Life...

      First, I have to say that I didn’t mean for the last update to sound so negative.  Milanija and I are just very similar and I’m still trying to discern the best way to correct and parent her while also nurturing the person God created her to be.  Not so simple.  There are a few overlapping lines there that need to be navigated tenderly and mindfully.

      Having John-Patrik and Milanija together is as close to having twins as I could imagine.  They are actually 6 months apart and entirely different in cognitive development, but otherwise very twin-ish.  One way presented itself last Tuesday:  They both needed medical attention in different ways, but urgently.  By all evidence it appeared that Milanija was getting a kidney infection and by her complaints we went from, “Here’s some Advil” because she said her back hurt (pointing to her SB repair scar; inflammation during weather change is common)... to taking her to the ER all within 3 hours.  After 5 hours of blood and urine testing, an x-ray, and an ultrasound we learned that she is very constipated, even though she eats lots of fruit, I push the liquids, as well as a high quality probiotic everyday.  It's better than a kidney infection though! 

      While that was happening JP woke up with a slightly swollen face on the right side, goop coming out of his eye, and bloody-ish thick snot on his sheets and plastered to his face.  Sinus infection, we know them well.  Thankfully we still had the ‘just in case’ antibiotic Rx we had for the trip so I was able to get him on them immediately.  He was in rough shape until just yesterday, he was  just miserable.  Poor kid.  

      I was so thankful for one of Rich’s co-workers that covered for him yesterday to allow him to come home early while I was in the ER with Milanija so that JP was being loved on too. Thankfully, they're both in much better shape now.  I’m also thankful for our older boys who are so helpful and compassionate with these two medically high-maintenance kiddos.  Our family works well as a team and we have God to thank for that.  He fashioned our family for each other, as well as His bigger-picture plan of course; all orchestrated together perfectly... we don’t always function perfectly, but the design and purpose is perfect.

    In other news... Jadin and Emmett start driver’s ed. on May 2nd!  They’re so excited.  Jadin also has his first job!  It’s at the hospital, where Rich works, but in Food Services. He’ll be preparing / assembling meals for patients. Teigan started learning to play the guitar, which is great for him!  He’s really wanted to learn since seeing how well Jadin is playing now.  He’s also one of our best helpers with the littles, he along with Dax have saved our bacon on multiple occasions.  I’d never get dinner made if it weren’t for those two!

   We've made some very encouraging progress is a few areas as well.  Initially, Milanija was terrified of the dogs, now she is kissing and laying on Pudge, but Phoebe still makes her nervous because she's the hyper one.  She's also now venturing into the rest of the house with confidence.  Her favorite spot to hang out lately is on the back porch.  She'll even go into the yard on her own [briefly] to check out the goats, chickens, and ducks.  She also enjoys swinging and going down the slide.  She is, however, thoroughly disgusted that the dogs poop on the grass.  Her reaction is hilarious!