do you think...

that if maybe, I were as cute as this little guy, and I brought you a rose, you could pretend like it's not true that I haven't been on here in over a week?

Yea, I know. I don't deserve it.

But I got excuses. Lots of 'em. Some are pretty lame believable, too!

Like the night before Thanksgiving, my little man, Kai, had his third sleep study this year. Yep. He sure did. And we all know that's true, 'cause I'd never fib about my kiddos. I'll even share the results with you. When I get them that is. Oh, when is that? Waiting for them to call me to tell me that the results are in. So, we still have time left to pray that his OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is thing of the past. Although, to be honest, he's been snoring a lot lately and having full-blown conversations in his sleep at night, so I don't think that's gonna be the case.

Then, there was Thanksgiving, albeit nowhere near what our traditional Bombardier Thanksgiving is like, it was very nice and quaint. We had almost all the fixins' we usually have and they were just as delicious. Lots to be thankful for.

Hmmm....what else? Oh yes.

We took another 200 mile each way trip to Shriner's Hospital. Anna Grace still has one more surgery left on her little hand with syndactyly and I was praying hard we could schedule a date during our visit. Alas, it wasn't in the plans. You see, one of the two fingers we were hoping to separate is still pretty small. The Dr. described the bone to be as thick as a pencil lead. With it being so thin, there may be a risk that the blood supply to that finger would not be enough. If that happens and the finger dies, we'd have to amputate it. So, we decided to put her on the "non-emergency" waiting list for surgery. What does that mean? That means we'll be called sometime in the next 11 to 12 months to schedule it. She was bummed. I was bummed. But we know that the best thing to do for her is wait.

I also had Anna Grace and Kai's annual individual education plan (IEP) meeting at school. They're both doing great. Anna Grace no longer qualifies for speech services, but will continue with language and occupational therapy for the next year. As to Kai, he's also doing very well. We'd say he's probably 80% intelligible in speech now, and although he still needs quite a few years ahead of him, he's moving right along with all the other kids that don't have any special needs.

I've also been working hard at the homeschooling with Amanda. We've now settled into a routine and I'm loving the extra time I spend with her. She's got it down pat and is taking four honors classes, along with 2 electives. She studies hard and it's reflecting in her grades (all A's so far!)

Last but not least, Mr. AJ. Oh yea, the boy's got me wrapped around his finger. I am thinking about starting preschool homeschooling for him in January. He's very anxious to learn and I think he's definitely ready for it. I guess I've been putting it off because my last baby starting school would mean that I have no more babies. ::sniff:: But I know I can't be selfish and that there are wonderful stages of growth and learning at every age.

So that's about it. Now that I've caught you up, I promise to be on here more often. I have lots more to share including my new super-duper, leap into the world of technology and our Christmas plans. Pictures full of cuteness coming soon, too!

I miss my blog! I miss my friends! I miss my friends' blogs!

It's time to get back to my new normal life!

P.S. Thank you for all of the emails from you wondering if I'm okay. I am. If I have not responded to your email yet, I will. Soon. Very soon!

Changes

Major changes continue to roll through our household. God is slowly, but surely, making His presence felt. He is moving mountains and clearing cobwebs out of hearts that have felt pretty broken and untouched for quite some time.

One of the biggest changes taking place is that I am now an official homeschooling Mama! Talk about being nervous and wondering how I could botch up a child's life in record time.

But, I know that it is God's will and somehow, someway, he will equip me to do the job. Just as he's equipped me to handle every other circumstance he's thrown my way that I have felt like throwing back and saying, "But Lord, you made a mistake. Look...it's me! You've chosen the wrong person for the job." It is only when I shut up long enough to listen to Him, that I realize that He knew from the beginning that I would be unsure of my abilities and He also knew that I would need Him to get me through it. He patiently waited for me to get over my tantrum and work my way back to Him. In the end, that's all He wanted. We make it through, and He deservedly receives the glory for being the One to have given me the strength and hope to get to the other side. Alone I am nothing. With Him, I am everything.

Homeschooling will be no different. After much prayer about homeschooling my kids, He answered. It was the right decision. But instead of making it easy for me and starting with a preschooler or possibly even a kindergartner, God decided to stretch me even further and throw a high school student for me to homeschool first. Yep, that's God for ya!

Now onto another topic. Our situation at home. It remains. No answers have been revealed as of yet and we continue to struggle. But we serve a very mighty and merciful Lord, whom without there would be no hope. We have Him. We have hope. Eternal. Hope.

