Work in Progress

The New Year

2012-01-13T13:58:00.003-06:00

Ready for Moose Mountian! A. Hated it once she was there! "Mom slow down, MOM I said stop!" Well the thing about her not skiing on her own is she doesn't get to stop on her own. She did have fun though. Next time out we are paying for ski lessons though. A nice local discount and someone else to teach her!

We aren't big on revolutions, I was a big list maker before I had kids. A friend and I always traded resolutions but most were forgotten. This year I only have one. I want to play the piano and see if my kids want to too. My mom got us a keyboard for Christmas and it has light up keys and a tutor built in. I taught myself when I was a kid, not that I was any good, but I could hack up Christmas carols pretty good. So there it is. Piano 101 here I come.

GV loves skiing and has her first meet at the end of the month. AB loves her American Girl knock off (GV does too) and is excited for her birthday. EL is getting 3 of her molars and is anything but happy.

GV Starts Practice

2011-12-11T19:51:00.002-06:00

GV at ski practice. The whole family now is ready for ski season. Gid even said today that he had fun skiing and felt like he knew what he was doing. We are gearing up for a busy several weeks with birthdays and Christmas' (yes plural, we party til the new year with family).

AB loves to ski to but mostly likes me to hold her up so she doesn't crash. She loves all sorts of music stuff and is practicing her lines for a church program. Others will sing too, she's not doing a solo or anything.

EL is allergic to milk. We are of course bummed, we had hoped for another GV with no allergies. She gets a immediate sore throat, so she won't even drink it (never did). She also starts to cough and squeak and it can go on for days. She sounds like a lap dog: yip, yip. So she has a nebulizer (albuterol in a mist) and it really makes an immediate difference. She stops coughing immediately.

I still don't eat anything with out a headache, but have noticed a difference after I cut out sugar and the big sources of MSG.

No MSG for Me. And sugar too.

2011-11-10T13:30:00.003-06:00

Yep even more. I am so glad that I have the peace that only God can give. I did find it extremely funny that my regular Dr. said not to lose any more weight (10lbs--not missed), the allergist took away all the foods I had left to eat. It's okay. You're right, I can't eat anything. But I already feel better. I have not wanted/needed to rest at naptime all week. I used to get so sluggish and drowsy after lunch. Now I know it was from food!

On Friday the 4th I went in for more allergy tests. Even the allergist questioned the possibility of an MSG allergy. Not that it is uncommon (almost everyone reacts to it, most don't notice) but he questioned where I was getting it. For the record and you will hear me preach on this more often now. MSG IS IN EVERYTHING! It's a nuerotoxin and is linked to just about any problem a body can have. EVERYTHING I mean: sprayed on fruit as a perservitive, in spices that list anything except the spice (asorbic acid), organic food, injected into meat, ect. It also has over 40 different names to look for. For example: MSG can no longer be put in baby food. It can however be added to the acid before it is added to baby food. Label reads: "bananas, absorbic acid, citric acid."

The sugar was a surprise to me, I didn't even know he was testing me for it. I don't have to avoid all sugar, just ease back on sweets and candy. Which isn't so bad, since all candy has corn or egg and I've been off those for a year.

Otherwise, we are happy. We have God's peace that this too is managable. I will be cooking everything from scratch and avoiding MSG like the awful drug it is. I encourage everyone to look into it as a possible cause to your problems, whether they be emotional, digestion, behavior, or physical.

Check out these sites I've been spending time at: savoringseasonings.blogspot.com and msgmyth.com

I bought an extra copy of a really helpful book with lots of recipes that our great grandmas and grandmas used. Like how to make soup stock with out a boullion cube.

Eloise walks and other new stuff

2011-10-23T22:30:00.002-05:00

I believe today it is official. Eloise can walk. She still crawls if she is down already, since she is already down. She can walk about 10 feet! The biggest break through was on the night that her sisters were at Grandma Rhonda's house. That way she got to practice and not get knocked over. Who wouldn't get frustrated if everytime you tried something new something or someone got in your way? Anyway that is what is new and exciting for her.

AnnaBelle is still working on getting milk. She can have a lot more than she used to have, but still not a lot. I am going to try using real butter in our baking, but I don't think I'll handle that one well. We have been trying the lactose pills and they seem like they may get rid of some her stomach pain. The problem we had though besides how awful she felt, was that she didn't retain her food nutrients when milk was in her system. We'll be monitoring her weight to make sure it doesn't drop, since she won't be gaining all the time like when she was a toddler.

Genevieve loves school but is suddenly very shy. She is already getting better at reading three letter words and reading her little books that Mrs. Sue sends home. What else? She still loves all the animals and helps Gideon feed the dog and the ducks in the morning.

Sara is still nuts with allergies, and going to start looking more into MSG. Scary stuff man. Gideon is still working at Steve's and as an EMT. I'm looking it to orthodontics to fix my jaw.

Eloise Crab Walk Plop

2011-09-09T14:11:00.002-05:00

Took a field trip to the beach today. It had to be 80 outside. Loved it! Two of my daycare kids got thier feet w/ shoes on wet, so I just let them continue on and get soaked. Guess I should expand, they got their shoes wet then tripped in the water, so then I figured it was no use and let them continue. Eloise loves the water. Don't know why she was backing up, but it was so cute. Make sure you watch long enough to see her plop in.

Back to School

2011-09-07T14:19:00.003-05:00

Ugh. Can't figure out how to get my pix out of Memory manager. (a scrapbooking program) to post here. Have wait till I find the camera....

I'll have to post a pix of GV later on her second day of school. Didn't even occur to me to take a picture the first day. Awful I know. She loved it. She was so busy at lunch watching others she only ate about 7 baby carrots. She didn't even look into the bag far enough to discover the ranch dressing. For morning snack at school she ate her plum and a pudding. So I told her how excited I was that I didn't have to pack a lunch for today! She just laughed and said okay.

I still wish I could go with her, I loved school! It was so much fun and I loved all the games and worksheets. Guess it's obvious now that I am a teacher.

ABelle is having great days being the oldest one here. Yesterday I didn't fight with anyone, today, AB didn't want to clean up, but other than that, no arguing! I could really get used to these quiet days!

In other news: no EL doesn't walk, she has two more teeth coming in (for a total of 6). We have continued to give AB milk and she has done okay. She can't do straight milk or lots of cheese (mac n cheese was too much). We are happy to not have to worry about the bun anymore! And she has been eating more chocalate and other goodies. Which made our sorting activity with M & M's way easier. Sara is still not eating anything, but I have been able to eat a lot more fruit (in small amounts). It's been almost 6 years w/out. I am so glad to be getting even a little back! Gid is an EMT and has been doing "on call" shifts. He seems to like it.

In other news...who actually reads this blog? If you read it post a comment.

Milk and Duck break through!

2011-08-15T14:27:00.006-05:00

Baby duck aka Lucky

Monster ducks. Flip, bending down, male. Puddle, checking you out, hopefully female.

Eloise playing peek a boo with her tutu.

Anyway, milk and duck, not together in a recipe (not yet anyway) but two seperate break throughs in the Silence house.

Allergist said to try AB and cheese. We have been and it hasn't been bad. She has had accidents at night again and it seems like she is....well....in the bathroom more. We stopped milk because she wasn't growing, she just passed all the nutrients (or most of them anyway). So we want to make sure she isn't starting that again. She also has had several things with milk and hasn't reacted yet. She is more hyper---like a kid on caffine. So not sure how far we are making it. But definately farther than before.

I can also sneak some milk and corn (like the less than 2% of ingredients) which means I went to the doughnut shop and got to eat my whole doughnut. Even though I had a few hives on my stomach (milk thing, weird).

The duck break through is that today is the first day "Baby Duck" aka Lucky has been out of his cage and in the big fence with out Flip (male) attacking him. They even let him come close to the house (roost), not in, but better than chasing him around, pecking at him and pinning him down with thier feet and beaks. Pretty much duck wrestling.

Summer

2011-08-06T00:13:00.003-05:00

Getting pretty bad at updating now. I'll have to make this my homepage again so I see it everyday. The typing isn't the problem it is posting new pix which is what everyone wants to see. A few quick blurbs here and some pix.

Allergies: Not sure how much I trust the allergist in LaCrosse now. AB tested high on a skin test for milk but not a blood test. He said to start introducing small amounts of cheese because of the negative blood test. If she can handle it we don't have to go back for 9 months. I gave her a bite of string cheese and she wet the bed. Maybe coincidence, but we'll be keeping a log. Try a sample of cheese tomorrow too.

Sara is feeling much better with allergies. Still miss food though. Might have to succomb to the temptation and have a fried chicken part from the Legion. Chase it with Benedryl.

Ducks: the ducks have their new house and we really like it and so do they. they are about the size of a juevenille goose now. Or a really fat duck. they are about 1/2 of mature age (6 weeks now 12 full). We don't think they'll lay eggs this year. Gid has a few lines out on acquiring some free hens....(chickens). We got two other baby ducks but one had a mishap with a hawk so now we only have one. We call him Lucky because he had a run in with same bird and survived. Usually though we just call him Baby Duck and the others Big Ducks. They do not get along. Flip the drake is very aggressive and chases him away.

Other news......GV is done with T-Ball and played a great last game. Finally got confident enough to go after the ball. She is excited to go to Seattle for a wedding and then start school. Her and I are also both excited to start skiing again.

AB is getting curly hair! I'm so excited and hope she keeps it. I always wanted a kid with curls! Otherwise, she is just as hilarious as ever. Her most recent side benders are: while spinning her head around she says, "I'm getting BUSY!!" (DIZZY). And when seeing a winnebego in town, "MOM! that cabin is on a dumptruck." And then she cracks up laughing.

EL's first word was Mama. And yes it is the real Mama and not just making sounds. We can tell because she whines when she says it. This she definately got from GV.

Flip and Puddle and other New Stuff!

2011-06-19T12:39:00.004-05:00

On Sat. we went to a garage sale and made out well. A chair for daycare, a Barbie boat, a whole bunch of rhubarb and these two cuties. Yes we will be raising them for future dinners. Not these per say, but ducks. Gideon has always wanted chickens but these were cuter. They are Moscovy ducks. We are still learning about them since we didn't plan this out ahead of time. The are apparently super awesome eaters (both eaten and what they eat). They eat slugs off garden plants and weeds but not garden. They eat mosquitos and black flies, and vegetable peels. I'll try to get better at posting.

In other news. I made the call to the oxygen rental company to come and get all their tanks. I drove to IL with no oxygen. It has almost completely gone away. I am still not eating anything. Remember my list is long so to everyone else I'm not eating anything. I am quite happy and eat a normal diet.

AnnaBelle goes in for her testing at Allergy Associates on July 1st. We are so excited to find out what she might be allergic to so she can feel as well as I do. She has been having more stomach and body aches and has once again had a cold for about a month.

Genevieve lost her first tooth and is excited about kindergarten in the fall. She will be going to Great Expectations School.

