Bike Rider

My older sister and I have tried about 3 times to get Raea to learn how to ride a bike. At the end of each session, Raea is convinced she doesn't want to learn.

I always imagined running along side her as she slowly slips away only to realize that she can do it all by herself, but comforted by her mother's presence.

The other day, my brother of few, but poignant words told me to bring Raea over. He told her to get on the bike. "Now pedal." It was less than 30 seconds, and now she won't get off. This is her riding her bike to church in a skirt.

She created a contract with Grant (3 perfect spelling tests, 5 books read, 5 yard cleaning days, and a clean room), so she can get a new bike. I have never seen a kid work so hard.

Happy Birthday

Hope you both had a great day! I love you.

2008

Seriously? 22?

Why I Work

Tonight a past patient chased me down to give me a thank you card and gift. I had tried to stop her labor because she was only 25 weeks. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. The miracle baby is now 10 weeks old and may be able to go home from the NICU soon. I can see such poor neonatal outcomes that it is nice to hear good updates. I work to fight for every little baby that can't fight for themselves.

"At a time when a lot was at risk for my family, you made me feel calm and very well taken care of."

4th folder/ 4th picture

I don't know who has been tagged with this one yet. If you haven't, now is your chance.

I was tagged to post my fourth picture in my fourth folder. It turns out that my fourth folder is 2004. Coincidence?!?

This is Grant, and the baby is Raea! We went to Laughlin to celebrate my Dad's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Dad

It looks like my sister already posted a Happy Birthday post to my dad. But seriously, he is my dad, he is awesome, he deserves another post.

Happy Birthday, Dad! Thanks for setting a great example for me to always want to learn more and be a better person. Improving oneself never ends.

I love you.

Jerry Skinner

This is Grant's dad. We were lucky enough to receive a few pictures from our Aunt Judy.

I am working on my digital scrap booking skills. I am actually having a Heritage Maker Party in 2 weeks. This is the first time I have ever been crazy to host anything. Let me know if you want to come; I would love more support.

Staying Postive (in spite of it all)

Here is my secret: I am human.

We had our third modified barium swallow yesterday. Not only is Herston not getting better, his dysphagia is getting worse. It is so hard waiting for the day when everything is going to be "normal". I had such high hopes. After being stressed out about twice a week therapy sessions, doctor specialists everywhere, and another close call, my friend sympathetically said, "Ruth, if you really think you are going to lose him, enjoy him now."

I have always said, "just wait until..." Just wait until I am done having kids, all my kids are potty-trained, they get into school, when we celebrate our tenth anniversary, or I lose the baby fat. "My life will start when I have kids" can quickly turn into "I will be happy when I am not pregnant."

...but the real question is "then what?"

If we are always waiting for life to begin, we will miss it. This was the best Christmas ever because I sat back and said, "this is the last time my kids will be this age."

So, today, as I prepare his thicker goo-formula bottle, I will try to think about how happy Herston is to see it. The pure excitement he gets when he eats, like he has never done it before, is simply contagious.

Another friend often states the blogging/journaling is therapeutic. I agree.

Happy Birthday Little Man

Ethan did not sleep through the night until he was over a year old. I remember him just crying all the time. Bananas were his comfort item, and he could swallow the whole thing faster than any adult. He didn't walk until he was fifteen months, and I had Larissa 4 months later.

He was such a hard baby, but he wasn't a bad baby; I see now that he was just very sensitive. He still is. He wants you to be happy and everything around him to be well and in order.

He does things on his own time, and he has always wanted to extend his baby years. He still needs me to put on his clothes. He is 4 today, and although he is old enough to have chores in our family now, I know he will always need me. And maybe...I need him to need me.

It took him almost a year to smile, and I now cherish every single one.

Snow Day

We went north of Strawberry to take the kids to play in the snow today. The kids hated being cold. (I can't image ever living in the snow again or with kids.) We brought a sled, and Raea was so fast; she would just lie down and go! I even went down. We found a nice quiet place, but getting out of there was so hard. Grant kept sinking into the snow and finally decided to crawl out. Can you tell that Larissa kept saying, "I'm scared. I'm scared"?

The next thing I have to do is to find someone who wants to go skiing with me.