All About the Benjamin's Babies

Georgia Cyber Academy

2011-11-18T17:22:00.001-05:00

We have made a huge decision recently regarding the kid's education. We have decided to pull the kids from their current school at Cloverleaf Elementary School and go to a virtual public home school called the Georgia Cyber Academy.

We came about this decision with much research, praying, talking, praying, including input from what the kids wanted. There is a different reason for each kid of why we decided to homeschool.

CALEB: (4th grade)
The reason we even started to look into this choice was because of Caleb. He kept bringing to our attention how he was bored and frustrated with school. He didn't feeling like he was learning much and was not challenged in any way. Last year he was accepted into the gifted program called Gate. To get in to a program like that you have to score on their test above 90% in 3 out of 4 categories. Here is the evaluation. His gate teacher from last year said he needed to be in this program. And until this year we were excited about it and felt that whatever he was not getting in regular class (i.e. challenging work), he would get in gate. If you'll notice, the average is 50%. The teacher said most kids do not get all categories and usually the creativity one is never met. We were very proud of Caleb.

Last year for example he dissected a sheep brain. But in order to have the privilege to doing that activity they had to get 100% on all the test which included knowing all the brain vocabulary, spelling, tools list etc. It was the first time that Caleb had ever had to study, ever was challenged, and he looovved it! They also learned about research paper writing, advanced them in math, learned about different cultures and overall had an expectation even on the everyday responsibilities of arriving with certain folder with certain items and as parents were required to step back and let him do everything himself. They met for a whole day each week and also got to go on special field trips.

This year they have changed the program. We have a new principal, a new gate teacher, and a new program. This year they go into gate only 2 hours a week. The gate teacher then goes into the whole class to teach advanced math. Apparently this is for the purpose of preparing these kids to take AP courses in Middle School. I think the idea is great but they are using a resource that is meant for these kids that need challenge in order to gain the skills that you gain when something is hard and you have to work at it. The average kid gains those skills in the normal coarse work. Caleb is in the advanced class but even with all that it is still too easy.

We had a meeting with his teachers and the gate teacher. We love his teachers. He likes them. He has fun in class and enjoys the personalities of his teachers. We feel the teachers are doing a great job and everything they should be doing but also feel that the system itself is failing Caleb. We feel he needs more and however great a teacher may be are unable to give the extra attention or be able to prepare extra or more challenging lessons. For example, Caleb finished 6th grade level on accelerated math. I don't think it is everything learned if you were to go through it normally, but he was working through it. This year he is still forced to stay at 4th grade math which he says he is very bored with. His teacher says if he finishes so many objectives he can move on but he is not pushing himself in that. We worry that his boredom will turn into giving up on grades and trying later on. We want to stimulate him, challenge him so that he can learn study skills that he can carry with him to college.

So during the meeting, as we discussed Caleb and our concerns. The gate teacher kept rolling her eyes! Seriously, your a gate teacher, not only should you as any teacher show respect and professionalism for parents but your also a teacher for the brightest and smartest kids in the school and you roll your eyes when we talk about one of those gifted kids. Unbelievable! She also presented us with a test she had given the kid at the beginning of the year that asked, "what is forensics etc". She shows us it, and then says "see here he says I don't know all the way down the test". Really.... That told me she doesn't get what it is to be in the gifted program. It doesn't mean you have downloaded every bit of information and know everything. It just means that you have the capabilities to learn on a whole other level and that to be challenged like other kids normally are at this age you need more. We even asked Caleb later what was forensics and he still didn't know. I don't think that was because he didn't remember what was taught him. She said the big project was going to be a power point presentation. So when we got home we had Caleb give us a power point presentation on GCA or staying where he is at. He did it in 30 minutes including cool backgrounds, layouts, and special effects. So here we are. What do we do.

That was issue number one....

LORYN: (2nd grade)

Loryn has always struggled with learning. Starting in preschool we had issues with her learning capabilities. She just learns differently. She is very smart but she has to study certain ways to be able to remember things and it takes her longer. In kindergarten she had extra help in the early intervention program and continued that last year. This year she is in a focus class which is smaller and the all the kids are behind. They teach at a lower level and then the plan is they jump them into the same place as the rest of the grade is at in January. Loryn is in 2nd grade right now and next year she has to take the CRCT test which if she doesn't pass she will be held back. Her grades are great right now. She is getting A's but is below grade level. To me that says, lets move it up. In actuality the more that we discussed the idea of homeschooling the kids the more we realized that if anyone needed it, Loryn did. We actually started discussing just pulling her and letting the boys stay where they are.

That was issue number two...

ELIJAH:
Elijah is doing awesome. Not only is he academically right on target he is behaving good too. Elijah's issues have stemmed around his speech. He used to have an IEP that gave him Speech therapy at school which started in TN. When we moved to Cartersville, GA, the first few weeks of school they asked for a reevaluation and ended up pulling his IEP. I gave it a year and as parents we felt that he still was not improving and needed speech therapy. We independently went and got him evaluated through a specialist and found that he did need speech therapy. He has trouble with speech rate and with working his jaw, airway, and tongue together when speaking quickly. Because his speech does not affect him academically and because he is not socially at this point having problems, the school will not approve him for therapy. The therapist that we had evaluate him said he would not work out of this on his own and that the only way for him to speak clearly one day would be with therapy. We have had some issues with the teacher not moving his sight word list ahead (taking 2 weeks). We know this happens and the teachers get busy or overwhelmed with other things going on. This in itself is not a reason we felt to pull him from his current school other than being disappointed with the system, again. But if we are to pull the other two we felt it wasn't fair to leave him by himself.

So there is the long winded background...

About Georgia Cyber Academy:
It is not the traditional home school. It is actually a virtual public school. It is free. They send you everything. It is online as well. You have a teacher that is assigned to each student. They provide all the curriculum, organize what the kids need to be doing, check attendance, and provide help including learning. There are 50 clubs, several meet ups every week, and different activities online and in person. It is an accredited school. It uses the K-12 curriculum and the students can work at their pace. Has different kinds of activities meant for different types of learning.

Here is the link to the web page. You can check out some lesson samples as well.
http://www.k12.com/gca

Our decision:
We researched, we have talked to many different people who are in the GCA or who have done it. We have asked many questions, pondered, prayed. We felt Loryn needed to be pulled so that we can make sure that she get's caught up and will pass her CRCTs next year. She has her own way of learning and I think having individual attention on what she needs will help her.

After our meeting with Caleb's teacher's, although we liked and appreciated Mrs. Martel and Mr. Williams, his gate teacher Mrs. Bennette we were less than impressed. We were concerned about what she might not only "not" teach him, but also what she might teach him with her attitude about himself. If we thought he was getting some challenge through the gate program we would have left him. We think with the GCA he will take off with moving at his own pace. We also decided it was essential to make sure we went to as many social activities and other group activities we can put him in.

Elijah I know works well with routine. He bounces and I worry about his focus. I am able to do well with him after a long day at school so hope with a fresh morning start he will do well with me and this system. I actually think Elijah is extremely bright and has fallen in the cracks at school. I think he can do more and am excited to see how well he does.

So there you go. We are pulling them all. Sometimes I think we are a little crazy. You have to realize we have never been big home school advocates for many reasons. We will take it one year at a time and if at any point we think they will be better off back in brick and mortar school, we will do it.

I am actually very excited about it. A little nervous. I know it will be a lot of work and full time but I can't wait to know what my kids are learning, see their progress and have more hands on opportunity to help them and watch them grow. With the Lord's help and feeling that this is what He would have us do I think they will do well. Of course not with out lots of struggle, learning for myself, and a lot of crazy moments including at times a crazy mom.

Let the Homeschooling Begin!!!

Afternoon at the lake

2011-08-14T16:05:00.000-04:00

Friday after school we ran to grandma's to pick up our life jackets from grandmas. We didn't think we would be going to the lake anymore so left them there. We had a blast. Friend of our's, Curtis, took us out on his boat on Lake Alatoona. Curtis' daughter, Whitney and her friend, Brandon, Conner, and us all went. The kids got to go on the raft and play on the beach. The "big boys" went out wake surfing. The kids enjoyed playing on the raft near the beach something reminding me of king of the mountain. Ady showed us her great swimming skills like floating on her back. Of course she was in her vest. One of the highlights was playing in the mud.

We had our first experience with having to potty, like the kind you don't want to be at the lake for, thanks to Loryn. Only casuality was an ant got in her bathing suit and bit her a few times before figuring out it was there. Poor thing - she comes up to me "mom there is something keeps poking me in the back". So I look and find the little bugger. At least that was all that happened.

I got to try my first wake surfing experience. They tell me what to do to start and I was able to get up but didn't know what to do after that. I was different than anything I have tried before but I really enjoy it. Next summer we'll have to try more of that.

We headed back late, Caleb talked us into spending the night with Conner (Curtis's son), and settled the kids to bed finally. It was a great day.

New City, New Home, New friends... over a year later

2011-08-12T11:35:00.000-04:00

Yes... it has been over a year not only since we moved but since I have done any blogging. I think I just got too overwhelmed and something had to go.

A lot has changed. We are in a new house living in Cartersville, Ga, and a new school. Caleb is in 4th grade, Loryn in 2nd and Elijah is in 1st. Adyson is still home with me. She just turned 3. It doesn't seem possible. Ben is still working at Aramark route driver servicing the Mars plant in Knoxville TN. He is having to drive a lot. He is looking for a job closer to home and one closer to his career path. Prayers are needed!

We are adjusting well. We just started a new school year and I have been trying to organize and set up a routine for the kids and myself. I still find it hard to get up and move in the mornings. I'll have to share my new system and some of the things we did over summer. I'll try to catch up although it will be slow in coming and I am still not sure how I will do it.

last year

We have been blessed with wonderful neighbors. They are quickly becoming dear friends. Our new ward has also been welcoming. We have met many new friends and they have all been great. We have amazing babysitters. Hazel is our main one. The kids love her and so do we. She is smart and responsible and we appreciate those qualities. We hope some of that will rub off on Caleb and the others.

RECAP:
I'll give a quick recap of what has gone on in the last year and what I hope to go into more further detail later.

We sold our house quickly in Ooltewah TN. We bought grandma's house in Cartersville Ga and moved in a week after she moved out. She moved down by my dad's house in Acworth GA.

our new backyard

new roof

80ft poplar tree lightening hit

The first month lightening hit the tree next to the house, the air conditioner went out, and master bathroom leaked and had to be torn out and redone, and the roof had to be replaced. So the first month was crazy and stressing. Everything was fixed and all was good.

timber!

renovations - fun fun

Kids started their new school with Elijah in Kindergarten, Loryn in 1st and Caleb in 3rd. Caleb was accepted into the gate program (gifted) and got to dissect a sheep's brain and do other cool stuff. Loryn got her reading cap of which she had to read over 100 books and pass test to do it. She still was having trouble with her ABCs at the begining of the year and finished strong at the end with reading on her on. Elijah is starting to read and once he puts his mind to it I think he is going to sky rocket ahead. Now they have started 1st, 2nd, and 4th. I plan on being more involved this year, especially making sure the kids are getting the care they need. The boys played baseball this year and the girls learned ballet from a young girl at church, Hannah. They have had a good time with it.

Adyson and I have lunch with grandma every week and sometimes visit more. She is only about 15 min south of us. It's been fun being closer to grandma. I sure enjoy her company and am glad we are close to help if there is ever a need. The last year I have been watching a friend of our's little girl Rylie. She is 4 and will be starting preschool end of August. The kids have loved her being over. Especially now that the bigger kids are in school, Adyson has enjoyed having her playmate all to her self.

This summer we were able to go to the lake a lot and mostly swam off the dock at my dads/grandma's house. Dad would take us out every now and then if we could catch him down there and he had time. The kids took swim lessons, had a few sleep overs, and at the beginning of summer we went to Mississippi to visit my mom and grandma and family. Oh yes - and we have been babysitting Chris (my brother) and Aimee's dog, Rylie, for a few months while they are in transition for his job. Kids have loved having her around and she really is a good dog. I am just worried when she leaves, the kids are going to be begging me for new dog. And yes there is a Rylie GIRL, and a Rylie DOG. And we do use those terms sometimes to distinguish. Kind of funny when you hear the kids say it.

Some projects I completed this summer were having a garage sell, cleaning out the basement making a playroom (which Ben does not like), painted the kids rooms (boys - doger blue/silver, girls - pink), and re purposed an entertainment center to use in the dinning room for organization (well save that for later - I am very proud of Ben and I for that one).

Just in case I don't get back to any of that there is a snapshot of last year. I am sure I am forgetting something. I'll try to keep up. I have stopped teaching classes for now, feeling like I need to put more effort at home and with the kids. So there is the not so quick catch up and I look forward to keeping this updated with all the fun things life has to offer. We are truly blessed and as time goes on life becomes more and more exciting.

For Sale By Owner

2010-03-15T10:34:00.001-04:00

Most of you are aware that we are selling our house. We have decided to put it up by owner first because in actuality we are not all too anxious to sell it before the kids are out of school. Of course, the way the houseing market is right now even with a gung ho method of selling it still probably wouldn't sell for awhile. Our advantage is that our neighborhood is prime location for people who are moving down to Chattanooga/Ooltewah area to work at the new volkswagon plant being built. We are hopeing there will be a lot of interest but ultimatly we are putting it in the Lord's hands.

In order to sell it we have been doing a lot of fixing and beautifying. Ben took off a week so we could paint etc. In that week we painted the master bedroom and bathroom, the main living room (with 18ft ceiling - that was fun), kitchen, entryways, and guest bathroom. We had the carpets stretched - thanks Devon! The front brick work fixed - thanks Derek! I have cleaned up the beds a little and tried to get the front looking as best as possible for this time of year - I have way too many perinial beds! I couldn't do much the week after his vacation because me and all the kids got sick, but last week went through the boys room, and started the girls room. We still have to paint the downstairs living room (which we keep putting off), and the office. We have a lot of stuff to bring to my grandmas house for storage - thanks for the storage room grandma! We have already made a few trips and currently have a garage full of stuff to store. To make the rooms look spacious we had to take out a lot of stuff including Ady's changing table/dressor. Made me kind of sad, she is growing up too fast.

So it will be all about sacrafice - what is the minimum we can live with for an unknown amount of time. We really are just busting at the seems with 6 of us living here. I really can't complain because I really do love this house and feel very blessed to have something this nice and even though we are kind of squished - this big. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing us sooo much!

Caleb's Baptism

2010-03-05T11:05:00.001-05:00

Eight years sure goes fast! Last Sunday, February 28th Caleb got baptized by Ben at the Harrison Bay Ward in Ooltewah, TN. It was so exciting to know that he chose to follow this path and live is life for Jesus Christ and to become a full member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was baptized which will be 10 years this month! The many months of studying the scriptures, taking the lessons, praying and pondering and asking what was true. And finding over and over the answer. What a blessing it has been for me to have chosen this path and I know that Caleb will have many blessings in his life as well. Congratulations Caleb! I am so very proud of you and your decesion!

Grandma Mary Johnston came from Cartersville to support Caleb, and many of our friends joined as well. Grandma was a huge influence in my life when I was Caleb's age in learning the love of Christ and the power of prayer. Thank you Grandma for coming to this special event and for being such a great example in your whole life in making the decesion everyday to follow Jesus Christ! And thank you all for your love and support!

Poor Caleb started to not feel good a few hours before his baptism. We had church beforehand at 1pm and it ended at 4pm. There was a potluck afterward and at 530pm the baptism started. The kids were all very excited and after a little Tynal Caleb started to feel better. Of course the next day he was really sick and I had to take him to the doctors which he ended up needing antibiotics for tonsalitis. Poor Kid! He got better after a few days and feels great today.

Caleb shared his baptism with Cole Wolfe who also got baptized. Cole has been one of Caleb's best friends since we moved here. It sure made is even more special to share such a special event with such special people in our lives!

Here was the schedule of events. Eileen Voyles gave the talk on baptism. She did a incredible job. She had pieces of paper representing stones for a path. She talked about the stepping stones to get back to our Heavenly Father. She had the boys stand on each as she described them. I thought it was a great way to do that. Thank you Eileen for your participation in the baptism as well as the huge influence you have been in all of our lives. You are truly a great example that I hope to be more like some day. Dave Wolfe gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. I truly enjoyed his description and testimony. What amazing examples we have had all around us these last 5 years. We have been truly blessed!

Overall it went well and we are truly excited for Caleb and Cole. Adyson had a great time. She helped lead the music when the boys were changing. The kids got to choose some of their favorite songs to sing while we were waiting. Elijah was a handful and Loryn did very good. It all worked out and turned out very special.

Congratulation boys!

