Laying It All Out There.

Lately it has come to my attention that I am not at all well liked or received by members of my family, be they by birth or marriage. There has been a lot of critique about how I do things around my house, the choices I've made regarding my children's education, whether I work outside the home, how I spend the money we do have, and other assorted things along that same path. So I've decided to lay it all out there for ya. After all, no one can really know anything until you know the full story, right?

Let me start off with my schedule for this week. Keep in mind that Jason works full time 3rd shift. So that means he has to sleep at some point during the day. We have it set up that he goes to bed between 1 and 2 in the afternoon on the days he works. On the days he has off, that can be pushed back to 4 or 5 if absolutely necessary. He gets about as much sleep a day as I do, which is between 6 and 7 hours. However he has to do it while the kids are at home. He's not a heavy sleeper like I am so it can get a bit wearing. On his nights off, I have him go to bed as soon as he can and then he sleeps through the night until I go to bed around 1 in the morning. He deserves it.

This week I had Monday free, which was nice, but rather unusual. Honestly, the only day a week I get free is Sunday, and on occasions it's Saturday. Though if James gets the scholarship for the art class he wants to take, there goes Saturday mornings. Oh wait, Jason goes to donate plasma twice a week, Wed and Sat mornings. He does that to help bridge the gap with his income STILL being $1.20 less than what he was making before he was laid off almost 2 years ago. The only way he was able to get full time was to go to 3rd shift, which also meant an immediate $1 extra an hour for shift premium, or the gap would be more like $2.20 an hour. While 3rd shift sucks, it made financial sense for our family to do it that way.

This week I have nothing on Tuesday morning until 11:30 which is Jayden's tutoring. Because of the severity of her phonological disorder, she needs a specialized tutor. We get a reduced rate for her tutoring, however it still costs us $30 a week out of pocket. When dealing with a budget as tight as ours is, $30 is a lot of money. We are lucky if we get child support from my ex each week to help cover that. Tuesday afternoon James has therapy at 3. Jason has Tuesday off so after James' therapy, he'll go to bed. I may ask him to stay awake long enough for me to cook him fried chicken (something he and I have been craving) before sending him off to bed for the night until 1 or 2 in the morning (at the earliest). Keep in mind I need to drive to both of these appointments and they both last for an hour and I can not take any of the other kids with me.

In the middle of the 2 appointments we have Bette, who is a parent aide and comes once a week, at 1:30. She'll be here for an hour. She frequently spends her hour here with one on one time playing with Izzy so that I can take that time to do some housework in a different room.

On Wednesday morning at 10 we have a developmental eval for the twins. It is taking place here at home. Because of the special needs of the others, it was highly recommended that we do this, so we are, just to set minds at ease all around. Jayden again has tutoring at 11:30. Because I think the eval and the tutoring will overlap a little, I believe that Jason will have to finish up the eval while I take Jayden to tutoring. Jason will go to donate around 8:30 or 9 in the morning so he can be home in time for me to leave to take Jayden where she needs to be.

On Thursday morning Izzy has the first part of his eval done. I have to take him to the school to do it. It will easily take 2-3 hours. There will be a couple of follow up visits to the house within the next couple of weeks to watch him in his home environment. Then it will take at least a couple more weeks (if not longer) to put it all together and come to a final conclusion and diagnosis. Jason works Thursday night and will head to bed as soon as I get home from that. Usually Thursday mornings are spent at OT with Jayden and Izzy, but it was cancelled because of the eval this week. Next week we'll go back to OT for the two of them at 10, which lasts for an hour.

At noon on Friday Jayden has therapy. As part of her diagnosis it was found that she has quite a bit of depression going on. I also wanted her to work with someone who has experience with working with siblings of kids who are on the autism spectrum, as we know James is and believe Izzy to be. Therapy will last for an hour and again, I have to drive her there and can't bring any of the other kids with me. Jason works Friday night and will go to bed as soon as I get home.

On the nights that Jason works, I wake him up between 7 and 8 so he can get up and take a shower and have some dinner and spend some time with us as a family before he leaves for work shortly after 9. He gets to work about 30-40 minutes early, but he has said that it gives him time to get in to the "work frame of mind". I can appreciate that.