Eloise stands up and walks if you hold her hands, but she still has awhile before walking. She is almost nine months old. One tooth, still waiting for first word.

I'm done for now, have a great week!

Finally an Update! A long one!

2011-03-27T23:18:00.003-05:00

I look at this blog everyday and think of all the things that are going on that I want the few people that follow it to read. I post some of the info on FB but not nearly enough! So this might be a long one to read, but we have done so much since Jan.! First off is that I am feeling way better on my diet without all my allergens. For a short recap I have completely cut out; corn, eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, seeds, and green beans because of the car issue and hives/itchy-tingly skin. I am still on low acid so most fruits are out. I still eat lots of foods, they just don't usually come out of a package, which is not a bad thing! I have been making more meals from scratch, even though I did that anyway. I can't wait for spring to plant our garden! The best thing about this is that I am better! Not all the way, but at least half-way better. I get less headaches and drowsiness in the car and my throat doesn't hurt anymore. I know immediately when I am hitting something because I get an awful headache/flash of pain, that luckily fades if I stop eating whatever it is. Gid always says he couldn't live like I do, and I tell him how much happier I am. And yes sometimes I am bad. I eat the meal and chase it with Benedryl. But that isn't very often, only twice since Feb. once was for fake sour cream (corn) and caramels (if I am already having a reaction-might as well enjoy it!) In other news; Gevie is a skiing wonder. We have conquered almost all of Ullr Mountain. She skis by herself and I just follow her and shout directions or hints on steering. There is a junior league she can join next year that we are looking into so she could do it with her peers and be involved in a sport. Her highlight besides skiing was today when we went to friends for dinner and she was riding her snowmobile with two other kids (5 and 7). they both had them so they were all making tracks and laps together. AnnaBelle has an appointment with the allergist in LaCrosse. We want to get her tested like I did because we found so many answers there. We know about milk, but it still seems there is an underlying allergy or something. We have always suspected soy we have to monitor how much soy she gets. PLEASE PRAY IT IS NOT SOY. Soy is a major player in my diet now and it would be like killing our kitchen all over again. Also with AnnaBelle, we have always wondered why she has accidents and wets the bed when she gets even a little milk. I googled it and found several articles that discussed it. The theroy is that the bladder becomes inflamed and can't hold what it used to so the bathroom happens more. Which is what we see, it is amazing how often that kid will go sometimes. Also when the bladder becomes irritated the feelers that tell your body when to stop and go lose some of the "feeling." I'll attach a link, they have it make more sense. So we were super excited to finally figure that out and know for sure that it is an allergy thing, and not just AnnaBelle. AnnaBelle has been coming up with "my mouth hurts" and "there is dirt in my eyes" statements at bedtime. They are driving us bonkers because they are almost exclusively at bedtime and we think it is probably stalling. I also see the connections between those statements and how allergies make me feel, so I am trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. Not always working with a three year old. This is what is new with us. I didn't go into what Gid is up to, but maybe in another post. Thank you for reading and wanting to be a part of our lives. Please continue prayer for AnnaBelle and I. We are both doing well, but there are still mysteries!

AnnaBelle Turns Three!

2011-01-23T11:24:00.004-06:00

AnnaBelle Pearl- Born at 7lb 4oz, Current: 27lb. 6oz. 37" tall.
Favorite things, her baby sister, her baby dolls, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

I feel so blessed today to look back through AnnaBelle's three years and see how God has measured each step. We are so thankful for the health she has and her attitude toward everything when she is sick. AnnaBelle is our funny kid, she just cracks us up. Genevieve was always a thinker, coming up with questions to ask. AnnaBelle will be talking to you and then throw in a zinger. Or just start laughing at herself in the backseat. She's making you laugh even when she is driving you nuts.

She must be feeling pretty close to 100% now, because she is back to singing or humming while eating. She must think it aids in digestion. She has done this since she was about one. We tried almost every kind of milk but they all had problems. She still says her stomach hurts so we have one more kind to try before we put her back on almond and me on something else. The new one is Oat milk.

Even with the bumps we hit with AnnaBelle, she is still so healthy and God has given us a gigantic peace about caring for her so we aren't stressed out. I just wanted to share how blessed we feel to be the parents of God's AnnaBelle. We can see His work through her!

Christmas

2010-12-26T14:41:00.006-06:00

Eloise is smiling at Genevieve's horse gift bag. Really, horse crazy already?

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone enjoyed thier day of blessings! Our started out rough with kids waking up all night long, but once we woke up for the day it all went well.

Presents at home:
We gave them a big present this year together- a snowmobile. GV is ready for it and AnnaBelle will have time to get used to it and she could drive it now. We know kids that started racing at five.

Other than that, Genevieve got a horse jewelry box and necklace, AnnaBelle got a homemade monkey blanket, Gid got binoculars with camera attachment, and I got my new coat. Eloise got some cute cloth diaper covers and an ornament.

We also switched up our snowmobiles. The kids got the little Arctic Cat and we traded my 500 for a two-up 600. We've been looking at snowmobiles for a while, it just happened that we found everything the week before Christmas.

What me and Gid really wanted was for my allergies to go away, and we did get that for Christmas in a way. My brother offered to take our cat, hopefully on loan, until my allergies go away. Now we just have to figure out how to get her to Chicago. The rabbit is also moving in the garage, so my house is getting allergy free. We plan on pulling the carpet in the spring and putting in hard wood.

We are still working on explaining the reason for celebrations at Christmas beyond Jesus' birthday. That has been a prayer for us lately.

Allergy Results

2010-12-19T22:47:00.003-06:00

So I got the food blood tests back and here is what it said: Milk, eggs, corn, peanuts, tree nuts--off limits. I can have them if it is an ingredient and is less than 10% of the product. Cake for example has a small amount of milk in it and would technically be fine.

Dr. Sabnis thinks I should be able to cut these things out for 6 months and then try reintroducing them. I have allergy drops for the food now as well as for the environmentals (cat, dog, dust, grass, molds, try to keep up ;).

The biggest thing he said (for the third time) was that I should not have a cat. So anyone want a cat on loan for 6 months? The rabbit will also be moving to the garage. Sitting next to him now and typing is giving me a headache and asthma symptoms.

The theroy again is that if I can get all my allergies under control, then the car one will follow suit and will get better as well. My system is still being overloaded with things so it is reacting to everything so these other allergies may fade---hopefully soon!

I don't know what else to tell you, we are not happy about the results but are thrilled to know what I should be avoiding. I plan on just making a list of good and quick meals that we could easily adapt so we don;t have to come up with stuff on the fly. Looks like I am going to be a real meat and potato kind of person after all.

Thank you for praying for me. We have peace and acceptance about the results.

First Everything, and no camera!

2010-12-03T14:17:00.002-06:00

Eloise had her first vacation, her first 10 hour car ride (she did great), her first day shopping, her first whipped cream, and several more, but we didn't have the camera. It went into the truck--and disappeared.

Sara's appointment went ok. No amazing, do this and you'll be cured. They did give me the allergy drops and he said I should see improvement within 6 months. His theroy is that since I am allergic to everything, my body's system is raw and reacting to everything, including something in the car/garage like metal, fumes, plastic, ect. I haven't heard about the food tests yet, they will take another week. I feel frustrated that they didn't try to find new allergies, just went off the old ones. I believe the thinking is that there are a few major players and once those are controlled, the rest will fade away.

Anyway, there is an update, I have 7 more days in the semester and an amazing amount of work to do.

Chao.

Oh Deer

2010-11-17T21:13:00.003-06:00

This was a few weeks ago, right before deer season started. We are looking out the daycare window. This is the baby, Mama is on the other side of the garden eating leftover corn. This one is eating zuchinni. Yes zuchinni. There were a few that were missed and shortly after seeing these two, all the zuchinni disappeared.

One of the daycare kids tells us how much her dad loves, "Monster bucks, and monster does." We are also hoping for a "monster" (very large) deer to fill our freezer.

So far when Gideon goes hunting all he sees is partridge. He says they are teasing him, since they know he has the wrong gun with him.

Allergies Of Course

2010-11-13T14:47:00.002-06:00

Hello, figured I hadn't really posted about anything since almonds, and we've come a long way since then. First on is AnnaBelle. We tried reintroducing a small amount of milk in her diet, we let her eat a two pumpkin muffins over three days. The recipe contained 3 TB of milk. That was three weeks ago and we are still seeing the side effects. So no milk for AnnaBelle.

The symptoms we saw were the second day her voice had changed and sounded gurgaly-is that a word? Runny nose started a few days later. Then we had about a week of "my tummy hurt." and one exciting morning where she threw up continually until she was empty. No we are on to the worst part for us--accidents and wetting the bed. Good thing I stocked up on laundry soap.

Quite a record for 3 TB of milk in 24 muffins which she only had two of.

On the other hand, I am super excited about my upcoming appointment at Allergy Associates in Lacrosse, WI. The more I have been reading about allergies the more I think that there has been a few that have been around for more than ten years. For example, I have been telling doctors for years that my "bones are sore" or achy. When I was a kid they were growing pains, when I got older it was playing rough in sports. Also chronic headaches, being tired all the time, and having stomach pains. Maybe all these are related and I can figure out what it is.

Also in the three books I got from the library there have been several stories from people where an allergen made them feel, "fuzzy-headed", or "drugged". I am super excited because maybe now we can figure out what is going on with the car. Even though it isn't just cars anymore.

I've been back to suspecting something large for a couple weeks, because I have had a constant sore throat. What I've found out so far is.....it might be corn. Or corn syrup at least. I tried it twice now with marshmallow treats made with Special K. I get a headache, dizzy, and fuzzy all within about 90 seconds. Hopefully not, but I'm staying away from marshmallows and candy for the time being. Actually, I've been staying away from most anything.

We are really praying that this allergy place gives us some answers so we know what to avoid. That is Nov. 29 and will include about 4 hours of tests and challenges to see what I react to. So all is mostly well, just still figuring things out.

Halloween Pix

2010-11-01T13:14:00.003-05:00

Posted for Grandpa Sam who loves halloween but won't get to see them this year. Everyone had a great time, we walked up and town streets for about 1 and a half hours. We have a ton of candy, Gideon and I are very happy. Eloise slept nearly the whole time, she woke up on the walk back to the truck, so we speed walked.

Proof of smile! She was smiling at a plastic pumpkin.

AnnaBelle's First Haircut and Almonds

2010-10-27T08:33:00.003-05:00

October 25, AnnaBelle is 2 and 3/4's and finally has enough hair for a hair cut. She was starting the mullet in the back so our hair stylist Jeff trimmed and blended. Genevieve got a trim too and yes that is our door in the background, he comes to us.

In other news, AnnaBelle still can't have even small amounts of milk or things that contain milk. She is on the almond milk but we are working on changing that.