Growing up ~ ELIJAH ~

2009-09-04T22:21:00.009-04:00

Elijah has continued to be Caleb's little shadow. He loves playing with any of the kids in the neighborhood and actually gets upset when he can't go with Caleb to Caleb's friends houses. He is playing the Wii almost as good as Caleb now and enjoys pretend play with Loryn as well. Lately he has like to play with trains and the electic car tracks.

Summer

Summer started with a bang for Elijah. The end of June he turned 4 years old and got to have his big birthday party. It was a Mario Cart birthday. We had so much fun racing 4 wheelers around the house, pinatas, cupcakes, and water balloons! Elijah also got to go to the Discovery Musuem, played in the water, visited Grandma's house, hiking, and played with his siblings and friends. I do feel sorry for Elijah because he is the only one without a kid his age in the neighborhood. Sometimes he gets left out. Poor little guy. He loves the outdoors and enjoyed our hikes we did. I don't know what it is about boys and peeing outside. They just have it too easy!

Preschool

Elijah started his last year at preschool. He was upset at first because he really wanted to go to Caleb and Loryn's school, but he settled for one last year at CLP. I was a little worried that he would have problems going because he has been giving us trouble at church going to primary but he went in just fine and seems to love it. I think he really likes his teacher - makes such a difference at that age. His favorite thing is the playground. It is about the only thing that I can get out of him. "What did you do today?" "Payed on payground." The next time he goes - "Hey buddy did you have a fun day?" - "Yeah ... we payed on payground!! " Loryn's almost the same way. "Loryn what did you learn today?" - "I don't know - but we played on the playground..." One more year and I will have all three in school - doesn't seem possible!

Activities

We didn't start Elijah in sports this season because last year he would hardly get on the field and play. He would throw a fit and cry and sit on the side lines and refuse to get up. He is still doing a lot of that whining and fit throwing (which we are working on), so we decided to give him one more year. We are going to put him in t-ball in the spring. He loves baseball and can't wait to play. He already does a great job throwing and hitting the ball. I think he will be good ball player.

Growing up ~ LORYN ~

2009-09-04T12:20:00.012-04:00

Loryn is growing into a beautiful, smart, and kind little girl. She continues to show kindness to her friends and siblings. She has lost a few teeth, and can now officially say "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth". Every time she would fight it saying she didn't want to lose it, but was glad when it came out. The most recent one dangled for few days before I finally gently held her down and pulled it (it was barely holding on).

Summer

Loryn didn't know the differences between summer and school because she had not yet experienced full time school. All she knew was that Caleb was home everyday and that she wasn't going to preschool anymore. She had a good time playing with the boys. She likes playing mario cart with them, and they all love building tents. She also got to go swimming at her friend Leah's house, Discovery museum, and visits to grandma's house.

Loryn played with her friend Emma a lot. They would take turn going to each others houses and playing outside. It was all about dressing up, barbie dolls, and pretending house. Sometimes Elijah got suckered into the pretend play and also Ady, but they seemed to have fun with it. We did find a new love for Loryn. She loves to hike. We went hiking 4 miles and she just loved it, and actually didn't fall asleep until 1am that night.

"I get to go to school every day!?!"

Loryn started kindergarten this year. She was sooo excited! She did great on her first days, and hasn't looked back. She loves her teacher, Mrs. Parnell, and meeting all her new friends. She especially loves riding the bus home and walking from the bus stop to our house like the big kids!

I already see an improvement in her. She is writing her name and learning new letters. I think school becomes her and she is thriving.

Plie ... tap tap tap...

Ballet and tap were loryn's choice in sport this season and she absolutely loves it! She has had two classes so far and is having lots of fun with it. This last class Ady even learned something and started dancing. She goes on Monday nights and will be going once a week all year until her recital.

Growing up ~ CALEB ~

2009-09-04T10:03:00.012-04:00

Caleb is growing up fast! They all are. It amazes me that not only do I have four children but that one of them is seven! Where does the time go? With each child those baby years go by faster and faster. They are in school in a blink of an eye!

What has Caleb been up to? How has he been? I will attempt to catch you up on Caleb's summer and the beggining of school until now.

Summer Vacation:
Caleb was extrememly excited to be off for summer break. He couldn't wait to have time off of school and be lazy and do nothing. I really thought that this summer we would keep busy and do a lot of things to keep the kids busy. Nothing happens as planned... at least not in my house.

Caleb and Elijah teamed up together and played the Star Wars Wii game and beat the whole game! At first I was not excited about them playing the Wii so much but then I realized that there were a few good things with them playing. First Caleb had to read a lot to know what to do with the game, they both learned teamwork because they could not beat the game without working together, and they learned hand and eye cordination. Am I justifying my lack of my prental involvment to shut of the game and encourage chaos to resume. I just didn't have it in me when the house would get so quite and I could get things done. ...Sigh

It was hot, muggy, and according to Caleb nothing to do outside. I still kicked them out quite a bit, made sure they ran around a lot and got some excersise.

Caleb got to go sking with Uncle Chris, we went to the Discovery Museum, swam at his friend Cole's house, had a sleep over, went hiking, read a little, played with his friend Chandler up the street, visits to grandma's house and play dates. I think he had a good time but was looking forward to school starting. I don't think he realized how bored he could get at home (and mom never realized how much quieter it is when he is not at home :)).

2nd grade - watch out!

Caleb started second grade this year. His teacher is Mrs. Carpenter, and she seems like she is going to be a great teacher for Caleb. Already, his homework has increased from what he did last year. I also see an improvement in his writing (neatwise), and his storytelling. At open house his teacher explained that Caleb was very intriguing in his writing. She said most kids can write the basics, (i.e. I went outside to play with my friends), where Caleb expands and gives lots of expression in his writing (i.e. I zoomed out the door...). She says his writing shows great potential as an author. His grammar may not be perfect but his imagination and play with stories is wonderful! He continues to read well, and still has no trouble with math. I think he is really enjoying school this year.

Hey Batter Batter...

Caleb started palying baseball this year. He had a choice of soccer or baseball and he wanted to try baseball. I am glad he did. It has been fun going to his games and watching him get better, and have fun. The other kids also enjoy his games. They don't sit and watch him but they love playing with the other kid hanging around and have a good time running aruond and playing. It will be a little hectic. He has games Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and practices on Saturdays. Loryn has ballet and tap on Monday's and I am teaching a class right now Monday and Friday nights and will be starting a Tuesday night class next week and possible another private session on Wednesday night. I am still not quite sure how we will swing it but it is a blessing to be getting students.

One of his teammates is in his class, Jimmy,and a few other of his school mates are on other teams. Also his good friend Blake from church is on his team as well so that is making it a lot of fun. Ben stuggles with coaching Caleb, as usual Caleb is stubborn and thinks he knows better than dad. But I think he will come around. Elijah is enjoying practicing at home with dad and is gearing up for his chance at playing tee ball in the spring.

Overall Caleb continues to amaze me with the wonderful person he is becoming. I am hoping to learn ways to focus his stubbornness in the right areas and to help him learn to be more open minded and to have a learning attitude. Any suggestions all you moms with experience? I can always use pointers. In February Caleb will be getting baptized, something I am looking forward to!

Lisa's Political Rants!

2009-07-08T11:01:00.001-04:00

I have a new blog - I know, I know, - I don't even keep up with this one but here you go anyway. Check it out. Comment, tell me what you think.

www.lisaspoliticalrants.blogspot.com

4th of July!

2009-07-08T08:38:00.006-04:00

This summer has been hectic! I sure miss those few days of preschool with only Ady around. It helps me to have time to do errands or housework without much interuption. In only a little more than a month Caleb starts 2nd grade, Loryn starts kindergarten, and Elijah will start his last year of preschool. Time sure flys, but I am looking forward to less kids at home all the time and at the same time I am going to miss them.

We had a fun forth of July weekend! Thursday we went to Collegedale Park and listen to the orchestra and watched fire works. We went with our neighbors and ended up see our good friends the Archibald's there as well. We all had a blast, and the kids loved the fireworks. I just kept exaggerating my excitement so Adyson would know it was "fun" to see fireworks. Saturday we had a little get together with some friends and family. We ate hot dogs and lots of other food and when it got dark enough as Ben likes to say "we goin' to light up the sky!!" (a little inside joke regarding some local rednecks a few years back). We had a blast. I was too busy to take pictures but my dad did so when he sends them to me I will post them. So Happy late 4th!

Yep ... I did it again.. all time record - 4 months! Sorry here are some pics...

2009-07-06T11:10:00.004-04:00

(pic 1 - Caleb with his buds, pic 2 - Loryn and Eli at Loryn's graduation, pic 3 - Adyson playing dress up, pic 4 - Eli, Caleb, Ady, and Dad probably watching wipe out together)

Loryn graduated preschool, Elijah turned 4 (mario cart party - races around the yard - so fun!), mom sick 3 times with strep (yuk!), summer break (mom going crazy)!

Adyson walks, and runs loves playing with other kids, says yes, out (for outside), used to try saying caleb, elijah, and loryn. She signs please when she wants something, shakes her head yes and no. Understands pretty much everything we say. Loves to be outside and thinks she is already 3 and can do everything the big kids do. She is sleeping through the night most nights. Sleeping for 12 hours straight. Some nights she wakes up like last night, but that was becasue she had a big molar coming in, Tylanol did the trick and there was peace the rest of the night. She never lets me sit at the computer for more than a minute before crawling around me under me all over the wires and even if I sit her in my lap she squirms to get down. (Hence the 4 month break in writing on this blog) This doesn't including the constant interuptions from the other 3 about one thing or another. I am lucky to get bills done and maybe have some seconds of "build up the sanity meter for mom" time. (As I type this the boys a screaming at each other, Ady is at my feet screaming and crying, I have already stopped 5 times to deal with the kids, and am now frustrated to no end)

Playing with Adyson...

2009-03-13T17:45:00.005-04:00

She was just fine not even a bump!

The silly things kids do...

2009-03-13T17:29:00.004-04:00

Something I had to laugh at this week...

Elijah has been tucking in his stuffed animals in his drawers. I don't know if it is so that he does not see them at night so he doesn't get scared or if he just thought it was funny to put them there. Never the less every time I put his clothes away I am greeted by a stuffed toy. The joys...

I am impressed by how kids think things up. I feel guilty sometimes when I do not get to helping the kids right away. But then they do something like what Loryn did and I realize it is good for them to not always depend on me and be forced to use their minds to figure out a solution all their own. That is exactly what Lory did... Loryn needed to hang her picture up. I didn't get to it right away so she improvised... (what you are seeing is hair clip that holds the paper and that is also connected to a rubber band on the back) Well just say I was very impressed...

Adyson's first follow up Appointment from Surgery

2009-03-13T17:19:00.002-04:00

Monday, Adyson had her first follow up appointment. It really didn't take very long. I knew not to expect very much since Dr. Sargent isn't much for conversation. He makes up for it by being one of the best surgeons!

I dressed Ady up so she could show how cute she is with her knew shape. Dr. Sargent came in with his resident, a nurse, and Terry, from craniofacial center. Dr. Sargent looked over her head, felt skull, looked at her stitches, and said she looks great - everything is perfect. He gave the approval for her to sleep in a bed and that was enough to make my day! We meet back in 6 months. Can't believe we are almost off the downward slope of this huge mountain! It really did go by very fast. And she looks and is doing amazing!

Mom's last days... Saturday

2009-03-13T16:54:00.006-04:00

Last Saturday was beautiful! It was in the mid 70s and gorgeous! It was my mom's last day with us and we had a great time!

We kicked the kids out to play, we went for a walk, Ben went for a 20 mile bike ride. After our walk we got the chairs out and hung out in the garage and relaxed.

The kids played at Dylans (he's got a great playground), Emma came over and played, and Ben washed the cars, including getting the kids all wet. It ended up getting so hot that the kids changed into their swim suits! You wouldn't believe that now. It is in the 40's today, a week later.

Last Friday at Grandmas

2009-03-13T16:19:00.004-04:00

Before my mom left we decided to go visit Grandma Mary and Chris and Aimee. We had a lot of fun. We visited with Grandma, see all the great stuff Aimee got from her baby shower they had for her at her work, and ate a yummy meal grandma made for us. Chris was getting ready to go on a bike ride with some friends so we only got to visit with him for a little bit, but it was nice. He is training for a race. Here are some pics of the visit...

AHA moment...

2009-03-13T13:00:00.004-04:00

My Aha moment:
Thanks to all the help of our mothers, our house has been caught up on laundry, cleaning and organization. Thanks Kathi and Karen! Since my mom has left I had decided that I was not going to let things get out of control again and that I needed a system.

What it takes to keep my house clean on a daily basis:

start laundry first thing in the morning and do at least 2 loads a day -and put them away immediately
Do sweeps of the house to make sure things are picked up and cleaned - once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once before bed
constantly pick up anything and put away right then and there - no procrastinating.
make kids make their beds everyday
make my own bed everyday
clean up meals right after no matter what
wipe down bathrooms everyday
everyday have a specific additional cleaning project - for example - Tuesday's are my deep cleaning the bathrooms,
vacuum once a day - at the very least every other day
pick up baby toys when she takes a nap

In addition I have started to try to implement exercising everyday. Also have designated days for bills, blogging etc. My goal is to keep up the house, laundry, and exerciseing everyday for 20 days. Isn't that how long they say it takes to establish a habit?

My Progress:

I am on day 6 and have so far followed through with everything. I feel great! The house looks great! I feel like I have more time to play with the kids and I don't feel like I should be doing something else. It's amazing! It finally seems clear to me what I need to do everyday to keep things up. I don't know why it has taken me so long to come to this - oh well, better late than never.

Here is to me continuing to fulfill my goal of 20 days straight of keeping the house up and to continue with exercising and losing weight!

I hope I can do it...

Loryn's first missing tooth!

2009-03-13T09:56:00.004-04:00

Loryn lost her first tooth! It has been loose for a little while, but finally came out on the 5th. I could hear the herd of elephants running up the stairs with Loryn in the lead with a scared but excited look on her face with her tooth in her hand, "mommy my tooth came out!". Caleb, Emily (our neighbor girl), and Elijah started to all tell me at once how it happenend. I guess she twisted it and it finally fell out. I had to reassure her that it was ok, she was a little worried. The tooth fairy came that night and she got a whole dollar. Our tooth fairy gives their first tooth a dollar. Spoiled little ones..

2009-03-01T21:43:00.013-05:00

Saturday

Today we ventured out. I would not have guessed that only days after getting out of the hospital and a little over a weak after her surgery would we be taking her anywhere. We decided to drop by grandmas for a short visit and stop by 1 or 2 stores at the outlets on the way home. Our friend from church, Emily, was so wonderful as to offer to have the kids over for a few hours. We dropped them off on the way out and she took them home. She also left a meal for us! Thanks Emily! Emily and her family are new to our ward. It's so nice to have them, I'm excited to be able to get to know them. The kids said they had a blast!

The kids are doing well with Ady. They sometimes get a little crazy around her but overall they are careful. Elijah was acting strange, putting on his shirt backwards. He would not believe us that it should be the other way and refused to switch it. I think he has had the hardest time with this whole experience. He is the baby. He continues to be 3 and all that comes with it - troublesome threes. Sometimes... Wow... is all I can say. As they used to say with the diaper and potty training bit (you know - you never think they will be potty trained) - "they won't go to college wearing diapers", so I can be assured? He won't go to college crying whining, throwing tantrums, picky eater, and can't understand everything he says. Here's to hoping...

Caleb is continuing to do very well in school and is excelling in reading. He was last tested at a third grade level but I think can read even beyond that. Last night we put the boys to bed and 3 hours later at like 1030pm Caleb comes out with his book in his hand (Captain underpants 2) and says "finished". I was surprised, mainly because I didn't even know he was a wake! He had read almost all of it in 3 hours. A few weeks ago he finished Tom Sawyer and I believe now he is starting Journey to the Center of the Earth. It's nice to see he like to read. I hope he keeps it up.

Loryn is growing up fast. Physically I swear she has grown a few inches. She looks like a young girl, not a "little" girl, and definitely not toddler anymore. Where does the time go? She is doing better with learning her letters and numbers and continues to surprise me with her humor. She continues to be the sweetest person, so considerate and empathetic, and just a little mommy. She was disturbed the most with Ady in the hospital. She told me earlier today. She wants to be a mommy. Maybe I am not too bad of a job, or at least not scaring them about the role.

Adyson continues to wave at everyone, and I swear she is saying hi, just no perfectly. She doesn't have much patience but has more times than not that she is happy and playing nicely.

I just can't wait until she can sleep in her own bed again...

Sunday

Last night was a little rough. Loryn's tummy hurt even before bed and she ended up waking up screaming and crying about it at night. Of course I had only had Ady down for a little bit and was extremely tired! I think she had gas pains. We tried to get her to go potty but it wasn't happening. Poor girl finally got her back to sleep and then Elijah wakes up barges in my room and says he's scared. You know who wakes up and added to the whole excitement of the night. I think they plan these things. They have meetings before bed and decide who is going to wake up this night and what there going to do.

