It has been a busy, yet not very bloggable, day. I have had no fun filled trips to any pizza eateries, no strange encounters with people even weirder than I. I am very tired, yet again, so it is definitely effecting my ability(such as it is)to write. Last week were the always stressful TCAPS, so this week is a nice change for sure. As a fifth grader, S had to take a writing assessment that was an early part of the TCAP process. It is given a rating of 1-6, with six being the best. There had been many practices and many tears shed for what she thought had been good attempts that were not received well.
After weeks of waiting, the results came back. She got in the car beaming, after receiving a.....6! She worked her bony little rear end off for that. I am so proud of the hard work she put in to earn that. And now I can take a wee little sigh of relief.
Not too much longer and elementary school will be in the books for her. I can't think about that just yet...I don't need sad tears tonight. Just savoring the happy tears from seeing that sweet little beaming face.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
What a beautiful day
I am exhausted, but in a good way. My feet hurt, arms ache, nose full of pollen...but I don't mind. After a nice morning at church, I did something that I do maybe twice a year on a Sunday. I mowed the lawn. Do I judge people for mowing on Sundays? No. I do skulk while doing it, because I am waiting for my parents to come out on pop me in the back of the head. Sundays were reserved for church, a nap, homework and maybe a picnic. No lawn mowing. But, alas, I did it and it looks nice. Saturday just ran out of light before I got to it. After mowing, the paper needed to be read, dishes needed to be done and laundry needed to be folded. My poor husband has had to stop his only non drowsy anti inflammatory for his back, due to the fact that he will be having a procedure next week to help it, so he can only writhe in pain these days. I feel so bad for him, but hopefully Thursday will be the start of relief. Anyway, I feel the pressure to get as much done as possible during the weekend. The kids played outside for six hours this afternoon. What a gorgeous day to be a kid and play outside until dropping from exhaustion! Not sweltering, just perfect. I regret not taking a picture of them as they emerged from playing in the woods, covered with dirt from head to toe. A beautiful sight.
The other exciting thing at our house is our yearly visit from the chickadees. We have what once was a decorative little blue birdhouse. We are in our fourth year of having them stay at our little blue inn to expand their family. The mom and dad sit on a branch and chatter in varying levels of excitement, depending on how close we are to their babies. They dart like little torpedoes, delivering worms and creatures for their babies' meals. The hub got a picture today:
They are so cute. Just another beautiful way to show God's handiwork in nature.
I am so thankful for beautiful days like today that remind us how blessed we are. Now I think I will go collapse.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The other exciting thing at our house is our yearly visit from the chickadees. We have what once was a decorative little blue birdhouse. We are in our fourth year of having them stay at our little blue inn to expand their family. The mom and dad sit on a branch and chatter in varying levels of excitement, depending on how close we are to their babies. They dart like little torpedoes, delivering worms and creatures for their babies' meals. The hub got a picture today:
They are so cute. Just another beautiful way to show God's handiwork in nature.
I am so thankful for beautiful days like today that remind us how blessed we are. Now I think I will go collapse.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The Hungry People
Today was yet another soccer Saturday. S was not allowed to play due to her recent use of her ear as a soccer goal. The other two played and won their games. Their teams really worked together today. Really nice to watch.
As it happens every April, our Sunday school class was in charge of our church's Open Door Community Meal. This meal was originally created to unite all walks of life at church for a devotion, music and some free dinner. In more recent years, it has become more of a meal for those lonely or less fortunate...people who may not know where their next meal is coming from. "The Hungry People" as the boy says. Until our girls went to public school, they really didn't understand the "hungry people" concept. When you've never had to wonder where your next meal is coming from, it is hard to understand being truly hungry. As soon as they were old enough, we let them participate by rolling silverware or putting placemats on the tables. Then they graduated to taking drinks to the tables or bringing a plate of dessert. Once they went to school, they were shocked to find out that classmates only got food when they went to school or they shoved rolls and ketchup packets in their pockets to take home. Absolutely heartbreaking. This event has become one of their favorite activities at church. They love the preparation, the serving, the interaction with the guests, the good feelings that accompany selflessness. So you can imagine the moaning and gnashing of teeth when they found out they were staying home this time to help Daddy with his bad back. While the reaction got somewhat annoying after a while, as a parent it warmed my sometimes jaded heart to know how much they enjoyed serving. We can preach and throw scripture and big words and complicated theology at people until we are spent. These things are important, but when scripture is shown to our children by loving and serving those less fortunate, they get it and it sticks.
