Christmas 2008

We have a family tradition of having a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve, so this year Emily, Evan, and few of the other chldren who attend the party, got to play a part in telling the story. Emily played the part of Mary, Evan played the part of Joseph. Easton and Andrew were shepherds, and Joseph narrated the story of Jesus birth. It was very cute! After the story was finished the music started and we listened to "Happy birthday, jesus" sung by the Brooklyn Tab. Choir. It really was so precious!! Andrew played the part of a shepherd extrememly well! Every time there was an action verb, he made sure to act it out -- my favorite was when the shepherds were "frightened" he made sure to faint!!

Eric's dad, Maw Maw, and his friend Nancy all joined us for Christmas, so that was fun as well!

Thanksgiving Week!

We had a fun Thanksgiving Week! We had friends and family over before Turkey Day, and then Eric kidnapped me and the kids and took us to the Gaylord Texan, and we stayed there for four days!! One the first might we were there we ate at one of our favortie steak places, the Old Hickory, and Evan and emily were so well behaved! I was very proud and greatful for Eric's iphone!! On thanksgiving day we went to the zoo, which we had almost to ourselves, and the animals were very happy to see us! They were so cute! We ate dinner at Ama Lur where we had the best turkey ever!! We spent the other days, swimming, shopping at Build a Bear, and enjoying each other! The decorations were georgeous at the Gaylord! Our room was the size of our house, and it overlooked all the beautiful lights inside the Gaylord! It was great! Eric and I took turns enjoying the amenities at the spa, and we all enjoyed ordering pizza and watching movies in the room! It was wonderful!

Confessions from Cat

No matter what choices I make in life, whether it be good decisions or bad, every decision I make causes a wake. A ripple in the lives of those around me. Sometimes it's easy for me to forget that, and I just want to do my own thing rather than rememebering that God is actually in charge of every single choice I make, not me. But we serve a precious God who is full of grace, who also allows me to fall on my face HARD so that I can see that I can't do it alone. I love and hate that all at the same time...
I have been dealing with alot lately, in ways that I never dreamed I would struggle, and it's been one of the most difficult things I have had to face since my eating disorder. It's funny how quickly and easily sin can creep in and make itself at home, and you don't realize it until everything in life is unraveling. The hardest part is when you realize that you've not only hurt yourself, but the ones you love the most, and your relationship with the Lord isn't as close because you've chosen other things over him. It doesn't take long for that to happen!
I am so blessed to have a husband, kids, and family that love me and point me to Christ when I am not looking to Him. I know that I am not the only person on the earth that struggles with things, so I think that you can relate in your own personal way. Going through the desert is so hard and painful, but remember you are not alone.

Next Week...In a funk.

So next week is CRAZY for me! Can't wait for it to be over. I am decorating this weekend, and the guy that I was totally depending on to help me went to a different country for the holidays... SO, I get to do it alone for the most part. Oh well, I can handle that, but I am already in a major funk, and don't need to add more stress on top of "the crazies."
Sunday, I won't even go there, is going to be difficult for me due to some strange things going on... Monday and Tuesday I am going to be the best mom I can be, but come Wednesday, I will be invisible to everyone. I am cooking for a tea that I am hosting for 200+ people, making the decorations, and taking care of all the specifics, etc. Thursday is the tea, but Friday is when I am singing at DBU for their homecoming. I am sooooo nervous about it. I haven't sang -- like show tunes and stuff -- in 7 years. I'm only singing one song, so in a way that makes it even worse because I can't mentally work through the whole nervous issue. I have to fake it and be perfect. UUUGGGG! I am also having a full orchestra behind me (if only I was singing a song I loved... oh well). If any of you guys want to come, it's completely free. It's at DBU in the Burg, starting at 8pm on Friday. Get there early. It will be packed.
BUT, I am VERY greatful that Thanksgiving week is coming and I have several days where I can get my head straight and hopefully enjoy doing nothing.
For those of you who read this to find out about my mom, she is doing MUCH better! The only complications she has now are the fact that she will be in pain for a very long time. She is going to work (she couldn't stay away if she tried...) and she is being super woman yet again. The whole "pack" is in San Diego this week, but will be back soon -- maybe tomorrow!!
Evan and Emily are growing up too fast, and they are the best kids in the world!! Eric is so ready to be home and finally be a family again. We've all missed that. It's been so long it seems.

(Sorry girls! I FINALY got around to getting these up!)
These are the pics of a bunch of us carving pumpkins in the back yard (obviously), and Halloween, and one pic of Tony Bennett (when I saw him a few weeks ago!). Sorry I not wordy for once!

This is an old pic that I found on Eric's computer. I am in "Carosel." I thought it was funny to come across this picture because I am singing Rogers and Hammerstein songs -- including the one I am singing in this picture -- for DBU's homecoming in a few weeks.

We are playing legos today. I am having a hard time slowing down so I am forcing myself to do nothing but play. I hate that I have a hard time playing. That didn't use to be the case. You guys know me, I am the one that's getting out the shaving cream and water balloons and making a ness of the place in honor of FUN, but lately all I can think of is the fact that I don't have time to clean things up. We are ON PURPOSE trashing the place today, and i am letting go of this rediculous notion that I "don't have time." I don't have time NOT to get messy and knee deep in legos and My Little Ponies. (I will confess that I am playing the blog rather than cleaning while the kids watch a movie...) It's lunch time, and we are still in our PJ's. AHHH! We whipped out the silly string and have had one war, but war 2 will be on after lunch!! (Poor Dollie usually gets brunt of the silly string, but it's still fun!) I didn't go to work today because Emily keeps having throw-up sessions and tummy issues (I think that they are over), but we still needed to have a "get perfectly well" day.
I know this sounds ridiculous, but I have to start decorating our house for Christmas before I start doing everyone elses otherwise I won't want to do it, so I should be doing that today -- but I'm not right now! Well, Tom and Jerry is over! I'm off to play!

