Michael came down stairs from bed this evening. He looked like he was on the brink of tears. He said to Brian, "There's something making noise under my bed." Brian asked him if he wanted the Monster Slayer to take action and he just shook his head. He then asked Michael if he just wanted him to look under the bed to see what was making all that noise. Michael said yes. Brian brought Michael back upstairs and reluctantly looked under the bed. I heard from upstairs, "OH! THAT'S what's under your bed!" It was Carter. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA! That Carter Baby is so funny. He has been sneaking out of his room a lot since the Lannings moved in. Now that they have gone, he is still leaving his bed a ton. This was a first. :º)
It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!
9.15.2010
9.13.2010
A Month In Review
So sorry about my "missing in action"-ness. It has been so busy around here. Let's start with Michael's glasses. He got them a month ago. I can't believe I haven't shown you yet.
This face was made for glasses. I can't believe how old he looks. I could just eat him up!
The day after he got his glasses, Missy and Aubrey came to town. Shawn was playing in Indianapolis and I was going to take the boys to watch him when things changed. Missy and Aubrey happily changed their plans and came to see us instead. It was so great to see Carter interact with his aunt and cousin. They just met for the first time a few short weeks ago.
I know it looks like Missy doesn't have legs but this was the cutest one! It was a fast love for the three of them. Aubrey was, of course, in love at first sight. Missy has been waiting for this moment for two and a half years. I'm so glad she finally had it! The cousins, Pammie and Cheyenne were all excited to give us a photo opportunity.
Pammie, Aubrey and Michael jumped with all their might while Carter and Cheyenne just looked at them as though they had lost their minds. This is my favorite shot though. I have it on my desktop. :º)
A couple days after Missy and Aubrey were here we went to Youngstown to visit Brian's family. Pat and Todd came in for a visit and we squeezed a little play time in there too.
Grandma Pat was helping Carter on the teeter totter. All three of my boys loved this one. Brian may have helped out too. ;º) Michael was not so cooperative when it came to picture time with him.
I had to sneak this one while they were trying to figure out which house had the barking dog. He was avoiding a picture with Grandma Pat like it was his job. Isn't it cute how they matched that day?
Lastly, Pammie's first day of school. (Michael's will come soon. I promise!) The Kindergarten started three days after the rest of the elementary school. On Pammie's first day we got the whole clan out to see her off.
This look is VERY typical of Cheyenne. I don't know why she thinks that's what we want when we tell her to say cheese but that's what we get. Almost always. Recently, like 3 days ago, I realized that if I show her my smile with open eyes that she smiles great! These five have been together for a month. The Lannings got their own place last Thursday and life has been SO quiet since then. We still see them when Pammie gets off the bus though. :º)
8.10.2010
A Pouring of Blessings
Last Thursday, around bed time, I got a call from my friend Beth. She asked me if I was busy and I said "I am about to put the boys to bed. Why? What's up?" She said, "Tim just called, my house is on fire and I'm in Mt. Vernon." So we packed the kids in the car and boogied over to their house.
When we got there, Pammy, 7, was holding Wyatt, 1, in the yard and Tim was running in and out of the house getting anything he could think of that may be important. I took Pammy and Wyatt to the car and they played inside with my dudes while the fire department showed up. Beth came first, Cheyenne, 2, was in the back sleeping. She slept through the entire ordeal. We got the dogs into her car and they stayed there. Tim and Brian were rushing in and out when the firemen started showing. The first one asked Tim where the fire was and Tim told him it was right above his head so the fireman proceeded to make a 5 foot hole in the living room ceiling. Then they went upstairs and did the same thing to the roof of the girls' bedroom.
The firemen were there for a very long time. The fire was out before 9:00 but they didn't leave till about 1:00 in the morning. I took the kids back to our house and put them all to bed. Tim works third shift so he went to work around 11:00 so Brian, Beth and her sister, Brittany were getting anything they could save until 3:00ish. They came back here, reeking of smoke, showered and went to bed.
When they left the upstairs was pretty much lost but Tim and Beth's bedroom was wet but untouched by fire damage. The morning came much too early and a gentleman from the church stopped by and told us that the house caught fire again around 5:00. Beth had only the clothes on her back. Tim had some jeans that were salvageable. Luckily, she had a load of kids' clothes in the drier that were a little smokey but unharmed. Over the next couple of days, they returned to salvage anything they could. The owner of the house is planning to burn the rest of the house down after they get whatever they can use out.
The master bedroom
What's left of the toddler bed. Somehow, it ended up outside.
This is where the blessings start. First, we had dinner delivered Friday evening. We also had some breakfast items dropped of the night of the fire. Brian and I have been down a vehicle for a few months and when I brought my boys to M & D's Friday night, they let me take their extra vehicle. They also offered Beth and Tim the queen bed they just replaced and a dresser.
The transmission in the Explorer (our only vehicle) has been troublesome lately and we really don't have $3,000 to replace it. On Saturday morning, a man from the church had his step dad look at it and he said he thinks it's a filter inside the transmission not the transmission itself so it's looking like it will cost around $100 instead of $3,000. WHAT A BLESSING!!!
