Anniversary Sunday

Moms of Grace Field Trip

We had such a good time at the park. THANK YOU Julie for planning this event. It was so nice for the kids to be able to play together and the ladies to have time to visit!

DuPage Children's Museum

Today we went to the museum in Naperville as the kids got free tickets from the summer reading program and they expire on the 30th. The kids love this place, even though I thought they were getting to big for it, and we had a great time.

It is kinda hard to tell but the kids are in a bubble (Beth's is popping). They stand in the middle with the bubble solution in a circle container, pull on the cord... and they are in a bubble. It is very fun!
This picture is taken in darkness. So, in reality the only thing you can see is what you are "drawing" with the light pen.

And, of course, what would the trip be without making LOTS of noise with all this fun stuff!!
This is a wind tunnel.
The must stop place everytime we have been...the construction house. Whatever they make they are allowed to bring home with them. It is all scrap wood, nails, and drink tops, but they think it is wonderful!

Vacation

We arrived home at 12:15am on Sunday morning, with the time change it was still 1:15 to us however. We had a wonderful time! It was very relaxing this year, even more relaxing than any other visit at my Mom's. (I know why now after reading Julie's comment)

Here is a run down of our days:

Saturday we left at 4:30 am, we enjoyed a stop at Jim's favorite place to stop when heading south...Waffle House sometime late morning and arrived at my Mom's about 5pm.


Sunday morning we went to church. The kids enjoyed the fact that we could compare what our church was doing in relation to what we were actually doing. In the afternoon the 3 men went to play golf and the ladies went to play mini golf and go to a park. We actually stopped at 3 because we couldn't find one with a playground.


Monday we went to Dollywood. We went on a few rides... Tennessee Tornado is Jim's favorite and Kyle wasn't feeling up to it... so I went with him....YIKES! (I don't like roller coasters much) The kids played a few games, we saw a few short shows and had a really good lunch. We arrived home about 7pm, had dinner, and that was it.


Tuesday we went kayaking! My Mom and Jim have kayaks, so we all took turns on the lake. VERY FUN! and everyone did surprisingly well.



Wednesday Jim and Jim played golf while the rest of us played cards, watched the humming birds, or baked dessert for dinner. In the afternoon we the four of us went swimming at their new fitness center. In the evening the four of us got ready and headed to Temple Baptist. Who should we run into almost as we walked in the door... Wally!! You have to understand that, that was not expected as he didn't know we were going to be there and the auditorium seats about 2000 people! (I think) It was a great sermon!


Thursday we left around 11am and drove through the Smokey Mountains and then on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was beautiful! This drive took us a long time, so we didn't arrive in North Carolina until a little after 6pm. We checked into our cabin and went to get some food for the grill.

Friday we headed to Chimney Rock Park. It was a beautiful day, although we had overcast skies. I for one, just thought how beautiful God made everything and that he did that so we would see Him and be amazed. I certainly was!!

Do you see that tiny little bump in the picture below? That is the rock in the first 2 pictures!
Saturday we got ready to head back, but not until the kids had some time to enjoy the creek. It was a long drive, but for the first time we didn't have any trouble with the car!! :)

Busy!

Hi all. Sorry I haven't blogged this week...time is just getting away from me.

Monday we got a late start to our day, so that threw us off completely...I have such a hard time getting on schedule when I have messed it up to start with for the day.

Monday, as you know, was the home school meeting and it looks to be a great year!

Tuesday we just did our regular day, but had to take the van in to get checked before our trip and we went to the library.

Wednesday we actually had a day that followed the schedule to a "T"... I love days like that! We night service was great! The kids really enjoyed their programs. Thanks to all the people that are teaching this year!

And that brings me to today. We got up and had breakfast and start Konos and then I had Jayne's boys at 10am. They stayed until 3:30 and then I went to Jayne's and dropped off my kids! until 9am. I got clothes ironed and errands done for our trip. We came home and I am getting started on unpacking and hopefully will be getting to bed very soon.

I know tomorrow will be a busy day again and I don't know when I will post again. I hope you all have a great week!!

And They're Off

Ah...what a nice evening!

