hmmmm... grammar!

As I look back over the posts I have written, I can't help but notice the atrocious grammar that has been used. Yes, I am a homeschool mom. I even attended University where in first year scored in the 98th percentile on the English entrance examination. From there, I proceeded earn extremely high marks in all of my English courses. I have had professors keep my papers for extended periods of time because they needed to check my sources to ensure I had not "forgotten" to footnote some of my work. I've had "brilliant" and "wonderfully written" scripted across other scribblings of note so WHY do I use such pitiful language on my blog??

Because I can. I can even start a sentence with 'because' if I want to. I am no longer a gifted (or not so gifted) scholar, or a teacher ... I'm just me.
I don't have to be political here (though I love reading blogs of those who are!!), I have no axe to grind or statement to make (though I may someday)... I'm not looking to minister to others here (but if I do inadvertantly, hallelujah!), or start any debates. All I want to do is write whatever comes out. As long as it doesn't tear anyone down. I am still opinionated... I just usually write after most sane people are asleep!!! I type to the sound of a few snores and clocks ticking. I never hear clocks tick during the day EVER!!! If only we were closer to the shore so I could hear the waves crashing at night! That would be cool.

I am beyond rambling here and going to bed.

This is so much better that a journal... I can still read the really tired writing!!
When you write by hand the really tired stuff is just chicken scratches... not that you'd be missing much based on this post!

Wanna Sears Catalog??

So Dave gets this idea that the kids should earn some money so they can be financially responsible... y'know tithe, save and spend (a little)...
"I'm not doing a paper route!!", I'm quick to point out to him. I'm not an early bird and papers have to be completely delivered by 7 am. Who wants to be out all winter before 5:30 am?? Does Dave listen to me? Yes he does!! We don't have a paper route... we have a Sears catalog delivery route... oh, scratch that... one is NOT ENOUGH!! We'll take 2 please. Yes, we are now the proud owners of a combined 1200 home SCR in Oromocto!!! Yes, Oromocto is on the other side of Fredericton.
Of course if we moved there....
We spent two afternoons delivering and we are about half done. We need to do this 19 times a year!!
The idea was to take both cars for a full day on a Saturday to get them all out. Dave had to choose his delivery day to spend the day in bed doped up on morphine (for his kidney stones!!!).
I'm sure we are all learning something from this... right?

Puffers and Kidney Stones

How much more trauma can we pack into one week?? Tues night found us at the after hours clinic for the boys. The doctor looked very sternly at me and said Connor is completely clear, but the baby is a very sick boy. Haven't you noticed his fever and his rattly chest??? Ok, Justin has always been a noisy breather... we get it checked a lot... and he was teething. One popped through last Saturday and 2 more are on the move!! Dave was working late, so Caitlyn stayed with the kids in the van so I could go to get Justin Amoxill and a puffer. We did pretty good with the first 6 kids never needing a puffer. (slight break there so I could go and plunge the toilet for the boys!!) Justin fussed all day Weds and Thurs. By Friday the drugs had kicked in so he and I went to Sandy Cove Bible Camp for a ladies retreat.
I really thought for a brief period of time that I was going to have a relaxing weekend!!!
Being a good mom, I called home after breakfast this morning to see how things were going... Caitlyn answers the phone and says "We're great, but you might want to go get Dad at the hospital. He left at 5:00 this morning on the ambulance and might need a drive home. I think he has kidney stones."
I was at camp for 16 hours... glad I went early!!!
Dave is now home in bed, drugged to sleep. The girls went home with our pastor and his wife who came to watch the kids while I went to the hospital. Our friend, Rod, was coming to "help" Dave cut the wood this morning and ended up doing all the wood himself. Diane and Wes cleaned our house while they watched the kids this morning.
My head is still spinning.
Oh well, Billy Speer and the Dartts are coming to sing at our church tonight and I thought we'd miss them. Now I can go to the concert with the kids. Dave might go too if the morphine wears off.
Another day in the life of....
We are NEVER bored!!

