OT

From ages 0-2ish Grant had occupational therapy. We worked on getting him to eat and to use his right hand. He graduated OT at 2 1/2 and has continued to favor his left hand. After a few months of preschool it was determined that he should start up occupational therapy again. This time he does it at Beaumont in the very cool room pictured here. They keep Grant's attention by having him do a fine motor activity and then as a reward he can play around in here. He loves going and we are starting to see signs of improvement!

Grant's Birthday

For Grant's 5th birthday we took him to Beauty and the Beast (the play). From the time the first actor came out until the finale his jaw was on the floor. He thought everything was funny and when the actors on the stage would ask a question Grant would yell out the answer. The coolest part was at the end the whole cast sang happy birthday to him and gave him a gift. (They do this if you come within a week of your birthday.) We thought it would be special for Grant to be alone with Jim and me but the whole time he kept saying he wished Kate was there with him!

After the play we came back to our house where Grandma and Grandpa Koss and Lindsay, Josh and Oliver met us. Grant wanted a transformer theme so we ate transformer cupcakes and played pin the helmet on the transformer. Kate pinned the helmet on papa's nose and he kept it there all night. I think it was one of the best days of Grant's life ever.

When he was asleep that night Jim and I went in and prayed for him and thanked God over and over that He saved Grant's life 5 years ago!

Advent

I had been feeling quite proud of Grant's spiritual questions...until today. :) He had been asking if God leaves dirt piles when He moves mountains and had been wondering how exactly God got in his heart? Did he swim in, jump in, or walk in? I thought he had been jiving with the whole advent thing too, until today he pointed at the advent calendar and asked "when are we going to do the chocolate chart today?"

We moved!

It has been a long couple of weeks gearing up for the move, but we did it! We are so thankful to be in our new place. The kids are loving their new pad and especially their new bunk beds. We have a long way to go before we are unpacked and settled but we feel like we belong here. Thank you, God, for your abundant provision.

Health Update

Grant had tubes put in his ears yesterday. He has been on 8 antibiotics this calendar year for ear infections so this was long overdue. He was very brave and lively soon afterwards. Here is a photo of him playing a few hours later.

He also started occupational therapy this week. He did OT until he was about two and it was really helpful. He had a stroke during his heart surgery and wasn't very good at using his right side during his first few years. Thankfully, he got caught up quickly and the last few years has been right on target. Since starting preschool his teachers noticed he could use some help with writing and fine motor skills so we are getting services at Beaumont. He loves the one on one attention and thinks of it as one big game!

Halloween

The kids had a blast trick-or-treating. This is them making their scariest face. Grant was overly concerned that we couldn't see his scary face through the mask and made it very known that there was a scary face under there.

What a week!

I don't know who had a better week, us or the kids!? Jim and I just got home from celebrating our 10 year anniversary in Delray Beach, FL and the kids returned from 4 days in Disney World with grandma Koss! They ate breakfast with Mickey Mouse, rode Peter's Pan's Flight twice, went on a safari and ate popcorn every day. When we arrived home they couldn't stop talking over each other telling me all the fun things they did. I am blown away by grandma's ability to see and do so much! When I asked Kate what her favorite part of Disney was she said it was meeting Cinderella's evil stepmother because she was so nice to her! Grant said it was being with grandma every day. :)

Life Flight part 2

Today at the fire station was a special day. They had the U of M Survival Flight Helicopter for kids to see and touch. It was a weird feeling watching it land in front of us. Grant was grinning ear to ear because of the force of the wind. I had tears streaming down my face of pure joy and thanksgiving that I got to spend this moment with my healthy Grant. Grant was able to climb inside the helicopter and see where his isolete was held when he was just a few hours old. I told the Life Flight nurse helping us that Grant was flown in it as a baby. She looked and my bubbly boy and back and me and asked, "him?" I responded with a smile. What a gift from God he is!

A Two Wheeler!

Grant learned to ride a two wheeler over the weekend! In the picture you might notice the theraband (giant rubber band that I use for physical therapy) tied around Grant's chest. Jim ran behind Grant and used the theraband to steady him. He's not ready to ride on his own yet but it won't be long. He is beaming with pride.

Picture Day

I had their pictures professionally taken today. I had fun sneaking behind the photographer to steal a couple of shots.

