Aliza's Swim and Dance Lessons

As I mentioned last post, Aliza is now swimming with a float on her back. Today was her third week doing it and although we don't take her to the pool besides Saturdays, she shows improvement each time we come back. Today she went from one wall to the other without stopping. Here are the videos I took:




Aliza also had her 1st dance class. It's called Creative Movement where they basically have fun with music on. It's somewhat structured but flexible since it's for 2 year olds. Aliza was shy at first and just walked around looking at herself in the mirror or watching the others. She would participate if I was by her side. But she would still end up running to her dad and sitting down. The few times she joined the group was when they were running around. Hopefully with a few more sessions, she'll figure out how to follow the leader. When Aliza watched the first video at home, she said, "Aliza being shy." The second video is her highlight of the class because they ran around in circles. Although it wasn't part of the lesson.

"I'm doing it, Mom!"--gulp, gulp, cough, cough

Well Aliza's been in swim lessons since she was a little under one. She is now 2 1/2 years old. She's taking lessons from the YMCA so they're not intense or anything. Their approach for infants and toddlers is to let them have fun and get comfortable in the water while learning some basics skills, such as kicking, paddling, holding breath, climbing out and jumping in.

Last Saturday, after taking a nice break for the holidays, we returned for a new session. During freetime, we attached the float to her back as always and practiced treading water. This time ended up different because instead of sinking or flipping on to her face and belly when we let go, she actually put everything together for a split second and was swimming!!! She was so excited! Even if it lasted 2 seconds, it was amazing to watch! There was fear but also a lot of joy in her face and in her voice. It was cool to see all the different components of her lessons finally click. That afternoon she managed to tread up to 5 seconds.

Today was an awesome day!! She improved so much. She would swim about 6 feet to catch me, rest and then do it all over again. The panic has changed to excitement and to, "I'm doing it, Mom! I'm swimming! I'm a fish!" followed by gulp, gulp, cough, cough. But even with the minor choking, she's ready to start again. I wish I had photos or a video but I was the only one there. I'll have Patrick take some next week.

Moving Details

I guess some of you would like to know more about the move and such. I meant to get into that in my previous entry but I got sidetracked.

Anyways, the plan is for us to move back home to MI. Yes, I said Michigan. Despite the problems with the economy, we feel this is where we need to go initially after our discharge. We will be staying with my parents at first until we get stable jobs.

After we lose our medical benefits, we will lose our nurses who have been a tremendous help to us in caring for Ryan. This change alone will be difficult so we wanted to be around family--both of our families are there. The only way we'll obtain nursing again even when we have private health insurance is when we make it through the waiting list for Medicaid. So please pray!

I did say "until we get stable jobs" earlier because I am planning on going back to work and helping out financially. However, if the nursing doesn't work out, I won't be able to focus on accounting as it is a day job. I will have to take anything I can get in the evenings or weekends when Patrick and my parents are able to watch Ryan. Without nursing, Ryan can't go to school and I can't just have any 'daycare' watch him. I am praying about going to school part time to pursue nursing. That way I'm not stuck working 9-5 but rather whatever odd hours work for our family.

We want to stay in MI, but if we can't, our next move will be to Washington DC. Patrick wants to obtain a federal position in MI or DC so that he can transfer over his military years. I'd be bummed to leave family in MI but Patrick's brother and family, as well as our favorite church family, are in VA. So we wouldn't mind there either.

We are definitely stepping into the realm of the unknown soon. We really won't know how things will turn out until we get there. I thank God for His promises to us and I am holding onto them especially during this time. Some favorites are:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phil 4:13

"For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future."--Jer 29:11

Matthew 6:25-34 is too long to write but it basically tells us not worry. Instead, we are to seek Him and his righteousness first then everything else will fall into place.

So though our circumstances can change, God doesn't and that's all that matters.

Accepting Change

I think I'm like the only one who hasn't posted something about Christmas. I guess it's because right before Christmas we found out Patrick is getting medically discharged. At the moment I got a little frustrated with life. I knew it was coming and I thought I was ready but I guess I figured we'd get the good results out of a medical discharge which is a medical retirement. However, that didn't happen. He is being medically separated which means no benefits post-military life for the family.

I'm okay with it now. No. Honestly, I am. But that's just now. The first week or two I was pretty negative. I am a planner and researcher and have to learn everything I can about whatever has my interest at the time. So after we heard the news, I searched all things that had to do with state healthcare, private insurance, social programs for the disabled, etc. I got SO OVERWHELMED with the costs of healthcare, that I started planning and charting the type of jobs and incomes we would need to maintain a certain lifestyle while paying for Ryan's medical care. I seriously have a problem.

My problem isn't my tendency to plan but that I try to take things into my own hands. Once I have an idea of how things should go, I have a problem accepting any other solution. I wasn't even thinking of the impact it was having on my husband. Instead of asking him how he was feeling, I would just throw facts at him like, "Did you know that some insurances charge $75 for an ER visit?!?!" or "Everytime we go to the doctor we have to pay at least $10-$40?" Yeah it may sound silly to some of you but for a military family who pays nothing and receives thousands of dollars in care, services, and equipment, it's hard to imagine.

I eventually learned that I was wrong. I should've been a support and encouragement to my husband while giving up our situation to God before freaking out. Once I finally did that, my whole attitude changed. It's not that I think it'll be easy now because it's not. But I'm not going to complain or be anxious about it. I'm going to focus on being positive and flexible to wherever this new life takes us.

I've learned to be thankful. And why not? God has done nothing but take care of us. He has never failed us or left us. Why would He start now? If His way of providing is awesome jobs and great health coverage--wonderful! If not, still great! As long as we're in His will, what else could be better? Yeah, sometimes His will leads us through some hard times, but there's always something good that comes out of it.

I am at peace about our discharge now. Thank you for your prayers and support! Our family will continue to need it.