Today Jim went to the golf outing and actually isn't home yet. But I am sure he would say it was a good day. The kids and I hit Kmart early this morning as I saw what Kyle's jeans looked like... totally grass stained...and silly me, I thought he had something else to wear. That young man is growing faster than I can keep up. I have told him in the past to put anything that doesn't fit him by the basement door or to take it down to the Amvets bag... seems he has been doing this more than I thought! Since we were at Kmart, we thought we would look around.... I got Beth a cute long skirt for 3.00 and myself and longish one for 5.00, Kyle got two pairs of jeans... that should last the month! We came home, he got change and I medicated him and dropped him off at the church for the Youth Activity to Chicago. Beth and I ran several errands today: Target, CVS, Family Christian Bookstore, Wal-Mart, Aldi, Office Max, and to top it off... IHOP for a late lunch. We enjoyed our time together and we were home in less than 3 hours. After that I started cooking lots of beef due to a mishap at Jayne's (she can tell you all about that) and leisurely getting things done, which I have to tell you was really nice. I just sat at the computer to write on here and I am going to go do some more dishes. Jim just called and said he was on his way home, therefore I'll see ya later.

A Bit of History....

On this day in 1813, the United States gets its nickname, Uncle Sam.The name is linked to Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied barrels of beef to the United States Army during the War of 1812. Wilson (1766-1854) stamped the barrels with "U.S."for United States, but soldiers began referring to the grub as "Uncle Sam's." The local newspaper picked up on the story and Uncle Sam eventually gained widespread acceptance as the nickname for the U.S.federal government.

In the late 1860s and 1870s, political cartoonist Thomas Nast(1840-1902) began popularizing the image of Uncle Sam. Nast continued to evolve the image, eventually giving Sam the white beard and stars-and-stripes suit that are associated with the character today.

Update On Kyle

Well, we went to the doctor today. I actually called at 9:05 and the receptionist told us to come it at 10:15! How awesome is that! That was an answer to my prayers. THANKS GOD! I really didn't want him to have to wait all day to see the doctor. Okay, so he has bronchitis, which is what I thought he had. Yesterday I noticed he was breathing more with his chest than his diaphragm and that isn't a good thing. He has two different medicines and my kids usually respond well once they get medicine so hopefully will feel more like himself very soon. Thank you all for your prayers as we greatly appreciate them.

Our Cleaning Schedule

Kyle is still sick; I took his temp around 9 and it was 102.4. He is still just laying around all day. Tomorrow I will call the doctor's office as they were closed today. Beth did her school work very well and we were finished by noon.

The kids and I are trying a new cleaning schedule and it is working out well, except for the part with the kids being sick, so they can't do their part! But in all honesty, our new schedule is great. We clean 1 to 2 rooms a day, all at the same time and it actually looks like we cleaned. Our old schedule for cleaning had them doing certain chores and that was repeated day after day. The problem I found was they didn't have to do many of the chores everyday, so they were only cleaning a little and they would have everything to do on Monday because we didn't do it on weekends....which isn't a terrible thing, but it didn't seem like things were clean. Does that make sense?? I never felt like things were getting done, but we were doing the cleaning list that I made. So, after praying about my schedules for schooling and cleaning, we have a really good one!!! So, in case anyone wants to know what I am doing, here is a quick run-down:
Mondays, bathroom and enclosed porch; Tuesdays, living room; Wednesday, kitchen; Thursdays, office and a little room we call the nook; Fridays, bedrooms; and Saturday, dining room. A couple of the days I also have straightening the living room and cleaning the bathroom again. So, there you have it. The kids and I like working on the rooms together and we all agree the house looks so much nicer. Honestly, they feel like they are contributing to the house, where they just felt like cleaners before.

Hope you have a good one.

School and Sickness

I purchased a big 3rd grade workbook from Sam's on Friday, so Beth is going to be working in that for a little while. I just didn't think it was necessary to attempt the 4th grade English when it was so overwhelming. She was really sad when I first told her that we were going to do some 3rd grade stuff again, but she realizes why we are doing it. That girl is so logical sometimes! Of course, she did her work very well again, just like I thought she would. Beth did her school work alone however as Kyle is still feeling terrible. His temp fluctuates between normal and at current 103.8....not a nice number. He has been laying around all day as you can imagine and just woke up from another nap.

