Robbie and Daniel had the opportunity to be an a basketball team for about 6 weeks, with a Christian school nearby. They had a blast playing, and I had a blast taking pictures of them. :)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Basketball
Robbie and Daniel had the opportunity to be an a basketball team for about 6 weeks, with a Christian school nearby. They had a blast playing, and I had a blast taking pictures of them. :)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Longest Winter
I know it's a title of a book already published, but I'm certain I could rewrite it! We have had the worst winter of illness we can ever remember. It started right after Christmas with a flu bug, then sinus infections, a flu bug, ear infections, and then the 4 younger kids all had pneumonia. And we wrapped it up with another flu bug! That's right, no kidding, three times a flu bug has visited! A quick review of Vomit 101 and everyone was hitting the bucket! At least when the bucket was in range! ;-)
Matthew coughed so bad one night for over 2 hours with every single breath. It was horrible. I tried every remedy imaginable and went to get him dressed to take him to the ER and came back and he had fallen asleep. When I took him to the Dr's the next day they had all sorts of people comment on what an impressive cough he had. I never felt so close to the reality of loosing a child as that night.
At least until the night Daniel had a seizure! Jeff and Robbie were gone, and Megan was having a slumber party with some girlfriends. So I had Daniel, Matthew, Joey, Ben, and Lydia in our room having our own slumber party. Daniel woke up and I reminded him not to squash his siblings. He went to my desk chair and started rocking which makes an annoying squeeking noise. I asked what he was doing and he said he was sleeping so I suggested he come back to bed.
He took a couple of steps and his legs just turned to noodles and he colapsed. On his way down he fell over a 5 gallon bucket that was full of water that we were warming up to clean the frog tank in the morning. I ran to him and was surprised that the water didn't wake him up as I thought he was sleep walking or something. Trying to figure out if he was okay I got him to sit up in a chair and then he started seizing. Shaking, eyes rolling to the back of his head. It's a horrible thing to watch your child do, but God has allowed me to have 4 of my children have them so here we go.
I was crying and yelling "Daniel!" trying to get him to snap out of it. I couldn't grab the phone to call 911 because I had to hold him up in the chair. I yelled for Megan to help, but just having gone to bed a couple of hours prior she was out. Later Matthew said he heard me but was too afraid to come out because he knew Daniel must have been in some serious trouble because I was yelling. I took that as a compliment. ;-)
I laid him down and called 911 (another long story!) and by the time they arrived Daniel seemed fine and wondering why the concern and why he's all wet. They were training a new guy and told him to come look. Daniel's eyes were completely dialated with all the lights on and they said that was a sure sign that someone has had a seizure.
The ambulance had instructions to follow me in or drive us since there may be a high chance he would seize again, so I opted for the ambulance ride to the hospital. Everything checked out fine and we were sent home in a few hours.
Then Jeff had kidney stone surgery on his right side February 1st and then the left side was today. That was a miserable experience the first time, so he wasn't looking forward to it today. Plus he wasn't in pain going into it, but it was an 8mm stone so it needed to be broken up. He did fantastic and had little to no pain other than a headache that night.
We thought Joey's appendix was about to burst as he spent a day doubled over in pain, but that just showed swollen lymph glands as causing the trouble. He also had another sleep test for his apne. His last one was when he was 1 year old, so we are patiently awaiting results from that, because the Lord says be anxious for nothing! ;-)
I think there was one point where we went to the doctors 12 of 14 days. Our wonderful doctors even refused to take our co-pay for a time period which was extremely generous and thoughtful. I keep wanting to make them something in appreciation, but we keep getting sick.
A couple of weeks ago Emily had a rash and we discovered it was strep throat. The doctor said, "You understand this is highly contagious!" Ofcourse it is! We're a family of 10! Sure enough 5 more came down with it and were all put on antibiotics. It's a part time job dosing 5 antibiotics and washing those dosers! But a job I am ever so grateful for and thank God for every day! Only God could bring such joy, such laughter, wonderful, lengthly snuggling, and a peace that passes all understanding through such trials!
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 68:35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel--he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Psalm 105:4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Matthew coughed so bad one night for over 2 hours with every single breath. It was horrible. I tried every remedy imaginable and went to get him dressed to take him to the ER and came back and he had fallen asleep. When I took him to the Dr's the next day they had all sorts of people comment on what an impressive cough he had. I never felt so close to the reality of loosing a child as that night.
At least until the night Daniel had a seizure! Jeff and Robbie were gone, and Megan was having a slumber party with some girlfriends. So I had Daniel, Matthew, Joey, Ben, and Lydia in our room having our own slumber party. Daniel woke up and I reminded him not to squash his siblings. He went to my desk chair and started rocking which makes an annoying squeeking noise. I asked what he was doing and he said he was sleeping so I suggested he come back to bed.
