Say What?

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the above sign!!! NO, it's not -48 here *48 below), 48 above is normal this time of year, and we've had those days already this March. HOWEVER, today, TODAY was a glorious 72 degrees!!! Who could believe it?! Happy faces abound in Minnesota when it gets this warm!!! In fact, I am quite sure some complained of how hot it was. HA HAAAA Those folks of course, did not grow up where I did in central Florida, where we knew hot.

These folks of course know cold. Just in case you're wondering... we have seen -30 here. That's cold... that's really cold. I don't care for THAT kind of cold, but do enjoy it being cool.

You know... as "they" (whoever "they" are), say, "the grass is always greener on the other side".

Catching Up!

So, last week we were so busy each evening and I simply found no time to post pictures! Never fear!!! I did find time to TAKE the pictures, and so... I will post them here in this post....

Thursday- While we were out in the Cities, I came across this flag. I just decided it would be Thursday's picture. I've always thought there is something beautiful about seeing "Old Glory" waving in the wind, as if it's proud to be there. While living in Russia, I can remember a 4th of July we spent with other missionary friends and when we played the "Star Spangled Banner", there was NOT a dry eye in the room!

Friday- Glenn taking his blood sugar... He finally got it down to normal range!!!! It should be in between 70 and 120 and on this day, his got to 118!!! Since then, it's even been as low as 108. The diabetic diet is working, along with his two medications.

God is good!

Saturday- this was my view at the car wash.
I am very claustrophobic, and so I can not go the car washes here as they all are inside. (meaning, you enter and doors close behind you and in front of you.) So, I waited outside while the van got a bath!





Sunday- Ethan wanted me to take his picture. I think he's so very cute with his glasses (looks older), and his two front teeth missing.


Monday- this is Spring Break for Cala and Ethan. Cala and I have planned a "girl's day" for quite some time, but one thing after another came up. So, yesterday, she had an appointment and the boys (both sick) stayed home with Glenn. Cala and I took that chance to go out to eat for supper (Famous Dave's barbecue) and hit a couple of stores. What a wonderful time we had, just being Mama and daughter, and super silly to boot!


Then, there's today- Seth is an aspiring artist. Here is a wasp he drew. Recently, we were in a therapist's office when a woman and her grand son were there. The baby was around 8 months or so. Seth was fascinated by the little guy and said, "oh! I know what babies like", and drew him a picture of a bottle! ha It did make the baby smile.

So there you have it! I will try keeping up with this again tomorrow :o)

Wednesday's picture

I just thought I would give a little update on Glenn for my picture of the day (Wednesday). He has not yet had a normal blood sugar level reading, but he is getting really close!!! He was told the normal range is from 80 to 120, and last night (Tuesday), it was down to 128!!! Tonight it was 129! He's getting close!!!

In other news, I got the news yesterday that I am pre-diabetic, but that the doctor feels if I stay on the same "diabetic diet" that Glenn is on, I can beat it. So, no medicine for me at this point, praise the Lord! I will be re-checked in 3 months!

Package from Grandparents :o)

The kids were very excited to get a package from their grandparents! Grandpa works for Waste Management and sent all the kids a big WM shirt that they can sleep in (and are tonight :o) as well as a WM cap for each. They loved knowing it was for them from Grandpa.

Today started out rough but tonight, "it is well with my soul."

I love this picture of Ethan!

I appreciate prayer for him. As I've mentioned before, Ethan suffers from mental illnesses, but is such a very precious boy. I ache for him! I long to see more days like this picture, him being happy.

Sunday

This past week was one of those hectic weeks, when honestly, I was just glad it was Sunday... it was time to "re-charge" at church today.

We had good services and I was glad to be in the Lord's house.

There is no better place to be on Sunday than in church, worshipping and learning more about God and His Word!

This is Cala modeling in Wal-mart! ha! No, seriously, she was trying on hats and struck a pose.

Tonight, I am so very grateful for my dear daughter!!!! Without her helping today, I would be lost in the housework. Today was a rough day pain wise, with my fibro. Cala, every now and then gets in her "cleaning mood" and off she goes. Now, this doesn't strike as often as we would like of course, but she today did so very much, I am very proud of her!!!

Saturdays are what we call our "cleaning day", as in it's the day we do major cleaning. Tonight, I owe my clean house to this precious girl. I love you CALA!

Today was a very busy, but good day. This is Cala at her Science Fair, demonstrating her volcano. It went really well.

We then immediately went to her concert, in which she played the recorder and at one point, played the xylophone.


We were very proud of her today.

This evening, we enjoyed an evening at church members' home. We held a mini-Science fair there with their home schooled kids. It was really neat!

I am looking forward to sleeping tonight with no alarm set!!!

