Ryan's Feeling at Home

I wish I had pictures to show how excited Ryan was when we brought him to his room last night after setting up his own bedroom furniture. He was like a little kid at a candy store, or for him, as if he was watching his favorite scene in Shrek.

Our household goods finally arrived yesterday so it was a long day of unpacking, setting up, and sitting at the storage center. The movers came to the house first to unload Ryan's furniture and medical supplies, as well as, some of our clothes and Aliza's toys. Poor girl also had nothing here but markers and a couple dolls.

The whole time they were unloading, Aliza wanted to play with everything. She would just yell from the driveway, "MY SLIDE, MY SLIDE!" or "MY BIKE, MY BIKE!" At one point, she found her stroller and wanted to go on a walk but I told her I had to help the guys know where to put stuff plus I was marking things off the inventory list. She was unhappy until I pointed out that the guy was bringing all her stuff. Then she was excited and kept saying, "Thank you, Mr.!"

After things were unloaded, we drove to the storage center. After opening the storage, everyone was a little nervous because they knew how much stuff we had and weren't sure if it would fit. Granted it looked small, but I picked the 4 bedroom + garage house size. I probably needed the 5 bedroom + garage + small car to get everything in with ease. In the end, after 7 hours, everything fit right up to the door from floor to ceiling. We had some great movers. The storage manager was shocked and said that only they could've done what they did. They utilized every inch and I am so thankful. So our stuff is permanently in storage until we find a house (and job).

I had left with Aliza to return home after a couple of hours at the storage center to work on Ryan's room and the many boxes in the basement. Sometimes I just wonder why the movers wasted so much room in the boxes. I found a paper towel roll with like 3 sheets left all wrapped up in packing paper that took up like a foot of space. Hey but at least I know that everything was safe...for the most part. I found a box that said pillows. I picked it up and it was so light I threw it on the ground. Big mistake! I opened it up and Ryan's flatscreen was in between all the pillows. It still worked but I would've been so mad if I broke it because it wasn't properly labeled.

At about 9:30, Ryan's room was done. He had been hanging out in his lazyboy in the living room. I walked him to his room and his face just lit up! He stared at his own chair and his own bed and couldn't stop smiling in delight! I put him in bed immediately because he was tired. But he didn't want to lay down. He stayed sitting up leaning over on his bedrail and just looked around giggling. He was so happy that he finally had his room. Ryan is very comfortable with change and new people but he's not always happy. He doesn't have anxiety or stress out, but he won't always light up either until he's somewhere familiar. As soon as he laid down, he relaxed instantly and went to sleep so peacefully. At least with all this change, he has his little safe haven.

I will post pictures later since I haven't kept up with uploading them. But here's an older one of when the kids just arrived at the Detroit airport. Notice Aliza looks exhausted since she only slept 1 hour during this 5 hour red eye. And Ryan is awake as can be and laughing! He slept at least 7 hours from the drive to the airport til we arrived in Detroit.

Things are slowly getting better...

We've been in MI 5 days now. I'm feeling less stressed and have a little more energy each day. I'm also so excited that Patrick arrives in the morning. He's a maniac! Who drives 2400 miles in less than 2 days? He left around 11 am Thursday and is due here 5 am Saturday. Crazy huh? I usually worry about him on these long drives but I gave it to God; plus, it was a relief knowing that his dad, who is a truck driver, was with him to help. I knew he couldn't drive crazy fast with his dad in the car and if he needed a break, he had a great partner.

This week we met Ryan & Aliza's pediatrician. Did I already mention that on the previous blog? I think I did. But anyhow, I am so thankful for him. He's experienced, kind, caring, knowledgeable, and also a pulmonologist who will be a huge asset for Ryan's respiratory issues.

We also met four of our home care nurses and so far they have been great. I trained one today and will be training each of them this week. It's a lot of work, but that's part of the move and it will all get better soon.

Aliza has been enjoying my brother's kids. They've stopped by in the evenings to play and she just seems so big playing with them. I'm so used to her interacting with other two-year-olds that I'm surprised how well she does with older kids. I've been thankful for them because they've helped her stay occupied while I've been caring for Ryan full time.

This coming up week is another busy week full of errands to the DMV, storage place, Medicaid office; training new nurses; and unpacking our furniture that comes. So keep us in your prayers as we continue to settle down. I'm also getting a little stir crazy and can't wait til I can have a fun day out eating at a local favorite restaurant! By the way, it felt like 60 today! The sun was out and Aliza played in the yard and took a walk. She was so happy not to be bundled up. Funny how it was 9 degrees when we arrived and today it was 60. But I'm not complaining.



Aliza enjoying the sunshine in the yard--don't you love her good kicking form in this pic?

It's happening whether I'm ready or not...

I definitely have been doing a horrible job of updating this. Sorry about that. I will try to do better especially since many people will be wondering how things are going for us post-military life.

Well, the kids and I are in Michigan now. We arrived yesterday and reality hit hard. Nothing emotional or anything. And it's not like I wasn't planning for this move for months now. But being on the other side just makes it so much more real. I'm suddenly getting the sense of urgency, which I probably should've had this whole time, to figure out what we're going to do now.

I realize though we've done everything we should've and nothing else could've been done. But it's like someone has turned over the hourglass and time is already running out.

I am staying positive as best as I can. Although Aliza and I were sick flying out, the flight started out the best we've experienced. We have actually flown quite a bit over the last 9 years with Ryan and this was the best time we've had. The Northwest Airlines staff from check-in to flight attendants were great! Ryan did well the whole way through. He fell asleep in the car to the airport and didn't wake up til we walked off the plane in MI. Aliza did pretty good too despite being sick. She didn't sleep but an hour but she was very good and didn't run up and down the aisles like I was worried about.

We met the kids' pediatrician today and I am so happy. He's also a pulmonologist--exactly what Ryan needs for his respiratory issues. We did find out why Aliza's been asking for ice for a booboo on her cheek that we never see: ear infection. But luckily, she recently stopped spitting out the medications we try to give her.

Patrick will be arriving next week. We have lots to do still so I can't wait til April when things have slowed down a bit. That'll probably be when I will realize this isn't a vacation and I am here for good. I will feel all the emotions that have been covered from being so busy. But when all my tasks are checked off, I will be happy to be home but so sad to leave the great life I've enjoyed and all the people I've met along the way. I will post pictures soon but I hardly have time for anything. I'm sneaking this in way past my own bedtime.

I will do my best to keep this up weekly as promised!