Settled

The Variety folks put us in an Accent Inn.  It's decent and has some perks.  A bath tub.  No fan running all night.  Room was heated.  Got the required ground floor.  In an area we're accustomed too.  AND there is a rubber ducky gift ;)

The drive was super.  Zero snow and the extreme weather warnings to stay home kept people off the roads.  Haha.  

We got our call for Luk's procedure while we were on the ferry.  He's 1st thing.  We have to be there at 7am.  

Early night tonight.  I just ordered a bowl of won ton for the little Mr from uber eats.  He's happy.  I'm overwhelmed by the choices available in the big city.  Still reading menus.

Duke Point

Luk and I made it to the ferry line up with no issues. The roads are great.  A bit of standing water and some glare from the sun.  Not complaining.  A lot of time wasted worrying about the drive.  We'll see what's on the other side or yet to come but so far it's near perfect.

Older Eugene, you can see him getting darker as he grew.

Eugene?

A post from Ladysmith today about a Himalayan cat hanging around someone's house.  I immediately HOPE it's Eugene. Unlikely after 7 years.  Eric says it's too dark but himi's darken with age. So I would fully expect him to be darker.  

Then I dug up photos.  Found one of Eugene with Lacie and am now having a sob fest.  

Izzy

Four days of not eating and horrific face plants when she tries to get up.  Lots of mobility issues going on.  Hard time walking, on stairs and going potty.  We have been giving her miralax in gravy to help things along.  The worry here is HUGE.  Isabel isn't a pet, she's more like one of the kids.  I'm pretty sure the kids view her as more of a sibling. They love her one minute and are telling on her the next. She has a naughty side ;)  

For today, Eric finally enticed her to eat this morning.  He poured his homemade chicken noodle soup over Chihuahua kibble.  Minus the noodles.  Pasta makes her sick.  She sneaks the puppy food every time we leave the house so we know she likes it.  She definitely was giving Eric the side eye when he gave it to her.  I think I've talked Eric into making her some home made dog food later.  He used to batch feed Jr and Kady so this isn't new for us.  She peed and pooped and her mobility is improved today over the last three days.

She has no clue.  Leaping up any time anyone moves.  She HAS to know where everyone is.  People and pets.  She stays busy.  Right now I'm hoping the cold was the biggest factor and things will even out for her.  

Lots of calls about Luk, more appointments.  Getting Luk sorted.  No one really knows for sure what is happening but the hospital just called to do a health survey and it's still a go.  Then Queen Alexadra orthopedic people called.  They don't have a clear directive either.  The big hanging question is how will they build braces for him once he's is casts.  I'm hoping the walking casts are removable.  No one is clear on that one little point.  Ideally the leg braces would have been built before the surgery.  

Prayers the snow has stopped.  I don't adore driving in the snow.  Doing it in the big city makes me super nervous.  My Mom offered to come stay with Kai and Jia so Eric could drive Luk and I but it doesn't seem a good idea for Eric to leave Isabel right now.  So I'm sucking it up and being grateful I have the Jeep.

The boys are off to see the symphony today with their classes.  So fun.  

Jia only has one class before her school goes into teacher/parent meetings and then into spring break.  So the push is on to get things turned in tomorrow.  Then she has most of March off.  My feelings on homeschool are so mixed.  I have to pretty much daily remind myself that she is happy.  That was the goal.  

Oh,NO, Isabel.

Izzy got super old overnight. She's had a rough day all day. I estimate she fell at least 20 times today. The worry and concern here is huge. I'm praying the cold is causing her extra difficulty with her joints. I suggested toddler gripper sox. Eric ran to town immediately and got her some. They do actually seem to help a little and she is surprisingly not too bothered by them.

No big plans this weekend.  

-8

I just got up. I'm getting emails from Children's so I had to get up and deal. We're getting somewhere with the leg brace debackle.  

But it's too cold to be up. Time 

for a bath next.

I scrambled yesterday and got all the travel organized for both trips. Work stuff done. Errands run. More appointments made. Soooo many appointments.  

Luk is feeling ok. He says he has a needle phobia and he knows the botox needle is huge. He'll be asleep so that helps but now he's fixating on getting an iv in his arm. He hates that part.

Today I need to do more work catch up to get me ahead of things. So I won't be feeling quilty taking time off next week.  

