The Weather Outside "Was" Frightful!

Just on Christmas day, we still had about 15 inches of snow on the ground - today it is almost gone. During one of the kids snow days, Emily and Austin went outside to play. Here are a few photos of their romp in the backyard.

Christmas Morning!

The boys playing the game Lego Star Wars on the Wii

Emily and Jacob checking out their stocking

Austin and his Star War ship

Emily has been talking about this guitar for WEEKS!

Jacob wanted almost all science things this year. Here he is with his microscope

Santa (along with Grandma and Grandpa) gave the kids almost everything they wanted. Emily was disappointed that she didn't get that HORSE, but she will get over it. HA!

Christmas Eve!

It has been a tradition since the kids came home that I make matching Christmas jammies. Of course, they really didn't like them this year, since there were scotties on the fabric. But hey, it was the only fabric that I could find that had enough for the three kids! And yes, those are gloves on Emily's hands. She refuses to stop picking at her boo-boo's, so I resorted to taping gloves on. Anyway, they still look adorable!

Merry Christmas!

Hoping everyone is having a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Concert Pictures

Jacob and Emily

Austin

The school Christmas concert was on Tuesday night. Emily and Austin loved going, Jacob was not so happy. Even though he did sing, a little, he was not a happy camper.

Let It Snow!

We are getting a ton of snow today - over 10 inches. The kids are happy because they have a snow day.

School Christmas Concert and Snow!

Tonight was the kids school Christmas concert. All three did a great job and they looked so cute dressed up in their Christmas outfits. While at the concert, it started to snow. The snow looks so beautiful - fluffy and glistening. As soon as the get the pictures off the camera, I will get some posted!

Update!

Sorry folks - it has been crazy here. Hey, haven't I said that before? Anyway, I will give you the Cliff Notes on what has been going on!

1) Jacob! We have been having a hard time with him lately. I took him to doctor again last Monday and they put him on a different kind of medication for ADHD. I don't know if he really has ADHD, but the doctor feels that the medication could help him with this complications from his Aspergers Syndrome. The first med, that was prescribed in October, did not work!!! His meltdowns were awful. One day we had three in one day! ARG! Talk about being tired and drained - me too! No serious meltdowns since these last meds were prescribed - thank goodness!

2) Emily! Emily was back to the doctor last week to have her boo-boo's checked. From all the stress with Jacob's screaming meltdowns, we feel she has been suffering from stress (haven't we all) and won't allow her boo-boo's to heal. The doctor put her on two different antibotics which she takes three times a day. They are looking good and should be completely healed by Thanksgiving. WOOHOO!

3) Austin (aka..Bubba)! He has been doing great. Austin always has a smile on his face and he loves his Momma. He is doing great in 1st grade math and finally starting to read books. Star Wars still occupies all of his waking thoughts . In fact tonight, for his homework, he decorated a paper turkey as a Clone Trooper. Last Wednesday Austin went with Scott to his first Detroit Piston basketball game. He loved it!! If you have a Facebook account, send me a friend request and then you can see a cute picture of Austin at the game.

4) Scott! Working hard and trying to keep sane in this house!

5) Molly and Kenny! They continue to sleep and eat, along barking at the squirrels. They are doing great - fat and happy.

6) Me! I am doing alright. Jacob has been keeping me busy (frazzled; frustrated and brain dead) with his endless meltdowns. Work has increased and I have been teaching computer programming at night. We did pick up our new vehicle last Thursday - a brand new Toyota Sienna. Yes, a foreign car!!! After hearing the US automakers WHINE; their stock dropping like a brick; the quality of their vehicles down compared to Toyota and Honda; their future unknown - I bought foreign. This was a hard decision for me, since I was born and raised in Michigan. It was pounded into my head that we only drive US auto's, because they are better than the "rice burners"! Wrong. After countless hours of researching (Consumer Reports; Edmunds) and compiled Excel spreadsheets, I found that brainwashing to be wrong. The new car is saving me over $100 per a year because the insurance company feels it is "safer" than my two year old Chrysler mini-van. I am so glad that I am not only saving money, but in a safer vehicle for my family. I do hope one day the US automakers come around and start making a product that matches that of Honda and Toyota and when that day happens, I will buy "American" again. Oh, by the way, my van is compiled of 85% of US materials plus assembled in Indiana. Last time I look, Indiana was in America!! :)

That about does it here. We are getting thru life and hoping and praying that the meltdowns continue to be lessened with the new medication.

If I don't log on before Thursday, I hope everyone has a very happy Turkey Day!

Rough, Rough, Day

It was a rough day today with Jacob. For some reason(s), he had a long meltdown at school today. He also had a rough night - several meltdowns. I don't know about him, but they wear me down - I am exhausted tonight!

Please Vote On November 4, 2008

Please EVERYONE, go out and vote tomorrow.

The Story of Emily's Chin!

Several people have asked about Emmy's chin. For whatever reason, Emily will not allow her skinned chin and lip to heal. I think when it starts to heal and start to itch, she picks at it until it bleeds (and stops itching). I have been putting anti-itch cream and band-aids on her chin to discourage her from picking at it and making it worse but it hasn't stopped her yet!

So, if anyone has any suggestions on how to remedy this please let me know.

Thanks!

Trick'or'Treating At Amah and Papa's House

It is a tradition to go Trick'or'Treating at Grandpa and Grandma's house (aka...Amah and Papa).

Pumpkin Time

Every year the kids design their own faces on the pumpkins and this year was no exception.

The Star Wars Crew

Austin, Emily and Jacob

Before Trunk'n'Treat at the Lake Orion Ward

Sunday!

Well, it is Sunday and it has been nice and quiet. The kids and I stayed home from Church. I had a major migraine yesterday, which means I am "fuzzy headed" today (and no, it is NOT a blond thing).

Jacob is hopefully calming down from his meltdowns. I took him about 10 days ago to the doctor and they put him on medication for ADHD. I really think he needs anti-anxiety medication, not ADHD meds, but I am willing to try anything to help him calm down.

I was going to post Halloween pictures, but I have yet to get them off my camera. Will work on that this week.

Very Long Week!

There has been alot going on here, but not very exciting. I have been working too many hours, along with helping out at school. Along with working and helping out at school, I have also started to teach college at night. Jacob is back to his meltdowns (yelling, screaming, throwing, crying) at school and at home. Very tiring for everyone, to say the least. Emily has been doing wonderful in school. She is ready to move to the 6th grade reading - something that she loves to do. Austin is doing great in school, especially going to 1st grade math! ;) Scott is working many hours - this is his busy time. Molly and Kenny have been doing what they do best - eating and sleeping! HA!

I am dead tired tonight, so this is going to be a quick post. Will try to write more later.

Austin and Molly Taking A Nap!

Austin likes to fall asleep where his Mom is located. This night he fell asleep on the floor of the family room. Molly loves it when this happens, because she loves to curl up with the kids while they sleep. Ole Mol has been doing this since Emily was a baby. Whenever Emily was on the floor, Molly would be be on guard close by. And YES, both of them have their own bed and Molly needs a bath and haircut!!

Emily's Eye Patch

Emily has to wear an eye patch to help strengthen the left eye. If the patches don't work, she will need surgery during Christmas break. At least she only has to wear them 3 hours per day.

Krambrooke Wear

More pictures!

Here is a picture of the kids wearing their new shirts from Land's End.

Things Are Quiet

Things here have been pretty quiet. The kids are doing well in school. My Mom was released from the hospital yesterday and feeling much better.