Exhaustion!

This is Jackson. Last night. First day of Junior High + Football Practice = Exhaustion. Pads, cleats and all.

Jackson Turns 13 & School Starts

Yesterday, Jackson turned 13. And, yes, he really IS that much taller than me. I love my Jackson. He is a GREAT teenager. He has chosen really good friends. He is smart and dedicated. He loves his mom. He is funny and fun... a little uncoordinated... but that adds to the fun! He started 7th grade today. He didn't seem nervous at all, but I sure am. I HATED 7th grade, and 8th and 9th... anywho, he walked to school with his good friends this morning. Ug....

The other boys also started school today. They were all so excited. They were up bright and early with their backpacks and BRUSHED TEETH. Hallelujah for them thinking brushing their teeth is important... finally. I have a 7th grader, 5th grader, 4th grader and 3rd grader this year. I love my boys. I SO hope they have a great day!

Celebrating my Boys' BIrthdays

Sunday afternoon, we went to the ballpark. We sat in the shade and enjoyed a ball game with family. Papa, Grandma, Nana, Grandma Leeann, Uncle Brandon, Aunt Carrie, Uncle Colton, Papa & Nichole all joined us. The kids all got to see their names on the big scoreboard, with a little shout out from the ballpark announcer. It was a perfect day at the ballpark! Love my boys.

Colton

Sweet Colton struggles. He has for a long time, maybe forever. It doesn't help that he was eight weeks early, or that he has me for a mom... any who, after getting in contact with THE BEST pediatrician, and in turn a FANTASTIC psychologist, we have a diagnosis and a plan. I feel like it was a huge blessing to find the pediatrician we did. She is amazing. She calls me at least once a week, just to see if I am hanging in there. She has been very thorough and has taken her time, including his psychologist on everything. Colton has been diagnosed with ADHD and Anxiety. He has been on a sleep-aid for about a month, which is helping his sleep drastically. That will continue. He is also in therapy with the psychologist to treat the Anxiety. He will have counseling/therapy every other week for a while. He will be put on some ADHD medicine within two weeks of starting school. The psychologist wants to get some paperwork from Colton's teacher before the medication is started. The ADHD is pretty severe, therefore medication really isn't even a question, it's a must-have. My hope for Colton is that once we are working on all cylinders with medication, counseling, routine with school, etc. he will feel much better. He will feel smart and funny and in control. He doesn't feel those things about himself right now. I want him to feel that about himself. I want him to feel "good enough." I want him to feel like an all-star! I want him to be able to concentrate in school and therefore be able to understand the school work. I want his brothers to be able to enjoy him and not always be so angry with him. I want to be able to enjoy him and not always be so frustrated! I am grateful for answered prayers, for excellent doctors, for health insurance, for modern day medicine, for Colton.

Boys!!!!

Holy cow, I have boys. Somedays, I am reminded of that in an I-need-extra-medication kind of way! Yesterday was one of those days. I ran home to pick them up for a quick run to Dairy Queen for ice cream to celebrate Kaydon's birthday, a quick run to Target for school supplies (thanks to Auntie Paula), and a quick run to football practice so that we weren't late. The quick run to Dairy Queen included Colton laughing up his chocolate shake through his nose. I hollered, "HEY!!" really loud and got some head-turns. Then, we left and went to Target for a quick school supply shopping. They were out of control. When we finally got to the register, the lady working looked at me and said, "Four boys?! All yours?!" YES THEY ARE ALL MINE!!!!!! She said, "Oh, I am so sorry." You know it's bad when other people notice that things are not hunky dory! Then, football practice. Lord, help me! There is currently a LARGE dirt/clay pile at one end of the football field. WHY OH WHY are my children drawn to that dang thing??!?!?!?!?! To say that they were dirty is a drastic under statement. Then, they think it's totally awesome to run through the water. I wanted to hurt them! It was an I-need-extra-medication kind of day and I didn't have any extra medication and I haven't been drinking any soda or caffeine and my toe nail polish is completely chipped and wearing off and I'm going through Ryan Lochte withdrawals and I just wanted to crawl in a hole and hide from the mess that my life appeared to be yesterday!!!! The end.

Kaydon Turns 10!

For those of you who have known Kaydon since he was in my tummy, you know what a miracle it is that he made it to 10! This little guy fought for every day of his life for the first three years of life! He had 13 operations. He had multiple tube placements, mostly by his mommy because he hated having the NG tube. It was much better when the GJ tube was placed! He had physical and occupational therapy. He was a fighter! He still is. He loves his mommy. He is starting to love school. He LOVES animals. But mostly, he loves his Brooklyn. They have the sweetest little bond! I love this kid. He is a firecracker!! Happy happy birthday to my KK!!!!!

Happy Birthday Colton!

Colton turned 9 on Saturday! All of my boys were born in August, so this is a crazy month with birthdays and sports and school starting... but I really look forward to it. Colton was born at 32 weeks. I had to be in the hospital on "hotel stay" for two weeks because the docs couldn't get those blasted contractions to stop. I was given the lovely steroid shots at 30 weeks, so thankfully his lungs were developed. He was in the NICU for three weeks with a feeding tube and in the incubator. Once the docs finally realized that I already had one little guy at home on a feeding tube and I was pretty much an expert at all things "sick babies" they let me take him home! Colton loves his friends. He loves horses, always has. He loves to be loved. He is going to be starting the third grade this year and is so excited for that to start! We went to the Bees game to celebrate his birthday. The Bee signed his new hat and he was stoked! Love that little guy!