Staying the course

 I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to update my blog via an app on my phone, which was frustrating, but I am making time on my laptop to post. I love having this venue to keep tabs on my life and my thoughts. One day, I imagine that these posts will bring me joy to reflect upon my life at this time. 

Tyler has one more year until he completes his PHD in Math. I am so proud of him. He is busy with math and also doing tree work on the side. 

I am about to have a birthday. I will be 42 years old. I am working on a project to update my cookbook with recipes that I actually use. One day, I would like to photograph each of the recipes that I make and print a real cookbook. But for now, my binder works just fine. 

Anna is about to begin college. Due to covid-19, it will be online. Knowing Anna, this won't be difficult. She and Lucky have formed a strong bond. She may even like him more than anime. 😄 I love hearing Anna play the piano. 

Michael is working on his GED. He is also doing tree work in his spare time. He is the hardest working 17 year old that I know. He has a fun sense of humor, too. 

Sarah is coming home tomorrow. She has been at an RTC for kids with RAD these past 10 months. Our insurance has decided that she is returning home without completing the program. I hope that she has learned enough to have a successful transition home. Iryna and Calvin are especially nervous, which hurts my heart. I am decorating her room and getting things all nice. I hope she likes it. 

John is in a second RTC, focusing on his childhood trauma. He is unhappy, which makes me sad. It is so hard to make him happy. I sent him a package last week. I hope it brightened his day. 

Keith is growing like a weed. When did my boy grow so tall? And whose deep voice is that?! He is 16 now, which is amazing, but I have a feeling that he isn't done growing yet. And he LOVES getting taller. 

Iryna is my sweet girl. She has daily struggles, but I recently learnt that she has sleep apnea. Actually, both she and Keith have it due to their jaws. They will both have jaw surgery and braces this fall. But the good news is that the surgery will correct the sleep apnea! 

Calvin is taking Russian lessons and he loves it. Now, if I could only get him to practice it more often...he is also practicing the piano, too. I love watching him grow into the man he will become. He has taken to hugging me every night before bed. I look forward to it daily. 

Silas talks with a therapist once a week now. She is trying to help him with impulse control and anger. Silas struggles so much. He reminds me of Iryna. Iryna still struggles, but not like she used to struggle. Hopefully Silas will find the strength he needs to overcome his struggles in the future. 

We love living in our new home. We are painting some of the rooms and making it our own. Covid-19 has forced us to be home all the time and I love it. I love being with my family and my pups. I am very blessed.