family update

[Guest guest]

I love reading this annual updates!

Sharon - I am back on a diet - not sure if I am doing WW this time or making

a jump over to Nutrisystem?!?! I quit smoking in August and put about 20

pounds back on. I'm determined to get this back off and then 10 more

pounds. I'm drinking yerba mate tea - it's hard to find here and I'm not

sure if it works like Argentinans claim (or an Argentinan visitor..lol).

Patty - Miami - we went there last year. Tim liked the beaches, or should I

say the way women sun bathe down there! I'd go again if given the chance.

The beaches there are nice and wide - and the Cuban food was delicious!

Family Update

> Hi everyone,

>

> It has been so long since I have posted anything beyond a remark, but I

> still read as much as I can. This is probably why I don't post - seems I

> can get to the computer only at night, I read all the emails and anything

> else on the web, then I'm too tired to type! Oh, and I eat my cookies and

> milk too, lol.

>

> My name is Patty, I am married to Andre - this is a shortened version

> of his name, my husband is from Poland. He is a math professor at OSU. I

> have no paying job, but I have a hard-earned associate RN degree that I

> received one day before my now nine year old was born! Who knows, maybe

> someday I'll use it.. But it did help immensely the first year or so of

> Olivia's arrival, so I have gotten some use from it. Before nursing

> school, I worked retail -my last " real " job was selling small electronics

> and cameras, almost 10 years at a big dept.store.

>

> Andre and I have been married almost 11 years, and together we have three

> children.

>

> is our 9 year old, her birthday was December 14. This is gonna

> sidetrack me, but I just have to share this - for her birthday this year,

> we rented a room at a hotel (a nearby Best Western) she invited just 5

> girls (2 are her cousins, who are 8 and 12, other 3 are classmates), and

> we had a pool party. This turned out so great - for the girls to be able

> to swim, esp this time of year - here in Ohio we had a freezing, snowy

> December - it was such a fun alternative to the usual party. I was the

> chaperone, and Andre kept and Olivia at home - I found a friend

> for to hang out with, so he wasn't too left out. We had

> a " tropical " theme, with some fish decorations, and crafts too - the girls

> loved it. All but 1 girl stayed the night at the hotel, and it worked out

> great.

> is in 3rd grade, and school has been a challenge for her,

> unfortunately. In kindy, her teacher warned me, that doesn't ask

> for help when she needs it - she's very shy and quiet in school - and this

> has continued to be a problem for her. Last year, the school psych

> observed that she has mild/moderate dyslexia. She has worked hard to

> compensate for it, but it is hard for her at times. She loves animals, and

> knows so much about them (much thanks to Animal Planet channel!) but the

> difficulty with these backwards letters and numbers has made reading and

> writing much less exciting for her than it seems it used to be, when she

> was 4 or 5 years old. This school year has been hard - the teachers are

> emphasizing that the kids become more self-sufficient, and has had

> trouble with this, her teacher thinks she has ADD. We are looking into it

> now. If anyone has any advice/experience/insight about dyslexia, or this

> related difficulty I've described, I would love to hear

> about it. Whew - see, is a " subject " ! However, she is such a

> sweet daughter, and she has always been such a " lovey " , and asks to help,

> and knows when I'm joking, and she is mostly wonderful to Olivia.

>

> is 6.He is doing well in school, and seems to easily make friends,

> and he is so funny without knowing it. I think he likes school, I think

> he even misses it a little now -the kids go back tomorroow - but he will

> never admit it. He can be so charming, but since I am the mom I get to see

> the temper side of him, when he is easily frustrated by something, and

> everything becomes " stupid! " He sometimes amazes me, how diplomatic he can

> be with other kids, though - sharing, speaking to them. I wish he would

> use it more often with Olivia. Seems like she is more of a rival, or a

> pesky little sister.

>

> Olivia is 4, and she is why I joined this list. She is in a special-needs

> preschool, this is her 2nd year, with same teacher, and she is doing

> great. The school is part of our regular school district, and she will go

> at least one more year, but with a new teacher. The classes are 4 days a

> week, mornings, and there are 11 kids - 3 are typical, the rest have

> special needs. There are usually 2 aides, and Olivia also gets OT, PT and

> Speech. I also take her to private OT and Speech (the PT just quit, to

> have her 2nd baby). She is doing really well. Speech is the biggest

> concern, but she is surprising us all the time, and saying new words. She

> can recognize 4-5 colors, counts to 3, sometimes 4, writes " O " for her

> name - this past week she drew a face on her Magna-Doodle! She is also

> working on the idea of " you " , " me " , and I have overheard her asking

> herself, " Will you? Me? Yeah! " We are trying to potty train, but with not

> much success yet.

>

> Andre has 2 older sons from his first marriage, Marcin (28), and Pete

> (25). Pete just got accepted into the Columbus Police Academy, so we are

> very excited and proud of him. He has tried for years to become a cop, and

> now he is in - hope he likes it!

> Marcin lives in town with his mom, and we don't see him much. Marcin has

> some mental problems, and he seems to be doing ok right now, but there

> have been problems in the past with his willingness to take medication,

> and erratic behavior - Andre usually takes him out to eat once a week, and

> brings him over here on holidays.

> is my oldest from my first marriage. He is 21, still lives at

> home (in our nice finished basement) and I hope that someday soon he'll

> have a real job, and/or go to college.

>

> This April, Andre is attending a conference in the Miami area, and I

> think the little kids and I will be going along. Does anyone live in that

> area? I don't know what our plans will be, or how flexible, but I'd love

> to try to meet up with anyone who is nearby.

>

> I hope everyone had nice holidays - although I don't post much, I feel so

> blessed to have so many friends, to listen to your stories, ask your

> advice, and having met some of you has been such fun. Maybe someday I'll

> feel qualified enough to give others my advice! lol

>

> Thanks for listening,

> Patty in Ohio

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

>

>

[Guest guest]

But, and Sharon, when I read this, I thought, " Oh, you'll be closer to

me! " I have heard that there are wonderful scenic train rides in Michigan, and

we have considered going, since likes trains so much. He's kind of

outgrown it now, but Olivia has picked up on it!

You are welcome to stop by for a visit on your way up to Michigan,

Patty

Sharon <huie@...> wrote:

I am very happy that has found this job, and I know this will make many

things easier for your family.

But on the flip side, what a move! I hate to see you go, it was nice knowing

you were " just up the road " ! However I wish you, Bridget and all the best

in your new home!

Sharon H.

Mom to , (14, DS) and , (10)

---------------------------------

Photos

Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays,

whatever.

[Guest guest]

S wrote:

I'm late to say Happy Birthday to Kelsey -- but a belated Happy

Birthday. , you are dealing with a lot of things that I never

had to with Katy's CVID. Know that while I can't identify with the

complex diagnosis, I'm rejoicing that you are getting good treatment and

good doctors. It must be terrifying to think your child is going to

make the textbooks with a new diagnosis. Know that I'm praying for you

and your family right now.

In His service,

Dale

[Guest guest]

well it's been a while since i updated you all i though i would let you knwo dads doing well his icd has not went off in a long while i icd on the other hands has but thats beon the point my mom possibley may be geting a pacemaker or icd as they cant get her heart rate down ! she sees the doctor in a few weeks shes been oon beta blockers for a while no effect ! boy wont that be something three of us all in one house with a icd scarey huh? and ways thats the news ! hope you enjoy !