Ok...I know I am a little delayed when it comes to technology but I can't say enough about how much I love Skype.
The girls and I were able to "talk" with Mr A and my parents using Skype. Oh my goodness if you could have heard the girls yell "Daddy" when they saw him on the screen. Yes they are 15 and 12 but still screamed for their Dad. He has been in CA since the 13 of August and this is the longest he has been away! They were so happy to see him...so was I! :)
I love being able to see the family and see the house I grew up in the background. It was just cool. We talk on the phone every week but there is something about seeing the person that makes it that much more special.
We heart skype!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
School has begun
It's that time again! Time for the school supply lists and packing up all of those items in a book bag that cringes due to the amount of stuff getting crammed in it.
This year, Ky is a sophomore in high school. Where does the time go? It is crazy how fast time flies. She has a crazy semester again. 1) Honors Composition, 2) Honors Civics and Economics, 3) Spanish 1, and 4) Honors Algebra 2. She loves the pressure and is excited about the classes for the most part.
My only complaint so far - due to budget cuts she has 2 temporary contract teachers. One for Honors Comp and the other for Spanish 1. The sad thing is the Spanish 1 teacher doesn't even know Spanish. Seriously!!! How can you put someone in to teach Spanish who doesn't know Spanish. We are hoping that things will work out. They are hoping to have a permanent teacher in sometime in the next 3 weeks to 3 months. Thank goodness I have taken 3 years of Spanish and kept some of my old books. I am teaching her a lot more at home then she is getting so far in class. Ky says there is a boy in class who is helping the teacher with her pronunciation.
AJ is starting 7th grade. Her class load is pretty standard with the exception of her electives - chorus and band. She had chorus last year and absolutely loved it so that I am not worried about. The band on the other hand is a sore subject in our house. Ky took band in 6th and half of 7th grade. The teacher was the biggest jerk of all time! She stuck it out and we are proud of her for following through. We made a decision that AJ wouldn't take band due the issues we had previously.
However, when we saw her schedule band was there. Luckily the teacher has changed and this teacher seems very happy to teach and pretty enthusiastic which is a happy change from the previous teacher. The bad thing is due to our financial situation the rental of an instrument is some thing we really have to think about. Unfortunately there are no other classes for her to transfer into. This was her absolute last choice on her electives but all the other elective classes are completely full that they are forcing kids to take band and chorus because those are the two classes that still have room. We might just have to bit the bullet and get her an instrument for now and see what might open next semester.
The bonus for AJ is she only has 1 teacher that Ky had in middle school. I like that AJ has been able to have other teachers than what Ky had. That way there is no preconceived ideas about AJ or comparisons to Ky. They are both great students but their personalities and learning styles are so different to compare them would be an injustice to them both.
As they walked out of the house this morning my only regret was I didn't take picture for the first day. Mr. A has the camera in CA and I didn't feel like trying to find the girls cameras or take photos on my phone. I have a standard cell phone and the photos are pretty much junk!
No photos for their memory books but the memories will always remain in my mind and heart.
This year, Ky is a sophomore in high school. Where does the time go? It is crazy how fast time flies. She has a crazy semester again. 1) Honors Composition, 2) Honors Civics and Economics, 3) Spanish 1, and 4) Honors Algebra 2. She loves the pressure and is excited about the classes for the most part.
My only complaint so far - due to budget cuts she has 2 temporary contract teachers. One for Honors Comp and the other for Spanish 1. The sad thing is the Spanish 1 teacher doesn't even know Spanish. Seriously!!! How can you put someone in to teach Spanish who doesn't know Spanish. We are hoping that things will work out. They are hoping to have a permanent teacher in sometime in the next 3 weeks to 3 months. Thank goodness I have taken 3 years of Spanish and kept some of my old books. I am teaching her a lot more at home then she is getting so far in class. Ky says there is a boy in class who is helping the teacher with her pronunciation.
AJ is starting 7th grade. Her class load is pretty standard with the exception of her electives - chorus and band. She had chorus last year and absolutely loved it so that I am not worried about. The band on the other hand is a sore subject in our house. Ky took band in 6th and half of 7th grade. The teacher was the biggest jerk of all time! She stuck it out and we are proud of her for following through. We made a decision that AJ wouldn't take band due the issues we had previously.
However, when we saw her schedule band was there. Luckily the teacher has changed and this teacher seems very happy to teach and pretty enthusiastic which is a happy change from the previous teacher. The bad thing is due to our financial situation the rental of an instrument is some thing we really have to think about. Unfortunately there are no other classes for her to transfer into. This was her absolute last choice on her electives but all the other elective classes are completely full that they are forcing kids to take band and chorus because those are the two classes that still have room. We might just have to bit the bullet and get her an instrument for now and see what might open next semester.
The bonus for AJ is she only has 1 teacher that Ky had in middle school. I like that AJ has been able to have other teachers than what Ky had. That way there is no preconceived ideas about AJ or comparisons to Ky. They are both great students but their personalities and learning styles are so different to compare them would be an injustice to them both.
As they walked out of the house this morning my only regret was I didn't take picture for the first day. Mr. A has the camera in CA and I didn't feel like trying to find the girls cameras or take photos on my phone. I have a standard cell phone and the photos are pretty much junk!
No photos for their memory books but the memories will always remain in my mind and heart.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Exotic food weekend
This weekend was a fun one with my girls. We chilled out since this was the last weekend before school started.
