Spoke too soon.

Well, shortly after I published my last post saying the kids were on the mend Designergirl came out crying in pain.  An earache.  It hurt enough to wake her from a sound sleep around 2am.  I felt so terrible for her because it was a pain I had often when I was a child.  I did all I could think of to help ease her pain:  Decongestant, Acetaminophen, garlic oil, cotton, heating pad and TLC from mom.  The only problem was the pain was so bad it made her cry.  She cried so much it made her even more congested than she was before. It broke my heart to see her in so much pain.  Slowly, the pain started to ease and by 3:50am she decided she would try to go back to sleep.  Seems all I did was lay my head down when she came back to my bedside complaining of pain again.  Glanced at the clock and it was only 4:07am.  She tried the heating pad a bit longer, had some more water and comforting from me.  About an hour later she was feeling better and went back to bed.  Around that time I entered a coughing fit which kept me up until about 5:30am. Bah! Lousy allergies!  Thankfully, hubby slept through it all and had the day off.  He briefly woke up when I finally got back to bed so filled him in on all the happenings.   Since he slept while I was taking care of her he let me sleep and took care of everything. I got up at 11:15am.  That was nice but threw me off for the rest of the day because Firekid had that dentist appointment at 3pm.   Because we have new insurance for the year I showed up early.  It still took them forever.  Well, he got an x-ray and went to the room to wait.  The dentist came right in and clicks on the light to look at the film.  Bad news.   The cavities (2 of them) were hidden between his first and second molar.  The second molar wasn’t too bad, but the first was.   I didn’t want another episode like we had Friday so we proceeded to fix the problem.  Firekid was thrilled to be going to the dentist since he’s never had anything other than cleanings prior to this.  He was totally shocked when the dentist hurt him when he gave the numbing shot.  He struggled even after he was given some nitrous to calm him.  The dentist had to get a bit stern, telling him I’d have to leave the room and the papoose board would have to be used if he didn’t stop moving and getting up.  Amazingly, after that he didn’t move one bit…to the point I was a bit nervous.  I mean, I was checking his breathing, pulse, etc. lol  He wasn’t doing this without mommy.  The original plan was 2 pulpotomies and 2 crowns.  However, once work got started he decided the 2nd molar just needed to be cleaned up and a crown put on. Whew!  Unfortunately, the first molar was just too bad and said it needed to be pulled. The crown happened very quickly and he hardly noticed.  The extraction was uncomfortable for him and caused him to moan a bit which didn’t surprise me.  He did great and that was done quickly as well.  After waiting for the ‘wooziness’ to wear off, he was thrilled to pick a toy-a plastic harmonica.  I promised to take him to the store to get a “you were such a good boy” toy.  When I got into the parking lot I reminded myself to give him Ibuprofen when we got home since the numbing would be wearing off.  Well, once we got home, there was so much going on I forgot. About 30 mins later he started crying because he was hurting.  That was when I remembered that I forgot.  I quickly gave him some and scooped him up in my arms to comfort him.  Thankfully the pain didn’t last long.  He was playing a video game, pretending to karate kick and eating as if nothing was wrong. 

Now, all kids and hubby are snoozing.  Tooth Fairy has visted the brave boy. I dozed briefly but woke up freezing and had to get up to adjust the thermostat.  Now I can’t sleep. So, here I am at 1:40am getting ready to head back to bed.  Hopefully I’ll get some sleep because 6am will be here soon!  Goodnight and God bless.

Not a bad start.

Well, so far 2012 has been good. Asisde from allergies, the kids and I are on the mend. Hubby has been keeping the kitchen up for me during his time off from work.  He also made homemade waffles for breakfast. Yum! Firekid has an unexpected trip to the dentist though. Seems a cavity snuck in and caused him some pain on Friday. I remembered seeing a home remedy for an abcess. Garlic oil. Yep…that’s it. Squished some of the juice onto my finger, rubbed it on his gums. Within an hour it looked so much better. 2 hrs it was gone. Yay! Much better than forcing antibiotics in his mouth.  Hopefully the dentist will only have to do an easy filling and send him on his way.

