We love you Daniel

Well tonight was *the* night we had to say goodbye to my brother Daniel. He's going on his mission to Chile (speaking Spanish) and he leaves tomorrow morning for Utah, reports Wed Aug 26 to the MTC. We are so thrilled that he's doing this and know that it will be an amazing experience. Not at first maybe but he'll learn and grow so much. We look forward to all the crazy stories and hearing about the amazing people he met and loves. (We also look forward to the not so many people he couldn't stand). lol.

It was a good night. We had him set apart and it was a beautiful blessing. We came home for a small birthday party for Camden (he's 2 on Monday, Aug 24) and opened presents. When it was finally time to say goodbye the kids were not paying much attention thanks to the new toys. When Daniel started crying we all started up and, well, the kids pay more attention when the grown ups cry apparently. Poor Alexander was in the kitchen just balling and that of course was the worst, we all were dreading how he'd react to his beloved Uncle Daniel leaving him. We survived the farewells with many hugs and tears (and both boys telling him to not go and we'd miss him). The kids were really sweet and mean it, they will miss him.

It touches my heart and I am so sad to watch him leave for 2 years but this sacrifice is worth it. We all support him 100% and love him so much. After he left Alex cried with me for a few minutes and then told me "mommy... just breathe... deep breaths" (we tell him that when he's upset). Soon he proclaimed he felt better and knew everyone was going to be fine and left in search of a new toy from Camden. Silly boy.

We love you Daniel.

Well, it's a plan

Ray got things worked out with his Financial Aid for Fall meaning he can keep working on his Masters in Teaching Mathematics. Yay! This is a relief, once he's done with this we are planning on trying to sell our house (hoping the market is better in 2 years) and moving to Idaho.

I saw my doctor today and got my perscription adjusted (not a big deal, it's a very low dose). She knows we are trying to get pregnant and made a deal with me. We hold off for 6 months to get things "regular" again (aka mostly my hormones) and in 6 months they will help us with fertility aka start me on clomid to get things moving. What a relief to have someone willing to help us. I'm not thrilled but figure it's for the best so it looks like no babies in the next 6 months unless God intervenes. Glad to have a plan!

The kids are doing fabulous with school, Alex has already made a friend and Ariana is a fabulous kid at school (totally friendly and awesome). Just what they needed. I'm glad I didn't keep Alex out of school, what a relief!

Busy

Goodness we've been crazy lately. Alex got a fever two weeks ago and it was crazy high. It lasted several days and we got nervous a few times but thankfully no febrile seizures. Well 2 days later Camden gets a high fever (like serious high, not just a little bit) and ended up getting croup and bronchitis... I had to take him to Urgent Care on Thursday for x-rays (ooh, how fun THAT was) and it was miserable all around. Ariana also came down with a crazy high fever but hers included vomiting everywhere, I was up to my eyeballs in sick crabby kids for TWO WEEKS. Lovely. Today is the first real day of happy, healthy kids (well, still medicated in Camden's case). Yahoo, we survived!!!

In other news Ray started a new school year today, he's really looking forward to his smaller class sizes and I think he'll do well this year. This is his 4th year teaching, crazy! Alexander starts Kindergarten on Thursday, he's in morning and Mrs. Jacoby's class (thanks to mommy getting to the school at 6 the morning of registration and waiting in line for 2 hours, man the parents are competetive!) He will have Speech and OT during school hours, it's going to be AWESOME and he can't wait. Ariana is ALSO going to start school this year! She's been accepted the Preschool despite the fact that she's not some Spanish speaking child (don't get me started about THAT... they are priority over her and that ticked me off). Anyways, she also will be at the same school as Alexander and the same time. I am so looking forward to being with Camden even if it kills me to send her to school early like that. Oh well, it's only half day this year right?

In my own personal stuff I'm doing well, going to see the dr again next Tuesday and the medicine is working well. Might get it tweaked a little. Also going to talk to them about our fertility problems, we've had problems in the past that always corrected themselves but we've been trying to get pregnant 14 months now so I need to bring it up and see if they can help us. Ironic really, Alex took so long and here we are again. At least I know we *can* get pregnant right? :) Ha ha... three kids later.

Anyways, that's what is going on. Lots of doctor appts coming up soon and fighting insurance to get that juice Alex needs again. I had to call and file a grievance with my insurance today to fight them on it, they've denied it twice and I'll be darned if I'm going to roll over and let them get away with it!!

Please pray with us that the insurance will give us what we need, this is SO rediculous!