The Most Important Thing...

Last week, while I was doing stuff around the house, Evan (5 years old) walked in and said, "Mommy, God just called out to me, and asked if he could come into my heart?"
My response was, "Really?" "What did you say back?"

Then he said with the biggest smile you have ever seen,
"YES! I have plenty of room!"

We then had a long discussion about sin, and Jesus dying on the cross, and him raising from the dead, but the coolest part about it was that Evan pretty much told ME everything! I just asked questions, like, "What is sin?" and "Why did Jesus die on the cross?" But, Evan knew and gave me examples! WOW! I can't even put into words what that is like!

THE Star Wars Party!!

EVAN TURNED 5!!!

We have had a blast celebrating his 5th birthday this weekend! I am worn out!
Friday night, my mom wanted to make him his birthday dinner, so she did, and WHAT A FEAST!! She and my dad made his cake! Evan wanted Spder-man, so that's what they made!! We then opened presents, and EVERYONE had fun playing with EVAN'S birthday presents! (You'll see what I mean in the pictures below!!)
On Saturday, we played video games at "Grammy's" and then we (Eric, Emily, Evan, and I) all went to see the "Star Wars: Clone Wars" movie that is in the theater right now. Evan LOVED IT! Emily didn't like it, so we went to the bathroom about 6 times... Oh well! Then we spent the remainder fo teh day getting ready for Sunday! (Sunday was his party with FRIENDS!!)

Several months ago, Evan told me that for his birthday party everyone was going to come and they were all going to put on a show of "Star Wars." He was always talking about it, and telling me who was going to be what character, etc. So, I decided to make his idea reality...
I called up my sweet friend, Ian, whom I used to be in shows with long ago, and asked him if he could be Obi One Can obi. He said yes, but we really needed to practice to make sure everything went okay and no one got hurt. So, we had rehearsal. (I have never heard of a rehearsal for a birthday party, but we did, and had FUN!!) Ryan ended up agreeing to be Darth Vader, and we had everything in place. I bought costumes online, found the "Imperial March" in "funk" style, and we were good to go! I made light sabers out of pipe insulation by wrapping them in neon colored duct tape, and then spray painting them with neon paint, so that they would glow under a black light. I had a strobe light, lots of black light setups, and a fog machine. We were ready to go!
We had the party at Pump it Up! Everyone got there (we were late as usual!), and played in the bounce houses, climbed up the 9 or 10 foot slide, and then trickled down, and ran till they could run no more. The last 15 minutes of our time in the bounce rooms was spent with Obi One giving Jedi lessons to the kids there, and then for the finale, told the children that they were going to get to see a fight!
So, the music started, the lights went out (black lights on), the door opened, and Darth Vader marched in and had a mighty duo with Obi One. After a long and tedious fight, and Vader chasing Obi One up the slide, and Obi One crashing to the bottom, we needed reinforcements, so here came YODA (also known as EVAN!!), and he fought a courageous battle against Darth Vader, and Vader was defeated!!!
Then, after several photo opps, we all went into the party room and ate cake! (Which I forgot, but thankfully, my dad ran to the store to pick up!! I also forgot all the plates, and decorations... BUT I DIDN'T forget the party favors or the stuff for the "show!!" Heather had to go to my house and get everything I forgot! --You're awesome, my friend!)
Our sweet friends Glen and Lydia came with their son, Drew, and they filmed the whole thing!!! I am sooo glad they were there!! I thought that my mom wasn't going to get to come, but she was very brave and MADE IT!! I was shocked to see her! But, I am still glad that we have this whole fiasco recorded!!
Due to the fact that I didn't take into account that the bounce rooms had skylights, so the whole BLACK LIGHT thing wouldn't work... We ended up plugging in the black lights in the party room, and the kids could see their light sabers "glow!"
Everyone left with their light saber and a bag of candy!! As all the children were leaving, my dad had a Clone Trooper helmet on, and poked the kids with a light saber before leaving! (Evan told him to do that...)
I have already described myself as ridiculous, but Evan got the party he dreamed up in his head, and that's what matters most!

Eric's BIRTHDAY!!

Today was Eric's Birthday! Don't ask me how old he is because I always get it wrong.
We had a fun day! The kids and I all went to the office and took him a big balloon that sang about having a "Rockin' Birthday...Shoop Shoop Di Doop!" We also gave him one of his presents at the office. From my mom and dad he got a custom tailored suit that he looks great in!! So, we gave him a new black belt...(we are boring).
Then, the office had a breakfast party for him!!
After a long, hard day of work for everyone, we all settled down and went to the Harbor in Rockwall, and went on a sunset sail around the lake, and then ate dinner on the patio at Gloria's!! It was perfect! We had a great time!

Funny story, if you have your sound on right now, you could be listening to the song, "Love Boat." Well, a few years ago I was autioning to be in the cast of a show here in Dallas, and after I did my thing, the guys holding the audtions saw Eric sitting there and asked him shy HE wasn't auditioning. He gave several lame answers, and then without any preparation at all stood up and sang "The Love Boat." He had everyone, the producer, director, accompianist, EVERYONE laughing histarically (mainly because he is a huge HAM...)
Well, he was cast in a LEAD ROLE, while I was left to be the "town floosie and chorus girl." Need I say more? Now every time we hear that song, it brings back those bitter-sweet memories of how I got "out cast" by my own husband! (We love laughing about it!

