I'd like to use my blog for a brief rant. Yes. I've been horrible at keeping up with it. I'm going to vow to write more. If no one reads it...it's ok. It's mostly for memories. It's the best way for me to remember things my kids do and say. So...to my invisible readers...I pledge to blog more. Feel free to hold me to that.
Now on to my rant.
M has a wonderful nurse who takes care of him at school. We love her. We were nervous leaving the wonderful woman who took care of him in Michigan. She is a saint. I never worried with M in her care. She became a dear friend to our family and will always hold a special place in our heart. I can't explain how refreshing it is, as a parent of a child with a chronic illness, to have someone you can leave your child in the care of and not worry. We have that again here in Jersey.
However, even wonderful people have to take a sick day now and then. Enter the "Substitute Nurse". Apparently, these types of nurses are hard to come by. I guess there isn't a line of qualified nurses just standing by to sub for schools....maybe the pay is bad. Maybe no one wants to clean up after kids who puke and pee their pants. Handing out band aids and ice packs like they are going out of style can't be fun either.
Sub nurse was there today. He was in all his glory...non matching scrubs and all. Our regular nurse NEVER wears scrubs. She always wear lovely outfits. Nice clothing and good shoes. This dude wears scrubs and ugly black shoes. He also talks funny. Almost creepy sounding. He moves at a turtle's pace too. He's in no hurry to get anywhere...ever. All of these things would be fine with me though...IF he knew how to do his job properly.
I am NOT a mean person by nature. Mistreat me. Don't give me the proper care. That's fine. Treat my child wrong and it's on.
We've had a few small instances with this man - as have two other "diabetic parents" in the district. Small little issues that haven't been too big - but I've mentioned them so that it's known to the "powers that be". Today was a BIG issue. Momma was mad. Daddy was even more angry. Daddy however doesn't dwell on it. He said his peace and has moved on. I feel the need to "rant'. He's probably a better person than me.
Today went as follows:
*Pack Max's lunch and include carb count as usual.
*Walk down the hallway on my way to work and see "Nurse Dummy Face" sitting at the desk. Groan quietly.
*Receive my "end of the day" phone call with M's numbers and dosing for the day.
*Listen to message. Almost freak out. Walk quickly to nurses office.
*Ask Dummy Face: Did you really give my son TEN units of insulin for a 250 blood sugar. TEN...as in 10. He walks - at a turtles pace - to get the log book. Checks book and says the following: That's what I wrote down. I thought it sounded like a lot of insulin to, but that's what HE said the pump said to give him.
*I say - there is NO way you gave him 10 units and he's still standing. You must have misheard him. Him...yeah I guess.
*I then notice in the log book that his blood sugar was 69 at lunch and that their was no correction bolus given for the carbs in his lunch.
*I ask DF...did you dose him for his 75 carb lunch? Him: Was I supposed to? Me: Ummm..Yes.
****What I wanted to say here was...Are you a real nurse? Like a nurse to people...you went to school for this....Diabetes...do you know this condition?
*He then proceeds to tell me that he sent my son, low blood sugar and all, to the lunch room to eat his lunch. No recheck after lunch...nothing. Proper protocol in this instance is to treat the low sugar, recheck and THEN send him on his way. Hypothetically speaking...M could continue to drop quickly and pass our before he ever reaches the lunch room.
*He then tells me that he didn't know how he should handle the low blood sugar and dosing for his lunch....do you not have a phone in the office here? My phone number is plastered all over everything. You have EXTREMELY detailed health care plan for my son. It walks you through step by step. A trained monkey can do this...just not a trained nurse apparently.
*I tell him that his pump takes all of that into account...including his low sugar. If you follow the detailed instructions that are nicely typed out on the paper in front of your face...you would see this.
*He's shocked and pleasantly surprised at the wonderful things this magic device can do. He has no idea how to use said pump. He's a nurse. Trained to care for diabetic kids. He has instructions. He has a phone....
*He then tells me that M's end of the day number was really high - 366 - and he didn't know if he should dose him or not. FOR REAL DUDE?!?! Would you like him to go ALL DAY without insulin?!? That always turns out well. DKA anyone?!?!
The entire conversation he kept alluding to "He said"...yes, I realize my son has been a diabetic for almost 6 years....the fact remains that he's NINE. Yes, 9. He's great at handling his care most days. Some days though he's too stuck in his "ninja" or "pokemon" world to do much else than make up stories about fighting the enemy or training pokemon to do much else. That is why there are adults around. To help him. He's a kid. You are the adult. You are being paid to help him...not vice verse.
To top it all off, he once again added that he understands because he's a Type 2 Diabetic. Folks, in case you don't know...don't EVER say that to a diabetic parent. It's not the same. It's not treated the same. Many Type 2's can go for ever without insulin. My kid will die without it. A Type 2 can exercise and work off the carbs from their food...my kid can run until he's blue in the face and his sugar may or may not go down. In fact, on some days it'll go up. He can't take a pill. He can't lose weight and it'll go away. It's different.
Even if it were the same - which it's not - everyone needs to be treated in their own way. No two people respond the same way to medication. That is why you have that detailed folder with my kids plan in it. It even has his picture on the folder and on the papers inside...just in case you get confused about which kid he is.
Tonight an email went out. Some may judge it to be harsh or to quick to act...we don't care what you think. Sorry. The email stated clearly that he is no longer to touch our child. He will not be handling his care while he is working. I'm at the school every day for work and to volunteer. I'll take care of him.
You messed up with the wrong kid this time dude.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Who moves to New Jersey?!?!
We do.
That's right. All five of us, and our stinky cat, George, packed up all of our earthly belongings - at least the ones that would fit in a UHaul, travel trailer, truck and mini van, and we headed East...for about 9 hours. The drive took FAR longer than the 9 hours our GPS told us, but we made it safely.
Matt took a new position for a school out here in NJ. We prayed and talked about it. We sought wise counsel...we prayed some more...I cried and then we both declared that the right thing for us to do at this point in our life was to take this next step of faith. I'm constantly asked, do you know someone out here...my answer: "Not a soul". I've had the opportunity to meet and befriend another young wife and mother who also relocated to Jersey from Michigan just a few years ago. For someone as social as me, this has been quite a change.
I'm certain I will adjust as well as our kids have soon, but for now, I've kept a bit to myself and enjoyed making our new house a home. I've found there are several pluses to living in NJ. Actually, most of the things about this area are wonderful.
There is just one BIG FAT negative...no family or loved ones here! Well two really - no family and the extremely high cost of living on the East Coast. I LOVE that where our new home is, we are no more than 1.5 hours from anything and everything you could ever want to do. Oceans, New York, mountains, theme parks, water parks, lakes, forests, and etc. You name it - it's here (or in PA or NY).
Our new home (rental property), is lovely. It's a large home. Much larger than our home in MI and quite nice. It sits at the top of a high street in the middle of the woods. Our street is full of children and our kids have made fast friends with many of them. They disappear outside for hours at a time. They run and play and get dirty and I love it. In fact, I can hear them running and yelling outside right now with some friends..although it's odd what you hear boys say when they are running and playing. Things like...EVERYBODY DOWN...IT'S A BOMB or I'M GOING TO SHOOT...thankfully, we all know it's kid out there!
People don't move the Jersey. They move to places like California or Florida...not Jersey. We really have been pleasantly surprised. It's NOTHING like the crazy folks on Jersey Shore. In fact, most people here are ashamed to admit that they film that show here! Most folks are just as nice and friendly as you'd expect. I grew up in MI so it's not as if, I'm coming from the South where everyone is friendly and full of smiles. I'm used to rude folks on occasion and haven't encountered too many of them.
So...We moved to Jersey.
Matt took a new position for a school out here in NJ. We prayed and talked about it. We sought wise counsel...we prayed some more...I cried and then we both declared that the right thing for us to do at this point in our life was to take this next step of faith. I'm constantly asked, do you know someone out here...my answer: "Not a soul". I've had the opportunity to meet and befriend another young wife and mother who also relocated to Jersey from Michigan just a few years ago. For someone as social as me, this has been quite a change.
I'm certain I will adjust as well as our kids have soon, but for now, I've kept a bit to myself and enjoyed making our new house a home. I've found there are several pluses to living in NJ. Actually, most of the things about this area are wonderful.
There is just one BIG FAT negative...no family or loved ones here! Well two really - no family and the extremely high cost of living on the East Coast. I LOVE that where our new home is, we are no more than 1.5 hours from anything and everything you could ever want to do. Oceans, New York, mountains, theme parks, water parks, lakes, forests, and etc. You name it - it's here (or in PA or NY).
Our new home (rental property), is lovely. It's a large home. Much larger than our home in MI and quite nice. It sits at the top of a high street in the middle of the woods. Our street is full of children and our kids have made fast friends with many of them. They disappear outside for hours at a time. They run and play and get dirty and I love it. In fact, I can hear them running and yelling outside right now with some friends..although it's odd what you hear boys say when they are running and playing. Things like...EVERYBODY DOWN...IT'S A BOMB or I'M GOING TO SHOOT...thankfully, we all know it's kid out there!
People don't move the Jersey. They move to places like California or Florida...not Jersey. We really have been pleasantly surprised. It's NOTHING like the crazy folks on Jersey Shore. In fact, most people here are ashamed to admit that they film that show here! Most folks are just as nice and friendly as you'd expect. I grew up in MI so it's not as if, I'm coming from the South where everyone is friendly and full of smiles. I'm used to rude folks on occasion and haven't encountered too many of them.
So...We moved to Jersey.
Birth Order
I know a lot of folks don't put much stock in the whole "birth order" theory. The one that puts certain characteristics to certain children based on where they are in their birth order. There are lots of little things that change the order that is applied to you too.
For instance, my husband, is 7 years older than his younger brother. Anything more than 5 years can change the traits. Matt can either take on the traits of the middle sibling or the baby of the family. His youngest brother can either take on the traits of a baby or only child.
It's all quite fascinating and not nearly as confusing as it sounds. All that being said, it's not concrete by any stretch of the imagination. It's been disputed for years. It is, just as it says, a theory. I listed a few of the traits below:
Oldest: The oldest sibling is the most independent and also the most responsible of the group. They are natural born leaders and can be control freaks. They strive for perfection, and thrive on approval of authority figures, like mom and dad. They tend to do well in school, their careers, and life in general. The oldest child is also the most likely to be the most successful of the bunch, and might make more money as an adult than other siblings. The first born might end up in an occupational area such as engineering, architecture, or accounting.
Middle: The middle child, who feels deprived of attention worries about being over-looked, and tends to be the most rebelliant as a youngster. These people are the compromisers of the world, and enjoy pleasing others. They enjoy working in groups and feeling like they belong, and are good at making friends and getting along with others. These children tend to flock to occupations that are more people oriented than their older siblings.
Youngest: The youngest child generally is the most artistic of the group. They are also most likely to be the class clown, since they will do just about anything for attention, and usually are characterized as the show-off of the family. The last born also tends to be a bad decision maker and a very impatient person who tends to get bored rather easily.
I did all that to get to my point...seems kind of long to make a point or share a story.
