not to us

Hey there!  How are you all?

We're hanging in there.  Burke has been sick since last Thursday, and he's been extra bad since Saturday.  Today, he seemed to be getting better, as his temperature had dropped to the 99-100 range.  However, he's having real trouble going to sleep tonight.  A couple of friends have suggested that he might have an(other) ear infection.  He literally just finished two, back-to-back 10-day rounds of antibiotics two days ago.  So, if he does have an ear infection, then I'm not sure what to do next.  :( 

I talked with the Intake Coordinator of the Tippecanoe County First Steps program today.  She will be coming on Monday afternoon to perform the initial interview.  It's a really quick info-gathering meeting.  Basically, we'll get the ball rolling and start getting Burke evaluated to see if he actually qualifies for any therapies or services.  Oddly, I'm a little more nervous, now that we've started the official process.

As always, prayers appreciated!  We'll keep you updated.

Our big girl has been quite the terrible two, lately.  Ruby has been just slightly sick with a little bit of a cough.  Today, however, she started running a low-grade fever (99-100).  She's a bit cranky, but she doesn't seem much more terrible than usual.  I think the cabin fever is bothering her more than the physical fever. 

Today, while Burke was napping, Roo and I pulled out a large piece of cardboard...two feet by three feet.  We started by drawing the usual suspects: Rover (the dog made out of an arm-less man who jumps into a lake to save himself from a six-pack of bees...ask me about it sometime), R-U-B-Y, B-U-R-K-E, M-O-M-M-Y, D-A-D-D-Y, etc...  And then we did something really fun!

Ruby was rolling around on the cardboard, and I told her to lay still.  I (sloppily) traced her body, and then she stood up to see herself.  She was so tickled that we did it a few more times.  I'm going to buy a big roll of paper, so we can do this more often.  I remember doing it in elementary school.  I always thought it was so neat!  It was really fun to watch Ruby's excitement.  She was really proud to show our masterpiece to KyKy and Daddy.  :)

On a different note, she's really testing her boundaries and trying to throw her weight around.  *Every* time she gets told "No" or "Not Now" or "Please wait a moment", it turns into a tantrum.  Obedience is very much *second* nature.  Disobedience is first. 

It's a trying time, but she's got some incredibly tender moments, too.  Gaining strength as parents day by day!

Did y'all know that we close on Friday?  I think I may have mentioned that a time or two.  :)  We're really excited!  We're meeting with the contractor right after closing.  So...if anyone is available to babysit from about 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon, we'd be incredibly grateful.  I'm praying that the fevers are gone tomorrow morning, so the kids should be germ-less by Friday.

Finally, tomorrow is Operation: Fill the Focosi Freezer!  :)  I've got three (possibly four) yummy meals planned for them, and I can't wait to make them tomorrow.  I'm making double batches of all of them to put in the freezer for our family, too.  As soon as I get them cooked, I'll put the recipes in the Recipe section.    I'll let you know how it works out.  I've got three pounds of chicken, seven pounds of ground beef, four pounds of pasta, six pounds of cheese, and tons of other ingredients to assemble tomorrow.  Pray that the kids wake up in GREAT moods!  :)  If nothing else, I'll get some good prep-work done.  :)

I hope you're all having a great week.  How are your families?  Are you healthy?  Is there anything I can pray for you about?  Let me know if I can help.  Love to you all!