We did two nights of Halloween this year. We went to a harvest festival at a church down the road last night, and the kids went "trick or treating" for a while tonight. They all had a good time and we've all consumed plenty of candy along the way. Saturday, October 31, 2009
Halloween 2009
We did two nights of Halloween this year. We went to a harvest festival at a church down the road last night, and the kids went "trick or treating" for a while tonight. They all had a good time and we've all consumed plenty of candy along the way. 
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Name Curse
For those that don't know the story of my name, be prepared to be confused. My original name is Zachariah Z Hanson. Shortly after I was in existence, my parents got divorced. My mom ended up marrying a guy named Lanny Fitzsimmons. I decided at a young age that I'd prefer to be a Fitzsimmons as well to match up with the immediate family I lived with. Somehow my mom acquired another social security card that said Zachariah Z Fitzsimmons. This wasn't just a new name, but a new social security number as well. This seemed to serve as enough proof to get my original driver's license and other things that required a social security number. Apparently there was no actual legal name change done along the way.
I didn't really have any issues until Sara and I were preparing to get married over ten years ago. "What do we put on the marriage license?" Also around this time, I found out that my dad was a bit concerned about me carrying on my step-father's last name. My dad had altered his last name prior to all of this as well for the purpose of having a more unique name, as he was trying to be known as a self-employed artist. He took the first initial of his middle name and added it to his last name to make D'Hanson. As I was entering this new phase of life I decided to give in and change my name to Zachariah Z D'Hanson. Sara was originally on board to change her name too, but she backed out at the last minute because she felt weird taking a name that she's never associated to me before. So I went through the whole legal process to change my name, but then they couldn't figure out how to undo what wasn't done properly to start with. In other words, how do you change a driver's license that says Fitzsimmons to D'Hanson, when the only legal papers you have are converting Hanson to D'Hanson. How do you merge two social security numbers that say two different names? Nobody really knew how to fix it, so we gave up and just stuck with Fitzsimmons.
Now, I'm in Colorado, and my license expires at the end of next week. I went in to the DMV a few days ago and told the "number giving lady" that I'm from Minnesota and I need to get a Colorado driver's license. Her first question was, "does your current license have your full name?" I said, "yes" and showed it to her. She took a look at my middle name and said, "what does Z stand for?" I tried to convince her it was my full middle name, but she wouldn't accept it. I figured she was just being overly cautious, so went to another DMV the next day. I was denied AGAIN and the front counter. She said I could either prove my full name by my birth certificate or a passport. I don't have a passport and my birth certificate has a different last name on it. Today I tried again to see if I would have better luck with a different person. I also brought my birth certificate just in case they would let me get a license with Hanson as a last resort. This time, I actually made it passed the front desk so I was feeling optimistic. When my number was finally called, I did my best to "make friends" with the person who had the power to give or deny my driver's license. She was nice and began to enter my new address and verify all other information. Then she paused, stared at my license for a minute and said, "what's your middle name?" I explained the whole situation at that point and was eventually denied again until I can come up with some legal documents that prove that I've changed Hanson to Fitzsimmons (or possibly D'Hanson to Fitzsimmons).
After the second denial a couple days ago, I decided to start the name changing process. Here, in Colorado, they require me to get a background check done by getting two sets of fingerprints printed and sent to the FBI and the CBI. When I get the results back I can then start the paperwork with the state. This process could easily take two to three months. This will be beneficial in the long run, but doesn't do me much good with my almost expired license.
Since I've never been hassled when I've renewed in Minnesota, I'm very much tempted to fly back and do the renewal there. I would be really bummed if I went all that way and got denied again, but I'm not exactly sure what my immediate options are. Sara found a page on the CO DMV website that claims that there is an option to prove who you are by other means such as tax returns, employee w-2's, life insurance policy's, etc. I need to call on Monday and try to schedule an appointment with an investigator to see if this route is an option.
