Please don't lick my fingers

So..we are HoMe!! : )

the I40 bridge over the M-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-humpback-humpback-i!

We drove back in yesterday afternoon.  We are so thankful for good driving, safety, and no ice!  We stopped to eat in Maumelle (close to LR!), and we actually got excited to just to see our house!  The kids couldn't wait to be home, to have their own space, and see their long-lost toys.  We always need time away to appreciate what we have! : )

We had a date scheduled for last night (and we made it!), so we saw The Dilemma-it was good, and you think one thing, and learn more.  It's all about assumptions and honesty.  It was funny, and it was good to laugh and watch couples!  You feel some similarities, and you can see how it looks from the outside-in, and you analyze your own marriage, and make new resolutions.  (Always Good.)  We also got some dinner at PF Chang's, and oddly enough we got the same fortune: Hear with your ears, and listen with your heart.  Maybe we both need to listen better? (To whom?  Each other?  To God?  To others?  Clarification, please. heehee)  The back had the word Anxious (yes, on both).  Umm..I've always gotten some fruit or peaceful word-Anxious is new (but, no, not surprising!).  I wanted to trade in for a new fortune, but I'm not sure they do trade-ins!

Today was back to our old-normal: church, Jose's for lunch, three games of cards, lots of homework/make-up stuff for the kids, Monday folders (oops-did we forget them last Monday when we were driving out of town?), vacuuming, putting away clothes from Branson, laundry, and..the Super Bowl!


We had mom and dad over for chicken corn chowder and commercials.  Ha! (but really.)  We rustled up some delish charred pineapple relish dip (just the jar mixed with 8 oz. of cream cheese!) and Harry & David's multigrain chips (Y.U.M.), homemade snow ice cream (scooped up off the deck!) and did you have Doritos with your commercials?  If not, did you WANT some?? : )  They had hilarious commercials tonight (along with Pepsi and Toyota!)  ..and did you see that halftime show?  They had a good stage (enjoyed the rearranged "Love"!), I'm sure in honor of Valentine's Day, and the late-ish Super Bowl this year:

but boy..did they butcher some old songs (and had boxes on their heads)!  The light-up costumes were good, but what was even better?  Christina Aguilera's big changes to our national anthem!  Umm..I kinda liked it the way it was before. : )

What a day.  Good times and sleeping in our own beds (or Ours).  Here is my Little Prince.  Isn't he the most beautiful thing ever?  Kids are super-precious sleeping.  I think they reveal the angel inside when they are at peace and communing with God.

 Sleep, my little angel, sleep.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Ethan

Yesterday was my sweet baby's birthday-and he turned a great big FOUR!  He told me he isn't a baby anymore. : (  It makes me sad, since I like to call him my baby.  I mean, he is, but he isn't.  I can't believe it's gone so fast!  I hear that all the time-even from parents of kids going off to college, but time really does get sucked up in a vacuum-we don't even know where it goes!  Into baths, bedtimes, teeth-brushing, story reading, car playing, movie watching, outside playing, bike riding, yada, yada, yada-and life happens! : )


We took our little "big" boy out for his birthday.  We always let the kids pick where they want to eat for their special day.  Ethan picked Fun City (he's pretty smart that way).  It's a fun land of pizza, climbing stuff, arcade games, and mini golf.  We got 80 tokens, and used every one!  They golfed, ordered too much pizza, ran around like crazy, and even had cupcakes.  Here are some pictures:

I got my sweetie and his Beary matching overalls!  So precious.  Wish they made them in bigger sizes.

He finally got his new *green* bike!

And he rode off through the house..guess he can ride it! : )

Clay with a helmet playing a 3D game

Playing a water-shooting game

His favorite spot-the junk you buy with your tickets!

This pizza is making me thirsty!

He actually got a hole-in-one at the end on this one!

He wanted a big 4 on his cupcake!

He couldn't be happier to be four!

