Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
Weekend Update...
Our household is a busy place. I can't seem to get down here to post or answer emails so I am going to let everyone know how we are all doing in one tidy post so some of you don't think I have fallen off the face of the earth. I read the emails, I really do, I just don't have the time or the free arm to type back.
Dad is super busy at the hospital. Things are always busy this time of year. He has been late the last couple of nights coming home because he has taken late transport team flights and they don't tend to follow the change of shift schedule...his co-worker Kathy passed away. The wake was last night. He was able to get a few days off this weekend although the answering machine was full of requests for him to come in. He is back at it today. I wish I could be happy about him getting so much overtime. We miss him and when the hospital is a full busy place that's never a really good thing.
#1 has been reading books on manners and good behavior at school. She is full of pointers for me. She keeps telling me to take a deep breath or go do something else and I will feel better. She is seeing an allergist tomorrow for her 'snorts' and her under the eye circles. We hope to get good news. I am not sure what that is really. Allergies mean medication. No allergies mean sleep apnia probably and surgery to remove the adenoids and tonsils. She has had these symptoms for most of her life and is dealing with them well. On Saturday we made our 2008 ice-skating debut and then went sledding at grandma's. Sunday she went skating again for almost 4 hours. She came home with blisters on her feet and raw ankles. Her skin was wrinkled like a raisin. But, she said she had fun and she would do it again.
#2 is 20 months behind #1, but he keeps up pretty good. He is writing his letters and copying words from books. He keeps asking me when he is going to loose teeth like #1. He is enjoying his Christmas gifts especially a power ranger costume that he wears 24/7. He is a video game fanatic and wonders why we didn't buy a Wii like his cousins did. Sigh. Four going on 14?!?!?!
#3 decided on a weekend trip that mom just wasn't good enough and has taken to drinking lots and lots of formula. (I mean lots!) Which would be fine, except it makes for a bit of constipation issues. She is getting bigger and stronger by the minute and raises her arms above her head frequently to which mommy says, "Praise the Lord!". She is very demanding and gets bored of the bouncy chair and the swing after a few moments. Big brother and big sister take turns talking to her so mommy can at least do a sink full of dishes or blog a bit:). She is beginning to communicate with sounds and we are all loving it. Whoever said parenting is like riding a bike is way off. Every child is uniquely different and special and that makes for a whole lotta learning each time. I probably should be considered an expert by now, but I feel like each day something surprises me.It keeps me guessing.What worked a minute ago may not work this minute...
I feel like a chicken with my head cut off. I am constantly running around from room to room, trying to keep up. I start doing something and then remember the real reason I came into the room only to confuse myself and my children by having several unfinished tasks scattered throughout the house. #1 got some hand me down clothes from her cousin and I have been meaning to go through her closet to get rid of some things that are too small, but I can never complete it. I called last week to get the car checked on, it's leaking a bit of oil. I haven't been able to remember to ask someone to give me a ride to drop off the van. So I am sure the mechanic thinks I am nuts for calling to get it in and not ever bringing it down. Yesterday I was able to make a homemade meal and clean up a bit. It was a good day. Thankfully IF the kids clean their rooms they are rewarded with being able to peel potatoes so I got a lot of help :). How many more years of that do I have left? I hope to get to the school this week and start practicing with the students for the oral interpretation contest that is coming very soon. I am nervous about juggling practice times around daddy's ever increasing schedule. I hope it works out for the kids and they feel prepared for contest.
That's about it for the time being. #3 is demanding a bit of attention at the moment so I am signing off. Happy Monday!
Dad is super busy at the hospital. Things are always busy this time of year. He has been late the last couple of nights coming home because he has taken late transport team flights and they don't tend to follow the change of shift schedule...his co-worker Kathy passed away. The wake was last night. He was able to get a few days off this weekend although the answering machine was full of requests for him to come in. He is back at it today. I wish I could be happy about him getting so much overtime. We miss him and when the hospital is a full busy place that's never a really good thing.
