Durango Palmers: April 2009

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday to everyone! What are you thankful for today?

I am thankful for....

...my brother, Nate. His 24th birthday was yesterday. He's the only boy in a family of 4 girls and I think he's done quite well with 5 mothers.:) It's been so wonderful to begin to know him as an adult. He's kind, gentle and sweet. Love you Nate!

...my brother-in-law, Chad. His birthday was Monday. He works as a corrections officer in Boulder and is on his way to becoming a sheriff. I'm so inspired by him. He followed his dreams and went for it. I couldn't be more thankful that I married into such a great family and gained another awesome brother. He and his wife, Alisha, are such a gift to us. Love you guys!

...for firefighters. Can you really imagine a world without their bravery and sacrifice? Last night we were able to go to town and eat ice cream at Baskin Robbins. All proceeds went to the fallen firefighters fund. Yeah Mike Krupa (our awesome firefighter friend). The coolest firefighter I know!

Proof that we had ice cream!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

To Wii or not to wii....

Funny story...about 9 months ago Mark came to me and said we should get a Wii. He said I'd love it and I'd love the Wii fit. Uh huh. Sure I would. I'm sure that me - the one who really doesn't like video games or another reason to be planted in front of the TV - would love a Wii. He got the hint.

Months go by. I played the Wii my sister got her husband and yes, it was fun, but I wasn't convinced that we needed one. Then I started thinking about how in the world I was going to work off this baby bag (ie. flabby stomach where babies used to be...) that is empty but not going away very quickly this time. Thought about a treadmill. Wanted a treadmill. Realized I'd most likely be the only one in the house to use a treadmill. Heard about and starting researching more into Wii fit.

Then I shocked Mark. Freaked him out actually. I told him I think we should get a Wii. His face was hilarious. Like, are-you-joking-with-me-because-if-you-are-it's-cruel-and-I-can't-handle-it-kind of face. I told him I was serious. Then he proceeded to remind me that several months ago he suggested it and I shot him down. I then shared with him that you don't ever say I told you so, especially when you're getting what you want :) He shut up. So we made plans to get one with our tax return.

A week later we got an awesome, and completely unexpected, birthday present from my folks. Yup, a Wii. Mark about cried. He was sick when it came but you could tell that he was dying to get up off the couch and play. He even said to me, do you want to get the kids ready for bed and I'll go to Walmart and pick up another controller? I laughed. He had a fever of 103, hadn't been off the couch in days and here he was desperately wanting to go to Walmart to pick up a controller. I told him I'd get one the next day and that we'd be fine till then.

And we were. Mark was able to play tennis laying down on the couch. Kind of missing the point but then again he was beating the pants of the computer. Quite comical.

The next day I did go to Walmart and got a controller and picked up a Wii fit. Let me just tell you that we've stinkin' had a blast playing it. And this is coming from me! Kinda crazy really. We've hula hooped, stair stepped, tightrope walked, slalom skiied, ski jumped, jogged, yoga-d (not really a word but it fits with my list here), strength trained and laughed and laughed.

I only have a couple videos of Kate doing it, unfortunately. But they're kinda funny if you have a sec. Kate is ski jumping and hula hooping. What a blast.

So the question remains...to Wii or not to Wii...this family says heck yeah! Wii baby!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Back to life

I've been meaning to update on my trip but isn't it always the way it is? You get back and life happens and blogging gets put off? Okay, maybe just my life. But there's so much to share. I won't go into everything but it really was a great trip.

Mark was awesome! He was able to take Wed. and Thurs. off to stay home with the kids. They had a blast. He even took them all to Home Depot to buy flower pots and soil and plant little plants. I was very impressed with their adventures. They even cleaned the house and kept up on the laundry so I wasn't overwhelmed when I came home. That was a HUGE blessing, especially since my life had been so chaotic the weeks before I left and it was very well represented in my home....

The church in Texas was amazing in itself. They have 5 campuses and they total almost 25,000 people on a weekend! Unbelievable to this small town girl. Everyone within our city limits could go to church there. Their Children's Ministry was like Disneyland. Incredible. We realize that our church is not there but we got lots of great ideas that we really can implement in our little church to make our CM grow. You gotta think big to be big. We're thinkin' big.