Brian and I had a very busy weekend. I was on a youth retreat and Brian was preforming a wedding of a dear friend. When Sunday evening came, so did dinner. Delivered in abundance. The deliverer also brought many, many pantry stuffers. She and the deliverer of our first meal took what ever smokey laundry they could grab and started washing. Three washers and driers have been super busy trying to get smoke out of clothes. WHAT A BLESSING!!!
On Saturday, when Lou was looking at the transmission he took the Explorer for a ride. Before leaving the driveway, he backed it into Beth's car. He felt AWFUL! His stepson immediately gave us his van to use. Brian tried refusing and he wouldn't hear it. So we now have 2 completely functioning vehicles. WHAT A BLESSING!
Three weeks ago, I made plans with a family to bring their son to band this week so he has been staying here also. You would think that 10 people living in one house would be hard...it's been incredible. I admit, it's been loud but the blessings keep pouring in.
Last night we had another dinner delivered. We had two extra mouths and it was no big deal. This church has completely stepped up.
I want to thank every single person who has stepped up and taken time to help us in this time of need. The kids have all received clothes and a couple toys. The food has been amazing. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
Pammy
Thank you again for all the help and blessings. I have never felt so blessed in all my life.
When we got there, Pammy, 7, was holding Wyatt, 1, in the yard and Tim was running in and out of the house getting anything he could think of that may be important. I took Pammy and Wyatt to the car and they played inside with my dudes while the fire department showed up. Beth came first, Cheyenne, 2, was in the back sleeping. She slept through the entire ordeal. We got the dogs into her car and they stayed there. Tim and Brian were rushing in and out when the firemen started showing. The first one asked Tim where the fire was and Tim told him it was right above his head so the fireman proceeded to make a 5 foot hole in the living room ceiling. Then they went upstairs and did the same thing to the roof of the girls' bedroom.
The firemen were there for a very long time. The fire was out before 9:00 but they didn't leave till about 1:00 in the morning. I took the kids back to our house and put them all to bed. Tim works third shift so he went to work around 11:00 so Brian, Beth and her sister, Brittany were getting anything they could save until 3:00ish. They came back here, reeking of smoke, showered and went to bed.
When they left the upstairs was pretty much lost but Tim and Beth's bedroom was wet but untouched by fire damage. The morning came much too early and a gentleman from the church stopped by and told us that the house caught fire again around 5:00. Beth had only the clothes on her back. Tim had some jeans that were salvageable. Luckily, she had a load of kids' clothes in the drier that were a little smokey but unharmed. Over the next couple of days, they returned to salvage anything they could. The owner of the house is planning to burn the rest of the house down after they get whatever they can use out.
The master bedroom
The staircase.
This is where the blessings start. First, we had dinner delivered Friday evening. We also had some breakfast items dropped of the night of the fire. Brian and I have been down a vehicle for a few months and when I brought my boys to M & D's Friday night, they let me take their extra vehicle. They also offered Beth and Tim the queen bed they just replaced and a dresser.
The transmission in the Explorer (our only vehicle) has been troublesome lately and we really don't have $3,000 to replace it. On Saturday morning, a man from the church had his step dad look at it and he said he thinks it's a filter inside the transmission not the transmission itself so it's looking like it will cost around $100 instead of $3,000. WHAT A BLESSING!!!
Brian and I had a very busy weekend. I was on a youth retreat and Brian was preforming a wedding of a dear friend. When Sunday evening came, so did dinner. Delivered in abundance. The deliverer also brought many, many pantry stuffers. She and the deliverer of our first meal took what ever smokey laundry they could grab and started washing. Three washers and driers have been super busy trying to get smoke out of clothes. WHAT A BLESSING!!!
On Saturday, when Lou was looking at the transmission he took the Explorer for a ride. Before leaving the driveway, he backed it into Beth's car. He felt AWFUL! His stepson immediately gave us his van to use. Brian tried refusing and he wouldn't hear it. So we now have 2 completely functioning vehicles. WHAT A BLESSING!
Three weeks ago, I made plans with a family to bring their son to band this week so he has been staying here also. You would think that 10 people living in one house would be hard...it's been incredible. I admit, it's been loud but the blessings keep pouring in.
Last night we had another dinner delivered. We had two extra mouths and it was no big deal. This church has completely stepped up.
I want to thank every single person who has stepped up and taken time to help us in this time of need. The kids have all received clothes and a couple toys. The food has been amazing. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
Pammy
Cheyenne
Wyatt
6.27.2010
R.S.D. Awareness
If you have anything orange in your wardrobe, please put it on today. We are walking in Peachtree City tonight to raise awareness for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. It's a misfire of the sympathetic nerve and causes a pain like a blow torch. It's as though barbed wire were wrapped around your body. Even the brush of your clothing can cause excruciating pain.
My sister-in-law has RSD. Sometimes it's all over pain and sometimes it's reserved to her extremities. She has to wear a boot on her left leg all the time just to walk. It kills me to watch the pain in her eyes. She hides the pain so well that sometimes I forget she has any issues. She is amazing. I am so proud to walk for this disease today. Please put something orange on today!!!
