Friday

Cala had her well child check-up... all is well. In fact, they said she can see so well, she can see things that most folks can't! ha She is still tiny... 10th percentile only for her weight, and 25th for height, but she's healthy. No complaints there....

As for me, my blood work came back negative, so that's a bit perplexing. There was a blood test run that showed lots of inflammation and so the next step is this: I will go back in 2 to 4 weeks and have my blood re-tested. After that, they will see if the inflammation is down any... and the next step at that point is a rheumatologist (which I think is a wise choice). SO, no real answers yet, but at least we are slowly plodding along.

All About School....

Today I went to meet with Ethan's pre-school (which ended yesterday) teacher. Ethan was in ECSE this year (and last), which stands for Early Childhood Special Education. He is definitely developmentally delayed, which stems from his early life in an orphanage. Today was an end of the year assessment to just let me know how things stood with him.

I also got to meet his Special Ed. teacher for Kindergarten. She seems really nice, and I am grateful for this school district. Unfortunately, they don't yet know who his Kindergarten (main) teacher will be, but obviously I'll know that by fall!

Cala got to go over to 3rd grade and meet her teacher for the fall, as well as her classmates. She was disappointed that only one boy from her current class will be with her next year. (at least he's been her friend since last year so that helps). She also got it in her head that she wanted a certain teacher and was sad that this is not going to be hers. The reason was, a girl in her class was saying how she hoped she got this certain teacher because her sister had the teacher for 3rd grade and really had fun. SO, there was Cala hoping for him too! HA I explained that for all she knew she wouldn't like him, and that Mrs. ____ will probably be fun too!

Remember I said she was sad because only one boy from her class will be with her? She said, "I don't know anybody in that class." THEN, about 3 hours later she starts telling me of 3 girls from her Brownies troop that will be in her class, AS WELL as a girl that lives behind us!!!! (Cala doesn't know the girl behind us well, but this will give them that chance!). Got to love this girl and her leaving out the details part. I think she'll actually get to 3rd grade and be happy.

In other news: it's been storming and after the tornado sirens went off on Sunday, the kids are a bit nervous at the sound of thunder now. ugghhh Hoping for clear skies soon.

Pray for this hurting family...

Back at the end of April, I asked prayer for a family- the lead singer of the contemporary Christian group, Selah. If you will recall, they had a baby girl, Audrey Caroline that lived two precious hours (after not being expected to live at all.)

Please go to Angie's blog to read the latest tragedy to strike this family : http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com There are no words at a time like this, just prayer.

Tuesday

Glenn had a good birthday! It really was a nice day, and I am glad it went so well. While Cala and Ethan were gone to school, Glenn, Seth and I enjoyed an afternoon in a nearby city. Once they came home, we continued our celebration together and really did have a good time.

I must say I am happy that tomorrow (Wednesday) holds little for me to do... well, I say little... I have a lot to do in the house as Wednesday evening church service is here, but that won't take too long.

Rambling here, so off I go....

Monday- Memorial Day

Cala and I spent the afternoon, and into the evening, out looking for Glenn's birthday gift- for tomorrow. I can't tell what we were looking for, because we never found it! So why can't I tell? Because I am planning to keep searching and get it for Father's Day. I'll have better luck finding the unsaid item in a bigger city when we go there.

Anyway, we ended up buying Glenn something he had mentioned he would like- funny that I actually remembered since it's been probably a year now! ha We gave it to him tonight, and he indeed was happy. His birthday is tomorrow and so when Cala and Ethan are at school, we are heading out for the day, with Seth.

Ethan will be gone from early morning to the Children's Museum in St. Paul! It's his school's end of the year field trip. He is so excited! Cala and I picked him up a lunch at Wal-mart (a box with sandwich, apple, cheese stick, animal crackers and juice box all for $2.50). Ethan was quick tonight to holler out from bed, "Mama! Did someone put my lunch in the refrigerator? Did my name get put on it?" So cute.

While we were out today, I mentioned to Cala that I needed to at some point this week, come to the hospital and get my blood drawn. Cala convinced me to do so today. From the time we went in until we went out, was no more than 15 minutes. As we were walking out, I told Cala, "thanks girl for convincing me to go ahead and stop. Now it's over with." She responded, "You're welcome, Mama. You really should listen to me and not yourself about these things!" ha
AND thanks for the prayers! This lab tech found a vein right off. I am thankful for that!