It was a 13-14 hour drive each way. Across beautiful west Texas and a not-so-enchanting New Mexico. I'm so very thankful that I had 3 other wonderful companions. The drive would've been miserable without them. 4 girls can talk let me tell you!

It was nice to get away but I'm glad to be home again. It was so sweet to be missed. Kid hugs are the best! Especially after being gone. Jack smiled right away when I got him up. He was so sweet. Then I fed him and he puked all over me. Welcome home mom. But I loved it. It was so good to see them. And Mark really is the rockinest dad. He potty trained Kate, taught Jack to army crawl and debated philosophy with Kale (ok maybe not all that). But he was awesome. Kudos to the dad!!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Adventures in Mommyland! -- Potty-training Mountain

I was picturing this scenario in my head the other day....

Announcer: Jill! You just got a plus sign on your prego test! Where will you
go now?
Me: Disneyland?
Announcer: No! Mommyland!

Haha! Little did I know that Mommyland would be kinda like Disneyland except forever. It has rides [lots of different rides] it can be fun, it can be tiring, it can make you sick, it can be hugely expensive and it's the time of your life!!! So I thought I'd blog about some of the rides I've been on.

Starting with Potty-training Mountain.

This ride is a thrill a minute...almost. It has a huge hill to climb, a drop off on one side, huge ups and downs, but is so great when you come to the end.

My son Kale was my first trip on this ride. I can't say it was my favorite ride ever. It took 6 looooong months to get him through the ride. 6 months of trying every trick known to mom and dad and anyone else who had advice. Finally, he did it. He was 3 1/2. Not a moment too soon :)

My darling daughter, Kate, is now going on this ride. While I was grocery shopping last week I was getting nausous in the diaper section thinking about spending more and more money on diapers for her. They are stinkin' expensive!!! I decided to try again even though she might still be afraid of the toilet. So I bought the pull-ups (hate those things - they really are just diapers only different) but decided to make her wear undies under them. Just to make it really uncomfortable when she's wet. I wasn't sure how she'd react to this. But the pull-ups were princess so I thought that would help.

It did.

She put those suckers on Friday night and has only had a few accidents in a week. She now cries when we try and put a diaper on her overnight. She loves her new undies and this mom couldn't be more thrilled. Finally! This time around I had (I hope) more wisdom when it came to Potty-training Mountain.

Wait....wait....wait...wait some more....wait....princess undies.

I wonder if it will work for Jack?

Friday, April 24, 2009

I was never the same...

If you didn't read my first post about this please refer back. Basically I am wanting my children (and anyone else who wants to know) to see how different things in my life have changed me. It's been so interesting for me to think back and see what has meant so much to me in my life.

I was never the same after...I asked Jesus into my life.

I grew up going to church. Every Sunday (except for the summers...I was HUGE into softball and that's when the tournaments were!) the Coopers were there in the second row on the right side. If we weren't in that pew then we weren't there :) Although there were a lot of things I didn't understand back then, I am so thankful that God was made part of my life from the beginning. I know that it made a difference in the future.

When I was in high school my church got a new youth pastor. Her name was Ann. She was awesome. We did ski trips, youth group and overnighters at her house. I think for the first time I was having a blast going to church. She was helping me to understand what it meant to know Jesus - as a friend. I remember thinking that she had such a great job. What fun to hang out with highschoolers {funny how God worked that out...}.

Anyway, I went away to college. Fort Lewis College -- Harvard on the Hill -- in Durango, CO. My first two years were spent trying to figure out what I was doing and who I was. Living a life that I thought I was supposed to live. I had planned on going to college then on to med school. When I realized that I wasn't that motivated, I switched to nursing (a lot less time in school). Honestly I was so unsure of what I was supposed to do. What was my purpose? Where was I going?

I met my friend Lori playing softball for the Fort. We were team captains together our sophomore year. She was a Christian. I remember thinking that she was some crazy Christian {forgive me Lori - I had no idea how awesome you were}. Crazy because she actually lived out what she believed. She brought her Bible with us on road trips - and read it! She was nice, genuine, caring, didn't cuss {I cussed like a sailor - sorry mom and dad - pot-ty mouth!}, and my friend.

