End of Summer beginning of school

My sister had us over for dinner of some of my favorite foods for my birthday. French bread, salad with meats and cheeses tossed in and potato skins. For dessert Jessi baked me an apple pie that was served with vanilla ice cream. Yum! We tried to play the game I got for my birthday but it wasn't very children friendly. Pat and Becky had to work, when they showed up we just sat around and talked, which was fine. The following evening Pat took us to Red Lobster for dinner, yummo :). The next few weeks were spent getting the girls ready to go back to school, and they had to clean out/shovel out their room. It barely got done in those 2 weeks. Sarah also had band camp Mon. though Thur. from 3-9 PM. Joseph had those 2 weeks to get out his graduation thank you cards, I just really felt they were past due anyway and he should get them done before the new school year starts! One of the Thursday's Jul took me to see my cousin Mary's new house, it is a very cute house, way closer to her only child and his family. Mary had a luncheon spread out for us. It was nice to visit and eat. Rachel and I went to the dentist twice the second week, first for cleaning then we had to go back because Rachel had a cavity. Rachel had met the teacher night, the Thursday before school started. The 6th grader will move around to the other 6th grade teachers for different classes. One teacher teaches science, another teacher does math and the 3rd teacher does social studies. The students will stay with their homeroom teacher for language arts. This year 6th graders can earn the right and the fiances to go to San Diego field trip. Rachel is pretty excited. Sounds better than Sarah's over night at the zoo, of Joseph's camping trip in Prescott. School started Aug. 15, 2011, the girls had great first days. I couldn't get Rachel to take the hip hop class she said she wanted to take, so then I signed her up for a musical theater class, she went in the class, but didn't stay in. Now she's thinking she'll take a jazz class I am so embarrassed she needs to call to set that up. I was feeling sad that Sarah decided to not dance this year at The Dane Shoppe, I started cry when I finally called to tell them. She'll be dancing at school, and of course Color Guard, she wants to do Winter Guard too. I think she'll be pretty busy. I saw my wellness coach and she was pleased my diabetes number came down a little on the medication she put me on. One of the cholesterol numbers is still high so she wants me to add fish oil. Those suckers are huge! I saw the surgeon for an ultra sound. The space where the hernia was should be at least 50% clear of fluids mine is only 20%. She wants me to wear the binder as much as I can for 8 weeks and she'll recheck it. She just doesn't want to drain it with a needle, because that could cause infection, and it sounds painful to me. Getting up so early is really wearing me down. Sarah has me awake no later than 5:30, 4 times in the past 2 weeks I had to wake her. Then of course Baby wants to go outside, by then Sarah has eaten and is taking a shower in my bathroom. She keeps coming in and out of my room at least 7 times every morning so it's not like I can go back to sleep for an hour. My second alarm goes off at 7:45 for Rachel, that's when I get up and take all my meds. , eat a little breakfast, and get ready to go to the gym or my woman's bible study. I am so glad I joined the gym, I feel like I have more energy, and while I'm in the water my back doesn't hurt at all, not if I could live in a bubble of water I'd be pain free, not real logical that it, but it's good to have dreams! I do have to go right away right after Rachel leaves for school or I know me I just won't go. After lunch I need to take a little nap to get me through the rest of the day. Hopefully sooner I can cut it down to 30 minutes so I can do something else during the day, like read or scrapbook. I'm going to make this dream a reality in a few more weeks. I was planning on going to my church's woman's retreat this weekend. we just didn't have the money for me to go. Hopefully next year.

Kidney and Hernia

The area where the hernia was is bulging a little, the skin needs to learn there's nothing there any more and not stretch out. I have to see the surgeon again in 4 weeks and she'll look at it and see if she needs to drain it. I also am having some pain on my right side, kinda like menstrual cramps but a little higher, the surgeon said that it could be from the surgery and she can do a pain block or something (I guess I want to know what that means because I'm not into any painful procedures right now.) The kidney doctor was very through and looked at all my medical records and ordered more from old ultrasounds. He did put me on a different water pill, that should be safer on my kidneys. It's my left kidney that is 60% smaller than my right. He thinks it's strange that it's just starting to be an issue. So not only do I have to have my blood work done next month for my regular doctor, I have to have it done again on September, along with a 24 hour urine test. I just hate to be have blood drawn they always miss the first several times, and I'm left bruised on both arms and/or hands.

