and so your back...

I'm back online now, though I don't know if it will last if another cold snap happens. I'm not going to get into it. But, if it happens again I think I'll have to have the dish moved onto a poll in the front yard.

So let's catch-up....

It started with Keegan, last Wednesday he woke up with that horrible croupy cough. He was able to eat, but stayed congested with a fever for 3 days. As he got over it Madeline started having the same cough at night, though it never went past that stage really, it quickly turned into a runny nose. About the time Brie started to feel sick and as we speak she is at home early for the second day. Sebastian woke up this morning and seems to have a minor cough as well. As for me, somehow I have avoided it. knock knock knock on wood, baby!

I never thought I would say this ... "the south beach diet really works" ok, I've said it... the shame of it all. As of today (17 days into it) I have lost 16 pounds!! I have gone from 235 to 219 and I'm starting to finally fit into my clothes again. Have you seen the Wendy's commercial with the guy who tries to put on his pants then asks for his sweats? That was me exactly. I had 2 pairs of jeans I could squeeze into and other than that it has been sweats for the better part of a year. Brie is doing very well also, but her experiences are for her to share. We still have joining the YMCA on our list of things to do, hopefull that will keep the weight loss going. The diet has been exactly what it says it is. I'm never hungry, I have great food (omelette with sundried tomatoes, smoked salmon, and low-fat cheese for breakfast today), it really doesn't seem like a diet at all. It reminds me much more of going back to eating the way I did as a child. Growing up we rarely had processed food in our house. We ate fruits and vegetables grown in our garden and meat bought from a butcher. things like pasta and sugar cereals were considered rare treats.

the kids .....

Sebastian: He has changed so much. He talks about how much he loves his new school because no one "thinks I'm weird". I assured him he was weird and I am weird and his mom is weird. We are all very proud to not be like the "normal people". He and his new friend down the street spend a day or two a week playing together, but as I figured when he came over here, they don't actually play with each other. For children with their special needs it's more like they share the things they like. That means they talk about video games, but rarely play together. They actually seem to take turns. It's odd to me, but I'm just glad it happens. There is a woman in a town near us that teaches piano for $10 every ½ hour lesson. Sebastian really wants to get involved, we have to try and get a piano first.

Keegan: other than beeing sick Keegan is Keegan. He loved the first snow of the year and would have stayed outside for hours if I didn't make him come in. He is doing "exceptional" in school and the teacher said he is already far beyond where he needed to be for Kindergarten.

Madeline: She is going on and on about wanting to do ballet so we hope to have her in that soon. Right now we are focusing on getting into the YMCA. I want her to take swimming lessons and maybe some Gymnastics as well. I've never seen anyone as flexible as her. She is a contortionist!

I guess I'll wrap this up with news on the homefront. Brie and I have been offered a 3-year lease with no rent increases and an option to purchase this home from the homeowners, who we get along with really well. They come by to fix things every now and then and we always end up spending about an extra ½ hour talking about random things. It's odd for us to think we are going to be staying put for another 3 years in some ways, but on the other hand it is exactly what we want. Everyone of us is very happy here and with the exception of me having some serious issues with loneliness and missing my friends this has become our home. The kids are old enough now where we really need to put them first for a while. They need stability, especially Sebastian. In three years he will be starting High School and that really does seem like the next window for seeing whether we need to adjust again.

Posted by John at January 22, 2004 03:15 PM