Session Two: Day Nine

Check this out!

I RAN to the van to get the camera when I saw her coming out pushing a walker!  She has gained so much strength in her arms and legs it is unbelieveable.  Obviously she still needs help from her conductor and can't do it on her own but not that long ago it took one person behind her and one person in front of her to get her to take steps and now she just needs a little help with her weight and then help with shifting from one foot to the other.  TAKE THAT, doctors and therapists who told me this would never happen!  The other amazing part is that if you know Laila you know she LOVES to show off.  Well, she's to the point now where she actually wants to walk.  We don't have to do as much cheering or singing or counting to get her to finally move.  She stands and immediately wants to talk off.  It such an enoucraging sign that she's wants to do it for herself and for a purpose instead of just to show off.  She's even so excited to walk and push her chair back to it's place after we do the potty in our room.  She likes that she's helping.  And as if that didn't already make me cry......

Then she hands me this star!  It's blurry but it says "Dry All Day."  She had a dry diaper all day, went on the potty everytime they put her on and in a deliberate way.  Instead of it just being that she happen to be on the potty for 5 min and went, she's sitting down, going fairly quickly and then yelling that she's all done.  Another huge step!  She was also still dry when we got home from school and we always do a feeding then sit on the potty before nap and she knows that now so she was asking for the potty and when I got her on there, she pooped!

Lots of happy tears from this incredibly proud momma today!

Weekend Fun Picture Post :)

Session Two: Day 8

We had a really good day.  Stacy got her late last night and she and I sat up talking like two school girls having a sleepover :)  We got up and went to school and Stacy was just so interested in everything that were doing.  We stayed most of hte day except today was the parent lunch for this session so we went over to the Omelet Shop and I got to have my favorite Mexican omelet, YUM!  I'm sure that will be fun to run off tomorrow!

Laila had another good but it was interesting to see how different she is when I'm there.  She's always looking to me for approval and it was very interesting to watch her throughout the day know which conductors she could try to manipulate and which ones she couldn't.  They had a first year student in there today and she would get so lazy every time she would be the one sitting by her.  Such a smart little one.  Gotta give her credit for her brains :)  She got one bravo at school today and then one when we got back home.  This is the third day in a row she has gone potty for me right when we get home and has a dry diaper when I sit her down.  We're getting somewhere!!  She again had beautiful standing today and I'm seeing more and more great stepping and sitting. 

If you can get past the crazy matted hair in this picture...... look at how good she is doing in the bumbo these days.  She is always asking to sit in and and is wanting to be in her wheelchair less and less.  She wants her independence so much and I'm loving it!  See those nice straight arms.... progress!!!  She couldn't last barely five minutes sitting in the bumbo not that long ago.  Today she has finally figured out using her arms like this and has been sitting there watching mickey for about 25 minutes.

Also wanted to share this picture below with you.  This one of the pictures hanging in our room here at RMH.  The first few days she would look at it and say "momma, the picture says?" and would want me to read it.  Now she just keeps looking at it and says, "momma, picture says hope!"  You gotta love this girl's insight and God's little reminders when I need them :)

It's pretty much perfect for us :) 



Have a GREAT weekend!  I'll be hanging with Jack and the kiddos in about 20 minutes!  Can't wait!!

Session Two: Day Seven

This video was from last night and I had it on my facebook but I just had to share for those of you who aren't on facebook.  She is so stinkin proud of herself and I am too!  She went on the potty for me two times last night after school and today she went at school and then again from me before her nap.  One of the great parts about it is that the last two times she has gone for me it's pretty much as soon as she sits down and I hear her start to go and she looks at me with this surprised face and says "I pee!"  She is truly understanding what I've been talking about the the last. six. months!  Obviously it has helped A TON to be back here at CLC but I think it also has a big part to do with me just having the time alone with her and nothing else to do but put her on the potty.  Back home I'm like a bus driver for these three kiddos all day long and so she is out and about a lot with not a lot of time just to focus on this.  I've really been praising God for this alone time with her.  The extra snuggles and proud moments have really done a lot for our relationship and bonding as well.  Not that we were not bonded but I think there is always another level that you can get to especially with an adopted child and then throwing a special need on top of that makes things even more complicated.  I know our last experience up here was very emotionally challenging for both of us but I know that was also a huge turning point in our connecting as well.  I'm so thankful for this time with her but of course am missing my big kiddos back home!  Is it Friday yet??  Can't wait for them to get here!!  I miss the really big one as well ;)