And a flashback to December 27, 2006.  I'd had some contractions on Christmas, but I'd really wanted to make it past Jesus' birthday.  I wanted them to both have their own special day.  I knew if I made it to Dec. 27th (a Wednesday) to my scheduled appointment, and was dilated, I'd have a c-section and see my baby!  I was so excited.  I was dilated to a 3+, so my doctor told me that things were going to go fast.  I was taken downstairs, got my iv, an epidural, and before long, Ethan was here!  I'd never had an epidural or a c-section, and the biggest surprise was that I couldn't walk-it takes stomach muscles to walk-yikes!  We did fine, I was just so thankful!

Mom brought the kids to see baby Ethan.

He was so tiny!

And then he began to grow..here are my three cuties-Ethan's first Easter!  I could just eat them up! : )

Ethan had a sweet fourth birthday, and Ches even took him to Wal-Mart (for the second time yesterday!) to get MORE cars and a carrying case-it's super cool: opens on both sides, shaped like a wheel, and there's a neat silver wheel that spins on the front!  He's totally happy.  He is so blessed to have a daddy who absolutely adores him!  He also got a Trio construction building set and the rest of the Speed Racer set of cars (from eBay-you can get anything!).  Bless that child, and keep him safe.  His love of all things high and fast scares me!


I got an answer to the letter I sent to Great Wall of China Adoptions.  It wasn't the answer I was looking for, but at least the international adoptions consultant responded.  There is currently a fifty-four month wait.  (Yes, they put it in months..maybe to sound shorter?)  Holy Cow.  She also added that by then, Ches will be too old for us to adopt from there, and suggested we adopt from a less-stringent country and gave me the web address for a sister-agency.  So, you need to get on a waiting list even before you decide you want a child, much less encounter infertility! Ha.  I think I hear God talking.

My Vision

Yesterday, I helped out at the kids’ school doing hearing and vision screenings. Well, I checked for color-blindness and vision with the cute little chart on the wall.  For the kindergartners, we used shapes (house, square, heart/apple, and circle).  They were the funniest-they’d say triangle, but say it consistently, so then we’d show them a big square, and they’d say triangle!  (At least their vision was okay!)

I was super worried about Ethan yesterday.  His preschool teacher quit last Wednesday.  When we got there last Wednesday afternoon, a little girl told us it was her last day!  What a shock.  Long story, but she has to go somewhere that pays more so she can get a loan to go back to school.  But it causes repercussions that she didn’t consider.  Ethan really liked her, and she’s gone.  His first day back, he had an awful day (after three great days!).  Then Monday, still no teacher.  The helper teacher is super stressed, and so it’s kinda tough in there right now.  She was a little snippy with me about centers yesterday morning, and I really didn’t want to leave him, but I had to be at JB Hunt all day!  So Hard, this mommy gig.

I left him, but my sweet friend was subbing for someone else, so she hung out in there and called to let me know he was fine, in the sand box, and would soon have lunch and nap, so I relaxed a little.  I knew I’d be headed to Little Rock on Tuesday by then, and was sad I wasn’t going to get the day with him.  He’s my baby!

It's just tough, all the balancing.  I'll get the hang of it about the time they go to college!  I think that's how it works: you get it all figured out, and they are on to the next phase. : )  

We had our church's big fundraiser: and international dinner and silent auction on Saturday night.  We had so much fun (I think because we sat at the fun table!)!  It was great.  It might have been because I had a couple drinks too-I never drink, but Ches was with me, and the walk was finally put to rest-I had to loosen up!  We laughed about people being silly, sillier things, and I rounded up about 12 people to help feed the priests on Wednesday nights!  So, you could say I did a lot of talking too! : )  (I know, big S-H-O-C-K!) heehee

Anyway, we bought another set of braces.  I do love our orthodontist (in a straight tooth-kind-of way!) and his wife Amy, so I was happy to add one more child to his roster.  Clay has another loose tooth and lost one last week.  He's getting ready to have big boy teeth, and they look just perfect now, but where will they all go?  If he doesn't need them quite yet (doubtful), I'll get them again.  They've crookeded up (ha!), so I can always have them.  Can you imagine having braces with your mom?  That'd be funny! (but don't laugh if I get them again!)