I am a typical first born - well right up until that part about being an engineer and making lots of money. I guess, I'm a "Home Engineer" or sorts. My siblings could almost all fall right into their designated spots right behind me. You could probably do a case study on my family and use it to prove all of these theories correct.
My husbands family though is a little different. His oldest brother is definitely the first born and carries most of those traits. My husband takes on traits of both the middle and the youngest though. So - birth order and why I'm writing this...
Yesterday, M finally lost another tooth. The kid is going to be 9 in two days and has only lost 5 teeth. S hasn't lost much more than him at 10 and O...he hasn't lost any. I was thankful that the tooth finally fell out. His hands have been in his mouth non stop for a week and it's gross. M's teeth are jacked up anyhow. I'm certain we will spend a fortune at the orthodontist in the next few years on him - a trait I'm blaming on his daddy and his genes. The kids has teeth totally grown in behind teeth that haven't fallen out..he looks like a shark!
The kids are all ready for bed. No other reminders of the lost tooth have been said throughout the day. This is dangerous for the "tooth fairy". The "fairy" often has lots of other stuff on her mind. Important things like: did I switch the laundry or will it really be a HUGE problem if I leave that dirty pan on the stove overnight...not, I'd better get that tooth and leave a prize. I think everyone is sound asleep and tucked in bed. Matt and I were finishing the bathroom faucet and looking forward to sitting down to relax when I hear S say: "Mom, don't forget, M lost his tooth today and he'll be waiting for the tooth fairy". I thanked him for the reminder and then went to scrounge up a dollar or two. I finally found a dollar on the table in the living room. I'm not sure who the dollar belonged to. For all I know, I gave M, his own dollar! That's how we roll around here sometimes folks.
I thought about how much like the oldest S is. He thinks he's 42 and much smarter than both his father and I. He's a control freak. He does wonderfully in school and never has any problems there. He's the birth order trait. He'll be the brother who reminds his younger siblings to grab a coat. He'll probably always have extra stuff on him if anyone needs it. I'm hoping as they outgrow the fighting stage and grow into appreciating each other a little more, he'll become the one who watches out for his brothers. He's quite responsible too. I trust him to do many things - which in turn means I often rely on him too much.
This made me think of my relationship with my siblings. I laughed and thought that this is just what it's like with us. I'm always the one who had extra snacks, diapers, wipes and toys in the diaper bag because I was certain Nancy wouldn't have enough or wouldn't think about it. Cold night trick or treating...don't worry, Auntie Beth has 5 extra pair of gloves. Your hungry...go to Beth's house. She's always stocked with good food. I stayed the protector. I was the party thrower...kid needs a birthday cake. I'll make him one. The problem is...this didn't all stem from my unending desire to help and nurture as much as I'm a control freak! Things need to go a certain way and if I have all the bases covered then it's a step in the right direction.
If birth order continues to hold true I may be in trouble with O! Although, M doesn't seem to follow the middle child traits very much at all, O is definitely the youngest. He's really easy going for the baby of the family - but he's the youngest one...right up to being the class clown!
For instance, my husband, is 7 years older than his younger brother. Anything more than 5 years can change the traits. Matt can either take on the traits of the middle sibling or the baby of the family. His youngest brother can either take on the traits of a baby or only child.
It's all quite fascinating and not nearly as confusing as it sounds. All that being said, it's not concrete by any stretch of the imagination. It's been disputed for years. It is, just as it says, a theory. I listed a few of the traits below:
Oldest: The oldest sibling is the most independent and also the most responsible of the group. They are natural born leaders and can be control freaks. They strive for perfection, and thrive on approval of authority figures, like mom and dad. They tend to do well in school, their careers, and life in general. The oldest child is also the most likely to be the most successful of the bunch, and might make more money as an adult than other siblings. The first born might end up in an occupational area such as engineering, architecture, or accounting.
Middle: The middle child, who feels deprived of attention worries about being over-looked, and tends to be the most rebelliant as a youngster. These people are the compromisers of the world, and enjoy pleasing others. They enjoy working in groups and feeling like they belong, and are good at making friends and getting along with others. These children tend to flock to occupations that are more people oriented than their older siblings.
Youngest: The youngest child generally is the most artistic of the group. They are also most likely to be the class clown, since they will do just about anything for attention, and usually are characterized as the show-off of the family. The last born also tends to be a bad decision maker and a very impatient person who tends to get bored rather easily.
I did all that to get to my point...seems kind of long to make a point or share a story.
I am a typical first born - well right up until that part about being an engineer and making lots of money. I guess, I'm a "Home Engineer" or sorts. My siblings could almost all fall right into their designated spots right behind me. You could probably do a case study on my family and use it to prove all of these theories correct.
My husbands family though is a little different. His oldest brother is definitely the first born and carries most of those traits. My husband takes on traits of both the middle and the youngest though. So - birth order and why I'm writing this...
Yesterday, M finally lost another tooth. The kid is going to be 9 in two days and has only lost 5 teeth. S hasn't lost much more than him at 10 and O...he hasn't lost any. I was thankful that the tooth finally fell out. His hands have been in his mouth non stop for a week and it's gross. M's teeth are jacked up anyhow. I'm certain we will spend a fortune at the orthodontist in the next few years on him - a trait I'm blaming on his daddy and his genes. The kids has teeth totally grown in behind teeth that haven't fallen out..he looks like a shark!
The kids are all ready for bed. No other reminders of the lost tooth have been said throughout the day. This is dangerous for the "tooth fairy". The "fairy" often has lots of other stuff on her mind. Important things like: did I switch the laundry or will it really be a HUGE problem if I leave that dirty pan on the stove overnight...not, I'd better get that tooth and leave a prize. I think everyone is sound asleep and tucked in bed. Matt and I were finishing the bathroom faucet and looking forward to sitting down to relax when I hear S say: "Mom, don't forget, M lost his tooth today and he'll be waiting for the tooth fairy". I thanked him for the reminder and then went to scrounge up a dollar or two. I finally found a dollar on the table in the living room. I'm not sure who the dollar belonged to. For all I know, I gave M, his own dollar! That's how we roll around here sometimes folks.
I thought about how much like the oldest S is. He thinks he's 42 and much smarter than both his father and I. He's a control freak. He does wonderfully in school and never has any problems there. He's the birth order trait. He'll be the brother who reminds his younger siblings to grab a coat. He'll probably always have extra stuff on him if anyone needs it. I'm hoping as they outgrow the fighting stage and grow into appreciating each other a little more, he'll become the one who watches out for his brothers. He's quite responsible too. I trust him to do many things - which in turn means I often rely on him too much.
This made me think of my relationship with my siblings. I laughed and thought that this is just what it's like with us. I'm always the one who had extra snacks, diapers, wipes and toys in the diaper bag because I was certain Nancy wouldn't have enough or wouldn't think about it. Cold night trick or treating...don't worry, Auntie Beth has 5 extra pair of gloves. Your hungry...go to Beth's house. She's always stocked with good food. I stayed the protector. I was the party thrower...kid needs a birthday cake. I'll make him one. The problem is...this didn't all stem from my unending desire to help and nurture as much as I'm a control freak! Things need to go a certain way and if I have all the bases covered then it's a step in the right direction.
If birth order continues to hold true I may be in trouble with O! Although, M doesn't seem to follow the middle child traits very much at all, O is definitely the youngest. He's really easy going for the baby of the family - but he's the youngest one...right up to being the class clown!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
2012
I am just horrid at keeping up on this blog. I remember when I would post daily - or at least weekly. One of two things have obviously happened: I've either gotten two busy with the daily things of life OR our life just isn't that exciting anymore. Maybe, it's a little bit of both.
We are thankful for a new year. The boys still remain healthy - not counting the occasional bout of strep throat or a cold. Max's diabetes is still well controlled and we've been able to avoid thyroid medication again.
I'm a horrible mother for multiple reasons:
1 - my children have not been to the dentist in almost a year.
2 - I'm pretty sure we've eaten junk for dinner on more than one occasion in the last two months.
3 - I can't remember the last time I gave any of my children a vitamin.
4 - I don't always remember to MAKE them brush their teeth twice a day...in fact, some days, I'm not sure I remember to remind them once. Gross I know. I'm thankful, I can remember to at least brush mine.
O was sent to the office again. This time for kissing two kids in his class. They said the kiss was not an issue. It was just that he has to learn that he can't just walk around kissing people I guess. He didn't get in trouble at home - in fact, it was all I could do at the school to not burst into laughter.
O continues to learn and grasp new concepts quickly. I love listening to him read and seeing the stories that he writes in school. My favorite one was his story about the squares. He drew a picture of a single square and said..."the square is lonely". He drew three more squares and said: "The square found two friends"....that was the extent of his story. I love his imagination and thought process.
S has had lots of questions lately about the end of the world. I remember feeling the same way when I was his age. I was always afraid I wouldn't be able to grow up and get married. I wanted children. I also remember feeling guilt for not wanting Jesus to come back before those things happened. I still would love to see my children graduate and get married and have children...but I digress.
S has had lots of good questions. Many we don't have the answers for. We have relied heavily on: We trust that God will take care of us and only He knows when He will choose to return so we have to be sure our hearts are ready. For know he seems ok with that answer.
M continues to be an emotional hot mess. Eight is just a rough age all around. My sweet, cooperative little boy has turned into a whiny, screaming banche. It's not pretty. He can go from 0-60 in a second. He always feels horrible after he calms down from his fits - which have been known to last for close to an hour. He apologizes, without being prompted and tells us he loves us a million times afterwards. Matt and I are working on consistency and patience as we deal with these behaviors, but it's tough.
Matt often works long days so it's a little tougher on the boys and I some nights. All of our patience wears thin on those days. We are thankful for Matt and the hard work that he does each day to provide for our family - but we sure do miss him!
I'm staying busy doing a little bit of everything...photography, subbing, crocheting, making headbands, being a wife and a mother...a jack of all trades I guess. I have lots of fun ideas spinning in my head and don't always bring them all to fruition but when I do, I get really excited!
That's about the extent of our simple life right now - which is just fine with me!
We are thankful for a new year. The boys still remain healthy - not counting the occasional bout of strep throat or a cold. Max's diabetes is still well controlled and we've been able to avoid thyroid medication again.
I'm a horrible mother for multiple reasons:
1 - my children have not been to the dentist in almost a year.
2 - I'm pretty sure we've eaten junk for dinner on more than one occasion in the last two months.
3 - I can't remember the last time I gave any of my children a vitamin.
4 - I don't always remember to MAKE them brush their teeth twice a day...in fact, some days, I'm not sure I remember to remind them once. Gross I know. I'm thankful, I can remember to at least brush mine.
O was sent to the office again. This time for kissing two kids in his class. They said the kiss was not an issue. It was just that he has to learn that he can't just walk around kissing people I guess. He didn't get in trouble at home - in fact, it was all I could do at the school to not burst into laughter.
O continues to learn and grasp new concepts quickly. I love listening to him read and seeing the stories that he writes in school. My favorite one was his story about the squares. He drew a picture of a single square and said..."the square is lonely". He drew three more squares and said: "The square found two friends"....that was the extent of his story. I love his imagination and thought process.
