Background


Sunday, June 19, 2011

Their own people...

It's always amazing to me just how different siblings can be from each other. They come from the same family and are in so many ways, raised the same way and yet, they still are their own person with their individual personalities. There are always daily reminders of just how different my kiddos are from each other but some not only show their differences but also show their individual personalities too.

Case in point....

Mike wears hearing aids all the time. The only time he takes them out is when he gets ready for the day or for bed, swims or is sleeping. All the kids know this. When Mike is getting ready in the morning, he enjoys the quiet and not having them on, so they are the last thing he puts on before going downstairs. All three kids love to sit in the bathroom while he's getting ready in the morning.

Kyler will just sit there and watch Mike get ready, just content to be in the same room with Mike. If he has something he wants Mike to hear, he will quietly hand Mike his hearing aids so Mike will put them on.

Mikaela will sit in the bathroom swinging her legs back and forth and talk literally non stop and doesn't care if Mike can hear her or not. She just likes to talk.

Kamden doesn't say much but when he does, he hands Mike his hearing aids and enunciates his words clearly and LOUDLY so there's no misunderstanding and says, "I GOT SOMETHING TO SAY".

Yep, so different from each other....;)

Friday, June 17, 2011

Our May...

Well, I may have spoken too soon and jinxed our weather in my last blog when I said the winds were behind us and the good part of Spring was here because the winds actually stuck around and we had a very windy May here in Albuquerque. It was awful! And hopefully, I'm not doing it again but so far June has been really nice and we've been outside as much as possible.

One of these months I'm going just going to shock you and say that our month wasn't busy...unfortunately, this May is not going to be the one where that happens. But be ready because one of these days I will...I have to believe there's a month in our future where not much will be going on and we've had the most relaxing time.

Lets see...

The kids had a lot going on the last month of school. Kyler had a fieldtrip to Acoma Pueblo which I got to go with him on. I try to go to as many as I can because I know his fieldtrips are numbered. Next year will be his last year in elementary school. We officially have a 5th and 2nd grader now. Not only does it not feel possible but it makes Mike and I feel OLD! When did this happen??? Mikaela had a fieldtrip to the zoo which Kamden got to go on too. He always loves going and hanging out with the "big" kids. Kyler and Mikaela both had a field day where they got to play water games and then Kyler had a Fourth Grade kick ball tournament and Mikaela had a First Grade Park Day where the firemen came in their truck and DRENCHED everyone. So, I think it's safe to say, they both ended their school year on a very high note.

Kyler wrapped up his spring baseball season. His team came in 3rd in the league so not bad at all. We decided to forego All Stars again. They practice EVERY day, twice a day starting at 6 a.m. and ending at dusk and if you miss a practice, you're done...so it's hardcore. It's always tempting because of all the experience he would gain, but at the same time, we need a break and couldn't bring ourselves to give up our entire summer to baseball. It wasn't as hard on him to decline this year because he was pretty excited to join the swim team. He practices every day of the week and has meets on Saturdays but it's not even close to as intense as baseball. Plus, hanging out at the pool is way more fun and relaxing than hanging out at the ballfield.

Mikaela wrapped up her dance classes for the semester. She got to move up to the next level in ballet for the Fall Semester so she was very excited about that. She decided to take a break from dance for the Summer and I was secretly relieved. That two month break is going to be so nice. She's taking swim lessons at the pool during Kyler's swim team practices. I tried to get her to join the swim team but she wanted no part of it. I should have known better...why would she swim with the masses when she can swim one on one with a personal trainer??? I think we're in trouble! It's probably for the better though because after watching the swim team, she needs to be a stronger swimmer to be able to keep up with them and hopefully lessons this summer will get her there.

Kamden is having to adjust to having the kids at home again. He definitely liked his quiet time while they were at school and they have blown that completely out of the water. He gets no time to himself because they are all up in his business telling him what to do and how to do it. I can't say I blame him, it would drive anyone crazy. I can tell when he's at his limit because he'll go into our hall closet and shut the door just to get away from them. Smart boy! He's taking swim lessons too. He's not afraid of the water but he doesn't want to put his face in it so she's working on that with him. It's kind of comical to watch. Every time she asks him to do anything that involves his head getting wet in any way he tells her he can't do it because he'll "definitely drown". I'm telling you...never a dull moment with this one.

The kids had their Spring Choir Performance at church. Kyler had a duet and Mikaela had a little dance solo. Kamden actually got on stage this time and sang. Woo Hoo! A big difference from the Christmas performance where he wanted no part of any of it. All the kids did such a good job and had so much fun!

The kiddos went to the Schimke's for a sleepover this month and Mike and I actually got to go out on a kid free real date! This NEVER happens so we almost didn't know what to do with ourselves without them. We ended up going to dinner and a movie. It was so nice...and quiet. The kids had an amazing time and we can't thank Chuck and Mary Lou enough. They're such a blessing to us...I don't know what we'd do without them.

I wish I could say that Mike's hours at work have gotten under control but unfortunately, that still hasn't happened and it's frustrating for all of us. He's working on it and they got him a lap top so he can do more from home. It's helped, but they need to get him some more therapists so he won't have to see as many patients in a day along with all of the managerial obligations. Something has to change soon because he can't keep this pace for long.

We have gotten to get out in our yard a little which has been nice. We've had to replace some things because of the freeze we had in January and we decided to make some changes while we were at it. Finding the time to get out there is still a factor but it's slowly coming together with the time that we have had. It'll be nice to have it the way we want it and back in one piece again.

Korry, our brother-in-law, just got sent to Afghanistan for his second deployment in two years. He'll be there for six months. He'll be home before Christmas which is good but the world just isn't "right" until he's back home with Brittany and the kiddos safe and sound. So, please keep them in your prayers. He's a pretty special guy and we're so glad he's a part of our family!

I think that's it for our May news! I hope all the Mom's had WONDERFUL Mother's Days! We have some amazing women in our lives so we hope your days were as special as you are! Mine was very nice...relaxing, yet productive...can't beat that.

Please keep us posted and we hope your Summers are off to a GREAT start!

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs,
The Glade's

Click for May Pictures: