Newer News!

I am now at 12 weeks and although still sick, I don't feel nearly as bad as before. Still have yet to see the Dr. since waiting for 1, 1/2 hrs and then having to leave. School is still keeping me busy, but I think some of the initial chaos is over.
Kaden had a low grade temp last night and today and so I started to wonder and tonight as I was brushing his teeth I checked and sure enough top back two molars are coming in! Soon all of his teeth will be in and we can be done with this stage! On to other growing pains!

new news

Well, school is going well. I am very surprised at how busy I can be. The high school keeps me busy keeping up with grades and helping teachers make accommodations. The elementary keeps me busy from classroom to classroom. It has been very nice to have a major distraction from being sick constantly though! :) We found out that we are expecting back the first week of school and with anxiety from the new job and planning a new baby just started to overwhelm me. But school is now a welcome distraction from being nauseous.

high school revisited...

Today was my first day with the students at my old high school. I am going to be setting up a program for those students who have special needs, whether the student already has an IEP or 504, or just needs help. Today I was walking through the halls and as classes were changing and felt just like back in the day. Being short and more than 3/4th of the students towering over me reminds me of why I went into elementary ed. :)
Taking this job has really deepened my dependance on God and I have taken Phil. 4:13 as a theme verse for this experience. When I say it though, it seems fitting to think it out as "God can do all things through me because He gives me strength."

July

Since I have only posted once every so often the title is just plain and simple. Well, so far this summer things have been pretty quiet. I have helped out at Kindred Spirit a couple of days and worked my first "shift" in well over two years... things went well. Last night we were able to spend some time with extended Montague family and some cousins from Idaho. It was so great to catch up! Then Kaden's allergies just exploded! So now we have to figure out what outdoor allergy he has! He was sneezing out of control and his skin looked like he was attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. When we stripped him down and got him into a bath his skin was fire red. :( Poor kid. As soon as the benadryl kicked in and the itching subsided he was okay to play, just looked bad. This morning- no signs! He just likes to keep us on our toes!

I have been having fun playing with vinyl lettering and sewing and quilting. I need to spend some time organizing everything, but still having fun experimenting. I've made some cute pillowcases and "dolled" up some overalls and skirts (not for Kade).

Jaron is almost a year at his job at the prison. Longer if Standish prison stays open. We shall wait and see.

Kade will be 2 on Aug 1! Can't believe it! Love all of his quirky ways... okay he learns them from us, but it has been such a blessing to watch him grow. We are looking forward to all of the new experiences this year will bring.

not much

Well after not being able to post for a while, I got out of the habit... so now I am trying to remember to sign on and post...

Kade is just curious about everything. He points to everything wanting to know what it is. Today he learned window. We were in the car on the way to Church and we put the windows down since it was so nice out. Now he points to all of the windows in the car and says window. He has been working on using silverware. Actually doing well.

I started working as a title 1 tutor at Carman-Ainsworth. The schedule was the best part of taking the position. Jaron and I still pass like ships, but we have our time and protect it.

Let's see what has been happening...

For the last four months I have been long term subbing for a K-1 Mildly cognitive impaired classroom. I view each long term job as a learning experience. I am glad that I am done so I can spend more time with my family. Jaron's schedule has taken some time to adjust to.

My Mom, Shaunda and I went on a girls get away cruise at the beginning of Feb. It was great to hear people like Candace Cameron, Karen Kingsbury, Shannon Etheridge and so many more... plus great music like Big Daddy Weave, Phil Joel, Carried Away, Shane and Shane, and more!

It'll take me some time to update pictures and fill in the last few months. Thanks for checking back in!

first quilt... kinda

Jaron has started his training at the prison now... Which his schedule is still up in the air. I guess it is still a wait and see. It will be nice for him not to have to drive to Lansing every day for a while... nice on gas cost too!

I have been working on a quilt for Kaden. When I was subbing last spring some of the staff got together and had a quilt class and then school was over for the summer and well, I just never got back to it until now. I am kind of at a point where I need the next class so I may have to hunt someone down to figure out what is next.

Kaden does not like it when we put the gate up into the kitchen. Lately he has taken it upon himself to start moving all of his toys from the living room over the gate into the kitchen. The other day he lifted the soccer ball over!

Here he is going back for more...
And then one of his blankets...
he is really ready to go... now why can't he do this with his toys when it is time to clean up!

Earlier this month Kaden enjoyed one of our last warm days outside. Our yard is sloped and the grass is spotty so he was having a rough time getting himself up the "hill" to the deck.

He loves the little "Helicopter" seedlings that fall to the ground.

new job

Well Jaron has started his training for his new job and I have been so excited about the opportunity that I haven't really thought much about what he will actually be doing... Last night on the news was about a corrections officer who was smuggling drugs into the very facility that Jaron will be at. Then there were more stories about some who were charged with manslaughter... and well, my prayer life has just been taken to a new level. Well that is my thought for the day... (no pictures accompany this post)!

been busy!

Wow... although we haven't been busy every day, it sure feels like we have been doing a lot! My parents left for Alaska the day after Kade's birthday and are on their way home today!
Jaron was working for friends from our church when he sliced his finger open...And we just returned from crossing the border 4 times for Maria's wedding on Grand Island in NY. We stopped at Niagra Falls with Kade. I am so very excited about Maria being only 5 hours away instead of 12!!! I have more pictures and will post more in a bit!

Lately...

Kaden had plenty of family over for his birthday... finally one, yet hard to believe. My parents are having a good time in Alaska, and my mom went through her seaplane rating in Anchorage. What a great location! We have been busy with a lot of "little of this, little of that". We have been fill in house parents at Kindred and Jaron has been working with Kyle from our church. I finally finished two more masters classes! I've had another interview... just waiting. Jaron starts at the corrections academy on Sept. 8th. Well, that's the quick side of things. Pictures to come. Right now we are relaxing in Sutton's Bay. (Not actually IN the bay...)

latest and greatest...

Well the latest...

Kaden is moving around like a speed racer... no time to quick go grab something because he shoots off too. :) yeah and praise the Lord for development. We have still been cautios about foods to eat, but other than the occasional red spot he looks good! What a joy in our lives... My mom calls him her "therapy". She watches him Thursdays and always seems more relaxed when I pick him up. (Pray for Kindred Spirit- my parents need to have a break as bad as we needed out!)

My class is completed. Yeah! It feels so good to complete one especially after feeling like I was loosing my sanity. All in context. The class was very on target with what I am currently doing. Still in a long term sub job that will end at the close of this school year, I am working with young children with special needs. As with most things there are obviously days I want to be doing something else, but as I have watched my students grow and just being able to be confident in using sign language to accompany word sounds or even to know that giving a one minute warning and transition will go smoother are amazing accomplishments. To have students that don't even qualify for services anymore is so awesome to know as most of these students will go on to regular education classrooms they will adjust and succeed! The programs of Early On and Early Childhood really service children at early ages! I am so constantly reminded that every day is a blessing from God and everything from our health to physical ability to being able to communicate easily is a gift. As I watch Kaden grow I know that no matter what happens at each stage of his development, God is in control of his life and honestly that is so refreshing. After all of his allergies and appointments, we know that there is something that God is doing in his life. Each child that comes through our school doors is so special and unique. I am blessed to be reminded of the fragility of life each day!

Kaden welcomed two second cousins into his extended family this month! Aidan, born to Jaron's cousin Erin and Dan, and Ruby Rachel born to Jaron's cousin Amanda and Dave! They were born two days apart! Everyone is doing well!

It has been so nice to have the warm weather here... and that is probably the first time I have said that! :) As much as I have always enjoyed the cold weather, and it does seem like it was just yesterday that my mom and I went out ice skating, but it has been nice to take Kade out in the stroller and go for walks! I am hoping to find a good bike trailer as I enjoy biking a bit more. Well here are a few miscellaneous pictures that I just pulled off the camera!

6 month milestones!

Kaden had his six month checkup and weighs 14lbs., and is 25" long... not a big boy! But the dr. just says neither are his parents, so that is that.

