Rain, rain go away!

Enough already! Past few weeks we've had a lot of rain! A lot of scary storms (that I missed... thanks earplugs!),hail, floods, rain and more rain. We have been in a drought last few years, so this is good, but I am tired of my kids being in the house! My friend, Kenna, who lives in Ohio, commented in her blog that some bright orb has been in their sky lately... LOL!! I guess after months of snow and cloudiness, I guess the sun is welcomed there too. I am so sick of the rain. 3 more days of it the weather channel says! And then on Friday when it's suppose to be gone, it's suppose to be cool. Yesterday and Conference weekend was perfect. I love the spring time. You go outside to smell the fresh air, and WHAM! You are hit with a dose of shicken chit! Talk about wake-up call! Hehehe! But my kids love it. And I hate it when the rain makes them stay in the house. Lindsey & Joey are doing great. We are off to Walmart before picking up Josh from work, and before the storms set in again.

Who loved his talk?

I sure did! And especially the part where he said that we didn't need to have our children involved in so many activities! I loved it! I do not feel bad anymore that I can't afford to put my kids in gymnastics, cheerleading, soccer, art classes, cooking classes, dance classes, baseball, basketball, etc... He said involving your kids in to many activities takes out the family time. I so agree! I have a 17 yr old, I should know! He plays soccer, and works part-time plus with seminary, school and Wednesday nights/Scouts, there are sometimes I see him for a minute or 2 throughout the day, and that's just with 1 child! It is nice that he does drive, but for the rest I would have to drive all the time. I would have to be in the car more than I am now, which is a lot! I know one little girl who is involved in a lot of things, and one day her mom told her it was time to go to the next activity, and she flat out told her mom that she just wanted to stay home! Are we putting our kids in all these activities because they want to, or because we are living "our" dream? I let my girls do gymnastics one year, and to tell you the truth, I was flat broke. I could not afford it. But I wanted them to fit in. I was to prideful (is that it?) to take them out earlier when I knew I couldn't do it. I had to let my kids know that I can't afford everything. Even if I could afford gymnsastics, I need to watch my car driving since gas is so expensive. 2 things that are very important who need to make sure there is gas for them:

• Shawn~ to make sure he gets to work in Shreveport 3-4-5x a week.
• Josh~ to make sure he gets to seminary 5x a week in Texarkana (almost done!)
• Everything else can wait!

I am glad I can be a stay-at-home mom. Even if I do complain sometimes. It's hard. That's what he said yesterday too. I made sure Shawn heard that. It's not easy. I am glad that I can brag about my homemade cinnamon rolls (BTW... no picture was taken before they were devoured!) and make my brother jealous because I can make them! Hehe!!

As I have said before, Ashdown isn't my favorite place in the world, but it's my home. Sometimes I feel left out because we don't get invited to parties or get-togethers with other members who live in Texarkana. But, that's okay. I just need to remember Elder Ballard's talk, and realize that my family probably needs me more.

You WILL be impressed!

I am sick. Have another dreaded red sore boob. Hate it. Only 2 I have had this time with nursing, and it's been today and on Feb. 14th. What's the deal? I am sure it's because Joey isn't nursing much right now. But, to let you know... he is doing fine. Eating well (even food!), and is back to his old self. Lindsey is doing good too.

Anyway, it's Conference weekend (yikes! It's 3pm!), and I just got done making homemade cinnamon rolls. Yep, sure did! Kids are excited, Josh will be overjoyed (he's at work), and Shawn can careless (men!). I'll try to post a picture later.

I'm so excited about Elder Christoffersen!! He's awesome! He came to our stake conference about 2x ago, and came to one when we lived in Killeen. I've always loved listening to him.

Who knew?

Apparently not us! This whole Tylenol thing with Joey has had Shawn & me upset. My poor baby could have been seriously OD'd. This morning Shawn got up and started searching & researching on-line about Tylenol w/codene, tonsils out in small children, etc...

