Friends

I don't know if I have mentioned it, assuming you would infer it from the copious photos of my boys playing with the same three girls, but just in case you are unaware....my boys are enthralled by all things "Moba-lee". (Names have been left in Jude's accent to protect the innocent.)
We are working on getting the boys to address adults by Mr. and Mrs. Jude's rookie attempts had him calling both the parents and grandparents of this brood by his version of the parents last name..."Hey, Moba-lee, drrrrrink???" It didn't come across quite as respectful as we had hoped.
So, anywhooooo, all the kiddos really like playing together, but Jude is OBSESSED. When he sees a car, any make or model, that is in the same color family as the "Moba-lee's" vehicle, he starts yelling "Moba-lee!!! Moba-lee!!!" No, Jude. That's an emerald green Fiat. It in no way resembles a vehicle that can hall a large crew like theirs. But he persists.
Owen's second first-week-of-school went pretty well, in spite of a 5am panic attack by me, induced by a FB post from a friend who has WAY more energy and imagination than me regarding making the first day of Kindergarten special. ( You know who you are, Gina!) Owen managed to get to school on time, in a uniform that had been WASHED before the first wearing (that is as fancy as I got, folks, to mark this occasion. I am normally a rip-the-tags-off-in-the-car kinda gal), with a lunch packed that did not put any one with a peanut allergy at risk of anaphylaxis, and I called it a day. Whew.
Jude and I spent the time that Owen was at school playing catch-up. Jude is learning to write his full name, say his address, dial Jim's number in case of emergency, identify body parts, colors, numbers to 100, alphabet, right hand from left, and direction (in front of, above, below, beside, near, far), patterns, shapes, rhyming, etc etc. He is doing well, and Rome wasn't built in a day. Personal mantra.
We got a call from the audiologist, canceling our appointment for Jude to receive his hearing aids. Rescheduled for next month. Yes, a month later. But hey! What are 30 DAYS to a kiddo who can't hear consonants, especially when he is trying to learn a NEW language? Pfffft.
Lastly, we went to Cincinnatti Children's to see one of the premier orthopedic spine guys in the country, because three other physicians saw a C2-C3 fusion on an MRI. Two of those three physicians were worried about it. This guy said there is no fusion. What's more, there is no scoliosis either! ( I not only have three physicians saying it IS scoliosis, but the docs in China thought it was too.)
So, the upshot is Jude is fine. NATURALLY, he wants to see us back in 6 months, but Jude is fine. On that note, one of the nurses was very interested in us, picking our collective consciousness (Jim and I only have one brain shared between us anymore. He kindly shares his with me) about adoption. She walked away seeing Jude, the kid, not the diagnosis (whatever the heck that turns out to be.) Which makes me want to include a disclaimer here. Yes, adoption is hard. It's hard getting used to a whole 'nother full-blown personality in the house. It's hard spending all.this.time. at the doctors making absolutely no progress. It's hard not speaking the same language. (I am saying that from MY standpoint, not even going down the road of how hard this is for Jude.) but you know what else it is? WORTH IT. Owen has a brother, that he shares with, fights with, pees with, and laughs with...usually one of those causes one of the other ones of those. Jim and I have another child. We are now the parents of two kids, and that is WILDLY different from being the parents of one. :) And Jude has a Mom and Dad. He doesn't really know what that means yet, partially because he was cared for very well at Yuhang, so his basic needs being met, here or there, isn't that different. But he will. Jim and I have a VERY noisy house, a much smaller retirement, a lot more gray hair, but also a whole different perspective on things. Do you ever stop and think of how your life would be different if you had had NO family? Jude was taken care of very well, for which we are grateful, but he didn't have someone vested in his outcome, his future, his eternal future.

All that being said, I have struggled with the situation. I have made it about me. I have not shown grace. I have been immersed in the crisis, or to-do list of the moment, and lose sight of the forest for the trees. I sincerely hope I haven't discouraged someone on their journey by my failings, and want to take a minute to point out a few things:

- we weren't looking for Jude. We were Systematically Redirected,  one small degree at a time, until our hearts were pointed in the "right" direction.

- Jude's file said he had scoliosis. A few docs here said he had scoliosis. But THE doc who is a premier spine doc in the country says he doesn't have scoliosis, his joint issues just are keeping him from lying in such a way that an XRay looks normal. Catch that? NO scoliosis.

- when we were in China, they told us his vision in his left eye was iffy, and we should have it checked. So we did, when we got home. Guess what? 20/25 in left eye, 20/20 in right. 

.....those are just a few of things this journey has revealed. Maybe you have to be in the middle of it to see the Hand behind it, but I doubt it. I'm not that observant, and I can see it. Despite my failings and short comings, I fully expect to be able to continue to enumerate all the surprises and Good Things in store for us, as this journey progresses. I don't always have it in the forefront of my mind, when in the midst of wiping water off my bathroom CEILING, or cleaning gum off the inside of my dryer (because our resident bubble-blower left the ENTIRE pack of gum in his pocket, then threw the shorts in the laundry), but in calmer moments I am able to remember that He works ALL THINGS together for my good. It's hard for me to remember that in the heat of a moment. Maybe it's hard for you to, too. So let this serve as a reminder to us both. ALL THINGS.