Today's picture took place just a few minutes ago... we were working on the last minute touches of Cala's Science Fair project (volcano) and I caught this picture of Keeska. She often stands on her back two feet and I love when she does this!!!

She has a stem in her mouth that Cala brought in. Keeska is strictly an indoor cat except in summer when she goes out back sometimes when we are out there... she herself will run back inside within a few minutes. Yet, she naturally loves to eat grass or chew on stems, etc.

I love my cat :o)

Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day... I go to the doctor in the morning, we have an appointment after that in a city a few miles away, then to Cala's Science Fair, then to Cala's concert, then back home for 45 minutes or so before going to some friends' home for supper... but first at their house, we are going to have a mini-science fair amongst Cala and their kids who are home-schooled. I am looking forward to it !

Green Eggs and Ham

Glenn and I love to create memories for our family. I sincerely hope that our kids will grow up and have fond memories of the traditions we have started. Today, Glenn and I cooked breakfast together, inspired by this classic book:

Glenn cooked the ham, and I cooked green omelets. I also made toast. We didn't wake the kids up until we absolutely had to, and stalled them from coming into the kitchen, as they always do if someone is cooking!

I wish I had taken their pictures the moment we put their plates down! ha ha It was priceless. I think it was Seth who said, "I'm not eating this" Ethan (who never refuses to eat ANYTHING) pushed the plate away! ha Cala just stared at her dish and Glenn and I laughed! When I said that Papa and Mama are both eating the same thing they were, they realized we hadn't given them spoiled food! Cala ate a bite and the boys followed. They of course loved it, realizing it was the same taste only colored and then they wanted to know how I made it, etc. etc.


Since it was getting late in waking the kids up, Glenn didn't get the time to make the ham green, but the omelet was the star anyway in our kids' book.

Seth ran to get the book and had me read it while they ate! I think this will be a new found tradition on St. Patrick's Day!

Last night, we went to this really great restaurant called, "Grizzly's." We had never been and are so glad we went! As you can see behind the kids, they are "spit roasting" chicken. That was without a doubt THE best chicken I had ever had!!! The kids were enthralled with the rotisserie, but once I took the picture, Seth was enjoying root beer :o)

We've been blessed with kids who actually obey really well in restaurants. (no, really!) Last night was one of those nights that were relaxing and enjoyable as a family.

Monday

Ethan got glasses today! I can't believe how cute he is!!! I think he looks older too!

He said he wonders what M____ will think. She's a girl that he's crazy about! :o) (I should say the girl this week! hee hee). I can't wait to have him come home after his first day at school with glasses and tell me what everyone said.

Cats :o)

I sure meant to be online yesterday but by bed time, I was exhausted! Losing that hour of sleep with the springing ahead didn't help matters this morning! ha.... Here's the picture for yesterday....

Cala has been working on her volcano for science and with the clay, decided to make some animals (just for fun)... Here's a cat she made....

This afternoon, after lunch, I caught a picture of our real cat... here she is, "Keeska". I simply love our cat! She's never been like the typical cats that I grew up with... I've always wished she would be more loving, more jumping in your lap type, but she's just never been. THEN, when I was sick for two months (swine flu, etc.), she stayed right by my side, making sure in her way, that I was o.k. She continues to stay right by Glenn as if to comfort him. When the kids are outside, and she hasn't been informed, or seen them go outside, she will meow until I let her know "your kids are outside, they are alright." She meows and seems satisfied. ha! Got to love her!

Fog

We went this evening to eat at Pizza Hut and could barely see the entire way... the fog was so very thick, even at 5:30 this evening.

We enjoyed our meal and headed to Wal-mart to pick up a couple of things- while there, found some really great deals on the kids' clothes- clearance deals on shirts for $3.... Cala got a really nice jacket for $5. She bought it herself. (black "leather" look). We also found her a couple of pairs of pajamas for $2 each! Can't beat that!

Unfortunately, while there, Seth had a major nose bleed! He has them from time to time, but this one was so bad, we rushed out and drove towards the hospital. We prayed along the way as well as called the grandparents and asked them to pray. It stopped before we got there! We came home and he's been o.k. since. He has these from time to time (since age 18 months) and it's been chalked up to allergies. He will soon have a 5 year old check up and I am going to talk to the doctor about these again.

I am glad to be home tonight and quite ready to go to bed!

Chef Cala

Cala and Seth have become our chief salad makers. This was Cala tonight as she chopped up the lettuce. She really goes to town, having lettuce fly up in the air, etc. She's serious about cooking! Seth loves to help and he put on goggles to protect his eyes while he worked with onions! ha

Both Glenn and I like to cook and try new recipes, and our kids are following in our footsteps! I love that!