Lili went home yesterday. Suckiest reading break ever. This has been a really hard blow 

for her. It is super weird not having Jenny here. She was a homebody and stuck close to the family so her presence is definitely missed.  

Jia's The Outsiders dvd came yesterday. She took the Cheese tv and went to her room after school and watched it twice in a row. Bawling through the end each time. This is an interesting hyperfocus. She is all about Matt Dillon. Because...Matt Dillon. She however made the mistake of looking up what he looks like now ;) Haha.

TGIF.

Cute

I found a picture of Jia's group from last night on Facebook.

Music Festival

Well, that was fun. Jia had a great time. She is a beautiful dancer. It was clear she was enjoying the performance. When the dance was done and she was exiting the stage she turned and grinned. Never in a zillion years did I think this child would go on a stage and like it. Her group placed 3rd. The theater was full. We knew sooo many people there. It was a late night for us so we put our heads down through the crowd and escaped then grabbed Wendy's takeout. Kai made it to bed at 9. Luk will be up another hour doing his flush. Mom is staying the night because the roads are snow yucky. Oh, and we weren't allowed to take pictures, so this picture is from after.

I got a call today with a surgery date for Luk. Next Wed. So that started a flurry of calls. Need a hotel, tap ferry form, ferry reservations, his walking leg braces aren't built yet, so calls about that. Queen Alexandra can't really explain why the funding was approved but there is no referral for the work. So they're getting back to me tomorrow. We're hoping for an emergency fitting in the next couple days. 

The universe is definitely telling me our spring break plans are just not happening this year. Luk won't be mobile so the hike to San Josef is off now. Then the 

2nd camping trip I planned is being interupted by a spinal cord clinic. Two weeks after the surgery. 

Jenny Pictures

Easter Island

I've been crying all day. Our hearts are broken watching Lili grieve. And yet life carries on. I went to pick up Kai from his playgroup today. The staff are trying to get the kids to come to the spring break day camp. It was being discussed while Kai finished up his hot chocolate before we left. He got all excited when he heard 'camp' and interrupted everyone to loudly announce he's going to Easter Island Camp. Haha. Love it. I interjected Easter Seal Camp. They were all happy for him. So, he didn't want to go but there has been enough hype about it that he's excited now. Then when I was telling Eric about Easter Island he told me Kai told his speech therapist the same thing earlier today.  

Lili came out of her room long enough to say nothing feels right and I got some juice, advil, blueberries, yogurt and then some comforting breakfast for dinner in her before she escaped to her room again.

Tomorrow Jia is dancing in the music festival. Fei is trying to come. We're discussing details of the day. She is definitely nervous but honestly doing way better than I expected. Oh and it's pink shirt day tomorrow. We thankfully remembered and laid the boys shirts out already.

In other news, there was a power outage last night. We all pretty much just went to bed early. It came back on a couple times through the night which made our smart bulbs go nuts and flash. The wind was strong so the boys slept on their futon. Lili took a couch.  

Eric started in the living room bed then moved up to the boys room. Jia was with me

, we went up when the wind died down. It was a long night. Hopefully we all get more sleep tonight.

Goodbye Jenny.

Sob. You were such a good girl. 16 years with you wasn't nearly enough. Watching Lili grieve her baby is hard. Really hard. Jenny was already in renal failure, she also lost 3 lbs in 3 months, was struggling to breath and was rejecting food. The vet could feel hard lungs so suspected lung cancer. Lili chose to let her go today to avoid a tramatic death. With not eating, she didn't have much time left. It was a brave gift. Today was peaceful for Jen Jen. Lili and I aren't feeling great. It's shocking and hard. Really, really hard. We'll all miss her. Lili needs all the hugs, Jenny was her baby.

Adventure Day

Four days at home is too long to let preteens and a teen stew. I insisted we find a plan to get out. Luk wanted an adventure day. Haha. Yes! A plan. However it may have always appeared to the kids there was no plan when we take off, there always was. Yes, added opportunities during the day but usually a destination or dinner planned.  

These guys are pretty much only interested in movies and food. I told Eric I could only think of food they'd like. So we did a food trail. Haha.