James will be starting OT of his own. The OT that we use is getting the authorization from the kids' insurance so they can set up his first appointment. She has a group in mind for him to come with and hopefully that time will work with our already busy schedule.

James' sensory stuff has been very out of whack lately. He isn't sleeping well, he's overly and very easily annoyed with common every day things. He finds Jayden to be extremely annoying and regularly tells her to "shut the fuck up" and that he will "kill her if she doesn't shut up already". Each time he tells Jayden to be quiet or to shut up, he loses a day of video game time. He is still expected to do his chores, however there is no reward for the day. Jayden processes by talking her way through it and it isn't fair to her to expect her to be quiet for the sake of James. Unfortunately, he will have plenty of times in his life where the stimuli around him will annoy him and he needs to learn to cope. Learning to cope with his little sister talking seems like a good place to start. OT will hopefully help him figure that out.

Are you tired yet looking at my schedule for the week? In what I see as an ironic twist, this week is relatively calm. Next week has even more in it, and the kids' therapies haven't been scheduled yet. Add in a med check with the psychologist, therapy for me, and the unscheduled as of yet therapy for the kids and it's just chock full. Throw in the occasional check up for one of the kids with their regular ped or a doc check up for me and it's almost insane.

Are you looking at it and wondering when I get a chance to run errands? I fit what I can in when I am already out for appointments for the kids. If I need to bring a kid that isn't the appointment, like needing someone to try on shoes or clothes or get glasses fit, I make a trip home and trade out kids. I try to set aside a morning to go grocery shopping on my own. I have Jason pick up things while he's at work already, like milk and bread and dish and laundry soaps.

Our afternoons are spent mostly at home. That doesn't mean we sit around and do nothing, sadly that is far from the truth. We have 2 case managers that come at least once a month. There is also the weekly parent aide. We are looking in to being able to get a cleaning aide to come 2-3 times a week to help me keep up on the housework. I know that our aides will increase once Izzy is in the specialized program.

What? I need help with the housework? Don't I have ALL afternoon to dedicate to that? Yes, and no. With the way the house is laid out, doing any work in the kitchen is very disturbing to Jason, who is trying to sleep in the very room attached to the kitchen, so dishes are out. It's why I wake him BEFORE I start cooking dinner each night. I don't usually cook during the day. That doesn't mean that the kids don't eat, it just means I'm not making hot meals for them. The older ones know how to use the microwave and are allowed in the kitchen one at a time to make their meals. The one at a time rule keeps arguments and the noise level down. Did I mention that Jason usually sleeps with ear plugs in?

Jack and Abbey still, thankfully, nap in the middle of the afternoon. While they do that, I have the kids help me pick up the living and dining rooms. Sadly, almost as soon as it is cleaned up, Izzy comes along and takes things back out and throws them all over. It's not unheard of for him to take things from downstairs and throw them around upstairs or vice versa. Izzy has no real concept of "play" and how to interact with things. He also has no patience to sit there to learn. I can take some time in the afternoon to work with him, but it's not enough unfortunately. It's another reason why I feel a specialized program is the right fit for him.

Oh, and Izzy is almost completely non-verbal. Meaning he has about 3 words he says, but only when he REALLY wants them. His signs that he knows are mostly used only after prompting. A lot of his time is spent crying and throwing tantrums because he simply can't make himself understood or he wants to do things that we stop him from doing, like taking all of the books off of the shelves or throwing things out the window. We had to box up all of the DVD's and get them out of the living room because he would constantly throw them around the downstairs. It seems that the more noise it makes while he does it, the more he enjoys it. He loves to throw his rescue heros across the dining room table simply because they are hard plastic and it's a wood table. It's things like this that also keep Jason from sleeping well.