Let me start by saying though, I've had experience with my children getting their tonsils out. The older 5 all had them out between ages 3-5. And besides Jacob being a diabetic, my kids have not been sick a lot since. Yes, we get the cold, and the stomach virus, but we do not have problems with throat or ears anymore, which was common before they came out. We never had a baby with so many problems either. To be honest, when I took Joey in to Dr. Parker, I thought maybe he would start treating his problem, and when he was older, then take them out. Dr. Parker said they needed to be out. I agreed.

Shawn has been on the Mayo Clinic (?) website, and a few other very good hospital and pharmacy websites, and no where does it say that Tylenol w/codene is recommended for children under 3. And even for a 4 yr old, it's only recommended 4 times in a 24 hr period, not 6 like Dr. Parker perscribed. Shawn told me to quit the Tylenol w/codene with Joey, and only treat him with regular Tylenol & Motrin. Every website that Shawn can find also recommends that children under the age 2-3 also be admitted to the hospital for 1 night for observation. So, here I leave yesterday with Joey, who is

• coughing up a huge blood clot
• 20 lbs, if that much (@ 15 months, that is good for my children), and then
• given a wrong dosage of medicine

I guess it's nice to have a brother who is an attorney. I don't feel like I should sue, but just knowing that he is an attorney, and that he can give me legal advice for free! :-)

I am tired!

Tonsils are gone! Highlights of the day:

• Woke up @ 4:30am to get ready to go
• Arrived in Shreveport @ 7am, got lost, and had to ask for directions
• Joey finally goes back to surgery first @ 9:30am (2 hrs late!)
• Lindsey soon follows. When she awakes, immediately asks where Joey was. Doctor that that was really sweet
• Joey comes back to me, bleeding all over. Never had one to bleed like that. Today was not a good day to wear a white shirt (what was I thinking?)
• Lindsey comes back to us, very little bleeding if any at all. Doctor said she had a lot of scar tissue, and that her tonsils fell out themselves
• Joey coughed up a huge blood clot, and so thence, we had to stay an extra hour
• IV's out, we leave @ 2pm
• Arrive home with crying children @ 4pm
• Gave Joey 2 tsp of Tylenol w/codene
• Gave Lindsey 1 tsp of Tylenol w/codene
• WAIT! Why did Joey get 2 tsp? Call Poison Control and Walmart Pharmacy in Shreveport. Sure enough, prescription was not written clearly, and so dosage was entered wrong. Poison Control said he should be fine... just watch for respiratory distress. As of 8:15pm, he is good
• Feed Lindsey some ice cream, and got some water down her
• Nursed Joey, and he is back to sleep

Tomorrow is General Conference, so I am going upstairs with them, and chilling out on the recliner as I watch it. I've already told Shawn, mother-in-law and kids that I am not cooking tomorrow, so don't be expecting it. Unless, of course, I get a load of energy between now and tomorrow...

Where is me?

Krissy wanted to know where she was. This is her the other day wearing a new shirt from Old Navy. She is so Miller, it's crazy! She looks like her Papaw when he was younger!

Braces x3!

I stole the title & picture from my friend's blog. Hehe!! This is Lauren, Victoria & Austin. They all are going to be 13 this year, and all got braces within a week, and love hanging out together @ church or wherever! So cute!!

To marry or not to marry...

As many of you know Lindsey has been sick lately. It's been her tonsils for sure (even though the diabetes still scares me with her... Jacob's doctor did say that those blood sugars were high, and to get her tested soon). She is getting them taken out tomorrow. Conversation I had with her this morning:

Lindsey: Mom, I don't want my tonsils out.
Mom: Why?
Lindsey: I'm going to cry.
Mom: I know, but you'll feel so much better later.
Lindsey: I'm not going to marry Jaron.
Mom: Why?
Lindsey: Because. Jaron said he wouldn't marry me if I get my tonsils out.
Mom: Well, Then Jaron is going to miss out!