Dinner came out good.  I made black-eye-peas w/ham, steamed rice and spinach.  Totally forgot my cornbread.  I was looking forward to it too.  I’d make some for leftovers but there are none! That shocked me.  -Yes..even the spinich. 4 out of 6 kids ate it.

Well, two posts in a row?  I’d say this is off to a better start too. 

God bless!

Happy New Year!

It’s been longer than usual I suppose. I figured now would be a good time to jump back in. Maybe. lol I’ve said it many times. Anyway, happy New Year!! Prayers for a happy and prosperous new year that is full of love and laughter!

Just realized that this time 10 yrs ago i was sitting in the ER with my mom. We brought in the new year with her diagnosis of laryngeal cancer. What a rough year that was….it actually turned into a rough 7 yrs. Sure doesn’t seem that long ago.

Random things

New month, new start??  Maybe..we’ll see. lol  It’s been a bit busy, like usual.   The older five joined 4-H this past year and have been busy with projects.  Just last month the girls showed rabbits at our local County Youth Fair.  Being “newbies” we prepped them so they wouldn’t be disappointed if they didn’t place well and reminded them this was a learning time so we know what to expect.  They didn’t place high but they are looking forward to our next show…which happens to be this Friday.  Today we went in for set up.  Even though it was hard work they enjoyed it.  The biggest stress this time is the fact that they have to bring their rabbits in tomorrow and they stay there until after the show.

We had the flu run though our house a couple weeks ago.  Thankfully we all seem to be on the mend from that.  Now it’s those darn allergies bugging us all.  FireKid had the worst of it.  103+ fevers that only got down to 100.5 at best for 4 days.  Made for a very exhausted momma.  Once he started clearing up that Sunday hubby and I planned on tag-teaming for church. However, while he was gone I began having a migraine.  With ever step I took it felt as if someone banged on my head.  I ended up sleeping for several hours and still woke up with it.  Thankfully it was gone by bedtime.

We thought we had our first broken bone.   DesignerGirl and BabyDoc when skating for the first time with a friend.  I insisted they be careful not to break anything!  I was pretty clear about that.  DesignerGirl was holding her arm and moving her hand around.  I asked her what happened and she explained how she fell on it. *sigh*  I was very sore..enough to make her cry at one point.  However, after some Ibuprofen she felt better.  There was no swelling, bruising, deformity etc so it was hard to tell.  We splinted it for the night and in the morning we checked it out.  She thought it was fine but an hour later it was hurting again despite trying not to use it much.  Thankfully, a Dr friend of ours was home and allowed us to bring her by to check it and give us an opinion on whether we should go to the hospital or not.   Thankfully, he didn’t feel it was broken and with a little rest, it should be good as new fairly soon.  We got a support wrap for it at a local pharmacy for her to wear.  This evening she took it off and said it still feels sore, but it’s a lot better.

Lent is quickly approaching and I still have yet to figure out what I’m doing.  :S  One of my kids mentioned “I sure hope mom doesn’t do that “40 bags in 40 days” thing again.  Hey…I think that’s a GREAT idea!!! Thanks for reminding me.   For those not familiar: http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/40_bags_in_40_days/ It worked well for me when I did it 2 years ago.  I’m certain I can fill 40 bags again.  Not sure what the kids are so worried about.  I have yet to hear them ask for anything that went “missing” since then. muahahahah!

God bless!!

Together time

For the first time in a loooong time, hubby and I got to get away together for dinner.  Friday, I had the kids fed and settled in to a movie and left with hubby.  We were only gone for just under 2 hrs, but we truly enjoyed the time.  We hope to be able to do it again every 1-2 mos.

The weather has been beautiful out lately so I’ve been getting the kids outside more often.  Yesterday I had FireKid helping me weed the flower garden while the others rode bikes down the little slope we have in our back yard.  I love chit chatting with FireKid.  He’s got so much running through his mind. lol He’s so fun.

