Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Ahhhh.....Spring!

I have the windows open and there is a wonderful breeze blowing through the house.  Everyone is in short sleeves and Chris even wore shorts today.  It is definitely Spring!  I've had a pretty good week so far.  The only shortfall is that Noah fell and bit a hole in his tongue and slightly chipped a tooth in the process today.  I think his brother helped him to the floor.....hmmmmm.   Anyway, that was the only setback to a pretty good week. 
Chris and I attended a weekend to remember conference put on by Family Life this weekend.  Jared texted Chris on Sunday afternoon and told him that there was an envelope on his desk for me.  Being pretty curious, we stopped by after we picked up the boys and got it.  Some sweet angel or angels from our church family blessed us with a gift of money.  It wasn't to be used for bills, but for an Easter dress for me and dinner out or something fun for all of us.  I haven't had a new Easter dress in about 8 years.  I couldn't believe it! We have such a wonderful church family.  I just feel blessed to be able to worship and fellowship with them.  I was so excited that after the boys finished their nap, we headed to the Legends to see if we could find any good dress bargains.  I looked at Target but they didn't have a lot to choose from unless your a size 10 or less.  Next door was JC Penney.  I didn't hold out much hope for a bargain, but we went in to look anyway.  I'm so glad we did.  They were having a wonderful sale.  I found a really cute dress for 1/2 off.  Since my sister usually shops with me for these types of things and she is so far away, Chris came along for encouragement.  He is not a shopper, but he did a fabulous job.  I must have tried on 8 dresses before I found the one I liked.  He entertained the boys and didn't gripe one time.  Thanks honey!  We took the boys out for dinner, which they scarfed down, and headed home.  It was a great night for all of us.  Nathan even got a tie to wear on Easter.  He thinks he is the mayor of the church. :)  He had to have a tie. 
Chris and I have been lucky in the friends we've made.  They love us, but more importantly, they love our boys.  Sometimes that's not easy.  The boys rarely slow down to a run.  We really wanted to go to this marriage conference this weekend, but I don't leave my boys very often.  They are a handful and we were gone 2 & 1/2 days.  They have a wonderful "grandma" and "aunt" in Independence.  Cathy was the boys babysitter and Carolyn is her daughter and one of my best friends.  We had our babies together.  Nathan and Natalie are 3 weeks apart. (It was supposed to be 3 days, but Natalie got impatient to be out.)  They are really good friends.  If you ask Nathan, he'll tell you that he has a sister and her name is Natalie.  It's the only place where I've left them that Noah NEVER cries when I leave.  They love my babies and the feeling is entirely mutual.  Since my family and Chris' family are both so far away, we've adopted this family as part of our own.  They have been there for us many times and I hope they can say the same for us.  Anyway, they kept the boys all weekend.  I don't know who had more fun.  All the kids were excited that the boys were coming and jumping up and down when they saw each other.  They had a blast and got thoroughly spoiled all weekend.  They weren't really happy with us when we said it was time to go.....at least until we started to leave without them.  That hustled them out to the car.  I have to say it is wonderful to be able to leave them and not have to worry about anything.  These ladies are angels of mercy and can handle any crisis.  They've been through several with us.  We love them and wouldn't know what to do without them.  They became family to a small town girl who hadn't ever been far from home for a long period of time.  God sent them to us and I will forever be grateful. 

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The New Me!!!

I feel like blogging today.  I just got a new haircut, color, and highlights.  They look FABULOUS!  I'm getting excited to see what new styles I can make with this cut.  I haven't had my hair this short in about 25 years.  It feels weird!  We cut the ends off because their was so much residual color.  Now it is softer and it looks better.  I think God does that with us.  He trims off the old life so the new life can grow and evolve into something even better.  I've been working hard on me for a while now.  There are times I don't know how Chris can stand to live with me.  I am trying to change attitudes and habits that I do not need to have anymore.  I can't get rid of the bad stuff by myself (although I tend to take over and forget that sometimes.) but I can do anything with God's help.  Phillipians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  He not only gives me strength, but puts people in my path that help me along the way.  I have such encouragers to lift me up and show me how to do things.  One of them is my kindergarten teacher from.....well, a while ago.  She is on Facebook and is always saying something to encourage me, even from a distance.  I have many of these saints in my life and I appreciate them.  They listen to my grumblings and then offer sound advice.  I know God gave these people to me to help me grow.  I hope I will be able to do this for someone else.  Just thinking....
 

