I'm still in the hospial, but I feel much stronger. Van will be leaving a little late for work and coming home an hour early to take off some strain. I'm calling in favors for school pick up and childcare, and my parents will be coming this week. They'll get to be here on our big move-in date (Thursday or Friday) and I hope the three of us sit in sports chairs and point the movers to where the boxes need to go. Our house sold so quickly, that the boxes have way too general labels on them, so it will be a big surprise to open each one. "Cool! I had forgotten that I owned long-sleeved shirts!" she said opening the box labeled "cake pans". The kids will be ready to see their toys and ride their bikes!
I'm ancipating getting discharged or calling a cab tomorrow. I should be able to go home with just an extra "swallow" med and maybe an oxygen tank or compressor for when I'm up walking. Praise God! I was gearing up for another iv pole pet, but that won't be necessary. I'm not contagious, and it is a normal "bug". A little bit of visiting is good, and I'm so thankful with the little visits I've had so far, but I'm not up for phone calls. I can't stop talking because I truly like to catch up with people, and sometimes I end up with coughing fits that exhaust me. I honestly don't get lonely because there is good wi-fi here. Emails and Facebook are blessings. I do love all of you,and it means a lot for a person to take the time to come up here--Who wants to go to a hospital? Not me!-- so please don't feel snubbed. Please keep praying. The Lord is merciful. This one could have been really bad if we had waited any longer.
We have a mailbox at our new property (but no mail service yet). It is pretty, and we put some fossils in it. Neat. We're getting down to the doors on the doorknobs and towel racks. Very thankful. I'll trade you a door knob and an apple core for a new fence. It will be for baby beagle! And, our current three "pups". I'm getting very excited!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
tiny boy to my big boy
Cade celebrated his 8th birthday Star Wars style with a Darth Vader invasion (his dad). Unfortunately, I didn't have quite enough time to get the lightsabers ready (skinny balloons) so he just got pelted with tennis balls, paddle balls, and anything else lying around that looked like a weapon. Darth Vader was smart to take the kids to the bedroom for tickle wars.
His gifts included star wars toys and legos---perfect---and books (friends of the library book sale---love it!) and a paint set, a canvas and a pallet that hooks on the thumb. Cade hasn't ever shown much interest in art, but at one point over the course of this month he said that he had always wanted a pallet, so I jumped on it! He also got duct tape and clothespins. Zane jumped on the duct tape like a dog on a bone, and was going ninety miles an hour making arrows like street lanes on our friends tile floor (I hope it comes off!) and a boat out of box lid for the bathtub. Van said that his hands could hardly work as fast as he could think of ideas for the duct tape. Balloonies, you have a new competitor. I'm glad Cade let him use it.
Van got to visit Cade's classroom today to read a book. They both loved it. Cade was star student of the week, so here's what we wrote to his class on his 8th birthday:
November 8, 2012
Hello!
Here is a little bit about your friend, Cade. Cade is tenacious. This means that he will not give up, even when things are hard. He is an excellent rock climber, and one time, through his hard work, even beat his dad to the top of a giant boulder! Cade finds a way to make things work even when the task seems impossible to the rest of us.
Cade is a lot of fun. He smiles a lot, and laughs at his family’s silliness. From his very first words, he has been so friendly, and will talk to people and make them feel important. He is especially good at talking with elderly people.
Cade is handy. He is a great problem solver if something is broken or if there is a situation that needs attention. He has very good ideas about how to fix broken toys or how to fix a problem. He is also helpful and can see if someone like his mom needs a door held open, and he takes out the trash quickly when asked. He helps his younger brother and sister. Cade is tidy and orderly and prefers to have his clothes and toys organized. Although he likes messy things like mud, he wants to have his teeth brushed, his hair combed and he loves a great bubble bath!
Cade is prompt. This means that he likes to be on time or early. He also likes to work quickly. Cade is usually three steps ahead, and has a plan. If his parents are in charge of the plan, he wants to know it, and he really wants us to stick to it. He doesn’t like it when we miss out on an event like church.
Cade is good with numbers, and he enjoys reading. He likes to read books about science (like volcanoes, earthquakes or any other terrible natural disaster) or about events that really happened (like about the Titanic, another disaster). He has been riding his bike since before he was five years old, and he likes sports. His favorite is tennis, but he has mostly had the opportunity to play soccer, basketball and baseball. He is especially good at finding weaknesses in the other team and taking opportunity to intercept the ball. He is also a great encourager to his teammates.
