Life Lessons

Last night we had people over and played outside.  The kids had LOTS of fun, got dirty and were still awake at 10p (that's no good).  I was a little worried about Sunday morning.  Us Koeman's aren't known for our chipper mornings.  But everything went exceptionally well.  No one cried, breakfast was eaten, teeth were brushed and all shoes were found (that's unusual).  So off to church. 
We get into town and there is a loud noise.  Everyone was like, "what was that!"  Steve and I didn't see anything but it was obvious we rode over something.  The tire check light came on and I looked in my mirror.  Yup, flat tire.  Oh boy!  At this point we could make light of the situation or be irritated.  We chose to laugh!  It was apparent that God had other plans for us this morning.   Some people from church saw us, stopped and offered to shuttle us to church, but we decided the girls might want to see this.  So church was set up in a parking lot, watching dad change the tire. 

 After about 5 minutes of being there, Brooke says, "I have to poop."  Well, fancy that!  She typically means right now!  So a few of us girls head to the store across the street to borrow the facilities, while dad continued the tire changing process.

Tada!  A funny little tire til we can get ours fixed.  The girls were a little sad we didn't make it to church.  But I told them, sometimes God gives us life lessons and today this was God's plan. 

I must say, I was most proud of my husband.  Back in the day this would have more than irritated him.  Especially since we had no clue where the spare tire was and the fact I keep a small household of supplies in my van.  But he change the tire with grace and composure.  (He even kept the church clothes clean) 

Proverbs 16:9, The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will counsel you and watch over you. 

Survival mode!

We are officially in the thick of planting!  Yeah for Spring!  I could tell you the events of the past few days but no one has enough time to read all that, or really wants too.  I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by family and friends.  Unfortunately one of my good friends, also a farmers wife, had a Monday like mine.  We were chatting and I said something about showering.  She said, "who has time to shower!"  I AM NORMAL!!!  (for a farmers wife with kids :)  Life consists of alot of driving, chasing kids, cooking, trying to pick up/clean, LAUNDRY (I have a new theory on laundry I will share sometime) and not much sleeping.  The bottom line is, if we didn't like this life style, we wouldn't have done it.  My husband loves what he does and I love him for it.  I was told by numerous people, "don't marry a farmer."  For some reason, I always had 2 things on my list since I was young, (like elementary school).  I was going to be a nurse and I was going to marry a farmer.  God has blessed me.  (My dad and brother are farmers, I knew what I was getting into :)
If all goes well the guys will be done Friday.   Yesterday was a rough day for them, so we pray today will be smoother.  Steve texted me a picture,  "the wheels are literally falling off."  Well that's no good!

I texted him a picture, "it's midnight and the laundry is almost done."  We are such romantics :) ( I would put a pic of the laundry room, but it doesn't look that spectacular :)

Everyday is new challenges and new blessings.  It always becomes more apparent when 1 parent is gone, how each child has different needs.  I have twins that need the military (not kidding there) and other ladies that just need love and extra hugs.  I can turn it on and off like a light switch.  Monday night we realized at 10p we had no milk.  At the Koeman's there are 4 things you cannot be with out. Milk, bread, lunch meat, cereal (oh yeah and coffee for me).  I will leave at ANY hour to get those things, because they just make people happy.  So, off to the gas station.  All children were in bed except Leah and Brooke.  Brooke was getting her shoes on when Leah says, "seriously Brooke, give mom 5 minutes alone! You are staying with me."  I LOVE that girl!!!  Leah has been an amazing help and I can see her maturity. 

     Leah went to 7th grade camp last week.  This is what she came home and did. 

This is how I found Meg and Ash one morning.  Sleeping in Leah's bed!  I think they missed her :)

                          Here's the two that need the military.  They honestly crack me up!!

My brother sent me a picture of Macy holding a duck!!  Surprised me!  I thought she despised all animals.  Nope, I guess just dogs. 

Brooke is still doing feeding clinic.  She is doing better there.  She will not be off tube feedings anytime soon, but I'd like her to participate in meals with us.  We went to her endocrinologist, growth MD, and she has grown 3 inches in 3 months.  WHOOO HOOO!  The growth hormones are now working.  She will be on them til we want her to stop growing, probably high school sometime.  In order to grow she needs the proper nutrition.  So we will watch her weight and may need to bump up her feedings to keep with her growth rate.  We are also doing a food log for the feeding therapist.  So far I wrote down she licked the ketchup off a hot dog.  I debated even writing that down.  I think, according to her Aunt Cassie, ketchup may have it's own category on the food pyramid.

Good night!  Off to bed, so the chaos can begin again tomorrow :)

Happy Mother's Day!!

It's been a fun, crazy week.  The activities have kept me on my toes, but all in a good way.  Last week I ran the Tulip Time 10k.  My sister in law and niece ran the 5k, so it was fun to have them cheering me on in the end.  Nice job ladies!!!

From there I got a bright idea to make hula hoops.  They were fun to make and easy.  We even put weight in them for a little extra workout. I had to text my brother a few times to figure out how to work the pipe cutters, but I am now in the know.  Swing those hips ladies :)

This is what happens when the little ladies don't take naps and then go for a bike ride.  It was a quiet ride for Megan and I.

 Oh boy, a parade mishap!  Grandma Blueberry was carrying Brooke and Macy cut her off.  Down they went!  Poor Grandma has a sore knee and bruised cheek. The things grandma doesn't do for these ladies. 