Friday, March 12, 2010

God is with us in the scary times.

As most of you know, my youngest had a seizure yesterday.  It was a febrile seizure caused from a high fever.  He has a virus.  We are used to watching his heart rate when he's sick, but this was all new for me.  Noah was born with Supraventricular Tachycardia or SVT.  His heart rate would be extremely high, it's gone as high as 320 beats a minute.  He finally got to stop taking the medication for this in January.  He only takes a different medication if he has a fever over 101.  He had taken his medication yesterday morning because his temp was up. The medication is awesome.  It works  just like it's supposed to. 
At 2:30 yesterday, he woke up from his nap pretty cranky.  I changed him, took his temperature, and gave him some Motrin.  It was about 3:00 then. I also listened to his heart rate because obviously it is an issue with him.  I hung the stethascope on his crib and when I turned around, he was seizing.  I called my husband first because I needed him there.  Then seconds later, I called 911.  I don't know if anyone has done this, but I called from my cell phone.  It's the only phone I had on hand.  When the operator determined I was in a different county, she transferred.  It was all very professional.  The lady I spoke with was very helpful.  She asked me for my address, and all of the particulars.  Then this angel of mercy talked to me until the ambulance came.  Nathan was sitting on the bed. I asked him to go sit at the end of the bed while Mommy took care of brother.  He did exactly what I asked.  Kids can surprise you.  I know he was worried, but God was taking care of him while I took care of Noah. 
Noah seized for 3 or 4 minutes then he was just kind of limp for a little bit, but awake.  He didn't protest until the EMT put a blood pressure cuff on him.  I knew he would be alright then.  He finally started talking when we were in the ambulance.  He didn't want people bugging him and let me know.  I've never been so glad to hear him cry and say "NO!!!" 
Chris got there before the ambulance.  He didn't try to move me out or push his way in the bedroom.  He took care of Nathan, who was having a conversation with a lady EMT.  He got my shoes and socks for me and made sure everything was OK at home.  He didn't offer to ride in the ambulance instead of me.  He just did what needed to be done and let me be where he knew I needed to be. 
I thank God for my husband, the EMT's, and the 911 operator.  They all helped me through a very stressful situation.  Also for my friend Carolyn. We called to see if she would sit with Nathan at Children's Mercy while we were with Nathan.  She said sure and brought all kinds of things for him to do and eat.  She didn't mention that she didn't have a car. It was in the shop.  She had her sister bring her to the hospital to wait with us.  She is more family than friend. 
We arrived in the ambulance and the sent us to the waiting room.  Unbelievable! Anyway.....he finally got to see the doctor.  They said there was only a 10-15% chance it would happen again.  Needless to say I didn't go to work today.  We were released and took Carolyn home.  I think her mom needed to see the boys anyway.  We got home and brought 2 sleeping boys upstairs.  They promptly woke up, of course, and we watched Tinkerbell until everyone went back to sleep.
God is good.  I had no idea what to expect after an episode like that, but I have an ornery little boy picking on his big brother again.  He still has a slight fever, which we treat even if it's only 99.  He is playing and talking just like normal. I thank God every day for these little guys, even when they're driving me crazy.  They are a precious gift to us and we love every minute God gives us with them.

Brand new giveaway!!!

These purses are so super cool!  In honor of her daughter's 1st birthday, my friend Shannon is giving away a homemade unique purse.  Check out her inventory, but be sure to enter.  She will ship it to you.  Also, check out her blog. There are always interesting things to read and good advice to follow.  Have fun!

Blog link:  (or click the button in the left column of the page)
http://alticquiver.blogspot.com/2010/03/leesy-k-is-celebrating-anneliese-with.html

Lessy K Fashions:
http://www.shophandmade.com/Store/Shannongasoline