I'm SO sorry you are going through this. I'm in tears because the beginning of your story is so much like my daughter's. But, she was diagnosed with PANDAS and is currently in remission. I pray that your story has a happy ending SOON!!!!!!

So sad. I'm sorry. We've had two young mothers die in the last couple months here in my small town. The first was 42 (she has a 13, 10 and 7 yo) and died of a heart attack (no previous history of heart disease). The second just died last week. She was 41 (leaves behind an 11 and 8 yo) and died of complications of the flu. Very scary.

No idea as we can't travel that time of year. But, I had to tell you that on our Disney Cruise in January of this year, our ship was still decorated for Christmas!!! I was SO happy when I walked on board and saw that! It was so beautiful! We've been to WDW at the beginning of Jan and the decorations are still up too.

Like Elise, my youngest is my gymnast. The older three are old enough to stay home alone or even drive to their own activities. So, it's a bit different. But, my three older boys row. It's a HUGE time and financial commitment. I was scared when they started because of all of the travel and how it would change our family dynamics. Well, we just take the events and all as they come. So far, it has worked for our family. Spring is a VERY busy time as it's the height of competition season for both sports. Again, we take it as it comes. The boys can get themselves to and from practices, which helps a LOT. Sometimes, we have to send them off to regattas by themselves. Makes me a little sad, but texting helps us stay in contact. Dd has started carpooling with four others from her gym. It's worked SO well! We also live 30 minutes from the gym, so it's a haul! Is there anyone else from your area who you can share rides with? That eliminates the waiting around in the gym for your littles. I hope you figure it out!

It will be SO hard to plan a trip without one of my kids! I just can't even imagine. But, I know it's coming.

Awwww. That makes me happy!!! We are actually booked on two cruises in the next year, but I think we will cancel both and book another to do some ports we haven't seen yet. Ds is leaving for college in the fall, so our budget and travel time has been severely restricted!!! I really want to do AK!!! The kids definitely don't. To them, vacation is warm. They'd do Hawaii though! But, the flights kill us!!!

My sister in law went to the turtle farm and they LOVED it!!! She had small kids with her and she said the employees were wonderful helping her and making sure she got pictures and all. We went to Chankanaab park in Cozumel. They do have swimming with dolphins, but there is so much more to do there! It's a gorgeous park. And, you can take a taxi from the port and do it cheaper on your own. We also did Mr. Sanchos Resort. We did it on our own - it's an all-inclusive beach day. The food and drinks are VERY good. We booked the "romance" package because it got us our own cabanna complete with cabanna boy. Plus we got two massages included. I swear it was the best massage I've EVER had. Kayaks and a few other water toys are free but you have to leave a deposit. I'm jealous!!! I want to be planning a cruise!!!

I'm not looking forward to my daughter getting older and bigger. Luckily she's still a TINY 8 year old and can still wear the beautiful silk Strasburg dresses.

Honestly - my kids make me much braver than I ever was as a kid!!! I've done things I never would have done as a young whipper snapper. (I'm in my 40s. So, over the hill) And, I'm much happier and think I'm a much more confident person because of it! My kids have talked me into such fun things as parasailing, bungee jumping, rock climbing (not wimpy rocks - the HUGE ones!), surfing, swimming with dolphins, etc, etc, etc. It's fun!

My husband is a priest. He is always really impressed with people who come to him and explain why they are going.

My sister's son had this done without anesthesia. Took less than two minutes. Can you ask about that possibility to reduce cost?

yum!!! I agree with your oldest! My kids do this!!! They love it!!!! My daughter doesn't eat dessert. She just doesn't like sweets. Waiters/waitresses think that's SOOOO odd when we go out! But, I'm the same way.

My husband likes his Chrysler 200. And, he liked his Chevy Malibu before that. He'd prefer the 300 or the Impala, but it's his work car and they cut his budget a few years ago!

Will you have access to laundry on the ship? When we cruise, I plan to do a couple loads so I don't have to bring as much stuff. If not, I agree you need more!!!! Is the ship air conditioned? If so you'll be chilly. And it might be cold at night too.

My kids' dentist does an exam and the hygenist does a thorough cleaning. He does x-rays every three years. We started taking our kids when they were 4.5 - 6 years old. My youngest had a phobia of doctors and our dentist didn't push her. He was fine with waiting. When she was 5, he "counted" her teeth to make sure she didn't have any obvious problems. The next time I was in, he asked to take a look again. We eased her into it and when she was ready, they did the full cleaning. She had her first set of x-rays at 8. My first child had a cross bite. I wouldn't have known that if he hadn't been in for his twice/year visit. One of my kids had a cavity. They were able to catch it early (he was 5) before it became a problem. If I had to pay out of pocket, I would probably make it an annual thing, honestly. My parents never took me to the pediatrician when I was little. I have a HUGE fear of doctors today. So, I have my kids go to all the doctors recommended so they don't develop a fear. But, most importantly, I want them to be seen, just in case something is lurking.

All of mine are in karate at a local gym. Two of them lift weights. All three of the boys row, so when they can't get out on the water, they erg indoors. It's a great workout! What about workout videos? My kids will sometimes do a round of P90X or Insanity.

We haven't hit it yet and my oldest is nearly 18.

How old? My boys wear boat shoes all summer. They do stink, but they take them off before they come in the house and all is good.

Yikes! I wonder if it goes the other way around too? According to my oldest son's bmi, he is obese. He's a weightlifter with lots of muscles and a 32 inch waist. He's NOT obese. Scary if it's accurate.

I've found it's just easier to schedule school around the public school schedule. Not necessarily because of the questions (I honestly don't mind them), but because my kids have a LOT of ps friends and if we are trying to get any school done when their friends are off, it's just too hard.

Around here that would easily be $10 - $15. (Which is why our family of 6 doesn't go out to breakfast often!! :) )

Are you sure it's not a tick? My son had what we thought was a scab on his head. Turned out to be a tick.

I get this! It's hard. Tonight our schedule looks like this: 2 gymnastics private lesson 3:30-6 oldest babysits 4-7. Second goes to rowing 4:15-6:30 child number 3 karate 7:15 child number 3 Boy Scouts Tonight I will try to have dinner on at 6:30. Most of us can sit down together and eat then. We leave a plate out for the rower to eat later. Other nights some get home at 7 and dd is out until 8:30. Those nights are crock pot nights. Then I have a child or husband throw on a huge pot of rice and veggies. Everyone eats when they get home.

Do you have a basement? If so, no worries!!! Just have a plan and let the kids know. Make sure you get the warnings and explain to the kids that you have plenty of time to get to safety. If not, make a safe place. My sister is in GA (1 mile south of the TN border). They don't have a basement and had a tornado rip through their neighborhood a couple years ago. Everyone was fine, but 2/3 of their neighbor's houses were gone. They had a plan - have a closet to retreat to, have some "fun" stuff to do - you might be there a while (they have a dvd player), have bike helmets for everyone to wear, have an extra mattress to put over you - just in case, have snacks in there so if you are waiting you have something to eat and drink. I think that's it.

Nope. Not creepy. Very nice. You complimented her daughter. That's sweet! She might not see it because if you aren't friends, the message will go to her "other" folder. I rarely check mine!