Here Comes the Bride and other stuff

Yes, this was the weekend of my parents wedding. I wasn't sure what to expect. Sometimes my family can be kinda out there with stuff. Parents getting remarried is kinda out there actually. The service was actually pretty nice. My sister and I were ready to bolt out of there if it got too weird. I think people would have been delighted if we took out some very squirmy, giggling kids... After a couple of praise songs it went right into "Here Comes the Bride", vows were exchanged, the Pastor sang a solo and gave a little talk, Dad and Mom gave testimonies... then they sang to each other (which was a little strange since they don't usually do that...), there was a power point thing with lots of family photos, a prayer and then the reception.
My kids got completely sugared up and then all got sick the next day!! We stayed at Andrea's and had a blast with her family. The kids all did barn chores and are begging for chickens and animals so they can do the chores every day!!!
On the way home we went a different route and realized we were 15 min from Dave's parents so... we decided to visit. It was getting late so we decided to stay the night. While we were there a man was cleaning the chimney. He didn't wait until Lorne (Dave's Dad) had the bottom of the pipe covered with a plastic bag and, well, I don't know if any of you have ever been at the bottom of an open chimney flue when the chimney was being swept... if you haven't you have no idea the mess it makes!!
We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned the floor, walls, furniture, kids, baby stuff, feet!!.. we were so filthy. We breathed in all kinds of black junk. Our noses were full of it!
Connor woke up at 5 am and couldn't breathe. His lips were blue and he made horrible noises in his chest. He got back to sleep at 6 am just as Justin woke up barking. We are now home in the fresh air and trying to just relax.
I'll quickly mention that we almost missed out on all this excitement when we were run off the road on the way to Saint John. Since I am not a stunt driver on a regular basis I can only give thanks to the Lord for the amazing driving manouvers necessary to have put us back on the road at 115 kph. Dave missed the whole tire squealin', horn blowin' thing (we were following him)!!
We are so happy to be home!!

crazy neighbors and dogs

Ok, we officially live in La-la land!! The other morning we woke up to find a huge tree limb had crashed down by the dog's house. There was no storm... our dog is just a menace.. the trees are losing ALL the lower branches!!! Anyhow, I couldn't move it and Blackie was tangled up in it soooo... Blackie was off the leash! Move over Benji... here we come!
Because I am a great neighbor, I went next door to warn Christie and her 4 year old son. As we were over there Blackie attacked her dog (OK, thier dog looks like a cat and cats always attack Blackie) who was rushed indoors for the day, and then our big bundle of black lab/husky decided to leave a gift on her lawn. Christie was impressed that my 2 little pooper scoopers (Matt and Connor) rushed in with a shovel and dirt to remove the mess. The people across the street have 3 dogs that use mine and Christie's lawns as toilets on a regular basis and I know that is what I would like those neighbors to come over and do... y'know remove the messes.
Well, Blackie did calm down and the kids put him on the leash and walked him for awhile. They were all having a great time actually. I sat out on the porch with the little ones enjoying summer in the country when the neighbor across the street came screaming our way. You should have seen her hair just a'flyin!!! We all froze in shock as we wondered what horrific thing she was escaping across the road. Yes, we were prepared to help this poor woman UNTIL she grabbed our dog by the leash (that was still dragging from the last walk around the house) and brought him to the door of the porch where I met her. "What?" was all I could think to say. I was still a bit confused on the problem. "Your dog looked like he was about to dash right across the street!!", she shrieked.
Yes, this is the lady who owns the 3 dogs that are constantly fertalizing my yard. Of course I could think of many things to say to her 2 min later, but all I could think to do was laugh. Do you think she'll be back?
I do believe Blackie will be off the leash more often. I gotta see whats gonna happen next!

Angela's Birthday

Yes, I missed Ang's birthday. Let me tell you a secret.. I have a GREAT picture to put on this and can't figure out how to put it on the blog. I'm a techie mess!! As soon as I can do it, I'll post it! Love ya lots, Buff!! Happy Belated!!!

September, already?

