Nature Friday with Mr. J

I am home schooling Mr. J this year.  On Friday's, we have Nature/Field Trip Day.



Yesterday, Mr. J said he wanted to go on a hike.  When he told me that, I had originally planned on taking him to a place called, "Stewart Falls" here in Utah but when we got to the entrance to the hike, it was all closed off.  There was a hiker reported missing and Search and Rescue were out looking for the missing hiker.  Thankfully, I was told that she was found.

So, we drove a little further up the mountain to a place called, "Cascade Springs".  It's a lovely, relatively easy hike.

Mr. J thought it was funny that there were benches at the beginning of the hike.  I explained to him that we'd parked and started our hike at the top of the springs but there is another parking lot at the lower end so if someone started at the lower end, by the time they found this bench, they would probably be happy to see it.

The springs are amazing.  There are signs posted that say you shouldn't drink the water but we have water bottles with filters in them.  Yes, I'm admitting we've drunk the water before..... and it is ice cold and delicious.  I wouldn't recommend you drink though unless you have a filter......  just sayin'..... or you may really REALLY be grateful when you see the 'facilities' at the beginning of the hike.  That is, if you can make it there in time......

I digress.  As usual.....

Mr. J wanted to see if he could cross the springs jumping from rock to rock.

He was making pretty good progress....

And then, I noticed a sign asking people to not get in the water.  Oops!

Time to turn around and come back.

There are signs posted all along the hiking trails which have a lot of information on them like this one.  We stopped and read them all.  Cuz, ya know.  We were in school, right?!

The little acorns aren't quite ready to drop off yet.  We did find some on the ground which Mr. J put in his backpack to bring home and put on his nature table.  He thought the acorn tops looked like little bowls.  I thought they looked like little gnome hats.

Okay.  I am an absolute ding bat.  I can remember taking photos of oak tree leaves with these things on them before and I didn't know what they were then, and I couldn't remember what they were now.

These two looked like buttons on a shirt to me.  Drat!  What are they???  Internet to the rescue!!!

What Gall!!!



Talk about a creepy parasite!

The fall leaves were just beautiful.  I love the reds and oranges best.

This is at the top of the springs.  There are signs that say not to drink the water.  We may or may not have drunk the water from here before and it may or may not taste amazing.

Mr. J was hoping he could find some fish in these little pools.  I'm sure there are some, we just couldn't find any.

"Take a picture of this"!  I asked why and was told that it reminded Mr. J of Christmas.  Red and green.  His favorite holiday.

Care to take a walk with us?

Or perhaps you'd like to just sit and take in the view for awhile.

It's the Maple's that are turning the beautiful reds and oranges.  I had no idea there were so many different varieties of maples!

Bridges.  We had to find and cross all of the bridges.  Mr. J's favorite part I think.  

We didn't see any willow buds but we did find the plants.  It wasn't the right time of year to see flowers.  We'll have to go back in the spring/summer.

And then....... we found the Columbine.  One of my most favorite flowers!  When I was growing up in Montana, there were some Columbine's next to my Dad's garage.  They were growing in the most awkward of places.  A place that didn't look like anything could grow in it but the Columbine flourished.

So dainty.  So pretty.  So magical and woodland.

Monkshood.  I wish we could have seen the blooms on these because they are pretty cool.  Not a chance this time of year.  Drat!

Still, the leaves are quite interesting.  Feathery.

See??  Another maple tree!  Who knew??

The Natives call the seed pods, helicopters.

When they fall to the ground, they look like helicopter blades.

I loved this tree!  It looked like a hand to me.  It reminded me of the book, "My Side of the Mountain".  I asked Mr. J if he would think it would be fun to live inside the tree for a year.

He didn't think so but, he thought it would be a lot of fun to climb!

So he did.

And then I told him to get down from there before you break something!!  Not that I was worried truthfully.  Not when this native has spent 99.9% of his life climbing things!

Mr. J thought this was cool, how it has so many thorns down at the bottom and they thin out towards the top.

Surely if we look hard and long enough we'll find some fish??  The signs say there are fish!  We didn't find any.  Just water skeeters.

How cool are these stairs??

Until next time, The End!

