Catching up to being behind again

It seems like every month, there's something we look forward to just getting done so that everything will be so much easier and smoother in life after it's done...

never quite happens that way.

Our family is still busy, and it's wearing me out.

So, here's another blah update on what we've been up to.

Josh advanced two ranks in Boy Scouts.

During the Court of Honor, Anthony was climbing...

...and roaming the church halls...

...and trying to get into the chapel to play.

One day last week, we did an "investigation" that Josh's science class did at school.

We had an apple slice, and inserted a match (we later tried 2, then 3 matches).

We poured water to be 1/8 inch deep on the plate.

Place the apple on the plate, then light the match.

We placed a jar over the top...

and all the water sucked right into the upside-down jar.

I told Josh's teacher we did this, and it was more obvious with 3 matches, which they had learned in class too.

She also said that by the end of the day when they did this investigation, she started putting food coloring in the water, so they kids could see better, what was going on.

Pretty cool.

My activity for Family Home Evening this week was making pumpkins to decorate.

Our neighbor was over for the evening, so we did a song that he would know...Itsy-bitsy spider.

That's Anthony's favorite.

Anthony was ecstatic and watched us ALL in AWE while we sang and did the hand motions.

Next time that happens, we'll get a video.  He clapped and clapped and squealed for joy.  :)

Kelly's pumpkin

Our refreshment that night was mini m&m brownies. 

This is the most amazing brownie recipe EVER.

We had our first fire of the year, and broke out the hot chocolate.

Some of the amazing fall colors, and I love the lines on this tree.

Anthony enjoying pieces of his brownie and cheese.

Sheri and Lisa~ Anthony found his swim shorts from the pile of clothes to be put away until next summer.

He has been studying and studying the shorts, and has been verbalizing his sounds clearer with it too!

I swear that Buzz and Woody are going to make my baby speak, eventually.

Josh and Izzy

Don't know if I mentioned this lately or not....

Josh has NOT had any seizures since Day 2 of his medication!

I love being home again.

Our 14 months in Seattle ended in February, and I am still grateful every day that we are back home.

Because I worry that Anthony will get sick and have to go to the hospital again, I'm trying to be as much of a mom as possible in the meantime.

This means that I drive the children to school, when normally I'd make them walk.

I have been trying to get more things done around the house.

I've been trying to do things for my children that show I love them.

One of those things is working on costumes.

I've never been good at getting costumes done on time, very creatively, or anything.

But, since I'm home, I made Lilly a princess costume--her idea.

Maggie made her own nerd costume.

I made a new, bigger tunic for Josh's Link costume.

He's been Link for 3 years now, I think.

Andy says Josh needs to wear tights with it...I think jeans are fine.

Kelly before leaving to Spokane to run in XC Regionals!!!

Random stuff~~

We found out that we are able to get some respite for Anthony's care!

It is so exhausting trying to keep up with Anthony, have fun with him, and keep him from getting hurt.

If he isn't watched constantly, he tests boundaries farther than he should, putting himself in dangerous situations...Anthony has no fear, literally.

I am hoping to be able to get some rest, and

get back to the gym regularly, so I can get physically and mentally healthy again.

We have therapy/class time with therapists and teachers 6 times a week for Anthony.

All come to the house since he is not allowed in a classroom setting for fear of illness.

This is an exhausting schedule, but I feel Anthony needs all the therapy he can get before he ends up in the hospital again, and can't do any for a while.

I finished a book this week that was phenomenal.

The Language of Flowers is written by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

The story is beautifully woven, interesting, and thought-provoking.

It shows the true, unconditional, Christ-like love we should all strive to develop.

(although, the book is not about Jesus Christ or religion, it's just a pure love depicted)

Anthony was playing with his garage this week.

Anthony was dancing on his feet a LOT with this dance pad this week for therapy.

In this shot, he's isn't on his feet much, but you can see his enthusiasm for it.

On this day, he worked up to lifting one leg at a time, which is great practice for developing balance.

Oh, and I'm working on ordering glasses for Anthony still. 

We'll have a lot more time to do that next week.