Faye Emerson here.
I am sorry for not writing; Nicholas, Renate, and Ellen keep me busy, and trying to get things done is sometimes next to impossible, especially if the children are sick or stuck home from school due to weather.
Such as the case this week. We had a bad ice storm; everything is finally starting to melt, but it is still treacherous driving, and you can forget walking without risking of falling.
They say by later this weekend, it's supposed to warm up past the freezing mark. Finally!
I am happy to report that Nicholas is now in school. He goes to a school for handicapped children for a good part of the day, giving me and Trenton a blessed respite. We can actually go out without the kids, get things done.
Nicholas' school is absolutely wonderful. There are three full-time registered nurses on staff, and if there's any emergency, they can respond quickly. There is much stimulation, and even the most involved kids get to participate, opening new worlds for them. The staff takes the children swimming several times a week, and they are very involved with making sure the kids get all the experience out of life as they possibly can, so the kids can be like other kids (at least temporarily).
We did have a pretty good Christmas, other than the girls having the flu over the holidays. We were scared that Nicholas would get it; amazingly enough, even as medically fragile as he is, he didn't even get a sniffle, which was nothing short of a miracle!
The kids made out like bandits. Ellen and Renate got CD players, new DVDs (Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, "High School Musical"), clothes, and money; Nicholas, meanwhile, got new toys, clothes, and a new wheelchair (donated to us, which we did NOT expect AT all!).
Trenton and myself got a free week-long Caribbean cruise to Mexico (Playa del Carmen and Cozumel); it was a gift from my in-laws. We take the cruise in March, about a month from now.
While we are on our cruise, Trenton's parents will watch over the kids, giving us a much deserved break.
For now, though, while the kids are home, we tend to their every whim. The tv is always blaring, Nicholas' needs consumes a good part of our time, and Trent and I are like two ships that pass in the night; we hardly see each other. We do take it in stride, though; at least the girls are over their flu, and at least Nicholas didn't catch it; that would have been disasterous!
Well, I am going to go now; Nicholas' feeding pump is sounding off; that must mean he's about done with his "breakfast". I will write again another day. Until then, this is Faye Emerson signing off. Take care, and may God bless you always!
And give your own children hugs and kisses, and thank God that they are healthy!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend, Faye Emerson. :)