Mr. C Two Years

As I look through these pictures.  I can't believe that it has been almost a week now since we said goodbye.  I feel like I was just posting the photos of this boy saying goodbye to him for two years!

On Wednesday morning of last week, Mr. C was getting in a last few card games with his baby brother, Mr. J while I was running around like a basket case trying to take care of last minute things.

And then, it was time.  Time to load up the luggage that my son would live out of for the next two years as he serves a two year mission for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He submitted his papers several months ago to the leaders of our church, saying he was willing and wanting to serve and then we waited to hear where he would go.  The call came, he opened it, and found out he will be serving in the Chesapeake, Virginia USA mission.

P.S.  Thank goodness for stronger older brothers who can help you carry your big heavy suitcases to the truck!  I love Mr. C's stride in this photo.  He's excited, he's moving forward, he's taking a big step.

Last desire before you leave??  Brick Oven Pizza.  Gotta have some good pizza before one heads off into the unknown.

Is it possible we are standing here taking these photos again??  Why yes, it is because Mr. T isn't in any of these photos.  He's still in the Philippines where he is serving his two year mission!

And so it begins.  The final hugs goodbye.

And then, he's off.  He has his luggage and off he goes!  A few times looking back at us to wave with a huge grin on his face.

One last time looking back.  As the rest of us fall apart as we pile back into the truck and drive away.
I am so proud of my natives.  If I didn't truly know and believe in what they are doing for two years, being representatives of Jesus Christ serving and caring for others, there is no way I'd be able to let them go like this.

But I do.  And as much as it hurts having them gone, it's so worth it, knowing the joy they are bringing to other people all over the world.

Time Management

Today, The SM, Levi, and I met with a dietitian from Primary Children's Hospital.  The appointment was one I have been looking forward to ever since we heard the words, "Prader Willi Syndrom" three weeks ago.  Has it been three weeks?

I have felt like I have been shooting in the dark in regards to what Levi can eat, what he can't eat, how to manage public situations, exercise, a target calorie count for the day, target weight loss, etc.  Help!

I have been counting down the days to today for answered questions.  So many questions!  The visit went great.  These last three weeks have been incredibly hard.  Hard in trying to figure out what to cook for dinners, what to put together for school lunches, what snacks in between that Levi needs because he needs to eat every three hours, and how much daily exercising.  To say this has been consuming my thoughts and actions for weeks is an understatement!

But, it's been worth it!  Today, Levi weighed in and in the last three weeks, he has lost seven pounds!  Go Levi!  That part is wonderful news.  I'm now left with more dilemmas and questions though.  The biggest being, time management.  Anytime you have a child with special needs of any sort, they require more of your time.  Levi already has taken a lot of my time.  Now, he's taking even more.

I told The SM that I feel like I am feeding an infant again.  Levi needs a meal every three hours.  The difference is that instead of hooking him up to the ol' "dairy bar" me I have to prepare a meal/snack for Levi every three hours.  On top of that, I need to make sure he is exercising everyday which means long bike rides or walks or visits to the pool.

Here's the concern/worry.  The other natives.  They need time with mommy too!  So, more to figure out.  I know once I get a schedule of monthly meals put together that things will get easier and we will get into a pattern.  In the mean-time, all of my flowers that require me watering them by hand have died, the bathrooms haven't been cleaned in a day I'm lying it's been way too long, laundry is piling up, the training of Henny Penny's dog hasn't happened, yet.......  my house looks like me, a mess!

So, bottom line.  What we are doing with Levi as far as food and exercise is concerned is working wonderfully.  Now we have to figure out how to make sure the other natives get their personal time with mummy too!

Don't you just love how answering some questions leads to more questions??

Cauliflower. It can be edible!

In my quest to find foods that are healthy and that Levi will love, I was told to check out this recipe (click here to see recipe) for Cauliflower Pizza.

Cauliflower Pizza?  Are you kidding me?  I don't like cauliflower.  I know.  Big surprise.  It's a vegetable!  And, it's gross.  I did NOT want to taste a 'pizza' that tasted like cauliflower.  But, Levi absolutely loves, adores, dreams about........ you get the idea.  Pizza!!

