held her when she got her blood drawn she probably would not have cried. For you see, she wanted David to hold her this time to try to show him how brave she could be. Since he was not in the room at the time of her last (tearless) blood draw. Anyways, I asked her why she thought she wouldn't have cried if I had been the one holding her. She informed me it's because I have a "softer face". Yes. This "softer face" is also the reason that she is planning on calling for Mommy in the middle of the night if she needs assistance when she has her cast on. Doggone "soft" face, you're gonna cost me some sleep! =P

I love how Ruby likes to throw around words. The other day, she motioned for Jadelyn to come stand next to her to see "how tall you are related to me". And today, Jadelyn was doing something that Ruby didn't like, which led to the verbal outburst of, "you're disturbing me!"

Today at lunch we were discussing blood draws (again) and how Ruby has possibly had more blood drawn in her two times of getting it taken than I have in the however-many-times-I've-had-to-have-my-blood-drawn. I now have to have it drawn every three months due to a thyroid issue. Ruby was telling me how I would have to take medicine every day until I die, but I won't have to take it anymore when Jesus comes back and "you wake up from your deadness". Then Isaac piped in, "Jesus will probably throw it (thyroid problem, I'm presuming?) in the river." And then Ruby was musing about how we probably won't have to poop and pee in heaven. Interesting thought processes these kids possess.

Today, Isaac was absolutely DYING to get outside. I was unavailable to go outside as we've been gone from home for the past 3 days and I'm drowning in stuff to do. So, he got decked out in his hat (with assistance since it ties and all), jacket, mittens, and rain boots. Then he got bubbles out of the garage and THEN perched atop the playhouse blowing bubbles contentedly. I love that kid. He didn't even notice that I was out taking pictures of him. He was just that content in his chosen activity. =) After a while, he came inside, DYING for Ruby to come see his big bubbles. But alas, she was a stinker and would not go. =P


And now, just for fun, a picture of the kids with Grandma when we were down visiting earlier this month. I love that lady. She is so strong - still hanging in there, though she continues to deteriorate. What an amazing Grandma I have been blessed with.

Ruby's situation updated AGAIN....

We had a "good" day as far as Ruby's hip situation goes. Had a visit with Dr. Walker, the orthopedic surgeon. She seems to get where we're coming with as far as our concerns about CMT and casting now. I had sent up some research that I had found, and it seems that she had read over it. The plan is now that if Ruby's test comes back positive for CMT, we will do surgery on one hip, followed by 6 weeks in a cast, followed by surgery for the other hip, followed by 6 more weeks in a cast. If there is NO CMT, then casting will continue as planned. Both Dr. Walker and the neurologist have said that it's unusual for a 4 year-old to show signs of CMT and be diagnosed, but hello - there's a family history, she has low muscle tone, lacks reflexes, and has an odd walking/running gait. Unusual to display symptoms this young? Perhaps. Possible? Yes. =P Anyways, off that rant...at least they're willing to listen and look into it. Dr. Walker also showed us the x-rays and explained some to us. The angle of Ruby's acetabulum (which I think is the hip socket bone) should be around 24% in a one year old and about 11% in an adult. Ruby's is steep at 55%...which could explain how her hips can slide out. If they do surgery, they will cut some of this bone, bend it down, and fill in the gap with a bone from a cadaver. If she's in the cast, the hope is that the bone will grow out and down some. If they do surgery, they will tighten the ligaments. If they do the casting, that is supposed to tighten the ligaments on it's own. Either way, the ligaments could stretch back out and then we're stuck. If I understand correctly, they are more likely to stretch out if there is an underlying problem leading to the subluxation (CMT in our case).

