Studies, Snow, Sickies, Shopping & More!

Whew! What a busy week!

The girls and I checked into UAB Hospital Thursday night for the 2nd part of the Americo study they were participating in. This was a clinical research trial to help find a cause for juvenile diabetes. We heard about it from our homeschool group. To qualify, you had to be between the ages of 7-12, not in full blown puberty yet, not diabetic and Caucasian, Hispanic or African American. They got free physical exams, activity tests, DNA screenings for heritage, measurements, etc. and then each of them got a $150 VISA gift card! Plus mommy got $30 compensation for gas, time and parking.

I almost couldn't find where we were supposed to go. But fortunately, God let us run into my friend Jan from Bunco who works at UAB and even though she was on her way home for the night, she very graciously helped us find our way.

I was a little apprehensive about checking into UAB. I mean, that is where Jeff had his first surgery for Crohn's and they nearly killed him! Long story but they took great care of us. We weren't near any actual sick people and Alexandra (the study coordinator) was so sweet and brought them gameboys and of course they had tv. They also got to stay in the same room together in a queen-size bed. It was kind of a rough night for mommy. I couldn't get to sleep in the recliner as I could not get it to stay reclined! So I got in bed with the girls and that wasn't very comfortable either. But we did okay.

And of course, they fed us and for hospital food, let me say it was fabulous. The girls got kid food--cheeseburger, french fries, dessert, etc. plus a snack for later and mommy got pork chop, mashed potatoes & peas. The next morning, the breakfast was divine--pancakes, sausage, bacon, cereal, grits, biscuit, etc. However, the girls could not eat until they were through with all their tests. They had to get IV's which was the worst part of the whole experience. But even that wasn't terrible. The wonderful nurses used numbing cream so they didn't feel a thing. It was just difficult keeping their arms still for so long. They also did some kind of carbon dioxide test to measure how much carbon dioxide they exhaled within a certain amount of time. When the tests were finally over--around noon, they got to eat both breakfast AND lunch! They were thrilled and of course were even happier when Alexandra came by with their cards. Brooke couldn't wait to spend hers and would have done so before leaving the hospital if I'd have let her. They even had a security guard walk us to our car to make sure we were safe getting home.

Even though we were exhausted, we had to go to Walmart and get groceries for the big "snow" that was coming. Though I rarely put much stock in what the weather people say anymore, we needed groceries anyway. But I was glad I went because even though things didn't get too terrible, it did indeed snow!

I can take this kind of snow anytime. The power didn't go out and the roads were still safe. It just snowed enough for the kids to be able to play in it and have fun.





Their "snow brother", Brooke says before he was viciously decapitated by the neighborhood hoodlums!



Jeff also got another deer, his second for the season and I don't know what number that makes altogether. I lost count a long time ago. But he was excited and so was I--more meat for the freezer, even though I want to try and give up meat at some point!

He is planning on joining a club next season so he won't be at the mercies of publicly managed land. But even so, two for a season is not too bad and we still have one more weekend to go. So who knows, maybe Dylan will get one!



Saturday night, Brooke started to get sick. She started out complaining that her head was hurting but she's not one for medication so she went to bed early with a cold rag on her head. By morning, she was running a fever so I started giving her Motrin. She was really upset because she'd planned for her BFF Briahna to come over to spend the night that night. I told her we'd have to wait and see if maybe we could get her fever to go down. We couldn't. So not only did we have to cancel our sleepover, mommy also had to call her friend Lynne to come and get Kayti because Camp Fire had a trip planned to see the Pompeii exhibit that day. And since mommy was stuck at home with a very sick Brooke, sweet Lynne agreed to give her a ride. She didn't say much about the exhibit, just that it was interesting.

