Itch-fest 2010

So I'm not a meteorologist and I'm not a ground hog, but I can without a doubt tell you that spring is not too far off.

How is it I can say this? Sure if you look at the calendar it shows that spring is drawing closer. However, for me the sure sign of spring being around the corner is hives.

At the beginning of every spring and fall I get hives. Like clockwork. I'm more reliable then that dumb groundhog and more accurate then any of the meteorologists. I should get paid to let people know when I get these flippin' hives.

This morning I woke up itching. Upon investigation I found hives.I spent the morning passing on the news that "Spring is on it's way" to my mom, Becky, and Andy. They are all very excited over my hives. Mainly because they know that it is a true sign. I also think they just like to see me miserable.

Tonight has actually gotten to the point that I took one of my pills that helps with the itchiness. Normally I go as long as I can without taking something for it. Try to walk it off or ignore it until it is unbearable. Today, however, they are really bad already. In the past my hives start off with a couple here or there and then slowly build up to being downright annoying. This year though, they are different. I already have them on arms, legs, and on the back and palms of my hands. I'm unsure if I'm getting more sensitive over the years or if Spring is just coming rapidly this year.

Either way...I itch!

If I wake up with them on the bottom of my feet in the morning, you will know by the howls you hear coming from my direction.

Sick and Tired

This weekend has been...hectic. And by hectic I mean that everyone needs to step back because I'm about to fall face forward to the floor. I will then mumble some sounds that no one will be able to understand. Just nod and walk away at this point please because if I have to look up to face anyone I may be tempted to glare one of those "mom" glares in your direction.

On Saturday I gave in to my coughing and feeling like crap and went to Urgent Care. It was there that I found out that I have Bronchitis and was put on antibiotics along with my inhaler and am suppose to continue to cuddle with my Nyquil every night to get good sleep.

Spending the weekend on the go probably didn't help much as I'm now exhausted and wishing I could just do nothing. Of course, there is the fact that as I sit here trying to rest and do nothing, I am also thinking about all the things that I should be working on and getting done.

I'm not so good at the resting and doing nothing part of being sick. When I was younger I would get sick and keep pushing myself until my mom 'grounded me'. Yes, I got grounded for being sick. It's because I wouldn't just let myself get better that she would make me take time and stay down. It worked, but who is going to ground me now because seriously I can't tell myself to slow down. As soon as I do I look at my planner and see all the upcoming things and start running again.

For now though...I'm off to take my shot of Nyquil and get a little rest.

February 25, 2010

I started a post earlier today, but somehow it didn't come all together yet and the night is drawing to an end. So, for the night I'm putting the other post on the back burner to simmer til tomorrow and whipping up a replacement post for tonight's position.

Today the girls came off the bus asking about going to the schools' Movie Night tonight. I had seen the info come home, but was kinda hoping that the girls wouldn't want to go or would forget about it. Have I mentioned the tiredness? Or the sickness? Or the justwantingtostayhomeness?

Well, my hopes didn't come to fruition as the principal made an announcement at the end of the day and some of their friends said they were going. The first thing out of each of the girls' mouths when they saw me was about the Movie Night. So I said that we'd see and that I would talk to daddy and Auntie Becky (who we were spending the evening with also)

We did end up going to the school with sleeping bags and pillows in tow. Kalli brought her blanket and they both whined about not having brought stuffed animals. Also, I felt a little guilty about not letting them wear their jammies as most everyone there had their jammies on. Just add that to the list of guilt-givers for me. Let's also add to that list the fact that I'm sure this is just how Becky wanted to spend her evening...sitting in a elementary school gym watching a childrens' movie. Boy, I know how to show people a good time. For a good time call : 1-800-go-paula!

The movie that was playing was "Up!" and it is a pretty good movie. The girls enjoyed themselves...for the most part. There was some drama because Kalli couldn't see....Cassie's friends kept moving to get a better view...it was warm in the gym...and at one point Cassie was crying because she was tired. Why was she tired? Because it was dark. And she was warm. And she shoulda bought an animal with.