Sucky Summer- one big whine

In just 3 weeks school will start. The summer has gone by way too fast. I feel really bad for Rachel because she hasn't done much of anything. I'm glad she changed her mind and went to church camp (she had a blast) I'm so thankful for a friend from my bible study group who blessed us with just enough money for her to go. Between my hernia surgery and not feeling well enough to do anything and no money every week, things have just sucked. Because of the binder I have to wear for 2 more weeks, I haven't even taken Rachel swimming, by the time I don't have to wear it any more the public pools will be closed.

Gotout of the house today!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning with my wellness coach. The appointment didn't last long, in a month it will be time to check my labs already. It doesn't feel like it's been 3 months already. Well I guess 2 months, but still wasn't I just poked? The doctor's assistant forgot about me in the room, she was supposed to bring me the lab order, after waiting 15 minutes I left the room, she was sitting at her desk she looks up and sees me and says, "oops" I was not all that impressed that she couldn't even apologize for keeping me waiting? If I didn't go looking for her, how long do you think I would have been in that little room? I still don't feel comfortable driving, I asked Joseph to take me, if he wasn't in the waiting room waiting for me, I might have tried waiting it out to see if they would have ever found me. On Monday he'll get to take me to see the surgeon for my follow up, and take Rachel to get a shot. Tuesday I see the kidney doctor, I am kinda nervous about seeing him, because I don't want to hear there is something else wrong with me.

What's going on?

I'm sorry I haven't been the best of blog writers lately, a lot has been going on. Sarah had her 8th grade promotion ceremony the night before Joey's graduation (May 26th), after her's we had family over for a quick little reception. My nephew Micah was on leave and he took us out for dinner after Joey's graduation. Memorial Day weekend was a blur of activities. Then I spent the next week getting ready for Joey's party. The party was nice, a few of my cousins I haven't seen in a long time were able to come. After the regular party we played games with my sister and family, it was fun but a long day. On June 6th I saw a surgeon about a hernia I have had for about a year, and recently started growing much faster and it was quite large. She wanted to operate right away, but I wanted to wait until after the girls' dance recital and our anniversary. The girls' did beautifully in their recitals, even Rachel who says she hates dance classes is pretty amazing on stage. Pat ended up having to work on our anniversary but we did go out to dinner just the 2 of us, it was a early night since we had to be at the hospital the next morning at 5 AM for my surgery. Everything went as expected during the surgery other than it was much larger than the surgeon thought it was. I was discharged the same morning. That first day/night home all I did was sleep and take pain medication. The next day I tried to start eating and drinking, that didn't go well, I was so sick to my stomach, even the thought of food kept me from putting it in my mouth and nothing sounded good. I tried to keep drinking, but it usually came right back up again. On Saturday I couldn't stop sweating, no fever just sweating and my skin was clammy. I couldn't sleep finally at 4:30 AM I got a hold of the doctor on call and he said I needed to get to the emergency room for IV fluids. They had a hard time getting an IV in, 4 people tried at least 3 times each. Finally the doctor put in a central line, which was very painful, but was wonderful once they had it in, because they could draw blood and give me IVs without poking me any more. One downside to it was I couldn't get out of bed with it. I can not use a bed pan, that was not fun. Once the IV fluids and some antibiotics started kicking in, I started feeling much better. By evening they gave me clear liquids to see how I would tolerate them, I didn't have any problem, yeah! Monday dinner they gave me real food (well as real as hospital food it), no problems getting sick. On Tuesday they decided I didn't need to be in the hospital any more. I've been home and haven't had any nausea problems. The 10 lapo sites from the surgery are very painful, but not abnormally so. I take my pain medication and move around slow and it's not too bad. Because of all the abdominal pain I can barely feel the pain in my back, or maybe it's the extra pain medication is helping it too! In the mist of all this Joey spent a week up north with my sister and her family, Rachel went to church camp for 4 days, and Sarah has been at camp this week (she comes home tonight). I'm hoping July to be much more relaxing. I have to also say I have wonderful amazing friends from school and church who have been providing meals for us.