You see the thing is, Sara is now allergic to almonds. Yes I know...I had a glass of AnnaBelle's chocolate milk, quite good from what I remember. But this time it tasted like a tin can. My favorite granola all of a sudden gave me hives. A muffin made with almond milk made me feel like coconut, my world was spinning. So we're going to have to start cooking with a different kind of milk-again. The plan is and was before to go to Allergy Associates, a clinic place in Madison for testing around Thanksgiving. I can't keep up with all the new things.
Otherwise Eloise is just fine, almost figured out how to sleep not in my bed. AnnaBelle is on the way to learning her colors and Genevieve is still going with letters and sounds.

All Girls

2010-10-06T10:36:00.003-05:00

Three beautiful girls! Everyone keeps asking if we were hoping for a boy, we honestly didn't care. Sticking with girls simplifies things, we already adjusted to behaviors and clothes. I was hoping for a girl, but just because I like our girl name better than our boy name, Elliot Allen.

Can't say three wonderful children, because thier all normal. Genevieve wants to play without her sister, AnnaBelle has a cold and is grumpy, crying and fit throwing, and Eloise won't sleep in her own bed at night, just ours. So the choice is up every hour or have her next to me and get 3 hours stretches.

I'm still pretty relaxed on maternity leave and have no desires to return yet. But I'm also asleep a lot of the day. Which is making me fall behind on the things I need to do. So off I go....

Twinkle Toes Arrives!

2010-10-03T00:16:00.002-05:00

This is definately going to be our production kind of kid. The IV was started at noon and she arrived at 10:59 and about 2 hours of pushing. Maybe more maybe less, I for one was not counting.

She weighs 8.5lbs is 22inches long OH and her name is not Twinkle Toes! It is Eloise Irene Silence! My Great great aunts Eloise and Irene were the two that started Koeneke Shoredge in Lutsen.

Otherwise, I haven't eaten since breakfast so Gid went to go get us Perkins at 12:20 am. Eloise is getting her first bath in the nursery. I can't wait to eat and then sleep!

Sisterly Love

2010-08-25T21:51:00.003-05:00

Genevieve is now starting to like having a sister to play with at home. Not that they always get along, but they do play together more and have a ball doing it. This is them dressed up as cowgirls. Courtney was here visiting and helped them find thier hats and boots.

Doggy day. AnnaBelle has her mouth open for a pretend treat. I took four pictures and this is the best one. Catching both of them is a huge task. I told AB to close her mouth so the next picture was GV covering her sisters mouth with her hand and not looking at the camera!

Quiver and His New House

2010-08-25T21:19:00.005-05:00

Not that I have to tell anyone that this is sort of late, but better late than never. Meet Quiver, the mini rex rabbit and don't forget to check out Gevie's crazy hair falling out of a pony tail. Quiver came from a farm in Silver Bay that belongs to a cousin (somehow) on the Bockovich side. Quiver is a great bunny, has litter trained well and puts up with Gevie chasing him and snuggling him.

We got the rabbit on Aug 8th, but didn't get the cage until the 13th. The girls and I started to put it together on Fri. afternoon. It is made with shelving cubes from Walmart. It cost us about $45 for a giant cage that would have been at least another $100. All those things all over are zip ties. Both girls had a great time putting on about 60 of them.

Daddy is doing the finishing touches. He put in two shelves or levels in the house and covered them with carpet. The black tray on the bottom came from the dogs kennel that never kept the dog in anyway.

No that is not the rabbit, it's the cat. We opened the door for bunny free time and she went it to get a drink of water. You can see one shelf, the other is above her head higher up, he has a nest box up there now too.

So that was our new project, now we started a few more!

More Update

2010-07-29T18:52:00.003-05:00

I'm so exhausted I have been barely able to think of what to type. But there is great news, there has been healing! I have been standing up and getting things done and still feeling wonderful. Well still pregnant so not really wonderful, but way better than before. I still can't do a lot because I get super exhausted, but I am very happy with the healing we have had. If I over do it I still have contractions and I sleep sitting up because of heartburn. This is something new that I didn't have with the girls either.

In other exciting news, our garden is amazingly productive. I can barely keep up with it. Each day I pick a project to do during outside time. Like pick lettuce or zuchinni or weed an area. As far as I know the corn and potatoes are doing well, and I can't see the carrots either but the tops look good. The brocoli has been attacked by "cabbage loopers" green caterpillars that turn into white moths. I've sprayed them with an organic insecticide and plan to keep it up. We have a complete invasion going on!

Otherwise my brother and niece are coming for a visit and the kids are fighting...

Bye

Irritable Uterus-Now what?

2010-07-06T13:34:00.003-05:00

The newest direction that Sara's wierdness has taken. The dianosis was set by a nurse practicioner so it could be wrong, but after looking it up on-line, it fits--perfectly. What is a irritable uterus? I've linked a webpage under our links section with lots of information. But basically it means that I have a million contractions a day that don't do anything to start preterm labor, but they make me exhausted and they HURT. Some are just twinges, and others have me concentrating on my breathing. Contractions are irratic and sometimes it is a 20 minute contraction. Those are tons of fun.

Standing, walking, a full bladder, and a million other things including fetal movements can make my prego belly upset. Good days and bad days so somedays I am up for long stretches and nothing, and sometimes getting my self a snack is too much and I have to rest/sit.

The oxygen thing has leveled off, it doesn't drop that much and I try to get it to drop to give the Dr.'s more info. Yes, I'm still technically working, even though I only have 2-3 kids per day. It is working out great to have just a few so I can be mostly resting and not breaking up fights between my two kids.

I still go to the lung Dr. and the OB in Duluth on the 14th of this month. I am really hoping to OB has a ton of answers for me as well as tons of fun tests to check things out. Please pray for the appointment and for me not to go insane before then. This having to sit all the time is really starting to get to me. Oh! But the fun I had swimming in Devil Track Lake on Monday! I had to use a life jacket because it really hurt to use my abs-or what is left of them. But it was so amazing to be able to move around and have fun with Gevie and my brother Eric.

2010-06-29T16:58:00.002-05:00

AnnaBelle said her name before, but now you can tell what it is. It is very short so you may have to play it a few times. First she says, "on" and turns on Tad the frog. Then she says her name, "An-milt" before catching herself and slowly saying "An-na--Belle."

AnnaBelle is the picture of health and must be growing because most of her temper tantrums is because she wants to eat all the time and I refuse to let her have a snack every half hour. Very cruel, I know.

Genevieve is in swimming lessons again and loving it. Gideon is in charge of carpooling and hating it.

Twinkle Toes is happy and dancing all over my stomach and other organs. I have been feeling better the last two weeks, but still can't count on the time I can stand up. So the grocery store without a second adult to finish the job and check out is still a task that eludes me. I am able to stand up for longer though and get a little bit of stuff done. Usually between 5 and 10 minutes standing, less if walking or going up stairs. It may sound awful to you, but it used to be only about a minute.

Please continue to pray for healing and/or answers along with a continued sense of peace that only God can bring.

Hopefully, Part of an Answer

2010-06-15T13:42:00.002-05:00

Hello, I'm sorry to not post fun things about kids with pictures. We've lost both cameras at the moment so there is no way to take pictures or to post them. Anyway, since everyone always asks how I am doing...

I always have brakston hicks contractions or something. I think I posted about them. Last night they wouldn't go away and I was supposed to call if they lasted more than an hour. Rhonda took me to the ER and they hooked up the fetal monitor and ran a bunch of tests. Baby is still happy and healthy from what they can "see" and I was not in danger of preterm labor. They did find I had two totally normal (amazing) pregnancy infections which they can treat with antibiotics. So I have two more pills.

I am also still anemic and lower than last time (currently 10.9, they want 14 as a low). Since I said the iron wasn't bad on my system, she said, "Good, you can take it three times a day." I am also adding a vitamin C supplement to help my body absorb the iron.

I'll be spending the day researching more about the stomach problems I've had for 5 years to see if there are any ideas there. Otherwise, as I stated on my facebook page, beware of what you pray for, it could end you up in the ER. Of course we were rather happy with the outcome, so...GO GOD!

No More Laundry

2010-06-10T17:22:00.002-05:00

The title is from the amazing fact that we have no laundry to do. My mom came for a week long visit and did laundry and cleaned the kitchen endlessly. It did take her almost the whole week to get to the end of the laundry though. Was great to have her here to do the hauling upstairs and downstairs with it and stand at the sink for dishes. And of course visit!!

We have been keeping track of the oxygen saturation with the monitor but it doesn't seem to always change, even when I don't feel well. The best way to describe it is: imagine the opposite feelling of standing on your head-instead of everything rushing to your head, you can feel it falling away. Rather uncomfortable and other things start to go awry that make me feel ill, the last two things are that my stomach gets real tight and my vision dims, like I put on sunglasses (really wierd to have happen). The contractions, if that's what they are have eased up quite a bit but seem to come on in the car (big surprise). I have appointments with an OB in Duluth and the palmanologist (lungs) on July 14.

Really there is good news: God knows everything! All other aspects are healthy and the different tests they have come up with doing all come back normal. The baby is growing with a strong heartbeat and the ultrasound looked great. We will continue to trust in Him to continue to keep us healthy, if not a little wierd.

Wierdo Update

2010-05-21T21:05:00.002-05:00

We got the oxyometer from Duluth today, the thing that measures the oxygen in your blood. I also got the number that I shouldn't go below; 85%. I've been up and around with the thingy and it drops to 93, so that is promising at least-no totally tied down. The biggest thing is the more I am up, the bigger headache I get. Not all together pleasant, but I'll take what I can get. I'll be moving around this weekend and seeing what I can and can't do.

Here we go Wierdness, Here we Go

2010-05-18T14:28:00.002-05:00

By the title it is obviously a post of Sara. A new bump in the road and tests to run. I started feeling "heavy-headed" when I stood up and and cramps. I called and of course the nurse said I should come in (me and AB have a go directly to "jail" card). They ran a few things but the simplest one was the answer. When I stand up and walk around I lose oxygen. Doing a two minute walk in the hospital dropped it to 77% instead of 100%. When I sit, it immediately goes to 100%. The headache, breathlessness, and vision take a minute to recover.

What does this mean? They are going to try a few new things to try and figure it out, the problem will only get worse as the baby grows and demands more of my blood/oxygen. I am almost done with my first day doing daycare sitting down. Genevieve says, "Wow I didn't know you could even change diapers sitting down." I wheel myself around the kitchen in my office chair. Whatever works. Not working is not an option-unless it has to be. Keep praying that it doesn't.

I have another check up on The 24th, so I'll post again shortly thereafter.

Update Anyone?

2010-05-03T14:08:00.002-05:00

I forgot that you are supposed to update the blog every now and again. Nothing special, just a what's been happening here. I purposely posted a cute picture of AnnaBelle getting "eaten" by the chair at the circus. She is a real pill lately. Gid and I both take "time outs" away from her. If she stubs her toe, it's a temper tantrum with screaming, if a zipper is stuck, she wants more juice and you say water, anything, lots of screaming. AHHHHHHH.