We're looking forward to a visit from one of our favorite people tonight.  Our friend Stacy is coming to stay the night with us and spend the day in the classroom observing Laila tomorrow.  She's been one of Laila's biggest fans since she was a little baby.  She's known her longer than me!  We're so excited to spend some time with her and let Laila show off :)

Session Two: Day Six

Well another GREAT day :)  Poop and pee on the potty at school and then another bravo for pee right when we got back before she took her nap!  She still had a wet diaper at lunch time at school but we're at least catching some of it!  I'm SOOOO excited!

She also started feeding herself at lunch today!  They were playing a game where everyone would take a bite together and they happen to not be right by her to help so she decided to do it herself!  Her aim is still a little off but they were so proud of her doing bite after bite and getting better all the time! 

Her arms are getting so much better.  She is helping more with dressing and undressing.  She tightens up at first when you ask her to straighten but then her body catches up with her brain with giving her the cue of the word straight and then she will straighten her arm out.  They are using arm braces a lot at school to retrain her body and I think we'll be having our friend Allison make us a pair.  She did however to a great job having straight arms on the potty after school today.

I wanted to share this precious picture from yesterday (I thought I'd spare you the explicit potty pictures we sent daddy ;).  She was able to spend some time with the bigger kids yesterday while we were working on the TV interviews.  These girls took right to Laila and talked and played with her.  I love watching these girls giggle about boys and be stylish with their peace signs and zebra print decorated walker and clothes.  I'm so excited to see what the future holds for Laila because I just know God is going to do GREAT things through her!

Session Two: Day 5

We started off with a very early morning today.  We got to school early to be able to be a part of the school promoting their scholarship program through the Riverbank Run.  We put on our very bright new t-shirts and were out the door at 7am.  First we were able to be a part of the group of the kids in the background while they interviewed a few other runners and then it was our turn :)  Check out this link to be able to watch the interview :)

http://www.fox17online.com/videogallery/69561870/News/River-Bank-Run-Preview-#4---4-24-12%23pl-62882988

I was nervous to see how Laila would do all day with starting out so early but once again she was a shining star for her momma :)  She had another great day at school with two bravos and one of them including a poop on the potty!!  Her standing is just amazing me as well.  I'm soaking up every minute and praying that we can keep these things up when we travel back home.

In case any of you wonder what we do in the evenings.........

snuggles in mommy's bed are pretty much a must :)  I'm trying to soak up my alone time with her while we've got it!

Speaking of not a lot of time, I've gotta go.  We got a huge packet of info that has to be done ASAP for our adoption of RJ.  Gonna try to get a little done before this little on is done watching Mickey!





Session Two: Day Four

OK yes, it is a picture of her on the potty but I kept it clean :)  She sat all by herself and we were playing peek-a-boo from side to side.  Notice we have to keep cases of formula on the chair because freakishly strong girl can pull the chair right over!

Well I did not think that on April 23 we would only be posting about day four but here we are! 

I was really nervous about today.  The past week was a huge whirlwind, tons of driving and packing and unpacking and not a lot of Laila time.  I had tried to get her back to preschool last week while we were home but never got it worked out and our therapists already had people scheduled in our spots while we were supposed to be gone so Laila got a lazy break from everything except what we do at home and I'll be honest and say there wasn't that much of that going on either.  Sad, tired, busy mommy just didn't have it in her last week.  With all of that break for her I wondered if coming back today would be hard.  When we pulled in she got a little whiny and wasn't a whole lot of smiles when I brought her into the classroom.  I wondered all day if she was crying and fighting them. 