Tonight the kids helped me make homemade pizza.  I never realized just how easy it was!  The kids loved every minute of it…eating it, most of all. lol  They ate 1 1/2 pizzas before hubby and I got any.  We’ll definitely be doing it again very soon.  My next endeavor will likely be pasta.   We’ll see.

My girls have been enjoying eachothers company the last few days.  Didn’t think I’d ever see that. lol  Ok, it’s not that surprising, but still.

This coming week marks the 8th anniversary of my dad’s passing.  Still miss him very much but I have many happy memories of him so that helps.

Got lots of cleaning to do.  I’m purging the garage.  It’s a big undertaking that will go on for some time but I’m ready to get stuff gone.  I did pretty well last week.  This week I hope to do better.  

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!  God bless!!

Happy Fall, y’all

Just some random thoughts:

I’m love, love, loving this weather.  Love Fall. 

I’ve got a ton of housework to do. I’m planning a purge. We’ll see how it goes. Also need to clean my carpets.  Unfortunately, my steam cleaner isn’t working.  I’m thinking I’ll have someone come do it, maybe.

I’m looking forward to Christmas.  Hoping the fact that I already bought two gifts is a sign that I’ll be more organized this year. Last year it did not buy a single thing until about 2 weeks before. eek! I don’t recommend that… at all! lol

The kids are doing well.  I missed posting on DesignerGirl’s 11th) and HandyBoy’s 16th birthday.  Both were pretty low-key. We went out to dinner on the weekend before their birthday.  DesignerGirl was going to have her best friend over that weekend for a sleepover but we had sick kiddos.  She was able to have her the following weekend.  We had pizza, soda and cake.  Afterwards, the girls had serious business…. facials, doing their hair and, of course, lots of giggling. lol  They had a great time.  Earlier, on that Friday, our homeschool group had a potluck so we could plan field trips and other get togethers.  I brought a cake since it was the day of  HandyBoy’s birthday.  He got to hang out with some friends so he enjoyed his day.

Ok..on with my day, I s’pose.  Hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed day!

Still here

..well.. here, there and everywhere.  We are in a bit of a “boring” lull here.  Not much going on, yet there is.  We’ve had several dentist appointments to make sure everyone is taken care of “just in case” since hubby’s job is a continuous roller coaster.  Maybe layoff, maybe not, maybe…ugh!  Thankfully, we’re in the “not likely for now” stage.  Of course, there’s always a trade-off. Right?  That comes in the form of him getting home later, more working at home and twice a week (could be upped to 3) conference calls overseas which last approximately 2 hrs.  The conference calls are the toughest since it means I have to make sure the kids are pretty much silent.  Even though he’s closed up in our room, our house is amall and the sound travels well through the walls.  It’s tough, but we are just very thankful for a job that pays the bills and puts food on the table.

DesignerGirl gave us a scare when she started having frequent heart palpitations and chest pains that were waking her up at night.  I put in a call to her Rheumatologist to see if it was possibly related to her fibromyalgia, Costochondritis or the reactive arthritis or any of the meds she takes for them.   He said it was possible but wanted me to get her to her ped and have him order an EKG and a rhythm stress test.   I called the ped and he saw her the same afternoon.  I was very pleased as usually we don’t get in quickly.  He looked her over, found no obvious signs of a problem.   He sent her for the EKG and asked for a 24 hr.  Halter monitor.  We were very relieved to find out both came back clear.  Of course, still left us to figure out what was causing her problems.  Last week I took her to the allergy dr and it seems that allergies could be playing a big part.  She’d been tested before, but it seems there have been huge changes. For starters, this time she came back negative for peanut allergies.  She was very happy to hear that since she missed out on peanut butter for the last 8 yrs.  However, she is allergic to all the grasses they tested, a bunch of trees, some molds…  highly allergic to 2 molds and dust mites…. dogs and cats.   Needless to say, the allergy dr gave her a bunch of new meds to add to her list.  Some of them I’m a bit iffy on because of side effects and unknown long-term effects.  We haven’t started any just yet.  For now she’s doing alright with the exception of getting sick this past Friday.  She was so bummed because she was to spend the night with her best friend.  As of just before bedtime she is still warm and has a sore throat. BabyDoc and I seem to have gotten it as well.  