Oiy! That is how I felt about that one. I went to get her a drink and when I came back her friends were over talking to her so I gave them some time with her and she was better. YEAH for friends!

The complaints ended just in time for the movie to finish and for the party to be over. Then there were the I-don't-want-to-go tears. Seriously...there are days that it is amazing that I have hair left in my head. I just keep taking deep breaths.

Speaking of which....deep breaths.... I have figured out something. LaMaze isn't for actually birthing a child. Once you are in that searing pain who the hell cares about breathing? If you pass out maybe someone else will do the work and you can wake up to a pretty baby and no memories of the entire process (mind you, I had 2 c-sections and never took LaMaze) My epiphany is that LaMaze is actually given so that when your children are at the age where they can test limits, push buttons, and have drama you are able to breathe your way through it with nice deep cleansing breaths and make it through the moment without putting the human race in danger. It is also along the same line of reasoning that fussy or colicky babies are made extremely cute. So mothers don't eat their young. Survival of the species.

And speaking of survival of the species....I'm heading to bed. I need the extra sleep so that I can hopefully kick this cold and therefore make it through the girls day off tomorrow.

February 23, 2010

It started about a week ago. Kalli was running a low grade fever and doing some coughing.

A few days later Andy was complaining of a sore throat.

I felt like I was ducking and dodging germs left and right, trying to avoid coughs and dirty kleenex, and in general loving my children without touching them.

It didn't work. Over the weekend we spent Saturday afternoon at a local indoor water park and by the end of the day my throat was feeling strained. I attributed it to chlorine in the air and trying to talk over the water and people. However, the next day it wasn't better. In fact...it was somewhat worse. I spent part of Sunday silently cursing my children. I still didn't feel better at the end of the day and Andy had added vitamin C pills to our regiment.

On Monday I had Brady and Kaitlynn during the day. Brady was congested and just a little fussier then usual. And in case you are wondering...he is not a fan of having his nose snot-sucked. Kaitlynn was congested, had a runny nose, and was coughing some. And a little sassier then normal. I'm blaming this change on her not feeling the best and teething...simply because I can NOT handle the thought of her going into the sassy stage already. Kaitlynn is getting some of her molar teeth...2 on top and 1 on bottom - at least that I've been able to see. Have you ever thought about sticking your fingers in a 14 month old's mouth? I have, but I also like to type and have use of all my fingers. Therefore, I am sticking to just getting glimpses when she opens her mouth wide enough.

Today, Brady was still congested but for the most part you couldn't tell he is sick. He had lots of smiles to share though and seemed to be making the best of it. Look....already sucking it up. :)

Kaitlynn still had a runny nose and you could tell she was just not herself. Again...blaming it on teeth and cold. One of the things I found myself doing several times today was grabbing a little 14 month old and wiping her nose as she squirmed and cried trying to get away. Not my idea of a good time, but you do what needs to be done.

I, myself, have been coughing all day and have gone back to using my asthma inhaler. My chest feels heavy and to sum things up...I feel icky. And Yes, that is the medical term. I'm now to the point of the evening where symptoms get worse and the body just goes downhill at a rapid rate. A little while ago I grabbed my sweater because suddenly I'm freezing. My head hurts, but more in an achy numb way with the feeling of withdrawals tossed in there. My arms, chest, and neck feel like they can't quite support anything and like at any moment I may be seeing myself from a different view. My head on the floor looking up at my arm that is dangling from the desk disconnected from my body. No blood though please...I don't want it to be gory. I'm just hoping that when this does happen Andy will be able to put me back together again. Or I may end up like Humpty Dumpty.

And in case you were wondering. I am running a fever. I almost never run fevers. It is when I have a fever that I know that I'm quite sick.

However, I have to better by morning because I have to volunteer at school until I come home and have Kaitlynn for the remainder of the day. I know...I don't ask for a lot.

Alright...I'm off to huddle in the fetal position in bed cuddling my bottle of Nyquil to my bosom in hopes that magical fairies will come during the night and cure me.