To my surprise, her conductor today could not wait to tell me how amazing her day was.  She walked out to me pushing her little chair and then when she got to the hallway she stood all by herself just holding the back of the chair!  Liz said she did AMAZING today.  She got one bravo which she then told me about the whole car ride back to RMH.  "Momma, I go potty! Momma I pee!  Momma I bravo song!!"  I love how proud she is of herself and I'm of course the proudest mommy EVER!  She also did amazing standing at the sand table playing all by herself today.  It's a little higher table so there's a little support under her arms while she leans over the table but Liz said she had very beautiful straight legs and was very careful to use one arm straight to hold herself up while she played with the other hand in the sand and then would safely put the other hand down, arm straight to play with the other hand.  She said every once in a while she would have to put her hips back straight again but for the most part she STOOD and played on her own today.  She also loved her lunch today and ate it right up.  I called and told Jack and he said "OK now how do we trick her into thinking she's at CLC when she's at home?!?!" I told him this is why so many families move here just for their children to attend CLC. 

While we can't move here, I did sit and look at Laila before I laid her down for a nap and just thought what a miracle she is.  How different her life would be without this opportunity.  We wouldn't know about this school if we hadn't run into another family from DeMotte who has been here before and we probably wouldn't have ever come if REMC hadn't given us the grant and the opportunity.  I also probably wouldn't be here if we hadn't had an amazing friend and therapist through First Steps who believed in Laila so much that her family gave us a check and said "Here's your application money, do it!"  We are so completely loved and supported and I hope that everyone shares in the miracles God is working in Laila's life every day.  We're so excited that God gave us the opportunity to be a part of Laila's journey and the resources to give her what she needs to become who He has called her to be and all for His glory!  (I also can't wait to see the miracles He'll do for our new son hopefully coming later this year!)

Just wanted to give a quick update about the run too.  I got a whole big box of shirts and socks and lanyards for our team today.  Again, I want to thank everyone who is running and walking, donated so far and want to give a big THANK YOU to the businesses that donated as well.  We'll wear our shirts proud showing off the businesses that love our little girl and the school that lets her shine!

Best Tip: Try out your clothes

When Laila and I were at the training with Steve and Margeux Drake for Team CLC one of the things they told us was to make sure to try our running clothes before the day of the race.  You have to make sure that they don't have anything in or on them that would irritate you.  They were mostly talking about if you went out and bought new running clothes but let me tell you, you have to also try out old ones!  I jumped on the treadmill a few days ago and had grabbed out some running pants that I hadn't worn in a few weeks but had been training in since the beginning.  Well, let's just say that I think I may have lost more inches than pounds because if I had been running the race everyone would've gotten quite the show.  They fell right down!!  But since I'm a crazy OCD person who won't stop once I start, I spent my whole run that day pulling my pants up!!  So the moral of my story today is to DEFINITELY try out your running clothes close to the race even if they're not new!  Happy Running!

PS - I'm running 3.5 miles every other day consistently now.  Still blows my mind!  If you'd like to support Team CLC and our Legs for Laila team please click here

Home for the week

It's been a very crazy weekend.  I got back up to GR Friday night and Laila was so sick and I finally got her settled down for the night and went to sleep.  Saturday morning I was woken up by a call from my mom telling me my grandma had passed away.  I packed up our room at RMH and came home.  I spent the whole weekend wondering and worrying and again torn between family and wanting to do what's best for everyone.  This morning I got a call from Andrea at CLC telling me to do what is best for our family and we can jump back into CLC whenever we can.  What a relief.  I can now spend this week helping my mom get ready for the memorial service and not have to grieve this loss without the comfort and support of my husband by my side.  I'm so thankful that Laila was doing so well last week and it helps me to be encouraged that missing this week won't, hopefully, set us back to start all over again next week.  We'll plan to go back on Sunday night and get back going with therapy on Monday morning. 

Last night I found a post I had written about my grandma a few years ago when she had her 70th birthday.  Please click here to read it and rejoice with us over the time we had with her and the special person she was to so many.  Our grandmothers were the reason I started this blog.  Several years ago we went to a mother daughter banquet at our church and we had all of my moms and grandmothers there and I just thought how lucky I was to have all of them still in my life.  This is the first one we have lost and I know how lucky that makes me and my children.  Grandma is and will continue to be greatly missed.