He fooled us!

And he is only 15 months old! We thought Joey would be walking by now, but noooooooo, decided that he wasn't going to walk, and let everyone carry him! And of course, we fell for it.

So these past 6 days, my Mom and family have been here, and it's been a miserable time. I am glad they came, but all Joey has done is cry. Has not been a good time for me. I am sure my Mom is glad to have left already. Last night my sister, Hilary and I were playing with the babies. Ella (brother's daughter) is 6 months old. Little cute chunk. We were acting like she was trying to beat up Joey, etc... and of course Joey is crying. Hilary picks him up, and cries more. I tell Hilary that I bet Joey would walk to just get away from her. She stands him up, and he walks. She grabs him again, and goes furthur back, and he walks. I then stand up, and she does it again, and I make him walk to me from the living room to kitchen, all the time as he is crying. Shawn gets home from work, and sees it. We call his mom to come over to see. It was so funny! Guess it was one of those moments where you had to be there.

Today Kayley is 11! She was born at 2:41pm in Bryan, Tx. Calculation date, she was a week late. Sonogram date, she was a week early. I wasn't expecting her to come on this date. I went in for an appointment, and I had told the dr. that I had been having contractions since the night before, but they weren't real intense yet. He checked me, and told me I was staying. Lucky me! I thought he would say "April Fools!" but he didn't. After Kayley was born, he was holding her, and he says, "Uh, oh... I just dropped her!" I immediately looked up, and he says "April Fools!" Ok, I don't think that was real professional, but oh, well. He was a great dr. and I really liked him. He delivered all 6 babies.

We had Kayley's party last night at Cici's Pizza in Texarkana. We were going to have it tonight, but the one sister, Heather, who came Saturday with her 3 kids, had to leave today, so we did it last night. We had a great time! Kayley was glad that her cousins came to visit and could be with her on her 11th birthday!

Kayley and best friend, Brynlee (don't move!)
Colby, Lindsey, Maddie & Krissy
The adults!
Blowing out those candles!
Cool!

Am I crazy yet?

I knew my sister from KY was coming to visit with her 3 kids. Then a sister-in-law w/2, and another sister w/3 decided to come too! I wasn't prepared! But kids are having a great time! Bummer thing is is that our Spring Break is over, and my kids had to go to school today. They will go tomorrow too for 1/2 day, and miss on Wednesday.

I am glad they are here except that Joey is crying and crying because it's a house-full of strangers, and he is just not liking it. Today he has nursed almost the whole day! I guess the security of mom!

Dumb Suburban

I had to take the 3 younger kids to Shreveport yesterday for doctor appts: These are the results:

• Jacob is doing excellent on the insulin pump. His blood sugar average is almost in range (in the 180's!), and he has even gain weight, and overall Dr. McVie says he is doing great!
• Lindsey's tonsils are horrible. Dr. Parker tried to look in her throat as she was sitting on my lap, and she was screaming so loud, that all he did was take his light and look into it. I saw it too. Horrible!
• Joey's one side (can't remember the side) is as big as his nose. Dr. Parker said it's no wonder the poor child snores and doesn't sleep. He said it's the worst he has ever seen in a 15 month old child.
• Tonsils will be coming out on April 4th, including Joey. Nervous with it all, but it has to be done. I am a firm believer that if tonsils are in the way, get them out! The older 5 have had them out too.

So, then after seeing the doctors, eating lunch @ Chick-fil-A, and stopping at Old Navy to get some clothes for Lauren, Kayley & Kristen (massive sale... awesome stuff!), we headed home. Lauren came with me to help with kids as I drove. It's a 90 minute commute.