I don't know where this summer has gone... but it has. We have had a lot of fun AND a lot of frustration!! The good news is, we licked the lice problem!!! Hooray!! Of course my kids have had an extraordinary amount of chemicals on them and will most likely grow extra appendages later in life! Last night we played soccer baseball, girls against guys, and Daddy's team smoked us!! Justin got screaming and we noticed about 50 little bugs eating him... now he looks like he has chicken pox... Oh drat, the game had to end before we were totally humiliated!
We have had our first week of crazily eating healthy. Lots of fresh ground flour (and of different varieties) for our bread and biscuits, salads, fruits and veggies, even molasses cookies made with fresh ground Kamut flour... The kids were asking when the healthy food was coming out! Its actually very tasty!! I think I'm losing weight too, which is great cuz I am eating like a pig. I love salads and am having extra snacks and not feeling even a bit guilty. Very soon we will be getting eggs and milk from friends with... you guessed it... chickens and a cow. We are still finishing up some schoolwork from last year and its not so bad. Life is good. There are some interesting people trying to drive us insane.. I think.. but that's ok too. Dave tells me that we are the only sane ones around. I'm going with that.
Oops! Published before I was done... like that has never happened before!!
Dr. Phil is looking for homeschoolers for his show. I figured I could use a vacation... so I applied. Of course a half a million people will probably apply and he will most likely choose from the U.S... and he wants people with STRONG convictions about hs'ing which I take as bold and controversial. I really don't think he'll pick me, BUT I tried! We'll wait and see.
Dave is BBQing steaks and I'm supposed to be doing veggies. Guess I should get back to it!!

psychic mail

I'm not happy. There is a new spam in town and they have my full name and mailing address... maybe they dreamed it... some psycho psychic (somehow that looks like its spelled wrong) is now sending me mail. As soon as I found out what it was I put it in the wood stove, but I read fast. I would never ever EVER go to get my fortune told and am not impressed that this woman would come up with a fortune for me and mail it to me!! Its hard enough in this world to stay away from such things without it chasing you down. Yep, I'm mad. But if she is really psychic she knows that!
Back to reality here! The kitchen is crackfilled and sanded and recrackfilled. Someday soon we will have paint on the walls... yee haw!
Caitlyn and I went shopping today. She needed black pants for our choir performance Sat. night. She found a pair for $15 and I made her put 'em back. There is ALWAYS a better deal!! We ended up paying $6 for a pair she loves and got 3 t-shirts for $3 each. These are great quality shirts too. Caitlyn's friends think she has no idea what REAL clothes cost. We laugh cuz Caitlyn buys new clothes at Frenchy's prices and Frenchy's clothes that look like they were straight from the mall.
I had a brilliant post in my head but thought I would post the little things first before I forgot them... now I forgot the real post. I'm turning into an idiot!! Can we say ... FLUFF!!! Oh, sorry Ang... I'm feeling like I'm going blonde!!! Oh, sorry Ang!!! You did see where I said I was the idiot right??
Ok, I'm going now.
The next post will be amazing!

spas, roadside assistance and mega choirs

Today was gonna' be the day to do things... oodles of things because Dave is home!!! Hooray! He is home all week and we are going to finish the bathroom cupboards and paint the kitchen and go on roadtrips and get lots of stuff done. This is Tuesday. I was up with Justin (such a sweetie!) last night and Dave finally took him and the crew out of our room at around 8 so Mommy could get some shut eye. I was up at 11:30. After a relaxing 3 min bath, the service guy came to fix the stove. Yes, our new stove needs a service guy.... another story!! At 3:00 Caitlyn and I head out because I am getting a haircut!! ... at Avalon Spa no less...
We walked into the spa and were delighted by the wonderful aroma of all the Aveda products that we can't afford to get and enjoyed ourselves immensly for about 1/2 an hour. I described ... very badly... what I wanted done and Jolene (my stylist) actually understood what I meant and I got the cut I longed for. Someday I will be able to buy all the gook she put in my hair and I'll be gorgeous for days!! As I walked to the car I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach... I don't remember putting the keys in my purse and I have no pockets. Sure enough, there were the keys... in the ignition and all doors are locked!! Who locks thier doors when they go to the spa?? Back in we went to call roadside assistance... We waited by all the lotions and makeup and candles and teas that we still can't afford... I did find out the eyeliner I liked was $17.95. "Are you going to get it?", Caitlyn wants to know... "Not now dear... maybe when we strike oil."
We managed to get home about 1 1/2 hours after we intended to. Jack was so happy to see me. Caitlyn returned a phone call from her friend Maggie. It was about 6:20 pm. "Are you coming tonight?" ooops.. we forgot about choir.
We are in a mega choir of hundreds of people singing in Officers Square this weekend. There are a couple of groups "The LaPointes" and "3 Season Ant" and us.
We jumped back in the car to go back where we just were!!!! It was a lot of fun and I'm glad we went.
I'm also glad we were home in time to cuddle Jack to sleep, for Connor to read us his "do you know this?" about the Old Testament questions and for Matt to tell of all that went on with him today. Courtney went to choir with Caitlyn and I and was just plain cute!
Great day, but I'm glad its done! Maybe tomorrow something will get done!

