Joe is on a week long break from school! I am SO GLAD. We both need this break. I hated school and I hate going through it again not actually being the one in school! Joe now has 4 more classes to get his degree. He's got 2 coming up and then another week break then the final two- each are 8 weeks long. For anyone looking to get a bachelor's or master's degree in Nursing through an online venue, Joe is currently at Chamberlain College of Nursing. We do recommend it. It's been a great program (even for me who is not actually getting a degree).
Joe also went on a scuba dive trip at Venice Beach and Lincoln and I went down to. We were all hunting for SHARK TEETH! How cool. Joe found 1 small one on the dive and 1 small one just sifting through the shore. There are some guys Joe was with who found more than one Megaladon tooth! Joe was hoping he'd find one too, but it wasn't his day. It just gives us more reasons to go back!
I can't seem to get myself in bed before midnight. There is SO MUCH to do! Even if it's just browsing the internet for baby ideas... or names... or photo editing...
There is now a little tiny alligator in the lake. It's like how in Seattle we say, "Oh, look! The Mountain (Rainier) is out today" in our complex we say, "Oh, look! The Alligator is out today!!" And then we get as close as we can before it runs away.
I find myself torn between the City Mini GT double, The Stroll Air My Duo, or the BOB Duallie. I find this a big deal because it's something to be saving cash for since it's such a big investment! For those who know, I've tried 5 single strollers with Lincoln!! I actually use 3 of them. A Chicco Liteway, a City Mini GT Single, and a BOB single. They all have different purposes!!! Opinions are welcome.
We are on our way to Seattle on Wednesday for a WHOLE WEEK!! I can't wait to see family (includes BOTH brothers) and friends! We have so much we want to do do, I hope we can fit it all in.
Joe and I are currently looking at tickets to go back to Arizona soon too for a visit. Joe has been back 3 times since we arrive in Florida in September. I have gone back once. We are considering whether or not I should even go. Joe's parents are leaving for New York very soon and won't be there to see Lincoln, which would be the primary reason for me going too. I would LOVE to see Kristen and Sarah and the boys, but tickets are over $400 apiece right now and it's not really in our budget.
It's been a rough week being away from AZ as well. Joe and I do kind of love Florida and could very easily be happy just staying here, but B is back in AZ and is about to start his summer program. His mom has expressed a need to reevaluate B's custody arrangement (again) to include assisted living (again). Apparently this was a very bad school year and with the end approaching the time for considering change is nigh. I have not talked to her since she blew up at me right before we left, so I have no news to give on how his school year went, whether he started using an assistive communication device, or anything at all. Joe has managed to talk to her more frequently with his trips back, but his almost-weekly phone calls go unanswered. I pretty much stay out of it because Joe's got it taken care of, but there is a lot I can't just stay out of when I have a say in things that happen too. We are in this marriage together. What is the right answer when there is an Autistic child who needs full-time care? I don't know, that's for sure. But, we've made the best decisions we could at the time and they're weren't easy ones. We are here in Florida because of the military. Joe is on presidential orders in support of OIF/OND/OEF (whatever it's called now!). I don't know where that makes him a douche bag, but the being gone is understandably challenging for everyone. Joe misses his son and doesn't get to see him or talk to him, B has to stay with his mom all.the.time. and he can't express if he understands where his dad is, and she is situationally a single mom with a challenging child. I get it, it's hard. The weekends we had him with us were hard. I do not wish to know what's it's like every day, though I have expressed to Joe that if she wants Joe to take full custody of him, we will and we will do everything we can. Joe, now we, try to weigh all our options and make the best decision. Joe says the hardest part is not looking back and wondering if something different should have been done because the choices we made were not lightly come by. Even when other people don't think they were right, they were made with care and consideration. You can't second guess and you can't change the past, so all you can do is know that you've done your best in the now and that's all you can ask of yourself. Joe always reminds me that when I get frustrated because this week has been frustrating.
Aside: I told Joe a few weeks ago he could tell her about Chubby when she answered the phone to let him talk to B. She still doesn't know about Chubby. Anyone have advice on announcing joyful news to an ex who is less than pleasant?
Funny Things Lincoln Did:
He wanted me to put Bella's bows in his hair after she came home from the groomer. It's now way too hot for her to have long hair. Anywho, he LOVED the bows. Joe let me do it but he would not put them in himself when Lincoln handed him one.
He also must think he is a dog because he loves to drink from her dog bowl. And the dog bowl in the dog park. (GROSS). We have to keep a close eye on him or he is down on all fours, his mouth dripping with doggie slobber water.
Not only does he share his food with his stuffed animals and the animals in his books, he nows shares my boobs too. I opened my eyes one morning to Lincoln sitting up after his morning snuggle, putting Dog up to me and making sucking sounds. How thoughtful.
Some funny things even mean there are things I never realized I would say as a parent. Lincoln is casually potty training and he knows when we are going. He tries to help. I don't think I ever thought I was going to ask my child if he was going to help me wipe my butt.