S has had lots of questions lately about the end of the world. I remember feeling the same way when I was his age. I was always afraid I wouldn't be able to grow up and get married. I wanted children. I also remember feeling guilt for not wanting Jesus to come back before those things happened. I still would love to see my children graduate and get married and have children...but I digress.
S has had lots of good questions. Many we don't have the answers for. We have relied heavily on: We trust that God will take care of us and only He knows when He will choose to return so we have to be sure our hearts are ready. For know he seems ok with that answer.
M continues to be an emotional hot mess. Eight is just a rough age all around. My sweet, cooperative little boy has turned into a whiny, screaming banche. It's not pretty. He can go from 0-60 in a second. He always feels horrible after he calms down from his fits - which have been known to last for close to an hour. He apologizes, without being prompted and tells us he loves us a million times afterwards. Matt and I are working on consistency and patience as we deal with these behaviors, but it's tough.
Matt often works long days so it's a little tougher on the boys and I some nights. All of our patience wears thin on those days. We are thankful for Matt and the hard work that he does each day to provide for our family - but we sure do miss him!
I'm staying busy doing a little bit of everything...photography, subbing, crocheting, making headbands, being a wife and a mother...a jack of all trades I guess. I have lots of fun ideas spinning in my head and don't always bring them all to fruition but when I do, I get really excited!
That's about the extent of our simple life right now - which is just fine with me!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Say What
I clearly have been horribly about keeping up on my blog. I always say, I need to write that down before I forget...sadly, I forget. Lot's of growing and changing has taken place in our home in the last few months.
O, has started school. My baby is in kindergarten. I am a sad momma! A proud momma, but a sad one.
M, has turned 8. The age, I'm convinced is straight from the devil. There is something about 8. It's NOT my favorite age, at all.
S, is 9 and growing like a weed. If I had to guess, I'd say he'll be as tall as me in another year or so - not that being as tall as me is any type of great accomplishment.
The boys have said and done some silly, funny and well, odd things...
S, thought he was being helpful, and decided to empty the fire pit. I, without thinking, told him to just empty the ashes into the trash at that back of the garage. No problem...except for the small fact that we had a fire less than 12 hours before. Fast forward two hours, I look across the street (while at my moms) and notice smoke coming from behind the garage. Sprint - yes, fat girls can sprint when they need to -my house. My garage is on fire - thankfully, just the back of it. A passerby saw the smoke and called the fire department. They were there and had the fire out in just a few minutes. I, felt like a major moron - but they were kind and assured me that this type of thing happens all the time...I don't believe them.
O, after just a few short weeks of school, was sent to the principals office. Yes, my 5 year old. He felt the need to color his arms, add a mustache to his already adorable face, and color his entire tongue blue. Although, his teacher, the principal and myself, found this event to be quite funny, he still lost Wii and computer for the day. The principal informed me that she didn't think that would be the last time she'd see little man in her office!
M, is FULL of imagination. He's always battling someone, building LEGO's or writing stories. He has a HUGE imagination! Most recently, while messing around in the morning, Matt told them to stop messing around on the bed and get dressed. M, did not heed this warning and continued to play. MAtt grabbed the blanket and yanked it off of him. M jumped up and proclaimed: "SHOW YOURSELF YOU PHANTOM"...."I AM THE EASTER BUNNY". This proclamation was met with hysterical laughter from MAtt and I, and a reminder that it was time to get ready for school.
Matt signed, M's planner the other night before school. M looked at it and asked: "What is this...some sort of Chinese symbol for Thisse?!?!"
O, told his teacher that he was going to "eat her up". She said, that must mean that you like me O. He said: "Nope, it means that I LOVE you"!
O, told a friend of ours that he had a girlfriend at school. He said, she's his girlfriend because he pretends to be Sonic the Hedgehog and she pretends to be Amy...oh, if dating could only stay that simple!
There are some expressions and words that my boys get wrong. I hate to correct them because they are so cute and they will only be little for such a short time...S still has 2 that he has a hard time with.
"You scared me out of the daylights" - you scared the daylights out of me
"Pacifically" - he means specifically.
I love that he wants to use big words...although he is 9...maybe I should start correcting just a little bit more
O, has started school. My baby is in kindergarten. I am a sad momma! A proud momma, but a sad one.
M, has turned 8. The age, I'm convinced is straight from the devil. There is something about 8. It's NOT my favorite age, at all.
S, is 9 and growing like a weed. If I had to guess, I'd say he'll be as tall as me in another year or so - not that being as tall as me is any type of great accomplishment.
The boys have said and done some silly, funny and well, odd things...
S, thought he was being helpful, and decided to empty the fire pit. I, without thinking, told him to just empty the ashes into the trash at that back of the garage. No problem...except for the small fact that we had a fire less than 12 hours before. Fast forward two hours, I look across the street (while at my moms) and notice smoke coming from behind the garage. Sprint - yes, fat girls can sprint when they need to -my house. My garage is on fire - thankfully, just the back of it. A passerby saw the smoke and called the fire department. They were there and had the fire out in just a few minutes. I, felt like a major moron - but they were kind and assured me that this type of thing happens all the time...I don't believe them.
O, after just a few short weeks of school, was sent to the principals office. Yes, my 5 year old. He felt the need to color his arms, add a mustache to his already adorable face, and color his entire tongue blue. Although, his teacher, the principal and myself, found this event to be quite funny, he still lost Wii and computer for the day. The principal informed me that she didn't think that would be the last time she'd see little man in her office!
M, is FULL of imagination. He's always battling someone, building LEGO's or writing stories. He has a HUGE imagination! Most recently, while messing around in the morning, Matt told them to stop messing around on the bed and get dressed. M, did not heed this warning and continued to play. MAtt grabbed the blanket and yanked it off of him. M jumped up and proclaimed: "SHOW YOURSELF YOU PHANTOM"...."I AM THE EASTER BUNNY". This proclamation was met with hysterical laughter from MAtt and I, and a reminder that it was time to get ready for school.
Matt signed, M's planner the other night before school. M looked at it and asked: "What is this...some sort of Chinese symbol for Thisse?!?!"
O, told his teacher that he was going to "eat her up". She said, that must mean that you like me O. He said: "Nope, it means that I LOVE you"!
O, told a friend of ours that he had a girlfriend at school. He said, she's his girlfriend because he pretends to be Sonic the Hedgehog and she pretends to be Amy...oh, if dating could only stay that simple!
There are some expressions and words that my boys get wrong. I hate to correct them because they are so cute and they will only be little for such a short time...S still has 2 that he has a hard time with.
"You scared me out of the daylights" - you scared the daylights out of me
"Pacifically" - he means specifically.
I love that he wants to use big words...although he is 9...maybe I should start correcting just a little bit more
Monday, August 29, 2011
WARNING
Confessions:
I don't proofread my blog.
I have horrible grammar and spelling.
I often misuse the words: your and you're.
I don't wash my hair every day.
I often leave my dirty clothes on the floor.
I never put my vacuum away...I have come to see it as room "decor".
I yell at my kids...I've even told them to "shut up" on more than one occasion.
I spend too much time on the computer.
I'm a photographer...but I don't really know what I'm doing half the time.
I HATE unloading the dishwasher.
I despise when people sleep without pillowcases or sheets on their beds. I find it disgusting - but remember, I don't wash my hair every day, so...
I would home school my kids if my husband would allow it.
If I home schooled my children, they would NOT be smart.
I hardly ever cry.
I hate when people sing to their spouses at their weddings...or to me...it makes me laugh.
I am not romantic...at all.
I don't proofread my blog.
I have horrible grammar and spelling.
I often misuse the words: your and you're.
I don't wash my hair every day.
I often leave my dirty clothes on the floor.
I never put my vacuum away...I have come to see it as room "decor".
I yell at my kids...I've even told them to "shut up" on more than one occasion.
I spend too much time on the computer.
I'm a photographer...but I don't really know what I'm doing half the time.
I HATE unloading the dishwasher.
I despise when people sleep without pillowcases or sheets on their beds. I find it disgusting - but remember, I don't wash my hair every day, so...
I would home school my kids if my husband would allow it.
If I home schooled my children, they would NOT be smart.
I hardly ever cry.
I hate when people sing to their spouses at their weddings...or to me...it makes me laugh.
I am not romantic...at all.
11 Years
Matt and I just "celebrated" the 14th anniversary of our first date. 14 years together. Our first date, was a result of, me agreeing to do Matt's laundry. Yes, all my woman's lib fans, I agreed to do Matt's laundry, in exchange for dinner and a movie. 14 years later, and I'm still doing his laundry - and he's still buying me dinner and taking me to movies. I think it was the best load of laundry I ever did!
In June, we celebrated 11 years of marriage. I don't always feel old enough to have been married for 11 years...sometimes. When I stop to think that we both were 21 when we got married, I believe we really aren't quite old enough to be married that long! I can't even begin to think about my boys being married at 21!! I cringe at the thought, but, we were ready.
I love Matt, more today, then I ever thought I would. I love him with a love more true and deep than I thought possible. We still laugh at God's timing for our marriage.
Grew up at rival high schools. Lived less then 7 miles apart our whole lives. We met in Florida, while both on our senior trips. My grandma actually cut his picture out of the newspaper for me before I left for college. She pointed out how handsome he was and how we would maybe meet at college. I quickly pointed out to her, how I'd already met him and that he was a dork. I also informed her that with 3,000 freshmen, we'd never meet. Less then a week at school and there he is!! Almost 700 miles from home, and I meet the man I'm going to marry!!
In our 11 years of marriage we've had a lot of experiences...not all good...but all things that brought us closer to each other and to the Lord.
*A miscarriage
*A year of infertility
*Three sons
*A serious bout of post partum depression, aniexty, OCD and panic disorder
*Almost losing my father in law twice - once to an anerysism and once to a serious fall.
*The loss of a job
*Serious pay cut
*HUGE promotions
*Purchasing 2 homes
*Surgeries
*A son diagnosed with a chronic illness
And many more events in our life - both wonderful and trying. Through each one, we've clung to each other and our faith in Christ. Together, we've come out on the other side, strong and rejoicing in God's blessings on us and our marriage.
Just recently, Matt and I went on a date. We went to ship a package at UPS, Target for bread and dish soap, Kroger and out to dinner. In that time, we talked, laughed, high fived and had a great time. It dawned on us, later that evening, that we not only had a fantastic time, but that we had a fantastic time doing nothing, together!
I love our simple life!!
In June, we celebrated 11 years of marriage. I don't always feel old enough to have been married for 11 years...sometimes. When I stop to think that we both were 21 when we got married, I believe we really aren't quite old enough to be married that long! I can't even begin to think about my boys being married at 21!! I cringe at the thought, but, we were ready.
I love Matt, more today, then I ever thought I would. I love him with a love more true and deep than I thought possible. We still laugh at God's timing for our marriage.