HandyBoy and DesignerGirl both have a birthday coming up way too quickly. They’ll be 16 and 11.  Where has time gone!?!  FireKid just had his 4th on August 8th.   We went out to a local pizza place that has games with his Godparents and their children.  It’s always way loud and crazy there, but the kids love it so it’s all good.   Not sure what we are going to do for the other 2 just yet. 

TechBoy has been working on a couple of web pages he designed.  He seems to have a knack for that kind of stuff.  Definitely takes after his dad. lol  He and HandyBoy have been working on the neighbor’s yard and enjoy it because he pays them well.  They were sad to hear the military is moving him this month.  We’re hoping someone with kids will move in though.

PoliceKid and BabyDoc have been busy playing all summer.  They truly enjoy each others company *most of the time. 

As for me, I’ve inadvertently become a homebody lately.  I thought it would be nice to finally take a breather after my mom passed in November since I had to do so much running around everywhere with/for my parents  basically since 2001 when I began taking care of them up until Nov ’09 when my mom passed. (my dad passed in Oct ’02)  The busy-ness of Thanksgiving and Christmas, school after the holidays, birthdays…I got too preoccupied to go anywhere or do anything.  Now I basically only go out for groceries and church. Before, I was just too busy because of my obligations.  Now I just find it hard to want to go anywhere because I just feel so out of the loop.  Then, here’s the crazy thing… I realize I haven’t gone anywhere or done anything so I want to get out and do something yet at the same time I don’t want to.  So…has anyone seen where I lost my marbles?  Lol  Eh…from one extreme to another, I’m sure there’ll be a happy medium sometime soon. 

Anyway, I’m sure I’ve left off something and/or need a red pen in this post, but it’s 2am.  I have a boy who I thought was going to sleep for the night when he went to sleep at 8:40pm.   Nope.  Woke up at 11:20pm.  Hoping to get him to sleep  now.

Nicknames

Ok..so I’ve finally worked them out.  Well,  I pretty much had it already, just hadn’t gotten it typed out.  So, here they are:

HandyBoy, formerly J.B, is 15.  He loves to build and fix stuff.  Our neighbor has given him tons of tools that he loves to try out.  Almost every trip to the library turns up a new How-To book.  He wants to do some kind of construction work.

TechBoy, formerly J.M, is 14 and is into computers.  He put together his own forum for LEGO fans which is bringing in lots of visitors and members.  He was tasked with putting together a forum for the Squire group he is involved in at church.  His new venture is in graphics-type stuff.  He seems to have a knack for it.

PoliceKid, formerly J.R., is almost 6.  For the longest time he’s wanted to be a police officer. He spends a lot of time pretending to be one.

FireKid, formerly J.C. is 3.  Since Halloween has been a fireman.  He would wear his costume all day everyday if I let him.  He loves to watch his Fireman Sam videos over and over….*sigh* and over and over. 

DesignerGirl, formerly B.M, is 10.  She’s been fascinated with designing clothes for some time now.   It started with her dolls and stuffed animals.  Now she sketches outfits ideas. 

BabyDoc, formerly A.M., is almost 8.  LOVES, LOVES, LOVES babies and she’s always wanted to be a baby doctor.  She has tons of baby dolls that she “takes care of” and she just has to visit with any baby in the vicinity when we are out and about.

If I get a few spare minutes, I’ll try to put some pics with the descriptions.  No promises though.

Thought so

I thought, but wasn’t quite sure, we were getting sick but the pollen count was high so I guess I was hopeful.  Well, that got me nowhere except the minor emergency clinic.  My throat kept feeling like I swallowed glass and I had a fever.  I tried to put off going but we got a surprise winter storm warning that called for snow and ice on the 23rd.  I decided I wasn’t in the mood for traveling in bad driving conditions 25 minutes away if the weatherman should happen to be right for a change.  Good thing I did..  Strep throat. Yay..fun.  Not so much. I’m feeling a bit better now but still sound like I’ve been a chain smoker for 20 years. 

