I am extremely sick today. Glenn and the kids were getting ready to walk out the door for church this morning when I began throwing up. Glenn told Cala to stay with me, and I really am glad he did that! She was a real help for me this morning.

Tonight, they are having church at church members' house since I am unable to have it here. Since they are only less than a mile away, I insisted that I was fine alone. I confess I will be glad when they are home! Just something about when you're sick, you want someone around.

Pray for me. This stuff is rough. Be glad when the meds kick in!

Black Friday shopping overall, was a good time. However, once we got home, I increasingly became sick (have been battling a cough and congestion for days).

Fortunately, I got in to the doctor's office and found I have a bacterial infection. I am now on a Z-pack and a strong prescription strength cough syrup. (YUCK is how it tastes- YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!!!!)

Thankful though I got in so quickly.

Thanksgiving Day was such a nice time for us! We went to church members' house around 12:45 in the afternoon and came home at 7:45 in the evening. It was truly a relaxing day and I am grateful for that!

As I type this, it's 3:51 a.m. Black Friday!!!! Yes, I am one of those shoppers who just has to be up to get the good deals. My wonderful husband AND kids are going with me. Glenn doesn't care for shopping, but there are some deals at Circuit City calling his name! ha If it weren't for him going, I wouldn't be able to go so early because I wouldn't want to drive alone through the country at dark. Thank you for Glenn! :o)

Now, best laid plans... I was in bed at 10:30, alarm set for 4 a.m. Do you know when I woke up?! 2:15!!!! Ugghh. I haven't been able to sleep since and so here I sit. I am quite sure that my bed is waiting for my return this afternoon! I will honor its wishes and comply with a nap!

Yes, our kids are troopers. Their Mama has taught them to appreciate a good deal, and Cala has a whole ten dollars to spend! Much to her delight, a doll is on sale at Wal-mart that she wants!

Me? I'm going for the thrill of it all. ha It really is much better shopping here than it was in FLorida where the crowds were worse. I certainly wouldn't traipse off to the Cities though here during this time. I'm not dumb. (just crazy).

It is NOT time to sing Christmas songs!

Sorry to my readers- those of you who are men, but just read it anyway for a laugh.....

We were in Wal-mart tonight when I rounded the corner to buy some deodorant, which just happens to be on the same aisle with shall we say, "feminine hygiene products."

I had this feeling that Seth (age 3) would say something, but uh... he was mid song- singing, "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way".

Upon seeing the pads, he changes the lyrics to......

"Jingle Pads, Jingle Pads, Pads are here today. Oh what fun it is to ride in a paaaaadddd all the day. Oh jingle pads, jingle pads...." OF COURSE the aisle had spectators who at least found this amusing.

I wanted to hang my head but couldn't help but laugh myself.

I sure let time get away from me. It seems to be so easy to do so lately, and I was surprised to realize I hadn't posted since Monday. Never fear, I am here. It's just life with our RAD child is proving to be ever trying. We did have a good day yesterday and are thankful for that.

We woke up to it being 7 degrees this morning with sub zero windchills! Hellooooo! It did warm up to a balmy 17 as I type this at 12:30 (afternoon)! A regular heat wave when it was so cold this morning. Supposedly we are warming up for a few days and then of course, it won't disappoint, the big freeze will take hold before long. After all, Minnesota.

Lonely Neighborhood?

Cala just came running downstairs from her bed to say, "Mama and Papa, I forgot to tell you that _____ said today that she may be moving too! That she probably will be moving!" I asked, "WHAT?! Are you sure?! Are you joking?! Are you sure ____ being serious?!" You see, Cala was near tears and with good reason for a 10 year old.

When we first moved here, a little over 2 years ago, across the street were 2 kids that Cala was in between them in age. They showed up at our door that first day to ask if they could play with our daughter. They became friends. Those kids just moved last week (along with their family of course!). This was due to a lost job and losing the house :o( (as is becoming so very common it seems).

On one side of them lived a family with I think it was 3 kids who played with Cala from time to time until the parents divorced and they all left. Last year in June, a family with 3 kids (all not far in age from Cala) moved in. They became friends (especially the middle boy) with Cala.... they are now leaving soon due to divorce! (that house has a theme?!). The man will be keeping the house in that case though, but the children are moving far away. (this is their step-father).

