So, just what have we been up to, lately?  Glad you asked.  First, please continue to pray for Charity.  (Please see my previous post) - this precious baby has been through so much but God continues to demonstrate His amazing grace.  She's been taken off the breathing tube and is breathing on her own but she still needs prayer for continued healing.  Thank you for your prayers! 

Remember my post about getting braces?  Well, I put it off as long as I could.  I needed more dental work done before braces could be put on.  I finally got the dental work done and we only have one more payment to pay off Chad's braces.  But on the day I make the last payment, I'll be in the chair myself, beginning another journey I'd rather not take but am compelled (or forced) to do.  Todd really wants me to get braces and keeps telling me I'll be so glad when my teeth are straight.  Fine.  At least I only need the top teeth done but the price isn't that much better.  Just when I thought we'd have some extra $$ per month, here we go again.  When I told Chad I didn't want braces, he assured me it won't be that bad.  I told him to keep telling me that, over and over!

Carmen has started swimming lessons again and is finally able to bob under water - a giant milestone.  I thought she'd NEVER be able to be comfortable getting her face wet.  I guess she realized it's not that big of a deal.  I hope she continues to do well as we just found out that our big, beautiful community pool is closing in July, due to lack of finances.  Our community will definitely feel the loss - there's not a whole lot for kids to do in our small town and the pool is used not only by children but the U.S. Coast Guard for training (it's cool to watch them).  The local high school uses it, people in water therapy use it ... it's a real shame that they can't keep it open.  I hope it will reopen again someday.  Anyway, Carmen will be able to get in, perhaps, 6-8 weeks more of lessons.  Hope she makes the best of them.

Alec, my "malady-of-the-moment" kid (we call it his "MOM") has been dealing with foot issues for weeks now and after his last doc visit yesterday, he is done with all the soaking and bandaging we've been doing.  He is just as pleased as I am.  Alec is always complaining about some discomfort - I guess for the attention.  I must be a negligent Mother or something.  Or is it just middle child syndrome - do whatever it takes to get attention.

Homeschooling is kind of running on autopilot at the moment.  We're not bored.  Everyone knows what they need to do, which is nice.  Several times lately, I have spotted Carmen sitting on her bed, reading her Pathway Reader books on her own.  She has always like books but reading a chapter book on her own is new.  So cool!