And because I'm such a nice person...I'll leave you with some pictures. The first ones are of my girlies...they are getting so flippin big. And then some of my favorite little boy. I've been working on trying to get some good ones taken of him and soon would like to get some of him with Kaitlynn and then the 4 little peanuts in my life. (Cassie, Kalli, Kaitlynn, and Brady) I'm also working on possibly setting up a little photo shoot area in my home. Excitement!

Cassie is really starting to look grown up. Glamorous almost. It makes the mommy in me wanna cry.

Then there is my baby...Kalli. She isn't such a baby anymore.

Gosh this little boy has stolen my heart. He is just so cute. That adorable dimple and those blue eyes....Oiy!

I LOVE this picture!! He was in his car seat and his hat had slid down over his eyes while he was asleep.

And those cheeks....they are begging to be kissed.

Let's make believe I'm a horse.

If I was a horse, I would in the midst of getting put out of my misery. Since last night, I've gone downhill with a cough that won't give in and a bit of a drippy nose. I'm now hacking up a lung and praying that my head doesn't explode. Seriously....my head is just throbbing from the pressure and pain. I think part of the problem is that I have my shunt in my head and it only allows so much fluid through at a time. When pressures increase from coughing, the fluid can't move very fast and it causes pain. Lots of pain. And a little light-headed-ness. And during coughing fits things in my vision start to go black. Now I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure that is a bad thing.

I keep waiting to wake up on the floor with Andy looking over me. Nice Trip??

In the meantime, here is my new best friends.


Aren't they beautiful??

September 8, 2009

Today was the first day that Cassie and Kalli rode buses to school. And other then a little nerves on Cassie's part, I have to say that it went surprisingly well. It helped that Kalli knew that she would know Cassie's friend on her bus. Cassie rode her own bus, a medical transport. We are hoping to get Kalli changed over to Cassie's bus so that Cassie has someone to talk to and also I don't have to catch two buses that are coming at the same time in two different locations.

I mean, I'm talented, but have yet to find a way to duplicate myself.
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After the girls were off to school things were pretty quiet. About 2 days ago I ended up catching some sort of cold and it went directly for my head/chest. (I know...colds always go for the weak areas.) I received a phone call from the girls' school. Let me just say that as a parent, when the school that your children are at comes up on the caller id, it is hard not to get a lump in your throat.

Ends up that during gym today Cassie was playing kick ball and as she went to kick she fell backwards and hit her head. It is the school's policy to notify parents anytime that a student bumps their head. Which is actually a pretty good policy, in my opinion.

When Cassie got off bus tonight the first thing she did was to show me that she had a band-aid on her elbow. I asked about how she managed to fall and she said that she was actually trying to get the ball because it was rolling to the side. Therefore, she was hopping after the ball trying to get to itso she could kick it. And because she is so graceful, then hopped onto the ball and went falling backwards as the ball rolled in the opposite direction. She hit her head and elbow and cried for a brief bit. They helped pick her up and took her to the office to get cleaned up.

I sent an email tonight to Cassie's physical therapist because I am finding that Cassie is falling a lot more lately. The other day she fell coming into the house and landed hard on her hip...on the edge of the cement step. She didn't break anything, luckily, but was very sore for the remainder of the evening and had a nice bruise to show for it. I'm hoping her therapist can go over how to fall correctly with her because I fear that one of these times when she falls she is going to break an arm with her crutches. How on Earth would she crutch or roll her wheelchair without using one of her arms? There is no question that I'm sure she'd figure something out, but I'm still hoping to avoid it.
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In other news, this past weekend we found out that my brother, Tony, and his girlfriend, Kelli, are engaged. I'm so excited for the both of them. CONGRATULATIONS TONY AND KELLI!!

To share or not to share....

No I haven't been buried alive by an avalanche of boxes. From time to time the maze through the empty boxes and piles gets to be a little overwhelming and I can honestly say that I am exhausted. But I'm not buried, so that is something.

Everyday I pack up boxes and move them out to the garage. And everyday the girls ask how much time is left until we move. We are down to twelve days and counting. I've been working on lists of all the places that I have to change our address with, who will be helping us, what is yet to do, and where it is my brain could have been lost at.

