"The Call"

Our little household has had some BIG and MAJOR changes these last few months. This year we've been in the last leg of the CES (Church Education System) with Dane "Student Teaching". He will finish the last week in May. We received "the call" that we would not be hire but that we might. So a big maybe. We've been waiting patiently about where we are going, what we are going to do, and if we were going to move again. This last week we finally received our answer. No we will not be hire with the CES program. When we got the news we were pretty heartbroken. It's been a long 5 year process to only be told no. But we quickly started to move on looking at our different options with Dane's degree which is our "Plan B". All the job options that we looked at wanted a Master's Degree and at least 5 years of experience. We don't have either. So we are pursuing "Plan C" now. Returning to school for Dane's masters. Teaching has sparked an interest in Dane and he is looking into what needs to be done to receive a teaching degree along with his masters. We did just find out that we missed the Dead Line which was like March 15th. But that there is still a small chance that he might be accepted for this coming Fall Semester. But it's a LOT of work in a VERY short amount of time. Most graduate students have a full year to work on all the requirements. We'll only have about 2 weeks. But if this is to be than things will fall into place. If not than we'll keep working and try again for next year.

Ben: Has LOVED the sunshine and being outside all the time! He is just so happy playing with all the kids and running around our little playground and field. It's so nice to have room for him to go and be. We are looking into a preschool for this fall as now we know where we are staying. I just hope I can get him into something we can afford!!! He keeps asking when he gets to go to school. It's hard to live across the street from and Elementary and see kids walking and going to school everyday and than be told you can't go because you're not old enough. So we're looking for him. He's also looking forward to his birthday this year! He wants a treasure chest birthday cake and we're hoping for a "Splash Party" with friends.

Symi: Where do I begin. She started around the beginning of May to have fevers. At first they were small. Like around 99-100. She was miserable and I just thought she was teething. But not sign of teeth coming. So we've kept her on Tylenol. The fevers have continued to get higher and higher. This last Friday night she started to scream and would not STOP!! I tried to hold her and she would claw and scratch, meaning she wanted down. I would lay her in her bed and she would reach for me. I tried feeding her, changing her diaper, singing to her, reading to her, Tylenol, teething tablets, and even orajel. Nothing. She screamed, no joke, all night long and would not sleep. I kept thinking she'll scream herself to exhaustion and fall asleep. No. She screamed until 5 am. I finally gave up and took her out of her bed and brought her down stairs. We cuddled on the couch for a few minutes and than she wanted down to play. Sunday she was at 102.9 and increasing. Tylenol wasn't cutting it. So we took her into the local Instacare. They told us that she "might" have an ear infection and started her on some antibiotics on Sunday. Monday her fever dropped a little and she started to eat something. Tuesday we had a followup with her Dr and as we were getting ready that morning I noticed that she'd broken out into a horrible rash. It was in her hair, ears, neck, chest, belly, and back. She was even more miserable than we started and still had a fever. Well the Dr confirmed that she is also allergic to Amoxicillan and that she never had an ear infection. Our Dr was pretty upset with the instacare. So we took her off the medicine. We are now monitoring EVERYTHING she is eating and seeing if the fevers are linked to food allergies. Possibly to wheat gluten, and eggs too. Oh boy. Here we go again. So far she hasn't had an appetite and her fever is down to around 99-100 again. She's still pretty grumpy and very, very clingy. She just wants to be held all the time. The only relief my arms get is when we go for a walk. Then she'll finally go to sleep too. These last few days have been rough because it's been raining hard. No walks. Nights have been pretty rough again too. She's sleeping 20 min here. Screaming for an hour. Resting for 10. Screaming for 2 hours. etc. And then the sun rises and the new day begins. Without much sleep. Last night was our first "really good night". Meaning she got up several times but was easy to get back to sleep. She also took a small 30 min nap this morning and it always helps her a ton!!

Well that's our small update for now. I hope you enjoy some older pictures of the kids.

Ben trying to give Symi kisses.

Ben holding her arms down so that she'll hold still for the picture. This girl is always on the go!

Many Moods

Hi Mom!

Oh yeah!

I'll show you!

Would you like some too?

Symi loves to share. She is so funny about it too. She won't stop until you take the item, food, or whatever she is trying to share with you. We love this sweet girl and how busy she is ALL the time!!

Over the River & Through the Woods

To Grandparent's house we'll go!

We spent a few days up in SV for a while. It was so much fun for Ben to play in the snow EVERYDAY because Grandpa was always outside and would take Ben with him! So much fun! Grandpa also gave him a bucket and shovel and he went to town playing and playing and playing. He bawled almost every time he had to come inside. He also got to play with his favorite toy there. Oodles of buttons! He wanted me to write his name with them and then left it there all day because it meant so much to him. So cute! Symi took to Grandpa right away, but really had to warm up to Grandma. (Sorry Grandma I know she wasn't trying to hurt your feelings. Just a little shy.) My parents have been applying for different jobs and my Dad wanted me to come home and get everything here that's mine incase if they needed to move. Well that was the whole reason why I went. It didn't take me too long and I was able to enjoy spending some relaxing time visiting with my parents. Here are a few pictures. ;)

Let me eat your toes!

Ben kept reading Symi the books.

Symi & Grandpa sitting at the table.

Ben's favorite toy at Grandma JoDee's house.

Showing off his name in buttons!

Ben with Grandma JoDee playing computer games.
(yes he was mining. Don't know if it was successful or not.)

Another one of Symi and Grandpa. She was starting to get sleepy.