Anchorage, Alaska, March 30, 2009, 2:21 a.m.~

Dear Journal~

Jenna Aurora here.  Sorry for not writing; just haven't had the time or else I've been lazy.  LOL  Hope this finds you well or in reasonably good health.

I have my bad days as well as my good days, in relation to my health.  Still hard trying to get things accomplished with just one good working arm/hand and one good working leg.  (The other arm and leg are still there, but they're basically dead; they're useless.)  Very frustrating at times, especially when it comes to cooking or trying to tackle two active, growing boys!

There are days where I feel sorry for myself; Michael, however, won't hear of it.  He says for me to count my blessings; there are many people who are worse off than me.  I guess he's tired of hearing me complain all of the time.  LOL

Well, I have some news about Kenai, our youngest:  he did inherit my deafness.  This is the reason for his language delays.  He will be fitted with hearing aids once they come in; we ordered them a month ago.  I will have to teach him (one-handed) sign language (and most of the time, when I sign, I finger spell, or I write things down).

They say teaching young kids is easier than teaching older kids, or even adults.  We will see once I take this task at hand.

So I have one hearing child, and one deaf child.  And there's one hearing adult (Michael) and one deaf adult (me).  I guess that balances things out.  LOL

It was upsetting when we got the news about Kenai, but at least he has his other senses; he's a very smart little boy.  I am sure he will have no problems adjusting.

Other than being deaf, Kenai is as normal as any other little boy.  He runs around on strong legs, he can figure things out by himself, and he loves life, lives it as only he can.  He is absolutely amazing!  It's hard to believe that he'd been born premature and was so sick for the first few months of his life!  Now he bursts with health; it's been nothing short of a miracle!

Mattaq, meanwhile, is as noisy as his brother is quiet (and just about as active); it seems that he's never still, even for a second.  (Or at least that's what Michael tells me; I can't hear Mattaq yelling or screaming.  LOL)  He's in preschool now, and he absolutely loves it!  He's learning his letters and numbers; he is a very intelligent little guy!  I am so proud of him, I could just bust!

The weather here in Anchorage is warming up, though, compared to the Lower 48, it's still cold.  We have had a problem with smog, thanks to that volcano (Redoubt) erupting several times last week.  There's still a fine layer of ash everywhere; there's no telling when ol' Redoubt will blow her top next.  It's a scary, uncertain time here.

The sunsets, though, have been nothing short of spectacular!

Anyway, officials are telling people who have respiratory illnesses (or allergies) to stay indoors as much as possible due to the ash/smog in the air.  The same applies to the elderly or very young children (like mine, as an example!).

The boys are getting bored from staying indoors; Michael and I both tell them that this is best for now, until the air clears.  Michael and I have to keep finding ways to entertain them, to try to keep them from becoming bored; this is when they become the most destructive, active.  You should see our house:  it looks like Redoubt erupted indoors!  LOL  Toys, clothes, cookies, sippy cups everywhere!  Arrgghh!!!  LOLOL

Well, I am going to try to clean up the man made lava flow LOL, so I will go for now.  Besides, it's only two in the morning, so it's still early yet.  Barely even Monday here, and already I have housework.  *Sighhhh*  Until later, this is Jenna Aurora signing off; take care, and may God bless you!  Pray for me, ask God to give me the strength to keep up after two wildly active little guys!  LOL  I certainly can use it!  Thanks in advance!

~Love, your friend in Anchorage, Alaska, Jenna Aurora.  :)