Grew up at rival high schools. Lived less then 7 miles apart our whole lives. We met in Florida, while both on our senior trips. My grandma actually cut his picture out of the newspaper for me before I left for college. She pointed out how handsome he was and how we would maybe meet at college. I quickly pointed out to her, how I'd already met him and that he was a dork. I also informed her that with 3,000 freshmen, we'd never meet. Less then a week at school and there he is!! Almost 700 miles from home, and I meet the man I'm going to marry!!
In our 11 years of marriage we've had a lot of experiences...not all good...but all things that brought us closer to each other and to the Lord.
*A miscarriage
*A year of infertility
*Three sons
*A serious bout of post partum depression, aniexty, OCD and panic disorder
*Almost losing my father in law twice - once to an anerysism and once to a serious fall.
*The loss of a job
*Serious pay cut
*HUGE promotions
*Purchasing 2 homes
*Surgeries
*A son diagnosed with a chronic illness
And many more events in our life - both wonderful and trying. Through each one, we've clung to each other and our faith in Christ. Together, we've come out on the other side, strong and rejoicing in God's blessings on us and our marriage.
Just recently, Matt and I went on a date. We went to ship a package at UPS, Target for bread and dish soap, Kroger and out to dinner. In that time, we talked, laughed, high fived and had a great time. It dawned on us, later that evening, that we not only had a fantastic time, but that we had a fantastic time doing nothing, together!
I love our simple life!!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Life.
Life is going by far too quickly! I swear, I blink and another week goes by. Summer has breezed by. I feel like it's not been much of a summer for the boys, and I HATE feeling like that. I've had a busy summer with photoshoots and Matt's work schedule has been crazy too.
We've taken the boys camping and had a blast with friends. We went to Michigans Adventure while we were there and to the sand dunes at Lake Michigan! The kids had a blast at both places...I enjoyed the ease of the theme park to the difficult climb up and down those dunes. My fat butt did not appreciate the exercise! I would love to make that a yearly vacation spot. We did have a disaster with our tent the first night though. There was a thunderstorm and some heavy rains. Our brand new, "leak free" tent, was not at all leak free. In fact, as soon as the rain started, the windows started to leak. After the windows the doors started leaking. Before long, it was actually RAINING inside our tent. The rain fly proved useless. Needless, to say, that tent went right back - the day we got home in fact. We solved the rain issue, with a GIANT tarp we bought in town. Our tent was quite a sight for the rest of the trip! Thankfully, we only had one small rain after the big one, but better safe then sorry we figured!
We've had a few trips to the beach here and some park trips, but that about sums up life around here. Just a few small things here and there. We won't be able to take our yearly lake trip this year, which has proven to be a big disappointment all around.
O starts school with the boys this year. I'm sad. Bittersweet really. He's grown up so fast - yet he's still my baby. M is excited to be a 2nd grader and S, is officially a 4th grader. Upper El for him now! He has two years left in elementary and then he goes to Middle School....gasp!
Not sure what I'll do with all my new found freedom during the day. Maybe, my house will stay clean for more than an hour or I'll go to the gym. Perhaps, I'll just hang out at the schoool all day and hope for small glimpses of my children...that sounds more my speed!
We've taken the boys camping and had a blast with friends. We went to Michigans Adventure while we were there and to the sand dunes at Lake Michigan! The kids had a blast at both places...I enjoyed the ease of the theme park to the difficult climb up and down those dunes. My fat butt did not appreciate the exercise! I would love to make that a yearly vacation spot. We did have a disaster with our tent the first night though. There was a thunderstorm and some heavy rains. Our brand new, "leak free" tent, was not at all leak free. In fact, as soon as the rain started, the windows started to leak. After the windows the doors started leaking. Before long, it was actually RAINING inside our tent. The rain fly proved useless. Needless, to say, that tent went right back - the day we got home in fact. We solved the rain issue, with a GIANT tarp we bought in town. Our tent was quite a sight for the rest of the trip! Thankfully, we only had one small rain after the big one, but better safe then sorry we figured!
We've had a few trips to the beach here and some park trips, but that about sums up life around here. Just a few small things here and there. We won't be able to take our yearly lake trip this year, which has proven to be a big disappointment all around.
O starts school with the boys this year. I'm sad. Bittersweet really. He's grown up so fast - yet he's still my baby. M is excited to be a 2nd grader and S, is officially a 4th grader. Upper El for him now! He has two years left in elementary and then he goes to Middle School....gasp!
Not sure what I'll do with all my new found freedom during the day. Maybe, my house will stay clean for more than an hour or I'll go to the gym. Perhaps, I'll just hang out at the schoool all day and hope for small glimpses of my children...that sounds more my speed!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Summer is Here
Proof of summer:
Musty smelling swimsuits found on bedroom floors
Enough sand/dirt in my bathtub at the end of the day to build a small sandcastle
Lot of mosquito bites
The smell of bug spray, sunblock and bonfires
Bare feet
Frizzy hair
Boys with dirty finger nails
Momma with dirty finger nails - need to invest in some good gardening gloves!
Loads of extra laundry from dirty/wet boy who think they need to change several times a day
I've already found THREE pairs of socks laying in my lawn
Extra room in drawers and closets because clothing takes up less space
More room in shoe bins because the shoes are much less bulky
Freckles on three little faces...and two big ones!
Blackout curtains to make the bedrooms appear like it's much darker out than it really is - it's hard to go to bed at 8 (since the boys have another week of school) when it's still light out!
Thunderstorms and tornado sirens
All things I love that signal the start of summer...well, except for the whole tornado siren thing!
Musty smelling swimsuits found on bedroom floors
Enough sand/dirt in my bathtub at the end of the day to build a small sandcastle
Lot of mosquito bites
The smell of bug spray, sunblock and bonfires
Bare feet
Frizzy hair
Boys with dirty finger nails
Momma with dirty finger nails - need to invest in some good gardening gloves!
Loads of extra laundry from dirty/wet boy who think they need to change several times a day
I've already found THREE pairs of socks laying in my lawn
Extra room in drawers and closets because clothing takes up less space
More room in shoe bins because the shoes are much less bulky
Freckles on three little faces...and two big ones!
Blackout curtains to make the bedrooms appear like it's much darker out than it really is - it's hard to go to bed at 8 (since the boys have another week of school) when it's still light out!
Thunderstorms and tornado sirens
All things I love that signal the start of summer...well, except for the whole tornado siren thing!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Little Man is FIVE
My baby is FIVE. When did this happen?!?! Where on earth did the time go?!? I cringe when I see the Kindergarten registration packet that is sitting on my desk right now. I took it from the school office last week and got choked up. How am I going to do this?
O's my little buddy. It's been just he and I for the last two years. We do everything together. We take naps, eat lunch, go shopping, read books. He's my sidekick. He's extremely easy going about a lot of things, which has made my life a whole lot easier. O, has been known to sit with me, in a hospital room, while we visit with my grandma, for 6 hours and not get into any trouble. We took a backpack with snacks, books, a few toys and a coloring book. Add the hospital TV and he was all set. He chatted with great grandma, colored, picked out a sandwich in the cafeteria, etc. He just goes with the flow.
He's got a temper on him, I assure you. He's spoiled in many ways - but he just does, well, whatever. He's like me in that aspect. I think O, can have fun doing just about anything. He's ok with a large or small group. He doesn't need a whole lot of "stuff" to keep him occupied. He's much more social than the older boys were at this age.
He's a ham. He's super silly. He's always talking in a silly voice. He loves to play pretend or to dress up as his favorite character. I'm corrected a dozen or so times a day when I call his name. "Mom, I'm Darth Vader, not O" or "I'm Nightwing Batman"...it changes often, sometimes within minutes.
He jumps everywhere. He has no "walking feet". We try, but I think he may be physically unable to walk. If he's not running or jumping, he's sleeping.
Everything has sound effects. Everything makes a laser gun or light saber. He's all boy.
He's also, tough as nails. This child can fall, slip, hit his head, twist his ankle, and smash his finger. He may cry for a second and then is over it. He doesn't want to stop moving long enough to deal with it. That being said...he does have a certain love affair with bandaids that is starting to get pricey.
He's had stitches once, his head glued once, and a home repair job on a few cuts that probably should have been "professionally" done. His brothers have never had ANY of these moments...not because they aren't as brave or daring, but because...well, I'm not sure why. He's also had his share of black eyes, bumps and bruises.
O has little to no fear - still. He'll jump off his swingset without thinking. In fact, just yesterday, I looked out of the corner of my eye, into the living room. I was standing at the kitchen sink, when I saw what looked to be, a blue shirted "bird" fly from my window sill across my living room. It was no bird, only a certain little boy who thought he'd try to fly. I assure you, NONE of my other children have stood on my window sill and "flew" across the room. I always tell Matt, I think, O may shorten my life span a bit.
He does have a few odd "fears" I suppose. He's still afraid of helium balloons and not a huge fan of regular balloons either. Someone tried to give him a balloon for his birthday - he politely declined. What kid turns down a balloon...mine. Birds are also not a big favorite of his. Why??? Who knows. I think it has something to do with the flock of seagulls that once dive bombed us in the Walmart parking lot. I had parked in a spot where someone had dumped french fries and those birds WANTED those fries I tell ya!
O is just a cool kid. Matt and I say that all the time. He's so different than his older brothers. In many aspects, he's a lot like me. I think he has a lot of my personality. O was not planned and came a bit earlier than planned, but he has added such joy and depth to our lives. He was a great surprise!
O has added a new and fun dimesion to our family. He's outnumbered us. He tipped the scales in the kids favor. Matt and I our officialy outnumbered!
O's my little buddy. It's been just he and I for the last two years. We do everything together. We take naps, eat lunch, go shopping, read books. He's my sidekick. He's extremely easy going about a lot of things, which has made my life a whole lot easier. O, has been known to sit with me, in a hospital room, while we visit with my grandma, for 6 hours and not get into any trouble. We took a backpack with snacks, books, a few toys and a coloring book. Add the hospital TV and he was all set. He chatted with great grandma, colored, picked out a sandwich in the cafeteria, etc. He just goes with the flow.
He's got a temper on him, I assure you. He's spoiled in many ways - but he just does, well, whatever. He's like me in that aspect. I think O, can have fun doing just about anything. He's ok with a large or small group. He doesn't need a whole lot of "stuff" to keep him occupied. He's much more social than the older boys were at this age.
He's a ham. He's super silly. He's always talking in a silly voice. He loves to play pretend or to dress up as his favorite character. I'm corrected a dozen or so times a day when I call his name. "Mom, I'm Darth Vader, not O" or "I'm Nightwing Batman"...it changes often, sometimes within minutes.
He jumps everywhere. He has no "walking feet". We try, but I think he may be physically unable to walk. If he's not running or jumping, he's sleeping.
Everything has sound effects. Everything makes a laser gun or light saber. He's all boy.
He's also, tough as nails. This child can fall, slip, hit his head, twist his ankle, and smash his finger. He may cry for a second and then is over it. He doesn't want to stop moving long enough to deal with it. That being said...he does have a certain love affair with bandaids that is starting to get pricey.