Today I cleaned all morning, Kathi helped me keep the laundry up. She is laundry Queen - I don't know how she does it! My mom, grandma, brother, Chris, and his wife Aimee where coming over to drop my mom, Karen off. She is taking over this week to help out with Ady and the kids. Don't we have wonderful moms! Kathi is leaving today to go home. I am sure she is very excited to sleep in her own bed and not have screaming children running around. Her vacation can finally start! LOL To be serious - Kathi - Thanks! I don't know what we would have done without you and all your help. It is not easy jumping in and taking care of 3 children. She did a great job and was a welcomed support. How do I ever repay...

Amazing Ady...

2009-02-27T23:41:00.005-05:00

I don't know if this is normal for her surgery, but she sure is recovering very quickly. Everyday her swelling goes down and she continues to developmentally progress past what she was doing before her surgery and what I think is faster. She waves at everybody, including herself in the mirror. She is starting to mimic me like rubbing sanitizer on my hands. She now cruises ( going from couch to her play table or walking down the couch. How amazing her progress has been! Let's hope she progresses to sleeping all night - here's to hoping :) She definitely looks different but is showing us through her unique personality that she is still our little Ady!

Returning to normal

2009-02-26T19:25:00.003-05:00

Each day Adyson gets better, her swelling gets smaller, and she is slowly falling back into schedual. Although, last night she seemed to forget that it was time to sleep. She fell asleep at 10pm and was awake at 11pm. I was sooo exhausted I could harldy keep my eyes open. It wasn't till 130am that she finally got to sleep and was awake at 3 ish then at 5 am. So you could say I was beyond exhausted. I also felt horrible today. I don't know if it is the lack of sleep or if I am getting sick. Hopefully it is nothing because I have a feeling last night was not unique.

She had her first bath today since the surgery. I was only able to wet her hair but it helped a little bit. At least her body was washed, I am sure that felt better. We are still fighting with her when putting her in her car seat to sleep. She does not like it. Last night around 130am, the only way I got her to sleep was to hold her arms and body still. She really fought me at first but finally fell asleep. I don't know what else to do, I can't let her sleep in her own bed for at least another week. Hopefully she learns to adapt - for all our sakes.

Home Sweet Home! Day 2

2009-02-25T17:29:00.009-05:00

Our first full night was exhausting. To be expected... we were warned. She kept waking up screaming and was hard to put to sleep. She didn't want to be in her car seat nor have the no no's on her arms. Plus most of the morning she kept pooping. I think I changed 6 diapers within 2 hours!

Overall she is doing great! The swelling continues to go down and her spirits seems to get better. She acts a little spoiled and has no patience but I guess we'll let her get away with it for a little while.

Soon we should be able to give her a bath and wash her hair. She might have dreadlocks by then I'm afraid. I tried today to wipe a little bit of the blood on the sides off and she threw a fit. I really wasn't even hurting her but she does not anyone messing with her.

Here are some before and after

pictures. Remember that she is still swollen.

Home Sweet Home!

2009-02-24T19:53:00.006-05:00

Day 6 of the Surgery and Ady was able to go home today! We were anxious all day waiting for the doctors to come and do their rounds, look at Ady, then give us the clearance to go home.

Last night was a little rough, waking up every 1-3 hours and 2 blowout poopy diapers and one throw up. She was fussy most of the morning, not sleeping too much and would wake screaming quite often whe she did sleep. But when Grandma, Ben, Loryn and Elijah showed up she was very excited and continued wanting to play and becoming more active. We were released and in the car by 3pm. We had to drop by Walgreens to pick up her prescription, but were home right after that.

She was soooo excited to be home. She was smiling, started laughing at Elijah and squiling. It is almost 8pm right now and she has still not gone to sleep. She even sat at the table with us and snacked on some baby puffy snack. After dinner I let her go on the floor and off she went with me trailing, of course. I am so nervous she is going to hurt herself.

It feels so good to be home, I love seeing all my kids, and am soo happy most of this is behind us. We have a little bit of healing still do to, but she is leaps and bounds better everyday. Once I can get a little more sleep, the fog will lift, and I will feel a lot better. Now that I am home I hope I can keep updating her progress. There just seems to be less time and more to do when your not at the hospital all day. I can finally take off my shoes!!!

Adyson's Surgery - Day 5

2009-02-23T15:09:00.013-05:00

Last night was actually not too bad. I think that the Lord has prepared me some by already having to deal with waking up every 2-3 hours with Ady before all this. She was up every 2-3 hours last night and other than it being more of an ordeal to move her and nurse her it wasn't much different than home (of course except for not being in my own bed and having nurses coming in checking on Ady).

She was up by 7am and wanted to nurse. She went all night without additional doses of pain meds. She was able to open both eyes this morning and was much more active. I nursed her and changed her and then held her on my lap for a little while. She was grabbing at my food tray and trying to squirm. Same old Ady starting to come out. She is wanted to scratch herself all over. Some of that my be from the drugs making her itchy. It's good to see her becoming more active, it's just going to be tougher keeping her preoccupied.

Ben arrived after dropping the kids off at preschool around 930am. It is nice to have an extra hand. I am not supposed to leave her at all so having someone here even for just to be able to take a walk and stretch my legs in nice.

Visitors:

Last night we had Sissy Ray come by, a friend from church. She brought Ady a cute bear and wanted to check if we needed anything. Everyone has been so nice offering all their help. Thanks to everyone who has sent so many caring wishes, prayers, and help our way. We are grateful from the depths of our hearts. This morning Emily and Adam Archibald came by and brought a gift and some cheer. Thanks Emily! Adam is a resident for anesthesia and says he knows one of the nurses that attended Adyson's surgery. He said (if I am remember right) that the doctors said that her surgery was the best surgery they have ever done. He said that one of the residents had a "thought" that they should start her transfusion a little bit earlier than was normally done. They decided to do that and they believe that they may have helped make the surgery go along so smoothly. There were not complications at all!

We all know why that happened (a little inspiration from above?); thanks to all of your prayers, thoughts, and of course that priesthood blessing! Heavenly Father was looking out for our baby. He is always there and he does answer prayers. I have always known this, but this has even more solidified my testimony of that fact. We are loved! We are never forgotten! He takes care of all our needs, and he always listens! I am soo grateful for all the blessings and answered prayers.

The pediatric doctors looked her over today as well. She looks great. She has not had a bowel movement yet and is a little yeasty rash under the neck. They gave her some meds for the itch, some colace for the tummy (she did not like that! kept gagging), and a supository they just put in her of which I think has worked. Guess what I will be doing next! Fun Fun...

Her healing is progressing...

Dr. Hermann, Dr. Sargents resident (the plastic surgean), came in and removed Ady's drainage line. Ben held her and I held her hands and face. She did not like it. I think it scared her more than anything. Right after the doctor left, I took a picture and then notice a little blood on Ben's shirt. I thought it happened during him taking it out. The doctor had said that there will have a little blood leak out a little bit. But this was dripping fast, and it scared me. I ran out and got the nurse and she handed me some clothes to hold on it. She said it was normal. He should have been more specific on how it "leaks" out. But now it is over, now she is completly free of all intrusions into her body. The doctor said he would be by tomorrow morning and she will probably be able to go home tomorrow afternoon. Yepee! It's almost over and our little girl has past

with flying colors.

Here is a movie of Ady from earlier today...

Adyson's Surgery - Day 4

2009-02-22T21:46:00.004-05:00

What an exciting day!

Lots of improvement! They changed her pain meds from morphine to Tynal with Codine and I think that has made a big differnece. She is awake more but has more of a continual better attitude and I think more continuous pain relief. She woke up earlier in the day when Ben was here and Ben started blowing on her feet and teasing her and she smiled! That was the best feeling to see our little Ady playing and smiling. I couldn't get enough.

I had said a little prayer that morning that if she could just be able to open one eye today that would be such a blessing. Kathi brought the kids by in the afternoon to see Ady and the moment they walked in the door, Ady opens her one eye for the first time. It was like she couldn't miss seeing them and tried her hardest to pry that eye open. It was wonderful! She smiled at them and talked to Caleb, and just kept watching everybody. The rest of the day she was more easily consolible and getting her down to nurse and just overall moving her got easier and less painful for her. She is starting to move her head around and hold it up good. Ben held her for awhile in his lap till she started falling asleep. She is improving and it feels so good to see that happening.

Another day down...

Adyson Surgery - Day 3

2009-02-22T20:55:00.007-05:00

We woke up ready to get dressed quickly and get over to see Adyson by 8am. We called ahead of time to make sure things were calm in the PICU and that we could go in. They got our new nurse and she gets on the phone and says "Hi, I am Adyson's nurse Gretchen. I know you, I was in your Bradley class, I was excited when I saw Doolittle..." What a nice surprise! She was actually in the class I taught when I was pregnant with Adyson, and she has a son that is around the same age. We knew she would be taken care very well. She told us a time to come by and so be finished getting ready.

She calls back a little later and says that they just got the clearance to breastfeed so I if want to come on over, we could do that. I told Ben I was going and I wasn't waitin'!

The night before Ady was moved to a private room in the PICU because the family next to her, the trauma child, was having someone pray and was little loud and scared Ady, so they moved her. It was a good thing, there were LOTS of people coming in and out to the boy and say goodbye. They pronouced him brain dead this morning and now the family has to choose when to take him off the ventilator. I am praying for them...

So I got to feed Ady! It was a wonderful step in the right direction. I was a little scared holding her; afriad I would pull something out or hurt her, but it worked out and she nursed. She was refusing bottles - that's my Ady!

Afterward they told us to go get some breakfast and check out of the Ronald McDonald house and then by that time she probably will be moving to the regular wing. Another great step! So we did! I have to mention what an incredible place the Ronald McDonald house is. If anybody is looking for something to donate to, I would recommend there (you can donate your time, bring food, or money). I have vowed that one day I am going back and help out or donate somehow. What a blessing for families to have a place like that. They have a big family room with internet access, and childrens play area, a full kitchen with snacks etc for you to have anytime. They also have a kitchen on each floor for the families with a living room. You lable your own food and have a place in the cupboard and fridge. They have laundry rooms and the rooms themselves are like a hotel room. Wonderful thing they are doing.

By the time we got done Kathi had arrived with the kids and was waiting in the PICU waiting room, of which I was nervous about because of the hesterics of the other day and knowing that it was going to get worse for that family again. Ady had been asigned a room so we sent the kids and Kathi and Ben down there and I stayed with Ady until they gave the clearance. Kathi joined me after awhile and we eventually were able to walk Ady down to her new room on the childrens floor. We met our knew nurse and got her settled in.

The kids got to see her for a little bit then Kathi took them home. Caleb says "she does look different", and I think Loryn was a little bit concerned about her. Overall they did great with her and was sad to leave.

Ben stayed with me for a little while and we got food and relaxed knowing now we could stay with Ady and didn't have to leave. Ben left around 8pm and I was by myself to take care of my daughter, a little scary. Of course I had the nurse, but it was a little disconcerting. She actually did well, waking up every 2-3 hours. I would get her up and nurse her and put her back to sleep. I kept waking every now and then in between being a little worried so I was a little tired the next morning, but worth it to be able to stay with her all night.

Another day down...

Adyson's surgery - Day 2

2009-02-22T13:20:00.007-05:00

Today started out horrible! Not because something went wrong with Ady but because there was a horrible trauma case that came into the PICU right when we got there to see her. When we arrived on the floor their were all these people around and there was a lady in the waiting room screaming and crying. We called the room and they said Adyson was awake and they were giving her a bottle. I told them I had breastmilk to give her and that we would have to go get it. They said we could so Ben and I started back to the Ronald McDonald House to get the milk and I just kept getting really upset knowing that the first time Adyson is waking up and we can't be there. I was afraid she would be scared to not hear us nearby. Ben told be to go back up and see if they will let just me sit with her while he runs and gets the milk. But they were not letting anyone in and because I had noway to call Ben I had to wait by the PICU till he got back so I wouldn't miss him. Just in a few minutes I wished I had gone with him because all these people started showing up and were fainting and screaming on the ground, the mom starts to throw furniture in the waiting room and it was just sooo much grief it was horrible. What I gathered was that there was a 1st grader that was hit by an SUV on the way to the bus stop. His neck was broken and they thought he was brain dead. I just kept thinking "that's Caleb's age!" My heart could have broke for that family and defintily there were prayers. It was hard to see they go through that and at the same time it was hard not to be able to see my baby knowing she was awake. So we went back to the Ronald McDonal house and waited till past 12pm. Finally they said we could come in and see her.

They told us they had taken the ventilator out and she was breathing on her own and she had been given a bottle of formula. I was so excited to see her, finally awake, I wanted her to know we were there. When we walked in she was asleep. She was very swollen and her arms were in the nonos (arm braces that keep her from bending her arms and pulling out lines) and tied to the rail. They had to give her some kind of drug that makes her not care and morphine to calm her down. Apparently she woke up right when they brought in the trauma child it was right next to her. She got very agitated (throwing her arms and screaming) from the mess going on next to her and they couldn't calm her down, so they had to drug her. My guess is she was probably confused, didn't know where she was, couldn't see, and where was mommy and daddy? Poor baby.

She woke up while we were there and really had a hard time. Ben and I sang to her and held her hand and talked with her and she calmed down. After that we didn't have too hard of a time calming her down. I think she needed to know that her parents were close by.

The rest of the day we visited her and they headed back to the Ronald McDonald house for the night to get some sleep.

Adyson's surgery

2009-02-20T09:46:00.019-05:00

The night before her surgery Adyson was playing with Loryn's barbie car and wheeling it all down the hallway and into the kitchen. She was very energetic and was so cute playing all night. Little did she know that she would be having surgery tomorrow...

Yesterday was probably the most hardest day of my life! Sending your child off to have major surgery is near to impossible...

Morning of the Surgery:

Following the pre surgery instructions I woke Adyson up at 1am to have her last nursing session. She was to have no food after that. I put her back to sleep and was woken up at 4am to her crying. It was perfect timing because I was going to have to wake her up again around then to give her some pedialyte. She drank a small bottle and a half. She was to have nothing after 4:40am. We finished getting stuff together, took showers, packed the car and headed out to the hospital.

Pre Surgery:

We arrived at the hospital at 6 am per instructed and checked in to the outpatient surgery. We sat for a little and realized we should go ahead and bring the stroller back to the car (we have a double stroller and it is a tank!) Ben brought that back to the car and I got Adyson out of her car seat since at that point she had woken up and was curious about all the kids around. Most of the little ones around us were having tubes put in. The nurse called us back, she put a bracelet around Adyson ankle, and put one around Ben and I's wrist.

We got back to the room they asked when the last time she ate was and if she had a wet diaper etc. Ady was getting a little cranky because she was getting hungry and was very tired. She got to play with daddy with the toy piano and mommy got to pump. The anesthesiaologist from yesterday came in and let me know that there would be another anesthesia dr doing the surgery. I was so nervous and scared and little Ady had no idea what was coming. Poor baby..

A nurse that assists Dr. Sargent came in and spoke with us about the surgery. Another nurse brought in her little gown she had to change into and we changed her diaper and her gown and were ready to go. They gave her something by mouth to help her not care and get sleepy.

Next they brought us back into another place in the hospital where we met some of the other nurses and residents that were going to be in on the surgery. It started becoming more real and I just started to break down and cry. How was I going to hand over my baby to these people?

Dr. Sargent came in and did a quick look at her and her papers and said "ready to go?". Ben and I gave her kisses and handed her to the resident who then walked away and we walked out to go wait. I cryed like a baby. Nearly impossible feeling knowing your little baby girl is about to have that kind of work done on her. I know she needs it done but it doesn't stop the feeling of knowing I put her here.

THE WAIT:

Ben and I went up to the PICU waiting room to check it out and see were we needed to be. There was only one other lady there a latina lady who didn't speak any english. My dad and grandma arrived shortly after and we all decided to go wait in the Ronald McDonald room on the third floor. It is very nice and set up for families that have children going through medical circumstances like Adyson. It has a kitchen and living room with tv and a library and bathrooms with showers. It is a very nice place and comfortable to wait in. The nurse called us every hour to update us on her progress. It was very nerve racking. Dr. Strait came down after he was done with his part of the surgery. The two main surgeans were dr. Sargent, the plastic surgean who was responsible for making the incision, reshaping the skull and putting the bones back on and sewing her up; Dr. Strait, the nuerosurgean who was responsible for taking the skull bones off and monitoring her brain during the surgery. We met Dr. Sargent before the surgery, he was brief (he doesn't have much bedside manners, but is an incridible surgean). Dr. Strait let us know that the surgery went perfect, there were no complications and she was doing well. He said Dr. Sargent was finishing up and would be done in a few minutes. So we packed up and headed back up to the 4th floor PICU waiting room so we could see her briefly before the wheeled her into the PICU. Kathi dropped the kids (Loryn and Elijah) off at Marci's house and arrived just as we were waiting for Ady to come down.