Cade likes to play with Bakugans, Transformers, and LEGOS. Did I mention Legos? If Cade’s room is quiet, he is building. It is one of the few times that he plays alone or quietly with his siblings. We added up one of his house creations that took ten hours. He also likes to get ahold of string, tape and cardboard for all types of inventions. He once had our whole house strung up like a spider web. I suppose he was trying to get his parents stuck in the web. Maybe he was a fly.
Cade loves animals. He has owned a hermit crab named Crabby and a bearded dragon named Sir Hiss. He loves his grandparent’s dogs, but is really looking forward to having a dog at our house. Cade is very gentle with animals and can be trusted to take care of them.
Cade likes video games and he likes TV. His favorites include Phineas and Ferb, Wild Kratts and the Crocodile Hunter. He also likes the old cartoons like Yogi Bear and Scooby Doo. He likes to watch football games with his dad and even presidential debates! He always has a lot of good questions about shows that he doesn’t watch often.
Cade is our boy, and he makes us proud. This has been the best eight years ever. We thank God for Cade.
His gifts included star wars toys and legos---perfect---and books (friends of the library book sale---love it!) and a paint set, a canvas and a pallet that hooks on the thumb. Cade hasn't ever shown much interest in art, but at one point over the course of this month he said that he had always wanted a pallet, so I jumped on it! He also got duct tape and clothespins. Zane jumped on the duct tape like a dog on a bone, and was going ninety miles an hour making arrows like street lanes on our friends tile floor (I hope it comes off!) and a boat out of box lid for the bathtub. Van said that his hands could hardly work as fast as he could think of ideas for the duct tape. Balloonies, you have a new competitor. I'm glad Cade let him use it.
Van got to visit Cade's classroom today to read a book. They both loved it. Cade was star student of the week, so here's what we wrote to his class on his 8th birthday:
November 8, 2012
Hello!
Here is a little bit about your friend, Cade. Cade is tenacious. This means that he will not give up, even when things are hard. He is an excellent rock climber, and one time, through his hard work, even beat his dad to the top of a giant boulder! Cade finds a way to make things work even when the task seems impossible to the rest of us.
Cade is a lot of fun. He smiles a lot, and laughs at his family’s silliness. From his very first words, he has been so friendly, and will talk to people and make them feel important. He is especially good at talking with elderly people.
Cade is handy. He is a great problem solver if something is broken or if there is a situation that needs attention. He has very good ideas about how to fix broken toys or how to fix a problem. He is also helpful and can see if someone like his mom needs a door held open, and he takes out the trash quickly when asked. He helps his younger brother and sister. Cade is tidy and orderly and prefers to have his clothes and toys organized. Although he likes messy things like mud, he wants to have his teeth brushed, his hair combed and he loves a great bubble bath!
Cade is prompt. This means that he likes to be on time or early. He also likes to work quickly. Cade is usually three steps ahead, and has a plan. If his parents are in charge of the plan, he wants to know it, and he really wants us to stick to it. He doesn’t like it when we miss out on an event like church.
Cade is good with numbers, and he enjoys reading. He likes to read books about science (like volcanoes, earthquakes or any other terrible natural disaster) or about events that really happened (like about the Titanic, another disaster). He has been riding his bike since before he was five years old, and he likes sports. His favorite is tennis, but he has mostly had the opportunity to play soccer, basketball and baseball. He is especially good at finding weaknesses in the other team and taking opportunity to intercept the ball. He is also a great encourager to his teammates.
Cade likes to play with Bakugans, Transformers, and LEGOS. Did I mention Legos? If Cade’s room is quiet, he is building. It is one of the few times that he plays alone or quietly with his siblings. We added up one of his house creations that took ten hours. He also likes to get ahold of string, tape and cardboard for all types of inventions. He once had our whole house strung up like a spider web. I suppose he was trying to get his parents stuck in the web. Maybe he was a fly.
Cade loves animals. He has owned a hermit crab named Crabby and a bearded dragon named Sir Hiss. He loves his grandparent’s dogs, but is really looking forward to having a dog at our house. Cade is very gentle with animals and can be trusted to take care of them.
Cade likes video games and he likes TV. His favorites include Phineas and Ferb, Wild Kratts and the Crocodile Hunter. He also likes the old cartoons like Yogi Bear and Scooby Doo. He likes to watch football games with his dad and even presidential debates! He always has a lot of good questions about shows that he doesn’t watch often.
Cade is our boy, and he makes us proud. This has been the best eight years ever. We thank God for Cade.
