One of those days

Well Brooke's last illness lasted 8 days.  After that she was really back to her normal self.  So we've had about 5 days illness free.  It was a good 5 days.  Monday Megan told me she had a stomach ache.  I asked her if she was tired or sick.  She didn't know so off to school she went.  Well that didn't work.  So Monday and Tuesday she was home with the stomach flu.  Macy told us she had a stomach ache Tuesday night, but we told her til will it away, and she did.  She's been good.  Ash called from school today, and Brooke started this afternoon.
My thought process,   ARE YOU FRICKEN KIDDIN ME?!?!?!?  Enough already.  I've had it with sickness and the weather.  It gets in the 40's just to tease us and then snow again, just so that my kids can all get sick.  If you see a crabby pattern you are right!  I'm sure you've all had these days, and I know it's normal.  Nothing a little motivation, a lot of prayer and a run can't fix.  But until then I will sit on the couch, with my sick kiddo's, eating my junk food (they're sick, I'm not :), and wearing my terry cloth robe.  (If you know me, my old disgusting robe is my go to)
Praying everyone stays healthy and for Spring weather to emerge.  God will see us through.

Day 6

That's how many days Brooke has been dealing with whatever illness this is.  She started out last week with a fever.  I know right?!?!?  Just when we think she can't get a fever she proves us wrong.  3 days of a high fever.  That went away and she continued with fatigue, coughing and not acting like herself.  But she was persistent she did NOT need a doctor.  So we obliged her.  Steve and I were going away Friday night.  We planned to stay home, but she was like, "I'm fine, go.  I'm not sick."  Ok, we were all on the same page.  She was sick of us.  So we went.  Nothing earth shattering happened.  But when we got home she was whiny, crawled on my lap and slept. And that's been everyday since.  She's not exactly light.  Lugging her around is a workout.  Or we lay on the couch.  Lots of sleeping involved (for her.)  Today (Monday) I called the MD.  It appears she has pneumonia.  He's treating her with antibiotics and we're praying she perks up in the next day or so.  She says she's going to try school tomorrow.  Hopefully her crabby's will go away.  It's hard to handle.  So thankful for Miss Dawn today that watched her.  I couldn't take another day off work and to be honest, my compassion was running low.  So I needed a little Brookie break :)  It's all good again.  We once again see the sweetness.  And she's allowing others to help her.  However it is nice to be needed. 

I'm so thankful for friends.  I was chatting with a friend about the antibiotics etc.  She asked how I felt about that.  I explained I've had to pray that God takes control, because my mind can go crazy.  I know she prayed for me, because I could feel the peace the rest of the afternoon.  Steve and I can both say we pray this is our answer, but we always have in the back of our mind, what if.........       Nothing we can do about that. God is in control.  And how amazing if she gets a "normal" illness and recuperates "normally." 

Tomorrow if March 4.  5 YEARS since Megan's bone marrow starting living in Brooke.  We asked Brooke what she thought about that.  Her response, "that's gross."  It may be gross, but it's amazing how God creates us, to work together.  Praising God for 5 amazing years!!!!  Happy Bone marrow Birthday to our girls!!!

Better Together

I was recently talking to an elderly man.  Very elderly.  He asked me, "have you met my wife?"  I said, "no not yet."  He said, "well, you see that dried cherry all wrinkled and small."   Hmmmmmmm, "yes I do."   (where was this conversation going)  "that's what my wife looks like. Tiny, small, wrinkly and the most beautiful thing you've ever seen.  I can't wait for you to meet her." 

I thought that was the strangest but sweetest analogy I've ever heard.  One reason I LOVE working with elderly, there are so many success stories.  And if you listen, there is so much to learn.  On how to love each other unconditionally and grow old gracefully, with a good sense of humor. 