Speaking of brain...I have a serious topic to go to. I debated on whether or not to share this, but this is one place that I can be honest and if I can't share here...then why do I have this site? Right?

So here I go. **Deep Breath**

As you may or may not know, I suffer from Depression and Anxiety Disorder. I went through a good part of my life feeling like something was wrong with me. I couldn't tell you a time that I felt "normal". I felt like I didn't fit in anywhere and I wasn't happy. I had thoughts during that time, that now when I think back to them, scare me. I've now been on meds of some sort since high school and I'd say that since about 1999/2000 things have felt controlled. And by that I mean that I have felt 'normal', able to cope, and somewhat controlled. I still have a bad day now and then, but it no longer feels like the end of the world and I know that it is just one day out of my entire life.

Last summer, however, I found that my anxiety was getting worse and I felt that I was having more "off" days. I spoke with my doctor who looked into upping my meds. We were able to and I was informed at that time that if this increase in dosage didn't help, I would have to change medications because I was topped off at the highest dose they would allow on my current medication. I made the change and hoped for the best.

We're about a year later now and because I'm such a wonderful procrastinator, I've put off calling the doctor. My anxiety level is at what feels like an all time high, I can't sit still and am very twitchy. (And that is putting it mildly...my mom told me the other day that I was making her sea sick because of how much I was bouncing my legs.) I have melt downs several times a week and sleeping seems like a super place to be most of the day. I know that I need to go in and talk about switching my prescription, but here is what no one understands. Changing my meds scares the living shit out of me. What if I have to go off of my current meds first? What if what they put me on doesn't work? I don't want to go back to feeling how I was before I was ever on meds. Those thoughts that I used to have come back to the forefront of my mind and give me nightmares. How will I be able to operate on a daily basis? I have children to care for. I can't care for them properly if I can't take care for myself.

I have taken the first step though. I made the call today and scheduled an appointment to see my doctor to get the ball rolling. Fortunately, or unfortunately, there was a cancellation for tomorrow morning so I go in tomorrow. It is like it was meant to be.

I can honestly tell you that when you are dealing with Depression or Anxiety, getting on the correct meds is live changing. It is like turning on a light when you are living in the dark. All of a sudden there is color, and music, and life. You feel like you can breathe and deal with everyday situations that use to be too overwhelming. And that is why I decided to share this and hit the publish button. I'm not ashamed to have Depression and Anxiety, but it isn't something that I've really never shared. I'm hoping that soon I can report that I'm back to feeling 'normal' again. Or at least my usual normal.

May 31, 2009

Allergies are kicking my behind. I feel like this week I've spent my days sitting staring into space while inhaling and exhaling. And that alone was exhausting. Usually I end up covered in itchy hives by this point of the year, however this year I haven't had a horrible time with hives. Instead I find myself wheezing and wondering why it is so necessary to breathe. I don't know what changed that now has my allergies becoming more respiratory and I'm not sure weather to be thankful or not. I appreciate not having to scratch obsessively as if infested with fleas and I enjoy not being covered in scabs that prove that I was scratching obsessively. However, I don't enjoy the looks I get as wheeze, turn a beautiful shade of red and cough up a half a lung. Fortunately, I hear you can survive on only 1.5 lungs. The best part of today was after one of my coughing fits. As I sat there gasping, trying to get oxygen back to my system, Kalli came over, rubbed my back, and said, "you have allergies, don't you?" I do love that girl!
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Just for the record, I am working on a real post. It seems that when your head is stuffy and you feel crappy, humor and writing are slow at coming. Wondering what I've been doing lately? Refer back to the above and the sitting while inhaling and exhaling. Breathing is hard work when it doesn't want to come naturally.

And in answer to my brother's comment to Kalli's Birthday post. At first when I asked Kalli what her favorite present was she said she didn't know...there were too many to choose from. By the next day though, she was saying her big Tinker Bell doll. However, in fairness to other gift givers, if you gave outdoor things, she hasn't gotten a lot of time to play with them. Due to the 3 days of rain this past week and the fact that she does have to attend that pesky school. Luckily, she only had one and a half weeks of school left. She is done on the 10th of June, while Cassie is done on the 11th. Can you hear the excitement in the air?