Woe is me, me, me
Our friend is a Godsend. Not only does she put on my children's shoes to get them out the door quickly on a school morning (before she has to get out to her work herself), but she also does thoughtful things like switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer and fill up sippy cups from the now-no-doubt-about-it spoiled children. She is also a great listener and wise. Sweet lady came in very handy this week. I can't imagine how hard it would have been if we had still been in the neat little cabin on our own. I suppose it would have been like our baby girl innocently said out of the blue the other day, "Mama, what would happen if I pooped on the ceiling fan? Hee-hee!" Yep. Monday I woke up with an upset stomach. No biggie. Rest, rest. Video for child. Tuesday, a little tired. Rest, rest. Cancelled pulmonary rehab. Got the oil changed. Voted with kids in tow because it will be awhile before they will see another one that is so well publicized. I had warned them to use their library voices and to keep right with me. We happened to be at the most raucous voting site where the volunteers cheered for first time voters and handed out candy to my little ones. They lined them up for "I voted today" stickers. Rest, rest. Wednesday, more tired. Coughing begins. Rest, rest. Baked a cake mix with Avi. Haircuts for our shag-a-muffins. Rest, rest. Went to bed before we knew who was to be president. Thursday, ah, Thursday. Did not want to get out of bed. I finally did just enough to get boys to school. As soon as the cold air hit me, I got 30 minutes of chills, even after getting under a warm blanket. Avi and I made it to Walgreens to get Cade photos for his "Star Student of the Week", but was blasted tired in doing it. This is not good. I cancelled pulmonary rehab again. I caught a friend in the parking lot to take Avi into Parents Day Out for me. How lazy am I? I was lazy enough to cancel all errands for the day except for taking our sons Sonic chili cheese dogs for Cade's birthday up to the school. God must have known that I was doing this, and had pre-ordained a good friend who happens to have children that like our children sit at the same table. God is good like that. ;) She offered to pick up Avi from Parent's Day Out. I said yes because I just felt so tired and didn't want to put in another video for my girl (who happened to eat NINE fruit snack pouches the last time I slept while she watched a video). Vitamin C. I asked Van to meet with the house finisher to select where to put towel racks. I had once had an opinion about towel racks, but not that day. Slept the afternoon away waking every few minutes. Weird! Picked up the boys and barked at them, but thankfully, they were better behaved than I was and were forgiving. Iced a cake with Zaner. Cade put on the topper (Storm tropper that shot things?) and they shared poking in the candles. I picked up Avi and one of Cade's friends that lives next to our new house for his mini-birthday party. (Although, this would have been fine in itself, we'll celebrate a little bigger at Great Wolf Lodge with family for combined birthdays.) I was pretty much spent for the day. I'll tell you more about his party in the next post. I didn't want to get off the couch for the candle lighting or singing happy birthday, but I did. Van and our friend ran the whole show, and they did an excellent job and made our kids and Cade's friend feel important. The kiddos had a great time at the little party, and Cade's friend's parents picked up the precious boy. Finally, we took my temperature. Van freaked and was ready to take me to the clinic. I just wanted to go to bed. Sleep can cure most anything, and doctors are the pits. Well, I was wrong, and Friday, this morning, my temperature was even higher at 103.3, and I could tell that Van wasn't about to compromise and that I had better do what he said. He and my friend got the boys ready for school. We went to the clinic to get my vitals. Every blasted one of them was bad, so I promptly shut up and onto the ER we went (stopping by Panera to get an excellent peach smoothie--priorities-- and Van knew to do what I SAID at that point). The people at the ER are so efficient, and I was impressed. Van deposited Avi back at her friend's house (bless you, friend!), packed bags for me and our children, did a bunch of other stuff, and met his sister in Hillsboro to hand our children to her--they have been wanting to do this for so long that they won't think of poor puny mama, they are with Aunt Amy who is fun on wheels and Tye who is precious with them. I have mixed feelings that he did all of this on his day off, but I sure needed it. After a whole host of IV antibiotics (mind you, my normal weekly regimine includes 3 types of antiobitic pills and an antifungal) the fever is broken and I feel a ton better. People have been telling us about Duck Dynasty for a while now, and tonight happends to be a marathon. I'm enjoying it. I grew up country, but this is way more country. My people, especially on Mom's side, can tell you stories of this, but I'm so glad that there is real life living proof of this culture. So stinkin' fun. Tomorrow should be much less eventful.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Coolest Mom Ever
"Mom, if dad didn't marry you and married someone else, then you wouldn't be the COOLEST MOM EVER!" This was the compliment that I got after notifying the crew that I was taking them to a giant book sale. I'll take it. After lingering around the juvenile fiction section unsatisfied, I pointed him towards the science section. A thick, battered "Sharks and Rays" as well as a science textbook were the big winners. Zane picked out two princess books for Avi. She picked out three little chunky books to share with him. She didn't want to carry the princess books (they were really heavy), so Zane carried them for her. I was so proud. Zane found a Nemo book. How can you resist after he did something like that?
