the happenings...

Wow! It didn't seem like that busy of a month, but yet I feel like it has been. We went to Albuquerque at the beginning of the month and we are going again at the end of the month. We went and got our drivers license and plates switched over finally. Justin and Alec got state ID's. Justin needed one to get his handicap placard and to take his GED. Alec wanted one.
Margarita got her first two teeth this month. They are just barely showing but they do hurt. I was letting her chew on my knuckle while she was teething, but not any more.
I have been walking everyday that I can which is at least 5 times a week. It is usually 2-4 miles. I havent' started losing any weight, but I hope to soon. UGH! here they put your weight on your drivers license. I didn't want that on there. I am pretty sure Marty fibbed about his. He is in denial about how much weight he has gained. I weigh less than when I got pregnant, but I still need to get more weight off. I am hoping that my lack of weight loss is because I am building muscle right now. I know I am feeling better - in general.
Hmm, not sure if there is anything else to add. I know it seems like it has been busier than this around here. Oh, we go to the farmers market every Saturday. I like going down there and walking around. I think it is actually more of a craft fair than a farmers market, but it is still fun to go and walk around.
We have been tossing around the idea of getting another boxer, but I still keep thinking how much extra work it is for me. I still don't get to sleep through the night with Maggie, so I am not sure I want to add a puppy to that mix yet.
Well I will add a few pictures for you to enjoy and see how things look around here.
God Bless

Albuquerque *******

Thank you for all of the prayers. It was an extremely long day meeting all of the new doctors.
It went well and we seem to like everyone we met today. Justin got fitted for new braces and a new wheelchair. We got all of the prescriptions that he was going to be needing. We did however, get a bit of bad news.

The hip that he has had 4 or 5 surgeries on to keep it from popping out of socket is popping out again. The doctor said that it looks like everything possible has been done and he just don't think there is anything else that can be done. He said that once it gets to the point that Justin can't take the pain, then he will just be in the wheelchair full time. So, Justin wasn't too thrilled with hearing that.

We did get a lot of info about help and such for going to college.

We go back the 29th of Sept. to get his braces and wheelchair. Then we go back on Dec. 2nd for some other tests.

I will try to post some pictures later. They are on my desktop comp.

Have you ever had it where stuff just disappeared? I am missing my favorite shirt, Justin's handicap placard (for parking), and my WIC card. They are just gone. This is just too weird. Hmm, maybe gremlins?

love to all,
God Bless,
Kathi

The end of August

Maggie is a little over 4 months. She was 24.25 inches long at her 4 month check up and 15 pounds. She is still growing like crazy. She is starting to try to crawl already, she has actually only gone forward one time. I don't think it will be a lot longer.

Justin has his first appointment at the Spina Bifida Clinic in Albuquerque next week. So begins the long process of going over his entire health history.

We have started school for the year. Everyone is cooperating - so far!

Rolex is supposed to be on a diet. He may have lost 2 or 3 pounds. He was a little friskier. But I caught Marty giving him more food. So who knows where it will end up?

Here are a couple of pics for your enjoyment.




I have been walking almost every night. The average is 2 miles. Hopefully I can keep off the weight that I lost while I was pregnant. I already started gaining some back and I am not happy about that.

We tried a new church and have gone there the last 2 weeks. I really like it so far. I think the kids do too. This one feels a little better than others that we tried.

God Bless and have a great Autumn!

An update....

HI I had some new pics of Maggie I wanted to post. I am biased I know, but I think she is cute.

Wow we have had a few things going on.

Justin got his wisdom teeth out Monday. (all 4 at once!!!!) He did awesome. He was eating soft foods that evening and didn't spend too much time complaining. The same day, Marcus got some fillings and Alec had an orthodontist appointment.

Today, I took Maggie to get her 3 month photos taken. They turned out cute of course. Hopefully, I will be able to post them. Saira is doing good with her learning. Her reading and writing is getting better. Of course, I have to be thankful for the computer and all of you that take time to IM back and forth with her.

I am still asking for prayers for Marty for a job. Hopefully the one at Fort Bliss comes through. That would be awesome!