Another successful pigroast!!

Yes, this was the weekend of the 8th Annual Pork Roast. Dave cousins have a pig farm and have an annual reunion of sorts. More people come every year because it is a blast!!!! They had party people come to entertain the kids for 2 hours (what a treat to sit for 2 hours and only see kids when they are so excited they have to tell you right now what is happening!!). They brought a jumping castle, did face painting, relays, tug-of-war (kids against grown-ups and they beat us 2 out of 3!), fireworks, enough treats to put them in sugar shock for a month... and an amazing potluck dinner which, of course, centered around a massive BBQ pig. It was so much fun. Jack was the hit of the small fry set. He is so cute (he's 2) and all the little girls were helping to take care of him. He only came to see me when the girls didn't understand what treat he wanted next!!
We stayed for the weekend. Somehow the new pastor at church was more than cordial in hoping we would come back. Its amazing since Justin (7 mos) "read" the scripture louder than Pastor Irving (and he said, "blah blah blah blah blah" too... yeah), belched loudly during prayer (twice) which made everyone giggle.. and this man prayed so well... then in the middle of the missions presentation hurled all over me and the padded pew.... It was gross and smelly and then the kid laughed and laughed.. and then I took my irreverant, laughing, stinky kid and went to the nursery. They usually close the nursery for the summer, but they opened it for us!! The pastor and his wife said our visit was refreshing! I believe they meant, "Thank you so much for rounding out our list of humorous anecdotes for the year. Please come back so we can laugh at you next year."
We are now home and everyone is asleep... except me.
I think Dave's poor parents will sleep well tonight!

Mommy, I don't want to die!!!

This is how my morning started. My idea was to clean like crazy cuz my parents were coming for lunch. I know how long it takes to clean, feed kids, clean up after them, do laundry, change diapers, cuddle babies, etc., so my morning was off to a busy start. Enter one 3 year old screaming, "Mommy, I don't want to die!" Certain I was hearing wrong I foolishly asked her to repeat herself. She did... over and over and over again as she huddled up in our favourite, old, frayed, gold recliner in a fetal position because she felt safe there. In her words, "I just wanna be safe."
Oh Lord, please give me the wisdom for this one.. she's only 3!! I cuddled her up on Mommy's big bed with lots of pillows and told her that dying meant going to Jesus' house. I had never even remotely thought of heaven the way I described it to her today. Thank you Father God for telling her what she needed to know through my mouth. Now she can't wait for the angels to come and get her (she'll be taking a piggyback ride thank you very much!!!) so she can visit with Jesus. She'd be most happy though if Jesus would just get the horn blown so she could travel with Jesus and the rest of the family. She must have asked 20 times today if it were time to go to Jesus house yet. She asked her Gramma and Papa if they were going too and was quite delighted that they were.
No wonder we are to become like a little child. I need to be that excited to be going to Jesus' house and invite people to come with me. Are you going to Jesus' house?? Wanna come?

One screen porch... ready for summer

Yes, today we tackled the screen porch. Armed with a huge roll of screening, measuring tape, chalk and scissors, I confidently (ha ha) cut out our new screens for the porch and Dave knocked 'em up. You might have thought this would have been a great spring project so we could enjoy the porch ALL summer. But we felt that after the hottest weather was over would be a great time. Timing is everything. It actually looks rather spectacular. We only had to change 5 of the screens. The others only had to be fixed. All in all, it took us about an hour to do the deed.

