Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad In It

let's talk

2009-11-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

I know that I have so much to tell you. Many of you aren't even sure what's been going on the last few weeks. I will try to fill you in here at least some. I have to say before I even start that I am immeasurably thankful right now - for my health, my life...to be home... for my family, friends and community for the incredible support they have shown our family.
Two and a half weeks ago I started having pain in my lower back. I thought that I had pulled a muscle, because I had been throwing up so much (I had even spent a night on IVs in the hospital, because I was so dehydrated.) Of course I didn't get to tell any of you in any of the fun, creative ways I had imagined, but most of you already know that we are expecting a baby in early June. I could barely walk and spent 24/7 on a heating pad or ice pack.
By Sunday, October 25th, I had taken all I could. I hadn't slept in days and the pain was excruciating. We decided it might be my kidney, so we headed to the ER. That was the day we planned to make our big announcement to the church. Charles went ahead and announced our special news by saying a thank you prayer for our new baby Sunday morning even though I was not there. Luckily my mom was here at that time.
Monday, the doctor (my OBGYN) decided to check me into the hospital in Hendrick to deal with the kidney infection and kidney stones that we thought I had (the ER doctor diagnosed this and my dr agreed). Tuesday night my left leg began to swell to about 3-4 times its normal size. Within a few hours they had done a doppler and properly diagnosed my problem as 3 blood clots in my left leg. The doctor told us that it was a life/death situation. I was in extreme risk of having a pulmonary embolism. We've never been so scared. For a solid week I lay still in bed with constant medication for pain and nausea. Twice a day I have been given blood thinner shots in my abdomen to reduce the danger. Those will continue for at least a year.
Finally, the swelling began to improve and slowly the pain eased. This past week, we have focused on me re-learning to walk and get around. I am using a walker and improving every single day. Yesterday the doctor decided that I can continue my recovery at home. I am so thankful to be home where I can rest and be with my family!!!
The other question many people have is "What now?" Well, as I said we are expecting a full recovery. I am already doing better faster than they expected. Charles and I have both been trained to do the Lovenox shots here at home, and physical therapy sent me home with a list of things to do every day. This is something I will always be at risk for now, so I will have regular check ups. For a while, my travel will be limited, just because being in a car for a long period of time puts me at risk for clotting - especially as I get bigger over the next few months.
The best question - "How's the baby?" They did a sonogram before I left the hospital and the baby looked great. Fingers and Toes have formed and the baby was very active at the time of the sonogram. The sonogram technician even thinks she saw a little something between the baby's legs! I'm only 11 weeks, but I could clearly see it as well. I won't be buying anything blue until I get a confirmation, but it does look like another precious boy is in our future:) I was keeping the name a secret until I am sure, but Charles has leaked it to a few people already;)

Last question I can think of - "visitors?" I do think I can handle visitors now. At the hospital we asked for visits to be limited b/c I was in a very humbled state due to limited mobility. Also I was throwing up around the clock. I lost 11 pounds while I was there. However, I am dressed (although it takes much longer to do right now) and sitting on the couch here in the living room, and I am able to get to the restroom with my walker. Also, Charles' mother has come to help until Tuesday.
Today I am going to try to rest and get a few things done from here at my computer.

Thank you all SO much for your prayers, support and help with anything we've needed. We couldn't have gotten through this time without our family, friends and community. Thank You So Much!

First Day of School Pictures

2009-09-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

This may shock you if you haven´t seen pictures in a while.

Bad Blogger

2009-09-16T18:07:00.001-07:00

I see here that I haven't blogged since June. I've been facebooking quite a bit, but some of you don't hang out there.

The smallest of updates:

I am working in the school library - LOVE IT!!! It's the PERFECT job! I get to do wonderful story times nearly every day with puppets and real frogs and fun voices ... it´s awesome. I also get to order books and help students find books that they love and enjoy reading!

Charles stays busy ALL the time. You might think things slowed down when he graduated, but that is not entirely true. He just took on more projects. I do think he misses seminary. He needs more scholarly conversation!

Jonathan started Kindergarten this year. He adores his teacher and they get to do weekly science experiements! He loves school and reading! He started drama this year in Abilene once a week.

Kaitlin is in third grade. She also started drama in Abilene this year. She LOVES her teachers and she is finally enjoying math. She is about to start Harry Potter 7, but she usually has 2 or 3 books going at once ... something I could never do.

Our church celebrated its 100th anniversary two weeks ago. 217 people came. It was really a blessing. Charles and I celebrate our 4th anniversary here next month ' hard to believe.

I´ll try to blog again soon.

2009-06-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin is LOVING drama camp. She will be Smee in their play, Peter Pan on Thursday. I can't wait!

