It's Been What ... Forever?

Good golly, it's been a very long time since we've updated this thing here! So sorry ... but here goes! (Let's keep this short and sweet cuz this mama's tired lol)

Josh is now the back room supervisor at the Niles Walmart. He's doing really well and hoping to be able to move up even further. The hours are no fun (3pm-12am), but such is life! He's still in the Army Reserves and attending the regular monthly drill sessions. We're hoping for a

promotion to SGT within the next year! Wish him luck and cross your fingers! :)

I'm working as a teller, and I absolutely love it! According to my m

anager, if I continue on the path I'm at right now I may be able to get a supervisor position shortly after my year at the bank hits (that'll be in March), which would be super exciting! I'm also running my own little crafty business that has taken off far more than I could have ever imagined. I have my own website even! www.arielscustomdesigns.com

John is getting so big! He is about four months short of being three years old already! Already?!?! Everyone who spends time with him cannot believe how smart he is -- he knows all his letters and their sounds, numbers up to 20, shapes, colors, animals and their sounds, and s

o much more! It's very exciting to watch him grow and learn new things every day. He's a little ball of energy most days.

As most of you already know, we've found ourselves in the middle of some odd medical circumstance with John. He has been diagnosed with JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) in both of his knees. Everything began when he randomly started limping one day -- no other symptoms, no apparent pain, no swelling, he just couldn't hardly even stand up. It was like his leg would just collapse underneath him. We saw three different pediatricians, had inconclusive bloodwork and x-rays done multiple times, and were eventually sent to Rileys' Children's Hospital down in Indianapolis to see a few different doctors down there. His pediatric rheumatologist is certain it is arthritis in his knees that causes the occasional limping and th

e now constant pain in his knees. He was on a daily regimen

of ibuprofen and tylenol, but now he is just on tylenol until further notice because the ibuprofen may be causing severe stomach issues. We should find out more on that next week. Overall, he's doing well. Right now it's just finding a balance of pain meds to manage

his pain, visits to a couple specialists down at Riley's every 3-6mo, and waiting to see where we have to go next with all this. At this point he doesn't have to go the serious routes like receiving injections in his knees to reduce the swelling or anything, so we're very thankful.

Jake just turned a year old in September. He's our little bruiser, as we call him. His foot is doing extremely well -- we're waiting on his last brace to come in! The foot still rotates in a b

it, but with practice he'll be just fine. He's a bit of a late bloomer in the teething area -- he's only got a couple teeth right now, but he seems to be working on seve

ral more. He's discovered the wonderful world of walking, and he rarely ever slows down!

The boys are both in daycare full-time at La Petite Academy, and they both love it! Jake is in t

excited he forgets to even say bye. But overall, they are doing really well. I love La Petite Academy and think it's an amazing fit for them both. The teache toddler room. He eats table food and drinks out of a sippy cup all day long while he's with his friends (not so much at home, little stinker). John is in the preschool area, and he is doing great! One of his teachers t

old me that he knows more than most of the kids in the class AHEAD of him! Go John! We have easy and tough drop-off days, depending on the boys' moods. Some

times drop-offs are full of fits and tears, and other times John is so

hers seems to be genuinely concerned for their well-being, and I feel they get the attention and love they need while they're there.

As you can tell, our lives are hectic and busy and crazy and fun all in one. The boys are growing faster than we can believe, and it's amazing to watch them! Hopefully it won't take me another year or so to post on here again ;)

Until next time ...