Then we left and went to the late movie.  We have a list that we'd love to see, so we fit them in when we can!  It was The Town, which was good, but a little hard to watch the gun-fighting (well, the bullets!), but pretty good at the end.  I like a good story, and I'm not too picky.  We are going to see You Again this Friday-it looks hilarious!

And today, was our trip to Little Rock to see our specialist again.  It was a great visit, I appreciate prayers for us!  The cyst they've seen on my left ovary for the past two months is GONE!  Yay!  We are moving forward, and we'll see what happens this month.  It's quite a journey, but when we see a baby we'll be able to tell them that we wanted them before we knew them, prayed for them before we saw them, they were in our hearts before our home.  Blessed be God, and His plans for us.

Teensy Vacation

I know it's been a long time...
We're grieving in our own way.  It involves being busy to take our minds off things.  Clay has baseball about 4-5 times a week (not exaggeration), we have the other usual things, we're avoiding people (sorry), and I went to Branson yesterday, and we leave for Florida tomorrow.
We'd planned this Disney trip for the kids Summer Vacation since we wouldn't be able to travel in their real summer.  Problem is, now we could go this summer, but this is already booked.  We already paid for the airfare and hotel, so we can go and enjoy, or stay home and think about what we could be doing.  We are choosing to go.  We'll have fun with the kids I'm sure.  They are excited, and I can't imagine letting them down (again).
I went to Branson to pick up her First Communion dress, and to do a little shopping.  I took Ethan, which turned out to be a good day.  He threw a couple fits, but it was still a good trip.  He made me laugh out loud so many times, and I needed that.  He walked around picking up tons of clothes saying, "Sissy needs this!" and hanging them on the stoller handle (our portable clothing rack).  He found a shirt he liked (that I didn't like), and he wanted it.  I hung it on the "rack" and we kept walking.  When he wasn't looking, I put it back.  Then a few minutes later, I heard him saying, "Mommy, I'm so mad at you.  You put my shirt back!"  Ha!  He caught me.  I got it down, and did the same thing again.  Heehee
The other laugh-out-loud thing was when he saw a big long-sleeve shirt hanging alone down low.  While I wasn't looking, he got inside it, put his arms inside the sleeves, and starting waving the arms saying, "Wooo-ooo" all ghosty-like.  So funny.  I took a picture, and had to tell him to be still, since the camera couldn't catch the arms moving!  The neck on the shirt was too high for his head, so it looked like the headless horseman.  Eventually the hanger snapped (not-so-funny), and he fell down.  He was upset, and it scared us both, but it was still funny.  I sooo needed the laugh.  He was great-very lovable and pretty agreeable except around five-o'clock: the normal tantrum time if he hasn't had a nap (which he didn't).

I'm doing okay.  Better with the medication.  I didn't choose to be on it, or want to be, but it's helping me day-to-day.  I don't know how long I'll be on it, and it's an issue with me.  I feel different than the person I was a week ago.  It's weird.  I feel like it was all a dream, and I'm not that person, like I wan't really pregnant.  I'm not sure if that's the meds talking, or if it's just very surreal, and I'm still in unbelief.
We are making it, and just now Ches is telling me about how he feels and what people have said to him at work.  It's hard to get outside yourself and think about someone else when you are hurting, but I've kinda expected him to care about me, so it's his turn.  He's not got it easy either.
I'm almost finished reading one of the miscarriage books I bought, and I feel more educated and a little hopeful.  I'm pinning a lot of hope on my May 3rd appointment with the specialist, so I hope I learn something.  I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor next Friday, so maybe he can tell me if he got news back on my babies, and if he has a theory about what happened.  I have questions for him, and I'll tell him we are seeing a specialist.  I'd like him to keep my original file, and just send copies.  I don't know what standard procedure is with patient files, but I'll request just the same.
I'm just about done packing (clothes are in there), so we are almost ready to go.  I have to call Disney to add more days to our passes, and I'll call my doctor on Monday to see if I can ride the roller coasters with Clay (they make Ches ultra-sick).  We'll have fun, and bond with each other some more.  We need some fun time away, just us.  I hate that they are missing some school, but we do need a diversion.  Hug your kids, and love your family-I'm learning that not everything is a sure thing.
 