In her slight defense, she has been sick again (what's new about that?) pnemonia and ear infections. She has been on Amoxicillan since April 5. Yes we are getting her new tubes---or something. Nothing awful or contagious, just the same common cold every got and got over at the end of March, but ABelle is special and can't kick the congestion and it keeps digging in. Hopefully her check up next week will be all clear, but if you hear the rattle in her chest......probably not. Last time we heard, "The lungs sound great, but her ears look terrible." I'm assuming we'll have the reverse next week.

Sara has finals next week--so I won't be posting anytime soon. And has ups and downs in the car. So far, nothing new, still need O2 and don't go far. The doc and I are waiting to see how things progress to see if I will deliver here or in Duluth. We don't want to risk anything (in the car) by sending me to Duluth but also don't want to have to get me there by ambulance or helicopter. Gid and I are very happy to sit back and see what God's plan is.

Gevie loved the circus, the animal parts of course. She rode an elephant and wanted to ride a horse but we said no, she could ride one in town. Otherwise, Gideon is totally normal along with Gevie, and we are all eager for warmer weather.

Time to work!

Mint Chocalate Chip & The Amazing Tranny Bill

2010-03-30T21:17:00.002-05:00

Well can't say this baby is a girl or not, but definately following baby Genevieve in the craving department. Only one. Mint Chocalate Chip Milkshakes. OH MY! Posted about my earlier troubles finding a brand that I could eat. Found it and it was on sale, I now have a gallon, but am now considering getting another. To save $3 of course.

Oh the amazing abiltiy for food to become that delisious. Just what I wanted.

In other news:
The baby, nicknamed Twinkle Toes by Genevieve, is now the size of a medium shrimp or 3in. (from babycenter.com). I have a belly but someone else will have to take a picture if you want to see it.

The great Suburban needed and got a new transmission. There was and is a lot of praying going on about it and it is fun to see how God provides. Gideon prayed in Duluth (when it sounded like we left a major chunk of something behind us) to be able to drive the truck home. We made it, no problem or further scary noises. But we needed a tranny with a serious $0 in the bank. Uhhhh God? Well a couple random phone calls recieved and we picked up some more work and ta-da! We have enough to pay our parts bill! We were amazed, and hope to always be amazed by the works of God!

Sports Mania

2010-03-09T20:42:00.003-06:00

In the video, Gevie is squatting way low. She was frustrated to go faster so I told her to bend her knees A LITTLE. I spent the next hour trying to convince her to stand up and bend her knees only. Better luck next time.

Gevie has become quite the sports person. This week has been a busy week for her with skiing on Sunday afternoons, dance on Monday, and swimming lessons on Tues. and Thurs. No, we don't plan on making her one of the kids that's carted all over the place, but she yearns to get out of the house and participate so we started dance, then skiing had a super deal on ski lessons (because we can't ski) and her friend from daycare was there. And of course, you all know about Gevie and the water, so swimming lessons were a necessity.

We probably only have one more day of skiing with the really warm weather. Gevie and Gideon are going, with I could video his way down. After he figures out how to stop and practices on the littlest hill, they will probably go down a real hill called "Big Bunny."

Dance and swimming are only til the end of March.

Alas, AnnaBelle is 2 and speaks mostly with "Uh huh" and "Uh-Uh" very emphatically on both accounts. She is fighting viruses for the last month or so again. We have an ear appointment on Friday in Duluth. Sara is headed for an allergy check-up and Gid is having ear problems again, so he has an appointment too. How great to get them all on the same day!

Post again when we get back. Picking up stuff to remodel the daycare bathroom!

The worst memory ever

2010-02-24T21:16:00.002-06:00

Hello, been meaning to post but of what? Exhaustion? Field trips? Migraines? So I picked my favorite, ice cream. My all time must have to live food is Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Breyers is the best but I believe over $6 a container now.

This story comes from Sara's busy life, new allergy searching, and a slightly foggy memory. I was in the grocery store and OH LOOK ice cream on sale. I'll get my favorite. I get home, get busy forget about ice cream, add a migraine the next day, but then finally ICE CREAM for dessert. I scoop it into the bowl and....WAIT. God sends me a little bird that says, "doesn't this kind have coconut in it?" NOOOOO! Yes it does. I rinsed out my bowl and cheated with a bit of strawberry. Now I have a whole carton of my favorite ice cream that Genevieve gets to eat (AB can't have and Gid won't have).

So anyway, read the label before you buy is the moral of this story, or I guess just remember if you already found out the hard way.

I'm signing off to dream of ice cream.......

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

2010-02-15T14:38:00.002-06:00

One of my daycare moms left this with her tire tracks this morning. Her daughter noticed it as she waved good-bye. Pretty perfect timing, we enjoyed looking at it all day.

We don't get real into holidays so yesterday was a wonderful Sunday with church in the morning and nap after lunch and then we went kite flying on Two Island lake with Rhonda, Chuck, Ben, Goosie, RaeAnne, Carter, and us. Carter and AnnaBelle hate the cold, so they watched happy feet in the truck with Goosie after a while.

Rae and Gevie got to go on a short snowmobile trip to the Landing for dinner where we all had dinner and tried to keep the two year olds from interuppting any romantic evenings. Most were older couples that enjoyed watching AnnaBelle groove to her own music. Gevie stayed with Rae for the night and AnnaBelle almost slept through the night.

Dipper the Smartest Dumb Dog Ever

2010-01-21T13:55:00.003-06:00

So maybe you've met Dipper in the last year and a half. He got a cut on his leg fall of 2008. It didn't heal, he would leave it alone. We took him to the vet after about 8 months. She did minor surgery to clean it up and stitched it. He took them out. She put in staples, he took them out. We bandaged it, and bandaged it and..... you get the picture. He wore the cone for almost a whole year. Then ok, we give up.

What does he do? He starts on his tail! The last 1 1/2 inches of his tail is furless and gross. Same deal we can't get him to leave it alone and when we leave, he really makes a mess of it. So for some reason, Gid's parents didn't want him when we went on vacation. So we took him with. My mom has 3 Dippers (a brother, sister, and his mom) so he is always welcome. We shut him in a plastic kennel and then closed the door to the room. (The room was covered so he wouldn't get blood anywhere). We were back within 2 hours, he was out of the kennel and was about 1/2 way through the door.

Picture is sidways of course. I'm sure it was an accident, he didn't mean to take all that off. So if you ever wondered what the inside of a door looked like. After this, Gid put tie straps around the door of the kennel and around the back. Worked just fine.

We've ordered a muzzle he shouldn't be able to lick through. Let's see if we can keep him in it.

One last Christmas and a Waterslide?

2010-01-21T13:24:00.004-06:00

Genevieve's birthday and Christmas party (AnnaBelle's too). Gevie says, "I don't know what it could be, maybe a horse?" This kid and horses! It was a bike 16". She was also thrilled with two sets of animals (totaling 122 pieces), a Dora Tag book, A DIEGO TAG BOOK! (her favorite), and a firetruck (for Gid too).

AnnaBelle got a dog that says her name, and the Tag Jr. (so she stops stealing GV's). They both got games Don't Break the Ice and Ants in the Pants. We played them last night, fun!

My mom thought she would be able to come up in January but then we found out Grandpa Sam needed another hip replacement. The other hip replacement pin went askew after a fall at the rehab center last year right after surgery. He was quiet and grumpy the first day but back to himself the next two days we visited.

He is a very stubborn man, so you can tell when he is back to normal. He refused to have surgery when he was in the hospital before Christmas because he wanted to be home for Christmas. When we went to leave him on the second day, he asked my mom to put the walker next to his wheelchair. My mom kept telling him, I'll put it there but don't you use it with out a nurse to help. He just nodded. Mom said, "You hear me? Don't try to use it yourself." He said, "Yeah I hear ya." Which Mom replied, "Well I think you hear me but don't listen." At that point Grandpa looked at me smiled and nodded.

While we were visiting we spent the night at Key Lime Cove in Gurnee. It has a pretty nice water park with a toilet bowl (uh I don't know how else to descibe this slide) 2 tube slides and 2 body slides all 4 stories up. It has a lazy river, wave pool, kid park, and baby kid park. The picture is at the baby kid park. The only place where AnnaBelle would go down. Gevie is of course still a fish and did the 4 story tube slide (where you go down in a double tube with someone else) as many times as I could do the slide. Her and I love waterslide. She also did the whole kid park, pretty decent body slides, she just wouldn't walk up to them with all the "big kids" around.

My battery is low, I'll post the dog side of our trip later.

Crazzzy December

2010-01-04T13:27:00.004-06:00

December is always crazy around here with Genevieve's birthday and all the Christmas parties, programs and getting together with all branches of family. Here are only a few pix of what we've been up to. The horse was Gevie's birthday present. She loves it, so does ABelle. They got the giant dog (GV) and bear for Christmas.

Gevie and AnnaBelle in thier Christmas program at church. They were both angels but AnnaBelle took a liking to the sheep hat the last day, so she spent much of the program as a sheep in a dress. AnnaBelle stood up on the stage and danced and Gevie did sing rather well. Her favorite song was "Go Tell it on the Mountan."

On Genevieve's birthday we went to Okontoe for a Christmas service and sleigh ride. What fun we had! It was -15 tempeture, not windchill, but we had a great time petting the horses and singing carols. I'll post more pix and a few movies hopefully, but for now, if we didn't tell you how much we loved seeing almost everyone in this crazy month, we did.

Car Update

2009-12-14T08:15:00.002-06:00

Over Thanksgiving most of the car problem went away. I still feel really relaxed in the car but alert. I also get a headache and tired afterward. We've noticed other times during the day when all of a sudden I'll feel tired and light headed, like the life got sucked out of me.

When we did the oximeter test (oxygen test) they found my O2 was down at night and in the car. I have a O2 machine on at night now and besides drying out my nose, I feel great. By the end of the day I still get a headache. They also prescribed a inhaler for before I get in the car, but I haven't used that yet.

Sorry it took me a while to post. Finals at school. And with that said, back to it. Due tomorrow.

Be Thankful!

2009-11-25T22:55:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving! So we were going to have ham, because we don't prefer turkey, but it was hard throughout the week to keep talking about turkey day with no turkey so we go one. We'll head out to Colvill hopefully for lunch hopefully as long as I get the stuff started for dinner here.

Today AnnaBelle and Genevieve made turkey headdresses with me at daycare. AnnaBelle wore hers most of the day.

Planting Pumpkins

2009-11-22T16:24:00.002-06:00

Our pumpkins have been way past ripe for some time now. We've moved them to various spots around the yard to see if they will sprout next year like in our book, Pumpkin Jack. Sara went in for the cardiologist testing, she said my heart sounded fine and she ordered an ultrasound done. It was an "Echobubble" at the end, they squirted some mixture that was all shook up and full of bubbles through an IV to see if all the bubbles make it to both sides of the heart. Kind of interesting. Not the 20 minute and 6 poke IV fiasco though.

