Hello!

I, again, apologize for neglecting this blog.  I do not have any excuses other than LIFE.  Our life has turned from being focused on homeschooling and training our children;  to keeping up with doctor appointments and surgery dates.

As time allows, Id love to go back and fill everyone in on all of the details and such.  But, for now this entry of way-too-many pics will have to do.

Rachael and Callie

Rachael and her cousin, Ellen

Rachael and LilyGator

Rachael is fourteen ,and growing into a beautiful young woman.   She is taller than I am, and I am very proud of her.  For those of you that are new to my blog, Rachael was diagnosed with Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia last year.  She had a brain decompression surgery in October. 

She had began taking piano lessons and was excelling.  After only 19 half hour lessons, she had began to work on Fur Elise!  She amazed her piano teacher and I with her natural ability and devotion to music.  I never had to remind her to practice.  She loved it.  But, sadly, because of her shoulder pain, she had to set piano aside for a season.  We are hopeful to find the cause of her pain so that she can return to her beloved piano soon.

Hannah

Hannah playing her guitar

Hannah and Rachael

Hannah riding in the car.....taken by Hannah!

Hannah is growing by leaps and bounds.  She is eleven and is a joy and delight....most of the time!  She is loving having a sewing machine and enjoys cooking very much.  She is quite good at it, too!  Sadly, Hannah has started having some symptoms of Chiari.  We pray that this is not the case, but will have her evaluated since it is a genetic disorder.

Luke the brave with his adoring sisters!

Luke with his catfish (she was pregnant!) O.O

Luke and Abby

Luke is eight and such a helpful young man.  He is our resident trash man (for the fee of $1 a week), and he is great at helping to take care of his younger sisters.  He has really come a long way in helping out and is a huge asset to our family.  He loves to draw and play any type of sport.  He also enjoys music and astronomy.

Abby

This is Abby(left) and Hannah(right).

Abby on her birthday!

Abby is six, but is more like a teenager than a little girl.  She wants to grow up way too fast.  She is loving and enjoys helping me in the kitchen.  She is like a shadow some days...but I know that there will come a day when I miss having her around. 

LilyGator

LilyGator is four and so very smart.  By three, she knew all of her letters and sounds, and could even sight read some words.  She is just so bright.  There is not much time right now, but when I can I try to spend some time working with her because she loves to learn so much.  She even says her ABC's in her sleep!!  Other than eczema, her only issue would be some Sensory Integration that I am seeing.  It explains alot of things that I have wondered about.  Also, if I can better understand her, then it helps me to help her.

Callie

Callie and her Dadda

Callie: "I'm innocent.....really."

Callie on the fly!!!

Callie: "I'm just cool that way!!"

Callie.....hmmmm.  She is a very busy and smart, yet mischievous, little girl.  She will turn two soon, and is quite a handful.  I love her energy and spunk.  But,  I can't wait until she is cleaning more messes than making! (:  Our lives would be quite dull without her.

Callie will be having surgery on Monday for a leg deformity.  Her left tibia is growing with a curve because of fibrous tissue adhesion that must be removed.  This has caused her legs to be uneven in length.  Hopefully, this will be a minor surgery.

Here is a pic of her x-ray and leg:

Oscar, our cat!