Wednesday, April 21, 2010

This year has been extremely stressful. The girls have had many infections and surgeries. I can't even remember all of them. I like to block most of that stuff out.


I am finishing up my second semester of college. I have aced all of my classes so far. Even with all of the girls set backs I have been able to stay on top of my school work. I will be starting the summer semester. It's my escape for right now. Kendra and I were on the way to one of her surgeries and got into a car accident. That is her 2nd. She just cried for a second. The police officer that arrived at the accident was really helpful. He also knows Jake's cousin that is a highway patrol officer. He was so good to Kendra. We made it to her surgery on time. The doctor was a little mad that we were late, but I wait for them all the time so it's his turn to wait for me.

Jake just finished another part of his schooling. He is one smart man!! If only I can get him to figure out the yard that would be so great.

Courtney is doing very well in school and will be starting back up in her competition team in June. She is excited and has missed dance. I on the other hand am not excited!! It's a lot of work to get Courtney to all the practices and performances, she will start dancing 10 hours a week. We are hardly going to be able to see her. But she enjoys it and that is really all that matters. We got a new cage for her bird Shelly, she is so messy. Courtney got sick of vacuuming her room everyday. She also wants roller blades, so is trying to earn those through chores around the house. She only has one more year of elementary and then she is off to middle school. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She gets prettier everyday. The boys are starting to notice too. A couple of them showed up at our house a couple of weekends ago. Jake wasn't happy about that. He is very protective of the girls.

Kendra is the life of the party. There is nothing that she can't do. We took the kids to Classic Skating and both of the girls put on roller skates and were able to get around very well. It was great to see both of them so brave. Kendra looks more like Courtney everyday, well all my girls look very much alike. She was also baptized in March. I took Kendra and Maliyah to get special white dresses for the occasion. It was the prefect day for her. Kendra recently got tested at school for next year and she is testing at a 5th grade level. She loves school!

Maliyah has had a really tough year so far. She has had far more surgeries this year then Kendra. She is on IV antibiotics for an infection. I just do them at home every 8 hours. It's really not bad. The medicines are making her throw-up, so we are working on getting them changed to something else. Regardless of the year Maliyah has had, she is still testing at a 5th grade level as well. We have tried several times to get her off of her feeding tube and she doesn't tolerate that very well. We need to make sure by this time next year she is done with it. She is getting stronger everyday with her Physical Therapy, she is getting faster on her walker and even able to take steps with her crutches. Both girls can wear their "robot leg" for about 10 minutes. I just hope they don't have to modify them anytime soon. Maliyah was baptized as well in March. She was excited at first and decided to go second right after Kendra. She got really scared, I told her everything was going to be ok and finally she agreed. I really didn't want to schedule a different baptisim for Maliyah. After Maliyah was done, she told me that it wasn't scary at all. I was so proud of her.

Justin and Austin attended their Kindergarten Orientation. I can't believe they are going to be 5 in June. They are the best little boys. Each day gets easier with them. It's nice to feel like I am on the down hill side with them. They already have gotten all their shots for Kindergarten. I really will miss all my kids. It's a bitter sweet moment having everyone in school. We got new carpet in our house last week, Justin had some friends over to play. When they walked in the house Justin ordered all of them to take off their shoes. It's really cute to see the kids taking pride in our home.

We recently found a good deal on the Internet for the Disney Cruise. They are cruising from California this next year, so we booked it. We are going to the same place Jake and I went for our 10 year anniversary last year. The kids are saving their money for the trip.

I think that is a great update for now.

I am also going to be posting new pictures, so check those out. :)

5 comments:

  1. That is great that everyone is doing well and I am able to keep in touch. Great job in school for both you and Jake.

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  2. Thank-you for such a good update Erin. I hope you all have a wonderful time on your Cruise. I soo look forward to the pictures and your updates.. the family has been through so much and continues to do better and grow every day. Sending love and good blessings to you all.
    Lynn & Beckie.. in West Sacramento, Ca :-)

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  3. I just watched your program on Discovery Health and my heart goes out to you and your family. You are wonderful, special people. You and your husband are an inspiration for many people I'm sure. You are raising beautiful, sweet children. Blessings and prayers for you!

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  4. Aloha Erin! ^_^ just wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing your life w/ us and for being so honest & real. You have a beautiful family & you are an inspiration to me. I'm the mother of five also, trying to get it all together for a week long trip to Disneyland, before my husband leaves for Afghanistan. >_< I thought my life was tough, so thank you for showing me what strength really is. Best of luck to you in school~ YOU CAN DO IT!! I'll continue to check your blog so please keep writing as time allows. Much aloha to you! ^_^

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  5. I always enjoy reading your updates, Erin. I've followed your family's story since just before the twins' separation surgery... and I'm delighted they're doing so well. If your girls enjoy creepy, ghosty, time-travely tales of mystery and magic with happy endings--because, I, like you, are really into the idea of happy endings!--please have them check some of my books out of the library! www.kathrynreiss.net
    Congratulations, too, on your progress with your degree. You manage to get an amazing amount done !
    all best, Kathryn

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