Ethan...NO Running!

Ah, where did our spring and summer go? Yes, it seemed to go as quickly as it arrived. School started on August 26th (or thereabouts) and the kids were off to another adventurous year of education. Ethan and Ashlee were very excited about being 1st graders, Connor was hesitant about being in 3rd grade as the term "homework" now entered his daily vocabulary and task journal. So far however everyone seems to be handling his/her own and doing well-- Ethan in particular seems to taking right off with this teacher--of which I am very thankful for. In fact, right off the get go, he got a 100% on his very 1st spelling test! Yahoo!
Outside of school, its the typical routine and we're still outside playing and on occassion riding bike. Nevertheless, Ethan is becoming quite fluent with his "crunches" (as he calls them) and we are often seen flying around the stores with him in tow... In fact the last 2 times in Wal-mart I found myself saying words I never thought I'd hear myself say... "Ethan Michael Radtke--STOP RUNNING or your in the cart!"... I literally had to stop and repeat that phrase to myself and then looked at my husband and said..."Did I really just say that?" To let you know how that story ended... Ethan opted to NOT stop running and he did run the consequence of riding in the cart (as we would have done to his brother/sister too if it were them)for the short duration of our shopping trip. Bottom line though is that he is mobile, moving and loving it!
We have an appt scheduled at the end of this month to re-do the Gait Analysis Lab in Mnpls so that will tell us what our next orthopedic surgeries will be as we still have some bone twists and muscle lengthenings to deal with. We're hoping the surgeries will be this year yet...With that being said, DisneyWorld will likely be put on hold another year until he can get physically stronger. The kids are bummed but we think it will be the best for everyone... Another summer trip is being planned however as we may take in the Omaha Zoo and some other sites next year.

The rest of the family is maintaining though and not skipping a beat. We again are involved in HOPE Incorporated and went to our 1st fall Soccer game today of which all 3 kids participated. The energy is so great there and I often find myself energized just by watching the kids. As a line in a movie went "I don't need Easy...I just need possible"... these kids portray that statement on a daily basis as they do the things most people never would dream they could do. In addition, HOPE Inc defintely plays a part in the possible piece as well by helping the kids achieve their goals. All in all they are an incredible group to belong to...

Anyhow...I've went on for a while now. Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

Until later,

Lisa