#1 has been reading books on manners and good behavior at school. She is full of pointers for me. She keeps telling me to take a deep breath or go do something else and I will feel better. She is seeing an allergist tomorrow for her 'snorts' and her under the eye circles. We hope to get good news. I am not sure what that is really. Allergies mean medication. No allergies mean sleep apnia probably and surgery to remove the adenoids and tonsils. She has had these symptoms for most of her life and is dealing with them well. On Saturday we made our 2008 ice-skating debut and then went sledding at grandma's. Sunday she went skating again for almost 4 hours. She came home with blisters on her feet and raw ankles. Her skin was wrinkled like a raisin. But, she said she had fun and she would do it again.
#2 is 20 months behind #1, but he keeps up pretty good. He is writing his letters and copying words from books. He keeps asking me when he is going to loose teeth like #1. He is enjoying his Christmas gifts especially a power ranger costume that he wears 24/7. He is a video game fanatic and wonders why we didn't buy a Wii like his cousins did. Sigh. Four going on 14?!?!?!
#3 decided on a weekend trip that mom just wasn't good enough and has taken to drinking lots and lots of formula. (I mean lots!) Which would be fine, except it makes for a bit of constipation issues. She is getting bigger and stronger by the minute and raises her arms above her head frequently to which mommy says, "Praise the Lord!". She is very demanding and gets bored of the bouncy chair and the swing after a few moments. Big brother and big sister take turns talking to her so mommy can at least do a sink full of dishes or blog a bit:). She is beginning to communicate with sounds and we are all loving it. Whoever said parenting is like riding a bike is way off. Every child is uniquely different and special and that makes for a whole lotta learning each time. I probably should be considered an expert by now, but I feel like each day something surprises me.It keeps me guessing.What worked a minute ago may not work this minute...
I feel like a chicken with my head cut off. I am constantly running around from room to room, trying to keep up. I start doing something and then remember the real reason I came into the room only to confuse myself and my children by having several unfinished tasks scattered throughout the house. #1 got some hand me down clothes from her cousin and I have been meaning to go through her closet to get rid of some things that are too small, but I can never complete it. I called last week to get the car checked on, it's leaking a bit of oil. I haven't been able to remember to ask someone to give me a ride to drop off the van. So I am sure the mechanic thinks I am nuts for calling to get it in and not ever bringing it down. Yesterday I was able to make a homemade meal and clean up a bit. It was a good day. Thankfully IF the kids clean their rooms they are rewarded with being able to peel potatoes so I got a lot of help :). How many more years of that do I have left? I hope to get to the school this week and start practicing with the students for the oral interpretation contest that is coming very soon. I am nervous about juggling practice times around daddy's ever increasing schedule. I hope it works out for the kids and they feel prepared for contest.
That's about it for the time being. #3 is demanding a bit of attention at the moment so I am signing off. Happy Monday!
Friday, January 04, 2008
"There's No Place Like Hope"
Dh has been working the past three days in a row. Last night he just looked beat. His shoulders were more slouchy and his head was hanging low. I knew he was tired and I didn't want to bother him so I sat quietly on the couch while he glared at the tv screen not even watching the game.
Finally he spoke up. "Work has been rough lately, hon." Now my husband normally doesn't say much of anything so I knew it was really important when he described to me, for the next few minutes, the ordeal that two of his co-workers have been dealing with. It's the big C again. The bully is back and in full force.
One woman that works with dh has been battling it for awhile and just recently may have caught pneumonia. She had to get a tube in her throat to breathe. Imagine working with this woman for years and then having to work on her. Dh says she is in ICU. She is uncomfortable and his heart was busting with pain for her.
Another man just recently was having headaches and went to the doc to see if he could get some relief. He didn't expect to find a brain tumor and stage 4 of the bully. What a shock. DH could barely get the words out of his mouth as he described that the man was given a timeline of 1-2 years. The last time I saw this person he held my #3 in his arms like a baby doll and everyone called him grandpa.
We spent the next while talking about when we found out my diagnosis and how scary and lonely we felt. I was given pretty good news. It was curable. I feel pretty guilty hearing about others whose chance of survival is not so good. We haven't had the scan to read the results of the chemotherapy, but the doc says things are going along just fine.
