Hello Little Rock!

We have arrived in Little Rock (North Little Rock to be precise). We got to town on the 16th, and with the help of my amazing parents, got the house in reasonable shape before they left on Sunday. We loaded the truck ourselves, with the help of two friends (each for about 2 hours), and we had movers unload us in North Little Rock. Trust me when I say this - get the movers! It was totally worth the money. It took them one fifth the time it took us. Anyway, Dad and Uncle Walt had been here the week before working on the house, and it looks awesome! They painted, had flooring replaced, and did yard work. While this house is a little smaller than our old house, I think it's going to be good. It has a nice back yard that the kids can play in, and the front yard has much more curb appeal.
Our first night in the house was also Cate's first night in her "big girl bed." She did really well. She stayed in her bed the entire night and called for us in the morning when she woke up. I don't think she knew she could get down by herself (we have a rail up to prevent her from falling out). Unfortunately, she figured out she could get out on her own on Saturday night around 1:45 am, and then couldn't get back to her bedroom. She has adjusted beautifully thus far. She did well at Sunday school after a few minutes of warming up to the new class. She has been asking for Stephy (her speech therapist in Tulsa) all day today though. I told her we were going to get her a new Stephy, and she replied, "I don't want a new Stephy!" Hopefully she'll adjust to that well too. Her preschool doesn't start until after Labor Day, so it could be a long summer.
Will seems to be doing well too. He doesn't have quite the space he had in Tulsa to run around in the den, but he is still having a large time (that's a saying of my dad's). His room is decorated with animal wall decals, which he seems to like. He woke up making his monkey noises the morning after I put them up. He also had a good time at church on Sunday. They have a special needs ministry as part of their children's ministry at First Assmebly NLR, and the teachers said he did well on his first day. We go Friday for his testing for school and for me to fill out all of the paper work to get his IEP started. So far, this whole special education thing is going well (knock on wood!). The special services director for the district is so nice and very willing to help.

Jeremiah has been doing pretty well considering he didn't have TV or internet for 6 days and had to watch Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella like 1000 times during that time period. He hasn't killed either kid or himself, so I'd say that's an accomplishment. I know he'll be ready for Will to start school though. This is the first summer since 2007 that Will will be home all summer. Say a little prayer for both of them.

We're slowly getting the house in order, and when I get everything the way I want it, I'll post before and after pictures. I'm in the middle of resident/fellow orientation at UAMS and ACH this week. Not too exciting, but I guess that's a good thing. The most exciting thing on our horizon is that Catherine and baby Hanan are coming to visit July 4th weekend. Can't wait to see them!!!

Hope this update finds you all well. More to come from NLR....

Goodbye T-Town!

Well, tomorrow we pack our U-Haul. We're staying the night with our Sunday school teachers, and dear friends, so this is our last night in the Tulsa house. It's been a good house. We moved here in July of 2004. We brought both of our children home to this house, and we've made a lot of memories here. I will miss it a lot, but I'm glad to be moving on to the next chapter of our lives.
Leaving Woodlake Church on Sunday was definitely one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. We have been members there for seven years, and they have been our family here in Tulsa. I never imagined when we started going there so many years ago that I'd have made such dear friends who mean so much to me. The service was wonderful and Spirit-filled, and the fellowship time at the church's land yesterday evening was great. Good food, good friends, and good memories. We'll definitely be making a trip or two back to Tulsa to visit.
Tonight is the last time I'll have internet for a while, so it may be a week or two before I can post an update about the move. If you want to call me, feel free (if you know my cell number). If you don't have it, you can FB message my mom or siblings, and they can share it with you (I just don't want to post the number online.). I can't wait for you to see the before and after pictures of our new house.
Update from Little Rock to come...