The timing of all of this is really a bummer, especially since we don't really have extra funds to be taking care of all of this stuff right now while I'm going to school. I guess I had plenty of time to take care of it before, I just didn't see the immediate need before now. I guess the bright side is that if I ever decide to be a criminal or a spy, I've already got some aliases to pick from... not many people can say that! :)
I didn't really have any issues until Sara and I were preparing to get married over ten years ago. "What do we put on the marriage license?" Also around this time, I found out that my dad was a bit concerned about me carrying on my step-father's last name. My dad had altered his last name prior to all of this as well for the purpose of having a more unique name, as he was trying to be known as a self-employed artist. He took the first initial of his middle name and added it to his last name to make D'Hanson. As I was entering this new phase of life I decided to give in and change my name to Zachariah Z D'Hanson. Sara was originally on board to change her name too, but she backed out at the last minute because she felt weird taking a name that she's never associated to me before. So I went through the whole legal process to change my name, but then they couldn't figure out how to undo what wasn't done properly to start with. In other words, how do you change a driver's license that says Fitzsimmons to D'Hanson, when the only legal papers you have are converting Hanson to D'Hanson. How do you merge two social security numbers that say two different names? Nobody really knew how to fix it, so we gave up and just stuck with Fitzsimmons.
Now, I'm in Colorado, and my license expires at the end of next week. I went in to the DMV a few days ago and told the "number giving lady" that I'm from Minnesota and I need to get a Colorado driver's license. Her first question was, "does your current license have your full name?" I said, "yes" and showed it to her. She took a look at my middle name and said, "what does Z stand for?" I tried to convince her it was my full middle name, but she wouldn't accept it. I figured she was just being overly cautious, so went to another DMV the next day. I was denied AGAIN and the front counter. She said I could either prove my full name by my birth certificate or a passport. I don't have a passport and my birth certificate has a different last name on it. Today I tried again to see if I would have better luck with a different person. I also brought my birth certificate just in case they would let me get a license with Hanson as a last resort. This time, I actually made it passed the front desk so I was feeling optimistic. When my number was finally called, I did my best to "make friends" with the person who had the power to give or deny my driver's license. She was nice and began to enter my new address and verify all other information. Then she paused, stared at my license for a minute and said, "what's your middle name?" I explained the whole situation at that point and was eventually denied again until I can come up with some legal documents that prove that I've changed Hanson to Fitzsimmons (or possibly D'Hanson to Fitzsimmons).
After the second denial a couple days ago, I decided to start the name changing process. Here, in Colorado, they require me to get a background check done by getting two sets of fingerprints printed and sent to the FBI and the CBI. When I get the results back I can then start the paperwork with the state. This process could easily take two to three months. This will be beneficial in the long run, but doesn't do me much good with my almost expired license.
Since I've never been hassled when I've renewed in Minnesota, I'm very much tempted to fly back and do the renewal there. I would be really bummed if I went all that way and got denied again, but I'm not exactly sure what my immediate options are. Sara found a page on the CO DMV website that claims that there is an option to prove who you are by other means such as tax returns, employee w-2's, life insurance policy's, etc. I need to call on Monday and try to schedule an appointment with an investigator to see if this route is an option.
The timing of all of this is really a bummer, especially since we don't really have extra funds to be taking care of all of this stuff right now while I'm going to school. I guess I had plenty of time to take care of it before, I just didn't see the immediate need before now. I guess the bright side is that if I ever decide to be a criminal or a spy, I've already got some aliases to pick from... not many people can say that! :)
Friday, October 23, 2009
A Warm Visit From Minnesota
Last week we received the best gift! The Cornelius Family, our close friends from Minnesota, came to visit. We enjoyed exploring all the sites, eating out twice (both times pizza!) and enjoying some long desired hugs and conversations.
Aubri and Gavin had been planning the sleeping arrangements for a while before they came, although most of them didn’t work out. One of them being Brian, Mandy’s husband , and Zac sleeping together and Mandy and myself sleeping together. For some reason, the guys really didn’t go for that one. Also, Aubri had planned to sleep with Luke. Well, he was too scared to sleep away from his parents and she was too scared to be in the basement with him. One night, Carissa, Gavin and Aubri all crammed into one twin bed together. Sounds comfy doesn’t it? It’s no wonder that Carissa asked to sleep on a cot by herself near her parents the next night.
