What we have been up to...

We have FINALLY been getting back into some what of a routine. B started back at Awana/Cubbies... of course there were only 3 weeks left. He started Preschool again! I pick him up 1/2 hour early because he can't do recess yet. About 3 more weeks and then he is cleared for all activities! Joel will probably start back at work in a couple weeks. He's been off work for almost 6 months. His leg is healing more. He is still doing his physical therapy to make it stronger. Joel's parents are still struggling with his dad's ALS. The challenges continue to mount and we are helping them out as much as we can. The kid's love their grandma and papa so we are trying to spend as much time with them as possible. It has surely been an emotional roller coaster... this past 6 months... but we are still doing our best to hang in and trust God through the process. Since B still hasn't been able to do many things since his surgery (6 weeks ago already), we have been doing different things to keep the kiddos busy! Joel spent the day helping his parents out so I took the kiddos to the beach. I love that we live about 45 minutes away (that is with no traffic of course). It's low key for Brennan so it worked out perfectly. I did my usual run with them along the bike path and then ended up on the pier to do some people watching! We ended the day at the beach and they got to play in the sand. I bought B a hat to keep his ear out of the sun, it worked great! Both kiddos kept their hats on the whole time :)

And yes... they were exhausted!

We took the kids to cool little place where we live. It's an area full of different farm animals for the kids to look at, pet and feed.

Pnut was kind of fearful of the animals so B gave her a kiss... so sweet!

Brennan still can't go to the playground yet. We took them to a park by us that has a huge green grass area. We had a little picnic and let the kids run around. That's the safest thing for Brennan right now and it gets a lot of his 'pent up energy' out!

Visiting a dog park to check out all the different dogs!!!

Joel's parents are in the process of looking for a new van and needed to go to Carlsbad. We all ended up going to Lego Land for the day with his parents! It was such a fun time, our first.

We had a little family gathering for Pnut's 2nd birthday!

With her new Tinkerbell outfit! This girl sure loves to dress up!

Future Cheerleader?!

Love this one!!!

B is finally back at Cubbies!!! It was picnic day and we had to be very careful because of all the kids running around. B was excited to be back with his friends!

Brennan has always loved Preschool. He has been out for 7 weeks. He was so excited to go back and see his friends and teachers! To be honest, it was a little hard for me to let him go. He's been with us 24/7 since his surgery. It was hard to let him go and just 'trust' that he will be okay and that he wouldn't harm his ear. His ear is doing great but I still have worries about some kid throwing something hard at it, B running into a doorknob, a ball getting kicked into it, being elbowed really hard... the list goes on and on. I have realized I need to 'let go' and just trust that he will be okay. Brennan has been really good with it and knows to be careful.

When I picked Brennan up from school, his teachers said that he is very careful and when all the kids are together close that he stands a foot back... so I know he is being careful!!! Also, his teachers said they notice his hearing is better and that he hears well in the noisy environment... such an answer to prayer!!!

So, that's what we have been up to. Please continue to pray for Joel's dad as ALS is taking a serious toll on his body and pray for our whole family that we can support him through this.

Thanks!