Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Land of the Living

What a week and a half!

Timeline---

Satarday Dec 8-  Ashton starts running a low grade fever... both he and Shepherd had been coughing a ton.  So much, in fact, that I pulled out Bennett's humidifier and put it in their room.  Ashton didnt feel great on Sunday either but his fever was gone.

Monday, Dec 10- After dinner, Hunter said his stomach was hurting and he had a headache and bachache.  We went to basketball practice and he lasted maybe 15 minutes before he said he didnt feel good... we left

Tuesday Dec 11- Hunter started running a small fever and was achy.  uh-oh... flu.  Took to doc and he tested positive for flu.

Wedesdnay, Dec 12-  Stayed the night at mom and dads to dog sit while they went to Asheville. Also had to pick Ashton up from school early b/c he wasnt feeling good.  Chad started feeling achy with headache- he continued to work to further contaminate the population.

Thursday, Dec 13- I woke up with a horrible sore throat... by the afternoon, it had turned into chills, low grade fever, and aches. 

Friday, Dec 14- Poor Hunter's birthday.  Though he and Asthon were back to normal besides being a bit tired, I was not good.  Shep seems to be ok though still coughing like crazy.

Saturday, Dec 15-  Both boys had basketball games and I think we are all on the mend... tired but feeling better.  By the evening, I feel like garbage yet again and Shepherd starts running the infamous low grade fever.

Sunday, Dec 16-  Shep and I stay home from chuch.  Shep starts saying his right ear hurts and upon further inspection it is gucky and nasty.

Monday, Dec 17-  I still feel gross. Shep and I are both fever free.  Hunter and Ashton are perfect and Ashton is getting tired of being contained in the house  which is not good for anyone.

Tuesday, Dec 18-   I diagnose myself with a sinus infection and go to Minute Clinic and it is confirmed... start antibiotic.  Take Shep to pediatrician and he has a nasty ear infection in his right ear and he starts antiobiotic with drops. 

Wedesdnay, Dec 19-  Starting to feel a bit better.  Totally exhausted from not sleeping good. 

Thursday, Dec 20-  Actually wake up semi-rested and feel pretty good.  Hunter and Ashton are only coughing occassionally.  Chad seems to be better, just tired (probably from trying to take care of the house and boy while I have been down), and Shep and I are still coughing but definitely on the road to recovery.

Basically, Hunter's bday got totally overshadowed.  But he was so sweet about it.  I am so thankful that we got this past us before Christmas and hopefully before Bennett comes.  As Chad said today, "I have never known you to be that sick where I had to do so much before."  And it is true, I normally dont get sick... this is the first time i have had the flu and/ or a sinus infection.  Bennett seems to be totally unphased by the drugs, coughing, snotting, and lack of appetite.  For the first time in any of my pregnancies, I have lost weight- not a ton, so dont worry.   

I do need to offer a shout out to Chad.  Though, he too, did not feel well. He got home early from work and picked up where I had to leave off.  Also, thanks to my mom and dad who took Hunter and Ashton off my hands Saturday night to Sunday morning so I just had to operate with one child.  Also, to Hub and Patsy who brought us dinner from CFA Wednesday night and some leftovers that we ate off of tonight.  I felt so blessed by our family. 

I know many of you have been praying for us and I am so appreciatve.  But, I think we are back and so ready to celebrate the birth of our Jesus. I have been reminded that our family's sickness pales in comparision to so many things going in our country... in our world.  I am so thankful for my little germ bags.

Friday, December 14, 2012

7!!!

HUNTER!
Hard to believe that you are 7, though I cant even remember not being your mom.
Taken about a month ago... I normally try to get a good shot on your birthday but your little nose is red and I didnt have the energy, so this will do!  So handsome!
I hate that your birthday week has been so crummy.  Testing positive for the flu on Tuesday really put a damper on our eventful birthday week.  As soon as we are all back to normal, we are going to do Hollywild and The Children's Museum.
Birthday brownies.
Blowing out the candles with brothers and germs in attendance.  Yum, dont you want some germy brownies?

