Today I took the kids to Sam and Abby's dental cleaning appointment. "This should be easy!", I told myself. After all, I wasn't the patient. I can easily watch the younger two while the older two get their teeth cleaned. In fact, they have a lego table which should keep them entertained!! No problem! Or so I thought. I didn't think that for a one hour visit, I would need a diaper bag. My mistake. Mary pooped after the first 15 minutes of being there. It stunk too. I couldn't let her walk around in a poop, letting the poor receptionist be overwhelmed with the fumes and thinking I'm a bad mom for not bringing a diaper! So, as soon as Abby came out from her cleaning, and Sam went in for his, I told the receptionist we were walking to Target and would be right back. Target is in the same strip center. Lucky us!!
We walked into Target and the "I WANTS" started happening. I'm not good with expectant kids. I like pleasing kids as much as the next mom, but I don't want to have demanding kids at the store that hold a tantrum over my head to get what they want.
I remember when my neighbor told me my kids cry like I'm a caver. I didn't understand what she meant right away. She lives across the street and we connect over the phone a lot so we are quite used to the background noises of crying kids. It was during one of our conversations when she heard Ben crying in the background. She explained that she happens to know that I am not one to "cave in" to my children, but my kids cry like I do. Interesting! Why is that? They know I am compassionate and respond quickly to needs...or somewhat quickly. Have I been to responsive? It gave me something to ponder. And something to remember while I'm listening to my son cry over and over that he wanted the Spiderman bubbles.
Mary was demanding for her own set of WANTS but hers didn't escalate and can often be distractable. Ben kept crying for his Spiderman bubbles. He already has plenty of bubbles at home. He has enough Spiderman merchandise too. We don't need them. Also, I'm thinking, I can't buy them anything while they are shopping with me now, because obviously, they think they can ask for stuff and get it and I don't want to start THAT. And once you start crying...forget it. I will not reward tears with a pined for item. I stood my ground like a warrior in battle. I tried many ways to get him to be quiet. These are the times I wish I could threaten a spanking like my parents did, which got us to be quiet immediately. Too bad I don't believe in those.
Certainly I can find a way to control my child in public! At home I have the time out chair. There is no time out in public! I told him that he would go in time out when we got home if he didn't be quiet. Didn't work. I focused back on the diapers we came for and immediately headed for check out. The check out lady was sympathetic. She seemed please I wasn't giving in. She's seen enough of THAT. Then we headed for the bathroom so I could change the poop. I just wanted to get OUT OF THE STORE. But I had to further delay this. He decided to give a two year old fit as a final push to get what he wanted. This was literal screaming and kicking of legs in the cart. I pulled him from the cart and said, "You need to sit in time out here!" I don't know what I was thinking. Like I would leave him with Abby to change Mary's diaper? I don't think so. And he cried louder. Finally I picked him up forcefully (my frustration was getting the best of me) and shoved our way into the bathroom. His screams were now echoing because I hurt him with my grab. None of my reasoning work. He flopped himself on the dirty bathroom floor and I didn't care. I quickly changed Mary's poop, not even bothering to wash my hands afterwards. Gross.
As we were leaving the store his cries died down. When we opened the door to the Dentist, however, his foot got caught and the cries started again. I was so tired of this. Cries sound so much louder in a waiting room. Finally, I said, "Ben, do want to go camping tomorrow? Stop crying!" He was immediately quiet. I know the books say to never threaten something you will not follow up on, but I was at my wits end. But it worked! And I finally had peace. Then I thought of something that I should have thought of before. He loves playing a game called Toontown on the computer. LOVES IT. I decided that his punishment for this episode was to take away his favorite game for the day.
When we came home and he immediately asked for Toontown, I explained why he couldn't play. He threw another fit. That's OK. He needs to start listening to me. He's four now. Shouldn't he be showing a little more self control? I know he's probably tired...but still. Ted was proud of my new punishment. He thinks I can be too soft sometimes. For example, once we thought of this, he now wants to say he can't play Toontown for the day whenever he poops in his pants. Hmmm...I don't really like this. They say to never punish your child for pooping or peeing in their pants. Wouldn't this be punishment? And yet his pediatrician is all for taking away privileges for this. I don't know how I feel yet. I am almost ready to do something more. I feel like he knows what he is supposed to do, but doesn't want to do it. Doesn't he need some pushing? Anyway, that's another topic. I gotta start packing for Eminence. Onward ho.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
More This 'n That
Today I had 11 children at my house. Yup. 11. Sam- 10 1/2, Jonathon-10 1/2, Katherine- 10 1/2, Abby-8 1/2, Emma- 8, Joe-7, Jacob-5, Ben-4, Abigail-4, Mary 2 1/2, Abby-19 months. Whew! Actually it was fun. The neighborhood kids were over (4) while I was watching my friends kids (3). I think it's funny how I can have 11 kids in my house and have a great time, and at the same time I can have a miserable time with two crabby little ones. Oh well. Kids enjoy being around other kids. Especially in large quantities. I see their excitement build when they get together. I really like kids. I know sometimes it doesn't seem like it after a bad day, but I just love the fun of their imaginations, how they play, how they talk to each other. It takes me back to my youth of creative imagination, little responsibility and the joy of simple activities. Kids see things with the freshest eyes. Everything old can be experienced new again if you look at it with the eyes of a child. So I quite enjoyed my day with all of them. Mostly I just let them be and do their thing.
It also felt good that I was doing my friend a favor...helping her get some valuable office time in at her real estate office. She appreciated it....just as any mom who can get time away from the kids to focus on something important. Like after a good crop day. I feel refreshed. Like I accomplished something. I'm always happy to help a fellow mom to feel that way, because I know how good it feels for me! And as for the neighbors, she was getting her car worked on and needed to pick it up. That's how we got to 11. But I often have 8 because they live right across the street and my house is like an addition to theirs. They come in and out all day long and I love it because my kids are not bored with them around. I never feel burdened by them.
This evening we watched my sister's kids at their swim meet. If you are going to watch one child at a swim meet, it can be quite boring. Each child can swim a max of 5 events and there may be 50 or more. So you are always straining to see and hoping you don't miss their races. With four kids, there is always someone racing! It was a beautiful evening and Ted willingly stayed home with the little ones.
On other fronts, I sold my mini-disc on eBay and got quite a fair amount! I was very happy. On the same day, I bid on a bargain, slightly flawed mini-disc and won! It was much cheaper than I thought I would have to spend. The lid doesn't spring open when you push the button, you have to open it yourself. No big deal. Something I can live with. It came with nothing else, but I have the software already loaded on my computer and I have the USB cord, so I have all I need. Be ready to hear more "sounds" from my house.
Also going on...we're gearing up for our next camping trip. We're leaving Friday for a four night stay at beautiful Eminence, MO. One of my favorite camping spots. We love the spring fed river and will enjoy our annual float trip with the older kids, Sam and Abby. We come with a big group and have a nightly campfire, along with long days on the rocky beach that faces tall bluffs. I'm looking forward to and so are the kids!
What else...Oh yah! Sam came back from Webelos camp and it was so good to see him. I really missed him. He came home liking two more foods than when he left! I knew he would be in a situation of being served a greater variety of foods and I wasn't sure how much he would try them. I think I made some snide comment on a previous blog that he would not come home changed at all...that you don't change a picky eater. But can you believe he is now eating macaroni and cheese and spaghetti!!! I know to most of you this sounds like regular kid fare, but not for my son. He is PICKY! And he came back like two more foods!!! I have two more things I can put on his money. We stopped working around him a long time ago. We have whatever we're going to have and he will fix his own picky plate. But there is nothing like eating one meal as a family. Macaroni and cheese is not exactly my idea of a family meal, but it's a good side dish when he doesn't like the main course.
I had a bad week last week, but things are going better now. I had a yucky conversation with my Principal at my PTO meeting. I was so proud of my very detailed agenda and e-mailed them all in advance. I even opened with a nice prayer....and what does she do? She comes down hard on me in front of my peers about some incorrect dates and how our dates need to stay firm and we can't change them once they are on the "non-tentative" calendar. I was very hurt by the way she treated me (like a child) and felt very unappreciated as a volunteer. I usually get over these things, but not until I've wallowed in it for a while. This one took me a good 2-3 days which is long for me. I had other things go poorly which compounded my "dumps" feelings. I've reasoned with myself that she has a stressful job and I'm not the only one that has been on the receiving side of this treatment. We ended up working it out, but you don't leave without scars. I know her hot topic now, and I'll be sure to steer clear of that area again! It's water under the bridge now, but I was disturbed at how long it took me to get over it. I always over analyze and this was no different. I care very much about what people think. Too much. I'm very conscientious, very planned...to avoid things like this. I take a lot of pride in doing things well. I think that's why this hurt so much. It's not like I thought PTO would be easy, but too me, things like this should not be the focus. It's on much bigger things. Anyway, enough said. I feel better now.
And one last tid-bit. I got to satisfy my cookie cravings. They were so good. Mmmmm. I want to get some more. They are all gone.
And one more thing...really. Have I told you how much I love the swim team???? I LOVE IT! The kids are having a blast. We had another meet last night and while neither of them placed that well, Abby improved her times from last week and I told them that was the focus. I worked the Bull Pen and was that an experience! Action at it's best!
OK. Time to go. To bed.
It also felt good that I was doing my friend a favor...helping her get some valuable office time in at her real estate office. She appreciated it....just as any mom who can get time away from the kids to focus on something important. Like after a good crop day. I feel refreshed. Like I accomplished something. I'm always happy to help a fellow mom to feel that way, because I know how good it feels for me! And as for the neighbors, she was getting her car worked on and needed to pick it up. That's how we got to 11. But I often have 8 because they live right across the street and my house is like an addition to theirs. They come in and out all day long and I love it because my kids are not bored with them around. I never feel burdened by them.
This evening we watched my sister's kids at their swim meet. If you are going to watch one child at a swim meet, it can be quite boring. Each child can swim a max of 5 events and there may be 50 or more. So you are always straining to see and hoping you don't miss their races. With four kids, there is always someone racing! It was a beautiful evening and Ted willingly stayed home with the little ones.
