Wow...has it really been almost a year since I last posted?  I have been back in school for about 10 months now so I guess that explains why I've had no time to do it.  School has actually been going really well!  It seems to be taking forever, since I usually can only fit in 2 classes at a time.  This fall is my last semester of classes before I start the nursing program, so that's exciting that I'm almost to that point.  I am hoping they will have a spot for me right around Dec/Jan, which is the same time I will be finishing up fall semester.  The timing would be perfect.   I have been getting really good grades and have to say I'm extremely proud of how I've done so far.

All the kids are doing great.  Paige just finished her freshman year of high school and after a rough patch (that we corrected-quickly) she managed to end the year like we knew she could.  Ty is going into 4th grade, Savannah 3rd.  She has Ty's teacher from last year, which has happened every year except for one.  So that is like a running joke between us and the school staff now. 

Now for Blake.  He is doing so so well.  He is talking like crazy, though we still can't understand everything he says.  In the fall he will be spending part of his class time with his ECSE teacher from this school year, and will be spending some of his time in a typical pre K class.  This is something that I felt very strongly about and fought for.  The awesome thing is that the school agreed and everyone is on board.  There is a pre K teacher who is just awesome-uses music, silly characters, etc. to help the kids learn.  I know with Blake's silly personality and his love for music this will be the perfect place for him.  Will he be on the same level as the other kids?  No, but we are hoping that he will learn a great deal from the other kids and will make great strides this school year.  The pre K teacher even suggested Blake stay in the afternoon class so he can be a part of his annual Mother's Day program.  I am so moved and appreciative of the fact that he is already including and welcoming Blake into his class, and the school year hasn't even started yet.  The plan is for Blake to gradually spend more and more time in the pre K class so by the end of the year he is in there for the majority of his school day.

I have to admit even though it was my idea, I'm nervous.  I guess my main concern is the fact that he is STILL potty training.   He has been making progress.  He has asked to go a few times, which he didn't used to do.  But he is still going 1 & 2 in his pullups, and I don't want him to be embarrassed.  I don't want to put the pre K teacher in the position of having a kid with poopy pants when I know all the other kids are going to the potty by themselves.  I am hoping for a potty miracle this summer.  Alli is also potty training so I have been taking them both at the same time.  I am hoping that she will pick it up and then he will pick it up, or vice versa.  Like I said... we need a potty miracle.

Now for my final bit of news.  This weekend we are going on our first family roadtrip to Ohio.  We are driving with 5 kids, so please pray for us.  It will be about a 6 hour drive.  The occasion is a PTLS family get together at the Great Wolf Lodge.  This is so amazing because although it has been 4 years since Blake was diagnosed, we have never met any of the other families.  We all keep in touch on facebook and honestly, they already feel like family.  But to actually meet them in person, and for Blake to meet other kids just like him...there are no words to describe how that feels.  This trip is a gift from my grandparents/great aunt, and I am so very grateful.  I will try to post again after the trip, and post some pictures. I'm sure it will be an amazing time!

Blake, on his 6th birthday.