I think I've been had-update

The kids were supposed to go work at grandpa's today. The girls have been paying back money they owe us from when they broke the monitor of my laptop. So, they really need to go work. At 9, Sarah woke me up to tell me she doesn't feel good, and could I tell grandpa. When I woke Rachel up she comes out to the kitchen and says she's ill too, and blames it on a small amount of chocolate she had last night after dinner. Joseph does go with grandpa, which is good, because really he's the best worker. Sarah was up late last night with going to the drive-in with her youth group and had a friend spend the night. Gee do you think that's why she's sick? but she's just fine and is outside with her friend. Rachel who is supposed to be cleaning her room since she couldn't go to grandpa's is not doing such a fabulous job, and she just came out to use the computer. She yelled at me I'm taking a break. I feel like I could cry or hurt somebody. I called a meeting when Pat got up with the girls. Sarah went to grandpa's to work, because I also forgot she needs $400 for camp $75 by tomorrow and we have $8 in the checking account until Thursday. Rachel worked on her room until Pat went to work then got lazy again. She did take a little nap before dinner, so she quite possible is not feeling well. The room is still pretty messed up. I just can't get on the floor and clean, so they have to do it. My back has been freaking out all day, I'm getting a little tired of it.

Ladies Bible study

For a few months now I have been attending a ladies bible study, we just finished a 6 week study on Ruth. I have known I needed these ladies to prayerfully pray for me and our provisions, but I haven't had the courage. Here's what's going on-In February we were notified that my social security would stop, and we owe them a whole bunch of money because apparently I was making too much money working (not the whole time I was working just 9 months too much). Which really sucks, because we seemed to be struggling with social security and my income. I wrote a letter stating how I was injured at work in January and would not be be able to pay them back now. I haven't gotten a response back yet. When I was first taken to the hospital after the fall at school the hospital used my private insurance instead of having me fill out a workers comp form. Valley schools which is the school district's insurance provider, still has not paid any bills including the ambulance, hospital, doctors, etc. I can't seem to get them to pay. I filled for short and long term disability and even though I have finally gotten through to my case worker, which was no small feat, my claim is still pending. They say due to my employers not sending them a job description. Deer Valley says it has sent it twice once with the original paperwork they submitted on my behave and then faxed later. 5 1/2 months after the fall I have not had any income. Pat has worked 6 day weeks for a few months now, unless he's off on Sunday then he only work's a 5 day week. (If he works Sunday that's already time and a half, so if he works 6 days that week, he doesn't get paid over-time, but he gets paid for 6 days) Anyway back to the bible study. On Wednesday we were talking about what we learned most or got out of the study of Ruth. I was the last one to comment, I knew I was supposed to. I can see myself as all the main characters. Naomi- bitter and angry at God in the beginning of the story. Ruth not understanding who this God of Naomi's is but trusts him just the same. As I told the group some of my story I started to cry. They prayed for me right then and one of the ladies gave me a lawyer's number she used for an issue she was having with a school district (not mine) and her special needs son, and another woman who offered to pay the fir t$100 to the lawyer. Talk about touching my heart. I haven't been able to contact the lawyer yet, I put the number in my cell phone on Wednesday then had some problems with it so I haven''t been able to call, hopefully I'll be able to call on Monday and if she can't help me know so someone who can. I need my bills paid and it would be really great to get my long term disability paid so I had a little income.

JROTC Awarda

Last night was Joseph's awards ceramony. He recived 4 awards- Daughters of the American Revelotion Award, which was a certificate, ribbon and bar. Top student 100% all year in JROTC which was a plague. 4 cadets from his unit won this award which is rare. His 3rd award was a button for being a TA all year, and the last one a certificate for his 4 years in JROTC. Pictures are on my facebook page.