Session Two: Day 4 (not so much)

The last 24 hours were not what I was expecting at all!  Beginning last night Laila developed a cough and then spent the whole not coughing and vomiting.  I decided at about 5:30am that we needed a daddy consult as to how to handle today.  With Laila's history and the fact that Jackson has the flu and came down with it the day after we left we decided we just couldn't wait it out and see, so she and I loaded up in the car and drove the 3 hrs back home to make a trip to the doctor.  They don't accept her insurance up here plus we just need our own doctor who knows her history and what is normal and what is not for her.  Turns out she developed an ear infection.  Mind you, I specifically took her into the doctor on our way out of town on Monday just to make sure she was in tip top shape for this adventure.  Plus I had her at the ENT at Riley a week ago for her six month check up from getting tubes put in and he basically called me and our doctors incompetent and said her tubes would be draining if she had a true ear infection so we must be wrong that she's getting them.  This goes to show you how quickly things develop and go down hill with her and why we're so thankful for a pediatrician we love and trust.  So, those of you that I've had to cancel on for various things several times.... this is our life.
The good thing is that she tested negative for the flu so we know she hadn't caught it from Jackson before we left.  The bad part about that is that Jackson spiked a fever again last night so even though we were home and in town, we were not able to stay.  Kind of seems like a little bit of a sick joke to be missing my kiddos so much and have Jackson crying for me in the night and be at home but not be able to hug him.  We just couldn't chance Laila catching it and there is still a possibility that Jack or Emma could still develop it in the next few days.  She already missed one day of a four week school and with the way everything hits her so hard I'm guessing she would miss more than the 3.5 days that Jackson missed of school this week.

I planed just to leave town but I just couldn't go without being able to see them.  We had sort of a "prison" visit at my mom's and I just talked to them through the window as to not get the germs.  Laila was so pitful begging me to let her outside and saying "pleeease!" for her Grandma & Papa and then for Emma and Jackson after we left.  Absolutely pitiful.

It was a rough six hours in the car today with tons of vomit, especially on the drive back up here.  She had a rough time getting ready for bed and couldn't stop but I think she is finally asleep for now and hopefully the meds will kick in soon and she will be able to get back to CLC on Monday.

To end of a good note though, we had a great time at the charity event last night at Peppino's.  Laila loved getting to meet Ann and Jason and we so appreciated them driving up from Kalamazoo to spend time with us!

Session Two: Day 3

Today I got to stay in the classroom with Laila for the morning.  All the routine of it was coming back to me again and obviously to her as well.  I'm just so thankful to see her participating and actually trying instead of crying and fighting everything.  You can definintely see the maturity that she has gained this year.
I was able to observe her work in the lying program where they are really working on having a straight body and moving limbs independently instead of everything involuntary and all at once.  She didn't struggle near as much as I thought she was going to and her conductor even commented on how much improvement she has seen in her just in a few days.  I've also been able to notice that in things like putting her shirt on and less hands flailing everywhere in the bathtub when I go to wash her hair and she might get startled. 

I helped her on the potty twice and again, amazed at how she's sitting so good and not fighting it. No bravos today but that's OK.  All those days of crying and fighting the first time we were here just flood my memory and I'm so thankful that we were able to get through that with tons of progress on the other side and so excited to see the progress this time without as much fighting!  I think it also really helped that after we were here last time we went and bought the same kind of potty and even splurged on the ladder back chair that she uses to hold on to with some help of some amazing friends, grandma Kathy and Santa ;)  That crazy wooden spindle chair was almost $300!!  Wood workers, get into that business!!

I love to see how Laila interacts so much more with the other kids this time and is a little chatterbox.  Not sure if you remember our friend Dakota from last session but his mom came with a BIG surprise for Laila yesterday, literally!  She said she had bought this giant Tickle Me Elmo for Dakota forever ago and he just never got into it and she remember that Laila liked Elmo so she saved it hoping we'd come back again.  It's bigger than her!!

I have to be honest and say I'm waiting for the ball to drop.  Laila has a tendency to love to show off or be really proud of herself with something for a little while and then completely quit.  I hate that I feel that way but I'm also proud of myslef for learning over the past few years to rejoice in the moment and continue to work in the next.  Andrea said today that she thought that if Laila was going to do that she would've by the end of the day today and she didn't so that's really exciting.