So, after we were done at Shriner's, we headed to the neurologist's office to see if we could get Ruby's blood drawn today for the CMT test. At first they said no, and we left, but on our way up the stairs, we were chased down by Dr. Farzam (who we were told was not in the clinic today...where did he come from?) who said he would get things straightened out for us. So we waited. While we were waiting, a quartet came and started singing Christmas Carols. Ruby went with David and requested that they sing Silent night, which they did. She stood by and sang some with them. Then, off to the lab we went. Today she had 9 vials of blood drawn. At first, it looked like there was only going to be 2, but then the amount grew. There seemed to be some confusion about the test and where to send it and what to draw, so...well, David will be following up on it. We hope that it gets figured out.

We have no appointment scheduled for surgery or casting, as we don't know when we will get the results of the test back. So, we have our second opinion appointment on the 9th, and then we're just waiting on the test results.

So, it was a "good" (meaning productive) day. We spent Sunday and Monday at the church working on the mural that refuses to be finished and then today we left around 7am and got home around 4pm, so I am looking forward to being home tomorrow. Minus the fact that David is going out of town tomorrow and will be gone 'til Thursday evening. =P Such is life, 'eh?

Oh, yeah. Ruby had some questions for the doctor today. 1. "How will I go potty?" (bed pan) 2. "Will you be gentle putting my cast on?" (yes =D) and 3. "How old are you?" (we didn't remind Ruby of this question at the appointment today. ;) After we left, I asked Ruby if she got all her questions answered. She said "no" because she didn't learn how old Dr. Walker was. Crazy gal. =D)

And that is that.

Notes....

On Thanksgiving, I believe, Ruby asked Jadelyn if Ruby could kneel on Ruby's pillow (because she had shared it with Jadelyn) with Jadelyn for prayer time. (How's THAT for a sentence? =O) Jadelyn responded, "yes, you may". Ruby: "thank you for sharing". Jadelyn: "You're welcome." Awww. =) Jadelyn has been saying "you're welcome" very consistently now at the proper times. I love it.

One morning, we were discussing if you can really know what people are doing when you can't see them. Or something. I asked how we knew that Daddy really went to work every day and that he wasn't just spending the day at Wal-Mart or something. Ruby responded, because "Daddy doesn't mess around". =) Thanks for working for us, Daddy-o! =)

Today, we were at the church for the second day in a row, working on painting the wall mural that refuses to be completed. =P While I was painting, Ruby was acting like a baby and asked Jadelyn for something. Jadelyn informed that she would not give it to Ruby because "I love you". Ruby reasoned that if Jadelyn loved her, she would get it for her. Jadelyn then said, "I love you because I love you." Good reasoning, little Lynnie! =) The kids really did very well for "being on their own" as I worked. Thanks, kiddie-o-kies!

We had to reschedule Ruby's appointment with Dr. Walker to discuss our concerns, since David couldn't make the previously scheduled one, so we're headed in tomorrow morning for an 8:30am appointment. Hope we get some clarity. Also, we're supposed to find out then when her casting is scheduled for.

Thankful....

For worship on Thanksgiving night, we shared what we were thankful for.

Isaac was thankful for fire. Because it keeps him warm and it's pretty to watch. Later, he was thankful for Mommy, that I let him help make Thanksgiving food, and that I helped him when he slid off the couch. Then he got shy and hid his face. Cute little fella. I'm sure thankful for him, too.

Jadelyn was thankful for Ruby. Awww.

Ruby was thankful that she is not in a cast right now. True that.

Ruby's Hips...again

Well, talked to Ruby's care coordinator yesterday afternoon for quite some time. She told me Dr. Walker's responses to our questions. David and I aren't quite convinced that they are good answers. She is still recommending the 6 months in a half-body cast. So. We now have an appointment to discuss our concerns with Dr. Walker on Dec. 1. Casting is scheduled to take place sometime before Christmas (we don't have the specific date yet). I called and set up a second-opinion appointment with a orthopedic surgeon from Cincinnati Children's Hospital for Dec. 9. Hopefully they can get their recommendation to us before the casting date so that we will know what they think, too. Things are finally starting to move, and for that I am thankful. Please pray that things move in the RIGHT direction.