All in all, a good day. Tomorrow should be nice! I am looking forward to Glenn having a good birthday!

Should have been Saturday's post...

So now I just remembered there was no Saturday post....that is due to the storming last night....

This would have been the post:

Today went well. We had a cook-out (or as they say here, "barbecue") for Glenn. There were 14 total folks and we all had a good time. Well, that was until our neighbor girl hurt herself. Her Mom took her home and we told her we would bring the other two kids with us. All went really well following that, until... right at the end, I had just said, "five more minutes" when wham....one boy got hurt on the see-saw (or as they say here, "teeter totter"). He's alright, nothing some motrin and his parent's hugs couldn't fix.

Seriously, Glenn enjoyed the cook-out and everyone else did too really. The kids loved being able to run and play and I enjoyed the minimal clean up. Glenn was blessed with some nice gifts!

Once we got home, we rested awhile before the storm started and therefore, I was not able to get online. Sorry 'bout that!

***READ the post below for Sunday's post: God's Protection!***

God's Protection

Last night, there was some bad thundering and lightning. Because of that, we allowed the kids to camp out in the family room close to where our bedroom is. This kept them from getting too scared.

This afternoon, while we were all napping, the tornado siren went off. Keep in mind, at this time of year, the siren is tested each week, but always on the same day and same time. Glenn and I had been keeping a check on the tv weather and knew it was bad. We turned the tv off and tried to get some rest. Just about that time, the siren goes off. We jumped up, Cala comes knocking at the door, asking me if it's real. I responded, "yes, honey this is real." She immediately began crying but I calmed her down really quickly by reminding her how we had talked about this before and knew what to do, right? She went into action mode then, and we all sat down down right outside our bedroom in our "safe place" with a mattress blocking off an "entryway". A funny thing is Seth would have slept right through it if we had let him. Of course, Glenn went to get him and put him with the rest of us.

We sat there, calming the kids down, talking about how God was with us. Then Seth, awake by this point says, "I'll go get my costume (he oftens plays Batman) and go punch that tornado and kill it." That got Cala laughing and she proceeded to ask Ethan (who plays the part of Superman) if he would help him. It wasn't long before the siren stopped and we all went about our afternoon, preparing for Sunday night service.

We are glad for God's protection... 60 miles from us, 20 people are missing and a 2 year old child has died. Thank you Lord for your mercy!

Friday

We took both boys to the doctor for their well child check-ups.... both are doing well :o)

They attempted today to take more blood from me, but to no avail. I have always had trouble getting my blood drawn- can't seem to find my veins. Ouch for me! I am being sent next week to a hospital to have them try.

Time for our weekly family night! Looking forward to it.

I spent today (Thursday) thinking it was Friday! I hate when that happens, but honestly I have been like a day ahead in my mind, most of the week!

I spent most of the afternoon at Target and Wal-mart, getting a few groceries.

I also talked to my Mama. She turned 75 today. I miss her.

I am also very sad for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. To read about the tragedy that has struck their family, go to: http://stevencurtischapman.com/ Please pray for them. I can't begin to imagine.

Wednesday

I typed out Wednesday and it just looks so weird?! ha.... anyway, I wanted to post some pictures tonight but for some reason, I can't get my picture thing on then computer to work... so, hopefully, we'll get those up tomorrow night.

The pictures are of Cala at her track and field day this morning. We had to be at the school at 8:30 and it lasted a little over an hour. Following that, we cleaned out the van, then I took a short nap. This afternoon, I attended a tour of a vet's office with Cala's Brownies (girl scouts) troop. That was interesting! One girl when the doctor mentioned the word "urinate" asked, "what's urinate mean in English?!" HA Haaaaaaaa Got to love children! (she's 8 or so).

While Glenn was at the doctor's office today, they told him that his wife (that would be me), needs to have more blood work done.. and so, Friday, when we take the boys in for their well child check-ups, I will once again get poked! Hopefully, they will have some results back soon!

Catch you tomorrow.

Tuesday

I am very tired... today (Tuesday), I went with Seth to his last bi-monthly parent/child class for the 2 year olds. (and 3's with a birthday like his- after the Sept. 1 cut off). We will attend next year's 3's class same time and day. We had an ice cream party... Seth loved it.

Then this afternoon, I went to the doctor... she is testing me for all sorts of things, and I hopefully will hear back on some of the blood work this Friday. (if not then, then by Tuesday since Monday is a holiday). I am just glad to have taken at least this baby step towards getting me the proper diagnosis.