Now, next to us on one side lives a child that plays with Cala from time to time but we haven't seen nor heard from him in quite some time. There appears to be no one there. AND now this... this latest one to tell Cala they are moving- well, she's just in tears at the thought- asking why everyone is moving?!

I told Glenn it made me want to go outside and hug our house, holding on to it!

I have begun praying for good neighbors with kids to play with for our kids. We have been blessed so far with good neighbors, so I sure pray that continues.

Cala called us the lonely neighborhood.

Cala, at the age of 10 can be well, Cala. ha Here's an incident that happened today though that renewed my faith in the girl as a big sister. She was at Target with her birthday money that she had never spent and bought each of her brothers a Matchbox or Hot Wheels car. As she was choosing which one she said, "I'm glad I can do this for them!" I almost went into shock! ha haaaaaa

She then came over, poked me, and said, "See Mama. You don't think I love them, but I do!" It was so sweet :o)

On Wednesday at lunch, I said, "Brrr..." Seth asks, "you're cold?!" When I said, "Yes", he runs off to his room, bringing back his comforter. He wraps it around me and I say, "I'm so glad you're my son!" He responds with, "I'm so glad I wanted you!" :o)

Then today (Thursday), he did all he could to help me. I think Ethan's situation is making him realize that Mama needs someone to help. It's really very sweet to have Seth pray , "Please let Ethan be o.k. Lord."

Tuesday

Wow! Today was one of those days you just wanted to stay in the house, by the fireplace, with a cup of hot chocolate! Of course it was not to be. I took Seth this morning to our bi-monthly parent/child pre-school class. It was pouring snow at that point! We felt the truck slide as we tried to come home. An adventure for sure!

Tonight at 6, I took Cala to her Brownies meeting and went back to get her at 7:30. Both times, it was a mess out there, and black as night! (ha ha- it was night!).

Life in Minnesota! It's just that time of year.

Monday

So for ya'll not to think I was so overcome with grief at taking down my McCain stickers, I thought I should post! ha

Life has become all about Ethan and his diagnosis of RAD for me. It is all we think about and talk about it seems, but of course other aspects of our life are going on as well. We continue working here to see our church grow.

As it gets dark so much earlier now, we don't get to go door to door. Never fear though! We are looking for every sports event there is so we can get out and put invitations on the vehicles there.

As for my grief- I really, really, really miss my Daddy. I really wish I could talk to him so many times lately. On the other hand, he loved Ethan so dearly, it would hurt him greatly. In that regard, I am glad he doesn't know. I just long to have him to talk to.

Upstairs I go to see how my crockpot potato soup turned out! ( a new recipe I tried- been in the crockpot since 10 this morning!) It's now almost 6.

It was hard this morning to take down my McCain and Palin stickers here at the blog! I hate that they didn't win the election, but now we certainly should continue praying for our new President-elect.

Here on the homefront, we are "plugging" along dealing with Ethan's RAD. It's a daily challenge and we pray we get news soon of when he can start intensive treatment. (more of that on my RAD blog: http://myradchild.blogspot.com To answer some questions that I've been asked, yes you have to sign up through google- it should "walk you through it". Then, simply contact me (or even contact me first) and ask to be added.

Today is a terribly rainy, dreary day. Not sure if I will get out today or not. It's not like I can't find something inside to do, so we'll see.

Sunday

Our church members were gone the past few days to visit family and so they were gone this morning. (back tonight for evening service). This morning, it was just our family. I laughed when saying to Seth that it was going to be just us. "Don't you remember before the ________ came that it was just us?" He said, "No, ma'am." We talked a bit more but it was clear he doesn't remember. I know that's nice though because it was surely depressing back when it was no one week after week.

Now we pray for more to come through those doors.

God was gracious though honestly this morning because it was very rough with Ethan while at church. He really had a hard time. I will post more about that on http://myradchild.blogspot.com

PRaying for Tuesday and this election!!!! May God give us the man we need, not the one we deserve!