Mike and the kids arrived safely in Arizona on the 26th of March, 30 days after I got here. The first week was spent sleeping on air mattresses and sitting on camping chairs, while we waited for our moving truck; but we survived it all. Easter Sunday was a great day of friends and fellowship followed by a family hike about half way up a nearby mountain. It's been so great to be all back together again and we seem to be finding our routine.
Mike got Paige registered for school last Thursday and she had the option of waiting until Monday to start, but the social butterfly in her was eager to get started right away! So, Friday it was! My original plan was to take her the first day, but she insisted on riding the bus... then she wouldn't even let me walk her to the bus stop! She came home from school and was immediately immersed in neighborhood friends outside, too busy to even share her day with us! Today completed her first full week and her report from the teacher was fantastic!
Chase just finished his first full week of homeschooling and we seem to be finding a routine with it. Mike has given him some lengthy things to do, and he hasn't complained once. He prefers to get up in the morning and get right to it, too! He has even been reading - on his own - each day! For those of you who know Chase well... this is awesome news!
Also, in regards to Chase, we met his new pediatrician Wednesday afternoon and really liked him. He read through all of Chase's reports and labs and did a thorough exam, spending over an hour in the room letting us ask all of our questions and he asked his. In the end, because Chase does seem to be showing some improvement, we have decided to hold off on Rheumatology for now and see how Chase does. They seem pretty certain that Chase had a bad case of "Mesenteric Adenitis". Basically, a nasty virus that attacks the mesenteric lining of the abdomin causing the lymph nodes to swell so much that it causes abdomonial pain and it can sometimes take a few months to recover. So, as long as Chase continues to improve, this is likely the cause of his extended illness. Praise God for good news!!
Mike has had 3 interviews in 4 days with the same theater company for an Assistant Manager position. Mike went into it very honest with them about why we were here and told them up front that he won't work Sundays and he'd need one specific night off each week for small groups. They were very agreeable to it all and seemed to like him. We should know by late next week if he landed the job. He's eager to get into a routine so that he can set some at home "office" hours to dedicate to Riverview Church and working on some local mission stuff. And honestly, I think being at home all day is starting to drive him a bit batty and it's only been 2 weeks! LOL!
I am LOVING my new job at Sante of Surprise with Infinity Rehab! I wasn't sure how I felt about stepping down into a staff therapist position and giving up the reigns of being a director. But, it has been so great and I get to come home to my family and not even worry about work! Sante is a different kind of rehab too... it's a culture change type of therapy. The patients are called "guests" and they have so many choices and have a huge role in their daily care. Right down to eating in the Bistro or restaurant whenever they want. They go in alone or with friends/family, sit at a table, a server takes their order, etc. etc. etc. Really makes them feel like people and not just a patient.
We miss Devin and Kayleigh like crazy, but we know that they are happy and doing well. Kayleigh is settling in to her apartment in Colorado and started back to work this week. She and Justin are hoping to be here in mid-May for a quick visit and to get the rest of her stuff that Mike brought here to Arizona. Devin was transferred to Eglin Air Force Base in mid March and loves being near Destin Beach! We hope to see him around the July 4th holiday.
A huge thank you to everyone who has prayed for our family and supported us through this entire process! With all the spiritual warfare that tried to attack from the minute we made this decision to us physically landing in Arizona; I am certain that God has big things planned and we are ready to do whatever it is He has planned for us!