She told me to get lots of sleep. I was told that years ago by another doctor. We'll see how it goes.

Chicken Little Checks In...

Chicken little here checking in....Glenn had to have some fillings done, and Cala had a baby tooth taken out (a permanent tooth was trying to push through it). They said after all Cala's baby teeth have fallen out (by age 13), that she will be evaluated to see if she needs braces. At this point though everything looked pretty good.

As for me, I have SEVEN cavities and two teeth to be pulled. You see, living in Russia is what made our teeth go bad... I know that. We never went to the dentist there and then, we had no insurance until now, so we let it go... Glenn HAD to have some teeth pulled out a couple of years ago because of constant infections. He has 2 that need to be done now at another appointment. One could take a root canal they said, but they are leaving the choice up to him... it would eventually need a crown... our insurance pays everything, but not the crown and it would be nearly $900!!!!! So, at some point, Glenn will have it just taken out.

I couldn't have anything done today though because I have a heart murmur. (My Mama and my Daddy both do, but I only found out about mine last year). Since I have no clue if I can now handle anesthesia without being pre-medicated, they didn't want to do anything without my medical doctor signing a form. My Mama ALWAYS had to have medicine (still does) several days before going to the dentist.

ANYWAY- I go to the medical doctor tomorrow to get started on all the testing for whatever I have. Keep praying! I'll keep updating!!!!!!

Chicken little out...

Sunday

Today has been a good Sunday. We really had good services today, and at this morning's service, we decided to go ahead and have a fellowship tonight after church. It was nice to have this time to fellowship! I like that. It's needed and refreshing!

Now, if only right before evening church we wouldn't have noticed that one of our family room blinds are having a problem, and it turns out that our oldest son is to blame.. come to find out, he's been swinging from the cord like a monkey!!!!! uggghhh This is the same boy who a few months ago "pulled the rope" like Moe on the Doodlebops show! This meant he pulled down the light fixture from above the dining room table! uggghhhh

Life with boys. Fun! Real Fun! I tell you, I will EARN my gray hairs. (not that I have any, er, many.) HAAAAAAAAAAA

Day- I don't even know anymore...

I really am going to have to go back and see what day this is of my 75 days of blogging. Of course if I am so used to it now- who knows?! Perhaps I really will keep it up nightly. I know you, my loyal readers are hoping I do, right?! HA HA

Ever have day where you've been busy the entire day, are now exhausted and still feel like you have so much more you should've gotten done??! Today, I've been on my feet the entire day except I would estimate 30 minutes when my inlaws called. I was happy for the interruption at that point, and then I dozed off one time for 10 minutes while the kids were talking to them. Let's see, one other time I called my Mama, but even then I was in the kitchen working on something. HA Then, there is now... now when I am sitting here writing to you.

So, am I done yet? NOPE! Still have ironing to do for church tomorrow. I really need a shower, but am wondering if I'll just get that in the morning.

At least for all this exhaustion, I have a clean house, Sunday School lesson ready to go, (complete with a take home project- we're making a book tomorrow I decided, of Bible verses!), Sunday dinner is in the crockpot (roast that I got at buy 1, get 1 free!), and some loads of clothes have been washed.

Life is exciting here in my domestic blissful life. How's it with you?

Friday

Friday nights are our weekly family night. I'm sure I've mentioned it here before, and with my memory, probably I do every week! ha

Anyway, this was Cala's time to choose our supper (always on these nights, it's something cheap and easy to make), as well as our "family night treat", and an activity for the evening. She chose well.... We had grilled cheese sandwiches (which I love making on the George Foreman grill) and tomato soup. For "treat" (dessert), she chose mint chocolate chip ice cream.

For our activity, Cala decided on going to a park we've all wanted to visit but had not yet done since we moved here! It's in the town where we do our shopping. We all had a great time! You could tell the kids really enjoyed the different playground equipment and of course we all enjoyed the fresh air. (which after living in this kind of climate, we truly cherish!!!! Did I mention it was an extremely looonnngg winter?!)

The weekend awaits......

Thursday

So I got busy tonight searching for old friends online. I've really been curious about my old school friends and what became of them! Then I got to looking for folks we knew in Russia. (other Americans).

You sure can get your eyes open online when you search for folks and find them. Particularly if they have a MySpace, they just seem to let their hair down and spill all! ha I have nothing against MySpace when used correctly (I have one by the way, mostly to keep up with friends who have one and because I want to find old friends). It's just wow! I was sad more than once tonight at finding what life must be like for a few young folks that I knew a few years ago. I am now called to pray for them I can say that.