We spent a lot of time together that year. I got to know her better and got to see what it meant to live your life with Jesus as the center. For my life, up until then, Jesus was on the outside looking in. I knew who He was, what He did and church was a part of my life but really, Jesus wasn't. He was part of that church thing.

One time at the beginning of my junior year Lori asked me if I wanted to go to a church retreat with her. I didn't want to. I was scared to death about what I might encounter there. Christians who were different from me? I didn't think I could handle that. What if they were super dooper weird?!

I told Lori that I didn't think we believed the same thing and that it probably wasn't a good idea. She asked me what was different. I couldn't think of much to say so I told her that I had lots of questions and really wasn't sure about the whole "Jesus" thing. At the time I was being challenged in so many areas of my life. I had a boyfriend who really was not good for me. I was confused about my future with school and confused about my life. And I was confused about God and church and Jesus. Why wasn't my faith the same as hers? What did I really believe? I mean, I thought I knew but then again, I had no idea.

Then she said something that I will never forget. She asked me if I wanted to meet with her once a week and discuss my questions and talk about things. This blew me away and here's why. No one, since my old youth pastor, had wanted to spend time with me. Intentionally. Sure I had friends. Sure we hung out. Sure we lived together, had class together, had fun together. But it wasn't the same as someone caring about me. Investing in me. Wanting to help me. Answering questions. Listening to my life problems. It was amazing.

So we started meeting. I asked all my questions. Lori did her best to answer. But truthfully, deep down, I didn't care about her answers. I wanted what she had. I wanted that peace and confidence. I wanted to feel secure, purposeful and content. She did a great job with my questions but I really wanted to know the Jesus she knew. And very soon I met him. And I was not disappointed. And I was changed from the inside out.

Since those meetings I have learned so much about Jesus. About Jesus my friend, not Jesus/church. Ya see, I, like so many others, thought that Jesus was church. That church was Jesus. I didn't always like church so I didn't always like Jesus. When church was great, Jesus was great. When it wasn't, He wasn't. Make sense? Now I know Jesus as my friend, my savior, my King. It's not about church. It's about a relationship with Him. And it's changed my life.

Because of those amazing people that God brought into my life {really only a couple were mentioned but there were sooooo many others} I learned about Christ's love for me, His sacrifice for me, His plan for me. It's an adventure that I have not regretted...ever. Not once.

This happened in 1996 - 13 years ago. Today, I am married to an awesome Christian man who I believe wholeheartedly God brought to me. We have 3 beautiful children who we are raising to know and love the same God we do. I am part of an unbelievable church and we have the privilege to work there!! How cool is that? Getting paid to do what we love to do - telling others about God's perfect love for each one of us.

I pray that I have been able to positively impact others around me for Jesus, just as Ann and Lori and many others were able to do with me. My life has never been the same since I met Jesus and for that I am truly thankful!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am in Texas at a Children's Ministry conference.

I am so very thankful...

...for all children. They are treasures from God and He wants us to love, protect and cherish them.

...for friends who treasure kids. I am in TX. with Jo, Jen and Jinny and we are all here because we love kids and love ministering to them. What an awesome J-team!

...for my awesome husband who is home parenting our treasures. I pray he's having a blast!

...for the Marciante's who are graciously sharing their home with us while we are here.

...for the rocketship mini-van. When I prayed for this car I promised God that I would use it for ministry. Now we've driven it across NM and TX and have had a wonderful air-conditioned time.

...tissue, zycam and zyrtec - this cold and allergy sufferers friends :)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Texas, here we come....

I'm writing this post on Tuesday but it will be posting on Wednesday as I am driving across beautiful western Texas (note sarcasm) to a Children's ministry conference in Grapevine, Tx. I have gone through a box and a half of tissues due to a cold/allergies. I think they've blended together to make one nice snot factory. {sorry if you're squeamish - actually you can't be if you've read my blog before...} Apparently my immune system worked long enough to take care of my sick family. Then once they got better, it (my immune system), like myself, took a break from reality. So lovely.