The other day I pulled my hair back and Leah was like, "WOW MOM!"  WOW was right.  There wasn't a few grey hairs, their were clumps.  I am by no means the fashion queen.  (I had to borrow a friends clothes a couple weeks ago to look "classy").  I'm just me, and I like that.  But this grey hair thing, I am not a fan of.  So I called another friend that took care of the grey hair.  (good thing for friends :)

My point is, you can't stop this aging thing and there is no reason to.  It's the way God intended us to be.  As a mom, I want my girls to see us do it gracefully, embrace it, and with a good sense of humor. Every wrinkle has a memory.  Every grey hair must have something to say.  I pray Steve and I make it to the age of that couple.  And if so, I know we'll be more in love than ever.  Some things just continue to get better with time. 

Parenting Fail

Not sure what everyone elses kids do when they get home from school, but mine unwind.  Play a game, watch tv, today the youngest 3 played house.  I let them.  I figure they are entitled to relax and have some fun. Well, I've never had a child struggle in school, til now.  Ash always has something else on her brain, besides what she's doing.  So she rushes through things and rarely gets things right.  However it doesn't seem to bother her. 

So today she played, we ate supper and then she explained the pile of homework she had to do.  So we sat her down to get started.  Steve went out side, a few children followed him and we heard the snowmobile going.  Ashley was devastated!  So we struck up a deal.  1 math paper was all she had to do.  She was so frustrated she couldn't even add simple problems.  She finally got her bearings, we finished the paper, she got her snow stuff on and had the BIGGEST smile and said, "THANKS MOM!"  She's so happy!  This is a child that NEEDS the outdoors.  So, to say the least, not all the homework is done, but Ash is calm and happy.  And I'm hoping she can focus enough to read before bed.  If her teachers read this, I apologize :)  But I know they'll understand.

 

Love!

I dare say Brooke is pretty much healed.  A week after he surgery this is her.  In the snow and playing with her sisters (and dad :)  She wasn't about to miss out on the fun any more.  We are so blessed on her speedy recovery and good attitude.  She has her moments.  We call it "Princess syndrome" and we are working to rid ourselves of this yucky syndrome.  She might be the youngest, and we'll agree, she had a rough start, but she's here and as healthy as she's going to be, so she's starting to get over herself :)  Tough love!

We can't thank people enough for all the prayers, cards, gifts and meals we had.  The support always amazes us.  There is no much good in this world and so many kind, loving people.  We are so blessed!

 



 With all the snow days Brooke didn't miss any school, due to her surgery.  So that worked out better than we ever could have expected.  As much as the kids were sick of being home they kept very busy. 
Macy lost her first tooth! Thank goodness the tooth fairy was able to make it out in the bad weather.  We've had to have some talks with the older girls explaining the tooth fairy can be "real" to a 5 year old and let's not burst her bubble just yet.  Let her believe in the magic for a little while :)

The other girls kept busy with crafts and baking.  Megan made a diaper cake for a friend of ours having a baby this spring.  She also made a quilt that she's going to give to someone and went to great grandma's and made herself a maxi skirt.  That girl has some talent.

Ashley baked EVERY DAY!  Not just box stuff, she went for the real butter and cocoa.  Oh boy is all I can say!  Once they went  back to school I had to dust off my treadmill after all that eating.  She asked the other day if she could bake and I said, "NO!  Not till I can get my jeans back on."  Another talented little lady.  So happy they were able to channel all that snow day energy into doing something.

Once school started Ashley had market day.  I love that day!  The kids get to make something.
They have to figure the costs, what it'll take to break even and then they all sell their products.
The kids have such great ideas.  Ashley made stress balls, which after all the snow days I think
the parents were wanting to buy them. She sold out and made a profit of $18.00.  They also all
donate a certain percent.  What a valuable lesson!