Here are the pictures!

ON THE HUNT!

Why didn't anyone ever tell me that buying things like cars is CRAZY!! The last car that I sort of bought was in 1997, and my parents bought it for me, so that doesn't really count.
We have been shopping for a car for over 40 hours this weekend... We have had a babysitter for 25 of those hours... I need a vacation with my kids!!! I am so tired of test driving. We think that we may have narrowed our search down to an Infiniti FX35, Honda Accord, Honda Pilot, Buick, BMW, Ford Explorer, or a helicopter. Hopefully by January we will be able to let my mom have her car back, and have our OWN car!
On an honest note, we aren't trying to rush this whole process. We really want the car that the Lord has for us, but in the process, Eric is making me research every single car that has been made since 2005. I have learned SO MUCH! And, I think that I may have test driven one of each car that has been made since 2005. My next job is going to be a car salesperson. (I have worked in a dealership before, but I worked the free prize counter...) If you go with us to the State Fair of Texas this year, we may end up selling YOU your NEXT CAR! Well, I'd better get back to the research. Eric thinks that I am still "doing my homework..."

Today was a great day for mom!! She has worried all week about today because she was scheduled to get her hair cut and nails done. She hasn't been able to do that in over a month...
She also started some kind of medicine, but I can't remember what kind. She said that she feels like a new person. Her face still hurts, but she has been able to handle the pain so much better today!!
I think that she looks alot better too!
Please continue to pray over her complete healing!

Eric and I car shopped ALL DAY LONG. We still haven't bought a car. It would be so helpful if we knew what we wanted. We are going to continue the search tomorrow and Monday. Kristen and Kate Bernard were so gracious and babysat Evan and Emily all day long (10 hours)! They went to the Science Place and Chick fil a, and had a blast!

A glimps at my heart...

TODAY: Emily and I went to mom's house tonight for "girl's night!" We watched "Air Bud!" The guys all went to a Rough Rider's game with the boys from Evan's school.
My mom is still hurting and getting very tired of it. I can't imagine being sick this long!! The doctor called and told her that she does have swelling in the top and lower part of her brain (on the left side). She said that luckliy the pain is mainly there as well. (Better than being EVERYWHERE!) They wanted to do a spinal tap of some kind to see about infection, but mom said no -- no yet. She thinks that it will go away. Please continue to pray for swift and complete healing!

Dollie (our dog) we think got wacked by our new electric fence, and we thought that she had a broken shoulder, but found out (after spending many hours and dollars at the dog hospital) that she just spranged it pretty bad...

Eric and I are going car shopping tomorrow, and are in the process of closing on our house... crazy times! Pray that we get the car the Lord wants us to have!

A GLIMPS:
There is so much more going on that I would love to write down. God is so good and is doing great things! You know how you can walk through life, and -- when you are looking for God's finger prints, you can see them? I am so encouraged about what my mom is learning through all of this mess. Knowing WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST is something that you will never fully understand, or maybe even fully grasp, but when you can come to "grips" with that fact that you are HIS, it is so freeing. We are HIS -- GOD'S! There is nothing you can do to change that perfect little fact! I love that, if you have accepted the precious, free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, that no matter how easy, perfect, happy, tough, painful life may get, that we don't have to ask why, or when, or what for. We just have to say, "Father, I am yours, and I trust you no matter how easy, perfect, happy, difficult, tough, and painful each chapter of my life may be. I TRUST YOU!" Never let go of WHO you ARE! Don't forget of the POWER OF GOD IS IN YOU! Never forget that YOU ARE NEVER ALONE, no matter how alone you may feel, or how hopeless a situation may be. Remember that it is not YOU who are in control, and you really need to be greatful for that fact.
I often forget the truth of who I am in christ. It is so easy to forget. Especially with the distractions we have around us.
A question that has been beating in my head lately is, what is your "Kingdom" work? What am I doing to further the Kingdom of God? (Some of my friends are going to think that I have gone off my rocker...) My first calling is to point my children and my husband towards HIM. And, to encourage them so see who they are in Christ. I don't want to live the way I used to -- living up to the expectations of what I thought others had of me. I struggle with that, but I really prefer to be who God naturally made me to be. It scares me to think of who could be without him.
The second thing that the Lord really presses me and pushes me to do (and honestly scares me to death for some reason...) is WORSHIP. Living a life of prayer and worship of our precious Savior. Prayer is easier for me than worship. Worship requires me to surrender something more of myself deep within, and say, "Yes, Lord! YOU are LORD!" I don't really know how to describe how heavily God has placed worship in my heart. Worship is something that happens when you enter HIS HOLY PLACE. Returning to that holy place where it is just you and the Lord. You acknowleging who he is, and him speaking diectly to your heart in a way that is indescribable.

The results are in on Eric's MRI, and he has a minor bulging disc...ouch, but fixable. He needs to exercise, and not sit at his desk all the time.
As far as my mom goes, I personally think that her doctor is SLOW! She should FINALLY hear something tomorrow...Friday.
She is hurting alot, but looks much better. She is SO SICK OF BEING SICK! She's moving around alot, and doing what she can. Pray over her head aches, neck aches, and eyes. Her face still feels like it's on fire.

MRI Day

Eric and mom had MRIs scheduled for Monday at 4 pm. Eric was getting one for his back, and mom on her head. I don't have any updates as far as the outcome. Once I hear something, I will update the blog.
I haven't talked to my mom since Sunday, so I really don't know how she is. I've called, but haven't heard back yet.

