Whatcha Been Doing?

Hello everyone!!! I sure did miss you all!! Thank you so much for all the kind thoughts and prayers. They have helped so much. 

So, what have we been doing all this time? I have some difficult news to share. My husband and I are getting a divorce. It has been a really tough time, but I do believe it is for the best. 

The kids and I (and the dogs and cats) have been living with my mom for quite a while. All of us are squished into her little three bedroom ranch. My mom is a saint!  Thank you so much Mom!!!! I am so blessed to have your support and love always. 

Everyone is adjusting, but it has been a tough time. I guess I have been feeling kind of down and overwhelmed. Though we have had some hard days, we have also had some amazing developments. 

Things are definitely getting better......day by day.....frequent doughnut eating really helps.

As you can see from the video, Victoria's walker is growing cobwebs on it now. Though the doctors said she wouldn't be able to, she is walking, even long distances (like all around the driveway) totally unassisted!  She used to be terrified to even attempt to walk outside, but her confidence has soared recently. 

She also has developed quite the temper when she doesn't get her way. I have started being stricter, but she can pitch quite a fit. She is putting three word sentences together, but is really hard to understand. We work on annunciation alot, but she doesn't like to move her mouth much when she talks, almost like a ventriloquist. Such a difference from the withdrawn little one from a year and a half ago.

Victoria also knows almost all her letters and can count to five. She can still seem distant sometimes, but she takes everything in. 

Francesca is totally potty trained, except for at night time. She is quite proud of herself. She is talking much more than ever before, though she is still very hard to understand. She has such a happy spirit and has so much empathy. If I say I can't find my shoes, she will look and look until she finds them. If I take out the garbage, she is right there, trying to help me drag the big can. She loves to help and loves to give hugs. She seems to be following in little Catherine's fashion sense. 

Catherine had some blood work done recently to see if we could discover why she isn't really growing. They took 8 vials of blood! In true Catherine fashion, she just watched the needle calmly and asked lots of questions. The m&m's helped too! All her bloodwork was totally normal, so we decided that she is just petite. 

Of course, she continues to come up with interesting clothing combinations. 

Anastasia and Isabella are such big helpers. I don't know what I would do without them! Grandma has been teaching them a lot about cooking. They have been going on some really fun field trips at their school. 

They are designing a garden in Grandma's yard. 

Elliot is doing well at school and has joined the weight lifting club. 

We have had a few tough times, like when my car wouldn't start on a hill out of town, with 6 kids. Good times! 

As for me, I am adjusting to taking care of six kids on my own. I sort of miss being able to go to the bathroom by myself, ever.  I like to think that as time goes on, and everyone feels a little more secure in the changes, that I may be able to pee in solitary blissfulness. 

We have all certainly learned alot about working together and keeping a joyful spirit. Even during difficult times, we are all so lucky to have each other. 

Please pray for peace for all of us! 

I promise to start writing more now. I am getting my groove back for sure!