Jack and Abbey are now at the age where they are not happy being contained in their pack n play or crib. They don't spend a majority of their day sleeping. They want to be out crawling and walking (which Jack is getting better at every day) around. We block off the doorway to the front hallway and the doorway that leads to the back part of the house and let them have free range roam over the living and dining rooms. This requires direct supervision by me. It means I can't be off cleaning the office or using the computer (even to do ChaCha which earns us some extra money) or in the kitchen cleaning or even taking laundry to the basement. It requires that we keep the living and dining room floors very picked up and clean. They have started climbing and have discovered how to get to the books on the shelf and love to take them out and throw them around. Climbing on the tuner and changing it from what is on is fun for them because it gets a reaction out of everyone in the room. We already have the windows usually closed because of Izzy, but with them crawling around also means that fans are not going. Unless we have the individual a/c units in the windows (and it's getting too chilly to do that) it is very stifling in these rooms because of the lack of air flow.

Aside from Jayden's tutoring and the shows that I have the kids watch on Netflix, we aren't doing any schooling right now. The shows they watch are History Channel specials and things like Mythbusters and Extreme Engineering. Jayden has taken a liking to Sid the Science Kid and the one with the reading team kids, I can't think of the name. We will start "normal" schooling once Izzy starts school. With him gone for a good chunk of the day, we'll be able to spend our afternoons with fewer distractions and interruptions from the work at hand. I'm already working out history and geography lessons, how I want to teach them both so it's at their individual level and yet doing the teaching at the same time. I've started prepping James so he knows that part of his reading time will be spent either reading to Jayden, or having her work on reading to him. I'm developing the best way to teach spelling and handwriting without it being a fight. I know James' focus in math this year will be multiplication, division, and fractions. Jayden will work on addition and subtraction. I want to use life lessons that teach science and math and reading, but I also want to do specific science experiments and work on the scientific process. I think we'll focus on natural science, but also touch on chemical science with chemical reactions like Mentos and Diet Coke. This will be the first year that James will be expected to complete a book report. They will both be working on their creative writing skills. They are anxious to learn and to a point, I'm going to let them lead the way. I'll offer the topics and see where they can go with it.

Izzy really likes Blues Clues and has learned to say clue. He interacts with the program. I am uncomfortable having the t.v. on all of the time. Unfortunately, Izzy has gotten destructive to the point that if we don't keep him directly occupied with either a movie or t.v show he really likes or direct interaction with an adult, he "entertains" himself by tossing, throwing, and destroying anything he can get his hands on. This especially includes throwing things at the twins and he has a pretty accurate aim.

Because of the things that have been said, it has greatly affected how Jason and I are planning to spend our holidays. Things that we would normally do, like host Thanksgiving dinner, just are not going to happen this year. Jason will probably have to work that night and I'll probably go to my mom's. At least at her place, while she may not understand the why's and how's of everything we do, she is always supportive and caring. She and I may have our differences, but I know that when it boils down to it my mom is ALWAYS there and it's NEVER conditional, even if she doesn't like who I'm married to, and I know that first hand from my previous marriage.

Our lives may not be ideal by anyone's standards. They may not fit the mold that was set out in front of us as to how it's "supposed" to go, but it is OUR life. We are doing the absolute best that we can with what we are handed on a daily basis. It would seem that would be the best that you could hope for, but it seems to not be enough. I guess the part that pisses me off the most is the fact that it upsets me that so many negative things have been said about me and it actually does bother me. It reinforces the faults that I already see within myself and the people doing the saying have no first hand knowledge of what it's like to be here, where Jason and I are, living our lives on a day to day basis.

I think I have covered it all from A-Z. I am certain I've stirred a pot, but honestly, it's beyond the point of making a difference any more.

Prayers and blessings everyone, even to those that don't like me.

Trip to Grandpa's

Yes, I know the post is post dated, however I like it when it fits right in where it is supposed to. Not to mention, I'm a little busy and editing photos and posting them usually doesn't happen in a timely manner.

Anyway. My mom picked Jayden, the babies, and me up and brought us down to see my grandpa. She was going down anyway and Jason happened to have the day off so someone could sit with James and Izzy. Originally Jayden was going to stay home too, however Mom asked if she could come so that someone could sit in the back with the babies to help with bottles and pacifiers while we were on the road. I brought Katy's portable DVD player to keep Jayden company while we were at Grandpa's.