Doctor appointment results

Well, they feel that an MRI is needed, so she is going in on Monday. There are concerns, so better to be sure. As far as I can understand and put into words, the nerves that are supposed to be working are not, and she has symptoms of swelling in the brain. Her eye hurts more than anything today. Mom said that four days ago the pain more than doubled, and that it is almost too much to handle. She takes pain meds when she absolutely has to, but doesn't want to risk addiction to anything, so suffers as long as she can. Dad said that every time we come over, she pretty much "crashes" as soon as we're gone. And she can't do anything for hours. I know that she loves company, though, so I keep taking the kids over there to see her, but I go because I really need to see her too. Every time I go there, my dad is there as well, and he's in a three-piece suit witha bow-tie, so I am sure that means that he goes to the office. But, maybe it's been a tattoo all these years...

I did find it funny that my mom for "therapy" the other day, mopped the floor. She said that she needed to do something, and unlike most women who go to the spa for relaxation and therapy, she goes and mops her kitchen floor, and vacuums the den. (Then she slept for several hours)

Just so that you know! She IS NOT CONTAGEOUS AT ALL! So, for those of you who were worried, there is no need to!

In need of prayer

Hey guys! Just a quick update on mom. Apparently they are doing tests on Thursday to see about infection in her brain called Encephalitis. There are signs that they are concerned about, and want to HOPEFULLY rule that out... So, please pray that all is clear! I could say so much more, but... I praise God, the Maker and Creator of all things, who was, who IS, and IS to come! We are so fortunate to have a Savior!
YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE!


I love you mom!

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands!

Earlier in this blog I mentioned how I truly do believe that prayer is powerful. Well, I am happy to say that Emily undertands, as well, that prayer works!

Yesterday, we went to see mom before going to the school. I just had a feeling that if we wnt over there and saw her, then we would help her! So, we did. We got there, and had fun seeing mom, "Grammy!" Emily made Grammy a gold medal at church and wanted to give it to her, so she proudly carried it to her Grammy! She then decided that we needed topray over Grammy. So we all bowed our heads (my dad included), and out of her little, three-year-old mouth came these words.
"Dear Jesus, please help Grammy get better. Put a BIG BAND-AID over her head, so that she can feel ALL BETTER! Amen."
All I have to say is that prayer is the only thing that can make her feel better right now, and it sure helped her that morning!

First week at my new job!

Well, as many of you know, I am venturing out, and instead of running Grace Camp (Grace Academy's after school care program), I am now working in the office as their new Development Assistant. I get to help with all the events!!I wasn't really planning on working this week, but gladly went, and had a blast! We are frantically getting everything ready for school to start this coming Thursday! BUT, as a fun surprise, Mr. Clarke, our school's headmaster, kidnapped all of us and took us bowling for "In Service!" We also had a banner contest. We had 6 teams for bowling, adn each team had to come up with a team name and a really cool banner. It was so fun watching every one get really into it!
Once school starts, I am supposed to only be working on Monday, wednesday, adn Friday mornings while Evan and Emily are in school. I think that this is going to be really great for all of us!
I am still doing weddings, but that's my weekend job...

(Mr. Clarke's favorite show is "The Andy Griffith Show")

Fun-filled weekend! (last week)

We had a fun-filled weekend! Ir started off with shoe racing. Evan and Emily wore Eric's shoes, and raced around the house. (Evan won, but don't tell Emily). We also had our friends Brian and Danielle over. We hadn't seen them in a very long time.
We then headed to Harper (close to Fredericksburg, TX) for our neices wedding. Evan and Emily were in it, and they had lots of fun!
Eric's dad surprised us with a hotel room in San Antonio, so we stayed there for a fun evening, and then woke up the next morning to see the Alamo!

Hawaii Pictures (Part 2)

Prayer is such a powerful thing, and it's honestly very contageous. I am not trying to sound "spiritual," or pat my back, but I don't know how not to pray. Yes, I guess there are seasons in my life where prayer is at a dull "lull." But, there is nothing more powerful, more comforting, more convicting than prayer. We may be busy mommies, and busy at work, or doing whatever we can find to do, but even in midst of DOING, you can still PRAY! Even if it's while your folding the families underware, or changing the stinky diaper, you can still pray. I love that no matter how busy we may think we are, God is never too busy to listen with love.
All of that to say, please continue to pray over my mom. You may be getting tired of it, but she really needs it. She took a turn for really bad this weekend, and it isn't getting better. She has fever, her eyes are really swollen again, and the sores constatly burn like fire. Needless to say, she is miserable. And there is nothing worse than being stuck at home, alone (much of the time), and in MISERABLE pain.
And, just so that you know, I am here to pray over you! If you have things that are heavy on your heart, and you don't want to be the only one praying over that certain issue, I am here and would be honored to go before our precious Father with you!

As far as life goes, our niece, Jamie, got married over this past weekend, so we ventured to Harper, TX (close to Fredericksburg) and Evan and Emily were in her wedding. Then, Eric's dad surprised us with a hotel room in San Antonio on the Riverwalk! We had fun and saw the Alamo, and ate yummy mexican food! If was a fun family adventure!

(For those of you who would like to see pictures, they are coming -- perhaps this weekend...)

