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With soccer practice cancelled yesterday, I pushed homework and chores aside and told the boys we were going to have a rainy day party.  We decided on three activities:

1.  Hide-and-Seek

2.  Hot Chocolate by the fire

3.  A game of Junior Monopoly (a GREAT game for kids)

It was great to spend some downtime with the kids and to have an out of the ordinary Wednesday.  Of course it is never 100% harmonious.  Caleb was convinced that Jacob cheated at hide-and-seek, Samuel spilled some of his warm chocolate on the carpet, and Jacob was a sore loser at Monopoly.  BUT, it was fun nonetheless.

Yesterday I made a discovery.  Something I had somehow missed before.  Something no one had ever told me about!  I've lived my whole life without realizing the heavenly pleasure of this divine substance.  What is it?

Chic-Fil-A Lemonade

This might be a new addiction.

Caleb and I spent 5 hours in the ER last night. 

He came home from school complaining of pain in his abdomen.  We had him go potty, and then lay down, but it kept getting worse.  Tender to the touch, and waves of intense pain…enough where he was crying and getting pale.

We let that go on for about two hours and then decided to take him in.

By the time we got there he couldn't walk, was bent over and white as a sheet.

As soon as we sat him down to get checked in, he threw up.  So they got us back to a room as soon as possible.

Within 5 minutes we saw the doctor (a new record!) – he ordered a CT Scan.  Within 5 minutes after that we had his blood work done and an IV in (another new record!).  The nurse and doctor were very attentive and very nice.  And both worried about appendicitis.  And it was a hopping ER, and two people had died there that day (very sad), so I was surprised by the great care we got.

So we spent the next 2 hours trying to get Caleb to drink 2 1/2 cup fulls of nasty fruit punch-disguised liquid to show "contrast" in the scan.  Caleb is picky.  And doesn't really like juice.  And is stubborn as all get out.  And he was so uncomfortable.  But they told me they couldn't do the scan until the drink was finished.  So I did everything – pleaded, coerced, bartered, bribed, did some tough-love, lectured, prayed, etc, etc.  We only had about 1/2 a cup left, when he threw it all up.  All that work – and no "contrast".  I looked at him and said "no more juice, buddy".  We were done.  He was in so much pain – it had started on the left, and had spread to the right and his back.  During the process they had given him morphine and phenergan.

So they decided to do the scan anway.  He was great for that.  They put some stuff in the IV that had a warming effect in his body.  And they had him put his arms up above his head.  He looked like he was on a beach somewhere relaxing, and afterwards said the CT scan was his favorite part!  Funny.  Seeing a little guy in a big machine is something I will never like though.  I remember feeling the same way when 4-month old Samuel had an MRI.

Results:

Caleb's WBC was only slightly elevated.  CT Scan was clear.  No appendicitis or colitis.  He has bowel blockage.  Possibly aggravated by the Augmentin he was taking for the lymph infection.

So no surgery (thank goodness).  And no hospital stay. 

We came home around 10:30 last night.  And he's home today, on a liquid diet until we can get things moving.

BUT WAIT – he'll be back at the hospital on Saturday for his tonsilectomy!  We're old pros though, so it should be a breeze.

Last year on March 6th:  We were building snowmen!

This year on March 6th: We’re taking a walk in the park and relishing in an early spring!

I am amazed this week at the dismal and scary nature of the news.  If you let it, I think it could be overwhelming and discouraging (click on links for articles) …

Jobless rate at 8.1% with 650K jobs lost just last month

Major banks, despite the bailout, losing most of their value

One in eight homes headed for or in foreclosure

And then you read something like this, which is almost laughable, but at the same time a little concerning, not to mention spooky…

Russian professor predicts the disintegration of US

In all of this I am grateful for church leaders who encourage preparedness and frugality, but also give a voice of hope and encouragement:

Prepare wisely for a day of need

Find Joy in the Journey

This is one of my favorite quotes from the above talk…Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed.

It's in times like this that I feel really grateful for the little things.  This morning I'm grateful for two little boys who decided to proudly get completely ready for school on their own, breakfast, hair, teeth, shoes and all, so their parents could sleep in a little.  For a husband who makes me yummy egg white omelets any time I want.  And for a toddler who brushes my hair while I'm on the computer.

 

And yes, I do sadly still have my Valentine's decorations up…

 

Last week while going through Jacob's school papers I found this very detailed, very sweet, and very thoughtful page from the week of Valentine's.  He said this about love (in his beautiful cursive writing):

Love is when you show great affection for someone or something.  Example: I show great affection for my active dad.  Affection means to show respect for someone or something.

Then I noticed the great picture where he has his dad in a Cisco t-shirt (logo and all), him in a Cowboys jersey, candy, snow, movies, bike, game boy, football, and a skateboard (all things that he loves!). 

I am always tickled by his "affection" for his Dad.  I'm always thrilled that he admires him so much.  It is so touching to see their relationship.  But for one brief moment as I admired this I found myself feeling bad for not being included.  Somehow he sensed this as he went over it with me and quickly said, "I ran out of room mom, but you know I love you."

He was so confident, emphatic and matter-of-fact in his declaration.  I was a little taken aback by his statement, and pondered it as we carried on with our day.

I DO know he loves me.  I know it every time he gets home from school and excitedly calls my name.  I know it every time he buries his head into my belly for a hug.  I know it when he finishes something exciting or nerve-wrecking and when finished comes and squeezes my neck.  I know it everytime he laughs at my jokes or asks "you ok?" when it's been an obviously stressful day.  I know he loves me.  And it is such a warmth to my soul.  That is a gift that doesn't need to be listed on a worksheet or drawn in a card.  Thank you for the reminder, buddy.

 

My girl scout cookies have arrived!

So I really like to serve my children (and husband) baked salmon with brown rice and steamed broccoli.  In fact, that was one of our meals last week.  And I believe nutrition is really important.  But there are days, like today, where the only thing I can pull out of my weathered hat is frozen chicken nuggets and peas and corn.  I know it's not ideal.  When I start to feel guilty about it, I choose to think to myself "at least they're getting food in their bellies, which is more than some kids will get tonight".  But I know Derek, at least, is hoping for a brighter, more nutritional, tomorrow.

 

 

Better yet…got one of Derek's homemade vanilla peach protein smoothies?!

600 words

6 weeks

One test

5 schools competing

2nd place

Missed 1st place by one word!

Very proud am I!

Good Job, Jacob!

 

ETA: I just sat Jacob down and read him all of the comments on this post.  He was so tickled by it!