I love naps!

A quick blog before a nap.

This week was a back to normal routine, followed by a wonderful visit by my in laws who were able to come for Luke's Grandparents Day, YIPPEE for living close enough to do this!) But I am tired.... I'm sure some of that is recovery from the excitement from Princess' birth on Monday.

Today after church, I announced a nap was necessary as I work everyday next week. Ed justified it to the kids that the Dr. said it would be up to 6 weeks before I felt normal. Luke jumps in to add "But normal is being tired!" I had a good chuckle and Ed tried to explain anemia and tummy pain causes fatigue too. He didn't add overweight and out of shape, but he sure could have!

Differences of opinion

I LOVE OUR CONGREGATION!! Every night a hot wonderful delicious supper comes to our door by 6. Most of the women are older and all of them KNOW HOW TO COOK!
WE ARE BLESSED!!!

Leah doesn't agree.

Last night driving home from the sitter...

Leah: What is for supper tonight?
Me: I don't know, some nice grandma from church is bringing us supper.
Leah: (all too common lately, hysterical fit with tears) I don't want a grandma supper.
Me: But it's such GOOD FOOD!
Leah: I don't want GOOD food...... I want OUR food!

Boy, doesn't that speak volumes on my cooking!

EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT ---

My surgery has kinda upset our family. Or at least our egos. Last night, Luke told me....

Luke: The "small city journal" called for you.
Me: Oh..... (with some admitted indifference).
Luke: "I asked her if she wanted to write a story about my flu or your surgery"
Me: (attention gathered) What did she say?
Luke: Well she didn't say anything for a minute, then she said she'd call back when you could talk to her.
Me: Lukey... all she wanted was to sell us a subscription. The flu and a hysterectomy is not news.
Luke: Are you sure......

The next day a young women called from the "small city journal" to sell a subscription. I thought about telling her all about the flu and my surgery.... for an instance before politely declining. But if they continue to call and call and call like the "Seminary city newspapers", I'm more than willing to share details.

Quarantined

THE. LITTLE. ONES. HAVE. THE. STOMACH. FLU. I found out last night when my son leaned over me to tell me he was going to throw up and then used my soft fleshy belly to push all his weight up! OUCH! My stitches came out today and prayers would be appreciated that Mom doesn't get the flu next! The Lysol can came back out in force!

BEDREST

Ed gave me Kate*Gosslin's book for Christmas. She had a section on bedrest,turns out she always imagined a mother on bedrest getting a perfect breakfast in bed, bluebirds out her windows and a perfect manicure. Turns out bedrest was nothing like that for her.. or me! I was most looking forward to recovering at home..... nothing fancy. Basically sleep when desired and watching some TV.

My first day started with a ice storm and 2 hour delay. Good thing school was actually cancelled as my 5 year old was dressed in Tasha's cowboy dance costume. She did have pink tights with florescent hearts on them. They were perfect, because the cowboy print skirt had slits up to her hips! Sleep was interrupted by "JUST WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO FOR FUN??" "I WANT TO DO GIRL STUFF!" "I WANT MY TOES PAINTED!" "I can't find my Mermaid movie!"

I chose my best parenting tool to keep the fights on the low end.... separate televisions in separate rooms. I know ---- ingenious!! But that means no Mommy TV shows. Turns out today, Leah is a big fan of the Wiggles! In fact, she watched the same show 3 times in succession! The third time, Luke (but he'd never admit it) came in to watch as well. Of course that sends Leah into hysteria, because my bedroom is only for girls! GOOD TIMES!

After Ed came home, everything was much better!! Lots of birthday cards in the mail, presents, cake and a homemade dinner not home made by ME! Turns out meals will be coming in for the next 10 days! YIPPEE!!! There's no ice predicted for tomorrow... so I get to try the recuperating thing at home again. Today was actually a wonderful day with wonderful phone calls! Thanks ladies, you made my day much better!!!!

Surgery is DONE!

Back now at "home" (my mother in law's house, in DSM.) I wouldn't say I'm in any much more discomfort than I was before the hysterectomy. However, I was allergic to one of the beautiful flowers I received and ouch, sneezing did hurt. Ibuprofen takes the pain to a manageable level. All in all, I highly recommend a robotic surgery! Well off to rest before the kiddos return from their playdates! Thanks for all of the prayers! Will update more later!

Surgery update

My doctor really wants to use the Robot and the surgery to be at a certain hospital... enough that he opened up one of his days off. March 6 is the big day and I am relieved. Turns out I have enough to keep me busy until then with physicals, EKG and getting insurance records etc... The surgery nurse says to plan for 3 to 4 weeks off. That's much different then the Doctor's input of 2 weeks.... so we shall see. Then there will be follow up in DSM in 2 weeks and hopefully a princess niece babe to see born and my month of March should be pretty exciting. Then the exciting month of April with Call Day on the 22nd and then graduation on May 22. These are Ed's big days.... but the seminary women out there know that these are big days for the family as well! Packing in June, and vacation to CO in July. Exciting times ahead! I am glad to be getting this trouble out to the way.