The wait is over:

I twisted my hands till they hurt and made myself dizzy going back and forth from the room and looking down the hallway waiting for Ady to come. Finally here she comes and it just broke my heart. She looked swollen already. The resident was manually pupping her air tube and that made me nervous. I was thinking of course I want to see my baby but first and for most I want her taken care of "get her in the room and hook her to the machine!". We had about 30 seconds and they took her in. We then were told it would be in 30 minutes or so before we could come in and see her.

Post Surgery:

We were able to see her after a little while. Told her we were there and took some pictures. They said she would be resting for awhile so we decided to go get lunch. We ate at TGIF, my dad and grandma headed home after that and Kathi, me, and ben went back to see Adyson.

After lunch we went back and visited Adyson for a little bit then I went and checked into the Rondal McDonald house and Ben went home with Kathi to pick up the kids. I went and saw Ady for 30 more minutes before leaving to go home to visit the kids. It was nice to see them and give them lots of hugs. I sure missed them all day. Ben and I came back togeher and visited Ady for another little while before calling it a night and going to sleep early. The nurses were incredible, so nice and understanding. I truly believe we have the best PICU nurses anywhere! It was hard to leave Ady overnight but I knew there was nothing I could do and she really was still drugged up and sleeping.

One day down ...

Adyson's Surgery - Wednesday - Pre OP

2009-02-20T09:28:00.006-05:00

Wednesday - Pre-op

We went to outpatient at the Erlanger TC Thompson hospital to fill out all the paper work and meet with some of the team of doctors. They weighed her (18 lbs), and sent us back to speak with a nurse that asked me questions about Adyson like allergies, if she has ever had anethesia, ever had reactions, etc. Then they put us up in a room and a nurse came by and checked her blood pressure, measured her head (which she kept squirming around, she measured 5 times), and her length. The anesthesiologist came by first. He asked me a bunch of questions, looked at Adyson, checked her breathing and heart. She kept grabbing at his pen and squirming all over. He let me know about the surgery and reminded me that it was no small surgery - that it was major (like I didn't already understand that - lets just make me more nervous!) He described that they would give her something by mouth to make her calm, then they would take her from us awake, gas her, and at that point put all the iv's, catheter etc in. She would be monitored the whole time.

Then a resident of the PICU game in and asked all kinds of questions about family medical history. Adyson started getting really squirmy and so I nursed while we spoke. The PICU pediatric intensive care doctor came in and checked her over looking at her ears, listening to her heart and lungs. She was squirmy still and wanted to move around. (just yesterday she was walking with her walker - she'd scream everytime it would get stopped by the wall or someone, it was funny) He watched her and let her stand holding her hands to see how she was. He let me know how she would be coming out of surgery and the processes. It was Dr. Keegan, and he was very nice.

Terry the coordinator for the craniofacial center in chattanooga came by to see how I was doing and explained some things. She has been most helpful and kind. The last thing we had to do was to get her blood samples so went down to the lab for that. The nurse was very nice but Ady just kept starring at her with uncertainty. The nurse held her arm down and Adyson got the scaredest look on her face and started crying. She took the blood and put a bandaid on her. I nursed her but she kept pulling off to make sure she watched the nurse. She just didn't trust her anymore!

We got home that night with the instructions for the surgery - last time to eat etc, and finished all the preperations. I was nervous and anxious and Ady just didn't seem to have a care in the world! Derek Wolfe and his father, David Wolfe, came over and gave Adyson a blessing, me a blessing, and Ben a blessing. How wonderful it is to have the priesthood in our lives!

Daddy Daughter Dance

2009-02-14T18:35:00.004-05:00

Last night Ben took Loryn to a daddy daughter dance hosted by a member of our church. She got to dress up all pretty. She especially liked the fact that daddy dressed up too. It was her date with daddy. She has been asking all week when it was going to be and then all day Friday she kept asking me when it was time to get ready.

Ben said she had a blast. Daddy and her danced all night. They ate snacks and played the limbo. Loryn also had fun dancing with her friend Mellissa. I don't think she will ever forget her special date with daddy.

Adyson's surgery - Counting down - 6 days

2009-02-13T11:10:00.004-05:00

I had my last Bradley class that I needed to teach before Adyson's surgery last night. I am taking 2 weeks off from teaching classes. It is really getting close now, and I am getting very anxious and nervous. So far the kids seem to be well except for a little runny nose. Adyson has a runny nose too but mostly it's clear. I am praying it doesn't turn into anything more.

Caleb has a 1/2 day today and all the kids are off on Monday. This actually works out because if they are not sick now then if we keep them in we may be able to ward off Ady getting sick. Kathi arrives tomorrow, and I am trying to catch up on laundry and housework today.

I will be bringing my laptop with me to the hospital and my understanding is that they have wireless so I should be able to update everyone while I am there. I have packed my camera and other things and hope to journal the experience.

Adyson's surgery - Counting down - 9 days

2009-02-10T12:16:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I took Adyson to the doctors to check her ears and chest. She has been pulling on them and has been congested. Normally I would not have taken her in and would have seen if it turned into anything but with her surgery around the corner I am supposed to bring her in for almost anything. The doctor says her ears look clear and everything looks great. He says to keep an eye on her because the congestion could turn into something more.

She is getting her top 2 teeth in and I think that is what is causing a lot of the running nose. I also think she has a little cold. She is getting around a lot now. Crawling everywhere, pulling up and walking with a walker!

I went shopping as well to get some of the things needed for her surgery and when she comes home. She is supposed to have the button down pajamas to wear. Normally that is what I have but for some reason all I have for the age she is wearing is the 2 piece pajama sets. So needless to say I had to get some. I am not used to paying store prices, even at 1/2 off it was triple what I normally spend on pajamas. (Gotta love those consignment sales!)

Today I am trying to catch up on things like my blog, cleaning (I have my class tonight), and slowly packing things for Adyson.

I am starting to feel anxious and nervous. Not only for the surgery itself but just keeping her well till then and having everything ready in time. Grandma Kathi comes Saturday, which will help a lot with keeping the house and laundry up (Kathi is the laundry queen!). Starting Monday we have doctor apointments almost everyday till her surgery. I am going to be a wreck!

Happy Birthday Caleb - 7 Years Old!

2009-02-08T20:49:00.008-05:00

Caleb's birthday was on February 5th. He turned 7 years old this year! Time sure does go by fast. We have a new rule with birthdays - big birthday parties only every 4 years. Caleb's next big birthday party year will be when he turns 8. Eight is a big year in many ways, including him getting baptized. I can't beleive that is only a year away.

For his birthday this year I surprised him at school with cupcakes for his class and goody bags. He was dissapointed earlier that morning when I told him I could not come for his lunch. He had no idea and was shocked when he walked in from lunch and there we were. I had balloons on his desk and cupcakes and juice on everyones desk. The kids had fun also.

Caleb was allowed to have a friend spend the night on Friday, he chose Cole, his best friend. Saturday my dad, Lisa, Chris and Aimee, and Grandma Mary came out to take Caleb out to lunch and have cake to celebrate. While they were out dad and I gave our direct blood donations for Adyson's surgery. I don't think dad ate enough before hand because he almost past out. It was funny (of course after he was better). Grandma took us to Sho Guns, a Japanese restaurant that cooks in front of you. Thanks Grandma! It was lots of fun. Elijah ran out of the room everytime there was a big fire. Afterwards, we all went back to our house to open presents and have cake. I think Caleb had a wonderful birthday and was shown how much he is loved.

Caleb's accomplishments as a 6 year old:

He started first grade and is top in his class
He is now reading at a 3rd grade level
homework is waaay to easy for him
he now enjoys real skateboarding after getting Tony Hawk skateboarding game for the DS for xmas
He is waaay to good at playing video games
He loves to read - just finished ready Tom Sawyer
He has never gotten in trouble at school and is one of the best students
Although Adyson loves all her siblings - Caleb is the one who really makes her light up (that's her buddy) - Caleb also adores her and wants to hold her all the time.
He loves legos and building with them.
He is very passionate about everything and reacts emotionally to most things
He is very intelligent, kind, loves kids, is best friends with his brother Elijah, and the most wonderful son. (How did I get so lucky!)

Blood Drive for Adyson

2009-01-22T09:55:00.007-05:00

With Adyson's surgery around the corner, I am starting to make sure things are in order. It has been and will be a busy month. Tuesday I contacted Blood Assurance regarding the blood donations Adyson would need for her surgery.

There are two types, the direct donation which is someone donating their blood that will go directly to Adyson specifically and needs to be a type that she can use. We have taken care of that here, I am donating, my dad is donating, and we have one more person. We only need 3 units for her.

There is also another type of way to donate towards Adyson surgery. They called it a replacement donation where someone would donate their blood and it would not specifically go to Adyson but Blood Assurance will donate $10 toward the family to help out with the financial burderns of her surgery. For someone to help out in that way they would need Adyson's file # and information. So when they went in to donate they would say it was for a replacement donation for Adyson. If anyone would like to do that, you can do that from any Blood Assurance location that takes blood, the information you need is as follows:

Adyson Doolittle

#536261

Surgery date is February 19, 2009

(For anyone that is not local then you would need to contact your local blood bank and ask if they have a similiar program. If not, you can always just donate in honor of Adyson which we would also greatly appreciate.)

Blood Assurance said that for as long as wanted could donate toward her surgery so if you wanted to donate for her but maybe need to wait awhile it does not have to be done before her surgery, it can be anytime. I don't know if you need all of the information above but I know at the very least you need her #.

Our family just seems to have the lucky streak of medical burdens. We feel fortunate that we have been taken care greatly from the medical communites from Santa Barbara, CA with Ben's cancer and surgeries, to here in Chattanooga with Adyson's condition. We are where we need to be as people from all over the country come here to chattanooga to have the type of surgery Adyson is having using these skilled doctors specializing in her type of surgery, Dr. Sargent, and Dr. Strait, among the other pediatric specialist and pediatric anesthesiologist. She will be having her surgery at the children's hospital, TC Thompson, which specializes in children.

I want to add how thankful I am to have a Heavenly Father who knows our present circumstance as well as what future needs we will need and I know if we trust in Him and follow Him we will be taken care of. Thanks to our family who has been ready to jump in and help in any way they can. Kathi is arriving the 14 of Feb and is staying 2 weeks! My mom is trying to make it out after that.

Thank you to all of you who have her in your prayers and ask that you continue to do so. We are grateful for everyones suppport.

If you would like to read about the specifics of her information you can refer to my previous blog I wrote a few months back. Here is the link:

http://allaboutthebenjaminsbabies.blogspot.com/2008/06/some-bad-news.html

Our Growing Ady!

2009-01-21T18:35:00.003-05:00

I can't believe Adyson is already 8 1/2 months old! She is standing (sometimes falls), eating finger foods, has been sitting up and now is almost crawling. She gets in the crawl position and will go backwards, sometimes reaches forward then sits back up. She is diffently getting around. We put up the stair gate to only have Elijah break it. I have order the parts and will be fixed soon, which we now badly need it. I couldn't decided which pictures were cuter so I decided to post them all! She is saying dada a lot and gibbering. She pointed to daddy's nose when we asked "where's daddy's nose?", and she sounded like she said "sippy" when I was pointing to the sippy cup, but maybe I am just hearing all of that. The kids are enjoying her but will yell "mom come get Ady she is getting my toys!", it is all just beginning...

Thinking back . . . December

2009-01-21T16:44:00.007-05:00

Well, as you all know I am veeerrrry behind. I have been very busy, and when I do have time I just don't feel like getting on here and downloading and writing. Sorry to all my family and friends. So here is an attempt at catching up and hopefully keeping up.

Most of you know that Adyson's surgery is coming up and the is what has motivated me to start blogging again. I started thinking about how much I will appreciate journaling my experience with this trial we are going to have to go through.

Now I have to think back to December and remember what all happenend. I can't even remember what I did yesterday. We will start with pictures and I will tell you what I remember.

Loryn and Elijah had a christmas program at their preschool. Loryn wanted her hair curly, so we did what we could to curl it and hope for it to stay. Her hair is so straight, no curl stays in it. We attempted and it did curl better than a curling iron. What matters is she was so beautiful and Elijah was a handsome little fellow. They did their parts well, and was very excited to see Santa. Their favorite part, I believe was the cookies that they served afterward.

Decorating for Christmas is always lots of fun with the kids. Loryn was a big help this year...

We went to Grandma Mary's house in Cartersville Christmas week when the kids were out of school. Grandma Ladnier, my mom, and Bob, my mom's husband came out to visit for christmas. It was so nice to see all of them. So we went out for the day and just enjoyed each other's company.

Chris, my brother, is living downstairs for a little while till he is done with school in May.

Grandma Ladnier and Adyson.

Bob and chris.

It was Grandma Ladnier's birthday, so I made her a cheesecake poundcake with her yummy fudge icing.

Chris, Aimee, and Grandma Mary.

Christmas Eve my mom and Bob, Lisa Hunter, my mom's friend from NC, and Bob came to our house for dinner and a christmas play the kids put on. It was a lovely night, we all had a good time. Then for Christmas morning Ben, me and the kids drove down to Grandmas and celebrated the day with everybody, spent the night and went home on Friday.

Pictures at Grandma's

2008-12-07T10:48:00.008-05:00

I know it has been awhile and I have finally decided to just jump in again and maybe as I remember things that have happened in the last few months I can reflect and slowly catch you all up on our lives. It has been a little bit difficult keeping up on things and lots has happened. I will give you a sneak peak: sal manila poisoning, ER visits, stitches, Grandfather passing, trip to NC, Teaching classes, Adyson sitting up, eating foods,... So blogging has been last on my list. Sorry.

We went to my Grandmother's house yesterday who is now living in Cartersville, GA after the passing of my grandfather Ralph. We miss him greatly. However, we are very excited to have grandma Mary close by, only about an hours drive for us. The kids love it and we always feel at home. So while we were there I decided to take advantage of her beautiful views of the lake and get some family pictures done. So here they are:

Catching up...

2008-08-22T10:41:00.014-04:00

Elijah's 3rd birthday:

Grandma Kathi arrived on Elijah's birthday. We decided to do a little something for his actual day and then go to my dad's on Saturday and celebrate there as well. I can't believe my baby boy is 3 - it just seems like time goes faster and faster...

Happy Graduation Ben!

Ben finished college around last November. It was not until June 28th that he was able to walk with hat and robe just like a true college grad. It took place in Atlanta, GA. Chris and Aimee were able to come as well and I know Ben really appreciated their support. My brother Chris is getting close to finishing college as well. We look forward to attending his when the time comes.

Afterwards we were all starving and the kids of course had enough of being made to sit for 3 hours. For the most part they did pretty good. Poor Aimee had the honor of holding Adyson when she exploded her diaper. I knew that was going to happen. Isn't that just how it is. We
went to CPK which Ben and I miss and had a great time enjoying our old favs. The kids also enjoyed their ice creams.

More visitors!

Kelsi, John, Jacob, and Georgia came to visit a week after Kathi arrived. It was soo fun to see the kids and have all of them play together. Georgia was adorable and such a happy baby. The boys had lots of fun running and screaming with Jacob.

4th of July:

We had a blast on the 4th. An excuse for a party! Chris and Aimee came out with Brien an old friend from Lancaster. Our neighbors Michelle, Greg, and their two kids Emma and Morgan. Of course our favorite visitors Kathi, Kelsi, John, and the kids. We bbq'd, hung out, and blew up some fireworks! We all had a lot of fun.

From left to right top to bottom: (Aimee and Adyson) (Kathi), (Kelsi and Georgia), (Emma, Caleb, Loryn, and Elijah), (Morgan, Greg, Michelle, and Adyson on lap), (Aimee, Chris, and Brien), (Cute boy Jakie)

Adyson's Blessing:

July 6, 2008 Adyson Mae Doolittle was given her blessing in Ooltewah TN at the Harrison Bay Ward Sacrament meeting. It was nice to have family here to share in this special day.

Trip to Grandma's House:

has been ill and we really wanted to go see them. So we took the 8 hour drive with four kids. ItMy mom came for a visit about a week after Kathi and Kelsi left. My mom and I decided that we would love to go visit Grandma and Grandpa Johnston in NC. Grandpa actually wasn't that bad. The kids did pretty good and Adyson slept a lot of the way. The kids had a blast running around the house, fishing, and going to the Botanical Gardens. Loryn caught a fish within the first 30 minutes of fishing, her first fish! Caleb caught one a few days later. He almost caught a huge one as he says but the line snaped. Overall we had a great time visiting with family. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for having us over and putting up with four young children! We already miss you!

Some bad news...