We had a lot of great laughs and one good scare too. My husband sometimes enjoys uncontrolled adventure. The picture of him and Aubri together looks carefree, but in fact, Aubri climbed up way higher than she should have alone (I think with Zac’s encouragement). The next thing I know Mandy is yelling, “Sara, Aubri could die up there.” Which was probably a bit of an over exaggeration, however, it was a bit scary. Zac spent a good twenty minutes trying to get up to her with rocks crumbling below him. Once he got to her, it took some courage for the two of them to get down together. The picture reminded me of what a wonderful comparison it is to our relationship with Christ. Aubriella was on top of this mountain that was crumbling; she was scared and had to wait patiently for her daddy to come rescue her. I thought that was the reason that God let the scenario play out as it did. It reminded me of him and his promises. That he is there for us, even when the waiting seems long and even when we feel afraid.
The Cornelius Family left at 4:30 in the morning on Sunday to catch there flight. What troopers! We miss them already.
Aubri and Gavin had been planning the sleeping arrangements for a while before they came, although most of them didn’t work out. One of them being Brian, Mandy’s husband , and Zac sleeping together and Mandy and myself sleeping together. For some reason, the guys really didn’t go for that one. Also, Aubri had planned to sleep with Luke. Well, he was too scared to sleep away from his parents and she was too scared to be in the basement with him. One night, Carissa, Gavin and Aubri all crammed into one twin bed together. Sounds comfy doesn’t it? It’s no wonder that Carissa asked to sleep on a cot by herself near her parents the next night.
We had a lot of great laughs and one good scare too. My husband sometimes enjoys uncontrolled adventure. The picture of him and Aubri together looks carefree, but in fact, Aubri climbed up way higher than she should have alone (I think with Zac’s encouragement). The next thing I know Mandy is yelling, “Sara, Aubri could die up there.” Which was probably a bit of an over exaggeration, however, it was a bit scary. Zac spent a good twenty minutes trying to get up to her with rocks crumbling below him. Once he got to her, it took some courage for the two of them to get down together. The picture reminded me of what a wonderful comparison it is to our relationship with Christ. Aubriella was on top of this mountain that was crumbling; she was scared and had to wait patiently for her daddy to come rescue her. I thought that was the reason that God let the scenario play out as it did. It reminded me of him and his promises. That he is there for us, even when the waiting seems long and even when we feel afraid.
The Cornelius Family left at 4:30 in the morning on Sunday to catch there flight. What troopers! We miss them already.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Speech Therapy
Micah yelling, "TaDah!"As many of you know, Micah has been the little boy with few words for a while now. In fact, a little too long. The doctor raised her eyebrow a few times at check-ups but there were many logical reasons too-He's the third, He's a quiet kid like his dad, Aubri didn't talk until she was two, It's hard for anyone to get a word in a family of five. It was time to get things checked out. So, we had his hearing checked before moving out to Colorado and that turned out fine. Once we moved out to Colorado I called the school district to have him assessed. They had a team of four people come out (The team was composed of a nurse, psychologist, speech pathologist, and ???). From the visit they concurred he was behind and that we should start services. Drats...not what I wanted to hear but still what I expected to hear. It really just hurt my heart. You never want to hear that something could be or is wrong with your child. They had many positive things to say, that he was bright, he understands everything, etc. I asked why he was having the problem with the speech then and they didn't have a great answer but said that it may be apraxia of speech, a speech disorder where a person has difficulty saying what he or she wants to correctly and consistently, it is present from birth, it affects boys more than girls. He may or may not have this. After talking with two different speech therapists, they are not sure yet. He articulates vowels well, which is not common for children with apraxia. He never babbled as a baby though, which is common for kids with apraxia. He also never repeated anything like many children do (ie. "say ball", (no response). Anyhow, after worrying, praying, and a lot of working we are seeing great improvement!!!
The speech therapist comes to visit twice a month. She's been to our home twice now. I am soooo thankful that I can be home to work with him daily instead of him just getting a session twice a month. We have been blessed with a good therapist too. She comes right to the house and has used lot of fun meaningful games to work with Micah. She has also given me lots of ideas on how to get Micah to learn how to articulate his sounds. The biggest idea being, that he looks at my lips when I am pronouncing words. Sounds simple, I know, but perhaps because he was the third, I may have not noticed I wasn't doing that quite enough. Anyhow, the therapist pulls his chin up, as a non-verbal cue for him to look at her mouth. He does not like this one bit so I have tried just the simple, "Micah, look at mommy's lips." Most of the time he will but times when he has had enough he says, "no way" (which just delights me that he is using two words together :) or he will just roll his eyes and look away. There have been great achievements in a little amount of time but it has also been tiring for him too. It so hard to see your kids struggle!