 3-4 nights a week, softball occupies our evenings.  Megs and Ash play. Between trying to watch them play and figure out where the other one's ran off too, it's entertaining :)

 PARADES!!! Ash walked in the Thursday parade.  If you got the Holland Sentinel, her class was on the cover.  She is in the 3rd row back.  Hard to recognize her but her mama knew which one she was :)

The Saturday parade we got the opportunity to walk for American Cancer Society.  We pushed pink trash cans and wore pink wooden shoes. My mother always taught me to go out and have fun! Make memories and enjoy yourselves.  If you know my mom, you will have fun!  Despite the rain and not so nice weather we had a good time.  I just enjoy spending time with my mom and ladies.  I love to listen to my mom talk to other cancer survivors and encourage them.  What an inspiration!!

 While we were at the parade someone had to watch Ashley and the twins  My dad volunteered.  This is what we found when we got home :) I asked Ash what was happening.  She said, "well I'm watching TV and eating snacks.  Grandpa and the twins are sleeping."  hehe, poor grandpa.  The ladies literally wore him and themselves out!  What an amazing man!

 That brings us to Mothers Day!!! What a great day to honor the best title anyone could have!  I have heard many comments people make about mothers day.  Some women choose this is "their day."  No cooking, cleaning etc.  I've heard men say, it's their day to cook and let their wife have off.  I was spoiled.  I awoke at 1:30a to commotion. A man running in the hallway.  Since that man was my husband I didn't call 911.  There was no crying from the children and Steve wasn't yelling, "SHELLY" so I figured it must me minor. When he crawled back to bed I asked, "what's going on?"  He informed me Macy vomited all over. EWWWWEEEEE!  I told him he should've gotten me.  He said, "it's mother's day, no one wants to clean up vomit on Mother's day."  What a good guy!  We kept Macy home, but she's acted fine!  I called my parents and my dad said, "you have no idea what I fed her yesterday.  I'm not sure she's sick."   hehehe.  So we did take her to my parents at night.  I hope no one else gets sick. 
Anyway, my point to all this mothers day talk!  Do Mother's ever take a break?  Do father's ever take a break?  Today I cooked, cleaned, did laundry, washed some windows, fed kids, played with kids, took a walk with kids and just had fun.  And I loved it!!!  I guess my thought is when I signed up to be a wife and mother I knew all this was part of the deal.  It does get over whelming at times like anyone, those are the times you focus on the day or hour.  God gets you through.  Even when you go away for a break, which is refreshing, your kids are always on your heart.  No matter what ages your children reach.  

Happy Mother's day to everyone!!!  We have a huge PRAISE, it has been 1 year since Brooke has been inpatient at the "spa."  That is the best gift of all!!   PRAISE THE LORD!!!  Our hearts are full!!

What have we done???

I would like to share with you Brooke's feeding history.   It's been terrible from Day 1.  We use to squeeze the bottle in her mouth and drip feed her.  Then she'd projectile vomit and SCREAM!!  That's how it worked.  When the put the feeding tube in, I fought it!  I knew it was a slippery slope.  I did not know at the time, the slope Brooke was taking.  It was a wild ride and feeding went to the way side.Today Brooke went to feeding clinic.  Me, Macy and Brooke.  We had Brooke psyched up, she even brought her own food.  We got in, she plunked her butt on my lap, and refused to do ANYTHING!!  Since she hasn't gagged in months, and testing is normal, there seems to be no reason she shouldn't, couldn't eat.  My trouble, I don't know how to read her!  She's potty trained and ALWAYS asking to go to the bathroom (when it's inconvenient).  Yesterday we were at a ball game.  I knew no one and we were sitting in the middle of the bleachers.  Brooke had been to the bathroom twice already (YES TWICE).  I had seen NONE of the game and was frustrated.  Brooke told me again, "I have to go to the bathroom.  I said, "I don't think so."  She asked again, I ignored the requested.  She then proceeded to pass the longest, loudest, smelliest amount of gas I have heard. I was pretty sure she filled her pants.  But she didn't.  She laughed and said, "I told you!"  We then went to the bathroom :)
There is my trouble!  When is she being 3 years old, when is she being serious?  Same with feeding. Her tummy hurts alot.  I don't know why.  So I have, I'm sure, enabled her in the feeding issues.
Back to today.  I told the therapist....tell me what to do.  Force feed her, bargain with her, TELL ME!  She said, "let me try."  So Macy and I left the room, much to Brooke's (and Macy's) dismay. There was alot of crying.  All in all, the therapist said, Brooke did well.  Once she calmed herself, Brooke did what the therapist asked.  We have a task to try at home and Tuesday she'll go back and go in again on her own.  (she is already disagreeing with this method :) 
After a few texts to my hubby, a phone call and tears, it comes down to, this is not going to be easy.  I knew that!  I just thought I was stronger.  I MAKE my other kids eat.  They have to finish their meal before they get snacks.  So where did I go wrong?  What happened?  When did I cave?  Where is my backbone this time?  There are obviously many layers to this situation.  So we are working on it.  She is not like the other girls, in some aspects.  In others, she is so much like them.  It's going to be trial and error.  I am sure she will call my bluff many times.  Last week she ate 10 pieces of cereal, she then had diarrhea for over a day.  To the point I didn't dare leave home.  Why?  She wasn't faking that.  Oh my aching head!!  All we can do is pray for God's direction.  He has shown us His way is best.  I feel we are heading in the right direction and He has not steered us wrong, food or no food.  Thank you Jesus!!!    

This is what I want her to eat someday :)  Maybe I'll have to try it first!!  YUMMO!!