Anyway, I've was a posting maniac one day during my kids' naps so I thought I'd spread the love out during my trip. I'm not sure if I'll be able to update anything about my trip since I don't have my own laptop but will certainly try.

Pray for my family while I'm gone. I have no doubt they will be fine. Mark is awesome and so excited to hang out with the kids for 4 days. But he is just getting over the flu and well...my kids can certainly give us a run for our money :)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Blog crazy

To some I may seem like a crazy blogger woman. Some weeks posting almost daily. Other weeks (like this one so far) not as frequent. I like to blog. I like to get my thoughts organized on "paper". It's really a kind of therapy for me.

I've also mentioned that I'd like to leave my kids with an idea of who their mom is/was and what they were all like when they were young. A history book of the Durango Palmers. Hopefully also a legacy book. A book my kids can read and see how God protected us, cared for us, moved mountains for us, sheltered us in His arms, provided for us and loved us so deeply.

I'm also a blog follower. And today I've been pondering all day {as I've been packing, cleaning and preparing for my trip to Texas for a Children's ministry conference} about why I follow blogs. First I follow blogs of people I know because I love them. I love getting to know them better through their writings and I love being able to encourage and pray for them. It's a wonderful tool.

Secondly, I love to see how people live. I am so encouraged by people who are going through such difficult life circumstances and rely on and love God still. Despite the sadness of their circumstance. I love, love, love to see how God works in families' lives across the world. It seems like a huge, ginormous world until I read a blog that shares how God touched a family. Then they're like me. A child of God, living in a fallen world, struggling to live for Him and teach their children about Him and tell others of His great, ginormous love that reaches across this world no matter who you are or what you've done.

Thirdly, it helps to keep my life in perspective. There are so many days when I feel like there's no end to my frustration, my patience has run out, my house isn't clean, my kids are sick, I'm tired etc....and there are those days that I will sometimes sarcastically blog about my life. It helps me to be able to find humor in things. That will probably not end. I love to laugh at my life.

Then I will read a blog about someone and what they are going through and it will instantly make me thankful yet again, for my life. For my frustration, my house, my children, my life. It's not that I read them and think my life is so great. It's that I realize that there are so many other things to be thankful for. Brings my focus right back to Him. To pray for others. To put others before myself. To realize that my life is a gift and I'm so thankful for each part of it. For all the people in it. For the struggles I go through. All of these things are pointing me to Him.

I am in awe of the grace that God pours out on us to deal with whatever life brings. I posted a while ago about what is vs. what if. This has run through my mind a thousand times as I read about God's grace for these people to walk out what they are walking through. As I/we sit at our computers, I/we are sometimes oblivious to what is going on around us, around our country, around our world. There are people who have lost a friend, a parent, a sibling, a child. Those who are struggling with cancer or another serious illness. Those who have given up everything to go where God called and to do what God called them to do. I am constantly in awe of God's almighty power and His sweet grace for each of us, in our circumstances no matter how good or how bad.

I want to introduce you to a few people who have touched my life through their blogs. Their courage, strength and faith are amazing. They are heroes in my book!

Today I have been praying for this little guy. His name is Stellan and he was born (miraculously I might add) with a heart condition. One that the Drs really don't know or understand much about. He is in surgery right now. So sweet and so innocent. God please hold him in your loving sweet hands and protect Him. You can click on the photo to read more about his amazing journey. {he just got out of surgery and is doing well so far}

I've also been praying for this family. I put them on the sidebar of my blog. This family lost their first daughter {last September}. She was only 8 months old. 6 weeks later Cari found out she was pregnant again. She is now 6 months along. A month ago her husband had a seizure and it was discovered that he had a brain tumor. He recently had brain surgery and is doing well. Still a ways to go but it looks good. How amazing this woman is. To have endured so much and still trust that God is in control.

These are just two amazing families I have had the privilage of "knowing" through blogging. Their trust, their faith, their struggles. They have ministered to me. I think I am drawn to them because I know that it could just as easily be me. I don't know why things work out the way they do - they just do.