The truth is we have cancer. It does not have us. After my surgery a friend came to visit and brought me a book called, "There's No Place Like Hope" by Vicki Girard. A guide to beating cancer in mind-sized bites.I love the title and I still read the book pretty regularly. It keeps me on the right track of thinking positively. That bully can drag you down if you don't train your brain to hope and have faith in God.
I don't know if these two people have faith in God, but I know that I do and I am going to use my faith along with the power of prayer to send up some SOS signals to let Him know I am not going to let the bully take them without a fight.
The amazing thing about prayer is that it equally helps the pray-er and the pray-ee. So if you have a prayer list please add Kathy and Gordy to it.
Having faith doesn't mean that we never wonder why we got cancer, only that we believe that God has an answer for all that we go through.It's okay to be mad at God sometimes, just don't refuse to talk to him about it.
Mother Teresa said, "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much."
The absolute hardest part about fighting the bully is the not knowing part. If we could only see the future; skip ahead a chapter or two; watch the previews. I believe that knowing that God has a plan for my life was the reason I didn't go nuts while I was waiting to find out what kind of bully I was fighting. I read the last page of the book and I knew the ending already. I accepted that. It made the whole process a lot easier for me.
Heavenly Father,
My husband and I have heavy hearts. The knowledge of this woman and man and their present fight with the bully is weighing us down. We cannot imagine how the families are coping. But, we are wearing the armor of hope. We can't give them much but we can support them and pray for them and so we come to you, where all things are possible.
Please pour your love and light over them and their families. Bring them peace of mind and heart. Help them to choose to live each day fully and treasure the journey of their life. Remind them that they are already survivors. Each moment they are alive they are beating that bully. Give them the strength to honor your will for them. Remind them to come to you for comfort and peace and the power to overcome.
Thank you heavenly Father,
Amen.
Finally he spoke up. "Work has been rough lately, hon." Now my husband normally doesn't say much of anything so I knew it was really important when he described to me, for the next few minutes, the ordeal that two of his co-workers have been dealing with. It's the big C again. The bully is back and in full force.
One woman that works with dh has been battling it for awhile and just recently may have caught pneumonia. She had to get a tube in her throat to breathe. Imagine working with this woman for years and then having to work on her. Dh says she is in ICU. She is uncomfortable and his heart was busting with pain for her.
Another man just recently was having headaches and went to the doc to see if he could get some relief. He didn't expect to find a brain tumor and stage 4 of the bully. What a shock. DH could barely get the words out of his mouth as he described that the man was given a timeline of 1-2 years. The last time I saw this person he held my #3 in his arms like a baby doll and everyone called him grandpa.
We spent the next while talking about when we found out my diagnosis and how scary and lonely we felt. I was given pretty good news. It was curable. I feel pretty guilty hearing about others whose chance of survival is not so good. We haven't had the scan to read the results of the chemotherapy, but the doc says things are going along just fine.
The truth is we have cancer. It does not have us. After my surgery a friend came to visit and brought me a book called, "There's No Place Like Hope" by Vicki Girard. A guide to beating cancer in mind-sized bites.I love the title and I still read the book pretty regularly. It keeps me on the right track of thinking positively. That bully can drag you down if you don't train your brain to hope and have faith in God.
I don't know if these two people have faith in God, but I know that I do and I am going to use my faith along with the power of prayer to send up some SOS signals to let Him know I am not going to let the bully take them without a fight.
The amazing thing about prayer is that it equally helps the pray-er and the pray-ee. So if you have a prayer list please add Kathy and Gordy to it.
Having faith doesn't mean that we never wonder why we got cancer, only that we believe that God has an answer for all that we go through.It's okay to be mad at God sometimes, just don't refuse to talk to him about it.
Mother Teresa said, "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much."
The absolute hardest part about fighting the bully is the not knowing part. If we could only see the future; skip ahead a chapter or two; watch the previews. I believe that knowing that God has a plan for my life was the reason I didn't go nuts while I was waiting to find out what kind of bully I was fighting. I read the last page of the book and I knew the ending already. I accepted that. It made the whole process a lot easier for me.