On other fronts, I sold my mini-disc on eBay and got quite a fair amount! I was very happy. On the same day, I bid on a bargain, slightly flawed mini-disc and won! It was much cheaper than I thought I would have to spend. The lid doesn't spring open when you push the button, you have to open it yourself. No big deal. Something I can live with. It came with nothing else, but I have the software already loaded on my computer and I have the USB cord, so I have all I need. Be ready to hear more "sounds" from my house.
Also going on...we're gearing up for our next camping trip. We're leaving Friday for a four night stay at beautiful Eminence, MO. One of my favorite camping spots. We love the spring fed river and will enjoy our annual float trip with the older kids, Sam and Abby. We come with a big group and have a nightly campfire, along with long days on the rocky beach that faces tall bluffs. I'm looking forward to and so are the kids!
What else...Oh yah! Sam came back from Webelos camp and it was so good to see him. I really missed him. He came home liking two more foods than when he left! I knew he would be in a situation of being served a greater variety of foods and I wasn't sure how much he would try them. I think I made some snide comment on a previous blog that he would not come home changed at all...that you don't change a picky eater. But can you believe he is now eating macaroni and cheese and spaghetti!!! I know to most of you this sounds like regular kid fare, but not for my son. He is PICKY! And he came back like two more foods!!! I have two more things I can put on his money. We stopped working around him a long time ago. We have whatever we're going to have and he will fix his own picky plate. But there is nothing like eating one meal as a family. Macaroni and cheese is not exactly my idea of a family meal, but it's a good side dish when he doesn't like the main course.
I had a bad week last week, but things are going better now. I had a yucky conversation with my Principal at my PTO meeting. I was so proud of my very detailed agenda and e-mailed them all in advance. I even opened with a nice prayer....and what does she do? She comes down hard on me in front of my peers about some incorrect dates and how our dates need to stay firm and we can't change them once they are on the "non-tentative" calendar. I was very hurt by the way she treated me (like a child) and felt very unappreciated as a volunteer. I usually get over these things, but not until I've wallowed in it for a while. This one took me a good 2-3 days which is long for me. I had other things go poorly which compounded my "dumps" feelings. I've reasoned with myself that she has a stressful job and I'm not the only one that has been on the receiving side of this treatment. We ended up working it out, but you don't leave without scars. I know her hot topic now, and I'll be sure to steer clear of that area again! It's water under the bridge now, but I was disturbed at how long it took me to get over it. I always over analyze and this was no different. I care very much about what people think. Too much. I'm very conscientious, very planned...to avoid things like this. I take a lot of pride in doing things well. I think that's why this hurt so much. It's not like I thought PTO would be easy, but too me, things like this should not be the focus. It's on much bigger things. Anyway, enough said. I feel better now.
And one last tid-bit. I got to satisfy my cookie cravings. They were so good. Mmmmm. I want to get some more. They are all gone.
And one more thing...really. Have I told you how much I love the swim team???? I LOVE IT! The kids are having a blast. We had another meet last night and while neither of them placed that well, Abby improved her times from last week and I told them that was the focus. I worked the Bull Pen and was that an experience! Action at it's best!
OK. Time to go. To bed.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
This 'N That
Sam's been gone at Webelos camp for 2 whole days now. I'm just starting to miss him. I look over at our keyboard and see his water bottle there and it makes me think of him. With three other kids, I'm kept busy for sure, but you can still miss the presence of that one. I wonder how he is doing. Is he sleeping OK at night? Does he have fears? Is there enough light in his tent at night? Or is he keeping his flashlight on? Is he finding food he likes? I know he won't starve, but he is very picky. People think experiences like this help change a picky eater. They don't. I've sent him two letters... one yesterday and one today. I they make him smile, but not make him miss home.
Today is my first PTO meeting of the new year. I sent out an agenda already to all the members with notes of details we'll discuss. It feels like we are off to a good start. I have a lot to do this summer, but the more I get done, the better the school year will go.
Abby had her first swim meet last night. She did great! She got first in her age group for the backstroke and second for freestyle. She was put in the 9-10 group for a relay and they got third. I think it was a good freshman effort!! I love things that boost their self confidence, but I don't overpraise so much that they think their confidence depends on it. She added to my letter to Sam, telling him about her success at the meet.
I can't remember what I have said here, but my mini-disc does not have one main capability I thought it would. I thought I could record and then upload to the computer. NO. I need a Hi-MD (MD stands for mini-disc) model to do that. So I am putting it back on eBay to sell it, however, I'm keeping the microphone and some discs. It has two days left until the auction is over. I'm hoping I can get a decent amount to go towards my Hi-MD. In the meantime, I've been shopping e-Bay for the Hi-MD. They are not as common on eBay and will take a little longer to shop for. I'm willing to wait.
Today is my first PTO meeting of the new year. I sent out an agenda already to all the members with notes of details we'll discuss. It feels like we are off to a good start. I have a lot to do this summer, but the more I get done, the better the school year will go.
Abby had her first swim meet last night. She did great! She got first in her age group for the backstroke and second for freestyle. She was put in the 9-10 group for a relay and they got third. I think it was a good freshman effort!! I love things that boost their self confidence, but I don't overpraise so much that they think their confidence depends on it. She added to my letter to Sam, telling him about her success at the meet.
I can't remember what I have said here, but my mini-disc does not have one main capability I thought it would. I thought I could record and then upload to the computer. NO. I need a Hi-MD (MD stands for mini-disc) model to do that. So I am putting it back on eBay to sell it, however, I'm keeping the microphone and some discs. It has two days left until the auction is over. I'm hoping I can get a decent amount to go towards my Hi-MD. In the meantime, I've been shopping e-Bay for the Hi-MD. They are not as common on eBay and will take a little longer to shop for. I'm willing to wait.
Friday, June 15, 2007
A Snapshot
What's at the top of my to-do list?
--Get Sam ready for Webelos camp. He leaves this Sunday and he'll stay five nights!! Someone suggesting putting each change of clothes into zip lock bags and label them for each day. Sam doesn't like the idea of writing me a letter so I asked him if he would fill out a questionnaire and he said yes! So now I have to write up a questionnaire and put it in a self-addressed stamped envelope! What a mother has to go through to get a letter! I plan on sending him some letters to let him know how we are doing and a care package. What am I going to do when he goes to college??
--Do final preparations for PTO meeting Tuesday
--Laundry, laundry and more laundry.
--Buy Father's Day cards
--Have kids make cards for Dad
--Practice music for Women's Group Monday night
--Need to work on my PTO slide show
--Need to develop pictures REALLY bad
What have I accomplished?
--Cleaned the Suburban inside and out, scrubbing down the vinyl, vacuuming the seats and floors and washing the outside.
--I have survived two weeks of camp! One Girl Scouts and one Cub Scouts. Managed to find a carpooler for both!
--Wrote up agenda for PTO meeting on Tuesday
--Finished recording the Children's Liturgy CD of music for all liturgies! I still need to do a Lent CD.
What's bugging me?
--Loud, highly charged cries. I will not miss it when they outgrow it.
What's my latest obsession?
--Going to the subdivision pool!! This is my first year of it not feeling like more work than fun! It is like a new lease on life! The kids are more independent and can move about the pool without my help or close supervision. I can actually sit on the edge and hang out! What a huge blessing!
What's been making me happy?
--My mini-disc recorder was delivered yesterday!! I'm so excited! I tested it to make sure it works and all is good.
--The kids being active this summer in many activities. They are having so much fun...and that in turn, makes me happy! Next week it's Vacation Bible School for Abby and Webelos Camp for Sam and then we can rest a little before our long weekend camping trip to Eminence.
--My panini maker. I'm telling you, it's got to be my favorite kitchen appliance. I was able to make sandwiches that pleased everyone. Ted and I had chicken, roasted red pepper, provolone, mushroom and bacon sandwich, Abby had the same but without red peppers and mushrooms, and Sam had grilled cheese. Ben and Mary had eaten earlier because they were hungry. It's like pizza....you can customize to the eater fairly easily.
--The fun afternoons at the pool. We go up after Mary's nap around 3pm and stay through Sam and Abby's swim practice. It works for everyone!
--Get Sam ready for Webelos camp. He leaves this Sunday and he'll stay five nights!! Someone suggesting putting each change of clothes into zip lock bags and label them for each day. Sam doesn't like the idea of writing me a letter so I asked him if he would fill out a questionnaire and he said yes! So now I have to write up a questionnaire and put it in a self-addressed stamped envelope! What a mother has to go through to get a letter! I plan on sending him some letters to let him know how we are doing and a care package. What am I going to do when he goes to college??
--Do final preparations for PTO meeting Tuesday
--Laundry, laundry and more laundry.
--Buy Father's Day cards
--Have kids make cards for Dad
--Practice music for Women's Group Monday night
--Need to work on my PTO slide show
--Need to develop pictures REALLY bad
What have I accomplished?
--Cleaned the Suburban inside and out, scrubbing down the vinyl, vacuuming the seats and floors and washing the outside.
--I have survived two weeks of camp! One Girl Scouts and one Cub Scouts. Managed to find a carpooler for both!
--Wrote up agenda for PTO meeting on Tuesday
--Finished recording the Children's Liturgy CD of music for all liturgies! I still need to do a Lent CD.
What's bugging me?
--Loud, highly charged cries. I will not miss it when they outgrow it.
What's my latest obsession?
--Going to the subdivision pool!! This is my first year of it not feeling like more work than fun! It is like a new lease on life! The kids are more independent and can move about the pool without my help or close supervision. I can actually sit on the edge and hang out! What a huge blessing!
What's been making me happy?
--My mini-disc recorder was delivered yesterday!! I'm so excited! I tested it to make sure it works and all is good.
--The kids being active this summer in many activities. They are having so much fun...and that in turn, makes me happy! Next week it's Vacation Bible School for Abby and Webelos Camp for Sam and then we can rest a little before our long weekend camping trip to Eminence.