Earlier in the day I had taken the kiddos out of school to put their little handprints in our newly poured driveway. Yeah, I'm cool. The concrete man was cooler, though. He had a bucket of water ready for messy hands, and made sure that they weren't getting into the muck while I was scratching in their names and a bible verse. Yep, he's cool.
After all the events of the day, we returned to the cabin. We had cereal for supper to save time for PACKING! Yea! More packing! Our time is up at the cabin, so we're moving in with a dear friend while her hubby is away with work. We'll be there until November 12, at which point we will be moving into a new house or into a construction zone. "Mr. Carpenter, would you mind moving over a bit so I may brush my teeth?"
It has been interesting staying in a weekend space and still pulling off work and school (and laundry). The kiddos have been such troopers. They have done homework in some very challenging situations, and have been creative with their "toys". Sometimes, though, it can be tough sharing a small space. "Okay, let's take a tv break and go brush teeth." "May I go out to the car to get my new toothbrush?" "No, just use whatever is in the bathroom- just really, really, brush your teeth this time." He emerges a few minutes later with a frothy smile and MY pink toothbrush. (hopefully inaudible, mental sigh) "Wow. Your teeth are really clean. You used my toothbrush." "Sorry." There was no indication of regret. I don't know how many times my sweet husband has loaded our cars down with Rubbermaid tubs with labels like "Immediate Kitchen", "Important Papers", and "Costumes" as well as 4 days worth of clothes for 5 people. He usually does this after a full day...no more than a full day...of work. "Here's your cereal, dear."
I was able to go to the toothbrush thief's kindergarten fall party. Precious. It brought back neat memories of when Cade was in the same classroom playing the same wrap-the-mummy-with-toilet-paper games. Avi also had a party in her butterfly wings, but I had to miss that one because of rehab. It is going well. Van took the boys to eradicate zombies at a local church. Funny! I thought it might be a bit scary, but Van says that although Zane was straight-faced the whole time, he squared his shoulders and pointed his paint gun without fear at the approaching crew and laid them down flat. Van said the older zombies took a bit longer to fall and kind of went down on one knee first. The teenage zombies took tumbles and fell rapidly. Cade had a blast. Many thanks to Mrs. Jennifer who let us know of the fundraiser, and who let Zane defend her from the beasts.
Earlier in the day I had taken the kiddos out of school to put their little handprints in our newly poured driveway. Yeah, I'm cool. The concrete man was cooler, though. He had a bucket of water ready for messy hands, and made sure that they weren't getting into the muck while I was scratching in their names and a bible verse. Yep, he's cool.
After all the events of the day, we returned to the cabin. We had cereal for supper to save time for PACKING! Yea! More packing! Our time is up at the cabin, so we're moving in with a dear friend while her hubby is away with work. We'll be there until November 12, at which point we will be moving into a new house or into a construction zone. "Mr. Carpenter, would you mind moving over a bit so I may brush my teeth?"
It has been interesting staying in a weekend space and still pulling off work and school (and laundry). The kiddos have been such troopers. They have done homework in some very challenging situations, and have been creative with their "toys". Sometimes, though, it can be tough sharing a small space. "Okay, let's take a tv break and go brush teeth." "May I go out to the car to get my new toothbrush?" "No, just use whatever is in the bathroom- just really, really, brush your teeth this time." He emerges a few minutes later with a frothy smile and MY pink toothbrush. (hopefully inaudible, mental sigh) "Wow. Your teeth are really clean. You used my toothbrush." "Sorry." There was no indication of regret. I don't know how many times my sweet husband has loaded our cars down with Rubbermaid tubs with labels like "Immediate Kitchen", "Important Papers", and "Costumes" as well as 4 days worth of clothes for 5 people. He usually does this after a full day...no more than a full day...of work. "Here's your cereal, dear."
I was able to go to the toothbrush thief's kindergarten fall party. Precious. It brought back neat memories of when Cade was in the same classroom playing the same wrap-the-mummy-with-toilet-paper games. Avi also had a party in her butterfly wings, but I had to miss that one because of rehab. It is going well. Van took the boys to eradicate zombies at a local church. Funny! I thought it might be a bit scary, but Van says that although Zane was straight-faced the whole time, he squared his shoulders and pointed his paint gun without fear at the approaching crew and laid them down flat. Van said the older zombies took a bit longer to fall and kind of went down on one knee first. The teenage zombies took tumbles and fell rapidly. Cade had a blast. Many thanks to Mrs. Jennifer who let us know of the fundraiser, and who let Zane defend her from the beasts.
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