handsful

Randy, Lainey, Dylan, and I hit the road this morning, headed for…

Today was the day for Dylan’s cast removal!  It’s been four weeks, and we were all very ready.

This wasn’t Dylan’s first time at the rodeo….he remembered that the cast-cutter tickles.

He giggled the whole time.

The cutter isn’t actually cutting, per say.  It’s a pretty dull semi-circle blade that vibrates at a high speed.  So, there’s no way to actually cut the skin underneath.  But, it LOOKS like it is!

All the cutting is done, so time for the clamp to open it…she let Dylan help out with this part.

They cracked it open like a walnut and, voila….

After the cast was removed, we all looked at it and commented on how good it looked.  Dylan was quiet, just looking.  No mention of anything missing…we wondered what his reaction would be.  Then, the nurse began to wash his leg with a soapy rag and she must have bumped the stitches.  He got really upset and cried.  I’m sure they are tender, and he was hesitant to have us touch them again.

They told us that there are stitches on the inside that will dissolve.  The ones on the outside will fall off, she said in around a week.  There is also quite a bit of scabbing.  It strikes me that the scar looks like a smile.  (especially with those 2 spots that came off in the shower tonight!)

He can have baths, as long as he doesn’t soak too long.  They want him to hold off on swimming until the outside stitches fall off.

After we talked to the physician assistant for a while, we were sent to the braces room for his pressure sock.  He got nervous when we went in the room, knowing the sock would have to touch his leg.  The tech was as nice as can be, and said that momma could do it.  Dylan decided daddy was the better choice.

The sock is more like a pair of pants.  A hole for his long leg to fit through, and a closed-end sock on the other.  Then, the waist band goes up like pants.  It fit well, and even looks comfy to me.  They gave us 6 and we’re to wash/dry them with our other laundry.   He fussed while it was put on, but then was fine.  The thought of it touching was worse than the actual touch.

On the way out, we made our next appt for June 6th.  He’ll have the mold taken for his new leg that day!  Oh my, we’re almost there!

It’s fuzzy, but this was the shot of the two tired children on the way home.  And, Lainey NEVER falls asleep in the car.

The boy totally deserved cake after today!

People ask us all the time, when they find out we homeschool…how will we make up for all the things they’ll miss not going to traditional school?  My question back to them is usually – what will they miss?

Case in point.  Abbey went to her first prom last night.  A prom designed especially for homeschooled kids here in the Lake Norman area.  She decided she wanted to go, not having the usual “prom date” and not even sure whether or not she’d know anyone there.  Were YOU that confident at 15?  I know I wasn’t.  Abbey is.  We’re so very thankful.

Did she see people she knew?  Yes, she did.  Did she meet new friends?  Yep.  Did she have fun.  MOST definitely.  Said it was the best dance yet.  (She’s been to 2 other homeschool dances…so far)

Assuming all of our kids make it to at least 2 of their proms in high school, we’re looking at 10 more proms to go.  At least.  Is there a budget category for that?

Love you, Abbey girl…

Thursday night, our big kids were part of the year end celebration show for…

This was their first year taking part in the Student Council, where they’re learning how to become leaders and servants that glorify God.  It’s been a fabulous year of service projects, instruction, fellowship, and fun.

The show had a little of everything.

Scripture

Dance

Skits….

very funny skits.

and, some very meaningful skits.

the littles were in childcare, so they missed the show.  But, they sure did enjoy the ice cream social afterwards.

Dylan, who usually refuses ice cream, ate the whole cup.

It was a wonderful night, and the kids are already looking forward to the fall, when Leadership Link begins again.

We’re playing around with changing the header on the blog…I love it!  Working on changing colors some, too.  Actually, I should say our amazing techno-guy friend Alan is doing all this.  What WOULD we do without him?

Gotta figure out where “handsful” goes, and what color it should be.  Any ideas?

Oh, and guess what?  You no longer have to REGISTER to comment!  So, as long as you can click a mouse and type, you can comment here.  :)  So, please do!

since we moved from Florida to NC.  We made most of the drive up last May 14th, spent the night, and then drove in on Saturday, the 15th.  A lot has happened since then.

Randy changed jobs (which caused the move in the first place)

Adopted our 6th child, Dylan

Various kids have been in the hospital/ER and we’ve dealt with 4 surgeries.

Our oldest is driving now, in preparation for her permit.  Gulp.

Something that hasn’t changed:  we’re still in our rental home AND our home in Florida is still for sale (though, thankfully, being rented at the moment).  As we heard in church today, God holds all time.

We’ve found a church home, made many amazing friends, and seen God’s hand in this move countless times.

Last year this time, we were expectant that God would bring blessing with this move, but we were also scared out of our wits.  To be honest.  Looking back, it wasn’t always easy – it was downright hard at times.  But, here we are.

And now, since I hate to post without pictures…

Marley convinced me to go out to yard sales yesterday morning.  Even though we had to leave at 11am for a trip to Raleigh and we weren’t exactly ready.  But, we did well and I found this for the littles.

They were asking $10, I offered $8 and he even helped me load it into the van. Came with lots of erasers, chalk, dry erase markers, and magnets.  I love a good deal.

I guess, after today, I can’t say we’re new to NC.  Which is fine with me.

I somehow missed posting this shot of her from Mother’s Day.  How can this innocent, sweet little girl be so….uh…spunky?  Yes, I’ll go with that.  ;)

Love you, Lainey Q!

Last month, we had professional photos taken of our crew of 8.  A gal who has an insanely popular blog and growing photography business came into town and met us at a local park in town.  I’m THRILLED with the two sneak peeks she posted on her blog today.  The rest, in the form of a CD, are in the mail as I type.  Can’t WAIT to see them all!

The tree picture was the kids idea.  MckMama (as she’s known on her blog) said cool, as long as we were okay with them climbing a crazy tall tree.  The littles had to stay grounded, per this mama.  I love it…the big kids are all posed and stuff, L and D are just goofing around, and mom and dad are…uh..a little distracted.  A nice visual of our own “family tree”.

I wasn’t so sure when she suggested this shot.  My first thought was “glad I painted my toe nails”.  Little did I know she’d widen the shot, and L and D would be grinning away.  Love it.

I’ll be sure and post more, once that CD is in my hands!