Brooke's fever reached its highest point later that evening. It had been consistently 103 all day, even though I'd been giving her motrin and tylenol and bathing her in a cold tub, letting her sip coke, etc. But nothing would make it come down and the last time I took it, I got a reading of 107. I think my heart completely stopped! There is nothing scarier than your child being sick like that. By that time, Jeff and Dylan were home and Dylan was feeling puney and Jeff said there is no way she could be 107. I took my own temp just to test the thermometer and I got a 97.5, which is what I usually am (hey, I'm cold-blooded, don't ya know!) and so I was freaking out. I called my mom and she agreed to come stay with Kayti & Dylan and we got ready to go to the ER. I went ahead and put her in the tub again and she screamed the entire time. I know it felt cold to her and the entire time I was thinking about a friend of mine from the 'net whose child is battling cancer! It was breaking my heart for her to be screaming about something that was supposed to be making her better, I could only imagine what my friend goes through each time her son has to have chemo or some other procedure done. Carrie, you are definitely my hero! I know that God gives us all the strength that we need when we need it but I honestly don't know how I'd handle it.

Before mom made it out to our house, Jeff insisted on taking her temp again and he got a reading of 102.5. Still high, but not nearly 107! I don't know what I could have done to get a reading of 107! So we ended up not going to the ER, just watching her closely, keeping up with the motrin, tylenol, etc. and by morning the fever had broken. (Thank you, God!!!)

But Dylan, even though he wasn't feverish, was still feeling sick and slightly nauseous. But I think he was just tired. Jeff forgets sometimes that even though Dylan is very smart, mature and athletic, etc. that he is still just a kid. And hanging out in the woods all day when the temperature is in the teens can really take it out of you! So he didn't get to wrestle Monday but that's okay.

Since Brooke had to miss her sleepover and her field trip, I told her she could call Bri and I let Kayti call her friend and we all went to lunch and shopping at the Galleria! I think they had a great time! We went in every kid and girly store they had--three Claire's stores, Libby Lou's, Build-a-Bear, KB, Bath & Body Works, etc. Then we stopped for smoothies!



They spent some of their UAB money and that made them happy. But they are trying to save the majority of it to get Mia, the new American Girl of the year 2008 and for horseback riding in the Spring. Brooke has fallen in love with riding since we went trail riding last year at Tannehill and she has become a fan of the Saddle Club show. Some days I think if these girls find any more interests I will absolutely faint. They are way too much like me!

We started on a new curriculum homeschooling yesterday. I added more Language Arts than what we were doing using Spectrum books and we are studying early civilization in Social Studies and Rocks & Minerals in Science while we wait on our Bob Jones books that we bought from ebay. Mommy did not want to pay full price until she gets a good idea of what they are about. I am still singing the praises of Saxon Math and have found a wonderful new Bible study specifically for tweens! We've also added some art and Spanish to our curriculum. Daddy wants us to test this year. Mommy still isn't a big fan of tests but we're thinking and praying on it.

There is more that God is showing me this week that I'd love to tell you about. But Brooke is pulling at me to get off the computer so she can get on Webkinz so I guess I'll give in and say enough for now. I need to start dinner anyway!

Blessings!

Off to a shimmy-ing start!

Since I'm unable to find a bellydancing class that fits my schedule, I've tivo'd some programs from FitTv and have been shimmying away in my living room! I do wish I had mirrored walls--not that I enjoy watching myself be spastic but I would like to make sure my posture is good, etc. But this will have to do for now...

The change in our family's diet is gradual. Gradually cutting out some things and adding more healthy alternatives. I've been talking to a friend who went total vegan a few years ago and she is not an animal rights fanatic that I know of but is in it for the health benefits and she certainly sings its praises. I don't know that our family could ever pull it off but I do believe that animal products, given the way they are processed, aren't the safest things to consume. But then again, didn't we just have a problem with E Coli on lettuce? *sigh* I guess nothing is safe anymore unless you grow it or kill it yourself.

Speaking of which, Jeff's deer is ready for pickup! So we'll soon have some good meat in the freezer. At least I know how this animal was processed! LOL

Dylan started his new schedule when he went back to school on Monday. This semester he has Honors English, Sports Medicine, Athletics and Geometry. He was upset with his Geometry class saying it is too easy, that he's the only freshman in the class and how he wished he'd been able to get Honors Geometry but that his last year's teacher wouldn't approve it because he didnt' do so well the first term of the year (but that was a fluke). So I told him to go talk to his counselor and he did and she changed his schedule! She is a wonderful lady! She taught me and Jeff when we were in high school at Tarrant and is now a counselor at CCHS. I've always liked her and was thrilled when he got her for a counselor. She's awesome! So now he's happy.