Grandpa's house is about an hour and a half or so from my place. It's a straight shot down, so that is helpful at least. I knitted while Mom drove. It kept my hands occupied and still allowed me to engage in idle conversation. I'd never experienced "Hands Free" for the cell phone before, that was pretty cool. Mom recently got a new car. It's nice. I forget what kind it is though, a Subaru of some sort or another. She got a great deal on it with her trade in of her old car and the "Cash for Clunkers" program and a discount from her credit union.

I asked Jason to take a some pics of Jack and Abbey before we went down to document their cute coordinating outfits. I always swored I'd never do anything so "corny" as coordinating outfits for the twins. Well, that was until I actually HAD twins. Go figure.





I didn't take many pics while at Grandpa's house. You'll notice that the babies aren't wearing their green shirts in the pics. It was 82 in Grandpa's house. Yep, 82 INSIDE. I know that because next to Grandpa's chair was one of those digital thermometers and that is what it said. UGH. To say it was stifiling is an understatement. Mom picked up deli fried chicken and sides for lunch, which was nice. When we go to see Jason's grandpa, I cook for the guys. Mom said that they prefer the premade stuff like KFC, so I'm all for that!



Jack is named for my grandpa, as his name is Jack (which I'm sure I've explained in at least one previous post). The twins also have Grandpa's birthday. He'd been asking my mom when he would be able to see them. Jason and I had planned on going down at some point on our own, we just didn't know when, so it worked that Mom brought me down.



Grandma Jackie is Grandpa's 3rd wife. He has burried the last 2. My mom's mom passed within a year before I was born, I'm never certain on the dates. The Grandma I grew up with, that Grandpa married within a year of Grandma's passing, was my mom's step-mom and she passed when I was pregnant with Jayden. Grandpa married later that year, about 6-7 months later. My mom says that my grandpa is a man that can't be alone. He's 90 now, so understanding what I do about the era he grew up in, it makes sense to me.



Mom absolutely adores the babies. It seems that she is particularly taken with Abbey, though she is very tickled at Jack being named for her dad, and them sharing a birthday. I think part of it is that she realizes that these very well could be her last grandbabies. I'm not having any more kids, and the way things are going, neither are any of my siblings, step or otherwise. So after these two, it's a waiting game for great-grandbabies for her. Honestly, being the mother of the oldest grandchildren as well as the youngest, I'm certainly hoping that those great-grandbabies of hers hold off for quite some time because I certainly am not ready for that!



Prayers and blessings everyone. I hope you all have wonderful weeks. Remember to enjoy and cherish everyone in your family, from the oldest to the youngest.

The Baby Party

Yes, I know this post is a week late. Sorry about that. Things were pretty crazy this past week. We had something going on every day through Friday. So Saturday was a day to relax. I got the photos edited, just not posted yet. Well, they are posted on Facebook. However, it's easier to post on Facebook. I don't have to edit them a 2nd time to make them fit within the space that I'm alotted due to formatting.

From what I'm told, the party was deemed a success. If you were there, and you thought otherwise, please let me know so that when Thanksgiving comes around, I can fix that!

Personally, I think the food was good, the company great, the children pretty well behaved. People brought gifts and they were all lovely and wonderful. I don't have any thank you cards *note to self, pick up thank you cards on Monday* or I'd send them out.

There were more people who attended that aren't pictured. Jason only kept his camera out for a short time. I'm trying to collect photos from at least my sister. I'd like to get the ones my mom has too, however I know her computer is super slow so I'm not too worried about that. After everyone ate, the kids were outside so the smokers went out to sit and keep an eye on them. Oddly it worked out that it was basically my family outside and Jason's family inside. Jason stayed inside and I went out, though Jason smokes and I don't. It's why there are pics of stuff inside but not out. I honestly didn't think to take the camera outside with me.