We have started Kaden on rice cereal, and are looking at adding in vegtables. Since we don't know the extent of his food allergies, we are being careful. We are trying to avoid the really sweet fruits right now due to his yeast problems and yeast particularly likes sugary foods.

On the medical front, he is still battleing the eczema and we go back to U of M hospital soon. This is just a follow up to the treatments we are trying. We have also been seeking the homeopathic non-medicine route, but it is so hard to know what is going to actually work. We would just like to see him off of antibiotics and steroids. Two medicines that we are least in favor of. But we do see results and so it helps.

Jaron is starting a new job, temporary though. But with all of the snow we got yesterday and last night, we both had a snow day today! Well I do have projects to work on and since I have an unexpected day home, I need to take advantage of it!

Just a parting picture: My mom got a hat for Kade, but he pulls it down over his eyes. When we got home from church on Sunday he was sound asleep with lights out.

New Additions

Well we should be back home shortly. I am planning on being home (our house) by the end of March. We have been looking at what renovations we would like to do. We have ripped up the carpet in our main living room and wanted to see what the hardwood floors looked like... well they weren't to bad, but we are going to pick out carpet to put back down. The amount of work we would have to put into making them look nice, plus matching all of the other wood around and we just had a new front door put on last fall... so carpet it is. Jaron and his Dad are going to build a wall in our upstairs bedroom sectioning of an area so we can have a walk in closet. We will have a few other things done, but that should be it.
The other addition that we are looking forward to is Frankie... no not our firstborn, but a Havanese puppy. I'm hoping that he will respond to a new name, but I could accept Frankie. We know several people (mostly family) who have gotten puppies from this breeder and they have been wonderful. Most of all since he is already 6 mths, he is supposedly already potty trained. We are very excited as we have both wanted a dog for as long as we can remember.
Still not sure what the future holds for us yet. This week has been a very trying week and many mixed emotions as we try to step out of our role with no one to step in.
I am growing big and I am amazed at the human body and how it adapts and also new problems! I am experiencing heartburn like I never have. I am just exhausted (what feels like all the time). Clothes are a whole 'nother issue. My feet kill if I'm on them for a while. I have resulted into wearing my sneakers now, and this doesn't always fit the look i'm headed for. Well, after this week, I'm already behind in sleep and tomorrow is a busy day... (today is a busy day.) ~ Jodi

Checkups

Monthly checkups and all still seems well. Still dealing with the occasional bout of morning sickness, very tired. Haven't spent much time figuring out what we will be doing yet. Thanks to Dave Ramsey we have no debt (other than our house) and more than 5 months saved in our "emergency account". I have the possibility of going back to what I was doing before we were here... or could go back to school to get my special education certification. I don't know. Even as we look at creating our timeframe for leaving, there are many things that I could do part time here, plus bring the baby with me. Not much else happening.

Wondering...

Never really expected that I would be among the women who got sick so much during pregnancy. I feel like I could keel over at any time to just sleep for hours. Jaron has been very supportive although his "Your eating again!" comments make me a little aware to make sure that it is healthy. It has been fun sharing the news and getting responses. Just wish we could stop wondering about our jobs. Really don't know. We don't feel God directing us strongly in either direction. Just wish we knew. Always in HIS timing.

Lately...

Well, at this time we are not stepping out of our position. We really want to make it work, but it is just interesting to watch the way things develop. We are just trying to see what is available for us. I guess plain and simple we shall see!

Events and happenings

Well, we said we were resigning, but yet I find we are still working and although it may not be full tilt, it is not quite what we had in mind! Yes, It is nice to work when I feel like it, but at the same time, we are faced with responcibility that was not what we were looking for. Some free advice we have received is that no one will change unless we actually stop completely, then we will be taken seriously.

On a seperate note... Jaron's brother moved back to MI and we are going to be helping him move to the U.P. this weekend. So some family time and away in the cold North.

It's Christmas party time and again another reason to be free from our schedule! It has been wonderful to be a part of a Church that we really feel we fit. Now we are working on getting there more often with our schedule opened up!

Hope all is well and enjoying the holiday season! God bless.