2008-06-12T18:18:00.008-04:00

Tuesday we went in for Adyson's one month check up and found out that she has craniosynostosis. The pediatrician noticed her head shape even as I was asking him about it. He sent us to the hospital for x-rays right away, and so with 5 kids in tow we got them done and confirmed her condition.

Craniosynostosis as best said from Wikipedia is " a medical condition in which some or all of the sutures in the skull of an infant or child close too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth. It can result in craniostenosis, which is the skull deformity caused by the premature closure of the cranial sutures."

It looks like Adyson is going to need surgery to cut the bone and do a complete total reconstruction to open the sutures and to fix the shape of the head.

It is best explained from www.craniofacialcenter.com:

The surgical treatment of craniosynostosis has been transformed by the development and applications of craniofacial techniques to reshape the skull and upper face in the infant. Functionally, the goal in treatment is to release the fused sutures to prevent any problems associated with increased intracranial pressure as well as creating the potential for normal growth. Cosmetically, the goal is to obtain normal shape of the skull and face, thus minimizing psychosocial problems.

Here are some pictures of examples of a baby with this problem.
Left is preoperative - Right Postoperative

Here is a picture of Adyson's head.

Today we were supposed to meet with Dr. Strait, the neurosurgeon, as was set up by the pediatrician. We got there and the receptionist tells me that our appointment is not today but July 10th (a month away!). I was very upset. I told her the Pediatrician's nurse set up the appointment, it was supposed to be done this week and not to be put off. It is important to see how critical her specific condition is to make sure she is not having a lot of pressure. I kept telling her I needed to see someone and I was not going to wait. The doctor was not there and was actually away on vacation. And of course, as I am already very emotional, I start bawling right there in the waiting room. She says she will see what she can do, and after a minute says to come on back and we will figure things out.

It was funny though because this older man about my parents age, wispered to me to keep at them and not give up that I can do it and says okay? Then he tells me to say okay. So I wimper ok.

Well, it actually worked out better. We had a lady from the craniofacial center come over to speak with us and the chief nurse of Dr. Strait. They decided to go ahead and schedual a 3D Cat scan, because that will need to be done anyway, even before the doctors could really tell us much. So Monday she is having a 3d cat scan, we have an appointment at 115pm with the plastic surgeon Dr. Sargeon, and Tuesday we have an appointment with the neorosurgeon Dr. Strait. Today we spoke with an anathesiologist regarding the cat scan on Monday because she will have to be have anathesia for the scans. She is not aloud to eat for 4 hours before the scans and I am not looking forward to that experience.

We will keep you updated. Keep her in all of your prayers. We can only have faith that this is all in Heavenly Father's hands and to stay strong. I am trying - but all I can think - my baby, my poor baby...

Catch up

2008-06-12T17:20:00.008-04:00

Well I have gotten waaaaay behind. Here are just some quick pictures and info on what has been going on.

Adyson and her baby ways
Bath time: Her first bath she screamed the whole time. Now she loves them.

Nap time: Mornings are her good sleeping times but when mom wants to go to sleep she likes to eat eat eat.

Nap time: again

And more sleeping... don't you wish we could be babies again sometimes and be aloud to sleepas much as they do!

All dressed up - off to church we go!

And Loryn being Loryn.

Left: Loryn yesterday when we found her around 9pm when she was supposed to be asleep. It is just so exhausting playing with Barbies.

Right: Remember this photo - when Loryn was around 3 years old. Did you notice the cabbage patch shoe on her right foot and the bathing suit around her neck. These are the moments that make it all worth while.

Sleeping like a baby

2008-05-30T23:04:00.002-04:00

I used to think sleeping like a baby meant that you slept really long and hard. Of course babies sleep a lot but not usually when you want them to. I have a whole new definition of what sleeping like a baby means. To me it means not going to bed until 2am like last night because somebody, we will not name names, thought it would be lots of fun to eat then sleep for 5 minutes, then wake up and eat and sleep for 5 minutes, then fuss a little and continue the pattern. Finally she stayed asleep at 2am and I could at last go to sleep. She actually will go a long run of it by that point. She slept till 7am and ate then went back to sleep until noonish. It would be great if only I could go to sleep when she does, but when you have 3 other kids it is not an easy thing to do. Here's to having a new baby! I try to still hold on to these moments, to remember them, even the hard ones. For one, I want to enjoy this last time I will ever have to experience new mothering, and two, when Adyson is a few years old and I somehow start to think that I am baby hungry, I can remember these moments and say - "phew, I am done with that!". Well, here is to hopefully a better night of sleep.

Camping

2008-05-27T15:28:00.003-04:00

Sunday we had a BBQ with the neighbors and Ben went paint balling with the guys. The kids played on the slip ad slide again and we hung out with the adults. I got a little break holding Adyson with many hands who wanted to hold her.

Ben set up the tent for the kids and they camped out in the back yard. It was a bet of who would come in first, and it ended up being a tie with Loryn and Elijah. Caleb stuck it out with dad all night. I think they had a lot of fun. Caleb says they played shadow puppets. Raza did the best when she sat on the porch in front of the light, she cast a big kitty shadow. What a great dad Ben is, always doing things to have fun with the kids!

Saturday Fun in the Sun!

2008-05-27T14:39:00.009-04:00

Slippin' and Slidin' fun!

The kids and the "big" kids (Ben and our neighbor, Christian) had a blast on the slippin slide. They combined two and put it on the hill, added some soap and there was nothing stopping them. They actually added a third slide of which Ben said he made the record of sliding 5 or so feet off the end of the the bottom slide.

Elijah is finally in the process of some serious potty training. He is officially wearing underwear during the day. He is having some accidents but is getting better and better each day.

His favorite is peeing in the woods, which his lovely father has encouraged him to do. Such a cute butt! My little boy is growing up!

Week at a glance

2008-05-26T18:43:00.006-04:00

The first week Ben stayed home to help with the new adjustments. He was a big help keeping the kids busy, and even holding and sleeping with Adyson to help me get some sleep. Adyson did pretty well. Her schedual was of course off and she was up most of the night. She loved sleeping on daddy and was actually one of the few times she would sleep for more than 4 hours. She does not take a binky very willingly and actually gets mad if you give her one and she is still learning to nurse. She doesn't seem to want to open her eyes much, maybe she is afraid to.

The kids had a good time playing games with daddy. They are adjusting well. They love holding Adyson and are very willing to help. Caleb is getting a little sad wanting more time with mom and dad, and gets a little frustrated that he has to clean up after everybody and now the baby!

Pretty much this week was keeping the kids from killing each other and destroying the house and letting mom and baby get some rest and get adjusted. Not an easy job. Sometimes you just got to throw them in the bath.

Overall we survived and Ben returned to work on Monday the 19th. The next week without Ben was actually not bad at all. I went to the store with all 4 on Thursday and other than not having room in the grocery cart it wasn't that bad. It was just a short trip to if I had to do a lot of shopping I still think leaving them at home would be the best way to go. Adyson does her best sleeping in the mornings which is good and bad. It is great because I can get things done and bad because I can't continue sleeping because the other three are awake. In time I guess she will finally sleep at night and give me more normal sleep.

Time with Adyson

2008-05-11T17:59:00.008-04:00

As I mentioned before my dad, Lisa, Chris and Aimee came over Saturday morning to meet Adyson and to take the kids out.

Here is Elijah getting ready to go to Marci's house. He was trying to figure out the swim vest.

The kids had fun at Marci's. They swam, played Wii, played outside, and had a great sleep over. Ben and I enjoyed not having to worry about the kids and just rest and get to know Adyson. Ben went and got some sushi and made beef stir fry to go with it for dinner. By 10pm I fed Adyson and Ben took the first shift to let me get some solid sleep for a few hours before heading into the night with Adyson. He brought her to me about 130am. Adyson did well last night. I was able to feed her well and she would sleep for a few hours at a time.

We didn't get moving until about 10am the next morning. Ben went and got the kids about 12pm. We threw them in the shower and let them go out and play for a little while. When they came in Ben was holding Adyson on his chest and all the kids wanted to hold Adyson the same way too. The kids continue to love her and want to hold her. They just think she is soooo cute.

Adyson Mae - 1 day old

2008-05-10T19:53:00.005-04:00

We are all doing great! Having a home birth has been the best experience I wish we thought about it with the other 3. The kids are very excited and are constantly asking to hold her. Adyson doesn't seem to be phased with all the noise from the other kids - she sleeps right through it, even if she is being passed around. The kids are currently at my friend Marci's house having a sleep over. It is great having a friend like her. My brother, Chris, and his wife Aimee, came over this morning and my dad shortly after that. They visited and then took the kids out to lunch.

I am doing well, the midwife, Debi came over today and she checked the baby and me. Other than a lot of painful after pain contractions and lack of sleep I am feeling lots better, even starting to feel restless. Here are some pictures of today.

Adyson Mae Doolittle

2008-05-09T20:51:00.005-04:00

Welcome Adyson Mae Doolittle

Born: May 9, 2008
Time: 3:25am
Where: Chattanooga, TN
Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz
Length: 21 inches ?

Prodomal Labor

2008-05-08T17:35:00.003-04:00

I have a lot of catching up. I just haven't felt like writing lately. I have been a little frustrated. Last Thursday I visited my midwife and she checked me and did sweeping of the membranes to see if we could "stir" things up. It definitely stirred things up but not enough to produce a baby as you probably could figure out since I am not writing about having the baby at the moment.

When she checked me (this is last Thursday the 1st), I was dilated to a 2, 80% effaced, but the cervix was still back a ways, but I was very soft. By about 4pm after getting home, I started to have contractions that were 1 to 3 minutes apart. They continued to get stronger but nothing really strong. I called my midwife and she said to call her in an hour. I did and the contractions continued 1 to 3 minutes apart. She said she was coming. My thoughts were that I knew they were not strong enough to warrant a serious concern of having the baby real soon but the fact that they were 1-3 minutes apart definitely gave me concern. I thought surely, if they are this close, this is labor and it would continue till we had a baby.

Operation baby kicked into gear. We called our friend Eileen to pick up the kids, called Marci and Wendy for support, finished picking up the house etc. Midwife got here checked the baby, everything looked great, checked me and I believe at that point which was around 6pm I was a 3 dilated. Wendy, Marci and I started walking up and down the street, I met my assistant Midwife Michelle, and we just kept waiting for labor to kick into a higher gear. When I walked it would get to sometimes 30 seconds apart and very strong. Things stayed about the same. Debi check me at about 930pm and I was at 3 cm dialated, 100% effaced. She said the cervix did come down a little bit. She didn't feel I was really progressing very fast and was concerned with how late it was getting. She wanted me to rest and see if I could sleep. Her and the assistant left for a little bit and I tried to lay down to sleep. It was restless to say the least and I really could not sleep. They came back around 1130pm and suggested that I take some Benadryl and a Tynal to see if that would relax me enough to help me sleep and she would go home because she felt sure that things would probably slow down. There sure is something about having all those years experience. She was right. After a few hours the contractions subsided and I was able to sleep. By morning they all but stopped.

The midwife said I was having prodomal labor (false labor), nothing false about it in my mind. She said it is normal especially in women who have had several children. Your body kicks in a little, then rests. Plus the baby is hanging way out front of me (all those babies have stretched out my muscle!) Which means the baby is not helping put pressure on the cervix to help open it up during a contraction.

By the weekend contractions were every now and then and not strong at all. Tuesday they picked up a little feeling more crampy but no real pattern.

Today, I had another appointment with Debi, she checked me - I am still at a 3, the cervix is still back but she was able to get to the baby easier. She says the baby is bald! She did a little sweeping of the membranes again to see if we could "stir" things up again. I am a little concerned we are going to have more of this prodomal labor again. Of course it is all really good for the baby and me just mentally is exhausting. I am so ready for her to come. I have part of me that wants to do everything to make her come and then the other part that is more rational and listens to the Bradley teacher in me that all is for the baby and that me and/or the baby may need more time and I need to let things be, relax, and wait for her to be ready to come. I will not stay pregnant forever, even though it sure feels like it.

So here we are - contractions are starting again every 3-10 minutes apart, stronger than normal. This time I am not going to concern myself with them until they get a lot stronger. Last time the 1-3 min is what threw me off in how much attention I should have been giving them. I am trying to stay positive and have faith the Lord knows when the right time is. It is 6pm, going to get the kids fed, to bed, and I am going to bed early in hopes to sleep or if the baby is ready have a baby. We will see...

Fun day with Marci

2008-04-29T17:51:00.007-04:00

This morning I re-cleaned the kitchen, picked up and vacuumed downstairs, put laundry away, vacuumed the upstairs-again (Elijah decided to dump his dry raisin bran cereal all over my bedroom floor and hallway.) I also got the kids rooms cleaned. I was able to complete all of this before my friend Marci arrived.

Here is a picture of Elijah playing on the computer on Disneychannel.com, taken the other day. He had a good time and picked up on things quickly.

Marci and her little girl, Leah, came over bringing lunch (sushi!), it was sooo yummy, thanks Marci. I gave Marci an early thank you gift for helping out with the delivery of the baby with a box of Sees candy. She wanted to open it right away and so we had a good time trying out the chocoloates. I sure wish there was a Sees candy store around here. They were to die for.
Then we got to work. Marci helped me put the crib together and we rearranged the boys room. Caleb has been sleeping on the floor lately because he has had a hard time getting out of bed to go to the bathroom. We decided to switch the bunk bed into a single bed and have two single beds. Marci helped me rearrange it and bring down the box spring from the attic. Thanks Marci, your the best. So far everything is clean in the house. Although as I am typing this I here the kids and am afraid to see what has been destroyed. The job never ends.

I continue to have contractions although most are not too strong. My back has been killing me all night and today, makes it hard to walk around. I don't know if the baby has moved into a different position putting pressure on my back or if it is just my back in general hurting from cleaning a lot. Probably a little of both. I am feeling restless about it but I know I could still have awhile, I just want the anticipation to be over with.

House Blessing Day

2008-04-28T22:10:00.002-04:00

I took Caleb to the Chiropractor this morning to get his leg looked at. I had to bring Emma, Loryn, Elijah as well. I wanted to go early enough to bring the girls to preschool right after the appointment. Caleb's leg is all aligned correctly. He is actually starting to walk straighter on it now and is starting to run on it. Nothing stops these kids.

Elijah and I went home after dropping the girls off and Caleb off at school. I felt so tired that we just hung out in the morning then took naps. Both of us didn't want to get up to go get Loryn later on, but we dragged ourselves out of bed and picked her up. Mommy felt like an ice cream so we went to Sonic and got each of us one. The kids really loved that!

I spent the rest of the afternoon on a major house cleaning spree. I don't know if I am nesting or what but I felt the need to have the house spotless. I cleaned the bathrooms down to using the toothbrush and all, swept and mopped all floors, cleaned kitchen, vaccumed etc. Tomorrow I plan on finishing some laundry and putting the crib together as well as cleaning the kids rooms. I keep getting the house to the point where I say, "ok, now I can go into labor, the house is clean, we have food, and I am not tired". But she isn't ready. Not yet. I continue having contractions here and there, and the last two nights have had them every ten minutes or so but they have not been very strong. They stop during the night, and a new day begins with no baby. I really still have awhile just under 2 weeks but here's to hoping. Sunday I had a lot of hot flashes and felt a little nausea. It is all part of the hormones at work. I can say I have had a glimpse of what menopause will be like. We will just say I am not looking forward to it. Well I need to get to bed. Tired after all that cleaning.

Progressing...

2008-04-27T15:41:00.003-04:00

Well, last Thursday I saw Debi, my midwife and she checked me again. With my other kids I never had them check. How many cm dilated you are doesn't tell you when you will go into labor. The one thing it can tell you is how fast labor may go once you do go into labor. And having a home birth it is to Debi's advantage to have an idea so she knows how quickly she needs to get to me.

Thursday I was dilated to a 2, 80% effaced, and VERY soft. 10 days before I was firm and only a 1, so there is some work going on. Yesterday I lost my mucous plug and today I am feeling a little icky and keep having horrible hot flashes. Who knows when labor will eventually start. My body is definitely getting ready but it could still be awhile.

Saturday we had a neighborhood garage sell. I made a whopping $22! I am not sure it was worth it but at least I tried to make some money off our junk before giving it all away. I am sick of stuff. You have to take care of it and I could use a lot of minimizing in my life at the moment.

This week will start the first week I stop watching my neighbors little girl Emma. She is the 4 year old. I may still be watching the other neighbor but her mom is on call so I know she will be here quick to take Emily and has lots of family as well that can come get her quickly. I couldn't guarantee that Emma could do the same. I will still take her to school as long as I am taking Loryn.

Garage sell is over, baby stuff is ready, office stuff cleaned up, laundry caught up. I am officially ready. I just have to keep the house picked up and stay rested. I am actually looking forward to this week now.

