"...dreamed of para, para, paradise // every time she closed her eyes..."
I am really, really tired.
But let's have an update, no? How about pluses and minuses? Lots of good with a sprinkling of bad isn't *too* bad, amirite?
[+] The van angels. Oh, god...the van angels. Amazing, you guys. Just amazing. Forgetting for a moment they, oh, I don't know, BOUGHT US A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VAN and all that, they are funding the renovation of our house (and trust me, there are so many elements included...I can't even begin to list them all). So, let's pretend that's not the most amazing thing ever that will undeniably change our lives for the better in a ridiculous amount of ways, but get this: they also randomly and unexpectedly blessed us with a NOOK! A COLOR NOOK, at that! A NOOK! We were so shocked and just...omgrateful. I mean, they're both incredibly well-educated, articulate individuals, and already...the NOOK has changed the kids for the better. Bear has always been a rather voracious reader (apple/tree, and all that
), but Beauty...eh, she
could take it or leave it. But since the arrival of the NOOK our
bedtime-as-a-family-reading-stories-and-telling-adventure-tales
has really drawn her in, which is incredible in and of itself. A NOOK!
Last night, K. (who, by his own admission, isn't much of a reader) said
to me: "I'm so thankful for the NOOK for not just the kids, but for you.
I know you've wanted one for years but would never have thought to ask
given the cost." And it's SO true. I've been coveting one forever and
man, this is just an incredible blessing (and not just for the kids,
obviously!). I read really, really fast, but I bought a book and am
pacing myself so I can make it last. I can't remember the last time I
bought myself a book. I can't wait to check out what I can loan from the
library. Just amazing. I really can't believe there are people like
this in this world. Cannot.believe.it. Just...wow.
[+] We got to spend some time with three first family members and have another visit coming up. We met up with Sunshine's step-grandma (former foster mom) and grandpa and it was incredible. They're great people and it's beyond evident they love Sunshine more than all the stars in the sky. And we were able to see LF's mom this month, too! It was SO awesome. You just have no idea. She is so beautiful and intelligent and personable and we always look forward to seeing her. We really love her. And of course, LF adores her. She was being her crazy two year old self, showing off and rocking out and being super cute. LF's mom attends school out of state so we haven't been able to see her for a bit, and oh...it was just SO good. We get to visit with LF's grandma this weekend and I am so stoked (she's totally awesome as well). She is going to flip when she sees how big and fierce and chock full of personality LF has become since the last visit. SO excited! And even better, our package made it to LF's mom (this is her birth month, too!) AND arrived on time. I stress about stuff like that like you wouldn't believe so I was so happy to hear it made it in time for her special day.
[+] While the window-to-door renovations are taking place, we're working on some other minor cosmetic changes around the house. I'm excited. K. and I love a good project, and I am ready to get elbows deep in tackling it. I'll update as we get to work, but if you don't hear for me for a couple of months, send help. And wine.
[+] Halloween is coming up and the kids are SO excited! We're going trick-or-treating with their BFFs from across the street (I love those little girls something fierce) so it is bound to be an fantastic time. The whole family just rocks. So grateful to have neighbors that are friends and vice versa. The "mom" (for lack of a better, more descriptive term), J., has been amazing beyond words since Sunshine's arrival. She consistently goes out of her way time and time again to pitch in wherever and whenever it looks like I'm scrambling. I think a lot of special needs parents get the generic "hey, if you need anything, just call!". Note to all pals of SN parents: as much as we are grateful for your goodhearted intent and generous thought, we will probably never call. It's not that it's not appreciated, it's more that it makes me feel...bothersome, I guess? Anyway, J. just has this sixth sense about her and she always seems to know what I need when I need it. It is awesome. Seriously, seriously so.
[-] Taking it over to the minus column, I've had to do a lot of "deleting" as of late. It's so odd to see how many people feel...I don't know...rejected? entitled? when there can be months at a clip with no communication whatsoever. I hate being the Deletress of the Internetz, but man, a girl can only do so much. Listen, I am not saying you have to check in with me like I'm a creepy, jealous boyfriend or something. But when I think we're at the point in our relationship where you'd be hard-pressed to know the names of all four of my children, something's gotta give. I give. And while it bums me out in certain cases, I'm not really all that sorry. You gotta do right by you, I gotta do right by me.
[+] Back to pluses for a minute: I deleted my facebook. Well, that's not entirely true. I deleted everyone from my list with the exception of maybe four people. But once all my pics are done, I'm outtie. It is oh-so-good. I've found that people fall into two categories: the ones who've actively tried to stay in touch, and those who haven't. And I completely understand both ways. But it's been an amazing feeling to not be tied to such a huge social network anymore. I'm on G+ and IG and all that noise--and Twitter, too (but rarely as of late)--and it's more than enough. I was hesitant at first and I do miss the comings and goings of some of my pals, but for the most part...party on, Wayne.