Hunter, you are seriously a joy to be around.  You are kind and happy- easy to please.  You are one of my best friends and I hope that our relationship will always be close.

You make the perfect big brother.  Since I wasn't feeling good yesterday, you took over the house and took care of your brothers while I took a nap.  I didnt have to ask, you just did. This is just one of countless examples.  Now, dont get me wrong... You and Ashton can have some knock down drag outs but you are quite patient with both of your brothers  normally.  You and Shepherd's fights are much shorter and less aggressive and rare but they happen occasionally too.  But, overall, you are a great help to me especially over this past year.  You will offer to help me (if one of your tv shows is not on or you are not immersed in a book) if I am doing something.  I am sure you will be a great help to me once Bennett comes.

Your love of books has continued.  You are reading chapter books... with me looking on.
An example of the book, Shark Attack, that you just finished reading to me for homeschool.
You go outside and sit and just flip through books.  For your birthday, you got 2 LarryBoy chapter books, a flip book of all the superheros and villians, a XMen DVD, and an electric scooter.  I honestly think you were most excited about the LarryBoy books that nearly completed the collection.  You have already watched part of the DVD and flipped through the super hero book... you have not done the scooter yet.  haha.... I would say it is because you are still a bit under the weather (which you are) but we both know where you love lies.  You are also still quite the Bible scholar.  You correct both me and daddy if we tell a Bible story differently then what your Bible says.  Your Sunday School teachers say you always have the answers. 
LarryBoy books
  

The scooter
Happy boy... X-Men movie

Homeschooling you this year has already been one of my highlights as a mom.  I have loved watching you grow and learn at such a fast pace.  I need to post about homeschooling as you have taken off!

You are growing out of the pouting stage... for awhile there you would pout, pout, pout.  In the past couple months though, the pouting is really starting to diminish and I love it!

You dance, unfortunately, like your mom and dad.  Yes, we have rhythm, but we dont quite know what to do with it.  Hopefully, you will never let that stop you from dancing.  I always had too much pride but I hope that you will just let it loose.

I love watching the Lord already move in you at such a young age.  I have no doubt that He is growing you to do great things for him.

You and me when you were 4 months old.  Unfortunately, I couldnt find a recent picture of us together.  We need to fix that once we are feeling better.... looking less sick (and in my case, less pregnant) :)
You have always been a momma's boy.  Since the day you came home from the hospital, I have been your pick... and that hasnt changed... and I must admit that I love it.

So far, you have been an easy child to raise.  I pray that God would keep you on His path for your life... that you will stay on the narrow path and that those around you would build you up as I hope you build others up.

Though this birthday has not been perfect, you are ok with that. I hope you always know how special you are to us and this family.

Thank you for loving me like you do. 

I love you so much kid,
Mommy

Monday, December 10, 2012

Church Christmas Program


Hunter was old enough to be in the children's choir for our church Christmas program this year.  He looked so cute up there.
Hunter all decked out in Christmas clothes.

Singing


The program was really good... a bit on the long side... but the music was good.  It only had a few times it was a bit too dramatic, but that happens in the Baptist world.  ;)

The children's choir

Ringing the bells to a Christmas song
 They sang two songs and rang to one song.  The song below they sang with the adult choir.  I actually liked the other song better but blogger wouldn't load the video... oh well. I am just happy it loaded one of them.



Thank you to PapaHub, Grandma, John, Joan, and Julie for coming!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Eucharisteo Part 23

*** I know it has been awhile since I have posted my gratitude list... this list is from May until October.  My excuse is that many of these gifts had to do with pregnancy so I didnt want to post them prematurely.  Then I got out of the habit of not writing them, but posting them.  I have actually had 1000 for a couple months now.
This journey of documenting my gifts from Him has truly changed my perspective on His grace, His timing, His way. 
If you have not yet read "One Thousand Gifts", I do highly suggest it.  Take your time with it.  It is not a fast read- it requires you to soak up the words, the concepts.