90 minutes! That's all it should have take to get home. We left at 3pm... easily home by 4:30-ish. Yeah, right! Suburban started acting up again like back on Feb. 4th when it took us 5 hrs to get home from Dallas. We never had another single problem since until then! We finally pull in the house, in a tow truck hauling the Suburban at 7pm. That's after the kids and I sat under a bridge for almost an hour waiting for the tow truck (locals: it's Wright's Towing!). They had an extended cab tow truck, and so we were all able to get home without having to call the in-laws. We had 6 cars to pull over to see if we were all right. I assured them we were as I had notified the husband (working in Shreveport), the in-laws, my insurance company, my oldest son (to make dinner... which he did: made some awesome chicken), and that the tow truck was coming. Kids played on the cement going up and down, rolling toy cars down, and Jacob even peed up on the hill (in plain sight... I was mortified! But, if you gotta go, you gotta go!). Joey was very good considering that he was confined to the carseat most of the day, and when we got out, I wouldn't let him really crawl because it was such an incline I was afraid he would loose balance.

So, now I sit here on the computer debating to go to Ashdown in a few. I need to go before my mom gets here today. I think I will attempt it as Ashdown is only 5 miles up the road. I need to go turn in the towing receipt so I can get a refund.

The eagle has ALMOST landed!

After years of telling Josh that he wouldn't be able to drive until he got his Eagle in Boy Scouts, he has officially started it. But not before he got his license. Oh, well. I needed him to drive! LOL!! I'll post more about it later. His project will take place on May 10th. Any locals reading this, and want to help, please mark your calendars!

Got braces?

Lauren does! She got them this morning. Granted there are only 4 brackets on top, as we are in the Phase 1 stage. Lauren still has 10 baby teeth to lose, so what the ortho is doing is getting the permanent teeth straight & lined (believe me, her top 4 are a mangled mess... poor kid!), so when the new ones come in, they will come in straight. Of course, that's the plan, and it better work because her ortho limit has been met, and that isn't even with a full mouth of braces!

Tinsel teeth, metal mouth, brace face!

Happy Easter!

Shawn had to work today. He had to work Christmas day too! Boy, that just sucks! I got up to get ready for church, and check Lindsey first. Very hot. Tell Lauren she is staying home. Give her a list of stuff that she needs to get done while I am gone to church. I check Lindsey, and she is 103.4. Remember, a few weeks ago she got to 105.5. So, I told Lauren I was staying home, and she needed to get in the shower. Josh & Jacob wear their Easter ties, and Lauren, Kayley & Krissy have on matching skirts. I will try to get a picture of them after church. I told them next week we would take pictures for sure when we can get Lindsey & Joey ready too, and Shawn being home too. Joey also has a cold, so his face is constantly covered in snot for right now. He has like 4 new teeth coming in all at once... 2 being upper molars. Back to Lindsey~ Before I stress myself out on her being a diabetic, I am taking her to the ENT on Thursday. I really feel it's her tonsils. I think I posted about it before. I'll keep you posted on that. I am hoping our doctor friend at church will call in some medication for her today.

We are having the Elders over for lunch after church. I am going to take a picture of them too, and if they can remember their parents email, I will email their parents with this blog so they can see their sons on Easter. Is that bad? Naaaaaa... they aren't speaking to them! :-D I am fixing a ham, potato salad (already made), toss salad (about to make it), raw veggies, and a pound cake w/ strawberries & cream. I hope the cake is good. I had to make another one. The first one was horrible! I left the cake in for almost 2 hrs, and it rose, and when I took it out, it fell!! I cut into the cake, and it was barely done. It wasn't gooey, so that's why my tester came out clean, but it was horrible! I threw that cake out in the backyard (see how hick I have become?). Dogs ate it because it was gone this morning. Made another cake last night, and I left it in for over 2 hrs! I feel it's going to be okay as it didn't fall, but it may be dry. Good thing we are having the strawberries to go with it. I think my sister-in-law is making a no-bake cheesecake too.