So, we tried it.  And......... it was really really good!!  I did what the recipe said and squeezed the living daylights out of the cooked cauliflower.  I mixed in the seasonings, eggs, and cheese.  Cooked it for about 30 minutes in a 450 degree oven.  I wanted the crust to be nice and crisp.  I then added pizza sauce, salami, red and yellow bell peppers, onion, and bacon.  I turned my oven up to 'broil' and keeping the rack in the middle, put in the pizza to cook the veggies until they started to get little black edges.  I then added more Mozz. cheese and put it back into the oven just a minute or two until the cheese melted.

Oh my heavens!  There is actually a way to eat cauliflower besides smothering it in Velveeta cheese! And!!  The natives liked it and more importantly!  Levi liked it!  Success!!

Closet Eaters

Closet Eater:  An abnormal eating behavior in which a person binges on food when alone.  Closet eaters usually eat normal meals in front of other people, but when alone, the binging begins.  A closet eater sneaks foods and hordes goodies in a bedroom, car, or other secret place.  

Closet eating.  Every father or mother knows that it is a right of passage!  When one needs a treat break from the natives, one goes into their closet and eats some chocolate takes a deep breath and regroups.  It's a very select group.  We take our membership very seriously.

I'm a horrible mum!  I've broken the code.  This is a parents only group!  One must go through the initiation of parenthood to get into this group.  There are laws I tell ya!  Laws for a reason!!  I broke them.  I hang my head in shame.

Because Levi is on such a strict diet of what he can and can't eat, we all have to be strict with him.  It's not fair to eat donuts and cookies and ice cream and truffles and brownies and candy and chips and crackers and scones and could you hold on a second?  I need to go in my closet for a minute.  Just typing this has made me realize I need to take a break for a minute.

Phew!  Okay, I know I said a minute but a minute turned into a nap.  Yes, I was napping that whole time in my closet!  Who's asking?????

Anyway, as I was saying. One shouldn't eat things in front of others who can't.  It's just not nice.  So, in the argument of being kind, I've divulged the secret of the closet society.  I know!  I'm sorry!!!  What's a mum to do??  The other natives were starving I tell ya!  They were having with drawls and foaming at the mouth!  I had to do something.

Yesterday, Levi was at a friends house.  I was craving some sanity.  Oh was I craving it big time.  Over the top big time.  I climbed up on top of my island and reached far back into the cupboard above the fridge and grabbed a sugar cone.  It wasn't good enough to just sink my spoon into a tub of ice cream and eat out of the tub.  Ohhhh no.  Yesterday, I wanted a big double decker ice cream cone with fudge on top.  Levi was gone!  I could!  I could sit in my kitchen and indulge myself!  So, I did.  I also scooped a bowl of ice cream for Henny Penny and how we relished those first bites.  And then....... we heard it...........  the front door.  WHAT?!  HOW THE?!!  IT CAN'T BE!!!!  HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!!!

I put on my super sneaky hero suit and flew across the kitchen!  Ripped the bowl of ice cream out of Henny Penny's hands, slammed my ice cream cone into the bowl on top of her ice cream, (had a silent sob, it was a beautiful cone),  yanked open the freezer door, and hurled the bowl of ice cream with my cone into the back of the freezer with a slam of the door shut.  Levi walked around the corner and asked, "Watcha doin"?

Oh nothing honey!  Just teaching your sister to hide and hoard food.  Just giving your sister one more thing to work out in therapy as she gets older.  More bad habits!!!

One doesn't want to waste one's money or the therapists time so I am giving them plenty of things to work on!

Dear Natives,
You're welcome

Love,
Mummy

The End!

Prader Willi Syndrome and Levi

I am going through all sorts of emotions today.  Yesterday I had a good cry and then wondered why in the world I was crying!  Nothing has changed.  Levi is still Levi, right?!  Another label. Something else to worry about.

I took Levi to the doctor for a routine physical and his latest immunizations required by the schools to enter Junior High.  The doctor wondered if Levi had ever been tested for Prader Willi Syndrome.  No.  Why? After the doctor's suggestion that I go home and look it up, I am quite convinced that Levi does in fact, have Prader Willi Syndrome.

