Harmony, Briant, Nathan, and Claire's visit

We were so happy to have the MacKenzie's here from Chicago! Luca and Nathan had so much fun playing together and got along super well. Juliette and Claire loved each other and spent time hugging, pulling each other's hair and laughing together. They were also here for Luca's big birthday party. Harmony decorated the cake and Harmony and Briant were both a huge help the whole weekend. We even got a sunny day with them down at Alki! Felt like a vacation for everyone. Thanks again for coming out to visit us! We miss you and wished we lived close to each other...like next door!

Masterpieces

Luca just began coloring. I believe he has made a lot of progress in this area at school. Yesterday he asked for crayons (which he has pretty much never uses at home because they are hard to use compared to markers) and his new glow in the dark color book that he got for his birthday from Cora.  (thank you Cora and Alisha)
I came back 30 mins. later to find...this masterpiece and he said, mom, "I can do even more colors, come back in a little while and I will surprise you" Well, he did surprise me. He also showed me how he colors. He sits on the floor with the paper flat down in front of him, in between his legs and he uses both hands. He wedges the crayon between his first and second finger in place your fingers come out of your hand of his right hand and squeezes it tight. Then he shakes his hands together back and forth. As you can see he also changes colors often.
Once again he blows me away! I am so thankful for Boren school, what he is learning, the therapy he receives there, and the respite it provides for me. He comes home being able to do this! I am thrilled!

Science Center

We got a family membership to the Science Center and we have been having a lot of fun there on Fridays when John is at work and Luca has no school. Luca's favorite part is the planetarium's show  "Trip to the Moon" since he wants to become an astronaut someday! Luca loves science and Juliette loves crowds and water so the Science Center it is perfect for everyone!

Today's Questions?

As we walked into the house after playing with his friends tonight Luca asked me this:

"Did God make me with arthrogryposis" I said, "yes" and he said, "why did God make me with arthrogryposis?"
"I don't know" I said, but I have asked God that question before too and then Luca said, "GOD, why did you make me with arthrogryposis?"
Then I said, "Luca, what I do know is that God loves you very much and has a very special plan for his life that somehow includes you having arthrogryposis". Luca's face lit up with a great big smile.
Then he said, "but God loves other people and they do not have arthrogryposis".
I said, "you are right about that too.  I am looking forward to going to Las Vegas this summer and meeting a lot of other people with arthrogryposis."
Luca said, "me too!!!"

And then he was off to the living room and on to something else and that was the end of our conversation. A conversation that I have thought about since the day we thought he might have arthrogryposis. I am sure that today was only the start to many more questions and conversations about arthrogryposis.

I am really grateful we are going to the arthrogryposis conference this summer for all of us.

temparary hearing loss

Luca has temporary hearing loss due to sterile fluid in his ear as a result of a ear infection.  90 percent of the time this situation resolves on its own within 3 months. If not, he will need to have tubes put in to drain the fluid.
I am praying that the fluid drains on its own and soon. I hear a lot of "i can't hear you" lately and it is hard to know how much of the time he really can't and how often he is just choosing to do his own thing. Makes me grateful that he usually can hear and we will all be glad when he can hear clearly again.

Birthday Fun

 Happy 4th Birthday my dear son Luca! Can't believe you are four. We love you and are grateful for you everyday! We had a fun birthday celebration with Gak parties, flying a kite at Alki, and pizza at Pegasus with Harmony and Briant's family. Such a treat to have them here and the kids had a blast together!

 The pre-gak party for the kids who couldn't come on Monday. The gak turned out that day.... I guess that is what science experiments are all about.

Luca in rest time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2HhrNpTYh8&feature=youtu.be

Easter Fun!

On Easter morning, John took the kids to West Seattle Bethany while I headed up the kids department of the one time Bethany church at Ballard High school. It was a busy morning indeed!
After that, I took a rest and a run while John and Luca washed the car and then we had a great Easter evening with a beautiful sunny Easter picnic  Pulled pork, chips and guacamole, orzo salad, fruit salad, and beer! The kids did an egg hunt and played well together! Just a great time. Here are a few pictures!