Heavenly Father,
My husband and I have heavy hearts. The knowledge of this woman and man and their present fight with the bully is weighing us down. We cannot imagine how the families are coping. But, we are wearing the armor of hope. We can't give them much but we can support them and pray for them and so we come to you, where all things are possible.
Please pour your love and light over them and their families. Bring them peace of mind and heart. Help them to choose to live each day fully and treasure the journey of their life. Remind them that they are already survivors. Each moment they are alive they are beating that bully. Give them the strength to honor your will for them. Remind them to come to you for comfort and peace and the power to overcome.
Thank you heavenly Father,
Amen.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
i lied
when asked what I was 'up to' tonight from a caller without missing a beat I said "nothing".
I was rinsing the dishes to get a clean sink to drain the pasta that we were getting ready to eat for supper while I helped #2 put the dinosaur floor puzzle together on the kitchen table and my #3 was in my arms eating.
I was rinsing the dishes to get a clean sink to drain the pasta that we were getting ready to eat for supper while I helped #2 put the dinosaur floor puzzle together on the kitchen table and my #3 was in my arms eating.
off the wagon...
I fell because of this delectable stuff...
I have been avoiding coffee since after Thanksgiving to help with my milk supply. CURSE YOU PEPPERMINT MOCHA! My sil HAD some in the fridge this past weekend. Notice the past tense.
On a more serious note, any one out there tried those homeopathic herbs or minerals to increase breast milk? Are they worth the pretty penny? I am slowly losing speed here and my freezer quickly diminished...
I have been avoiding coffee since after Thanksgiving to help with my milk supply. CURSE YOU PEPPERMINT MOCHA! My sil HAD some in the fridge this past weekend. Notice the past tense.
On a more serious note, any one out there tried those homeopathic herbs or minerals to increase breast milk? Are they worth the pretty penny? I am slowly losing speed here and my freezer quickly diminished...
a couple of chips off the old block...
on her birthday #1 lost another tooth so at Christmas we decided that her and daddy match now
not wanting to be left out, #2 was playing the Wii at his cousins and as he swung the bat too agressively his tiny frame went flying into the big screen. Now he has a scar in his eyebrow that matches his daddy's
who needs stitches when you have a bit of super glue?
not wanting to be left out, #2 was playing the Wii at his cousins and as he swung the bat too agressively his tiny frame went flying into the big screen. Now he has a scar in his eyebrow that matches his daddy's
who needs stitches when you have a bit of super glue?
Quotes from the kiddos
#2
- I am gonna need to sharpen my hair to match my new sharp clothes
- (while shopping) hey mom here are some shirts I don't already have
- ooo, I want that sparkly one (only funny if you know #2 is a boy
- hey look #1 has some new moves (the baby is kicking in her swing)
- that car has a nice big trunk, we can fit a lot of dead bodies in there (guess who watched too much CSI, guess he's not asleep yet:))
- I already got too much stuff, let's save that toy for next year
- these are my favorite shoes, cuz they make me run the fastest
- (after trying on the baseball pants he got from grandma) when I get my baseball shirt on to match Jake is gonna call me Gordo!
- I keep trying but I get frustrated with myself, that's when I get naughty
- (after a long lecture on saying sorry like you mean it) well the teacher says sorry is not enough sometimes
- I try not to get strikes, but sometimes I fall out of my chair
- in the car on a road trip to MN #1 has two pair of sunglasses and won't share, I say to her you can't wear two at the same time she says "WATCH AND LEARN" I was too shocked to do anything but laugh. Now #2 says it all the time. Note to self; do not laugh as sassy phrases #1 says, it will come back to haunt me.
- mom, you have to write it down or you will forget
- my calendars all out, guess the year is over and done with, what do I do now?
- Thank you Jesus and Santa. You both know I love pink and sparkly.
- (after watching a documentary on TLC about conjoined twins) #3 is like my twin but with her own body and head!
- (writing words is what she is obsessed with lately, she brings me out a list she has made all by herself) Mom, here is a list of things you and dad do 1) fit, 2) cuk, 3) cleen. I read them to her and she says, "not fit, FIGHT"
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