The food was wonderful. I made baked bbq pork rib chunks, grilled chicken, ham and pineapple pasta salad, and cheesecake brownies. Audra brought 7 layer salad with no peas, so I guess it's actually 6 layer salad. She makes it with no peas just for me, she knows I won't touch them with a 7 foot pole. My sister asked Tim to make the cake, and she chose the decs for it. My mom brought taco dip, which I really liked. Rhonda brought a peanut butter pie, which I was told was really good. I don't like peanut butter so I didn't have any. Jack brought green bean casserole. dad brought a big sheet of brownies (that Izzy kept putting his hands in to), baked beans, and deviled eggs. Audra also brought the paper plates, utensils, cups, and 2 coolers of drinks - lemonade and iced tea.

This is the cake that Tim made. Katie called me no less than 3 times from Hobby Lobby to talk about the decorations. I think she chose well. They are definately my style and the colors are good for having a party for boy/girl twins.



This is what the kids did for everyone who came. They all ran outside to greet them. This is the only pic I can find that has James in it. I think for the rest of the time he was off playing with his cousins or something like that.



My mom, Vicki, and Abbey.



A nice profile shot of Abbey.



Audra and Jack.



DJ is the sullen teen. Jack had just puked on Audra's arm and Donnie is helping her out by cleaning her up.



Izzy eating. It's what he did the entire time.



Jayden. I'm pretty sure she was just inside to get a drink. We hardly saw the kids unless we were outside.



This is Sue, my dad's wife. They were married the same year Jason and I were. And Jack and Christina were. 2005 was a big year for weddings in my family. Sue said she wore this shirt because it was the only one she owned that has both blue and pink in it.



Katy Beth. I'm not sure where the little girl went and how this teenager was left in her place.



Audra's other son Matthew. He loves little kids. He always wanted to be a big brother, so he really dotes on the kids when they go down there to visit or when he comes up here.



The red head is Jason's Aunt Mikki (Mickey?). She is Marian's sister. I don't know if she is older or younger, I *think* older. From the pictures I've seen, she was quite the looker when she was younger.



Sue and Abbey.



Our dads. My dad, Jim, has the beard. Jason's dad, Dave, is the guy who always seems to be smiling. The dads seem to get along well. Whenever they are together (Thanksgiving along with other family gatherings I organize) they talk for quite a long time with each other about pretty much everything.



Jason's mom, Marian, and Jack. To me, it looks like she's playing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" with him, though I'm not really sure what it was, I was in the kitchen cooking or something like that.



Jason's mom, Aunt Mikki, and Jack.



Aunt Mikki



Jason's dad, Dave.



Aunt Mikki and Jack.



Katie Ann and I in the office/baby room. Jason was going around taking pics and while he was doing that, he was taking pics of the clean rooms. He followed us in to the office to take a pic of the clean office. He told me that was why he was in there, just to have proof it was clean at some point in history, so I flipped him off. Trust me, while the office looks rather cluttered and messy, it's been known to be MUCH worse, however with the babies now sleeping in there (well, here cause it's where I'm at right now) full time, it'll be staying cleaner.



Audra helping Izzy get in to the brownies. We ended up bringing 1/2 the brownies to our homeschool group's "Not Back to School Party" on Tuesday. We apologized for all of the 3 year old hand prints in the frosting. The moms understood.



Jack sizing Jack up. I'm looking forward to when I'll be able to get pics of the two of them full grown sizing each other up. I have a feeling they'll be looking pretty close eye to eye with one another.



Jason's mom, Marian, and Abbey.



Jason's dad, Dave, and Jack.



I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Remember to take some time and spend it with your family, even if you just shoot off a quick email or call and leave a message on their phone.

30 Family Pictures

I wanted some pics done of all 6 kiddos together, so yesterday when the weather was gorgeous and not too hot, that is exactly what we did. Right in our front yard. Thankfully our neighbor's house has some nice run of the mill landscaping, so it provided a nice "backdrop" for the pics. Jason obviously took more than this, however I narrowed it down to 30. So here they are. I'm going to get some of them printed and put them in frames for our walls. Chime in and let me know which ones you think would be best for that. Also, as you are probably aware of, taking pics with kids is hit or miss, and we have some hit and some miss. Trust me when I tell you that what is here are the more "hit", even though they may look like a "miss"!





























































Prayers and blessings everyone, I hope you have a great weekend!