Where do we go from here? We keep praying and going where we are lead. We have complete trust in the team that has seen me. There has been some improvement lateley, but we don't know if it's from the weather or what. We just thank God for it. Even if all symptoms go away tomorrow, it will still be some time before I drive again. Just to make sure I don't create a two ton hazard.

AnnaBelle is still wonderfully potty trained, even though yesterday was a bad day (5 accidents instead of 1). Genevieve is getting more relaxed with the car thing and all the tests. We switched to explaining it in the car as "when Mama gets tired" instead "The car makes Mama sick" which has stopped the worry of me going in the car as well as sitting in front instead of the back. Also, we are explaining all the tests, which in turn teach her more about her body. This weekend was all about veins and blood flow and oxygen.

All About AnnaBelle

2009-11-14T14:50:00.004-06:00

I'm calling it official. AnnaBelle is potty trained. YEAH! We have 0-1 accidents in a day, unless we are playing with water, then she almost always has one. Something about watching water pouring.... She is dry sometimes at nap and never at night, but the daytime thing is big enough!

Today was also her first pig tails!

We didn't think there could be a kid with less hair than Genevieve and then there was AnnaBelle! Here is her first pigtails at 22 months!

Otherwise we are still trucking. And no there is no new news for the car thing.

Finally Pictures!

2009-11-10T15:14:00.003-06:00

AnnaBelle pretending to count during hide and seek with our friend Kam. they both need to work on not peaking! More later, out of battery!

Well Genevieve isn't smiling but I finally posted a picture. this is Grandma's day at daycare.

Anyone Else Sick of Sickness?

2009-11-08T21:50:00.002-06:00

When I got in touch with the Dr. up at the clinic, she suggested an transportable EKG (heart monitor) and a meeting with the cardiologist. I'm sure this will be normal too.

On the way to Rochester it was 65 degrees so we obviously didn't have the heat on and I sat in the back seat hoping it would make a differnce. One or the other-did. I made it six hours and was only slightly foggy, if I didn't keep my mind engaged by moving or talking, I felt the effects--just really worn down. I turned the heat on and we had to stop with in 5 minutes because I stopped functioning, same thing as before, the feeling of going under anestesia but having it take a really long time. I got out sat in the parking lot (and apparently got a few looks) and got back in with no problem.

That night, I tried sitting in the front seat (this is friday 11/6) and was really trippy head spinning, "look at the lights, man" When we got to walmart or target? I had a hard time walking in the store because of all the images and signs infront of me. I wanted to put my hand up to keep them away, not from haluciation or anything, but because I was overwhelmed.

Otherwise, the way home was uneventful except we did turn the heat on in Duluth, I got really tired and fell asleep, hard, like I was in a bed-not usually how you sleep in a car, but it felt great!

No NEWS

2009-11-05T08:48:00.002-06:00

Feeling discouraged, but I didn't yell at anyone, mostly. The test was normal. The nuerologists official opinion was stay out of the car, even though it is now 10 different cars.

I put in a call to my primary to see what happens now. Otherwise Hearts at Home Conference tomorrow, a fun car ride to be sure.

I could fester and be grumpy, but we are bobbing to "Go Fish" Bible Book Bop.

Sara

How I Feel Today

2009-11-03T13:47:00.002-06:00

Along with my friend Renee, we too do a lot of laundry as AnnaBelle is in underwear. Yes we know way early, but she decided to go diaperless and we follow. The problem comes that she wants to go on HER time and gets mad when you suggest it. Which is usually 10 minutes prior to her waiting to long. A work in progress.

Gevie, knows that the car makes me sick, at first she thought I wore the mask because of the dog hair in the car. We haven't told her much and she sits behind me so doesn't see me basically falling asleep. I want to make a video so people stop asking, so what happens? I go on drugs and then part of my brain passes out and I can't move. Apparently, after 30 minutes I "wake up." And have memory loss.

I won't know anything about anything until the nuerologist McKee reviews the results on Thurs. The office called me today and said the results were in and another nuero read it, but couldn't draw anything conclusive, he did say there were some anomilies? Things that weren't there when I said they were and were when i said they weren't? Anyway, no news that makes sense anyway until Thursday morning. Please Wednesday go fast.

This may get to be a long post but I found this verse through my Beth Moore study yesterday.
1 Peter 1: 6-9 Here is how I feel with my turmoil.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been greived by various trials (Yes Lord), that the genuieness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, thought it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom not having seen you love.

Sara's Back

2009-10-23T21:01:00.002-05:00

Back now from Duluth. No one knew anything and I only saw the allergist and the tech who put the portable "amblatory" EEG machine to monitor to brain waves while I was in the car off and on for 24 hours. They are trying to rule out something called "reflex epilepsy" which I am still looking into.

The symptoms still are bad in the car, like watching someone turn into a statue I think. But they aren't as severe. I can ride in the car with a big mask on for longer times without the window down. And the main symptoms clear up after only a few minutes when I'm out of the car. I still get turned around and disorientated after a while, but its more like unfocused, not unfunctioning.

The results from today will be ready by the end of next week, and I'll meet with the nuerolgist after that.

In other news, AnnaBelle is terrified of Jack O Lanterns and Genevieve is counting the days until her birthday. She is also excited to see her friend Oliver who we are trying to go visit, but unsure of how we will manage a 5 hour car ride. We haven't really let her in on the giant hurdle.

The Lord is with us, and shows us his glory everyday.

AB finally starts to talk, I found real sand in Duluth, we got Gideons favorite movie on sale, after a really bad event in the car, we ended up in a pet store--so soothing.

Take time everyday to thank God for his creation. Take time to look up, the sky is amazing.

Trick Question

2009-10-20T22:13:00.002-05:00

So here's the question: How do you get to Duluth without getting in a car?

It took about 5 hours, but the hospital staff and I found the solution.

Answer: One EMT and one oxygen tank.

Headed to Duluth tomorrow allergy testing and back to the neurologist. They do a 24 hour test that will monitor activity while I am having an "episode." Its okay. Laugh. I still have to convince myself I'm NOT CRAZY!

The worst part will be tommorow night and the next afternoon, since I will be in a stupor while I let the machine work. I am supposed to induce this reaction; ie, ride in the car, eat yummy candy, walk into a garage.....any other ideas?

Not to make light on a potentially serious issue, but God is with us and we are working to figure it out. We are thankful for many things, including symptoms to a problem that we can work to find. We will need prayer for a while though.

Sara

Sara Gets Wierder

2009-10-18T13:56:00.003-05:00

Still trying to figure out allergies or whatever with Sara. They are getting worse. For anyone who hasn't seen me lately. I am reacting to something in some foods (mostly candy) and some cars. I want to post it here so if anyone else is Googling it, they might hit an answer sooner. I am headed to Duluth this week for an allergy test that will hopefully fill in the blanks.

The reaction I am having is textbook for Central Nervous System Depression. Not really depression, but the kind of drug induce stupor you get from "downers" or some prescriptions. Check out the link on the right to get a quick idea. Everything except coma and death (thank you, God) are what I experience when in the car even for a minute (literally).

What we think it is: Anti-Freeze. We don't know how because Gid doesn't know how it would get into the car and our cars don't have it in now, but the reaction happened again when he was working on a truck in the garage and spilled some. Also ANTI FREEZE IS IN FOOD it's an additive listed under "Artificial Flavorings), propylene glycol, and E1520. I found one pop (A & W float) that had propylene listed on the ingredients. I drank about a shot glass and was nuts (for lack of an easier word) for about an hour.

Hopefully the allergist can test me for forms of antifreeze and clue us into exactly what is happening. Until then, Sara is housebound unless necessary. And driving is out of the question. Check out the link, I was happy to find one that listed my symptoms so on target.

Fire Week 2009

2009-10-06T22:10:00.003-05:00

October 4-11 is Fire Week. So it is of course our daycare theme and man do we love it. Each year I collect more props and resources to use. Just today I had a dad bring in a backpack sprayer to lend to dress up. I'll have to get pix of that too. Anyway, this was our very busy day today. I had 10 kids and we went on a field trip to the fire hall. I knew this would be easier for some of the fire guys, except Gideon who was in charge of our adventure. So we played in the bay with the equipment and then ate lunch with the firefighters.

New things We Are Learning

2009-09-12T09:35:00.004-05:00

AnnaBelle digging in the cooler for food.

Milk is definately AnnaBelle's issue. There may be more, but milk is definately a no, no. We figured it out for sure right before vacation, no milk of any kind, in anything. We went to McDonald's and got her a hamburger, and had nasty diapers and a stomach ache. There is milk in the bun. We are now even watching soy products for the milk protien which may or may not set her off.

So we are learning:

Hummus is dairy free--at least the kind we had.

Tofutti brand tastes pretty good. (cream cheese, sour cream, cheese) all have tofu.

Putting AB's milk in cooking doesn't make that much of a difference. Except if you use the Hy-Top brand margarine in cookies, they are kind of flat and still delicious.

You can make oatmeal cookies milk free but if you add choc. chips, AB can't have them--OOPS.

If AnnaBelle can't have dessert, just give her a bowl of Honey Mustard dressing. EEEW I know but she ate two of them at the dinner theatre we went to.

Florida 2009

2009-09-12T09:17:00.003-05:00

AnnaBelle and sand... she has a sensory thing with her feet so it took her several days to walk on it. Even then she only did the hard packed sand by the water. Wierd kid.

Genevieve's first time on a real beach with real sand. Our hotel is behind her.

We all had a great time in Florida and Gideon didn't get burned. Well he got red but not peeling lobster like he usually does any time he is near water. We went to Gatorland, Daytona Flea Market, a beach by St. Augustine that felt like baby powder, swimming in the indoor and outdoor pools, jumped waves in the ocean, and went boating on the St. John's River.

Genevieve on her first day asked if we could go swimming again, "but not in the spicey one." It took us awhile, but she meant ocean. The water was "spicey."

Traveling with kids no problem what so ever, except the potty training AnnaBelle and having to go to the bathroom a million times. She did mostly good but as the week wore on she stopped telling us when she was wet or had to go. Gid and I figure this is because we were using disposable diapers and she wasn't uncomfortable because the day we got back and put her in cloth she was back to the potty almost all the time.

Uh...What day is it?

2009-08-12T21:16:00.003-05:00

This is when I took my niece Courtney on a girls day in Duluth two weeks ago.

The title??? Yeah it's been that bad. Work and housework, and broken motors, and family and friends visiting. To many things to do.

We painted the basement fun bright colors. Our good friends Stephanie and Josh and kids of course are moving to IN. But we get to see our other friends Mark, Kelley, Oliver, and Karis this week so that is exciting.

My brother Al and family were up last week and so was my Grandma Alice. So like I said, busy.

