One Hot and Crazy Summer

The last day of school arrived. Kids were excited. Mom was ramping up to deal with 3 kids home all day. And then the bombshell. Tom's company closed its doors. We hit it hard and fast and had a huge reaction to his application process. It took less than 3 weeks to get him back into the work force. We were ecstatic! Not only was it a pay raise, but it was literally 4 miles from home and had benefits.... something we hadn't had in quite some time. Tom is now working for a company called Orange Soda... they do internet marketing... with fizz! So far he seems to be enjoying it there.

Emily started summer band. She took up the bassoon and is quite the little talent. Her teacher was quite impressed with how quickly she was picking it up. She has already had her first concert where they played 2 songs.

As soon as summer band ended, Emily had her first Young Women's camp experience. She came home exhausted and tanned but having had a great time. Appearantly she was quite the snorer... rattling the rafters. She was constantly jabbed and poked so others could sleep but all in all... she loved it.

She came back on the morning of July 4th. That night Emily and Lil Tom had the chance to go to Stadium of Fire with Uncle Shawn and Aunt Tina. Miley Cyrus and the Blue Man Group were there. The both preferred Blue man group and of course the fireworks display.

The following Monday, lil Tom got to go to his first boy scout camp. It was just 2 days and not over night. It was so incredibly hot that he came home early the second day. I am so proud of how hard he is working in scouts. He made me a flower planter and is growing cherry tomatoes in there for me.

Isabelle is my little trouper. She HATES the heat but loves being outdoors. I don't let her out much because she burns super fast. She is a bit moody not going to school. She goes to an inclusive school where she will remain until she is 21. There are 4 other kids in her preschool. Izzie (aka Peanut Butter) gets physical therapy daily, occupational therapy once a week, weekly group speech, and assorted activities in her classroom. She is such a big girl.. already riding in a special school bus in her wheelchair to and from school. There have been times I have had to drive her and she LIGHTS UP when we get to school.... I have no doubt she knows where she is.

Things are mostly calm on the medical front with Isabelle lately. She is eating virtually nothing by mouth now relying on her G tube to be fed. She still has some break through seizures and tightening in her muscles that we have to work with. She still blows raspberries and smiles all the time and is the light of our home.

As for me... just a crazy busy mom surviving the summer and juggling schedules. My newest thing I am tackling is getting Isabelle a bed so she can move out of the crib. The specialty bed we hope Medicaid will pay for runs nearly $11k!!! That is so INSANE! But it will serve her well for many years and has all the bells and whistles she needs to be safe.

I think that is it for now. I plan to get photos up and all the fancy stuff done soon... Hope you all are having a great summer.