Back to school

I don't know about you, but I am happy to be back in the school schedule. Getting up at 6:50am makes me feel productive even before I get anything done. The kids went back to school today and I have already showered, eaten breakfast, and read my scriptures and it's 9am. I have a doctor's appointment today to check on a couple of moles that seem different plus my hearing needs to be checked. It's the strangest thing: I can barely hear movies - I have to turn up the sound really high or use subtitles. BUT, if something is loud, like a high pitched sound or screaming or Tyler's loud sneeze - it makes my ears HURT.

I am trying to gather items for our trip to Russia - we leave in a week. Last night Tyler & I made a list of some items to pack. I am really going to miss my children when we go, but I have to say that it is much easier packing for 2 adults to go on a long trip to Russia than it was for a family of 5. Of course, I would prefer to not be away from Anna, Keith, & Iryna. In a perfect world...

We were supposed to meet back with the specialists in Jacksonville, FL, about Iryna before leaving for Russia, but that doesn't look like it will happen. I guess we're supposed to have a phone interview and then meet with Dr Childer's up to two weeks after that to get the diagnosis. I really wanted to have that information prior to our trip to Russia, but it won't happen. As it is, we will have the phone call this week and then at some point when we return from Russia we will meet with Dr Childer's. He requested that we come without children to the appointment. This won't be possible after our trip to Russia, as we'll have the boys and we need to be working on attachment at that point. When I told Dr Childer's about this, he asked why we couldn't get a babysitter for them. It makes me wonder what's going on in his head!

Iryna is picking at herself. She has a sore on her chin, her hand, and her foot - all of which aren't healing because she continues to reopen the sores. I am worried about her. I don't know how to help her stop these obsessive behaviors. We offer her rewards for leaving them alone - that isn't enough for her, because she continues doing it. Suggestions?

Anna worked hard over the weekend to earn money for a new DS game. She cleaned out and organized 3 freezers and 2 fridges. I am thrilled to have clean/organized appliances and she gets her Pokemon Black DS game. It's a win/win.

I took Anna for her birthday pedicure a few days ago. It was so fun to just spend some one-on-one time with Anna. The older she gets, the more and more I enjoy her. I love being a parent.

Keith still obsesses over likes airplanes. Sometimes I get tired of hearing about propellers or engines or wheels or etc, but I try to be patient with him. He has progressed so much in the past 3 years. In fact, he must be going through a growth spurt, as suddenly none of his pants are long enough for him. He is 7 years old and now wearing size 6 pants - he is catching up to what size he should be. It's exciting to see him grow and learn.

All of the Christmas decorations are down now, except for the Christmas tree, which is sad without the lights/ornaments. Another year down with a new year upon us. Does anyone else feel like there are limbo days until you get used to the new year? I feel like there should be some filler days to help get me accustomed to 2012. My resolution is to lose 60 pounds this year. I am well on my way to doing it.