No baby yet - update

2008-04-23T08:06:00.003-04:00

Lukily there was nothing to the contractions last week. Well, I shouldn't say nothing but not enough to have a baby. I knew the contractions were not real labor but it was a concern that it may be starting too soon being at 36 weeks. It was a precaution to take it easy and try and stop the contractions. Monday, 14th, I saw my midwife and she checked me. I was dilated to 1 cm and 80 % effaced, but the baby was still high up and my cervix was still back. Debi, my midwife, said everything looks great and she is not worried, I can return to normal activity, just don't take any Pitocin. Thank goodness! I was relieved that one, there was nothing to worry about and two, that I could get busy and get things in order. I still had a lot to do.

I spent the rest of the week getting baby clothes washed, and the bassinet put together and going to the store to get all the other baby needs. I continue to have contractions, although most of them are back to normal braxton hicks, just a tightening feeling. I have some afternoons where they get real crampy again and stop me in my tracks but nothing that continues and nothing that gets worse, just lots of pre labor stuff getting ready for the big day.

Sunday, I was 37 weeks and I feel pretty good. Monday, I started to have more crampy contractions but nothing consistent. This is my last week of watching other kids per Ben and I's agreement. Ben has grounded me from watching extra kids. He thinks I am doing too much and am making myself exhausted for no reason. I can handle all the kids, but I do get exhausted and the problem with feeling like that now is that I could go into labor at any time and I really need to be rested to be able to handle it. Plus, my house gets destroyed and I have a hard enough time keeping it clean as it is. And since we are having a home birth I would really like the house to be clean when I go into labor.

Today, Wednesday, I drop the girls off at preschool, and head home with Elijah with what I hope will be a productive morning of picking up the house and cleaning. I also hope to get to organizing things for the garage sale that is happening this Saturday. I am purging, and hope to get rid of most things. I can't even walk in our garage right now. But I can say that my laundry is caught up, a once in a life time achievement. Now I just have to keep it up!

Contractions! Not yet!

2008-04-13T10:21:00.002-04:00

We had a little scare yesterday. Well it really started Friday night, but continued all day yesterday. I started having a lot of cramping with my contractions, more of the labor type. I wasn't concerned until they seemed to be continuing to happen and wouldn't stop. I have been sick lately and continue to get worse. I am getting no sleep at night and haven't had time for naps either. I don't know if I am just wearing myself out or what it is. This morning I woke up to find I have pink eye. Maybe my immune system is down, whatever it is it sucks and is a little stressing to think of the baby coming too soon. Not only do I not have things ready, we could be looking at a hospital birth instead, as well as concern for the baby's lungs being fully developed and ready to come out.

I called my midwife and she said we need to get them to stop. She said to take a warm bath and get myself to relax. She said, without being able to look at me, it sounded like irritable uterus. She also suggested if the bath didn't work to drink 1/2 of a wine cooler. That was funny! You know being Mormon and all it wasn't really an option.

I get in the bath to relax and a few minutes after Elijah wakes up (he fell asleep in our bed because he refused to take a nap, and he needed one), starts crying and screaming and would not stop. So could I relax? What do you think? Not really. Plus Ben was trying to get ready to go to his boss' surprise birthday party. We ended up all going, even though I probably should have stayed home. I didn't want to be left alone... just in case.

The party was fine, the contractions continued every 20-30 minutes, but started to have more that were less painful. We got home, I took another bath, this time could relax, and then settled in bed. My contractions lessened and by this morning they have mostly stopped and are definitely not as strong. Ben had forbidden me to do anything all day, although I can't help but feel like I need to clean and get things ready. He is finishing putting the dressers together for the boys and says he is going to help pick up the house today.

I have one more weak until it would be OK for the baby to arrive. I will be 37 weeks next Sunday and then I can relax about going into labor. I am going to try to take it a little more easy this week in hopes to not aggravate my uterus to have contractions. At least I will not have our neighbor kid Emma. Her mom is on spring break. Ben says I should not watch anymore kids or take on anything extra until the baby is born. For me that is just hard to do. I'll try. I did want to finish painting, plant some flowers, clean out the flower beds, clean out the garage, get all the laundry caught up, and lots more. I guess something needs to go, at least for a week, and then I get get active again.

The kids were cute this morning eating breakfast. They both HAD to share a chair.

"I'm Peeing mommy!"

2008-04-12T10:13:00.005-04:00

Is it a dream? Is this really starting to happen? Is my youngest really starting to voluntarily use the potty? I have been praying that Elijah would be potty trained before the baby is born and lately have started to give up on that dream... until this morning.

Elijah takes off his soaked night time diaper and I tell him to get a new one. He brings me his pull up which I say OK you can were that. We get it on him and 2 seconds later he is taking it off, says he need to pee pee. We say go ahead go pee in the potty. Ben went and helped him and actually showed him. He didn't pee. We put his pull up back on and again in 2 seconds was taking it off again saying he needs to pee. So we say go ahead, go pee. Then an amazing thing happens, I hear him peeing and run in the bathroom to see him standing up like a big boy and actually peeing in the potty, as he yells "I'm peeing mommy, pee, peeee!" We all start clapping and screaming what a big boy he is and I go and get him real underwear, Thomas, and he is just so excited. I am so proud of him and now have some hope that he may just be potty trained by the time the baby arrives. Yeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh!!!

Caleb's 1st Grade Openhouse

2008-04-12T09:43:00.002-04:00

Thursday
Thursday night Caleb had his open house for next year 1st graders. It was not much of anything but he was excited to see the 1st grade classroom. We had a quick PTA meeting, then was given a handout and a teacher went over what to expect for next year. It was good to know it and it will help me to know what things I can have Caleb work on this summer. Gotta keep his brain sharp. Although he does his daily "brain exercises" using that Brain Age game on his Nintendo DS. Ben and I like to do it too. He does a good job and is learning a lot. It has a lot of memory things, reading, math, etc, for all those who are unfamiliar. You can test your Brain's age as well. Ben and I compete with who has the youngest brain all the time.

Elijah thought he would run laps as we were trying to listen to the teacher. And then when we went to check out the classroom, I turned my back for a minute and he was gone. I couldn't see him in the classroom, so headed out quickly down the halls to look for him. I was on the verge of panic when I found him running back toward me coming from another wing of the school. That little bugger is fast and he sure did scare me! Too many news stories and movies put awful thoughts in your head when it comes to things like that.

Sure enough we headed home right after that. We were through with handling Elijah. I think Caleb was a little disappointed by not being aloud to see more first grade classrooms, as they only had one opened to look at, but overall I think he enjoyed seeing some of his friends.

Friday
I attempted to fold and put away the mountain of laundry that was on the couch. I did end up getting that done and lay down for about 10 minutes. I pushed the time for when we had to leave to pick up Caleb and regretted it the moment I got in the car and remembered that I was on empty. I had to rush to the gas station first, because I was afraid of running out of gas while I waited for Caleb, then rush back to get in line in time to pick him up. I made it just in time and everything worked out.

Date Night
Our friends Marci and Derek, invited us to go out to celebrate my birthday, and of course we were not going to pass on fun like that. It was rushed getting ready but left in time to meet at their house where the babysitter was waiting and ready for us to run away on a adult night out. Marci and Derek have 3 kids of their own, two of which are the same age as Caleb and Loryn. We had a great time. We went to Ichiban's for sushi, then went to see a movie. It was a nice break and we had a great time which we always do when we go out with Marci and Derek. They are one of our best friends here. Marci has been invited to help us out with our birth. I look forward to her being there with us during that special time.

Wednesday

2008-04-10T19:36:00.003-04:00

It was a long day! I haven't been getting much sleep lately because I have been a little sick. I think it might just be allergies but it feels a little like a cold; I am losing my voice, sore throat and stuffy nose. Wednesdays are usually hard because I have to take the girls to preschool, clean house, and make sure my Bradley classes are prepared, as well as look halfway decent.

The morning was actually not that bad, I went to the store, and got a few things cleaned up and ready in the house, and Elijah was not too crazy. It was after I picked up the girls that it got to be exhausting and frustrating.

I thought I would be smart and bring my laptop with me so right after I pick up the girls we would just go and wait for Caleb a little early at his school and I could try and finish getting my presentation ready for my class. Well, things never turn out how you think they will. The kids acted like they had eaten a bowl of sugar and were not listening and just horsing around in the car, and to top it off I had to go pee about 5 minutes after we got in line at the school. I still had 35 minutes to wait! You might think that wouldn't be a problem but I was trapped with cars behind me and side of me and couldn't get out to go home real quick. I didn't want to go inside the school because I was wearing Ben's old pajama pants that I cut off into shorts and a t-shirt that was stained, embarrassing to say the least. (Not much is fitting me these days and Ben is getting irritated that he comes home and I cam wearing his t-shirts) So I had to hold it, work on my laptop that does not fit on my lap very well these days and try not to pee my pants when I yelled at the kids.

After Caleb and Emily were picked up, although frustrated, we survived and I stayed dry, which was a feat in itself. Seems like the baby thinks when mommy has to pee it is a great time to kick her bladder.

We get home unload the monkeys and I attempt to finish getting ready for my class, and finish cleaning. This night my class was starting early because we were going to combine 2 classes and it was the last one. I had a lot to still do. It would have been fine if I did not have one child or another every 2 minutes (literally, not kidding or exaggerating), coming in and either telling on someone, had hurt themselves, they were thirsty, hungry, wanted a Popsicles, had to pee, wanted to come inside etc. etc. I could have pulled my hair out.

I was flustered by the time I could finish what I needed, take a shower, have dinner ready, and be ready for my class. I was grateful that Ben got home early and was able to help me out a little.
My class went great, I included a guest speaker toward the end of class and apple pie for dessert and we finished off all happy and excited that our babies will be here soon. I think and hope that all my couples got out of the class what they expected if not more and that it helps them have the type of birth that they want. For now, I am done worrying about classes and Wednesday cleaning. One more thing to look forward to; 7 more weeks and schools are out I should only have my own kids to worry about. Normally it would be fine, but I am really just getting too tired to deal with many more kids, and usually it is not my kids that cause the most trouble (at least not usually).

Of course right as that is all done, I will have a new little one. A few weeks ago, Ben and I were discussing how Loryn and Elijah would both be in preschool and how nice that will be for me two have 2 days to myself. Ben starts going on about how I will be able to go to the gym and do this and that. I had to remind him that I would have the baby at home. He says "oh yea, I forgot". Easy for him to forget he doesn't have a 20 # melon in his abdomen taking up every bit of breathing room and organ room. Thought it was funny though.

What are you talking about 30, I am turning 29... again!

2008-04-10T16:41:00.006-04:00

I have decided that I am ready to stop aging. I feel like my 20's flew by and the whole time I was pregnant. I sometimes get caught up in envying my friends who are childless and hearing about all their adventures they describe to me of going here or there. I never even had a honey moon. Maybe someday I will have my day to travel and experience more to life than laundry and diapers.

So 30 it is. What does that mean anymore? I've heard it it the new 20. Maybe if I was rich, had a trainer, and could go and do whatever I wanted. To most people 30 is entering the phase of kids, ones in school, working hard to get by, trying to save money, and pray that every once in a while at least you can afford to go out to dinner with just the two of you or with some friends. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, and would never trade it for the world. My children are my treasures, and after all this contemplating and thinking, I wonder who do I really want to celebrate my birthday with; one thing came to mind. I want to be with my family, kids included. So that is just what we did. We went to P.F. Changs, one of my favorites, including Caleb's favorite place and had a really great time. The kids were great, other than a few bathroom breaks and bumped heads when a certain 2 year old tried to escape the booth.

So I am trying to accept the big 30 as the beginning to a wonderful new adventure full of promise, love, happiness, and excitement. I was definitely spoiled by all of you. Thank you for the gifts. I almost feel too old to be getting gifts. The roses are from my mom and her husband, Thanks Mom and Bob! I always love getting flowers and they are sooo pretty.

The seasons of our life...

2008-04-10T16:37:00.005-04:00

And so the count down has started; all my projects need to be completed as well as the baby crib put together, boys dressers put together, baby clothes washed, etc., etc. It seems like forever till she comes and then it seems like I am running out of time. I just hope I am not overdue as long as Kelsi was, my poor sister in law. The longest I have been overdue is 4 days. Although I am sure at some point I may forget the pain of being pregnant and long for another, only with temporary insanity, I am currently looking forward to this being my last pregnancy. Here is to the next 10 years of getting my body back in shape and feeling good about it.

It is odd to think about how having this last baby is the threshold to the beginning of a new phase in our lives. As Adyson grows our baby phase will end with her. And as that is somewhat sad to me I look forward to a new season and different phase of our children's lives. I realize now how quickly it goes and try to remember that when I wish for this child or that to grow past that childish behavior that I need to enjoy it for this is such a short moment of life that they are little.

Like this morning when Elijah should have been napping I peaked in on him and found him diaper less and pee right by the door. It is somewhat a good sign because he is getting close to being serious about potty training on the other hand... does it need to be said? In addition to that, both Loryn and Elijah decided they would have a yogurt binge and snuck 3 gogurts each downstairs, I found out because Elijah had it all over himself. Loryn attempted to lie about it but mommies know best.

I get a call yesterday about the dressers delivery date. My mom bought the boys new dressers. See, I am spoiled, Thanks Mom! I tell them that I have to pick up my son from school and will be gone between 2:30 and 3:15pm, and that anytime before or after is fine. The guy on the phone says oh no probably it will be delivered way before that. 2:30 comes around no dresser. I had my neighbor pick up Caleb and was grateful because the truck came at 2:45pm, the exact window that they were supposed to avoid. The driver said he was given no such instructions and apologized. No harm done. This weekend Ben and I will be assembling the dressers, the crib and organizing the rooms, what fun!

Operation OAMC Completed!

2008-04-10T16:08:00.006-04:00

Sunday we finished up our weekend of cooking. I ended up not making some of the breakfast things because I was just too exhausted to finish them even with all of Ben's help. It was great having him help me, it sure saved me A LOT of time. Our final count was 59 meals. Here is a picture of a few of them. It is probably only a fourth of what I actually have.

I am hoping that will last past the babies birth. I have forgotten how much I really like having my meals. It has been a while since I actually did one as big as this one. Well, lets see I am how pregnant, that will tell me around the last time I did it. It is exhausting when your healthy and not pregnant. Anyway, it is done and I will not have to do another one until I am no longer pregnant. Yeah! only around 1 month to go. If she was healthy I would take her now, although I still don't have everything ready and in place yet. Lots more work to be done. It just never ends, does it.

OAMC

2008-04-05T08:32:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we started our OAMC weekend session. For all those who don't know what that is, OAMC is short for Once A Month Cooking. When I do a big session it is usually I cook for a few days and have a few months of meals. I usually do it by myself but since I have been pregnant, I have not had the energy and stamina to complete a big session. I really wanted to have meals through the birth of the baby so Ben signed on to help.

My session actually started last weekend with planning recipe's and grocery list and budgeting. Thursday I went to the stores, yes with an s. I went to a meat wholesaler first to get all my meat, 20# of chicken and beef. This is my new find, saving around 30 cents per pound compared with Sams Club. Then I went to Aldi's and got as much of the items I needed that they had. Their cans are only 40 cents each and sour cream 1 dollar, cream cheese cheapest, and bread for 1 dollar as well. I can usually save close to 50% compared to what I would have spent at Walmart. I had to go home first to unload because of the meat. I had it on ice but 1 1/2 hours is gettting a bit long to keep meat out of the fridge. After that, went right back to the same area but to Sams club to get other items such as cheeses, milk, eggs, snacks, etc. And by then it was 2:30pm and I was late picking up the kids from Marci's house. I still had to go home first to unload. Walmart would have to wait till Friday.

Friday and Walmart- Well normally going to the grocery store with Loryn and Elijah, although not as easy, is still not usually that bad. Not today, and of course on a day that I cannot just decide to leave and come back later. I had to get the rest of my OAMC food so I could get started today. I also had to get back for my midwife, Debbie Church who was meeting me at my house, and my friend Eileen Volyes who was coming by to pick up the kids to watch them for the afternoon.

The TANTRUM - the grocery trip started out fine, Elijah getting excited at being able to use the 2 child grocery cart. I think he likes it because he can get out easily and cause mom more hassle. Well thats what he did but kept trying to get things off the shelves and crying and whining at Loryn for every little thing, he just wouldn't stop. I gave him several warnings that I would get the other cart if he continued and after a time out which started the constant crying we got the other cart. Of course it didn't stop there. He continued to cry the WHOLE TIME, and most of it was not just a little whimpering but screaming and yelling crying. I had people coming over trying to help and an employee asking if he was sick or hurt. I know everyone wished I would just go home. But I couldn't. SO you can guess it took me twice as long if not longer to get my stuff, I was late getting back to Debbi and of course was exhausted and frustrated. If only we were aloud to beat our kids, J/K.

