A new start

It is hard to believe that it is now 2017. Our girls are growing so big now, and the difficulties that I faced when they were babies and toddlers.  Now, though it seems like only yesterday, they are now almost 9 year old young ladies.  They are starting the 4th grade this year.

Just to catch some people up, Sierra's almost completely healed from what she was born with.  The only issues remaining are a motor skill delay and a hernia that we are going to discuss with the doctor at her next checkup. There has been no progression of it, but it is time that we got that taken care of for her. Past time.

A few years ago, I had to make the difficult decision to have a hysterectomy. I did not want to have to make the decision, so I put it off until I could not stand the pain.  The progression of Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome took its toll until I couldn't function with the pain almost every other week. So, our girls are the only children we will have naturally. As of right now, I feel very blessed to have my wonderful daughters. I miss the idea of having more children, but feel blessed that we could have the two we have. God is good.

Also, last year, I quit my job. I quit working out of my home and have switched to being a stay-at-home mom.  Our financial situation is difficult, but we did not make the decision lightly, and I had felt led to do this for my girls for quite a few years. I also homeschool my girls now, last year was our first year trying to accomplish this.  They went from average to under performing in public school to now performing above average in their grade level.

Ok, back to Sierra, her motor skill delay is only slight now.  We have been using ASL classes to help build her muscle and motor memory, and now she only struggles when learning a new skill.  Once those skills develop (lots and lots of practice at the skill), the delay disappears. This is amazing progress for her.  There have also been no further advancement of any of the difficulties that she faced so early in her life. Her healing has truly been a miracle.

Alyssa, also, has show no sign of any problem from the failure to thrive that she was diagnosed when she was a baby.  If you don't know, most children who are diagnosed with this develop learning disabilities, ADHD, and other social or learning difficulties. To date, we have had no such thing develop. It is amazing, and again we feel blessed.

Now, we use an online public school for both of our children after trying brick and mortar schools for Pre-K to 2nd Grade. After many years of struggle for them, we made the decision to try something different.  I am so glad that we did.  We have social time with many outings, co-op with our church, and meet-ups with the online public school that we attend.  Homeschool options have changed so much from when I was a child (I was never homeschooled), and I am glad that these are now available.

Sierra has a good week.

This has been an eventful year so far. The girls walking and putting on weight, doctor's, doctor's and more doctors, and all we have discovered has made this a rather interesting year.

On Wednesday, we had another foot doctor's appointment (how could you have guessed, right? LOL). The best part is that we got to show the doctor that Sierra is now walking. Not like you would expect from someone that has worn her shoes on the wrong feet (on purpose) all of her life. She is doing so well. Still looks a little like a drunk duck, but what can I say, it's cute.

Anyway, the doctor was able to give us some great news, I truly did not see it coming. We will not have to buy her another pair of corrective shoes. Her next pair can be regular shoes, and worn on the correct feet. I know it sounds like no big deal, but the doctors had said a minimum of 2 years to wear the corrective shoes. Our baby just proved them wrong.... Big time. Its amazing... She's amazing. It is funny, I did not cry then, but I am now. I am just so proud of her. Everything she has been through, how hard she has fought, and she gets to get out of the shoes.

Then, while we were there, when he told her that she could get out of the shoes, she did her drunk duck walk over to him sitting on his stool and gives his leg a hug. She had a huge smile on her face and just gave me that look that said, "See mommy, I did it again. I beat another record, I proved another prediction wrong". How can you not be proud of her? She truly is amazing.

Sierra has had so many battles, and she still has 2 more to beat. I know she will, but I am still a mommy. I will worry until they are behind us. Good news has been a long time coming, and it sure is sweet. It truly makes me feel proud to be her mommy. I have a little girl that reminds me to keep a smile on and fight, and you can accomplish anything. She definitely gives me that kick in the face, because when I think I can't fight on, I just think of her, her battles, her spirit, and I am reminded that she has overcome so much, and she is still fighting and enjoying every second she gets.

She hardly ever complains, she almost always has a smile on. And she wants to try, and get into, everything. She is curious, she is determined, she is what she was named after. Sierra. The mountains in California, beautiful, strong, resilient. She is my hero.

The movers & the shakers

Just wanted to show how mobile they have become. Our girls both love to dance. Their favorite song is "The Hot Dog Dance" from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. (Which happens to also be their favorite show. But, as you can see, they will pretty much dance to anything.

Sierra is also finally walking, so I thought I would show you a little of where they are at now.