--My panini maker. I'm telling you, it's got to be my favorite kitchen appliance. I was able to make sandwiches that pleased everyone. Ted and I had chicken, roasted red pepper, provolone, mushroom and bacon sandwich, Abby had the same but without red peppers and mushrooms, and Sam had grilled cheese. Ben and Mary had eaten earlier because they were hungry. It's like pizza....you can customize to the eater fairly easily.
--The fun afternoons at the pool. We go up after Mary's nap around 3pm and stay through Sam and Abby's swim practice. It works for everyone!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Me Want COOKIE!!
I think that is a direct quote from the Cookie Monster and it is so true for me right now. I just really want some Chips Deluxe Rainbow Cookies. I don't really care for the regular...it's the Rainbow Chips Ahoy that really make me sing. I don't know if it's the fact that you get three big m&m's in each cookie that you can always count on (I'm sure someone does an inspection that makes sure they are all accounted for and placed equidistant from each other). I don't know if it's just the right amount of chocolate in the combination of the chips and m&m's in each cookie. Maybe it's the fact that I hide them and keep them to myself so they are all MINE. But, that's the sad part...I haven't bought any since pre-Lent. I really, really want some now. I think I will buy some at the store the next time I shop. Nothing can really take it's place. Not the fig neuton bars in the same hiding spot...not the caramels left over from a dessert I made a long time ago...not the Hershey bars that are left over from our camping s'mores supply. I really just want a Chips Deluxe Rainbow Cookie. Will I get over them eventually? Will they grow old to me and not hold their illustrious desire some day? Will I move onto another cookie and leave it in the dust like I did to Famous Amos? I don't know. But I think I do know that I'm tired of giving them up. Lent is OVER! Isn't it time to kill the fatted calf and dig in?? I'm sick of trying to be something I'm not, a non-cookie eater. I love my cookies. "C" is for Cookie, that's good enough for me (Cookie Monster).
What's Been Making "Tic" Lately
Yes. I'm back. Life is busy as usual. Busy, but good. The kids finished school and we hit the ground running. Abby went straight into her Girl Scout camp for a week, and this week Sam is at his Cub Scout day camp. Next week he has a five night (overnight) Webelos camp! During all of this, we are squeezing in swim practice for the neighborhood swim team. They walk to swim practice so it doesn't require too much from me. Sam still rides his bike to piano every Tuesday afternoon. I just can't believe I'm at this place. It felt like it would be forever before they could do stuff like this. They are growing and maturing and I love to watch it all happen before my eyes. I just don't want to miss anything.
Yesterday we spent the day at Six Flags and the kids really enjoyed it. At first, Ben and Mary had to adjust to the crowds. Mary didn't want to ride any rides except the train, carousel and the Old Time Cars, but she seemed content to just look at the sites and ride in the stroller. Ben enjoyed the Log Flume, but was too scared to be in the dark for the Scooby Doo ride (after all, he sleeps with his lamp light on!). Abby didn't want to do any roller coasters, but she liked the Log Flume and the Scooby Doo ride. Sam rode the wooden roller coaster, The Boss, with me and that was plenty for him for the day. The rest of his rides were calmer (mine train, Scooby Doo, etc.). He doesn't like rides that take you upside down. It's funny how we are all so different, with our own little fear buttons. Ben and Sam wanted to ride the Tony Hawk spin, but the line was too long. We'll do it another time when it's not so new and in demand.
We were a little surprised at how the day went off without a hitch. We enjoyed something as a family! Success!! I've posted some pictures, but you can see more if you click on the "flickr" pictures to the right of my entry. I've added a lot more new pictures, too.
On to other exciting news, last night I set my alarm at 1:40am. Why would I do such a thing?? To bid on a mini-disc recorder of course!! And I won! It is a Sony MZ-N707 and it came with everything, including 50 mini-discs (too many actually) and a stereo microphone for recording. I am so excited!! I got the bundle for $106 plus $15 in shipping. Now I can post more sound bytes from the homestead, record more music for my PTO slide show, add songs to the CD for Children's Liturgy, maybe record more of my own music, and simply use it as a player and one stop storage for all of my music (I don't have much...but this might encourage me to collect more).
What else...oh yah...one night last week I made another homemade pizza and I liked it so much, I have to share my ingredients. Pizza has to be one of my favorite foods. Mainly because, you can make it whatever you want. I like being creative with my toppings. Here is what I did...I made the dough in the bread maker and rolled out two pizza crusts. Then I rubbed them both with EV Olive Oil and sprinkled them with garlic, salt and grated Parmesan. I've always felt my dough could use more flavor. I then baked them at 475 for about 10 minutes. When they came out I made one for the kids with sauce and cheese and the other one was for us...which is the good part. I had a chicken already cooked and cut up that I wanted to use on the pizza and new that some sort of white, or oil sauce would go best. I found some artichoke pesto that I've been using on paninis and figured it would be a great base. I spread that on the pizza and mixed in a little olive oil to make it less pasty. I then topped it with chicken, roasted red pepper, onions, mushrooms, and pre-shredded "Italian Cheese" (Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina and Romano). It was so yummy!! I will definitely do it again. I wrote it all down so I won't forget.
OK...time to go...Need to get some things done while Mary is sleeping.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Ben and Mary
Ben is constantly saying, "When I go potty on the potty chair, I'm going to get a...". It's just a part of his everday English. Last night Ben and Mary were looking through a Target toy mailer and I captured their enthusiasm on my brother-in-law's recorder.
I am testing this sound file...I don't know if it will work
Listen to this.
I am testing this sound file...I don't know if it will work
Listen to this.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day Weekend Camping
This weekend we went camping in Hannibal, MO, at a place called Injun Joe Campground. Yes, it is the birthplace of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and they never let you forget it. Hannibal is full of Mark Twain memorabilia. Hotels and streets and shops bear his name and the names of the famous characters in his books (Becky Thatcher and Huckleberry Finn). Anyway, the trip started out very rough (me in tears because the younger two would not go to bed) and ended up much better as the younger two adapted to their camping surroundings and actually settled down to sleep when they wore themselves out. With one trip under our belt, I'm hoping the next one will be much easier, as they know now what to expect. The older two, of course, had a great time, with only one "we're bored" session.
I figure pictures are some of the best ways to explain a trip. Here are some to tell the story (in the order they were taken):
Mary Swinging
Ben Roasts a Hotdog
Shopping with the Girls
Cooking Over the Fire with a Dutch Oven (and you though only Girl Scouts used them!)
Game Boy By the Fire
Secrets in a Tent
I figure pictures are some of the best ways to explain a trip. Here are some to tell the story (in the order they were taken):
Mary Swinging
Ben Roasts a Hotdog
Shopping with the Girls
Ben and Mary at the Picnic Table
Cooking Over the Fire with a Dutch Oven (and you though only Girl Scouts used them!)
Game Boy By the Fire
My Dad
Secrets in a TentSunday, May 20, 2007
Comedy of Errors
You know how I wrote a big long "to do list" for the weekend? And I had all these things to do to get Abby ready for a slumber party because they were picking her straight up from the practice and taking her with a group of girls to Build a Bear workshop and she had to be ready for her game the next morning? Well Friday night I freaked out that no where on that list (or in my head) was a plan to get a present!! It was almost 10pm and too late to do anything about it. How could I send my child to a birthday party with no present?? Because I'm a busy and distracted individual! Right now I'm consumed with planning for PTO next year. Because the busiest part is getting everything ready for the year. I'm also thinking about Children's Liturgy and the CD I want to make. In addition to this, I've been researching my purchase for a mini-disc audio recorder with great passion! Meanwhile, my daughter is at a birthday with every girl excited to see the birthday girl's reaction when they open her gift. I'm picturing Abby explaining that she doesn't have a gift. These are the times when I say,"Ouch...I messed up." I know beating myself up doesn't help any, but I usually have to spend at least a little time wallowing in it, and then I develop an acceptable plan and move on.
Yesterday morning, I woke up early, ran to Target for a card, forged my daughter's signature in my best 2nd grade writing, stuffed $15 in the card and headed to the slumber party. When I got there, I apologized that Abby didn't have her gift (not going into the details of the fact that the gift had not even been planned) and laughed at how I was so busy thinking of everything else but forgetting the most important thing. She laughed with me and I was on my merry way taking Abby to her game.
When I drove into the parking lot of what I thought was a Knight's of Columbus field, I realized it was not a Knight's of Columbus at all. I drove down the drive and there was no one on the fields. I was at the wrong place. I was not going to get Abby to her game with 15 minutes to spare like her coach had just requested in e-mail. I also realized that I had given Ted's dad directions to this very field. Trying to get Abby to her game on time, I rushed out of the parking lot and frantically called Ted. He told me where the K of C was and I quickly drove in that direction. I got there right before the game started and apologized to the coach (PTO Treasurer), explaining my error. Ted called and said his dad did not have his cell phone on him and if I could please drive to the other field and look for him. I did. *Sigh*...he was no where to be found. Meanwhile, when I get back, the parents are laughing at me and my predicament. Finally Ted's dad showed up. He said he drove back and forth looking for the K of C fields and then finally pulled over and asked someone who led him in the right direction.
Whew! I'm glad he found it and he got to watch 45 minutes of the game. I would have felt so bad if he had to go all the way back home. He was gracious and forgiving. But a thought kept going through my head, "And I'm going to run the PTO?? People are going to wonder how the heck I'm going to do it if I can't get details like this straight!!" I can be hard on myself, but I also know when to back down from the mental tongue lashings. When I shared my story with my sister, she told me about a couple of times she came without a gift and said,"Oops! I left the card at home." When really there was no card or gift and she had to go buy both and come back. It's so good to hear other people's errors and to know I'm not alone. I remember when Lisa left her car running the whole time we were at a mall shopping, eating and watching a movie...three hours!!! Other than a low gas tank, all was fine! It made me feel better to remember that after I left my car door open while I shopped at the mall. My DVD player was still in the car!!
So yes, I think the PTO will be fine in my hands. I'm just worried about my home life!! What will I mess up and forget while I'm so busy with the PTO?? I'm sure there will be many more things I will have to forgive myself for.