Thank God for the "Hungry People" and what they have taught me and my family. It brings me to my knees when I realize how blessed we are and how we forget to be thankful.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
As it happens every April, our Sunday school class was in charge of our church's Open Door Community Meal. This meal was originally created to unite all walks of life at church for a devotion, music and some free dinner. In more recent years, it has become more of a meal for those lonely or less fortunate...people who may not know where their next meal is coming from. "The Hungry People" as the boy says. Until our girls went to public school, they really didn't understand the "hungry people" concept. When you've never had to wonder where your next meal is coming from, it is hard to understand being truly hungry. As soon as they were old enough, we let them participate by rolling silverware or putting placemats on the tables. Then they graduated to taking drinks to the tables or bringing a plate of dessert. Once they went to school, they were shocked to find out that classmates only got food when they went to school or they shoved rolls and ketchup packets in their pockets to take home. Absolutely heartbreaking. This event has become one of their favorite activities at church. They love the preparation, the serving, the interaction with the guests, the good feelings that accompany selflessness. So you can imagine the moaning and gnashing of teeth when they found out they were staying home this time to help Daddy with his bad back. While the reaction got somewhat annoying after a while, as a parent it warmed my sometimes jaded heart to know how much they enjoyed serving. We can preach and throw scripture and big words and complicated theology at people until we are spent. These things are important, but when scripture is shown to our children by loving and serving those less fortunate, they get it and it sticks.
Thank God for the "Hungry People" and what they have taught me and my family. It brings me to my knees when I realize how blessed we are and how we forget to be thankful.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, April 27, 2012
Ice cream sammitches!!!
Today was almost calm, which is scary to say. I don't want to invite any excitement. There's been enough here for a while.
As a TCAP treat, several moms have brought a special snack to S's class after lunch every day this week. Because I am my Mother's daughter, I cannot look at this task as anything but a challenge to my culinary prowess and creativity. While I am quite positive that a pack of Combos and juice box would suffice, I can't help but what I can do to wow the kids. Because of the unfortunate events of the week, no baked goods or pastry bags were used. No mixers were fired up. No precise measurements were made. I did make a long-time family favorite: ice cream sammitches. Okay, that's what I call them. Why? Because I can. Take the ice cream in the square box, cut slabs of it off and cut rounds out with a biscuit cutter. Take the round and put it between cookies. Roll the ice cream edge in chocolate chips or crushed candy. They are always a hit.
The kids enjoyed them and I was glad I made S proud. At her age, they are starting the process of being embarrassed by their parents...I didn't want that to happen today. We then took her home...she was not in any state to be making up tests this afternoon. Grace came home as well since the afternoon was likely to consist of watching movies and playing on the playground. We had a nice, laid back afternoon consisting of "Good Burger", playing outside and learning new songs on the recorder. I know, we're pretty wild like that.
We'll pray soccer Saturday holds no excitement other than a couple of wins. Report to follow tomorrow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
As a TCAP treat, several moms have brought a special snack to S's class after lunch every day this week. Because I am my Mother's daughter, I cannot look at this task as anything but a challenge to my culinary prowess and creativity. While I am quite positive that a pack of Combos and juice box would suffice, I can't help but what I can do to wow the kids. Because of the unfortunate events of the week, no baked goods or pastry bags were used. No mixers were fired up. No precise measurements were made. I did make a long-time family favorite: ice cream sammitches. Okay, that's what I call them. Why? Because I can. Take the ice cream in the square box, cut slabs of it off and cut rounds out with a biscuit cutter. Take the round and put it between cookies. Roll the ice cream edge in chocolate chips or crushed candy. They are always a hit.
