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.

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.

The B-I-B-L-E class

This was posted on Facebook by one of Zane and Avi's bible class teachers. It is too good not to repeat:

Wednesday Bible Class: "I will do what the Bible says" - we made a Sword of the Spirit today. Actually, we just cut the sword out of paper. Thank you, Katie and Lily, for proving me wrong. I thought it would be the BOYS who started slapping each other with their paper swords .... Avery is so very good at behaving. She said she gets to behave a lot. Zane was a wonderful big brother again. He opened the Playdoh can for Avi, and made a snail for her. He even taste-tested her yummy playdoh pancake before she squealed that it was actually yucky. We live in a video world now; I tried to play The Quiet Game with the kids. Avi said, "Oh! I GOTTA tell you something - pause the game! pause the game!"

Sweet group of kiddos.

My day: Drug myself out of bed. Made sure I took my meds and had clothes on. Thanked Van for heating up breakfast for the crew and said a quick goodbye. Texted Van about something. The phone was on the cabin table. Dropped off Van's phone at his work. Dropped off boys at school making sure they were properly attired for the "jean-ous" of being drug-free on Red Ribbon Week. Kept Avi busy with food and a video in the back seat. Went by the storage units to see if there were any unmarked boxes to check for cabinet knobs for the new house. Went to Hobby Lobby to buy cabinet knobs that we must have accidently packed in a marked box. (They are so cute!) Drove back out to the Speegleville area to pay for the bunk beds we bought off of Craigslist. Drove to the Hewitt area to land on a friend and did laundry, painted her little girl's nails, stole from her trash pile (table legs- 3 of them!), and let her feed Avi and me while she homeschooled her older children. A babysitter came. I hadn't planned on this, so I had to choose quickly- what to do? I left Avi with my friend's babysitter and went to Wal-Mart. A poor quality bow and arrow set had snapped in my child's hands the minute he had gotten it out of the package. I was especially fired up about it because he had used his own money after getting a flu shot to buy it. They took it back and refunded the money! Texted Van: Do you want Spiderman, Avengers, blue or green birthday plates? His answer pleased me. I dropped of a treasure from my friend's trash at Goodwill. It was much more sellable than my 3 table legs! Lemonberry Slush from Sonic. Picked up a gift for Van. Picked up Avi. Picked up the boys. One had a discipline problem at school. What to do, what to do. Went to a landscaper early because I couldn't stand another minute in the car. He generously met me outside and spread the plans on my car hood while my kids downed bananas and a Dora video. Dropped the plans off at Van's work. Sped to the cabin. Started homework. Success! Play-Doh spelling words, and in Avi's case, Play-Doh in a saucepan! Spagetti was served on two kitchen chairs and a futon. Van's "home"! Ug. Van has more work to do. He eats, plays outside with the kids, and then the kids and I load up again. We dropped off Cade at music practice for the Christmas program. Back to the storage shed---where is the box of costumes that I saved back? Not there. Called Van. It is in the corner of the cabin. Ugh. I at least unloaded the 3 table legs!!! Zane, Avi and I were late to church, but I was so glad we went. I got to visit with two of my favorite people. Van is now done with work. I am now done writing. The dishes can wait because we're going to microwave breakfast on paper plates again. Backpacks are packed. Proper "keep a cap on drugs" attire has been prepared. Thank you, Lord, that these are the biggest issues that our family is dealing with! May you cover those that have had darker days and fill the night with peace and hope.

Weekend Waltz

The kiddos were watching a movie in the backseat while Van and I ran some errands this evening. Cade said, "Mama, I like this music." "That kind is called a waltz." "Oh, that must be why they call it Waltz Disney." Love it.

The house is lovely. The details of the interior are coming together, and evidently a yard can be put in within a day. Meanwhile, the bass boom at the Slippery Minnow will lull us to sleep tonight. We are so thankful for this little cabin, and are getting the hang of living in a tight space. One tool we use is bribery. We don't have a rocking chair, and the kids are sleeping in a loft on mattresses, so Van goes up with them, and we expect them to stay there. "If you go to sleep well, you may have a quarter towards the trampoline." We have considered getting them a trampoline on and off, but finally decided to after their swing set was stolen off of our lot. This was just a few days after the storage unit was broken into and Van's pride-and-joy chainsaw was stolen. That was a rough week. Anyway, we plan on helping them earn their trampoline quickly.

It is a good weekend. Van worked today and will work tomorrow afternoon, but that only happens about every six weeks. The kids are looking forward to seeing their friends at church tomorrow.

The grace of God

The fire alarm went off today. Evidently, you should check inside the oven before pre-heating. Thankfully, it was just pots and pans stored in there. It stunk in here for awhile, but nothing was damaged. During those loud, piercing beeps, my children were the quietest they have been in awhile.

The kids spotted an osprey on the lake when Van took us for a drive. Pretty neat.

While the boys were at school, and Avi was at Parents' Day Out I bought two pairs of jeans at Amelia's attic today that fit. Pretty neat.

The boys wanted to drive by the "old" house today. No one fell apart. They were a bit jealous of the new satelite on the roof. Pretty neat.

I have a laundry basket of clothes in my car with both pee and poop on them from various children. I've had numerous offers from people to use their washin' machines. Pretty neat.

So...by the grace of God, I think we're going to be okay in the next month or so in our little cabin.