In other news: I forgot an appointment I have tomorrow morning. I'll have to leave here 35 minutes prior or so... I better head to bed soon. Oh yes! I go a whopping 4 hours at the most sleep last night, but it's better than none like I was fearing.

Wednesday's Post

Tonight looks to be a rough night. If you are reading this before bed time on Wednesday night (it's after midnight here), please pray I am able to sleep.

Really nothing else to say tonight... I will update tomorrow.

The boys (ages 5 and 3) have been just crazy today- I call them wild men! They haven't misbehaved really, just been running around laughing a whole lot! (sure beats crying! ha)

This evening I said, "wow you boys have sure been silly ALLLLLLL day". Ethan replied, "yes, ma'am. We think we cute!" :o)

I do too.

Just a short post tonight... been working with Cala to organize her room. I don't even want to get started on what that entails! ha Let's just say she's the classic, "throw it in the closet, or under the bed" kind of girl.

Words heard from her tonight were, "Mama, look, I found....." "Been looking for this Mama!" HAAAAAAA Got to love her!

Happy Mother's Day! Glenn and the kids cleaned the house yesterday, as well as straightening up this afternoon after Sunday dinner, and before evening church (which is at our home).

Glenn made our dinner (lunch) and it was great! They gave me a candle set as I LOVE candles and Cala and Ethan both had given me things they made at school this week.

It was 3 years ago today that Glenn, Cala and I landed in Guatemala and met Seth! He was 5 months old. We met Ethan the following day. (yep, met my baby son first!)

I've been doing a lot of scrapbooking again and as I mentioned before (I think), the boys are LOVING seeing their baby pictures.

Our busy month continues.... Stay tuned.

I guess we all have them... you know, those days you just wish you could fast forward?! This has just been a messy, rainy, dreary day weather wise.

Emotionally, I've been a real wreck! I just wish to fast forward through much right now. Isn't that awful? But hey! I'm human. That's going to happen I suppose.

I was thrilled to come home from Wal-mart and see that Glenn and the kids cleaned the house :o) We always do the house together on Saturdays, but since I went out and did some needed supplies shopping, they did it without me, for Mother's Day :o) That was nice.

Guess where my husband is now? Upstairs, preparing Mother's Day dinner (lunch). I realize I am blessed.

Friday

Friday is our weekly family night. Tonight was my turn to choose our meal (always something simple and quick on Friday), as well as choose our family activity. I find it funny about being my turn to choose the meal since I basically always choose the meals, ha! Anyway... I decided on hot dogs and tater tots--- cookies for "Family Night Treat", and for our activity- we headed to the city park.

This park is where last summer we spent many a Friday evening. The kids love it and so do Glenn and I as there is actually an adult swing there, so we can sit and watch the kids play and enjoy sitting there, swinging if we choose, etc. It was indeed a bit chilly this evening, but it sure was nice to think that we have a few weeks ahead of us, enjoying park trips.

Cala has already informed us that for next week, her choice will be another park we've been wanting to check out but have yet to make it there. :o)

Oh yes! This morning, Seth got his stitches out. He did really well, and the doctor even asked if I wanted the stitches saved for his baby book. Since I've recently gotten back into scrappin' (the scrapbook kind, not the fightin' kind! ha ha!), I said, "yes."

Thursday

Today was what we call Cala's Family Day. It was 7 years ago on May 8, 2001 that she came home with us from an orphanage in St. Petersburg, Russia. What a blessing and a joy she is!

She wanted subs for supper, so Subway it was! Here is picture of her from Easter:

Wednesday

Last night I talked about the high price of groceries...well, today while I was on my way to take care of some stuff in a neighboring city, I stopped at the cheapest place around here for gas. Thinking I would get just $5.00 worth, I thought about it some more and remembered we would have to go to this same city tomorrow. I went ahead and got $10.00 worth and now wish I would have been able to fill it up!

You see, when I got the gas, it was $3.43 a gallon which is bad enough. When I returned to town just 2 hours later, it had shot up to a whopping $3.59. That's plain ridiculous. I know it could be worse, but wow... it's bad enough.

I am looking forward to Thursday (tomorrow). We celebrate Cala's Family Day.

Ever Amazed at the Price....