Yesterday morning, I woke up early, ran to Target for a card, forged my daughter's signature in my best 2nd grade writing, stuffed $15 in the card and headed to the slumber party. When I got there, I apologized that Abby didn't have her gift (not going into the details of the fact that the gift had not even been planned) and laughed at how I was so busy thinking of everything else but forgetting the most important thing. She laughed with me and I was on my merry way taking Abby to her game.
When I drove into the parking lot of what I thought was a Knight's of Columbus field, I realized it was not a Knight's of Columbus at all. I drove down the drive and there was no one on the fields. I was at the wrong place. I was not going to get Abby to her game with 15 minutes to spare like her coach had just requested in e-mail. I also realized that I had given Ted's dad directions to this very field. Trying to get Abby to her game on time, I rushed out of the parking lot and frantically called Ted. He told me where the K of C was and I quickly drove in that direction. I got there right before the game started and apologized to the coach (PTO Treasurer), explaining my error. Ted called and said his dad did not have his cell phone on him and if I could please drive to the other field and look for him. I did. *Sigh*...he was no where to be found. Meanwhile, when I get back, the parents are laughing at me and my predicament. Finally Ted's dad showed up. He said he drove back and forth looking for the K of C fields and then finally pulled over and asked someone who led him in the right direction.
Whew! I'm glad he found it and he got to watch 45 minutes of the game. I would have felt so bad if he had to go all the way back home. He was gracious and forgiving. But a thought kept going through my head, "And I'm going to run the PTO?? People are going to wonder how the heck I'm going to do it if I can't get details like this straight!!" I can be hard on myself, but I also know when to back down from the mental tongue lashings. When I shared my story with my sister, she told me about a couple of times she came without a gift and said,"Oops! I left the card at home." When really there was no card or gift and she had to go buy both and come back. It's so good to hear other people's errors and to know I'm not alone. I remember when Lisa left her car running the whole time we were at a mall shopping, eating and watching a movie...three hours!!! Other than a low gas tank, all was fine! It made me feel better to remember that after I left my car door open while I shopped at the mall. My DVD player was still in the car!!
So yes, I think the PTO will be fine in my hands. I'm just worried about my home life!! What will I mess up and forget while I'm so busy with the PTO?? I'm sure there will be many more things I will have to forgive myself for.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
A Snapshot
What's at the top of my to-do list?
--Abby's in the Talent Show tomorrow. She is Ryan Secrest in an American Idol skit. I have to pack her costume. Tomorrow night she has softball practice and then her friend's mom will pick her up and take her straight to Build A Bear for a birthday party and then she will spend the night. I'll pick her up first thing in the morning to take her to her softball game at 9am. I just found out about the party today and I need to buy a gift tomorrow! Yikes!
--I need to make a side dish (don't know what yet) for Cub Scout graduation/picnic on Sunday and then afterwards we will head to another picnic, where I've promised to bring mashed potatoes.
--I've decided to make a CD of songs for the women in our Children's Liturgy group who don't feel comfortable leading the kids in song during their liturgy. The CD will have music in order (as it is sung in a liturgy) so they can just play the CD for the music. In order to make this CD, I have borrowed my brother-in-law's mini-disc audio recorder that he uses for podcasts. It's got awesome sound quality. I'm getting Abby and her friends to help sing on the CD and I'll sing in the background and play guitar. It ought to be interesting. When I'm done, I should be able to post it on the blog. We'll see if I can figure out how to do that.
--This isn't on the top of my to-do list...but it is something I need to do over the summer...I need to make a slide show for the PTO. I'll use the recorder to get the kids singing at church and the kindergartens singing in their end of year program. This will be background music to the slide show. Both of these projects have my mind consumed and I'll feel much better when they are both done!
What have I accomplished?
--Got Abby to finish her thank you notes for her First Communion gifts.
--Turned in Sam's registration for two Cub Scout camps...one is a day camp for 5 days and another one is a 5 day overnight camp. Health forms are sent to the doctor to fill out and return.
--Turned in Abby's registration for Girl Scout camp and Vacation Bible School
--Caught up on taped Oprah shows
What's bugging me?
--Whenever I have the windows open, Ben and Mary throw their usual fits and I worry about what the neighbors think. I'm wondering if they think I abuse them or something. One time when I left the house to go to a meeting, I could actually hear the kids crying FROM MY CAR.
--There seems to be a lot of negativity in the upper grades of our school...coming from the parents. I don't like complaining. Nothing good comes from it. Either tell someone who can change it, or just be quiet. Our enrollment seems to be dropping. We got a new principal last year and she's great but not a warm fuzzy type. I would call her efficient...which is what I think you need in this role. But many people are having a tough time adjusting to the change. She's pretty strict.
--It's not a big deal, but I used this darn tanning spray and wound up with streaks all over my legs on Mother's Day! I'm now trying one of those moisturizing kind that develop color more gradually. We'll see how it works.
What's my latest obsession?
--I really really really want one of those cool digital recorders! (Or a mini-disc recorder). I love the idea of being able to record music...like when I teach people songs...or to be able to record sound bytes...like from the kids...and posting them on my blog.
--I'm also really tied up with getting some of these recordings done before school is out.
What's been making me happy?
--It makes me so happy to be able to give the kids a good summer with many activities. Last summer I felt so overwhelmed with Ben and Mary that I didn't focus much on Sam and Abby. I feel like this summer will be totally different. With swim team, camps and camping...they should have a very full summer! And for some reason this just feels very exhilarating to me.
--I've been handed over the duties for PTO President now, and instead of feeling the fear I felt before, I now feel ready. That's a good feeling. I hate fear. I'm sure the fear will creep up again at different times throughout the year, but I'll deal with it as it comes.
--I'm really looking forward to summer! We only have 9 1/2 days of school left!
--We're camping at Injun Joe Campground in Hannibal, MO next weekend. I'm anxious to see how Ben and Mary will do camping this year. I'm hopeful that it will be better than last year.
This was a long post...but it's been a while since I've really written. Sorry. I've been busy.
--Abby's in the Talent Show tomorrow. She is Ryan Secrest in an American Idol skit. I have to pack her costume. Tomorrow night she has softball practice and then her friend's mom will pick her up and take her straight to Build A Bear for a birthday party and then she will spend the night. I'll pick her up first thing in the morning to take her to her softball game at 9am. I just found out about the party today and I need to buy a gift tomorrow! Yikes!
--I need to make a side dish (don't know what yet) for Cub Scout graduation/picnic on Sunday and then afterwards we will head to another picnic, where I've promised to bring mashed potatoes.
--I've decided to make a CD of songs for the women in our Children's Liturgy group who don't feel comfortable leading the kids in song during their liturgy. The CD will have music in order (as it is sung in a liturgy) so they can just play the CD for the music. In order to make this CD, I have borrowed my brother-in-law's mini-disc audio recorder that he uses for podcasts. It's got awesome sound quality. I'm getting Abby and her friends to help sing on the CD and I'll sing in the background and play guitar. It ought to be interesting. When I'm done, I should be able to post it on the blog. We'll see if I can figure out how to do that.
--This isn't on the top of my to-do list...but it is something I need to do over the summer...I need to make a slide show for the PTO. I'll use the recorder to get the kids singing at church and the kindergartens singing in their end of year program. This will be background music to the slide show. Both of these projects have my mind consumed and I'll feel much better when they are both done!
What have I accomplished?
--Got Abby to finish her thank you notes for her First Communion gifts.
--Turned in Sam's registration for two Cub Scout camps...one is a day camp for 5 days and another one is a 5 day overnight camp. Health forms are sent to the doctor to fill out and return.
--Turned in Abby's registration for Girl Scout camp and Vacation Bible School
--Caught up on taped Oprah shows
What's bugging me?
--Whenever I have the windows open, Ben and Mary throw their usual fits and I worry about what the neighbors think. I'm wondering if they think I abuse them or something. One time when I left the house to go to a meeting, I could actually hear the kids crying FROM MY CAR.
--There seems to be a lot of negativity in the upper grades of our school...coming from the parents. I don't like complaining. Nothing good comes from it. Either tell someone who can change it, or just be quiet. Our enrollment seems to be dropping. We got a new principal last year and she's great but not a warm fuzzy type. I would call her efficient...which is what I think you need in this role. But many people are having a tough time adjusting to the change. She's pretty strict.
--It's not a big deal, but I used this darn tanning spray and wound up with streaks all over my legs on Mother's Day! I'm now trying one of those moisturizing kind that develop color more gradually. We'll see how it works.
What's my latest obsession?
--I really really really want one of those cool digital recorders! (Or a mini-disc recorder). I love the idea of being able to record music...like when I teach people songs...or to be able to record sound bytes...like from the kids...and posting them on my blog.
--I'm also really tied up with getting some of these recordings done before school is out.
What's been making me happy?
--It makes me so happy to be able to give the kids a good summer with many activities. Last summer I felt so overwhelmed with Ben and Mary that I didn't focus much on Sam and Abby. I feel like this summer will be totally different. With swim team, camps and camping...they should have a very full summer! And for some reason this just feels very exhilarating to me.
--I've been handed over the duties for PTO President now, and instead of feeling the fear I felt before, I now feel ready. That's a good feeling. I hate fear. I'm sure the fear will creep up again at different times throughout the year, but I'll deal with it as it comes.
--I'm really looking forward to summer! We only have 9 1/2 days of school left!
--We're camping at Injun Joe Campground in Hannibal, MO next weekend. I'm anxious to see how Ben and Mary will do camping this year. I'm hopeful that it will be better than last year.
This was a long post...but it's been a while since I've really written. Sorry. I've been busy.
Friday, May 11, 2007
St. Faustina Quotes
I've been reading the diary of St. Faustina. It is 644 pages not including the footnotes. I actually took a break from it around page 250 and haven't really got back to reading it again, but I want to. I copied some quotes from the diary for my CRHP group and thought I would share them with you too. These words make me have a totally different view on suffering. Like suffering has a purpose in our lives. It's not just a bad thing that happens to us, but it actually makes us better. I know Saints feel so removed from us and the present day, but I still feel a tugging to read about their lives and how they think. I think even though I am so far from being like a saint... I can learn from them.
