December

Wow, it's been a while since I've written. For the most part that's a good sign. I usually write when I'm angry, frustrated, or excited about something. The past month has been very even keeled. The boys are all doing well. Chris is finally really making progress with reading. It's only taken years of time and effort and the work of a dedicated occupational therapist to finally get everything functioning properly for his eyes to see the words and his brain to process what he sees and turn it into language.

It's amazing how much we take for granted the complicated processes the human brain has to perform in order to do simple tasks (like reading and tying your shoe laces). I am continually impressed by our occupational therapist. In the beginning I thought the OT's were the most useless of all the professionals we worked with- which just shows how little I knew about what they really do.

We finally took our lamb to the packing plant. He was scheduled for the first of December, but we got 8-9" of snow the night before and the morning just fell apart- so we rescheduled and ended up taking him in this Wednesday. I'm looking forward to having a freezer full of lamb and Chris is excited to try making lamb sandwiches like the Basque dancing group sells at the fair. One of my favorite things to make with lamb is salami. We're going to have to make sure we have all the ingredients so that we can make a batch right away, once we pick up the meat.

Jake has written two letters to Santa. One letter lists the things he wants: Wooden stable for breyer horses, Hot Wheels, RC stunt rider car, Star Trek guys, Scentsy Buddy lion, dalmation dog like Fluffy, and Legos. The second letter lists the things he does not want. Apparently NOT getting gifts is just as important to him as asking for what he does want. The second letter says: NO BAKUGAN, NO PIGS. I'm not sure why he listed pigs, but he is going through a strange phase where he thinks all of his old loves (like bakugan and action figures) are scary. He's an interesting child.

Sam is talking really well and I understand him about 80% of the time now. He has interesting things to say and really is a gentle little soul. His only real wish for Christmas is to get a remote control monster truck. Otherwise he talks in terms of what his brothers want. All three boys speak in terms of what they'd like to do for their brothers much more often than they talk about what they want for themselves. I like that about my boys!

We're in the process of making snowflakes using popsicle sticks and glitter. The snowflakes are all assembled, this evening we're going to glitter them. The boys are really excited to make their own ornaments to keep. Sam and Chris love working with the sticks to try and build things. I had to hide them in order to keep enough to do some craft projects. Those boys sure are builders and tinkerers. As they get older I see more and more of their dad shining through.

Chris's feet are bigger than mine. It's not going to be very long before he's taller too. When he walks in from the garage he sounds like his dad. He was starting to sound like Dave, even when Dave was still here. There were times when I'd hear the door open as I was working on the patio. I'd have to listen for a little while to determine whether it was Dave or Chris walking in the kitchen. Chris is always talking or humming so he gives himself away pretty fast- but his footsteps and the way he moves sound just like Dave.

Sam's about to lose his second tooth. He always has his hand in his mouth messing with it. I can hardly wait until it falls out! Poor kid, I know it feels weird and that's why he has his hand in there- but it's kind of disconcerting to see his hand always on his tooth.

Jake's using foam snowflake stickers to make repeating patterns. It always makes me laugh when the kids spontaneously do something that would be in the curriculum of a regular school for other kids their age. Apparently people just naturally do some things at certain ages.

That's about all that's going on at our house. Nothing exciting, just general life. We're healthy and content. Life is good!