The kids enjoyed them and I was glad I made S proud. At her age, they are starting the process of being embarrassed by their parents...I didn't want that to happen today. We then took her home...she was not in any state to be making up tests this afternoon. Grace came home as well since the afternoon was likely to consist of watching movies and playing on the playground. We had a nice, laid back afternoon consisting of "Good Burger", playing outside and learning new songs on the recorder. I know, we're pretty wild like that.
We'll pray soccer Saturday holds no excitement other than a couple of wins. Report to follow tomorrow.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Hit me with your best...Kindergarten shot...
Today the concussed girl went to school to take some TCAPS and the boy got him some shots. When I was preparing him for preschool this morning, he kept asking if this was the day he would get shots. After 15 minutes of changing the subject, I finally just said "Yes." I did not expect quite such a violent reaction, but I knew no grand celebrations were coming either. "Will it hurt" is always such a tricky question to answer. My tension breaking answer of late has been, "Well it's not gonna feel like puppy kisses!!!". Even that crowd pleaser did nothing to change his mood. The mention of a post-immunization milkshake buoyed his spirits immensely...one of the few times that I have said an open thank you to Ronald McDonald. School seemed to take his mind off of the impending doom and pep talks from his good buddy Pastor Daniel made him feel a bit closer to an Avenger going into battle.
He entered the office bravely and seemed to be relieved when our friend and nurse, Karen, came out to get him. once he walked through the swinging door, the bravado ended and the paranoia began. He questioned everything. Why do they need my pee? Why do shoes make that big of a difference in my height? Why are you squeezing my arm like that? He got even more inquisitive when she brought rubber gloves in the room. What are those for? What is that straw thing gonna do? The finger prick was the beginning of the drama, which gave Karen pause to think she may need to bring reinforcements at shot time. When our beloved pediatrician came in stating, "I don't do anything that hurts," the boy wouldn't look at her. After doing all her duties, she left telling Finley not to be mad at her. When Karen returned, the panic set in. Even with two of us holding him down, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Let me say a few things:
1. That boy is going to be so-o-o-o-o-oore tomorrow.
2. The hub made out like a bandit by somehow avoiding the Kindergarten check up three times.
3. After this hellish week, I am really done with doctors and hospitals and injuries.
4. When your child is injured, you really do wish it had happened to you instead.
5. Unlike some injuries, when your coach tells you to walk off a head injury....ignore him.
6. Also when your child is injured, perspective kicks you in the --- and you have no time for selfishness in others.
7. I am blessed and humbled by all the love and support during the medical freakishness that has been our life recently.
8. Ice cream really does make lots of things better.
9. The "Rushmore" soundtrack makes me happy.
10. Even though it is a sad song, Cat Stevens can make me dance whenever I hear this:
Have a good one, everybody.
He entered the office bravely and seemed to be relieved when our friend and nurse, Karen, came out to get him. once he walked through the swinging door, the bravado ended and the paranoia began. He questioned everything. Why do they need my pee? Why do shoes make that big of a difference in my height? Why are you squeezing my arm like that? He got even more inquisitive when she brought rubber gloves in the room. What are those for? What is that straw thing gonna do? The finger prick was the beginning of the drama, which gave Karen pause to think she may need to bring reinforcements at shot time. When our beloved pediatrician came in stating, "I don't do anything that hurts," the boy wouldn't look at her. After doing all her duties, she left telling Finley not to be mad at her. When Karen returned, the panic set in. Even with two of us holding him down, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Let me say a few things:
1. That boy is going to be so-o-o-o-o-oore tomorrow.
2. The hub made out like a bandit by somehow avoiding the Kindergarten check up three times.
3. After this hellish week, I am really done with doctors and hospitals and injuries.
4. When your child is injured, you really do wish it had happened to you instead.
5. Unlike some injuries, when your coach tells you to walk off a head injury....ignore him.
6. Also when your child is injured, perspective kicks you in the --- and you have no time for selfishness in others.
7. I am blessed and humbled by all the love and support during the medical freakishness that has been our life recently.
8. Ice cream really does make lots of things better.
9. The "Rushmore" soundtrack makes me happy.
10. Even though it is a sad song, Cat Stevens can make me dance whenever I hear this:
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
We're back in the E...E...E...R!