Random Bullets

My blog has been seriously neglected! Here's what we have been up to the past 2 weeks.

* Yesterday was GOTCHA DAY. 9 years ago the Judge said YES!!! The kids have so much fun (and so do Mom and Dad) just having a special day for the 4 of us. We celebrated a night early by going to finally get Leah's 5 year old pictures, pictures with American Girl, Marissa and some retakes of Luke's fall school pictures. Then we dined at IHOP. Luke's favorite..... funny face pancakes. Luke loves rehearing the adoption story and we love sneaking in extra hugs and whispering the judge said "YES". We are also sadly praying for good friends of ours that recently heard a "NO". The tremendous blessing of adoption and God's precious ways of creating family is not lost on us.

*SATURDAY MORNINGS and some afternoons are spent around YMCA boys basketball. Luke has decided this is his sport and really gets into it!

* Preparing for a NEW NIECE. Last weekend we went to DSM and helped finish up her nursery. My sister kept saying it's not PINK enough. Turns out Leah is a little jealous.... pink is her color! Sorry Leah.... but take heart there is enough glittery pink for many girls! Folding Leah's hand me downs into the new princess' drawers is a huge eye opener. The past 5 years have flown by!

* I am 90 percent sure I will be having "female surgery" on Wednesday in DSM.(Male readers can turn away now) The past 6 weeks have been spent in some pain and getting tests and second opinions. My doctor wanted to do a robotic laproscopy to save as much as possible... but scheduling has been difficult as the Robot is pretty popular. I definitely need my left ovary removed and endometriosis burned. But on Friday, my doctor decided to do a complete hysterectomy. I am actually looking forward to a completion of this!

* I am also planning a trip to Seminary City in 58 some days. Not that we are counting! We did find out that we will be moving somewhere hopefully in Iowa. Ed will be getting a smaller church and our vicarage church will be looking for a Pastor that can continue the Vicarage program that has been a blessing to the church and the seminaries as well. A pastor needs to have 5 years of experience before training a vicar. We have been grateful for this experience and are anxious to hear what plans God has for Ed and our family. Soon we will be getting out the boxes.

More changes and more Blessings for our family!

Short Post

Short post.
Not much energy.
Long day at school.
Went to the YMCA to exercise.
Hopefully, thinner me at ordination!

YUMMM!

All of the zucchini is put up (or made into bread), 12 quarts of sweet corn and the tomatoes are frozen, with a bowl set aside for tomorrows BLT and salad. I am loving baked zucchini, onion and tomato casserole! If I can stay away from the bread...I just might lose this weight! I am told the zucchini will turn watery in the freezer and makes the best vegetable broth for soup.....YUMMMM! 1 point WW soup!!

My patient LOVES to swing....I push him higher and higher for 3 twenty minute recesses. Tonight my upper body is telling me that this will either kill me or be good for me. I'm sure I'll survive....I've got more good food to eat.....I'm thinking the apples will be coming soon!

Vacation highlights

Wow -- what a week!

Luke and I had a blast!! Luke loved riding an airplane. We were unable to sit together....but he made new friends....and shot me looks making it quite clear that he didn't need a Mom reassuring him in front of his new 20-something buddies!

We loved reconnecting with Ann and family.....just picking up from our last visit. Luke and Owen have been friends -- as Luke says "since we have been born!" Ann and I met when she was pregnant and we were waiting for Luke. Both boys have been named for Star Wars (even if I didn't realise it at the time!) The light sabers and wii received a lot of attention. Ann lives in a very beautiful state!!!! It was a joy to drive. We checked out a really neat amusement park and all the extra perks it had to offer! The kids loved the park and played non stop.....having to be separated at bedtime if anyone was going to get any sleep. Ann and I found a million things to talk about and I was able to attend a prayer meeting at her new church!

On Thursday, Luke and I drove to the Ocean!!!!! His reaction was the same as Leah's pure LOVE!! He said a million times "I'll never forget this". We splashed in the ice cold waves and then walked the boardwalks....and won a Pokemon. In the morning, we found a new beach and played in the sand. All was perfect until the flight home when my ear drum ruptured as the plane doors closed. The stewardesses insisted I not complete the trip home and at our mid stop....I received the same news from my Dr. God again provided this city as home to my brother in law and his lovely wife. We were going to visit them on Sunday anyway....so Ed and Leah drove down today and we will leave a day early. My ear is muffled and crackles....but a cotton ball is all that I need for comfort. I will see my Dr on Monday or Tuesday.....but should recover fine (If I stay out of the air for a while!)