Pg 20 section 38: “In order to purify a soul, Jesus uses whatever instruments he likes. My soul underwent a complete abandonment on the part of creatures; often my best intentions were misinterpreted by the sisters, a type of suffering which is most painful; but God allows it, and we must accept it because in this way we become more like Jesus.”
Pg 29 section 57: “Suffering is a great grace; through suffering; the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering the purer the love.”
Pg 34 section 67: St. Faustina hears Jesus say to her, “You are not living for yourself but for souls, and other souls will profit from your sufferings. Your prolonged suffering will give them the light and strength to accept My will.”
Pg 37 section 72: I love this prayer, “O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at it’s immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners.”
Pg 43 section 86: Jesus says to St. Faustina: “I do not reward for good results but for the patience and hardship undergone for My sake.”
Pg 114 section 226: “I must maintain peace and equanimity during times of suffering. In difficult moments I must take refuge in the wounds of Jesus; I must seek consolation, comfort, light and affirmation in the the wounds of Jesus. In the midst of trials I will try to see the loving hand of God.”
Pg 121 section 243: “ I will thank the Lord Jesus for every humiliation and will pray especially for the person who has given me the chance to be humiliated.”
Pg 125 section 255: This one challenged me…”I will hide from people’s eyes whatever good I am able to do so that God himself may be my reward.”
Pg 128 section 267: “Jesus told me that I please Him best by meditating on His sorrowful Passion, and by such meditation much light falls upon the soul.”
Pg 130 section 270: “Without humility, we cannot be pleasing to God…not only must one refrain from explaining and defending oneself when reproached with something, but one should rejoice at the humiliation.”
Pg 130 section 270: “True works of God always meet opposition and are marked by suffering.”
Pg 145 section 320: “Jesus made known to me how very pleasing to Him were prayers of atonement. He said to me, ‘The prayer of a humble and loving soul disarms the anger of My Father and draws down an ocean of blessings.”
Pg 147 section 324: “I united my sufferings with the sufferings of Jesus and offered them for myself and for the conversion of souls who do not trust in the goodness of God.” And later in that same section: “There is but one price at which souls are bought, and that is suffering united to My suffering on the cross.”
Here is an example of her offering her sufferings: “Jesus, I offer You all my sufferings, mortification and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, so that he may approve the Feast of Mercy.” She offered her sufferings for an intention. We can do it too!!
Finally, pg 153 section 342: “Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth; it purifies the soul.” And 343: “True love is measured by the thermometer of suffering.”
When I think of this last statement, it strikes me as being so true. It is short and sweet but packs a power punch. Look what Jesus did to show is love for us. Would you suffer for someone you don't care about? No! They wouldn't be worth it. But of course, we are not supposed to discriminate. We are supposed to love everyone. It's just something I could mull over in my head for quite a while...or at least until I get distracted with laundry, dishes, the kids...hahaha.
Pg 20 section 38: “In order to purify a soul, Jesus uses whatever instruments he likes. My soul underwent a complete abandonment on the part of creatures; often my best intentions were misinterpreted by the sisters, a type of suffering which is most painful; but God allows it, and we must accept it because in this way we become more like Jesus.”
Pg 29 section 57: “Suffering is a great grace; through suffering; the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering the purer the love.”
Pg 34 section 67: St. Faustina hears Jesus say to her, “You are not living for yourself but for souls, and other souls will profit from your sufferings. Your prolonged suffering will give them the light and strength to accept My will.”
Pg 37 section 72: I love this prayer, “O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at it’s immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners.”
Pg 43 section 86: Jesus says to St. Faustina: “I do not reward for good results but for the patience and hardship undergone for My sake.”
Pg 114 section 226: “I must maintain peace and equanimity during times of suffering. In difficult moments I must take refuge in the wounds of Jesus; I must seek consolation, comfort, light and affirmation in the the wounds of Jesus. In the midst of trials I will try to see the loving hand of God.”
Pg 121 section 243: “ I will thank the Lord Jesus for every humiliation and will pray especially for the person who has given me the chance to be humiliated.”
Pg 125 section 255: This one challenged me…”I will hide from people’s eyes whatever good I am able to do so that God himself may be my reward.”
Pg 128 section 267: “Jesus told me that I please Him best by meditating on His sorrowful Passion, and by such meditation much light falls upon the soul.”
Pg 130 section 270: “Without humility, we cannot be pleasing to God…not only must one refrain from explaining and defending oneself when reproached with something, but one should rejoice at the humiliation.”
Pg 130 section 270: “True works of God always meet opposition and are marked by suffering.”
Pg 145 section 320: “Jesus made known to me how very pleasing to Him were prayers of atonement. He said to me, ‘The prayer of a humble and loving soul disarms the anger of My Father and draws down an ocean of blessings.”
Pg 147 section 324: “I united my sufferings with the sufferings of Jesus and offered them for myself and for the conversion of souls who do not trust in the goodness of God.” And later in that same section: “There is but one price at which souls are bought, and that is suffering united to My suffering on the cross.”
Here is an example of her offering her sufferings: “Jesus, I offer You all my sufferings, mortification and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, so that he may approve the Feast of Mercy.” She offered her sufferings for an intention. We can do it too!!
Finally, pg 153 section 342: “Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth; it purifies the soul.” And 343: “True love is measured by the thermometer of suffering.”
When I think of this last statement, it strikes me as being so true. It is short and sweet but packs a power punch. Look what Jesus did to show is love for us. Would you suffer for someone you don't care about? No! They wouldn't be worth it. But of course, we are not supposed to discriminate. We are supposed to love everyone. It's just something I could mull over in my head for quite a while...or at least until I get distracted with laundry, dishes, the kids...hahaha.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Abby's Results
Thank you so much for your prayers and support...Abby's MRI came back "normal"!! We are so thrilled and relieved. We expected to hear this, but still feared that anything is possible. So she has the Absence Seizures, but that's all it is. The MRI ruled out anything more serious like a tumor, congenital problem or infection. Whew. All is well. I'm still trying to get used to giving Abby medicine. I'm hoping it'll become such a habit for her that she'll remind me!
Anyway, back to life as we know it!
Anyway, back to life as we know it!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Abby Stayed Still!!!
Abby's MRI went well tonight. It lasted about 30 minutes with an average of 5 minutes per "picture". Each "picture" required Abby to sit totally still the duration of the 5 minutes. Every session was punctuated with loud clicks, hums and vibrations. We knew during that time to not talk, stay still, and pray. I prayed the first two or three and then it was like...OK...now to pass some time. The rest of them I read magazines. Whenever I felt Abby move her legs I checked her head to make sure that stayed still. There were about two sessions where she moved slightly which would create a slightly blurred picture. He said it should be OK. We didn't have to redo those. If we were unsuccessful with keeping her still, she would have had to go to the hospital to be done and be sedated. Thank God we got it right the first time!! This is a picture of a similar machine except it was over her head instead of the belly as pictured here:
I would have taken a picture but I had to remove all medal objects (like my watch and Abby's earrings) and had to swear I didn't have a medal plate in my head so I could be in there with her. Abby had this hockey mask type of cage around her head (with more breathing room than a hockey mask), which kept her head in the right spot for the picture but did not keep it from moving.
I'm just glad it's over and we should receive results by Friday.
I would have taken a picture but I had to remove all medal objects (like my watch and Abby's earrings) and had to swear I didn't have a medal plate in my head so I could be in there with her. Abby had this hockey mask type of cage around her head (with more breathing room than a hockey mask), which kept her head in the right spot for the picture but did not keep it from moving.
I'm just glad it's over and we should receive results by Friday.
Monday, April 30, 2007
This 'N That
Abby's First Communion went really well! She was chosen to bring up the gifts and I just prayed they wouldn't give her the wine glass! Luckily, an adult took up the wine and Abby got the basket. She's started her medication but it won't really be effective for another 6 weeks, when we ramp up to higher dosages. Until then, she will continue to drop and spill. The party afterwards was awesome. I couldn't have asked for it to go better. She explained to her Godmother when she dropped her card,"I have Absence Seizures and I drop things when I have them". She is so matter of fact about it. It's really cute. Abby's MRI is Wednesday evening at 6:30pm. I have to arrive at 6:00pm for the paperwork. A half hour of paperwork??? I asked what I could do to help make this more successful. I'm worried about her not being able to stay still for the necessary period of time. They said she could listen to a CD on their player. No MP3's. They said she could bring a blanket because the room is a little chilly and that one parent could be in the room. I can't wear any metal. I'll have to make sure I don't wear jean shorts that day (metal button). She said it is an open MRI. That's good.
Combining Abby's First Communion with Ben's birthday worked like a charm. Killed two birds with one stone. I don't think anyone felt cheated.
The day after Abby's First Communion, I was supposed to go to an all day crop with a couple of friends. We do it once a month at my single friend's house. No kids, no interruptions. It amazed me how unmotivated I felt. Then I realized, I was busy accomplishing and preparing all week for Abby's First Communion! I was TIRED. I did crop a bunch of pictures for my family album, but it was like...I hit a stopping point which felt like a brick wall. I couldn't motivate myself to go further. I called Ted out of boredom. He said, "Why don't you just relax and not feel like you have to accomplish anything? Maybe even take a nap on the couch!" That sounded good! I can't believe I had the guts to ask my friend if I could nap on her couch. I did. And it felt great. I was the worst guest. I left her all alone to do her crafts (our other friend couldn't come) while I slept on the couch. Ha. It was a beautiful day too. I think I would have preferred to be relaxing at home. It was so weird. I'm never like that. I'm always all about the task, and getting as much done as I can in the time period allotted. Funny.