871- boys in matching pj's

872- Hunter's big smile from under his hoodie

873- a big wave good bye

874- sunlight streaming through closed blinds

875- reading outside

876- amazing music

877- time with friends when we learn more about Him

878- 9 hour shopping trip with mom...

879- ...and that Chad was able to keep the boys

880- cross stitch on the wall

881- 9 days off

882- Bible pages covered in notes

883- okra seeds sprouting up

884- change in wind brings smell of honeysuckles

885- first firefly of the year

886- pink sunset over ocean

887- "Spiderman" bridge

888- seeing Zach and his family over vacation

889- the whole "A" family togehter

890- beach volleyball with sand spurs

891- $10 boogie board

892- adult night on the ocean

893- Molly found

894- Chad able to come to beach for a day

895- good food...

896- ... no weight gain

897- little boys and sun kissed backs

898- plus sign on a test

899- my bed

900- Shepherd's hum as he plays cars in the hallway

901- double paned windows

902- Ashton singing in his school program

903- watching a rainbow grow

904- tons of rain

905- long talks with friends

906- both brothers starting new jobs soon

907- curls around his ears

908- last day of school

909- thunder cracking

910- boys singing to Christian radio

911- holding a newborn

912- a new niece

913- sickness that confirms

914- memory verse randomly quoted by a 2 year old

915- Cow Appreciation Day

916- reaching 12 weeks

917- Shep feeling better

918- morning playdate that goes into the mid afternoon

919- homeschooling days

920- Zach and Anna back to the east coast!

921- Nolan's new dog

922- mouthful of blueberries

923- and 4 year old hands to pick them

924- first family vacation

925- joy faces on a ferris wheel

926- feeling sooo much better

927- paint and me

928- father in law's chicken

929- new worship in leader in contemp service

930- growth from contemp service

931- successful VBS week

932- a full van

933- Black's bar b que

934- perfectly fluffy homemade chicken and dumplings

935- little boy's words that make me laugh

936- iris's still in bloom

937- heavy rain that brings Chad home early

938- feeling first flutters

939- a bunch of leftovers

940- Grandpa Gordie's voice

941- a kiss on the cheek good bye

942- family all around

943- knowing this is not our home

944- new tires, that I almost didnt get, in huge rainstorm

945- no hydroplaning

946- Molly's paw healing fast

947- Hunter almost master tying shoe

948- one on one time homeschooling requires

949- put potty seat up for good!

950- new perfect little boy!

951- friends who celebrate baby boy announcement

952- gifts of blue from family

953- baby movements

954- movie night with the boys

955- a dinner they all eat

956- hot Friday fire

957- 3 little helpers

958- Ashton's intensity on the field...

959-... and Hunter's defense

960-  21 gun salute

961- military funeral

962- a funeral ceremony where joy is found

963- boys in shinguards

964- September sun burns

965- cooler mornings

966- baby quilts

967- Wintergreen Tums

968- Hunter's reading really taking off

969- Shep in floor with puzzles

970- Ashton keeping score of every game

971- Hunter rubbing my back during church

972- bold, bright red leaves

973- mum and pansies

974- shopping by myself

975- crisp fall mornings

976- feeling him getting bigger

977- belly movement

978- cat nap under October blue sky

979- Hunter resting his arm on my shoulder while he reads to me

980- mums in full bloom

981- Shepherd's smile that lights up a room

982- backyard football with Mantis

983- the perfect jeans for my skinny Ashton

984- a free tea a day

985- growing church service

986- purplish clouds drifting by

987- growing baby

988- fall weather... kind of

989- looking outside to see leaves everywhere

990- the little ones who need me

991- highlights

992- professional haircuts for boys paid for by mom

993- falling asleep on the couch

994- gas logs on for the first time in 8 months

995- reminders of His grace

996- almost every day is a slow morning

997- homeschool in pajamas

998- huge bagful of candy

999- all of their birthdays

1000- chosen daughter of the Most High

What now?  I have reached 1000 gifts.  For me, this doesnt end.  I will probably still post them sometimes... without the numbers. This is more than just being thankful.  It is being intentional on seeing Him whether it is an easy day or a hard day.  He is always there.  He is always faithful.