Thursday - Update on mom

Today was another day of healing! Praise the Lord! God is so good, and is teaching her alot as she just stops and listens to him! She is slowly recovering. The swelling and sores are all about the same as yesterday (from what she says), but she is so grateful for all the love, support, and PRAYER! She really is getting better faster than we thought she would. Prayer is working! I went over there yesterday and read her the mail and hung out for about 2 hours. The kids were with a sitter.
Today, Paula Lively came over and made her some special soup, and Diane came and read to her again! I know that she is loving hearing from her friends through cards, phone calls, and visits!
Yestday, while we were talking, she asked me, "Can you even imagine what people who have cronic pain have to go through?" She has several friends who have learned how to surrive living in constant pain. She then followed her question with, "Those people are amazing."
She is in constant pain. It goes in phases, though. Sometimes it's really bad, and sometimes it's just bad. She can now handle to be on the phone a little more than before. Her ears have the sores and she said that they hurt to hold the phone, so when she hurts really bad, she doesn't chat much.
I must say, I am so proud of her for actually stopping and healing. She is cancelling anything she has to do for the whole month, and is just getting better. She doesn't want nerve damage...
She feels so blessed in so many ways. It's neat, how when you stop, and have nothing else to do other than listen to our Lord, how you become more "in step." That's the only word I can think of. But, all of us, at some point or another, must stop and listen to the music -- the sweet voice of our Savior as he is drawing us closer to knowing who he is. I love that HE is in control of everything! I love that, if He wants to heal her and she have no nerve damage at all, then HE can. I love that my mom trusts that no matter what may come her way, she has a precious Savior who is right there with her, through the good, the bad, the ugly, the painful. I love that she has hidden his Word in her heart, so that even while she can't see, she can still hear Words of Truth. I love that she told me of the hope, the comfort, the peace that we all can have in Jesus! I also love that she is no wimp! She may look delicate, but she's a toughy!
If we can all be in prayer over quick recovery and complete healing in every way. That her eyes and nerves will be fully healed, and that none of the virus will linger in her nerves.
If I were to create a visual picture for you -- as far as her appearance goes, she has moved from looking like a "dead person on CSI," and has graduated to looking like Rocky after he fought the German. But, in honor of the step up to looking like Rocky, I have added the Rocky music to my blog! (I know my dad's gonna love it!)
Prayin' over you mom!

5...4...3...2...1...

Well, i just can't hold this one in any more!!!
Eric, Evan, Emily, and I went to Chick-fil-a a few days ago, and had a wonderful time! While we were there, Emily asked me to take her potty, so I did. We went into the bathroom stall, and she looked up at me with a big frown and said, "Mommy, it won't come out. Let's count!" And so, being the supportive mommy that I am, I started counting, "1...2...3 --"
Then she interrupted and started yelling at the top of her lungs, "No, no, no, MOMMY! It's 5...4...3...2...1...BLAST OUT!!!!" And then squeezed her little face togehter really tight, and turned red.
Chuckles could be heard from the audience we had in the line outside the stall door.
Yet, it wasn't over. She said, I just have to do it five more times mommy!
And then it started all over again...
"5...4...3...2...1... BLAST OUT!
My only question is, why couldn't it have been blast off? Eric says that he didn't teach her that...hmmmm.

Monday - Update on mom

She is still improving! Today is a great day of healing! We just talked on the phone for about 30 minutes, and that may have been too long. It really wore her out, but it was nice to chat! She was up and moving around the house a little. She sounds alot better, so that is such a great thing! She is still sore and swollen, but I think that some of the pain has subsided

Monday - Update on mom

Today is a good day for Marian! My dad needed to go to office for a little while this morning, so my brother-in-law, David, went to the house and spoiled her rotten! She loved it! She said that he can come over every day! My sister came and read to her for a while. Marian has a doctor appointment at 12:45pm today, and I will let you know what is said.
When I talked to her today, she said that she was up and able to endure the sky-light in the living room, and she was able to eat a little today!! The swelling has gone down tremendously. I was told that she can now see a little out of her right eye, but the left eye is still swollen (but not as much) The sores are still all over, but she said that she is feeling much better than before. She even requested her laptop to start working from home soon... (I am thinking NO!) She loves for people to read to her since she can't do anything else. She's tired of feeling yucky, but grateful that she is healing bit by bit. Please continur to pray for her, that she will heal quickly, and not have much pain, and please continue to pray over her eyes that ehre will not be eye damage -- especially tot he left eye.

Sunday

I just chatted with my dad, and found out that her other eye is now swollen. So, obviously the worst isn't over yet. She could be having a reaction to the JELLO she ate. Aparently some foods can encourage the shingles to spread, and peanut products and Jello are a few of those. Her head is currently not hurting which is a praise! She is taking advil and that seems to be helping now. She ate toast this morning and was able to keep it in her! (I hope htat I am not being too graphic...)

Saturday

Today was busy for me, but calm and peaceful for my mom and dad. They stayed at home, and there have not been any side effects to the new meds that they have put her on. She still can't see, but she can breath. She was able to eat a cracker and a few bites of applesauce today, so that is good too!
When I went over there, my dad was doing a great job! He didn't want her to stay in bed, so her got her up and made her a nice dark place to sit in the living room., and had a movie playing in the other room, so that she could listen to it. Earlier today, Diane Kendall came over and read to her, and that was the highlight of my mom's day, she said that she really enjoyed it.
She isn't much for talking because it hurts, but she did say that she is so grateful that this isn't going to last forever.
Her face is still swollen and the left side of her face is still horrible.
Now we just have to wait, and watch her heal. Please continue to pray for her to recover quickly, that she will rest, that the pain and swelling will go down, that there won't be any eye damage, and that she can start eating solid food.

Update on my mom...

