This year we are doing something different for Ian's 8th birthday party.  Every year we've rented a pavilion at the park and had a huge BBQ, crafts, a bounce house, games, gift bags for the kids... and we are NOT doing it this year. I've had enough planning, getting nervous, being upset that people don't show up, listening to Ian's broken heart year after year. So, we're going to have a low-key party here at the house with family and one friend of his whom he has known for 6 years.

Okay, truth be told I'd probably do the park again, except for the fact that with all the evaluations, new medication that he's going to start, and getting hearing aids, I think that's enough excitement for him to process. We don't know how he's going to respond to any of the above, so I'd rather not push him. Plus, as long as he's fine with having a party with family only, then so be it!

The results are in from Ian's blood work. There was a frightening day when there was some miscommunication regarding medications from the pharmacy, but from that I got to have a great conversation with a nurse from the specialist's office.

Ian has a C4 deficiency. What this means is that his body cannot fight off infections like a "healthy" person can, and having a deficiency in C4 (which is the 4th component of complement) means that the infections affect the inflammatory process, i.e., the lungs. While this is not the best of news it is certainly better then a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, which is the diagnosis we were afraid of! He's now had a second round of blood work done, and we are waiting to see if the C4 issue is the problem itself or if it's a symptom of something larger.

Holy crap.  I was not expecting money to be so tight! I mean, I knew it was going to be, but WOW!

I do have to say though, that it's been easier not doing the things we used to do than I thought it was going to be.  We don't spend a lot of money on much other than eating out anyway, so in regard to not buying stuff it's been easy.  It's hard to break the habit of eating out though; we really enjoy taking the kids to Beef O'Brady's and stuff, and now it's really hard to not just pull in somewhere to enjoy a beer and a sandwich or something.

It's only been a week, I know, but it's been sort of nice having dinner together every night and then hanging out at the pool.  I feel "closer" to my family in a way, and I really like that :-)

This summer has been amazing.  So much has happened, the best of which is the amount of time I've been able to spend with the kids and the things we've done! (If you're curious, I have another blog Adventures of Home Life with pictures and such).

Even though money has been a huge struggle and there have been some major stressors involved with my leaving the full-time job I had to work part-time from home, I honestly feel like this was the best thing I have ever done.  Being here for my kids has been such an amazing experience, and I actually feel like I'm active in raising them versus feeling guilty for paying someone else to be around more than I was.  Don't get me wrong; I fully support working moms and think they are amazing (I was one up until a year ago, don't forget), and when Ian was in daycare I wouldn't have had it any other way.  He loved it, and I needed to work, so the fit was right for us at that time.  I felt guilt, sure, but I know without a doubt that the environment he was in was the best for him.  But, things have changed, and my need to be home for both of my kids for different reasons has evolved with my desire to be home with them, so living with the 'stress' of wondering if we are going to make our next electrical payment is a small price to pay

Things will change when Reilly goes to preschool too, and that's the beauty of my job; I can work however much I want, so there's no need to feel 'stuck' making what I make.  Sure the pay rate itself stinks, but what I get in return is payment enough!

Time is in short supply these days. I'm kind of living for the "when they move" moment, because at this time I'm trying to keep myself available for any free moment my brother has before he leaves.

I am excited about moving into their house; in fact, we have our first "party" (i.e. open house, don't mind if we have no furniture though) scheduled for July 3rd!  I've been looking at furniture and decorations for the kids' rooms online (not that I can afford anything, but I want to have a direction at least), and we have paint already.  Sean doesn't want to "rush" moving in (meaning he wants to paint and stuff before we move our furniture.  Duh.), so he's thinking I'm crazy for have a get-together so soon.  I told him that I haven't exactly broadcast the information, so he can relax; it isn't set in stone!  Anyway, point being, I'm looking forward to actually hosting get-togethers rather than always needing an invitation!