Dinosaur Valley

2009-06-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Jonathan and I met my parents in Glen Rose for a mini-vacation this week. Kaitlin is still in drama camp, so she and Charles stayed behind. It turned out to be a dream vacation for Jonathan.
Thursday, after some hometown bbq we went to our cabin at Trickle Lake. I would recommend this place to anyone - it was fantastic. There was a hot tub in a screened in porch to the side of the cabin. Jonathan spent hours swimming it it over our three days there.
The main attraction was Dinosaur World. Go to my flicker to see pictures.
It has over 100 life size dinosaur statues. Jonathan just ran from one to the next. Then he got to dig for fossils. They let kids keep their favorite three fossils. Most of them are plants, but Jonathan did find several teeth, so he choose those for his 3 to keep. The gift shop there is a dinosaur land of its own - every kind of dino gift you can imagine. We got Jonathan a dinosaur lunch box for kindergarten. We got Kaitlin (who had requested souvenirs) a dinosaur mood ring and mood bracelet.
Friday we went to Dinosaur Valley State Park. Most of their best footprints and fossils are actually in a museum in NY, so we didn't spend much time there. After that (the weather was soooo nice) we went to the historic down town. We just popped in and out of shops and mini museums until lunch. We ate at a great little sandwich shop on the square.
We spent most of that afternoon in the hot tub drinking coke floats and "fishing" with some magnetic fish Jonathan found in town. There is a lake to fish in there - we just didn't do it this trip. We also watched baby birds (teeny tiny ones) and saw bunnies and raccoon and deer tracks.
Saturday was our last day, so we got up early, loaded the van up and headed to Fossil Rim. If you haven't been - you should go. It's 9 1/2 miles of African Animal safari. I got licked by a deer and scared by an ostrich - it was great;) There are pictures of that on my flicker as well. We all loved it. Luckily we had been advised to go as soon as they open, because when it gets hot the animals all go find shade and take a nap. They were very active while we were there. It took about three hours to go through the entire safari and petting zoo.
Then we were on our way back home. It was such a fantastic trip!!! I hope Jonathan remembers it for a looong time.

Lowlights

2009-05-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

I got lowlights today and really like them. These pictures were taken in really bright sun so its hard to tell, but they are chunky. Maybe I can get more pictures tomorrow in less sun, so that you can see what I like about them. I've been wanting to try it for a long time.

For Kaitlin

2009-05-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

Kait

When you fall asleep at night and I go into your room and put my hand on your head and pray over you and you don’t even know – I thank God for you.

When I see you being a good sister – I thank God for you.

When I read your poems and stories – I thank God for you.

When I hear you laugh because you think something is very funny – I thank God for you and for your laugh.

When we get to have lunch at Dairy Queen and you tell me your thoughts, feelings and secrets – I thank God for you and for who you are.

When I see you dance – I thank God for you and for how healthy and happy you are.

When I watch you walk into the school – so big – so close to third grade – I think how much I love you and how much you are growing up and - I thank God for you.

When I catch you reading late at night – I thank God for you and for your love of reading and for your giant imagination.

When you snuggle up to me at a baseball game and hold my hand – I thank God for you and I treasure that time with you.

When I hear you sing at church, it almost makes me cry, because it is so beautiful. You are worshipping God in such a special way and blessing our hearts – I thank God for you and the talent He has given you.

When you tell me your highs and lows at dinner – I thank God for you.

But please know that I also thank God at other times:

When you can’t figure out your math at school or at home – I thank God for you.

When we argue about your hair before school - I thank God for you.

When you are in trouble at school – I thank God for you.

When your room is a pig sty – I love you for your creativity and thank God for you.

When I seem the most frustrated with you while you are growing up – I am thanking God for you and thankful for every day I have with you.

2009-05-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

Jonathan got all hits last night and earned the game ball. Kaitlin caught another pop fly!

The Animal Kingdom is Attacking!

2009-05-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

So far this past week, the kids let a frog loose in the house ( I found it by innocently walking around a dark corner), a bird got in the house (and repeatedly swooped at my head), a mouse was in the house (I say "was" but we didn't catch it, so who knows), and Jonathan just found a rattle snake by the front door (on the outside).
We have a softball game and a T-ball game at the same time tonight in different towns. Go Indians. Go Thunder Chicks.

2009-05-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin caught two pop flies in the game last night!:)

2009-04-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

I thought about taking a picture of my date book to explain our busy schedule and therefore my lack of blogging. I will blog again some day....I hope.
Here are two pictures that I am posting just to send you to our flickr to see more.

Prison Break

2009-03-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

Jonathan said, "hey mom, take pictures like I'm being taken away to jail!"
And this is what followed:

Camping Adventure

2009-03-25T05:50:00.000-07:00

In this picture, Charles is the "prisoner" trying to escape the two "jailers"

Kaitlin took this of us on one of our many hikes. I was so brave!

Charles was teaching a lesson about water here.

Isn't this great.

Here is Jonathan doing what he considers to be the most important camp activity - roasting marshmellows

There was a burn ban in effect but we were able to use this little propane cooker for our meals and the all important task of marshmellow roasting

This state park had a great play area with a wall to climb and a baseball field. Charles and the kids played "prisoner" which was actually an elaborate game of chase and capture.

Please bear in mind that I hadn't showered here.

This is my new favorite picture of Kaitlin

I love that my kids are best friends

Here they are trying to make fire with a magnifying glass. They did burn holes in several leaves, but couldn't do too much b/c of the burn ban.

Jonathan spent a good deal of his time hammering sticks into the ground to make little forts.

