Flu

Just checking in to let all know I'm still kickin' just don't feel like it! We had a wonderful Valentines' Day, but the next morning, it all went downhill..........

Glenn woke up very sick, and by mid day, my middle back felt as if it were "out". We were down for the count and our very sweet daughter took care of us like we were royalty! She's such a great helper!

Sunday came, I was shaking, shivering and not from the cold weather (which you will notice it's horribly low right now!). We made ourselves get out of bed for church, but I got home, went straight to bed, where I've been ever since basically. :o/

Yesterday morning, all three kids woke up sick! We all are aching, etc. etc.- we have the flu! ugggh.

Pray for us. This is rough and compounded by my fibromyalgia. I just wish I could take the sickness of all the kids (and even Glenn!) I hate seeing them sick! We have them all close by tonight to sleep so we can keep check on them if they need anything.

Cala woke up without fever and felt good- I let her go to school :o? I don't know if I should have, she just really sounded good, felt fine, looked good, etc. She sooo doesn't need to miss anymore because of the days she missed going to Florida and because of us not knowing when we'll have to return there.

Anyway, with the windchill being sooo low tomorrow morning, I am praying they at least delay school. If she even is a bit coughing or feels bad, she isn't stepping outside that door. We sure don't need pneumonia to strike us next!

Back to bed I go. Just wanted to let everyone know what was going on.

As I write this, it's 12:54 a.m.

Just two things.... I fell going up the stairs "yesterday" (Tuesday) evening. I was on my way up to fix supper when I tripped on the last step of the first flight of stairs (that lead from our family room to the foyer). Uggghhh I am sore and that is precisely why I am up! (I've already been in bed once).

Daddy saw angels all day Tuesday. He told Glenn about it while on the phone with him. He said he had also been seeing an aunt that he had never met, just knew by name and what people had told him.

Stay in the House Saturday!!

Saturday was spent doing our weekly "big" clean and looking out the window at the near white out conditions! It wasn't that we were getting a great downpour of snow- it was that we were getting so much wind, we had snow drifts (blowing snow) that was unbelievable. It was some kind of sight today!

I had planned to get out early and get a newspaper (strange to me coming from Florida, but here we can get a "Sunday" paper on Saturday! We get all the sales papers, coupons, etc.). I decided against it when I saw just how bad the snow was blowing.

Tomorrow morning is supposed to be really rough! We will surely be bundled, not a part of us uncovered as we get to church.

*** In other news: Daddy's birthday was this past Thursday. He turned 73. Today (Saturday- I'm writing this after midnight so it will say Sunday).... they had a birthday drop-in for him. I so wish I could have been there! He was very happy about all the folks that showed up...friends, church members, fellow Pastors and their wives, even the Mayor of my hometown and his wife came. I'm thankful that so many have shown their love for my family. That does my homesick heart a lot of good.***

Those Kids!

This morning (Friday), I had a shooting pain come over me. As I cried out from the surprise of it, Ethan (age 5) says, "What's wrong, Mama? Your eyeball bothering you?" I asked, "my eyeball?" "Yes, Mama, your pain, your eyeball!" Seth (age 3) responds, "I know how to say it... your fibro is bothering you!" (he was right- ol' fibromyalgia has been relentless as we go on a roller coaster of weather ups and downs).

** ** ** **

Long ago we realized that Cala can't eat anything with red food dye in it, red #40 being the WORST! It makes her go haywire! Anyway, you would be amazed at the things that have Red food dye in them. (For example, Fudge Rounds were a shock to me!)

It has become discouraging to search for things that Cala CAN have and when I find something new, it's sooo fun! Cala is sooo happy! Today I decided to look at Yogos for Cala to take to school, as a snack. I've come very good at just looking at a package and knowing right off, "that will be a no go!" Today was no different. While in Target, I passed the Yogos. I knew the strawberry, the raspberry, etc. would have red in it. Sure enough they did. Then I saw "Island Expressions" and thought surely they would too, no use to look. I continued on, but something brought me back. I searched the package and to my utter amazement and delight!, just yellow, no red! Hallelujah Cala will be sooo happy I thought. I was not disappointed.

Cala ate one bite and said, "Mama! My life is sooo wonderful ! I can eat Yogos!"

She's been our daughter 7 years now and still she appreciates things much more than the average kid. I admit when we left Russia, I was concerned that would change. Sure she likes to get stuff as much as the next American kid, but she still is very very grateful for anything you buy her. (even a new toothbrush delights this kid!) I hope to keep it that way!

The Chocolate Post

This evening (Wednesday), we went out before church to a Chinese restaurant. Let me say here, I am the one in the family who does NOT like Chinese food, but every now and then I suggest this one place nearby. I can hack it and I like keeping my hubby and kids (who all love it!) happy!

