Two Problems Never Resolved -- HELP

Hope you might also be able to offer a suggestion re my design and hopefully solutions for some of the issues I've encountered
so I can finish this thing!!!!

1) Have an MDI App with two types of children.
a. Display children (forms) which are controlled by a control array.
A picture box takes up the entire client area of the form.
b. A single hidden child which provides a link to server # 1.
The link to server #1 is handled by a companies component which takes care of all tranport between
their server and the component. When info is received from the server the component raises events which I program
against. These events are then used to draw realtime graphics in the display children (a.)
c. A set of tool routines (in a module right now) which are used to allow a user to draw (e.g. a line) on top of the
real time graphics. Tools are implemented as a toolbar on the MDI.
d. A separate application (this is the one I'm trying to shell into the MDI) which links to server #2, which also maintains a
realtime link via another companies supplied component which also exposes events.

PROBLEMS I Haven't solved:

1. Timing issue between realtime server #1 and my drawing tools. When the user selects a tool and drags it across
the screen to position, the mouse_move event is in control. If server#1 raises an event to draw the real time graphics
a conflict arises. I tried implementing the tools in a separate process and this eliminated the conflict but the
tool drawing shows up UNDER the realtime graphics instead of ontop. Because of the x-process call there is no
way to control when the timing of the drawing will occur in relation to the realtime graphics.

I've thought about trying an ActiveX and just putting the actual drawing code within the ActiveX . I have
some popup windows which allow each tool to be configured and from my understanding an ActiveX cannot support
independent forms.

I'm also questioning even as an ActiveX whether the mouse_move event will remain in control even though
part of the tool drawing code is being handle independently. Whether the OS give time for the realtime graphics
when processing the ActiveX code is unknown to me.

2. The link with server #2 requires the user to send info (via my form) and receive info on the same form from server #2.
I implemented it as a separate app to to eliminate any conflict with the MDI. I did notice when bringing notepad
inside the MDI that focus changed from the MDI to notepad.

SO QUESTIONS:

1. Any suggestions for solving the conflict in problem #1??
2. DO you know since the focus changed between the MDI and notepad whether the hidden form and link to server #1
will remain active if I'm able to get a VB form to shell inside the MDI??

If you don't know and have any knowledgeable sources you can pass this by I would appreciate it.

Thanks for your time,
David