. . . - - - . . .

Help...

Andy stayed home from work today because he isn't feeling good and didn't get much sleep last night. Kalli was home sick again today. And Cassie got off bus today complaining of a sore throat.

I'm getting out the Holy Water and can of Lysol. I'm considering buying rubber gloves and a hepa mask to wear while caring for the sickies. Each time they cough or sneeze I will spray the air around them and hope that it doesn't infect me.

Please send help or at least pray for me. You wouldn't happen have an extra room at your place until I can have my place is fumigated...would you?
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And in case you are confused about the 'title' of this post....it is Morris Code for S. O. S.

April 6, 2009

Yesterday the girls were both having issues with allergies. the day turned into evening it was obvious that Kalli's issues weren't just allergies. A little before bed I took her temperature and she was at 100.1 degrees. A dose of acetaminophen, some cuddling, and about half hour later she was off to bed.

This morning Kalli woke coughing and I decided to keep the peanut home. She spent the majority of her day sitting on the couch playing on the laptop and laying down watching tv. The only things she put into her belly was some soup and some cinnamon/sugar toast. The girl even asked for water over other beverages. If that doesn't convince you that she is a sick little girl look at the picture I took tonight before bed. And after she took a 4 hour nap.



I don't know what is up with the bloodshot area on her eye and is it just me or do those eyes look sick and bruised? This is how Kalli's eyes get when she is sick. I don't know if she rubs them more or what, but they get very bruised looking. My poor fair-skinned peanut.

The only venturing outside that we did was for scheduled dentist appointments for both the girls. Kalli had her first ever x-rays and cleaning, Cassie had a cleaning. Both girls did wonderfully and have no cavities. Yeah girls! At least we seem to be doing something right.
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Lastly, because I didn't do a post last night, I need to do a birthday shout out a day late (sorry). Yesterday was my brother-in-law, Tim's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMMY!!

February 17, 2009

I crawled into bed last night and had a very hard time getting my legs to relax. I was sore and my hip was screaming at me. Just about the time I was beginning to drift off to sleep, Cassie came into the room. Her stomach and throat felt funny and her back was hurting. I let her lay on the floor to sleep but it was quickly evident that she wasn't settling down. I asked what was going on and found out that she was beginning to feel like she was going to be sick. I obtained a container for her and sat with her for over an hour as she shook from feeling overheated and then getting too cold. All in all that feeling that you get when you feel like you are going to be sick and then go into wishing to get it over with. She did exactly that. Cassie began with saying that she is a little scared to throw up, went onto I don't like feeling like this, and finally got to why can't I just throw up already. Finally around 1 this morning we were able to get to sleep. Cassie slept the rest of the night fine and woke up this morning feeling normal. I, however, kept her home because I wanted to monitor her. And, because I was too tired to argue with Kalli, I let her stay home too as a mental health day. Mommy needed a mental health day.

The girls played quietly and nicely all morning and even did a puzzle together. By themselves. I was very impressed with the fact that they put this 100 piece puzzle together by themselves that I took pictures.

Later in the day I was able to get some help cleaning. They actually offered to help.

Kalli wet Swiffered the bathroom and Cassie wet Swiffered the kitchen for me. Cassie dusted and Kalli picked up all the toys that were out in the living room. Funniest part of cleaning was after Kalli had finished the bathroom. I was doing dishes and she came to me and said, "You'll never go back to your old mop and broom again." Hey Swiffer...do you need a new spokesperson?

If the girls stay this cooperative this summer should be a breeze. Once or twice a week we'll get our cleaning done and they will have jobs to help out. And I'm considering throwing in the jobs I don't want to do as things they have to do if I hear the words 'I'm bored'. For instance...cleaning under the stove, dusting/wiping down the moldings around the base of rooms, or washing cabinet fronts. I could get a lot accomplished :)

February 9, 2009

Why yes, I am a slacker. Thanks for noticing.