Waking up this morning with a soccer ball hangover was not the exciting story I think S hoped for last night. Her head was heavy, her tummy was upset and her hearing was sketchy. She tried to get her balance and pull things together for school today. But, alas, it was in vain. TCAPS would have to wait. Her chance at perfect attendance for the year was shot. She was in enough pain it didn't matter. As her mom, I seethed. She's worked so hard up to this point and to have it ripped away by some careless guys made me crazy. I know attendance is not everything, but it is something we pride ourselves on here at the ranch. I was a pretty good student, not one who had scholarships thrown at me, but a good student. What the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian did not win at awards day, I did. Perfect attendance for the whole of high school. Yeah, baby. You see where that got me.
Anyhoo, the girl continued the downward slide into wooziness throughout the morning. When she started grabbing the walls to walk and dragging her leg, we made a call to the pediatrician who said, "Uh, get her to the ER for a CT scan. Now.". This was a little on the alarming side. Sooo, we dropped off the boy again and skedaddled to the ER...sigh...again. Here is my handy tip for Wednesday: if planning a trip to the emergency room, 11am is an ideal time. Not a soul in the waiting room. No worries about TB-esque coughs or green children spewing vomit. Because we were needing a CT scan, we got what I have decided to term a "Long Haul" room. We had a tv in there, so we knew we were in there for the long haul. After yet another neuro exam and her BP taken 8 times at least, we had a visit from Pastor Daniel. S was thrilled! It really means a lot to us as parents, but even more to the children, to know that a busy adult has taken time out to check on them. We are so blessed to have the ministers we do. The Dude loving pastor helped cut the stress and bring some levity to stressed out parents and a scared girl.
The CT scan was clear, thank God, and we were sent on our way with Motrin dosages and strict "Brain Rest" instructions. No TV, video games, reading(except for school), physical activity, bright lights. Uh, yeah. Have they met my oldest? If you hear cries of agony or long, slow, heartwrenching moans...just know it is the slow torture of a 10 yr old deprived of major brain stimulation.
We are thankful for all those who called and checked on her or helped us with the kids. It has been a stressful period in our family, but we are still blessed beyond measure. Let's just see if we can stay out of the doctor's offices for a while. For the love of everything holy....please.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Anyhoo, the girl continued the downward slide into wooziness throughout the morning. When she started grabbing the walls to walk and dragging her leg, we made a call to the pediatrician who said, "Uh, get her to the ER for a CT scan. Now.". This was a little on the alarming side. Sooo, we dropped off the boy again and skedaddled to the ER...sigh...again. Here is my handy tip for Wednesday: if planning a trip to the emergency room, 11am is an ideal time. Not a soul in the waiting room. No worries about TB-esque coughs or green children spewing vomit. Because we were needing a CT scan, we got what I have decided to term a "Long Haul" room. We had a tv in there, so we knew we were in there for the long haul. After yet another neuro exam and her BP taken 8 times at least, we had a visit from Pastor Daniel. S was thrilled! It really means a lot to us as parents, but even more to the children, to know that a busy adult has taken time out to check on them. We are so blessed to have the ministers we do. The Dude loving pastor helped cut the stress and bring some levity to stressed out parents and a scared girl.
The CT scan was clear, thank God, and we were sent on our way with Motrin dosages and strict "Brain Rest" instructions. No TV, video games, reading(except for school), physical activity, bright lights. Uh, yeah. Have they met my oldest? If you hear cries of agony or long, slow, heartwrenching moans...just know it is the slow torture of a 10 yr old deprived of major brain stimulation.
We are thankful for all those who called and checked on her or helped us with the kids. It has been a stressful period in our family, but we are still blessed beyond measure. Let's just see if we can stay out of the doctor's offices for a while. For the love of everything holy....please.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
In the ER...where's Clooney?