He's had stitches once, his head glued once, and a home repair job on a few cuts that probably should have been "professionally" done. His brothers have never had ANY of these moments...not because they aren't as brave or daring, but because...well, I'm not sure why. He's also had his share of black eyes, bumps and bruises.
O has little to no fear - still. He'll jump off his swingset without thinking. In fact, just yesterday, I looked out of the corner of my eye, into the living room. I was standing at the kitchen sink, when I saw what looked to be, a blue shirted "bird" fly from my window sill across my living room. It was no bird, only a certain little boy who thought he'd try to fly. I assure you, NONE of my other children have stood on my window sill and "flew" across the room. I always tell Matt, I think, O may shorten my life span a bit.
He does have a few odd "fears" I suppose. He's still afraid of helium balloons and not a huge fan of regular balloons either. Someone tried to give him a balloon for his birthday - he politely declined. What kid turns down a balloon...mine. Birds are also not a big favorite of his. Why??? Who knows. I think it has something to do with the flock of seagulls that once dive bombed us in the Walmart parking lot. I had parked in a spot where someone had dumped french fries and those birds WANTED those fries I tell ya!
O is just a cool kid. Matt and I say that all the time. He's so different than his older brothers. In many aspects, he's a lot like me. I think he has a lot of my personality. O was not planned and came a bit earlier than planned, but he has added such joy and depth to our lives. He was a great surprise!
O has added a new and fun dimesion to our family. He's outnumbered us. He tipped the scales in the kids favor. Matt and I our officialy outnumbered!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Diabetes Stinks
Sometimes, being the parent of a child with a chronic illness stinks, BAD! Please, don't get me wrong. I am by no means complaining. I know that M's disease(s) are manageable and much better than other things we could face.
Is is annoying to nag your child to check his sugar, yes. Does it get old, changing wet sheets from sugars that run to high and cause accidents at night, sure does. Do I hate having to stop M from running to play because he has to be dosed right away, I sure do. Do I dislike having to stay up an hour longer than normal to recheck sugars that aren't right late in the evening, yeppers. Am I grateful that it's only diabetes - you bet!
It's not the inconvenience of his illness that's the most difficult - it's the mental pain for M that's the toughest.
He was so young at his initial diagnosis - just a few weeks after his 4th birthday - that I don't think the gravity of his illness was real to him. It was just something annoying he had to do. He had to take 4 shots every day and get his finger poked even more than that. He had to eat when he wasn't hungry and couldn't eat when he was. It was a pain in the butt for him - literally!
With his pump, things got easier for him and us. He can function more like a normal child. He can eat when other kids eat and what they eat. He doesn't have to have special food or treats and it takes him just a minute or two to check his sugar and dose.
As he gets older it's starting to bother him more. He knows he's different. You can only convince your child that their illness makes them "special" for so long. I think he's to the point where if diabetes is "special" he'd rather be regular. He doesn't like that instead of going right out to recess after lunch with the other kids, he has to stop and check his sugar and or dose himself. He doesn't appreciate that if he's in gym or computers when it's time to have his afternoon check, that he has to leave early to take care of it. It's annoying he says. We've told him - tough luck duck, that's life for you right now - and we move on. He seems to accept it.
We've had moments of heartbreak with M though. A few years ago, during a bad high sugar spell, M felt horrible. We couldn't get it down, he had ketones...it was a mess. He fell on the floor and cried.."why won't God just heal me now mommy". I hated that.
He's asked similar things since then to us and his grandparents. He doesn't understand why God won't make him better. Having a theology discussion with a 7 year old about how the Lord chooses to answer our prayers in different ways is tough, I assure you of that.
We hit an all time low last month when M started crying. He was sitting on his bed and the tears just started to flow. When I asked him what was wrong, I expected an answer like, S hit me or O took my book/toy. Nope - what I heard was: "Mom, I'm scared I'm going to die soon, before everyone else because of my diabetes"....rip mommas heart out right then.
I scooped him up right away and took him the living room to talk with us. We did our best to explain that as long as he took good care of himself and his diabetes that he could live a long and healthy life just like everyone else. I didn't bother to explain how we were told that people with Type 1 diabetes typically have a shortened life span of 10 years because, well, I don't like to think of it like that.
We talked to him about all the changes and advances the medical community is making and how many wonderful things are on the horizon. He seemed to accept that and wanted to be sure that everyone was still praying for him to get better. We told him they were.
I wasn't ready for it. M, is our laid back, fun loving kid. He doesn't worry much about anything. He lives in his imagination most days. He loves to play pretend and make up wild stories about super hero's and Star Wars. Reality almost seems too much for him...maybe it is. It's too much for me most days.
Is is annoying to nag your child to check his sugar, yes. Does it get old, changing wet sheets from sugars that run to high and cause accidents at night, sure does. Do I hate having to stop M from running to play because he has to be dosed right away, I sure do. Do I dislike having to stay up an hour longer than normal to recheck sugars that aren't right late in the evening, yeppers. Am I grateful that it's only diabetes - you bet!
It's not the inconvenience of his illness that's the most difficult - it's the mental pain for M that's the toughest.
He was so young at his initial diagnosis - just a few weeks after his 4th birthday - that I don't think the gravity of his illness was real to him. It was just something annoying he had to do. He had to take 4 shots every day and get his finger poked even more than that. He had to eat when he wasn't hungry and couldn't eat when he was. It was a pain in the butt for him - literally!
With his pump, things got easier for him and us. He can function more like a normal child. He can eat when other kids eat and what they eat. He doesn't have to have special food or treats and it takes him just a minute or two to check his sugar and dose.
As he gets older it's starting to bother him more. He knows he's different. You can only convince your child that their illness makes them "special" for so long. I think he's to the point where if diabetes is "special" he'd rather be regular. He doesn't like that instead of going right out to recess after lunch with the other kids, he has to stop and check his sugar and or dose himself. He doesn't appreciate that if he's in gym or computers when it's time to have his afternoon check, that he has to leave early to take care of it. It's annoying he says. We've told him - tough luck duck, that's life for you right now - and we move on. He seems to accept it.
We've had moments of heartbreak with M though. A few years ago, during a bad high sugar spell, M felt horrible. We couldn't get it down, he had ketones...it was a mess. He fell on the floor and cried.."why won't God just heal me now mommy". I hated that.
He's asked similar things since then to us and his grandparents. He doesn't understand why God won't make him better. Having a theology discussion with a 7 year old about how the Lord chooses to answer our prayers in different ways is tough, I assure you of that.
We hit an all time low last month when M started crying. He was sitting on his bed and the tears just started to flow. When I asked him what was wrong, I expected an answer like, S hit me or O took my book/toy. Nope - what I heard was: "Mom, I'm scared I'm going to die soon, before everyone else because of my diabetes"....rip mommas heart out right then.
I scooped him up right away and took him the living room to talk with us. We did our best to explain that as long as he took good care of himself and his diabetes that he could live a long and healthy life just like everyone else. I didn't bother to explain how we were told that people with Type 1 diabetes typically have a shortened life span of 10 years because, well, I don't like to think of it like that.
We talked to him about all the changes and advances the medical community is making and how many wonderful things are on the horizon. He seemed to accept that and wanted to be sure that everyone was still praying for him to get better. We told him they were.
I wasn't ready for it. M, is our laid back, fun loving kid. He doesn't worry much about anything. He lives in his imagination most days. He loves to play pretend and make up wild stories about super hero's and Star Wars. Reality almost seems too much for him...maybe it is. It's too much for me most days.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
One Day
One day I'll get disciplined and loose the weight I desperately need to loose.
One day I'll get motivation and paint the two rooms that NEED painted and the one room I want to paint...wonder which one will get done first?!?!
One day I won't yell at my children.
One day my children will obey the first time.
One day my house will be clean all the time. People will be able to stop by on a whim and I won't have to panic to grab any dirty socks, random toys or dishes while the people exit their vehicle and walk to my door.
One day I will know what is on TV during the day besides Nick Jr. and Disney shows.
One day I will grocery shop and not buy fruit snacks, Trix yogurt and Lunchables.
One day I won't have to hunt under boys beds and in their little covers for all the white socks and their mates.
One day I won't have to wonder how all the water, dirt, mud and rocks get in my house.
One day I won't trip over trains and matchbox cars or step on LEGO'S.
One day I won't have to buy toothpaste that cost almost $4 in order to get my children to brush their teeth.
One day I won't have to yell things like: let go of the cat, don't jump from the top bunk to the other bed and get your hands out of there!
One day I won't have to panic at 7am about how I'm going to sneak the "tooth fairy" money under the pillow of an already awake child who is searching frantically for it!
One day I won't grumble under my breath as I clean the bathroom and wonder how pee got THERE?!?!
Today, I will enjoy these things - because ONE DAY, I'll miss this!
One day I'll get motivation and paint the two rooms that NEED painted and the one room I want to paint...wonder which one will get done first?!?!
One day I won't yell at my children.
One day my children will obey the first time.
One day my house will be clean all the time. People will be able to stop by on a whim and I won't have to panic to grab any dirty socks, random toys or dishes while the people exit their vehicle and walk to my door.
One day I will know what is on TV during the day besides Nick Jr. and Disney shows.
One day I will grocery shop and not buy fruit snacks, Trix yogurt and Lunchables.
One day I won't have to hunt under boys beds and in their little covers for all the white socks and their mates.
One day I won't have to wonder how all the water, dirt, mud and rocks get in my house.
One day I won't trip over trains and matchbox cars or step on LEGO'S.
One day I won't have to buy toothpaste that cost almost $4 in order to get my children to brush their teeth.
One day I won't have to yell things like: let go of the cat, don't jump from the top bunk to the other bed and get your hands out of there!
One day I won't have to panic at 7am about how I'm going to sneak the "tooth fairy" money under the pillow of an already awake child who is searching frantically for it!
One day I won't grumble under my breath as I clean the bathroom and wonder how pee got THERE?!?!
Today, I will enjoy these things - because ONE DAY, I'll miss this!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Put Down the Controller
He's 4.5 - well, almost 5. He's full of fire. He's all energy and all boy. He NEVER stops jumping, flipping, running and punching. He has even taken to watching TV upside down. He stands on his head on the couch. I'm beginning to wonder if I watched TV like that if I'd be thinner...experiment time!
He's obsessed....OBSESSED, with the Wii. Matt and I somehow stood firm and didn't buy one until this Christmas. M and S were 7 and 8 respectively. They seem to do better with it. O is another story entirely.
As soon as his eyes are opened it's "Can I play WEGO STAR WARS" if I say no, it's "Can I play WEGO BATMAN then". When we tell him no watch out. Stomping, screaming and crying insue. It is typically short lived, as most of O's tantrums are, but it's not pretty. It obviously is a problem for him.
Days he plays for a long time, he's a mess too. He crys more, yells more and paces. He starts doing his "wego" moves on me. Trys to punch and kick like the men on the game do. At first it was...cute. Now, it's annoying.
I've been monitoring his play much more lately and he seems to be doing better. I don't want him to be addicted to these games. He LOVES electronic games - so much in fact that he said the following things to me:
"Mom, why won't you let me play any ELECTRONIC games today?"