 Last is making the best of this season!  Steve got Megan out skiing.  He took her on Tuesday after school with a friend and her dad.  To our surprise on Friday she was back out there with her friends.  Steve went with Friday just to make sure she did ok, but he texted me, "haven't seen Megs in 1 1/2 hours. She's having a riot!"  Yeah Megan!  We are excited for her because she was SOOOO Scared to ski but finally decided she wanted to try.   So to watch her overcome this fear and enjoy it so much is fun!  This is the perfect year to learn :)

 It's fun to watch the girls at their stages of life.  Learning new things and enjoying life.  Saturday night Steve and I went away over night.  The girls wanted to stay home alone.  Our initial reaction was, "no!"  But then after thought we said ok.  Leah had a friend over and grandpa and grandma were right next door.  The girls had soooo much fun which I am so happy about.  They CAN get along if the want to :)  What made me laugh more was Leah.  Her comment when we got home, "do you know how many dishes get dirty in 24 hours? I did the dishes 3 times!"  I think it's ok when we leave.  They NEED to learn, Steve and I are not as lazy as they think we are.  We actually do things around here!    Love these ladies!!

Day 3

So we are 3 days after surgery.  The weather hasn't hindered us much, because we didn't plan to go anywhere any way.  Brooke's mornings are a little rough.  Our plan was to wake her at midnight give her pain meds and then let her sleep.  Well, she doesn't want to wake up at midnight and she surely won't take any meds at that hour.  So she's been waking up at 5am, very unhappy and painful. She still has trouble with painful urinating, but if we have pain meds on board she is well.  Usually by 10:00 am she's feeling better and her "normal" self, just a little slower. 
The unusual thing that happened is, she had a fever this morning.  Brooke has never had a fever, we didn't think she could get one, but she may have proved us wrong.  According to her discharge instructions this is not uncommon to get a fever.  But if it continues then we'll have to let them know.  No worries thus far.  Steve was kind of excited, something normal she's doing. 
Brooke was a little sad today that everyone was on the snowmobile but her.  We all took turns staying inside with her and she told me she was feeling good enough to ride too.  Silly girl..............I don't think so!!!!!
We've been surviving the snow just fine.  Living in the country you just expect things like this to happen.  It's a fun adventure.  Most of our roads have been closed at one time or another.  We just bundle up and walk around in the snow.  The fresh air is amazing and it's so beautiful outside.  God's country :)

Home!

We are home!!!  Home sweet Home!  Brooke had an ok night last night.  She was up often but in a great mood.  At 3:30a she told me she was ready to go home and felt, "great." Well at that hour going home was not an option.  So she played on the Leapster and hung out for awhile.  I was so encouraged!  The doctors saw her and were happy with her progress.  They turned off the IV in the am and took the cath out about noon. 

 We headed home and were back around 2p.  We kinda hurried ourselves out because we heard the bad weather was coming and we wanted to be stuck at home and not at the "spa." Our afternoon was a little rough.  The pain was getting best of her and urinating wasn't so pleasant.  She sat on the toilet saying out loud, "I am brave, I can do this.  I am brave."  It made me smile and broke my heart at the same time.  Her sisters surrounded and loved on her! 
After supper, 7+ hours of not peeing I told her she had to go to the bathroom or there would be more tubes.  There was a resounding, "NO MORE TUBES, I am brave!"  And I've never seen a kid so happy that she pee'd :)  I then told her she needed to take 2 steps.  Only 2!  Once she got her bearings she "waddled" off as Macy says.  She's sore, but being home we have her on a pain med schedule and so far it's working.  I'm thinking we'll get her up tonight for pain meds, just to stay ahead of the pain.  She has 6 incisions on her abdomen and groin.  But she's doing it.  We'll see what tomorrow brings. It's very nice to have all these sisters to help take care of her.

It was fun to get to see the staff that cared for her (and us) for so long.  They are such wonderful caring people and we've become invested in their lives.  We want to know who's getting married, having children, becoming grandparents.  It's fun to see their lives progress.  And they were quite amazed at Brooke's growth and life accomplishments.  For the 1st time since she was 6 weeks old she is TUBE FREE!!!  YEA GOD!!!