We had a wonderful time on vacation in Florence, Alabama. We went to a retreat for the Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association, a chance for us to get together with other families with kids that have had strokes. Although we came home more exhausted than when we left, it was well worth it! I learned that Cassidy will grow up to be just as "normal" as any other kid, and I also learned that I need to stop babying her so much-letting her do things on her own will be the best thing I can do for her, according to some teen hemi kids we met at the retreat.

In other family news, Lawrence is still recovering from his surgery. It's been a mixed blessing having him home this summer. Great for us and the kids because it's been so relaxed-the kids have had fun with Daddy being home with them, being able to stay up late with them and just enjoying them. Not so great, on the other hand, because, well, because he's been home for a month and a half! I know he's not been happy just sitting in his recliner, day after day, watching endless daytime tv. We are all very nervous about what his job will be like when he goes back, because they haven't been happy with him being out for so long.

Hailey will have her entrance exams for Cornerstone Christian Academy tomorrow. Her and I have both decided that homeschooling was not for her and that she does much better in a social setting. I really hope she likes this school, and I really hope I find a way to pay for it! Job hunting has not gone good for me this summer, so I am getting very nervous about paying for Hailey's school. They did drop their tuition rates, but still, not enough for us to be comfortable about it.

This summer, Brady has become a little social butterfly-leaving early in the morning (well, early for him is around noon-ish), and not coming home until dinner time, and then back out again after he eats. I'm glad he's found friends in the neighborhood, but I'm sad that I haven't seen much of him this summer!

Cassidy is so ready for kindergarten to start! I don't know what I will do now that all my kids will be in school full time. I know what I NEED to do (get a job or go back to school), but it will also be a sad time for me, knowing that all my babies are growing up. I'll revel in the quietness of the house for a few days, and then I'll probably be so bored out of my mind, that I will NEED to find something to do.

Even though we didn't do anything super special this summer, or go anywhere extravagant, we still had a great family summer...tye dye-ing shirts for the 4th of July; Hailey and Brady starting a garage band with their friends; Cassidy horseback riding, learning to read and losing her first 3 teeth, 2 of which she pulled out herself!; the endless trips to the swimming pool, and feeding the ducks...just to name a few little things we did... I'm beginning to realize that the little things are what the kids' are going to remember about this summer.

I just wanted to remind everyone that this Saturday, May 2nd is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Day. There are going to be walks and other events that day (and all month long) to help raise awareness that strokes don't just happen to adults. Cassidy had her stroke before she was even born! Please help show your support by wearing purple on Saturday, and if you can, attend a walk that is being held around your area. You can go to www.chasa.org to see events that are happening. We are having a walk on May 23 in Shelbyville, KY. This will be our first attempt at doing something like this, so it might be small, but if we can get just one person out there to say, Hey, I didn't know that kids could have strokes...then we have raised awareness! And that is what we hope to do. Raising a little money wouldn't be bad, either! If you can't make it, please consider donating some money to our firstgiving page (www.firstgiving.com/beckycarignan). It doesn't have to be some huge amount, even $5 would be appreciated. We really appreciate all the support you all have given us over the past 3 years, since we received Cassidy's diagnosis. Please visit Cass' site (www.caringbridge.org/visit/cassidycarignan) to read more about her and what she's been doing.

Well, here it is...the first post in our new family blog. I've had a blog about our youngest daughter, Cassidy, for about a year now (she's a stroke survivor, so I keep this blog to update everyone on how she's doing), but my other 2 kids were getting upset that I didn't have a blog about them...so here it is. This will be about the whole family, from monumental vacations, to everyday conversations. I promise to be faithful to this blog, and update at least once a week.
So what's going on right now? Well, it's almost the end of the school year and we are gearing up for summer. The whole family is going to be heading to Alabama in July for a CHASA retreat (so Cassidy can meet other stroke survivors), and then Hailey and I are going to New York in October. Hailey is finishing up her first year of homeschooling-let me tell you, I always wanted to be a teacher, but after this year, I am seriously rethinking that! Maybe it's harder to teach your own kids, I don't know...maybe it's because Hailey and I are so much alike. But it's been so tough! Anyway, she joined the American Heritage Girls this year and het met some great friends. She also did gymnastics this year and has volunteered at 3 different places. Brady is finishing up 4th grade-he played basketball this year and was on the Academic Team. Cassidy is FINALLY done with preschool and is really looking forward to kindergarten. She's been a busy little beaver this past year, with gymnastics and horseback riding. As far as Lawrence and myself, we will be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary in May.
Well, I'll close for now and try to figure out how to post some pictures. Thanks for reading and I hope you come back!