He took a couple of steps and his legs just turned to noodles and he colapsed. On his way down he fell over a 5 gallon bucket that was full of water that we were warming up to clean the frog tank in the morning. I ran to him and was surprised that the water didn't wake him up as I thought he was sleep walking or something. Trying to figure out if he was okay I got him to sit up in a chair and then he started seizing. Shaking, eyes rolling to the back of his head. It's a horrible thing to watch your child do, but God has allowed me to have 4 of my children have them so here we go.
I was crying and yelling "Daniel!" trying to get him to snap out of it. I couldn't grab the phone to call 911 because I had to hold him up in the chair. I yelled for Megan to help, but just having gone to bed a couple of hours prior she was out. Later Matthew said he heard me but was too afraid to come out because he knew Daniel must have been in some serious trouble because I was yelling. I took that as a compliment. ;-)
I laid him down and called 911 (another long story!) and by the time they arrived Daniel seemed fine and wondering why the concern and why he's all wet. They were training a new guy and told him to come look. Daniel's eyes were completely dialated with all the lights on and they said that was a sure sign that someone has had a seizure.
The ambulance had instructions to follow me in or drive us since there may be a high chance he would seize again, so I opted for the ambulance ride to the hospital. Everything checked out fine and we were sent home in a few hours.
Then Jeff had kidney stone surgery on his right side February 1st and then the left side was today. That was a miserable experience the first time, so he wasn't looking forward to it today. Plus he wasn't in pain going into it, but it was an 8mm stone so it needed to be broken up. He did fantastic and had little to no pain other than a headache that night.
We thought Joey's appendix was about to burst as he spent a day doubled over in pain, but that just showed swollen lymph glands as causing the trouble. He also had another sleep test for his apne. His last one was when he was 1 year old, so we are patiently awaiting results from that, because the Lord says be anxious for nothing! ;-)
I think there was one point where we went to the doctors 12 of 14 days. Our wonderful doctors even refused to take our co-pay for a time period which was extremely generous and thoughtful. I keep wanting to make them something in appreciation, but we keep getting sick.
A couple of weeks ago Emily had a rash and we discovered it was strep throat. The doctor said, "You understand this is highly contagious!" Ofcourse it is! We're a family of 10! Sure enough 5 more came down with it and were all put on antibiotics. It's a part time job dosing 5 antibiotics and washing those dosers! But a job I am ever so grateful for and thank God for every day! Only God could bring such joy, such laughter, wonderful, lengthly snuggling, and a peace that passes all understanding through such trials!
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 68:35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel--he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Psalm 105:4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Potty
I promise not to turn this into a theme, but this was too funny! Lydia had to go potty and lifted both lids and sat right on the cold toilet. "Mommy! I'm a boy! I'm going potty like a boy!" Laughing hysterically. Then she fell in the toilet and hit the cold water and jumped out in a flash! Her laughing turned into what we call 'crafting' that blend of a cry and a laugh. I think she's cured of trying that again! ;-)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Hallelujah!
This too has passed! We are all so excited to have Jeff pain free! It happened last night and it was quite a celebration! Jeff was so cute, he called me in so excitedly, "Karen come here! I think this is it!" Made us all cringe a bit to see the size of them. Praise be to God and thank you for all your prayers! Everyone is healthy and we're back to our normal state of chaos! ;-)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Some Pictures
Some pictures from the last few months ...
Emily on a winter photoshoot:
Lydia and I at a basketball game. (More basketball pix later!)
Lydia wearing her patch. She only had to wear this sticky one for a week or two - we found her a soft one that goes over her glasses, but I don't have pictures of it yet.
She's a goofball. :)
Matthew going sledding.
Mom and Dad playing chess. =)
Lydia drinking orange crush on New Year's Eve. :D
Robbie reading to the kids.
4-man piggyback. :D
Dad's birthday.
Mom and Lydia against the blue wall at the doctor's office. =)
Emily on a winter photoshoot:
Lydia and I at a basketball game. (More basketball pix later!)
Lydia wearing her patch. She only had to wear this sticky one for a week or two - we found her a soft one that goes over her glasses, but I don't have pictures of it yet.
She's a goofball. :)
Matthew going sledding.
Mom and Dad playing chess. =)
Lydia drinking orange crush on New Year's Eve. :D
Robbie reading to the kids.
4-man piggyback. :D
Dad's birthday.
Mom and Lydia against the blue wall at the doctor's office. =)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sick of being sick!