My sister-in-law has RSD. Sometimes it's all over pain and sometimes it's reserved to her extremities. She has to wear a boot on her left leg all the time just to walk. It kills me to watch the pain in her eyes. She hides the pain so well that sometimes I forget she has any issues. She is amazing. I am so proud to walk for this disease today. Please put something orange on today!!!
6.21.2010
I could really use your help!
My sister-in-law Lucille has lived on a pretty rough path. 14 Januaries ago, her dad had a heart attack. She and her sister left the hospital to run home and grab a quick shower. She lived in a cabin on Mount Pisgah. The steps aren't quite normal they are probably a foot or more tall and just a couple inches deep. She ran and played on these steps for her whole life but on this particular day, she ran up and dislocated her knee cap. Life was never the same.
She spent a very long time in the hospital. She gained 90 pounds in just a couple months. She was bound to her hospital bed. She couldn't even touch her lower leg without excruciating pain. She was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). It is a problem with the sympathetic nerve that confuses touch for awful pain. She finally went home and lived in a hospital bed. She eventually got to a point where she could reasonably ride in a wheel chair. When I met her in 2004 she was using crutches. By the time she walked down the isle to marry Keith, she was free of her crutches. If ever you feel like you can't achieve something, think of Cille. She has never given up this fight.
She deals with this burning pain every day of her life. Looking at her, I see a caring, loving, helpful, amazing woman who would do anything for ANYONE. Beneath her clothing she faces a blow torch. She is constantly in pain. She has attempted many different types of pain management. Some work better than others but nothing takes it away.
This weekend, there is a walk for RSD awareness in New York City. Cille, Keith, Kerri, Jill and I were going to meet there and take the walk. Cille has since had many other terrible medical problems and is unable to make the trip. Keith has been working around the clock to make sure we can still walk for RSD but a little closer to home. Keith and I have not raised any money just yet because we didn't know if we would be going.
We have a chance to make a difference for everyone facing RSD(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). Please stop by my fundraising site and support us as we walk to raise awareness for RSD. Maybe the right doctor with the right technology will hear about it and be able to make a difference. With your help we can make a difference for our Lucille!!!
Thank you for taking your time to read about my Cheese.
She spent a very long time in the hospital. She gained 90 pounds in just a couple months. She was bound to her hospital bed. She couldn't even touch her lower leg without excruciating pain. She was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). It is a problem with the sympathetic nerve that confuses touch for awful pain. She finally went home and lived in a hospital bed. She eventually got to a point where she could reasonably ride in a wheel chair. When I met her in 2004 she was using crutches. By the time she walked down the isle to marry Keith, she was free of her crutches. If ever you feel like you can't achieve something, think of Cille. She has never given up this fight.
She deals with this burning pain every day of her life. Looking at her, I see a caring, loving, helpful, amazing woman who would do anything for ANYONE. Beneath her clothing she faces a blow torch. She is constantly in pain. She has attempted many different types of pain management. Some work better than others but nothing takes it away.
This weekend, there is a walk for RSD awareness in New York City. Cille, Keith, Kerri, Jill and I were going to meet there and take the walk. Cille has since had many other terrible medical problems and is unable to make the trip. Keith has been working around the clock to make sure we can still walk for RSD but a little closer to home. Keith and I have not raised any money just yet because we didn't know if we would be going.
We have a chance to make a difference for everyone facing RSD(Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). Please stop by my fundraising site and support us as we walk to raise awareness for RSD. Maybe the right doctor with the right technology will hear about it and be able to make a difference. With your help we can make a difference for our Lucille!!!
Thank you for taking your time to read about my Cheese.
6.07.2010
Good Bye Old Friend
Pablo was the greatest dog I have EVER owned. Brian gave him to me in October, 2000 for a birthday gift. I wanted a puppy and this fur ball was available and in need of a new home. The family who first owned him called him Gizmo and did not appreciate him. They had kids who poured glue and paint on him. They were going to put him down because he was so mean. I had him for six months before I ever heard him bark. Mean was the last word I would use when describing this dog. He was so cool. He never needed a leash. He has always been VERY loyal.
We had to put him down today. It was a decision that did NOT come lightly and is killing me now. I gave him one last bath this morning. He was such a good bather. Every groomer we ever took him to gloated about his fabulous behavior. When he was brushed and dry I asked Michael if he wanted to say good bye and we had a good cry together. He understands that Pablo is going to Heaven to live with Jesus. When the deed was done, we buried him in the back yard. Before we put him in the ground we wrapped him in a towel. Michael said, "Are you wrapping him up?" I said "Yes Honey." He then said the sweetest, most understanding thing I think I've ever heard from a 5 year old, "Is God going to unwrap him?" That broke my heart all over again.
Then tonight he cried a little more before falling asleep. I assured him that it is COMPLETELY okay to cry. Pablo was an amazing dog and we were blessed to find him. It doesn't matter what you go by, Fat Guy, Pabs, Pablo, Fatman, we just loved you and will never forget what a wonderful, loyal friend you have been. Thank you for falling in love with us.
I love you.
Good bye.
6.03.2010
What a Big Dude!!!
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