I am drawn to them as a mom. No one wants to experience that with their child. I'm drawn to them as a Christian. How incredible to see them draw strength, courage and peace from God. I'm drawn to them as a wife. To walk through these things with the love of your life...your God-given partner in this life.

We all need encouragement in this life. We need to know that we are not alone. That our circumstances do not need to define us or control our lives. We can walk this sometimes very difficult road with friends and with prayer.

Blogging is the best.

Friday, April 17, 2009

I love these!

These are some pictures Mark took up at Molas Lake. I think they're awesome.

I need a wife...

I decided after the long two weeks that I've had that I need a wife. Someone to cook, clean, do laundry, run errands, plan meals, grocery shop, go to the various Dr's and pharmacists, pay bills etc...all for free. So that I can do the things I want to do. Like spend quality time with my kids. And maybe take a nap. Any takers?

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Stranger than Fiction! -- the last 24 hours

It's definitely stranger than a fiction book.

First off, Mark is still really sick. He woke up this morning with a fever of 103. He was feeling a bit better last night but it went away this morning. Poor guy has been laid up on the couch all day - again - day 4. He's also got a bad rash - head to toe - due to an allergic reaction to the flu medicine. It's hot and itchy and miserable. No fun at all.

Last night I got a phone call from my friend Kim . She was on her way to the emergency room with her kids. They have some sort of viral throat infection and were not doing well. He son has had some serious stomach pain and they spent the evening (till after midnight) running a series of tests to try and figure stuff out. Nothing. So they went home. They had another appointment today and are now going to admit him to the hospital. Poor guy can't eat or drink anything without lots of pain. So they need to admit him to be able to monitor him and possibly have him looked at by a surgeon.

They might be down the hall from my friend Tiffany who is at the hospital right now with her 1 year old, Violet. After being sick for several days and running several tests this morning they discovered that Violet has pneumonia and is not getting enough oxygen or fluids. So they admitted her to monitor her overnight. Tiffany is staying with her while Jerome, her husband, is watching the other two girls.

Then my friend Linn, who's already dealt with so much in the last few months especially, is in Denver, hopefully driving home soon, with her son Isaiah. They were in Denver getting casts put on his feet to hopefully help straighten them out. He'll be in casts most of the summer I believe. And she's leaving next week with her daughter to do some tests in Phoenix.

Honestly, it's crazy how many people are sick and hurting in our little town right now. At least in my world. It seems like once somebody starts doing better something else happens. Like I said, stranger than fiction. Who could make this stuff up?

We are praying for everyone and would ask that, if you think of them, you could pray too.

Thankful Thursday

These past two weeks have really put me into autopilot. Just get things done, wipe things down, move forward. Not really doing much else. Just autopilot.

So this Thursday I am thankful...

...for disinfecting spray, wipes, lotion, and hand soap.

...Doctors. They don't know everything but they sure can help.

...for prayer. I know that I have friends and family praying for us and I definitely have been praying a lot!

...for my house. Even though I have spent way too much time in here the last two weeks, I am grateful for this place and how it can be a safe place to be sick and also heal.

...for my computer. It enabled me to watch Mark and Kale in the Passion Play since I wasn't able to go see it in person.

...for Mark. I am in awe of what single parents do. These past two weeks without his help has made me realize, again, how thankful I am for him and the breaks he gives me each day.

...that Kate is much better and Mark will get better. There are so many hurting families whose family members are going through things far worse then we are. I will continue to be thankful that this is only the flu and nothing more.

...for the health of each one of my family members. Overall we are healthy and that is something to be very thankful for.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

She cracks me up!

This morning I'm sitting at the table holding Grabby Grabberson (aka Jack) trying to keep my coffee and cereal out of his reach. Out of the corner of my eye I see my daughter squirming in her chair. She gets up and begins picking at her behind. I'm thoroughly enjoying the entertainment. But it gets much better when she starts singing "If there's a wedgie in your diaper clap your hands..a wedgie in your diaper clap your hands...."

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Interesting Use of Socks

Garages....

Monday, April 13, 2009

Happy Birthday Mark!