Mostly I wanted to post because people have been asking about AnnaBelle. She gained 1lb in 3 weeks which is unheard of lately. I need to weigh her again because I swear she is getting heavier. We have just cut out major milk products. We miss a lot of things, like cheez its, goldfish, and stroganoff (meaning she eats them and doesn;t seem to have a problem with the amount. We will continue to play with this to see what she can handle and what the main culprit is. Is it a specific food, or the amount of dairy in a given day.

And the most exciting news...her diapers are no longer natural disasters but normal mess. Hope that brightens your day!

2009-07-28T14:44:00.003-05:00

Hiking up Jonvick Creek next to Shoredge in Lutsen. AnnaBelle and Carter (niece RaeAnne is on left Carter is her brother same age as AB) hiked quite a bit and had fun splasing in the water.

Highlights of the last week. My friend Stephanie and I with help from Court and GV painted daycare some crazy colors. AnnaBelle said shoe when hers was falling off. Gideon fell asleep with a half eaten burrito in front of him. We got all the carpet in our house steam cleaned (we are still undigging from that yesterday). I hung a clothes line outside because our dryer broke, Gid isn't pleased with the upstairs fridge, downstairs has major issues and our bathtub well... we probably need a new one.

How exciting! Busy week talk later!

Sara

Yeah Tests are in!

2009-07-23T13:14:00.002-05:00

Oh joy! AnnaBelle tested negative for Celiac Disease!! And her other two tests were normal too. Also another break through we had a formed BM today. I'm sure everyone is just as excited as I am. So we are sticking with the no dairy. I'll continue to monitor her weight with the Wii. Maybe in another few weeks if her diapers stay normal we'll try cheese or yogurt. I will also be looking for information on the milk allergy/intolerance.

Gevie is going to Vacation Bible School with Courtney at the Baptist Church in town. They are having tons of fun and have a program tomorrow.

Gideon really wants a cheeseburger but doesn't want one blended up (I offered). He eats Jello and pudding for lunch and mashed potatoes for dinner.

Sara has to register for fall semester classes and order books. Classes start mid August. Get pix posted soon of vacation.

We're Back

2009-07-21T09:29:00.002-05:00

We are back and all super tired. We got here about 1:30 am today. Gideon's tonsil surgery went wonderful and he is back at work today, even on time.

Two of AnnaBelle's test came back normal, so we are just waiting for the Celiac test. I finally got the link over there. Our niece Courtney is visiting, she hasn't seen the playground yet. I bet she'll go crazy.

More later

Our Darling AnnaBelle

2009-07-15T13:41:00.006-05:00

Not the best picture, apparently I need to take more. This is when we hiked Cascade up by Pike lake Road. So no news is good news but AnnaBelle's check up had a surprise! I love surprises. Actually, since we had already taken dairy out of her diet, we kind of knew there was something going on.

So.... AB has always had chest congestion, like a cold that never goes away. We cut out dairy and have so far seen great improvement. We'll stick with it to see if its just a fluke. However at her check-up our Dr. noticed that she hasn't grown--for the last six months. She's always been "petite" but now she is falling off the charts. So they drew some blood (great fun for AnnaBelle) and are testing her blood counts, liver and kidney function, and testing her for Celiac disease which means she couldn't eat gluten. Gluten is EVERYWHERE, almost every grain, sauces, toothpaste, oh I can't imagine. I'll include a link to more information on Celiac.

For anyone thinking of how she eats, she eats healthy and eats A LOT. So her body may not be using the nutrients she is taking in.

As much as I pray and ask everyone else to pray that these test come back negative, I also pray for an answer. A positive blood test would confirm things, not put us back where we've been with "why don't you try this....."

So pray for an easy road for AnnaBelle, wherever the path may lead us. Oh and please pray for my peace of mind, it will be a week before we get the tests back!

Worms

2009-07-07T13:58:00.002-05:00

So here finally is all the details on our worm bin. It is homemade and mostly functional. The spout doesn't work well because we couldn't put it low enough. The worms get fed once a week or every 4 days if we have a ton of food. The eat everything that is good for you but take forever to break up hotdogs and french fries I am told. The black is wet peat moss then a layer of shredded packing paper and leaves. On top is a garbage bag to keep in moisture. The ice cream bucket is where we scrape our plates for the worms.

How do I like it? I think it is great. We haven't made a full rotation so I don't know if the worms have eaten everything I gave them two weeks ago. The bin doesn't smell even though there is chicken, watermelon, muffin, and various other things in there for two weeks.

How do you feed worms? Put scraps in a bucket and put a lid on so no flies lay eggs and make more flies. Once a week or so, dig a hole in the worm dirt and bury the food. Make sure it is covered for stink and for flies. Who wants flies in thier house.

Yes house. This is the part my mom has a hard time with. There are about 2000 worms in the bin. The bin is in my laundry room. But like I said, no smell. More updates to come....

I forgot about WORMS!

2009-06-25T15:09:00.003-05:00

I guess I did tell almost everyone, but anyway we are starting to vermicomposting or--composting with a worm bin! The worms got here today, and we have to finish thier house. It is a very large plastic pin (28 gallon).

I'll upload pictures and updates on how the worms like our garbage after the craziness of this weekend is over. I have a show toinght, a work night at church (and scrapbooking) Friday, and an aution to go to and a wedding on Saturday. Sunday-- I love Sunday. A day of learning, reflection, and REST.

Check out my worm lady: http://www.lavermesworms.net/. She came up for the Small Footprint Living Fair, very helpful.

Sara

Totally Swamped

2009-06-22T21:44:00.002-05:00

No not the weather, the life inside. This is totally crunch week for Sara's summer class, Media, Persuasion and Society. A really neat class that has opened up each section of the media (magazine, newspaper, tv, radio, songs, ect.). But I have 8 chapters to read and two test in 6 days. The chaps are about 40 pages a piece.

Gideon being ever so helpful said thats nothing, I am a fast reader-which is true--with a novel not on textbooks! So we'll get through

Tomorrow is Gideons Birthday. He has training and I have Bible study so we'll be a day late. I think we'll go to Moguls for dinner, we have a gift certif. I also made Pepperoni pasta salad on Sunday for him which is his new fav.

Gevie is ready for swimming lessons to start on the 5th or something, but she did really good when I took her tonight. She still thinks she can swim. She tried swimming several times without the noodle--and sunk. But at least now she knows the basics of trying to stay afloat. I'll type later about her swimming experiences. She is always the entertainment/horror at the pool and one lifeguard has almost been in several times.....

Back to reading. Advertising Chap, then internet chap.

Crazy Face

2009-05-31T22:07:00.003-05:00

First we had you all going with the AnnaBelle smelly face. Let me tell you, that is nothing compared to the crazy face. She did all by herself, really. Gideon just named it and now she does it on comand. She also freaks out for food. Maybe she is finally growing. She eats like crazy especially when it is someone else's food.

Sara did get a partial grant for a summer class. The Media, Persuasion and Society. It sounds super cool. I can't wait, I can log in on Monday.

Sara also forgot to put Dipper's cone on, so he licked out all his staples in his leg from a wound that wouldn't heal. Looks like another $80 at the vet.

Gid and Genevieve slept in the playground last night with the tent.

We all went to the ATV kick off party and Gevie went on an hour four wheeler ride without falling asleep! First ever not falling asleep!

Till next time.

Almost Playground

2009-05-18T15:05:00.004-05:00

Before----

After-----

As I posted on Facebook, we are not done with the playground. It will take another weekend to complete but hopefullly we can put up railings on the big tower and finish the big slide so they can have full acess. Swings and monkey bars would be the other parts waiting.

Allergies

2009-05-13T13:43:00.004-05:00

Fearless, Dipper, and Gizmo

Some things have been getting wierd for Sara so I finally went to get an allergy test. They didn't test anything I knew I couldn't have, like fruit and we didn't find out anything I mostly didn't know. I'm allergic to cats, dogs, mold, dust, grass, and green beans. Green Beans was a little random and the dog thing just popped up this winter.

What are we going to do? Well, we'll start by actually cleaning the house not just putting the junk away. Did you know some people dust once a week? We dust like once a year. And we'll vaccuum more like once a week not once before we have company. I'm sure some of you are going "OH MY." But it's the hard truth, and your welcome to volunteer--anytime.

We also continued with the no pets downstairs rule, so being at work is very pleasant. We are working on a no pets in the bedroom, and the cat is going to have to find a new place to sleep--not my head.

The allergies I had just seem to be getting worse. It is so hard to think of not having any animals after these ones die. I love animals.

Raspberries for Boots and Other AnnaBelle Favorites

2009-05-12T14:28:00.003-05:00

What's this, you ask? Yes AnnaBelle does say quite a few words, or really sounds that mean words. We are excited to finally be comunicating with her though, even through grunts and sign language.

PPPPPP (like blowing raspberries on a belly) = boots (or shoes now that we can wear them)

Ball--easy enough

ARRRRGGGGGG (growling) = Did you guess? Dog

BB BB = Bye Bye

AAAAAAAAHH MMMAA (toddler screaming) while opening and shutting her hand in the air = Gimme more NOW.

So that is our newest news on AnnaBelle. When I hear her grunt and groan I think of the Holy Spirit, who is in Heaven pleading to the Father on our behalf in unintelligle sounds. I'll look up the verse. Maybe toddlers have a direct connection?

More updates, but time for work.

Sara

My friend Kelley looked up the verse, Romans 8:26, 34
"but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered."

Verse 34; "It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."

Girls Day in Duluth

2009-04-30T13:36:00.002-05:00

"Mom, why did that bear step on Santa Claus?" Asked Genevieve when she saw the statue at Menards. The sign says, "wipe your paws."

Last Saturday the 25th, I planned a girls day in Duluth. Gevie needed somethings and I did too. So I wanted to take her on a shopping day. We brought Stephanie L. and her baby Sophia down with us. It was a ton of fun. We spent the morning at the mall where Sara found two pairs of pants that fit everywhere! Yeah Old Navy. I also peeked through the DSW clearance and found a pair of rain boots. Just in time! (It's raining today).

Then we hit Wal-Mart for socks, tights, and micellaneous and Gevie got to pick out the fabric for her and AnnaBelles bath robes. Of all the choices, including one pink with polka-dots, she picks a fabric called "Blended Green." Wierd kid. She also got to shop through the toy section to find a few things--like a MagnaDoodle. But mom forgot to think of the four birthdays that are coming up.

We promised to go to a playground but by the end it was 6:30pm and she hadn't had a nap, so we compromised and went to play on the playground in Menards that was across the street instead of a park downtown.

So we all had fun, finding what we needed and playing on the playground that we will be building in the yard in a few weeks!! Here is Sophia on the swing.

Old Picture and Regualar Stuff

2009-04-21T08:21:00.002-05:00

So I've been looking for these pictures for awhile now. I knew they were somewhere. This is Gevie and Grandma Diane disembarking from Kennedy's Air Force One plane at the Pima Air Museum.

Sara is trying to finish this awful paper. And then move on to the last few ((YEAH!)) assignments for English II and Speech. If I can find funding, I plan on taking a class this summer. It will probably end up being Psycology or Math. I know, I know more fun classes. I don't mind those two, just not at the same time.

