To LTM...

As I sit here sorting though the Christian music on the computer...so that Frank can put it on a CD for the basement workout room. I keep hearing songs...that the only thing that comes to mind is how much we miss you guys. I've been heard to say that the hardest thing about this move was leaving LTM. All of you have touched our hearts and souls...and we miss you all dearly. The music, the love the faith...and the Joy at all the small things, the companionship, the laughter! Oh yes the laughter! There's not one thing we can say we miss more then the other, it's all one..one package that as a whole makes one wonderful body of people and faith.

We will be back someday, we'd like to come visit this summer and Langhorne is one of our first stops. So much has happened since last April when some of you came to see us off. We will never forget the kindness and caring.

Caitlynn's now 1/2 way though her 4th grade year, she has a best friend that lives just up the street. She's liking it here, but does miss her friends there. Shes still in gifted classes, though not as challenged as she should be. She's getting ready for her first Science Fair and making a Math board game right now too :)

Jacob's in daycare (when Frank gets back to work) and loves it there! It took some teaching for them to learn his tube and his feeds, but how he's thrieved there! He went in around May of 2007 as a little boy with little to NO communication! He now talks! OMG Jacob has learned to talk!!! Thank God! He still has very little communication, but he tries...and it's coming! He is also in school...yes a real elementary school! He's in a self contained Special Ed class for 3/4 year olds. He will get 2 years of this before they evaluate him for a K4 class...if he cant handle that he'll get this class again and they will reeval for Kindergarten...we're praying with the right support he'll be able to transition to the same Elementary that Caitlynn goes to. But by then she'll be in Middle school! He still wears braces, and we're waiting on his medical stroller (convaid cruiser) he's now 34 pounds...to those that know the struggle we had with his weight...what a glorious thing it is to see meat on his bones, and not just bones! He's 40" tall..which is in the 95% for height. They just Diagnosed him with "benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome" This in no way is the answer we are searching for, but it's a start. They are very worried about his head growth. His skull is 44cm....very very small for his age. The doctor is requesting records from CHOP, and hopefully we'll get answers. For now though...he's sleeping great, his foods (tube) are agreeing with him...and out of the last 8 weeks we've only had 1 week where he was throwing up...and that was due to an ear infection. PTL!!

Frank...he's currently out of work. They downsized...and let him go. He's been out since 12-6 and it's been hard since my stepfather is also unemployed at this time. So it's mom and I working...that should change soon. Frank is going for his CDL to drive for the school district here. It's full time, full year work. They do maintence during the summer months. We're praying this comes though, and that the medical benefits are well worth the smaller paycheck.

Me...well alot has gone on here with me. Last June I started a diet. I rang in at 271 pounds, my heavest ever. That is the weight I was when I left...and was very unhappy with myself. I now am 228 pounds and 58 pounds away from my goal! It's slow...but pretty steady! I also got a new pair of sneakers...sounds pretty uneventfull, but they've changed my life! www.zcoil.com is what they are, and they've taken away almost all the pain in my feet! I'm still working for Home Depot, and coming up on 5 years in May. At that time i'll have 3 weeks of vacation to splurge on ;) PA here I come! We're going to Sesame when we come up...though we are not sure when that will be. Jacob is reconizing Elmo and Big Bird now...so it'll be awesome for the kids. And bad parents...Caitlynn's never been there! LOL Yes we lived sooo close for so long! Woops!

Well God bless to you all...we miss you!

Anyone that wants to come on a vacation in the south...you are more then welcome here! We have a spare room downstairs...and a pool (aboveground) outside. The more the merrier!

Lets just say...

I had to spread the word too.

Andrea's Blog
http://andjonbabyluke.blogspot.com/2008/01/spiritually-deep-for-special-needs.html

Trish's Blog
http://mynewnormal.blogspot.com/2008/01/things-not-to-say-to-special-needs.html

Ladies...between the 2 of you there is not more more to say.

The "he looks normal to me" comment though...eats at my soul.

What do you do?

When you dont know how your next bill will be paid. What do you do when you feel like you are at the end of the road? When Prayer doesn't seem to help, cause you've prayed that prayer so often in the past 5 weeks. How do you wake up in the morning, knowing that it'll be just another day, at the same old job...that will only net you enough to make the bare minimum...and you STILL wont be able to pay for Food, Gas, Mortgage and car insurance. We're not even mentioning heat, electric or the other bills that are waiting. Including Caitlynn needing a dentist apt...even with Dental for her, I cant afford the visit. Where do you turn...

Unemployment "somewhat" came though...but we wont be getting a back check since Carolina Fire said he was fired for "poor work performance" not what they told him...but hell it's their word against his. Oh ya...did I mention that they have not paid Frank his final pay check yet? http://www.carofire.com/ We wont get any unemp payments till 1-26 they "disqualified" him for 8 weeks due to 'they said' ... and they cant do anything about not getting a final check. We are going to the labor board on that...and have a chance (laugh, laugh) of getting 3x what they owe him. But again it's "he said she said" and the burden of proof. He's contacting the place he inspected on the 5th (day before being let go) for a statement saying he was there. And PRAYING they will give him one.

I feel like I cant stand for the weight on my shoulders...I dont know what to do, or where to turn...

Andrea...Thank You...I needed that prayer today.