35 years ago today my husband was born. Lucky me!!! Actually it isn't luck - it's God's divine blessing in my life and His ultimate plan. I am so thankful for all the behind the scenes work God did to bring me this man. If you even start to think of who had to marry who and who had to marry who and so on and so on, it's overwhelming. All of these things had to happen to bring me this one very special person. Hallelujah!!

I had to take pictures of pictures so forgive the quality, but you had to see this guy as a baby!

He's had those awesome lips since the very beginning!

He's 5, I believe, in this picture. It wasn't long after this that he had that mole removed. Don't ya just love that 70's hair? It's totally back in style....

And this is how he looked when I met him. So handsome!

I have so many great pictures of him. I picked out some of the best. Hope you enjoy Mark's life in pictures!

This one was taken by our friend Carol Cardwell right after Kale was born.
I love it!

This is one of my favorites from Kale's early days. Two peas in a pod!

Always the comedian and having fun.

Fly fishing on the San Juan. Did you know he likes to fly fish? He just doesn't have a lot of time or someone to go with unless his dad comes down. He likes to tie flies too.

This is on his princess' first birthday.

At a Bronco game last year. He had a blast.

Teaching his children the tricks to his goofiness. He's such a good dad.

From his adventures in the slot canyons this past September.
A trip he still talks about.

From a game of Quelf. He's such a good sport.

Teaching Jack early how to have fun.

I wish I had a picture of this but on his 25th birthday he rode an elephant in Thailand! So cool. Unfortunately on his 35th birthday he's been officially diagnosed with the flu. So he's home sleeping. Poor guy.

But it's still his birthday so happy birthday Mark. I can't wait to celebrate a hundred more with you!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

It wouldn't be easter without dressing up the kids!

This morning started off a little crazy. Jack was the only one who was okay with what I dressed him in. [Mark left early this morning. He was singing in the worship team.] The other two had an opinion. Okay, lots of opinions. But we made it out with clothes and shoes. It was a miracle.

Note Kate's princess crocs. I told her that her blue dress was like Cinderella's so she insisted that she wear princess shoes. Makes sense to every 3 year old I'm sure. I decided not to argue that point. I mean, I got her to wear the cute dress....

Kale didn't want a tie {believe me I tried} but he looked pretty cool.

We caught him in a "normal" moment.

See what I mean when I say caught in a "normal" moment....

They like each other. They really do! {at least sometimes...}

Don't let the cuteness fool you - they're totally sugared up thanks to Children's Ministry ;)

Jack certainly looks like he's enjoying himself don't ya think?
Nothing like big brother's help.

Little Jack-man. Sitting all by himself. *sigh* He's growing up so fast!
7 months old tomorrow!

Passion Play Pictures

Here are a couple pictures of my boys in the Passion play. Stinkin' cute! I wish I could've had more but because I was with Kate and Mark was in the play this is all we got.

Mark sang a solo in the beginning and Kale came in with Jesus on Palm Sunday. Kale took his part very seriously. Even calling it his "job". He had a blast.

I'm not so sure they had sunglasses in ancient Jerusalem but
whatever works for those tough pictures...

Celebrate with us...

...just as He said.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

He's in!

Mark got up this morning at 9:30. He was so thankful to sleep in. I'm sure his body needed the extra sleep. He's had moments of achy-ness but overall is doing well. He's in for tonight. Thank goodness. Thank you for your prayers! Can't wait to post pictures of the play.

If you have a few minutes tonight at 7pm MST click here to see the play. Mark and Kale are both in the first 10 minutes of the play. Mark sings a solo and Kale comes in with Jesus. They're both awesome!

Maybe I spoke too soon....

I'm sitting on my living room floor with Mark's lap top. Jack, my very consistent 7am alarm clock, is playing. I'm drinking a cup of warmed up coffee and listening to it rain/snow outside. It's kinda cozy. The rest of the family is blissfully asleep. Kale was at the play last night and didn't get home till late. I don't expect him to get up till around 8:30 or so. Little guy needs the sleep.