On the other hand, we needed the time to deal with some unruly kids. While we all worked our tails off this morning doing chores everyone was happy. As soon as they were allowed to go play the ISSUES started. Do they WONDER why I want them to work all the time?? When we played as kids, that was our fun time. Lately, throw in an extra neighborhood kid and we have WW3. I'm ready for the neighbors to go back to school... in a nice way. How are we to juggle befriending these kids, witnessing to them and trying to save our own kids?? The kids around here are just running with no one to be accountable to. I think they like to play here because the Mom is here with house rules.. which they have to abide by... and seem to enjoy doing so. Unfortunately, my kids think it would be great to be able to just do whatever they want, when they want 24/7. They don't see the lonely kids behind the freedom facade that would love to see a parent.... who need Christ.

I think I need to pray more for my kids and the neighbors. We can't witness if we alienate them, yet they are pulling at my kids. At least my kids are home so we can talk about it. I think the boys are having a hard time. They aren't sure how to articulate what they feel and I don't want to put words in their mouths. I'd better go pray.

G'night

Connor Won!!!

Yes, Connor... Sunshine as the radio host called him.. won the call in today on "Remote Control.. where you control the songs". He giggled so much when he called in his song choice that she played the wrong song for him... but thats OK. He didn't really care if they played his song, he just wanted to win.
The boys had a friend over who just casually came in for lunch with my kids. I'm still not sure why he didn't go home.. but that's ok too. We have devotions after lunch together and this kid wasn't sure what we were doing.. they do not read the Bible at his house. My kids were horrified that this boy knew so little about the Lord. Unfortunately for Blaze my children have watched the Waltons too much lately. If you have seen the first episode with the new pastor you might recognize ... "Reeeeepent, reeepent". Connor did his best impersonation and Blaze looked completely confused.. and, dare I say, scared! Matt yells out "But that means you are a sinner and going to HELL!" One of the rare times that hell in a sentence isn't swearing for a 9 year old. Suffice it to say, my boys were shushed, a quick, loving presentation of the gospel was given (by me) and, quite suprisingly, Blaze elected to stay for the afternoon. Whether he mentions his lunchtime conversations to his mom (and if we ever see Blaze again!) remain to be seen. It took 4 years to get any kids to come over here, I'd hate to see it cut short in less than 2 weeks.
The killer of it was, in talking to the boys later, neither of them had a clue what Reeepent really meant. It was good to clear that one up. They knew the concept fully but had never connected it to the word properly. Each thought it meant something different, but they hopefully know it now.

Reeeeeepent!!!

New Pastor??

Today was rather a shocker at church. It started out great.. the VBS kids choir sang one of the fave songs.. we sang one of our fave choir songs... 2 decided had a new song... sermon was great.. I met a visiting family that were HOMESCHOOLERS (and not weird ones!).. the kids were so well behaved and then.. the bomb dropped. After the closing hymn, Pastor Wes stepped down with THE LOOK and said he had something to say... basically that even as Moses was brought to the edge of the promised land before being succeeded by Joshua who took them into the land, he felt he had led us to a point and we needed a Joshua to finish the task. He isn't leaving for a new church.. in fact in a months time he is unemployed. There is no dissension, we all love Wes and Diane. Simple fact is that God is moving in his heart and leading him to something else.... and like Abraham he is packing up and not knowing where he is going... and like Sarah, Diane is willing to follow. Now how do I give up my confidante and friend?? I am excited for them, but selfish for me. I'm not thrilled with change... however, who knows what the next few months will bring? I am waiting expectantly to find out.

What a gift!

