What a summer...

Our summer is just about coming to an end here in AZ. School starts for the kids on July 29th. I'm still not used to that! There have been alot of changes with all of the Marshall Family members this summer in one way or another.

Chloe who has been plagued with chronic strep and sore throats for years had her tonsils and adenoids taken out on July 10th. She's having a very long and painful recovery and I feel so powerless that I can't help her. She's also pretty ticked that the ice cream rumor didn't quite pan out since she seems to be in too much pain for even that. There's not much that seems to sooth her. (if anyone has any suggestions I'm open and begging) Thank goodness Nana was here these past two weeks to help out with Aidan patrol and cuddling and coddling duty when mom over here had just about had it!

Aidan who started out the summer as a non-swimmer has taught himself to swim this summer. And not just swim. He does front and back flips, cannon balls and dives for rings! (my mini Michael Phelps) He is also rocking in gymnastics. His coach is great with him and Aidan is having a blast. His favorite thing is the even bar and he can already pull himself up and over and do flips on it. Most importantly, we've found something he enjoys and excels at that is not causing him anxiety like bball and tball were. He starts kindergarten this year (full day) and while I will miss having his company I'm looking forward to some me time after being home w/kids for the past 9 years.

This summer I was diagnosed with an idiopathic movement disorder. Basically if you took a little bit of Parkinson's' and a little bit of MS and mixed them up, that's what I have. It didn't come as a shock, I've been dealing w/problems for a few years, it just took drs that long to find a diagnosis. I will be seeing a Movement disorder specialist sometime in the future to discuss treatment. While it can prove painful and disabling at times, you know me...I'm still truckin! I've also started a new hobby thanks to my "sister-friend" Amanda. She's got me into what's called mini-booking. It's sort of like scrapbooking but waaay less kitchy and way more artistic. I'll post a pict soon. Chloe is into it too now and she's really good at it. It's nice b/c its something we can do together.

Ernie has taken himself and his health into great consideration these past few months. He's changed some of his habits and as a result lost about 60 pounds so far. He looks fantastic! The problem is that he also looks taller which is something his 4'11" wife could do without! :) But really I'm thrilled for him and for myself that I'll get quite a few more years out of him as a result of this change. He my prince and makes everyday of mine that much better.

I think that's all for now. I hope all of you that I love so much are having a wonderful day today, whatever day it might be when you're reading this. Next blog, probably the first day of school. Until then......."Nothing is worth more than this day." -Goethe

Happy (belated) Fourth!

Good Morning everyone! (at least its morning here in AZ) Hope everyone had a wonderful July Forth! We kept it simple as we always prefer to do here in the Marshall household. We are lucky enough to live behind a farm that hosts the Queen Creek fireworks display every year and can see it from our backyard. We spend the afternoon swimming and hanging out. By the time the fireworks show started Aidan was absolutely spent. He was falling asleep standing but at first refused to go in to bed because he didn't want to miss the "grand salami". I have no idea where he got that one but you know we'll use it for the next few years. I finally convinced him to go to bed though. Everyone is doing well here. Chloe is getting her tonsils out this Friday so say a prayer. She is nervous (as am I) but happy to know that soon enough her chronic sore throats will be history. I'll update you on her progress afterwards. That's about it for now...love to all.
"life is what happens while you're making plans." John Lennon