{Ahh..the little things}

*blink*

and the week is nearly over.

No blogging, no picture taking, nothing but busy days flying by.

Also, when there is bad/sad news I hate to bring others down, yet want to share my life here too.  I'm conflicted.  Life is not always happy, but in most cases, I chose to share the happier side of life -  I think most bloggers do.

My cousin lost her boyfriend/fiance this week.  He had been in a car accident back in the fall, and had a few injuries, but not anything life threatening.  While in the hospital, he was on pain meds and recovering normally, when he went into heart failure.  It was speculated that he was over-medicated when it happened - who knows?  Anyway, he was resuscitated, but it took 20 minutes.  He was alive, but was severely brain damaged.  He never got out of bed again, lived in a nursing home, and was not able to communicate other than an occasional eye blink or partial smile.  The family never gave up hope that he would come out of it, but his body just gave up. It has been so tough on my cousin.  The ups & downs were hard.  Trying to decided when/if the end was coming has been heart breaking.  I hope his passing gives her some peace.  As much as it hurts to lose him, she has to know he is free from his unable body.  Such a sad story.

Of course, with all that is going on with Jeff, it makes Dave's passing harder too.  We could not help but compare him with Dave from the beginning. However, there have been some positive changes with Jeff this week though.  They did begin to wake him up, and his brain swelling stopped, and he is slowly starting to come out of it.  He has tried sitting up, grabbing his pillows, etc.  He has not responded to pain in his hands yet, but it is still early they say.  Yesterday he underwent surgery to place his feeding tube directly in his stomach to free up his mouth for normal breathing.  Last night they said he was still sedated from the surgery so he was not as "active" as the day before, but they are hoping to see more &more movement with each day.  I pray they are right.  Now that he is stabilizing, we just wait to see what functions he has.  Waiting is so hard.

Like everyone else, the economy is affecting my extended family.  Jobs are being lost, but spirits are NOT broken, and that makes me feel like a very lucky person.  I have a strong, loving family & I am so very proud of that.  Hard working people who will not give up.  Amazing.

peace

Tonight I am going to bed feeling it. 

And such a wonderful feeling it is  :)

simple joy sunday #4

Not of all of these things are about today, but here are a few things I am happy about as I end this weekend...

• a fun Friday night - we surprised my Dad's wife with a little birthday party, complete with lights off and jumping out at her :)
• "girls day" yesterday with Ellie, my best friend & her daughter.  We took them to see Coraline and I thought it was a very good movie (more for older children) with a good message about being happy with what you have/who you are
• the message at church today, after not attending as a family for quite some time - it was amazing how perfectly it "fit"
• coming HOME after a busy day - though it is a disaster area, it still feels great to be here
• my TV time tonight - can't wait

over-scheduled

My step-sister informed me yesterday that I am over-scheduled.  What? Who me?  Well, of course I am, I have four kids.  The problem I now have - how do I change it? 

Do you attend every birthday party?  Every girl scout function?  Every craft/purse/food party that you are invited to?  For the most part, we do.  Most of the things on our schedule are fun things that I know the kids will enjoy, so we go.  But when do you say when?

I am thinking it is time when I am frustrated that I have to go buy another toy for another kid's birthday party.  Isn't gift giving supposed to be joyful?  Uh-oh...

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Wednesday night we finally were able to go see Jeff.  They've been asking for only family, but after a little bit of a scare on Tuesday (which turned out to be mis-understandings, really) I told Harrythat he must go see him.  All it took was a phone call from the family, and we were given the okay to go into the ICU and visit him.  Harry really did not want to see him like that, and I understand, but I also did not want it to be too late and for him to have any regret.

So, we get the sitter lined up and head down to the hospital.  Let me just say this - my husband HATES hospitals and sick people and medical intervention, etc. He is the type of person that avoids funerals at all cost - no matter who it is.  This was not something that was easy for him to do.  He lasted in the room all of about 2 seconds, after just glancing around the curtain at the room's entry.  I let the nurse know tat he would like a chance to talk with them if she had a chance because all of the info we were getting was passed through other people.  I never looked around the curtain, just followed my husband out into the hallway.  The nurse came out to talk with us, and it was nice to see how well she is caring for him.  She told us what they had been doing, and what the "plans" for the near future will be.  But mostly she just reminded us that giving it time/waiting was the main thing to do now.