I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hand.  ..Isaiah 49:15-16

Oh, and I forgot to tell you about allll the things he rode on..quite a fun, coin-filled day!

Buzz Lightyear is Singing!

Sometimes I read my old posts and think I could be my friend (you know, hypothetically, if I wasn't me). Heehee She has feelings like me! and is experiencing things I've experienced! If only it was that easy. Very few people have walked the road I'm on (or maybe they have, but haven't told me). I didn't want to be an expert at these things.
I found this tiny piece of pinkish red skin/tissue/stuff on my finger today after my shower, and I have to say (crazy as it sounds, don't think I haven't dismissed my own thoughts thirty-two times) it looks like a teensy baby. Albeit, the size of two poppy seeds squished together. I kept rolling it in my fingers thinking it would spread out or break up, but it didn't. I saved it in alcohol, and if I get up the nerve, I'll ask my doctor to send it for lab work. I'd just love to know what happened. Even if it was bad. Well, even though it was bad.
Ches did not dismiss me as totally psychotic, so that's good. He's great that way. He allows me to be creative or imaginative, or just to believe God put it in my hand.
So, today I had a horrible headache (and the receptionist did not think I was funny when she asked what was wrong and I told her about the noisy kids home from school and my splitting headache), made it through the snow-packed roads (and some cleared ones!), and got some antibiotics for my sinus infection (contributing equally with the noisy kids towards the headache). Ches drove me, and the kids watched Toy Story in the van and played with their cool new toys (that I've begun to understand!).
We went to eat at Olive Garden, and it was really nice. We sat in the big round booth (good), and the kids could see the hostesses reading a big book with the name in bold print, including the word ASS (bad) (It was The Big Ass Book of something-or-other Recipes), then giggled constantly until I asked our waitress if she could move the book. I sampled the wine (good), and got a buzz instantly from the teensy bit I had so decided not to order a glass. We played with the kids' DSi's and chatted back and forth until our salad came, and Ethan yelled out, "Awesome" when he saw the salad full of cheese and croutons! (made the waitress laugh!) Then we all loved dinner (and I turned my head as Mary Claire ate over a hundred grams of carbs). We even ordered dessert-the little pillow-looking doughnut things with the chocolate and raspberry sauces. They were amazing, really. Ethan looked at us all (as in unbelief), and shouted, "Buzz Lightyear is singing!" That was the funniest! It was totally Frank Sinatra (who I love!), and he thought it was his hero. Silly thing, he is. Anyway, after Mary Claire licked the chocolate sauce cup clean (with a knife, no less) and Clay licked the raspberry one till I shouted, we all took turns washing (all the sugary stuff off our fingers), then made a trip to Wal-Mart to get ready for our next big snowfall.
We already know there's no school tomorrow, and the snow is tomorrow night. I'm planning to go to Branson this weekend, so we got groceries for Ches this weekend too (including easy dinners).
I have debated the merits of shopping in single-degree temps at an outdoor shopping area, but the draw is just too strong. Although I'm totally considering looking up some flights out of here (LA maybe?) for the weekend. We find these great $39 each way flights, and how fun to shed a coat for a couple days?
I didn't resolve to work out this year, but I did pull out the Wii, and it was so happy to see me! He jumped up and down, and told me it'd been over 300 days since he'd seen me last. Heap on the guilt, old friend. He also told me I'd gained 4.9 pounds, but on the upside, I'd dropped my Wii Fit age! Now, I'm only 30.
After my third visit up to see Ethan (at his screaming requests), I think I'll settle down for bed. He stays in his bed, with his door open, but it's always something. I think it's just a phase. He's been doing well for the past couple months or so, but I just cleaned his room, and took out the pack-n-play that had been in there for the past month! (He loves hotels and pack-n-plays!)
What are we resolving, really? I think I'm headed towards health-less caffeine, more fruits and veggies (notice my non-use of measurable goals?), maybe (big and fat maybe) more exercise (just in case, I stopped tonight before I got tired-so I would want to come back tomorrow), and cleaning out the house (still the "dusty" goal).

