Dear Gavin

Dear Gavin,
My sweet boy...how are you 5?  You've been through more in your five years than most people go through in a life time.  You are so brave and strong when it comes to all of your doctor visits.  Your cognitive skills are off the charts and everyone is always impressed with how smart and sweet you are.  You have the best giggle, sparkling eyes, and people are drawn in to you everywhere we go.  You have a very stubborn side and want to do things the way you have pictured them in your head.  You have a bunch of new tools that you love to put to use and figure things out.  You love all things "boy"....cars, super heroes, tools, being outside.  You are a great eater and rarely do I put anything on your plate that you don't like.  You are my most independent child and will adapt and make things work.  You still love frogs and snakes and have made quite the collection of stuffed animals to sleep with.  You snuggle a little bit more now and Mommy loves that!  I'm honored to be on this journey with you and look forward to see God's plans for you!
Always remember...you are smart, handsome, kind, and important.  I love you to the moon and back!

Mommy

Dear Lilah

Dear Lilah,
Wow...how are you already 3?  You are such a lively little girl and I can't imagine our family without you.  You are a Mama's girl and are either stuck to my side or into something.  You have no fear and do not want to be a baby anymore.  You often remind me that "baby means love" when I call you my baby.  You love Buzzby, Cailou, and many other shows, Doc Stuffins, and your babies.  You aren't the best eater, but you can snack with the best of them!  You are always asking for a snack or treat.  You have a huge vocabulary and are very physical.  You have a sweet and caring side, but also a lot of sass.  You aren't afraid to stand up for yourself or let your voice be heard!  You've been spending your days with Grandma and love going to her "school".  You guys have had a great time together at the library, doing puzzles, and so much more.  You love the chickens and were one of the first to hold them.  You are small, but mighty and I know God has great things in store for you!  
Always remember, you are smart, kind, beautiful, and important.  I love you to the moon and back!

Mommy

Gavin Interview at 5

How old are you?: 5
What is your favorite color?: blue and green 
What is your favorite show?:  Slugterra
What is your favorite movie?: Tarzan
Who is your best friend?: Bailey and Jayce    
What is your favorite food?: eggs and toast    
What is your favorite thing to do with mommy?: having one on one time and having a stay home day
What is your favorite thing to do with daddy?: doing legos
Where is your favorite place to go?: Teppanyaki and ChuckE Cheese
What is your favorite book?: That big super hero book
What is your favorite thing to do at school?: field trips                                                               
What is your favorite toy?: cars, trucks and super heroes                                                                                                            
What is your favorite animal?: frogs and snakes
What do you want to be when you grow up?: a firefighter and zookeeper and a football doctor 
Anything else you want to tell me?: I have ten more things to tell you, actually when I grow up I want to be a Riley doctor and I want to be that name right there (Abbie) and I want to be on the Slugterra show and I want to be on the super hero show and I want to be on Daniel Tiger and whenever I grow up I want to be a Boston doctor and a Riley doctor.

Lilah Jean Interview at 3

How old are you?: 3
What is your favorite color?: orange 
What is your favorite show?:  Buzzby and Cailou and Angelina
What is your favorite movie?: Leap Frog
Who is your best friend?: Reagan    
What is your favorite food?: corn and spaghetti 
What is your favorite thing to do with mommy?: come in you guys bed
What is your favorite thing to do with daddy?: coming in the bed with him and laying down with him
Where is your favorite place to go?: Teppanyaki
What is your favorite book?: Dr. Suess books
What is your favorite thing to do at Grandma's?: sit in her lap                                                               
What is your favorite toy?: playing with babies                                                                                                                        
What is your favorite animal?: dog
What do you want to be when you grow up?: doctor
Anything else you want to tell me?:i like santa giving me presents

House Posting

If you know anyone who is looking for a great starter home, in a good location with great neighbors, send them my way!


http://www.era.com/property/111601094-101022738/7605-e-gum-st-evansville-in-47715/

It's Offical...

Two weeks ago, I resigned from my job.  This is not something I EVER thought I would do.  I've wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember.  I LOVE my job, I LOVE my school, I LOVE my staff and students.  But, I LOVE my FAMILY more!

It was just getting to be too much.  I wasn't able to be my best self anywhere.  Gavin's medical needs continue to increase and I just need more flexibility.  We've also made the decision to HOME SCHOOL the kids next year.  Once again, this is not something I ever pictured for myself and was actually negative about it in the past.  I've learned a lot and changed a lot and am super excited about this new adventure.  I still plan to finish out the school year in April and May and then I will be done.  

Finally, last Monday, we put the house on the market.  We had a great crew of family come to help us get it ready and it looks amazing!  We had a contingent offer on another home, but it didn't work out.  The good thing is, it takes the pressure off and now we can just worry about selling our home and finding the perfect one for us.  

Lots of CHANGES, lots of MADNESS, lots of LOVE!

It's Been A While...

So I think this is officially the longest I've gone without posting on my blog.  To say our life has been complete "Mitchell Madness" would be an understatement!  Here is just a little bit of what we've had going on:

• I got a new phone finally around Halloween.  I've been taking tons of pictures, but have yet to figure out how to get them all on the computer.  Not only did I get a new phone, but it already had to be replaced!  Brian got one, too, and we are both loving them so far.
• I am currently taking a leave from work.  I will go back in April to finish out the year.  Gavin's medical needs have once again increased and it was just too much.  I needed to step away and make some big decisions for our family.
• Gavin....well, he is currently getting labs once a month and taking iron, but his levels seems to be better.  His GI issues caused him to be referred to some doctors in Boston becasue they weren't sure what to do in Indy.  We didn't know if we were going to have to go there or not, but we've found a pair of Riley docs who will be able to do the procedure in June.  He's also been referred to a new Neurologist at Riley making his team total 6 up there!  His legs are falling asleep and he is falling to the ground.  They are concerned about his spine and he has yet another MRI to check around the spine to see if a vascular lesion is squeezing it.  His leg vein, even though it has 23 coils in it, has not completely closed off!  The doctor is OK with it at this time, but thinks that it is amazing that it won't give up!  We continue to have lots of appointments and procedures and I don't see any slowing down soon.
• Gavin has also had a recent trip to the ER for his strider and just last week I took him into Dr. Voyles because of breathing issues.  We are hoping he will outgrow it, but I'm not sure when!  He's also been referred to Dr. Bowersox, a local psychologist, who specializes in children with long term illness.  We just don't want to let that area slide!
• We had the flu at Christmas, so that was a bit crazy!  We had to reschedule Lilah's birthday party, but it turned out great!  We've had two birthdays now and officially have a 6, 5, and 3 year old!  Where has the time gone?
• We are planning to put our house on the market.  I've tried to make this house work long enough, but we just need more space!
• We may be parents of 5 little ones soon!  There are two little boys who we are trying to foster to adopt.  They are currently in Lafayette and go to Andre's daycare.  It's a crazy story and we feel like God has put them in our life for a reason.  We flew through the foster application process and are now waiting to hear if and when we can bring them home!  More about that when I can share more...
• I've been making some big decisions about working and schooling for the kids that I will be able to share soon...

If you've stuck with me this long...THANKS!  My new motto is, "God has greater plans for me than I could even imagine!"  My life seems to be taking a new direction and I am more at peace than I've been in a long time.  We have been praying about so many things and feel like things are coming together and all happening at once!  I hope to fully update the blog with pictures, etc soon, but as you can see, I've been a little busy!