Tomorrow, we will tour this fine city and will have lots more to share I'm sure! I also need to tell you about my experiences with my loaned child "Jill the GPS system" and Ed's visit to our new home and church. But off to bed now to recover from "jet lag" and prepare for more fun!

Now I have a massive headache....but SHHHHH, don't tell

OH MY!!!!

My goal today was to complete the hunt for short term insurance for our family as my insurance ceases on my last day of work. YUCK!!! We were approved some weeks ago for an online insurance company, that desperately wanted me to sign ---But, as an admission nurse.....I know all to well what a poor insurance plan gets you...not too far.

So, I start with some tried and true Iowa plans. After a couple of phone calls to Ed and a big leap of faith.....a 15 minute application....turns into over an hour!! I hate lying, so always try to always be forthcoming. But even as a nurse....is constipation a bowel disorder? Not in my book....as ALL of my patients suffer from this (and a child or 2 of mine). But, I figure whatever I have ever read on the doctors billing form.....every insurance company knows about it anyway. So my application has "mild" this and "mild" that all over it. I know people who would say I was crazy (maybe I am). But I guess I'd rather by denied and go with a e insurance plan then leave something out and be "caught" in an omission. I even put down my doctor's recommendation to "move away from this city by the big river" ASAP and my asthma and allergies should go away. LOL! Now I see what the average "John Doe" does to get insurance (if the hospital they work for doesn't make getting insurance so easy.) Now is the waiting game, but the homework part is hopefully over. WHEW!!!

The crud

The crud has been here since the weekend and is not going away. Poor Mermaid Girl just isn't getting better... Flu and now a superimposed ear infection. She now has antibiotics and hopefully she will be back to dancing soon! Every hour or so she wants me to recheck her throat. She doesn't want to listen to nurse or mommy theories....just get the flashlight out and dispense sympathy in big doses. We have called Grandma several times and she loves hearing my "Dear God -- it's Mommy" prayers. I know illness has struck many households, many of our co-student families also have the respiratory junk. I just read from one Mom that Vicks on the feet calms a cough. FYI --- It works but no one wants to come near us!
Blessings for Good Health in your homes!
Patty

Cravings

First 12 hours without Dr Pepper

* My son cuts his long sleeves off his Star Wars t shirt on the school playground as it hit 70 today and then fell to 20's in about 3 hours
* I broke the combination window and B worked 30 minutes to fix it (In the flurry 20's)
* Doing Pilates off a DVR recording, my 4 year old chimes "Mommy you aren't even doing it good like the easy lady." "Mommy get your tummy up." "Mommy are you crying?" As she twists her self into a pretzel just like the 'advanced level lady"

Is there DP anonymous?

Hi, My name is Patty and I am ADDICTED to Dr Pepper! I can admit it...but don't want to quit. I can follow any diet, and actually exercise..but am unable to give up my kick from Dr. Pepper. Since I don't do diet soda, or coffee --all that's left is Vivarin (I've actually considered this as an option). I do have tea....especially iced tea but my kidneys go into overtime and this does not always work in nursing....but my doctor insists on weight loss....and I'll have more energy, feel better, smile more and actually fit into 75 % of the clothes in my closet. So I went to Wally World and paid full price for a Mr. Coffee Iced tea maker, because when I go off the DP -- I need lots of cold tea and fast to get through my day. I have NO DP in the house and the stupid (00ps - hope little ears in my house won't read that word) pitcher has a crack from top to bottom. Now I have to go back in line at Wally World to return it -- or stay hooked on DP. Lets hope I still have the motivation to quit when I see how crowded the parking lot is.

I am an expert at sleep!

Well the sleep study was interesting. The nice tech said "I won't tell if you passed and I won't tell if you didn't pass". I think I passed though, because she had me test out all of these masks and I never had to use them. I am relieved because the masks are really claustrophobic and the only one that wasn't puts a lot of pressure on the eustachian tubes. I don't desire either one. Basicly EEG electrobes were Super glued to my head, EKG electrobes were placed and wires on my legs, then a vibration microphone place on my throat (tests snoring), and bands placed on my lower and upper chest. Oxygen prongs were placed in my nostrils and above my mouth. Then all of these plugged into a box next to me. It took forever to fall asleep. Mostly, because despite all my medical knowledge-- I was scared they could read my mind!! 2 electrobes came off initially, then I learned how to turn avoiding the leg wires -- but my wrists were all tied up in the morning. I guess that is pretty common. She used a chemical to take the glue off my scalp and it didn't hurt at all. I see the pulmonologist tomorrow, hopefully he will have the results.
Tomorrow I have a mandatory medical insurance body mass index and blood test. All of the employees need to do this -- well it's not mandatory - but it will cost about $50 more a month for my insurance if I don't -- Makes it mandatory in my book! The worst part is my appointment is 4:40 pm and I need to fast for 8 hours. Thank goodness, I can at least have breakfast! And all the water I want! (but- no Dr. Pepper ) :-(