New things.

A few new things to share:

• Jack and Kane play together for hours at a time now, either with toys or hide and seek - but during the whole time Jack is engaged and happy and laughing - all with his brother. It makes my heart sing, I feel my soul lighten. 
• Kane is SO smart. He is completing puzzles and pointing at things he wants and he understands how things go together. We are terribly proud and also relieved for him. He won't have to go through what Jack has. For that, I am grateful.
• Jack is doing very, very well in school and now when we play at Barneyz or a kid's club - he goes to interact with the children without being introduced or asked. 
• Jack is coloring now, he has never done this before or even noticed what it does - what he can create. He has to have a clean, white paper to get into it. No coloring books or lines already on paper - has to be fresh. So cute.
• A huge thing that happened last weekend was Adrian made contact with one of his other son's from his last marriage. They have been talking all week, and everything's changed. When we talk about moving back home, it's exciting and not stressful or sad. He is like a different man - like he has something to look forward to - hope for. It's made all the difference in him and I can't wait for us all to be together some day. Soon!
• Jack is learning new words every day, asking for things by request (no pointing or grunting) and also the stimming is finally calming down. It seems the older Kane gets and can play with him, the happier they both are. They are true best friends - again, SO grateful. 
• We went to the discount store for Halloween decorations and came away with a lot of stuff for only 10 euro. We've lit cinnamon candles and decorated the house for this coming Friday night when we take the kids out together for the first time. I think Jack will finally understand what Halloween is - we are so completely excited!!!

A list.

Sorry I've been away for a time - about a month. It's been a full one -- packed with ups and downs - sad to say mostly downs but hopefully on the up and up. Here's a list in no order of what's happened over the last four weeks.

1. My dear father and mother sent over money for Jack's tests - THANK YOU!
2. My dear friend and SIL Melissa sent over a gift card for the grocery store so we were able to get stocked up on some things for the kids. YES! and THANK YOU!
3. Jack is doing so great at his new school and is starting to already repeat most words back to you -- sometimes you have to ask him to say them back and sometimes you don't! GREAT progress! 
4. My bank debit card was used for a nice hotel stay in Greece - except I wasn't there. Double whammy - theft is awesome. NOT. 
5. After many days of dealing with the banks - we got the money back yesterday. THANKFUL!
6. Our business is tapering off and after receiving a letter in the mail from a solicitor regarding a comment made on a Facebook page --- honestly, we've been ripped off and taken advantage of for too long. I don't care to ever see or talk to another race organizer or cyclist again. I want to tell them all to EFF OFF. EFF you. (sorry - needed to get that out) Whew - better now. 
7. With the new changes in our work - I've decided to use my talents to shoot weddings. The last two I've done went super and all smiles, great feedback, paid on time, etc. -- All very positive things. I've decided to firmly remove my head from my ass and wake up - let this cycling thing go. I can't devote myself or my mind like I need/want to so I always feel like I'm half-assing it. It's either I half-ass being a mother or a career person. My kids come second never. Not even close, they get top to the tenth priority. 
8. Kane is growing up so smart and healthy - doing amazing things already. He's only 13 months old and walking, gabbing away, waving bye-bye and hello - pointing to things of interest and so affectionate and loving. He's also very much his own person - he loves to play with other kids of all ages and enjoys Jack's company most of all. I'm very grateful for his progress and overall health. 
9. We've been solicited for a few cycling jobs for next year and while this is good, I just want to cut the ties - Adrian has other ideas. 
10. I need friends. I have no driver's license - going on a year and I might crack up soon if I don't get it renewed. Get on it, Leonard!
DRAMA!