So let me update because it has been 5 years. So many changes have happened. Let me start off first by posting a picture of my sassy, spunky, spirited Odessa Dei. She's beautiful and is the sweetest little angel. She turned 5 - 7 days ago. I have to say so is pretty easy for being the last kiddo.
As far as Odessa's health goes. We are pretty much on the same path as we were 5 years ago. She has her heart conduit and it's been pretty basic as far as the care she has required. Now that she is older she still self regulates her activities. She sits down when she's tired and doesn't have any restrictions at this time. Now at her last appointment they said that we would be doing heart surgery to update her conduit and to hopefully fix a very leaky valve that has been causing a lot of back flow of blood into her heart. Now her cardiologist doesn't think that this is an EMERGENT situation so these are good things. But we are planning on surgery for the Summer of 2020. So I have to tell you that it hasn't been something we have dwell on too much. For one it is incredibly overwhelming to think about and it makes me physically sick to think about. So I have pushed in into my "future" worries column and we will address it head on. Maya is probably the most concerned about her out of the kids, well she has vocalized it the most. I know they are all concerned about her health but she has shown the most "fear" for her. We have tried to reassure her that we can't dwell on the future and that overall as Odessa gets old she's only going to get stronger and that we have to have faith in the doctors that they will make her even stronger. As we get closer to the impending date I'm sure that it will get more "real"| her appointment is on March 2nd so after that appointment we will have follow up dates and such. But again these are all future worries nothing to get excited about today... we are status quo.
On to the other kiddos. Man do we have a good group of kids. I am biased of course but they really are great kids. Lehna is so smart she definitely is by far more motivated in school than I have ever been. I didn't get that kind of motivation until my Junior/Senior year. Her goals are to have straight As through her high school path. I mean I'm all for it but you don't have to sit on her to do her homework or anything of that nature she goes and does what she needs to do with very little "parenting" on our part. I'm sure there will come a time in which we will have to push but I'm grateful it's not right now. She has grown into a beautiful young lady and I'm very very proud of her.
Maya is such a unique and spirited kiddo. She is very much like Nikolai they kind of beat to their own drum. She has a super kind heart and by far the most sensitive. She has a big space for Odessa and watches over her the closest. She tells me her fears about Odessa and her worries and we do reassure her that she will be okay. Her interests are far and wide. I think the most unique thing about her is is ability to go with the flow. She is a very easy going child. She doesn't require a schedule of what we are doing and is completely fine to relax in her room and listen to her music/youtube. She is growing in the a beautiful young lady as well. The two older girls or our "bigs" as we call them are very different from on another in personality, but they also have some similarities as well. Maya does her homework and puts some effort into school and she does well, so I am very proud of her. There isn't a task she can't tackle and that makes parenting easy. She's motivated to do what she needs to do and takes pride in the things she accomplishes.
Nikolai the one and only boy. This little man has kept me on my toes ever since he decided he was ready to talk. He is the funniest kiddo and his intelligence is so diverse. He is addicted to his kindle that's by far his tool for punishment/pleasure. He reminds me of his grandmother Helen the way he has these one liners that are very funny that keep us all wondering what will come out of his mouth. He recently was put on ADHD medication and this has been a challenge to find the right one for him. He is very emotional at times and so we are trying to find one that makes it easier for him to concentrate. He is just so full of life and spice. He keeps it really interesting for all of us. I just love his personality and his ability to make me laugh (even when he isn't trying). He says the most hilarious things. He is so black and white that it makes it fun when you need things to be gray he won't have it. He is may planner kiddo he wants to know where we are going, why are we going, and most importantly can he bring his kindle. If he has all the answers to that he's willing, sometimes even those answers he's not willing but sometimes you just have to suck it up and do it, that is a common phrase we use for him. He definitely keeps us hopping that is for sure.
So as far as Tait and I we are doing fine. I went back to school and got my teaching license. I start in January in 4th grade for Mac. I'm excited and it will be a new challenge and I'm excited for it. I wish I would have done this years ago, but I kind of feel like this is my path that God has placed me on. He has opened and closed doors for me to go down this path and I know that he will continue to move mountains for me and I think it's great. I want to continue to do what I'm called to do and teaching is part of that plan. I have always loved teaching I just didn't realize how much of a part of this it truly is. So I'm starting a new career in 2020 and following a new path. I have a feeling this year is going to be full of many many blessings. I am excited for them all and will continue to dream big.