In the end, I know with every fiber of my being that He will be glorified. We just need to hang on to His word, His promise, His faithfulness and His unconditional, never-changing love and we will get through it, together, for His glory.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

germ-a-palooza

Anyone interested in coming over to play?

All three kids (Amanda, AJ and Anna Grace) are being treated for Swine Flu and for Strep. I have a counter covered in meds, 12 different bottles at last count, which included Tami-flu (which is in short supply here and we ended up going to 3 drugstores), antibiotics, Tylenol, Motrin, Cough Suppresant, and nasal decongestants.

Somehow, by the grace of God, Kai has been spared, although he has his own collection of meds he's taking. I picked him up directly from school yesterday and delivered him safely to the germ free haven of Po-Po's house. (Thank you Mom for again being my angel. I know how hard it is for you to drop everything to take care of a little one, and you do it without hesitation. I love you!) I am praying to God that he shows no symptoms later. The doctor discussed with me that if he does get it, he will immediately be hospitalized because of his severe apnea.

At first, I thought, "this isn't too bad." But oh my word,

I. WAS. SO. WRONG!

My babies are so very sick. I've never experienced a child with such a wicked, horrible cough, especially AJ's. Poor baby turns beat red and can't stop coughing. I'm talking for hours on end. Cough suppressant does absolutely nothing. His lowest fever has been 102.2 and it's spiked to over 104 last night. I had him in bed because I was afraid of it spiking and my not realizing it. He coughed all night long.

At one point, in the middle of the night, he shattered my heart when he looked at me with his sweet glassy eyes and said, "Mama, I'm sorry I wake you up."

Anna Grace is not too far behind. Her temperature has dropped into the 101's and her cough, although bad, is not quite to the extent of AJ's. They are both wearing their masks and are in separate rooms laying down watching TV right now. She is a trooper. That little girl's resilience will get her so very far in life. I'm so proud of her and love her so much!

Lastly, my big girl, Amanda. Amanda, the first one to get sick seems to be a bit better. Although she's obviously not completely 100% there yet, she now has only run a low-grade fever and her cough has subsided a bit. Fortunately, she has everything a teenager needs, and it's all in her room, so she comes out of there only to go to the bathroom. She's barely eaten in 3 days but I'm making sure she keeps fluids in, as the other 2 little ones are.

As for me, although tired, I have physically felt better than I have in the last two weeks. I continue to be on my own antibiotics for Strep. But no signs of the flu.

Please, please continue to lift our family up to our loving Father, praying specifically for the following:

1) Complete and quick healing for the kids at home that are so sick.

2) For Kai to continue to be exempt from all of this and for complete recovery from his Strep that he is on antibiotics for.

3) For neither Scott nor I to get this terrible flu. We would both without a doubt be out of commission with fevers so high. My babies need me to care for them and Daddy is our sole provider.

Thank you my dear friends and prayer warriors. May God bless you abundantly for your prayers.

We continue to praise Him in the storm.

a picnic in the park

Our little group!

Matthew and Kai soon became good buddies.

Taken while the group was singing Happy Birthday to my girl.

Surrounded by my Bouquet of Blessings!

Our sweet Anna Grace with the beautiful Belarusian princess, Lexi.

Sixteen kiddos!!!

Sasha & Jonas hanging around.

Running free!

My baby boy, A.J. having a blast!

Piggy back rides anyone?

A perfect afternoon for a nap!

Boyd & Sara

Tracy & Michael

This guy's gonna be a heartbreaker. Belarusian prince, Aleksey.

Hmmm...could this be a look into the future?

Friends: Sara, Tracy, Me, Teresa & Becky

Teresa with one of her sweeties, Phoebe.

Becky and her beautiful China doll, Carli.

Chillin' in the shade.

The love of my life and I.

It's now Tuesday night and our time in the city that doesn't sleep is flying by. My internet continues to be limited so, I'm posting every couple of days.

Sunday was a very special day. We had a small get-together in Central Park with some wonderful bloggy friends. We layed blankets out, had a picnic, chit-chatted and watched the kiddos run free.

Unfortunately, we hit one of the hottest days of the year, so we decided to pass on going to the zoo. Instead, we gathered our stuff and walked through the park where the little ones all went on the carousel. Next, we did what most would have thought to have been the impossible dream. We rounded up all SIXTEEN (!!) kids and took a group picture. I must say that I was quite impressed with all of them. It only took saying "look at the camera" about 6 times before they were all looking....even A.J.!

Finally, we all decided to let the kids cool off a bit by letting them go into the water area of the playground! What fun they had!