I just went to my parents house and saw my mom. There is some kind of peace that comes when you can see your mom -- especially when you know she is sick. I haven't seen or talked to them all day long, so when I received a call from my sister earler telling me that an ambulance had to come because my mom stopped breathing, I needed to see her with my own eyes. I went in and chatted with her and my dad, and learned alot. She has shingles in her head. It has clamped onto 3 nerves in her head. (I am terrible with medical lingo, so I really have NO IDEA what I am talking about...) But, she looks like an injured person on CSI...The left side of her face and scalp is really swollen, she has sores all over and puss is leaking out of them. The doctor said it is sort of like a chemical burn. Her skin can't handle light otherwise she feels like it is on fire. She can't even have the television on because the light from it burns. She can't see except for a little out of her right eye. Her left eye isn't even remotely close to being able to open. Talking hurts, but she is great a listening. She currently is just staying in her room with the lights off and listening to music. She feels very nauseated, and can't eat real food. She tried drinking ensure, but it made her need to throw up. Her eye was looking like it was going to pop out, but the swelling has really gone down -- especially in the last four hours or so. My dad said that four hours ago, he was extremely worried. This is the sickest she has ever been.
She is on a new anti viral medication. The one she was on earlier, she thinks, is what caused her to feel as though she was in cardiac arrest. (Rewind to earlier today)...She apparently got really bad, and couldn't breath,and my dad called 911, and the ambulance came. She thought that she was in cardiac arrest. They checked her out and did stuff (I really don't know what they did...) But, then they went to a different doctor than they had before and my dad insisted that they give her different meds. Reluctantly they did. They also checked her oxygen level to make sure her heart and everyting were okay. Apparently everything is hunky-dory.
Now we just need to be in prayer over the meds she is taking, that she son't have any reaction to them, that she will heal QUICKLY (they say that this can last a month or so), and that she won't have nay eye damage, and that she can REST and eat. I think that we are going to start a meal sign up sheet for people to bring food to my dad. My sister is taking food tomorrow, and Diane is taking food on Sunday, and I will probably do something on Monday, but we will probably do something every other day for a few weeks.
Gary and Diane Kendall came over to see her tonight. She really liked hearing the conversations we were all having. Diane is going to come over and read to her for a little while tomorrow since she can't read (and that is her favorite thing to do...) My mom has been on the phone with her dear friend, Paula, who went through this exact thing not too long ago, so she is sharing secrets with my mom.
My dad was praying over who is supposed to teach on Sunday (he teaches our Young Married Sunday School Class), and he said that the Lord told him that he is supposed to, so Reed will be teaching on Sunday. My brother, Mike, is going to come over and take care of my mom.
There is a great story I should tell about how the Lord provided a great seat for my mom on the plane ride home (I mentioned it a little in a previous blog), but I need to put my kids in bed, so maybe you can hear it later!

The Many Adventures of the Couch Clan!

We love coming to Hawaii! There is something that just makes it feel like home every time we come! This time my Aunt Jerrella and Uncle John came with us for a visit! It was fun! Eric and I had our own villa this time. Usually we share one with my parents, and Christi, David, and Mike all have thier own place, BUT this time we got to be JUST US and the kids! It was fun! The place we were in is bigger than our house, so it was AWESOME! We all rented cars so that we could do our own thing, and it was funny because we all ended up with the exact car in red! (Whenever we caravaned, we looked like the mob in red). We went to one of our favorite restaurants at the Four Seasons for my brother's birthday! It was great! We LOVE eating and watching the sun go sown over the ocean! Christi, David, and Mike all dived, but Eric and I decided to just hang with the kids this year. Diving is my favorite thing to do there (other than laying out!). We went to the Waikoloa Hilton and played in the pool and on the water slides! We love hanging out there!

The night we got there, Christi and David received a call from the girl that was house sitting and said that their upstairs bathroom was flooding and there was also water downstairs. That was a bit of a bummer especially since the week before the bathrooms on the other side of their house had flooded and messed up the wood floors downstairs... But, I am glad that they had someone staying in their house so that the leak could be stopped and no more damage was caused.

Eric, Mike, and my dad all played golf twice. The courses there are spectacular! Some of the holes overlook the ocean! I didn't play this year because I am terrible, so Evan, Emily, and I all went to the beach! We had fun "punching" the waves, digging in the sand, searching for sharks (thank goodness we didn't find any!), and looking for seashells! The only downfall was when we were showering the sand off, and somehow a bee found my foot, and stung the crud out of it! It made my whole leg numb, but luckily no swelling!

We mainly just hung out! My mom started feeling bad on Saturday when they took my aunt and uncle to see the volcano. But, she was a sport and continued doing whatever we all did! Eric and I had a date night one night, and went to the KPC restaurant and watched the sunset, and then laid in a hammock on the beach and watched the stars come out! It was fun! We forgot to give my parents the key to our place, so the kids ended up falling asleep in their bed. Luckily we were neighbors, so it was an easy walk to put them in bed!

As the week progressed my mom's sickness started getting really bad, and sores started appearing inside her eyelid, and then on the outside of her face. Every day she got worse, and we were starting to get very worried. My dad started trying to find an "in network" doctor on the Big Island, but there weren't any, so she kept hanging in there. Then once the pain was getting to be even worse and the thought of having to fly back on a plane seemed dangerous, they started calling their docotrs here. No one could really diagnose anything. At first it was a reaction to meds, then they thought maybe a food reaction, and then the latest was shingles.

The flight home was rough for her. Luckily they had plenty of room in their seats, and were close to the kitchen so that my mom could keep ice on her face, but it was obvious that she was in alot of pain. (She said that I can't post any pictures -- obviously!) By the time we landed in Dallas, her entire left side of her face was completely swollen. Her eye was shut and she said that her other eye was starting to swell as well. That was the last time I spoke with her. Now, my dad says that she has a hard time talking and isn't taking calls at all. Christi and Dave are going over there to check on them later this afternoon.

