Why is it . . .

that some of the foods I enjoy most are ones my kids can't seem to stand?!

I made chicken pot pie yesterday which is totally one of my favorites -definitely something I would put in the comfort food category- but not a single one of my kids enjoys it. Three of them had their obligatory bite to be excused from the table, and the other picked through and ate a few bites - but that was it. Seriously?! I don't even consider my kids to be all that picky either. They definitely have favorites, but for the most part are good sports about eating (at least trying) most things.

So, last night, even though the five of us sat down to eat dinner together, it was kind of a lonely meal because I was the only one eating. :(

I am surprised none of them woke up at 4:00 a.m. hungry for breakfast!

Goings On

Things have been busy around here . . .

Gymnastics once a week for the three youngest kiddos.

Robbie had his first flag football practice and game this week - too cute! I loved it!

I have started teaching the two year old Sunday school class at church, and it is so much fun! Those little people are so sweet and ready just to soak up whatever I have to say. I'm so glad we got the class started. So exciting!

Still pondering my cousin's death and her four little children at home with their dad.

My good friend Kelly's five year old has been in and out of the hospital with pneumonia and plueral efusion and now has a chest tube in. Her other two boys are staying with friends for the weekend while she and her husband are with the middle son at the hospital in Indianapolis.

My day baby wasn't feeling so good this week - lots of teeth coming in, lots of drool, much crying. By Friday, he was starting to feel better though - yea, sweet boy!

Rachel and Robbie have had a fever in the last two weeks- gone after just one dose of medicine with no additional symptons. ??

Rob, Cole, and I have all had congestion, cough, sore throats, but no fever. The boys are over it; I am in it right now.

Alexa is the only one who has stayed completely healthy, but she is so worn out and still adjusting to this routine of all day school, that by Thursday each week she is about ready to crack. She made it through another week though and is doing great!

Robbie got his mid-term grades for the first quarter- they range from 92% in one class to 100% in six classes to 102% in yet another. I know, I know . . . he really needs to work on that 92%! Never fear, we will get things under control! :)

We hosted Rob's mom last weekend while she came for a visit. Always nice to have her here with us, and the kids definitely enjoy the extra attention! Robbie said when she left, "It won't be as much fun jump roping without Grandma here!"

Well, that is all that I think I want to share for now. I am going to go to bed because it is very late, and I shouldn't even be up right now. I've gotta be fresh for my little two year olds coming to class tomorrow! Good night!

One of my Biggest Fears

Although as a mother I would hate to see anything bad happen to my children, I think I am most fearful of something happening to me so that I would not be there for my children. I know that probably sounds extremely self-centered in that I am the only one that can take care of them. But, really, I am their mother and who better to care for them than me?!

Anyway, this post is showing up today because yesterday, a cousin of mine passed away . . . leaving four young children behind.

For those of you who know me well, my family is a bit spread out so to speak. My dad left when I was two, and although I have stayed in contact with him, it has been quite a while since I have been close to any of the rest of his family - not due to problems . . . just the business of life with too much to do, too much distance to cover, "too many" families to try to visit. Anyway, it was the daughter of my biological dad's brother who died. Just within the last year she was diagnosed with leukemia -while pregnant with her fourth child.

What I have inserted below is the email I got from my dad's wife this morning with the news. (I had received a call yesterday afternoon that she was in a medical induced coma as the doctors were trying to fight the infection but it was not looking good.)


Your dad is going to call you today. Annie was taken off of life support at 7:00 last night and died at 7:10.

This is so terribly hard. She went into remission from the leukemia after her first chemo, and she only had one chemo left. She beat the cancer, but died from the effects of the treatment. She was, like you, a stay-at-home mom with four kids, one only a few months old. I just keep thinking it wasn’t her time to go.

One thing I have learned in the last few months is how important it is to tell your loved ones that you love them every time you see them or talk to them. The last time I saw Annie, I hugged her and told her I love her and that I was very proud of her. I didn’t get to say goodbye to her like I did Patty and Jerry, but at least I know that the last thing I said to her was that I love her.

As a side note, Patty (my dad's half-sister)and Jerry (his brother)also passed away this year- Patty in March, Jerry just last month. It has been a rough year for the family.

Esther

One of the two books of the Bible named after a woman.

Part of the Bible I have studied before.

A book of the Bible that doesn't once use the word "God".

A Jewish woman who married a heathen king to save her people.

The name of the new Bible Study I just started at church today . . .

and am very excited about. The lesson I am doing this time is from Beth Moore -whom I love- and is different than my previous study. I will have to get out my old book and notes though to refresh what I learned the last time.

It takes a lot of work to really do a Beth Moore study as there are five days of homework lessons during the nine week series. The Women's group I meet with gets together every Wednesday for an hour and a half to do the weekly video series and for discussion. I am not deterred though!

I joined this group two and a half years ago, but then took a hiatus last year while I was watching my day baby as I opted to attend the Mom's Group that also meets at our church and didn't feel right about leaving him two mornings a week in someone else's care since I was getting paid to care for him. I haven't changed my views on that, but this year I have decided to do the Bible Study group instead. I really missed it last year, so I am very excited to be back with this unique and special group of ladies and to learn a lot. You might even get stuck hearing about it every now and then.

Breaking In and Branching Out

After a not quite hysterical, but certainly concerned, phone call to Rob this afternoon, I was finally able to get Cole out of his room!

The short background story- The door knob on Rachel and Cole's room has been dysfunctional for a while. It has worked out pretty well though because they can't open it - kind of like a built-in child-proof lock. Every now and then, it is a little tough for me to open as well, but generally with a jiggle or tug, I can get it.

Today- Cole woke up from his nap and couldn't get his door open (expected), but neither could I (unexpected). I tried for about five minutes -which felt like 30 minutes!, and even Robbie gave it a few good efforts. Finally I called Rob, apologized for the interruption to his work day, and asked his advice.

First suggestion: Open the window; I hadn't checked it because I was fairly certain it was locked, but I did check it.

It was locked.

Next suggestion: Use a hammer and bang on the door knob.

Did it - once, twice, three times, four times . . . finally it gave way and I was able to open the door.

Whew!

Poor Cole. He was not panicked or all that upset, but he was crying a little and he has a really scratchy voice right now, so it sounded pretty pathetic.

He was happy as soon as he was released.

I took the doorknob off immediately.

We went to Wal-Mart before dinner to buy a new one.

I installed it while waiting for the water to boil.

Installing the new knob was a first for me, and if I do say so, I did a fine job!

I even bought a door knob with a lock and put it on the outside of the room to be the new child-proof lock. Robbie (and Alexa) have been instructed to NEVER lock the door and only to unlock the door if they have been specifically asked to do so by Rob or I.