Posts have been slim lately because by the time I get to the part of the night where I usually sit down to write them, I'm too tired to care about writing them. For some reason by 8:00 rolls around and the girls are in bed, all I want to do is play a game or two on the computer before crawling into bed to watch a little tv with the hubby. Lame excuse, huh?

How about the fact that I got too cocky telling people that we haven't been sick yet this winter and it bit me in the arss. Saturday night, much to my dismay, my throat started feeling sore. That night I didn't sleep much as I was up blowing my nose in hopes to be able to breathe every half hour. By the time we got to church Sunday morning, all I wanted to do was lay down and sleep. My throat was hurting and I was feeling congested and out and about with live people was the last place I wanted to be. Sunday I took care to drink more water then usual, avoid things that would hurt my throat, and took an extra vitamin C before bed. This morning, my throat still sore, I sucked on a Halls as I got the kids off to school. Then I headed for a hot shower to hopefully steam the ick out of me. I'm happy to report that my throat isn't as bad, but I'm still draining. More vitamin C tonight and I'm hoping that tomorrow the sun is out with the warmth we are suppose to get (it's suppose to get up to 51. Woo Hoo!) and I can get outside for even a little bit to soak up some vitamin D. Maybe a bombardment of vitamins will make this cold leave my house. A girl can hope.
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I haven't decided if it was my talking about not being sick that jinxed me or if it was the fact that we spent 3 hours on Saturday at The Building for Kids. Not that I'm saying there is anything wrong with The Building for Kids, in fact the girls had an absolute blast. It's just that when you go to a place where young children run around wiping noses, sucking thumbs, coughing and then they are playing with the things that your family is now walking around touching and playing with....it's bound to end with someone getting sick. I have to admit that there was part of me that, as we were walking back to the van, thought about getting out my spray hand sanitizer out and disinfecting us all before heading home. But I didn't want to be that mom. The one who is just a little too germaphobic.
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Lastly, I uploaded some pictures to my picture site...they are from November 2008 until present. Here they are. Enjoy!

November 16, 2008

While at my parents this weekend I was able to get some pictures of the squirrel that lives in their backyard. He/She is cute and enjoys driving Snickers (my parents' dog) absolutely crazy. My dad said that he has actually seen two squirrels so maybe they are going to start a family now?? Wouldn't Snickers love that?



Andy and Kalli are battling with small colds. Just congestion and such. I've been telling them to stay the hey away from me and keep it to themselves. My reason? There is a baby that could be born any day and I'm not going to miss being able to see and hold this baby because the two of them got me sick. Therefore, I'm trying to take care of them without going near them or letting them breathe in my direction. I'm bumpin' up my vitamin C intake and washing hands more. If I do get sick you'll be able to find me in my bed crying until it goes away.

(here is a picture that I hadn't gotten around to putting up of the plaster mold that I for Trina of her belly. I love it. She can hang it in the baby's room until she tires of it and then toss it or whatever she wants to do with it.)

Scooby Doo, where are you?

A crime has been committed and I need your help to solve it. Something was stolen from me. Something precious and near and dear to me. Only you can help me.

When I woke this morning I found that it was Monday. Somehow, while I was sleeping, my weekend was stole from me. The only trace left behind of the weekend is a pile of apples, 6 pumpkins, and assorted pictures. Somehow the thief also stole my memories because I don't recall much of anything.

Honestly, though, you ever have one of those weekends?

Friday night Cassie had Cheerleading Clinic. She had a blast as usual. Kalli is looking forward to when she can go starting next year and stole Cassie's pom poms as soon as clinic was over.


Saturday Andy worked a normal 7-3 shift. This sucked big time. The girls and I picked him up from work and proceeded to the Zoo for Trick-or-treating. After we finished at the zoo we returned to my parents and the girls spent the night there. I was very achy and just wanted to go home to bed. So I did.

Sunday EARLY morning. I woke and spent a good amount of time in the bathroom sick. When the alarm went off for church, I started crying. I was tired, aching everywhere, nauseous, and just wanted some one to shoot me. But being a mommy (aka: Non-selfish person that will do anything for a little person that doesn't realize what is being done for them) that I am, I sucked it up knowing that we were to go to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard with Andy's parents after Sunday school. I kept myself drugged so that I could somewhat function, but still...Sunday sucked.