He has gone from almost no words to speaking some two word phrases. This is super exciting. I am excited to see what God continues to do. Micah has been surprising me daily with more words and better articulation. Dr. Suess books have really come in handy lately for enjoyment for him and for the sound patterns I want him to learn. Hopefully it will be just like his Grandma Pam was said, "Don't worry, in a few months you won't even think twice about this because he will be talking all the time." The last few days have seemed somewhat easier for him, which eased my worrying heart a bit. He has been saying "Lella" for Aubri "Nanin" for Gavin and it's just so awesome. We will continue to humbly take it day by day and count the small successes.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Homeschool Hoedown
We had the opportunity to go to a Homeschool Hoedown a few weeks ago. The kids had a pretty good time. Aubriella learned a lot of line dancing with me, Gavin ran around and pretended to shoot other boys, and Micah enjoyed stealing cookies from other kids' plates. We think he probably consumed around fifteen cookies that night. Overall, it was weird, kind of nerdy, but still fun. As a side note, you will notice Micah has the faux hawk. He will usually ask me before we go somewhere, "Mama, Aaaa Hawk?".
Aubri changed her name and Gavin has a girlfriend...=O
The title makes it sound like I'm writing about my teenage kids, but they're still only 6 and 4.
All my kids are pretty creative, but Aubri, without a doubt, has the "artist/think outside the box" genes. A few weeks ago she decided she wanted to change her name. Half chuckling, we asked her what she wanted to change it to. She said "Briel". We didn't expect a serious name, but since it is part of her full name (Aubriella), we went along with it... not really expecting it to stick. But even now, she still corrects Sara when she introduces her as Aubri, so I guess it's sticking. She definitely keeps it interesting!
Subject II:
The kids have been playing with the neighbor girls: Hannah (8), Maddie (6), and Felicity (3) from a couple houses down quite frequently. Frankly, it's been awesome! They play together so well and it occupies their free time in a positive way.
They play house a lot, and Gavin is always the dad and he chooses Maddie as his wife. Lately Gavin's been talking about his plans to marry Maddie when he's older. It's all completely harmless at this age, as far as I'm concerned. A couple days ago, Gavin had a secret he wanted to tell me. He whispered in my ear, "Maddie had to go to the doctor and get her belly-button pushed back in a little. So I'm afraid we might not be able to have babies when we get married." I couldn't help but chuckle a little and assure him that the procedure would not hinder her from having babies. I have no idea if she really had a belly-button tuck done, but Gavin claims she did.
Here's a picture of the kids drinking hot chocolate with the neighbor kids. Maddie's the one sitting down next to Gavin. The little boy on the left is Will. He's another neighbor's kid from across the street. It's nice to have kids in the neighborhood.
All my kids are pretty creative, but Aubri, without a doubt, has the "artist/think outside the box" genes. A few weeks ago she decided she wanted to change her name. Half chuckling, we asked her what she wanted to change it to. She said "Briel". We didn't expect a serious name, but since it is part of her full name (Aubriella), we went along with it... not really expecting it to stick. But even now, she still corrects Sara when she introduces her as Aubri, so I guess it's sticking. She definitely keeps it interesting!
Subject II:
The kids have been playing with the neighbor girls: Hannah (8), Maddie (6), and Felicity (3) from a couple houses down quite frequently. Frankly, it's been awesome! They play together so well and it occupies their free time in a positive way.
They play house a lot, and Gavin is always the dad and he chooses Maddie as his wife. Lately Gavin's been talking about his plans to marry Maddie when he's older. It's all completely harmless at this age, as far as I'm concerned. A couple days ago, Gavin had a secret he wanted to tell me. He whispered in my ear, "Maddie had to go to the doctor and get her belly-button pushed back in a little. So I'm afraid we might not be able to have babies when we get married." I couldn't help but chuckle a little and assure him that the procedure would not hinder her from having babies. I have no idea if she really had a belly-button tuck done, but Gavin claims she did.
Here's a picture of the kids drinking hot chocolate with the neighbor kids. Maddie's the one sitting down next to Gavin. The little boy on the left is Will. He's another neighbor's kid from across the street. It's nice to have kids in the neighborhood.
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