Cider Mill

We took our first trip to the cider mill the other day. Lindsay started the tradition with Grant while I was on bedrest with Kate. He seriously asks all year round when he can go back to the cider mill.

Grant's med update

We held our breath (pun intended) as we started Grant's steroid inhaler last week because of the start of preschool. He hasn't been on it since the spring and has no "hot tummy" complaints all summer. Within two days of starting it he started complaining about his tummy again! So, we went to the pulmonolgist yesterday and he switched him to a different inhaler. It is still a steroid inhaler (flovent) but he said switching it up might help. Please pray that he tolerates it well and stays healthy this year!

1st Day of Preschool

What I got out of them on the drive home:
-We want to stay all day so you can work cooking and cleaning.
-We learned about the letter A.
-The kids tapped me on the shoulder and ran away. This is teasing, I think. (Grant)
-The teacher made me go potty even when I didn't have to so I cried. (Kate)
-We watched a spooky movie?!
-We had crackers for snack.
-We played together at recess.
-I want to go back tomorrow, unless dad will be home from work.

Gotta love 'em.

Quoting Scripture

Lately Jim as been taking Grant to a park to run sprints with him in the evenings. Jim let Grant win a couple of times so he's been bragging that he's faster than dad. So, the other day...
Grant: Mom, did you know I'm faster than dad? I'm as fast as lighting. I beat dad by a mile.
Me: I'll believe it when I see it.
Grant: Mom, Jesus says, "blessed are those who believe without seeing."

Fun at the Park

slip n slide

Get me outta here!

My kids were amazingly compliant today. Which is a good thing because we got lost in a parking structure. My first mistake was to drive to the local sporting good store that is only 1/4 mile away when we could have easily walked. My second mistake was using a sign next to my car as a landmark, not realizing that most cars had that same sign next to it. Third mistake was paying so much attention to my kids that I didn't look around to see what level we were on. I guess it wouldn't be a mistake to be paying attention to my kids, but it didn't work to our advantage.

When we went back to look for our car we couldn't find it. For a minute I thought it might have been stolen. You know, there is a hot market for minivans right now. All three of us held hands as we marched around and around the parking garage. After about 30 minutes of looking I started to whimper. It was like a pre-cry. Grant heard me and said, "Mom, I know what to do. Look for a speed bump, because we were parked near one." I looked around and saw about 10 speed bumps just within my sight. Sigh. Kate kept talking about how this whole thing was wearing her out, but she never started crying or complaining. Grant just kept giving me suggestions on where to look.

I finally gave up and waved down an innocent looking woman and asked her if she could possibly drive us around the structure to look for our car. Thankfully she did. No, it wasn't stolen. What a way to pass the morning. Oh, did I mention there were groceries in my car? Mistake number 4.

Happy Birthday Kate!

Kate is 3! To celebrate we had a water balloon toss and the cousins all ran through the sprinklers. She requested pink cupcakes with m and m's so we had those after the pizza. She really enjoyed being the center of attention and Grant did a great job sharing the spotlight.

Hot Tummy Update

On Friday we had our appointment with U of M GI that we made months ago. Thank you, God, that Grant's tummy has been better since late June. To make a long story short they said Grant's steroid inhaler causes fungus to grow as a possible side effect. In April his pulmonolgist told us that wasn't possible but U of M said they do see it and are almost positive that is what caused it. Unfortunately, there is no substitute medication. So, when Grant starts up the inhaler again this fall (he doesn't need it in the summer) we have to pray the fungus doesn't grow back. If it does they will have to prescribe the antifungal again, which is hard on the internal organs. Pray with us for continued health for Grant! He's been so healthy all summer!

Nicole's wedding

Last weekend we went to Grand Haven for our niece, Nicole's beach wedding. We spent time at the beach and stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast called the Harbor House Inn. The kids' favorite part was trying to keep up with their older cousins. Oh, and getting themselves all wet at the ceremony. Back to the inn for a change of clothes...

Willa and Kristen visit

This past weekend Kristen and Willa came for a visit (Bryan is out of the country shooting for the Discovery Channel. Go Bry!) It was fun to have all the cousins play together. Kate especially took to Willa and made it as her personal mission to make sure Willa had her pacifier in at all times.