It's the hardest part of being a large family. Hardly ever does one get a bug of some sort and keep it to themselves! This season, however, has been our worst ever! It started out with a flu bug, short lived, but still required a review of our vomit 101 class! It thrills my heart when kids get old enough to hit a bucket! Cheers! Then we had ear infections and colds, to wrap it up with another round of a respitory flu that ended up turning to pneumonia for the younger 4.
Out of pity our Dr. even quit accepting our co-pay because we were going there so much. By the time a kid was better he was being reinfected by someone else. I have medicine bottles all over my counter. To get the right dose in the right mouth at the right time is a part time job!
We even took in another older friend who was sick and by herself, so she's been staying with us for the week. It's been such fun to have her, but I know she's praying to heal quickly so she can get back home!
Lydia had it the worst, she had a 103 temp for about 30 hours! Tylenol and Motrin every 4 hours, baths, cool cloths, nothing would bring it down. Her tummy looked like she had just taken a hot shower and was red and blotchy. Her lips blistered as if burned. In all my parenting years I'd never seen anything like it. She would say to me, "Mama, will you love me?" I'd answer, 'Ofcourse I love you all the time!'. Then she'd say, "Will you love me sitting down?" so we'd have to go snuggle.
Then there's Jeff. He had kidney stone surgery on February 1st. I keep track of him pretty good in our makeshift hospital ward! ;-) He's still in a lot of pain trying pass the remaining stones. He hasn't done anything in the past 2 weeks so any little bit of exertion wears him right out. He can't handle the pain medicine so he's just taking Motrin and that doesn't come close to managing the pain. I feel so bad for him! He did preach on Sunday and it wore him right out. It's exciting though that he said it's given him more compassion for those in pain and a drive to further the gospel even more because he can't imagine what hell would be like because this is...well...miserable! ;-)
And then there's Daniel, who has miraculously remained healthy! I told him it doesn't pay to be so because we work him like a horse trying to keep up with meals and laundry! It's much better now, but there were a couple of days I thought for sure I was going to turn green and grow one eye!
But by God's grace we're still counting our blessings and playing a lot of games and puzzles! I think we're on the up side because last night I was only woke up 3 times! We're back to getting a full day of school in. I'm not complaining by any means, I love taking care of people! A much better option than to be the one to be taken care of!
Out of pity our Dr. even quit accepting our co-pay because we were going there so much. By the time a kid was better he was being reinfected by someone else. I have medicine bottles all over my counter. To get the right dose in the right mouth at the right time is a part time job!
We even took in another older friend who was sick and by herself, so she's been staying with us for the week. It's been such fun to have her, but I know she's praying to heal quickly so she can get back home!
Lydia had it the worst, she had a 103 temp for about 30 hours! Tylenol and Motrin every 4 hours, baths, cool cloths, nothing would bring it down. Her tummy looked like she had just taken a hot shower and was red and blotchy. Her lips blistered as if burned. In all my parenting years I'd never seen anything like it. She would say to me, "Mama, will you love me?" I'd answer, 'Ofcourse I love you all the time!'. Then she'd say, "Will you love me sitting down?" so we'd have to go snuggle.
Then there's Jeff. He had kidney stone surgery on February 1st. I keep track of him pretty good in our makeshift hospital ward! ;-) He's still in a lot of pain trying pass the remaining stones. He hasn't done anything in the past 2 weeks so any little bit of exertion wears him right out. He can't handle the pain medicine so he's just taking Motrin and that doesn't come close to managing the pain. I feel so bad for him! He did preach on Sunday and it wore him right out. It's exciting though that he said it's given him more compassion for those in pain and a drive to further the gospel even more because he can't imagine what hell would be like because this is...well...miserable! ;-)
And then there's Daniel, who has miraculously remained healthy! I told him it doesn't pay to be so because we work him like a horse trying to keep up with meals and laundry! It's much better now, but there were a couple of days I thought for sure I was going to turn green and grow one eye!
But by God's grace we're still counting our blessings and playing a lot of games and puzzles! I think we're on the up side because last night I was only woke up 3 times! We're back to getting a full day of school in. I'm not complaining by any means, I love taking care of people! A much better option than to be the one to be taken care of!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
I love winter. At least, not the cold part! but its very beautiful out! I (Emily) went out with my camera the other day: consequence: you get to look at pictures!!!If anyone looks at our blog at all?? Anyway:
This is the rope to the swingset-I thought it looked cool!
These are mice trails--We have alot.(of mice)
These last two are my favorite!
Keep warm. If you can!
This is the rope to the swingset-I thought it looked cool!
These are mice trails--We have alot.(of mice)
These last two are my favorite!
Keep warm. If you can!
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