Thursday he was complaining that is ear hurt. Friday was no different but he added a slight fever. So I took him to the Dr Friday afternoon and sure enough, he has an ear infection. So we made our umpteenth trip to the pharmacist to get some medicine to help the poor guy. Good news is that it's not the flu and an ear infection is easily curable and Kale can still do stuff with some ibuprofen. I'm sure he's exhausted though.

I had one of those nights where you're sure you slept some but it didn't really feel like it. Ever have those times? Either my mind was entirely overactive and I was just remembering every dream or I slept very lightly.

I felt like I had lain (or is it laid? I never know) awake for several hours after I went to bed. Around 1 I got up with Kate who was coughing uncontrollably. Poor thing just coughs and coughs and it keeps her awake. I went to go give her the prescription cough medicine - she hates it - just so she could get some much needed sleep.

When I returned to bed Mark was awake and freezing. Uh oh. Not a good sign. He finally got up about 1:30 and took a steaming hot shower so he could try and warm up. Then came to bed dressed in winter clothes. I was thinking the room was boiling hot actually... I took his temperature with our new head thermometer. {sidenote - it's really a cool thermometer. Quick. Easy. Expensive! I told Mark that for the price we paid for it, it should write prescriptions too.} He was hot (I took it before and after the shower and they were the same).

Mark is sleeping right now so I'm not sure how he's gonna feel when he wakes up. He's supposed to sing tonight for the last night of the Passion Play. I'm praying and praying he doesn't have the flu! I think that if he has the flu then it'll be like I'm pulling the wagon loaded up with our kids and the two back wheels are flat. Much, much harder.

So until everyone gets up I'm going to sit on the floor, enjoy my coffee and the quiet peacefulness and my baby, and pray and pray that the flu is not sticking around!

Friday, April 10, 2009

On our way back!

It has been five days now since Kate came down with the flu. Five days of fighting over medicine, snuggling a seriously hot girly, cleaning up stomach contents, sanitizing hands and everything else, watching movie after movie after cartoon after movie, sitting in this stuffy "sick feeling" house, taking temperatures, calming a very hurting sweet chica and praying and praying that no one else gets it. This morning was the first morning that she woke up without a fever! Normally I have to meet her in her room first thing in the morning with a cup of ibuprofen. Then it takes an hour or so bring her temperature down. But today her temp was almost normal. She's not normal yet but we're on our way back.

Today is the final day of the yucky medicine. Grape juice works a little better to mask the taste but she still really hates it. Thank goodness we're almost done with that!

She's refusing to put clothes on. Right now she prefers to run around in her diaper. Whatever. We're not going anywhere.

She's taken a nap every afternoon this week. That's a miracle in itself! And proof that she really was sick.

We're looking forward to sunshine, outdoors and lots of playing. Maybe next week?

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Thankful Thursday - Easter

Easter is a big deal. It's a huge deal.
It's not about bunnies, fake grass, chocolate or eggs.
It's about Jesus.
The Jesus.
The one and only Jesus.
Jesus who loves us. Jesus who lived and died for us.
Jesus who rose again...for us.
He did this for each one of us, whether you believe it or not. He would do it again. You. Me. We're the same. He loves us all.
He wants to be with us all...for eternity.
Without Easter, December 25th is just another day.
His life meant everything...His death meant everything...
He conquered death.
He lives still.
It means everything to me.
And I am thankful.
So very thankful...

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Monkeying Around

The other day we were at the church painting and Mark took Jack upstairs to entertain him so I could get stuff done. Next thing I know this picture is posted on facebook. I love it!

Day 2 or is it 3?

I am finally able to post an update on Kate while drinking delicious coffee! We had no power for about 2 1/2 hours this morning. It's amazing what you miss when you don't have power...

Anyway, I don't know if this is day 2 or 3. Day 2 since she went to the Dr and really Day 3 since she's been sick. Oh well...back to my point. She is not a whole lot better yet. She has moments of feeling great {usually soon after the ibuprofen kicks in} then goes down hill as it wears off. It's such a challenge because I know she's so very miserable. Her whole body hurts, she's hot then cold then hot [she's had a temp of 102], and she's coughing a lot and throwing up occasionally {especially if she has a major coughing fit}. I've been trying to keep her calm and restful to reduce the coughing but it doesn't always work. I can't get her to sit still long enough to take her temperature. I think I need one of those quick head thermometer thingys. She might be okay with that.