Debi's appointment - Went great, babies sounds great, blood sugar great, all great, meet in 2 weeks.

Eileen comes to get the kids right after Elijah fell asleep, still got him out of bed to hand him over. No way I was missing this opportunity. He was fine and both were excited to go play at Melissa's house.

Down to business - finally could get to cleaning my kitchen. Every time before I do a session I clear the counters, and scrub them and disinfect them. I like to know I have a clean work space. I decided to start with cooking all the meats. Had to organize the recipe's to see what need browned beef, cooked chicken etc. Boiled all the meat that called for it, trimmed and prepped the raw meat, separated for each recipe ready for tomorrow. Finished the chicken and had kitchen re-cleaned and disinfected (doubly after chicken mess, I hate raw chicken! especially 20# of it) just in time for Ben to come home with the kids and pizza.

After dinner was over and kids were situated with a movie, Ben cried over helping me with chopping the onions (literally - those dang onions - glad I didn't have to cut them, saved me a few tears and red eyes). Remember it is not just one onion, we started with 6. He cut the other veggies and helped with anything else I asked of him. He really cut my time at least in half, I might just get used to this. Thanks babe, you were a great help!

Once all that was prepped and labeled and put back in the fridge I completed the day with starting my shredded beef taco meal in the Crockpot and with organizing the rest of the weekend. It was probably 9:30 before I got to bed and I was tired. Thank goodness I had help I would have still been working.

Today we start our next day of cooking with Ben's help; I am optimistic that we will get a lot done. Plus it has been fun to have him with me. I still very much enjoy his company, he continues to be my best friend. I should go, already starting the day late. Knew if I didn't post it would turn into a month before it got done. Happy Cooking!

Adyson Mae Doolittle

2008-03-31T16:19:00.002-04:00

We think we have finally agreed on a name for the new baby. Adyson seems to be the only name we agree upon so we are going for it. We decided the middle name should be Mae after my great grandmother Veda Mae. And yes we had to make things difficult and add a y to her name. We didn't want her to be left out or feel she is any less special than Loryn. Anyway, hope you all like it, I am sure she will become the name anyway. It just seems to happen that way. Around 5 more weeks and we can put a face to the name.

Welcome Georgia!

2008-03-31T16:13:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the family little Georgia! We are so excited you are here. Congratulations Kelsi and John to your beautiful little girl. She is gorgeous! We love you guys and good luck with your new family! (You can check out Kelsi's blog by pushing on the link to the side.)

Another Monday...Another Mess...

2008-03-31T15:53:00.003-04:00

Well it is Monday again and here I am confronted with mountains of laundry, a messy kitchen, well really a messy house, and lots of kids running around. Sometimes I wonder why bother cleaning it, never stays clean. I so envy those who keep a smooth sailing clean, organized house. I realize that some of it is having a lot of kids running through it, but there are other moms who do it so why can't I? Well, here is to hoping that I gain my energy back once the baby is born and I can get on a good schedule and have a clean house, at least most of the time. Elijah and Loryn will both be going to preschool next year. So I will just have the baby at home.

This week other than preparing for my class and keeping the house in order and watching the kids I am getting ready for a big freezer cession. I usually do these on my own; cook for three days in a row and have a few months of food in my freezer. Since I have been pregnant I have only done little week cessions because I just don't seem to have the energy to finish a big one. I am afraid I will waste a bunch of food. So I have enlisted Ben to help me and we are going to cook this weekend. I have been preparing all weekend with retyping all my recipes back in my program (I lost them all when the desk top computer hard drive crashed). And organizing. Thursday will be my shopping day, I do to 3 stores (Aldi's, Sams Club, and Walmart). Hoping to save where I can. I have arranged to have the kids looked after on Friday, part of Saturday and part of Sunday. Hoping we can get it all done. With Ben's help I think it will be fun. I look forward to it.

My brother ran a full marathon on Saturday. He placed in the 1000 out of 5000 people. Way to go Chris! We wished we could have been there to cheer you on.

I can be like daddy!

2008-03-27T18:32:00.003-04:00

Ben got his bike out and hooked it up to the stationary unit to exercise a little. Elijah decided he wanted to be like daddy and put his bike up like daddy. So the nice dad that he is, Ben set up Elijah's bike so that his back tire set up like Ben's so that he could peddle and not go anywhere. It was very cute. Then Elijah noticed that daddy had a water bottle on his bike and and to come in and ask me for water too so that he could put it on his too. Amazing how these little ones like to mimic. A little scary sometimes, to think that we are not always perfect, and just hope and pray they don't mimic those other not so nice things we do. Of course now all the kids are fighting over having their bikes like daddy's so they can exercise too.

Freedom!

2008-03-26T15:30:00.007-04:00

Today was a little different than my normal Wednesdays. First of all, this morning Elijah decided he was going to go with Caleb to school. He was ready to go with his backpack and pajamas. Then when we went to drop the girls off at school, he cried when he couldn't stay. Jessica the lady who runs the preschool is always outside helping unload kids and bring them to their class. She asked if he would like to stay for the day. How could I pass that up. I had a house that looked like a tornado hit it and mountain of laundry to fold, put away, as well as wash (2 different mountains)! So I decided sure, why not. We brought him to the 2 year old class and he just walked in took his backpack and jacket off and was off to playing. He did not even look back.

So home I go after a quick trip to the grocery store, never spending under 80 it seems, even if I'm just going in for milk. Went home and started on the house. I cleaned both kids rooms, both bathroom, the kitchen, the playroom, the downstairs living room and upstairs living room, and switched laundry twice. All before I had to pick up the kids again. I was amazed! I always thought there was something wrong with me why I could never keep the house clean. Maybe its just having too many kids stopping you every five minutes for any imaginable thing. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Too bad I can't get used to it. Even when Elijah and Loryn are in preschool next year I will still have the new baby girl home with me. But someday, and I wonder as I listen to that country song, will I miss this? The song seems to think so, I have my doubts.

Today I am watching Mellissa, Eileen's little girl. She dropped her off a little before I had to leave to pick up kids. I have Mellissa and Emma today along with my kids. Luckily it is a pretty day out so that I can send them outside to play. I have my class tonight so I am trying to get it clean and keep it clean. Not always that easy, especially with 5 kids running around.

I should have a special section just for Elijah called "What Elijah brought with him to bed tonight...". It is pretty funny because it is not just the normal stuffed animal and occasional toy. Last night it was his chair, and his legs were sandwiched right under it. I always check him before I go to bed just to take all the things he brought with him to bed off.

By the way, A BIG THANK YOU TO KATHI (Ben's mom) for getting us a car seat and bouncer along with others needs. We really appreciate all you guys do for us, from just a phone call of interest in our lives and well beings to temporal needs.

Another BIG THANK YOU TO KAREN (my mom), for helping Loryn and Elijah have the opportunity to go to preschool! You all are too good to us. Our biggest wish though is always to have you near. We love you all!

Easter!

2008-03-24T19:31:00.011-04:00

Easter finally arrived! The kids have been so excited waiting for this day to arrive. Of course we talked and read about the real reason Easter - Jesus Christ, but it still seem to have no affect on their anticipation of Easter morning and the Easter bunny.

The boys of course were the first ones awake and amazingly was after 7am. That never happens (well, actually it does but only on the days that mom and dad have to be up early and can't sleep in. Never on the days we are able to sleep in - then they are up at 6:30am).

We had to hold the boys hostage until we woke up Loryn. She is always the last one up. After they checked out their baskets of little toys and candy, they went egg searching around the house. They never get tired of easter egg hunting.

So many pictures... so little time... More pics of Saturday

2008-03-24T17:34:00.004-04:00

Easter Saturday

2008-03-24T16:14:00.015-04:00

Saturday we went to my dad's house in Acworth, GA to celebrate Easter as well as pick up Caleb. My brother, Chris, and his wife, Aimee, came over too, so it was a nice little family get together. We all had a great time. We went out to lunch to a BBQ place soon after we got there then came back and hid the easter eggs for the kids to go find them. They loved running around searching. I felt bad for Caleb since he would drop his bucket and fall every now and then. It is just not that easy to pick up eggs off the ground when you are walking with crutches. Poor kid. Although it really didn't seem to harm his chances. The final score was Caleb 23, Elijah 22, and Loryn 18.

Look high!

Poor Caleb...

With no time to spare, all must check out the goods.

After egg hunting we went inside to dye our eggs. I forgot the vinegar so dad had to run to the store real quick to pick some up. We managed to not be all covered in dye, I only got a little right towards the end when Elijah dropped an egg on to my shirt. And actually when I say we dyed eggs I mean me, the kids, grandma and grandpa. The other "kids" were too busy playing the play station downstairs.

Finally later on the boys pried themselves from the games and went outside to help my dad out enough to put the boat in and ski season beginwaxing the boat and getting it ready for the lake. Soon enough it will be warms, yea for those who will be skiing this year. Not me, and yes I know I will have had the baby by then but do you think all the baby fat will be off and that I will be one of those moms who most of us who are normal hate, that look good only a month after they had the baby. I already know that will not be me. I am hoping that next summer I will have lost most of the weight. That is a more realistic goal. Anyway, kids were cute helping Papa with the boat and having a good time in the boat.

Loryn did manage to fall and scrap her knee. She was sure to eat up as much attention as she could from Papa. He took care of her. He carried her into the house and cleaned her bobo off and put a bandaid on. Today, Monday, I went to change her band aid and she says "I need papa to change it". She loved the attention!

Run around Friday

2008-03-22T14:53:00.003-04:00

Friday was a day of haircuts, grocery store, and other errands. We also met my dad to pass Caleb on to him for a sleepover. He got to go to my dads who lives about an hour away for lots of video game playing and who knows what else. Chris and Aimee met over there too and got to visit with him. Elijah was very upset he couldn't go too and cried until I gave him some candy I had been saving just for that moment. I guess after having several kids you do sometimes pick up on things and can learn some preemptive strategies to make it just a little bit easier on mom. Of course the sticky mess was not easier but it stop the screaming. We headed over to Babies R Us and got us a car seat for the baby and a very pink bouncer. I have never done that before, buying an all pink or all blue item because of the possibility of another child. Finally I can say we are done and so this time I got an all pink. Anyway, rearing up for our new little one. Seems so far away still but I know it will be here before we know it.

The Invisible mom...

2008-03-19T19:37:00.003-04:00

Someone sent me an email with this story. It really touched me so I thought I would share it on my blog. This is for all you moms out there.

The invisible Mom:

I'm Invisible.

It all began to make sense - the blank stares, the lack of response,

the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone

and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not;

no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the

floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this?

Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, and she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.

I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her

inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees." I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see my self as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table."

That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

From yellow to blue...

2008-03-18T21:02:00.004-04:00

Yesterday Caleb went for his check up for his leg. They took an x-ray, which showed that it was healing good but that he still needed a cast on. He gave us the choice to keep the cast he has on or to get a short walking cast. Ben left it up to Caleb, and he chose to get a new one. He fought the nurse a little when she had to push his foot flat but finally got his new cast. This time he chose blue which I personally think is much better. We had to order his boot for his cast foot which will arrive in a few days. Just like last time. He is doing well other than practically scratching off a few layers of skin once he got his cast off. I don't blame him but its hard to make a 6 year understand that he could create sores if he keeps scratching and that for it really to feel better he just has to stop. At least now he can bend his knee. On the negative side he still can't take a shower and no hair cut. We are afraid of little hairs getting into his cast. We may have to just do it and hope for the best, he already looks so scruffy.

All about Elijah...tents, belly slidin, nose pickin, laundry washin, puddle splashin, mom chasin,

2008-03-17T14:08:00.015-04:00

Elijah had a busy weekend of being the kind of silly boy he is. Tents, belly slidin, nose pickin, laundry washin, puddle splashin, and mom chasin. All in a few days work! I'll explain what each of those entails. Sometimes being a parent you just have to laugh and have sense of humor. Break out the camera and take the pictures so to never forget what your missing later. Reminds me of the time Caleb had his own little adventure, when he was only about 10 months old, after a little nap time decided to have some extra fun with his diaper. Mom learned a great lesson that day as to never leave a child of 10 months in just his diaper. I had a monitor in his room and heard him wake up and and start talking to himself. I thought sense he wasn't crying I would let him play in his crib a little bit while I finished up some things. I then started to hear him giggle and what seemed to be having just too much fun. So I decided I should go check on him. I walk in and found him diaperless and poop thrown everywhere! All over his hands, the crib, the walls. I was shocked. I couldn't move for a minute, trying to process what I was seeing, and remember this is Caleb, my first so these experiences just didn't register as possible yet. After I recovered, I decided I should have a little blackmail on Caleb and video taped him before I cleaned him and the room up. What fun being a parent can be sometimes.

Although Elijah was not as messy and gross as Caleb's little fun moment, he had a few pretty interesting moments this weekend. OK, so where do we start...

Tents

Elijah found a little tent and wanted to play in it, so I put it together and let him play in it all day. By the time it was his bedtime he insisted on sleeping in it and managed to get away with for a few days. Of course all his toys had to go to sleep with him too, which really is not much different than when he sleeps in his actual bed. I am always having to unpile the toys off of him before I go to bed so that he can move. He never really attached to any security item. He has a monkey he likes to bring to bed but usually its whatever toy he wants with him, airplanes, cars, books, etc. and lots.

Belly Slidin

Ben decided to wash his car and as always Elijah is right there to help. Soon after it was done he came inside soaking wet - of course. I told him to take all of his clothes off and go and get me a diaper. I have been going through stored clothes boxes lately and found some of Caleb's old Thomas underwear and so washed and had them for Elijah. He has been dying to where them so when he returned he came back not with a diaper but with his underwear. I decided ok that's fine, you can wear your underwear. He promptly ran out to show daddy how cute he was and within a minute attempted to belly slide down the driveway, on his belly on the concrete! (remember Ben just washed the car so the driveway was all wet) Poor baby, he just didn't understand that it was not a slippin slide. He didn't cry at all just rubbed his belly. Then I understood, he thought he was wearing a swimsuit not underwear. It wasn't long before he was finding something else to do like jumping in the puddle at the end of the driveway where all the car soap was trapped.

Nose pikin'

Ben was reading to the kids the other night and I thought what a cute picture, so decided to take a few but couldn't get any good ones because Elijah would not get his finger out of his nose. His favorite past time! Yum!!

Laundry washin

Elijah decided to help daddy do some laundry this weekend. He is always our good little helper!

Puddle Splashin

We had a big storm come through on Saturday. When I couldn't find Elijah in the house I looked outside and what do you know, there he is splashin and having a good time in the puddles. At least he put his rain boots on. It was one of those moments your mad a first, then you just have to laugh and go and get the camera. Him and Loryn went out later with permision to play but was instructed not to get wet, (daddy was also instructed to not let them get wet), well that didn't really take. In no time they were soaking wet, including Loryn, I guess she couldn't resist.

Mom chasin'

Ben and our neighbor got some guys together to play paint ball in our backyard which is all trees. While they were playing I was keeping the kids inside so they wouldn't accidentally get hit by one and get hurt. Elijah again escaped and this time when I couldn't find him in the house I went looking outside calling and calling him. He thought it was funny to hide from mommy. I was calling him and looking for him for more than 10 min before finally I looked out back again and saw him coming around the corner. When he saw me he laughed and started running. I am sure half of the fun was that mom is not so fast anymore with her big belly (or should I say huge belly). We had a few laps around the house when I finally went through the house to cut him off and managed to get close enough to sprint after him to catch him. Well just say he got in trouble and I was hurting. When am I supposed to enjoy this pregnancy? I have moments but mainly feel slowed down, tired, and in pain. Maybe its the fact that I am on my fourth... and I will add last. I am trying to enjoy every minute but if I can be honest I look forward to when she gets here more than anything.

So there is our exciting weekend of Elijah adventures. He is the cutest thing even though he makes things harder sometimes but most of the time he makes me laugh. Through the tough and the fun I am always grateful that I am a mom, only occasionally do I need to stop and remember.

Grandma's Sewing machine

2008-03-14T19:44:00.002-04:00

Friday I had a friend come over to help me learn how to use a sewing machine. My mom gave me my grandmother's old sewing machine and I had hopes it still worked. Well, it didn't. The balancing wheel that moves the needle up and down gets stuck. Learning to sew was next on my list of what to learn how to do myself. She still showed me how to thread it and talked me through the basics so that when I got it working or bought a new one I would be familiar with it. Maybe someday... The kids had fun because my friend Bianca has 3 kids close the same ages as ours and they had fun playing. Soon after Ben got home our neighbor enlisted Ben to start their weekend project of cutting down the dead trees in our backyards. Now you probably think they are doing it to make our yards look nicer but there is this new hobby they have been into lately called paintball that I think is the real motivated for cutting the downed trees and putting them into nice piles that resemble fort walls to hide behind. Whatever gets them to clean it out I guess I will not complain.