"Ok, I played Candy Land, Imaginext and played in my shaving cream. NOW can I play Wii?"
I fear I haven't worked with him like I did the older two boys. He's so much different than the other two. His personality is so much different even. We've always said - as horrid as it sounds - he's been the most like a "regular" kid. The other boys are brilliant and tons of fun, but they weren't without their eccentric things.
Although Owen did have an irrational fear of birds and balloons. The balloon thing was soooo annoying! Had to leave more than one birthday party with a screaming toddler. It did save a lot of money for his birthday parties though! He still isn't a big fan of balloons.
Maybe, he's too much like a "normal" kid for video games. Stupid electronic games.
He's obsessed....OBSESSED, with the Wii. Matt and I somehow stood firm and didn't buy one until this Christmas. M and S were 7 and 8 respectively. They seem to do better with it. O is another story entirely.
As soon as his eyes are opened it's "Can I play WEGO STAR WARS" if I say no, it's "Can I play WEGO BATMAN then". When we tell him no watch out. Stomping, screaming and crying insue. It is typically short lived, as most of O's tantrums are, but it's not pretty. It obviously is a problem for him.
Days he plays for a long time, he's a mess too. He crys more, yells more and paces. He starts doing his "wego" moves on me. Trys to punch and kick like the men on the game do. At first it was...cute. Now, it's annoying.
I've been monitoring his play much more lately and he seems to be doing better. I don't want him to be addicted to these games. He LOVES electronic games - so much in fact that he said the following things to me:
"Mom, why won't you let me play any ELECTRONIC games today?"
"Ok, I played Candy Land, Imaginext and played in my shaving cream. NOW can I play Wii?"
I fear I haven't worked with him like I did the older two boys. He's so much different than the other two. His personality is so much different even. We've always said - as horrid as it sounds - he's been the most like a "regular" kid. The other boys are brilliant and tons of fun, but they weren't without their eccentric things.
Although Owen did have an irrational fear of birds and balloons. The balloon thing was soooo annoying! Had to leave more than one birthday party with a screaming toddler. It did save a lot of money for his birthday parties though! He still isn't a big fan of balloons.
Maybe, he's too much like a "normal" kid for video games. Stupid electronic games.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Random
Stolen
10 years ago I was: a newlywed, who had just experienced a miscarriage.
5 years ago I was: mommy to two small boys, about to be a mommy of three.
1 year ago I was: probably posting a blog ;)
Yesterday I was: at the hospital with my sister Mary and my sweet nephew Asher.
5 snacks that I enjoy:
1. Chips
2. Hummus
3. Granola Bars
4. Cheese Its - which I never buy because I'd eat the whole box
5. Popcorn with Ranch seasoning.
5 songs I know all the words to:
1. Jesus Loves Me
2. How Great Thou Art
3. The Sponge Bob theme song
4. Be Thou My Vision
5. Put A Ring On It
5 things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Tithe
2. Invest
3. Put some away for the kids
4. Share with family/friends
5. Build a new studio and get a new camera
5 favorite TV shows:
1. Greys
2. Ace of Cakes
3. Private Practice
4. The Nanny
5. Teen Mom
5 things I am thankful for:
1. My family
2. Friends
3. God
4. A home
5. My husband - I'm certain there is none better suited for me than him!
2 names I go by:
1. Mom
2. Beth Anne
2 parts of your heritage
1. Italian
2. Yugoslavian
2 things that scare me:
1. Centipedes
2. Being afraid
2 of my every day essentials:
1. Diet Coke
2. My SSNRI ;)
2 things I am wearing right now:
1. Nightgown
2. socks
2 of my favorite bands/musical artists (at the moment):
1. Bruno Mars
2. Hillsong
2 things I want in a relationship (other than real love):
1. Honesty
2. Laughter
2 truths: (stole answers from votemom)
1. No word from God will ever fail
2. Satan already lost
2 physical things that appeal to me in the opposite sex:
1. Good teeth
2. Dark Hair
2 of my favorite hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Taking photographs
2 things I want really badly:
1. A new camera
2. For my sons to grow up to be men of God.
2 places I want to go on vacation:
1. Africa
2. Disney!!
2 ways I am stereotypically a chick:
1. I hate squashing bugs
2. I like to talk. A lot.
2 things I normally wouldn't admit:
1. I don't wash my hair every day
2. I play games on Webkinz.
2 things I am thinking about right now:
1. I need to go to bed.
2. I'm overly sensitve.
2 stores you shop at:
1. Target!
2. Walmart
2 people I would like to see taking this quiz:
1. Matt - although I'm certain he won't.
2. My sister Nancy
2 people I haven't talked to in a while:
1. My sister Sara
2. Julie
10 years ago I was: a newlywed, who had just experienced a miscarriage.
5 years ago I was: mommy to two small boys, about to be a mommy of three.
1 year ago I was: probably posting a blog ;)
Yesterday I was: at the hospital with my sister Mary and my sweet nephew Asher.
5 snacks that I enjoy:
1. Chips
2. Hummus
3. Granola Bars
4. Cheese Its - which I never buy because I'd eat the whole box
5. Popcorn with Ranch seasoning.
5 songs I know all the words to:
1. Jesus Loves Me
2. How Great Thou Art
3. The Sponge Bob theme song
4. Be Thou My Vision
5. Put A Ring On It
5 things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Tithe
2. Invest
3. Put some away for the kids
4. Share with family/friends
5. Build a new studio and get a new camera
5 favorite TV shows:
1. Greys
2. Ace of Cakes
3. Private Practice
4. The Nanny
5. Teen Mom
5 things I am thankful for:
1. My family
2. Friends
3. God
4. A home
5. My husband - I'm certain there is none better suited for me than him!
2 names I go by:
1. Mom
2. Beth Anne
2 parts of your heritage
1. Italian
2. Yugoslavian
2 things that scare me:
1. Centipedes
2. Being afraid
2 of my every day essentials:
1. Diet Coke
2. My SSNRI ;)
2 things I am wearing right now:
1. Nightgown
2. socks
2 of my favorite bands/musical artists (at the moment):
1. Bruno Mars
2. Hillsong
2 things I want in a relationship (other than real love):
1. Honesty
2. Laughter
2 truths: (stole answers from votemom)
1. No word from God will ever fail
2. Satan already lost
2 physical things that appeal to me in the opposite sex:
1. Good teeth
2. Dark Hair
2 of my favorite hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Taking photographs
2 things I want really badly:
1. A new camera
2. For my sons to grow up to be men of God.
2 places I want to go on vacation:
1. Africa
2. Disney!!
2 ways I am stereotypically a chick:
1. I hate squashing bugs
2. I like to talk. A lot.
2 things I normally wouldn't admit:
1. I don't wash my hair every day
2. I play games on Webkinz.
2 things I am thinking about right now:
1. I need to go to bed.
2. I'm overly sensitve.
2 stores you shop at:
1. Target!
2. Walmart
2 people I would like to see taking this quiz:
1. Matt - although I'm certain he won't.
2. My sister Nancy
2 people I haven't talked to in a while:
1. My sister Sara
2. Julie
Monday, January 24, 2011
Oh my O!
O had a week. A traumatic week. It started on Wednesday with stitches in the head. By the following Wednesday, we'd puked, had another wound and a bad reaction to a vaccine!
Friday (2 days after head wound), O was messing around in our friends family room. He somehow (he later told me, it was S, doing a "spin ball move", that went horribly wrong, that caused the injury), hit his ear - the high part in the cartilage - on the corner of their coffee table. He actually completely pierced his ear - all the way through the cartilage. Poor boy...bloody, nasty ear, lots of crying and a bloody, silk pillow. Thankfully, ears heal quickly, and his ear looked better before his head did!
Sunday evening 4 days post head wound and 2 days post ear wound), the puke fest started. Poor boy - wounded ear, bandaged head and now add vomit. Felt horrible for him!
Monday, we went to the doctor to try to get the stitches out and it was a no go. Due to the need for a double closure - that wasn't done and a few to few stitches, the head was still bleeding a little and not ready to be "unstitched".
Wednesday rolls around and his head looks great. Go to the doctor and stitch removal begins - only the middle stitch was soooo tight that it was hard to get to without cutting the skin around it! He also need a DTaP. Lucky kid - stitch removal and a shot...he hit the jackpot!
He got his shot - by the end of the night, we was limping with a HUGE lump. Two days later, we had a 6.5 inch, hot, swollen, and red welt on his thigh. Fun stuff I tell you.
We went to the doctor on day three, when the reaction was at it's peak. They said they thought it was just a reaction, but we should do antibiotics just in case...I waited another day with no meds and his leg was significantly better. We are still on the mend, but have gone more than two to three days with no major injury.
Fingers crossed that O's "streak" is over for a while!
Friday (2 days after head wound), O was messing around in our friends family room. He somehow (he later told me, it was S, doing a "spin ball move", that went horribly wrong, that caused the injury), hit his ear - the high part in the cartilage - on the corner of their coffee table. He actually completely pierced his ear - all the way through the cartilage. Poor boy...bloody, nasty ear, lots of crying and a bloody, silk pillow. Thankfully, ears heal quickly, and his ear looked better before his head did!
Sunday evening 4 days post head wound and 2 days post ear wound), the puke fest started. Poor boy - wounded ear, bandaged head and now add vomit. Felt horrible for him!
Monday, we went to the doctor to try to get the stitches out and it was a no go. Due to the need for a double closure - that wasn't done and a few to few stitches, the head was still bleeding a little and not ready to be "unstitched".
Wednesday rolls around and his head looks great. Go to the doctor and stitch removal begins - only the middle stitch was soooo tight that it was hard to get to without cutting the skin around it! He also need a DTaP. Lucky kid - stitch removal and a shot...he hit the jackpot!
He got his shot - by the end of the night, we was limping with a HUGE lump. Two days later, we had a 6.5 inch, hot, swollen, and red welt on his thigh. Fun stuff I tell you.
We went to the doctor on day three, when the reaction was at it's peak. They said they thought it was just a reaction, but we should do antibiotics just in case...I waited another day with no meds and his leg was significantly better. We are still on the mend, but have gone more than two to three days with no major injury.
Fingers crossed that O's "streak" is over for a while!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Bumps and Bruises....or Blood and Stitches
O may be the death of me. That child, in his 4.5 short years of life, has had more "injuries", than the older two boys have combined. We've had our head "glued" shut once, and numerous trips to the drug store to buy "butterfly" band aids and an attempt at glue and steri strips here at home. This child has had multiple "goose eggs" on his head too.
He's a daredevil. He NEVER stops moving. In fact, he's now taken to watching TV, in a headstand position - on the couch. If he's not standing on his head, he's either jumping, flipping or running in place. It's insane. I wish I possessed his energy and inability to sit still. I'd be much thinner.
We keep saying we need to sign him up for gymnastics - this was more solidified, when, while at the grocery store, I found him hanging upside down from the handle on the shopping cart - it was one of those carts with the attached seat for two kids. He's a monkey. I call him that all the time.