We were able to go to the nutrition information and running tips meeting last night and meet some amazing people.  Steve and Margaux Drake were presenting at the meeting and they are the couple that is running the 25K and then turning around and running back to make it a 50K.  And no, as I've been asked, they are not running backwards ;)  Anyway, Margaux is a nutrition expert for WOTV here in Grand Rapids and she shared a bunch of tips on eating right and specifically the night before and day of the race.  I was able to share with the group the progress that Laila has made at CLC and what a difference they are making in these kids lives by running and fundraising for CLC.  Of course Laila hammed it up for everyone and they loved her :)

We were excited to go to the meeting but also bummed because Wednesday nights are when the volunteers bring service dogs into the house here at RMH for the residents to have fun with.  This became a favorite for Laila during our last session and it was amazing to see how she warmed up to them over our weeks here.  To our surprise and excitement a few of the dogs were still here when we got back!!  She was so excited and did great with them!  She kept yelling "I pet him nice mama, I pet him nice!"  The only dog she usually likes, scratch that, LOVES is my sisters dog Duke and he's a smaller dog so it was fun to see her being excited about a bigger dog.  We're planning to apply for a service dog for her next year and it will be a golden lab or golden retriever so it's good she's getting this practice now :)

Tonight we're going to a restaurant downtown called Peppino's.  There's a Social Charity Club here in GR and they have organized for the $10 cover charge to go directly to CLC.  I'm very excited because a friend from High School that is living in Kalamazoo now is going to meet us there.  She and I reconnected during our last trip to CLC when she was reading my blog and shared with me about her precious sister-in-law who had CP.  It's been a very long time and I can't wait for her to meet Laila. 

Thanks to everyone for the prayers for Jackson.  He is doing much better today and has been fever free since this morning.  Looks like the medicine is working quickly and hopefully he can go back to school tomorrow.  We're still on the fence as to whether it would be smart for them to come this weekend or not.  Please continue to pray for clarity on that issue for us.

On a side note, we got a call yesterday that our home study is completed and approved for our adoption of Ranjit!  That's an exciting step and I'm again very thankful for a husband who's not only willing to take care of the kids (especially while sick!!) but also willing to help out with all of these paperwork things that I normally handle.  Love you honey!!

Session 2: Day 2

Today has definitely been a "torn between two worlds" kind of day.  Jackson ended up with a fever in the night last night again so we scrambled to try to get him to the doctor today.  He couldn't be seen by his regular doctor so we got an appointment at another one and then found out they don't take our insurance.  Jack ended up having to leave work and take him to urgent care.  His fever was 103.7 when they got there and his poor scratchy sad voice was just about more than I could bear today.  Turns out that he tested positive for the flu.  Boo for that and boo for the fact that it pretty much means none of them will be able to come and visit us this weekend for fear that they will pass it to Laila.  The two big kids NEVER get sick so I just can't believe that it's him.  I am thankful that he got it after we left but so torn to want to be with him but can't.  Stinks.

Up here on the Michigan front however things are amazing.  I was able to be in the classroom with Laila this afternoon and she just jumped right back in and is doing GREAT.  She got two bravos today for two successful trips to the potty!  One of her successes was while I was there and it may be TMI but that potty was FULL!  She was also able to sit on the potty all by herself while I read her a story and normally I can't get her to sit by herself.  She also has eaten all of her lunch and snacks both days so far.  She ate a whole jar of baby food, drank close to 8 oz of juice and ate 1.5 cheetos today!  I sat amazed with her at lunch watching her sit by herself in her chair (regular chair, not wheelchair), hold on the to the bar with one hand for balance and feed herself with the other hand.  I told the girls that I was amazed because we can barely get her to eat more than a few bites at home these days and she basically never eats at school back home.  They had just assumed she had been eating well since she was when we left 6 months ago so they didn't mention it to me yesterday. 

The other thing that is so fun is that I got to sit with her in circle time and see the absolute difference in her language and participation.  She's calling the other kids by name and speaking up when it's her turn to play the "who stole the cookie" game.  I really think that being in preschool this year and having such a great speech therapist back home have made her vocabulary just soar this past six months.  She was also sitting up so well on the floor with just having a foam semi-circle behind her. 