Wrestling is almost over and he is wanting to get a job and save some money for a car. (yes, mommy is still nervous about having a kid who drives! I'm thinking I may need to up my prozac dosage)

The girls started back to dance this week but we missed Tuesday's classes because we had our UAB thing that afternoon. They are participating in a clinical study to help find a cause of diabetes. They have to wear a calorie burning monitor, answer some questions, took a 20 minute treadmill exercise test, got a bone density test, measured, weighed, all that good stuff. Then next Thursday, we check in for an overnight hospital stay to monitor them overnight. They'll have to get bloodwork done, DNA analyzed, drink that glucose stuff, etc. For doing all this, they each get a $150 VISA gift card and mommy gets $30 for gas. They are already thinking about what they want to spend their $150 on. It's looking like we will be taking a trip to the American Girl store soon!

We also started keeping Sara Catheryn and Aubrey on Monday afternoons this week so we can help get Sara Catheryn to dance. It went pretty well and I think the girls are loving having company.

We're about to head out for violin and all our Thursday errands. I'm hoping to be back before the storms hit!

Blessings!

Dresses, veils and tiaras!!!

Saturday, the girls and I accompanied my mom, two sisters and sister's girlfriend to look at wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.

Boy was that bridal shop packed out! There certainly are a lot of women getting married soon!!!

She (Mia) tried on three gowns. The first one was absolutely beautiful. I cried! I can't believe my baby sister is all grown up and getting married. Seems like just yesterday the little "man magnet" was singing in her underwear, "Ain't nuttin' but a hounddogger..." and screaming about wanting some "Reese's penis" in the grocery store!

But she decided the first one was a little TOO simple.


She really liked the lace up in the back of the second gown. But none of the rest of us were fans.




The third gown was a charm. It fit her so perfectly and she didn't need to try on anymore, she said. She'd found her dress!



So then Brooke tried on a similar flower girl gown.



It will need a bit of taking up here and there, as Brooke is, as you know, a stick. And we are not sure what color the sash will be until we know the color of the bridesmaids gowns. But at least that's two down and decided!


I think the bridesmaids gowns will be the biggest obstacle. It's hard to find something that is appropriate for three grown women AND an eleven year-old. But I will say that almost everything Kayti tried on looked great on her. Even in the "older" stuff she looked like a little lady. And I want to know, since she is built like me (almost) why I never looked that good in anything! LOL

But we had a good time and the big day will be here before we know it!

Humbled...

*sigh*

I don't even know where to begin. I am always always thankful for everything that I have been blessed with--the grace of God, a good, hardworking husband, three great kids who are healthy enough to drive me nuts at times, a wonderful mom, dad, sisters and extended family, great in-laws, good friends, a nice, clean comfortable home, two paid for dependable cars, the freedom to homeschool, etc.

And yet there are times when I worry. Worry that we'll be able to meet all our financial obligations, ever EVER get out of debt, provide our kids with the things they need and a few things they want, that Jeff's health will remain stable. And sometimes I wonder..wonder if I'll ever do some of the things I long to do--mission work, foster care, publish a book, move out to the country and get a few things my husband really wants.

For a long time, I've had an ache in my heart to have another baby or be a surrogate for a childless couple or foster or adopt or something REALLY important. Yes, I know being a mom to the three I have is really important and for now, I'm content that that is God's plan for me. He would have to work so many miracles for us to be able to do any of the other things I long to do and I know that He can if that's His will for me. So I'm trying to be patient and content and yet wondering why I keep focusing so much of my internal energy on this issue. Is this God's way of preparing me? Or the devil's way of torturing me?

Anyway, this morning I visited the blog of someone I know with a child who is battling cancer. Then I visited the blog of another teenager who is still recovering from a serious car accident six months ago. Both hit so close to home for me. I've never personally known a child with cancer but so many of my close family members have fallen victim to it. I can't imagine a child going through that same ordeal. And as I slowly prepare for my oldest to hit the dangerous roads, I shudder to think that in a moment, we could be dealing with a serious injury or an indescribable loss. I don't think I could live without one of my babies.