No, not talking about the price of gas, although that of course is through the roof! (and I hear that actually the U.S. has some of the cheapest prices of gas anywhere).

I'm talking though about groceries! WOW! I know it has a lot to do with the high price of gas, but my goodness have groceries ever gone up! I notice it in things like bread- the cheap wheat loaf- Wal-mart brand (Great Value) has gone up at least 10 cents. Then there's the little things like Crunch N Munch which I buy quite often as a snack for the kids... a box used to be 88 cents at Wal-mart- now $1.25- still a reasonable price for the stuff, but it just struck me how things are really rising!!!!

I spend AT LEAST 25 more dollars a week than I did just a few months ago! I think we'll soon be eating beans and rice, rice and beans, potatoes for variation. HA (just kidding- don't worry about us- if we did that, it would be strictly to cut back on cost). God is faithful to take care of us. I just can't get over how things have really risen in cost lately!

Future Sports Star?

This evening, Ethan and I went to sign him up for Flag Football. It begins in September and runs through October.

I think Ethan will grow up to have "Buyer's Remorse". In typical Ethan style, we had just signed up for football, when Ethan says, "I should have signed up for baseball." Oh my!

To his defense, when we first got the info on all that can be done this summer/fall, we mentioned t-ball. Ethan was excited until I called and found that the season runs from June to July, causing him to miss some games because of a trip to Florida during that time. We then told him we would check out football.

Remembering that today was the date we had to sign up, I called and talked to someone about football, as well as t-ball. (we've been discussing Florida dates today). We decided to go ahead and sign him up for t-ball if he wanted to, and just simply let him miss a couple of games.

To our surprise, he still wanted to do flag football. Then, we get to the gym to sign up and he has second thoughts?! ha I told him it really was a little too late, why don't we just do football this year and t-ball next... He said, "will Papa come see me play football?" I responded with, "yes, of course". That's all he needed to know... "I play football!"

Next year?! Well, there's always soccer! ha

Day 24 already

When I committed to blogging 75 days in a row, I really thought I would have nothing to say. I know, some of you reading may be saying, "you really don't have anything to say!" haaaaa Thanks anyway for reading my ramblings.......

Today was a good day. We received some needed encouragement this morning. Amazing what words do for you. God is blessing! We are excited about being a part of it all.

I just realized that this is the first day in a long time that I haven't spoken with my Daddy. He's not up to talking much... he has a rash all over, and it's going in his mouth, making it difficult to talk. Please pray the itching stops soon.

Saturday

Many have asked me how Seth is doing. The answer is just fine! I thought I would share some pictures that I plan to put in his scrapbook to chronicle this incident.

These pictures were taken just a couple of hours after we got back from the ER on Friday.

I thought it was so sweet when we came out of the ER: The first thing Seth asked was, "Where's Ethan?" They really do love each other so much!

Then when Cala came home and learned about it, she mothered him the rest of the day! Seth made out well with books read by his big sister and candy to boot! Cala doesn't give up candy for just anyone!

Know how you can have a day planned, know pretty much what will take place, and then bam! It all changes.....

This morning, a lady from church and her kids were coming by for us to practice a song for church. Five minutes before they arrived, all was calm... I was on our bed, Glenn was at the computer- it all happened so fast- bam! wwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaa screams Seth. He had hit his head on a wooden chair.

Seven stitches later, he's doing fine. He keeps looking at himself in the mirror and saying, "look Ethan! Looks like a lot of blood!"

Thank God for the woman from church. She took Ethan home with them and Cala was at school. Thank God for the hospital being so very fast! I couldn't believe that from the time we LEFT OUR HOUSE (8 miles away)!, that we were leaving the hospital in LESS than an hour! Unbelievable!!!!!

OF COURSE- Thank God that our insurance went into effect YESTERDAY!!!!!!! God is good!

Happy May Day

Glenn and the boys went tonight to a special night at the boys school. They had games, etc. for all kids under age 7. Since Cala is older than that, she and I stayed home. Not wanting to cook for just us, (or use last night's leftovers for just us either), we ran to McDonald's. Once we got home, I looked out and saw two neighbor girls running across the street. The rang the doorbell, Cala said, "oh hi!" and found out she had caught them... They were coming to leave a small May Day basket of candy!

As for me, I'm feeling awfully strange... I can't pinpoint this feeling really... just feel strange. I hope it leaves me tomorrow. I got a good bit done yesterday in the house and just didn't do much of anything today.

Tomorrow is a new day!