Our mini family vacation

The week before leaving for E's parents was exhausting & full. I began to get concerned when the kids all got really sick at the beginning of the week... that we may not make it. Low grade temps & severe body aches. SJ started on Sunday, then the rest followed. Bella actually went to bed at 6pm & wouldn't come out of her room until 11:30am the next day. I just kept going in & syringing her fluids, putting cold rag on her head & giving her love. The rest was good though, because she finally perked up though we missed the lionshare of therapy.


Fast forward to Wednesday... after 2 days of cooking for trip, nursing sick little patients & therapies intersperced... the house looked like a trainwreck. But, the good thing about disaster is that it will patiently await your arrival home days later. Seriously need a cleaning fairy!


Packing the Yukon, or black bus as Roo calls it, was amazing. Our 150 qt cooler just fit the back width. We had backpacks for each child, shoe bag for all, small suitcases for each of us. A small emergency vehicle stash of supplements, first aide, cold/allergy/flu remedies, sunscreen & natural bug repellent. 2 additional baskets for dry food, golf clubs, life vests, snack cooler, extra travel clothing & porta potty made our Clampetts transition complete. Toileting, loading into carseats & situating with juice & snack cups, blankets, asst toys & DVD loaded & we were on the road again.


The trip up was ok-- just short of 6 hours. The kids were actually quite good considering they were sick. I had to perform contortionist manuevers to get into the back for potty breaks, diffusing fights b/t Roo & Sbear & carrying out my flight attendant duties. I was so glad to get out of that truck!


Kiddos really had fun at Grammy & Papa's & for the first time since the twins were mobile, I actually had fun being there with them. Can I have an AMEN! They all have been progressing well (exceptionally so these past few months-- way above anything we've seen prior to detox) & seeing them outside our normally sheltered existance was truly telling of just how well they ARE RESPONDING to the medical, nutritional & therapuetic interventions that have become our normal routines. They all stayed together rather than bolting in opposite directions to the nearest dangerous opportunity, took interest in what other people were doing, looked to interact with other kids (YES!) & slept a great deal better than EVER before. This all was so awesome, especially when they were a little under the weather. For the first time while there, I didn't have the maxed-out hyper alert feeling of propetual adrenaline surge the entire trip. Even with the mountainous FOOD issue of trying to keep them clear of contaminants which are the normal for intake for others wasn't nearly as much of as a battle-- probably b/c our kids have matured some in that aspect & are better able to control their impulsivity currently. Again-- all such progress.

Big milestones were: all their social behavior had really improved, they would process & listening when acting impulsive to our verbal cues much more & their ability to reshift/control impulsive behaviors, less perservation on fears (like water, boat, owls, etc). I know I said SLEEP. Sbear was only up 2 of 4 nights instead of all & older girls never up. SJ just one night. Heck the kids even went for a ride in an open top jeep with us (at the rocket pace of 30 mph), but they tolerated the wind on their faces/skin & enjoyed themselves. Firecrackers did not send Roo into tizzy, nor the few dark clouds & rain, plus she actually swam ACTIVELY. Nothing short of incredible strides they are making individually. Praise God.

This trip I was able to converse with the family like I hadn't in a LONG time. AWESOME! It was great to all be together for even a short time. Regardless, the memories I'll take away are the giant strides the children are making through their hard work & the endless hours of support in the choices we make for them in our lifestyle. Despite our unusual lifestyle of very restrictive diet, a pluthora of supplements & homeopathic remedies, circus of sleeping arrangements & chaos we tend to add... I just feel blessed seeing our kids being the sweet & silly kids they are &  genuinely enjoying themselves. They all have to work so very hard to do the things that come natural to the majority of people & are absolutely 100% my little heros.

Here's a few pix...

Bella & her cousin & furry cousin as well. =>

Our dynamic duo suiting up for a jeep excursion.

Notice the animals Sbear will not leave behind.

OMG- It's a family picture. Check out Sbear's enthusiasm.

Family jeep excursion with little sardines in the back.

Some exhausted babes after a day at the lake.

Roo enjoying a special treat after a swim.

S-bear eating on the run.