The Little One That Didn't Get Away

Ahh, the misconceptions. Literally. (wonder where that word came from..).

When you "mis-conceive", it is hard on everyone around you. They don't know what to think, then don't know what to say. So, sometimes they stay away, or avoid it all together. Sometimes, they plow into unknown territory, and ask anyway, because they care. I think it's sweeter to have a friend ask and mess up than not ask.

Ethan and I went to storytime at the library today, and he was so huggy! He didn't really want to sit with the kids up by the picture book, or sing up close. He wanted to stay close to me and be loved and hugged. Then we got some books and puzzles, and came home. This evening, after dinner, he really surprised me! We sang "If You're Happy and You Know It" in storytime this morning, and he started singing it and clapping! Then after we sang it with him all the way through, he started singing "The Wheels on the Bus"! I had to move his arms to the motions this morning, and he wouldn't sing, but at home, he would do it by himself! Two year olds can still surprise me!

Then after we got home this morning, we sat on the driveway for a while, reading and playing. Then, he took off his shoes in the grass (and it did look really terrific for toes!), and ran around (and ran off!). I found him in the garage and told him it was time to go inside to eat lunch. He took off, and ran FAR! I came out of the garage, and he was half way across the street (and our driveway is long!). I walked (since I didn't want him to run away) towards him, and he stopped. Then when I got within 10 feet, he took off again, and ran all the way to our neighbor's fence-a really long way from our house! Stinker. I got his hand and walked him home. Then I had a talk with him. I told him that he scared me, and he could not run away again (and he said, "Okay"). Then, tonight at dinner, he told Ches he scared Ma-Mopp today! I'm so surprised at his memory. It's really growing (or lengthening?). We retold the story, and Ches talked to him too. He just doesn't realize. Then Ches told him there were snakes in the high grass (the empty lot next to us), and he's scared of snakes. He plays into Ethan's fears (like bees and snakes).

What a day. We also made it to the post office to mail another team shirt, and to Mary Claire's school to take her library books, lest she not get to check new ones out! Come to find out, they didn't get to check out because of the book fair, so it's a good thing I got a few extra at the library today! She read them, then ran up to Clay's room to get a Magic Tree House book. Clay has already read them, but I guess she wants to make her way through them now!

When we took Clay and a friend to baseball practice, Mary Claire asked me if she could play baseball! I didn't even know she wanted to play! Last year, she said no, but now she's changed her mind. She also wants to play basketball and soccer! : ) I'll sign her up for what I can, but we are packing our days! She had said she wanted to try out for Children's Choir, but we just can't do it all. She's going to learn what it has taken me years to figure out. I just can't do it all (and if I do, nothing is done well).

God's not ready to call me home just yet.

Hmm..Today my tiny son brought me a caulking gun. Tells of what's going on at our house! The painters are still in knee deep (and 22 ft. shoulder deep too) and are getting it done. They did the foyer yesterday and I was so unhappy and got all worked up about it, but it's working out. They put Kilz over the water stain and then painted it, and it has a different sheen than the rest of the ceiling-so obvious! I wanted no Kilz on it, but either he didn't understand, or I don't know-a misunderstanding? He's doing the whole celing in Kilz then repainting. The color formula was changed in Nov of 2008, so it wasn't even the same exact color-the ceiling looked darker than the walls (further throwing me into hissy-fit mode). Again, it's going to be okay, but I wouldn't let him proceed with the kitchen/living room/stairs/walls until he got the color matched okay and promised no more Kilz. He did, so procedure tomorrow....
So today was Mary Claire's room and ceiling. Ugh. I asked them not to put anything back up on the walls or ceililng (yesterday they took down those stupid stars/planet things ticky-tacked to Clay's ceiling *Insert Expletive Here for The First Time they got put up* and then PUT THEM BACK UP! after they painted OVER the ticky-tack!). Again, today I said not to put the junk (stars! stickers! etc.) back up on Mary Claire's walls or ceiling when they were done. Can you guess? They did, of course, put it all back, and not quite in the right places. I could've SCREAMED when I walked in there and found her paper chain (scrapbook paper in pink toile, solid light and dark pink cardstock, and pale lime scrapbook polka dot and cardstock-not hideous, very PB!) poked back into the ceiling and not in the measured spots where it's lived for three years! They apparently pulled out the tacks, laid them somewhere (painting over the reminder holes, I guess?) and then attempted to "redecorate" with them. It looked like Mexican Fiesta. Crazy. Some were hanging low, some poked way higher (on a sloping wall). It was awful. So now we have NeW, CRooKeD holes! ahhhh!! I don't do well with change, maybe? Or gross mess up changes? Now the chains look uncool.