It is Tuesday night and I should be sitting in a camp chair watching soccer, but I'm in the ER. Again. Of all the kids, I was fairly certain that the boy would be the one who would land here on a fairly regular basis. He jumps off of everything and runs with sticks a bit too much for my taste. But no, it is S instead. Twice in three months. TWICE! The hub felt that she needed to be seen after a high schooler powered a goal kick right into her ear. Walking like a drunk and grabbing at her ear in agony seemed abnormal to him. Apparently 9 out of 10 doctors agree. So, we called the aunt and uncle, replaced her cleats with Crocs and headed on down to Children's Hospital. Apparently the plague is alive and well in Knoxville because, upon entering the ER, we felt like we were walking into a real life "Outbreak" situation minus the monkeys but add the sea of face masks. Doing our best to hold our breath as we walked through the illness, we quickly realized that one of us would have to eventually breathe. Lightheaded parents are not good guardians of children with head injuries. File that tidbit away for future visits. We were sent quickly to the safe haven of the cuts, bruises, breaks and gashes in the "Injury Waiting Room". Apparently one wall of glass and ten feet are enough to separate us from the plague. Germs' attempts to permeate the open doorway of said waiting room are futile...at least that is what I say in my happy place of denial.
The doctor, who was nice but looked nothing like George Clooney, said that her ear was in tact but that the nerves were traumatized and needed time to regroup and forgive her for their upset. She also said that her brain got some good jiggling and juggling, enough for a nice concussion. Because she was pretty puny they gave her a dose of Zofran and, armed with a cup of blue Gatorade, was sent back to the waiting room to see if she would be able to keep it down. As a parent I have always wondered, if you are concerned about vomiting, why give brightly colored beverages to kids with bad aim? I think the pharmaceutical industry is missing out on a great partnership with the beverage companies. Glaxo-Smith Klein presents "Gatorade Clear" or "Mom's Laundry Friendly Puke Juice". You get the picture. After a few suspicious gurgles and some spitting into the pinkish plastic kidney dish, the doc determined her tummy was sound enough for the trip home.
The interesting part will come tomorrow when she wakes up. Will she be pain free enough to take her TCAPS? Our sweet doc gave her an out and also prohibited her from playing soccer and running track for the next week. The world apparently will get sucked into a black hole in the universe if a child does not take it on the appropriate day. S will spiral into a world of worry if she has to take a make up test. We can only hope Mr. Motrin and Ms. Zofran will make that testing possible. Either way, she'll have a story to share with the World Cup players on the upper grade playground...when she can rejoin play in a week. Right now, we'll just work on walking in a straight line.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The doctor, who was nice but looked nothing like George Clooney, said that her ear was in tact but that the nerves were traumatized and needed time to regroup and forgive her for their upset. She also said that her brain got some good jiggling and juggling, enough for a nice concussion. Because she was pretty puny they gave her a dose of Zofran and, armed with a cup of blue Gatorade, was sent back to the waiting room to see if she would be able to keep it down. As a parent I have always wondered, if you are concerned about vomiting, why give brightly colored beverages to kids with bad aim? I think the pharmaceutical industry is missing out on a great partnership with the beverage companies. Glaxo-Smith Klein presents "Gatorade Clear" or "Mom's Laundry Friendly Puke Juice". You get the picture. After a few suspicious gurgles and some spitting into the pinkish plastic kidney dish, the doc determined her tummy was sound enough for the trip home.
The interesting part will come tomorrow when she wakes up. Will she be pain free enough to take her TCAPS? Our sweet doc gave her an out and also prohibited her from playing soccer and running track for the next week. The world apparently will get sucked into a black hole in the universe if a child does not take it on the appropriate day. S will spiral into a world of worry if she has to take a make up test. We can only hope Mr. Motrin and Ms. Zofran will make that testing possible. Either way, she'll have a story to share with the World Cup players on the upper grade playground...when she can rejoin play in a week. Right now, we'll just work on walking in a straight line.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)