As of yesterday he had been in the induced coma for two weeks.  MOST times, a neurologist will not let that go on much longer.  They have had cases where they have waited a month, but that was rare - two weeks was a good time to start to try to "wake him up" and that process will take 3- 7 days.  His CT's are good (improved actually), but his swelling is still not under control.  In the next few days they'd like to see continued improvement.  If they do, they will start to wean him out of the coma.  That is when we will be able to find out what kind of brain function he still has.  I am anxious for the days ahead.  I want them to come quickly to know what is next.  But I am also afraid of what is next.  The family has already decided (or so they think thus far) that they will take care of him at home - no matter what.  The nurse told Harry & I that if he is without much function, that will not even be possible.  Eventually, they may have ddecisions to make about how they "define life" - I pray that they do not have to do this.  I will keep you all updated as soon as I hear anything. 

smiling

Today I am smiling because I braved unexplored territory today. A whole chicken! I am currently cooking one in my crock pot.  I decided to try it because I've heard it is VERY good, and because I am trying my best to spend less $$ right now & from what I've been told - you can get a few meals out of one chicken.  My "plan" for the broth and leftovers is to try to make chicken tortilla soup.  I've never actually even tried it, but I love everything that is in it, so I am sure it will be something that I like. 

I am also smiling because I get to spend my days with this girl...

I know there is alot of action/noise in the back ground, but I could not help but capture this on video anyway  :)

for the love of art

I've got a post up at Midwest Parents today about my kids & their love of all things ART - go check it out.  I'd love to know what you think!

Simple Joy Sunday #3

• the sunshine this morning
• an almost perfect Valentine's day - I made the kids a fun breakfast and spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching my DVR'd shows.  The kids played well all day, and I spent more time on the couch than I have in a very long time.  It felt wonderful :)
• a visit to see Grandma and Grandpa & cousins at the lake today - the kids are SO excited
• last night's dinner - I ordered pizza and continued to relax
• laughing in bed with my husband this morning  - isn't that the best?  I love that after all of these years, we still laugh at/with each other!

Join us in taking joy in the simple things today - let Heather know in her comments & she will add your link - it's that easy!

* eta: The picture is of my gift from Zander - you all know I love me a crafty gift  :)  And I also updated my photo blog today & added some cute pictures from this week (I was quite a few days behind)!

Miss Ellie - part 3

If you have followed her story this far, you know she has been very excited about this day...

Here she is with her new glasses :)

a zoo

Our house resembles a ZOO right now, literally!

There are animals (stuffed) everywhere - the kids have been playing like crazy while I've been not feeling well (again) and Harry has been letting them have fun & be kids.  They are as happy as can be with the mess, so we are trying to enjoy it too  :)

Last night, as I dodged toys/animals/etc I told Harry that this place was ridiculous!  Then, immediately after I said that it was okay as long as no one just stops by.  We laughed and he said - we have FOUR kids.  Sure enough, an hour later there was a knock at the door.  His friend stopped by to ck on Jeff.  Of course, I  kept saying things about the mess and he laughed telling me that he lives in house full of ADULTS that is just the same.  I felt much better :)

Speaking of Jeff , there has not been much change this week.  He does have pneumonia now & keeps getting a fever, but they seem to have it under control.  He is still in an induced coma because with each visitor, or nurse/Dr. visit his brain was getting over-stimulated & swelling again.  They say it could stay this way for weeks.  Thankfully, we have sort-of "settled into" things and feel like most days, no news=good news.   Thanks for the continued thoughts/prayers!

I was feeling better this weekend, and back to feeling the back pain the last few days, so I went back to have it ck'd out again. Turns out, I have a kidney infection now!  This has not been a good few weeks for me  :(  I am starting to feel better today after starting an antibiotic yesterday, but I'm very run down.  I am looking forward to a little relaxing tonight, because tomorrow the kids have their Valentine parties, and I am needed to help out with them.  Then, hopefully the weekend will bring lots of down time - I need it!

awards

The big kids had their awards ceremonies today.  The school has one each grading period, and so far, the kids have always been a part of it.  They are both getting very good grades (usually straight A's, but Kaden had his first B this time!) and also get the "Fantastic Falcon" award for various other things including working hard, completing assignments, good parent/teacher communication, etc.  We are so proud of them :)

 

 

I was also very proud of Ava who tried her best to sit nicely through the ceremony.  After Ellie's group, she was getting restless & Ellie's teacher offered to take her back to their class room during Kaden's group!  She had such fun with all of the little girls fussing over her :)  They also had story time, and the teacher chose a Clifford book knowing that Ava would love it, and she did.  She blew kisses to everyone as we left - they loved having her for a visit!

Speaking of visitors - I had mentioned last week that the kids had a special visitor coming to school...it was the Governor!  He was visiting schools around Ohio to promote his education reform plan and of 214 schools, he was visiting 8 - ours happened to be one of them!  Kaden was featured front page on our local paper  talking with him. The kids all thought it was great & watched the news that night eagerly to see if they might see themselves.  The school made such a big deal of it, asking the kids to dress up and use their manners, etc.  They were very proud when Mr. Strick la.nd told the teacher/principal that he was very impressed with all of the students :)