We did in fact get that winter weather.  Lots and lots of snow to our surprise.  Of course, we are still in Texas so it didn’t last long at all but I’m ok with that.  I’m not big on cold.  The kids had a great time in it though.  They managed a couple of snow people and attempted to make forts.   By the next morning, they were mostly melted.  Here they are ready to throw snowballs at me.  Oh..yes…those are socks on some of their hands. lol  We have nowhere near enough gloves here.   Good news is that they were clean socks. :0P

On the 24th we ended up at the minor emergency clinic again. This time for J.B., my oldest boy.  He started with a fever and an extreme headache the night before. He went to sleep early without eating and awoke just around midnight with an upset stomach and threw up a bit.  He cleaned up and went back to bed.  When he got up in the morning his throat hurt a lot and was feeling achey.  He had some medicine and went back to sleep.  His temperature got up to 102.1.  I ran to the store to get him some soup so he could try to eat something.  I wasn’t gone very long when he woke up and said to J.M. he was having a hard time breathing.  He ended up taking a breathing treatment to see if that would help. Nope.  So, off we went to the clinic.  The dr tested for strep and flu. Both came back negative, but he’s pretty sure it is strep so he sent the swab to the lab and started him on some Amoxicillin.  We’ll know for sure on Monday.  He’s been pretty miserable in the meantime, though today wasn’t  too bad.

Thankfully, we seem to be on the mend again.  Still waiting on that Lysol “bomb” to get rid of the germs in here.  I think if Raid can do it, Lysol can.  No luck on that yet. 

One last thing.  I would like to ask for prayers for a friend of mine who just found out a week ago that she has thryroid cancer which has spread to her lymph nodes.  It is treatable, but she’ll have a long road ahead of her.  Poor thing just had surgery on her knee after taking a bad spill at a local discount store here so she’s had more than enough on her plate.  She had a positive outlook and a great support system so that will help.

Still..again…??

allergies? sick? I don’t know.  What I do know is that we are still not well. blech!  I have lost my voice and my throat hurts bad in the morning and just before bed.  During the day it’s mostly just scratchy.  It’s pretty annoying because it’s seems like a never ending cycle.   I just may break down and go to the walk-in clinic today.

Along the lines of the title of this post, hubby’s job is still hanging by a thread… still..again…?? Yeah.  It’s getting pretty annoying too.  They were waiting on the award of a contract.  Contract was awarded so we were relieved.  Yeah..then they were told the work was going to be done by a team in Asia.  Back to square one.  Not to worry…there are positions within another team here. Yeah..not so much.  Hubby’s boss has been doing everything he can to hold on to him.  We are very grateful for that.  Problem is his bosses boss wants cuts and won’t let up.  Hubby works as an election official for our local precinct and was going to turn in the paperwork for March 2nd when we have elections.  He was turning it in with paperwork for Ash Wednesday which he took instead of President’s day.  Well, boss told him to hang on to the paper for the 2nd because didn’t know what was going to happen between now and then. *sigh*  So, yeah.. still..again.

Saturday was the funeral mass for an old friend’s husband.  He was only 55 years old.  On Valentine’s day he passed suddenly.  The following day was their 30th wedding anniversary.  They had 2 beautiful daughters-the oldest has 3 children-and he adored each one of them.  He was a teacher at the elementary school my two older boys attended.   They knew him and liked him a lot.  He was a favorite teacher to many of the kids there.  I worked with his wife at a different school.   The boys served as altar servers for the mass.  I thought the oldest was going to lose it. He cried a bit and was having a hard time gaining his composure but he made it through alright.  Please keep Liz and her family in prayer.

Well, off to make an attempt at rest.  Don’t think I’ll get much, but some is better than none.