I'm so happy that she can be back here and is doing so well.  Hoping that it continues!!  Tonight we're off to go to a meeting for the riverbank run.  I'm excited to see what it's all about and I was asked to speak to the group and tell them about our team coming up from Indiana and tell them about Laila, CLC and why we're motivated by them.  There is also going to be someone from WOTV that is going to tell us about nutrition. Should be pretty neat :)

Thanks for reading with us and please keep Jackson in your prayers!  Now that I mention that, please also keep a little girl named McKenna in your prayers.  Her mom is staying here at RMH and gave me permission to share that she is having a last effort brain surgery on Friday that the doctor says he's 99% positive won't work.  She's only 1 :(  Please pray for them as well.

Thanks!

Session Two: Day One

Today was a success!  We started out with no vomit (miraculous!) and as you can see in the picture she was in a pretty good mood.  She sat content in her bumbo watching Mickey while I finished getting myself ready.
We got to CLC and she didn't seem to remember the outside and then when she got inside and saw her conductors she got a very serious face.  She stayed that way for awhile and then Andrea came and asked her if she was happy to be back at school and she just looked at her and said "my chair."  Andrea said "I asked you a question, are you happy to be back at school?"  Laila thought then said "no."  HA!  That girl is so funny.  So Andrea told her that attitude won't do and went on her way.  I do LOVE how much the "get" Laila.  I love the way that they speak to her and wait and expect her to respond because she truly can even though she fools most people by pretending she can't.

There are like 13 kids in her class this time!  Whoa!  I think the most there were last time was 6 or 7.  I love it because that is one of the big parts of her gaining confidence is being able to see all these other kids like herself and know that if they can accomplish things then it's possible for her too.  Because of the size of the class, parents are not all staying in the classroom for the first week like I did last time.  I will be in the classroom tomorrow afternoon and Thursday morning.  I'm fine with this because Laila really does better without me there.  I was in and out of the school today because I had a conference about our goals and every time I walked past her classroom I heard no crying!  Woohoo!  They only time I actually heard her cry today was when I was helping her on the potty right when we got to school and another mom I hadn't seen since last time hugged me and Laila fell off the potty!  oops!! 

I'm not sure what's going on in Laila's mind but she has been asking to go on the potty a ton lately.  She doesn't go most of the time (unless she's with Bamma Kathy!) but I'm excited that she wants to.  Her conductor today said she asked a few times other than the scheduled times in class today but also no success.  Well I can't say no success, just her actually wanting to be on the potty is a huge success!  I did buy pull-ups for the first time yesterday because it is so hard, especially in public restrooms, to be able to get her diaper off and get her on the potty in an short amount of time.  Having trouble potty training??  Try having a child who doesn't walk, stand or barely hold any of their own weight at all.  Oh, yes, I'm a sweaty mess almost every time!  You'd think I'd be thinner for all that work with her!

In our conference we focused mostly on Laila's arms.  She has such a strong reflex to throw her hands up in the air if she is startled, excited, doesn't like something, and all sorts of other reasons.  She also tightens them so much when she concentrates which makes dressing and undressing, writing, doing iPad activities, driving her power chair and all the things she likes to do even harder as well.  Our doctor (at Riley) has tried to get us to put her on a muscle relaxer again but I just think that the cons outweigh the pros.  The hazy mind and relaxation of the whole body just seems to be counter-productive to what we're trying to do with her.  Andrea agreed.  Laila is physically able to relax and straighten her arms so it's not a matter of botox or muscle relaxers, it's a matter of getting her brain to figure out how to control her arms.  Enter:  Conductive Education.  They really work on getting their minds to understand and control their bodies by narrating everything they are doing with songs and fun rhymes.  I'm very excited about this being one of our main goals for this session and they seem to be coming up with a good plan to help.

So what did I do today?  Well, I brought her, had a parent meeting which was a blast getting to see everyone again, was going to run but the treadmill here at RMH doesn't work, went to Aldi and then........got a Diet Coke and fruit n' yogurt parfait from McDonalds for $1.06 with my house discount!  Oh man, this could mean trouble for me!  I unloaded my groceries, ate my delicious snack, head out to my conference then checked out the MAC which a is a fitness club right next to CLC that I can go to for free.  I plan to go run there tomorrow morning after I drop Laila off.  I wonder what it will be like running on a treadmill that isn't 4000 years old??  No complaints though because ours was given to us for free by a wonderful couple that we adore.