Me - well I am just me. I am okay. I have been fighting my usual depression, but it hasn't gotten the best of me and some days it isn't bad at all. Other days, I just can't seem to get motivation to do much of anything other than take care of Maggie and make dinner. The reason I cannot take my meds is because I am breastfeeding. Once Maggie has decided that she has had enough of that, I can go back on my meds. Till then, I just pray about it and push myself to do a little more.


Well, I hope you are all having a great summer!

God Bless you all!
Kathi

Happy July!!!

I was going to update on the 4th but oops.... I got busy and forgot. We cooked out and my folks and aunt came over. It was a pretty nice time. I have a few new photos of Maggie and even another video for your enjoyment.

Things are going well with us. The kids are all adjusting as are Marty and I. This week is in the 100's. But it isn't horrible.

Maggie is growing like crazy. I think she has more than made up for the slow start she got on weight gain. She continues to be a gassy baby. If I don't take her out a lot, then it isn't too bad. But if I take her out in the wind, then I pay for it the rest of the night. Unfortunately, it is pretty windy here most of the time. It is great for keeping the heat bearable, but not good for babies. lol

We had to get a new pump for our swimming pool. We are finally getting our levels all evened back out now. Saira and Alec have been enjoying it a lot this summer.

Marty has a chance at a job at Fort Bliss. It is a civilian job, but would be a great job for him to get. It would be good pay and good benefits. So, please pray that things work out for him.

Well, not much else to tell. I hope you are all doing well. I miss you all!
Blessings,
Kathi



Well, I had trouble with the pictures, but the video seemed to load okay. Enjoy!

Maggie's 10 week pictures and more...

Here are some pictures of Maggie. She is so cute - but I am prejudice, I know. I love the pouty face picture. That is my favorite. I love the way her lip pokes out there. She will probably hate those pictures when she grows up. haha. I borrowed my mom and dad's scanner, so I will post a few of Alec's baby pictures soon. You will be able to see how much he and Maggie look alike.
We had a good Father's Day here. My mom and dad and aunt came over for dinner.
Our pool pump broke, so now I have to find where to get a new one. The water is turning green quickly, so I have to move fast on that one. I have to go to town today so, I will try to get some pics and post them later.
Hope you are all having a great summer so far.
Love and Blessings,
Kathi

Maggie's 2 month check up

Maggie had her 2 month check up and she weighed 10 lbs. 2 oz.!! Yeah. After her slow weight gain at the beginning, it is good to see that she is gaining. She is 'talking' a lot now. It is so cute to see the faces she makes when she is trying to get those 'words' out. ;o)
I have sent all of the releases to the doctors for Justin's medical records. I am having them all sent to the spina bifida clinic in Albuquerque. He has an appointment there in September. He has been having a lot of back pain lately. Please pray that it isn't anything serious. He thinks it is tethered cord again. I hope not.
The rest of us are doing fine. Justin turned 17, Saira turned 10. Marcus will be 16 next month. It is hard to think of him that young, because he is so tall. I think he is 6 foot 2 inches now. Alec is finally starting to get some height. He is taller than my mom now. That was always my goal - to be taller than my mom. She is only 5 foot 2.
We found a church that we have been going to. It seems nice. The people are friendly. It isn't 4th Church, though. They do have a 'passing of the peace', although they don't call it that. Their songs are pretty good. We have sung 1 or 2 that I know. The messages are pretty good. They have deacons but no elders. They have a spot every service that the deacons go up front and anyone that wants prayers can go forward and they pray for them there. A little different..... They have a website, www.sierravistacommunitychurch.com . You can look it up if you want.
I will add a few pics for you to enjoy. They are of Maggie and of Saira's birthday.

A couple of pics and a video...

I wish I had a scanner right now. I have a picture of Alec when he was a baby wearing a white onesie and sitting on the couch. He and Maggie look alike. I mean they could pass for each other.
Here are the ones of Alec when he was a baby. You be the judge.

time seems to fly sometimes....