Ben keeps saying, "When I go poop in the potty chair..." he fills in the rest of the statement with whatever he is desiring for the moment. Like..."When I go poop in the potty chair, I'll get a Spiderman race car!"...or..."When I go poop in the potty chair, I'll get a race car piggy bank!". Each statement either has "race car" or "Spiderman" in it. He'll turn 4 in 6 days and there are no signs that he is going to go poop regularly in the potty chair before his birthday. Darn. We are still pooping in pull ups. It would be nice if we didn't have to go into pre-school next year with pull ups on.
I'm so close to my Mom's Day Out, I can taste it. Unfortunately, it will be another day IN. Sam is sick this time. Three weeks ago it was Ben with diarrhea, the following Tuesday it was Mary with a fever and a vomit under belt, and now it is Sam with a fever. Granted, I'll still have the higher maintenance children gone at MDO, but I won't be free to run to the store or go to lunch with someone. Luckily, Sam will be very easy. I can handle fevers...better than puke.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Abby is Diagnosed
First, I want to thank all of you for your prayers. It was quite a trip to see Abby get her EEG. She had 24 electrodes attached to her head…each measuring a different section of the brain…amazing. I never thought Abby could fall asleep on command, but she did (of course it helped that she was sleep deprived and in a big, comfy recliner). They really need to measure, both the sleep and wake modes to get good readings. After the test, the doctor talked to us. He said the readings confirmed what he suspected right away…that she has been having “absence seizures”. He said they are "generalized" seizures, which means they affect the whole brain, not just part. Absence seizures have a "heavy genetic influence". Which means it was inherited in the genes. Ted did have seizures between the ages of 10 and 12. He only had five and eventually grew out of them. My mom had them also, but they were because of a brain tumor, not epilepsy. Absence seizures are the most mild form of seizure and most treatable.
He prescribed Lamictal for her. It needs to start out very slowly because of the possible side effects of a rash. We gradually build the number of pills a day to 3, and then after 6 weeks, once we’re sure there is no reaction, we ramp up to 100 mg a day (from 6 mg!). After 6 months we assess the effectiveness of the medicine. It should stop the seizures. If it does the job, she will stay on the same medication for 2 years. At that point, we will try to take her off the medication. Often, the seizures should be gone permanently, at that point. The part that worried me is that he said he also wanted to do an MRI to rule out anything more serious (infection, congenital disease, tumor, etc). I couldn’t let go of this thought. Why an MRI? I thought he just diagnosed it! I was quite worried. But it comforted me later when I remembered that I had many people praying for an accurate diagnosis. I need to have faith in these prayers. We are still hoping to get this MRI scheduled right away to get it over with and dispel our fears. It’s just a little rattling to have all this happen so close to her First Communion. It’s hard for me to keep focus on the big, family party this weekend. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
He prescribed Lamictal for her. It needs to start out very slowly because of the possible side effects of a rash. We gradually build the number of pills a day to 3, and then after 6 weeks, once we’re sure there is no reaction, we ramp up to 100 mg a day (from 6 mg!). After 6 months we assess the effectiveness of the medicine. It should stop the seizures. If it does the job, she will stay on the same medication for 2 years. At that point, we will try to take her off the medication. Often, the seizures should be gone permanently, at that point. The part that worried me is that he said he also wanted to do an MRI to rule out anything more serious (infection, congenital disease, tumor, etc). I couldn’t let go of this thought. Why an MRI? I thought he just diagnosed it! I was quite worried. But it comforted me later when I remembered that I had many people praying for an accurate diagnosis. I need to have faith in these prayers. We are still hoping to get this MRI scheduled right away to get it over with and dispel our fears. It’s just a little rattling to have all this happen so close to her First Communion. It’s hard for me to keep focus on the big, family party this weekend. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
Abby's "Tic"
For about a year now, my 8 year old daughter, Abby, has had a "tic". She would roll her eyes as if finding words to say or even looking very tired. My son, Sam also had tics at her age. He would do very strong blinks and fidget with his fingers. Tics commonly show up in this age range and her pediatrician thought nothing of it when we brought it to his attention. In the past couple of months however, we noticed an increase in dropped drinks. She even dropped my sister's baby once. We've always considered her to be somewhat clumsy, tripping over her own feet sometimes...we just thought of it as a personality trait. Her teachers became concerned it was more. After Spring Break, she had an increasing amount of eye rolling. Her teacher brought her to the nurse who observed her. She dropped a box of band-aids while counting out an amount for her classroom. The nurse called me and explained their concerns. We used this as an excuse to bring it up to her pediatrician. We brought her in and he asked some questions. He felt the dropped drinks and clumsy falls were good enough reason to see a neurologist.
Yesterday was our appointment with the neurologist. He asked us about seizures in our family. Ted had about 5 seizures as a boy and just grew out of them. They were different from Abby's eye roll...more severe and interruptive. He fell on the soccer field once from a seizure. My mom had seizures and so did her uncle. My mom's seizure's were from a benign brain tumor. He asked us how long they last, how often they happen and what types of situations can bring them on. I notice it a lot when she's talking to me. When she rolls her eyes, she stops talking and then just resumes right afterwards. I notice them when she is focused on a fine motor task and it's like she's catching her breath when she tilts her head back to roll her eyes. Sometimes the eye roll is behind a long blink.
The doctor did an exam of her. He had her walk in a straight line with one foot in front of the other. Her balance was fine. He asked her to breath in and out rapidly as if trying to blow out a candle that won't extinguish. After a couple of minutes he told her to stop. When he was finished, he sat down with us. I asked him what he thought it was...and he said "absence seizures". Ted and I recognized the term from our own research. Ted felt strongly that this is what she had. I still felt she just had tics. But this doctor was now confirming Ted's suspicions. This is a good description from Wikipedia: Some people with absence seizures have purposeless movements during their seizures, such as a jerking arm or rapidly blinking eyes. Others have no noticeable symptoms except for brief times when they are "out of it." Immediately after a seizure, the person can resume whatever he or she was doing. These seizures can happen a few times a day or in some cases hundreds of times a day to the point that the person cannot concentrate in school or other situations. Childhood absence epilepsy usually stops when the child reaches puberty. Absence seizures usually have no lasting effect on intelligence or other brain functions.
Medication helps to control them and limit their life. It may take only 2 years to grow out of them with medication as opposed to maybe 5-7 without. An EEG can measure the brain activity and show signs of an absence seizure. He told us he wanted Abby to take this test tomorrow (today). Last night, we had to wash her hair to help the nodes stick better. She had to stay up two hours later than normal and wake up two hours earlier than normal. She only got 5 hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation was important for the test so her seizures would increase for the test. They also want to monitor her brains activity during sleep so it would be important for her to be tired enough to sleep in the doctor's office. Only one parent can sit in the room with her. Ted agreed to let me do it. He will meet us afterward to talk to the doctor and discuss the results.
I'm tired. I got up early with Abby while Ted stayed up late with her, but I still feel I didn't get much sleep. The kids are crabby...and I just want them to take care of themselves. I'm looking forward to getting the appointment done and finding the results. I'm not really worried about the results because she's already experiencing them, after this, it will just have a name and we'll know how to better deal with them. By nature, they get worse if they are left untreated. I'm not excited about Abby taking medicine daily...but it could be so much worse. Growing up, I saw my mom have seizures that actually scared me. Her face would contort and sometimes she would make a noise. It took a while for me to get used to them and my dad would set the example of how to be while she had one. With medicine they would be controlled down to just blank stares for maybe 30 seconds and then a short "coming to" period. They started when I was born and lasted through to my college years when they discovered she had a very small, benign brain tumor. She went from 30 pills a day to maybe one because of scar tissue that would still aggravate her. Anything will seem mild compared to what my mom went through.
During the EEG, they will stimulate her with things that can bring on seizures with those who are prone to them: strobe lights, hyperventilating for 3-5 minutes, and fatigue. I'm actually looking forward to watching this test. My sick sense of fascination makes me want to take a picture of her with all the nodes on her head. I might try to sneak one in with no flash...or maybe I'll just ask permission before the test is administered. My neighbor says the junk they attach the nodes to her head with, might be hard to get off before First Communion. I don't need to worry about that right now! Don't feed these thoughts into my head!
Sometimes I can get into the heady medical stuff that barely makes any sense but I feel like I'm decoding a secret language among doctors. Here is some good stuff:
In typical absence seizures...
--Background activity is normal (I assume in the brain...in between seizures?...or it could mean while one area of the brain shows the seizure, the other areas look normal?)
--A routine awake recording is often pathognomonic (huh??...looked it up...means that a routine awake recording will diagnose absence seizures)
--Bursts of frontally predominant, generalized 3-Hz spike-and-wave complexes are seen during the seizure (yah, whatever)
--Bursts of generalized polyspikes and waves (multiple spike-and-slow-wave complexes) may also be seen, especially during sleep and in syndromes with older age of onset (older is 7-14 years...younger is 4-7 years)
Anyway, that's enough of that. I always think about people who might be searching this stuff and get my blog. I like to provide as much info as possible...but in the meantime risk boring everyone else. I'm leaving in a half hour. I better go. I will blog the results...
Yesterday was our appointment with the neurologist. He asked us about seizures in our family. Ted had about 5 seizures as a boy and just grew out of them. They were different from Abby's eye roll...more severe and interruptive. He fell on the soccer field once from a seizure. My mom had seizures and so did her uncle. My mom's seizure's were from a benign brain tumor. He asked us how long they last, how often they happen and what types of situations can bring them on. I notice it a lot when she's talking to me. When she rolls her eyes, she stops talking and then just resumes right afterwards. I notice them when she is focused on a fine motor task and it's like she's catching her breath when she tilts her head back to roll her eyes. Sometimes the eye roll is behind a long blink.
The doctor did an exam of her. He had her walk in a straight line with one foot in front of the other. Her balance was fine. He asked her to breath in and out rapidly as if trying to blow out a candle that won't extinguish. After a couple of minutes he told her to stop. When he was finished, he sat down with us. I asked him what he thought it was...and he said "absence seizures". Ted and I recognized the term from our own research. Ted felt strongly that this is what she had. I still felt she just had tics. But this doctor was now confirming Ted's suspicions. This is a good description from Wikipedia: Some people with absence seizures have purposeless movements during their seizures, such as a jerking arm or rapidly blinking eyes. Others have no noticeable symptoms except for brief times when they are "out of it." Immediately after a seizure, the person can resume whatever he or she was doing. These seizures can happen a few times a day or in some cases hundreds of times a day to the point that the person cannot concentrate in school or other situations. Childhood absence epilepsy usually stops when the child reaches puberty. Absence seizures usually have no lasting effect on intelligence or other brain functions.