Anyway... just to tell you how addicted Seth (age 3) is to chocolate, well... more so than his mother. (which any of you who know me "in real life"---not that the internet is fake, but you know what I mean! lol)... anyway... if you know me, you know I am indeed a CHOCO-HOLIC! (just not fake chocolate- you know? WHITE chocolate?!).

I never thought I would meet another soul who was so addicted, but in my baby son, my Guatemalan baby son none the less (said to re-iterate that it's not something he could inherit from me).... well, he has indeed beat me!

You see, Seth is one who will literally sniff out the chocolate! I can slip M & Ms in my mouth thinking I was unnoticed. He can be out of the room and as soon as he comes in, I feel like I'm caught- like the teacher caught me teaching or something! HA!!! He'll actually say, "Mama! I want some!" to which I reply, "some what?!" He says, "uh, some chocolate- you have some in your mouth!" What a hoot.

SO, this evening at the Chinese restaurant, should it have come as any surprise when my dear addicted son took a piece of sweet and sour chicken and dipped it in his chocolate ice cream?!!!!!!!!????????? YYYYYUCKKKKKK!

He then looked over to where Cala had dropped some ice cream on a paper menu and asked, "can I have that? Cala's finished!" Ugghhh... got to get this boy some help!

Chocolate de-tox!

Happy Birthday to Me and My Niece Too :o)

This picture was taken a few weeks ago in December (in Florida- and notice the short sleeves?! Winter in Florida- ugghh).

This is my beautiful niece who chose to make her debut into the world on my 25th birthday! She has a different middle name, by which she is called, but her first name is Amy :o)

I really have had a great birthday! Glenn and the kids saw to that! It was nice to try not to think of the grief and just enjoy my day. After breakfast, I was given my gifts (with which I am thrilled!!!!!) and then came church, home for Godfather's Pizza.... then tonight while watching the Super Bowl we ate our traditional Super Bowl fare of snack foods! My husband who loves football had said for weeks that since it fell on my birthday we didn't have to watch. After all, his beloved Tampa Bay Bucs weren't playing, not even the Vikings or Packers. (Cala's a big Packers fan!!!!! ha it's true!). I though said that oh sure we were going to watch- I wanted our traditional Super Bowl party (even though it's just us this year!).

Now keep in mind, I don't care one bit for football. I do the nice wife thing and ask Glenn who's playing and act like I care. In all actuality, football could go out of existence and it really wouldn't affect me, but uh, Glenn loves it! I have to admit that tonight I am GLAD to have watched the game! It was neat seeing the Giants win! (did I just write a football post!? Goodness what IS this world coming to?)

ANYWAY- Happy birthday to my sweet niece Michelle! I got to talk to her today- one day we'll get to celebrate together- one day!!!!!!!!

Serene Saturday

Not sure "serene" is the word for it, but uh... it went well with "Saturday".
:o)

Saturday is our "big cleaning" day around here, when we all, as a family clean the house. We got on the ball earlier today than usual which was nice because it allowed the rest of the day for the kids to play and for us to relax a bit... so in that regard, yes, it was a serene day.

--- I was happy today to receive emails from some dear friends in Russia. (fellow missionaries). There were 3 (American) families that we were good friends with "back in the day". The 3 men in each of these families and I all have birthdays close to one another. One birthday was the last part of Jan. Another was yesterday, one today, and mine tomorrow. When in Russia, our four families had a joint party this time of year. I miss that. So, it was nice to hear from these folks and learn more about what's going on with them now.

In other news: I thought it would be a good birthday present for me to have visitors to church tomorrow... lo and behold, Glenn is supposed to pick up a man tomorrow morning for the worship service! God is good!

**I simply love this picture of Cala and me. It was taken a couple of weeks ago at the airport when we went to drop off my niece and my brother.**

Pretty in Pink?

Maybe it has to do with being raised with 3 older brothers, I don't know... I just have never cared much for pink. Yet, it's February, I was getting tired of the plain white background that much reminded me of snow. (I just have to look out my windows to see the real stuff!).

No, with Valentine's Day approaching, pink and red seemed the right thing to do! (no red background offered at Blogger)... I kind of like it :o)

Nothing majorly exciting around here today. We did make a trip to Wal-mart. I was simply thrilled to find Seth a winter coat for next year for $10 on clearance! Yes, just $10. See the picture below of Cala? That's her new coat for next year (had to wear it when it got sooo cold a few days ago). Anyway, each one of our kids now has a $10 coat for next year!!!! That's major savings. They are heavy, 4 in 1 coats (liner comes out to make a lighter coat, etc.) Yep, that kind of savings excites me!

Tonight Daddy called--- asked Glenn to read the Bible to him. Glenn read from the Psalms. What a comfort they are at times like this!