We were truly blessed by being joined by these special 4 ladies and their families, even the hubbies & boyfriends came along! I know many of you tried to make it, but I understand how sometimes life gets in the way. We'll definitely have other opportunities!

Becky, Teresa, Tracy and Sara....love you guys! Thank you so much for making my trip extra special by coming to hang with the Bombardiers for a few hours. We loved it!

Note: Becky, Amanda thanks Ted & Jack for the special tour of Strawberry Fields and the Dakota apts.

Tracy, thank you for letting me "borrow" some of your GREAT pics!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, big girl!!!

All psyched while sitting on the plane. READY TO GO!

Still my little girl, playing on the "BIG" piano at

FAO Schwarz!

Yummers! Lunch at Lombardi's Pizzeria in Little Italy.
(Thanks, Shanna!)

My "star"!

Definitely "Daddy's girl"

Waiting to go into the Hard Rock Cafe.

A blessed Mama with her two beautiful girls!

I still can't believe she's 15!

Entering the flight deck of the USS Intrepid.

Hmmm....a Navy girl?

The "GForce Encounter". My girl loves these kind of rides!

Big sister and Dad taking the boys on a helicopter ride!

Her favorite NYC spot. Having Frozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity!

We've been in NYC since Saturday morning and having an amazing time!

Today's post I want to dedicate to my beautiful Amanda. It's almost impossible to believe that 15 years ago, God blessed me with a treasure that I desperately wanted, a little girl. I remember having 2 ultrasounds during my pregnancy and both times I was told, "It's a girl!" Yet, both times, I just refused to believe it.

At 12:02 a.m. on August 17, 1994, she entered the world. I remember the doctor saying, "You have a beautiful little girl!" and me clearly responding with, "Are you sure?" He laughed, looked down at my sweet baby girl and said, "Yep. She's still a girl!"

And so the story began.

Amanda,

I love you more than words could ever express. You're everything I've every wanted in a daughter and so much more. I'm so proud of you. I thank God every day that he chose me to be your Mom.

I hope you're enjoying your trip. I know I love making memories with you and I pray they last a lifetime.

God bless you abundantly. I love you as much as the whole wide world....and back again.

Mom

start spreading the news...

The time has finally arrived. In less than a week, the Bombardier clan will be heading to the Big Apple in celebration of Amanda's 15th birthday, a huge deal for our Cuban family!

We can't wait to get there! From the little ones who are completely adamant about meeting Alex (you do know Alex , don't you? Yeah....Alex the lion from Madagascar who lives in the Central Park Zoo when he's not in Africa or San Diego!), to sweet hubby who is thrilled, after many visits to NYC, to get to go to the Intrepid Museum, to Amanda who's Beatle-mania thirst will be quenched visiting Strawberry Fields and seeing the famous Dakota Apartments where John Lennon resided. Not to mention our excitement to see Mamma Mia! Oh yes, I have a very happy and excited family surrounding me.

As for me? I love NY! (sounds like a commercial, huh?) I can't wait to eat visit China Town and Little Italy,eat take the little ones to see the Statue of Liberty,eat and of course, pray down every sidewalk I hit that I run into "the man"! If you know me, you know who "the man" is. (Actually, it's kind of fun to see if you do know me. So, I won't say "the man's" name on here and you could leave a comment with your guess.) But, after stalking researching where "the man" lives, works and plays, I may have a good idea of where I could possibly run into him, not literally of course!

Being in NYC just would not be being in NYC if we didn't eat! I am such a tourist! Oh yes, I am drooling thinking about it could taste it now. hot pretzels from those stands in Times Square, Katz deli, french food, pizza, knishes, egg creams (double yum!) and Schickhaus hot dogs from the Coney Island boardwalk (Nathan's is a bit overrated in my book). I was in Coney Island last when I was 4. That was ummm....25 years ago!

But do you want to know what I am sure will be one of my favorite moments? Meeting up with YOU! Those of you that have emailed and are coming to join our little crew for a small get-together in Central Park! I'm giddy with excitement!!! Some of you are old friends that I can't wait to hug again. Some are new friends that have journeyed into my life through the blog world and have been brave enough to de-lurk, and some of you I feel like I've known forever since you've been pillars of support during some really rough times. Each and every one of you are so very special and I can't wait to see you (and of course your treasures) in person!!! Thank you for making the effort to get out there. I really am so, so excited!

I love this sign. Notice it says "A Quiet Zone". This is hard to do with the Bombardier Triple Terrors running loose.