Medication helps to control them and limit their life. It may take only 2 years to grow out of them with medication as opposed to maybe 5-7 without. An EEG can measure the brain activity and show signs of an absence seizure. He told us he wanted Abby to take this test tomorrow (today). Last night, we had to wash her hair to help the nodes stick better. She had to stay up two hours later than normal and wake up two hours earlier than normal. She only got 5 hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation was important for the test so her seizures would increase for the test. They also want to monitor her brains activity during sleep so it would be important for her to be tired enough to sleep in the doctor's office. Only one parent can sit in the room with her. Ted agreed to let me do it. He will meet us afterward to talk to the doctor and discuss the results.
I'm tired. I got up early with Abby while Ted stayed up late with her, but I still feel I didn't get much sleep. The kids are crabby...and I just want them to take care of themselves. I'm looking forward to getting the appointment done and finding the results. I'm not really worried about the results because she's already experiencing them, after this, it will just have a name and we'll know how to better deal with them. By nature, they get worse if they are left untreated. I'm not excited about Abby taking medicine daily...but it could be so much worse. Growing up, I saw my mom have seizures that actually scared me. Her face would contort and sometimes she would make a noise. It took a while for me to get used to them and my dad would set the example of how to be while she had one. With medicine they would be controlled down to just blank stares for maybe 30 seconds and then a short "coming to" period. They started when I was born and lasted through to my college years when they discovered she had a very small, benign brain tumor. She went from 30 pills a day to maybe one because of scar tissue that would still aggravate her. Anything will seem mild compared to what my mom went through.
During the EEG, they will stimulate her with things that can bring on seizures with those who are prone to them: strobe lights, hyperventilating for 3-5 minutes, and fatigue. I'm actually looking forward to watching this test. My sick sense of fascination makes me want to take a picture of her with all the nodes on her head. I might try to sneak one in with no flash...or maybe I'll just ask permission before the test is administered. My neighbor says the junk they attach the nodes to her head with, might be hard to get off before First Communion. I don't need to worry about that right now! Don't feed these thoughts into my head!
Sometimes I can get into the heady medical stuff that barely makes any sense but I feel like I'm decoding a secret language among doctors. Here is some good stuff:
In typical absence seizures...
--Background activity is normal (I assume in the brain...in between seizures?...or it could mean while one area of the brain shows the seizure, the other areas look normal?)
--A routine awake recording is often pathognomonic (huh??...looked it up...means that a routine awake recording will diagnose absence seizures)
--Bursts of frontally predominant, generalized 3-Hz spike-and-wave complexes are seen during the seizure (yah, whatever)
--Bursts of generalized polyspikes and waves (multiple spike-and-slow-wave complexes) may also be seen, especially during sleep and in syndromes with older age of onset (older is 7-14 years...younger is 4-7 years)
Anyway, that's enough of that. I always think about people who might be searching this stuff and get my blog. I like to provide as much info as possible...but in the meantime risk boring everyone else. I'm leaving in a half hour. I better go. I will blog the results...
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Updates
It's obviously hard for me to get around to blogging lately. I'll give you some updates on how things are going:
--Sam and Abby just finished swim lessons. I'm so glad I did it. I feel like they are more ready for swim team now. They seem more confident.
--Sam has had about 3 piano lessons already. His teacher said he is doing very well. He's almost ready for the next level.
--Ben and Mary have actually been really good lately! This whole week they have been fairly happy and easily entertained. It's weird, because, so many things correlate with Ben and Mary's good moods: my mood, the cleanliness of the house, and how on top of things I feel. I can actually focus!!
--I got sick of waiting for a used refrigerator deal to "show up" so we went out and bought a cheap 16.6 cubic Frigidaire. I'm SO EXCITED!!! I have space in my fridge now!! For parties, I won't have to pack coolers of soda anymore, I can actually just fill the extra fridge with drinks! I can cook in advance for First Communion and not wonder where I am going to store everything. It was only $400 at Lowe's with a deal on free delivery. Can't beat it. Who needs to wait for a used one?
--My cut hand brought my cooking obsession to a halt. It is now mostly healed, but I can't seem to muster up the same enthusiasm I had before I got cut. I'm still cooking, but not trying a new recipe every day! If there is one thing I can consistently say about myself...is that I am inconsistent! One minute full of passion in one area...the next it is diverted to something else. Which is my next topic...
--I've gotten into sewing tote bags. It all started when I wanted one for myself. Then I thought they would make great gift items. I researched some methods on the internet and the same day made a run to Wal-Mart for cheap material...and voila!! I have two made already. Sew fun!!
--Sam and Abby just finished swim lessons. I'm so glad I did it. I feel like they are more ready for swim team now. They seem more confident.
--Sam has had about 3 piano lessons already. His teacher said he is doing very well. He's almost ready for the next level.
--Ben and Mary have actually been really good lately! This whole week they have been fairly happy and easily entertained. It's weird, because, so many things correlate with Ben and Mary's good moods: my mood, the cleanliness of the house, and how on top of things I feel. I can actually focus!!
--I got sick of waiting for a used refrigerator deal to "show up" so we went out and bought a cheap 16.6 cubic Frigidaire. I'm SO EXCITED!!! I have space in my fridge now!! For parties, I won't have to pack coolers of soda anymore, I can actually just fill the extra fridge with drinks! I can cook in advance for First Communion and not wonder where I am going to store everything. It was only $400 at Lowe's with a deal on free delivery. Can't beat it. Who needs to wait for a used one?
--My cut hand brought my cooking obsession to a halt. It is now mostly healed, but I can't seem to muster up the same enthusiasm I had before I got cut. I'm still cooking, but not trying a new recipe every day! If there is one thing I can consistently say about myself...is that I am inconsistent! One minute full of passion in one area...the next it is diverted to something else. Which is my next topic...
--I've gotten into sewing tote bags. It all started when I wanted one for myself. Then I thought they would make great gift items. I researched some methods on the internet and the same day made a run to Wal-Mart for cheap material...and voila!! I have two made already. Sew fun!!
--I went on my weekend get-away this past weekend to the Lake of the Ozarks. We had so much fun!! I bought four soup crocks, a couple of tote bags, "tip toe" socks (no heels), Bath and Body lotion, and Harry and David pepper and onion relish. Shopping was fun, but the best part was spending time with the ladies in my group.
--While I was gone on retreat...I got a new concrete driveway!!
My brother is wearing the baseball hat with a holes in his jeans. It was so exciting to come home and have the old asphalt be torn out and in it's place is a new, clean concrete driveway. It motivated me to clean up my garage.
My brother is wearing the baseball hat with a holes in his jeans. It was so exciting to come home and have the old asphalt be torn out and in it's place is a new, clean concrete driveway. It motivated me to clean up my garage. --Oh yah, I picked out my suit from Lands End. I chose the periwinkle one. It's a tankini that comes with a skirt. It was so awesome to get free shipping, order three suits, try them on and bring the two I didn't want to Sears. She refunded my return on the spot. That's the kinds of catalog ordering I like to do!
--The countdown continues for Abby's First Communion. We are celebrating Ben's birthday on the same day. Only five more days!!
I think that's a good update for now. Hopefully, you'll being hearing more often from me. By the way, I drafted this on Thursday, but finished it Monday.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
This 'N That
Stitches: Well, I got my stitches out last Wednesday and I feel like a free woman! I can wash my hair with two hands!! What a relief! I went back to the tool of pain (mandolin) to slice onions for the French Onion Soup. We ate it last night with a shrimp pasta (didn't like) and homemade bread. I need a good shrimp pasta recipe. I wasn't too happy with the one I tried. It was too dry. Like 2 tablespoons of butter is supposed to coat a pound of pasta? We added olive oil and seasoning which helped.
Easter: Easter is tomorrow and I am SO ready. I'm bringing salad to both gatherings and mostaccioli to my in-laws too. The salad I'm making is really simple and a favorite of my neighbors. Use your favorite leaf (I use green leaf with some iceberg), mix in pimentos, sliced red onions, provel cheese and Imo's Italian dressing. Mmmmmm!!! It is really good!
Weight-loss: I've lost 5 pounds!! Cutting out chips, cookies and soda has worked!! I don't think soda tastes the same anymore. I'm not used to it. I think for home, I will drink flavored water from now on. They have nifty powder packets to flavor your bottled water. I'm going to try this system out.
Swimsuit: On my birthday, I went shopping with Ted for a swimsuit. I tried on all of them at the mall and didn't like any!! Except, I did like the Land's End ones at Sears but felt the selection was lacking. I decided to buy a suit from Land's End catalog. I really liked the quality and fit. I've been looking at tankini's with no deep "V" in the front. Hard to find! I'm all set to order when, lo and behold, what comes in the mail? A Land's End catalog with free shipping for me and a friend!!! I decided to order 3 suits (since there was no charge to ship) and try them all on and keep the favorite one. I can easily return the ones I don't want at Sears. What a deal! I like this one the most.
Riding Mower: One day last week I mowed the lawn with our 20 year old riding mower that we bought used a year ago. The grass grew quick and fast with all the fertilizer, sunshine and rain! I had only mowed it the week before and it was already towering!! After I mowed it, it looked terrible because the mower blew all the tall grass blades everywhere. We decided to get a mulcher blade. Ted tried but to no avail. Nobody sells the mulching kit for that mower anymore. So what do we do? We took the kids and bought a new mower last weekend! I might have mentioned it in my last blog. I don't like those big tractors. We got a small, rear engine Craftsman 270320 riding mower. It's got a 30" cut which is fine by me. It will be delivered on Monday and the mulching kit/blade is included! I'm glad we went with a used one first to decide if it was worth the money to buy a new one. It is. I love using the riding mower. It's so much faster. We only have 1/3 of an acre, but it's still worth it. My sister Lisa is going to take the old mower in exchange for watching our kids for a weekend. The old mower works fine and is a Honda so we're not totally ripping her off. Her riding mower shuts off when you try to make a right turn. Isn't that funny? She has to cut her lawn always turning left.