This last week, has been especially difficult for little O. Poor boy. I, as a mother of three boys, had my first experience with a head wound that would NOT stop bleeding and stitches.
It took three of us to hold little man down and one doctor to "stitch" - at least that's what she called it. I'm not at all impressed with her "work", but at least it's not a gaping wound anymore!
We arrived at church early on Wednesday. A friend and I took our kids out to eat for dinner and when we got to church, I was taking the boys to the bathroom to wash their hands. I went in the door and I THOUGHT O was right behind me. I walked into the door, heard a THUD, and then howling. Poor boy was crying his little heart out.
I scooped him up and asked what happened - he couldn't stop crying long enough. S, told me that he'd ran into the edge of the bathroom door...WHAT?!?! Who runs into doors?!? Then I remembered that he is my child and I've done it too.
Blood was now draining from his head and after a quick blot, it was determined that stitches would be in order. I could tell, this was far from a trip for a simple "gluing" and steri strips or butterfly bandages weren't going to cut it.
Once, arrangements were made for the older two, O and I were off to the ER. Urgent Care wouldn't see him because it was a "head trauma" and they won't treat children with head wounds. Thankfully, I remembered hearing this and called, before going to one.
Once at the ER, the cut was cleaned a little better and we could get a better look...uh...yeah. It was FAR deeper than I thought at first. So deep in fact, that the doctor took a while to decide if two layers of stitces were needed. I asked her if the whitish yellow "pieces", I saw hanging out of the cut were what I thought they were. She assured me that I was correct and that they were indeed pieces of "subcutaneous tissue - or fat". YUCK!
They had difficulty getting O totally numb. I am not a squeamish person. I have a tough stomach when it comes to that stuff, but by the time they were done inserting the needles into his cut and holding him down for so long, I thought I might be sick. Thankfully, I was not.
He was stitched and good as new. He enjoyed his pack of licorice I let him get and was more than thrilled when I told him he didn't even have to share it with his brothers - he was SHOCKED to find out that the pack of licorice includes TWO BARS of yummy goodness and not just one!
Two days later, his head is healing nicely - lots of bruising and swelling, but all in all, it's doing well.
O, my monkey butt boy, fell of my friends couch and managed to hit his ear on the corner of the coffee table. He not only hit his ear - he managed to actually slit the upper cartilage and puncture it right through to the other side. We still aren't sure if this was an attempt to get his ear pierced, but either way - a wound to the ear, also bleed TREMENDOUSLY.
Thankfully, ears heal quickly and today it looks so much better!
I'm considering buying him a helmet and face mask. Perhaps I should wrap him in bubble wrap too...
He's a daredevil. He NEVER stops moving. In fact, he's now taken to watching TV, in a headstand position - on the couch. If he's not standing on his head, he's either jumping, flipping or running in place. It's insane. I wish I possessed his energy and inability to sit still. I'd be much thinner.
We keep saying we need to sign him up for gymnastics - this was more solidified, when, while at the grocery store, I found him hanging upside down from the handle on the shopping cart - it was one of those carts with the attached seat for two kids. He's a monkey. I call him that all the time.
This last week, has been especially difficult for little O. Poor boy. I, as a mother of three boys, had my first experience with a head wound that would NOT stop bleeding and stitches.
It took three of us to hold little man down and one doctor to "stitch" - at least that's what she called it. I'm not at all impressed with her "work", but at least it's not a gaping wound anymore!
We arrived at church early on Wednesday. A friend and I took our kids out to eat for dinner and when we got to church, I was taking the boys to the bathroom to wash their hands. I went in the door and I THOUGHT O was right behind me. I walked into the door, heard a THUD, and then howling. Poor boy was crying his little heart out.
I scooped him up and asked what happened - he couldn't stop crying long enough. S, told me that he'd ran into the edge of the bathroom door...WHAT?!?! Who runs into doors?!? Then I remembered that he is my child and I've done it too.
Blood was now draining from his head and after a quick blot, it was determined that stitches would be in order. I could tell, this was far from a trip for a simple "gluing" and steri strips or butterfly bandages weren't going to cut it.
Once, arrangements were made for the older two, O and I were off to the ER. Urgent Care wouldn't see him because it was a "head trauma" and they won't treat children with head wounds. Thankfully, I remembered hearing this and called, before going to one.
Once at the ER, the cut was cleaned a little better and we could get a better look...uh...yeah. It was FAR deeper than I thought at first. So deep in fact, that the doctor took a while to decide if two layers of stitces were needed. I asked her if the whitish yellow "pieces", I saw hanging out of the cut were what I thought they were. She assured me that I was correct and that they were indeed pieces of "subcutaneous tissue - or fat". YUCK!
They had difficulty getting O totally numb. I am not a squeamish person. I have a tough stomach when it comes to that stuff, but by the time they were done inserting the needles into his cut and holding him down for so long, I thought I might be sick. Thankfully, I was not.
He was stitched and good as new. He enjoyed his pack of licorice I let him get and was more than thrilled when I told him he didn't even have to share it with his brothers - he was SHOCKED to find out that the pack of licorice includes TWO BARS of yummy goodness and not just one!
Two days later, his head is healing nicely - lots of bruising and swelling, but all in all, it's doing well.
O, my monkey butt boy, fell of my friends couch and managed to hit his ear on the corner of the coffee table. He not only hit his ear - he managed to actually slit the upper cartilage and puncture it right through to the other side. We still aren't sure if this was an attempt to get his ear pierced, but either way - a wound to the ear, also bleed TREMENDOUSLY.
Thankfully, ears heal quickly and today it looks so much better!
I'm considering buying him a helmet and face mask. Perhaps I should wrap him in bubble wrap too...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Safe Keeping
Today, the Lord, saw fit to spare the lives of my boys and I. There is NOTHING else that could have stopped the events of today. No one.
While driving down the road this afternoon, with the boys, I was frustrated. The boys were being silly and fighting. While in the store, they spilt their drinks twice. We had to let a friends dog out, the boys let him out the front door. It was just one of those days. My fuse has already been abnormally short lately. I've stayed on edge. I've spent far too much time yelling and fussing at my boys.
It was really sunny this afternoon too.
I was driving, into the sun, and fussing at the boys. I was approaching a railroad crossing. One of those awkward ones, in the middle of a main road...one of those dangerous ones, with no gate that comes down - just flashing lights. I was paying attention to the road and watching traffic. The car in front of me kept driving. I happened to notice that the cars, on the other side of the road had stopped, that's when I heard the train honk. I looked up, just in time to see a train, approaching at full speed.
In that split second, I thought for sure, we were going to be hit. I knew if I gunned it, I wouldn't clear the tracks and the train would hit us head on. I immediately slammed on the brakes and yanked the wheel to the right. Instead of going on the track, I went down into the "ditch" alongside the train - the spot between the train track and the signal pole. If I would have rolled down my window, I could have touched the side of the train as it roared passed.
Something in my, in that split second knew, I had to NOT go on the tracks. I knew, that meant serious injury or most likely death for me and the boys.
I sat in the van. I didn't move. I didn't try to back the van up and get back on the road. I did nothing. After a second, the kids had calmed down and I had gathered my thoughts, I calmly got out of the car and got in the backseat with the boys. I immediately told them what had just happened. I told them that the Lord, saw fit to save us. To spare our lives. We stopped and prayed and thanked God for HIS protection.
The train conductor stopped the train a bit down the tracks. He walked back to the van to check on us and be sure no one was hurt. I apologized profusely and explained to him what happened. With the sun shining you couldn't see the flashing lights. I just missed it. The car in front of me must not have seen the lights either because he blew right over the tracks. He told me that people were on the way to get me out of the ditch and to come and help.
Within a few minutes the police had arrived and some more people to inspect the train - which broke something when it braked to try to miss hitting our van. The second train driver came back and talked to me for a minute - well, he talked and I cried, a lot. He told me, he was shocked that I didn't hit anything. He also wanted to be sure that the train didn't hit us at all. He was shocked. He thought for sure we would hit. He was so very kind. He said hello to the boys and asked them if they were ok. They assured him they were fine.
After we determined, my van was indeed stuck, the tow truck came to get me out. The driver of the tow truck was also extremely kind. He was patient and helped explain everything to me. He was telling me how he had to charge me, but to send the bill to my insurance and they'd pay us back. He also only charged me half of what he normally would. He told me he was glad we were all ok and that he knew I must be really scared.
The police officer, who wasn't quite as friendly, told me that he wasn't going to give me a ticket - even though he could have. I told him I understood all of that and that I really couldn't see the signal...he told me I might have been daydreaming. I didn't argue. I was too overwhelmed. He told me that the mental anguish of what just happened would probably be enough. He wanted to be sure I really understood what had just happened. I assured him I did understand. I told him, the Lord protected us and kept us safe.
I'm convinced someone else took control of my car in that split second. What made me choose to go off the road, along side of the train, I'm convinced was not me.
The Lord, for some reason, chose to spare our lives today. It isn't the first time God has spared my life, or the lives of one of my children. It is however, the first time, that an event, this large in scope has happened. Myself and my boys were a split second from being hit, tboned, by a freight train. A split second reaction changed that.
I struggle with why the Lord chose to spare us, when so many people will loose loved ones today. There is a purpose and a plan that God has for us. I'm certain of that. I thank and praise Him for allowing us to live.
While driving down the road this afternoon, with the boys, I was frustrated. The boys were being silly and fighting. While in the store, they spilt their drinks twice. We had to let a friends dog out, the boys let him out the front door. It was just one of those days. My fuse has already been abnormally short lately. I've stayed on edge. I've spent far too much time yelling and fussing at my boys.
It was really sunny this afternoon too.
I was driving, into the sun, and fussing at the boys. I was approaching a railroad crossing. One of those awkward ones, in the middle of a main road...one of those dangerous ones, with no gate that comes down - just flashing lights. I was paying attention to the road and watching traffic. The car in front of me kept driving. I happened to notice that the cars, on the other side of the road had stopped, that's when I heard the train honk. I looked up, just in time to see a train, approaching at full speed.
In that split second, I thought for sure, we were going to be hit. I knew if I gunned it, I wouldn't clear the tracks and the train would hit us head on. I immediately slammed on the brakes and yanked the wheel to the right. Instead of going on the track, I went down into the "ditch" alongside the train - the spot between the train track and the signal pole. If I would have rolled down my window, I could have touched the side of the train as it roared passed.
Something in my, in that split second knew, I had to NOT go on the tracks. I knew, that meant serious injury or most likely death for me and the boys.
I sat in the van. I didn't move. I didn't try to back the van up and get back on the road. I did nothing. After a second, the kids had calmed down and I had gathered my thoughts, I calmly got out of the car and got in the backseat with the boys. I immediately told them what had just happened. I told them that the Lord, saw fit to save us. To spare our lives. We stopped and prayed and thanked God for HIS protection.
The train conductor stopped the train a bit down the tracks. He walked back to the van to check on us and be sure no one was hurt. I apologized profusely and explained to him what happened. With the sun shining you couldn't see the flashing lights. I just missed it. The car in front of me must not have seen the lights either because he blew right over the tracks. He told me that people were on the way to get me out of the ditch and to come and help.