Footstep down the hall

Kyle is sleeping. Restless, but still sleeping. Picture this: The entire house is dark except the computer light and the hall night. There is not a sound except the refrigerator's hum and my mouse clicking. I was sitting at the computer cruising blogs when all of a sudden I hear little footsteps running down the hall. My heart jumps. Is it Kyle? Get up from computer. Look in hall. Stop. Hmmm silence. Check on Kyle, still sleeping. Jim...too small of feet for it to have been him. Had to be Beth. Check on Beth. Missing. Check in my room, no. Check bathroom, no. Check Kyle's room, no. Say "Beth?". Nothing. Check kitchen, no. Stand in hall and call again, "Beth?". Oh, there she is! Standing next to my bed talking to...well, me.... Okay

Me: Sweetie, what are do you?

Beth: What am I doing?

Me: Yes, what are you doing? I am not in the bed.

Beth: Your not? I thought you were. (Mind you I am standing in front of her)

Me: What are you doing?

Beth: blank stare

Me: (wondering at this point if she is really awake) What do you need?

Beth: What do I need?

Me: Pick up heavy girl. Carry to her room and ask again. What do you need?

Beth: Oh, I wanted you.

Me: In you go. Good night

Beth: Good night. I love you.

Maybe I will find out what that was all about in the morning!

My Sick Guy

Well, we basically didn't do much around here... well, Jim did. He doesn't seem to know how to sit for long. Kyle has been feeling sick all day, and really hasn't done anything.

At this point, Kyle has a temp of 103. So again, this post is gonna be short as I am looking after him.

Cake Parade

Tonight's Cake Parade was really great! All the ladies.. big and little.. did a great job. I heard so many people say how hard it was to pick a winner and that the cakes looked great. I will upload pictures later!

Beth is working on her cake for the CAKE PARADE tomorrow and as she was working on it she was singing (to the tune of London Bridge), " This is really hard, really hard, really hard. This is really hard oh yes it is". I just thought it was so cute, I had to share it!!

One Blog to Another

I was blog hopping today, something I do rarely with limits being time. But I came across this blog and was encouraged by such young ladies. Thought you might want to take a look....
http://maidensofworth.org/

Post-Op Day 13!

We made it!! Today marks post-op day 13 which is a very significant day... the chance of her having any problems with her throat bleeding drop incredibly on this date; days between 6 and 12 are the worst time for bleeding. She is eating and drinking pretty much normally, she doesn't really want to try hard foods, but there are so many soft foods that she has started eating now, it doesn't seem to matter.

Schooling has kept us pretty busy this week. Kyle is doing a fabulous job with his work, is not complaining like earlier years, and working more independently too!! Beth is having more issues this year, seems 4th grade is throwing her for a loop! She still is excited about school in general, but the work itself is a bit hard to manage. I am not really sure what we are going to do with her regarding this... so please pray for us.

On another note, I thought this email from Rachel was funny...er interesting... something! So much for me telling Kyle it matters how you spell!! (I still do realize it matters just in case you wondered)

Only great minds can read this This is weird, but interesting!

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Family Night and Schooling

Miniature golf... tonight we went to play miniature golf for FREE!! The kids got tickets from the reading program, so we all got to play without having to pay a dime. (Thanks kids!) We stopped at McDonald's after that for dinner, the kids got some time at the playplace, and Jim and I were able to sit and relax... it was a very nice evening.

Oh, and I almost forgot. We started school today and it went VERY well. Kyle did an awesome job and actually did an extra lesson! Beth was a little... hmmm intimidated, nervous, or something when she sat down to do her book, but she did pretty well. Last year 3rd grade was hard at the beginning of the year also, so I know she will be doing better by the end of the week.

A Normal day!

Today we just had a "normal" day. Beth was doing very well, and took her medicine without complaint every time I gave it to her. I still have to be after her to keep drinking, but it seems to be a little better.

A Good Day!

It is really nice to be able to write that title!