And now on to the day-to-day,,,,

First day of Kindergarten

Growing up!

He was totally fine with heading in on his own.....

...and ready for us to go. :(

First soccer game of season

Company! Uncle Geno and Aunt Judy came for a visit! As you can imagine, Owen is envious and doesn't understand why HE can not get up there TOO!

TV time.... Yes those are croutons Jude is eating. Right out of the bag. And this is Luce, The Cutest Papillon on the Planet.

Mugging for the camera,

The Chef, helping make home made laundry soap this time.

And that is it, for now. :)

More pics

Jude scraping all the hot sauce out of the packet

Jude being studly, Ryan riding along. :)

The gang's all here

Discussion is heated on the best way to accomplish the task

The Stud

Not grinning was killing him

Sun-kissed

These would be too cute if Somebody could keep his tongue in his mouth

Nana and The Boys

Memaw showing The Boys the twins

Optimus Prime and the red Power Ranger

Tying his school shoes by himself

The Chef

He is always up to try anything. Seriously.

Today he asked if he could have a motorcycle. When I said no, he asked if he could drive my car. 

Scrambling

8/17

So, this week we played catch-up with the application process to get Owen enrolled at Sayers Classical Academy. It's a lengthy and rigorous process, and we didn't decide to do this until we had missed every deadline for every phase of the process. Naturally. So...Jim worked late Tuesday and Wednesday, catching up on some EMA work, so The boys and I were muddling through without him, when I reached the stage in the application process where we have been officially accepted. And they notify me that there is a Kindergarten orientation. That night. No kids allowed. So, my fellow home schooling compadre, Karen, leapt into the breach and offered to watch the boys for me, sending her hubs to THEIR third grade orientation solo, to gather intelligence. I saw one family I knew from church who's little boy will be in Owen's class.

Upon arriving back at Karen's to pick up the boys, I find them on the trampoline in the backyard. I am met with "your back already?" And Jude chants their last name under his breath. But I drag them home anyway, moping all the way, with Jude asking to stay the night over my shoulder. They also sent us home with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from their garden, which didn't last the night. :)
We are wrapping up our summer, finishing up our last couple of swim lessons. Jude and Owen have both progressed a great deal an we are looking into possible venues to swim for the winter. It Could get difficult at our house if we can't burn off some steam this winter!
The bi-annual highlight of my life, the Little Treasures  sale  is gearing up. I am not a shopper by nature, but this sale appeals to me on so many levels. I like decluttering. I like recycling. I like a good buy. I particularly like being able to do all my seasonal clothing shopping for the kiddos at one place, at one time. I love this sale! For those interested, this sale has one thousand consignors and occupies two full size basketball courts. It is total heaven. :)
So I dropped off the items I am consigning last night and I get to shop on Monday. I will try to post pics for those of you salivating over the prospect of such an enormous venue.
Another last minute scramble regarding Owen's school was 6 hours of phonogram training I had to do today from 9-3pm. Since I worked last night, I wasn't at my sharpest, but it was still very interesting. Looking forward to this school year, and where it takes us. The teachers were very supportive in their suggestions for getting Jude on track to attend Sayers soon, as well.

Jude waiting to go back at my dentist appointment.

School, making ABC books by cutting out pictures from magazines.

Owen, gluing like mad.

Helping Daddy power wash the patio...yes, those are his PJs, in case you were wondering. Broad daylight, and the middle of the afternoon. We are pitiful.

Owen, also in his PJs.

The pool,

Even though the lighting is poor, I love this pic.

Interesting note...Owen is 95% on growth chart for height, and 100% for weight. Jude is just barely on the US growth chart at 0% for weight, and at 0% for height, IF you use his wing span in lieu of his actual standing height. Jude is 41" tall when he stands up, but his wing span, finger tip to finger tip is 46"... So he has roughly five inches of height lost to scoliosis, joint dislocations, and club feet. Just things of note.

Jude got two more cavities filled this week. This makes 7 down, two to go. I went to the dentist myself, with both boys in tow. Owen played with the IPad, and Jude chose to drape himself across my body, chin propped on his hands, resting on my chest, about six inches away from my mouth, to watch. It was SO restful! Not.

The consignment sale was exhausting, but awesome! I got to shop with the first wave, at 2pm, until 5pm, then volunteered until 9pm. I got the boys lots of great clothes, with only a few items not fitting. I love that sale.

Jude got fitted for hearing aids this week as well. (We have been busy!) I expected him to be resistant, as he is about all things that mark him as disabled, but oddly he was totally Ok with it....I figured out later that he thinks he is getting a Bluetooth ear piece, "like Power Rangers." No one burst his bubble, got it?!

(Retraction- I originally posted that Jude's wheelchair was denied as not being medically necessary. However, that is not the case. The "components and attachments" are being denied, as not necessary. He does in feet qualify for a bare-bones chair. Whew!)

 I was in the shower earlier today, and I hear Jude say, "hey, Maw." He is outside the door, with his fingers under the door waving at me. I said hey back. He said, "you take a bath?" And I said yes. He then said, "wo ai ni, Maw." And I said "wo ai ni, Jude." Just wanted to jot that down so I remember.

So, that's two weeks summed up here. School starts (for the second time) on Tuesday. I expect I will have lots to post, just not enough time to post it!