Still here

So I actually have a few minutes to myself to write some updates. Malachi has taken some steps on his own. He's not very brave about it yet; it just sort of happens so I am not sure how long before he will be walking but we are not very far away. Each day he shows more and more control. He is getting most of his food from real "people" food. He hardly ever has a bottle anymore. And he is finally cutting a tooth, but it's still not visible.

Gabe started school this week. It's a preschool program through the parks and rec and he goes every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. He loves saying that he goes to school now. He's doing well and having fun. His teachers enjoy him. He's the one with a busy schedule. He has school, then library story time on Wednesday and Sunday school on Sunday.

I have a few minutes because for the first time in many years I opted not to go to church. Any time I have not gone in 3 and half years has been because I was visiting someplace where there was not a regular church people attended...and right after the Chi was born, now that I think about it. It's weirdly liberating to just stay home while the rest go. They all had that option before and exercised it a couple times, but I always had to go. It is still very important to me, but it feels that way since I have a choice now.

Right now my life has just been about trying to hold us together and our situation is starting to wear on everyone. Matt was on track for defending on Nov. 21, but now one advisor is trying to push it off...past the deadline for graduation. I am begging Matt to fight back, but I don't know what is going to happen. I guess either way he's going to take a semester postdoc position at ISU and they'll let him do that at full pay even if he doesn't defend until later, as long as it is before the end of the semester. I don't like this. I don't trust any of these people at this point though. I don't know; if you pray, now is a time we can use all the prayers we can get.

So, that's our life right now.

Gabe...

Chase wanted to play Rock, Paper, Scissors with Gabe and was trying to teach him the rules, but Gabe informed Chase that his mommy doesn't let him play with scissors. Chase didn't know what to say to that. After I was done cracking up when they told me the story, I explained that they were pretend scissors. Gabe is still not sure he likes the game because he wants more time to think about which to choose.

Gabe has also read five simple books designed for beginner readers. He is working on sounding out words. He is doing a good job.

Chi is growing and now standing independently. He does it multiple times a day.