AnnaBelle still has chest congestion...... but seems to be happy. She says; ball, eeerrrgg (dog), me, more (mo) and Mama, Dada.

Gevie really wants to go on vacation. She keeps planning little trips to see her friend Oliver or Grandma Karen, or cousin Courtney, or her friend Lexi in Washington.

Gid has fire stuff this weekend at the EMT conference and me and Gevie are going shopping in Duluth for somehting besides food.!!

SARa

Not always a picture

2009-04-11T14:36:00.003-05:00

I don't post all the time because I don't always have a new picture to post. But I keep seeing that I haven't posted and it is bothering me.

At daycare all week we have been learning about Easter and the death and resurection of Jesus. Hooray he is ALIVE! I have answered some tough questions from kids but we made it through.

Gevie has a flag that she made in Sunday school and she waves it about singing, "Ha-lun-a, Ha-lun-a" Her version of Hallelugieh and Hosanna put together.

Gid is currently at the "burn trailer" completing his Firefighter II class.

AnnaBelle is asleep with a stuffy nose but getting better everyday from a sinus infection.

Sara is still struggling with a speech due next week, a paper due the 27th that I haven't started and 3 Pampered Chef shows in 7 days.

Oh, but I am doing an overnight craft night so that will be fun. Better get my homework done so I can go!!

Happy Easter--Jesus Lives!

We are home

2009-03-31T21:22:00.002-05:00

AnnaBelle and I are home. We got home at 7:15pm. Yes I drove home in the snow. The roads weren't that bad, as long as you knew where the road was.

AnnaBelle is fine, still an upset tummy but not vomitting--thank goodness! I'm pooped so off I go.

Sara

AnnaBelle Sick Again

2009-03-31T11:46:00.003-05:00

No worries, but I am writing this from St. Mary's Hospital. AnnaBelle has the stomach bug since 3am Sunday and is still throwing up. She was admitted (or sent to Duluth) because she needed an IV for dehydration. The latest update is that she is still putting out more fluids through urine and throwing up then they are putting in. They lowered her IV so there isn't as much going on (in case its flushing through her). They also gave her some drug ??? for nausea. She is finally taking a nap, she has been moving around and being AnnaBelle this morning. She was trying to climb on everything and pushing buttons (oops).

Rhonda and Chuck are doing daycare (!!!!), they've only called a few times for little stuff. They have 8 kids. Oh yeah and it's a snow storm outside. Happy April.

So there is the update, she is doing fine and getting the care she needs. I have plenty of time now during nap time to take my quizzes and start on the next speech and my final English Paper. I am sharing a room, the unit was nearly at capacity last night. The other family has the same GI stuff AB has, but may be here a bit longer. We are all teachers, so there is plenty to talk about! (Oh except that I am supposed to be doing homework!)

Sara

AnnaBelle Walking! and Genevieve "Painting" the Dog

2009-03-22T20:19:00.003-05:00

This plays sideways. My camera is smart enough to switch it vertically for playing, but I haven't had luck yet with the computer. So I'll get a better movie up in a while but for now I thougt it important to post ANNABELLE IS WALKING! Oh finally. In the whole sceme of things though, she started walking 6 weeks after she got tubes in her ears.

A Sunday Evening

2009-03-22T19:54:00.002-05:00

Usually when Gid cuts his hair and shaves, Genevieve is asleep. Tonight she got to help. She did a great job cutting his hair. While her and AnnaBelle where in the bath, she was watching him put shaving cream and asking what it was and why he was shaving all his mustache off. She has previously only played with shaving cream at daycare. If you haven't done it at your house, try it! It is great fun and a new medium to practice writing names with.

Back on Track....

2009-03-10T12:58:00.005-05:00

Saguaro (Sa-war-o) slide at the Pheonix Zoo. They also had a giant spider web to climb on. This was the coolest. I've never seen a slide like this! Gevie and AnnaBelle holding hands in the car. Gevie was a great helper with AnnaBelle and on her best behavior the whole trip with only a few times of acting like a three year old.

I keep thinking that I don't have anything to post, I do have some more pix of AZ though. This is Eric, Gid, and kids waiting for the train (subway) at the Denver airport. We went on a wild goose chase for an earlier flight and checked out the "C" terminal. B was definately the best, it's where United was!

As always we are too busy. I will be uploading all the pictures onto kodak gallery shortly to print them so if you aren's on my e-mail list and want to be, let me know.

I am having a Scentsy party tonight. Everyone has been invited, so hopefully the snow will wait (or not come) and I'll see you later!

Sara

80 Degrees and loving It!!

2009-02-23T19:06:00.002-06:00

Today we went to the Desert Museum in Tuscon AZ. It was about 90 degrees and cloudy. We were happy it was cloudy everytime the sun came out, the boys got too hot! Flying down went super fast, and everyone did great. Gevie slept on one and AnnaBelle slept on both plane rides.

We did have one interesting thing and that was that Sara got to change a diaper at 28,000 feet. It was actually quite easy, the diaper changing table folded down over the toilet. I guess not all planes have them though. We were in a United Airbus (a used to be Ted plane).

Tomorrow we are going to some caves as of now.

Back to homework. Oh yeah the title... it's 7:15 and 80 degrees. Gevie keeps saying, "Mom, the snow's still gone." AnnaBelle is up to 10 steps.

Sara

Too much computer

2009-02-12T13:42:00.003-06:00

Is this my hint that I spend too much time on the computer? I am currently having technical problems with a site called Smarthinking. It's an essay review site, I had a heck of a time logging in and submitting my paper, and now I can't go get my corrected one! It's due tomorrow night so hopefully I can get it and do the last minute revisions I know they'll point out.

Otherwise, Sara and the kids are sick with a head cold. I am trying to type and deal with my nose running at the same time. Yeah I know more than you needed to know. We have the appraisal for our house tomorrow morning so pray for a high number! REALLY HIGH like 255,000.

AnnaBelle still only takes about 5 steps, but now SHE SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT! Oh I am so excited, she is sick and still sleeping through the night!! After I get used to this it is time to pull the plug (pacifier). She only has it at bed to go to sleep so her days are numbered anyway.

I'll have to get a picture of "Princess Pouty Face." It's what we call Gevie. She crosses her arms makes a "humph" and sticks her nose up in the air as she walks away. We just ignore her or laugh.

Always a Picture

2009-02-09T12:52:00.002-06:00

Maybe I would update more if I wasn't so stressed on the photo thing. I have to find the camera, upload, blah blah blah. Something funny with uploading, no picture this time. I did try though.

Anyway, way to busy to be posting or reading. I have no time at all and way too much to do.

On Feb. 22 we are flying out of MSP (Minneapolis Airport) to Tuscon. Anyone have any ideas on where to stay cheap and park? Some hotels offer park n fly. It runs about $110 plus taxes. to park at the airport and not sleep, is $112.

So looking for ideas. We know just a few people in the cities and don't know exactly how to then get to the airport at 5am.

So think away and let me know.

Oh Happy Day!

2009-02-04T13:47:00.004-06:00

Okay, so not that exciting, but we are so happy that AB has tubes! This is her getting her oxygen level checked. She had this frown on before surgery everytime someone came in to mess with her.

This is still before, right before she went in. She was literally gone for 10 minutes and came back MAD! But I gave her a bottle of juice and she took a little nap and it was AnnaBelle as usual. Grandma Rhonda, was with us so we had a day shopping in the mall and then got ice cream and came home. Mama bought everyone presents, so we had a fun time when I got home. I wrapped them up in newspaper so it would be more exciting. Gid got a fancy level, Gevie andAB got matching dresses ($3 clearance!) and Mama got some clothes. Then we all ate candy!

Oh and the BIG NEWS last night after the tubes AnnaBelle took FIVE steps!! Amazing!

That was our day in a nut shell. We are still super busy trying to refinance, stay on top of my classes and getting ready for taxes. We are having Maruska's do them so hopefully it will be over soon.

PS if you want a happy Gideon, DO NOT talk to him about a vacation to Arizona.

A little Behind

2009-01-29T22:38:00.003-06:00

Here we are, I am so busy with school and work and everything in between. ABelle goes in on Tuesday for tubes. I have like 3 papers to write a week, and some other things. We are trying to refinance our house to lower payments. We can; according to the bank. We just need to shop around for the best fit. Also it is tax season. This may be the year I hand over taxes to someone else, I just have to make sure it won't be too much money. It takes me about two months to get through it my self. Probably only about 30 hours, but since I don't have a block of time it takes forever. So one day soon, I post a real post with lots of pix, but for now it is almost 11pm and I still need to take a shower.

Good night,

Sara

Six Christmases

2009-01-07T13:44:00.007-06:00

I haven't seen the movie Four Christmas's but I am sure it is a hoot. We celebrate with everyone and by the time we are done we have had six Christmas parties. So here is a short pictorial of our days. (minus one that will be this weekend)

Genevieve and AnnaBelle (who names thier kids names with nine letters?) At Grandma Rhonda's on Christmas eve when we opened with Gid's brother Ben and family. ABelle's dress was her present from Mom (&Dad?) what do you get a one year old?

ABelle snuggling with Opa Gid's Grandpa on Christmas morning. I must have been too busy with kids and presents to take any pictures of them opening. Whoops.

Gevie with her best bud Korey. "Him big and he can pick me up." Here opening presents. Gevie got a life like coffee pot from Grandma Diane (now SHE can make coffee when people stop by, instead of our motto; you drink it, you make it.) AnnaBelle had great fun with the paper in her box, but she looks adorable in a red outfit that was also in the box.

Gevie says, "I will help you!" Our almost last Christmas party was with Gid's Uncle Brian his wife Chris and one of thier kids, Mindy with her fiance. Whew what a weekend it was!

Don't Leave AnnaBelle Unattended

2009-01-07T13:25:00.008-06:00

I am finally posting some of Christmas, really just a reoccuring theme that seems to be happening. ABelle likes to climb, A LOT.
Here AnnaBelle is climbing on our electric I-Heater. She kept trying to stand on it, but didn't get the chance before we took her down.

Grandma Diane fell asleep during a midnight Wi golf game. She wok up to AnnaBelle climbing on her head. ABelle did climb up there by herself, we just didn't stop her. Sorry Grandma!

Funnest Weekend Ever

2009-01-04T23:19:00.005-06:00

We had the funnest weekend ever! We were so busy with our friends Mark and Kelley up from Bemidji with thier children. Thier boy Oliver is Gevie's best bud and they have a new baby Karis too. On Friday we went to a game night at a mutual friends house, on Saturday we went to Adventourous Christians camp for thier "Winter Games" and then on Sunday saw them again at another friends house. Anyway, this post is about way more than us seeing them, check out the things we got into!

The picture above is of Mark and Kelly. I took this pix not only to get a great shot of them, but to show you all Marks fat lip that he sustained during Broomball. Broomball is best decribed by Genevieve, "Mom I want to go see them playing on that ice with the golf ball and sticks." Its a lot like hockey with a 5" ball and your stick looks like the handle of a shovel.

