Tuesday, November 29, 2011

In A Nutshell

I can't believe how much time has gone by since my last post.  Everyday I had hopes of getting on and writing.  But the days turned to nights and the nights into days and lo and behold almost two weeks have gone by.  As cliche as it sounds, where did the time go?

The fall sports are officially wrapped up.  Grace's volleyball team made it to the first round of the division playoffs before ending their season.  Their team was quite impressive this year, and many thanks goes to their coach.  She worked hard and really knows how to encourage the girls to be their best.  Grace learned a lot and even made the select volleyball team.  However, due to some academic struggles and focus issues, we decided it would be best not to play club ball this year. 

As soon as I thought life would slow down a bit after the sports were over, Chris decided to coach both Grace and Alex's basketball teams.  I think it will be good for all of them.  However, practices are supposed to start next week which doesn't give us a whole lot of down time.

Grace is still struggling with school.  We've spent every evening helping her with homework and studying for tests.  She knows the material.  I'm not sure why she still can't seem to get the work turned in, though.  She is trying so hard to keep her focus at school and to stay organized.  Her teachers are signing her assignment notebook to ensure she has all of the work.  I double check it each night after homework completion.  Yet, she has three missing assignments in Social Studies, two in Reading and one in English.  Right now, at mid-quarter, she is failing Social Studies.  This is only because of the three zero's.  Her actual grades are A's, but the missing work is killing her grades.  She is still seeing a counselor to work out better ways to stay focused.  I'm waiting on the peditrician, now, to schedule her physical assessment.  From there we will know more of what we are dealing with.  From the looks of it, ADD is my best guess.  But, no matter with a diagnosis or not, we have got to keep looking for ways to make life a little easier on her.  Medication is not going to be our only option.

We spent Thanksgiving with my family and held our own dinner the following Sunday for Chris' mom.  By then we were all turkeyed out, so I made a fabulous seafood pasta.

Thanksgiving morning, I ran a four-mile "Turkey Trot" to benefit the St. Vincent DePaul Society at our parish.  I hadn't run four consecutive miles since my highschool days.  It was an amazing accomplishment to finish the run....no stops along the way!  And my time wasn't terrible at 10 minute miles.  It was the best way to start the day.  I am looking forward to making it a tradition.

After the run, I went to Children's Hospital to visit my niece.  She's been there for over two weeks fighting an unknown infection.  One day she seems all better and the next she is spiking a fever.  Maybe it wouldn't be so bad is she was normal two year old.  But she's not.  She has spent more time in the hospital than out.  I foolishly thought the major illnesses were behind us after a successful heart transplant over a year ago.  However, her weakened immune system makes it difficult to fight the smallest of infections.  While now into cold and flu season, she just hasn't been able to get rid of the bug.  Her health has been weighing heavily on my mind.

There is less than a month until Christmas, now.  I am still not sure how we are going to pull that off.  I'm grateful that we got a great deal on the brakes for the van, but our budget is very, very tight this year.  I'm kind of in denial mode.  If I don't put up my decorations or go shopping then maybe it won't happen at all this year.  Alas, I know better.

Alex is already making his lists and cards and crafts for Santa and his elves.  He is begging me to turn on the Christmas music and hang up the decorations.  I am trying to put him off until atleast this weekend.  Part of me just wants to appreciate Thanksgiving a little while longer.  I don't think we, as a society, give Thanksgiving the time it deserves. 

In the swirl of all the things that have happened over the last few weeks, it doesn't seem like I can recall much now.  But, it is what it is.

4 comments:

Grumpy Grateful Mom said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

It sounds like you all are just busy! I'll definitely send more prayers for your daughter and now for you niece. How hard she has to go through this.

And I'm one of those over anxious people that plays Christmas music November 1st. :) Though I haven't even started Christmas shopping, but hopefully you can find some good deals. Sometimes I think less is more.

Kerry said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I don't know where November has gone, or October and September for that matter!!
Good for you for doing the run :)
And your poor little niece, I hope she gets better real soon. Especially at this time of year.
Best wishes to you and your adorable family! x

LA Botchar said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Sounds like life has been pretty busy. will certainly keep your daughter and your little niece in my prayers.
Since Thanksgiving is in October for Canadians, if we start Christmas decorations, baking, shopping, etc. in November..it doesn't seem too weird. besides, we could get 8 feet of snow in day, at any minute around here: we tend to want to get things done asap. then relax. LOL
God Bless you and your family this holiday!

Natalie said...Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Hey girl with 4 kids two weeks can flash by in an instance! Sounds like you are really working hard with Grace, and I'm sure you will figure out a formula that works for her!