Started at 7-11 for a slurpie. To Crofton to pick out a dvd from the thrift store (Kai picked Jurassic World) and get penny candies at the store. Except they don't do penny candies since covid so we bought the premade bags. Worked great for Kai. Luk and Jia choose unwisely and regretted their choices. Then to Chemainus to buy my fave donuts that might cease exisiting since the grocery store sold. Then to Ladysmith to explore the thrift store but it was closed. We went to Red's instead. Eric found a dvd/tv combo and had it turned on and tried it out. It worked great so Cheese now has his own tv.  

We picked up white hot chocolates at Tims and took them to Transfer Beach and ate our donuts there. They were stale so that was a sad goodbye. From there we went back to Duncan to the bead shop to get number beads to make Walter a flexible necklace with his phone number on it. They didn't 

have any. Onto Dollartree for kids picks. I got scissors for Cheese and some sewing thread and a soft measure tape for Jia's sewing kit. Lili picked a toothbrush holder for her Taiwan trip. Jia picked make up. Kai a muscle man toy and Luk a blue Pic-a-pop. The plan from there was to go to Walmart for some groceries. In the car each of us had picked out a meal and I made the grocery list. However I wasn't feeling up to a big shop so we skipped it and went to BK for dinner.

When we got home Walter came running down the driveway meowing. He's 

been gone since the 4:30 am visit. We did bring him in and lock him in for the night. He slept in Jia's room. She made him a fort out of her pink blankie. Of all of us she misses him the most. This morning I put an old beaded necklace with the house phone number on him and we let him out. Lili went out to follow him but he stayed in the yard.

I got up today and told the family I was feeling a ton better today and was ready for an adventure day. Haha. No plans have 

been solidified yet. Eric and Lili are 

going to do the grocery shop. I do want to see a movie in town at 4 that Lili has agreed to go see with me. A Man 

Called Otto.  

Easter Seal Camp!

I registered Kai and I for an Easter Seal family camp weekend in Shawnigan! So fun. I think. Haha. Not until mid August.

Both boys were adament they didn't want to go. I was telling Mary about it last night and she told Kai he should go and that there would be food. Haha. Why didn't I think to mention there would be food?! Anyways, he said he'd like to go with me. Neither the boys or I are ready to send them on their own.

I figured I'd likely missed getting a spot since they opened for registration a few days ago. I was surprised there were spots left, yay for Kai and I. Or not. We really have no idea what family camp entails. There was mention of bunk beds in the question do you require bottom bunks. I said yes for Kai. Honestly 

though, I can't imagine me in a bunk either. I mean I have literally NEVER been in an upper bunk. Shared rooms and shared bathroom would also be a complete nightmare for me.

Can you all picture me calling Eric on night one to bring me the motorhome. Ok, off to go email and ask if we can bring our own moho. Also if we can swap me out for Eric.  

What seemed like a fun idea is quickly changing into something to create anxiety over. Arg.  

Fei's 20th Birthday

I normally get things posted on the right day. Her Birthday was yesterday. She had an exam, lab test and skills test. I probably got that wrong but suffice it to say she had a stressful day for her Birthday.

We picked her and Lili up and went for dinner. Our plan was Montanas but they couldn't seat us in a seemingly empty restaurant. We're assuming they were short staffed. They did offer us a high stool table but I could picture Eric having to lift the boys up and then sitting and waiting for one or both to fall off. They don't have core balance. So we went to Driftwood for Chinese buffet instead. It's just sad how expensive eating out has become. The value for what we got just wasn't there. Mediocre at best. I didn't enjoy the meal and it's unlikely we'll go back. It was nice to sit with family and visit in a relaxed state. Eric put a new muffler on her car as her gift, which isn't very fun, so I filled her a giftbag with little things and snacks.  

Then we went to friends with an ice cream cake and a little visit. It was a late night for us on a weeknight ;) Luk stayed home yesterday because his class went skating and again, no core balance so skating is super scary for him. He was able to do his flush in the afternoon so we could be out late.

We stopped at Value Village before getting the girls. The prices are stupid in there. I wanted jogging runners with grip on the bottom for the boys for our hike on spring break. We did find some for both boys. Eric found a couple nice camping chairs there too so that was a score. I'm afraid of the little hiking chair so the new one for me is a lounger that will fit in the Cheese storage bin.  

We've been so busy that we are going day by day. Kai let us know last night that they have 4 days off school. I had to look it up 

on the drive home. He was 

right. Pro D day on Friday and Family day on Monday.  

