giving (belated) thanks...in sickness and in health

This past week has been filled with the usual ups and downs! It started with a productive weekend... Mark steam cleaning carpets, a trip to the Children's Musueum for me and the kids, 7-8 bags of mulched leaves gathered and I even got the exterior lights up. Then came Sunday evening and my throat was on FIRE. I chalked it up to my lingering cold and all the dust, etc... Monday, I had the nurse at work take a peak. Doesn't look like strep but it's very swollen. She says, if it persists see a Dr. I'm miserable... hurts to swallow and talk. Tuesday comes and I had to work. I do NOT feel well and finally break down and make a Dr. appt. Dr. takes a peak in my mouth and says, "Eeew, you have a swollen inflamed Uvula and some thing secondary as well". My first question is "What is my Uvula" and my second question "What does some thing secondary mean". Your Uvula is the thingy in the back of your mouth that hangs down, and, yes I have a form of strep. My prognosis - Uvulitis (use that in scrable and I'm sure you'll get many points) and Step throat.

Thanksgiving day was the first day I felt up to par. I could swallow with minimum pain. My Friday was not so lucky. I threw up 4 times in the a.m. as we were to be having Thanksgiving, at my house, at noon!! I'm pretty sure it was the orange juice on empty stomach in combination with drainage. Not fun!! I now have new meds, steroids, which should help. It's still to soon to tell.

So, to brighten up this post, here are just a few things I'm thankful for. My beautiful and wonderful kids who bring me more joy than I could have imagined. A husband who completely cleans the house and then cooks for his in-laws while his wife is puking and sacrifices the chance to see a friend he has not seen in at least 2 years. A good dog who tolerates sharing her domain with all her cousin dogs. Parents who help cook, watch the kids, etc... at the drop of a dime. Friends, on-line and in person, who are the most caring bunch!

completely and utterly swamped

I have that feeling. The one where you know no-matter what you do, even if you stayed up all night, you wouldn't get everything done. I hate that feeling. Between my photography, my job, family needs and the approaching holidays - I'm struggling to find the balance. So, I'm trying to follow the advice I so often give to others, take it one day at a time and throw it up in God's hands. This too, shall pass.

On some other notes, last Saturday, we became the new owners of a Honda Pilot. It's used but new to us. It's the nicest car Mark or myself have ever owned!! Leather interior, sunroof and my very favorite feature.... heated seats!! Oh yeah! The kids love it and call it "the truck". Schuyler and Mack have been fighting over who gets to rider in the back.

Schuyler got a smaller cast on Monday. It allows her to bend her elbow. At first, she was unsure of the saw used to cut the cast off. But, after the technician showed that he could grab it while going, she was fine. In fact, she thought it tickled. Once the cast was off and they cleaned her arm they sent us for xrays. I saw the color drain from her face followed by the onset of yawns and I knew immediately what was happening b/c I get the same way. She said her tummy hurt and then gagged. She never got sick. They let her sit on my lap for xrays. Once back in the regular exam room and picking out stickers, she started to gain back some color and got most all back after laying down. The arm is healing well. Just as the Dr. said, new bone has began to grow and old bone that is connected is disintegrating. The body is so impressive. She picked yellow again and we hope to get it off completely after 3 weeks = )

Mack has been Miss helpful lately. Last week she cleaned the bathroom by herself. And when I say clean, I don't mean just picking up. She organized things that were out of place and found her water spray bottle and wipe the counter top and floor and folder the towels. It looked impressive. She tends to be an organized girl and I think her sister's untidy habits irritate her. Schuyler tends to be aloof and will leave things randomly in the house and often can not find things... for instance her dance shoes. Mack folds her clothes, puts them in her drawers and always knows where her dance shoes are.

Eli came down with pink eye on Sunday and went to the Dr. on Monday for a terrible cough. Ends up the E-man has croup! He has not slept for the past 2 nights which means mommy has not slept for the past 2 nights. Actually, the whole house seems to be coming down with the cold. UCK!!

Here are some snap shots from Halloween... I wish I would have had more time to capture them. Oh well...

Halloween aftermath

Did ya'll have a good Halloween? I know our kids made out like bandits. I think we may decide to hide it all - out of site out of mind, or so we hope! We had a good Halloween. Grandma S and I took the kids to Vala's pumkin patch on Thursday. Wow! I can't believe how much there was to do! We started with the goats and the bunnies. There is a cute little sign that says something like, please do not cross - bunny homes only. Well, can you guess which of my children did not mind the sign. If you guessed Eli, you are correct. I turned to tell my mom something and glanced back and there he is, over the little fence peaking into the bunny house!! We walked through a house decorated as a spooky mine then off to pony rides - for all except Schuyler. She opted out b/c of her arm - can't blame the girl! This was Eli's first pony ride. It went around once and he said "done!". He actually made it the whole ride. So much else... train ride, jumping pillow, duck races, family go cart, play areas and it wouldn't be complete without the Hayrack ride, picking pumpkins, and treats at the end = ) Mom- I'm so glad you came with us = ) Only Schuyler stayed awake for the ride home!

Halloween was a good time. Schuyler was a Husker cheerleader (with broken arm), Mack was a lion, and Eli was a giraffe! We started great grandma's nursing home. Honestly, there buckets were full from that. We came home ate and got ready again...well the girls did. Eli did NOT want to put the costume back instead choosing to put in the living room. So, Mark took the girls and Eli and I handed out candy.

Some of you may know we were actually supposed to be in KC this weekend to purchase a new vehicle. Well, long story short, they accidentally sold our car. So, we're back to square one. On a bright note, we have ourselves a new computer... an IMac! I love it and I haven't even turned it on. The beautiful 24 in screen and sleek looks!!

Didn't want Schuyler to be left out of the fun. Here she is in all her toothless glory!