"Can you fix my shirt, Mom? Y'know, like you did Molly's. I want to wear it to chruch tomorrow?", sweetly asks my 12 year old. I can fix spaghetti straps. As long as no one looks too closely, it looks fine. Caitlyn dutifully puts her shirt on inside out so I can tack it up... but the straps are fine. She wants me to put darts in her shirt!!! And fully believes I have the, ahem, talent to do the job. Just the fact that I know what a dart is impresses me. "You can sew it with me in it, right?"
"Caitlyn, honey, you know I can't sew."
"Yes, you can. Just put some pins in and sew it up. You want to use your machine? Can I stay up and watch? I love to see you sew." (Like she sees THAT a lot!!)
"I'll just use the longest stitch to make sure it fits and then tidy it up later.." (and its easier to rip things out like that too... lots of ripping out experience here which is why I DON'T SEW!!)
"I'm so glad I have a Mom that can do anything. Not all moms can you know." (REALLY?? and that makes me...)
The shirt turned out perfectly. She bragged me up to her dad and can't wait to brag me up to her friends tomorrow at church. I'm so blessed with a daughter who believes in me enough to stretch me beyond my capabilities. Isn't that what I should be doing with her?? What a gift of a daughter I have!!
Back when she was preborn I had a doctor who told me I would be truely blessed by this child. He was right.
I need to remember this when she is having a 12 year old MOMENT! What a gift!

He's Certified!!!

Dave and Matthew came home tonight at about 10:30 pm.. Dave wrote his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in Halifax today and passed!! For those of you computer minded and management people, you would understand this was a VERY BIG DEAL!! Matt stayed at Dave's parents for a visit since they live just off the highway on the way to Halifax.
I'm so glad that the test and trip all went well. We needed some good news. Once again we found lice on the kids and had to treat them all again today. That is 6 little heads and a few more weeks of torture as we aggressively do laundry and check heads. They aren't as bad as the last time, so hopefully it won't be too terrible to clear up. I hope the other kids in church are getting treated. Nit pickin' kinda takes over our home and its expensive!! All the kids are sleeping here in the living room. I love seeing them all sleeping.
Courtney had more bloodwork today. She's getting more subdued. She tires quickly and her appetite is next to naught. 2 or 3 bites and she's full. She is also getting dark circles around her eyes. I'm calling another doctor in the office tomorrow to see if we can see her. Our doctor won't be back until the 8th of Aug..
Mom wants us to go to St. Andrews on Aug 7th for NB day. I don't think that is going to happen. Between having to take 2 vehicles (cuz we don't fit in 1!), Court not well and trying to ditch the little head critters, I think we are about done in. Someday I plan to ask God why we have lice. I am glad its treatable... at least in Canada. I can't imagine living somewhere where headlice is a fact of life for everyone. I am so thankful to live where I do. We are sooooo blessed.

Gotta' love physio

I used to think that going to physio and/or massage would be a fun thing to do. People who don't even need to go to these pay to go. Let me tell you... its no fun! We (Cait, Matt, Jack, Molly and I) were in an accident in December. We hydroplaned on slush and ended up in a ditch facing the direction we were coming from. It was a rather scary few min. Connor was upset for weeks that we do "all the fun stuff" without him. Cait was in near hysterics if there was even a smidge of snow coming down when we drove. Molly for months did the "we aren't going anywhere today, right" routine and .... I'm still in therapy!! Physiotherapy of course.. every Monday and massage... every Weds. They used to be gentle, but now I think they are trying to KILL ME!! I am so suprised my back did not break today. I guess I'll be better soon. Seriously, both therapists have been wonderful and have definitely pushed me to wellness. Hopefully this will be over soon! For a relatively healthy family we sure have a lot of doctors appointments!!

Dancin' Jack

Yesterday was our VBS finale at church. We had plenty of kids come who ususally do not attend church!!!! And... they brought thier parents. It was a great morning with the kids singing about half of our Fiesta songs up on the stage. We even took our Silly Chilis out of the nursery and up on the stage for the music. Jack, being only 2, was the youngest and we weren't sure how that would go... but he was amazingly cute. He did all the actions except for the song he doesn't like. His little arms were waving, he felt the music right to his toes and it showed. Everyone was watching him with huge smiles on... God must have been delighted. The verse we used in our text for the evening service was Zech 8:5 which speaks of the streets of the new Jerusalem being filled with children playing. When I see little children singing (and dancin') thier praises to God, I have no problem believing He wants His city full of them. Jack is totally unconcious of his effect on the whole church. He didn't for a second think of what anyone else thought of his style of praise. We need to be a little more like that... focusing on God in our worship and not of those around us. Its ok to cry in the middle of the prayer, or stop to bow and pray in the middle of the service or be moving in the music. Its all worship and its all good.