We don't have a plan for the weekend yet. Lili 

is on reading break so she is coming home for a few days. Luk is suggesting an adventure day. Which we haven't done in forever. So that's a possibility. What 

Luk doesn't know is that it appeared to be all surprise happenings but really Eric and I quietly had a bit of a plan for the day or at least a destination.

Cozy Warm in Cheese!

I'm sitting in Cheese and it's toasty warm in here. It's minus 2 outside. The furnace ran all night. Yay! Eric bought new fuses and now it's working great. A real, whole rv. Can't wait for the 1st trip!

It's almost time to load all the gear in and attempt a night of sleep in the driveway.  

With just me in here it's plenty spacious. It will definitely be squishy with five of us ;) I can see clearly that once the kids are all done camping with us this type of unit will be perfect for Eric and I. Not much of a tow vehicle required and can stay in the garage.  

I'm already looking at the upgrade models. Haha. I'd like a dormer kitchen and walled toilet/shower and air conditioning added.  

Kai's Choice

He picked taco salad.  Yum.  He had zero interest in hearing his adoption story but was happy Dad baked him cake.  

Kai's Metcha

So many pictures of the day we met Kai but featuring another family who was saying goodbye to the dream of their son. We all have our own thoughts on that situation to muddle through. I still don't get it. And. I get it. Good for them for realizing they weren't up to the task of raising him. And they've missed out.  

He grieved hard on gotcha day, screaming, sobbing and refusing to leave the front door. Much easier to celebrate metcha day. Plus 

his gotcha is on Fei's Birthday.

Kai doesn't know yet that he gets to pick dinner out today. Jia 

is hoping it's not cereal. I have zero 

clue what he'll ask for.  

The third picture is from his gotcha day, once he was calmed down enough to be mollified with snacks.  

A vent for Cheese.

Eric has been getting the furnace hooked up. The vent looks pretty good. He hasn't quite got the wiring figured out. I got toilet paper, paper towels, and bath towels. Then ordered bulk face clothes. We're getting so close. 

Forced family painting fun. Lili and Fei - don't look.

We all sat together and made Birthday cards for Fei and Lili. The fun was forced but we had fun anyways.  

Dance Rehearsal

Jia had dance rehearsal and photos for the Music Festival today. First time I've seen her costume and the dance. In the cramped dressing room on a small screen tv with no volume. She's taller than most with short dark hair so she was easy to pick out. For five months of dancing she's really good :)  

So that was a different sort of day. Hanging with dance Moms.

I couldn't take pictures in a dressing room but I did get one of our little greaser outside before we left to return the library book.

The Outsiders

Jia and I made it through the book. She liked it. Then we watched the movie and she loved it. A lot. It's starting to feel like a new hyperfocus. I'm hopeful for a good book/movie report since we've talked so much about it. We ordered a book from amazon because she's not ready to send the library book back. She also robbed my room for a pair of jeans, ripped the sleeves of a black t-shirt and dug out leather type jackets that were Lili and Fei's. Today at a thrift store she bought two more pairs of jeans, two belts and three jackets. She's now a greaser. Without the hair oil. I suggested more of a hoodlum but that doesn't work for her. It's 

hard to explain her intensity with new passions.

Also....I loved this book at her age. I loved the movie a few years later so I get it. However, I'm completely shocked how much of a niche this book and movie have become.

We have already loaded Rumble Fish.

Dance School Fundraiser.

Oy. Disorganized. Music on a laptop. Food not good. Dancing really cringy. Totally not our thing. An expensive mistake. It's good to be home in jammies watching tv with Eric while cuddling puppies. We made the best of it.

This dummy.

Walter has another home that he visits. He is spending more and more time there. I hadn't seen him for a couple weeks and was surprised to find him in my bathroom at 4:30 in the morning. He didn't want to cuddle. Took a swipe at Esmei. Refused to come to bed and layed down in the landing and scowled at me. He was gone by morning. I'd love to lock him in but he's so mean to everyone and a little bit nuts.  

Height wars.

This is hillarious. Luk shot up past Kai, then Kai shot up past Luk. Kai wanted a picture but refused to stand up straight so it looks like Luk is still taller. It's pretty much a daily competition now.  

Reading glasses.