Almost done

It's hard to believe, but our time here in Tulsa has almost come to an end. I didn't think that when Jeremiah and I moved out here seven years ago that we'd be here seven years. I also didn't think that we would have two kids while in Oklahoma. But, we did. Pretty much, our entire married life has been spent here. So far, life has been good. There has definitely been bad stuff that has happened, but overall I think the good outweighs the bad. We will be moving to North Little Rock three weeks from today to start the next chapter of our lives. I will be starting my developmental/behavioral pediatrics fellowship at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Jeremiah will be staying at home (at least for the present time). Cate will start preschool two days a week at First Assembly of God North Little Rock in September, and Will will start public school special education kindergarten in August. We still don't know what school he will attend because we haven't had his IEP meeting, but the director of special services for the school district said that they are starting a self-contained kindergarten through second grade class for non-verbal children, so I'm hopeful that it will be the right program for Will. I have a feeling it's going to be a long summer for Jeremiah at home with both kids, so say a little prayer for him. We have been blessed beyond measure by our church home here in Tulsa, Woodlake Church. The people there have truly treated us like we are their family. We have been supported, lifted up, prayed for, and blessed by them. The recent changes that have occurred in the church over the last year have been a huge blessing to us as well, and we are really going to miss everyone at Woodlake. I have a feeling we will be coming back to Tulsa every now and then to visit. The Little Light House has allowed Will to blossom beyond anything I thought he would ever be capable of. The staff there is the most amazing bunch of people on the planet. They care for our special children like I didn't think anyone was capable of, and they help the kids achieve "milestones and miracles" that can only be a gift from God. I will miss The Little Light House more than I can express in words. While I have enjoyed my time at OSU during medical school and residency, I am excited to start this new phase of my life. I am a little nervous about learning a whole new hospital, computer system, etc. I am nervous about making new friends at work and at church. But, I know this is where God is directing my life. He has been the ultimate tour guide in my life so far, directing me exactly where He wants me. God has put us where we are supposed to be in order to provide our needs and the needs of our children. I was so scared when we moved to Tulsa in July of 2003. I thought it would be the longest four years of my life. Well, it's turned out to be a very quick seven years, and I look forward to what is yet to come.

Hooray!!!

Our trip to Little Rock this week was a huge success! It started with Will's psychoeducational testing. The results weren't surprising, but it just made it so real to actually hear the results. Sometimes it seems like he really is that "intelectually disabled (the new term for mentally retarded)," but sometimes he seems so much smarter than that. I guess the good thing about the results is that he should get more help at school that way. We then tried to find houses to look at. We weren't having much luck with getting people to call us back. We finally looked at one, and it was a "maybe" but we wanted to keep looking. No one would call us back. We were getting kind of sad and thought we might go home without a house. There was a man who I had called before we left Tulsa, but he was having an open house the weekend before we were to arrive, so he didn't think it would still be available. Then, I called him again on Monday morning to see if he had rented the house. He said he thought he had a renter, but the man had to talk to his wife. He would call me Tuesday if they didn't take the house, but he was sure they would. We looked at two houses on Tueday that were just too small. Another lady was supposed to call us but never did. Then the man called us and said the renters had backed out and we could look at the house. We were so excited! It just seemed like God had worked it out for us to see this house. It could have been rented several times before but it wasn't! We got there, and the neighborhood seemed nice. The house had good curb appeal, and even had a two car garage! (Now my car doesn't have to sit out in the driveway!) Inside were two living areas, a dining room, a kitchen, three bedrooms, and two full bathrooms. The laundry hook-ups were inside (our's right now are in the garage). It needs a face lift, but it seemed perfect for us. It's about the same size we have now. The back yard is much better for playing than the one we have now. The man didn't want to have any pets in the home. He also wanted to rent it as quickly as possible, and we aren't moving until June. Well, my sweet Daddy talked with him, and Tuesday night at 8:30 I got a phone call that the house was ours!!! The elementary school we're zoned for is top three in the city and has a good special education program for Will. The crazy thing is that we are one street from being in a different town where we would be zoned for county schools (which aren't good). God was looking out for us for sure and provided this great house. We also have been connected with an amazing church in North Little Rock. It's very big (three services each Sunday with about 1200-1500 people at each service), but because it is so big, they offer a lot of great things that are good for a young family. Their children's pastor is well-known across Assemblies of God churches and even writes curriculum that is taught all over the country. They have a preschool that Cate can go to. And, I saved the best thing for last...they have a ministry within their children's ministry just for special needs kids! It's called COOL Kids, and Will loved the room. While we are very sad to leave Tulsa and our friends and family and The Little Light House and Woodlake Church, it really seems as though God has gone before us to Little Rock and paved the way for our move. He has been in every step of this process and provided every need. As I learned this weekend at the Woodlake Women's retreat, when you "let go and let God" things work out for you (even though it may take a lot longer than you want).