Wow, Maggie will be 6 weeks old this Sunday. That time seems to be passing quickly. It doesn't seem like we have been here almost 4 weeks already. I would say that we are pretty well settled. I advertised on Craigslist that I wanted to get a pool for my kids and someone responded. So, we got a 4 foot pool at a fraction of the cost. The kids love it. I think Maggie will as she gets older, because she likes sitting in bath water.
We visited a church last Sunday that Saira and Alec really enjoyed. I enjoyed being in church again. I missed not attending and worshipping. During the music at the beginning I had tears in my eyes because it just felt so 'right' to be praising God. I liked it, but still have a few reservations. I told the kids that we would give it a shot for the next few weeks, but that I did still want to try a couple of other churches before I made up my mind. This church was Sierra Vista Community Church. I think they have a website if you google it with Las Cruces in the search.
Justin will be 17 in a week and a half. I can't believe it!! It seems like it hasn't been that long since he was Maggie's age. Saira will be 10 a few days after Justin's birthday. Wow. It makes me kind of sad, while at the same time I am very happy and excited to see what they will become.
I added a few pics for you to enjoy.

Margarita is 3 weeks old today!!

Here she is - our 3 week old beauty. I can't believe how much she has changed already. She looks more and more like the other kids looked when they were babies. Right now I think it is a toss up between Saira and Alec. She is more and more alert every day. She has started lifting herself up a little onto her arms when she is on her stomach - enough to get her head up in the air. It doesn't last long, but she still does it - pretty strong little lady.
Kathi

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Well, I didn't update every night of our journey as I intended to do. I was just too tired to bother getting the laptop out and updating. Wednesday night we stayed in Illinois as my last post said. Then Thursday we made it to Olathe, Kansas which is a suburb of Kansas City, Kansas. We visited my best friend from high school and she fed us dinner. Thanks Susan! Friday we stayed in Amarillo, Texas. That stretch across Kansas and Oklahoma was very boring and mundane. Saturday we made it to Las Cruces. We actually got the truck unloaded on Saturday as well. That was another long day. We are grateful for all of the people we had praying for a safe journey! Our journey was safe and uneventful - a smooth trip.
Today, Friday we are actually pretty well settled and getting used to our new surroundings. We are starting to get familiar with the area and are slowly learning our way around.
Marty has started scouting out some work possibilities. Rolex, our pug, is not liking the goathead burrs. They hurt his feet whenever he goes outside to take care of his business. I think other than that he is okay with the move. He did very well during the long trip.
Speaking of doing well, Maggie did great! She hardly fussed at all - usually just to eat or get changed. The rest of the kids did well too. By the last day they were beginning to get cranky from all of the couped up car time. But overall, everyone was awesome.
I am of course tired. But I think that would have been that way no matter where we were. ;o)
Here are some recent pictures of Maggie and also the mountains that we can see out our front door. After living in Michigan for the last 20 years, it seems strange to wake up and see mountains. The weather here is awesome (sorry about that for those of you who don't want to hear it). It has gotten to 90 degrees the last couple of days, but it doesn't feel like it because there is no humidity. It only feels like it is about 75-80 degrees because of no humidity and the breeze that is blowing.
I am going to turn in for the night - well at least until Maggie lets me know it is time to eat again.
God bless you all,
and thank you for the prayers!
Kathi

We are on our way!

We left Michigan today to start our new chapter in our life. We made it into Illinois, where we are spending the night. We are about an hour from the Iowa line. It was difficult to leave all of our friends and family behind. A few people did show up at our house before we left and that was hard to say the least.
Maggie did very well for the first day of her cross country journey. Having her here is amazing. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about being a 'new mom' again after so many years, but it is as awesome this time as it has been every other time. I just can't believe how much I love I feel for her.
The kids are all pretty excited still. They are happy that the weather is getting better and warmer the farther south we go. I think stopping to feed Maggie is giving them ample opportunity to stretch their legs and move around, so they don't get to sick of being in the car for so long.
Well, I better get to bed.....another big day of driving tomorrow.
Thank you for all of the prayers and well wishes. Please pray for safe travel!

love,
Kathi

Baptism today!!!

I will post pictures and write when we get back from church. What a beautiful day for a baptism!

It was a bittersweet day! We got to have Maggie baptized and had to say goodbye to our friends at church. I should say family more than friends. Here are a couple of pictures as promised.

My Easter Present!! Margarita Kathaleen - Maggie - 8lbs 7oz and 22 inches long!

She was born at 6:41am on Easter morning. I couldn't have her baptized on Easter, but I got to have her!! She is absolutely perfect! She will be baptized this Sunday.

Have a blessed day!
Kathi