The Ups and Downs of Life

It's been one roller coaster of a life around here lately--some pretty high highs and some pretty low lows.  The bottom line is that I'm so grateful for all I've been blessed with!

Nicholas just turned 5!  (Another post about his birthday later.)  Just before his birthday, I took him with me to attend a registration meeting about kindergarten.  I can't believe that this is finally here!  There have been some days over the past 5 years where I've day dreamed of my kids going to school so that I can finally get back to doing some of my favorite things.  More recently, however, the realization that he really is ready for school has been more bittersweet.  I am so excited for him to go to school because he's just a little sponge for knowledge.  Nicholas is my little science kid.  He checks out books about space, clouds, insects, weather patterns, etc. from the library.  He writes his name (almost legibly!) and reads a few simple words.  And he LOVES making friends.  While he hasn't been attending a regular preschool, I've really enjoyed our Mommy School time, play group, and music class.  He's ready.  I will be bawling my eyes out that first day (or maybe not?).  Mostly I'm just excited for him!

A few days after Nicholas turned 5, I found out that I was pregnant!  Brandon was in Amsterdam, so I sent him a quick message.  He was thrilled!  I figured I was about 6 weeks pregnant when I found out.  Brandon got home two weeks later, and it was so fun to talk about the baby we'd be having in December.  Two days after Brandon got home, I miscarried while we were at church.  Talk about a hard day!  I was trying hard to keep it together (and failing miserably) while a friend went and got Brandon for me.  Fortunately Brandon was able to get someone to sub for him in Gospel Doctrine, and he drove me home. I really wasn't expecting just how emotionally devastating that would be.  Brandon was able to give me a blessing, which really brought me peace, especially since I had to take him to the airport the next day to go to Los Angeles.  I'm doing really well now, but there are little bittersweet moments every now and then, and I imagine they will pop up for a while.  And that's okay.

Our front porch became quite the bird sanctuary this spring.  At the beginning of April, I noticed a robin working hard over the course of about 3 days to build a nest.  The kids and I had a lot of fun watching Mama Robin sitting on her nest faithfully for the next few weeks.  It would amaze me to see her just nestle down and weather some pretty severe storms.  The weekend that Nicholas turned 5, my niece noticed a broken blue eggshell on the ground.  I started watching the nest more intently, and I was rewarded by seeing Mama Robin bring a worm home to her three little babies!  I was amazed at how quickly they started getting fluffier and bigger, and then one day they each just plopped out of the nest.  For a few days, Mama and Papa Robin hovered nearby while the little ones learned to fly.  Now they are pretty proficient, and we rarely see them.  Another bird also built a nest up under a loose shingle on our roof, but I wasn't sure what kind it was.  Now we have a pair of morning doves who like to run in and out of my flower bed in front, and one of the doves even likes to occasionally check out the abandoned robin nest.  Seth has especially loved the birds ("buh buh buh" to him).  He often runs to the front door to check on all of them!

Seth is at that age where he is pretty curious about everything, which isn't unusual for a 15 month-old.  He especially loves to try things out by putting everything in his mouth.  This past Monday, I took him in for a check-up, and he got his blood lead test done because our house was built in the 1920's.  Well, the doctor called back on Tuesday and said that Seth has near elevated levels.  A cause for concern is at 10 micrograms.  Seth registered at 9 micrograms.  Talk about freaking out around here!  Not only are we worried about Seth's development, but we're also terrified that overnight our house could be worth nothing.  So, we're super cleaning everything...dust is not tolerated here!  And we are being so diligent about what Seth puts in his mouth.  This kid LOVES to eat dirt, food off the floor, and things like that.  He's going to be tested again in three months, so between now and then, we will be working with Brandon's dad, who's certified in lead abatement, to figure out how to make some changes in our home.  If Seth's levels get up to 10 micrograms, then the health department will have to be notified, and our house could be condemned.  Seriously?!?!  Prayers for Seth and our home would be appreciated!

Our leave this post on a lighter note, though.  Soon I leave to go to Spain, Germany and France with Brandon for a few weeks.  I need a vacation.  I will miss my kids, but they'll be in good hands.