The Melton's Return

Hello again!  I can't believe how much things change and how quick when you have little ones in your presence!  We are so blessed!  Things are running pretty smoothly around here - well, as smoothly as the chaos of two toddlers allow (all good chaos though)! Even though I am incredibly lucky to work only 3 days a week, the laundry, cleaning, and "organization" is never "done".  We are anxiously awaiting an upcoming garage sale in the neighborhood to purge.  It's amazing how many clothes a little one goes through in a year - and they all look so new still.... Anyone having a girl that needs a donation?!?

I have had an amazing week and just really needed to share.  At times, I have thought about just being done with work and staying home but weeks like this really validate a lot for me. As much as I love being with my girls, I also love my career.  First, I had an amazing patient who was asked to share his story with a local newspaper. Fluency is a rare and challenging disorder we take on as speech therapists.  These patients come and go but are never forgotten with the challenges they have to overcome.  Although they initially interviewed another therapist at work, Anthony was my patient, so I got my picture in the local paper.  I'm sharing not because of my picture, but because of what I'm blessed to work with. He is an inspiring gentleman and for him to share his story was challenging.  He, however, decided to put others first and educate the community!  I also discovered that he and his wife attend our church, which added another personal interest, and they are great people.  Check out the link if you'd like to read it!


When Words Get in the Way
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/sep/10/stuttering-no-obstacle-for-abilene-rn/

Without being able to say too much, I also had a patient meet incredible outcomes this week.  After having not eaten for just over a year, he was blessed to begin not only eating, but eating anything he wants this week!  This is another, overlooked, but probably one of the most rewarding parts of being a speech therapist.  Not many realize we work on swallowing too.  Have you ever thought what it might be like to be told you are unable to eat because if you do, it could kill you?  It is such an important part of our society.  Everything we do, typically revolves around some sort of food event.  Going out to eat, having others over to eat, going to a friends for supper, meeting for coffee.... 

Now I'll get on to what most of you care most about... THE GIRLS :)
First day of school:  Madelyn is in preschool now and she is SO excited! She is in a MWF program. She has to wear royal blue and yellow polos MW and Friday gets to wear whatever she wants, which usually involves a skirt :)

 Delaney has taken a bit to adjust to the Mother's Day Out program. This is the first I've put her in a "day care" and she is normally really easy-going.  She gets a bit upset now when I leave (probably because it is longer than she is used to), but I'm told recovers rather quickly.  She has also had a bit of trouble with her sleep schedule. She is still very much enjoying 2 naps a day when allowed, and if she only gets one at home, she sleeps for a minimum of 3 hours.  At day care, she only gets an afternoon nap and no longer than 2 hours so she's a VERY tired girl by dinner time!

Hard to get her to hold still for anything!

Right before school kicked off, we spent Labor Day weekend down in the San Antonio area.  It was a much needed "getaway" and we all had a lot of fun! Delaney at this age is so much easier than Madelyn at this age, it feels like we could do anything! Isn't it funny how different your kids can be?!

Day ONE - Sea World
We took Maddy there when she was about 18 months and knew we had to go again. It was so much fun and this time she actually remembers some of it- making it even better!  We saw the shows, fed the dolphins (a personal fave of Maddy's), and played in the amazing kid zone that has quadrupled in size over the last two years!  Even Delaney was captivated by the animals.

4D movie (Had to take Laney out - makes you a little dizzy without the glasses)

Very high humidity = amazing curls all weekend :)

Enjoying the show!

These animals fascinate me.

EVERYWHERE in TX should have water!

Feeding the dolphins!

Day TWO - Shopping!
No pictures for your entertainment here. Just a very happy Mommy to say we found some great outlet malls with some great deals and besides the girls getting everything, Shaye and I actually updated our wardrobes a little.  Been a long time coming people!  Hmmm, may need to take Nana there upon next visit.... (don't tell Papa!;)

Day THREE - The last day we visited a natural spring at Texas State that I'd heard about. Aquarena is a great little tour and the boats have glass bottoms so that you can see the fish through the crystal clear water.

 

 After this tour, Maddy decided Papa should add a window to the bottom of his boat!

Well, there was a little snippet into our happenings. Love to you all! 
x, Shaye, Jody, Madelyn, and Delaney (Daisy too!)