Anniversary weekend: Since my sister has agreed to watch the kids, we've decided to celebrate our 15th anniversary at the Lake of the Ozarks! We were going to go to Jamaica, but didn't have enough vacation in Ted's new job. Jamaica will happen someday...*wistfullook*. We'll go either the first weekend in June or the 2nd weekend in July.
Spring Break: The kids are on Spring break. Tuesday night, they each get to have 2 friends over to spend the night! Ted will be out of town Tuesday through Thursday. Yikes!! Am I crazy? It's too cold to go to the zoo or to the park.
On the menu this week: Leftover French Onion soup and shrimp pasta, hamburgers (using my awesome Cuisinart Griddler), Roasted Whole Chicken with vegetables, and pork tenderloin (tonight).
Report Card rewards: I took Sam and Abby shopping for to reward good report cards. Abby got Nintendogs to play on Sam's DS and Sam got Sim's Executive Edition. They are both playing with each other's new toys. I keep hearing Abby say "Sweety....Sweetie....SIT!....SIT!....SIT!". Then I see her taking the stylus and poking on the screen. "What are you doing?", I asked. "I'm petting her!", she said. I guess it's a lot easier and cheaper than a real dog! Meanwhile, Sam is building is own house, letting me work (Security Officer), while he buys things for the house like furniture...on this game of course. It's like real life on the computer. They eat, wash up, go to school and play basketball and listen to music in their free time. I told him he couldn't get married. One time his house caught on fire. It's all strange. Just now Abby said, "Sam, can I take your dog for a walk?". Hmmm....
Easter: Easter is tomorrow and I am SO ready. I'm bringing salad to both gatherings and mostaccioli to my in-laws too. The salad I'm making is really simple and a favorite of my neighbors. Use your favorite leaf (I use green leaf with some iceberg), mix in pimentos, sliced red onions, provel cheese and Imo's Italian dressing. Mmmmmm!!! It is really good!
Weight-loss: I've lost 5 pounds!! Cutting out chips, cookies and soda has worked!! I don't think soda tastes the same anymore. I'm not used to it. I think for home, I will drink flavored water from now on. They have nifty powder packets to flavor your bottled water. I'm going to try this system out.
Swimsuit: On my birthday, I went shopping with Ted for a swimsuit. I tried on all of them at the mall and didn't like any!! Except, I did like the Land's End ones at Sears but felt the selection was lacking. I decided to buy a suit from Land's End catalog. I really liked the quality and fit. I've been looking at tankini's with no deep "V" in the front. Hard to find! I'm all set to order when, lo and behold, what comes in the mail? A Land's End catalog with free shipping for me and a friend!!! I decided to order 3 suits (since there was no charge to ship) and try them all on and keep the favorite one. I can easily return the ones I don't want at Sears. What a deal! I like this one the most.
Riding Mower: One day last week I mowed the lawn with our 20 year old riding mower that we bought used a year ago. The grass grew quick and fast with all the fertilizer, sunshine and rain! I had only mowed it the week before and it was already towering!! After I mowed it, it looked terrible because the mower blew all the tall grass blades everywhere. We decided to get a mulcher blade. Ted tried but to no avail. Nobody sells the mulching kit for that mower anymore. So what do we do? We took the kids and bought a new mower last weekend! I might have mentioned it in my last blog. I don't like those big tractors. We got a small, rear engine Craftsman 270320 riding mower. It's got a 30" cut which is fine by me. It will be delivered on Monday and the mulching kit/blade is included! I'm glad we went with a used one first to decide if it was worth the money to buy a new one. It is. I love using the riding mower. It's so much faster. We only have 1/3 of an acre, but it's still worth it. My sister Lisa is going to take the old mower in exchange for watching our kids for a weekend. The old mower works fine and is a Honda so we're not totally ripping her off. Her riding mower shuts off when you try to make a right turn. Isn't that funny? She has to cut her lawn always turning left.
Anniversary weekend: Since my sister has agreed to watch the kids, we've decided to celebrate our 15th anniversary at the Lake of the Ozarks! We were going to go to Jamaica, but didn't have enough vacation in Ted's new job. Jamaica will happen someday...*wistfullook*. We'll go either the first weekend in June or the 2nd weekend in July.
Spring Break: The kids are on Spring break. Tuesday night, they each get to have 2 friends over to spend the night! Ted will be out of town Tuesday through Thursday. Yikes!! Am I crazy? It's too cold to go to the zoo or to the park.
On the menu this week: Leftover French Onion soup and shrimp pasta, hamburgers (using my awesome Cuisinart Griddler), Roasted Whole Chicken with vegetables, and pork tenderloin (tonight).
Report Card rewards: I took Sam and Abby shopping for to reward good report cards. Abby got Nintendogs to play on Sam's DS and Sam got Sim's Executive Edition. They are both playing with each other's new toys. I keep hearing Abby say "Sweety....Sweetie....SIT!....SIT!....SIT!". Then I see her taking the stylus and poking on the screen. "What are you doing?", I asked. "I'm petting her!", she said. I guess it's a lot easier and cheaper than a real dog! Meanwhile, Sam is building is own house, letting me work (Security Officer), while he buys things for the house like furniture...on this game of course. It's like real life on the computer. They eat, wash up, go to school and play basketball and listen to music in their free time. I told him he couldn't get married. One time his house caught on fire. It's all strange. Just now Abby said, "Sam, can I take your dog for a walk?". Hmmm....
Sunday, April 01, 2007
A Pictorial Snapshot
*slapshand* Bad blogger...bad...bad!! I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. I really have a good reason. I'll get to that in a moment. I'm calling this a "Pictorial Snapshot" because, wherever I can, I will insert a picture.
What's at the top of my to-do list?
--I'm hosting my next CRHP group and we are going through the Catechism. I need to teach this chapter so I need to read the chapter and prepare a teaching. I also need to clean my house because I'm the host too!!
--Look up a novena to the Holy Spirit to pray for a friend who's daughter does not feel ready to be confirmed with the rest of her class.
--Help Ted clean out the bed near the garage and decide want to plant there. I like plants with year round interested.
This picture shows the bed and the dead holly (it was transported from our neighbor's yard and the root ball was too small). I hope to plant a weeping redbud, another holly in the middle, some Little Henry Sweetspires, Creeping Jenny (ground cover), some euyonomous bushes, and ornamental grass. I'd like to show you the after pictures later.
While I'm at it...here are some pictures of the other beds. This picture is the bed to the left of the porch. We have a Fosters Holly (center upright pyramidal), boxwoods (under the window), lemon thread cypress (two big gold bushes...one by the angel, and the other is past the ducks), a euyonomous and barberries (near the ducks), with a rhodadendrum at the very end along with a Beckman's Gold Arborvitae. In the foreground of the picture are some Princess Spirea.
What have I accomplished?
--Did my Palm Sunday liturgy with the kids at church and it went great! Many of them got to stand up and take a part in the Passion story. We held up color pictures and took them step by step through Jesus' last days.
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--I've managed to shower, change diapers, wipe poopy bottoms, refill sippy cups...all with stitches in my hand. Yes, I cut the heel of my hand while using a mandolin to slices onions, last Wednesday. My mom came over to watch the kids while I went to urgent care to get a tetanus shot and 4 stitches.
What's been bugging me? This...and this...
What’s been making me happy?
--Watching the kids play in the sandbox and swinging on the swingset
--Using my new Cuisinart Griddler
--Eating healthy
--Easter is coming
--Lisa and I are celebrating our birthdays tomorrow by spending the day together shopping. My mother-in-law is watching the kids
What's at the top of my to-do list?
--I'm hosting my next CRHP group and we are going through the Catechism. I need to teach this chapter so I need to read the chapter and prepare a teaching. I also need to clean my house because I'm the host too!!
--Look up a novena to the Holy Spirit to pray for a friend who's daughter does not feel ready to be confirmed with the rest of her class.
--Help Ted clean out the bed near the garage and decide want to plant there. I like plants with year round interested.
This picture shows the bed and the dead holly (it was transported from our neighbor's yard and the root ball was too small). I hope to plant a weeping redbud, another holly in the middle, some Little Henry Sweetspires, Creeping Jenny (ground cover), some euyonomous bushes, and ornamental grass. I'd like to show you the after pictures later.
While I'm at it...here are some pictures of the other beds. This picture is the bed to the left of the porch. We have a Fosters Holly (center upright pyramidal), boxwoods (under the window), lemon thread cypress (two big gold bushes...one by the angel, and the other is past the ducks), a euyonomous and barberries (near the ducks), with a rhodadendrum at the very end along with a Beckman's Gold Arborvitae. In the foreground of the picture are some Princess Spirea.
This last picture is of three Pieris in front of the porch. All of these plants (excluding the Spirea and bayberries), keep their foliage year round. That's what I love about our landscaping...we get to enjoy the color year round!! And that's what I hope to continue in the bed near the garage.
What have I accomplished?
--Did my Palm Sunday liturgy with the kids at church and it went great! Many of them got to stand up and take a part in the Passion story. We held up color pictures and took them step by step through Jesus' last days.
--I've managed to shower, change diapers, wipe poopy bottoms, refill sippy cups...all with stitches in my hand. Yes, I cut the heel of my hand while using a mandolin to slices onions, last Wednesday. My mom came over to watch the kids while I went to urgent care to get a tetanus shot and 4 stitches.
What's been bugging me? This...and this...
What’s been making me happy?
--Watching the kids play in the sandbox and swinging on the swingset
--Using my new Cuisinart Griddler--Eating healthy
--Easter is coming
--Lisa and I are celebrating our birthdays tomorrow by spending the day together shopping. My mother-in-law is watching the kids
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