Little cabin

Little cabin in the woods
Great big man by the window stood
Saw a rabbit hopping by
Knocking at the door
"Help me! Help me! Help me!" he said,
"Before that hunter shoots me dead."
Little rabbit come inside
Safely to abide

This song has been stuck in my head for the 28 hours that we have lived in this little cabin, and now I share it with you. After shutting the back door of the house for the last time, we have stayed with precious friends, a precious LaQuinta (after my child threw up on their carpet), and precious friends again. We birthday partied, soccered and faired. We did miss out on some fun things because we were just trying to stay above water. We did not try to travel because I still am not sure what is in whos suitcase, and I was a bit frazzled--okay, a lot frazzled. We were able to meet the young couple that bought our old house, and we couldn't be more pleased. They are so cute, and I thank God for them.

We cancelled our reservations at an extended stay hotel when one of Van's patients offered us a sweet deal on a cabin that he owns by the lake. It is perfect for our situation, and we won't have to load down the cars again until our new house is ready. It is crazy basic, but simplicity is nice right now. I do miss a washin' machine and the internet, but we've got our ways... Our children are doing pretty well with the transition, all things considered. Avi has never seen the Disney movies, so she calls her new doll "Baby Booty", I think after Sleeping Beauty even though it is Cinderella. Anywho, Baby Booty has not left her side, and has had quite the adventure. She gave her lessons on the letter "A" today. "Today we are going to learn about the letter A." and presented her with a written "A". Cade's "Beary" is snug in the loft with him now. Zane's "Baby Jaguar" had a close call. That cat was left at the LaQuinta as we were trying to get kiddos off to school and me to the closing of the old house. Thankfully, he was found today by the housekeepers and we drove by to pick him up. That would not have been good.

Tomorrow is rehab. Wednesday holds doctors appointments in Dallas. Yuck.

It's just a house, right?

My babies are all snuggled up in their nests of blankets on their bedroom floor. Two more nights in our home. Two more nights of three loud snoring children in one small space. We have suitcases and food left here, but not much else. Meals are getting creative so that I don't have to move as much food. Most of our worldly possessions are in a 10x20 foot storage unit, so tidly stacked by very impressive moving men. So many have offered to house us while we are waiting for the new home to be finished. I have really been touched at the outpouring of love from friends that we know well and some that we don't know well. I hope to be a generous person like that. We're going to stay with some close friends to start off with, and go say howdy to my folks over the weekend forsaking all birthday parties, soccer games, church duties, fairs and festivals.

I have a photo of when we first moved into this house. Van and I are posed and smiling, and in the background is the pretty view of the lake. We're coordinated in white shirts (mine with a belly pooch) and blue jeans. We took photos of my side of the family from that view, too, and everyone looked so care-free. I was a few months along with Cade. Van had just finished med school and was employed, and I had stopped teaching and was ready to be a mama. It was our time to give back to others because so much had been given to us. We were to be in Waco three years for Van to do residency and for us to gear up for the mission field. It was just a couple of weeks later that our world changed so much. I was diagnosed with lymphoma. Cade decided to come early at a precious 4 lbs. 11 oz. The year was a rough one with a premie baby, chemo, radiation, and residency. The Lord led us through it, and the community of believers walked it with us. I was given a clean bill of health, and my oncologist encouraged us to "fill our quiver". Zane was born. He was a fat-cheeked little snuggler at 8 lbs. 3 oz. Van graduated and got a "real job"-ha! I was able to volunteer for a few months with our crisis pregnancy center. We relaxed. When I was a few weeks along with our third child, we visited Uganda to see what the Lord was up to and to ask if we would be involved full-time. Avi was born a delicate 6 lbs. 8 oz. Beautiful little thing. I just stared at her for hours that night. When she was about six months old, I was diagnosed with bad bone marrow, most likely the result of the treatment for the lymphoma. We knew this was going to be a rough one, but we didn't realize how rough. When a match was finally found, I had a bone marrow transplant. Now Avi is three and a half and is well acquainted with Mama going to doctors appointments and taking medicine. We've been in Waco 8 years now. It has been a long, hard road, and I am weary. I know Van is, too. We had assumed we would be the ones to serve. We would be the ones to give. Instead, we have been loved on by so many. We have been given so much. We've stuck together as a family and have struggled together and laughed together in this house, and I'll miss it. I won't miss the carpet. I've disliked this carpet from day one. This carpet holds memories that I need to steam clean before Wednesday.

Now we're on this side of the world for awhile putting down roots. We're building a home on our favorite site with our favorite materials. All our favorite stuff is in storage until we can move it into the completed project. We're even bringing our favorite children. So, I suppose I should be content. My friend tells me that we'll make new memories. I have to confess, though, that I really liked living here.

We will enjoy the new house. The kids can ride their bikes on the street and be within walking distance to friends' houses. They can climb trees and catch tadpoles in the river. Skinned knees and community. That is what we are looking for. Van is looking forward to a sprinkler system, and I'm looking forward to having the space to leave out the sewing machine. We won't be stacked on top of each other like we are here. Our builder said that it should be ready at the end of this month. Grain of salt.

My health is steadily improving. My lungs are the biggest problem, but the pulmonary rehab seems to have helped breathing. Here is the conversation that I heard last week between two tiny elderly women doing rehab. "How's Dorothy?" "Oh, my, she has had it rough. She is down to 89 lbs." "No! She's at least a solid 90!"

My activity level impacts how our family functions, so I am thankful that I can get around better. I hope to be weaned off of steroids completely in a few months. We have to go slowly so my adrenal gland will wake up. That conjures up all kinds of pictures in my mind. I need to go find an anatomy book and figure out what that means. All the anatomy books are packed, so my "cartoon brain" as my friend calls it will have to do.