I gave Beth the ibuprofen as soon as she got up so she would be able to drink, but more importantly try to eat something so she wouldn't get ill from the other medicine. A little while later, after she ate about half of a peanut butter sandwich I gave her the heavy duty medicine and it went well. She said ears/throat hurt only a little, she got a little nauseous and then she got a really bad headache... after a little more ibuprofen she was much better and that was the worst of our day! I am getting to understand what she says, so I know how to help her now that she is feeling so much better. She has been drinking fairly well today too, even though I have to be on top of her to make sure she is doing it. She was even up to having some friends over to play tonight.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner both last night and tonight, thanks to our wonderful church family. We really appreciate all your help and love during this, shall we say, less than routine time. :)

The Long Night

Sorry I didn't update yesterday after the 2am time...we had a rough day.

Beth continued to be nauseous yesterday, and wasn't really drinking much. She just felt so terrible between getting ill and moving closer and closer to dehydration. The doctor's office called us yesterday around 3:30 and I told her what was happening, she checked with the doctor and called me back at 3:45 and told me what had an appointment at 4:45! So we threw some clothes on her, brushed her hair, and took off. We saw the doctor about 5:45 and he said everything from the surgery looked okay, so in that respect she was doing well. He said that she is at the edge of being officially dehydrated, so either she had to drink a really big glass of water during the time he checked someone else or she had to go to the ER for an IV. She cried, made "mad" faces, gave up and started drinking again (about 5 times). The doctor came in and she wasn't done, so he said, I am gonna give you one more minute. She cried and made "mad" faces again. (oh yea...I think she said, "I am gonna die" half a dozen times and no one is helping her). So, it was time to verbally help her recall God's power. I repeated Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me about 10 time to her, and bless her heart she just kept going until she literally could not put anything else in!

We got home from the doctor's office with new times for the medicine and strict orders to keep drinking and the message, they will be calling today...so, no pressure there at all!

We arrived here about 6:45 and I got 3-4 more ounces in her. Gave her the pain medicine... and she was nauseous again about 45 minutes later... so barely drank anything. Then we tried crackers and oatmeal to try to keep the upset tummy calm. By the time that was all done, it was 11pm and time for the medicine again, but she got sick, so we didn't. So, in total desperation and frustration I cried unto the Lord, and then called Jim. I was clueless what I should do...medicate for pain control and let her be sick or let her be in pain, but have drink anyway, avoiding the pending ER visit if she doesn't drink. This would be the proverbial between a rock and hard place!! So, Jim and I talked and decided she just had to be in pain, if that is what was gonna happen, because the pain wouldn't put her in the hospital, but the dehydration would.

This is how the night played out:
11:30 wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink and give her a drink
12am wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink and give her a drink
12:30am wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink and give her a drink
1am wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink and give her a drink
1:30am wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink and give her a drink
1:45 wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink and give her a drink and her medicine because if I don't stop doing this now.... I'm gonna die!
2am head to bed, set the alarm clock for 4am to give her the over the counter pain med, and pass out.
4:45 oops... forgot to turn the alarm clock to "on", but fortunately woken by the dog crying her fool head off because, guess what, she is afraid of the thunder and lighting! Jim gets out of bed to comfort the dog (ie let her out of the cage so she can be with Kyle), and I say "oh, good... I can go back to sleep...hmmm, wonder what time it is...look...YIKES...later than I wanted. Jump out of bed, wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink, give her a drink and her medicine. Gate the dog in Kyle's room as she is going to spend the test of the night there and happily go back to bed, but set the alarm (making sure it is in the "on" position) and pass out.
7am wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink, give her a drink
7:30am wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink, give her a drink
8am wake the perfectly, content, way-to-sleepy child who doesn't know I am trying to get her to drink, give her a drink................decided to leave her alone for a whole hour!
9am wake the child again and make her drink again...but this time she stays up. She did state that this morning she felt much better than any other day so far!

So, the rest of the morning I pretty much say, Did you drink it? You need to drink. Drink until you get to this spot. Did you drink it? Is that glass finished yet? You need to drink. You probably get the idea...

I don't know when the doctor's office is going to call... but I can happily tell them. She has had 26 ounces of liquid since last night at 7pm!! Just to give you an idea, on her best day since the surgery, she probably got in 10 ounces all day.