Update

I wanted to give everyone a family update. I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything. I really would like to make blogging more of a habit.

Some of you already know that Danielle has been to the doctors many times in the last few months, she even has a short stay in the hospital a couple of weeks ago. It started back in February when she had her first UTI, after she had another one in June we had some tests done. We found out that she has kidney reflux, which is when some of the urine goes back into the kidneys from the bladder. She is a stage 3 out of 5, we are praying that this problem starts to fix itself so that she will not have to have surgery. She will be on a low dose of antibiotics until the problem is fixed; they will also continue to monitor her through ultrasounds and eventually another VCUG (injecting dye into her kidneys and taking an x-ray) Her hospital stay was because of bronciolitis, the same thing she had when she was just a couple of months old. They admitted her because her oxygen levels were low. She isn't very fond of doctors anymore, but she always puts on a brave face. One time on our way to the hospital she told me she didn't want to feel better anymore, because she really didn't want to go back. It is heartbreaking to see your child going through this, but I have faith that God will get us through it.

Brandon made it through the first grade and now we are officially homeschoolers. I plan to start blogging more about this adventure. I am really excited, and nervous, to get started. I really believe he will benefit from the one on one instruction that he cannot get in public school. Brandon is also facing surgery! He will have his tonsils and adniods "pulled out" (as he put it) on the 18th of August. The doc wanted to schedule it on the 11th, which is his birthday, but I just couldn't let that happen. He only turns 7 once. The dr. said we could just celebrate it the week before, I think he was only thinking about what worked best for his schedule! Brandon is pretty nervous, but he knows Caidence recovered and he will too.

Caidence is growing up. Derek and I have noticed how tall she has gotten lately. I can't believe she is going to be a Kindergardener. We have decided to send her to school so that I can step into homeschooling slowly. If everything goes well, and I pray that is does, we will homeschool her the following year as well. A part of me really wants to keep her home this year too.

Derek and I are doing well. He has been gone a lot since we have been here, but we really enjoy the time that he is here. We were able to go out on Saturday, some of our church friends kept the kids for us so we could have a date night. He will be leaving for Yuma, AZ in September. He is going to be going through a weapons course. He is going to leave about a week early so he can go back and visit family in PA. I know he would really like to make it back to North Carolina also, he wants to see our friends from Pleasant Acres and hear a sermon from Pastor Scott. (and see my mom) My mom is planning on coming out to Japan while he is gone on his trip to the states, she is bringing my Grandma with her. The kids and I are really excited about their visit, we can't wait to show them around Okinawa.

Sorry about the lack of pictures. My camera isn't working too well, and I haven't been taking many pictures. I really need to get another one, I guess my birthday is coming up!