At 3:00pm Sunday we finally got home and I went directly to bed. Did not pass go, did not collect $200. I pretty much slept until the alarm went off this morning at 7:00am. Today I feel much better but a little on the weak side and very disoriented.

Now to share some of the cute things I do remember.

At the apple orchard, Kalli was eating an apple and informed me that she didn't like the nuts. When I looked at her wondering what on earth she was talking about, I saw that she was eating the seeds. I told her that she was eating the seeds and not nuts, she said, "Oh... I don't like the seeds." Hello, beautiful! You're not suppose to eat the seeds!!

Cassie on the other hand just had a hard time eating it at all. Something about having a missing upper tooth and 4 other loose teeth.

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In parting let me share this with you. Earlier today Andy and I were talking about someone who is in the public eye and I said "I'm sure he is older then my dad." Kalli looks at me and says, "He's gotta be like 15." Oh, to be 4.

It's all Andy's fault.

It's all Andy's fault.

About mid week last week he came down with a cold. Mainly just sinus-ick, but a cold just the same. Last night I started getting the runny nose and not feeling 'right'. Today I am battling being cold, then hot along with a sore throat. Tonight the girls seemed congested. I took temperatures and sure enough they are running fevers. I gave them each a dose of medicine and sent them off to bed.

It's all Andy's fault.

You may have noticed the decrease in posts. This is because I have to share the computer with Andy and his new game.

See...it is all his fault. :)

I promise to try to post tomorrow during the day, but make no promises. Depends how I'm feeling and if I get time. (I'm working on some ladies lunch/baby shower stuff. Things I can't share until after this next weekend because a certain lady friend might read about my 'surprises'. Hi Trina!!)

August 5, 2008

Today was a long and exhausting day.

It started at 7:30 this morning. Whoever made that time in the A.M. is a crazy person who should be shot. By 8:15, the girls and I are ready to leave home to head to Vacation Bible Camp. We've had about 5 melt downs, I've raised my voice only once, and I'm ready to get this week over with and put the kids to bed.

I know that they are tired. Long, active days combined with being in the heat more then they are used to equals not happy children. Today was going to be another long day as Cassie was scheduled to go to the zoo.

I get the kids in their classes and I sit to chat with some people. After about 10 minutes the head of Kalli's classes comes to find me. (They know that I'm staying in the church to avoid wasting gas running back home) Kalli is sobbing and asking for me. She is wondering if I want her to try sticking it out or if I want to talk with her to try calming her down. I chose to talk with her. I get her calmed, but every time I talk about putting her back with her 'friends' she starts crying again. Knowing that I have to leave with Cassie's class to head to the zoo, I give in and pull Kalli out of class. She comes with to the zoo and the crying is done. For now.

The zoo was fun, but hot. The temperature in the sun got up to 93 degrees while we were there. We walked around for about two hours. Now in case you didn't know, let me tell you, two hours in 93 degree weather SUCKS! As I load the girls back into the van to head back to church, we are all tired, sweaty, and irritable. Kalli is out within five minutes. Cassie is just about out when we get back to church.

I drop Cassie off at her class and Kalli and I head to a side room to have a little lunch with my mom. I suck down a large soda in hopes it'll cool me down a little. It works, very briefly.

Long story short. It was a very long day. I got the girls home from everything we had to do early enough to bathe them, let them settle some while hair dried, and head to bed early. I'm hoping that tomorrow is a better day. In the theme of Bible Camp, here is my prayer...

Dear God, Let me make it through this week. Let us enjoy camp while staying as cool as possible. Let the melt downs be few and give me patience not to freak at the ones that happen. And please, please let Kalli separate from me long enough to enjoy camp at least a little. AMEN!
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In other news...

August 6th....the day you are probably reading this...is a very special anniversary. And I would like to let everyone know about it.

It is the one year anniversary of my brain surgery. Last year on the 6th of August, I had my shunt put in. Here is to seeing without flashes of lights and to no migraines!!