Oh yes... Bibbles is still here. The kids are working hard to show they can handle a pet.. they are actually working very hard... cheerfully!! I'm starting to like Bibbles!

Happy Birthday to me!!

Do you ever wonder how many crazy things can happen in one week?? I thought that after a rather zany beginning, the week would slow down. Yet again, I set myself up for disappointment.
Courtney started to feel ill on Weds.. She wasn't actually sick, just lethargic and achy.. the kind of sickness you almost like to see occasionsally on the wilder kids.. you know, for a break. Those of you who "have never felt that way" are lying!! She seemed to perk up again Thurs. and was thoroughly enjoying bossing around her siblings and being waited on hand and foot. When she asked if she could put on her princess dress, get her wand, and wanted to set up a throne so she could make Caitlyn her slave..... I got the inkling that perhaps she was on the mend.
We all went to VBS that night and everyone told Court how she was missed. She fairly glowed with all the love showered upon her. As we were about to go home I asked her if someone had beat her up a bit since under her eye and part of her neck were red and raised. That was a negative. Well, we have Benadryl and she had some when we got home. Let me just tell you that Courtney HATES Benadryl. Connnor will fake an itch to get some, but not my girl. She gagged it down and went to bed. Thankfully, we put he on my bed so we could keep an eye on her. As Dave was putting Justin down (yes, at 6 mos he still sleeps in a bassinet by the bed!) he noticed Courtney's face.. and who could miss it!!! Bright red with major rash... we have a pic if I can figure out how to add it on... one eye swelled almost shut. Her neck, shoulders and armpits looked like they were scalded and it was going down her back and chest. I gave her more of the Benadryl and then Dave thought that maybe she was allergic to it since she got so bad after the first dose. When she started with a whistling sound in her breath, I bundled her up for the hospital. Caitlyn wanted to come to and since I thought she could keep me awake in the way home, we 3 went to the ER at 11 pm.
The people at the hospital were concerned as the rash was still in full force when we arrived at 11:40. The waiting room was full and we bypassed them all... that was scary... they took blood and as we waited for the results Courtney commented on how nice it was that the signs kept changing. I saw the signs, they were not changing. They were just functional instructional type ER signs. That was a little more scary that my kid was hallucinating. Then the nursed decided she needed more of the B word. Courtney had taken that medicine at home and there was no way she was taking it again. The nurses tried cajoling, calling it princess potion, threating and trying to force it down her throat... nothing worked.
The bloodwork had come back not good, white cell count and platelet count very low and we decided to admit her. The ER nurses figured the pediatric nurses could deal with the Benadryl problem and rather happily sent her upstairs to the MEAN nurses who had no qualms about 3 of them trying to force it down her throat at once... Courtney spit it at the meanest of the three and I could see why she did it. Courtney did apologize later. Finally the nurse said "If you don't swallow this we will poke you with a needle and you will have to have a shot!!" I told her she was wasting our time and go get the shot ready. Courtney doesn't mind needles. At about 4:30 am we finally got some sleep.
She had more bloodwork done in the morning with not great results. The rash went down though finally. Oh yes, I almost forgot! The pediatrician, Dr. Swami, checked her in the morning and said it was not an allergy, don't bother with the Benadryl!! Like they couldn't have told us before. All that foolishness for nothing! They sent us home at 11:30 and we are going for more tests next week.
I just checked on the little sweetheart and her rash is getting all flared again... her face neck and ear are getting blotchy again.
I did get a nap today... and then was woken by a phone call from my sister in law Karen to wish me a happy birthday. Wow, forgot about that happening.. Dave suggested that todays birthday was a wash (since I got home for lunch, had a nap and got up to go to VBS tonight) and I could have an extra day of being 38 as we'll celebrate tomorrow. HELLO I just turned 38!!! Since we are the same age you'd think he'd get mine right. That's my day.
Then I saw Angela's blog.. I'd link you to it if I knew how!!... with a picture from my 12th birthday on it. That brought a smile as I remember that day. I loved that dress, on of the few I've really loved, and we went out to a Chinese Restaurant and tried to use chopsticks. We vowed they were utterly impossible to use and ate with forks. I love eating with chopsticks... who knew?
Well, I'd better wake up Dave and consult about Courtney. He took today off to be with the kids today!! .... and didn't complain before, during or after about being home or said anything negative about the kids... makes me remember why I married him... VBS closing was a blast. Jack did all the actions to the songs and made everyone smile.
While in hospital I saw a friend who I hadn't seen in at least 10 years, came in with her little guy. He got a stick stuck through the socket of his eye (I hear missed the eyeball) when he was roasting marshmallows. They aren't from the area and seeing them there was so surreal... I checked with Dici tonight and got the scoop from her. These little ones are so precious and fragile...
Gotta go get Dave. Pray for my Courtney and Dee Dee's Jacob.