Back hurting day

I woke up with my back hurting, the kind that hurts because you've been in bed too long. It didn't get better the rest of the day as it swung into the painful spasms kind of pain. Laundry needed done and I lost 2 of my helpers while they were helping their grandpa with yard work so it was just me and Rachel. I have to help her with the machine part and she carries the baskets in and out of the house for me. The older ones I just send out and they bring me the laundry when it's done to fold/hang up to be put away. I usually try to start my bible study lesson while doing laundry on Saturday, but Rachel would not leave me alone. It was good we talked, and hung out, but you know it if I'm not doing my normal routine it makes me feel uneasy. I just need to put those study hours some where into my schedule this week. After the laundry was done I gathered all my Easter decorations for Pat to put in the attic when he got home from hiking. He got home around 4, with the van so then Rachel and I did a few errands. Walgreen's picked up pictures, library, and grocery store. Rachel is not as good as a helper at the store yet as Joseph or Pat, but she'll get better. Other than a few things I didn't put on my list, and milk, and fruits and veggies we should be good for 3-4 weeks. Rachel really wanted fondue for dinner last night, we haven't used the fondue set in a long time. I didn't know we didn't have any gel for the pot heating source. I just cooked everything at the stove instead. It was very tasty and yeah I didn't get sick from the steak! After dinner Rachel and I watched a movie together. It was one long non stop day, and I barely left the house!

Joseph-AIr Force update

Tuesday, I got a call from Joseph's recruiter. He was to report to MEPS yesterday morning at 5:45 AM. I think it was exactly 30 days since he was first there and was told he would hear something in 30 days. Thank goodness Pat had to work at 6 AM I asked him to please get up a little earlier to drop Joseph off. Joseph's knee was looked at and an x-ray done. Knee is cleared. He got done a little after 11, which was perfect, I was still able to go to my bible study before having to pick him up. It was a long drive for me, 1st Street and Washington. I had to park and sign in, to sign him out. Pat had just had to drop him off. Luckily there was a parking spot right in front of the building, I don't expect that to happen every time he needs picked up, but I was thankful for yesterday! He needs to report on the 26th and May 9th. Vision and psych evaluation.

Sarah's knees

Took Sarah to the an orthopedic doctor today, I'm not sure what he said the official problem is, but he did say it's normal for girls her age to have the pain and swelling problems she has been having. He is going to have her do physical therapy and she her back in 2 months. I hope the PT helps her, she's been sitting out of her dance classes for 2 weeks now. And not doing PE in school.I asked about using a brace during exercise and dance, the doctor said we could try if we wanted but it usually causing itching and it gets abandoned. She wanted to try it though, she knows how much her knees hurt. I bought one to start with to see if she likes it. No sense in wasting another $15 if she won't be using them.

Bullies

I hate bullies, I hate that my baby has to go through this at school. I hate that one girl is so "powerful" that she makes all the girls miserable. If you not my friend so and so can't be your friend, etc., etc. This is nothing new, it kinda slacked off for awhile. I hesitate to get the principal involved again. She met with the girls and made them promise to all be friends last time which I don't think really solved the problem. Maybe put a band-aid on it, but band-aids fall off, and you can be left with a scar. I don't want Rachel to be left with a scar. I know the principal just doesn't have time or make the time for students like she should. Oddly enough I got this article from my principal the other day. This is some of it

• Teach them that bullies get their power from our negative emotions. The more upset we get when picked on, the more powerful mean kids feel.
• Show your child how to trick bullies by pretending to be calm. If our children can learn to act calm when bullies hassle them, they become far less attractive targets.
• Teach your child to confuse or bewilder bullies by responding to verbal taunts with replies like, "Thanks for noticing" or "I appreciate the feedback."
• Help your child develop great social skills so that they are liked, accepted, and protected by positive peers. Kids who don't know how to relate in healthy ways often find themselves gravitating toward peers who treat them poorly.

I put on hold at the library "Words Will Never Hurt Me", by Sally Ogden the book goes into more details. I just love the 3rd point. I want to go up to the girl and say those things to her! But I think it best I teach Rachel those things.

Happy April Fool's Day!

Popcorn!

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Giveaway

http://azurestandard.blogspot.com/2011/03/giveaways-dont-get-any-sweeter-than.html#comment-form Wholesome Sweeter. I hope I win. Should be good for diabetics.

Happy Birthday 1st born!

18 years ago my life changed forever. I became a Mother. Now, I'm about to embark on a whole new chapter, being a mother to an adult child. 18 is just a number you will always be my baby boy. While for a few months until graduation you will be still under live under our roof not much will change. Your hearts desire is to join the Air Force, soon after graduation that might find you in boot camp starting your adult life. I am proud of you decision to defend our country, but I will always be your Mom and will worry about you were ever you are led. You are a blessing from God! Happy 18th Birthday!