We are blessed that they all love vegetables and will really eat just about anything.

I adopted my Mama's way of thinking- "I'm not a restaurant and won't cook separate meals". It's worked for me! They all like a variety of foods.

Glenn and I really enjoyed a nice time today. Once Seth was off to pre-school, he and I were able to enjoy a nice lunch out. Glenn first got online to look up the nutritional info about the place we went to and found exactly what we should eat on the diabetic diet. It was great...truly about what we always ate at this place!!! We really got full.

Tomorrow should be a "slow day" until the evening when it's family night. :o)

Wednesday

Seth asked me to take a picture of his snow boot. He's getting into this picture of the day thing. ha ha

Today, Glenn had a doctor's appointment as a one week follow up after his diagnosis of Diabetes. They added an extra medicine in, and are thinking we are at least on the right track. His blood sugar level is not yet in the normal range, but is much better.

Things with him are finally looking up it seems! I certainly praise the Lord for that.

Missed a Day

So obviously, I missed yesterday's picture! I will add one for yesterday here as well as today's pic....

Since Glenn has been so very sick, I have had to step up and become all things to all people. ha He is having such dizzy spells, that I have to drive everywhere. He has to eat at the same time every day as well as have 3 snacks. It's been a bit chaotic and overwhelming as we get adjusted to his new way of life.

Cala will be presenting a "volcano" at her Science fair next week. The board part is due this week. We finished it tonight, but I thought I would post a picture for yesterday of her working on the volcano.

For today's picture (Tuesday- I am now typing this past midnight), I give you this:

Ethan came home today carrying this pouch that reads,
"Guess what I lost today?" His two front teeth!!!

Tonight, Cala and I nicknamed him "toof", as that's how he pronounces "tooth" since losing these today.

It is so precious to hear him talk now!!!! He's not quite as amused as the rest of his family is.

Cala hard at work tonight on her Science Fair Project. She is making a volcano :o)

Her board is due this Wednesday and her actual project (volcano) is due the following week. So tonight was the beginning of molding the volcano so it has plenty of time to dry and then we will paint it brown with a touch of red at the top.

Ah, homework the second time around is so much fun! (said sarcastically). Of course, we have a third and fourth time to go. :o)

Saturday

This picture was taken at a building we were very interested in purchasing for our church work here... it didn't work out but we continue searching for what God has in store.

I chose this picture today because I am just sooo looking forward to church on Sunday.

Saturday was SO not a day I wish to repeat. Things just were rough today. Glenn is not well, the kids didn't want to obey, you know those kinds of days... I wouldn't have gotten through without talking to my Mama and my in-laws as well. It's great to have parents (talking about both my Mama and my in-laws) that pray for you on the phone even.

I miss my Daddy soooo very much, as he daily spoke with me on the phone, and several times a day at that. It's taken a lot to get used to him not being on the other end of the line. I am just thankful to know that my Mama is still a phone call away.

I will be happy to be in church, as I just need that comfort you get from being with your church family and getting spiritually "re-charged."

Caught doing good :o)

Seth likes to help do dishes! Who am I to complain? :o)

Got to love a boy like that!

We are learning a whole new life around here... Glenn was diagnosed with diabetes a couple of days ago and so we are learning to cook the diabetic way.

I am learning as we go along, day by day. He's in the first week of them trying to get it regulated and see what works, what doesn't. It's yet another thing for us to become educated on.

Thursday

Living in Minnesota, you're bound to fall on the ice at some point in your life! I've made it through the past two Winters without doing so, until Wednesday!
As I reached the porch of some friends' home, I slid on the ice and came down hard on both knees. My right knee especially hit the ice, and the left knee came down hard, and immediately slid. My arms both were involved, because they both swell around the wrists. I was such a mess! Glenn was in the truck, out of it, from having been at the ER all day, and heard me hit. He tried to get out of the truck, but by the time he opened the door, our friends came out to help.
I am thankful to be "o.k." just in a LOT of pain, which is of course exacerbated by having fibromyalgia.

Oh the joys of life in Minnesota.... this time of year is when the snow begins melting some and ice begins appearing... fun, fun fun! :o)

I love riding out in the country and finding scenes like this one....

Thought today I would put another picture of Minnesota scenery.... this is not too far from us... it's beautiful here, it truly is.

The Bunny

Can you see the bunny? This bunny shows up right outside our bedroom window and just sits. We can't tell if it's a "he" or "she"... we wonder if it's a she and there are babies there or something. It's impossible for us to tell from our window... we look down to the bunny. We haven't been able to get out back where said bunny resides due to the snow in that area.

We enjoy looking for it daily to see when it's arrived. Our cat tries to climb in our window to catch a glimpse as well! She of course would have other plans if she were able to get out there.