I will live through this $4500 change (don't freak out, of course it's insurance money), I will live, I willl live. There are more important things in the world. Remind me if you see me of all the other problems in your world. Mine won't look so awful.

Okay, so Ethan. STiLL sick! BAck to the dr. after two long nights up with him with fever. We have started ear drops (Ciprodex for his tubes), and yesterday morning he woke up with dried yellow drainage all over (good news, meaning his tube unclogged and let all the fluid out). Well, not good enough news. He had a double ear infection, and both ear drums were bulging. Even WITH the tubes for drainage (or not.). So now he's on Omnicef for 10 days (we'll be in Disney in 7...), has to use his Ciprodex for 7 days, and use his inhaler four times a day for 7 days. Ahh, good times.

My very good news: I got to play outside, clean the pool deck-sweep and hose down all the nasty oak pollen stringy things, and rearrange furniture-it was so cleansing! And I even let the kids put on their swimsuits for the first official time this season and swim (yes, granted, in the polar water), but they were entertained (well, along with the creepy poop and toot jokes that Clay currently thinks are all the rage), and I got lots done! THen, even better, I laid out, and fell asleep! It was so relaxing! Then ...
My SCARE! I woke to Ethan standing next to me with his hand on mine. I woke with a start, started mumbling (in an attempt to think out loud how he was OUTside!), remembered that we turned the beepy thing off the alarm since the kids were opening/closing the door so much and were going to wake him up, wondered where on Earth Ches was! not watching our baby, tried to figure out how he got out of his bed, then felt his diaper to see if it was changed (did Ches get him out?), then was freaking out over the possibility that he'd walked out on his own, and how did God protect him and keep him from deciding to go for a swim (I mean, Ethan and water? like pb and j!) and then I looked around to see Ches on the other side of the pool snickering. Yes, giggling as he could see I was clearly about to have a heart attack in the 10 seconds all this was going through my head! He'd brought Ethan out and stood him by me (knowing I was out cold), then when I didn't wake up for FiVe minutes, he put Ethan's hand on mine, then walked off. Enter me-crazed and panicked. Ethan just sat calmly in my lap for a good 15 minutes as he woke up too. For that, Ches had to make dinner. I was clearly not in a Happy Place. I still feel all freaked out.
I let Ethan put on his swimsuit and put his feet in (he, being smarter than the other two, knew that if the feet are freezing, you should not put more of your body in!), while Ches grilled.

So...I must not have high blood pressure or tons of cholesterol, or God's not ready to see me up close yet, because I didn't have a heart attack and die today!! I'm alive to live another day. I hope I live an amazing day tomorrow, cause I consider it a gift! A Bonus in the cereal box of life!

Ok, so baths, stories, and I'm more tired than the kids! I read to them for over an hour (it just flew by!) and I'm headed to bed early. I've decided I need it once a week to catch up after all my midnight nights. They are SO productive, but then I get worn down. (I made a wreath last night, vacummed, dusted, did three loads of laundry, mopped the kitchen, cleaned my desk, cleaned my bathroom, cleaned up the wreath mess, rearranged the hearth room and rehung pictures all after the kids went to bed last night-and I had a coffee, heehe). That shall NOT happen tonight! : ) G'night!