U of M

Today we went to Grant's check up at the University of Michigan (or as Grant calls it, The Universe of Michigan). He needed his annual echo, ekg etc. As I prepped him for it this week he cried a lot and said he was scared. He actually hid when it was time to get in the car this morning. As we drove he said he felt both scared and excited at the same time.

When it was time for his first test he started to act like his true, talkative, funny self. He only asked the echo technition if she was almost done about 30 times. :) To his defense it did take about 40 minutes of lying totally still, something that he doesn't do very often.

Although Grant told me prior to the appt that he didn't remember who Dr.Cotts was, when he walked in Grant walked right up to him and hugged him. Then, when Dr.Cotts sat down Grant climbed right into his lap and asked if he could do the exam right there. So, he did!

The main reason for the visit every year is to make sure that the veins that were attached to the heart during surgery have not narrowed. Dr.Cotts confirmed that the heart and veins looked great! The only abnomality is that his left ventricle is enlarged, but it has been enlarged since the surgery so it is nothing to be alarmed about. We just have to continue to get Grant checked.

Thank you, God, for healing Grant!

Where Are You?

I'm presently sitting in our home office and the following message and photo just came in from Jim who is supposed to be putting the kids to bed.

"Grant and Kate have been getting pretty serious about hide-and-seek as of late."

July 4

We spent 4th of July week this year at Spring Lake. It was so much fun!There were anywhere between 13 and 28 people staying there on any given night so there was always something to do. The beach was the perfect place for the kids to play in the sand while the adults chatted. The kids' favorite activity was tubing behind the jetski. We also went into town (Grand Haven) for ice cream and to watch a concert. The kids liked playing on the bleachers more than listening to the music. They adjusted well to a later schedule (I let them stay up until 9:30 for the first time). However, I did make them go to bed before the fireworks started. Maybe next year. :)

Still learning to talk...

The way my kids pronounce/refer to things cracks me up. Here's just a few.

bugaburger- hamburger (Grant)
ziggy zag- what Kate calls the impressions that her blanky makes on her body when she
sleeps on top of it
bessert- dessert (both)
pop-in-the-corn- corn on the cob (Kate)
napkins in your hair- curlers (Kate)

The other funny thing I wanted to record is that everyday for the past 6 months or so Grant wakes up and tells us "who" or "what" he is that day. Some recent ones are astronaut, pirate ship, cinnamon, allosaurus and tong man. :) Kate is always a "baby" whatever he is for the day. Except one day. She said she was not an alligator like Grant. Instead she wanted to be a neck. Ok.....

Bowers Farm

The other day Bower's Farm came up with the most ingenious idea. They had a barn garage sale during open barn hours. That meant that Jim and the kids could pet the farm animals while I shopped! It doesn't get much better than that. :)

Happy Father's Day

We spent Father's Day at my parents' lakehouse and for the record I think my dad did too much cooking to consider the day a net positive. But, we sure did have a fun day. The kids are finally at the age where they like boat rides and playing catch in the water. It looks like it is going to be a fun summer.

Getting Better...

Thank you for your prayers! The medication seems to be working. Grant is much more comfortable and complains only once every couple of days. We have a month of medication left and then it is off to U of M to find out why this fungus has returned.

Fungus part 2

Over the last two weeks Grant's tummy pain has gotten significantly worse. I took him to the pediatrician and pulmonolgist on Friday to see if they could offer any help. The consensus was to take Grant to U of M GI. His pediatrician wrote us a recommendation but the soonest they can get him in in Ann Arbor is August. So, we scheduled the appointment for August 5. In the meantime we got a prescription for the same antifungal medication that worked before. He's been on it three days and I'm already seeing significant improvement. He has a 45 day dose to wipe out any sign of the fungus. The concern is why his body continues to grow the fungus, if that is in fact what it is. The pulmonolgist also took him off the inhaled steroids now in case that is what is growing the fungus. Please continue to pray for total healing for my Grant.

The Zoo

We went to the zoo today for the first time in a year. We only ended up seeing a couple of animals because the kids really enjoyed the play structure near the entrance. As you can see Grant was in a silly mood.

Rainy Days

Yesterday we went to Great Lakes Crossing. They have a bunch of food play structures in the center of the mall that the kids had a blast climbing on. Then we went to a sporting goods store and they pretended to ride a bear. I'm not sure the bear was meant for climbing, but it made for a good picture.