So why can't I just be happy for now while they are healthy and safe? Why do I covet things that simply aren't practical for us right now? Maybe it's to keep me caring about others..?

I just pray that God will continue to grant me the wisdom to FULLY realize how richly blessed I am and a feeling of peace and contentment. But also that He will continue to make me keenly aware of the needs of others and a genuine desire to help, not for my glory but for His.

Happy New Year 2008!!!

Wow! Personally, 2007 went by superfast for me! I wrapped up our first year of homeschooling, operated a summer day camp for inner city youth with one of my best friends, started bellydancing and did not get into further debt (though I'm still not out of debt either! LOL)

I'm hoping 2008 goes a little slower though I know with all my goals for the year and everything that I can already see on the horizon, I had better have my big girl panties on and pay close attention!!

How did we celebrate the coming of 2008? Well, we stayed home! My sisters had a party and I would liked to have went. But it wasn't a kid party and I really wanted to be with mine. I know a lot of people don't understand that and my little angels aren't, well, exactly angels. They definitely have their moments and I don't mind getting away from them once in a while. But I'm deeply proud of my children and very much in love with them, too! I enjoy spending time with them and I'm all too aware of how precious that time is. In just three short years, my oldest will be heading off to college and if the next three years go by anything like the last fifteen, I've GOT to make the most of absolutely EVERY moment.

So we went and got lots of yummy munchies--sausage balls, chicken fingers, cocktail weinnies, pizza rolls, chip & dip, etc. Yes, we had quite a spread!!! And we gorged! We also got an assortment of fireworks and the kids enjoyed doing them under our close supervision of course!

Although this one got blown over by the wind and shot underneath the van! Fortunately, nothing ignited! But for a moment there, I saw Merc's (my van) life pass before his very eyes!






The girls LOVE their sparklers!



The girls LOVE throwing those little whippersnapper things!





We also watched quite a bit of football!



Alabama won, Auburn won, Mississippi State won, Kentucky won, Tennessee won...so far I think only Arkansas and Florida have lost for the SEC! Woohoo!!


Playing outdoors at night was fun, too. It's not often we do that in the winter time.




The next day, we marinated some steaks, watched even MORE football and went on a hike. Jeff and Dylan often go fishing at Lower Shadow Lake (you can't see this one from the road) and sometimes they like to walk through the woods near there. Jeff told me once about finding the fireplace of an old homestead deep in the woods and I asked him to show it to me.



I'm going to try and find out who used to live here. I think it would be interesting to know a little local history.

Some other interesting finds from our hike:


This is some kind of cave. Not sure what lives in it and didn't really want to find out.





An old, rusty trailer that someone once lived in. There are shelves in it but it's obviously been empty for awhile.





Just one of many watersheds that gets its start in Clay.




Not sure who or where this barbed wire came from but it is growing right throught the trees so it's obviously been there awhile!



Wow! What a view!



The hike back was NOT fun! Yes, we climbed this steep, steep hill and then could not find a way down like Jeff thought he could! I was irritated, to put it mildly. But I got over it!



I ended up sliding down the hill about 10 feet on my behind in the wet, muddy leaves with the kids laughing at me! Fortunately, no one got a picture of THAT!!

Then we went home, had a nice, hot cup of cocoa and cooked dinner.

Have I made any New Years resolutions? Well, sort of. I always want to exercise more, eat better, save more money and pay down our debt. I guess I'll carry those over into 2008. But our number one priority as a family is to find a new church home. I know God has a church for us and I'm praying that He will lead us to it. We really miss being involved like we used to be and I know God led us away for a reason. I have no problem trusting Him. I do, sometimes, get impatient with His timing! But I'm getting better. With his grace and patience I will get there. I'll just have to keep praying for discernment in these matters.

Hope your New Year is blessed, too!

We got one!!!

Finally! In a week, my freezer will be full of wonderful, healthy venison! That should help stretch the grocery budget a bit!