I didn't get away with out injury. This is a picture of my right hip. Not the prettiest picture ever. But Gid and my friends thought I had to post it. Surprisingly it doesn't hurt that bad... There is a mark in the upper left, thats a 18 year old Alpine Slide scar. The bruise is one day old here and is bigger than my palm.

This last picture is definately something for "Up North" you are an official Minnesotan when you see someone sled off the roof and say, "Me next!" So Sara and Gid took a sled off the roof of our friend Connie's house into a drift about 4 feet high. This was so fun that at the end four of us decided we should jump off too. HINT: land on your butt, not on your feet.

Our friend Joel got it right, Gid, Mark and I all hit bottom. And the leg that looked bad and felt fine, now hurts like it looks. I think I almost blew out my knee man this hurt, but hey I did jump off the roof. It was great fun and I'll do it again if I get the chance. Like I said we had a wild weekend. Oh! I also played "Cat and Mouse" I'll explain that later.

Good Night!!!

Ugh

2008-12-30T13:24:00.002-06:00

This is how we (as a family) feel today.

I'll get pictures from Christmas up soon, but for now I figured I would at least post something so Kelley doesn't get on me again for not updating. =) We had a great Christmas with all our family and have had five seperate parties. We will head to IL soon for the last one.

AnnaBelle was up for several hours last night again (1:30-3:30) and here I had gone to bed at midnight because Gid was at a fire. Two condos at Caribou Highlands are lost. He get home about 2:30 this morning. One of my daycare dads is a lutsen firefighter was there from about 9:30pm- 6:30am. Eeeww! But because all the teams did there jobs, it was only the unit that started it and one next to it.

So anyway there is my update. We are all tired because AnnaBelle was crying and pulling on her ears again and because Gid was firefighting. AB has a appointment tomorrow afternoon. I am going to push for an allergy test (is that even possible?) and tubes for her ears.

Sara

Thank you God, the teens are found!

2008-12-22T13:05:00.002-06:00

This is actually turning out to be a good story, my brother said, "This was all you little sis" and I replied, "No, it was all God." So anyway here is my story. We still had not heard any word on Sunday. My mom has been working with the local police even though thier efforts were frugal at
the least. We did everything we thought we could do except wait for God's perfect timing. I had talked about this to my mom and we both had a feeling of peace about it.

On Sunday while I was at the doctor for another ear infection with AnnaBelle and then off to a Christmas party, a kid down the street got a call from Julie with a wild story and needing money. Somehow this kid Chris, didn't know about the drama down the street so he talked to her and said he didn't really have any money to give. Later when he got his computer back on line he saw the notices about Julie. So my mom got a call, "I think I might know where Julie is." Yeah!

She had used a phone at the Flagstaff (AZ!) Visitor's Center. My mom passed this info around to the authorities and to the Mexican Border. So I come home from the church Christmas party at midnight and Gid tells me, "they think she is in Arizona." Well now of course I couldn't go to bed! So I talked to my mom again, and kept getting this feeling that we need to talk to this visitor's center and the people there. The next morning I still had the urge to talk to the people that may have seen her use the phone, at least we would know if she looks happy and healthy! So I called mom, "have you called down to this place?" "No it is an automated system" and she figured the police would follow up. Well with this now not so gentle nudge to call this place I did. I picked a menu that I thought would lead me to a person.

The lady under the directions tab, was Rosanna. I told her my name and that I was looking for my sister, a runaway and her boyfriend. She said, "yes I've seen them. One dark haired one blonde." Oh my God that's them! She continued that they had been there a few days hanging out. She said she even scolded them at how worried their mothers were! I was going to tell her to pass along a message that no one was made, just worried and she says, "hold on I'll check if thier here." What! There! NOW!? She came back on and said, "yes I am sure it is them, do you want me to call the police?" Oh dear decision time, I didn't want to lose them or scare them either, but ultimately the right decision was for them to be held for thier parents. So the police came and took them into custody and my mom, Julie's dad, and Christians dad are flying down to get them. The blazer it turns out is in Waukegan at the train station.

So thank you all for praying for them as they took this journey. Now that they are coming home, hopefully we will be able to get to the real reason they felt they had to leave. So keep praying for us as we adjust to this situation. I felt so relaxed after I followed the will of God, instead of waiting. All night long, I just wanted to call and see if anyone had seen them or over heard plans. As it happened everything went just as it was supposed to!

Julie & Christian

2008-12-17T14:48:00.002-06:00

Hello everyone. Take a look at the picture on the left- they are my sister and her boyfriend. They ran away on Dec. 11 and no one has heard a word since. My sisters truck is a white 4 door Jimmy (looks just like a blazer). They are both 17, and gone from Gurnee, IL and Mundelein, IL if you can think of anyone who could see them out and about in IL, WI, or MN. Please email me and I will send an email with more info.

If Julie happens to stop at this site. Everyone is worried, not mad. If you aren't ready to show your face call anyone or email. We love you.

Sara

What some parents don't do

2008-12-17T14:42:00.002-06:00

Today I raised the bar on things that most parents do and I don't. AnnaBelle crawls very well and very fast. The problem is that she has no reverse. So I heard her cry out from the "Big Room" at daycare and I was in the kitchen. This is what I saw. Instead of rushing to her aid as most loving mothers. I ran for the camera and snapped some photos! Then as the children were swarming to, "let me see" (the photo) I quickly pulled her out and set her on her way.

Pampered Chef Goodies

2008-12-16T14:50:00.000-06:00

On Saturday December 13th I held a customer appreciation party at my house. Everyone had fun of course and I had a blast making my snowman cake! For the party I made Chocalate Fudge Peppermint Cookies which were a big hit, I just ate the last one today. The snowman cake is really easy to make by the way.

I can't think of anything else, I am kind of having a tough day.

Sara

2008-12-12T14:46:00.000-06:00

Genevieve decorating for Christmas on Saturday December 7th. She pulled out the stockings and yelled, "look Mom, BIC SOCKS!" Then of course since they were socks she put them on.

We bought a fake tree this year ($20 at Bucks in town, it is a very nice "Blue Spruce 6ft tall). We love real trees, but by the time we can get one up it is the week before Christmas and time to nearly take it down.

2008-12-12T14:40:00.000-06:00

This is our darling Annabelle happy as a clam with two ear infections and some "gunk" (officially called) in her lungs. Our two wonderful gifts from the Creator are the best kids ever. (Now remind me of that when Gevie is driving me crazy.) She only acted sick when we laid her down and then man did she get mad!

This is also her first time in the snow. She didn't really know what to do walking on it-not by herself of course, but she enjoyed crawling in it.

Indianapolis Thanksgiving

2008-12-08T09:53:00.000-06:00

For Thanksgiving we were in IN visiting Gid's Aunt Lois. We brought Rhonda, Chuck, Oma, Opa, and the four of us for the ride. It took us 13 hours to get down there, we stopped collectively for one hour. We arrived at Lois' house around 3:30 and talked and napped until about 10:30 then checked into the hotel. We had Thanksgiving at her house later, then went swimming, on Friday we went shopping and then went to a Christmas light show. On Saturday we went to the Zoo and then out to dinner at Cheeseburger Paradise. Sunday we packed up and headed home. Busy as usual. Check out Grandma's pillow!

Before and After Windows

2008-12-08T09:38:00.000-06:00

When the fire marshall came in September, he said a few things we weren't prepared for. One was that Gideon had to remove the wood boiler he had just installed in the garage, poor Gideon! The second was that we needed an egress window in the office. We were able to get a grant to pay for one window because it is required for daycare (Thank you God!) On a seperate side note, we were also approved for our playground grant so we will be doing that this spring. Thank you God again!

Both pictures were taken during daycare so there are of course our toys and stuff everywhere, but we are very happy with both of them. I'll post the office picture another day. A local guy Rick Crawford came and cut the hole through 12 inch cement block then Gid, Opa, Fred (Sara's dad), and Chuck (Gid's dad) worked on getting the windows in.

Sleep

2008-11-25T15:18:00.000-06:00

Typos included because this is the eith time I have tryied posting. Now everyone will se what kind of typer I really am. Does anyone know anything about sleep traing? I am against the cry it out method. But that is definately AB's probelm she is waking up and can't comfort herself back to bed with out a pacifier. So I gues also, how do wi ditch the pacifier? Gevie did it herself around 6 months when she started sucking on her tonge, wierd kid.

2008-11-24T15:29:00.000-06:00

Poor RaeAnne!

Thanksgiving Week

2008-11-24T14:42:00.000-06:00

Do we ever stop?! Anyone who knows us, well okay anyone reading this hopefully knows us. Anyway, we had a huge busy weekend and we won't be stopping anytime soon. I don't know why people say things slow down in the fall and winter because we are like the energizer bunny.

On Friday we went to a huge super birthday party at Gid's parents to celebrate four or five birthdays. I was great fun, tons of people, I am of course looking forward to having 20 people at my house next month for Gevie's party.

Saturday Gid went hunting most of the day and didn't see a thing, he and his brother are convinced the deer are waiting until Sunday at dusk to come out and then all the hunters will here a barrage? of champagne bottles opening. Singnaling the deer celebrating our defeat. Oh and Sara took the girls with Oma and Rhonda to a craft sale in Schroeder.

Sunday we went to my Dad's house for Lasagne (Sara had some creamy pesto ravioli, good but not lasagne good). We saw Ben and Goosie again along with a couple of my Dads friends. Rae and Gevie got to play with these annoying self driving cars, you put them on the floor and they just keep going. Well somehow Gevie set her car next to RaeAnne's hair and around it went. I do have a picture of that. So nothing if not interesting.

And here we go.. On Wednesday we are putting 8 people (6 adults and 2 kids) into our Suburban and heading to Indiana to see Gid's Aunt Lois. Fifteen hours of driving, yay! (NOt). I am looking forward to going so have fun during your Thanksgiving and I'll get back to work.

Prince Charming

2008-11-17T20:16:00.000-06:00

Well I kissed the frog, now where's my Prince?

Gevie at the Brookfield Zoo, IL 11/1/08

Here he is!

2008-11-17T20:11:00.000-06:00

Gevie and Oliver are such good friends!

News for Today Monday, Nov. 17th

2008-11-17T20:07:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Opa! Genevieve would like to get you a kangaroo! She has a stuffed one so she thought you would like one too.

Funniest thing heard today:

Dad: When are you going to be done? (eating)
Gevie: When I am done.

AnnaBelle signed "all done" at KFC in Hibbing on Friday

Work in Progress

2008-11-16T22:48:00.000-06:00

Our friend Kelley in Bemidji insists that I will love "blogging" so we will give it a try. I can barely print my pictures from my camera, but I will also try to upload photos. Hopefully this will be a place where our far away family can keep in touch with us, and we can post where we have been and where we are going in case we forget!