Since it's near 2am on the East Coast and it appears that laying in bed wide awake definitely doesn't help me get to sleep any faster, maybe posting a random blog about anything new going on will? Very doubtful but I'll do it anyhow.

New Camera
While we have enjoyed our Canon XS 10 IS very much for the past year and half and have absolutely no plans in getting rid of it, we look forward in experimenting with our new Nikon D5000 when it arrives this week. I have to admit, it took quite a bit of debating between the Canon EOS Rebel XSI and the Nikon D5000 as we both love our current Canon camera. I'm also positive I'm going to be lost when it comes to the lens that we will receive with our new camera as our Canon did not offer the choice in replacing the lens. Of course, Brianna has already asked for our Canon but that's a definite no-go, we need a back up! Plus, there are plenty of features our Canon does that the Nikon does not offer, especially the 20x zoom, Color Accent and Color Swap features, etc that we have come to love. Seriously though, I'm very excited and cannot wait for it to arrive, and after all the research and pricing, I feel pretty confident we did well, especially with the camera, 2 lens, and carrying case!

Sibling Love
I am beginning to think that Brianna and Jacob really have a love/hate relationship. Recently they can only be around each other for about 10 minutes before they are arguing. Maybe it's the age they are in right now. I can definitely see that Brianna is needing her space more now than ever and that scares me because if I ever thought she was transitioning into that tween stage, it's now and I think that's a bit too young. She's not even 11 yet! Jacob on the other hand was at the point he wanted to do everything on his own and he still does, but he wants someone to be around him at all times again. He often seems to go two steps forward and one step backwards. We have struggled with his Aspergers lately a bit more than in recent months as far as the aggression and anxiety and I think that has a lot to do with the attachment issues.

Vacation
We recently received an e-mail regarding our vacation that saved us quite a bit by changing our dates and another feature. We had been debating on that other feature anyhow so that wasn't a big issue for us anyhow and the new dates work out better so we ended up saving a grand total of $650 - GREAT! Now if August would just hurry up and get here!

Birthday
Although it's a day late, our wonderful nephew over at The Wagners Five turned an amazing 8 years old yesterday! We definitely wish we were closer and could have spent this wonderful celebration with him but we are confident he had a blast on his super day - Happy Belated Birthday Cayden!

Contacts
Last week I began wearing contacts and for the life of me, I cannot get used to them. The right eye is perfect. The left is anything but perfect. My vision is blurry the instant the contact is in. I've checked as well as having Isaac check and I'm not putting it in wrong, nothing is in my eye or on the contact so we aren't sure what the problem is. Either way, I'm calling tomorrow to find a solution. Hopefully one can be found because I am not one who cares to wear glasses although I've had them for quite a few years (most people probably don't know that because you never see me wear them!)

Work
Busy busy busy...That's all I can say for both Isaac and myself. Neither of us are on Overtime but we are both working non stop during the day. Isaac has worked some at night when needed but not as much as previous months. It was offered to me but I graciously declined as the hours were quite much and I wanted to see my family during the month of April. Speaking of work, I had better try to get to sleep. Hopefully this time it will work. Again, I'm sure I've said it before but just in case I haven't, insomnia is evil.

It's apparent we don't update our blog often and since we haven't, it's been decided to just update all at once instead of several mini updates. Hopefully it won't be too painful to read since it will be much longer than normal – our apologies in advance!

Since our last blog entry was during Christmas, it also went hand in hand with Jacob's surgery. We are a few months post-surgery now and are happy to say his most recent follow up was very delightful! Okay, it was painful for him but the results were great! The ureter implant and all the other minor details that took place during surgery are all fully healed and everything is working as it should. After about 7 months of antibiotics, he no longer needs those, and after 8 weeks of no running, climbing, bending, etc…, he has officially resumed all normal activities! We do still have more medical issues to face in the near future but for now, we are letting his body rest and letting him be himself again. It's so nice to able to see that after so long!

Speaking of medical, Brianna will soon be the proud owner of braces. I say proud because for some unknown reason, she wants them. Why?! It doesn't seem to be just her either; I've spoken with other parents and they report that their child was/is the same way. I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would want braces. Granted, she also has to have a MARA device. Needless to say, she isn't quite so happy about that ordeal. She will wear the MARA device for the first year and braces for two. I'm guessing sometime between now and before school starts again for the 2010-2011 school year, we will take a good portion of a day back to the orthodontist so everything can be put on and so we can become thousands of dollars poorer. I didn't realize just how much braces were. Thank goodness it's a onetime deal. Or at least, I think so. If not, spare me and don't say any different. To be honest though, I don't think it's really so much the braces as it is the MARA device. If I can remember what the Orthodontist said correctly (trust me, I'm sure about to get this completely wrong!), it's main purpose is because her lower jaw isn't growing like the top jaw is so the device will force her jaw to grow out as it should be, allowing room for her permanent teeth.

The home repairs from all the damages were finally completed and we are back in the process of the usual projects here and there. Our most recent mission was to find Brianna and Jacob new bedroom furniture. We have succeeded in Brianna's as her furniture was delivered today, with the exception of her chest which is on back order. She wanted white furniture since her room tends to be dark and I must admit, she picked out a really cute suite. Now to find Jacob's furniture…Other than buying furniture for his room, we are continuing to replace the windows throughout the house but the next major project will be remodeling our master bathroom. Ugh. I have a funny feeling that will be a nightmare.

(Stock photo of Brianna's furniture– we opted not to get the trundle and got the chest instead of the dresser, her choice)

After all the very stressful and long days/hours Isaac and I have both worked for many months now, we are both looking forward to a vacation. One has been booked but it seems so far away. Perhaps a few mini weekend trips until then will do?