Long time no see

Well, I officially suck at blogging. I have no time, and when I do have time, I don't feel like spending it online. I don't know how many people actually read this, so I'm not sure how many of you I may have disappointed...so, please forgive my forgetfulness and enjoy this update on the Saunders family.
Will recently returned to Little Rock for a repeat MRI of his spine to see if the cyst on his spinal cord had grown. We got a great report that it hadn't changed at all. In fact, the neuroradiologist who read the MRI said it may not even be a cyst but a natural widening of his spinal cord at that area. That would be awesome! His neurosurgeon seemed pleased and said we could wait a whole year before we repeat the MRI. Hooray! Will was also tested at school for his exit examination, and his cognitive function is at 24 months. (He is 66 months old.) He goes back to Little Rock on Monday for formal cognitive testing. We recently changed up some of his medications in hopes of improving his aggression, and it seems to be helping some. We are still having a fair amount of hair pulling at home, which isn't much fun, so please pray that he continues to "chill out!"
Cate is doing well. Her speech is totally normal as far as number of words and sentences. She is even speaking in full sentences at school now! Hooray again! We're still working on more words at church, but she's really coming along. She is still totally into Minnie Mouse and is starting to really like the Disney Princesses too. She wants a Minnie birthday, so that's what she'll have. I just cannot believe that she will be three next month. I don't know where the time has gone.
We are going to Little Rock on Sunday afternoon for spring break. I know what you're thinking...woohoo, party! Well, as I said before, Will is getting tested on Monday morning. And, we hope to look at some houses and visit with some of the special education people at the schools. I'm also going to take the family to see the church we plan on attending, First Assembly of God North Little Rock. Will and I visited it in February, and it's amazing. The people are so friendly and willing to help. Their kids ministry is wonderful and even has a ministry just for special needs kids. I have heard great things about their children's pastor too. I can't wait to get involved there, but I am going to miss Woodlake terribly. It has been our home for the past six and a half years, and the people there are our family.
Anyway, as always, I have prayer requests. First, please pray that we are able to find some good houses to look at and that we find one that meets our needs and is in our budget. Next, pray that Will's testing goes well and that the results are helpful to us. Pray that we have good meetings with the school people and that we're able to get the ball rolling soon on his IEP. Pray for safety in our travel, and for safety for my parents as they drive out to meet us. Pray for provision for the medical bills we're accumulating because our insurance isn't paying for his visits to Little Rock anymore. I guess that's it. That's enough to pray for.
Thank you all for being who you are and for being part of our lives. We love each of you with all of our hearts, and our lives wouldn't be the same without you.

Only 5 more months...

Well, Christmas has come and gone. We had a pretty good day. Will was sick with a tummy bug on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then Cate started throwing up on Christmas Eve. Jeremiah got sick early on Christmas morning, and I was nauseated all day on the 26th. I was also on call the 21, 23, 25, and 27. We managed to survive the blizzard and the tummy bug and salvage a nice evening of opening presents with the kids. We did not, however, get to eat our Christmas dinner.
It's hard to believe that the new year is here and that in only 5 months, we will be moving to Little Rock. It seems like each year time moves faster and faster. Will and Cate are in their final semesters at their schools, and graduation is quickly approaching. Will graduates from The Little Light House on May 20, and I have residency graduation on May 22. I also take my general pediatrics board exam on May 15. There just seems to be so much stuff coming up that it's a little overwhelming. We're looking for a house but haven't had much success. We thought we'd found the perfect house, but we finally decided it was too good to be true. It's a good thing because I'm 99% sure it was a scam. I know God has always put us exactly where we are supposed to be, and I just need to "let go and let God." My new daily devotional book had a statement in it that I'm trying to make my new motto, because as most of you know, I'm very much a planner and don't like it when I can't control things. The statement is, "You will find great joy when you realize that God's agenda is greater than your own."
So, in the next five months, I am believing in the Lord that He will provide a house for us, a school for Will, a preschool for Cate, and a church for our family. Feel free to lift all of these things up in prayer the next time you go to the Father.