Here's the Central Park scoop:

WHEN: Sunday, August 16 at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Sheep Meadow in Central Park. West side, mid-Park from 66th to 69th Streets. We will stay closer to 66th Street by Tavern On The Green.

WHAT TO BRING: B.Y.O. E. (bring your own everything!) Anything and everything you want or will need. Staying in a hotel makes it difficult to 'pot luck', therefore we will probably just grab some drinks, sandwiches and a blanket borrowed from the hotel.

The plan is to spend a couple of hours letting the kids do their thing with their new friends while we chit-chat, mingle, and better get to know each other and our families. Then around 1:30 walk over to the Central Park Zoo (on the SE corner of the park -64 St.) We'd love for your family to join us! So, if you're up to it, we can make an afternoon of it together! I know the kids would have a blast and it's supposed to be a beautiful, sunny day!

If you haven't decided if you can or want to come, it's not too late! Please join us.

I will have my cell phone* with me if anyone wants to call, or if you can't find us on Sunday.


* if you don't have my cell phone, please EMAIL ME and I will give it to you.

reserved parking

Some of you may think I'm crazy. Some of you may have even tried my proven theory. And some of you may think the next time you're driving around a parking lot frantically looking for a spot that isn't miles away, "What the hec. Let me give it a try!"

This is the deal.

Want a great parking spot? Almost every time?

Easy.

Ask God!

A few years ago, around Christmas time someone mentioned to me that they never had a problem finding good parking at the mall. I said, "Why? Do you valet?" She laughed and said, "No silly. I ask God!" I was quite surprised and said, "You ask God for a parking space?" She immediately replied with a loud, "I sure do! And he gets me a great one, almost every time!"

I thought she was a bit looney and forgot about it.

Forgot about that is, until the next time I was driving around somewhere and couldn't find a spot. I had recently had back surgery and walking long distances was a mission. I was frustrated and at my wits end. Then I remembered the advice I had been given a few months back.

So, I sheepishly stopped the car, closed my eyes and quietly whispered, "Lord. I know you have so much to do and this may sound really petty, but please, can you find me a parking spot where I don't have to walk for a mile so that my back doesn't begin to kill me?" I then began the search again.

Up the first aisle, down the next. Nothing. I was back at the main entrance when I notice a lady with a cane leaving the store I wanted to go into. I look and figure she was in a handicapped zone. But decided to pause a second to make sure. She crossed in front of my car, went past the 2 handicap spaces and right to the next spot beside them. From that day forward, I have never stopped asking God for trivial things. Nothing is too big. Nothing is too small. If it's His will. It will happen.

My friends, giving you good parking spaces makes God smile. A lot. As the woman had told me many years ago, I get a great spot almost every time! (And the times I don't, I figure he's reminding me I could use the exercise!)

Last night, Amanda and I went to go see My Sister's Keeper. (Great movie...separate post!) It also happened to be the first Friday of the opening of Transformers. The lines were crazy!

We had gone to dinner before and had tickets for the 9:40 showing. About 9 p.m., we pull up to the theater. Literally there was no where to park. The movie was ending at 11:45 p.m. and I didn't want to walk to the other side of the shopping strip alone with Amanda. I drove up and down, up and down. We'd see someone by their car, I'd speed up to ask them if they were leaving, sure enough, they weren't. After about 10 minutes of this and listening to Amanda say, "Mom, just park on the other end. It doesn't matter. Please, just park!" I said to her, "Amanda. God will find us a spot. Just watch." She looked at me and laughed (probably like most of you are doing now).

I stopped the car, closed my eyes and said, "Lord, please provide us a spot in a safe, secure and well lit place where we could walk to without any harm coming to us." Amanda just looked at me and gave me that I-think-my-Mom-has-really-lost-it-now look.

I started driving again. Up and down the aisles. Nothing. We drove for another 5 minutes. Amanda then said, "Mom, obviously God's not into reserving parking spaces. Can we please just park?" I knew in my heart that we'd find a good space. I said to Amanda, "Ok. Let me go around one more time, if I don't find a good space, I promise we'll go down to the end of the mall and park there." She agreed. I make a left to head towards the front of the theater again. I make a right into the aisle smack in front of the theater and there are two girls walking towards their car. Where was their car?

THE SPOT RIGHT NEXT TO THE HANDICAP PARKING! Smack dab in front of the theater!

I was so darn happy! I look at Amanda and said, "MY GOD ROCKS!!!!! Go ahead, say it! Say it!" She laughed and said, "Yep! Your God rocks, Mom!" Then I called Scott to tell him my joyous news that God had done it again!