[-] Money. Enough said, right? But here was a nice little surprise: while at HellMart the other night (don't be a hater, Sunshine's Pediasure is cheap as hell there), we went to the baby aisle to locate said aforementioned Pediasure. On average, a six pack costs $10.00 and lasts three days. So we go through a lot of Pediasure; I mean, a $100 (more or less) a month for a child who doesn't eat by mouth is a pretty serious clip of cash. Anyway, K. and I, in our deep-seeded romantic ways, sometimes sneak out for a date night via grocery shopping. The store was busy, and by the time we got to the baby aisle, we were both tired. But we located the necessary product and found that some kindhearted soul cut out a ton of Pediasure coupons (for $2.00 off! OMG!) and wove them into the six packs. We bought three (hence saving $6.00) and I was so floored by this idea that I'm now on the hunt for "big ticket" grocery items whenever I see coupon pages. What a beautiful idea. Love it.
[-] I need to get into a cardiologist, and soonishly. I've had an irregular heartbeat for as long as I can remember (steady over the years, but nothing terrible) but the frequency has really intensified in the past, say, six to nine months (to the point where it's really annoying and slightly painful). One of these days I really need to get this checked out. I'm sure it's nothing, but it is rather obnoxious.
[-] If you're on G+, you've probably read all about our issues with A Particular Attorney Regarding A Particular Issue. I can't kick it all out here (i.e., publicly) for the obvious reasons, but UGH. This is a case-in-point example as to what's wrong with The System. *sigh*
But enough plus-ing and minus-ing, I've got laundry to fold and general house clean up to which I must attend. Sunshine's med schedule has us getting up before (okay, at) 5AM every day so I try to slather on the zzz's where I can get 'em. Early bedtime FTW, right?
<3
Oh, and hey...can you believe I'll be 31 in 15 days?! 31 is the new 21, right? Right? *cough*
And entirely unrelated, but the subject line of this entry is from this song. I am wholly and unapologetically obsessed with this song, as a matter of fact. Oh.so.good.
But let's have an update, no? How about pluses and minuses? Lots of good with a sprinkling of bad isn't *too* bad, amirite?
[+] The van angels. Oh, god...the van angels. Amazing, you guys. Just amazing. Forgetting for a moment they, oh, I don't know, BOUGHT US A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VAN and all that, they are funding the renovation of our house (and trust me, there are so many elements included...I can't even begin to list them all). So, let's pretend that's not the most amazing thing ever that will undeniably change our lives for the better in a ridiculous amount of ways, but get this: they also randomly and unexpectedly blessed us with a NOOK! A COLOR NOOK, at that! A NOOK! We were so shocked and just...omgrateful. I mean, they're both incredibly well-educated, articulate individuals, and already...the NOOK has changed the kids for the better. Bear has always been a rather voracious reader (apple/tree, and all that
), but Beauty...eh, she
could take it or leave it. But since the arrival of the NOOK our
bedtime-as-a-family-reading-[+] We got to spend some time with three first family members and have another visit coming up. We met up with Sunshine's step-grandma (former foster mom) and grandpa and it was incredible. They're great people and it's beyond evident they love Sunshine more than all the stars in the sky. And we were able to see LF's mom this month, too! It was SO awesome. You just have no idea. She is so beautiful and intelligent and personable and we always look forward to seeing her. We really love her. And of course, LF adores her. She was being her crazy two year old self, showing off and rocking out and being super cute. LF's mom attends school out of state so we haven't been able to see her for a bit, and oh...it was just SO good. We get to visit with LF's grandma this weekend and I am so stoked (she's totally awesome as well). She is going to flip when she sees how big and fierce and chock full of personality LF has become since the last visit. SO excited! And even better, our package made it to LF's mom (this is her birth month, too!) AND arrived on time. I stress about stuff like that like you wouldn't believe so I was so happy to hear it made it in time for her special day.
[+] While the window-to-door renovations are taking place, we're working on some other minor cosmetic changes around the house. I'm excited. K. and I love a good project, and I am ready to get elbows deep in tackling it. I'll update as we get to work, but if you don't hear for me for a couple of months, send help. And wine.