Prader-Willi syndrome is a complex genetic condition that affects many parts of the body. In infancy, this condition is characterized by weak muscle tone (hypotonia), feeding difficulties, poor growth, and delayed development. Beginning in childhood, affected individuals develop an insatiable appetite, which leads to chronic overeating (hyperphagia) and obesity. Some people with Prader-Willi syndrome, particularly those with obesity, also develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (the most common form of diabetes).

People with Prader-Willi syndrome typically have mild to moderate intellectual impairment and learning disabilities. Behavioral problems are common, including temper outbursts, stubbornness, and compulsive behavior such as picking at the skin. Sleep abnormalities can also occur. Additional features of this condition include distinctive facial features such as a narrow forehead, almond-shaped eyes, and a triangular mouth; short stature; and small hands and feet. Some people with Prader-Willi syndrome have unusually fair skin and light-colored hair. Both affected males and affected females have underdeveloped genitals. Puberty is delayed or incomplete, and most affected individuals are unable to have children (infertile).

It's as if these two paragraphs were written about Levi.  Excepting the light hair.  Pretty much everything else applies.  So what now?  The usual.  At first, it's just information.  Okay.  Deal with it.  Then it slowly starts to sink in and I find myself emotional and crying not understanding why until I talk it out with my baby sister.  It's another big thing to absorb.  It's no longer, "Levi has a weight problem".  It's a life threatening weight problem.  On top of the AHC that he already has!  And the way we do things, the food we eat, all of that has to change.  Drastic!  Huge!  It's overwhelming and I've no idea where to start!  

A dietitian with Primary Children's Hospital is going to work with me.  I have to keep taking big breaths and reminding myself that this didn't just happen in a day.  Levi will be okay if we work into this.  Yes, we need to be aggressive and make huge changes but it doesn't all have to happen today.  

I start to print all the information I can get my hands on from the Internet.  I'm pouring over papers trying to get ideas and suggestions.  I'm brainstorming thinking about what will work for Levi.  I keep praying asking for guidance and inspiration and I am writing down my thoughts and taking notes as the inspiration comes.  

I think the biggest thing I am worried about is the emotional toll this is going to take.  Not just the hard work to put this all into place, but the emotional.  Having Levi crying and telling me he is hungry and wants more to eat and not giving in.  He doesn't understand.  He doesn't feel full.  I already deal with this and I've always given in and given him what I thought were healthy alternatives but from what I am reading, I won't be able to give him in the future!  Even healthy isn't necessarily healthy for Levi.  

If Levi didn't have siblings at home, this would be a lot easier.  Their lives are going to change too.  Everything will need to go into a lock down and anything Levi can't eat, they'll have to eat in private where he can't see them.  Do you get the magnitude of this?  It's not just home.  It's at friends houses, school, church, parties.  How does one do Thanksgiving?  Levi can't eat a lot of what everyone will be eating.  We can't live in a bubble!  We can't seclude ourselves.  These are things I have to figure out because it is no longer just a weight problem.  This is Levi's life on the line.  

I have no idea how this will all workout or come into play but I do not doubt that it will.  I have faith that it will.  Levi lived with our Father in Heaven first before he came to The SM and me.  He knows Levi best and what Levi needs.  I know He will continue to guide us and help us find our way on this journey.  In the meantime, there are tears still to shed.  It's a process.  Grieving.  And that is okay. There's always a rainbow after the storm, a beautiful thing.  

A Lazy River

Why is it that all of my stories somehow have a bathroom experience involved??

The one moment that I sit down to take a break in my 'oval office'.  I'm sitting there and all of a sudden I am hearing a noise in the plumbing, the actual plumbing, not mine, and I am thinking, "That doesn't sound good"!!

Next thing I know, Miss K is running into my 'office' and telling me that Mr. C has broken a sprinkler and it is flooding all over.  Really???  Seriously???  This had to happen now??  When I can in no wise do anything about it until nature has taken it's doo course???

I finally get done with my business and come outside to see a lovely river in my front yard!  I'd asked The Natives to dig up the paving stones that we walk on that were getting eaten by the grass and could hardly be seen so that we could make our front walk look nice.

Guess us joking to Levi that we were making a lazy river in our front yard when he asked what we were doing yesterday became a reality!

I hate it when pipes explode!  The timing is never convenient!!