Countdown to Crazy

This summer has flown.  I'm one step away from a mental breakdown every day-- layers upon layers of to-dos, tasks, responsibilities, commitments, and the like-- and instead of getting better, I think summer has been training ground for what life is going to be like for us this fall when I go back to work full time.

So, yes, the interior of the house is finished all but the painting--- which means all but the putting stuff back, cleaning, and organizing too.  The deck will be finished by noon tomorrow.  The outside of the house may be cleaned up from construction stuff by the time it starts to snow.  And, yes, we've managed 2/3 of the Austin Lake summer.

But, the countdown is upon us.  Austin, Gage and Leila go back to school in 20 days.  I haven't bought one marker, crayon, or grocery for lunchboxes yet.  And I... I start two additional positions at the college which, in all honestly, means I'm technically needed back to school next week.  I'm trying to squeeze in every last possible day off that I can to play, shop, clean, and get ready for the morning mayhem of showering, teeth brushing, and bus catching.  I KNOW this is why moms either have really long hair, really short hair, or really unkempt hair.

I'm so excited about the jobs... I'm so not ready for the mornings.  Leila is going to pre-school for half a day a few days a week, and until she found out Eli would be at Mollie's everyday, she was excited about it.  Now, she just wants to go to Mollie's.  I think we'll send her to school on my long work days and to Mollie's on the others.

Gage... in first grade.  Crazy times two.  A lot to do to get the school on-track again.  I assume nothing, I prepare for everything.

....

Strong armed!

Leila won the strongest 3-year old to ever grace the doctor's office today.  For reasons too exhausting to explain, I never had her blood work drawn for Leila after her 1-year old check up when they are tested for lead and anemia.  I eventually forgot all about the fact that it needed to be done.

Fast forward to her 3-year old well child (yes, 6 months late) visit and the need for her school physical form to be filled out.  And wouldn't we all know, Leila has no record of her lead test ever being done.  What a fool!  If I thought it would be difficult to take a 1-year old through blood work, it was because I had no idea what kind of girl she'd be at 3.

Not to mention the fact that Leila was traumatized at her well-child appointment because of some other 'stuff', so I was already extra ready to deal with a serious struggle.  What I was not ready to deal with was the fact the ladies at the draw lab had to huddle up three different times to talk through who should be where and do what job to figure out their strategy to overcome her strength.  Yes.  Seriously.  Eventually, it took five women to hold her down well enough to get the draw line inserted.  Once inserted, it was all over and she calmed down, but, literally, they say they've never seen such a small little girl with that sort of might.

And all I could think to myself was, "you all have nooo idea!" ;-)

If I never have to do that with Leila again it will be too soon.

Time out!

I think she fits in quite nicely right where she put herself.  I can't wait until soccer season begins!

All in time...

Gage getting ready to eat his very special (and very yummy, too, I promise) wheat free, dairy free, soy free, nut free John Deere green cupcakes!

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the cliche, All in Time, and it hasn't failed me yet when I turn my worries and stress over to patience and perseverance.  Gage just celebrated his 6th birthday, happy, healthy, fit and wonderful.  We haven't always had such adjectives to describe Gage.  Since starting a special elemental formula in November, Gage has gained almost 10 pounds and is, at this time, nowhere close to needing a feeding tube or any other sort of 'aid' for him to get his nutritional intake.  Thanks to those food allergies only sticking around and even getting a bit trickier to deal with, he had really taken a near stop in growth for about a  year and it got a little worrisome for us for a little while.  However,  medical advances and abilities in this country are amazing!  

To put the icing on the cake, pun intended, right after his birthday, I received the official word from the state that Gage is officially part of the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps.  I've been working on this since February or so after we got into a medical debacle with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.  Answered prayers, no doubt.  This means as long as Gage goes to doctors who are part of the Bureau, the Bureau will pay for anything (regarding the Eosinophilic Esophagitis) outstanding not covered by our insurance until he is 19!  Co-pays, prescriptions, lab work, etc!  I could cry in happiness just typing it.  We've moved all of his doctors to Cleveland Clinic, we've had three visits so far, with one more around the corner-- and they cannot believe what courage and knowledge Gage has.  Again, that's all been my mission and it's a compliment to us both when the professionals say 'you can't do anything more than you're already doing.'  I'm so glad we've made the switch and I'm so glad that we're lucky to have advanced medical care so close to home.

Any parent who has a child who has any sort of special medical condition knows what kind of work goes into learning about the problems, dealing with the problems, educating others on the problems, fighting all the people in the world who think they shouldn't have to worry about your kid's problems, and then... the medical paperwork and bills.  It's a full-time job in itself.   I wish I would have kept a log of just the hours I spend on the phone between the insurance company and the hospitals.  It's made us stronger.  But, it's also made me very, very protective because I've truly learned that ignorance is too abundant.

It won't be our excuse, though!  The Cables never, ever give up!  Happy 6th Birthday, Gage Brant Cable!

Who Doesn't Love a Brownie!

For Father's Day, we had a true family brainstorming session in the car on the way to Kroger where, I thought, we'd buy Austin a yummy cake.  Leila thought we should get Frowny Brownies from Kings.  Gage thought we should make our own Frown Brownies.  Leila, knowing all the icing that would await her, quickly agreed.  These were our Father's Day Frowny Brownies that we made for Austin:

Don't Cry...

... over spilled milk.  Especially if your 3-year old is trying trying to do things "all by herself!"

Steuben Striders, First Track Meet

Gage's first blue ribbon after the 50-meter dash.  He left the day with four firsts and a proud, proud heart.  The next meet didn't go as well, and it was a very tough lesson, but Steuben Striders track club is an exceptional organization.  He keeps going back for more and keeps learning and working hard.  I'm so proud of him.  His new friends Christopher and Hope being there helps out, too!

Brecken, Leila, and Gage needed a shade break during Jake's mile.  Brecken and Leila are going to be a force to be reckoned with in about another year when they hit the track!