We had a great time at the movie, came out and our car was the only one sitting right in front of the theatre. Amanda looked at me and said, "Wow. It's like valet!"

Yep, baby. God only gives you His best!

yes we are!

I should've known better than to underestimate your astuteness! Yes, it was a "big" apple, but for some reason I didn't think most of you would guess! You impress me "big". No pun intended. Ok. Maybe a little.

As to keeping the doctor away? I wish! (Update on Kai coming soon.)

And the Twilight books? Sheesh...you've almost got me convinced to read it. Almost!

Back to NYC! It's turned out to a be bittersweet trip. Remember THIS post where I spoke about Amanda and her Quinces? Sadly, we have come to the conclusion that we are in no position financially to provide her with the much anticipated event, equivalent to a wedding and costing on a small scale more than $10k, peaking closer to $15k!

Instead, as a celebration of the momentous date, we offered her a trip with the entire family, to the place of her choice. After researching, pondering and dreaming, covering places from Costa Rica to Jamaica to Italy, she ended up choosing one of my her favorite places, New York City!!! WOOT! WOOT!

We'll be going in August. Tickets are purchased and hotel reservations are made!

Ahhh...but wait! There's icing on the cake. One of Amanda's very limited requests was the possibility of seeing the Broadway play Mamma Mia! Sweet hubby agreed and we were able to pull that off. So now we have center section orchestra seats to see the show that had her wailing serenading us with the famous Abba songs around the house for months!

Lastly, on top of every cake with icing there just has to be a cherry!

What is the cherry, you ask? (I just know this will be one of my favorite parts of the trip!)

There's quite a few of you that live in the northeast that I would love, love, love to see again or would love. love. love to meet and give big 'ol hugs in person to! I knew the family wouldn't go for my spending our first family vacation meeting friend after friend, since after all, a week flys by so quickly there. So, we came up with the idea of having a picnic for a couple of hours in Central Park! What do you think? Cool, huh? The kids could meet, frolick and play while the grown ups can pinch each other to make sure it's real! Ok, sorry! Really. No pinching will be involved. But I'd love to see you.

So if you're game, in the area (or would like to travel to meet up) please email me HERE and I will share the details I have in mind.

If you're a native New Yorker and have ideas or suggestions, you gotta know that those are always welcome since we're looking for inexpensive fun things to do with a teenager and 3 kiddos under 5, that all will enjoy!

In the meantime....we are psyched!

UPDATE: I've received a couple of emails from some of you worried that you don't have little kids, but would still like to come. Please don't think twice about it! I 'd love to see big people there, too. Oh, and of course, hubbies are very welcome....especially by Scott who already envisions himself surrounded by sweaty, screaming kids and lots of women talking about adoption. heh!

My Girl

I know you've heard me talk about my kids, especially the little ones. But, I thought I'd write today about my big girl, Amanda. This morning as I was driving and thinking about Amanda, it suddenly hit me that I can't believe she's gonna be fifteen this year. That's just crazy! Where has time gone? Where did my precocious little girl who loved books and reading (well, she still does) and sitting on her Mommy's lap go?

Being Cuban, our girls usually celebrate their fifteenth birthday with a huge hoopla, comparable to a Bar Mitzvah or a wedding. It's the acknowledgement that our daughter is transforming from being a little girl into a young lady. ::sniff::

This celebration is called Quinces. The "Quinceañera", in this case Amanda, traditionally wears a ball gown (similar to what Cinderella wore when she danced with the prince) and chooses special friends to dance a choreographed dance alongside her. These "dancers" are called her Court of Honor. The Court of Honor also wears gowns and tuxedos. The choreographed dances always begins with the Quinceañera dancing a waltz with her father, proceeded by traditional Cuban dances. This takes months of weekly rehearsals.

The Quinces celebration is a very special part of our heritage and a tradition that I have thought about over and over throughout the years from the time Amanda was born. I can't believe the time has finally arrived. Of course, it arrived when the economy is at it's worst and I have procrastinated with now only 6 months left to plan everything, including finding a venue, gowns, photographer, music, food, invitations, and so on. But, God is always good and I know when the day arrives it will be perfect, as is my girl.

Below are some pictures I took this past weekend. I begged asked Amanda to be my guinea pig so I could practice my photography. She grudgingly whole-heartily agreed! Actually, we had lots of fun being silly and spending one-on-one daughter and Mom time, that I have missed so much!

Amanda, I love you as much as the whole wide world...and back again!