The kids were perfect on the flight home. Emily slept most of it. Evan watched video games and movies. We landed at 6am, but body time it was 1am. We got home and settled, but made an appointment for Eric to see his Chiropractor because he couldn't walk or do anything due to the amount of pain he was in. (I think that he threw his back out playing golf adn swimming with the kids). He was at the doctors office for almost 5 hours and then the doc brought him home. He is still not very mobile, but the pain is fine as long as he doesn't stand, walk, or move. I have enjoyed having him home anyways. I am just glad that his back is going to get better eventually!

Well, I will update you on my mom as I find things out myself. We are all trying to just leave her alone and let her heal. Please be in prayer over her and Eric adn my dad.
(Christi is having a ton of issues that they are having to slove as well, so pray over everyone!)

Hawaii Part 1

Summer FUN!

Here you can see the ever famous picture of Eric's old computer. He was finally allowed to take his aggression out on his computer...
We have had fun going to the splash parks with friends, the Arboretum, where Dean, Robbie, Evan, adn Emily all played in the Frog Fountain, and in Froniter Village! We have also enjoyed sitting around the Couch House playing on the computer! (Ryan, Meagan, and Eric all have fun just sitting and playing on their computers!) The kids have fun playing dress up and doing who knows what!

Swimming Lessons!

Evan and Emily took lessons from our friend Val Taylor! She lives close to us, so we went to her pool and enjoyed learning how to swim! Evan is now ready for Hawaii! Emily still doesn't want to go under water, but enjoys playing in the water! Evan will jump in and swim all over the place! I LOVE IT!

A day at Chuck E. Cheese!!

Emily FINALLY was consistant in her potty experiences, sooo she earned a day at Chuck E. Cheese with her pal, Abby Ann! Evan LOVED joining in the fun!

(This happened a while ago, but I just got around to putting it on here!)

Father's Day 2008

Father's Day 2008

When it RAINS, it POURS...!

My week has been crazy!! I thought that last week was crazy until this week hopped along.

On Tuesday (the day it rained so bad) I picked up Emily from swimming lessons, and dropped Evan off for his, and then Emily and I went home to have breakfast. It was still sunny that early in the morning, adn I noticed that my plants in the front yard looked a little droopy, so I thought that i sould water them while emily watched Dora adn ate her biscut. Well, as I was watering, I noticed a strange looking man banging on my neighbor's house yelling, "I'M NOT A KIDNAPPER!" over and over! Thinking that I could scare him off, I went to the edge of our yard with the water hose. (What on earth could i do to him with a water hose...?) Anyway, he saw me glarring at him, adn he got in his car and drove to their alley. I ran to the door to make sure that the Junior High kids that lived there weren't scared to death. When they answered the door, I was shocked to find that their mom was there too, and they were all in the closet with knives and calling the cops. So, I invited them to come to my house, and they said that they thought they would be okay. (Strange. that stuff never happens over here...)

THEN, I went inside, and started cleaning. All of a sudden, I noticed it getting really dark outside. I payed it no mind until I heard thunder, and remember that the puppy we are dog-sitting fo rthe summer was in the back yard in her crate! I dashed out the back door to pull the crate in, and realized that it was too big to fit through the door, so I went around to raise the garage door, and as soon as I pushed the button, we lost power... so, went went back to the back door,a dn put the puppy on a leash (she runs away,a dn is not well behaved) and then, with force, yanked the crate through the door. As I was focusing on the crate, the puppy managed to wrap her leash around the T.V. tray that I had my brand new laptop sitting on. It went crashing to the floor, but it was so dark, that i couldn't see to unwrap the leash! Meanwhile, Emily is yelling, "Turn the light on! Turn the light on!" I was feeling around and FINALLY got the puppy in her crate. I went outside to get the rest of her stuff, and heard a cracking noise, and looked up just in time to see our neighbors tree crash and part of it landed on OUR car!!! It was pouring rain at this point, so i called eric and told him that he needed to run over and look at the car (he walks to work, and we have one car). He didn't want to walk in the toretal rain, so he called and told me to check it out. i went and looked at the car, adn I didn't see any major damage, so I hopped inthe car,a nd went and picked up Eric, adn then we went and picked Evan up from swimming lessons!!

I thought that my day was never going to end, but I was really ready for a break! One didn't come soon enough. eric's office lost power too, so he sent everyone home, and he came home. He decided that he needed to find the router for out laptop (which we had no idea where it was), so every closet and under all the beds we searched. (That means that Eric pulled everything out, and I got organize it an put it away). i wasn't planning on doing that, but that is what happended,a dn I tried to have a happy heart about it, but part of me was just worn out!! But, finally i found the router -- in the garage. At least we now have organized closets and stuff... I was so glad when that day ended!

Yesterday was nice and easy, but last night, the puppy woke me up every hour and a half because she has tummy issues (explosive diaherria)... Then, i finallythought that I could sleep in a little, but eric woke me up asking if I smelled poop. I got up, and out Golden Retriever had pooped... I HATE having to clean that stuff! i am already pooped from everything else. Well, I cleaned it up,a nd then went back to sleep again (for the tenth time in one night) and eric sweetly woke me up before he left for work,a nd we had a wonderful quiet time and he said that I needed to start out my day RIGHT, since my night didn't go so great! It really helped,a dn now i get to take the kids to swimming lessons!

Rebecca O'Bier's Wedding Shower!

Check out my Slide Show!

Emily's Cinderella Party!