Peepee Pain, and then the Peepee came!

I just never know when I get up how my day shall progress! I was running late this am (when am I not?) and had to grab my sure-thing-easy black shirt, khaki capris, and black (cute) flower sandals (As I'd already changed a couple of times!), and I'm glad I did, cause there was lots of day to come, and who knew I'd end with toothpaste on my pants and pee on my shirt?

Today we went to Baby Bookworms, had a great time, but almost at the end, Ethan started holding his peepee, and crying really hard. I thought maybe a hair, fuzz, hard absorbent pellet thingies, etc. I changed his diaper, and tried to make him more comfortable (as they didn't have a changing table fold-out thingie), but he almost touched the toilet seat-freaked me out! Then as we started to leave, it flushed, and splashed my hand!! Also freaked me out. I had to walk out, manage to keep him beside me and WASH MY HANDS!! It was awful. He continued to scream/cry for while the kids got the last books, then we checked out (with Sandra's help!). The kids had picked their own stuff (consisting of 6 Junie B. Jones books and about 12 videos, and two dinosaur books) and had gotten too many videos! They had to hold them till next time we go (Thursday). Then we decided to go to CFA, not thinking this peepee thing would last! Well, it did. He screamed, and cried, and screamed, and I was not doing well. No one even got to eat their food! I went in the bathroom (to check him again), and called the dr. I wanted in NOW! Long story short, they told me to come in, and they fit me in. We packed up the food, Clay and Mary Claire ate on the way there, and we got to see Dr. Swindle again (long time, no see!).
He said he was glad to see us again, and wanted to call this weekend to see how we were doing. He checked Ethan out, and said he was fine physically. He ordered and xray of his neck since he was still worried about him (and he was holding his neck yesterday), and wanted a urine sample. The nurse came in and bagged his privates-not cool-and then sent us to the Diagnostic Clinic for the xray. I called Ches in for backup about now, as I didn't know how on earth I could continue to deal! He came in right before the actual xray, so it got calmer. I read to Mary Claire out of her cute Junie B. Jones' Top Secret Personal Beeswax! It was so funny, Clay got into it! : ) Anyway, then we went by CFA, got Ches some lunch, and Mary Claire and Ethan and I ran into Barnes and Noble (to look for the Personal Beeswax book for her to fill out-like a journal!). We were still waiting for the pee, so I wanted him to walk around.

Well, the pee came. He walked off to the center aisle (away from the children's books!), so I scooped him up, and squeezed the pee bag! It went on my shirt, and all over his shorts (and it was a one-piece). Ahhhh!! We ran to the bathroom as he told everyone, "wet!" and I took off the bag, and put it into the pee cup. We met Ches outside, and drove the pee back to the clinic. It tested fine, no bacteria. And the dr. had the xray and it looked fine. He said he'd only call if the radiologist found anything wrong. (And I haven't heard from him yet...).

So, then back home and put him to bed. He only slept from 2ish till 3:30. The kids were playing legos so loudly, that they woke him up. He was grumpy!! He didn't get a good nap, and maybe was still hurting?

We still don't know what was wrong with him. The dr. said maybe his urine was concentrated, and sometimes it hurts in boys. He said maybe it was a virus that causes the lining of the urethra to hurt/burn/be extra sensitive ?? We'll take him back if it continues, but sometimes it's worse to not know. You always think that the doctor will know the answer, but not always. I'll be glad if the xray is clear though. Then I can rule out trauma from last Thursday!

So, then I called Mom and asked her to make dinner. It was feeling a little Monday-o'clock, and Ches is back to teaching on Monday nights -booo!!! So, we ran over there, and the kids played, and ate some. More later than at actual dinner! There was a little bit of Snickers ice cream left, and Ethan and I shared it. Yum!! : ) It was good!

Now we are back home and all the kiddies are asleep. I only had two come-downs tonight. A lost unicorn, and a shaky bed?? They are very creative. I have to give them credit where due!