Lindsey is in the process of pulling out the Barbies (I have to tell Rebecca THANKS again!), and making a mess. Great! That's all I need! Joey is joining in the fun too. I need him to go down for a nap!

Bracelets

Lauren has learned to make these bracelets. She is using all the DMC thread that my mom and I have purchased over the years when I used to cross-stitch. I think Lauren is in thread heaven!

Dying Easter eggs and being sick

Oh, the joy! Oh, the fun! Next year it's being done at Mamaw's house! Now I know why I don't like doing them... fighting! Maybe when I am a Gramma and my grandchildren want to do them, I'll have more patience. LOL!!

This morning the kids had an Easter egg hunt at the church. It was the Primary activity. I didn't get pictures, nor did I stay. I had to go to Walmart and Sams. Lindsey didn't go because she isn't feeling well. I think my worse fears are coming true with her. I feel she is a diabetic, and just in the beginning stages of it. Last night she was 152 at 10pm, and 168 at 2:30am. This morning she was 128. Shawn said it's a little on the high side. Jacob was 3 1/2 when I first started noticing some problems with him, but even the 2 times I had his blood sugars checked while we lived in Bryan, he was normal. I am taking her to the Endo. on Thursday when I take Jacob in for his appt. Anyway, the kids got Lindsey some eggs at the church. Some had stickers, and some had nasty candy. I kept asking my kids for some good candy, but they kept showing me the cheap stuff. LOL!! So, I settled for a Mounds & Sonic drink.

Krissy's & Lindsey's finished eggs!

I really miss my HEB. The one picture is HEB in Bryan when it opened by my house in Dec. 2004. I really, really, really miss it! HEB COME TO TEXARKANA!! It's the best grocery store ever. Nothing, not even Walmart or Albertsons can compare to HEB! Maybe some bigwig from HEB will see this, and see that we need an awesome grocery store! I hate Walmart (ok, I like them right now because that's all I have), I hate Brookshires, Super 1, Albertsons and Shur-Way is just... well, I can't say because Josh works there, and well, you know! :-D

PLEASE HEB, I AM BEGGING! COME TO TEXARKANA!!

Friends

I have always told my kids that just suck it up whenever they find out they weren't invited to a party, or something else by a "so-called" friend. It's just so hard. Hard on us parents when we know too, and know that our kids weren't invited. I remember a few times as a kid, I had friends at school, but I was hardly ever invited to a birthday party. I remember finally being invited to a party while I was in 6th grade, and when I showed up, no one was there. I know my mom was upset too. The girl told me it was at her house, but apparently it was at the skating rink. I guess I wasn't cool enough. :-( I know my kids are cool, but I feel it's because we haven't lived here forever. Even having a party for my kids, only a few have shown up for some since moving here. My kids had fantastic parties in Bryan. I know it's because we were close in town, and not in the boondocks like here.

I tell my kids "even though it doesn't seem fair, remember that only your family will be with you for eternity. Don't worry about friends. Yes, it's good to have friends, but they won't be with you forever, so they can't care for your feelings." Harsh harsh world we live in!

But at the same time, it's always good to have a friend to talk to. I really miss my friend, Laura, in Bryan. She and I always found an excuse to go somewhere, even if it was lunch/dinner all the time. And believe me, it was ALL THE TIME! I miss you, Laura! Our favorite place to eat was Cheddars. When I found this logo, the address was from someone's website, and the addy was tamu.org LOL!! Aggies know how to eat good! Wish Texarkana would get this place! It's great! I like this quote. It suits me:

Spring Break has begun!

The grass is green, the sky is blue
I wonder where the birdies is...
Ka-plop!

That was always a "rhyme" that my dad always told us. I don't know why I just thought of it as I wrote the title.

Awwwww, the joyful sound of kids fighting, I mean playing and being nice to each other. Just think I have another 10 days of this? Will I stay sane? or will I turn into the wicked witch? I just can't wait until my mom and sister get here next weekend.