Getting older sucks. I've been using my old, old, old glasses at my desk to see the computer. The bi-focal, tri-focal works for reading up close but not arms length for the computer screen. So I constantly swap glasses. But that system isn't working anymore. It turns out reading glasses for me are prescription. Arg. I finally got serious last week and ordered some. The frames were $18 at Walmart and the lenses are single with a $30 dollar off coupon. So $118. I've just sat down to work today and I can't see. The new computer glasses can't come soon enough. The things I get excited about. Sheesh.

Jia and I are almost done reading the Outsiders. I've loved it. She doesn't love all the cultural expressions and words that keep her confused. Golly, weed for cigarette, rumble, and dozens more. Then we're going to watch the movie. Her report will be comparing the two.  

Gramma graciously volunteered to do some science with her so she picked up a packet yesterday. Elements and the periodic table. Sigh. Her mind...Mom have you ever used this in everyday life? Nope. So, good luck to Gramma keeping her butt in a seat and her head in the game for this project. Haha.  

Kai is getting to go to the symphony with his class. Fun. I have no idea if he will like it or not. He's difficult to keep amused if he's bored. At the theater the other night for Shrek he screamed everytime Shrek roared. Which was sort of funny. I'm pretty sure he was the only one screaming.  

Luk is letting his hair grow. He gets cuter and cuter by the day. His voice has deepened a lot and we're all a little in love with his new sound.

When I picked Kai up from playgroup yesterday the lights were all off. The hallway with his coats and boots was really dark. I chatted with Kai about where his boots were, were they his, how do we find his coat etc. Honestly it was too dark for me too. A girl came out of the office and said they have a boy there with light sensitivity. Great. I pointed out that Kai has complete night blindness and that he was black out blind in the hallway. Then we stood and watched Kai get his boots by feel, sit down and flip them around a few times to figure out how to put them on. I didn't have to say anything else. She mumbled and stuttered that they didn't realize and maybe his things could move. Wild. This sums up why we don't always love sending Kai anywhere. Honestly, you only have to spend a few minutes with Kai to realize HE CAN'T SEE. Then she tried to get me to consider spring break camp for Kai. I asked Kai and he said he'd rather stay home. No surprise, they have him in dark rooms!! I told her we had two camping trips planned for spring break and we'd leave the spot open for parents who work and need the spot. Now I'm wondering if I should call and change his day to not be with the light sensitive kid. It's always something.

The coming week is a bit more loaded than usual. Dance show for Jia and I, Music Festival dress rehearsal, Kai's metcha day, Valentine's day, and Fei's 20th Birthday. And of course time conflicts with the regular shedule.

Making it all happen chaotic moment by chaotic moment.

57 oh my.

Today was a decent Birthday. Mom was over, the big girls came home. We ate lunch and dinner together. We attempted toquitos for dinner. Which were good but needed more spice. Then we went to see Shrek the musical which was fabulous. Late night for us.

Reservations

Cute picture of the pack.

I have 27 nights planned of camping so far. Mar, Apr, May and Jun. Next up to book is end of school Jun 30, I should book Feb 30 but that's not a thing. So, we'll see how it works. Haha. I sure miss being able to pack up and just go camping.

In other news, our sawmill in Gold River was parted out in auction, the structure and head saw were still there and they burned to the ground Tuesday. Crazy. No one was hurt.  

Then today while working I discovered a sheduled payment out of our work account for $13686.00 that I didn't make. After lots of time on hold with the bank it looks fraudulent so is under investigation.

A bit more exciting than usual.

I did see a nurse practitioner this week and she has made the referrals for me. Worth it. It was a way nicer experience than the walk in clinic. The last couple days have been better for me, the flare is finally calming down.

The hood is done.

Jia stayed up until 3 in the morning. She made a pattern, cut, pinned and sewed. No help. Her drive is incredible. At the same time she is currently hyper focused on only eating popcorn. Tonight she ate dinner with us and it wasn't popcorn!! Then went to bed at 6 and is still crashed. It's bizarre watching her live her life her way. I soooooo want to force sleep and eating. Battling her is a no win. Bribery still works but only when she has a hyper focus. The trip to the fabric store for the hood was negotiated. She had to turn in four assignments. Which were done but not turned in. Her report card was here today. She's doing great. We have to start getting math and science started. Yuk. We did get her through a book report and have started the next book. The Outsiders. I loved it 

at her age, she's not impressed with the nicknames, Sodapop and Ponyboy.  

She's happy. That was the goal of home schooling.