Tomorrow is no MDO. I'll have to think of some creative thing to do. I feel like this week should be fun, maybe we'll go shoe shopping (yes, for them too!) I mean shoes for them, fun for me? Okay, should get to bed! My words sound like mish-mash. I am just dreaming about new shoes (for me)! Heehee Maybe I'll have them do their early homework since they'll miss a couple days next week. They both are working on fractions, so maybe we can do a fun math lesson! : ) Ok, good night.

Keep praying for Kathy, her John, Debbie, Corinne (her father passed away last week) : (
God is mighty and hears our hearts before our mouths even move! : )

From the Gym-through the day-to the Hospital!

I'm so worried about Ethan! He fell off his barstool while eating a late lunch, and hit his head and back! He cried for almost 15 minutes! Then was sooo sleepy! I feel awful for him! I called the pediatric clinic, and they said to wake him up every hour or so to make sure he CAN wake up, then to watch his pupils (if they are unequal sizes, that's bad), then to see if he walks straight. Oh, the stress a parent can feel, in the blink of an eye. Does he have a concussion? Won't know for a while. Poor thing. He fell off the bed when he was about 5 months, and I think I was more upset than he was! It's hard to watch your baby cry and be in pain!!

Another late nap for him today-my fault! We went to gymnastics then to Susan's for him to play with Isabella and to help Hannah plan her wedding! How exciting it is! Do you remember getting married? There is sooo much anticipation, and you want everything perfect-it's great. She's getting married the second of January, 2010, which will be here in the blink of an eye! She will get to use the poinsettias in the church, so she will do well with flowers! I want to help her, she is so very sweet! : )

Having a clean house just makes me want to keep it clean! I find myself picking up shoes, returning keys to the hook, and putting the clothes away! My bed is even made-oh, rejoice! Although, I'd love to go lay in it right now... Ok, maybe it keeps me out of it since I don't want to mess it up!

Clay has a boy scout function at Fast Lane tonight! He agreed to let Mary Claire go, but she's not so excited. Why, I don't know. Maybe she thinks it'll be all boys, maybe it's 'cause she's not so good at bowling! Last time we went with JDRF, she rolled the ball so slowly, it got stuck in the gutter and SToPPeD! Someone had to go down and get it! She was embarrassed! We'll see if she ends up going! At the last minute, they always decide they don't want to get left out! I guess an evening with Mom at home looks less intriguing!

Last night, Mary Claire cleaned her room SO well! I didn't really tell her to, but she wanted to "organize" her kitchen stuff in her fridge/sink cabinets/stove at Bedtime! I told her after her (MeSSy!) room was cleaned she could play with them, or organize them. So she got into gear, and seriously did a great job (no stuffing-under-the-bed!).

Okay, I started my post earlier this afternoon, so here's the update:
*update: 10:30pm: home from dr.-he sent us to hospital for CT Scan. An admittance mgr came out and told me the test was several thousand dollars. (!!!) and long story short, that the test had to be pre-approved by our insurance company (which was closed and doesn't allow back-dated pre-certifications, let me remember to injure myself between 8-5), so therefore I had to sign a form that said I'd be responsible for the entire balance (which would also include the radiologist and possibly an anesthesiologist to put him under if he couldn't be still). Umm, what? Why do I have insurance that costs an arm and a leg each month? Oh, now they REALLY want REAL body parts! Ugh, makes me sick. Anyway, talked to dr. he thought he could wait for the test, and may not have to have it. (Since he was obviously fine: running around the waiting area, and actually ran OUT the automatic doors while was on a land line with the dr!! I had to drop it and run like all the other women around!) Now he's in bed, sleeping well, we'll have to wake him once tonight (to make sure he wakes), and will report back to the dr in the am.

I'll report tomorrow, hopefully with better news. I'll post in between volunteering, then lunch out with Jen, then my date tomorrow night! : ) Exciting day! I'll have to find something cute to wear! : ) (As opposed to my uncool baby-gym clothes that wore themselves to the hospital-you never know in the morning what kinds of things will fill your day! : O ) I guess you should always be prepared (like the girl scouts say!)