August 1, 2008

First off...Yes it is a new month. Yes there is no new banner. I'm working on it. Give me some slack, please.

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Next week is Vacation Bible Camp for the girls and I will be spending a majority of my days volunteering and waiting for them to finish for the day. This sounds good except for the fact that camp goes from 9-3 for Cassie each day and that I'll only be volunteering for half days each day. This means that there is about 3 hours each day that I will have to try to keep myself busy on the other side of town. So far I'm planning on bringing books with me and maybe my laptop to play games on. What else can I do for 3 hours a day for 5 days straight? I hate to waste gas driving anywhere too far and there is only so much window shopping that a girl can do.

Here's to hoping that 15 hours aren't too many to fill with...not much of anything. UGH!

Counting down the days

Guess what!! I'm still sick. My body obviously got the memo on almost being 30 and has decided to rebel. Only 2 days to go until the big 3-0.

On my birthday we will be heading to the Milwaukee Zoo. Sound like a good time? No, I didn't think so either. But I didn't pick the date. It'll be fun for the girls though and I still get to go out that night, so I'll survive too. Well, that is if it isn't blazing hot while we walk around a huge zoo, and if i don't get eaten by any animals, and if my body doesn't get me by then, and if....well, you get the point. I should live.

If I don't though, at least I made it to 30.

April 25, 2008

It is 12:50 in the afternoon right now and I'm doing my blog because I won't be home tonight to write it up.

As I type this I'm at the library, Kalli is running around with a new friend that she just made, and we're awaiting Becky's lunch time to get here. We will be going to lunch with her and then Kalli and I will be making our way over to drop Andy off at work. Tonight when I pick him up, we'll be heading out to the bars to help Becky celebrate her birthday. Mind you her birthday isn't until Monday, but for some reason, Mondays aren't very good days to go out to the bars. It has to do with work and all that jazz.
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Last night, or should I say this morning at 2:30, Cassie called me into her room. She didn't feel good. After moving her into my room and getting her settled, she did end up getting sick once. Then she fell asleep and I started not to feel the best. Since that time my stomach has been "icky" feeling, but I just try to keep moving. We did end up sending Cassie to school today. She was feeling fine and wasn't running a fever. I'm just hoping that this isn't a sign of sickness to come.

Popsicle, slushie, or water?

Today was Cassie's surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids. And for anyone that I haven't talked to today, she is doing well. As I'm typing this, she is sleeping in my bed. Snoring.

Andy has given up his bed for tonight, and possibly tomorrow (depending on how Cassie is doing) so that she can be close to me and I can monitor her. He is such a good daddy. I did give him a hard time though on how that meant he'd get a full night of sleep, and I wouldn't. He knows I'm only joking though...I wouldn't be able to sleep good if I couldn't monitor her at least for tonight.

Cassie came through the whole ordeal like a trooper. I'm so proud of how brave she can be and how good she handles pain. I am a little worried about tomorrow though because I know that a lot of the time the day after is worse then the day of. We'll be sure to try and stay on top of the pain.

Today Cassie was upset because she was hungry and I couldn't let her eat anything. The first 24 hours she is only allowed cold liquids. I agree it is cruel and unusual punishment...Popsicles, slushies, and cold clear liquids. But there is a reason to the madness...keep swelling down. Try explaining this to a hungry 7 year old though. And then try telling her not to cry because she is going to make her throat hurt more. I felt like I was the meanest mom ever! Tomorrow we move onto soft foods (soft eggs, oatmeal, mac-n-cheese, etc) and continue cold liquids. I even went out and bought her favorite Pasta Roni to make it a little easier. I'm a little concerned about this move to solids though because she threw up once tonight. Not sure the why of this, but I can say that it didn't help to make the throat any more happy. We'll take things slow tomorrow.

I really hope that this surgery aides in her sleep issues. The doctor said that her tonsils and adenoids were very big. On a scale with 4 being the biggest she was a 3 or 3.5 he said. However, we can't judge if the surgery helped with sleeping until all the swelling goes down...in about 3 weeks.

(Sleeping angel, after surgery)