I've faced some challenges in the last couple days. One being getting her to sit still - movies are helping but I really am so over disney princess movies {has anyone ever noticed that Ariel walks and dances very quickly after getting a brand new pair of legs?}. We watched more movies yesterday then we've watched in a month. Kinda makes me feel yucky and lazy but I know it's what will keep her on the couch. Unfortunately Kale's there too...

Another challenge is getting her to take her nasty flu medicine. The medicine isn't going to fix her but it's supposed to shorten the duration of the flu and lessen some of the symptoms. She hates it! I've been so lucky for 5 years of giving kids medicine. Grape, cherry, bubble gum, fruit punch flavored tylenol or ibuprofen and yummy tasting medicine for ear infections and strep. Never have I had to figure out how to give my kid medicine that tastes horrible. Any ideas? I've bribed her with candy to help her mouth taste better after she swallows. It worked for a couple times. The last two times she wouldn't take it even with the promise of candy. So we had to hold her and quickly squirt it into her mouth. She still got candy and that made it better. I just don't know how to make it any better!

Keeping her away from Jack and the house sanitized is also a challenge. I've been following her around with disinfectant and a bottle of hand sanitizer. I've also used disinfecting wipes on phones, remote controls, etc... She loves to hug and kiss Jack and is so upset everytime I tell her to stay away from him. I feel so bad but since he's so little he could get very sick if he got the flu. I have to try and keep track and make sure I'm cleaning my hands when going from child to child. And I'm hoping and praying that neither Mark or I get it. Mark is in the Passion Play at church tonight, tomorrow, Friday and Saturday nights. He's singing the first song. Not so good if he has the flu. And if I get it?! I can't even think about what home life would be like if I got it :) Every time I feel a little bit of an ache I get nervous. So far I'm fine though. What a year to put off getting the flu shot!!! I've gotten one since Kale was born and couldn't fit it into my schedule this year. Bummer.

We'll probably be in our house for a few more days. Kate is contagious as long as she has a fever. I really hope that she'll be better for Easter. That's a busy day for us.

Thank you to all of you who are praying. I so appreciate it. I'll post again later. Oh and the pictures of her modeling were taken last Friday. Just hadn't posted them yet.

PS. On a totally different subject, I am sorry to report that we lost Poncho Villa and Leah (Kale's fish) a couple days ago. Louie is still around although we're not sure why. Must be something very wrong with the water in the tank. Hmmm.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

M*del Behavior

Kate was working it for the camera. She cracks us up!

Elk!

Saturday night we were sitting at the table eating delicious soup with my parents and I look out our back window and saw elk. We don't usually see elk around our house so it was a fun event. My dad and Mark took Kale and Kate for a closer look. Here are a few of the beautiful pictures Mark took.

This is our shout out to Uncle Micah. We like elk too :)

Monday, April 6, 2009

If you think of us, please pray

Just wanted to ask for prayer. I just got back from the Dr with Kate and Jack. Kate woke up this morning with a high fever and really hasn't been her self today. I was hoping strep (I know that's a weird hope but I knew what to expect with strep and know it can be over quickly). The diagnosis is Influenza A. Even worse is that she was vaccinated for it!

So as long as she has a fever she is contagious. I am praying and praying that Mark, Jack and I are safe. Non of us were vaccinated. Kale was but you see how well that worked for Kate... It can be very dangerous if Jack gets it. So I'm spraying disinfectant and santizing all over the place!!!

Thanks for your prayers. This week is Passion Play and Mark will be gone every night except for tomorrow. Busy week!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Just Jack

Jack starting sitting up this past week. He's a little wobbly but for the most part can do very well. I sit him up with a pillow behind him to catch him when he falls. He seems to really enjoy the new view of the world.

He also had a great time playing with Papa-Bob-O {my dad}.

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

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Saturday, April 25, 2009

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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

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Friday, April 17, 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Monday, April 13, 2009

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Monday, April 6, 2009

Sunday, April 5, 2009