Wednesday I get a call from the school only about 30 min after Caleb left for school that he was throwing up. He acted completely fine that morning and of course was completely fine the rest of the day. Don't know what made him sick.

Thursday I get another call from the school right before I am leaving for my Midwife appointment, and I am thinking "oh no not again". Turns out he fell in class and was crying saying he hurt his ankle where the cast is on. I think he was more afraid than anything. He turned out he was ok and he definitly didn't want to leave school because he had his easter party and egg hunt that day.

My appointment went well. Debi Church, our midwife, said that the baby looked great, she was getting big and things look healthy. I have an appointment in 3 weeks at her place again, and then 2 weeks after that she comes to our house to check things out and become familiar. I already feel huge and uncomfortable. Its hard to walk around (my back pain doesn't help much). Of course only want the baby to come when she is ready which she has to atleast wait 5 more weeks.

2008-03-03T17:06:00.004-05:00

Congratulations Chris!

Chris achieved a pilot slot in the Air Force. He is currently going to school and ROTC. He has one year left and then will be joining the Air Force to be a pilot. Like father like son. We are so proud of you Chris! Keep up the good work!

Another Monday

2008-03-03T16:06:00.005-05:00

And here we are another Monday. A day of running the kids to preschool, Chiropractic appointment, usually grocery shopping and cleaning house. Today I have my kids and our neighbors kids Emma and Emily. Emma is Loryn's friend and Emily is a year older than Caleb. I picked up the house but as I speak I hear it getting destroyed again. It is nearly impossible to keep things clean especially being so big and pregnant, it is hard for me to bend down continually and pick up toys. Not much more to my boring day. This is part of the reason I don't write very much. I am just not as active or have as many exciting things going on I feel are worthy to share. Anyway here are some pics of the kids today. Loryn and Emma are playing Barbie dolls and Elijah is just finding any way he can get into trouble.

I think I can, I think I can ...

2008-02-29T20:10:00.007-05:00

Well a few weeks ago I decided I was going to learn how to install chair molding. It took a little bit of trial and error and a bit of getting over my fear of using a miter saw but I finally figured it out. We decided to paint the bottom half a brown color and one wall in the living room. We painted the entryway bottom half white. Anyway, it took a lot of work and I was exhausted trying to finish. We still have to put another coat of white on the entryway, and I also have picture box molding to put in the entryway I am waiting to cut and install. Overall I think the walls look better if at the very least cleaner. We had flat paint before and that was a mess!

My project was complete and Caleb's project to learn how to walk with crutches began. He is doing very well now. He moves fast on the crutches and can go up and down the stairs all by himself. He even slides down the hall fast if he doesn't have his crutches. Ben calls him lizard boy. Just 3 more weeks and the cast might be able to come off.

Elijah is talking a lot. We can't understand all of it but he is definitely saying words and he knows what he is saying. He is happy to have Caleb back in his room. He had trouble sleeping when Caleb was sleeping in our room. Now all is back to normal and no more fights to go to bed or constant waking up at night. Amazing what children get used to and what is comfortable to them.

Loryn is still same old Loryn, into dressing up, baby dolls, and pretending. She lives in her pajamas. She'll come home from school and before she is up the stairs her clothes her off and she is headed to her room to find some pajamas. I guess it is more comfortable. She has added a lot of whining and not listening lately. Going through another phase of testing mom. Here she is with swim glasses on. She came up to me and says "mommy I'm swimming, I'm swimming". Gotta love her!

The latest trial for me is keeping the kids out of the fridge. They go through gogurts (which are yogurts in a tube) so fast. I fixed the lock on the fridge but the only one that keeps out is Elijah. I learned that today as I went downstairs and found 6 empty gogurts on the floor. I am contemplating drilling in a lock with a key.

My Poor baby!

2008-02-01T15:49:00.000-05:00

Well, it finally happened. One of my kids broke one of their bones in their bodies. I have been dreading and actually hoping that it would never happen. After all, I never had a broken bone and neither has Ben. Last night Caleb went to wrestling practice and in all but 2 minutes managed to break his leg. As was told to me: he twisted his leg and and the same time the other kid came in and "snap!". Ben rushed him to the emergency room and as soon as I begged my neighbors to take my kids I rushed there as well feeling an indescribable pain I think only a mother can feel. My baby is hurt and I just couldn't get their fast enough. The whole thing just tears me up! When I got there he seemed to being doing fine and only screamed when they had to move his leg and when they put the IV in (which we had to hold him down for them to do it). They gave him some demerol, took x-rays, put his foot in a splint and sent us home. I went to Walmart to get lots of goodies like ice cream and pop tarts and anything I could think of that he could eat in bed and spoil him rotten. The night went fine except for when we had to force him to go potty which again was a fight. I don't blame him, I am sure he is in a lot of pain. But at five (opps! almost 6!) understanding that you just have to do something even if you don't want to is hard to grasp. This morning we with to the ortho doctor and he got a cast put on, yellow, his choice, or I should say bright hurt yours eyes so bright yellow. Or maybe "hey everyone look at me I have a cast on yellow". As Caleb says "now I can play in the forest and be the lantern". Currently Caleb is watching a movie and resting. Loryn and Elijah are both upset to see their bubba hurt and are being so sweet to him. I hope he heals quickly! As the doctor says only like 6 weeks.

Merry Chirstmas!

2007-12-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

I know it has been awhile but here are some pictures from the last month of activity. We have been busy. School parties, christmas shopping, family guests, and long driving trips. Last week we had Cheri and Dave, Ben's dad and step mom, over for a few days and had a lot of fun. We went to Rock City, Opryland in Nashville, and also just hung out and visited. After Dave and Cheri left we had to get ready for our road trip to Gulf Port MS to my Grandma Ladnier's house. My mom and her husband, Bob flew out from CA, and my Aunt Jennie and her husband flew out from Alaska. We had the weekend to visit and celebrate my grandma's 70th birthday and Christmas. We had a great time and only wish we could have stayed longer. We headed back Christmas Eve just in time to get home go to bed and wait for Santa to come. Here are some pictures of the last few weeks. I still need to get MS pics from my mom. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Years!

Halloween 2007

2007-11-01T16:54:00.000-04:00

Well... all I can say is that we made it through Halloween. Loryn started out last week with strep throat. The boys followed on Sunday, and by Tuesday Elijah thought he would spice things up a bit and get a tummy virus (lots of thowing up) on top of his diaria and other stuff. Trunk or treat was fun for Loryn and Caleb but not for mommy, as she had to tote around a sick 2 year old. The things we do to make our kids happy.

By Halloween night Elijah hadn't thrown up all day and seemed a lot better so we took him out trick or treating. We went to a local church who puts on a huge trunk or treat then hit up a few houses on the way home. We have waaaay to much candy! We were supposed to have my best friend Julia and her family over for BBQ and trick or treating but because of Elijah's illness nobody wanted to take a chance. It was probably a good thing since Caleb threw up this morning. After a hurried pumpkin cutting minutes before eating and trick or treating and last minute planning it all came together and the kids had fun.

In Memory Of Grandpa

2007-10-14T21:57:00.001-04:00

I was going through and cleaning out some of the old documents saved in our hard drive from my college days and ran across a class where I had to write a journal. One of the journals I opened described my conversation via email with my Grandpa Ladnier ( my mom's dad, who passed away a year ago March). This took place in February 2000. I thought most of you would appreciate what my grandpa had to say regarding his experiences with war. The following is an account from my journal:

I wrote my grandpa and told him I was taking this class. I asked him a few questions and he responded with delight that I am interested and said that he had always wondered why I had never taken interest before. I thought about that and came to the conclusion that I was not confronted and was not aware of war or the effects of it. I never thought to ask. He mentioned how when his uncles returned from wars he “as a youngster, ‘hung onto’ every word they said”. He went on to say that what you learn about in history books is just not all the facts. Here is what he wrote to me:

Thinking of Vietnam I can't help but recall a statement that
General S.L.A. Marshall made during a luncheon. General Marshall, of
W.W.II fame; I introduced him as a guest speaker and afterwards we had
lunch - he was 86 years old then! He said, "...we will lose our next
war because we have become too civilized". I learned from my tours in
Vietnam what he meant - - the Vietcong beat us because "we were too
civilized". They didn't play by our rules - - i.e., they routinely used
children and women as weapons against up. Try to imagine seeing a young
girl, like Marie, walking toward a dozen of your friends and you KNOW that she
has a bomb and if she reaches your friends they are all dead - - but, if you
shoot her, you save your friends! We as Americans, could not handle
this! We would go into villages and rebuild them - - set up schools
and give them everything so they could have the advantage and freedom that we
all knew. When we left, the Vietcong would come in and select the mayor of
the village, hang him by his feet, slit his stomach and force his family,
children, wife and all the villagers to watch as the pigs eat his hanging
intestines - - we could not compete with this cruelty! Yet, we saw more
and more of the American public, the News Media, Hollywood stars, like Jane
Fonda, supporting the Vietcong. We became the enemies and not the
Vietcong! It was more painful for me to travel to and from Vietnam in the
US than actually being in Vietnam. I clearly remember my uncles returning
from W.W.II and their reception. The people understood the sacrifices they made
to insure that they and their families forever would enjoy the freedom that we
enjoy in this nation. When Vietnam veterans returned they were only met
with hatred! Waiting in a California airport, in Green Beret uniform, I
was approached by this nice looking young lady. She said, "I just want to
show you how much I appreciate what you are doing for our country by treating
you to the best breakfast you have ever had". Since I had time
before my flight home I agreed and we went into the nicest restaurants there and
she ordered for both a dream breakfast - - steak, eggs with all the trimmings.
She finished eating before I did and grabbing the bill said she had to rush
for her flight. When I finished and starting walking out the cashier
stopped me said that the young lady had not only not paid the bill, but had got
a considerable amount of gum/candy saying to add it to the bill and I would pay
on my way out! That was her way of expressing how she felt about
Vietnam Veterans!
I was in RVN twice as a Special Forces,
Green Beret, operator. The first time in the mid 50s, in civilian clothes,
after the French had been defeated. I suspect history will
show that our mistake was not supporting them against the Vietcong (Vietnamese
Communist). Their last stand was heroic and deserves to be
remembered. I met, worked with and partied with many of the French
Legionnaires who were there and survived. My home base was Saigon and I
lived in an upscale hotel -- then a beautiful city.

Returning in the 70s, this time in Green Beret uniform, we were involved in
establishing and operating intelligence networks and in recruiting locals,
training, equipping and leading them in battle against the Vietcong. It
was an economy of force operation - - a 12 man A detachment would recruit and
lead a local Army of up to 5,000 soldiers. We were convinced that it was
our duty to help the Vietnam people know and enjoy the freedom that we had known
all our lives. I was following a long family tradition of going to War and
believe that one has never lived until they have almost died - - the comradeship
and trust that you develop for your fellow soldier is close to
love.
There is a community of Vietnamese here in Gulfport
that was forced to leave their country when we left. They are good
citizens and becoming productive members of our nations. The
irony is that they were provided more US government help, money, training, etc.,
to get resettled that Vietnam Veterans were given!

The real heroes of Vietnam were the wives that stayed home and took care of the
children. Alice did wonders. Even our children made sacrifices - -
your Mom did - - but when I came home and Karen would put her arms around me and
say, "I love you Dad!" that made it all worth while.

Our nation will continue to be challenged by
aggressors throughout the world and there will always be a need for someone to
sacrifice to insure that we all can keep this great freedom we
have.

Water Water Water

2007-09-20T11:10:00.000-04:00

If only we did have a lot of water via rain this summer my grass would not have practically died nor my other plants struggle to survive. With the cooling temperature we have finally been able to get out and get wet.

Car Wash - the kids helped Ben with washing his car the other day. They had a lot of fun. Of course Ben would get frustrated because they liked to keep washing the side that was already done or kept dumping out the water bucket with soap in it. Caleb pored almost the whole bottle of soap in and pretty much washed the driveway. But they all had fun!

Sunday the kids had fun playing in the pool. It was perfect weather!

Elijah's face is all healed up. He has a little scar on his cheek that I hope will eventually fade away.

Crazy

2007-09-20T10:40:00.000-04:00

Things have been a little crazy around here. In the last 3 weeks I have started my new Bradley classes, seem to have every kid in the neighborhood over, of which I am either actually officially watching or just over to play. Last week I babysat a little 18 month old and kept extra kids. Some of those days I had more than 7 kids I was watching. One of those days I had to keep the house clean for my Bradley class that was starting that night. You ever try to keep a house clean when 7 kids are running around? Close to impossible! I am also Caleb's homeroom mom, so I have already had to do some work for that. So I have been busy and when something has to go, unfortunately it is things like my blog or laundry, which is piled to the garage roof right now.

Caleb still loves school and so does Loryn. She asks me everyday if she has school today. I think she wishes she could everyday. According to Caleb's teacher is doing great, is always helping others and is one of the most well behaved in the class.

Caleb read his first book by himself!!! Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss is Caleb's first real read. The other day he sat out back on our porch and just started reading it. He only needed help with a few words but mostly got it by himself. His teacher was so proud of him too that she let him sit in her rocking chair and read to the whole class. He was so excited and now he just loves to read. Ben and I had tears in our eyes when we listened to him, we are so proud of him!

Caleb started playing soccer. So far he has won 2 games and he is making lots of goals. He is definitely more confident than last year. Elijah wishes he could play. He goes with Ben to the practices (Ben is assistant coach), and dribbles the ball back and forth between the nets. We have had comments such as "can he teach the other kids to do that", and "he is going to be really good when he starts playing". That's our little athlete. We will probably let him play next year.

Well, that was an attempt to catch up. We are all doing well and starting to enjoy the cooler weather. I have never looked forward to fall and winter so much in my life! This summer was for the records, no rain and extreme temperatures - yuk!

Saturday Outing

2007-08-19T15:16:00.000-04:00

We decided on Friday it was time to go out to Acworth and Kennesaw and visit the Fam. We started out at my dad's house in Acworth and hung out a little. Him and his wife got a cute little puppy Dautson (sp?), so we got to have the honors of giving her more reason to be scared. Just kidding. Actually the kids did really well with her and she seemed to warm up a bit by the time we left. Dad took us out to lunch for pizza, thanks dad! and then later we headed out to Kennesaw to visit Chris and Aimee. Aimee just had a birthday a few weeks ago, Happy Birthday Aimee, belated. We went to visit with them and had lots of fun. We played Wii, which Caleb kicked butt in bowling, scoring 188, but had to sing Sponge Bob song, a consequence to a bet, as he lost another game to Chris. After dinner time us big kids played Risk while the midgets wrecked havoc on the rest of the house. We got out late but not before we got a call from our neighbor, Wendy, asking if we were home because a co worker called her asking if her house was OK because there looked like a house was on fire near ours. Course, I only had about 100 heart attacks as I called our other neighbor to make sure none of our houses were on fire. Lucky for us it was not on our street but the street over, a house did catch fire. By the time we got home the fire trucks were just leaving and as we passed we could see that most of the house was burnt to the ground. So, keep that family in your prayers. It is soo devastating and scary to think that could happen to you.

Tomorrow Loryn starts her first full day of preschool. I will be taking Elijah to the doctors to get his face x-rayed, only as a precaution, I think he is feeling and doing great.

More car trouble...again my check engine light has come on. We have not been able to keep a car out of the shop for almost the last month. First it was my car, the idle motor sensor, then Ben's car, the high air sensor (?) I think, and now who know with mine, may have to do with the same thing as before. Hope the car can last through the week. I have Caleb to get to school as well as Loryn. Does life ever get any easier?

Ouch!

2007-08-16T15:28:00.000-04:00

My heart hurts when I look at my little boy perhaps feeling too much the pain of what you would imagine he feels with his face so bruised like that. I left my Bradley classes early last night due to a call from Ben telling me of the accident that caused Elijah's little face to look so beaten up. He wasn't sure if we needed to bring him to the hospital or not. When I got home I wasn't sure either, fearing that he may have broken something in his cheek or jaw. After a little bit he started settling down and his eye didn't look as swollen. We asked our neighbor who is a nurse to come over to look at him and tell us what she thinks. She didn't think it was a must to bring him and that he would be fine over night. Ben brought him down to watch TV and he stopped crying and after a little bit began playing with us and laughing and giggling. We decided he was probably OK or at least that the doctors would not be able to do much more than we were doing. We kept him up a little while longer and gave him snacks which he ate just fine and he finally went to bed. He he doing great today. His face looks more bruised but he is playing fine and doesn't seem to notice. I am sure this is the first of many big accidents with the no fear attitude he seems to have.

Today I am getting ready for my OAMC class I am teaching tonight at church and trying to get the house in better order. I look forward to do a little more managing and delegating choirs rather than having to do them all my self. I am sure it will happen way too fast and with it we also lose some of that precious behavior that makes this age so sweet.