Please keep Jackson in your prayers as he was sent home from school today with a fever.  Have I mentioned lately how thankful I am for my family??  I have an amazing husband who is willing to play Mr. Mom while working and juggling housework, cooking and refereeing a 9 and almost 7 yr old.  I also have an amazing mom taking the kids every day after school and other family who jumps in to helps out with the kids while I am gone and especially today when Jack's at work and can't leave.  Laila and I are so blessed to have people who love us and people who believe in her so much that they sacrifice themselves for us to have this opportunity.  We love and thank you all who made this possible.

Looking forward to what the next few weeks brings!

Back At RMH

We've arrived and settled in at the Ronald McDonald house again.  I can't believe how different I feel this time.  I know what to expect, I know it's going to be hard but I also know it's totally going to be worth it.  We were greeted by familiar faces here and that makes a world of difference too! 

It's amazing to me to see how much Laila has grown in the last six months.  She wasn't scared of our room and did really well going to bed tonight.  Last time it was a real struggle to get her adjusted and she was still going through a rough time with sleeping any where besides home.  She moved around a lot before joining our family and I think that had a lot to do with her anxiety.  I love seeing her happy and settled and knowing that she is safe and at home as long as she's with her mommy :)

We headed down to the kitchen and saw a few of our friends there and will make some new ones I bet. There are three CLC families staying here this time which is fun! Laila was sitting at the kitchen table babbling away telling everyone "I sit at the table," "I have purple glasses," and yelling at me "I hold you hand."  She's very into hand holding these days which is super cute and fun.  Then we went to Walmart (which is hard to find in Meijer country up here!) and made a stop through the Subway drive through.  Thank you Grandma Mary for your generosity with giving us some gift cards for our stay up here!!

We're excited to go to school tomorrow even though I'm not sure Laila really remembers what she's getting herself into.  She did tell me this morning that she wanted to stay with "Van Syoc" (her preschool teacher back home).  I know when we get there she'll remember it.  She's got an amazing memory.  Now to see if she's excited or if she cries.......

Thanks for sharing in this time with us.  I always look forward to seeing if people follow our journey and it helps me to want to continue to write and share.  It's been helpful to be able to look back at the things she's learned.

Laila back in her "bedroom."  HA!  Like my make shift IV pole for her feeding pump?!?

We did it!!

I didn't realize when we started training that the last day would be the day before we leave for our next four weeks at CLC.  Tonight I actually ran 3.5 miles!  I never in my life thought that would be something I could do.  Jack has worked up to running over 6 miles as of tonight.  Earlier this week he just started running to see how far he would go and has just kept increasing his distance.  He's doing so great!!

I have to say that I'm surprised at the other things in my life that have changed since I started this.  I find myself eating less and healthier.  I feel like I don't want to just go run all this way and then cancel it out with ice cream or I don't want to eat a big greasy burger because one day I did that and it felt like the thing was kicking me in the ribs the whole time I was running.  While I haven't lost a lot of weight yet, I do feel like my clothes are fitting better which is nice :)  The other thing that is so exciting is that Emma and Jackson have started walking and are doing between 1-2 miles.  They are following our example and Emma has even signed up to walk the 5k for Laila too!

Our team has grown and we have raised so much more money for CLC than we had thought we would.  We decided to try to get some corporate sponsors from our town since we're three hours away and they wouldn't have been included in soliciting so far.  Our town and families have responded in such a huge way and have shown so much love for Laila that it just amazes me.  Check out our fundraising page here.

Tomorrow we check back in to the Ronald McDonald house and Laila starts her next session at CLC on Tuesday.  Be looking for blogs with updates of how she adjusts back and what kind of progress she makes.  Pray she doesn't cry the first three weeks of a four week session again ;)

Please also pray for us as we are just beginning our adoption paperwork again to bring our son Ranjit home from India.  This might get a little tricky doing paperwork from another state while Jack is home with the other two kids!