Proud

3rd quarter grades. Of course I've known what the kids' grades were thanks to the school districts online grading program. S struggled a little this past quarter. She was not on her meds the entire quarter. She pulled up all her grades at the end and made honor roll. R had a great quarter and her teacher only had wonderful things to say about her yesterday at her parent/teacher conference. Her writing especially has really improved. Which I had noticed myself, she's came a long way from her writing from a year ago. J who doesn't get a report card at the end of quarter only at the end of each semester has straight A's right now! I'm a proud Mommy x 3!

Beef

Almost 2 years ago I got sick from a roast beef I had made in the crock pot. I haven't been able to eat any beef except ground for 2 years. (steaks, beef ribs, etc.) No one else got sick from it. I bought a roast last week at the store because it was really cheap, I thought I'd try eating it. Yesterday afternoon I put it in the oven. No way was I going to cook it the same way or smell it all day cooking. I had to gag it down to show the kids it wasn't so bad, the whole time though I thought I was going to throw up. Thank goodness for the puppy who helped me finish. I don't feel so great today, and actually threw up the water I drank this morning with my meds. I haven't eaten anything, I don't really feel like eating and I'm scared. It will be a long while before I eat beef again.

Spring Break-relaxing!

Monday afternoon to J to his recurter for hie health evaluation Tuesday. More on that later. The girls had dance, then S spent the night at her BFF's house. Tuesday R an I had the house to ourselves. We went crazy!!!!! Reading!!!!! Sarah comes home to get ready for dance and spent the night again at her BFF's friends house. Wednesday I went to my woman's bible study group, them did a few errands, picked R up so I could help her pick out $100 worth of shorts for the summer she only have a few pair that fit correctly. Thursday I spend the day scapbooking the girls watched National Treasure over and over again. Then S went to her 3rd dance class of the week. Normally she would have had her tap class on Tuesday, but she's going to be dancing with the preforming group class that meets on Thursday's. Once again S was at her friend's house today and she got her ears pierced. She'll be home soon. It really seems like she hasn't been home much at all. Today the other 2 children had to help me with laundry and grocery shopping. I'm falling asleep as I am typing this. And I too a good 30 minute nap today, what's the deal?

Baptism

S has said for awhile now she was ready for baptism. I have really seen growth in her this past year, and told her next time there's baptism and P is off you can be baptized. P had to close yesterday and Desert Breeze had a celebration Sunday including baptisms. S looks pretty radiant if you ask me? But I am a proud Mama. At our church we do baptisms differently than most. As babies parents dedicate them to the Lord, like Hannah dedicated Samuel in the bible. Anytime after that when the child/adult accepts Christ as their Savior they can be baptized, full water emerging completely in water just like Jesus was.

busiest week I've had in awhile

Sunday, P took me and the kids and the puppy to a park for the afternoon. The weather was lovely to sit and watch them all play. Monday I did have my blood work done, then P took me out for breakfast. In the evening he took me to my book club. I had read the book and recommended it, but it's been a long while since I read it, so I didn't talk much, but I got out of the house and got to be with 3 dear older women. Tuesday P took me to Sunset Ridge and I got to visit with my favorite classroom ever. I read a few stories, answered questions and helped with a writing assignment. It was so fun! P helped out a little too. Wednesday morning I went to the ladies bible study at our church office. I think I'm going to start going every week, while I'm not working. The are just finishing up a teaching of Ester, and will start Ruth in 3 weeks. Thursday I didn't do anything/go anywhere. P who was on vacation actually worked an 8 hour shift. Friday P took me back to the doctor's. My cholesterol is very high, and she put me on a medication for that. My blood sugar is borderline high, she gave me a meter to track my glucose levels and scheduled an appointment with the nurse practitioner to go over a diet plan. My labs from a few weeks ago I was low on vitiiam D, and my thyroid, but they were fine this time. I'll have to have the blood work repeated in 3 months. This morning P took us to a St. Patrick's Day parade. It was fun doing something all together as a family, after the parade we went out for lunch and to the library. Tomorrow at church we are having a church celebration and baptism. S is going to be baptized. She is really excited.