What a busy couple of weeks! Week before last was revival week here at our church. Then last week was spring break. We went camping for four days at a state park. It was really fun (despite the hot days and freezing nights). Kaitlin tried keeping a wildlife count: something like 8 armadillos, 7 deer, 32 butterflies, 1 baby snake...
Also, softball and T-Ball are in full swing. The kids often have practice/games at the same time in different places, so I feel like we are trying to divide and conquer most of the time. Add this to our regularly hectic schedule and I am wishing for May!
I updated flickr with all the camping pictures, but I'll post a few here as well.

This time of year

2009-03-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year...the weather is gorgeous and we just can't stay indoors. Most days you will find us outside playing catch or going for a walk or making sidewalk chalk creations...anything to avoid being stuck indoors.
Softball and T-ball will start later this month, and the kids are so excited. Spring break is just around the corner...maybe a camping trip....we'll see.
My parents are coming back up this week (wow, we've gotten to see them a lot lately) and my dad is going to tear out part of our cabinet so that we can put in a dishwasher. It has been almost 4 years since I have had a dishwasher, and I am SO READY! Yeah!!! Wooppeee!

Poetry

2009-02-18T06:59:00.000-08:00

I am on the hunt for some great poems. Here's what I'm looking for:

appropriate for 3rd-4th grade girl
great for oral reading (so about the 5 minute range)
includes multiple voices
if it requires an accent - british is about all she can do
not done to death!

Let me know if you've got anything awesome I should look up!

2009-02-17T17:08:00.000-08:00

This year Jonathan will be playing tee ball and Kaitlin will be playing softball. Tonight Charles practiced catching "ground balls" with the kids. I think this is going to be fun. All consuming for 3 months, but fun!
Kaitlin's team colors are black and hot pink - she is so happy!

2009-02-15T17:06:00.000-08:00

We are pretty sure Charles has dry sockets. He has an appt with the oral surgeon tomorrow afternoon. He has been so miserable this past week. I feel so awful for him.
Kaitlin once again has a fever. What is up with these once a month fevers! Tomorrow is class picture day, so I guess she won't be in her class picture this year.
However, tomorrow will be Jon's very first class picture:)

Annual V-Day Banquet

2009-02-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

2009-02-09T14:44:00.000-08:00

This is the cake my parents brought to celebrate our birthdays (29 and 30 this year)

This is the top of the desk my parents brought. My dad built this for Kaitlin at Christmas and they brought it to us this trip. Mandy, notice what picture she chose for the top;)

Here's Kaitlin at her new desk in her pink office chair. She swears homework is more fun here;)

Just to Keep Up

2009-02-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

Thursday: leftover day. We had manwich or pork tacos - whatever your little heart desired
Friday: BBQ shrimp with baked beans, corn on the cob and salad
Saturday: got taken out to Road House for my birthday. I had beef tips and a loaded sweet potato FYI;)
Sunday: Turkey for lunch and V-day banquet at the church

Tomorrow is Charles oral surgery day to get all four wisdom teeth out so say a little prayer. Those of us who have been there dread it for him!!! I am about to go make some potato soup for tomorrow. Poor baby!!!

Expect a few pictures tomorrow.

2009-02-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

Tuesday

2009-02-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

So Tuesday supper was in fact Sh*ke and B*ke chicken, baked beans, plum (instead of nectarine), and potatoes and onions with bell pepper and celery(instead of mashed potatoes).
I tried to have some softy foods, because poor Charles is absolutely miserable with his wisdom teeth which are all 4 coming out Monday. Bless his heart!
Tonight's plan: Pork Tacos
Wednesday night is always crunched for cooking time, because we have GA's and church. So when I sub on Wednesdays (which I am not today) it is really crazy and we usually do something frozen. Today I am doing a meal that is mostly crock pot cooking wise.

What's Cookin'

2009-02-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

I have this memory of my Aunt Sherry (not known for her singing) at the VFW once when I was little singing:
"Hey Good Lookin'. What ya got cookin'? How's about cookin' something up with me!"
That's all she sang. Then she offered to sing it backwards and turned around and sang it again.
This was her way of announcing who was singing next and an attempt to be funny.
Random memory - but the title of this post made me think of it.

Anway - I'm trying to be so good. Eating out is our downfall! It is unhealthy (as it is usually DQ) and terribly hard on the pocket book. So this week I am going to attempt to blog what we actually eat for supper. I may sometimes tell you what the plan was and what actually happened as they are so often different. Not one night should be "we went out to eat". Ah - accountability

So: Monday....Sloppy Joes, corn on the cob, ceaser salad, blackberries
The plan for Tuesday (tonight): Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, baked beans, nectarine
(Now you will know when I post after supper whether or not the plan worked).

A few more of Lucille

2009-01-31T18:23:00.000-08:00

2009-01-31T18:15:00.000-08:00

Charles will be 30 tomorrow. Today we went to Pr*me T*me in A to celebrate since we had gotten a gift card for that at Christmas. We did bowling and go carts. It was super fun! Didn't take a camera, so no pictures.

I also wanted to give a plug for my friend Mandy's new blog that gives personal/real product reviews. If you are interested you can check it out here.