Emily turned 3 on May 24th, and what a special time we had being princesses!! Eric always calls her his princess, so she really thinks she is! I love it!
I hired my college roommate, Keeli, to be Cinderella. (She's an actress, owns a dance studio, and does princess parties for a side business.) And she came and helped Emily get dressed for her party. They went and found Emily's Cinderella dress and glass slippers, and then Cinderella fixed her hair, did her make up, painted her nails, and helped her find a suitable wand for her to be a "real" princess! Then Emily's friends started arrriving, so Cinderella showed her how to welcome her guests and show them where to sit, and then Cinderella fixed their hair, and did their makeup, and painted their nails. Most of the girls were in shock!! So were the moms. Several of the moms commented that this was their first time to be at a real princess party too! All the girls watched as one by one each one of them had a make-over by Cinderella, and then once every one was made up, and had made their princess hat, they all went into the green room, and Cinderella gave them lessons on how to act like a princess, and how to dance like a princess, and Cinderella even sang them a beautiful song!! The girls LOVED every minute of it!
After they sang and danced, they had a tea party. Every girls name was painted on her very own tea cup!! They sat down and sang to Emily, and then Cinderella served them their tea or lemonade! They also had a yummy Barbie Cinderella cake!! (It actually fell apart, so the bakery let me have it for FREE!!)
Once everyone finished their cake, Cinderella took them outside to find the hidden treasure. They looked at the treasure map, and through many difficult steps, and Evan punching all the "bad" guys with his HULK boxing gloves, the girls finally found the hidden treasure. Once they found the treasure chest, they opened it to find golden chocolate coins, rings, and other fun treasures. They all picked out the treasures they wanted and then, they all went inside, and Cinderella gave them their party favors! They all got to have the Disney Princess cell phones, necklaces, and ring pops!!! As they left, Cinderella gave them each a hug, and the girls floated away on cloud nine!!
Emily wants Evan to have Cinderella come to HIS party now!!

Empty Threats

As you know, Evan will be 5 years old in September, yet he STILL yells, "MOMMY, WIPE MY BOTTOM!!" Every day, I hear it echo throughout the house. So, today I decided that I was going to finish reading a few emails before going in there to help...
Suddenly, I hear a very frustrated Evan yell, "If you don't come in here now, I'm going to THROW UP!!"
For some reason, I found that hilarious!

The Runaway Shoes

I must admit -- I am BRAINLESS at times.
As the kids and I ventured out for our daily jaunt to Grace Camp, I faithfully loaded everyone up in their carseats, buckled, tightened, etc. And jumped into the car and dashed off down the driveway. As we were waiting at the end of our street to pull out and drive down Plano Rd., I noticed that there was a guy just starring at me. Conceitedly, in the back of my mind I was thinking, "You wish, buddy! I'm taken!" Then we continued on our way. It wasn't until we were accellerating on the entrance ramp for 635 that I realized he was NOT checking me out...
First I heard a small thud, followed by a black shoe passing by the driver's side window. Then it was confirmed that it truly was a shoe, as I saw it bouncing when I gazed through my rear view mirror.

I forgot to grab Emily's FAVORITE shoes off the hood of the car before I "jumped" into the car!!

I immediately started telling Emily that I was sorry. "Your shoes flew away, so we will have to find a new favorite shoe." In her precious little 2 (almost 3) year old mind, she translated that to mean that a BIRD came down, took her shoe, and flew away with it!
So, the entire time we were at Grace Camp, she kept yelling at the birds telling them to bring her shoe back!!! The other childrem on the playground caught on quickly, and soon everyone was chanting for the birds to return her shoes.
Obviously, they were not dropped while we were at Grace Camp...
So, when we returned home, I noticed that there was one shoe in the street in front of our house! "Yeah! Look there's one of Emily's shoes!!"
I handed the shoe to Emily, and then she starts crying and yelling -- not at me, but at the birds!
"YOU DIDN"T BRING ME THE OTHER ONE!!"

Being the softy for shoes, I decided that we should all jump in the car and go on a "shoe hunt." We went back to that same entrance ramp where I had seen the shoe bouncing all over oblivion. We proceeded up the ramp, and as we were almost on the highway, there was her shoe on the side of the road!
We didn't stop. I didn't think that was a safe or smart thing to do, so I just yelled, "Look! There it is! WAIVE!!!"
Emily was happy for one tenth of a second. She didn't understand why I wasn't getting it. I told BOTH of them to stop asking questions and to let me think and call some people.
I couldn't call anyone in my family because they are all out of town on business, so...
The first two people I could think of were Shelia (my dad's secretary) and her son Ryan. So, I called Shelia and left her a message about the pickle I was in. She called back in a few minutes, and said that Ryan needed to chat with me about some stuff anyways, so it was perfect that I needed their help. I popped by their house, picked up Ryan, and we went and parked the car at the corner Grass store. He stayed with the kids in the car, and I hiked up to the shoe. (The entire time cars were honking that obnoxious double honk as they waive and smile -- uuuugggg!) I decided that if I was going to walk, I was just going to strut in style. I put on my big "honkin'" goggles (sunglasses - as some people call them), and luckily had my cowgirl boots on, so I was ready for some "off-roadn'!" I walked clear up that long entrance ramp, and finally got that tiny shoe! As I turned to proceed back down the entrance ramp -- please note that I was IN THE GRASS, no where near the middle of the road!! But, as I turned, there was a stack of cars glarring at the crazy lady in the goggles, thinking she is all that as she goes and collects "trash" from the side of the road!
Since I am a humble person, I smiled and waived at them as they all did that obnoxious double honk and a waive thing...
I made it safely back to the car with Emily's OTHER shoe, and Ryan did a great job keeping the kids safe and happy!