Within a few minutes the police had arrived and some more people to inspect the train - which broke something when it braked to try to miss hitting our van. The second train driver came back and talked to me for a minute - well, he talked and I cried, a lot. He told me, he was shocked that I didn't hit anything. He also wanted to be sure that the train didn't hit us at all. He was shocked. He thought for sure we would hit. He was so very kind. He said hello to the boys and asked them if they were ok. They assured him they were fine.
After we determined, my van was indeed stuck, the tow truck came to get me out. The driver of the tow truck was also extremely kind. He was patient and helped explain everything to me. He was telling me how he had to charge me, but to send the bill to my insurance and they'd pay us back. He also only charged me half of what he normally would. He told me he was glad we were all ok and that he knew I must be really scared.
The police officer, who wasn't quite as friendly, told me that he wasn't going to give me a ticket - even though he could have. I told him I understood all of that and that I really couldn't see the signal...he told me I might have been daydreaming. I didn't argue. I was too overwhelmed. He told me that the mental anguish of what just happened would probably be enough. He wanted to be sure I really understood what had just happened. I assured him I did understand. I told him, the Lord protected us and kept us safe.
I'm convinced someone else took control of my car in that split second. What made me choose to go off the road, along side of the train, I'm convinced was not me.
The Lord, for some reason, chose to spare our lives today. It isn't the first time God has spared my life, or the lives of one of my children. It is however, the first time, that an event, this large in scope has happened. Myself and my boys were a split second from being hit, tboned, by a freight train. A split second reaction changed that.
I struggle with why the Lord chose to spare us, when so many people will loose loved ones today. There is a purpose and a plan that God has for us. I'm certain of that. I thank and praise Him for allowing us to live.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Silly Phrases
*Matt was watching The Polar Express with the boys. There is a scene at the end where the reindeer at tired from pulling the heavy sleigh. M made us all laugh when he announced: If I was a reindeer, I'd totally hit Santa with my antlers for making me pull that heavy sleigh around! We all died laughing!!!
*O has recently learned how to play a few games on the computer. The other day, he wasn't allowed to play computer. When I told him no, I wouldn't turn a game on for him, he told me...That's fine, I'll just watch the blank screen.
*One Saturday morning, a construction crew was across the way. It was early and they were LOUD! Loud enough to wake several of us up, quite early, on a Saturday...but I digress... M, woke up scared to death. He started crying. Finally, Matt figured out where the noise was coming from and I was able to explain it to M. His answer made me chuckle...Oh good (insert relieved sigh here), I thought it was an alien ship landing in our front yard to come and take us!!
*S, has gone from saying lots of funny things...to lots of profound, sassy and silly things! He's getting to the age where he's far more serious than the other two about things.
*S, has taken to wearing sports jerseys as much as possible. His friend gave him several once he outgrew them. I had to make him take his Michigan jersey off yesterday. It had been three days...and nights. I assured him, I'd have it washed in time for the "big game" on New Years. He's getting so big!
*S got all A's on his report card - we were so proud of him! He's a bright boy and a hard worker. His teacher said his behavior is wonderful too!
*M, also got what would be the equivalent of all A's - he still gets number grades. His teacher said we need to work on bringing him more into "reality" without squashing all his creativity...good luck with that one!!!
*O has recently learned how to play a few games on the computer. The other day, he wasn't allowed to play computer. When I told him no, I wouldn't turn a game on for him, he told me...That's fine, I'll just watch the blank screen.
*One Saturday morning, a construction crew was across the way. It was early and they were LOUD! Loud enough to wake several of us up, quite early, on a Saturday...but I digress... M, woke up scared to death. He started crying. Finally, Matt figured out where the noise was coming from and I was able to explain it to M. His answer made me chuckle...Oh good (insert relieved sigh here), I thought it was an alien ship landing in our front yard to come and take us!!
*S, has gone from saying lots of funny things...to lots of profound, sassy and silly things! He's getting to the age where he's far more serious than the other two about things.
*S, has taken to wearing sports jerseys as much as possible. His friend gave him several once he outgrew them. I had to make him take his Michigan jersey off yesterday. It had been three days...and nights. I assured him, I'd have it washed in time for the "big game" on New Years. He's getting so big!
*S got all A's on his report card - we were so proud of him! He's a bright boy and a hard worker. His teacher said his behavior is wonderful too!
*M, also got what would be the equivalent of all A's - he still gets number grades. His teacher said we need to work on bringing him more into "reality" without squashing all his creativity...good luck with that one!!!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Growing Up
My babies are growing up...WAY TO QUICKLY!
We just had to buy S, some new clothes. If it isn't holes in the knees of his pants, his pants are too short on him. This seems to be a trend for him..buy him new clothes in the Fall - buy him the next size in the winter. I love that he's still not picky about what he wears. There are a few things, I know he won't wear to school, but other than that, he'll wear whatever I set out for him.
M, has taken to a new "fear" thing. I'm not sure where it's come from, but he's afraid to go in ANY room alone. I feel bad for him, but struggle to not be annoyed when he won't back to the entry way to get his coat by himself.
When we were talking about fear, we were remembering back to some of the things are boys have been afraid of...ants, birds, balloons, spiders, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, ANY costumed character really, these little "playdough" characters that used to sing on Nickelodean. Lots of fun things. One of my favorites, was when S, insisted he had a family of bears that lived in his bedroom. He was right around 3 at the time. The most "challenging" fear, was O's, fear of balloons...that was just obnoxious. Birthday parties were a nightmare. We had to walk on the far side of the hallway if a store had balloons in the entry.
The other day, I was dancing in the living room. I was messing around with the younger boys and doing silly dance moves - as if I know any REAL dance moves - S, looked at me and asked me to stop. I told him no because we were having fun. Then he pulled out the big guns..."Mom, your embarassing me"...WHAT!!?!?!? Have we already reached that point.
While playing cars with the boys, the informed me that I wasn't doing it right. When I apologized, S, told me, sweetly, Mom, don't worry, your only being about 2% annoying. Good thing, I was only being 2 percent annoying...Sheesh. I'm not looking forward to the day when I'm going to be 100% annoying!
We just had to buy S, some new clothes. If it isn't holes in the knees of his pants, his pants are too short on him. This seems to be a trend for him..buy him new clothes in the Fall - buy him the next size in the winter. I love that he's still not picky about what he wears. There are a few things, I know he won't wear to school, but other than that, he'll wear whatever I set out for him.
M, has taken to a new "fear" thing. I'm not sure where it's come from, but he's afraid to go in ANY room alone. I feel bad for him, but struggle to not be annoyed when he won't back to the entry way to get his coat by himself.
When we were talking about fear, we were remembering back to some of the things are boys have been afraid of...ants, birds, balloons, spiders, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, ANY costumed character really, these little "playdough" characters that used to sing on Nickelodean. Lots of fun things. One of my favorites, was when S, insisted he had a family of bears that lived in his bedroom. He was right around 3 at the time. The most "challenging" fear, was O's, fear of balloons...that was just obnoxious. Birthday parties were a nightmare. We had to walk on the far side of the hallway if a store had balloons in the entry.
The other day, I was dancing in the living room. I was messing around with the younger boys and doing silly dance moves - as if I know any REAL dance moves - S, looked at me and asked me to stop. I told him no because we were having fun. Then he pulled out the big guns..."Mom, your embarassing me"...WHAT!!?!?!? Have we already reached that point.
While playing cars with the boys, the informed me that I wasn't doing it right. When I apologized, S, told me, sweetly, Mom, don't worry, your only being about 2% annoying. Good thing, I was only being 2 percent annoying...Sheesh. I'm not looking forward to the day when I'm going to be 100% annoying!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
S announced that he'd like to move to Virginia. We told him that we would be far away from our family here and he said...that's ok. They can just come and visit. Typical male...
M was at a party with us. There was a boy at the party who was tormenting him all night. Finally, after M had enough, he walked up to us and said: "Can someone just TELEPORT that kid outta here!"...and then walked away.
I was getting ready to drop O off at work with Matt on a Saturday. The older boys were already there helping him to some things. When we were getting ready to leave, O asked if daddy's black teacher was going to be there...I stopped for a minute, stunned and trying to figure out what he was talking about. Our older boys still haven't differentiated or called attention to skin color so we were a little surprised. After a few questions, I figured out who he was talking about. I told him what his name was and that we would call him that. O looked at me and smiled and said: "I hope he's there. I love him. I love black...it's my favorite color"
A few days ago, O was telling me that daddy plays trains with him. I've been feeling guilty lately about spending enough "quality" time with the boys, so I asked O what I do with him...he told me...sit on the couch. YIKES!! Score one for the mommy guilt.
The boys continue to do well in school. I love S's papers...105% on a Social Studies test, 106% on a spelling test...and he's getting A's on his Math tests too!
M is breezing through in his typical fashion. He still says he's bored and that the work is too easy - but he loves that he gets three recesses still.
O has been doing work with me at home and is learning the rest of his letters. I fear he's a little behind where the older boys are...in fact, I know he's behind M. M was reading by this age. I know all kids are different though. For all the letter knowledge O lacks, he has twice the common sense of his older brothers.
M's diabetes seems to be under good control and the doctors don't seem concerned with his B12 levels anymore. I think it was more of an oddity that they wanted to check out than anything.
All in all, we are a blessed family. We want for nothing - the Lord has continued to provide for us above and beyond what we need.
M was at a party with us. There was a boy at the party who was tormenting him all night. Finally, after M had enough, he walked up to us and said: "Can someone just TELEPORT that kid outta here!"...and then walked away.
I was getting ready to drop O off at work with Matt on a Saturday. The older boys were already there helping him to some things. When we were getting ready to leave, O asked if daddy's black teacher was going to be there...I stopped for a minute, stunned and trying to figure out what he was talking about. Our older boys still haven't differentiated or called attention to skin color so we were a little surprised. After a few questions, I figured out who he was talking about. I told him what his name was and that we would call him that. O looked at me and smiled and said: "I hope he's there. I love him. I love black...it's my favorite color"
A few days ago, O was telling me that daddy plays trains with him. I've been feeling guilty lately about spending enough "quality" time with the boys, so I asked O what I do with him...he told me...sit on the couch. YIKES!! Score one for the mommy guilt.
The boys continue to do well in school. I love S's papers...105% on a Social Studies test, 106% on a spelling test...and he's getting A's on his Math tests too!
M is breezing through in his typical fashion. He still says he's bored and that the work is too easy - but he loves that he gets three recesses still.
O has been doing work with me at home and is learning the rest of his letters. I fear he's a little behind where the older boys are...in fact, I know he's behind M. M was reading by this age. I know all kids are different though. For all the letter knowledge O lacks, he has twice the common sense of his older brothers.
M's diabetes seems to be under good control and the doctors don't seem concerned with his B12 levels anymore. I think it was more of an oddity that they wanted to check out than anything.
All in all, we are a blessed family. We want for nothing - the Lord has continued to provide for us above and beyond what we need.
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