The weekend started on Friday night with Ky having band practice with the youth department. AJ and I headed to the grocery store to pick up some things to get through the next week. When we got back to pick her up, the group had decided to go out for ice cream after rehearsal. Talk about fun! We had fun coversations with friends, a nice evening and the best ice cream. I had Graham Station - Graham cracker ice cream with chunks of graham cracker and chocolate pieces. AJ had white turtle - vanilla ice cream, pecans, carmel with white and dark chocolate. I don't even remember what Ky had but it was good too! Update: Ky had Butter Pecan! My classic girl through and through!
Saturday night we decided to have Indian food. We found some naan and other Indian food items at Trader Joes. Let me say, it was so yummy! We ate our food while watching our favorite Bollywood movie - Bride and Predjudice. That was so much fun and something we will definitely do it again!
On Sunday, we decided to do sushi. Ky had been looking forward to this for awhile. AJ wasn't as excited until we told her she could have something else other than sushi. She settled on Sesame Chicken while Ky and I did a sushi plate special. It was the chef's choice of 5 pieces of negri. Luckily it was all stuff we had tried before and liked. We left stuffed and were so happy that we were able to do that as a special treat!
We had such a fun weekend eating our way through it. I can't wait to do some of these things again. I am so happy that my girls aren't picky for the most part and are willing to try new things. I am so thankful for their adventurous spirits with life!
The weekend started on Friday night with Ky having band practice with the youth department. AJ and I headed to the grocery store to pick up some things to get through the next week. When we got back to pick her up, the group had decided to go out for ice cream after rehearsal. Talk about fun! We had fun coversations with friends, a nice evening and the best ice cream. I had Graham Station - Graham cracker ice cream with chunks of graham cracker and chocolate pieces. AJ had white turtle - vanilla ice cream, pecans, carmel with white and dark chocolate. I don't even remember what Ky had but it was good too! Update: Ky had Butter Pecan! My classic girl through and through!
Saturday night we decided to have Indian food. We found some naan and other Indian food items at Trader Joes. Let me say, it was so yummy! We ate our food while watching our favorite Bollywood movie - Bride and Predjudice. That was so much fun and something we will definitely do it again!
On Sunday, we decided to do sushi. Ky had been looking forward to this for awhile. AJ wasn't as excited until we told her she could have something else other than sushi. She settled on Sesame Chicken while Ky and I did a sushi plate special. It was the chef's choice of 5 pieces of negri. Luckily it was all stuff we had tried before and liked. We left stuffed and were so happy that we were able to do that as a special treat!
We had such a fun weekend eating our way through it. I can't wait to do some of these things again. I am so happy that my girls aren't picky for the most part and are willing to try new things. I am so thankful for their adventurous spirits with life!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Sings my soul Saturdays - Beautiful
Another update on Jonah
This is the best update of all!
Jonah is home resting comfortably in his own bed as of Friday, August 20th! The doctors were so pleased with his progress that they let him go home!
How awesome is that! A little over a week and a half after having a major surgery - a kidney transplant no less - and the sweet boy is now home with his family.
We serve an miraculous Savior! I am in awe of this whole situation.
Just had to come by and share the news. Thanks for all of your prayers.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Quick update on Jonah
Look who is doing so much better! He has been moved out of ICU. He is slowly gaining back his strength. Mr. A says that he is a hit with all of his nurses (he always has been a little flirt!)
He will be in the hospital a little while longer to monitor everything and get his parents trained on how to live with a child who has had a transplant. They have to be extremely careful with him for the next 3 months. No rough housing, jumping, falling, etc. All I have to say is good luck with a 2 year old!
Continue to pray that there is no rejection of his kidney and for wisdom and understanding for his parents as they learn all the new medications and procedures needed to help him in his new life.
On behalf of the family, we thank you so much for all of you who have been praying for this sweet boy! We love this kid so much and wish you could all meet him. He would have you a putty in his little hands within seconds.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Updates on Jonah
Jonah is doing amazing! He is a living miracle. Mr. A got out to CA on Friday and they had started bringing him out of sedation. Mr. A was able to hang out and help the nurses which made him feel very useful already.
Saturday was a huge day - his breathing tube was removed. HOORRAAY! He is breathing on his own and was able to be out of sedation totally. Poor kid looked extremely confused as to what had happened but was doing remarkable.
By yesterday (Monday) he was already standing with assistance and playing with his toys. I know people say that kids bounce back quickly, but I know that everyones prayers have helped to. We serve an awesome, mighty Healer!
I haven't heard anything recently but it is just a matter of time before this precious boy is able to be back home with his family. I will keep everyone posted on the progress as I hear it.
Keep praying that there will not be any rejection of the kidney or complications.
Thank you for your prayers!
Saturday was a huge day - his breathing tube was removed. HOORRAAY! He is breathing on his own and was able to be out of sedation totally. Poor kid looked extremely confused as to what had happened but was doing remarkable.
By yesterday (Monday) he was already standing with assistance and playing with his toys. I know people say that kids bounce back quickly, but I know that everyones prayers have helped to. We serve an awesome, mighty Healer!
I haven't heard anything recently but it is just a matter of time before this precious boy is able to be back home with his family. I will keep everyone posted on the progress as I hear it.
Keep praying that there will not be any rejection of the kidney or complications.
Thank you for your prayers!
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