What can happen in our home in 48 hours or less

I've actually been meaning to start a journal. This would be a great place to start. The past couple of days have been relatively uneventful. There has been only on physio appt.. and Dave was able to meet me and watch the kids. Vacation Bible School (VBS) started at church. We are having a Fiesta and enjoying every second of it! Jack (2) and Molly (3) are in the Silly Chillys group, Matt (9), Connor (8), and Courtney (6) are all active participants, Caitlyn (12) is a helper and I am a group leader. Justin (6 mos) gets passed around and we are all having a blast! Last night coming home we almost hit a huddle of skunks. I didn't know skunks can group thier little noses together and have all those tails stick out in all directions... missed 'em by about 6 feet. When we got home we saw another black and white critter in the driveway. Thankfully it was only a kitten... about 2 months old. The kids were sure God was blessing them in some miraculous way because we only have 7 kids, a crazy 20 month old black lab/husky, and a cat who thinks he is human and owns the house. "But we don't have a kitten!!!"... or do we? It is still in the carrier out on the porch. No one in the neighborhood knows where Bibbles (I know, I know!!) came from but they all agree its now ours. In straining to see if Murphy (our cat) would kill Bibbles in the great showdown on the porch steps, Matthew leaned over the kitchen sink while talking on the phone and dropped said phone into the pot soaking in the sink. As Dave attempted to dry the phone I found the need to get some, ahem, air... and 5 kids spilled out the door behind me. While thought I'd rescue the kitten and put it in a cat carrier, Matthew decided Murphy and Bibbbles should be better acquainted.... I'll leave it to your imagination to understand the catfight that happened on my hand, arms and face and to hear the shrieks of some wild kids and one wild momma as Murphy tried to kill Bibbles.
Are we entertainment for the neighbors or what!!!
Today we still have Bibbles because we are IDIOTS!!! The SPCA will take him/her (we aren't even checking..), but they are closed tomorrow and will reopen on Thursday. Molly can't believe we would want to give away "Murphy's Baby". She's a little confused about Murphy's love for little Bibbles.
This morning there were no Doctors appts!!!! What a banner day! The kids went out to play and I noticed the kid population double. We never have kids stop in here. Its hard to break into a new neighborhood... we've only been here 4 years!!! They had a great game of soccer baseball and all the kids were great. One even came to VBS tonight.
Again, we had a blast at VBS.. all my kids even had shoes on which didn't happen the night before, Dave met us at the church as we were getting ready to leave which was great. No critters on the road on the way home. Is all perfect? What could the neighbors possibly see tonight as we come home from church? A perfect little moon as Molly decides the walk into the house is much too long and pulls down her drawers to pee on the front lawn. They are all asleep now... everyone but me. The physio guy worked on my head again and removed the get to sleep switch. I decide I needed to check on the only blog besides Angela's I have ever submitted a comment on. I've commented twice before tonight. The first time someone responded in such a negative way the blogger had to remove thier comment. She'd never had to do that before!!! The next comment brought someone who I believe I offended... I had to apologize for offending her, but not for what I said... you know... then I messed up in the process and ended here. Dave was smirking when he went to bed. He still has the sleep switch.
I just can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!!! Glad I don't know in advance tho.
I'm sure you are all thrilled that the phone dried out and works great!