[+] Halloween is coming up and the kids are SO excited! We're going trick-or-treating with their BFFs from across the street (I love those little girls something fierce) so it is bound to be an fantastic time. The whole family just rocks. So grateful to have neighbors that are friends and vice versa. The "mom" (for lack of a better, more descriptive term), J., has been amazing beyond words since Sunshine's arrival. She consistently goes out of her way time and time again to pitch in wherever and whenever it looks like I'm scrambling. I think a lot of special needs parents get the generic "hey, if you need anything, just call!". Note to all pals of SN parents: as much as we are grateful for your goodhearted intent and generous thought, we will probably never call. It's not that it's not appreciated, it's more that it makes me feel...bothersome, I guess? Anyway, J. just has this sixth sense about her and she always seems to know what I need when I need it. It is awesome. Seriously, seriously so.
[-] Taking it over to the minus column, I've had to do a lot of "deleting" as of late. It's so odd to see how many people feel...I don't know...rejected? entitled? when there can be months at a clip with no communication whatsoever. I hate being the Deletress of the Internetz, but man, a girl can only do so much. Listen, I am not saying you have to check in with me like I'm a creepy, jealous boyfriend or something. But when I think we're at the point in our relationship where you'd be hard-pressed to know the names of all four of my children, something's gotta give. I give. And while it bums me out in certain cases, I'm not really all that sorry. You gotta do right by you, I gotta do right by me.
[+] Back to pluses for a minute: I deleted my facebook. Well, that's not entirely true. I deleted everyone from my list with the exception of maybe four people. But once all my pics are done, I'm outtie. It is oh-so-good. I've found that people fall into two categories: the ones who've actively tried to stay in touch, and those who haven't. And I completely understand both ways. But it's been an amazing feeling to not be tied to such a huge social network anymore. I'm on G+ and IG and all that noise--and Twitter, too (but rarely as of late)--and it's more than enough. I was hesitant at first and I do miss the comings and goings of some of my pals, but for the most part...party on, Wayne.
[-] Money. Enough said, right? But here was a nice little surprise: while at HellMart the other night (don't be a hater, Sunshine's Pediasure is cheap as hell there), we went to the baby aisle to locate said aforementioned Pediasure. On average, a six pack costs $10.00 and lasts three days. So we go through a lot of Pediasure; I mean, a $100 (more or less) a month for a child who doesn't eat by mouth is a pretty serious clip of cash. Anyway, K. and I, in our deep-seeded romantic ways, sometimes sneak out for a date night via grocery shopping. The store was busy, and by the time we got to the baby aisle, we were both tired. But we located the necessary product and found that some kindhearted soul cut out a ton of Pediasure coupons (for $2.00 off! OMG!) and wove them into the six packs. We bought three (hence saving $6.00) and I was so floored by this idea that I'm now on the hunt for "big ticket" grocery items whenever I see coupon pages. What a beautiful idea. Love it.
[-] I need to get into a cardiologist, and soonishly. I've had an irregular heartbeat for as long as I can remember (steady over the years, but nothing terrible) but the frequency has really intensified in the past, say, six to nine months (to the point where it's really annoying and slightly painful). One of these days I really need to get this checked out. I'm sure it's nothing, but it is rather obnoxious.
[-] If you're on G+, you've probably read all about our issues with A Particular Attorney Regarding A Particular Issue. I can't kick it all out here (i.e., publicly) for the obvious reasons, but UGH. This is a case-in-point example as to what's wrong with The System. *sigh*
But enough plus-ing and minus-ing, I've got laundry to fold and general house clean up to which I must attend. Sunshine's med schedule has us getting up before (okay, at) 5AM every day so I try to slather on the zzz's where I can get 'em. Early bedtime FTW, right?
<3
Oh, and hey...can you believe I'll be 31 in 15 days?! 31 is the new 21, right? Right? *cough*
And entirely unrelated, but the subject line of this entry is from this song. I am wholly and unapologetically obsessed with this song, as a matter of fact. Oh.so.good.
Posted by courtney at 10/20/2011 8:58 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: tired van angels amazing people in our lives amazing people in this world renovations nook omfgnook first family family love sunshine little flower bear beauty visits deleting facebooknomore teh internetz drahma neighbors good people friends friendship gratitude my silly heart irregular heartbeats pediasure the kindness of strangers in the grocery store oh you silly lawyers you life general update goodnight and sweet dreams paradise coldplay
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: tired van angels amazing people in our lives amazing people in this world renovations nook omfgnook first family family love sunshine little flower bear beauty visits deleting facebooknomore teh internetz drahma neighbors good people friends friendship gratitude my silly heart irregular heartbeats pediasure the kindness of strangers in the grocery store oh you silly lawyers you life general update goodnight and sweet dreams paradise coldplay
You know I always love the updates. I am so, so happy about the Van Angels. Amazing people, and they give me hope for humanity. As do coupon fairies.
I think I need some kind of cheat sheet for how to use G+ properly. I get overwhelmed by the whole not knowing what I'm doing, and wind up closing the tab. *sigh*
Take care, my dear, and give my love to the fam.
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